THREE YEARS LATER: CHAPTER 7

CUT TO: Two months after David and Maddie get back from Paris, Maddie has a surprise for David...she takes him out to dinner to their favorite pizza place and hands him a box. He smiles...bewildered, but filled with anticipation...when he opens the box he pulls out a pacifier...he picks it up and grins.

David: Please don't tell me this is your new way of keeping me quiet...

Maddie: (smiles) Nope...in fact, things are going to be quite a bit louder around the house soon.

David: You're having my baby...(a huge grin spreads across his face)

Maddie: I am…I've been feeling a little off so I took a pregnancy test this morning…wanted you to be the first to know this time.

David sits staring at the pacifier letting reality settle in…

Maddie: Well, say something…

He moves to the other side of the booth and wraps his arms around Maddie.

David: What can I say? Except I'm elated…I'm delighted…I'm downright euphoric…

Maddie: Are you surprised?

David: Well...yes and no...with the amount of sex we had on that trip to France, it would have been almost impossible not to get pregnant...

Maddie laughs.

Maddie: …well…that and I stopped taking birth control…

David: (smirks) That helps…

He kisses her cheek and then looks at Maddie with one eye squinted up…

David: So…who's going to tell Dr. Kelty that we're not coming back for any more sessions?

Maddie: She's should be thrilled…she can brag to all of her colleagues…three sessions and I cured these two…of course…it might be good if we keep going for now, I think it's been helpful in other ways…don't you?

David: (Shrugs) Hasn't been so bad…and, it's early…

He rests his hand on Maddie's lower abdomen…she places hers over his.

Maddie: That's true…are you nervous?

David: Nah! Everything is going to be different this time…you?

Maddie shrugs and shifts her eyes down…David pets her hair and she lays her head on his shoulder…after a minute they kiss and enjoy a nice dinner with a sense of excitement in the air. When they get home Richie isn't home yet so they have the place to themselves. David starts a fire in the fireplace, he mixes them two non-alcoholic cocktails in martini glasses so they can toast to the new bambine and Maddie lays on the couch while David rubs her feet and tells her about some of the cases he has, bounces ideas off her, they chat about other things in their lives and laugh about ridiculous names they could name their kids like celebrities do these days. After about an hour they hear Richie unlocking the front door…he moseys into the living room and isn't shy about interrupting them…

Richie: Ooooh…very romantic setting, roomies…

David: Well…it was…

Richie flops down on the other sofa…

Richie: oh…don't let me disturb you.

Maddie: You just getting home from the office?

Richie: Just getting home from the seminar I led over at McTighe's Marketing Firm…

Maddie: Ah…how did it go?

Richie lays his head back, closes his eyes and rubs them.

Richie: Went great…they're really happy…it was just a long day.

Richie's been working for Maddie's firm Moonbeams Consulting for a few months now and has been doing a really good job following up with past clients and holding re-training seminars, which brings in a lot of money for the firm and also helps Richie begin to repay Maddie for helping to get him out of the jam with some Vegas bookies a few months back.

Maddie: Nice job, Richie…

Richie: Thanks, boss.

David: Yeah…sounds like you've been doing a hell of a job for Maddie, Rich…I'm happy to hear it.

Richie looks at David.

Richie: Did you ever doubt me, bro?

David: Definitely…I definitely doubted you wouldn't hang around long enough to see this thing through…although, it's still early.

Richie: I think I'm insulted.

David: Good…now would you please…

David gestures for Richie to leave the room.

David: I'm trying to spend some time with my wife.

Richie: Don't worry, I was just about to…

David: Move out?

Richie: Head upstairs…

David: Yeah, well, your time is limited my friend…we're gonna need that room for something else soon.

Richie looks interested…

Richie: Oh yeah?

David rests his hand on Maddie's belly…

David: Oh…yeah…

Richie: I'm finally going to be an uncle?

Maddie: Well…I'm only a couple months along, Richie…but yeah, I'm pregnant!

Richie moves to hug Maddie…

Richie: Sis, congratulations…I'm so happy for you.

Maddie: (Smiles) thanks…thanks, Richie…

Richie grabs David's face and kisses his cheek hard.

Richie: Bro…you did it…I knew us Addison's had strong swimmers…

He ruffles David's hair. David laughs but pushes him away.

David: yeah…yeah…we are really thrilled, Rich, thanks…so anyway…pack up!

