A/N: This chapter is probably going to seem like I'm going off the "Madison's Parents in a rage" story line, but I am going somewhere with this. So to all my loyal readers and reviewers, thanks for reading/reviewing and I hope you'll all enjoy. kursk: Well, we're gonna get to that. ;) You'll just have to wait and see how this plays out. Divagurl277: "So that just goes to show you that you shouldn't sweat what idiots like that have to say." Wise advice! Also, thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you loved the chapter. :) Cap'n Keira Sparrow: lol But it's Everwood! They might as well call, "Dramawood". Thanks for reviewing! Borg: Well, if your previous review had not been riddled with errors, then I would not have had to make such an extensive correction. On a side note, if you continue to make racist comments, I will begin to delete your reviews on my story. Chrios: "and don't mind the flamer, unless he tries threats or something. some people on this site are just plain rude. and he named himself after a heartless being from a tv show, what does that say?" lol Oh Chrios, you always seem to review when I'm not in the greatest of moods, and yet you always manage to put a smile on my face! Dude, you rock! Thanks. :) As far as Madison's Mom being Irish, well, I never really thought about it. lol Hmm, my Grandmother's half Irish and she has a really bad temper too.....Yeah, Robert is more accepting, and you'll most likely see that later on too. LucyBethFan1: Thanks for taking the moment to review! It's really sweet of you to say that I'm one of your favorite authors. I feel so honored! Nathaniel: I feel exactly the same way! I hate people who can't control their personal opinions, when they can potentially be very hurtful to others. I have nothing against helpful tips/constructive criticism, but these reviews he/she has left, are wrong and extrememly childish/immature. I think I'll consider reporting him/her to the site. Especially after his/her racist comment, about Asians! To end on a happy note, thank you for your encouraging review and I'm glad to know I have another thoughtful reader!

4.17 A Mother's Love

----December 24, 2004 (Christmas Eve)----

Rose angrily tossed her fork to the plate and stood up. "It's people like that who really tick me off!" She had previously considered using 'stronger language', but since there were children at the table, she decided against it. She eyed the men in the room. "What are you all looking at?" She flicked her wrist. "Go, go! Give Madison some space." She walked over the beautiful blonde and wrapped her arms around the sobbing young woman.

"Uh..Yeah, everyone, come on!" Ephram said, as he motioned to the hallway. "I think we should go.." He scooped up seats that Kelly and Julia were strapped in and carried them down the hall to his and Amy's room.

Everyone exited the room, leaving Rose and Madison alone.

Rose pulled a chair from the now vacant table and sat down, cupping Madison's hands in her own.

Madison looked into Rose's eyes. "Oh, Mrs. Abbott...I knew this was a bad idea!"

Rose gently squeezed Madison's hands. "Shh...It's ok. Nothing is going to happen to you or your daughter."

"But you don't know my parents! It's like...they won't stop at something, until they get what they're after! My Mother hates me for getting pregnant so young, especially be a sixteen-year-old!" Madison sobbed. "I-I don't want her to take my daughter away!"

"She won't!" Rose assured her. "You're a wonderful parent, Madison! Anyone who can't see that is looking at the situation with their eyes closed." She gently assuaged Madison's back. "It's ok, don't cry.." She wrapped her arms tightly around the young woman and held her close.

Madison trembled in Rose's arms, feeling something that she'd forgotten so long ago; a Mother's love.

----Flashback----

"And I wanna have kids in a big house with a white picket fence and a husband to treats me like a princess!" A 5-year-old Madison exclaimed, as she sat tucked in her bed, with a 'Cinderella' story pulled tightly to her chest.

Mrs. Kellner seated herself next to her daughter, on the bed. "Oh honey, you'll have all those things and you'll make your Father and I so proud!" She reached down, wrapping her arms around her daughter and pulling her into a deep, loving hug.

----Flashback----

Madison let out another series of sobs, as images of the Mother she used to know, flooded her mind.

----9:00 P.M.----

Nina exchanged hugs with Amy, Ephram, and Madison. "Merry Christmas!" She waved.

"Bye Amy! Bye Madison!" Delia called, as she waved to her nieces' Mothers. She bent down to her nieces' carriers and kissed each one on the head, before jumping to her feet. "Sam, I'll race you too your Mom's car!" She dashed out the door.

