April had equally been excited. She couldn't wait to be part of a real family. She had been shuttled from one foster family to another for so long, she couldn't remember ever having anything that was hers alone. Now, she was actually going to have a mommy and a daddy.
 

When Mike and Leila took April to see her new home, April was speechless. It was the most beautiful house she had ever seen! And, so big! "Are we really going to live here?!" she asked. Leila had tears in her eyes and said, "Of course, sweetie, this is your home now, too. Would you like to go and see your room?"
 

"I have my own room?" April squeeled. "Yes," said Leila, "and I hope you like it!" Actually, Leila had taken great pains to decorate the room so April would love it. She remembered that April's favorite color was lavendar, and that she loved dolls and stuffed animals.

Mike asked her, "Do you like your room, April?"
 

April turned to look at him with disbelief in her eyes. "This is all MINE? I can't believe it! Oh, it's so beautiful! I love it, I love it, I love it!" she squeeled.
 

She ran over to Leila who scooped her up in her arms and threw her arms around Leila's neck. "Oh, thank you so much,...er..."
 

Leila kissed the little girl's cheek and said, "If you'd like to, you could call me Mommy. Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to."
 

Mike patted her back and said, "And, you can call me Daddy, if you want to."
 

April hugged them both and said, "I love you Mommy and Daddy!"

As they were finishing, April climbed up in Leila's lap. Leila stroked her beautiful daughter's hair. It felt so right...the three of them here like this. What more could she ask for.
 

Mike looked at his instant family and thought how lucky he was. This is what I've always wanted he said. A family of my own. He couldn't help but think about Leila's face when he managed to find the baby she gave away at birth -- and find her he would. He had gotten close twice now, but it hadn't worked out. But, he had the best investigators working on it and he knew that it was only a matter of time.

Both Mike and Leila let out a little laugh and Mike said, "Well, not yet, sweetie, in about a week or so. It's not quite ready for us to move into yet. But soon, I promise. For now, we're going to live on a ranch with Leila's family." April's face lit up "A real ranch - with horses!" "Yes, honey, with horses," Leila said as they got up to leave.
 

The new little family was so happy that they never noticed the blonde sitting a few tables away. But Lauren had noticed them and had heard all that was said. She watched them leave as a tear slid slowly down her cheek.

"Hi, darling," he said, "sorry I'm a little late, but I was at the gym. Are the girls in bed? I had hoped I'd be home before they were asleep."
 

Madra looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, darling, they had quite an exhausting day today - shopping and then lunch with you. Emma was unusually cranky, so I gave them an early supper and bath and put them to bed. Have youi eaten your dinner, yet?"
 

"I grabbed a quick dinner before I went to the gym," he said as he took off his vest and sat on the couch next to her.
 

He put his arm around her and said, "Darling, what's wrong - you were so quiet at lunch today. Is something wrong?"

Madra let out a sigh and said, "I ran into your old girlfriend today while I was shopping with the girls."
 

"My old girlfriend?" he asked. "Yes, Vanessa," she replied in a haughty air to mimic Vanessa.
 

Max looked perplexed, "I told you, she's was not my girlfriend."
 

Madra took a deep breath and said, "Well, that's not what she led me to believe. She told me that you were her first lover! Max, I think she's still in love with you! Why haven't you told me about her?!"
 

Max looked at his beloved wife, tears so close in her eyes and said, "Madra, you know I have a life before you, and I know you had a life before me. What happened before is not of any consequence. I do not, and have not ever, loved Vanessa. You, my darling, are the one and only woman to hold my heart. I love you my darling -- deeply and completely."

"Oh Max," Madra sighed, "I love you so much."
 

He pulled her on top of him then and she could feel him fumble with the zipper of her dress. In one fell swoop, he unzipped her dress. "Max," she cried, "you devil!"
 

"What," he said, "I just want to see who made this beautiful dress so I can thank them!"
 

They were both laughing then and Max kissed Madra again.

She let out a giggle and said, "Oh, Max, I can't stay angry with you for long! Stop that!"
 

"What?! Stop?! No, it can't be....." he said as he nuzzled her neck. He could smell the sweet smell of her lavendar perfume and his head was spinning with desire.
 

Max looked at his beautiful wife and knew he was a lucky man. "I love you so much, darling. I want you," he whispered as he kissed her neck. He could smell the sweet scent of her lavendar perfume and he was filled with desire.
 

All of a sudden the cries of one of the girls broke their tender moment. Madra jumped up, zipped up her dress, and said, "I'll see to her, Max."
 

Max held her hand and said, "Hurry back, darling...." as he kissed her hand.
 

Madra slowly pulled her hand from his grip, threw him a kiss and headed upstairs to tend to her daughter.

Max had not heard Madra enter the room, but sensed her presence. He looked up to see her carrying Emma. The little girl's body was completely limp and he could see that Madra was crying.
 

Fear pierced his heart as he heard his wife say, "Max, Emma is so sick! Her fever is so high, and she's delirious! She didn't even know me! Oh, Max......Max......I'm so frightened!"