Maddie puts her hands up…

Maddie: Not now…not now, Rich...you've got time.

David throws her an annoyed look and she pats his hand, which is resting on her belly…a smile returns to his face thinking of the baby.

Later that night in their room…

David: Why do you always defend Richie…I want him out of here!

Maddie: Why are you always so hard on him…he's fine!

David: He is not fine…he's far from fine…he's not normal and I don't want him here when the baby comes.

Maddie: Well, first, the baby isn't coming for many more months…and second, Richie has been doing much better since he's been here with us and he's doing a great job for me at Moonbeams

David: OK…great, we got him started, now…he's a grown man, it's time he got out on his own.

Maddie: David, the deal was, Richie could stay here for 6 months, and it's only been 4…

David: Ok, so, in two months, he needs to be out…but what's the plan? I don't see him making any arrangements, saving for a deposit…furniture…

Maddie: …this from a man who lived with absolutely no furniture in his living room until he was in his mid-thirties?

David: You know what I mean, Maddie…he's not even thinking about moving out…and the deadline is fast approaching.

Maddie: David…I know you feel this way and that's fine, we can all decide together when it's the right time for Richie to go…but stop being such a bully about it, please.

David: A bully? Cut it out…and anyway, we're going to need that room.

Maddie: Well…

David: Well…?

Maddie: Well, he's in the guest room, but I think the office would actually make a better nursery since it's closer to us.

David: Alright…fine, that's fine…just don't tell him that.

Maddie: You're the one who makes it uncomfortable around here when it comes to Richie…your comments, how you make it so obvious you want him to leave.

David: Oh yeah…right…and you see it's hurting him so much he hasn't made even the slightest move to go look at apartments or make some sort of other plan. Trust me, Maddie…if I don't encourage …no force…him to leave at some point, he will be here with us forever…

Maddie's quiet.

David: I don't know why that doesn't bother you.

Maddie: I don't know, it doesn't bother me.

David: There hasn't been a day since I moved in here that it's been just the two of us…and now with the baby coming…I want us to be a family…

Maddie: (Shrugs) Richie's part of our family…

David: Richie is a grown man who needs his own place…we need our own space…it's not going to be like this much longer, I'm putting my foot down.

Maddie: Alright, David…alright.

CUT TO: Three months later, Maddie's pregnancy with their baby girl is going fairly smooth and uncomplicated. In her fifth month, she is feeling fine and working normal hours at her consulting firm, which is thriving. Maddie and David are as close as they've ever been during these months and when they're not at work they spend their time together. Although he misses working with her, David is happy that Maddie isn't working as a detective anymore because of the danger aspect…Moonbeams keeps her safely in an office environment, which he's very happy with…But, still, as they get towards the sixth month of her pregnancy...which is around the time they lost Jr...David is increasingly nervous and anxious about her work hours and stress level. In the morning before work David follows Maddie down the spiral staircase...she's dressed for work, he's wearing dress pants and no shirt.

David: ...don't just walk away from me when I'm talking to you.

Maddie: I'm listening, David, but I have an early meeting, I have to go.

David: When are you going to cut back your hours?

Maddie: well, not now...it's too early...who would run the company?

David: I just want you to have as little stress as possible the last few months of the pregnancy...

Maddie collects her keys and heads for the door...

Maddie: it's not like anything is all that stressful...but I do have work to do...part time isn't feasible now...

She reaches to open the door and David moves in front of her and blocks her.

David: (more forcefully) Madolyn!

She stops and looks at him in the eye...

Maddie: ...David.

David: you're not listening to me...

Maddie looks at his worried face...shifts her weight...leans against him placing her hands on his bare chest and lightly rubs the hair on his chest.

Maddie: I'm ok.

David: for now...but...

Looks at her watch...

Maddie: ...you know where this would be a great place to discuss this...tomorrow with Dr. Kelty.

David wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close.

David: Tomorrow…?

Maddie: can it wait until then or should I miss my meeting...I really do want to hear you're thinking, it's just that now is not a good time.

David: it can wait...just...be careful...

Maddie presses herself into him.

Maddie: I'm as careful as I always am...

He leans forward and kisses her. She squirms against him. He laughs.

David: whadda ya doing?

He kisses her neck.

David: Keep this up and you will miss your morning meeting.

Maddie: I'm going to miss you.

