FAMILY TIES
It's 4 ½ months into Maddie's pregnancy and she and David are driving back to the office after a check-up for the twins. David drives.
David: (proud) Well, my boys did it! They really did it this time, I knew they had it in them.
Maddie: (sits slightly amused) Your boys?
David: My boys! My swimmers...they got up there and impregnated everything they could find.
Maddie: (laughs) oh, really...and did I have anything to do with this?
David: Sure...you did your part...but what you got just kinda waits around for what I got...and this time, my boys did the job.
Maddie: (Laughs.) David...
He takes her hand.
David: Two babies Maddie...a boy and a girl.
Maddie: Pretty great great.
David: Pretty great great.
They both look out the window content and happy.
CUT TO: The next morning, a clearly pregnant Maddie stands in the kitchen talking on the phone and making sandwiches for the kids.
Maddie: I'm doing great mom. I've got a lot more energy now that I'm in my second trimester and definitely getting bigger and bigger every day!
Virginia: well, with two babies growing in there I hope so. You're not working too much are you?
Maddie: Just my normal hours. No chase scenes or stakeouts. We've got Viola, Troy and Richie on those now.
Virginia: So David still won't do stakeouts without you?
Maddie: He won't! And I don't understand it, I mean, I understand not doing them with Mr. Viola, as sweet as Bert is, a night in a van with him is an exercise in patience. But David loves Troy and Richie...so I don't see why he can't work with them, but he still insists, if I'm not on stakeout, neither is he.
Virginia: Well, I think that's sweet.
Maddie: yeah, it is...but I worry that the clients get nervous if one of us isn't out there - I just don't want it to affect business.
Virginia: Well, I like the idea of David being at home with you and the kids right now…so maybe it's for the best.
Maddie: I agree…but once the twins come, he's going to have to be out there once in a while…because I certainly won't be sitting in vans at midnight for quite some time…in fact, I don't know how we're going to make this all work. But then again, I suppose I thought that before we had Aidan and Lily.
Virginia: Well, your father and I are happy to come out and help anytime.
Maddie: I appreciate that mom…and we'll be taking you up on it, trust me. Luckily we have Roberta here to help…speaking of which, she's off today and I've got to drop the kids at school and get to work myself.
Virginia: OK Maddie…have a good day. Kiss the kids for us.
Maddie: Thanks mom, give my love to dad.
CUT TO: Maddie and David at a client's house later that day.
Gary: (Client.) I know my brother has been stealing money from my father for years…but now that my father is on his death bed I need you guys to give me verified, solid, proof of the theft so that I can get Larry out of the will before it's too late. Do you think you can help me, Mr. and Mrs. Addison?
Maddie and David accept the case and leave to drive back to the office; Maddie drives.
Maddie: Yuk.
David: Yuk?
Maddie: Yuk!
David: What's on your mind Madolyn?
Maddie: It's just…that poor old man, he raised his sons in a good home, in a wealthy neighborhood, sent them to good schools…sent them to Stanford! Gave them all the support they needed and one of them is stealing from his own father… on his death bed!
David: Maybe stealing from him on his death bed.
Maddie: Oh, come on David, it's pretty obvious.
David: Pretty obvious? I haven't seen any proof yet.
Maddie: Yes, ok...sure, we'll do what we have to do to prove it…but I'm still sure what we're going to find is…
Together:
Maddie: Yuk!
David: Yuk?
Maddie: I mean, think of our kids…
David: I think about 'em all the time.
Maddie: We're giving them the best life we can, the best opportunities…can you imagine one of them doing this to us one day?
David: Well, no…I hope not.
Maddie: I mean, how do we know…how does anyone know, how can we be sure, what we're doing is working…that we're raising good, responsible citizens who will give back to society one day, take care of us in our old age… not rob us blind when we're too old to notice.
David: (Laughs) Know…? How can we know? I'm pretty sure there isn't any way to know for sure. We just have to keep doing what we're doing…one day at a time, the best way we know how and hope we give them the tools to make the right decisions…
Maddie: I feel like I make mistakes with them all the time David, wrong decisions, winging answers to things I'm not even sure about. Are we going to screw them up?
