"We're here." He said still holding on to her hand.
"Already?" She hadn't been paying any attention to where they were or where they where heading. She just enjoyed the warmth of his hand in hers.
"Santa Monica isn't that far." He grinned.
"Ha.. ha.. David." She teased more confident than ever they'd make it this time.
David made his way out of the car and opened her door. He extended his hand to her. She took his hand and got out of the car. They made their way to her door. Maddie unlocked her door.
"So am I picking you up for Agnes and Bert's New Year Eve's party?" David leaned into her door frame. Maddie turned and cupped his face with her right hand.
"Do we have to go to their party?" She wasn't sure she was ready to be out there with him just yet.
"We don't have to go together together, but just together." He showed her his boyish grin, making her laugh.
"We could just go as business partners?" He nodded. "And you have no problem with that?" He kept nodding. "No funny business?" He shook his head and put up to fingers.
"Scout's honour." He winked. Maddie stepped up towards him, there were mere inches between the two of them.
"You sure you can handle that David?" She saw him swallow. "Go together and nothing will happen. No strings to pull, nothing."
"Are you sure you don't want me to pull your strings?" He felt cheeky with her this close to him. He softly moved his hand to her hip.
"For now I am." She never knew how hard those words would be.
"I can respect that." He softly squeezed her hip. She leaned in and softly kissed his lips.
"It'll be worth the wait." He licked his lips, tasting her.
"I know it'll be." He wanted to pull her close more than anything. She leaned in again and kissed him a little longer.
"Are we on for Sunday then?" David needed verbal confirmation.
"We are. And thank you David." She could hardly believe her own boldness.
"Good night gorgeous." He kissed his fingers and waved.
"Good night David." As she closed the door.
Both grinning from ear to ear on each side of the door.
"Finally." David thought to himself. "We are finally back on the right path." He could hardly believe his luck as he thought het totally messed up after Annie. He got in the car and drove off. He hadn't been this happy in months. He grinned all the way back towards his place.
"I can't believe this." Maddie whispered to herself while smiling. "Oh my God, what will I wear on Sunday? I really need to go shopping tomorrow." She kept whispering while pacing through her living room. "I don't think I can get any appointment for my hair.. or nails."
Maddie shook her head and made her way to her radio. When the radio went on, she heard the last couple of tunes of a song she didn't immediately recognise. After the song ended, the tunes of the Four Tops filled her room.
% Baby, I need your good lovin'
Got to have your love right now, baby
So come and fill my empty arms
And make my life worthwhile. %
"How appropriate." Maddie thought.
% Because I'm not livin', baby
I only exist
I'll never laugh, I'll never smile no more
I don't care if I stay like this, because %
"Imagine if David sang this to me.. he has an amazing voice." Butterflies fluttered her stomach just thinking about it.
% Without the one you love, life is not worthwhile
Without your love, my dear, I'm like a motherless child
So come and fill my empty arms
And make my life worthwhile %
"Ain't that the truth." She swayed to the music.
% When I feel that old hurt comin' on
I stop and cry like I'm cryin' (Right now)
People ask why would a grown man cry
I drop my head, and I sadly reply %
"We know that old hurt all too well. I think we've both shed too many tears." Her mind was doing overtime.
% Without the one you love, life is not worthwhile
Without your love, my dear, oh, I'm like a motherless child
So come and fill my empty arms
And make my life worthwhile %
"I hope we can make each other's lives worthwhile." The fear was instilled deep inside her heart.
The last bit of the song faded to the background as her mind was racing. Her brain was telling her that their relationship would be fantastic, the love making off the chart but on the other hand, her heart was aching. Aching for the pain she had inflicted on him and he had inflicted on her. All she knew right now, is that she loved him, she wanted to be with him. Her head was telling her to give in and enjoy every moment of it. Her heart was fearful. She pushed the feelings of fear down, determined to try and make this relationship work.
She was about to walk towards the kitchen when there was a knock at the door.
"David?" Was the first thing she thought, no she hoped.
She opened the door and was shocked to find Sam on the other side of her door.
"Sam?"
"Hi Maddie." He smiled.
"Oh yes, hi." She stared at him a second. "I don't mean to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Sam pushed his hands in his pocket as he looked at his feet.
"I came to apologise."
"Apologise?" She got more confused.
"Can I come in?" He asked.
"Oh yes, sure." She stepped away to let him pass.
X=X=X=X
David was still grinning as he made his way down the road. He turned on the radio as Jimi Hendrix started playing.
% You know you're a cute little heartbreaker, ha
And you know you're a sweet little lovemaker, ha %
"That's right, Jimi. She is." David said to the radio.
% I wanna take you home, uh-huh, yeah
I won't do you no harm, no, ha
You've got to be all mine, all mine
Ooh, foxy lady, yeah %
"I will make sure she'll be all mine. I'm not letting got this time." David kept replying.