David: I'll miss you too. Why don't we work together anymore?

They lean back, look in each other's eyes and smolder...

Maddie: see you at dinner tonight...

David: yeah?

Maddie: yeah, we're having dinner tonight with Bert and Agnes…and…

Just then Richie comes down the stairs...he's rushing to catch Maddie...

Richie: ...oh good. Can I catch a ride, boss?

Maddie: sure!

Richie: …and you're still coming to look at that apartment with me at lunch?

Maddie: Oh yeah…(glances at David) I'm happy to…no problem.

Richie: (To David) You can use my car, Dave, I'm gonna be in the office all day or riding around with the Big Blonde.

David: hey, Rich...you wanna fifth wheel tonight with Berty and Agnes?

Maddie: it's not even fifth wheel, Agnes's sister is in town...Amelia...we're all having dinner together…

David: (to Richie) ok...well, then, come...even out the table.

Richie: cool.

Maddie kisses David one last time and pats his bare chest.

Maddie: See you tonight, love.

David puts his hand on her growing tummy.

David: I love you guys...

Maddie: love you. ...let's go, Rich.

Maddie and Richie leave and David ruffles his hair and heads upstairs... ..later that evening...

Agnes: Mr. and Mrs. Addison...this is my baby sister, Amelia...

Maddie and David both hug Amelia and tell her how great it is to meet her. She's Agnes's younger half-sister, they have the same father...she's a petite girl and has a softer look than Agnes; dark hair with soft curls. They all sit down at a big round table and wait for Richie, who is cabbing over from an unexpected outing.

Maddie: So, Amelia...I cannot believe this is the first time we're meeting you...have you ever been out to Los Angeles before?

Amelia: It's been about 10 years...I took a trip out here after I finished high school, right Aggie?

Agnes nods her curly mop with a proud smile.

Amelia: Since then I've been pretty busy finishing my doctorate in Engineering, interning and working...

David: ...but you're going to be in LA for a while now?

Amelia: I am...doing a paid internship at Thermolcorp for the next six months...thank god I'm going to miss that New York winter.

They can all nod and agree with that as all of them had lived in NYC at one point in their lives. Just then Richie arrives...

Richie: Hola family and friends 'o mine.

Everyone: Hey Rich...hi Richie.

Bert: ...and may I introduce to you the beautiful, Amelia...

Being in a rush to enter and sit Richie barely notices Amelia at first, but as his head pops up, and their eye meet sparks fly between them...

Amelia: nice to meet you, Richie...

Richie: (holding her eyes from across the table) Amelia...the pleasure is all mine.

Amelia smiles and looks down at her menu.

David: Don't be fooled by his charms, Amelia...he's strange...

Maddie stomps on David's foot and he winces in pain. Everyone gets back to small talk and has a nice dinner...somewhere around dessert Bert asks to swap seats with Richie so he can pick David's brain about a case he's working on...Richie is happy to move next to Amelia...who he immediately begins making laugh. David and Maddie drive home separately from Richie, who offers to drive Amelia back to her hotel...

David: what was Richie doing flirting with Ariel...

Maddie: Amelia...

David: whatever...I don't want him messing with Agnes's sister...

Maddie: My my my...we certainly have become conservative in our married life haven't we, Mr. Addison...?

David: whadda ya talking about...

Maddie: ...should we review how you used to live your life up until a very short time ago?

David: …not that close to home...Agnes's sister is off limits...anything I wasn't serious about I kept out of the office...

Maddie: (almost chokes) David…

David: What!?

Maddie: Annie!?

David: (Looks at her and shrugs.) right, anything I wasn't serious about I kept out of the office…(attempts to take her hand) I was only ever serious about one person around there…

Maddie: Don't…don't try to turn that into something cute.

She brushes off David's hand…pucker's his lips and focuses on the road.

Maddie: You've got a very selective memory these days David and you're being very judgmental.

David: You're the one that should be concerned...they're all in your office.

Maddie: All he did was talk to her and offer to drive her back to her hotel, David...I'm certainly not going to call him into the woodshed.

David shakes his head and accelerates home. The next morning Richie hasn't come back home.

David: ...that snake! That worm...that weasel...

Maddie: David, calm down...they're grown adults.

David: I don't understand you...

Maddie: yeah...we've known that for a while.

David: how could he not have come home!?

