MOONLIGHTING
PART 6: IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT
THE SCENE OPENS TWO MONTHS LATER. Maddie just got home from work in the afternoon and is folding laundry while the kids sleep. Suddenly she gets a wave of nausea and runs to the bathroom, but soon it passes without her getting sick. She goes back to folding laundry. She shakes her head and rolls her eyes thinking about how this has been a pattern the last few days. It'd been a couple months since she and David went away for his birthday weekend and they weren't careful about birth control – she better not be pregnant! She told David to use a condom and he didn't, and now, here she is feeling sick. She doesn't want another baby, she doesn't have time for another baby and she sure as hell doesn't want to go through another pregnancy! But now it's starting to feel all too real. The more she thinks about it, the more irritated she gets – she looks at the item she's folding, a pair of David's boxer shorts. She gets annoyed, crumples them up in her hands and tosses them across the room. Then she marches to the phone, picks up the receiver and dials Blue Moon. Agnes, who is back from maternity leave, answers the phone. Maddie waits impatiently as Agnes recites her rhyme.
Maddie: Hi, it's Maddie…can I talk to David please?
Agnes: He's in with a client Ms. Hayes.
Maddie: Just put me through, it's important.
Agnes: Yes Ms. Hayes.
She buzzes David's office and lets him know Maddie is on the phone and it's important. David asks the client to give him a minute. The client is an impatient man – he glances at his watch and looks irritated. David picks up the phone, and an angry voice comes through.
Maddie: If I'm pregnant David it's all your fault!
David: I'm sorry, who's this?
Maddie: I'm not in the mood for jokes David!
David: (Glances at the client.) Maddie I'm…
Maddie: I feel sick, my boobs are swollen, my clothes feel tight. I told you to wear a condom, but did you listen? NOOoooo. And who's gonna have to go through the pregnancy? Who's gonna have to give birth? Who's gonna be up in the middle of the night!? Me…that's who. Me me me me me.
David listens as Maddie continues to rant and the client shifts in his chair and sighs.
David: (Trying to remain calm and professional) I'm sorry you feel this way, but is this something we can discuss later perhaps?
Maddie: Well, there really isn't anything to discuss, is there? I just want you to be aware, because get ready buck-o. You're doing the midnight feedings this time…(Raising her voice.) you're gonna be the one losing sleep (yelling)YOU'RE taking all the responsibility for THIS!
She hangs up.
David: Well, pleasure talking with you.
He forces a smile, hangs up the phone and looks at the client.
David: Sorry about that, now where were we…
CUT TO: At a little after 6pm an un-amused David gets home from work. He heads into the living room where the kids are setting up a town with building blocks, he gives them each a kiss and plays with them for a few minutes. Soon he heads to the kitchen to find Maddie. She's making pasta for the kid's dinner and ignores him when he comes in.
David: (Sarcastically nice.) Well…hello wife!
Maddie doesn't answer; she stirs the pasta.
David: (Imitates her voice.) Hi husband, great to see you! How was work today? (Low voice.) Oh, it was great honey, thanks for asking!
He walks up to Maddie by the stove and puts his face under hers forcing her to look at him.
David: By the way dear, lovely phone call earlier today at the office. (He throws up his arms as he walks across the kitchen.) I was in the middle of a meeting with an important client who's paying us a lot of money, but I guess you don't care about that.
She doesn't respond.
David: (Holds up a finger.) Wait, wait…before you explain and then apologize, let me open a beer. I can't wait to hear how you being pregnant is, how did you put it again? "All my fault?" – because, last time I checked, it takes two to tango sweetheart.
David opens a beer and sits down. Silence.
David: I'm waiting.
Maddie stirs the pasta.
David: (Growing irritated.) Maddie…
She shifts her body, but still nothing. David sits up, bangs his hand on the table and yells.
David: I'm talking to you here!
Maddie jumps. David gets up and walks towards her angry.
