CHAPTER 17: GROWING PAINS
The scene opens with Maddie giving birth in the hospital.
David: Just keep looking at me, honey…give me one two short and one long…now a deep breath and PUSH!
All in the delivery: PUSH! You're doing great, just a few more pushes and she'll be here.
David: (Whispers in Maddie's ear.) Just a few more pushes and little Stella will be here and this will all be over honey. You're doing great Mad.
Maddie: This is it David…last baby, no more after this.
David: No more…promise…we'll have a house full, our family will be complete.
Maddie: I'm starving!
David: Give me two more pushes and I'll get you anything you want to eat, drink or wear as a shiny bobble. Now, one short, two long…breathe…one, two, three….PUSH!
Four minutes later Stella Madolyn Addison is born, just 5 minutes after her brother Alexander William Addison. The babies weigh 5 pounds each and are healthy and perfect. David orders in Spaghetti carbonara, Champaign and surprises Maddie with two diamond tennis bracelets, gifts for blessing him with two more beautiful babies.
CUT TO: 8 months later at Blue Moon.
Ms. Dipesto: (Putting through a call) Mr. Denli on line two Mrs. Hayes-Addison.
She punches blinking lights and answers each call with a rhyme, putting people on hold and taking messages. Just then David slides in.
David: (upbeat.) Ms. Dipesto!
She puts her call on hold and hands him a pile of messages.
Ms. Dipesto: Hi Mr. Addison, how are the babies this morning?
David: Right as rain Agnes, just dropped the bambines at Le Petit Daycare downstairs and our little towheads were playing happily when I left.
Ms. Dipesto: They sure are getting big fast.
David: (Rifles through his messages and chuckles.) They sure are…baby Alex…woo, wee, wow…he's a little bruiser…and Stella…well, she's as sweet as they come.
David leans on her counter with a proud grin on his face.
David: How are Nola and Zola Viola these days? Bet they're getting big, huh?
She hands David a picture she just had developed. He takes it and smiles.
Ms. Dipesto: (Sighs.) I remember when they were babies like it was yesterday…gee, the time goes so fast.
David: Look at all of us, huh? Remember how this place used to be before all these kids showed up? All of us single and horsing around? (Agnes nods her curly head and smiles, remembering.) Now, look at us, puttin'em to bed at a decent hour, sneaking healthy food on their plate, makin' em learn, all the stuff we hated when our parents did to us…
Ms. Dipesto: It's unbelievable…I never thought we'd be here through the first year…let alone 10 years later. (she rests her chin on her palm.)
David: (To himself) Ten years later. Wild. (To Dipesto.) Who'd a thunk us knuckleheads would figure it all out?
Agnes nods and shrugs. He grins his sideways smirk and gestures to his messages…well, I better go take care of these. Agnes smiles.
David: It was nice chatting Agnes. We should get the kids together soon, it's been too long.
Ms. Dipesto: (Smiles.) Sure! That would be great Mr. Addison.
Ms. Dipesto gets back to the phone lines. David heads to his office to get started on the day. After a bit, Maddie knocks on his door with one knuckle as she pushes it open.
Maddie: Hey-ya partner.
David looks up and Maddie saunters towards him in a silky mauve belted dress, with a sway in her hips and her blond hair flowing down in loose curls to her shoulders with one side pinned up and she takes his breath away. He gets up and meets her halfway and takes her in his arms.
David: Look at you (gives her the once over) you really know how to bounce back don't you?
Maddie's taken aback.
Maddie: Wow, what a reception, I just came in to say good morning…and catch you up on a case.
David: (Holds her in his arms.) No…I know, it's just…Maddie, you gave birth to twins 8 months ago and you come walking in here looking like this?
Maddie blushes.
Maddie: (Scoffs) What's gotten into you…hope it's not the scotch in your cabinet over there…You just saw me this morning, what's up?
David: (Smolders.) Nothing's up…it's just…seeing you walk in here just now…I got one of those weird flashes from before we were married and just working here together…you'd take my breath away like this all the time. But…you know, back then I had to play it cool…but now, you're my wife…so, I get to do this…
He presses his lips against her neck. Her knees buckle a bit and she pushes him back.