Maddie: you're mad when he's here...you're mad when he's not...

David: I hope he liked that apartment he saw yesterday because he's out of here!

Maddie cringes at David's yelling, looks in the mirror and rolls her eyes. Later that morning Maddie and David meet with their therapist, Dr. Kelty at 11am; they sit shoulder to shoulder on the couch, with the Doctor sitting across from them.

Dr. Kelty: So, we ended last session on the topic that neither of you feels listened to by the other…that you love each other, but are often on different pages…and you were going to work on hearing each other out…how'd that go this week?

David: It didn't…

Maddie: (looks at David) It didn't? What do you mean, it didn't?

David: Just that, it didn't…I've been trying to talk to you for days now about working less and all you do is rush past me on your way back into the office…

Maddie: I told you yesterday… I hear you, David, but I don't think I need to work less now…can't you accept that as an answer? (To Dr. Kelty) See? This is the thing, Doctor, it's not that I'm not listening…he's just not hearing the answer he wants…so he browbeats me until he does.

David: Oh…please.

Maddie: …well, isn't that the reason we're together today? (To the Dr.) I told him no for a very long time…and look where we are now (Maddie rubs her pregnant belly).

David: (Looks at the Dr. and gestures to Maddie) …and this is a bad thing.

Maddie: Of course not…my point is you are persuasive, David…remember all those months I was in Chicago and the reason went?

David: I never understood the reason you were in Chicago…

Dr. Kelty: Alright…well, now let's not get off topic…the point is not how we got to where we are today…the point is, neither of you feels listened to…or, like Maddie was saying…maybe part of it is that you're just not getting the answers you want? David, you want Maddie to work less hours now…why?

David: I just think…it would be better for her and the baby.

Maddie: But I feel perfectly fine, David…that's what you're not understanding…there's no reason for me to work less hours at five months…closer to the end of the pregnancy, I'll…we'll re-assess.

David: (Folds his arms) Yeah, if we get there…

Maddie glares at him.

Dr. Kelty: What does that mean, David…?

David: It means…the later it gets in the pregnancy the higher the chance something could…happen…so I want her to take every precaution.

Maddie: So, you think I had something to do with losing the first baby?

David: No…no…god, Maddie…don't put words in my mouth…

Maddie: …and what if something did happen, David…are you going to be there?

David: …of course!

Maddie: (Looks at the doctor) Of course…(throws her hands up) Of course! He says of course like it's a given…how am I supposed to know that after last time?

David: This situation is much different from last time…you're not married to someone else…I actually know it's my baby this time…

Maddie: (folds her arms and looks away) I was not married to someone else when I lost the baby, and we both know it was yours, David…

David: That's not what I was told.

Maddie: Well, it's not what I was told either (looks directly at him) but we both know…

Maddie tears up and the doctor hands her some tissues. David sits cold.

Dr. Kelty: So, sounds like there was a disconnect after you lost the baby…what was happening then?

Maddie: (Through tears) David was with me when I gave birth…it was an awful experience as you can imagine…it wasn't just a miscarriage, the baby was stillborn…obviously traumatizing for both of us. (Maddie cries and dabs tears while David rubs her back with his head down and listens.) And at first, David was there, by my side while I was in the hospital…and he brought me home. (She looks at David) And all I remember after that is you kissing me on the head and kind of mumbling to call you if I needed anything…didn't see you much after that. (To the doctor)…we worked together then and he was just not there…not for me, not at work…it was awful, I felt so alone…I was supposed to have a new baby, a partner and suddenly I had nothing, neither…I never want to feel like that again…

Maddie cries and they give her a minute.

Dr. Kelty: David? Is this how you remember it?

David: Yeah. Yeah…I can't dispute what she's saying.

Dr. Kelty: Do you know why you couldn't be there for Maddie beyond the hospital?

David: I can't explain it…I know it was the worst possible thing I could have done, but I went into a dark place myself, I only thought about my pain…I'd already lost a child with my first wife…I guess I blamed myself. I knew Maddie was hurting, but I didn't realize how much until now…I didn't know how much you needed me then, Mad…and I am sorry about that.

He pulls her close into a side hug and kisses the side of her face while she cries.

Maddie: I did, I needed you badly, David…and I couldn't even reach you to tell you that.

David: There was already a lot of pain between us then…Sam, you running away, you being married to Walter when you came back…frankly, I didn't think you needed me…or even wanted me in your life at all.

