Disclaimer: You know the drill. These characters aren't mine, even though I wish they were. Many thanks to Glenn Caron, Cybill Shepherd, and Bruce Willis for these wonderful characters.
Thanks: Sarah, for being one of the best betas. Diane, for helping me with a title and Aubrey for encouragement.
Author's Note: Here's the second part to 'What Life May Bring.' If you haven't read it first, I suggest you go back and read it to familiarize yourself with the situation. As always, Feedback is welcome. I hope you like it.
There's A New Kid In Town
The sun was just starting to rise, kissing the early morning sky. Maddie rolled over and focused her eyes on the alarm clock.
"6:00 in the morning and I still can't sleep. Thanks a lot David." Maddie uttered as she threw her fluffy white pillow over her head. Maddie had returned to bed after an exhausting night caring for her son, but found she couldn't sleep. David was on her mind. That kiss he had given her before returning to the guestroom still plagued her mind.
The sun was now filtering through the blinds splaying across the room. Maddie had finally started to drift off to sleep, but was still thinking of David. How sweet his kisses were when they used to make love and the way his tongue always seemed to find that spot on her neck drove her wild. Just as her eyes fluttered closed and she began to reminisce, the doorbell chimed. Maddie glanced over at the alarm clock. The red numbers read 6:30 A.M.
"Argh, who the hell could be here at this hour?" She muttered as she hurriedly grabbed her silk bathrobe and headed in the direction of the front door. She silently begged, as she stumbled on the last step, that the doorbell hadn't woken Matthew from dreamland.
Maddie jerked the door open with a look that could kill. Standing there, before her very tired eyes, were her parents. "Mom, Dad, what're you doing here so early? I thought you were coming later on tonight." Maddie replaced the hateful expression with a forced smile. It was too damn early for a visit. Maddie moved aside to allow her parents to enter.
"Your father managed to seal his deal early, so we caught the first plane to L.A. I couldn't wait to see my grandson any longer." Mrs. Hayes spoke as Maddie rubbed her hands through her hair.
"He's sleeping right now. He was up most of the night. The doctor says it's colic. I really don't want to wake him, but you can take a peek if you want." Maddie was already stumbling up the stairs, leading the way to the nursery. As if on cue, Matthew awakened with a healthy cry.
"He sounds awake to me." Mr. Hayes acknowledged "He's got a good set of lungs too. Reminds me of when you were a baby. You never stopped crying." They were now standing in the doorway of the nursery. Maddie allowed her parents to enter the spacious toy filled room, but she stood back and allowed the doorframe to help her remain in an upright position. Mrs. Hayes stood there fawning over Matthew. He had stopped fussing when they entered the room and lay there starring up at his grandparents with wide blue eyes.
"Who're these jokers? They're all wrinkly. Yuck!" Matthew observed his grandparents.
"Can I hold him?" Mrs. Hayes glanced in Maddie's direction. Her eyes were closed and she was about to fall over. "Maddie?" Mrs. Hayes called her name.
"Yeah, did you say something mom?" Maddie's eyes had suddenly opened when her name was spoken.
"Alex, I think we should let Maddie get some rest." Mrs. Hayes spoke in her husband's direction.
"I agree. We're going to go. Goodbye Sweetheart." Mr. Hayes kissed his fingers and placed them on Matthew's head. Then he turned to Maddie and kissed her cheek. Mrs. Hayes did the same and then the three of them proceeded down the stairs in search of the front door. After the dead bolt was securely locked Maddie made her way back up stairs to the nursery. Matthew was getting fussy while she climbed the stairs.
"Ssh. It's okay. Mommy's coming." Maddie said as her feet hit the carpeted hallway. She was going to have to get Matthew back to sleep before she could pass out from lack of sleep. When Maddie entered the nursery she never thought she'd find David standing there in the process of calming Matthew.
"David, what're you doing up? It's 7:00 in the morning." Maddie walked over to David and Matthew. She stroked Matthew's head before bringing her lips down and lightly brushing them across his soft spot.
"Matthew's fussing woke me up." David swayed and ran his hand slowly up and down Matthew's back. "You look like hell. Why don't you go back to bed and I'll talk care of the bambino." David took her arm and was leading her in the direction of her bedroom.
"You sure?" Maddie asked with her hand grasping the doorknob.
"Yeah, you go to sleep. Me and Matthew will just go watch some cartoons." David said as he looked down at Matthew.
"All right, just come and get me if you have any problems." Maddie kissed Matthew's head and entered her room, closing the door behind her.
"Come on little guy. Let's go watch Superman." David headed down the steps and into the living room. After turning on the TV, he switched it to the right station.