Maddie: Easy Addison…don't get all hot 'n bothered now…here in the office.
David: Hot 'n what-ered?
He kisses up her neck.
Maddie: Be serious. We've got work to do.
David: (Imitates her.) Addison, we've got work to do… (he backs her up toward the door.) I've turned in all my homework Ms. Hayes…I think I've earned the right to take a recess here and there…
He leans in to kiss her on the lips. She indulges him in a sweet kiss, smiles, and then ducks out of his arms…leaving him leaning in for more and falling forward a bit.
Maddie: Let's leave these diversions for after school hours David.
She sits on his couch. He smooths his hair back on the sides and coolly returns to his desk.
David: (Smiling) Ok…ok, but you do look great by the way…
Maddie looks his fit, muscular frame up and down.
Maddie: You look pretty great yourself…
David: Thank you…so…
Maddie: So…
David: Mr. Denli…?
Maddie: Mr. Denli will be here at three o'clock to see the photos from the surveillance we did on his staff the other night.
David: Good. Viola is picking those up at noon.
Maddie: OK, great…So, you'll take that meeting since I leave at 1:00 to take the babies home?
David: (Jots down notes.) Penciling it in as we speak. What about the Smith and Schuster case? Did you call for the background checks today?
Maddie: Oh, right…yes, actually, and the results were pretty interesting…
Maddie and David discuss the status of the Smith and Schuster case and a couple of other ongoing cases for the next half hour.
Maddie: (Closes her folder.) So, I think that's it on the business end.
David: I love being on the end of your business…
Maddie: (Rolls her eyes.) David…
David: Sorry…joke…and not even a good one.
Maddie: No arguments there.
David: Really? That's a first.
Maddie smiles.
David: Better?
Maddie: A little.
They smolder a bit.
Maddie: So…a little family business then?
David: I'm all ears...
Maddie: (Smiles and throws him a glance.) Thankfully not all ears…
David: (Grins, impressed.) Very nice Madolyn…
Maddie: (Smiles.) Lily and I are leaving for her school nature camp weekend Friday night…and Roberta is also leaving then for her trip to Mexico.
David: (Nods.) So it's Aidan and I and the bambines?
Maddie: I hate to leave you with both babies, but I promised Lily and she's really looking forward to it.
David: Ah, don't give it a thought, we'll be fine. I am well versed in baby care by now Maddie.
Maddie: No…I know…you're better with them than I am, it's just a lot to be with them for a whole weekend.
David: Yeah, well, at least Aidan and Lily are at an age that they help...
Maddie: Yeah…well…
Together: Most of the time.
They nod and smile in agreement.
David: Sometimes they are still more work than Alex and Stella.
Maddie: (Checks her watch.) Well.
David: Well…?
Maddie: I better go finish my work before I'm outta here. (She heads for the door and turns back.) So, we'll pick you up at 7?
David: (Checks his watch.) Should be enough time for me to get through my paperwork.
Maddie: (Points at him.) See you then.
David: (Points at her.) See you then.
These days Maddie and David split their work schedule. David works full days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and half days on Tuesday's and Thursday's, and Maddie works full days on Tuesday's and Thursdays and half days the rest of the week …this way they are home with the kids more often. Aidan and Lily go to school until 3pm and the babies are in daycare from 10am-1pm, with Maddie and David taking turns dropping them off in the morning. The Addison family also bought a bigger car that fits everyone and the kids, but Roberta drives it most of the time; for work, Maddie and David still use the BMW. Lately, because the babies are cranky at night and driving lulls them to sleep, Maddie and David have gotten in the habit of driving them around L.A. for a while after work, which gives them time to chat while the babies fall asleep.
It's Wednesday so Maddie leaves Blue Moon at 1pm, picks up Alex and Stella and drives home in the Beemer. She spends the afternoon with the babies and Roberta picks up Aidan and Stella at 3pm. By 6:30pm the kids are fed, bathed, have homework done and Lily and Aidan settle in in front of the TV. Maddie packs the babies into the car and kisses Aidan and Lily goodbye.
Maddie: See you in an hour or so.
Lily: Why can't I come with you mom?