Maddie: I didn't know how to let you in…so I put walls up to keep you away.

David: So, this is why things would be different now…our life is not the same as it was then…I'd be there for you…I'll always be there for you from now on…

They hug and Maddie dries her tears. They continue their session…

David: But that experience is one I would like to avoid repeating…which is why I want you be cautious during the next few months.

Dr. Kelty: So, what I hear you saying, David…is that around this point in a woman's pregnancy is high risk for losing the baby…

David: I don't know the…you know, the statistics or anything, but I haven't had a baby make it past the point we're at now and I'd like to get there…so, yeah, to me it seems pretty high risk…I mean, it makes me very anxious…I worry about her…about the baby day and night…I lose sleep over it.

Maddie softens and takes David's hand in hers.

Maddie: Ah, baby, I didn't know you were that worried...

David: Well, how can I not be!?

Maddie nods and wipes tears.

Dr. Kelty: Well, first of all, David, I know you've had some very bad experiences…but actually, the second trimester is one of the safest parts of the pregnancy…and I don't want you to live with the fear that you'll lose another baby…easier said than done, I know…but you really should just try to enjoy this time with your partner and go with how she's feeling…she knows her body best. (she turns to Maddie) Maddie…how about you? You two started coming here because of the anxiety you had around getting pregnant…so…now that you are, and getting further along, how are you feeling?

Maddie: Well…actually, maybe it's because I am the one carrying and feeling the baby everyday…but I feel calm and relaxed…my body tells me everything is ok…and when I compare it to the last pregnancy, I realize I always had sort of a sinking feeling that something wasn't quite right. I'm not anxious about this pregnancy, and in every check-up she's has a strong heartbeat and everything has been perfectly normal…and I agree…I just want us to enjoy this time instead of living in fear something will go wrong.

Dr. Kelty: David?

David: It does make me feel better to know that Maddie's instinct is that everything is fine…I just wish we could communicate this clearly at home so I knew that.

Dr. Kelty: Well, this is what you two need to work on. I think you're both really good at letting the other know when you have a problem or concern, which is a great first step…many couples don't even get there…it's just that neither of you is very good at explaining where that concern or problem stems from…and therefore you never get to a solution. That being said, let's look at this instance…David's let you know this week that he has a concern, Maddie…he thinks you're working too many hours…so, have you taken the time to sit down and listen to him? To try and understand where this concern comes from? To let him know how this pregnancy feels compared to the last?

Maddie: (Looks at David) Well…no…not really…it's been a busy week and…I don't know, you're right…we just talk over each other most of the time and are really bad about understanding what's beneath what's being said.

Dr. Kelty: …well, maybe you should set aside a time each day…before bed maybe, to listen… to let each other explain where they're coming from with any concerns instead of brushing it aside…taking time to really communicate is important for any relationship.

David: Good…no, that's good…communication has never been our strong suit…and I'd love to talk more about a plan for when the baby comes…how much you're going to work, who's going to be where…when…

Maddie chuckles…and looks at Dr. Kelty.

Maddie: Doctor, there has been a major role-reversal in our relationship lately…what David just said…"make a plan about the future"…I have never heard these words come out of this man's mouth in my life. He never had a plan past breakfast in the past…and now he's asking how I'm going to schedule my day four months from now…

David: It's true Doc…she used to be the most uptight broad you've ever met and now…suddenly, it's like nothing bothers her…

Together: I mean, take his / brother, Richie for example…

They both stop…look at each other and laugh…but again…

Together: He / She's out of her mind!

Dr. Kelty: One at a time…

David gestures to Maddie to talk…

Maddie: His brother, Richie, has been staying with us for the last few months and David is absolutely out of his mind most of the time when it comes to his brother…he has no patience, he comes down hard on him about everything he does…he bully's him, has nothing nice to say…David says Richie makes it uncomfortable around the house…but, it's really how David treats him that makes things uncomfortable…it's so harsh…

David: Madolyn…really!? Doc…Richie is a degenerate loser…

Maddie: (Gestures) See?

David: But he is…! He ended up at our house because he gambled away half a million dollars while using my name to get loans in Vegas…he ran from the cops…we had hitmen holding the two of us at gunpoint in the middle of the night looking for him…and then she pays his debt, hires him to work for her and puts him up at our house! And she thinks I'm out of my mind!?

