5.10 Really... Really?

Madison named the baby Meiling, a name Zhan repeated over and over again. Meiling was the final piece to Madison’s puzzle, and she finally felt complete. Her family was finally whole again.

Madison returned home to crash on the couch. She knew she would her rest because so far Meiling hadn’t slept through the night.

Everyone could tell that Madison was tired and left her on the couch. Ricky hung around to care for Gavin while Lexi cared for the newborn.

Madison slept for hours. Once Ty arrived home from his boy’s date, he convinced Ricky to move her to her own bed. It was a hard task, but Ricky carried her up the stairs.

Madison opened one eye to see Ricky beside her. The bed was familiar although she didn’t remember moving and she was still fully clothed. Madison couldn’t remember what woke her up until her heard Meiling crying in the other room. “Hey,” Ricky whispered looking at Madison.

“Hey,” she responded softly.

“Want me to get her?” Ricky questioned. Instead of answering, Madison shook her head and pushed the covers off her.

Madison pushed open Meiling’s door to find the ghost of her mother towering over the baby.

Madison shouted for Ricky as she raced through the family den, but before Ricky could get out of bed, Ty called from downstairs. His voice sounded scared and tense. Ricky stormed out of the bedroom to find an empty den but loud thumps falling down the stairs.

Ricky found Madison on the patio head in her hands. Ricky stared at Ty before realizing he was staring through Ty. He walked out onto the patio and watched the scene unfold.

It took a lot of effort to get Madison back inside. Ricky held her closely as she sobbed uncontrollably into his shoulder. Everything was happening so fast he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Ricky heard muffled sounds before realizing it was Madison calling out to him. He pulled her away to look into her tear filled eyes before she suddenly closed the gap, her lips on his. Although he had toyed with the idea for years, he wasn’t ready for the consequences.

((After impregnating her, I realized what a horrible idea having 3 babies with one parent would be. Needless to say, the next few weeks will be terrible. You'd think I learned my lesson with the twins but NO.))

5.9 Old Pains

Lexi understood Madison’s motives as soon as she started showing. Although she tried to hide her belly under large gowns, Lexi knew better.

Madison was devastated. Not only by her luck with men, which wasn’t very lucky, but with news of a new baby. Ricky helped soften the blow, but there was only so much he could do to help Madison.

Gavin was quickly growing, and he needed extra attention. Madison took time off from painting to take care of her son.

While teaching Gavin to walk, Madison felt the all too familiar pains. Gavin didn’t understand but Ty did, and Madison was quickly rushed to the hospital.

5.8 Cheating Heart

Now that Madison had reopened the library, Lexi spent much of her time in there. As a matter of fact, Lexi couldn’t figure out why she had closed it anyways. Lexi came here to cool off before everyone woke up. She was upset to see Madison bring another man home. Lexi knew Madison frolicked around town with various gentlemen; however, Lexi was stern when it came to bringing them home. It wasn’t like the first time when it was just Madison. Now she had a son, and he should be her priority not getting laid.

But Madison hadn’t revealed the real reason she wanted Zhan with her.

Madison woke up alone in her bed; she could hear Gavin in the distance, cooing excitedly. Her heart swelled with love as she stumbled groggily into the hall way. She swiped a hand across her sleepy eyes. Across the family den, Madison saw Lexi and Zhan in the library. Zhan leaned into Lexi kissing her slowly. Madison stopped, staring straight ahead.

Lexi’s thoughts were cut short by Zhan’s sudden presence in the library. Instantaneously, Gavin let out a sharp cry, letting the house know he was awake. Since Madison was still asleep, Lexi figured she would use this time to bond with the boy. She quickly pushed herself out of the chair, trying to avoid contract with Zhan. However, her efforts failed as Zhan stopped in front of her to talk. Lexi listened half heartedly, nodding occasionally to fake interest. The conversation had taken a sour turn, and Lexi was about to excuse herself when Zhan pulled her close and forced his lips to hers. She pushed him away quickly disgusted, but she wouldn’t have to tell her daughter because Madison saw it all.

Zhan wouldn’t find out why Madison wanted him to come home with her because as soon as she had him cornered downstairs, their relationship was abruptly cut short.

5.7 New Opportunities

With half a day’s traveling behind her, Madison found the shop easily enough. She was greeted by an attendant with the customary introduction, a slight bow. The attendant, Zhan, showed her to her room, a small closet above the shop. Inside there was an easel, small bed, and a few random wall arts. This was home for now.

