David was waiting at the entrance to the zoo. He told DJ and the twins that Maddie was coming with them. He wasn't sure why he had asked her. It was a spur of the moment invitation. Not that he regretted it; he was just surprised that she accepted. After 10 years apart he wondered how much they really had in common. Not that they had ever had anything in common. Other than constantly wanting to drive each other crazy. He smiled at the memories.

DJ: Daddy, are we really going to the zoo with the pretty lady?

David: Do ducks duck? Do Bees be?

DJ: Do bears bare?

David: Yes sir, that my son!

Smiling David looks at his watch, he is 10 minutes early. No small feat considering that he had 4 kids to get ready. He is scanning the crowd looking for Maddie, when suddenly DJ spots her. DJ: Daddy, Daddy I see her. There she is.

With that DJ takes off running towards her. He tackles her with a big bear hug around her legs. She is a little taken aback by DJ's warm welcome.

Maddie: Hi there sweetie.

DJ: (shyly) Hi.

David: (laughing) Sure now he gets shy.

Maddie: Hi guys!!

Maddie is dressed in shorts and a nice blouse. Definitely not the way we are used to seeing our favorite leading lady. She looks beautiful. If anything the years have been good to her. She has seemed to mellow out some. DJ is talking a mile a minute and the twins are in there stroller and Callie is in hers. DJ is walking beside them. Then DJ takes Maddie's hand. She is taken off guard and looks at David. He is looking at her with a small grin.

David: (whispers) He seems to have taken a liking to you. Maddie just smiles back at him. But this is starting to feel too much like a cozy little family. David goes and pays for their tickets and they go inside. Once inside they encounter a man taking pictures.

Photographer: Let's take a picture of everybody. Mom, Dad stand behind the kids, (looks at DJ) you stand between the babies.

They all smile. Although it is obvious that Maddie and David are a little unnerved by the fact that the photographer called Maddie "mom".

David: Sorry about that. I guess....

Maddie: No problem.

We see the crew head off to the exhibits. They are all having a fabulous time. They laugh over the monkeys, and DJ is fascinated by the elephants. They see tigers and giraffes. They gorge themselves silly on all kinds of junk food. They are definitely enjoying themselves. DJ is starting to get very tired. Maddie goes into the rest room and David goes to buy some souvenirs. One souvenir in particular is one he definitely wants. A certain picture. So they are heading out of the zoo, everyone is tired and Maddie had a great time.

Maddie: Thanks for inviting me today David. It was wonderful. You children are precious.

David: Yeah, I guess they can be pretty precious when they want to be.

Maddie just smiles.

Maddie: Well, I guess I should be going now. I am tired.

David: Don't go Maddie!

Maddie: Gotta go.

David: Don't go.

Maddie: (smiling) gotta go.

David: Ok, can I call you? I.....

Maddie thinks what this means. She had such a good time here today, but she is not sure if she is ready. This is not her family; she has no right to spend time with them.

Maddie: David, I....

David notices her hesitancy and changes his mind.

David: Forget it Maddie. Nothing has really changed has it? Your heart is still not big enough for anyone else huh? I am still not good enough for you and by the fact that they are my kids the same goes for them huh?

Maddie just looks at David. Knowing that he is wrong but unsure of what to say to make David understand. She doesn't want to get her heart broken again. She can see that David has changed but the stakes could be so much higher now. She is already starting to have feelings for David and his children, but does she have that right?

Maddie: You are wrong David.

David: Am I Maddie? Tell me how you feel.

Maddie: David I can't....

David: Fine Maddie, that's just fine. Just remember I came crawling once I won't make that mistake twice.

(Simultaneous conversation starts)

Maddie: You came crawling? Begging is more like it.

David: You never thought I was good enough for you and nothing has changed....

Maddie: You were afraid to tell me how you felt.

David: I told you how I felt and you ripped my heart out.

Maddie: You are still the same man you were back the David. Some things never change.

David: Fine

Maddie: Fine

David: Good

Maddie: Good

David: I know I have already said this once in this episode but Maddie, go to hell!!

Maddie: Already there!!

(Simultaneous conversation stops)

Maddie stands there stunned by what just happened. She watches as David gets into his Land Rover and drives away. If he only knew the real reason that she hesitated. It wasn't that she was afraid to let him call. She was afraid that her heart would get broken again and that she would fall in love with his children. That was her real fear. She had tried to have children with Todd. She had gotten pregnant once. She lost the baby after 4 months. That had just about sent her over the edge. She had never gotten over it.

Maddie: Oh David...

David is furious at himself as he is driving home. He promised himself that he wasn't going to rush her. That is exactly what he did. Although who would have thought that his asking if he could call her would cause her to freeze over again.

David: (muttering to himself) Guess I am not meant to love anyone. At least I have the kids.

David gets home and gets the kids ready for bed. He is having a stiff drink, something that he rarely does these days. There is a knock at the door. David goes to answer it. He sees Maddie on the other side.

Maddie: I'm so sorry David!!

David: Maddie, I don't understand....

Maddie: (interrupting him) let me explain.

Maddie begins to explain what happened in her marriage. She tells him everything that happened. From marrying Todd to losing the baby 2 years ago. By the end of it David had tears in his eyes. She had been thru so much in the past few years.

Maddie: So I am afraid to get to close to your children. I...

David: I want to give you a chance to get to know them. And give us a chance to get to know each other again. No strings attached. No pressure. Honey, you have had a rotten deal in life. I've already told you that I think you would be a wonderful mom. I still believe that Maddie.

Maddie: I would love that chance David. I am just afraid...