David: Ah come on…every parent feels like that…they don't come with handbooks, ya know. Like I said, we're doing the best we can…I wing answer all the time. I pretty much have Lily convinced that she came from a giant egg that was left on the porch by a beautiful butterfly.
Maddie: Great...I thought we were gonna be honest with them about all that stuff, David?
David: Well, that all sounds great until your daughter asks (high-pitched voice) "Daddy, where do babies come from?" in front of a bunch of guys on line at Hank's Hardware Store at 9am on a Saturday…what are you gonna do? How're you gonna answer that right then and there? You gonna go down the whole (low-pitched voice.) "well, Lily, Daddy gives mommy a special hug" …road? No…you wing it Maddie...that's what you do…
Maddie laughs.
Maddie: Great…but, a butterfly egg on the porch? (Shakes her head and nudges him.) Maybe it will just be you they get their revenge on...
David: (Thinks.) Well, it may be too late for Lily and Aidan, (touches Maddie's belly) but since we got a lot of practice now, maybe we can do better with our future offspring.
Maddie puts her hand over David's.
Maddie: Yeah, I'm pretty sure Lily and Aidan are already conspiring on a daily basis to drive us into an early grave, but maybe we can get these two on our side.
They smile at each other. David chuckles.
David: I still can't believe we're going to have four kids! Four!?
Maddie: Four…wow, who'd a thunk it, huh?
David: Who'd a thunk.
Maddie: Well, certainly not me.
David: Well, certainly not me. I never even thought you'd give a poor sap like me a chance.
Maddie: Well, did I have a choice? I couldn't get rid of you…
David: And you tried…very hard.
Maddie: Yeah…well…I'm glad it didn't work Addison.
She entwines her fingers with David's.
David: A past life…Addison.
Maddie: (Shrugs.) certainly feels like that…
They smolder a bit and Maddie accelerates towards the office.
CUT TO: 2am, Maddie and David are tangled up with each other in a deep sleep when the phone rings. David wakes up in a panic…
David: You got the wrong guy…I haven't been single for years!
Ring ring ring. Maddie sleeps…David reaches over her to answer the phone.
David: (Groggy.) Hello…
Virginia: (upset.) David…oh, David, I'm so sorry to wake you…but something terrible has happened.
David sits up. Suddenly very awake. He shakes Maddie.
David: Maddie, wake up honey. (Into phone.) What happened Ginny?
Virginia: Alex had a stroke tonight. Everything was perfectly fine when we went to bed…
Maddie sits up and pulls the receiver David is holding close to her ear so they can both hear.
Maddie: Mom…?
Virginia: Oh Maddie, it's your father…he's had a stroke. I'm with him here at Central Hospital in downtown Chicago.
Maddie: (Tears spring to her eyes.) Oh…no, mom!? Is he going to be ok?
Virginia: The doctors are with him now, we don't know the prognosis as of yet.
Maddie: I'll be on the next flight mom.
Virginia: No…Maddie…no…not in your state. I don't want you traveling and upsetting yourself.
David: You can't handle this alone Virginia, Maddie will come out tomorrow…she'll be fine.
He puts his arm around Maddie who puts her head in her hands and starts to cry.
Maddie: (Tearful) Keep us posted mom. Call me in a couple of hours and I'll let you know my plans to come out.
They hang up and Maddie collapses in David's arms. He hugs her and pats her lightly…
David: It's ok…it's going to be ok.
CUT TO: The next day Maddie and Lily fly to Chicago. They agree that David and Aidan will fly out if the situation looks grave, but for now, David will stay behind to run Blue Moon and keep Aidan in school. Maddie arrives at the hospital and embraces her mother outside her father's hospital room. He is in a medically induced coma.
Maddie: Oh Mother.
Virginia: Oh Maddie...thank you for coming out. It's been really awful being here all alone...worrying...trying to understand everything the doctors have been telling me.