David: Don't pull this spoiled little princess shit on me – talk to me like an adult, what are we, back three years ago!?
Silence.
David: Oh, I see, you don't have anything to say now…but you have plenty to say over the phone when I'm in the middle of a meeting – you have no problem calling, making all sorts of accusations and then hanging up on me!? (Angry, lecturing.) Well, guess what sweetheart, that's not gonna fly. I'm not your punching bag! And as far as responsibility!? I do more than my share with these kids and always have, so you're not gonna lay that shit on me either.
Maddie stops stirring, but still has her back to him.
David: And besides, we don't even know if you are pregnant, but if you are, I for one am happy about it, I'd love another kid, it's fine with me – I don't know why you get so up in arms about everything, we do just fine…
Maddie: I'm not pregnant David.
David stops. Shifts gears. Looks at Maddie, but she doesn't move.
David: Oh…ok…well, great. You must be very happy. How do you know?
Maddie: I found a pregnancy test under the bathroom sink and took it and it was negative.
Maddie puts her face in her hands and starts crying. David is totally confused. He grabs her arm and spins her around to face him.
David: Wait wait wait…catch me up here. You called me this afternoon yelling about how angry you are that you might be pregnant, and now that you found out your not pregnant, you're upset?
Maddie turns off the stove and hugs David; she buries her head in his chest. David still doesn't know what is going on, but he just holds her tight and pats her back until she stops crying.
Maddie: Whenever we're not careful I always get pregnant.
David: Ok…
Maddie: So not getting pregnant makes me feel…
David: What?
Maddie: Old. Something has shifted, my periods aren't regular anymore, my body is changing, and now I can't even get pregnant!?
David: Can't get preg…you're only forty Maddie. Trust me, if you wanted to get pregnant, you still could.
Maddie: But not as easily as I did before. And besides, that's one thing I loved about us – we'd practically look at each other and get pregnant…
David laughs.
David: I know. (Rubs her back) But we still have that spark between us.
Maddie: Why do things have to change David?
David: That's life baby. Things are always changing. (Takes her by the shoulders and looks at her.) But we haven't lost anything so what are you crying about? We've got each other, our kids are healthy and happy and our business is thriving.
Maddie: (Wipes her tears.) You're right…you're right; I know you're right. I'm being silly.
David gives her a hug and Maddie finishes making the kid's pasta, he sips his beer.
David: So, are you saying you want to have a baby?
Maddie: Oh, God no.
David makes a confused face but decides not to pursue this conversation. He sifts through take out menus and changes the subject.
David: Let's be bad tonight honey and order something good to eat.
Maddie: I was thinking the same thing. I need some comfort food.
David: So, what do you want? Steaks from George's, pasta from Alfredo's or pizza from Pisano's?
Maddie: I was thinking a creamy pasta with that cheesy garlic bread and cheesecake for dessert.
David: That's my girl.
He picks up the phone and places the order. He and Maddie feed the kids and then get them in their pajamas and into bed before they eat their dinner. Afterward they sit in the living room with a glass of wine and chat. Maddie has her legs over David's legs and he runs his hands up and down them.
David: Feeling better?
Maddie: Much. I'm sorry about that phone call today David…and about all the things I said.
David: Thank you.
Maddie: I just panicked at the thought of another pregnancy.
David: Being a girl must be a bitch.
Maddie: Watch it…a smell a misogynist joke in there somewhere.
David: No…I'm serious, everything your body goes through every month, all the hormones, pregnancies, giving birth, (Gestures to himself.) having to rub up against big hairy Neanderthals, sweatin' and breathin' all over you. (He shakes his head at the thought and gives her a sideways smile.)
Maddie: (Smiles and touches his cheek.) Well, that last part isn't so bad. But, it's true, the rest I could do without. You don't know how lucky you are being a man – the only downside for you is you have to deal with hormonal women like me.
David: Now, that is a bitch. (Maddie hits him playfully)…but hey, I'm used to you…I think I'll keep you around.
