Episode Three: Teri Knowles is Having a Baby
David was right. Pregnancy brain was real, which was probably why Maddie found her pajama-clad self at Blue Moon at 4:47 AM raiding David's desk. She swore she brought the agency expense ledger home with her. Then again, she could have dreamed it.
David's top left drawer always housed his action figures and dirty magazines, and she was oddly relieved that hadn't changed. The ledger she found in the top right one. She opened the thick, heavy book and skimmed over the entries. Neat, color-coded, in order. David oversaw the finances while she was in Chicago and it impressed her that as far as she could tell, nothing had been repossessed, canceled or sold off. In fact, Blue Moon had taken in a fair amount of money in the time she was gone, including a sizable check for twenty grand just a few weeks before. She didn't understand its special yellow star next to it and made a mental note to ask David what that meant.
Satisfied that she'd located what she was looking for, she closed the drawer but stopped short when she noticed what was at the bottom of it. A stash of childbirth books and a well-used blue notepad with a pink highlighter also tucked it its spiral.
Maybe that was why she was here. To get some insight into this mysterious life David Addison had been leading since she left. The guy who kept detailed financials, was responsible and possessed the sensitivity to dig up his very own Lamaze partner. Maddie opened the blue notebook and flipped through the pages. Statistics on pain relief usage. A case study discussion on postpartum depression. Impressive and thorough, all written in David's familiar chicken scratch. There wasn't a single reference to this Teri woman but plenty of Maddie. Her allergy to penicillin for example and parents' emergency contact information. She smiled to herself. Maybe he really did do this for her after all.
She replaced the notebook, but a small magazine bunched up on the side of the drawer caught her attention. It was some sort of promotion program for a concert series. "Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra Presents: An Evening of Chamber Music with Special Guest Dr. Teri Knowles." The woman on the cover was who she saw with David the night before.
The dark curly hair, the cute face and bubbly smile. A Doctor? And a musician? How sickly appropriate. Maddie hadn't intended on finding this, but she had and now she couldn't stop herself from reading every word. Teri's impressive bio, degrees, awards and other accolades. Students and colleagues gushing about her talent. There were pictures, too. With sponsors and fellow musicians.
And then the one with David.
There he was, green eyes dazzling looking illegally handsome in a tuxedo. Teri was beside him in a long black dress holding a violin. Maddie gaged her smile as "comfortably content." David's arm was around her waist with his fingers clinging to the fabric against her hip. The caption read, "Dr. Teri Knowles with companion David Addison celebrating a night of Scarlatti." He was even quoted.
"I'm mesmerized by her passion."
Passion?
The word ran over Maddie like a dousing of cold water. But he was talking about music, right? Not about the woman. Maddie realized she could make out the outline of Teri's baby bump under her dress. Any casual onlooker would think that was David's child. She thought about what she observed of them the night before outside the theater. Under the umbrella, smiling and laughing. It certainly didn't look like some glorified business arrangement. It looked a lot like a relationship.
A wave of nausea she wasn't sure was pregnancy-induced sent her running to the bathroom. She knelt in front of the toilet and braced herself.
"Yo, Maddie? You here?"
The surprise mercifully scared away the unpleasant inevitable. She gulped in a deep breath and with closed eyes, sat back against the cold tile wall. "Yeah, I'm here." Maddie called. "I'm in your bathroom."
David appeared in his office bathroom doorway dressed for the day looking down at her with panic in his eyes. "What the hell is going on? What are you doing in here?"
"Oh, you know. Four am, no better time than to catch up on business, right?"
"Any kind of business done in here, in your pajamas no less, could have been done at home." He brushed his hand against the side of her head. "You okay? Are you sick?"
"I'm fine. It's just a spell and it's not that bad." She wet a washcloth and held it over her forehead. "What are you doing here so early anyway?"
"I couldn't sleep so I went to your house. When you weren't there, I was afraid you went to Chicago again, but I thought I'd try here first before I hopped a plane."
"Haha."
David grabbed a cup from the medicine cabinet Maddie presumed to fill with water for her but even that sounded unappealing. She held up a preemptive hand. "That's okay, I'm fine. I have mints in my purse, I think. They usually help."
David responded with a scowl and a skeptical once-over.
"What?" she asked.
"It's pretty late in your pregnancy to be sick in the morning. You alright otherwise?"
"Of course."
"Even so, it's worth mentioning to the doctor. Don't you think?"
"I'm sure it's fine, David. I just need something to eat." With David's help she stood up and went back out to the desk. She realized everything was strewn about where she left it. Things she'd rather not have him see.
"So, what kind of business was so pressing to bring you here in the middle of the night?" He glanced down at the baby books and open notebook laying across his blotter. "Something in particular?"
The way he said it without any accusation made her realize the man still trusted her, which made her hate the situation even more. "No." she answered, thoughtfully unwrapping a mint she pulled from her purse and popping it into her mouth. "It's just, I couldn't sleep either, so I came in here early to work on the finances. I got the master ledger out of your desk. I wasn't going through your stuff or checking up on you. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all, boss."
This conversation held more weight considering they slept apart the night before because of secrets and things withheld. David slipped his hands in his pockets looking like he felt the strain of it. "And you're sure you're alright?" he asked.
"Sure."
He nodded and his throat bobbed in a hard swallow. "Are WE alright?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she spied the music program laying on top of the baby books and childbirth notes. It suddenly occurred to her that maybe this wasn't just something discarded into a forgotten drawer. Did he intentionally save it? Why? As far as she could tell it was garbage, but also a reminder of her own possessions she selfishly wanted to hold on to.
"Maddie?"
She walked back around the desk and put her arms around him. "Yeah, we're alright."
"I missed you last night," he whispered with his warm breath tickling her ear. "When I came to your house this morning. I wanted to crawl in bed with you, grab a few hours of sleep."
"You did?"
"Well, maybe sleep wasn't the first thing on my to do list."
"Mine either," Maddie thought and slipped her hands through his hair, ready to remind them both who and what really mattered in this mess. His parted lips were inches from hers, so she closed her eyes to meet them. Kissing David was something she could do for hours. The way he teased her with his tongue and caressed her chin with the pads of his fingers. She moaned and he chuckled in response.
"Is this my reward for showing up to work early?" David quipped with his mouth still on hers.
"Maybe."
"What's in those mints? I should buy stock in them."
"Shut up, Addison."
They were into it now. David kissed her neck, moving her backward toward his desk. Maddie unbuttoned his pants and felt for him inside them. He was ready and so was she. He pushed his lamp and clock aside and helped her up gently, then slid her nightgown up her thighs. "It's been a while since we've done this in here," he said with his forehead on hers. "A great way to start the workday."
Maddie agreed with a hungry kiss. "Should we close the door? What if Agnes or someone shows up early?"
David laughed. "It's 5am and this is Blue Moon. No one we employ is that ambitious."
Maddie secured herself in David's embrace. For as brash and rough as he could be, his tender touch could calm her most crippling anxiety. She relaxed against him, letting him ease her down onto the blotter. With one hand in her hair and the other caressing her hip, he slowly slipped inside her. "Feel Good?" he asked.
He gazed down at her with hooded eyes. Intensely green, familiar and clear with desire. She reached up and stroked his cheek. "Umm hmm."
There had to be something cosmic at work here. To feel this kind of intimate connection to a man, no matter the stresses or uncertainties that surrounded them in the world beyond. They shared a smile, moving together and in sync, tightly wrapped around each other like they couldn't get close enough. She urged him deeper, spreading her legs and raising her hips to meet him. Just as always, he sensed her need. He responded precisely, picking up his pace to please her.
How could she doubt this? How could he? In what cruel reality could this man not belong to her?