"No fair!" Sam wailed, as he jetted after her.

Nina laughed. "Looks like we should go now, before those two wreck havoc on everything." She eyed Madison. "You take care, Madison." She pulled a small pen and tissue from her purse, scribbled something down, and handed it to Madison. "You can call me, if you ever need someone to talk to." She whispered into Madison's ear.

"Thanks, Nina." Madison replied, with sincerity in her voice. "It means a lot."

Nina gave Madison another hug and then grabbed Andy by the shoulder. "Say good-bye, Andy."

"Bye! Take care now." Andy replied, waving to his son and granddaughters. He turned, sending a warm smile to Nina. "Let's go."

Nina could feel a warm rush, sweep over her. She seemed to stare at his smile, for the longest moment.

"Nina? You okay?" Andy asked, concerned.

Nina shook her head, pulling herself out of the daze. "Yeah, fine." She smiled, warmly. "Yeah, let's go." She pulled her hand back and stepped into the cold air, closing her eyes and returning to reality.

Andy shook his head, confused by the lapses she sometimes had. He wish he knew what caused them. "Bye." He repeated, before leaving the house. He walked next to Nina, not saying a word, until they neared their parked cars. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes." Nina replied, with a laugh. "What's with the sudden curiosity?"

Andy shrugged. "Just making sure."

"Well, thanks." Nina said. She looked around, noticing Sam and Delia playing tag, on the lawn. "Sam! It's time to go!"

Within minutes, Sam had reached his Mom, and was hiding behind her.

Delia had disappeared between some cars.

"Come on, lets go!" Sam urged, as he grabbed at his Mom's coat pocket.

"Sam!" Nina slapped Sam's hand away. "Be polite!"

Sam guiltily looked at the ground, becoming very interested in his shoes. "Bye Dr. Brown." He mumbled.

"Goodbye, Sam." Andy replied, cheerfully. He patted Sam's shoulder. "And Merry Christmas!"

"Yeah, you too." Sam mumbled, as he kicked the ground with his shoe.

Delia burst out from behind a park car and slapped Sam on the back. "You're it!"

"No fair!" Sam protested. He grabbed from Delia.

Delia spun out of Sam's grasp and stuck her tongue out. "Times!"

"Na uh!" Sam yelled.

"Yep, it's totally in the rules!" Delia replied, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Delia!" Andy scolded. "Apologize to Sam for sticking out your tongue, that was very rude!"

Delia's face soured. "Sorry.." She muttered, under her breath.

Andy shook his head. "I'm sorry, Nina."

"They're just tired." Nina soothed. "We really should be going." She unlocked her car doors and let Sam in.

"Bye Nina! Merry Christmas!" Delia yelled, as she got inside her Father's car.

"You too, Delia!" Nina waved, then shut her car door and drove off.

Andy got inside, shutting his door and then placed the key in the ignition. He paused, staring as Nina's car drove away.

"Something wrong?" Delia asked. She stared at her Father and tugged at his sleeve, when there was no reply.

"Huh?"

"Something wrong?"

"Uh, no. No...Just tired. Long day, you know?" Andy lied, as he started the car.

"A huh." Delia replied, suspiciously. She buckled her seat belt and made sure that her Father had on a seat belt too.

Andy shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and drove away.

----

Rose tightly hugged Madison. "It'll be ok." She whispered.

"Thanks, Mrs. Abbott." Madison whispered, absorbing the moment. Then she pulled away, feeling slightly more hopeful.

"Goodnight!" Rose said, as she and Harold left.

Bright turned to Ephram. "Dude, I gotta go. But hey, I'll be over tomorrow, 'cause I left some presents at the folks' house."

"Sounds great, Bright." Ephram replied, sharing a quick hug with his friend.

"See ya all later!"

"Bye Bright!" Amy called, as she waved to her older brother.

"By, sis." Bright shut the front door behind him.

Amy, Madison, and Ephram all exchanged looks. "Wow!" They all breathed, at the same moment.

"Today has been so crazy." Madison replied.

"I think I'm just gonna crash." Amy replied.

Ephram smiled. "Go ahead. I'll put the girls to bed."

"Are you sure?" Amy and Madison asked, in unison.

"Positive. Now shoo!" Ephram waved his hand at the hallway.

Amy leaned in, gently pressing her lips to Ephram's and giving him a passionate kiss. "You're the best!"