Virginia leans down to embrace Lily.
Virginia: Hi Lily...oh my, you are even bigger than when I saw you just a few months ago.
Lily wraps her arms around her grandmother.
Lily: Hi Grandma Hayes.
She hangs onto Maddie's leg while the women discuss Mr. Hayes' medical issues with the Doctor who approaches them.
Doctor: So, we've got him stabilized for now...but we'll have to assess the toll the stroke took on him once we bring him out of the coma in about 3 days.
Maddie: Can we go in and see him now doctor?
Doctor: Sure, just don't be too alarmed at all the tubes and cords...they are all doing good things for him, but some people have a hard time seeing their loved ones in this state at first.
Virginia holds on to Maddie's arm as they enter the dim room full of beeping sounds and pumps working. Maddie sees her normally strong father laying in the bed, looking so helpless, with tubes and cords coming out of different places and her eyes fill with tears.
She hugs her mother.
Virginia: He's going to be ok Maddie...I just know it.
Maddie: I know he will mother, it's just so hard to see him in this state.
Lily: What's wrong with Grandpa Hayes, mama?
Maddie: Remember, I told you grandpa had a problem with his heart, baby? He's just resting now...but he's going to be ok.
Lily: When will he wake up?
Maddie: In a few days Lil.
Lily: That's a long sleep.
Maddie: (smiles) Yup, but we'll be here when he wakes up to make him feel lots better.
After an hour or so in the room, Maddie finds a pay phone to call David.
Agnes: Have you lost a pet, a jewel or a lover? Hire us! and we will uncover...
Maddie waits while Agnes finishes her rhyme...
Maddie: Hi Agnes, it's Maddie.
Agnes: (Excited.) Ms. Hayes-Addison! (Changes her tune to sad) oh...I mean, how are you? I mean...how's everything in Chicago? How's your dad?
Maddie: He's stable for now Agnes, thanks for asking...Is Mr. Addison around?
Agnes: Sure, hold on a minute.
Agnes sends two short buzzes to David's office, which has always been their signal for "Maddie." David, sitting at his desk going through a case file, picks up.
David: Maddie?
Maddie: Hi David.
David: How bad is it?
Maddie: (gets teary) It's pretty bad...they've got him in a medically induced coma.
David rubs is face with his palm.
David: Maybe Aidan and I should come out there.
Maddie: Well, he is stable for now...they won't know anything more for a few days until they bring him out of the coma...so, I'm not sure it's worth coming now David, it's just going to be a lot of waiting.
David: (nods) How's your mother doing?
Maddie: Mom's hanging in there. It's so hard to know what to think right now.
She cries.
David: I know...I'm sorry. How are you feeling? You doing ok otherwise?
Maddie: Oh...yeah, other than the pain of all this I'm feeling fine David, don't worry about that.
Payphone: Please deposit 25 cents to continue this call.
Maddie: Oh damn, I don't have any more change.
David: Ok, well, keep me posted. Give Lily a kiss for me.
Maddie: Will do, I'll call you tonight. I love you David.
David: I love you.
Maddie: (voice cracks) Oh, and David...as far as the business...
David: Don't worry about that, I've got it handled.
Maddie: Ok...I better get going now.
David: Ok. I love you, Maddie.
Maddie: Love you. Bye.
They hang up. A few hours later Maddie, Lily and Virginia head down to the hospital cafeteria to eat something. Virginia and Maddie push around Salad and fruit on a place and Lily eat Mac n Cheese.
Virginia: Eat something, Maddie...I don't want any of this affecting your health.
Maddie: I know mom, I'm doing my best, I'm just not hungry right now.
Virginia: I know...me either...it's just the stress of everything.
They take each other's hand.
Maddie: He's a strong man mom.
Virginia: I know he is. And I know he's working on pulling through this as we speak. Everything just needs a little time.