Suddenly, Maddie shuddered when a sharp pain shot through her core. She cried out and lurched forward, bracing herself on David's shoulders.
"Honey? You okay?"
Maddie caught her breath and rubbed the place on her belly where she felt the twinge. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a cramp, I think. It came out of nowhere."
"Are you sure that's all it was?" David covered her hands with his. "Seems like a pretty big one."
"I'm okay. Just startled me is all."
David gave a little nod and smoothed her nightgown back down over her. He rezipped and re-tucked but never took his eyes off of her. "We got to make sure you stay hydrated. We should start keeping bottled water in the office. Those little cups at the water cooler aren't enough."
"It's just a cramp, David. I'm sure it's happened to Teri when you've been around."
Maddie intended the insinuation in her statement. She didn't wait for a reaction. Instead, she moved around him and headed across to her own office.
"Has that happened before?" he asked, following behind her.
"Not while doing that."
"That's not what I mean. You haven't been in pain at all?"
"No. And it wasn't that painful. Like I said, it just surprised me is all.'
Maddie eased herself onto her office couch, propping her feet up and resting her hand on her belly. David stood over her, worry painted across his face. "You're about thirty weeks, right?
Thirty- two if she were to believe Dr. Hill. She looked up at him with one half-open eye. Now wasn't the time for elaboration. "Yeah, around there."
"Okay then, now that you're in the third trimester you should be seeing the doctor every two weeks, right? Have you transferred your records from your doctor in Chicago?"
"Of course, David." Maddie lied. The truth was she was dragging her feet touching base with Dr. Weed in Los Angeles, considering her last visit right before she left Chicago was such a disappointment. "I just haven't made an appointment yet."
"Well, we should go sooner rather than later. I would feel better."
Maddie took a deep breath and braced herself as another wave of nausea ran over her. "I know David. I promise." she managed. "I'll do it today."
"Good. We'll have Agnes block us out."
"That's not necessary. You don't have to go."
The couch cushion sagged when he sat down on the edge beside her and placed his hand over her belly. "It's not strange" he said. "There's always Dads in the doctor's office when I'm there."
Maddie regarded his hand now resting on hers. Their fingers intertwined and she hated how it felt to have him beside her but not truly hers to hold. "You've been with Teri to the doctor?" she asked softly.
David hesitated like he didn't want to answer. "I'm her partner, Maddie."
The use of the word "partner" hit her almost as hard as "passion." Maddie pulled her hand out from underneath his and rolled away from him as best she could. "I'll take care of it, David."
It wasn't like she expected Teri to just disappear. David made a commitment to this woman. What kind of man would he be if he walked away? Commitment. Another word that was now applicable in an unwanted context. "I think I just want to rest a bit now, if you don't mind." Maddie said into the pillow. "I'm really tired all of a sudden."
They both startled when they heard the outer office door open. It was an odd relief to hear Bert and Agnes's voices in mid-discussion.
"Agnes, this case is very high stakes for us and we knew Mr. Anselmo 's daughter was going to be in town. It's not my fault she walked around her apartment naked all night!"
"That's the last time I go with you on a stake out," Agnes replied over the beeping of the rewinding answering machine at reception. "You told me it'd be fun, Bert. Maybe for you but not for me! What new information do you have anyway other than she needs to buy some curtains!"
"I was being thorough, My Love."
"You were being a pervert. We could have left hours ago. And don't think I don't know you have a fetish for red lace!"
David got up from the couch and went to the office door. "Hey guys you wanna keep it down? The Boss Lady is in here trying to catch some Z's..."
"I'm fine. I'm awake." Maddie swung her feet to the floor. "Ms. Dipesto, Mr. Viola we're in here!"
Bert and Agnes appeared in Maddie's office doorway, still in yesterday's clothes and looking as tired as Maddie now felt. "Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison? What are you two doing here so early?" Agnes asked.
"Same question," David laughed. "You two beating the morning traffic?"
"Overnight surveillance together," Burt said. "The Anselmos, remember?"
David leaned on the edge of Maddie's desk and folded his arms against him. "Ah yes, the daughter who likes to party is in town. All night assignment, huh?"
"Yeah, and some of us enjoyed it more than others," Agnes added.
Bert rolled his eyes. "We would have been done hours ago and in bed sleeping if we didn't want to finish our surveillance duties by this morning. Tonight is the only other night Miss Anselmo is in town and we won't be available because we have that…. "Bert rolled his arm in the air trying to come up with the word. "…thing for Ms. Knowles to go to."
Maddie blinked at the mention of Teri's name. "What thing for Ms. Knowles?"
No one answered. Instead, each looked at the other like they expected an explanation. Finally, David broke the silence. "Oh, I forgot Teri invited you both to that."
"What do you mean?" Bert asked. "You were standing right there at reception last week when she invited the whole office. You know that day she came in and you guys were looking at cribs and strollers…"
"I think she was just being polite." Agnes said quickly and directly at Maddie. "We don't have to go. In fact, I'm really tired so…"
"We can't just blow it off, Agnes." Bert told her. "Teri said she made reservations for all of us. The Palladium. The food is supposed to be excellent."
David, Agnes and Bert shared a look between them. Maddie felt excluded from what seemed like an inside joke. "It sounds like a wonderful evening." Maddie recovered. "I'm looking forward to meeting Ms. Knowles, too."
"You know what? How about you both head home and sleep in for a few hours and we can talk about this later?" David stood and ushered Burt and Agnes closer to the door.
"Great," Agnes said. "I'm just going to check the messages before I go."
"Good idea." Bert agreed. "We should all rest up. Ms. Knowles said the last one of these Mr. Addison wore her out with all the dancing."
"Bert…" Agnes tugged him toward the door.
"So maybe we can carpool? The five of us then?"
"Bert!" Agnes shouted. "Let's go!"
The office door closed behind them leaving David and Maddie where they were. He stood there in front of her desk, hands in his pockets and his eyes fixed on the floor.
"So, you got a hot date tonight, huh?" she asked.
David laughed softly with a tired smile. "It's not a date, Maddie. She's my friend and it's a work event and I'm going there to support her."
"A work event? They're all sorts of work appointments that I saw in your desk calendar in your office, but this wasn't on there at all."
"That's MY work schedule," he corrected. "Why would I have personal commitments on my work calendar?"
"So, it IS a personal commitment? Tell me, how many of those have you have while I was gone?"
The flash of red on his cheeks and the set of his jaw told Maddie she might have pushed him too far. In the 24 hours Maddie had known about this woman it was very apparent David was uncomfortable discussing her, it seemed to anyone. Why? It's not like she wanted to talk about Teri either but at the same time she couldn't know enough about her.
Maddie shook her head. "Look, I'm not really interested in semantics David. It's just I keep finding things out I get the feeling you never intended me for to know…"
"I wasn't keeping it from you," he cut her off. "I was going to tell you. In fact, Teri wants you to go. She's dying to meet you."
"And dance?"
David shrugged. "Well, there is music. It's a benefit for the Arts Board of Los Angeles. Food, drink, entertainment. That kind of thing."
He said it like it was old hat. Like rubbing shoulders at society parties was his new crowd. And Teri was his "partner." With "passion." Who he'd made a "commitment" to. How many of these things had he been with her to anyway? "I understand the type of party you mean,' she managed. "I'll try to find something to wear. That's so nice of the two of you to let me tag along.
"Oh, come on, Maddie."
Maddie pushed up off the couch and went over to her desk. The cramp in her side was still there but had dulled. Still, she carefully eased herself into her desk chair. "So does everyone just know her here now?"
"The office knows that she is helping me prepare for our own kid's birth, yeah." David said firmly with a nod to Maddie's stomach. "It's not like I'm parading her around like she's my girlfriend.
"So, you planned on telling me about tonight?"