He puckers his lips and she grabs his face.
Maddie: (Sarcastic.) Gee, thanks. Lucky me.
David squeezes her hand and they sip their wine in silence for a minute. David thinks.
David: How pregnant is Patrice right now?
Maddie: A little over six months, why?
David: Why don't you take a weekend and go have a girl's trip with her?
Maddie: Really?
David: Yeah, I think you could use a break. You've been working hard; you haven't had a weekend to yourself since the kids were born, and I'm sure Patrice could use a little time away before she's got a newborn on her hands.
Maddie: That's true. She's been asking forever for a girl's trip – but there just hasn't been a good time.
David: Well, we've got a long weekend at the end of this month so make a plan. I'll team up with Troy and we'll take care of the kids.
Maddie: (Smiles.) Great idea David, thanks! (She reaches for the phone) I'm gonna call her right now.
Maddie calls Patrice and she's so excited. They make a plan to go to for a spa retreat weekend over the long holiday.
CUT TO a couple weeks later. Before you know it the long weekend has arrived and after saying goodbye to the kids over breakfast, Maddie is standing in the doorway of their home kissing David goodbye on a Saturday morning as Patrice, who is driving them to Palm Springs, waits for her in the car.
Maddie: Well…
David: Well…
Maddie: (Pouts.) Gotta go.
David: (Kisses her neck.) Don't go.
Maddie: (Closes her eyes.) Whose idea was this anyway? I'm gonna miss you guys.
David: So…stay here. (He wraps his arms around her.)
Maddie: (Pushes back on him and sighs.) Gotta go David.
Patrice honks the horn and David throws her a half smile and holds up a finger asking her to wait a minute. He kisses Maddie cheek.
David: (Laughs.) Looks like you really do have to go. I'll miss you…we'll all miss you. Call us every five minutes, ok?
Maddie laughs.
Maddie: Sure.
She gives him one last hug and a kiss and gets in the car. David stands barefoot in a white t-shirt and jeans with spiky bed head and a scruffy beard. He watches them pull out of the driveway. With one last little wave, he puts his hands in his pockets. Maddie waves back.
Patrice: I feel like I was just watching a scene out of a movie. Longest goodbye ever.
Maddie: I'm sorry, but I'm gonna miss him.
Patrice: Troy was still sleeping when I left today.
Maddie: Look how adorable he is.
Patrice: He is pretty adorable. (Patrice waves to David and then squeezes Maddie's hand.) But I really need this girl's weekend, so please, just know you'll see David Monday and let's have a great time?
Maddie re-focuses.
Maddie: Oh, of course! We're gonna have a great time. I've been looking forward to this. It's good for David and I to be apart and miss each other. Don't worry, I'm all yours P.
Patrice: Yay! We'll relax and have nice meals and get spa treatments. It's gonna be wonderful.
Maddie takes a deep breath and feels the relaxation setting in already. She looks out the side window at the scenery.
Maddie: Being a mom really is a full time job, isn't it. Just driving away from the house right now with no other responsibilities makes me realize how much of my time is spent thinking about David and the kids and Blue Moon.
Patrice: Yeah, 100% of it.
Maddie: It's been awhile since I only had myself to think about.
Patrice: That's why both of us need this weekend.
Maddie: You've been with Troy for 12 years P; did you ever live alone?
Patrice: Never! I lived in the dorms in college and dated a guy the whole four years, I broke up with him a day before we graduated and the next day, after I graduated is when I met Troy.
Maddie: How did you meet him?
Patrice: He pulled me over and gave me a ticket for speeding. This was ten minutes after my College graduation.
Maddie laughs.
Patrice: But, I thought he was pretty cute so I slipped him my number, a week later we were living together, and the rest is history.
Maddie: Wow. Talk about a whirlwind romance.
Patrice: That's one thing I regret, not having time to myself. At least you had that for a while.
