The Addison Family – Maddie, David and Teens
CHAPTER ONE
It's 2001 and Maddie and David are married with 12 year old boy-girl twins Virginia (Ginny) Madolyn Addison and Glen David Addison.
It's Maddie's night to cook, so while her lasagna heats up in the oven, she washes dishes, Glen sits at the kitchen counter playing with their dog Ralph while he's supposed to be doing his Math homework.
Maddie: Glen…
Glen: Mom…
Maddie: Would you get your work done and leave that dog alone!
Glen: What…tug of war is Ralphy's favorite game…I can't let go and let him win.
Maddie: Ginny and your dad will be home any minute and everyone's going to want to eat…now finish your work! You've barely gotten through half a page.
She looks over his shoulder.
Maddie: You need help? I'm very good with numbers…been keeping the books at Blue Moon for 15 years now…
Glen: (let's go of the rope toy and Ralph runs off) No, Mom…I got it…I'll do it.
Maddie ruffles her sons hair and moves over to the sink to dry and put dishes away. She cuts the garlic bread and tosses a salad. Meanwhile, David and Ginny get home…she hears them in the foyer.
David: Your swing is really coming along, kiddo, but you gotta choke up on that bat, I'm telling you…Hi Ralphy! Who's a good dog…
Ginny: Maybe we can go to the park and practice tomorrow…Hi Ralph, Hi Angel…
Woof Woof! Meow Meow! The animals go crazy for David and Ginny…
David: Smells like dinner's about ready…go wash up pumpkin… (Calls) You- Hoo! Wifey!?
Maddie: We're in here, David!
David bursts into the kitchen singing and swinging his hips…he dances over to Glen…
David: Oooo…ooo…who's this handsome guy in my kitchen and what did you do with my baby?
David wraps his arms around Glen and rubs his knuckles into the side of his head. Glen keeps working on his Math.
Maddie: Our babies are growing up…
David plants a series of kisses on the side of Glen's head.
Glen: Ok, Dad…stop…I gotta finish this before dinner.
David: (Feigns shock) Oh my…how mature… how responsible.
David makes his way over to Maddie and puts his arm around her waist. They kiss.
David: Hi.
Maddie: Hi.
David: (Gestures to Glen) Who's child is this? Lord knows I was never that responsible when I was that age, huh Maddie?
Maddie: You? You're not that responsible now!
David: (To Glen) Did we ever tell you about the time your mother bet me that I couldn't act mature for a week?
David Laughs hard.
Glen: (writing) Yeah…during the case where that psycho mom killed her own son…
David: (Thinks) That's right. (to Maddie) this kid's good.
David throws a piece of garlic bread in his mouth and reaches into the salad bowl to pick out a tomato. Maddie slaps his hand.
Maddie: Easy, Addison…wait 'til we all sit down.
David: I'm starvin'! (gets in the fridge and pulls out a can of beer) I left work, went right to Virginia's softball practice…haven't eaten since Mr. Sandwich came around this morning. How'd that meeting go?
Maddie: With Mrs. Benner? Went ok…weird case…
David: (Rolls his eyes) What else is new?
Maddie: Mrs. Benner swears she owns a home in Pasadena, she went to her Tahoe cabin for a few months this summer, and when she came back, another family was living in her home…and for the life of her, she can't find any physical proof that the house is hers!
David sings the Twilight Zone theme song.
David: (Scoffs) I've heard of invasion of the body snatchers, but never house snatchers…So, did we take the case?
Maddie: We did…
David: (Amazed) Well…wonders never cease!
Maddie: I didn't have the heart to turn her away…
David: That's what made me fall in love with you, Maddie…your heart…(looks at her chest) Well…something around that area anyway…
Maddie pushes past David and yells up to Ginny…
Maddie: Virginia! Dinner!
Tweet tweet! Tweet Tweet Tweet!
David: Did anyone feed Sherlock?
Maddie: No…no one's had time.
David: (opens a drawer that holds fish food and bird food) Did they ignore you, Sherlock? How dare they… (To Glen) Hey you! Think fast! (he tosses a container to Glen who drops his pencil and catches it just in time) Go feed the fish before dinner.
Glen: But, Dad…
David: Go!
Glen hops of the stool and goes to the living room to feed the fish, mumbling on his way out…
David: Everyone insists we have a zoo around here…but no one wants to help keep 'em alive.