"Of course, but forgive me, I was a little sidetracked this morning by what just happened in my office. You are going to make that doctor's appointment today, aren't you?"
Maddie nodded. "Yeah, I'll do that first thing."
"Do you want me to take you home? Maybe go back to sleep? I'll come back here and hold down the fort."
The conversation felt over, but Maddie was still filled with questions. But she was too tired to negotiate any of them, so she let it all drop. "No, I'll just nap in here. The couch is comfortable and I have a change of clothes in the closet. I'm fine." She rubbed her belly. "The baby's fine."
A soft knock at the door interrupted them. Agnes peeked her head in and held out a yellow slip of paper. "I'm sorry but I got a message from Mrs. Amselmo. Some kind of secret meeting is going on at the daughter's apartment. I guess the shady boyfriend is back to meet up. They want someone to follow him."
"I told you we left too early, Agnes!" Bert yelled from the outer office behind her.
David took the paper and rolled his eyes. "I'll take care of it. You and Bertie can head home."
"Sounds good," Agnes gave a little wave and headed out the door.
David didn't follow. Instead, he lingered with his hand on the knob. Finally, he turned and faced Maddie. "I'll go do this then I'll come right back," he said with a tone of apology. "You need anything, please beep me."
"Fine," she replied simply.
"Fine. I promise I won't be gone long."
"Good." Maddie said to the closed door and went to the couch to lay back down.
At 2pm, David hopped off the elevator cursing the damn Anselmos for wasting more of his time. He hadn't intended on being out of the office that long. In fact, his goal was to be in and out of the obstetrician with Maddie by lunch and take the afternoon off with her before the party that night. But just like everything else in their lives in the past six months, nothing was going as planned. He breezed through the Blue Moon door and waited at reception. Agnes was in mid-rhyme with the phone cradled on her shoulder, mail in one hand and her pointer finger up on the other indicating for him to wait.
"What's up?" David asked when she hung up.
"Plenty. The Waldorf case needs a follow up, the Hoover's check bounced, Mr. Melhoff just called from jail and your brothers in your office."
David blinked, trying to process the overload of information, none of which was important to him. "Where's Maddie, she's still asleep?"
"No, she's been gone the whole time you've been. She went to the doctor."
"Wait a minute. How come nobody told me?"
"I was going to beep you, but she told me not to. She said it was no big deal. Routine."
David thought about that for a moment, deciding if he should be annoyed. "Where is she now? She go home to rest?"
"No, she went shopping for something to wear for tonight. She had me make her a hair appointment, too."
David thought about all that had transpired in the last 24 hours and this bizarre triangle that had materialized that shouldn't have. He hated that he missed that doctor's appointment that for whatever reason, he had a bad feeling about.
"Mr. Addison, did you hear me tell you that your brother's in your office?"
"Oh yeah," he scratched his head. "What's he doing here?"
Agnes shrugged. "Not sure. Just a social call, I think. He and Miss Hayes chatted before she left though."
"Hmm… thanks Agnes."
David headed into his office. Ritchie was sprawled across the couch with the TV on and the remote in his hand. There was an open bag of Pork Rinds and a popped beer on the floor beside him. "Baby bro! You're back!"
"What'd ya doing here, Rich?"
"Just visiting from Philly. Thought I'd stop by and see my Blue Moon friends." He swung his feet to the floor and smirked at David. "The blonde is looking a little bigger than usual. That your handiwork?"
David couldn't help but smile. He realized it was the first time he'd acknowledged to anyone he was going to be a father and it felt good. Any small details that might derail that felt unimportant. "Yeah, pretty cool huh?"
"Wow, she let you do that to her?"
"Wasn't exactly planned."
Ritchie stood and they shook hands. "Congratulations. I've always wanted to be a fun uncle."
"You guys chatted though I hear?"
"Not very long. She was on her way to the doctor. She ok?"
David eyed him curiously from his perch on the edge of his desk. He folded his arms against himself. "Why, did she not seem OK?"
"Well, I just thought pregnant women were supposed to be glowing. Don't get me wrong the woman's gorgeous and believe me I think about her in ways I shouldn't, but she looked a little peeked when she left here."
"Yeah, she wasn't feeling that great this morning."
"Hey man, don't worry. I'm sure she's fine." Ritchie knocked his brother on the shoulder. "Can't blame her for feeling a little woozy when she's hauling around your useless spawn. So you gonna make an honest woman out of her?"
David shrugged. "I'd like to."
"Good answer. So that means you should probably cancel your date for tonight."
David chuckled. "How in holy hell did you know about that?"
"You're not the only one with detective skills in the family."
"Seriously. Maddie tell you?'
Ritchie sat himself in David's chair and propped his feet up on the desk. "No. I was chatting it up with Bert and Agnes while I was waiting for you. They said everybody in the office today was leaving early for some shindig for your girlfriend tonight. There may have been other details. I stopped listening after 'free food and drink'."
"Of course, you did."
"So can I go? I could stand to be fed and watered but also, I'm a little curious how the hell you knocked up one woman and are going on a date with another in the same room and everyone thinks that's normal."
David turned to look him in the eye. "It's not a date and she's not my girlfriend. Teri's my Lamaze partner. It's kind of like a business arrangement…"
"You mean Lamaze like childbirth? She's pregnant too?"
"Yep."
Ritchie shook his head. "Wow, this place just gets weirder and weirder."
David couldn't disagree. "Look, as crazy as it sounds, I want everything to go smoothly. We're all going together and yes, you're welcome to come. Go dig yourself up a tux and we'll see you at the Palladium at 6. Sound good?"
"Great! I knew I could depend on you!" Ritchie stood and headed for the door. "And I want you to know that you can come talk to me about things. You know, like if you're ever in a jam."
"I'm not in a jam."
Ritchie scratched his temple. "Kind of sounds like the makings of one…"
"Goodbye, Rich…"
The men were interrupted by the ringing phone. David's private line. He smiled to himself assuming it was Maddie calling about her doctor's visit. He reached across his desk and answered without a greeting. "Hey, how was the doctor?"
"Hey yourself! I didn't go to the doctor today."
David adjusted, realizing it was Teri on the other end of the line. He cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly at his brother. "Oh hi…sorry. I just thought you were…what's up? You okay? You all set for tonight and everything?"
"Actually, that's why I'm calling. I know we said we would drive separately since I had to be there early to organize the set-up, but I need you to pick me up. My car won't start."
David laughed. "I guess it doesn't matter if that heap of yours fits everything if it doesn't run."
"Very true, Addison," Teri agreed. "I know its last minute and I know you're busy with the Anselmos..."
"It's fine. What time?"
"Like Five? Drinks at 6:00. Dinner at 7:00"
"Which reminds me." David looked again at Ritchie then sat back down in his chair. "My brothers in town…"
"You mean, Ritchie? Yay!" Teri exclaimed. "I'm dying to meet him. You make him sound like such a lunatic."
David sighed with relief when she sounded genuinely excited. "Thanks Teri."
"So, this is a big night for me. I'm getting an award, I'm meeting your brother and of course the highlight of the evening, I'm coming face to face with the amazing Blue Moon Girl. I'm sort of star struck. I'll bring my autograph book."
"She'll be flattered."
"And she won't be mad that I'm using her date for a lift to the party?"
David laughed. "Nope. And remember, the Blue Moon Girl isn't the center of attention tonight.
"Thanks Addison. I'll see you in a few hours then?"
"You bet."
David hung up the phone. When he leaned back in his chair, he was aware his brother was staring. "What?"
"You flirt with all your "business arrangements" like that?" Ritchie winked and made air quotes.
"What do you mean? I wasn't flirting."
"The Blue Moon Girl won't be the center of attention tonight…" he mimicked in a deepened voice. "You're playing with fire, my friend."