Maddie: I did, I lived alone a lot. I lived with one guy in New York for a while in my twenties, but other than that I pretty much always lived alone until David moved in.
Patrice: Did you like living alone?
Maddie: Sure. Didn't bother me a bit. When I first moved to LA and bought my house I loved being alone there. Of course, I was at the top of my modeling career and wasn't home much anyway. Then, once I retired from modeling I travelled a lot and had appearances and social events to attend so I enjoyed having the house to myself when I came home.
Patrice: And then that accountant took all your money?
Maddie: Yeah, I went on a cruise for a month and when I came back, he'd wiped me out.
Patrice: And how long after did you meet David?
Maddie: (Laughs and then talks through gritted teeth.) The day I found out I lost my money was the day I met him. I never told you that story?
Patrice: No…
Maddie: The day I lost my money, was the day I found out I owned a detective agency…and guess who was running the place?
Patrice laughs and Maddie goes on to tell her the story of how she and David met and the adventures of those first couple days.
CUT TO: David at home with the kids. With Maddie gone he figures hanging with the kids will be a piece of cake. Of course he'd taken care of them alone plenty of times when Maddie was out for a few hours, but this was the first time he was totally on his own for a weekend. In fact, he couldn't remember the last weekend they hadn't spent together as a family. Alone time for him and the kids would be good. He'd get them set up with some toys and then watch his games on TV. After saying goodbye to Maddie he walks back into the kitchen to discover that Lily has thrown her bowl of cereal on the floor and that Aidan was now stepping in the mess and picking up pieces of cereal off the floor and feeding them back to Lily.
David: Guys guys guys…what is going on here? Don't do this to your old Dad. We're gonna have a fun and easy weekend, right? Just the three of us?
Lily: (Points at David) No! I want Mama!
David picks up Aidan, wipes off his feet as he kicks at him and then sits him back in his chair and works to clean up Lily's mess. Over the next hour the kids are already running David ragged. Lily's diaper leaks, they knock over a plant and dirt is embedded in the carpet and both of them are covered in soil. Aidan hides from David and it takes him a half hour to find him. They both cry every time they think about Maddie and scream about how they want her to come home. David thinks about calling Troy, but he knows Patrice's mom is watching Lola while Troy works today. He thinks again and snaps his fingers…maybe Chloe and Richie want to come over and swim.
Richie: (On phone.) Sorry Bro, no can do this weekend. Chloe and I are going to a couple's retreat.
David: Eh?
Richie: A couple's retreat Dave. You know, where you learn to work together, communicate, connect.
David: (Looks at the phone in disbelief.) Can you put Richard Addison on the phone please?
Richie: I know, I know bro, but Chloe wants to do it and I'm on this whole "happy wife, happy life" thing.
David: But she ain't even your wife yet.
Richie: But she will be, and besides, it's a relaxing couple of days in a cabin in the woods.
David: Great. Looks like everyone is having a relaxing weekend but me.
Richie: What? Maddie's gone two minutes and the kids are already driving you nuts?
David: Huh? No. No, we're having a great time. We just wanted to see you guys, that's all.
David looks over at the kids and watches as Lily dumps box after box of toys on the floor and Aidan jumps up and down on the couch and kicks the pillows on the floor.
David: They just seems to have a little more energy with Maddie gone, they don't listen to me like they do her.
Richie: Well, good luck with that bro.
Richie hangs up and David ruffles his hair and walks into the living room to lay down the law.
CUT TO: A few hours later, Maddie and Patrice arrive at the spa and check the place out. It's quiet and beautiful and relaxing. They stand, taking it all in and take a deep breath.
Patrice: Paradise.
They check out their itinerary. After a light lunch they have a series of relaxing treatments. They each head off to their rooms and get settled and agree to meet in a half hour for lunch. Maddie unpacks everything and then sits and looks around the room. It's so nice, but feels a little quiet without David there, running around touching everything and commenting on every little thing while telling a story at the same time. She decides to give him a call. After a few rings he picks up but she only hears him talking in the background.
