Mattie had came back in, Emily had dropped her doll while they were out clothes shopping, she had sent the children along with the staff so they could get settled in and ready for bed, as she would just catch up in her own car.

{Mattie} I'm sorry, I know its late but my lil left her doll..

She froze when she looked up seeing the man with the gun... Now realizing what was happening as she backed away a bit. He turned looking at her as she looked in shock seeing her new neighbor robbing the place...

Maddox looked at the woman and pointed the gun at her.

Maddox: Over here with her.

He watched the young girl put the fake money in the bag and smiled.

Maddox: Come on, Jenny.  Faster.

He saw the new woman start to move and pointed the gun at her again.

Maddox: Stand still or I'll shoot you.  I really don't want to though.

He saw her reach for something and shot her right in the chest.  He watched the water spread over her shirt and put the gun down on the counter.

Maddox: See, sis?  You just got a customer killed.  If this had been a real robbery instead of just a security test, I could have killed you both.

He looked at the woman and smiled at her.

Maddox: Sorry about your shirt.  I didn't mean for you to get involved at all.  I was just giving my sister a training lesson on store security.

She just stood there as she was a bit lost and confused but just shook her head she saw Emily's doll grabbed it and just walked out of the mall and to her car..

{Mattie} Strange bunch of people

She took her shirt off and tossed it int he back as she had a tank top on under it.

Maddox went after her not wanting her to think bad of his sister's store.

Maddox: Are you okay, ma'am?

Yeah like she was thinking she'd be back at that store anytime soon, she wasn't planning on it anytime soon.

{Mattie} Yeah just fine.

She said as she started her car up.

{Mattie} Excuse me I need to get going, I have a bunch of little children waiting for me to tuck them in and read them stories.

She siad as she just left heading home to take care of her adopted children.

He knew she was his neighbor and knew he'd get a chance to better explain later.  He went back inside and helped out his sister close the store before he headed home.

He saw one of the kids standing in his driveway when he pulled in.

Maddox: Hey there.  Something wrong?

He watched him shake his head.

Maddox: Come on I'll take you back over home so your mom doesn't get worried about you.

Mattie had been looking around the house for Jackson wondering where he was hiding, knowing he didn't like to go to bed when he was suppose too.

{Mattie} Come on Jackson, hunny where are you.

She called out to him, as she went looking in his normal hiding spots for him before she finally heard the door she went over answering it as she saw Maddox and Jackson there as she was glad he didnt' go too far.

{Mattie} Thank you.

He smiled softly at the little boy then at her.

Maddox: He was standing in my driveway when I got home.  We are good buddies.  Before you moved in and took over, the two of us used to go fishing in the pond in my back yard.

She nodded as she looked at him, she then looked at Jackson.

{Mattie} Come on little man, you need to get into bed, you have school in the morning.

She smiled softly seeing how he was looking not wanting to go.

{Mattie} I tell you what, you go to bed and for breakfast I'll make you chocalte pancakes... As many as you want.

She saw him grin then nod and run up staris as she smiled watching him god.

He smiled watching him go running.

Maddox: Do you mind if I took him fishing this weekend?  I promise to keep a good eye on him.

Mattie looked at him.

{Mattie} I don't know.. I don't really know you or anything..

She siad as she was thinking he was a smidget out of his mind from the store thing as she stood there... Unlike her siblings she didn't really find herself attracted or in awe of the Grangers...

{Mattie} I jsut got the kids and dont' want to do anything to have them taken away from me.

She said honestly as she stepped back.

{Mattie} Have a goodnight Mr. Granger

She said as she closed the door locking it behind her as she went making sure verything was set and everyone was sleeping before she went cleaning up the house.

Maddox was out washing her car the next morning when she got up.  He saw her in the window and waved to her.