Just then their smaller dog, Blue, taps the back door to be let in and when David opens the door, their outdoor cat, Stooge darts in at the same time creating havoc with the indoor cat Angel…the bird squawks, the dogs bark…cats screetch…Maddie yells…
Maddie: Who let Stooge in!?
David: I didn't mean to…he ran in from the dark…
Gin enters the kitchen freshly out of the shower with wet hair, holding her comb.
Gin: Nice job, Dad.
Gin hands Maddie her comb.
Gin: Will you comb my hair, Mom.
Maddie: Oh Ginny…we're just about to eat, couldn't you have showered after dinner…
Gin: No way, I was all sweaty. Gross.
Maddie takes Gin's comb and starts on her daughter hair.
Maddie: David, will you turn off the oven please?
Cats shriek, dogs bark…
Maddie: Glen! Get that cat outside!
Gin: Ouch! Mom, you're hurting my head.
Maddie: Sorry, honey.
Glen enters the kitchen to put the fish food away.
Glen: Why are you yelling at me, mom?
Maddie: Because that's your cat and he needs to stay outside. David!?
David pushes into the kitchen holding his hand…
David: You rang?
David's hand is bleeding.
Maddie: Oh no…what happened now?
David: Damn cat scratched me.
Gin: Don't cuss, Daddy.
Maddie: Turn off the oven will you, honey? Glen!?
Glen: Stop yelling!
Maddie: Get that cat outside or I'm getting rid of him.
Glen: No you're not!
Gin: you always say that, mom
Maddie: (To Gin) Well, this time, I mean it…(Yells to Glen) Did you see what he did to your father's hand?
Glen: That's because Dad tried to pick him up the wrong way…you can't pick him up the wrong way, he doesn't like that! (Under his breath) Learn how to do it right, jeez…the cats only been here six years.
David: Just get 'em outside, Glen…
Glen: (Chases after the cat) Stooge! Stooge!
Just then the smoke detector goes off.
Maddie: My lasagna! David!
David's tending to his hand…
David: I forgot, sorry!
He goes to pull the pan out of the oven and burns his finger..
David: Ouch! Ouch!
Maddie: Are you alright!? Careful David.
Ginny: Ouch! Mom!
Maddie hands her the comb…
Maddie: Finish this…
Maddie makes her way over to the smoke detector, waves a towel until it stops and then goes to turn off the oven and check on her lasagna and David's hands. She gets some ice.
Maddie: Oh, baby… (she holds the ice on his burn and looks at his scratch)
Glen walks through the kitchen with his cat and tosses Stooge outside. He turns around, picks up Ginny's comb and starts chasing her with it.
Glen: Here, I'll comb your hair!
Ginny: (Screams) Argh! Get away from me!
They run around laughing and screaming.
Maddie: (To David) That mangy cat got you good.
David: I swear I picked him up the right way this time…
Maddie: Only Glen can do it…
She dabs ointment on David's scratch and checks his burn which seems to be alright and only a corner of the lasagna burned.
Maddie: Alright everyone…Dinner!
They all make their way to the dining room table one by one after getting their water, milk, juices, drinks…wine, beer, etc. – once everyone is settled…finally!
Maddie: Alright everyone…your rose and thorn…
Glen and Gin: Ugh…no…why…
Maddie: Come on, I want to hear about your day…the highs and lows.
David: Alright, alright…I'll start…
Maddie: Great…David…thank you. Glen, Gin…listen to your Dad's day.
Glen and Gin quiet down and listen as they eat.
David: I'll start with my thorn…
Gin: Let me guess…Stooges scratch.
Glen laughs.
Maddie: Shhh, honey, let Daddy talk.
David: No…no, believe it or not, that was my rose.
They all laugh.
David: Nah…no…I've been scratched by the best of 'em (he winks at Maddie) I can handle that. No…no, ok…let's see, my thorn was I got a parking ticket over at City Hall today.
Maddie: What!? You did…oh David.
Glen: You got a ticket, Dad!? How much was it?
David: (shrugs) I dunno…didn't say…(waves his fork and chews) it's alright, my buddy Dennis will take care of it for me down at the station.
Gin: What was your rose, Daddy?