% Now ah, I see you, heh, are down on the scene
You make me wanna get up and scream
Foxy.. oh, baby listen now
I've made up my mind, yeah
I'm tired of wasting all my precious time
You've got to be all mine, all mine
Foxy lady
Here I come %
"You are right." David made a turn and headed back to Maddie's. "I am not wasting any more precious time. Thanks Jimi!"
% Yeah! I'm gonna take you home, ha
I won't do you no harm, no
You've got to be all mine, all mine
Foxy lady
Here I come, baby
I'm comin' to get ya %
David saw her door was open. He turned off the lights and stopped before she could see him. That's when he saw him.. Sam. He tried to swallow away the lump in his throat. As the last tunes of the song ringed through the car.
% Ow! Foxy lady, yeah, yeah (Foxy)
Ooh, you look so good (Foxy)
Foxy, oh yeah (Foxy)
Foxy
You make me feel like
Feel like sayin' Foxy
Ohh, lady
Foxy
Foxy lady %
"Yeah.. she is foxy alright. And I'm not the only on to see that." He whispered and then turned off the radio. He watched Maddie step aside to let Sam pass. He felt his heart drop. When she closed the door he turned on the lights and turned back down the street.
"I can't be too late." He started discussing himself. "We talked about it. We are going to make this work. I need to trust her." His heart ached with jealousy. "I do! I do trust her. It's Sam I don't trust." The ache turned into anger. He needed to park the car, knowing damn-well that if he ran in there like Bluto, she'd only turn away from him. He turned off the ignition. And then gripped the steering wheel, he watched his knuckles turn white and then relaxed his hands.
"I trust her." He said aloud. "She wants us to work just as much as I do." He slumped back. "She still loves me.. just as much as I love her. I believe in us." He closed his eyes.
X=X=X=X
"Would you like anything to drink?" Maddie walked up towards the couch.
"You have a Brandy?" He nervously asked. Knowing that Sam isn't really a big drinker, she felt even more confused.
"I do." She turned to her home bar and started pouring the first glass. She felt Sam walking up close to her as she finished pouring the second glass. She quickly turned and handed him his glass.
"I am sorry Maddie." The intensity of his apology scared her.
"For what Sam?" She stepped back. He closed the distance.
"For leaving the way I did." Maddie dodged him and made a beeline to her couch.
"Did you come back her to tell me this?" She crossed her legs. He sat down next to her.
"Maddie. You don't understand." He leaned in closer. "I am sorry I left you." And closer again. "I never should have left you… ever." Maddie felt really uncomfortable.
"Why are you telling me this Sam? Why now? Why not tell me this the day you left?" She scooted back as her icy blue eyes pierced through him. He scooted with her.
"I was afraid you'd chose him." He grabbed her hand in his and started caressing it. She watched his every move but didn't know how to respond. She looked up and pulled her hand out off his.
"You should have talked to me back then Sam. This is too little, too late." She got up, making sure to increase the distance between them.
"No.. it can't be too late." He desperately said. "Please give me one more chance." He nearly begged. She felt both embarrassed for him and uneasy by his declaration.
"I am sorry Sam, the way you left me. You didn't even bother to fight for me, for us. You asked me to marry you and you just left. Leaving behind a letter."
"You didn't even respond to my proposal." He said slightly annoyed. "Because of HIM." She knew he wasn't wrong but she also knew he was moving way too quickly for her.
"It was not just David." Sam cringed hearing his name. "I was not ready." She started pacing. "How long were we really together?" She turned to him, expecting an answer.
"We'd known each other from before." He weakly replied.
"No Sam. How long were we dating before you proposed?" She folded her hands in front of her chest. "Tell me please."
"Not long." Was all he said.
"Exactly Sam, not long." She paced again. "And I won't insult you your intelligence. David was definitely part of the equation. I didn't know how I felt about him. And you asking me to marry you, confused me even more. I didn't what I want, who I want. It was so hard loving 2 men. Because I did genuinely loved you Sam." He hopefully sat up. "It took me a long time to know how I felt about David and you." He reminded her of a lost puppy. She sat across from him. "I loved you Sam, I still love you." He nearly leaped into her, but she stopped him. "But I am not in love with you." She hated hurting him, but she wanted to be completely honest with him. He definitely couldn't hide his hurt.
"Oh. You're not?" His voice was soft.
"No. I thought I was and I am sorry I am hurting you, but I love you too much to not be truthful." She sat back.
"You still love me?" She nodded. "You're just not in love with me?" She nodded again. "What does he got what I don't have?" The directness of his question caught her off guard.
"That's not it Sam." She started massaging her forehead. "David and I.. we.. I don't know.. David and I are just kismet." Sam frowned at her words.
"Kismet hey?" He looked at her as she shrugged.
"Kismet." She thought about David and smiled. "When I am with him I am happier than I ever have been and sometimes sadder. But I do feel complete."
"I talked to your parents." He changed the subject.
"What?" She turned to face him again.
"You were pregnant." Maddie felt the blood drained from her face.
"You knew?" Her voice trembled.