She saw him as she waved a bit, as she went back to work, she got all the children on the bus as she waved and smiled to them all, she made pancakes for Jackson just like she promised and was now just washing the dishes.. When she was done she went fixing up the house... She wasn't wanting to get behind or anything, and was happy that she finally got approved for adopting all 18 children, it took some work but now they all where hers and she didn't have to worry about them getting pushed thru the system, they were all Sweets now..

After washing the car he picked up the basket's of fruit on the porch.  He carried them over to her house and knocked on the door.

Maddox: I've been bringing fresh fruit from my trees over to the kids for a couple years now.  I also have a vegetable garden I share with the kids.  You are welcome to any of the fruit and vegetables.  I picked these apples and oranges this morning.

Mattie looked at him a bit shocked.

{Mattie} Why thank you.

She looked at him a moment

{Mattie} Care for some pancakes and eggs, I have a bunch left.

She said as she didn't want to waste them.

He had already eatten breakfast but didn't want to turn her down.  She was actually being nice for a change.

Maddox: Thank you. I washed your car for you.  I've always washed the other woman's car whenever I washed mine.

She looked at him

{Mattie} Thank you

She said as she walked him, and let him set down as she brought him some breakfast.

He smiled as he looked at the food.

Maddox: Thank you.  My name is Maddox by the way.  And I know you are Mattie.  One of the kids told me.

She nodded as she looked at him .

{Mattie} Madeline actually, but every calls me Mattie..

He smiled and nodded.

Maddox: I like the name.  It's old fashioned and sweet.

She looked at him when he said that.

{Mattie} Thank you... Its a good thing I"m a Sweet then.

She joked.

He almost choked on his eggs.

Maddox: You are a Sweet?

Mattie nodded looking at him.

{Mattie} Yep... Identcal sister to Jenna, Amber, and Bobbi..

She said as she thought about her 100's of siblings.

He was a bit worried now.

Maddox: You know about the history with your family and mine right?

She looked at him.

{Mattie} I know that a lot of our siblings are together..

He looked at her.

Maddox: I hope you don't think...me and you...I'm not looking for anything like that.

She laughed as she looked at him

{Mattie} Don't flatter yourself...

She said as she just shook her head as she was putting away dishes.

{Mattie} Unlike my sisters I'm not under that influence that you Grangers seem to have on most of them...

He was happy to hear that.

Maddox: Good.  The Sweets have no hold on me like they do my brothers.  I'll be happy with us being friends and neighbors.

She nodded as she finished cleaning up.

{Mattie} Fine with me.

She said as she took her apron off.

{Mattie} I'm seeing someone else anyways.

She said as she took her hair down and let it drop as she looked at her watch.

{Mattie} And I"m suppose to meet him in a little bit.

She said as she was going to get cleaned up.

He nodded and stood up.

Maddox: I won't keep you then. 

She looked at him as she nodded

{Mattie} Thanks. have a good day,

Seh said as she watched him head for the door as she went upstaris to shower and get ready for her date .

Her date showed up before she was ready so he went and kept the guy company.

Maddox: Takes a brave man to want to date a girl with so many kids. Makes you wonder how many more she's got in her before she's done.

He saw the look the guy gave her and grinned.

Maddox: Don't worry.  If the two of you get married like she was talking about earlier, I'm sure your job will be more than enough to raise them all as well as how ever many more comes along.

He got up and walked back over to his house laughing before she came out.

She had been at the windwo when she saw him, she glarred ab it but was too late her date was gone by the time she could stop him... She went over to his house knocking on his door, when he opened it she slapped him across the face. 

{Mattie} You're such a jerk, how could, why.. 

She just glarred at him, upset. but then jnust turned around walking way heading back home as she just locked herself away in her house waiting for her kids to come home, she had gotten all dressed up for nothing, she kicked hte heels off as she just went into the kitchen and got some juice, as she sighed a bit. .

He laughed then took the bread out of the oven and wrapped it in the towel.  He carried it over to her house and knocked.  He held it out to her when she opened the door.

Maddox: Peace offering.  Zucchini bread.  Jackson and Sasha love it.

She looked at him as she shook her head glarring. 