David: (Smirks and looks at Maddie) This morning…
Maddie blushes and gives him a warning look…
Maddie: Watch it…
Gin: (Looks between them) What?
David: (Shifts) This morning…a croissant fell off Mr. Sandwich's cart…and I kept it…and ate it!
They all laugh.
David: I got a free croissant… that was my highlight…(clears his throat) Well, that and working with your beautiful mother all day, of course.
Glen: You do that every day, Dad.
David: Yeah…and every day she's my rose.
Maddie smiles…
Maddie: Save some of this, we'll use it to fertilize the lawn next Spring.
David: What!? It's true…aren't I your rose?
Gin: You're her thorn most days, Daddy.
David: Yeah, well I do like pricking her…
Maddie: (Cuts him off) Alright…thank you David…very good stuff… Ginny, why don't you go next…
After dinner, Maddie and David clean up the kitchen. David washes, she dries and puts away.
Maddie: David, you need to start watching your double entendres around the kids…they're getting old enough to know what you're actually talking about…
David: Oh come on …they've heard me talk like that their whole life…it's just jokes Maddie.
Maddie: Jokes that embarrass me…and that are going to start embarrassing them…
Gin walks through the kitchen.
David: Hey Virginia Madolyn...do I embarrass you?
Gin: Oh yes!
David: (Shrugs and looks at Maddie) Well, there ya go…nothing's gonna change.
Maddie throws him a look and they laugh and move on with their evening. Later, up in Maddie and David's room, Maddie and Glen lay on the bed reading books as is their nightly routine. Ginny and David can't be bothered. David enters the room.
David: (Wiggles Glen's foot) Wrap it up kiddo…I want some time next to your mother tonight too.
Glen: (Looks up) You're with her all day, Dad.
David: Not in the way I want to be…
Glen: Eww, Dad…
David: What'd I say!?
Maddie looks up from her book and throws him an "I told ya so" look.
Maddie: We have ten more minutes, David…but you can come over here and lay by me.
David: Well, don't mind of I do.
David spoons up next to Maddie as she continues to read…
David: (silly) Read to me, Mommy…
Maddie pets his head.
Maddie: This one has sentences with more than six words, honey.
David: (acting dumb) Gee, I can't follow all them. (looks at the title) What's the book? The Shadow of the Wind? The Shadow of the Wind? I never seen no shadow of no wind…I didn't even know the wind had a shadow…
Maddie: David, it's a very good novel about books disappearing.
David: Well, good…can you make this one disappear so we can go to bed?
Maddie: Shhhh…
David scans the pages Maddie is reading…
David: Oooo, (Sings) "Daniel and Clara sitting in a tree…"
Maddie: (Annoyed) David…
Snuggles closer to Maddie.
David: (Laughs) What?
Maddie: I'm trying to read.
David: And I'm trying to get…
Maddie: David!
Glen: I'm goin' in my room.
Glen gets up and makes his way to the door…
Maddie: Night, honey…
David: Hey hey…come here, give us a kiss goodnight my boy…you're not too big for that, are you?
Glen slowly makes his way over to his parents and David pulls him into a hug…they both smother him with kisses. Glen smiles and laughs, then pulls away and makes his way to his room.
Glen: Night weirdos.
Maddie and David: Goodnight!
Maddie: What's Virginia doing?
David: She's already asleep I think…
David takes Maddie's book out of her hands and tosses it aside…
David: Say, Goldilocks…while we're here…
David moves over the top of Maddie pulling her into his arms along the way.
Maddie: While we're here, what?
She wraps her arms around David's neck…
David: While we're here, why don't we…
Maddie leans in and kisses him.
David: (Pulls back) I love it when you're one step ahead of me.
They kiss and roll around, make love and eventually fall asleep draped over each other. Around two in the morning, David wakes to one of the kids calling for them…
Ginny: (Weak voice) Mom…Mom…
David untangles himself from Maddie, pulls on shorts and makes his way down the hall ruffling his hair. He peeks into Ginny's open bedroom door, but she's not there…he makes his way a little further down the hall to the bathroom…the door is slightly ajar… David raps his knuckle on the door…
David: Ginny? You alright, honey?
Ginny: Where's mom?
David gently pushes the door open to see Ginny looking pale and sweaty curled up by the toilet, he goes to her and takes her head in his hands.