Maddie: Eh, it's boring Lily…just driving…really, we'd be halfway there and you'd ask me to take you back here, trust me.
Lily: But I want to see dad.
Maddie: You'll see him when he gets home…and he'll be here tomorrow with you after school plenty of Lily / Daddy time coming your way.
CUT TO: David climbs in the BMW just after 7pm and Maddie can tell immediately something is wrong; but also both babies are wailing in the back of the car. David kisses Maddie and leans in the back to tend to the babies while Maddie drives.
Maddie: Everything ok?
David: …Not really, Alex's pacifier fell on the floor and Stella needs a diaper change.
Maddie: No…I mean, with you…Is everything ok with you?
David: (Gets Alex quiet. Sighs.) You better pull over at the next gas station.
Maddie: That bad?
David: No…not that, so we can change Stella.
Maddie: Oh, right.
They pull over and take care of Stella, but still as Maddie winds through the streets and up into the hills to their favorite lookout off of Mulholland Dr. each child takes his or her turn crying and David stretches his long body in the back to tend to each of their needs. When they finally park they just let the babies fuss a bit while they chat.
Maddie: So…?
David: So…
Maddie: David.
David: Maddie…
Maddie: (Getting irritated.) What!?
David: (Rubs his palm over his face.) You want the bad news…or the really bad news.
Maddie: Uh-oh.
David: Right…I'll start with the really bad news. Bert walked out today.
Maddie: Bert!? Viola?
David: That Bert…yes…do we know another?
Maddie: No…well…no…but, Bert? The only other person more dedicated to us would be Agnes…Bert? Gone? Why?
David: Well, now for the bad news. Mr. Denli dropped the agency for the employee surveillance gig.
Maddie: Dropped us…Why?
David: Something was wrong with the film Bert used to take the pictures the other night so there was nothing to show Mr. Denli – and he's not exactly a patient and understanding guy.
Maddie: (annoyed.) Problem with the pictures? Great.
David: (Nods.) Yeah…well…terrible actually…
Maddie: Awful…is there any way he'll…give us a second chance?
David: I called him just before I left the office…figured I'd give him a few hours to cool down, see if we could make it up to him. but he's already hired Lou LaSalle.
Maddie: Lou? Well that's lousy.
David: Real lousy, huh?
Maddie: Really lousy considering we've banked on the fact that that account was going to bring us the majority of our work this quarter…
David: Really, really lousy considering the fact that we've turned away other clients based on the amount of time we were going to spend on this case…
Maddie: Really really really lousy considering the many thousands of dollars that have just walked out the door…
David: Really really really really lousy if you…
Maddie stops him.
Maddie: Let's just agree that it's pretty lousy all around.
David nods and they sit there with their chins on their fists for a few minutes, staring out the windshield feeling pretty lousy.
Maddie: Well, this is bad news…but I still don't understand why Bert left…certainly he didn't ruin the film on purpose or do anything to cause it.
David: Well, our Mr. Denli isn't the type to sugar-coat anything, he's one tough customer, absolutely the worst account for this to happen on…and Bert was in the office when we explained to Denli what happened, and being that it was Bert in the field and the one handling the film, Denli said some things that were none too kind.
Maddie: But didn't you stick up for Bert? At the end of the day…
David holds up his hand.
David: Of course, of course…at the end of the day, it's the responsibility of you and I…I told him that, this doesn't fall on Bert…I took full accountability.
Maddie: But, Bert doesn't see it that way and took what Denli said pretty hard?
David: You got it. Once Denli left, Bert came into my office in a bluster, handed me his PI license and split.
Maddie: What did Agnes do?
David: She went after him of course… she searched high, she searched low, but finding Herbert thus far has been a no go, but she's sure he'll show; she'll let us know…(thinks.) well, that's how she put it, anyway.
Maddie: Well, we need to find him, where could he be?
David: (fast.) At sea, in a tree…on a ski?
Maddie: You think he'd flee on a ski?
David: Si…
Maddie: I don't agreeeee…
David: Why doesn't that surprise meeee?
He grins, she pulls her face sideways.
Maddie: Ok, be serious.
David: If I were any more serious, I'd be delirious.
