Maddie and David are driving to meet her parents for dinner. They dropped the kids off at Agnes and Bert's house. They are glad to watch them. They have 3 children of their own, so 4 more make no difference. It is just a bigger circus than usual.

David: (laughing) they definitely have their hands full. Between my 4 and their own they will definitely have their hands full.

Maddie: Yeah, but knowing Bert he will find a way to keep them busy.

David: Yeah, the troops will probably be begging to come home.

Maddie and David drive in relative silence. Each lost in their own thoughts.

Maddie is thinking about how her life has changed so much in the past few months. She never would have thought that she could find happiness again. After all she has been through in the past few years she is still skeptical that it is going to last. She would never say so to David, but she is worried that something is going to happen to upset everything.

David is thinking how lucky he is to be having dinner with Maddie and her parents. Here he is again with the most beautiful woman he has ever known. Truth be told he wishes for more but somehow knows that Maddie isn't quite ready. So not wanting to push her, he remains silent. The only fear he has is that something is going to happen to upset the new found relationship he has with Maddie.

They finally arrive at the restaurant. Maddie's parents have been waiting for them. They smile as Maddie and David reach the table.

Maddie: Mother, Daddy. Sorry we are late. We had to drop the kids off at the sitter's.

David: Yeah, and then try to make our escape!!

Mrs. Hayes: (laughing) Oh, that's alright. I remember when Maddie was little. Trying to get out of the house was always hard.

Mr. Hayes: Harder for you than for her.

Mrs. Hayes: Yes it was.

Maddie and David smile at her parent's exchange. They eat a pleasant dinner and are just starting dessert when their waiter approaches the table.

Waiter: Mr. Addison, I am sorry in interrupt but I have a phone call for you. It is from your babysitter. She says it is urgent.

David: Ok, where is the phone?

Waiter: Over here Mr. Addison.

David goes to the phone, knowing that Agnes wouldn't be calling unless there was a true emergency. This makes him even more nervous.

David: Yo Agnes, what's up?

Agnes: Oh Mr. Addison I don't know how to tell you this but...

David: Agnes you're scaring me, what's up?

Agnes: There is only one way to say this... Ashley is here and she is trying to see the kids.

David: Agnes, do not let her in the house. I will be right there.

Agnes: I am sorry to call you Mr. Addison...

David: Agnes, you did the right thing. I will be there in a few minutes.

David goes back to the table.

David: I'm sorry but I will have to take a rain check on the dessert. Something has come up at the babysitter's and I have to boogey on over there.

Maddie: Oh David, no one is hurt are they?

David: Not yet they aren't, but things can change.

Maddie: I'm coming with you.

David: (whispering) you don't have to, you should stay and spend time with your parents.

Maddie: No, I want to be with you.

David: Ok, come on. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, it was a pleasure to see you again and I enjoyed the dinner.

Mr. Hayes: The pleasure was all ours David.

Mrs. Hayes: Yes it was a pleasure to see you again.

Maddie: Ok David, what's going on?

David: Ashley's back.

Maddie: Ashley?

David: (realizing he never told Maddie his ex-wife's name) my ex-wife.

Maddie: Oh....

David: Apparently she showed up at Agnes and Bert's house and wants to see the kids.

Maddie: Why after all this time does she show up and want to see them again?

David: I don't have any idea. But, I intend to find out and stop her.

Maddie: David she is their mom.

David: Giving birth to them does not make her a mom.

Maddie: David....

David: Maddie, do you know what DJ went through when she left? He thought he had done something wrong. That somehow it was because of him that she left. I spent countless nights sitting up with him while he cried. The twins were too young to really be effected by it, and Callie doesn't remember her at all. No Maddie, she lost all rights to them the day she left and filed for divorce. She was the one that left us.

Maddie: But David, she is still their mother.

David: Not according to the papers that she signed, she gave up all rights to them. She wanted nothing to do with them or me. Now she comes back suddenly acting like she wants to see them. There is something more to this, and I intend to find out what it is.