David: She's sleepin' – wow, pumpkin, you're burning up…let me help you.
David moves to the sink and wets a washcloth, he uses the cool cloth to wipe Ginny's face and neck.
David: Stay right here.
David rummages through the medicine cabinet to find a thermometer and fever medicine. He finds both and takes Gin's temp. 102. Gin's clothes are drenched and have throw-up on them…she's going to need to change, but his little baby is getting too big for him to help her. David goes to wake up Maddie.
David: (lightly shakes Maddie) Mad…hey Mad…Virginia's asking for you…she's sick.
Maddie: (Drowsy) Huhhhh?
David: Ginny's sick...she needs you.
Maddie: Ginny? Oh…
Maddie flies out of bed and wraps a robe around her on the way out of the room, David follows. Maddie finds Ginny in the bathroom and kneels down next to her.
Maddie: (feeling Gin's head) Oh, baby…
David: Her temp is 102…
Maddie: OK. Did you give her anything?
David: No, not yet.
Maddie: (nods), David…will you look for the liquid fever medicine in the cabinet, if she gets sick again, these pills may not get into her system fast enough.
David finds some liquid fever medicine and Maddie goes to work.
30 minutes later David is amazed when he enters Ginny's doorway and Maddie has her cleaned up, tucked in bed and her fever down to 101. Maddie cradles Ginny to her bosom as she rests her eyes.
Maddie: Go to sleep, David…I got her.
David: I can help.
Maddie: I'm just going to lay with her until she falls asleep…make sure her fever stays down.
David: You sure?
Maddie: I'm sure.
Maddie pets their daughters head…David stands watching Maddie, amazed…as he has been many time since they had the kids, what a great mother she is. She's a natural…he's not so bad himself at the whole Dad thing…after all, he's waited his whole life for built-in playmates! But, Maddie…she really knew how to care for the kids…for all of them, when they really needed it. David stumbles down the hallway, falls into bed and pulls the covers over his head…he's asleep a second after his head hits the pillow. Around 5am, Maddie slides into bed next to David and pulls his arm over her so they're spooning.
David: (Sleepy) Ginny ok?
Maddie: (Exhausted) She's sleeping…(yawns) hoping I can get a couple hours before the alarm goes off. I've got breakfast with Mrs. Lippendale.
David: The divorcee with a grudge?
Maddie: Yeah, she wants a timeline of her exes new flame…
David: You sleep in, I'll meet her.
Maddie: We'll decide in the morning.
David: You were up half the night…
Maddie: Shhhhh…
They both fall back to sleep and jump a mile high when the alarm clock screams at them two hours later. David hits snooze.
David: Why can't it be Saturday?
Maddie: It's only Tuesday…
David: Urhg…
They both fall back to sleep and jump awake again when the alarm goes off nine minutes later. Maddie starts to move towards the side of the bed. David grabs her and snuggles her…
David: Don't leave…
Maddie: Gotta get in the shower…the meeting is at 9am.
David: (Eyes still closed) Want me to go?
Maddie: No, David…you stay with Ginny…I'll meet Mrs. Lippendale and then come back home at lunch and you can go into Blue Moon.
David rolls over and scrunches his pillow up under his head…
David: Oh…thank you thank you thank you…
Maddie walks down the hall and peeks in Gins room…she's still sleeping. She knocks on Glen's door…
Maddie: Glen! You up?…we're leaving in 45 minutes!
Glen: OK, Mom.
Maddie goes back into her room to take a shower.
David: (opens one eye) Hey Blondie Blonde, you want me to make you some eggs?
Maddie: No, I'll have breakfast with Mrs. Lippendale.
David: Oh thank you thank you thank you…
David starts snoring.
Maddie shakes her head…takes a shower, gets dressed and 45 minutes later she and Glen are in the car driving towards school and work.
Glen: Ma…do you ever get scared being a detective? I mean, a lot of the clients you deal with end up being murdered…murderers…threatening you…all sorts of crazy stuff.
Maddie: (Thinks and glances at Glen)…well, no…not really. It's not something I worry about, do you?
Glen: (Shrugs) I dunno.
Maddie: You know your father is one of the most capable detectives I know…when we're in the field together, I feel totally protected.
Glen: I know, but what if there's a mistake one day…what if the chase ends badly…
Maddie: Oh, you know the chase…it's usually silly stuff…yeah, sometimes crazy stuff happens to the clients, but the writers would never kill us off.