Maddie: David…
David: Madolyn…ok, seriously. Bert's gone.
Maddie: Maybe we should drive around and look for him?
David: (Slides down in his seat.) Nah, he'll make his way home…you know he hasn't spent a night away from Agnes and the girls since the day they got together, and anyway we should give him some time to cool off.
Maddie: You want me to talk to him tomorrow?
David: No I'll do it…
Maddie: …We'll do it…we'll do it together.
David: (nods and ruffles his hair.) Yeah, a real bummer about this account…sorry, Mad.
Maddie: Me too…I mean…I don't know what to say, what to do?
David: I don't think there is anything we can do or say, Denli isn't a man who listens to reason…we'll just have to drum up more business.
They sit in silence for a few minutes looking over the city and David caresses the back of Maddie's neck and hair. After a few minutes she looks at him and smiles.
David: (Cocks his head to one side.) What?
Maddie: (Whispers.) It's quiet.
David smiles. His thumb caresses the side of Maddie's neck and she leans in for a kiss. They spend a half hour having some intimate time together kissing, caressing and chatting about different things and then head back to the house where they put the babies to bed, finish watching a show with Lily and Aidan, and put them to bed. They make love before heading off to dreamland.
CUT TO: The morning, just after 11am Maddie and David finish a client meeting and drive over to Bert and Agnes's house. They ring the doorbell, which plays "somewhere over the rainbow" and a scruffier than usual Viola answers the door. Maddie and David stand shoulder to shoulder, him in a grey suit, her in a pale blue dress, both wearing long coats. When Bert sees Maddie and David he is shocked.
Bert: Mr. and Mrs. Addison...what are you doing here?
Maddie: We need to talk to you.
David: Whadda ya doin' Bert?
Bert: (puts his hand over his face) I'm no detective sir.
Bert walks inside and Maddie and David follow.
Maddie: Bert...why did you leave? We need you.
Bert: Need me!? I failed you!
David: You didn't fail us. What happened could have happened to anyone.
Bert: Oh, you are too kind, sir. But you heard what Mr. Denli said the other day… A job worth doing is worth doing well…and and and I, I, didn't dot all my i's and cross my t's so to speak. I, I shamed the company, jeopardized the enterprise, trampled its good name…
David: (Holds up his hand.) Take it easy Bert. You haven't jeopardized anything or squashed the good name of the company…Maddie and I have made heaps of mistakes…(nudges her) haven't we Maddie.
Maddie: Tons…and (pushes David forward a bit) David's trampled Blue Moon's good name lots of times.
David: (Throws his thumb towards Maddie) and old gumshoe Hayes here has ticked off more clients than we can count…
Maddie: (confused.) I have?
David nudges her…
Maddie: I mean…I have…sure I have…
Bert: (Sits and puts his hands in his head.) No she hasn't…I know you are merely attempting to boost my bruised ego…and …ok, ok…I know things don't always go perfectly when the two of you are working a case…but, I hold myself to the highest esteem around Blue Moon…and if I let you down…then I've let myself down…I've let my family down…I've let my country down.
David salutes.
Bert: (Stands and paces and rants)…I mean, look at you guys...You two are better detectives than I'll ever be…what could I possibly bring to your lavish table, if I may say, I feel I bring the quality of Blue Moon down. This latest fiasco has only highlighted that I've been a fraud for years...yes, sure...I've gotten lucky here and there with a case or two...but...
David: (interrupts firmly.) Bert.
Bert: Yes sir.
David: (Hands him back his PI license.) Report for duty at 0-nine-hundred-hours. You have not been discharged, soldier.
Maddie: We count on you Bert…we need you…Blue Moon needs you…America needs you.
Bert: (Head down.) Yes sirs…I mean ma'ams…I mean. I'll be there.
CUT TO: Friday evening as Maddie and Lily wait for the van to pick them up for the two-hour drive up to the mountains to the weekend nature camp, David is chasing the twins around in their walkers trying to feed them bites of food. Lily looks out the window for the van and Aidan has himself draped over Maddie's shoulders.
Aidan: Don't go…
Maddie: Gotta go…
Aidan: Don't go…
Maddie: Gotta go…
Aidan: Don't go…
David: She's gotta go A…don't you see where this conversation is headed…I've had it with her myself.