Maddie: It's not as bad as it sounds, Doctor…

Together: See!? He's / She's changed!

Maddie: Ok, ok, it's not a great situation Richard got himself into…but I feel it's our duty…our obligation as family to help him…and he's been doing great, by the way…but David gives him no credit at all.

David: Because I've known the man my whole life…I know how he operates…I know the path down which this leads…

Maddie: (To Dr. Kelty) My fear is…the different way we handle Richie might reflect the different ways we're going to parent our kids…

David: (annoyed) Oh…come on.

Maddie: It's true, David! It worries me…we're on such different pages when it comes to handling this situation…and it's so uncomfortable and makes me miserable half the time…I can't stand it.

David: (Realizes) Ok…well, see…I didn't know my attitude towards all this was affecting you that much…

Maddie: Well, it is! I'm trying to do what I think is best for Richie…to help…him…help our family…to make things better and you are always walking around angry and yelling and making him feel less than human…it's awful, frankly…

David: Ok…ok. But, Maddie…I mean, it's directed at Richie…not you…I know you're trying to help…I just know, you can't.

Maddie: But I have! You don't see…things have gotten better…he's not the same person…he's not in the same place…but all you remember is what he was before…you're stuck in the past…you of all people…

David: …and what does that mean?

Maddie: It means that you were such a different person a few years ago…what if everyone you met still judged you on how you lived your life then…and the kind of person you were…

David: …yeah, well…I guess I wouldn't like it because I've made a lot of effort to change…

Maddie: Ok, well…then, why can't you see the same in Richie?

David and Maddie sit in silence for a minute or so...

Dr. Kelty: Well, I'm afraid our session is up for today…but I think we've covered some good ground here and you two are starting to see things are not so black and white in these arguments of yours.

Together: Thanks, Doctor.

After the session David drives Maddie back to her office.

David: So…how do you think that went?

Maddie: I think it went pretty well…it's not easy, but we are really hashing out some things from the past that needed to be addressed.

David: Yeah, I agree…who knew a shrink could help so much?

Maddie: So, you feel good about it?

David: I don't know if good is the word…I mean, I feel terrible about everything that has happened, how I made you feel…how I wasn't there for you like I should have been. It's hard to remember those things…to admit you weren't the best person you could have been.

Maddie: yeah…it isn't easy…that's for sure, but I think it's going to make our relationship better.

David: (Takes her hand) I really am sorry, Maddie…and I hope you know I'm going to be there for you and the baby from now on, no matter what.

Maddie: I love you, David.

David takes her hand and kisses it.

David: I love you…So, what are you going to say to Richie when you see him today? (Thinks) Come to think of it, what's Agnes going to say to Richie…

Maddie: I'm not going to say anything to Richie, like I said, David, they're grown adults.

David: so you are not the least bit concerned about him getting mixed up with Agnes's sister…

Maddie: I wouldn't say I'm not the least bit concerned, and sure, I hope Richie wouldn't pursue her if he isn't truly interested and only sees her as just some conquest, it could get messy, but we don't know that right now.

David: you don't know that it's going to get messy? I know it's going to get messy, I know this guy, and I know sooner or later he is going to make things very messy for you in the office, which is what I've been trying to help you avoid this whole time.

Maddie: (warning) David...

Raises his hands up

David: OK OK

Maddie: maybe this is your way of protecting me David, and if it is I really appreciate it, but please stop.

David rubs her thigh as they pull up in Front of the blue Moon building.

David: good luck in there today, call me later and give me the details would you?

Maddie: Sure.

When Maddie gets into the office it is business as usual. Agnes seems fine, Richie seems fine, the staff seems fine and Maddie goes into her office and closes the door. After a while… Richie knocks on her office door

Richie: Can I come in a minute, boss?

Maddie looks up from her paperwork and smiles.

Maddie: sure pull up a chair

Richie: (slumps down in a chair across from Maddie's desk and sighs) I think I'm in love.

Maddie: oh Richard, you Addison men are all alike so easily woo'd after midnight...

Richie: I'm serious Maddie, I've never met a smarter, more beautiful, more interesting woman in my entire life, present company excluded of course...

Maddie: …another trait of the Addison men, can literally charm the pants off you...

Richie: you don't believe me?