Maddie just sits staring out the window. Lost in thought, she finally breaks out of it as they get to Agnes and Bert's house. Maddie notices a very beautiful woman near the front door. She is a breathtaking type of beautiful. Maddie begins to have doubts about David's feelings for her.

David: Ashley, what the hell are you doing here?

Ashley: Nice to see you too David. I have come to see my children.

David: I seem to remember a certain paper that you signed that you gave up all right to your children.

Ashley: Oh David, that was just a silly mistake that I made. Let me inside so that I can see my children.

David: Mistakes can't be undone Ashley. Please leave before the kids see you.

Ashley: Why? Are you afraid that they would choose me over you David?

David: Hardly Ashley. If you only knew what they went through when you left them. The nightmares are finally ending.

Suddenly Ashley notices Maddie standing off to the side.

Ashley: My replacement huh?

David: Not even close. You are one of a kind.

Ashley: Thanks David. I always knew you cared.

David: That was not meant in a good way. If anything you were a replacement for her and a poor one at that.

Ashley: Touché David. So is this her, the one that broke your heart oh so many years ago?

David: That is none of your business Ashley. The only thing I want to see of you anymore is your backside leaving this place and getting the hell out of my life. Ashley:

They are my children David. No judge in the country would keep me away from them.

David: They will when they see the letter signed by you and your lawyer giving me full and complete custody of them. Not to mention the fact that you signed away all legal rights to them. What is it that you really want?

Ashley: (purring sweetly) Why, David I want you. I have always loved you.

Maddie's heart is breaking seeing and hearing this exchange. So she decides to walk inside. Once inside she sees Callie. She goes over to her and she smiles at Maddie.

Maddie: Hey sweetie. Have you been a good girl for Agnes and Bert? Of course you have.

Maddie sits on the couch holding Callie. Knowing that she has to leave, but not able to get the courage to walk out the door. Tonight when David takes her home she has to do the right thing. The kids deserve to have their mom back and David will never do that as long as she is in the picture. What she doesn't realize is that David has no desire to let Ashley back in his life. Ashley has always thought only of herself. This time is no different. David knows it and so does Ashley. To her it is all a game that she enjoys playing. The only one that doesn't know this is Maddie.

Agnes comes into the room and notices Maddie sitting on the couch. She sees that Maddie is deep in thought.

Agnes: They are fighting aren't they?

Maddie: Yeah, they are fighting, and saying some pretty nasty things to each other.

Agnes: Yeah, they always fought like that in the end. In the beginning it was nice. No fights and they were very sweet to each other. Then she started wanting to party all the time. That's when they started fighting. Nasty fights that always made me cringe.

Maddie: Our fights were pretty ear shattering.

Agnes: Yeah, but not like these. She would say things that hurt him deeply. Told her that she regretted having his children and that if she had her way about it she would have gotten rid of them before they were born. That almost destroyed Mr. Addison. The day she signed away her rights to the kids was the best day of his life. He hadn't been singing at work in months. That day he came in singing. I knew then that everything would be alright. Mr. Addison was back. He was actually smiling again at the office, and now this.

Maddie: Somehow I think he will be fine. Although I am not sure if I belong here, I feel like an outsider.

Agnes: Mrs. An....

Maddie: (stops her) Agnes, call me Maddie you don't work for me anymore.

Agnes: Ok, Maddie. I have seen him smile more in the past 3 months that he has in the last year. He looks forward to coming to work. He even told Bert that the day you came into the office was the best day he has had at work in over 10 years. You definitely belong here.

Maddie: I'm not sure. I mean she is their mom.

Agnes: It takes more than giving birth to them to make a mommy. Being there in the morning for school, when they are sick, when they get hurt that is what makes a mommy.

Maddie: I don't know....

Agnes: Well, I do. She was never there even when she was here. It was always when is the next party and who can she drop the kids off with. Mr. Addison never knew who the kids were with or where they were.

Maddie: I never knew that.

Agnes: I'm not surprised. Mr. Addison doesn't tell many people that. He hated to admit that he failed at marriage.

Maddie: That is terrible. How can a woman do such a thing to their kids, not to mention to David?