Glen: OK, but would they kill your kids off…
Maddie: (Horrified) What!? NO! Of course not, Glen, don't ever even think like that.
Glen: Ok, mom…
Maddie: Don't worry about your dad and I…we've been doing this a long time.
Glen: Yeah, I know…so what's the case today?
Maddie: I'm meeting a client for breakfast to talk about a stakeout…but you know all cases are confidential….
Glen: That's so cool…maybe someday I'll be a detective…
Maddie: Oh…no, honey, it's dangerous work!
Glen: (turns his head sharply) I thought you just said…
Maddie: (corrects) I…I mean…there are lots of other fields out there for you to explore my love.
With that, she turns up the car stereo and accelerates towards Glen's school.
After her morning meeting and running a few other errands for Blue Moon, Maddie stops into Steve's Deli to get her favorite Chicken Salad Sandwich. She kind of enjoys the attention from the handsome deli owner too…
Steve: Number 89!?
Maddie waves her number printed on a piece of small paper in the air.
Maddie: That's me!
Steve: Maddie Hayes…the usual?
Maddie: How do you remember… (she bats her eyelashes down and then back up) you have so many regular customer.
Steve: None as beautiful as you tho…
Maddie laughs flirtatiously.
Steve: I've told you before how much of a crush I've had on you when I was in college…
Maddie: Only then?
Steve: (Corrects) Since then.
Smiles and winks.
Maddie: (cheeky) That's better…
Steve: Don't tell my wife, but I had your pictures hanging on the wall above my bed.
Maddie: (Smiles) I won't tell my husband either…he won't let me come here anymore…and I've got to have this sandwich.
Steve laughs.
Steve: It's between us.
Steve hands her the sandwich….
Steve: It's on me…
Maddie's flattered…and then shrinks…
Maddie: Oh…but…I need a Pastrami on Rye for David…
Steve looks deflated.
Maddie: Don't worry! I'll pay for that one!
One of Steve's workers makes David's sandwich and rings Maddie up and she waves to Steve on her way out the door. A little harmless flirting feels good…
Around 1pm she gets back home…Ginny is on the downstairs couch, still looking very weak, watching cartoons and has a half-eaten bowl of chicken soup and a stack of saltines in front of her.
Maddie: Hi my love.
Gin: (weak) Hi mommy.
Maddie: Where's your dad?
Gin: Upstairs, getting ready for work.
Maddie feels Gins head, still warm.
Maddie: You need anything? You hungry?
Gin: Daddy made me soup.
Maddie: Doesn't look like you ate much of it. Let me know if you want something else.
Maddie's starving, she starts on her sandwich at the dining room table. Soon, David makes his way downstairs, dressed in a full suit, looking handsome as hell.
Maddie: Hey Fella… love that new tie.
David: (Strokes the tie) Thanks…my wife gave it to me.
Maddie: (Chews) She must have good taste.
David: She chose me, didn't she?
He stands near Maddie, his cologne turns her on…he rubs her back and she lays her head momentarily on his shoulder.
Maddie: You smell nice, David.
David: Yeah, amazing what a little soap and water will do.
Peeks in the bag.
David: What'd you get me?
Maddie: Pastrami on Rye.
David: Pastrami on Rye… from Steve's…uh-huh…I see what's going on here…
Maddie: Going on where?
David: Going on at Steve's Deli…where, I believe you've got a little crush on somebody.
Maddie: Stop it…best chicken salad in town.
David: Right! Has nothing to do with the handsome owner…hell, he's so good looking, even I have a crush on him.
Maddie laughs…
Maddie: You'd make a very handsome couple…
David: Damn straight we would…but then again, straight wouldn't have much to do with it…
Maddie slaps him teasingly…
David: If it weren't for this pesky little wife issue…
Takes a bite of his sandwich
Maddie: We're always getting in the way…hey! You could get rid of me, but you'd still have his wife to deal with.
David: That's true…double homicide is so messy…no, no thanks…I think I'll stick with what I got.
He kisses Maddie with his messy mouth.
Maddie: Eww, David, you're getting pastrami all over me.
David: I've got more meat coming for you later…
Maddie: David…
Maddie glances over at Gin who is engrossed in her cartoons...