Over the next few days, Maddie and Virginia rotate sitting by Alex's bedside with time at the house to give Lily a break from the hospital environment. It's a lot of driving back and forth and everyone is exhausted. On day four they bring Alex out of the coma. He is disoriented and upset, he tries to pull tubes out and get up out of the bed multiple times. Somebody has to stay in the room at all times to watch him.
Virginia: Alexander...you've had a stroke...you need to rest and listen to the Doctors.
Alex isn't speaking much and only shows a glimmer of happiness when He sees Lily.
CUT TO: Back in LA, David is holding down the fort at Blue Moon and at home. He takes Aidan to Richie's house for dinner one night.
Richie: How's the bigger than usual Blonde holding up in Chi-town?
Chloe: Yeah, how's Alex doing?
David: He's actually improving day by day.
Chloe: So, when will she be home?
David: Hard to tell right now. She wants to stay and help her mom at least until he goes home...then they may have to get some help there while he recovers.
Richie: Wow, well, it's just great news that he's going to recover, bro. The way Maddie flew out of here I wasn't sure what was gonna happen.
David: I know, I'm so pleased he's going to be ok. For Alex and Virginia's sake...but for Maddie too...I don't know how she'd handle losing her dad right now...and with the state she's in...
Chloe: (pats him on the back) Yeah, because of the past you two are always going to be a little stressed during pregnancy David.
David: Yeah, that's what I mean, we don't need more stress on top of it.
Richie: (Takes David by the shoulders) How many times you gonna knock this woman up anyway?
David: (Laughs) Yeah...haha. Yeah...well, this one was quite a surprise Rich...but you know I'm always happy to do my part.
Richie puts David in a headlock and rubs his head.
David: Hey…watch the hair, watch the hair….
They wrestle each other to the floor, Aidan jumps on their backs and joins in and all three of them roll around in the floor.
Back in Chicago Alexander has been improving a little each day and two weeks after his stroke he is sitting up in bed eating jello. The left side of his body is partially paralyzed so he has slightly slurred speech and needs help to and from the bathroom. But, with some time and rehabilitation, the doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Alex: I know it's not the best of circumstances Maddie, but it sure is nice to have you and Lily as my captive audience for a while.
Maddie: Well, we're glad to be here dad, and we need to come out and spend more time, more often...instead of letting an emergency like this bring us out.
Alex: Yes, but you're all so busy out there in California. We understand.
Maddie: Well, that's not going to be an excuse anymore dad. We'll be out more often, I promise you that.
Touches her baby bump.
Maddie: David and I might have to take turns for a while, but I'm going to make it a priority.
Virginia: Well, by the time you have these babies Maddie, your father will be fully recovered and we'll come out and rent a house near you guys for the summer, so we'll be nearby to help. The sun and fresh air will do your father good.
Maddie: That will be really great mom.
That night Virginia, Maddie and Lily make their way back to the Hayes residence. Maddie calls David, but there is no answer at the house or Blue Moon – she only gets the answering machine at each place.
Virginia: Maybe he's working a case, Maddie.
Maddie: Yes…probably, I just wonder where Roberta and Aidan are?
Virginia: Everything is fine dear, don't worry.
But Maddie does start to worry when she doesn't hear from David that night. She wakes up early and tries the house again. Nothing.
Virginia, Maddie and Lily make their way to the hospital early that morning and as they approach Alex's room they hear a familiar voice.
David: (lively.) And the dealer has blackjack…Oooo, I'm sorry Mr. Hayes, you lost that one, I warned you about doubling down!
When they walk room they see Alex sitting up looking perkier than usual and David, wearing his dealer's visor, is playing cards with him. Aidan runs to Maddie and Lily runs to David.
Maddie: (Smiles.) Wow, morning!
David: Morning, (taps Mr. Hayes) see, I told you, she's observant.
David swoops up Lily who gives him a big hug and then he moves towards Virginia who reaches for David with open arms.
Virginia: Oh, aren't you both a sight for sore eyes.
Lily won't let him set her down, so he makes his way over to Maddie carrying her, they kiss.
David: (sexy.) Hello…
Maddie: When'd ya get in.