"He's faster than a speeding bullet! He's stronger than a locomotive! He's Superman!" David was adlibing the opening of Superman as he lifted Matthew into the air over his head and started to walk around acting as if Matthew were flying. By the time Superman was over, David and Matthew were both succumbed in a slumber. David lay on the sofa with Matthew on his chest. That is exactly the way Maddie found them when she woke a half an hour later. She heard the faint sounds of the TV emitting from the living room and decided to take a peek. When she noticed her son and David, she had to admit that it was the most adorable, picture-perfect image she had ever seen. David would make a perfect father, but she wasn't sure she wanted to go there again. David was immature, irresponsible, and every thing she wasn't looking for in a relationship, but he was perfect for her son. Matthew adored him as much as he adored Matthew and Maddie knew that would never change. It was just a matter of time before she would realize and except that.
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Maddie stumbled through the front door of the Blue Moon Detective Agency. She was glad to be coming back to work, not that she didn't love caring for her son, but she missed work. Maddie had Matthew's infant carrier in one hand. A diaper bag, purse, and briefcase in the other. David was standing at Agnes' reception desk and immediately went to help her.
"Hello Ms. Hayes. Welcome back!" The whole office staff said in unison.
"Thank you, thank you everyone! I'm glad to be back." Just then Matthew made his presence known with a healthy wail. Maddie sat his carrier on the counter of the reception area and plucked Matthew from his carrier. Maddie wasn't having any luck calming Matthew though.
"Ms. Hayes. I'm good with babies. Can I try?" Agnes asked with a hopeful look spreading across her face. Maddie handed Matthew to Agnes and after a few minutes he had calmed down and just lay in Agnes' arms starring up at her.
"Who's this broad?" Matthew thought as Agnes rocked him back and forth and started singing to him.
"Oh no! Stop the singing! Somebody make her stop! Any body I'm begging you!" Matthew thought wishing someone could hear his pleading. All the office staff were fawning over Matthew. Everyone wanted to hold him, even the men. Most men don't really get into babies, but these men did. Matthew was being passed around like the potato in hot potato.
"Ok, somebody take me and keep me for awhile. I think I'm getting seasick here. Oh, no not again." Matthew thought as he was once more passed to the next person waiting in line. The office staff were willing to become the babysitters. Why not. They never did anything anyway.
David led Maddie to her office so she could take a load off.
"David, I'm not sure I want to leave my baby in there alone with them."
"Don't worry about it Maddie. They gotta get used to him being around anyway."
"I know, but I haven't had five minutes alone with him since we got here."
"You gotta learn to share Maddie. You don't want him growing up stingy now do ya?"
"I suppose not. I just wish I could spend some time with him while we're here."
"Don't worry, they'll get tired of him in a week or two. Then they'll be pawning him off on you every chance they get." David kissed Maddie's forehead and headed out of her office and across the outer office to enter his own.
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"Yo Blondie. What'd ya say we go out tonight? You never get to do anything anymore, but sit around and change poopy diapers." David asked standing in the doorway of Maddie's office. Maddie was sitting at her desk, leaned back in the chair, with Matthew sleeping on her shoulder.
"I would like to David, but I don't have a babysitter." Maddie said looking down at her sleeping son.
"I'm sure Dipesto won't mind. I'll go ask her." Before Maddie could protest David had already walked out and asked her. He came hopping back to her doorway.
"Ok, we're set. Dipesto will take Matthew home with her and we'll pick him up after dinner and a movie. We on?"
"I guess, but it better not be a pornographic movie."
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"Dinner was fabulous David. Thanks for talking me into this. I needed a night out." They were walking side by side down the sidewalk towards the parking garage. David dropped his hand and laced his fingers with hers. To his surprise she didn't pull her hand away, but grasped on to his hand instead.
"David, I've been thinking."
"What about?"
"About you, me, us, Matthew, fathers. The list goes on and on."
"And, what's your point?"
"I'm getting to that. Would you stop walking so I can talk to you?" David stopped in mid stride.
"I mostly have been thinking about us and getting Matthew a father. You're great with him David. When I look at you when you're with my baby, I see the look of love in your eyes. The same look you give me. I want you to be Matthew's father. You love him and he loves you."
"And what about you? Do you love me too?"
"Of course, more than I knew I did. Just watching you with my baby makes me love you even more. I think we should take things slow and try to get an 'us' back. Slowly, but surely."
"Is that what you want Madelyn Hayes?" David had moved closer. So close their chests were practically touching.
"Yes it is." Maddie's breathing had increased and her heart was beating a mile a minute. David grabbed her hand and held it to his chest, directly over his heart.
"You feel that? That is how you make me feel every time I'm near you. My heartbeat quickens and my breathing becomes shallow." David then leaned in and kissed her passionately, so passionately Maddie almost forgot to breathe.
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"David. I have a dentist appointment today. Would you mind keeping an eye on Matthew while I'm gone?"
"Sure, I'm his father ain't I?"
"That you are. I'll be back later." Maddie bent down and kissed her four-month-old son on the head, then stood up and kissed David tenderly on the lips. After Maddie had left the office David turned to Matthew.
"Hey buddy. You wanna go to the mall and help me pick out an engagement ring for your mom?" Matthew looked up at David and smiled.
"I thought so, let's go." David loaded Matthew up and the headed for the mall.