Maddie: No! But I do hope you have some feelings for this girl since she is (half-whispers) Agnes's sister, I don't want anything getting too messy around the office. I don't know what your intentions are or what's happened up until now...and I don't want to know...but please remember she's just not some woman you met in a bar she is, Maddie points to the outer office, practically like family.

Richie: I know I know...I wouldn't just mess around with her for the hell of it, she really is someone I'm interested in…for like…real, real.

Maddie: yeah well, I hope that's the case… And David hopes that's the case, he's more upset about this than anybody right now, you know how protective he is of Agnes.

Richie: nothing I do is right in David's eyes these days, I can't live my life trying to impress that guy, it'll never happen...

Maddie: I know, I know trust me, it is a very big bone of contention between David and I right now.

Richie: I know that and I don't want to cause problems between you and Da-vid, especially not now with the bambina on the way... I'm going to get my own place and move out soon.

Maddie: well, I think that's great Richie if that's what you want to do… But if you need to stay longer, Then I think you and I and David should sit down and discuss a few things.

Richie: I mean it would really help me out to stay longer but I don't think that's what David wants, and look, he's right I should have my own place and get out of your guys hair...

Maddie: I enjoy having you around the house, it's been no problem for me. I think David is just being overprotective about me and nervous that if something goes wrong between you and I it could affect everyone's relationship. I think if David didn't have to worry about that aspect of it we could all live together peacefully. I think it's going to take time for him to see things any other way. Although, I am working on him to stop being so defensive towards you, and so protective and so worried about the situation. I don't know, maybe we should all sit down and talk tonight?

Richie: So, tonight is not great, I promised Amelia I would take her to you an exhibit at the art museum.

Maddie: Art?! Wow, you actually might really be serious about this girl...I haven't seen you look at anything more than a sports competition on TV in the last six months.

After Richie leaves Maddie's office she waits a little bit and then calls Agnes in to go over some paperwork. She takes this opportunity to broach the subject of Richie dating her sister.

Maddie: seems like Richie and Amelia really hit it off last night… What do you think about that?

Agnes: Think about that? Oh I don't stick my nose in other people's beeswax… Amelia is a smart girl, who has been an adult for a while now… I wouldn't dare think I could tell her what to do or who to date just because she's living in my city now... Plus, I just adore Richie... so it's easy to see how she could too...

Maddie has to laugh to herself a little bit after Agnes leaves her office, it seems the only person that has a problem with this budding relationship is David, she picks up the phone to call him at work…

Maddie: (to David on the phone) Everyone's fine with it…

David: fine with it?

Maddie: fine with it. He's fine with it, she's fine with it, Agnes is fine with it, I'm fine with it, do you think you could be fine with it?

David: fine, I'm fine with it.

When Maddie gets home from work that day there are bouquets of flowers waiting for her all over the house…roses, lilies, orchids and a tropical blend. There is a note on one of them from David:

M,

I want to give you everything you deserve…please forgive my past foolish behavior (I'll forgive yours too J ). Yours forever and ever.

D.

That night David comes home in a better mood than he's been in in a long time…Richie's around for a bit before he goes to pick up Amelia for the museum and David doesn't even mention the night before and talks civilly to him for once. Later, when he and Maddie head up to the bedroom he lays on the bed with Maddie and reads from a pregnancy book about what's happening with their growing baby during this time and they talk and laugh instead of feeling stressed out and on edge about everything. Before bed, David gives Maddie a massage and they make love before drifting off to a deep sleep.

Surprisingly, Richie does start to date Amelia and is pretty serious about her, he and Maddie and David reach an agreement about Richie staying in the house for a few more months to help him save money and pay back more of the money he owes Maddie. The situation really works out because Amelia rents an apartment a couple miles away from Maddie and David's mansion, and he ends up staying there most of the time. Soon it is reaching the end of Maddie's pregnancy, she is in her eighth month and Maddie and David are both getting anxious for a different reason now, they are ready to meet their baby daughter. David would still like Maddie to work less hours, but she enjoys keeping busy around the office, it takes her mind off of being big and pregnant and her worry about childbirth and passes the time.

In her ninth month, a few weeks before her due date Maddie stays home nesting and obsessing over getting the house ready for the baby's arrival. David works shorter hours and checks and regularly and carries a pager so that Maddie can reach her anytime she needs to, they are both on pins and needles, they just can't wait for their baby girl to arrive…

TO BE CONTINUED…