David: Took the red eye, got in very early this morning…
Alex: And I'm glad he did…I've been up since two, so when these two came walking in, it was sure a welcome sight…of course, I'm down 50 bucks…but hey, all worth it.
Everyone laughs. Spirits are higher around there than they have been in weeks. Maddie, David and the kids sit on the couch together and cuddle
Virginia: So, how long are you staying David?
David: Just two days, we'll fly home Sunday night. Luckily, the business of Blue Moon is booming…but that also means, I can't be here with you guys as long as I'd like.
Maddie: Thank you for taking care of everything back home David.
David tucks a strand of hair behind Maddie's ear.
David: Of course.
For the next couple of days, everyone takes shifts at the hospital and at home with the kids. Maddie and David are able to take Lily and Aidan to a movie one afternoon for an escape, but other than that they are want to be around to help. They all sleep at the Hayes residence at night and Maddie and David share a bed with the kids. Soon it's Sunday night and they are saying goodbye. They all gather in Alex's hospital room.
David: Alex, you're looking stronger and healthier every day.
Alex: Well, thank you son, for coming out. Having you and Aidan and Maddie and Lily out here during these last few weeks has done wonders for me…and for my wife. So, thank you again.
David: Well, (catches eyes with Maddie.) That's what family's for.
David and Maddie smolder across the room. Everyone says their goodbyes and Maddie and Lily walk Aidan and David downstairs to get a taxi. Maddie hugs David tightly before he gets in the cab, she's so appreciative of him coming out to support her mother and father during this time. She starts to cry.
David: Hey, hey, hey…why are you crying? Your father is getting better…he'll be back to his old self in no time.
Maddie wipes her tears.
Maddie: It's not that…
David: What then…
Maddie: It's just…I'm gonna miss you stupid.
David: C'mere.
He hugs her tightly again.
David: You'll come home soon. We're gonna miss you too.
The kids and Maddie and David hug as a family and David looks at his watch.
David: We better get going…traffic might be heavy and we don't want to be late.
Maddie: I love you, David.
David throws her a two-fingered kiss and gets in the cab. Lily and Maddie stand at the curb and watch their cab until it drives out of sight.
Over the next couple of weeks, Alex gets better and eventually goes home. Once he is set up at home and they have an in-home nurse who visits during the day, Maddie decides it's time for them to get back to LA.
CUT TO: The night Maddie and Lily return from Chicago they get home around 8pm, David can't meet them at the airport because he's caught up in a big case that ends with him being interrogated under a bright light at the police station until 3am. When a black and white drops him off at home in the wee hours of the morning David is eager to see Maddie. But, as he approaches the front door he realizes that he's lost his keys somewhere during the nights chase, which involved him crawling through sewage tunnels near the LA river.
He approaches the door and bangs and knocks loudly...backing up, he calls Maddie's name.
David: Yo Maddie! Ma-dayyyyy! Little help out here. I've lost my keys in the depths of the LA underworld.
Calls to her. Bangs on the door. Rings the bell.
David: Mad-DAYYYY! Yo – Maddie, you up there!?
Nothing from inside. Not a stir.
David scratches his head.
David: This family of mine sleeps like the dead.
He chuckles to himself thinking of the irony of that...his family being inside, as he is reminded of another night he banged on this door in the wee hours of the morning. He hasn't had to resort to it for years, but he climbs up the side of the house to the small balcony outside he and Maddie's bedroom window.
He uses an old trick he knows to slowly turn the lock on the French doors.
He slips into the moonlit bedroom and approaches pregnant Maddie's sleeping form. He gets such a rush of joy seeing her back in their bed. He's missed her so much.
He looks at her, laying on her back in a deep sleep, one hand on her belly...her hair cascading across the pillow. He touches her shoulder lightly and she wakes up with a start.
Maddie: (Groggy but excited.) David!
He takes both her shoulders and pulls her close for a kiss...his lips just about meet hers and then...she gets a whiff of him and pushes him away.
Maddie: oh David, where have you been? You smell awful.