Agnes: Like I said Ashley is not a mom. Never has been never will be, especially if Mr. Addison has anything to say about it.

Maddie is smiling at Callie. Who is sitting on the floor playing with toys.

Maddie: I wonder what they are doing out side?

Agnes: Let me look.

Agnes goes over to the window and sees David and Ashley still in the middle of a heated fight.

Agnes: Mr. Addison is everything alright out here?

David: yes, Agnes everything is fine. Ashley was just leaving.

Ashley: No, I am not.

David: Yes you are. Don't make me call the police.

Ashley: You wouldn't?

David: Oh I would do anything to protect my children.

Ashley: They are my children too.

David: Not anymore. I will not keep going over and over this. This discussion is over. With that David walks into the house and locks the door. David sees Maddie sitting on the couch and walks over and sits down next to her.

David: Sorry about that little fiasco. She really gets to me.

Maddie merely smiles at David. It is a sad smile. One that he can't quite read, he is not sure what to think.

David: So how about we get the kids and go home. I don't know about you but I am so tired my Z's want to catch Z's.

Maddie: Sure, I am tired too.

Agnes helps them get the kids stuff together. She whispers to Maddie on the way out.

Agnes: Remember, not everything is as is might seem.

Maddie: When did you get so smart?

Agnes just smiles and closes the door. She sighs as she climbs the stairs. She wonders if everything is going to work out for them. They have been through so much and now this. She wishes Ashley would just disappear. Then suddenly she gets and idea. We see her and Bert talking as the scene ends.

The next day Agnes and Bert are talking in his office.

Bert: I don't like this Agnes, it feels dishonest.

Agnes: Do you want things to go back to the way they were before Ashley and Mr. Addison divorced? If we don't expose her then she will get her claws in him again and Mr. Addison will be miserable again.

Bert: Dave would never take her back again Agnes. He learned his lesson last time. Plus Mrs. Anderson is back in his life now.

Agnes: Yes, but she is so unsure of herself. We need to get rid of Ashley once and for all. That means you will have to follow her.

Bert: Me? Why me?

Agnes: Because you are the detective that's why.

Bert: The things I do for love. Tell Dave I am out for the day. I'm sick or something.

Agnes just smiles and walks over to her desk to begin the day.

Bert begins by calling every five star hotel in the area. Asking for Ashley Addison, finally hitting pay dirt at the very last one he calls. Figures she would stay at the priciest hotel in LA.

Bert: Now to see what she is up to.

Bert sees her getting into a convertible. She drives down the freeway. Finally arriving at her destination, Bert sees that it is Maddie's modeling agency.

Bert: What is she up to?

Luckily because of the security contract Bert knows the girl at the front desk. He also knows the back entrance. So he makes it inside before Ashley.

Bert: Tracy, someone is coming in here that I am following. Is Mrs. Anderson in?

Tracy: No she is out with a perspective client.

Bert: Ok, I need to plant a wire.

Tracy: Why, what's up?

Bert: Let's just say that I need to know what this person is up to. She is trying to cause trouble for Dave and Mrs. Anderson. I want to know what she is up to and try to stop it.

Tracy: Ok, but if she finds out...

Bert: She won't at least not until I find out what this person is up to.

Tracy: Ok, but hurry she will be back in about 20 minutes.

Bert: I'll have it done in 15 minutes.

Bert goes into the office and sets up he bug. Ashley has come in and asked for an appointment. Tracy puts her off and took her to the coffee room, to get her something to drink. As they are coming out Maddie returns and sees Tracy with her.

Maddie: What are you doing here?

Ashley: Why, I've come to talk to you.

Maddie: I think it is David you should be talking to, not me.

Ashley: Oh, but I think you are the perfect person to talk to.

Maddie motions to her office. Ashley breezes in with the air of a person that is very confident and used to getting her way in everything.

Ashley: I am just going to come right out and say it. Leave my husband and children alone.

Maddie: I believe he is your ex husband and you abandoned your children shortly after Callie was born.

Ashley: I was under a lot of stress then. I want my husband and children back. I always get what I want.

Maddie: I think in this case you are going to be surprised. David is not a man to change his mind.