"Shut up." David picked the phone back up and tried Maddie's home number. No answer. He cursed and hung up.
"Problem?" Ritchie asked.
David considered the question a moment honestly not sure of there was one. "Listen, I have to go but I'll have Agnes keep trying the house. If I give you the BMW, can you pick Maddie up and meet us there?"
Ritchie rubbed his hands. "Yup, and we'll be there with bells on."
"I gotta head out and get myself ready before I get Teri." David hopped up and headed for the door, handing his brother the BMW keys on the way by. "And remember don't get Maddie upset or excited or anything."
"I believe that's your department," Ritchie quipped. "Oh, and Dave, all kidding aside, you know how I feel about your beautiful Baby Mama and I'm super proud of you bro. And you know I'm happy to keep her company this evening if you're otherwise occupied."
"Believe me, I'm taking good care of her…"
"Dave, I'm being serious."
David stalled in the doorway pausing at his brother's suddenly serious tone. "What?"
"Be careful, man. You're talking about your future wife and kid here. Don't fuck this up."
Maddie sat on the examining table feeling chilled in her paper gown. Doctor Weed was a nice woman, but she tended to be long-winded. Not that Maddie was in a hurry, she just didn't want to be there. She already knew everything that was important. Eat well, sleep a lot, don't overexert herself, and the baby wasn't David's.
Dr. Weed tossed her blonde ponytail over the shoulder of her whitecoat and studied the papers on her clipboard. "I've gone over all your records sent from Doctor Hill in Chicago," she said. "He's very thorough. We normally don't do ultrasounds before 18 weeks but you've had two in the first trimester. Including chromosomal screening..."
"Yes. He said they were very comprehensive."
"But not always correct," Dr. Weed emphasized. "You should know the earlier the screening tests are performed the less accurate they are. That said, it's good to be proactive. Especially since you're considered advanced maternal age."
Maddie rubbed her belly and sighed. "I was told that. Thanks for reminding me.
"So, then you should also know that you're at risk for a few things. Gestational diabetes, water retention. I'm noticing that your blood pressure is creeping up. It's not in the dangerous range but the point is that we don't want to get there. Have you had any discomfort? Headaches or vision changes?"
Maddie thought about that morning with David. "I get cramps every once in a while, and I'm tired a lot. But that's all normal, right?"
Dr Weed scribbled something on her paper. "Keep track of these cramps and let me know immediately if they intensify. I'm going to suggest that you take it easy. I'd like you to come back next week for a blood pressure check too and if it stays where it is, we might have to talk about bed rest.
"Bed rest?"
"Maybe. In the meantime. Take note of any dizzy spells, sudden nausea. If others can drive you around that would be good. Anything to alleviate stress."
Dr. Weed rattled off instructions about prenatal vitamins and the importance of rest and relaxation. Maddie wondered how she would manage to decompress considering she was heading to a party in honor of David's girlfriend.
"The ultrasound of the baby looks good. Healthy and growing. How is your husband with all of this?"
The word "husband" hit her funny, but she noted not in a bad way. Maddie realized she'd taken most of her jewelry off like most pregnant women do when fighting water retention. Not that she had a wedding ring to rid herself of… "He's over the moon." Maddie said because it was some kind a version of the truth. "He's going to be a wonderful father."
"You're very lucky."
Were they?
Maddie headed home to dress and touch up her makeup. She'd splurged on getting her hair done but wondered if it really mattered when she looked at herself in her bedroom mirror. Wearing a white dress wasn't the most slimming color this stage in her pregnancy, but at least the halter top and bare-shoulder cut of it was flattering. Her hair was swept up the way she knew David liked it and she wore a pair of earrings he'd gotten her one year for Christmas. What was she doing? Wasn't she supposed to be letting go of this man? But here she was dressing for him and he wasn't even her date.
The doorbell rang and her heart skipped like she was meeting her high school crush. She carefully hustled down the stairs and answered the door. The tuxedo-clad man on the other side was not who she was expecting. "Ritchie?"
"Hey, Boss!" He handed her a bouquet of roses and kissed her on the cheek on his way in. "Great news. You're trading up for the better Addison model this evening."
"What do you mean? Where's David?"
Ritchie looked her over and whistled. "Wow! Looking Good, Blondie. You wear "baby" well. My little bro's a lucky man."
Maddie couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, but where is he? We're supposed to go to the Palladium for the Los Angeles Arts Endowment…"
"That's the thing, he had to go pick up this Teri Lamaze girl. I'm not sure what the problem was but it was unavoidable I guess, and I'm here to bring you to the party." He pointed in the direction of the living room. "May I make myself a cocktail before we go? I'll have one for you, too. I'm sure you wouldn't mind."
"Bottoms up." Maddie followed behind him. "You look nice in a tux and everything."
"Well, I have to match my beautiful date." He poured a scotch for himself and a mineral water for Maddie and handed it to her. "All kidding aside, I don't blame you if you're a little pissed with the old bait and switch."
Maddie felt a twinge of anger but she tried to recover quickly. "Oh no, it's fine. I suppose he is her companion for the evening and if she had an emergency, that's nice of him to come to her aid."
"Wow that's very magnanimous of you. I almost believe your sincerity."
"And I enjoy your company anyway." They shared a smile and took sips of their drinks.
"So, this party tonight." Ritchie said. "You met this Teri girl?"
"No, have you?"
"Nope. But Davey filled me in today. I gotta admit, I don't know the particulars, but how you and David find yourself in these crazy situations, I have no idea."
"Where have I heard that before?" Maddie grumbled.
"Oh, well. Screw the both of them. All I know is I intend to show you a good time tonight." Ritchie put both their glasses on the end table and swooped Maddie in his arms to dance. "The three of us will cut a rug and we can eat our weight in surf and turf."
"Sounds good."
They were headed out the door when the phone rang. Maddie debated letting it go before shuffling back into the living room and answering. "Hello?"
"Oh Miss Hayes! Thank God!"
"Bert?"
"Miss. Hayes, I know you're probably on the way to Ms. Knowles thing, but I have a problem. An emergency. It's the Anselmo's."
She sighed. "What's going on with them now?"
"I don't have time to explain. I'm at The Palladium. The same place as Ms. Knowles event but in a banquet hall on an adjacent floor. I have a lead on Miss. Anselmo's boyfriend. I just have to get into his private party."
"Okay, well. Mr. Addison is there…"
"I can't find him. I sent Agnes to keep looking."
Maddie rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'm on my way but I don't know what I can do to help…."
"If you could bring an extra pair of pantyhose that would be great. And maybe a lipstick? The shade I have isn't working with this dress..."
"What?"
The line went dead and Maddie hung up. Ritchie came up behind her. "Everything okay?"
"I have to go dig through my lingerie for a pair of maternity pantyhose for Bert. And he needs lipstick, too. I wish I knew what color dress he was wearing."
Ritchie chuckled and poured himself another drink. "Of course, you do."
Maddie headed up the stairs mentally scanning her selection of lipsticks. She had a feeling this evening had Blue Moon madness written all over it.
The Palladium was a to-die-for venue. Marble, crystal, velvet décor. Fine dining with an even finer wine selection. Maddie held Ritchies arm as he led her into the lobby. She recognized people from her days attending the society parties. People with money looking to spend it on great talent and influence like Doctor Teri Knowles, music extraordinaire.
Maddie hated all of it.
"Perfect timing." Ritchie said rubbing his hands together when he saw an h'orderve platter pass by. "Looks like we're gonna be well fed. Let's go tell David we're here."
"Pssst! Pssst!"
Maddie startled and turned toward the row of plants where the sound seemed to have come from. Out from behind a Ficus came a short stocky woman in a red lace get-up who looked an awful lot like Herbert Viola in drag.