Maddie: David?
No answer.
Maddie: (Yells into the phone.) DAVID!
David: Hi…Maddie? Hi Maddie!
Maddie: David, why do you sound weird?
David: Me? Weird? No reason.
Maddie: How are the kids?
David: Kids? What kids?
Maddie: David…
David: Oh them? They're fine. We're fine. They're helping me make lunch.
Maddie: What are you having?
David: Cheese-wiz sandwiches and Cheetos and Lily is squeezing the cheese-wiz everywhere.
Maddie can imagine the mess they're making
Maddie: Cheese wiz? David, make sure they eat something a little more nutritious, give them fruit or they'll be totally cranky for you. And don't let them touch the couch after eating Cheetoes! And clean up any messes. I don't want to come back to a huge mess David.
David: Is this why you called? To lecture me?
Maddie: No, I…
David: (Yells.) Cause I don't need it. We're doing just fine without you!
Maddie: (Yells.) Fine!
David: (Yells) Fine!
Together: GOOD!
They both hang up. Maddie feels annoyed but shakes it off and heads out to meet Patrice. David hangs up and feels annoyed, but then looks around at the huge mess in the kitchen and then down at Lily who is covered in cheese wiz. He shakes his head and sighs.
Over the next few hours Patrice and Maddie have mud baths and massages and body wraps as they sip mineral water with cucumbers and eat lights snacks of nuts and fruits. By they time Maddie gets back to her room she's feeling refreshed and relaxed and can't even remember why she was annoyed with David. He's got his hand full there; she should cut him some slack. She picks up the phone and gives him a call.
David: (Cocky.) Addison here, it's your nickel, shoot.
Maddie: David?
David gets a pang in his gut from Maddie's voice, he really misses her, but is still annoyed from their conversation earlier. Plus, after he hung up with her the kids ate lunch and then had a total meltdown, they both threw fits, which resulted in David yelling at them and putting them in their rooms until they cried themselves to sleep and took naps. David felt really bad and decided to regroup and make things better when they woke up. Which worked for a few minutes until Aidan opened up some watercolor paints and mixed them with water in the bathroom making a huge mess.
David: (Flat.) Oh, hey.
Maddie is immediately reminded by the tone of his voice why she was annoyed with him.
Maddie: Gee, I miss you too honey.
David: What? Did you call to give me another lecture?
Maddie: No. I called to say I miss you, but I can see that's a mistake.
David: Is it?
Maddie: David.
David: Maddie.
Maddie: (She clears her throat, she can see she's getting no where with him.) How are the kids? Can I talk to Aidan?
David: They're at Mrs. D's.
Maddie's blood boils.
Maddie: What!?
David: They're at Mrs. D's!
Maddie: Why?
David: I asked her to keep them for the night so I can go hang out with Freddy and Tom.
Maddie: I don't understand.
David: What's not to understand? You're having your weekend away, who says I gotta stay home? I'm allowed to go out too Maddie.
Maddie: You were supposed to stay with the kids this weekend David, not pass them off to Ethel. They were looking forward to it – you were looking forward to it!
David: Well, we had a change of plans.
Maddie: What are you going to do tonight David?
David: Just go out for some steaks, have a few drinks. It's been awhile since…
Maddie: Oh, it hasn't been that long. You meet those guys all the time for drinks after work, don't give me that. This was supposed to be your weekend with the kids David. I'm so disappointed in you.
David: Maddie, your not my mother and I don't need to ask permission.
Maddie: David, that's a bunch of crap and you know it.
David: (Cold.) You do what you gotta do, and I'll do what I gotta do.
Maddie: And what does that mean?
David: Means, have a good weekend honey, I'll see you when you get home.
Maddie: And what does that mean?
Silence.
Maddie: Where are you going tonight? Don't drink too much David, don't stay out all night and don't…
David: Ok, I've heard enough…
Maddie: (Incensed.) Can someone put my husband on the phone please?