[Mattie} No, stay away from me, and my children. 

She said slamming the door as she walked off leaving him there.. .

He glared at the door.

Maddox: Next time one of your kids sneak out and I find them in my driveway, I'll call my brother to come and get them.  Apparently you aren't able to take care of them yourself.

She was already working on getting that taken care of, as she was putting a strong and bigger fence up, to keep the children safe, and it would be done by the time they were done, she was taking all precatuions she could... Espeially since her sister told her about the local kidnappings going on.

{Mattie} Already taking care of that little problem.

She yelled out as she was afraid of him... She already knew he was a little out of his mind from that whole mock robbery thing... and then the lil stunt he had pulled with her now ex...She was pretty sure he was crazy..

He grinned and shook his head.

Maddox: You are nuts.  Do you know that?

She just ignored him as she went on her day... Kids got home she talked to them all and told them how it was very important that they stay in the yard no matter what... Weeks went on and things were good, she smild as she put them all on the bus, she watched them go as she was about to go inside when she saw him standing there by her door.

{Mattie} Please get away from my door.

He shook his head.

Maddox: Don't go in there.  The police are on their way.

She looked at him a bit conufsed but he just moved grabbing her lifting her over his shoulder and carried her off to his place as she held on a bit startled.

{Mattie} Wow you're strong.

She said as he carried her with ease to his house...

{Mattie} Whats going on.

He put her down and grinned a bit as she was looking at him... AS she didn't know why he was grinning so much.

{Mattie} Why are the police coming?.

He stood at the window and pointed.

Maddox: I wanted that man that you can see in your kitchen right now, walk into the back door of your place right after you took the kids out to the bus.

She looked at the man watching him as he was looking around.

{Mattie} Who is that?

He shrugged.

Maddox: I don't know.  The police will get him though. Are all of the kids out of there?  Nobody stayed home sick or anything?

Mattie shook her head

Mattie: No, everyone is in school..

She watched the man leave the house, seeing he had a gun as she gasped.

Mattie: Oh my, he has a gun.

She said shocked as he was running off into the woods.... She had cameras installed in the back so his face would be seen, not sure if she could id him or not... but she was very much scared.

He looked at her.

Maddox: Stay here until the police arrive.  Don't know if he'll come back or not.

Mattie nodded as she stood there scared after a bit the police where there as they were talking and then looked at the cameras that had caught the mans face... She was then told it was Shawn Blade... A man out kidnapping single women, to take back to the cult...

{Mattie} AT least he wasnt' out after the children.

She said more relieved about them than worried about herself.

Maddox frowned.

Maddox: They've never taken women with children before.

She wa sthinking abou tit as the cop spoke out

Cop: They probably know that she isn't the biolgcal parent and is just a foster mom, or think this is a foster home and seh is just a care giver.

Mattie shrugged as she stood there..

He still didn't like it.

Maddox: What if he returns while the kids are there?

She looked at him.

{Mattie} I've already gone over with the children what to do in case of an emergency...

She said as she was thinking about it, as she knew her kids were very smart as she was thinking about it...

{Mattie} I'll make sure to keep the doors and windows locked at all times, even when I"m home.

She said thinking about it as the cop nodded thinking she had a good plan and would be well off, and thoght he wouldn't try to cme back with all the cops around right nhow.

{Mattie} Thank you officer.

She said as they left, as she took a breath she went out making sure the back door was bolted closed, and made sure that all was locked up... She went checking up all the chidlrens rooms to make sure the windwos were locked and secure as she smiled seeing it was all good...

{Mattie} Thank you,

She ssaid as she looked at Maddiox who was still standing in her door way as she went out to meet the children, as they were just getting off the bus... Night time came and she checked everything agian after making sure all the children were asleep.. She then went as she settled down on the couch, with a cup of hot coco... ..

Maddox knocked on the door.

Maddox: It's me, Mattie.

She got up as she unlocked the door then opened as she looked at him, wondering what he was wanting.