"Oh my God, Miss Hayes thank God you're here! I have a problem."
"Just one?" Maddie blurted, giving him an incredulous once-over. "What the hell are you doing dressed like that?"
"That crazy Anselmo guy is having a Bachelor party."
"And don't tell me you're the entertainment."
Bert shrugged. "Well… not yet."
When Ritchie burst out in laughter, Maddie smacked him in the gut. "How the hell did this happen," she demanded in a loud whisper. "And on what planet did you think this was a decent cover?"
"The details are unimportant. The fact is, is that the party is in adjacent banquet hall. I just wanted to let Agnes know I couldn't make the Teri thing."
"And you showed up like this?"
"What choice did I have?" Bert nodded to Maddie's purse. "Did you bring the reinforcements?"
"Yes, right here." Maddie pulled out a wad of nylon and a cranberry lip color. "Have you seen David?"
"From a distance in the lobby. He and Ms. Knowles were chatting with guests and posing for pictures. It's cocktail hour now. I feel so bad leaving Agnes alone. MaGillicutty better not get any ideas."
Ritchie took a deep breath as if trying to compose himself. "Good luck man, but I gotta ask, how drunk are those dudes you're dancing for because you could use another layer of makeup over that stubble."
"He's right." Maddie ran a finger down Bert's cheek. "Something more full coverage."
Bert felt his face in horror and looked up at Maddie with panicked eyes. "Please help me, Miss. Hayes. This seems right up your alley."
A burst of applause startled the three of them. They all turned in the direction of camera flashes and the center of everyone's attention.
There David stood, gorgeous as ever wearing a tuxedo and a confident smile. Clean shaven, his hair perfectly styled, and Maddie could imagine how amazing he must smell. In spite of herself she took a deep breath as if to take him all in, but she almost choked on her exhale when she saw the woman beside him.
Teri.
Short, attractive, and despite the flattering black maternity dress looking very pregnant. Her dark hair was swept up sweetly with curly tendrils framing her smiling face. She looked up at David and he reached for her hand to pull her beside him. Everyone seemed to want a picture of the happy couple.
"So that's Davey's date, huh?" Ritchie nodded appreciatively. "Cute."
"Yeah, she is." Bert agreed. "I wouldn't mind borrowing her earrings."
Maddie didn't know what to think. How to feel. The man she loved was literally in front of her in another woman's arms. The jolt of jealousy zipped through her. As ludicrous as this scene was, Maddie knew she was the one who created it. She was the one who left him. Didn't speak to him for months. She didn't even tell him about the baby, even when there was a notion he might be the father. Yet there he was trying to make the best out of a terrible situation she created.
The happy couple shook hands and offered smiles and led the crowd into the bar for cocktail hour. As much as Maddie wanted to stake her claim and go with David, she felt horribly like an outsider. This was Teri's night and by extension, David's also. It was nice of them to offer an invitation but being a third wheel was something she couldn't stomach.
"Let's go, Bert." Maddie took him by the arm. "Ritchie and I will make you over. I'll do your makeup myself."
"What the hell do you need me for?" Ritchie asked. "Surf and Turf won't eat itself!"
"Someone has to be the lookout by the ladies room."
Ritchie rolled his eyes. "Come on Maddie, I was hoping for some action tonight. Women will think I'm a pervert or something."
"I'm sure it won't be the first time," Maddie shoved both men in the direction of the bathroom. "Let's go you two."
David stood at the bar with one hand wrapped around a gin and tonic and the other draped around Teri's 8-month pregnant waist. In front of him was a sea of well-dressed, rich partygoers a couple cocktails deep into celebration mode. Maddie was nowhere to be seen. He glanced at his watch and observed the people moving into the dining room to begin dinner. Ritchie should have had her there by now.
"Don't worry, Addison. She'll be here."
David looked down at Teri's smiling face and smiled back. "It's just that Ritchie is the least responsible person I know. I shouldn't have trusted him with her."
"Maddie's a grown woman capable of taking care of herself." Teri rubbed his back to calm him. "I'm sure everything is fine."
Then why was every instinct within him telling him it wasn't? Again, he looked at his watch. "It's 6:30. She should have been here a half hour ago." He signaled for the bartender to bring him a phone. "She wasn't feeling well this morning, and she went to the doctor this afternoon. I haven't seen her since, and our signals keep crossing."
Teri frowned at him. "Well, you didn't tell me that part. Why didn't you go with her to the doctor?"
David dialed the phone but got Maddie's answering machine. He cursed and hung up.
"You know you could have told me to take a cab," Teri said.
David made a face. "I wasn't going to do that to you."
"You got to play this smart, David. You finally got her back…"
"And she's going to have to understand that I made a commitment to you." David took a quick sip of his vodka tonic then made a mental note to keep his voice down. "I told you I'd be here and I am."
Teri smiled. "I appreciate that, but I also have to remind you that "Martyr" was not under your job description."
"I'm not looking at it as a job."
For a moment they just looked at each other. "Job" maybe wasn't the right word to describe their collaboration but what was? Was there a definition? The spell was broken when Teri flinched and sat down on a bar stool.
David gave her a once over as she ran her hand over her stomach. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just a cramp. I've been having them on and off all day."
David took a long gulp of his drink and thought about it for a moment. "Wait a minute. What do you mean by on and off…"
"Mr. Addison, there you are!" Agnes and Jamie slipped through the crowd, each looking glamourous in cocktail dresses and their long dark hair in updos. They both seemed panic stricken when they finally reached them at the bar. "Mr. Addison, we've been looking everywhere for you!" Agnes gasped.
Teri laughed. "You've known him much longer than I have, and you didn't think to look for him at the bar first?"
"It's the Anselmos," Agnes explained. "Somethings happening with the daughter's boyfriend. There's some party on the 2nd floor and Burt is dressed in Miss Hayes underwear dancing for a roomful of international businessmen."
Teri shook her head and took a drink of her soda water. "Just another day at Blue Moon."
"What are you talking about, Agnes?" David gave a quick glance of the crowd. "Is Maddie here?'
"No, I told you. She's upstairs with your brother showing Bert her underwear. What should we do?"
"Yow!"
Everyone in close proximity gasped and took a step back from the gush of water that hit the floor. Teri just stood there with her hands around her stomach and an embarrassed smile on her face. "Oops."
"Oh my Gosh!" Agnes gasped. "Did your water just break?"
Teri looked around nervously. "Um, it looks that way."
"Yay!" Agnes clapped her hands together. "So that means the baby is coming! Like right now! This is so exciting!"
"And urgent," David warned. "Let's talk about it on the way to the hospital." He scooped Teri up against him and walked her through the crowd. "Excuse us everyone! Lady having a baby!"
The crowd parted to make way for David and the guest of honor clutching his tuxedo lapels for dear life. People offered their well wishes for mother and child. For the father too, and David felt no use in correcting them.
"Oh my God, how did this escalate so fast?" Teri panted, barely making it out the front door of the venue. "I thought labor was supposed to take hours."
"It's sounds like it has been. You didn't think those cramps you were having on and off today were contractions?"
Teri scowled at him. "You're a coach not a judge, Addison. Can you just find a car please?"
"On it." David signaled to the sky cap and when the limousine pulled up, they piled inside. Teri lay with her head on his shoulder and her hand wrapped in a death grip around his knee. "You okay?"
"Dandy. Roll down the window please David.' Teri said through gritted teeth. "I need fresh air."
"Will do." Outside the window people were lined up at the curb watching them drive away. It occurred to him that he hadn't left word with Maddie and God only knew what she was doing with Ritchie, Bert and the damn Anselmos. Agnes would relay the emergency. She'd have to understand.