David: Excuse me?
Maddie: Why are you being such an asshole? Are you mad that I'm here? Remember, this was your idea for me to come here and relax, which I'm trying to do, except every time I get on the phone with you I'm all stressed out again.
David: So don't call.
Maddie: David!?
David feels bad as soon as he says that, he doesn't know why he's taking his frustrations out on Maddie, but just then his friend Freddy honks the horn outside letting David know he's there.
David: I gotta go Maddie.
He hangs up. Maddie is in shock. This is not the David Addison of present day; she's getting flashbacks to years past when he was dismissive and short with her. She has no idea what has gotten into him. When they said their goodbyes that morning they had nothing but good feelings between them. She goes to Patrice's room to vent.
David brushes off his fight with Maddie and gets in the car with Freddy. He knows he's being an asshole, and he doesn't care, but really he's mad at himself for not being able to handle the kids. He feels guilty because he knows they were disappointed about going to Mrs. D's and he doesn't want to admit any of that to Maddie.
David: Freddy, my man. (They slap hands.) Take me to the nearest bottle of tequila.
Freddy: You sound like a free man Addison.
David: I feel like a free man Fred.
David slips on his sunglasses and rolls down the window and sticks his elbow out, he feels the air on his face. He pushes the guilt back and starts laying story after story on Freddy. Maddie talks to Patrice and they decide that even though David is being an ass, it shouldn't ruin Maddie's weekend. They go out to the garden where some beautiful live music is being played and sip vitamin drinks in the cool night air. Around 9pm, Patrice and Maddie call it a night. Maddie gets ready for bed and calls Mrs. D to check on the kids, she's assured they are sleeping soundly. Maddie is so tired she drifts to sleep quickly with the thought that the kids are safe at Mrs. D's and David is out god knows where, doing god knows what – but she's sure he'll make it through another night of debauchery.
CUT TO: A few hours later and David sings loudly to the R&B on the jukebox as he walks from the bathroom back to his buddies at the bar. He eyes up a few waitresses along the way, along with a female customer or two. He approaches his friends.
David: All right guys, who's single here? It's like shooting fish in a barrel my friends.
Tom looks around.
Tom: None of us are.
David: Oh. Well, that kinda puts a damper on things. Did I ever tell you guys about the one with the priest, the rabbi and the two nuns?
David's off on a tangent and his buddies order another round of shots. Around midnight the party is still going and David is playing doubles at pool with Freddy and two girls that came to the bar together. David is paired with a sexy blonde, Sandy, she matches him barb for barb in the flirting department, but she's terrible at pool.
David: (Drunk.) My wife's a good pool player; she'd mop the floor with every one of you. (Spins around and points to everyone in the bar. Then, talks to Sandy.) Some guy taught her in college.
Sandy: Oh Yeah? Where's your wife tonight?
David: She's at a spa for the weekend. Relaxing. She needed a break.
Sandy: She needed a break from what? From you?
David: Well, no…
Sandy: (Moves closer.) Who would need a break from you? I could stare into those green eyes all night.
David gives her a half smirk and stares into her eyes. She leans into him.
David: Oh yeah?
Freddy: Yo Addison, you're up.
David moves towards the table feeling cocky. Freddy whispers in his ear.
Freddy: Easy Addison. You got a wife and kids at home remember.
David: What!? Oh that? Are we flirting? It's harmless, don't worry.
Freddy: These girls in here can be barracuda's man, just watch yourself.
David: (Slaps him on the shoulder) You're about as uptight as my wife Freddy, relax.
David makes his shot and heads back over to Sandy, he turns around and leans on his pool cue watching Freddy take his shot and feels Sandy's hand rub across his butt and down slowly to the inside of his leg just nudging his balls – he jumps forward, knocking drinks sideways off the small table next to him and a mix of alcohol spills down the front of his pants. But Sandy's touch gives him a jolt in more ways than one - it finally wakes him up. He turns around and looks into her deep blue eyes. He stares into them for a good thirty seconds.