David: Maddie…
Maddie: (Changes subject) What do you have today at work?
David rattles off a few cases he and Viola are working on.
Maddie: Any surveillance tonight?
David: Tonight!? Tonight is Tuesday, it's date night!?
Maddie: Date night? (scrunches her face) I don't know about that, David… Virginia isn't feeling well, I barely got any sleep…
David: (chews) Ok. If you don't want to…(shrugs) I mean, I thought that was the one things we were going to make consistent…we skip one week…the kids'll be graduated college before we go out again.
Maddie: College!? They're in middle school David.
David: I know…but, I'm just saying.
Maddie: If we go out… what would you want to do? And who'll watch the kids? I don't want to ask anyone to come over with Ginny sick.
David: yeah…yeah…I know, you gotta point. I was just thinking dinner at Port's or something.
Maddie: Yeah, that'd be nice, David…but, I don't really want to leave them alone.
Maddie moves over and sits by Gin and feels her head. She takes her temp again, down to 100, but she looks very tired and lethargic. David leans over them behind the couch.
David: Bye Ginny…feel better.
He pets Maddie's hair, letting some of it slide through his fingers.
David: Later Blondie Blonde…
David leans in and kisses Maddie on the lips.
Maddie: Later David… call me and we'll decide about dinner.
Gin: Are you and Daddy going out?
Maddie: We're not sure, baby.
Maddie looks at David and shrugs, he blows her a two-fingered kiss and heads out the door. Maddie lays on the couch with Gin for a while and dozes, she feels better with a bit of a nap. Eventually she gets up and goes up to her room to make some phone calls. She checks in with her mom, her aunt Grace and her best friend Debbie.
Later that evening…
Maddie and David decide to forgo their "date night" and have a movie night with the kids. Ginny dozes, Glen rolls around on the floor with the dogs and Maddie and David cuddle on the couch. After nine, David turns the lights off downstairs, closes up and then wanders upstairs. The bedroom door is slightly ajar and the lights are low and flickering. He slowly pushes open the door open and Maddie is dressed in a sexy silky pajama / robe combo, has two glasses of bubbly poured and a piece of cheesecake (David's favorite) by the fire.
David: (takes in the scene and smiles) What is going on in here?
Maddie: (Shrugs) Well…I didn't want to totally give up date night.
David: This is so sweet.
Maddie: We promised each other we'd always put our relationship first.
David picks up his bubbly…
David: Cheers…
Maddie clinks her glass to his.
Maddie: Cheers.
David stokes the fire in the fireplace and they spend an hour or so sharing dessert, sipping champagne and having some one-on-one time…
The next month the family heads to Philly for…much to their surprise…Richie's wedding! Maddie and David chat on the plane while Glen and Gin snooze and listen to music in the seats next to them.
Maddie: What do you think she's like?
David: She?
Maddie: Richie's fiancé… our future sister-in-law…
David: Well, let's see…she's a Philly girl, huh?
Maddie nods.
David: If I know Richie…she's got dark hair, expert in dart throwing, keg stands and gutting fish with her bare hands…a real guys gal if you know what I'm saying.
Maddie cringes.
Maddie: I was hoping she and I could…go shopping…enjoy a nice lunch out…get our nails done.
David: You and Missy? If you like eating off the side of a truck outside the bait 'n tackle…Missy will be your gal…but, trust me, lacquering nails ain't gonna be among her interests… (looks her up and down) you bring any flannel shirts? Hip boots?
Maddie looks down at her silky dust-rose colored blouse and pant combo with beige heels and matching bag.
Maddie: (Unsure) No?
David: You better stick close to Stephanie…she's evolved from her early days.
Maddie: (Speaks low) ..and thank god she doesn't remember anything about…
David looks over at the kids who are in their own worlds.
David: No…no, I told you…she has no memory anything…let's just forget that.
Maddie nods.
Maddie: (Whispering) Let's just hope we don't get there and discover you had some fling of Olympic proportions with this Missy… you weren't very discriminate about where you were sticking that thing back then, Addison.
David: Nah, trust me… I'm allergic to aqua net.
David rolls his eyes and looks away…Maddie rolls her eyes and goes back to reading her magazine.
When the plane lands the kids are grumpy and fighting with each other.