Or maybe Agnes wouldn't have to. Among the crowd he spotted his brother and Maddie. Along with everybody else they were watching the limousine pull away. He leaned out the half-open window to say something, but Teri grabbed him before he could form words. "Oh my God, I think I'm having this baby right here."
"You're kidding!"
"Does it look like I am?"
The question wasn't meant to be argued. Instead, he leaned forward and grabbed the driver's shoulder. "Haul ass, man or else you're gonna have one big mess back here."
The wide-eyed driver nodded and gunned it in the direction of the hospital.
"Geeze, Maddie what's the rush? We could have at least grabbed dinner to go."
Maddie hauled Ritchie by the arm to the BMW waiting by the curb. Bert was following behind them as fast as he could in his ill-fitting stilettos. "Come on you two," Maddie called. "They're getting away!"
"Getting away?" Ritchie laughed. "Is this a chase?"
They all piled in the car, Ritchie at the wheel and Bert in the back. Maddie braced herself for a bumpy ride in the passenger seat. She grabbed Ritchie's leg and pressed it to the accelerator. "Hurry up, Ritchie! Pedal to the metal!"
"Pedal to the metal?" Ritchie repeated incredulously as he peeled away from the curb. "We don't have anything to do with Teri's baby."
"That's not the point, Ritchie. Don't you want to be there to support David?"
He shrugged. "Not really. But I guess I am a little curious about how this little soap opera will play out."
Maddie rolled her eyes. "I think you're the only one who cares at all about that."
"I don't think that's true Miss Hayes." Bert sat in the back seat staring out the back window. "It looks like most of Blue Moon is caravanning behind us and O'Neill's holding the money for the pool."
"What pool?" Maddie asked.
"Odds on Teri's baby." Bert said. "You know, what sex it'll be, what day it's born. I put $20 on a girl six days from now. I don't suppose this is false labor."
Maddie turned to look at Viola, still in drag and, thanks to her, flawless makeup. "I don't suppose you brought a change of clothes with you?"
Ritchie swerved and all three braced themselves. The limousine sped forward, weaving through traffic until finally turning a corner out of sight. "Man, they're going fast." Bert observed. "Must be super urgent. Mr. Addison has to be freaking out right about now."
Maddie clung to the "oh shit" handles and pumped her right foot to the ground as if she were driving the car herself. "Faster, Ritchie! Don't lose them!"
"It's not like we don't know where they're going." Bert said. "Doesn't matter when we get there."
The men laughed and Maddie hated they were right. But what if it did matter? The more time they spent alone together, the more time spent falling in love. Maybe they had already. Maddie again grabbed Ritchie's knee and pressed down. "Just drive, Ritchie!"
"Ok! Ok!" t accelerated through a yellow light. "Geeze, don't tell me you're going into labor too!"
They zipped through a roundabout at the emergency entrance of the hospital. Ambulances lined the curb, blocking the view of wherever the limousine disappeared to. Ritchie nodded to the attendants ahead. "We should park in the garage."
"I don't think we have enough time." Maddie hopped out of the car. "I'll meet you both inside."
"Wait a minute, Maddie." Ritchie yelled through the open window. "Be careful, will ya? You're on my watch!"
Maddie headed through the emergency entrance, pushing through paramedics and patients in wheelchairs and stretchers. Ritchie was right. What was the rush anyway? What was she going to do when she got in there? Help deliver the baby? Interrogate the woman? Inspect the child to make sure it wasn't David's?
She turned a corner and followed the maternity ward signs. A few curious glances from passersby made her realize that she looked pregnant enough to be in labor herself. Maddie rubbed her belly. Her head ached and her back hurt. The heels that she thought were sensible were now vice grips on her feet. She was supposed be taking it easy. Trying to manipulate a situation like this was proving to be the opposite of that.
The muffled sound of newborn cries alerted her she'd reached her destination. Three nurses sat at a station in front of her. A young blonde one stood and looked at her with a wrinkled brow. "Can I help you, Miss? Are you in labor?"
Maddie realized she probably looked like she could use some attention. The journey to get there left her breathless and spent. "No. I'm fine. I'm here for someone else. Teri Knowles."
"Oh right! You two must have come from the same party!" The nurse pointed down the hall behind her. "Down this corridor. On the left."
"Thanks."
"Miss, are you sure you're okay? You look a little flushed. We can check you out while you're here."
"Truly, I'm fine." Maddie assured her and headed down the hall.
All the doors were closed and for a moment Maddie took it as a sign. That this was an overstep. That she should retreat into the waiting room where the rest of the Blue Moon calvary would probably end up and not look like an obsessive woman trying to manipulate a situation she had no right to. She was about to when she heard David's voice on the other side of a cracked door. With held breath she gently pushed it open.
It was nothing she wanted to see.
David, peering down at the forlorn woman in the bed with a kind gentle gaze Maddie thought was meant only for her. Teri clutched his hand seemingly for dear life, while David stroked her hair with the other. The moment looked so intimate. The way their eyes met, their whispers of encouragement. Their touch was casual and comfortable.
Maddie bit her lip to stifle a sudden sob. When did this all happen and how could she be dumb enough to let it? She didn't belong there. This wasn't her scene. She took a step back and leaned against the wall. Where would this go now?
"There you are, Maddie! We went all over the hospital looking for you!"
Maddie nodded and tried to discreetly wipe away a stray tear that escaped. ""Oh, I'm sorry. I should have waited for you."
Ritchie came closer and gave her a concerned once-over. "You okay?"
"Of course." Maddie forced a smile. "David and Teri are in there. You know, it's very emotional and I'm hormonal."
"You're sure?"
She couldn't say anymore. Besides, she could tell by Ritchie's expression he wasn't buying what she wasn't selling that well. He moved around her and peeked in the door himself. Maddie regarded his shocked expression. "What is it?" she asked.
"Wow, I didn't realize he was that up close and personal."
"What do you mean?"
Ritchie looked on gape-mouthed and wide-eyed. Maddie's curiosity got the best of her, so she pushed her way into the room.
There David was standing at the end of the bed with a palm on each of Teri's knees coaxing her into a breathing pattern. Teri writhed in agony. She gripped the siderails of the bed like she was trying to keep herself aboard.
"Maddie? Ritchie?" David greeted, not necessarily warmly, with his eyes still fixed on Teri. "What are you guys doing in here?"
"Didn't want to miss the floor show." Ritchie quipped.
"Is this your brother?" Teri managed a smile as she panted through the rise of a contraction. "And you must be Maddie. I'm so sorry to be meeting you both like this… "
Again, Teri writhed in what looked like unbearable pain. Maddie was speechless watching David rub the side of the woman's thigh. "You're doing great, kiddo. Just keep breathing."
"Oh my God, the back labor!" Teri looked up at David with pleading eyes. "It's unbearable!"
"I'm sorry, honey." David brushed the sweat soaked hair from her brow. "Sit up and I'll rub where it hurts for you…"
Maddie's hands fisted at her sides watching his long fingers pass over her flushed skin. He was so gentle, so reverent. Not unlike the way he'd touch her.
"Come on," Ritchie cleared his throat and pulled on Maddie's hand. "How about we wait outside?"
"Yeah," David agreed. "And see if you guys can light a fire under the doctor."
Maddie wasn't sure what came over her, but a red-hot flash of anger held her where she was unable and unwilling to move. What right did this woman have? To swoop in and captivate David like she had. And what about David? Why had he pursued this so hard and forged such a deep connection?
"Maddie, come on," Ritchie repeated, this time from the doorway. "Let's give them a little space."
A little space? Was Ritchie kidding?
"A little space?" Maddie snapped. "You want me to give this man space? How much more exactly does he need? Space to do what? Space to do who?"