Ashley: Oh no? Look at you. He is falling for a washed up model that he used to love. I can give him the thing he really wants.

Maddie: Oh and what is that?

Ashley: More children. (seeing Maddie's reaction of horror) Yeah, I know all about the baby that you lost when you and David were partners. Such a shame, someone like you could have lovely children.

Maddie: Get out of my office. David loves me no matter what.

Ashley: Why because he told you that he loves you no matter what? Get real, a man like David deserves everything a real woman can give him. That includes children. I'll show myself out.

Ashley leaves smiling, knowing that she struck a blow to Maddie's confidence. Maddie puts her head down on her desk and cries. Cries for the babies that she lost, and the fact that she knew Ashley was right. David was a man that deserved to have more children. She doesn't bother to hold back the tears. Her sobs fill the room as the scene ends.

David is on the phone with Bert.

David: I don't care how sick you are Bert I need you to come in. I am getting a big break on this case and need some help.

Bert: But Dave, I...

David: Jeez Bert this isn't like you.

Bert: Ok, I will be in.

David: Ok, that's the Bert I know.

Bert: Yeah sure.

David picks up the phone again and calls Maddie's office.

David: Hi there Tracy. Can I please speak to the boss lady?

Tracy: She isn't in Mr. Addison. She left shortly after lunch. She had a visitor that upset her quite a bit. Between you and me I think she was crying when she left.

David: Who was the visitor?

Tracy: I am not sure, but she seemed to know Mrs. Anderson.

David: Ok, if she calls can you tell her to call me?

Tracy: Sure Mr. Addison.

David: (almost afraid to ask) what did this person look like.

Tracy: She was tall, very well dressed, brown hair and very arrogant.

David: Ashley... damn her...

Tracy: You know her?

David: Unfortunately I do. She is my ex-wife.

Tracy: Oh!

David: Tell her to call me no matter when she calls.

David runs out of the room. Like a man on a mission he jumps in his truck. He is cursing like a sailor. Most of it can't be printed here. Let's just say that he was very angry at Ashley. He was going to put and end to this once and for all.

David: This is the last time that I am going to put up with this. She thinks she can just come in her and ruin my life. She has another thing coming. David calls Bert on his cell phone.

David: Yo Bert, I have a problem.

Bert: I'm sorry Dave. I tried to tell her that we shouldn't...

David: What are you talking about Bert?

Bert: Well, you know how persuasive Agnes can be when she sets her mind to something. I'm sorry...

David: Ok Bert, spill it. What have you been up to?

Bert: Well, I figured the best way to catch her was to plant a bug and when I saw she was going to Mrs. Anderson's office I....

David: You planted a bug in Maddie's office?!

Bert: Yes, but it was with only good intentions.

David: Bert I could kiss you. But I won't.

Bert: I don't understand Dave. I thought you would be upset about this.

David: I am, but not for the reason you are thinking. Meet me at the office. I want to hear the tape that you have from Maddie's office today.

David and Bert meet at the office. Any rage that David felt towards Ashley multiplied when he heard the tape of the conversation. He left the office with a slamming of the door. He was going to find her and get her out of his and Maddie's life once and for all. Nothing was going to stop him now. But first he had to find Maddie and talk to her. Try to make her understand that he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. No matter what she did or said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. David pulls up to Maddie's house. Not knowing if she would let him in or not he knocked on the door. A red eyed blotchy faced Maddie answered the door.

David: You look like hell Maddie.

Maddie: Hi to you too David.

David: I know that Ashley came to see you today. I also know that she said a lot of things that were totally out of line.

Maddie: But she did say some things that made sense David. I don't know if I can have children David.

David: In case you haven't noticed I have 4 children. That is more than enough for any man.

Maddie: But what if you want more children David? I'm not sure...

David: Let's cross that bridge when we get to it. Maddie I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you. Nothing can or will change that.

Maddie: Oh David, I love you too. I guess I always have. I am tired of fighting the way I feel about you.

David: Then don't. Maddie, will you marry me?

Close up on Maddie's smiling face. Scene ends.