David: Maddie honey, just trust your heart. You might be surprised.

Maddie: Oh David...

So from that night on Maddie and David started becoming friends again. More importantly Maddie got to know David's children. She discovered that they were much like David in some aspects and in others they were very different. DJ was mischievous but was also very sweet. Callie wanted to be the center of attention. The twins were just into everything all the time. They had to be watched constantly, otherwise who knew what trouble they would get into. Maddie found herself growing to love them. Almost as much as if they were her own children, Maddie truly felt happy for the first time in years. Who would have thought 3 months ago when she walked into D&B Investigation that her life would have changed so much. She was going to David's house that night to tell him that she wouldn't be over for a few days.

Maddie: (walking into the house) Hello!!

David: Hey Maddie!!

DJ, Justin and Julie come running and tackle her with hugs. They are all smiling and try to talk at once. Maddie is laughing and trying to listen to all of them. She sees Callie in the play pen smiling. She goes over to it.

Maddie: Hi Angel!

Callie just grins up at Maddie, and dissolves into a fit of giggles. Maddie smiles brightly. David sends the group outside to play.

David: Boy, I wish I got that reaction from them when I pick them up from school.

Maddie: (laughing) yeah, it is a great feeling. Listen David, I won't be over for a few days. My parents are coming into town and I want to spend some time with them.

David: Bring them over here. I would love to see them again.

Maddie: David, it isn't that simple. I haven't exactly told them that I am seeing, dating... What is it that we are doing?

David: Getting to know and trust each other. Although I see that you are still ashamed of me when it comes to your parents.

Maddie: David, it isn't that it is just...

David: You are afraid that they won't accept me and my kids. Am I right or am I right?

Maddie: David, it is complicated.

David: Not from where I stand it isn't. You have always been afraid that they would disapprove to our relationship.

Maddie: I have not... It's just hard to explain.

David: Yeah real hard. You tell them that you are finally happy and have 4 kids that love you now. Yeah that's real tough huh?

Maddie: (eyes bright with tears) David...

David: Forget it Maddie. I'm not much in the mood for dinner tonight.

Maddie: Me either.

David: Fine

Maddie: Fine

David: Great

Maddie: Wonderful!!

David: If you are ashamed of us after all this time, (taking a deep breath) then I think you should leave. I don't want my kids hurt by this...

Maddie: (tears running down her face) David don't

David: No Maddie, I won't keep doing this. If you won't trust you parents to accept me and my children then I guess there isn't any point in continuing our relationship.

Maddie: Please don't do this David I...

David: I am not doing anything. I just want you to accept my children and not be ashamed of them.

Maddie: How can you say that David? I love them.

David: Well if you love them than you would have no problem bringing your parents over to meet them and see me again.

Maddie: David.

David: Maddie, I think you should have time to think about this. I don't want to say anything else that I might regret. And you can decide if you want to continue our relationship. If I don't see you while your parents are here then I will know what decision you have made.

David walks over to the door and opens it.

David: Maddie please go, and think about what I said. Choose carefully though. Some things can't be undone.

Maddie: David...

With that Maddie walks out the door. David stands there shocked. It is not like he has never met Maddie's parents. They always seemed to like him. Maybe he should just cut his losses and get out now. He has had more heartache in the last few years than any man should have to deal with. He felt his marriage going sour before it actually did.

David: Well, I guess that is that.

Maddie is driving home from David's house and crying. It is not that she is ashamed of David and his children. She is just not sure of their reaction to her seeing David again. She has grown to love David and his kids. She makes her decision and knows what she is going to do. Pride be damned she is going to do it. No matter what happens she has made her decision.

Three days later Maddie is in the car with her parents after picking them up from the airport. She tells her that she needs to make a quick stop. She had called Agnes earlier and discovered that David was home with the children.

Maddie: Mother, Daddy I need to make a quick stop at a friend's house.

Mrs. Hayes: Anyone we know dear?

Maddie: Uh, yes mom, it's and old friend of mine.

Mrs. Hayes: That's nice dear.

Maddie: (thinking to her self) they have no idea.

Maddie pulls up to David's house. She notices that his Land Rover is in the driveway. Good sign. Now will he actually open the door? That is the $20,000 question. Maddie and her parents are walking up to the door. Maddie knocks on the door. David opens the door and is startled to see Maddie and her parents standing on the other side. Maddie's parents are as equally shocked to see David. Squeals and the laughter of children can be heard in the house.

Maddie: Can we come in David?

David: Uh sure... Excuse the mess we are having a veg out party here today. DJ wasn't feeling good so... Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes it is very nice to see you again.

Maddie: Is he ok?

David: Yeah, just a touch of a cold.

Mr. Hayes: Who is DJ?

Maddie: He is David's son daddy.

Mr. Hayes: His son?

David: Yes, I have 4 children now.

With that the kids come into the house and see Maddie. Chaos in sues and the kids run to Maddie and hug her legs. Maddie laughs and hugs them in return. Her parents look on smiling. Maddie is so glad that she came here today. She has really missed them, David and the kids. David is watching her with a smile on his face. She smiles at him. Then in a moment of spontaneous actions she kisses David on the lips. Startled David returns the kiss.

Maddie: (whispering) I'm sorry. I....

David: (hugs her) Shhhh no need to say anything. Maddie, David and her parents sit down and have a long talk. David tells them about his marriage and divorce, about how they came to see each other again after all this time. It is obvious that her parents are impressed with everything they hear. Maddie is smiling and playing with Callie who is charming Maddie's dad. They all agree to meet for dinner that night.