"Your parents were at a party where my parents were. I assumed just after you left and they told them how happy they were to become grandparents." Maddie just listened. "Were you ever going to tell me I had a kid?" All of a sudden he looked around and was shocked not to find any toys. "Where's the kid, where's is my kid?" This time she heard the anger in his voice. Maddie started crying, she thought she had gotten passed the loss of her child.
"I lost the baby." She whispered.
"You what?" Her voice was so soft, he could hardly hear her.
"I lost my son." She says slightly louder.
"Our son." He says in annoyance.
"No, my son. My son and David's son." She narrowed her eyes at him. "It was mine and David's baby."
"How'd you know?"
"I just do." Not willing to explain the entire situation to him.
"So you slept with me and then David? Back to back?" He was mad.
"Are you trying to shame me?" She was getting just as angry.
"Well you did, didn't you?" He threw his glass of Brandy back.
"It's none of your business. All you need to know is that the baby wasn't yours and I know this without a shadow of a doubt." Sam squinted his eyes.
"Oh are you now? So not only did HE take my woman, he also took my child away from me?" Maddie couldn't help but laugh. Sam jumped up, scaring her, but all he did was pace around. "Don't laugh at me Maddie." He looked at her. "I felt horrible after what I did. When I found out you were pregnant, I knew I had to get you back. I had to step up and be the husband and father you needed me to be." Maddie just stood there frozen and blinked. "And then.. you tell me you lost the baby, the baby that I thought was mine.. and confess that you weren't in love with me." He looked at her. "Could you please say something?"
"I didn't say these things to hurt you Sam. But unlike you, I do give you the courtesy of the truth.. IN PERSON." She felt angry. "Like I said, I do love you, I care for you and I respect you too much not to be truthful. I am sorry I don't feel the way you do. You don't know how I've wished to feel the way you do. At that time you were willing to commit to me and I wanted commitment so bad. Yet you weren't the one I wanted it with." Sam looked sad and hurt. "I am not saying this to hurt you, Sam. I am saying this so you can let me go.. let this idea of us go. Because I let you go the moment you left.. and the only thing you left behind for me.. was a letter." Maddie and Sam ended up face to face, staring at one another.
"I think I always knew I wouldn't win against him." He said.
"His name is David." Was all she said.
"I knew you wanted him, more than you wanted me." Sam gave her a sad smile. "That's why I left. I knew it was a losing battle. I still am very sorry that I left the way I did." Maddie matched his smile.
"Thank you Sam. And I am sorry too. I should have informed you when I didn't know who the father was, but when I lost my baby.. and it was so obvious you weren't the dad.. I just left things as they were." They stood there for a moment.
"Does he make you happy?" Sam needed to know. Maddie chuckled.
"We're still not there yet. I made some mistakes and so did David. But I think we have finally found the road to happiness back."
"You really love him, don't you?" The realisation hit him like a freight train. Maddie smiled at the thought of David.
"Yes, yes I do." It felt like a huge weight was finally being lifted off of her chest. Finally admitting her love for him.
"Thank you for being honest." Sam slumped back on the couch. "I have to admit, I regret we couldn't have made this.." He moved his hand between them. "work." He looked up at her. "I truly did love you, you know?"
"I know. And I loved you too. I still love you. You will always have a special place in my heart. But David and I .. it is so much more." She looked at his hurt face. "I am so sorry Sam. I am not saying this to hu.." He put his hand up.
"I know Maddie. It's okay. I am okay.. just a little hurt. But at the end of the day, I only have myself to blame. I left you. I chickened out and didn't fight for what .. who I wanted." He got up and walked towards her. "Thank you for being honest." He leaned and kissed her cheek. "No matter what, I'll always be here if you need me." Maddie put her hand on his chest.
"I know and I know you mean it. Thank you Sam." She hugged him. He hugged her back, he couldn't resist taking in her smell.
"I've got to go." He broke the hug. Maddie just nodded.
They made their way back to her front door. Sam sighed.
"Thank you Maddie."
"Bye Sam."
X=X=X=X
David was rudely awaken by a knock on his side window.
"I didn't do it!" He nearly jumped out of his seat. Another knock. David rubbed his hands over his face and looked to his left.
"Sam?" He asked in surprise but quickly the memory of Sam entering Maddie's house flooded his brain. He felt rage coming up, but all he did was open his door and got out. "Sam." He extended his hand towards him.
"David." Sam shook his hand, but the tone of voice was ice cold. Then he pulled David towards him. "Don't ever hurt her. I will find you and you know how our last fight ended."
"Yeah.. I almost kicked your entire ass." David wasn't about to back down to this clown.
"Keep telling yourself that Addison." As he pushed him back. "Keep telling yourself that."
"You're just pissy she chose me." David smirked. "All mine." Sam balled his fists. David looked down. "I am not going to fight you Sam." He grabbed the handle of the car door and turned away. Sam nearly lunged at his back.
"Just don't hurt her." He knocked David with his shoulder before walking off to his own car.
"I wasn't about to." David yelled. "I love her more than life itself." Sam turned.
"I hope so, because she deserves the world." Sam got into his car and sat down. David looked at him for a second and then got back into his own car.