Glen: Mom…Gin kicked me…
Gin: Dad…Glen won't give me back my headphones…
Glen: Whadda you mean your headphones…I gave them to you.
Gin: You said I could use them for the trip…
Glen: Ow! Mom, she hit me…
Gin: Dad, he lost his and now he's taking mine away…
The family make their way through the airport.
Maddie: Gin, keep your hands to yourself…
David: Give her back the headphones Glen…
Gin: But Mom!
Glen: But Dad!
They collect their bags at baggage claim and make their way out of the airport…David Sr. and Stephanie greet them.
David Sr.: There they are! Boy, is it great to see all of you.
Maddie moves to embrace Stephanie.
David Sr. pulls the grandkids into a big hug and hands them a bag full of candy.
David: (gestures to the candy) Dad…wha… you didn't have to do that. They won't sleep for a week.
The kids tear into the bag and see the great assortment he brought them.
David Sr.: Ah, Come on…kids like candy.
He pulls David in for a hug.
David Sr.: Give the old guy a hug, will ya?
David Sr. pulls back and looks at his son.
David Sr.: Look at you… you look good. (He looks over at Maddie) She looks better…but you look good.
David laughs lightly and nods in agreement.
David: No argument here.
David Sr. and Maddie embrace.
David Sr.: Every time you guys come here, no one can believe you're my daughter-in-law.
Maddie: Oh, stop it.
David Sr.: No, really…will you come down to the fish shop and sign autographs again?
Maddie: Absolutely…you know I'm always happy to meet your friends.
David: No pornographic pictures this time, Dad.
David Sr.: No..no, of course, that was just Bergman…and you know, he's not right in the head.
The family make their way to the Addison 'n Sons Fish Mart delivery van parked in the underground garage…
Stephanie: Excuse the smell… I told David to rent a family van, but he said everyone could deal with it for an hour.
Maddie, David and the kids pile in the back of the van that has two bench seats while David Sr. and Stephanie sit up front. There is the smell of fish guts and plastic covering the floor. Maddie cracks a window and she and David exchange looks. The kids argue.
David: Dad, can we stop for lunch, these kids need to eat.
David Sr.: Sure, Carls Jr. or Long John Silvers?
Maddie looks out the window and David rests his hand on hers. Things were a little different here in Philly. Back in L.A., they usually ate at higher end, sit-down restaurants and rarely ate fast food.
David: Kids? Burgers or Seafood?
Gin: Seafood!
Glen: Burger!
David: Honey?
He squeezes Maddie's hand…
Maddie: Oh…You decide David, really…I'm not that hungry.
David: You haven't eaten since breakfast…
Maddie: I know…I'll eat something later…really, whatever the kids want.
David: Burgers, Dad.
Gin sulks, David looks straight ahead out the window and is hit with a flood of memories as they drive through the streets he grew up on.
David: (To his Dad) When will we see the blushing groom?
Stephanie: Richie and Missy are busy with wedding arrangements today, they'll be over tomorrow.
David: (Sarcastic) arrangements…how long does it take to lay out a couple of hay bales and string up some lights?
Maddie squeezes David's hand a little too hard and he bites his lip.
Once at the house, Stephanie leads the family to the bedrooms they'll be staying in upstairs. One with a Queen bed and another with two twins – there is one bathroom in the hall for them all to share. The Addison home is large, but dated. David Sr. and Stephanie do their best to keep it up, but there is always a project to be done. Neither is very handy and both busy with their work…David Sr. at the Fish Shop and Stephanie a top Avon sales rep.
David Sr.: (Points) Careful there in the bathroom, the lock on the door still doesn't work…sorry, I know I said I'd have that fixed the next time you came.
David can feel Maddie's weight shift with annoyance. She'd rather stay in a hotel when they come to Philly, but he doesn't want to offend his father and Stephanie who have plenty of space for them.
Besides, he loves being in the house,…the singing, the stories, the smells all remind David of the fun parts of his childhood. Plus the kids love cooking with their Grandfather – meatballs, fried fish, Eggplant Parm… all whipped up with giant amounts of butter and oil and just the right amount of seasoning and all taste delicious. Everyone is in hog heaven…everyone except for Maddie.
Maddie and David unpack in the room and speak in hushed voices.
Maddie: I just don't see why we can't stay right down the street at the Marriot, David.