David: Wrong color.
Sandy: I'm sorry, what?
David: You're eyes, they're the wrong color.
Sandy: What are you talking about?
David: I wanna be looking into someone's blue eyes, but these aren't them.
David is suddenly hit with all the guilt and bad feelings over the way he treated Maddie earlier, he's got to talk to her and apologize. He staggers over to the payphone and dials 0, the operator gives him the number for the spa in Palm Springs, but every time he puts money in to call, the payphone spits it back out. He hangs up the receiver feeling dejected, not being able to reach her just makes him want to see her more. He looks over at Freddy and the girls playing pool and quickly slips out the door. Outside it's raining and David doesn't have an umbrella or a raincoat and he can't catch a cab. He jogs down the street until he finally catches a cab, soaking wet, and it brings him to the bus station where he catches the last bus to Palm Springs. When he sits down on the bus he realizes too late that the seat he's in is soaked with urine. So now, unshaven, soaking wet and smelling like alcohol and urine, he sits in the back of the bus and passes out for the two-hour drive.
Once they arrive he catches a cab to the spa resort, but it's a private resort and is all locked up for the night. David scales the wall and climbs over the gates and starts sneaking through the gardens getting covered in mud. He really has no idea where he's going because he doesn't even know Maddie's room number. He sees open space with a fountain and benches ahead and starts to aim for them thinking he can at least sleep there for the night, when suddenly a security guard steps out and blocks his path – David is hauled off to the security office where the guard picks up the phone to call the police.
Guard: (Talking to David.) You homeless guys are all alike. You can't make it out in the real world, so you think you'll intrude on the luxury the rest of us have worked so hard for.
David: (Sits with his head in one hand.) I ain't homeless, my wife is staying here.
Guard: Yeah, right, and George Bush is my father.
David starts talking fast and working hard to convince the guard that his wife is, in fact, staying there and if he would just be so kind as to track down room number and ask her, she is very used to his crazy antics and would most definitely confirm that he is actually, not a homeless person, but just her drunk husband covered in alcohol, pee and dirt due to unforeseen circumstances through little fault of his own. Somehow David convinces the guard, and of course, slipping a $100 bill into his hand helps, and at 4am, the guard walks with David to Maddie's door and knocks.
Inside Maddie is sound asleep but slowly the incessant knocking at the door wakes her. She squints her eyes and looks at the clock, 4:06am.
Maddie: What the!?
She slips out of bed and goes to the door.
Maddie: Who is it?
Guard: Hotel security ma'am.
Maddie opens the door looking half awake. She looks at the guard and then sees standing behind him a very dirty and disheveled David. She ignores David.
Maddie: Yes officer?
Guard: (The guard feels nervous, she doesn't seem to recognize David.) Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but is this man your husband. (Gestures to David.)
Maddie looks close.
Maddie: My husband? This man?
David shifts uncomfortably.
Maddie: I've never seen him before in my life.
She starts to close the door and David leaps forward and catches it before it closes.
David: Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny honey. But this is no time for games. Tell this nice man I'm your husband so can he get back to his job and I can get out of these wet clothes.
Maddie folds her arms and stares David down. She speaks to the officer without looking at him.
Maddie: Yeah…he's mine.
David: (Turns to the Guard.) Thank you, you've been very helpful.
David and Maddie move inside and shut the door.
Maddie: David, what is going on? What are you doing here and why do you smell like you've just crawled out of a sewer?
David: Maddie, I had to talk to you…
Maddie: So, what…have all phones stopped working?
David: Well, actually, the phone at the bar didn't work and there I was, covered in booze, with some blonde hitting on me, missing you and suddenly it sounded like a great idea to come here and surprise you.
Maddie: (Flat.) I'm surprised.
He takes her by the shoulders.
David: I'm sorry about this afternoon. I was a jerk.
She raises her arms to take his off her.