{Mattie} Yes?

She looked at him, as she let him in when he asked as she closed the door behind him.

He held up the baskets.

Maddox: I brought you some fresh fruit and vegetables for tomorrow.

She smiled softly as she looked at him.

{Mattie} Thank you, very sweet of you.

She said as she was looking at him. 

{Mattie} Would you like some coco?

She offered as she had some more if he was wanting some..

It was too hot for cocoa but he couldn't resist her so he nodded.

Maddox: Thank you.

She nodded as she went to go and get him some coco, as she was stnading in the kitchen she looked up to the window and saw the man there, she yelled out as he shot her, as she fell, shocked... She saw Maddiox run out as she held her shoulder.

{Mattie} Don't worry abou tme, just get the children.

She said hearing them come down the stairs she didn't want them to see her like this, as she saw him nod and go, so he could all the police as she just liad there bleeding, he had shot her, he could of killed her but he didn't... She saw him back again trying to unlock the door she crawled away hiding, waiting for the police to come, or for him to just give up and go.

Maddox got the kids into a closet where they would be safe.  He went back to check on Mattie.

Maddox: You can't have her.  She's already claimed.  She has children here.

She was in and out of it from the blood loss but saw him and Maddiox talking not sure what they were saying...

Maddox watched Shane run off again and he stayed with Mattie. He heard the sirens and felt relieved.

Maddox: I will take care of the kids for you.  I promise.

She just nodded as she was to weak to really think, she knew soemthing wasn't right, Shawn didn't shoot him they were talking... He said she was claimed.... but the kids... She tried to move to get up so she could see them.

Mattie: i need to see them.

She said as she was rushed out with the ambulance, as she was starting to go into shock after a moment from all the blood that she lost... and the bullett having poisen in it..

He calmed the kids down and got them tucked back into bed.  He called her sister and told her what was going on and one of them came to stay with the kids.

He drove to the hospital and sat with her.

After a bit she groaned out as she was coming too, she had a quick surgery and go tthe bullett ot, but the drugs would have to work out of her system, she lopened her eyes seein ghim there as she smiled looking at him.

{Mattie} Well hey there sexy.

She siad as she smiled looking at him....

He looked around thinking someone had come in behind him.

Maddox: Me?

She smirked as she nodded as she moved, she slid into the chair sititng on his lap, she moved her hands over his chest as she opened his shirt up.

{Mattie} Mm, yes you... You're so hot...

She said as she leaned down nibbling on his chest a bit... unable to stop herself.

He lifted her back onto the bed.

Maddox: You just had surgery.  You need to rest.

She shook her head as she pulled him towards her..

{Mattie} Mm no what i need right now is you... I'm so hot, so in need... Won't you help me, Maddiox..

She moved her hands touching him, sliding her figners inside his pants as she moved up kissing him.

He didn't know what to do.  He knew she wasn't acting herself but he didn't want to hurt her either.  She already thought he was strange. If he told her no, she'd probably start to think he was gay or something.

He just sat there in the end and let her have her way with him and didn't fight it.

She could see how unrepsonive he was as she just moved from him, she sat up a bit pulling the stuff off of her..

{Matttie} Well if you're nto into it, I"ll go find someone who is willing.

She siad as she got up, and started to leave.   She got her things signed herself out of the hospital, as she went walking downt he street, she felt strange, and couldn't explain, it.

He went after her and pulled her into his car.  He drove back to his house and took her inside instead of letting her go into her own.  She was in no shape for the kids to see her  in.

She stood there looking at him glarring a bit.

{Mattie} What do you think you are doing, you already made it more than clear you dont' want me.

She said as she was burning up so bad, she didn't know how much more she could take, and he wasnt' wanting to help her. she was starting to think he was out to make her miserble to make her suffer as she tried to leave again, but he just grabbed her picking her up..

He carried her up to his bedroom and laid her gently on the bed.

Maddox: You are putting words in my mouth that I never said. I only said that you should rest.