David: We've been over this, Maddie. They wouldn't understand that…us paying for a place to stay when they've got more than enough room.
Maddie: Still no lock on the bathroom door? How? It's been three years since we were here last. I remember last time being walked in on every time I was just getting out of the shower.
David: Yeah…well, I timed it that way.
Maddie: Seriously, David…this bed creaks, the tree branch hits the window outside all night and there's a constant draft coming from some…undetermined place…
David: you hate it here…
Maddie: I don't…I don't hate it here, David…I'd just be more comfortable…
David: Away from here…Look…I won't roll over in my sleep and we'll put an extra blanket on the bed to keep you warm…it's only for a week, Mad…and anyway, we're gonna be busy with the wedding most of the time. We're not even going to be here that much.
He takes her in his arms.
David: The kids and I love it here…can't you just make the most of it? I'll take you to any five star hotel you want next trip.
Maddie: (shrugs her shoulders and nods) But…the lock on the door…
David nods…
David: (Puts up his pointer finger) You know what? That can be fixed…
He heads downstairs and calls to Glen and his father…
David: Boys…men…gather around. We're going to do man things. Take me to the nearest hardware store…
David Sr.: Whadda ya need, son?
David: I'm gonna help you fix that lock on the bathroom door, Dad.
David Sr.: Nonsense, I don't want you to have to do work while you're here.
David: It's not work Dad, it's man-things…we're going to show this young lad here (puts his hands on Glen's shoulders) how to use his hands for something other than video games and eating pizza. Besides, these kids are damn near teens now…I think it's fair to give them some privacy in the bathroom, so let's throw on a new knob on there. Won't take long.
Stephanie: I'm sorry, David…I didn't even think of that, we just think of them as little babies, but you're right. Teens need their privacy protected. Go to the hardware store, honey…he's right, won't take long and will give you men a little project to work on while Maddie, Ginny and I have some girl time. Anyone want to get their nails done?
David looks over at Maddie and winks. She's feeling better about the week already.
At the nail shop, Maddie picks Stephanie's brain about Missy.
Maddie: So tell me about Missy…I can't believe David and I haven't met her yet…this has all happened so fast.
Stephanie: Oh…Missy? She's a typical Philly girl, likes her booze, likes her subs, likes her sports…she's wearing Eagles colors in the wedding.
Maddie's eyes shift…she doesn't know what the "Eagles" colors are, but she can't imagine letting a sports teams colors dictate a wedding.
Maddie: Where did they meet?
Stephanie: Oh…I think it was a Tailgate party.
Maddie: Sounds like sports will be very much a part of their lives.
Stephanie: Yeah…I think Richie's met his match on this one. We've had them over to the house when a game was on a couple times and Missy yelled louder than Rich…she's one hardcore fan.
Maddie: (Unsure) Can't wait to meet her.
Stephanie: Richie is certainly head over heels for her.
Ginny: Will Missy be my aunt, mom?
Maddie: Yes, sweetie.
Ginny: Should I call her "Aunt Missy?"
Maddie: Well…that's something you can ask her, Virginia.
Later that night after men fix the lock on the door and David's plugged up any potentially drafty holes and broken off the tree branch that hits the window, the family go to bed full on Eggplant Parm. and Gelato. David scoots closer to Maddie in bed as the frame creaks…the one thing he couldn't fix.
David: You happy?
Maddie: I'm full.
David: No…but…I mean, here…it's quiet…you're warm and you locked the bathroom door when you were in there for an hour earlier…not that anyone noticed.
Maddie: Not that anyone noticed?
David: Well…you may take that long at home, hun…but remember, four of us are sharing that one little space here?
Maddie: Well, I wanted to go to a hotel…but you…
David: Ok…ok…wrong argument. Take as long as you want in there…I just want to make sure you're not hearing any window tapping…not feeling a draft and your bathroom privacy is secured.
Maddie: Yes David…I am happy with all of that, thanks.
David: Hey, your wish is my demand.
Maddie pulls his arm tight around her and closes her eyes.
Maddie: I asked Stephanie about Missy…
David: Football fanatic with a drinking problem?
Maddie: Well…she didn't exactly use those words…
David: Yeah, Pop expressed a similar sentiment. Well, we'll meet our new family member tomorrow.
Maddie: Should be very interesting!
David: Very.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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