She knew David heard her by the way he rolled his eyes but that was the only indication of a response. She wanted a reaction! To be told she was wrong. Some kind of the Hayes Addison back and forth she was used to. "Maddie, can this wait?" David said calmly with his focus still on Teri. "We're kind of in the middle of something here."
"Yeah, I can see that. And what exactly am I in the middle of?"
"What are you even talking about?"
"This! Me! You and her! And Space? I did give you space David. Tons of it! Months of it, then here I am back in LA with my tail between my legs thinking I'd been wrong about your ability to grow up. To commit to me, and a child and a future. Looks like I was right after all!"
"Maddie, I can't do this now."
"So tell me, David. Is this your baby she's having? Are you two in love and planning a life together and waiting to break it to me easy? Pretend to be some stand up man while you lie to my face about her."
Teri looked up at her and then back at David before grabbing him by his tie. "Are you just gonna take this?"
David laughed. "I've been taking this for years." He stepped toward Maddie, stopping almost nose to nose. "Lying?" he shouted. "Seriously, what exactly am I lying about?"
"Tell me I'm wrong! Tell me again how this isn't what it looks like."
David shook his head. "This is crazy. YOU Maddie, are the one that ran off and left me hanging for months. I couldn't talk to you, I couldn't see you, but I tried every way possible to let you know how I felt. How am I lying here and now?"
"Do you love her?"
"How could he love me when he's crazy about you?" Teri yelled from the bed.
"Leave Teri out of this!" David snapped. "She has nothing to do with you and me!"
They all turned when Teri unleased a piercing scream. David rushed back to Teri's bedside and took her hand. "Hey, can someone get a doctor in here!" he yelled. "I think this baby is coming right now!"
Maddie stalked closer to make her point. "I can see it in your eyes, David. When you thought I wasn't watching, I could tell."
"Oh, please…"
"I don't hear you denying it!"
"He loves you!" Teri argued as best she could. "Like David said, I don't have anything to do with this!"
"Believe me, I don't blame you." Maddie said to Teri. "He's like a poison or a sickness you can't shake." "I know his MO. He sucks you in with his Addison charm and makes you think you're his center of attention but just when you think he's the real deal, reality slaps you in the face."
"You want reality? I'll give you reality." David again met her face to face. "You know what it feels like to think the woman you love is angling to keep his own child away from him."
"That's not what I was doing!"
"You weren't even going to tell me you were pregnant. Why would you hide something like that from me?"
"There was nothing to tell you, David!"
"How can you say that?"
"Because… maybe…you're not the father!"
Maddie blinked, surprised and her own words and stunned by Davids open mouth glare. "What?" David croaked.
Just like that a flood of medical personnel pushed by them into the room. David's gaze held hers until a nurse pulled him to the bed where he again took his position at Teri's bedside. She hadn't meant to tell him this way but there was a part of her that thought it made absolute sense. A crazy love triangle with deep secrets revealed. A lot like how it all started with Sam six months ago.
"Excuse me, Miss." An orderly touched her shoulder. "We need you to clear out and wait in the waiting room."
Maddie nodded and headed out the door. She couldn't look but she imagined David and Teri's perfect moment together. Bringing new life into the world. A moment she and David should be sharing but wouldn't be.
"Hey sis, where you going?"
Maddie moved around Ritchie and headed down the hall. "Anywhere else. This isn't my party."
"But Maddie, maybe you should wait…?"
"I think I've overstayed my welcome, don't you?"
Xxxxxxx
David closed his front door softly and stood there in the darkness trying to collect his thoughts. Maybe he'd heard her wrong. The delivery room was loud, they were angry. They couldn't have been more than fighting words anyway, could they? And why Maddie insisted Ritchie bring her to his apartment instead of her own house was yet another mystery. It made as much sense as finding her in the office that morning going through his desk.
How in Holy hell had this all happened?
David stepped into his bedroom but paused in the doorway. There Maddie was snuggled between his sheets, with her back to him and her hair spilling over her bare shoulder. When she was gone, sometimes he'd come home and picture her lying there just like this. He imagined kissing her senseless and burying himself inside her, letting her possess him in any way she wanted. That desire for her hadn't changed, he realized, but so many other things had. He watched her for a moment realizing that a few nights before Teri's head rested on the same pillow Maddie's was now.
"Yeah, I feel something back."
As much as he wanted to just crawl in bed beside her, this conversation couldn't wait until morning. Actually, it was many conversations, complications all coming to a single terrifying head.
When he reached out and brushed his fingers over her cool skin, he could feel her tense. "You're wide awake, aren't you?" he whispered.
Maddie slowly rolled over toward him. She wore one of those thin-strapped satin night gowns that were skimpy on her before but now with her fuller frame, was even more revealing. He averted his eyes. Her darkened nipples peeking out over the peach silk was a debilitating distraction. "How could you tell?" she asked in a voice deepened with both sleep and maybe sadness.
"Just a hunch. You're not one to snooze when there's unfinished business to attend to."
"We have unfinished business?"
He tossed the keys onto the nightstand, his coat on the chair and came back toward the bed. "You tell me, Blondie. You tell me."
Maddie smiled and so did he. At what he wasn't sure. Her hand emerged from under the sheet and hooked her fingers around his. "Long day," she said. "Congratulations, coach. I heard Teri had a little boy."
"Thanks."
"You look wonderful in your tux by the way."
David chuckled. Small talk. Six months' time and all that distance had done nothing to improve their communication skills. He sat down on the bed beside her and tried anyway. "You do know I did all of this for you. For us." He slid his hand over her belly. "In a few months, maybe we'll have our own little boy."
"But David…"
"How was the doctor today?" He forced a smile. If she was going to say anything he didn't want to hear, he wasn't ready for it yet. "Everything is okay, right?"
She sat up and rested her hands over his. "As good as it could be, I guess. My blood pressure is a little high. I'm supposed to take it easy."
"What? Why didn't you tell me that? You should have been home resting all night."
"Would you have preferred that?"
"What does that mean?"
David watched her closely as she eased herself off the bed and pulled open the drawer on the nightstand. She produced a black elastic hair tie David realized Teri had left there a few nights before. She hung it on her finger in front of him. "I feel like there is more to all of this that you're not telling me, David,"
"You say that after the bomb you dropped on me in the delivery room earlier?"
Maddie nodded as if accepting his jab and dropped the hair tie in his lap. "I'm sorry about that scene at the hospital. I was angry and I lost my head. It wasn't the time or the place. But when I saw you by that bed with Teri..."
"Maddie…"
"If you're keeping secrets to spare my feelings, you don't have to. It's not like when I left, I held any claim on you…"
"You really think I considered what we had a casual relationship?" David shook his head trying to squelch the hot anger building within him. "How? How would you get that impression."
"Please don't get mad, David."
"You really think after all the things we did and all the things we said, that I thought of us as some fling or affair?"
"David, please..."
"I was all in this from the beginning, Maddie! Hell, before the beginning! Where were you? You were the one who minimized what this was, how we felt about each other!"
"I'm not minimizing! It's the opposite of that!"
"What does that even mean?" Incredulous, David jumped up from the bed, grabbed her arms and looked her in the eyes. "What about that night in the laundromat? Remember? We were dancing and you were in my arms and you said you didn't want to end it…"
"Please stop yelling!"
"God Maddie, I thought we were committed to working on this!"
"Which is why all this hurts even more!" She shrugged off the grip and paced across the room. "What am I supposed to think, David! This morning, I find keepsakes of her in your desk and tonight I stumble upon her things. Next to your bed, no less."
"As long as we're being honest, Detective Hayes there was no 'stumbling upon.' You came here because you were looking for something."
"And I didn't have to look too hard, did I?"