David: (chuckles) Yeah...I'll have to tell you about that.
He turns and starts pulling off his clothes and heads towards the bathroom.
David: (calls back to her) I can't believe you're denying me a kiss after all this time apart though.
Maddie: I'll kiss you when you're clean...
David: I hope you mean my body...not my mind...
Maddie smiles and lays back in bed waking up. She listens to the shower running and David singing a happy tune. Even though his singing always drives her a little crazy, it makes her smile, she's really been caught up in everything going on with her dad, but she suddenly realizes just how much she's missed David. She gets out of bed and heads into the bathroom. She opens the shower door a crack to see David working a lather into his hair.
Maddie: Is there room for four in there?
A sideways grin slides onto David's lips.
David: Of course.
Maddie slips off her silky nighty and David holds her hand and helps her into the shower and into his open arms. He hugs her tight under the warm water and kisses up her neck, across her cheek and over to her mouth.
David: I missed you.
They kiss.
Maddie: I missed you too.
They embrace and kiss some more. David then holds out her arms and checks out her growing baby bump.
David: Ooo, wow, wee. Look at how much bigger you've gotten.
Maddie puts her hand over her growing belly and looks down.
Maddie: Yeah? (Smiles shyly)
David's happy grin says it all.
They suds up and chat and catch up in the shower. Maddie tells him more about their month in Chicago and how well her father is doing now and David tells her more about some of the cases they've had since she's been gone. Eventually, they dry off and get in bed, they slide into each other's arms and fit together as easily as two puzzle pieces, like no time has passed at all, even with all the space and time between them.
David makes love to Maddie slowly...carefully...passionately...completely. Both are aware of how long it's been and fully appreciate being back in their own bed together and in each other's arms.
Cut To: Aidan's recital at school the next Wednesday night. Maddie and David, with Lily trailing slightly behind them, enter the auditorium looking slightly more gorgeous than your average couple. They see parents of other children at the school...some they like, some they don't. David takes Maddie's arm and pulls her closer; Lily catches up to them and holds David's hand. They walk carefully trying to avoid land mines.
David: Protect me...handsy Helen is fast approaching from the left.
Maddie and David paste fake smiles on their faces.
Together: Hi Helen!
David picks up Lily as a barrier but Helen, whose son is in Lily's class and daughter is in Aidan's, comes in a little too close and puts one hand on David's chest and one on Lily's arm, Lily turns her head into David's neck.
Helen: Hey Addison's! (Talks to Maddie while still touching David.) Madolyn...can I borrow your husband some time to entertain me at home...when he came to the kindergarten overnight he had us all in stitches!
Maddie: (Looks unsure.) Entertain you at home?
David and Maddie give each other a sideways glance.
Helen: Well, he's just so funny. You must be laughing all the time.
Maddie: (Sarcastic) Oh, he's a laugh a minute all right. (Looks at him) David, you've finally got a fan.
David: (Deflects) eh eh. Yeah, right...well, Helen...Helen here is one hell of a baker...she brought some dark chocolate, caramel, marshmallow brownies that kept us adults up on a sugar high that night.
Helen laughs and moves over to Maddie.
Helen: (keeping eye contact with David the entire time) well, I'm happy to trade sweets for a good laugh anytime David.
Helen's hands move to Maddie's obvious baby bump...
Helen: I didn't know you two were expecting again!?
Maddie moves more towards David and away from Helen's hands.
David: Yup, we've got twins coming in July.
Helen: twins!? How exciting. Congratulations.
Maddie and David smile real smiles this time.
Together: Thank you!
David puts his arm around Maddie.
Helen: Do you know if they're fraternal or identical?
Maddie: Fraternal...a boy and a girl actually.
Helen: Wow, very exciting. You're going to have your hands full.
Maddie and David both nod their heads.
David: well, it's a good thing we've got four hands between us. One for each kid. (Grins and looks at Lily).
Helen laughs. Maddie gives him a look that says that was a stupid joke.
Helen: Hahaha. See? So funny.