They arrived at the mall about twenty or so minutes later. David made his way to the jewelry store and started eyeing the rings. While eyeing the rings he noticed a diamond necklace that reminded him of Maddie, so when he had picked out the perfect engagement ring, he took both to the counter to purchase them. David sat Matthew's infant carrier at his feet while he made out the check. After the packages were gift-wrapped and David had received his receipt, he turned and walked out of the jewelry store. Matthew sat in his carrier and watched as David exited the jewelry store.
"Hey, where's that bozo goin? Don't he know he's suppose to take me with him? What a putz!"
It took a half an hour to make it back to the office. David walked through the door whistling a tune when Agnes asked him,
"Where's Matthew." David looked and then remembered what he had done.
"Oh no! I left him at the mall!" David started to get panicky.
"Ok, you to go to the police station and file a report. I'll go to the mall and see if he's still there. Meet ya back here. Ok, move out. Let's go! Hut, two, three, four."
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Maddie walked into Blue Moon after her dentist appointment with Dr. Fishbine. David heard her enter. He had had no luck locating Matthew, so he went to greet her and pry she didn't ask where Matthew was.
"Hi Maddie. You back so soon?" David questioned nervously.
"Hello David. Where's Matthew?" There it was. He knew it was coming.
"He's taking a nap." Maddie moved towards David's office.
"Don't go in there, you'll wake him up." David exclaimed as he moved into her path.
"Get out of the way David! I want to look in on him." Maddie tried to push David out of her way.
"Ok, ya got me. He's not here right now. Check back later."
"Where is he David? She put both hands on his chest and shoved him. "Where's Matthew?"
She shoved him again. "It's not like he got up and walked out of here. What did you do with my baby?" Maddie shoved him one last time pinning him against the wall. David threw up both hands in defeat.
"Ok, Ok, Bert and Agnes took him out for some ice cream." David smirked thinking he'd conned Maddie into believing him.
"DAVID! Four-month-old babies don't eat ice cream. Where's Matthew David? I want the truth. I don't want none of your no brainer lies. I want to know where Matthew is and I want to know right now! Maddie was beyond angry, she was furious. Mount Saint Maddie was about to blow.
"All right. Promise you won't get mad?"
"I promise." Maddie had a look that would kill just about anything that crossed her path.
"After you left, I decided to take Matthew and show him the mall. While we were there, I noticed a beautiful diamond necklace that reminded me of you. I walked into the jewelry store and set Matthew's infant carrier by my feet. I looked at the necklace and decided to buy it as a surprise for you. After I paid for the necklace I left the store, totally forgetting Matthew. When I got back here and Agnes asked where he was, I couldn't believe I just walked out of there and left him sitting in the floor. I was worried so I sent Bert and Agnes to the police station to file a report, while I searched the mall. I just got back right before you came in. Are you mad?"
"No David, I'm mad. I'm beyond mad. I'm livid!" Maddie screamed as her fist made contact with David's jaw, causing him to fall to the floor.
"You call yourself a father. HAH!" Maddie stated and stomped into her office.
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Meanwhile Bert and Agnes were at the police station trying to identify Matthew. The police had received a call about an abandoned baby at the mall. They retrieved the baby, who happened to be Matthew, but they had about four abandoned babies in their possession. Agnes and Bert were going to have to identify him. There were four babies sitting in a row while Agnes and Bert inspected them to try and identify Matthew.
"Agnes I think it's this one." Bert said pointing to the second baby.
"No Bert I think it's this one." Agnes was pointing to the fourth baby.
"Are you sure? I could have sworn it was this one." Bert was now pointing to baby number three.
"Yeah, maybe you're right. That one looks like Mr. Addison." Agnes said picking up the third baby.
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Agnes and Bert came running through the door of Blue Moon.
"Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Addison. We found Matthew!" Maddie came running from her office. She had been on the phone ever since David had told her the news. She was trying to locate Matthew.
"Where is he? Where's my baby? Agnes handed the baby to Maddie, who immediately started hugging and kissing the baby.
"Let mommy make sure your okay." Maddie pulled back the receiving blanket that the baby was wrapped in.
"Wait a second. This isn't Matthew! Maddie said as she looked down and studied the baby's features.
"Sure it is. Why would you say he ain't? David asked.
"First of all, I would know my child's face. Second of all, I wouldn't dress my son in a pink sleeper. And third...." Maddie walked into the bathroom and laid the baby down on the changing table. She removed the baby's sleeper and proceeded in taking off the diaper.
"Just as I thought. This baby is a girl! Last time I checked Matthew was a boy!" Maddie took the dirty diaper and hurled it at David. After putting a fresh diaper on the baby and putting her sleeper back on, Maddie handed the baby girl to David.
"Take this baby back to wherever they..." Maddie pointed in the direction of the outer office, referring to Bert and Agnes. "Found her and bring me Matthew, or so help me god you'll be a dead man."
David took the baby and walked out of her office. "And don't come back without my baby!" Maddie said as she slammed her office door behind his retreating figure.