They just stood there. Winded and red-faced. Like prized fighters between rounds. Nothing resolved, just more questions raised and him, resenting the corner she'd backed him into. "Okay, fine," he admitted through gritted teeth. "Yes, she was here. She just fell asleep."
"Please," Maddie scoffed. "A ready, willing woman in your bed? I doubt that's true."
"A very pregnant woman with a bad back and heartburn. Neither one of us had that on our minds."
"Do you love her?"
It sounded more like an accusation to him than a question. "God, Maddie, come on…"
"Don't lie to me, David."
He wouldn't. At least not about something as important as this. As angry as he was that she had to ask, somehow, when he looked at her none of the crimes between them mattered. His only focus was the sharp and strong need to prove his integrity to this woman, no matter what it took or who he lost in the process. "Maddie the truth is the feelings I have for her only made me clear about how much I love you." He realized as he spoke the words how honest they were. "You, Maddie. You. And that's the God's honest truth."
He expected some sort of relief in her expression. If she claimed to recognize his lies so well, he figured the truth would be obvious to her, too. Instead, her eyes narrowed when she splayed a challenging hand over his tightened chest. "What?" David whispered.
"I know you and what I saw between you and Teri," Maddie said with a tremble in her voice. "Tell me, if things were different and if I hadn't come back to Los Angeles, would you have pursued a relationship with her?"
"But Maddie…"
"Don't. Lie."
Her blue eyes had never been so intense as they were in that moment. He could barely bring himself to look in them. David fought the lump in his throat. He swallowed it hard and closed his eyes to release a bomb of his own. "Maybe."
He felt her hand slip away and when he opened his eyes, she'd placed it over her mouth to stifle a sob. His reflex was to wrap his arms around her to comfort her, but she backed away.
"Don't."
"Maddie, you're not understanding! You're asking me a hypothetical question. I'm telling you that maybe in a different time, a different place, a different universe! If I had never met you. If I didn't WANT you…!"
"The baby isn't yours, David."
The way she said it, with such simplicity and finality, made his heart stop. He shook his head like the words didn't hit right. "What?" he croaked.
"You wanted a different universe? There you go."
"Come on, honey you can't just say something like that to me because you're angry."
"I'm not saying it because I'm angry," Maddie wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm saying this because this is the medical reality."
"And you know this for sure?"
When she turned away from him, David lifted her chin with his fingers to look her in the eye. "Tell me to my face you know this for sure!" he demanded, more aggressively than he intended. "Tell me you know this beyond a shadow of a doubt!"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't!" she blurted. "My doctor in Chicago did a test. He said the date of conception doesn't line up."
"No." David shook his head. "No way. I don't believe it."
"I don't want to believe it either, but we have to!"
He threw his hands in the air wanting to throw something or throttle someone. The phone on the nightstand was in front of him so he hurled it against the wall.
"David, please stop!" Maddie shrieked with her hands over her ears. "I can't handle you being this upset."
How the hell could he not be? Not so much at her, but at the situation. The bad timing. Maybe it was his own damn fault, not "manning up" and getting rid of Sam before he crashed David's party. And what about Sam anyway?
David turned back to her and studied her closely. "Wait a minute. If you're so damn certain, why haven't you told Sam?"
"Excuse me?"
"If you were completely convinced the Spaceman was the father, you would have told him, right? Unless there was a small part of you that still believed he wasn't."
Maddie looked at him like the question confused her. He wasn't sure of the exact answer he was looking for either. "I'm not trying to hurt you," she finally said softly. "I love you and I want you to be happy. It's probably better this way anyway. A man like you can't be anchored by something like this."
"A man like me?" he repeated and couldn't help but laugh. "What am I? Some irresponsible, dumb bastard who would abandon his wife and his child?"
"When did we ever talk about marriage?"
"Why haven't we? Why didn't we?" David argued. "I wasn't the one who hopped a red-eye to Chicago to avoid the possibility!"
"That's not why I left!"
"I don't know if you're lying to me or to yourself, but I am telling you right now that if you can stand there and tell me with any kind of certainty that the baby you're carrying isn't mine, you're delusional!
Maddie grabbed her coat from the end of the bed and threw it on over her nightgown. "I can't get into this anymore tonight."
"Wait. What are you doing?"
"I'm going home." She pulled on her shoes and grabbed the car keys from the nightstand.
"You can't leave like this."
"Oh yeah? Watch me." Maddie rushed toward the door, but David jumped in her path before she could open it. She pushed against his chest with both open palms, but he didn't budge. "Get out of my way and let me go."
"No way. I'm not letting you drive home like this. Upset and tired."
"I can't stay here, can I?" Maddie looked over her shoulder and did a double take at the dark living room. A pained smile pulled at her lips. "Wow. You got a couch since I was gone. And a table and a lamp."
David was stunned by the sudden leap of her logic and change of tone. "Um, yeah," he shrugged. "I just figured it was time, I guess."
Maddie's eyes shifted back and forth and her mouth dropped open, like she was mulling something over to say. David tensed. What else could she possibly unleash on him? "What?" David asked.
Fresh tears welled in Maddie's eyes. "So, tell me David, the other night when Teri was here, where did you sleep? On the couch or in the bed with her?"
They just stood there, him literally with his back to the wall blocking her from walking out. David saw this question for what it was. A challenge that made him realize that she really didn't trust how he felt about her. He also sensed his entire future hinged on an acceptable answer.
"You slept with her in the bed, didn't you?"
David shook his head trying to coax his brain to come up with the best response. The truth was they hadn't slept together, but it wasn't innocent either. He remembered for a split second he considered it. They kissed, they touched but mostly just held each other and damn it, if felt good. Like cool water on a deep burn. The next morning when he woke up with Teri in his arms, he hated Maddie for it and resented himself even more for using the woman like a placeholder. A lesson he should have learned when he spent the night with Rita but for some reason needed the reminder. "Yes, I slept in the bed with her," he said with an unsteady exhale. "But I didn't sleep with her."
Maddie looked up at him, pale-skinned and expressionless with her hands still pressed against him. He braced himself, ready to be pummeled to the ground or smacked in the face. Instead, she surprised him by tucking herself against him as if in resignation. "If I could change things, I would," she said through muffled sobs. "You know that, right?"
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, resting his chin on the top of her head. Maybe he knew that. But change things how? No Teri? Sam back in the picture? Go back to Chicago? He felt like he now knew less about where they stood than the night she left him in the laundromat.
"David?"
The way she whispered his name made him weak-kneed every time. Even after everything, he doubted that would ever change. That meant something, right? Tears soaked through his shirt and gooseflesh bloomed under his touch. Why was everything so damn hard? Why did they have to fight so hard just to be happy?
"David?" she repeated.
He took her hand and led her back to the bedroom. "Come on."
"Come on, what?" she asked.
"You need a good night's sleep. Overtired and upset isn't good for your blood pressure. Yours or mine."
"But…"
David stopped her and held her face in his hands. As mad, confused, frustrated and exhausted as he was, he was determined to take care of her like he always had. "Honey, please," he whispered. "You broke my heart tonight. You could at least do me the courtesy of easing my mind by staying here."
This time, when he offered his hand, she took it and let him lead her back to bed. He helped her out of her coat and shoes and eased her back between the sheets. "Get some sleep," he said.
"I'll try."
David sat beside her gently rubbing her back like he knew she liked it. Funny how behind closed doors she never made a secret of how much she enjoyed his hands on her. That suited him just fine because he loved to touch her, and not necessarily sexually. It was the connection he craved and for her, it would unravel her most tightly wound moments. He hated to think that was slipping away. Just like everything else.
When he was sure she was asleep he eased himself up and headed toward the door. He looked her over one more time and shut off the light. He'd stay on the couch. He couldn't explain it, it just felt like he should.