She looked at him as she couldn't sit still.

{Mattie} I can't rest. I"m restless...

She said as she was feeling so hot as she took her clothes off, unable to stand it anymore.

He pulled her against him gently kissing her deeply.  He had wanted her since the day he met her.  He just didn't want the strings that was usually attached.

Maddox: I'm here if you want me.

She kissed him back pulling him against her as she moved her hands over hom.

{Mattie} I want you now.

She said moaning out, as she stripped him.

Maddox: Then I'm yours.

He let her undress him not caring about the ripped cloth he heard.

She got him fully undressed then pulled him towards her.

{Mattie} MMm and i'm yours..

She said as she kissed him deeply as she moved for him spreading her legs as she gasped a bit, feeling him thrust into her, as she felt a bit of pain from never doing this, but she didn't care as she was soon moaning out, loving how he felt deep inside her.

{Mattie} Oh god, you feel so good.

She moved her hands over him, lvoing how he felt how he was making her feel.

He looked into her eyes.

Maddox: Promise me that you won't hate me in the morning.

She looked up at him as she nodded her head letting out another soft moan.

{Mattie} I promise.

He kissed her softly then deepened the kiss.

Maddox: I love you, Mattie.  I do honestly truly love you.

Mattie smiled when he said that as she looked at him.

Mattie: I love you.

He knew it was just the drugs talking but he wasn't going to say anything and upset her again. Instead he lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

Mattie held onto him as they made love, it was hours later before she finally orgasmed as she felt him cumming, as she maoned out her pleasure.  She then after a bit passed out as she fell asleep, feeling very good and satisfied...

It was hours before she woke up, she streched a bit, as she opened her eyes looking around some..

{Mattie} The children.

She jumped up remembering the robbie and them..

He pulled her back down and cuddled her closer.

Maddox: They are fine.  Two of your sisters are over there with them.

She gasped when she got pulled back down, she realized not only was he naked but so was she...

{Mattie} We're naked...

She said not remembering what happened but by the looks of it a lot happened, she felt him nibbling on her shoulder and neck as she gasped ab it at the warm sensation, as she let out a soft moan.

He kissed her softly.

Maddox: We have been naked for hours now.  You ripped my shirt trying to get it off me.

She blushed when he said that as she was thinking about it.

{Mattie} I did?

He nodded as she was thinking about it, as she wasn't sure what to think, a sshe looked at him feeling his hands on her, oh it felt good as she let out another soft moan.

{Mattie} Oh... Not going to press charges against me for assult are you.

She said thinking about it, as she was so confused right now, but she wasn't upset or anything..

He cupped her breasts in his hands and ran his thumb over her nipple.

Maddox: That depends.  Are you going to stop telling me to go away and leave you alone?

She gasped a bit loving how he was making her reel as she heard what he said.

{Mattie} Yes I'll stop tellling you to go away, and i don't want you to leave me alone.

Maddox: Good.

He turned her to face him.

Maddox: You told me that you love me.

She looked at him when he siad that, shocked that she said it as she was thinking about it.

{Mattie} I told the truth.

She said honestly as she was looking at him..

He smiled softly at her.

Maddox: And I was telling the truth when I told you that I love you.

She smiled softly as she looked at him, as she leaned up kissing him tenderly .

{Mattie} Thank you for saving my life.

He ran his finger lightly over her cheek.

Maddox: I couldn't let you die.  And I couldn't that man take you.

She smiled warmly as she looked at him

{Mattie} You're my hero

She said as she kissed him tenderly..

He smiled and shook his head.

Maddox: I'd rather just be your lover.

She smiled softly as she looked at him.

{Mattie} I like that.

She siad as she kissed him warmly.

He lightly cupped her cheek in his hand and deepened the kiss.

Maddox: I love you, Mattie.

Mattie smiled softly as she looked at him when he said that.

{Mattie} I love you, too.

He ran his hand over her side and smiled.

Maddox: You are still worried about the kids aren't you?