Maddie: Yeah, you were. David, nothing personal, but don't touch me, you're a mess and you smell awful.
David looks in the mirror and runs his hands over the side of his hair and brushes some dried dirt off his shirt.
David: I don't look so bad.
Maddie: (Sits on the bed.) David, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you with the kids? Why were you such a jerk today and why did you come all the way up here in the middle of the night?
David: I don't know. (He sits in a chair.) Everything was so much harder without you there. The kids wouldn't listen, everything was a mess, they both screamed for you all day and I couldn't get them to calm down. It was a lot harder managing them without you there. I guess I got frustrated and just took the easy way out. But you didn't deserve for me to take it out on you and I didn't want your whole weekend ruined, so I came up here to apologize. So, I'm sorry. (Gets up.) So there, I said what I came here to say…and I guess I'll just be going…
He starts to walk towards the door and Maddie grabs his hand.
Maddie: Don't be stupid. Get in the shower dummy.
David takes a hot shower and comes out smelling fresh as a daisy; he slips in bed next to Maddie.
Maddie: So, what's this about some blonde hitting on you?
David: Did I mention that?
Maddie: David…
David: (Yawning.) The only thing important about her is she got me running off to find you here.
They curl up together, close their eyes and go to sleep. They wake a few hours later a little after 9am and just lay in bed – Maddie isn't supposed to meet Patrice until 11.
Maddie: Patrice doesn't need to know you're here, she's adamant about this being a girl's weekend.
David: I know, I'm gonna head back soon…go pick up the kids and spend the day making up to them for yesterday.
Maddie: Well, don't be too hard on yourself; parenting is hard, even harder on your own.
David: That's why we always say we work better together. We're a team baby.
Maddie: That we are.
Maddie wraps her arms around David and they make love and then shower together. Once they're out David has one little problem, he stands with a towel wrapped around his waist.
David: What am I going to wear home?
Maddie goes to the gift shop and buys David a t-shirt and a pair of shorts with the spa's logo printed on them. She laughs at the site of him in the outfit and he prances around modeling it for her. He slicks his hair back, slips his sunglasses on, kisses Maddie and heads out the door and into the hotel shuttle that will take him back to the bus station where he heads back to LA. Once there he picks up fruit and sandwiches and juice for lunch and then picks up the kids from Mrs. D's and takes them to the park for the afternoon where they all run around and play together and have a great time. Later that day the kids take a nap and David cleans the house up. In the evening they have dinner and swim for a little bit and then shower, get in their pajamas and watch some Stooges and cartoons. Everything runs much smoother and David feels good about finally getting a handle on the situation.
Back at the spa Maddie meets Patrice and doesn't mention last nights drama with David. They just share girlfriend gossip and get their hair and nails done and enjoy their time and relax. Maddie calls David that evening.
David: (Upbeat.) Addison residence!
Maddie: Hi baby.
David: Hi baby.
They smolder over the phone.
Maddie: Whatcha doin?
David: Us? We're just missing you.
Maddie: Good. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow, it feels like it's been forever since I saw you.
David: (Looks at his watch.) Yeah, at least a few hours.
Maddie laughs and they chat for a few more minutes before they hang up. After one more relaxing evening, and a morning spa treatment on Monday, Maddie and Patrice head back to LA. About 1pm Maddie arrives home with some gifts for the kids and sees through the window that David, Lily and Aidan are all swimming in the backyard. She brings her things upstairs and changes into her swimsuit and then heads outside and beams as the kids see her and scream with delight. She jumps in the pool and swims to them and they all hug and kiss.
Maddie: I missed you guys!
Aidan: Don't go away again Mommy.
Maddie: Ok baby.
Lily climbs on her back and Aidan climbs on David's and David and Maddie kiss and swim with the kids around the pool. They spend the rest of the afternoon barbequing, swimming and hanging out together as a family.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Thanks Susan for your two-cents, read and re-reads and edits as always! 3