"I love you too." Ephram replied, before placing his hands on her shoulders and turning to face the hallway. He gave her a playful pat on the butt. "Go."

"Oh.." Amy straightened her back. "Okay, okay.." She winked at her fiance and headed down the hallway.

"Are you okay?" Ephram asked, turning to his ex.

"Yeah, but thanks for asking." Madison replied, awkwardly.

Ephram wrapped his arms around Madison, giving her a hug that only a friend could give. "Get some sleep, don't worry, I got the girls."

Madison yawned. "Thanks Eph, you're a lifesaver."

Ephram tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Go.."

Madison yawned again and headed down the hallway.

After making sure that both doors were closed, Ephram yawned himself. He knelt down next to his daughters' carriers and smiled at the tired girls. "Time for bed, isn't it?" He stood up, grabbing each carrier, and lumbered into his daughters' room.

----45 Minutes Later----

Ephram looked down at his sleeping offspring, smiling contentedly to himself. "I love you both." He whispered, then he walked to the door and turned off the light, leaving a soft pink glow from the night light. He then pulled the door almost shut, leaving it open about an inch, and headed down the hallway to his and Amy's room. He opened the door, to find the light on, but Amy was crashed out on the bed. He kicked off his shoes and nice outfit and changed into a pair of cotton pj's. He climbed into bed, wrapping his arm around Amy, and flicked off the light with a free hand. He softly kissed his fiance's cheek and then laid his head next to her neck.

Amy snuggled closer to Ephram, not even realizing it, because she was still sleeping.

"I love you." Ephram whispered, then he shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

----Dream----

Ephram was handsomely dressed, sitting in front of the Christmas tree, in his apartment. He looked around, seemingly confused. Then he heard footsteps behind him and he stood up, turning around, and his eyes filled with tears.

A beautiful brunette stood before Ephram. Her chestnut eyes glittering with love and care. She was wearing a long, flowing pale yellow dress, and she looked at gorgeous has he'd remembered.

"M-Mom?" Ephram stuttered.

Julia Brown smiled at her son. "Hello, Ephram." She replied, her voice sounding like a melody.

Ephram wiped the tears from his eyes. "B-but how?" He asked, his voice cracking.

"Shh.." Julia replied, as she embraced her son. Her caring arms wrapped around him, as if to never let him go.

Ephram locked his arms around his long lost Mother. "I missed you so much!" He cried.

"I missed you too." Julia said, as she rubbed her son's back. "You've gone through so much...so fast..I'm so sorry I couldn't have been there."

Ephram said nothing, he just closed his eyes and soaked in his Mother's love.

"I can't stay long, Ephram."

"What?" Ephram choked, as he gazed into his Mother's brown eyes.

"I can't stay long." Julia repeated, as she gently pulled away.

"No, please! You can't go now, I just got you back!" Ephram pleaded.

Julia shook her head, sorrowfully. "I'm so sorry Ephram.."

"Please?" Ephram begged, as tears formed in his eyes.

"I came to warn you.." Julia replied, as her form began to waver.

Ephram reached out to his Mother, but she seemed just out of reach. "W-warn me? What?"

"Check the baby, Ephram." Julia said, as she faded into a see-through type state.

"What?" Ephram asked, confused.

"Check the baby, Ephram." Julia repeated, as her see-through state started to dissipate into nothingness.

"I don't understand!" Ephram cried.

"She doesn't sound right." Julia replied, as her body completely faded away.

"Who?" Ephram asked, looking at the empty space where his Mother had been.

"Julia doesn't sound right." Julia's voice floated through the air.

----Dream----

Ephram's eyes flash open and he placed his hand to his cheek and felt wet blotches and his heart was pounding.

A voice, barely even a whisper, floated into Ephram's ears. "Check the baby, Ephram."

Ephram jumped out of bed, out of his room, down the hall, and burst into his daughters' room. He flicked on the light and ran to Julia's bassinet. His eyes nearly bulged from his head, when he saw that his youngest daughter's face was a pale blue color. "Julia!" He screamed, as he grabbed her from the bassinet. "Oh my God! Amy! Madison!"

Within moments, Amy and Madison were in the room. "What?! What's wrong?!"

Ephram's breath was ragged and his eyes were huge. "Call an ambulance, Julia isn't breathing!"