Maddie hugs Aidan and smiles at David over his shoulder.
Maddie: I'll be back Sunday and you get to spend the whole weekend with Daddy.
Aidan: But I Iike it when you're both here.
Maddie: I know baby…but such is life…we'll go, we'll come back and you'll have a great weekend dad…you'll see. But I am going to miss you.
She pulls him off of her and kisses his nose…he drapes himself over her again. She closes her eyes and hugs him tight and looks at David for help.
David: Aidan, would you get the popcorn popper out of the cupboard in the kitchen cabinet, I'm going to let you make it tonight.
He lifts his head.
Aidan: Really?
David: Yep, it's all you…I'm not going to touch a thing.
Aidan: Yay! K, by mom!
Maddie: Bye A…I love you.
Aidan: Love you mom.
Maddie walks over to David and pets his head. He's covered in baby food, the twins are covered in baby food. A horn honks outside.
Lily: Let's go mom!
Maddie: (Leans down to David) Bye…I'll miss you.
David puckers his lips and she plants one on him.
David: You two stay outta trouble. (Calls over his shoulder) Lily! Come give your dad a kiss before you go. (Looks at Maddie.) Love you.
Lily runs over and hugs and kisses David. Maddie kisses the babies and David one more time and they're off.
CUT TO: Sunday night, Maddie and Lily arrive back home at 3pm and Maddie is pleasantly surprised to open the door to a clean and orderly home. She wasn't sure what to expect since she'd only talked to David twice since they left, once on Friday to tell him they'd made it to the camp and once on Saturday because Lily wanted to call and say hi. But when they opened the door the house was quiet and in perfect condition.
Maddie: (Calls.) Hello!? We're home.
Lily: Helloooo…anybody…everybody?!
Lily drops her suitcase in the foyer.
Maddie: Lily, take your things upstairs…
David calls from the back yard.
David: Is that my Lily and my Maddie!? We're in the back yard! Get your suits on and come on out.
Maddie: OK, we'll be right out!
Lily and Maddie head upstairs to change and head out in the back to find Agnes and Bert and Richie and Chloe and all the kids swimming and hanging out. David greets them with open arms and Lily sits on David's lap along with baby Alex. Maddie makes the rounds hugging and kissing everyone and takes Baby Stella from Chloe. Bert puts a margarita in front of her from a machine mixing frozen margaritas by the pool.
David: So, how was camp?
Lily: So much fun.
David: And Madolyn…? How 'bout you? So much fun?
He winks at her.
Maddie: (unconvincingly) Yea, sure, right…nothing I love more than being covered in grime, fighting off insects and kissing slugs.
Richie: But enough about sleeping with David…how was the camp?
They all laugh.
Lily: She hated it.
Maddie: Well…I didn't hate it Lily…I mean, I loved all the mother-daughter time and we did some fun activities with the kids…but…
Lily: She was mad cause she couldn't dry her hair and all the food was made from fat…
Maddie: Well…would it kill them to have something other than pancakes and bacon?
Lily: She also got her period and stained the mattress…
Maddie: (Embarrassed.) Thank you Lily…(gestures towards the pool) why don't you go swim for a while.
Lily shrugs and heads off to the pool with the other kids.
Maddie rolls her eyes and shakes her head…
Maddie: So…there you have it…as you can tell, it wasn't the best time of my life. I think I'll send David camping from now on.
She smiles and blinks at him one too many times.
David: I've kissed plenty of slugs…bring 'em on!
David smirks at Maddie.
Maddie: And how was everyone else's weekend?
Everyone talks about their weekends and they all catch up because it's been a while since they all got together. After a while David fires up the grill and he and Richie cook meat that's been marinating. Maddie spends some time with the babies upstairs and gets them down for a nap and then joins Chloe in the kitchen where she is surprised to see a new oven.
Maddie: (Turns around in a full circle.) Margarita machines and new oven's? Am I in the right house?
Chloe: Uh-oh…is this David's doing? I noticed you got a new washer and dryer too when I went in the garage to grab some towels earlier.