Maddie searches through her purse for gum. Just then, Harold, Helen's husband, a nebbish looking guy approaches.
Harold: Helen, let's get seats up front so I can set up my tripod.
Helen: Yes Harold. (Gestures to Maddie) look, Harold, did you see? They're having twins in July!
Harold looks at Maddie's belly over his glasses.
Harold: Twins? Children cost an average of $200,000 between the ages of 1-18...have you financially prepared? If you need any help, Call me, here take my card.
He stuffs a card for his financial advisor group in David's hand and rushes off to set up his camera equipment. Helen follows.
Maddie: Gee, I wonder why she finds you so funny.
David: yeah, with a laugh riot like ole Harry around, I'm shocked.
They smile and move on. They are relieved to see Patrice and Troy, whose daughter, Lola, is in Aidan's class.
Lily gets down to play with their son Lamar. David and Troy do their special hand clap greeting and Patrice and Maddie hug, David throws a two-fingered kiss to Patrice as Troy leans in to kiss Maddie on the cheek.
Troy: Maddie, pregnancy suits you. You're absolutely glowing.
Maddie: Awe, thanks, Troy.
Troy: (being funny to the group) are we in for a great night of entertainment or what? I hear they're gonna sing "imma little teapot."
David: Oooo, all the first-grade hits. Better than an ACDC concert.
Patrice: (whispers to Maddie) Avoid Maybell, she's looking for people to cut out paper pedals to decorate the class in spring flowers.
Maddie scans the room.
Maddie: thanks for the heads up.
They all chat for a few minutes when another couple they like a lot, Claire and Bill approach.
Bill: Hi-ho, if it isn't some of my favorite people.
He greets the guys with high-fives and puts his arm around his wife smiles at Patrice and Maddie.
Bill: Ladies.
They smile at him and Claire.
Claire: Maddie, how are you feeling? I heard...twins, wow.
Maddie: Oh, I'm feeling great...yeah, twins.
David puts his hand on Maddie's belly...
David: It's all part of our master plan to take over the world...one Addison at a time...(thinks) that or form our own soccer team.
They all laugh.
Claire: Well, before you get too far along we should do that couples trip we talked about. Bill and I are dying to get out of town.
Patrice and Troy nod in agreement.
David: Maddie just got back from a month away in Chicago, (looks at her), but I'm up for it if you are.
Maddie: yeah, sure...I mean, if we can find the time, Blue Moon is keeping us pretty busy at the moment.
Bill: Yes! Speaking of...I read in the paper about that famous actresses murder you just solved.
Maddie and David nod and smile.
Claire: you two are quite a pair...I don't know how you do it.
David: (sarcastic) Oh, well ...let me tell you how we do it... sometimes she's on top...sometimes I'm ...
Maddie elbows him hard in the ribs.
David: Ouch!
Everyone laughs and Maddie gives him a death stare. David pets her back. Just then the lights blink and they move to take their seats for the recital.
David: (kisses the side of Maddie's head, and gestures) After you, my dear...you know how I love to watch you from behind. (Smirks).
Maddie: Watch it Addison...
David: (smug) Oh, I will be, trust me.
Maddie walks ahead shaking her head in annoyance. He ogles her from top to bottom as she walks away and bites his knuckle as he follows her.
After the recital, Maddie and David take the kids out for ice cream to congratulate Aidan on a job well done. By the time they get home, everyone is exhausted and they go straight to bed.
CUT TO: The next evening Maddie and David get a rare moment at home alone as Roberta has taken Lily to the grocery store with her and then will pick up Aidan who went to a friends for a play date after school. Maddie reclines on the couch while David rubs her feet.
David: You shouldn't have followed that suspect with me today.
Maddie: I wasn't planning to, but when we just happened to see him going into that amusement park we couldn't just let him go.
David: I'm still a little queasy from all them rides on the tilter-whirl.
Maddie: Yeah...well, I was happy to park myself on the bench by the popcorn machine...