The small room was pretty drab. Not a good place for her to work. Instead, Madison preferred to take her easel outside to work. Most of the time, Madison painted intently. Sometimes she would stop and watch the families walk by. She would become homesick, missing Gavin. But neither would last long because Zhan spent as much time inside as he did outside.

As the sun set, Madison would pull her easel inside and help Zhan close up the shop. Once the doors were closed and the merchandise wiped clean, the two spent time together.

When it came time for Madison to leave, Zhan bought a second ticket to accompany her home.

5.6 Reasons

Gavin gave Madison a new reason to live. In no time Madison was back to normal. Instead of picking up a job, Madison chose to be a stay at home mom and live off painting royalties. Most of Madison’s clients were referred by word of mouth, so many were small jobs commissioned by local companies or patrons. The jobs didn’t bring in much money but each little bit helped.

Madison’s big break came on Lexi and Ty’s return from Shang Simla. While overseas, the two encountered an art show. After much schmoozing and talks, Ty was able to persuade the local merchant to showcase some of Madison’s works in his market.

It took even more persuading to get Madison to accept the job since accepting the job meant she’d have to leave Gavin behind.

On the eve of her vacation, Madison spent the night holding and rocking Gavin. It was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do, but deep down she knew it was the best for Gavin. A job of this scale was sure to bring more, and better, opportunities.

5.5 New Life

Madison lacked the will, or want, to live. For days, she wandered the house lifeless, spending most of the day staring at a blank canvas. Lexi was worried sick over Madison and the baby. After many words of encouragement, Ty coaxed her downstairs. With Madison finally out of her new routine, Lexi went to town to find a few outfits for the new baby.

Ty made sure everything was set for Madison before leaving her unattended in the living room while he cooked the three of them dinner. Ty jumped as the fire alarm wailed through out the house. He looked around the empty, smokeless kitchen before realizing Madison was no longer on the couch. From his position in the kitchen he could clearly see the second fireplace empty. With both potential fire areas clear, there was one place she could be. The deck.

He raced to the sliding to the sliding door where Madison was half engulfed in flames from the grill. Ty grabbed her, pulling a hysterical Madison from the flaming grill. "Leave me!" She shouted tears streaming down her face. Ty held her close in a bear hug until the firemen arrived and extinguished the flames.

Lexi arrived home as the fire truck pulled away. Her heart full of fear. Instead of finding anyone dead or injured, she found her daughter in labor up stairs and her shaky husband panicking. Lexi quickly rushed her daughter to the car and to the hospital.

Gavin was born shortly after getting to the hospital. Even though his mother had taken in a lot of smoke, he was a healthy baby boy with many of his father's characteristics, except for his strange purple eyes.

5.4 One door closes

To take Lexi's mind off her daughter, Ty treated her to a relaxing vacation at Beach Solitude. The two also took time to have a wedding of their own. It had taken her all her life, but Lexi now understood the meaning of family.

The two returned home to find Dequan crashed on the couch and Madison visibly pregnant. Lexi buried her face in her hands. They weren't gone that long which could only mean one thing. And Lexi didn't want to think of that.

"Lex," Ty cooed one night, "Regardless of the decisions they made, they are happy. Just let her be." Lexi knew better than to argue so she just shifted in bed and fell asleep.

Madison and Dequan were more than happy to be together. But Dequan was kicking himself for getting her pregnant. His daughter was almost grown, so it had been years since he had to put up with pregnant mood swings. Dequan spent as little time with the grouchy Madison as possible. Usually only coming around for the occasional massage or kiss. Plus most of the time Madison sat in front of the easel, a place Dequan knew to leave her alone.

With his mother-in-law against him, Dequan preferred to stay in the detached apartment. It was small but cozy and just the place to hang out to avoid others.

Dequan woke early one evening to a soft popping of the fireplace. The air was warm and stuffy, and the room smelled strangely like smoke. He opened his eyes to find he was more or less surrounded by fire. Shit, he thought as he tried to make his way to the door. Dequan stood up to find that he was unsure of where the door was. He could feel the air filling his lungs. All of a sudden he was unsure of which way was up. He could hear Madison's cries filling the air and somewhere in the distance he thought he heard sirens. He felt his body hit the ground but he couldn't feel the pain. Fire danced around before him until a black mass washed upon him.

((I just want to throw out there that this is the first sim I have killed in Sims 3. It was hard. ))