Maddie goes to the garage door and opens it to see the new washer and dryer. She begins to fume inside.
Maddie: What? Did this man purchase everything in the latest Sears catalog while I was gone!?
Chloe: Apparently…
Maddie: (Pats Chloe on the shoulder.) Don't stick around too late tonight Chlo…it's not going to be pretty
Chloe: Addison's.
Maddie: Just when we think we've got them tamed…
Chloe: They blow the family nest egg.
Just then David strolls into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator to grab the vegetables Agnes brought to throw on the grill. Chloe exits.
Maddie: Why not a new fridge?
David: (head buried in the fridge.) What's that?
Maddie: Why didn't you buy a new fridge David…? You replaced every other appliance in the house…without consulting me I might add…
David: (Turns around smirking.) What? You don't like it? I bought you a new oven…I wanted to surprise you.
Maddie: (Sarcastic.) Oh I'm surprised.
David: I'm not going to do this now…we've got guests.
Maddie: (Trying to control her anger.) Yes, very convenient for you.
David: (Raising his voice.) I was doing you a favor…
Maddie: (Raising her voice.) Me a favor? I don't even use the oven…how is that doing me a favor…
David: Well, maybe you should start!
Maddie: Excuse me? And what about the laundry…is that for me too? I know who the margarita machine is for…
Richie enters to see what's taking so long with the vegetables and sees the fire between them.
Richie: Hey hey hey…kids…don't fight. We were having a nice day.
Maddie: (Pastes on a smile.) Yes…yes, we were Richie…and I'm going to go back to it…it's a waste of time standing in here trying to reason with this sexist.
David: Sexist!? Who was home taking care of babies all weekend Maddie?
Richie puts his hand on David's shoulder to calm him down.
Maddie: Oh, so that's my job too!? Richie, I'm starting to see that your brother has just wanted me barefoot and pregnant…home cooking and doing his laundry this whole time, and this weekend he upgraded all the tools to do it!
David: In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida …this woman is so narrow-minded.
Maddie stomps out calling back…
Maddie: You don't win points for taking care of your own children David!
David: I don't win points with you for doing anything!
David looks at Richie and shakes his head.
Richie: Blow it off…come on, don't worry about it…let's just have a good time and you and the big blonde will hash this out later.
David: But you see!? You see what she does? How she twists and turns everything until it's just a mangled wreck!?
Richie: Hey…that's what women do best, huh? Drive us crazy…
Richie takes him by the shoulders and leads him outside.
Richie: I got a shot of tequila with your name on it.
For the rest of the night, Maddie and David enjoy themselves…separately from each other…with their guests. Just after 8pm, everyone goes home and Lily and Aiden are passed out on the couches.
David: (Gestures to the kids.) Which one do you want?
Maddie: Those we have to share…but I wouldn't be opposed to you taking the car and me keeping the house.
David: Ha. Very funny…, now which one are you gonna carry up to bed?
Maddie picks up Lily and starts upstairs…David follows with Aiden. They tuck them in and David follows Maddie into the bedroom.
David: (Imitates her voice.) It's nice to see you David…thanks for taking care of the kids all weekend David…thanks for the great get together tonight David…
Maddie: (Imitates the same voice he's using.) Thanks for making all the household decisions and consulting me David, thanks for spending money we don't have David...
He grabs her arm and turns her around.
David: I don't appreciate being snubbed by you all night after I worked so hard all weekend…
Maddie: …worked so hard? Ha! Doing what? Writing checks and pouring tequila into the mixer?
David: …updating Maddie…that oven was so old it was a fire hazard ok…
Maddie: …and the washer and dryer…? What was wrong with them? We bought the last ones two years ago…
David: They were having a special, I thought…
Maddie: You what?
David: I thought it would be more cost efficient…
Maddie: Cost? You were so worried about cost efficiency…that you went out and spent thousands of dollars…that we don't have by the way…remember the Denli account that just walked out the door? …on items that we already had!?
David: Oh…I see…is this about money? Is that what you're worried about?
Maddie: Yes! Of course I'm worried about money when we've just lost the biggest account of the quarter. Definitely not the best time for my husband and business partner to go on one of his infamous spontaneous spending sprees.