David: Yep, worked out perfect too...cause when he waited for extra butter we got the park authorities on him PDQ.
Maddie: Still a lot of walking though...
David: Too much wear and tear on the ole pumps...
Maddie: Not to mention these tired dogs. Thanks for rubbing them David, this feels great.
David: You were smart to add "unlimited foot rubs" to our vows...(thinks) I should have thought to add unlimited bl...
Maddie: (cuts him off) ...David...would you stop being so crude.
David: Come on Maddie, if I cut out crude, I wouldn't be half as entertaining…
Maddie: To whom?
David: (imitates her.) To whom? Well, not to "youm"…but other people find me funny…now, back to ways you can make me feel great…
Maddie: Oh…I think you get your fair share, Addison…
David winks at her and rubs further up her leg and then continues her foot massage.
David: It's never enough…that's what I'm always trying to tell you.
Maddie: Says the man with his fourth child on the way…
He laughs.
David: ok, change of subject...
Maddie: Thank god.
David: You're welcome…now…let's talk names...
Maddie: Names?
David: Yeah, names, for the bambines, have you thought of any?
Maddie: Oh...yeah, I've been thinking a little about that.
David: Ok, and? ...throw them at me...I'll veto at will...or Mike...or any others you throw out that I don't like.
Maddie: Well, there's one...Will.
David: Will? Why?
Maddie: Why what?
David: Why Will?
Maddie: Will is a wonderful name...
David: Well, Will and what?
Maddie: Will and what?
David: Will and what...we've got to have names that go together…like, Will and Wilma? Will and Wendy?
Maddie: (Makes a face) Wilma? Wendy? No...no David, we're not doing that.
David: Not doing that? Not doing what?
Maddie: Not doing that. Not matching names like that. These are two individuals being born at the same time...they're not a matched set of salt n pepper shakers...
David: We're not matching names, for twins? Are you nuts? Matching names is what makes twins...
Maddie: What..?
David: it's...cute.
Maddie: I don't think it's cute. I think it's ridiculous.
David: Ridiculous!? You are strange.
Maddie: I'm strange because I don't want to choose my children's names based on words that rhyme rather than a name that has some meaning to us?
David: I don't know. I just always thought we'd choose something like Pat n Nat..like, Gary and Larry…
Maddie let's out a mocking laugh.
Maddie: Those thieves?
David: Well, to be fair, it turned out only one was a thief.
Maddie: Ok, but let's be serious David.
David: Ok, names that mean something to us. Let's start there. So, what does Will mean to us?
Maddie: Both of our grandfathers had William in their name.
David: (nods) Ah. Right. Right...but still, it's not my favorite name.
Maddie: Fair...what about Alex? For my father; Alexander.
David smiles.
David: Yeah..Alex, I like that. Your father would flip.
Maddie: I don't think anything would make him more proud...and since Aidan has you and your father's name...
David: That's true - David Aidan Addison...my boy.
Maddie: Any girls names you have in mind?
David: (Thinks.) You know what name would mean something to me? I had an aunt who died pretty young...her name was Stella. She was always so full of life, had such a warm spirit, Rich and I loved when she came to visit, she always brought the best gifts...she didn't have any children of her own...might be nice to honor her that way.
Maddie: Awe, David...I really love that.
David: really?
Puts his hand on her belly.
David: How about Stella Madolyn Addison?
Maddie: (smiles) and Alexander William Addison...
David: (smiles) Wow. Is that it? Did we just name our twins?
Maddie: Without going ten rounds?
David: We are really maturing Madolyn.
They intertwine finger.
Maddie: Alex and Stella.
They nod and smile and sit in the moment enjoying the rare quiet. Soon Lily and Aidan come bounding in the house, Lily crawls on top of Maddie to lay with her on the couch and David heads outside to help Roberta with the groceries.
Aidan: Dad, can we swim tonight?
David: Sure Ade.
As he leaves the room David looks back at Maddie, they catch eyes.
He smiles. Maddie smiles back. And the busy household takes over…
TO BE CONTINUED.