David: Look Maddie, I thought you'd be happy with the upgrades…and the fact that you didn't have to spend an entire weekend driving from store to store, comparing prices and all of that nonsense that you complained about last time…and no, of course I didn't buy them to keep you boiling water in a caldron, over a fire, in my cave, I just think it's important to keep the house and everything in it in good working order…and yes, in the long run, more efficient machines will save us money.
Maddie: Uh-huh…keep digging Addison. We just bought a second car…the kids are in more expensive schools…our yearly business expenditures keep going up. The purchase of Margarita machines and replacing virtually new appliances…in my own home…without being consulted mind you… is not what I consider shrewd business or respectful on any level of our relationship!
David: (Scratches the side of his head with one finger.) OK, look…maybe I got a little carried away, and maybe it isn't the best time to spend the money…maybe I should have waited 'til you got home…consulted consumer reports, weighed the pros and cons...and checked the bank stubs, but Maddie, I don't worry about that…we'll get another big account…Blue Moon is doing great…and we're going to keep growing…despite these little setbacks.
He takes her by both shoulder…
David: I'm always going to make sure of that.
Maddie softens, shifts her weight and looks down.
Maddie: (sweetly.) Thank you, David, for taking such great care of the kids this weekend and not destroying the house…and thank you, David, for a fun night with everybody. (Looks him in the eye.) But, I do want to be consulted on any major purchases from now on.
David: (Holds up two fingers.) Scouts honor.
Maddie looks unamused.
David: 'Cmere.
He hugs her tight.
David: I missed you.
Maddie: I missed you too.
David: Now, tell me about kissing this slug…that isn't a euphemism is it? Should I be jealous?
Maddie laughs.
Cut to: Blue Moon.
Maddie and David show a wealthy client out the door and retreat back into Maddie's office.
David: Ya see? Ya See? There's the account that's going to make up for the Denli departure.
Maddie: Hmmm, I don't know…
David: Don't know, what's not to know? She's a client…with some morals…and a checkbook…she checks all your boxes.
Maddie: David, she wants us to dig into the pasts of her employees and expose any wrongdoings or dishonest acts no matter how small…it feels wrong.
David: She's a politician Maddie…if she doesn't dig up the dirt, you know the press sure as hell will…she's got to cover herself now…know what kinda people she's got in her corner.
Maddie: But everyone's got a past David…no one is squeaky clean.
David: Oh yeah, what have you done that could be dug up?
Maddie: (Shrugs.) Well…it could even be a parking ticket.
David: (Mocks.) A parking ticket…Madolyn, you deviant…bottom of the totem pole member of society.
Maddie: Lord knows you'd never pass muster…
David: That's why I'm not running for office…(convincing) but these people are Maddie, these people are the ones responsible for making the laws and setting the code ethics of our society...and I for one think they should be held to a little higher standard.
Maddie: You do huh?
David: Yeah…I do. Plus, the workload will fill our quarter quota, (dances.) we'll be back in black baby.
Maddie: (sighs) Fine. I don't like it…I think it's putting people in a position to lose their jobs over stupid decisions they may have made in their youth, which any of us could be guilty of…but fine.
David: Hey! Their wrongdoings are our rewards. (Looks at her and smirks.) I still want to know what you're hiding.
Maddie shakes her head and David rushes off to call the client back and let her know they'll accept her account.
CUT TO: The Addison family at the beach on a Sunday afternoon. They look like a family out of an ad for Coppertone with their tan smooth skin, hats, sunglasses, hot bodies and cute little kids running around playing and building sandcastles.
After about an hour of everyone playing around Maddie sits with the twins on the beach and David is with Lily and Aiden in the water…suddenly Maddie hears David calling Aidan's name. She looks up to see David holding Lily, but frantically looking around for Aidan. Maddie runs to David in a flash and grabs Lily…David dives into the water and swims to where he last saw Aidan. Maddie searches the surface and sees nothing. David dives under the water and is under there for what seems like an eternity. Suddenly he emerges with an unconscious Aidan in his arms…it is obvious that Aidan's left arm is broken. Maddie waves down the coast guard as David begins to perform CPR.
TO BE CONTINUED