More [Picking up from scene in S4, E3]
By honeyblondenoggin
"Maddie, I know you wanted to sort through all this..."
David never gets to finish this sentence as he bursts through the doors of her bedroom. He stops dead in his tracks, surveying the clothes strewn about the chair of her dressing table and the open suitcase on her bed, overstuffed with clothes.
"David!" Maddie exclaims as she slides open the pocket door and exits her bathroom. "What are you doing here?"
"Just about to ask you the same question," David sneers as he glances over to the suitcase on her bed.
Maddie's eyes fill up with tears. "David, please!? Don't. I can't go eight rounds with you today."
David, still in the doorway of Maddie's bedroom, walks slowly towards her. "What's with all this? Maddie, what's going on?"
Maddie, looking utterly exhausted and pale, motions with her hand to stop. "David, I told you, I need to think. I'm confused. I have a lot to sort out, and I can't do that here."
David ignores her motion and tenderly puts his hands on her arms, "Maddie, what are you confused about? I love you. I think you love me." He shakes his head and continues, "What is it...?" David's voice trails off, and then, after a long pause whispers, "Talk to me."
Maddie, pushing away, "I can't. I can't think with you here. You don't understand."
David, pulling her closer. "Make me understand!"
Maddie dramatically extracts herself from David's embrace. "This! I have to get away from this! We are like two magnets, and I don't like how helpless I feel."
She sits down on the chair near the foot of her bed. Now, from a safe distance away, Maddie continues, "David, I know you're trying to help. And I know this seems terribly unfair. I wish it was as easy for me as it is for you - but it's not. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I don't have the words to describe how I have been feeling. And yes, some of those feelings, maybe most of them, have been about you - but not all of them. I'm so confused about what's going on with me, the direction of my life. I wasn't given the opportunity to choose for myself before, you know, with Sam, so I am taking that opportunity now. I know this is a big ask, but if you love me like you say you do, you'll give me this space."
David is taken aback, retaining none of Maddie's words except for one. - "Sam?"
"This is still about Sam? What, are you going back to him?"
Maddie Is exasperated. "David! It's not about a choice between you and him. THAT is one thing I am sure about, I don't want to marry Sam. But - I do want more with my life, about what he was offering."
Maddie looks down at her feet and starts to cry. "I don't know what this is, but I need more. I just can't define what more is yet. That's why I need to get away and think."
David kneels before Maddie and wipes a tear from her cheek. "I can give you more, Maddie. I WANT to give you more! How can I make you understand?"
He lets out a big sigh, covering his face with his hands.
Then, as if he's received a revelation, he lifts his head and takes Maddie's hands in his.
Gently, David continues," You want more Maddie? You've got it. You've got my everything."
Maddie looks into David's wild green eyes, glistening with his own tears and shining bright like diamonds.
"Marry me."
Maddie didn't know it until she heard those two words slip past his lips, but they made her heart leap for joy. Oh, how she wanted to exclaim "yes!" to his proposal! In a way, that would calm her restless heart and give her the "more" she was aching for.
But simultaneously, she felt guilt and shame, because she had a sinking suspicion that something was on the horizon that would change how David felt about her forever.
In that moment, Maddie needed to be anywhere else besides right there, staring into David Addison's soul, the air thick with his proposal.
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The Morning After ( the laundry mat ) by lisamichelle
David's mind raced as he tossed and turned, unable to shake off the feeling of unease he had since his so called date with Maddie last night. Her distant demeanor at the laundry mat lingered, haunting him. Why had she seemed so unhappy? And why wouldn't she talk to him about it ?
The next morning, David's concerns only deepened. He learned about Agnes and Bert's blossoming relationship, and a pang of envy struck him. Why couldn't things be as simple as that for him and Maddie he wondered.
As the hours passed, David's worry grew. Maddie was late, and that was very unlike her. He tried to focus on work, but his mind kept drifting back to her.
After waiting all morning for her to arrive, David told Agnes he'd be back and headed to Maddie's house. His heart quickened as he approached her door. He knocked, and when there was no answer, he let himself in with the key she had given him.
"Maddie , it's me." He called.
The responding silence was deafening.
"Maddie, are you okay?" he yelled a little louder. David's mind began to race with worst-case scenarios.
"Maddie, where are you?" his voice now laden with concern.
The stillness was unsettling as David's eyes scanned the rooms downstairs . There was no sign of her anywhere.
He rushed up the stairs, his concern for Maddie's whereabouts growing with each step. He flung open her bedroom door, but she wasn't there. His worry intensified as he headed back down to leave, wondering where she could be. Maybe she was at the office now and they had just missed each other he thought, in hopes of pushing away the crashing waves of fear inside him.
As he opened the front door, he was surprised to see Maddie standing there, grocery bags in hand. She looked like she'd had a rough night – her hair was disheveled, and her expression was strained.
David's initial happiness to see her was tempered by her obvious distress. He quickly took the bags from her, despite her attempts to resist.
"What are you doing here?" Maddie asked, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and vulnerability.
David explained his concern, saying, "You didn't show up at work, and you didn't call out sick. I was getting worried."
Maddie seemed distant, her eyes seeming to avoid looking at him. "I forgot…." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry… I just need to be alone right now."
David watched her fidgeting with her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked exhausted, and even a little pale. His concern deepened, and he asked, "Maddie, what's wrong ? Are you sick?"
He reached out his hand to her forehead. No fever, but a bit clammy, he thought.
He remembered how unhappy she'd been the past couple days. "Please talk to me honey." His voice was heavy with his burdened plea. He touched her hair, tucking It behind her ear. She couldn't help but look into his eyes that reflected all the love he felt for her in them. All the love she knew she wanted and needed so desperately. But what if ….she wondered. How could she ever hurt him like that? And truthfully she could barely imagine the pain she would feel herself if what she feared was to be the truth.
Perhaps all this would be easier on the both of them if she would leave for awhile. Get away and think, as she had thought about doing last night. The only thing that had stopped her was that she knew doing so would hurt David, and she wanted to avoid that. Only hurting David seemed to be the outcome no matter what, if….
She couldn't look at him anymore, knowing that she strongly suspected it was more then an if.
Maddie's gaze drifted away from him, her voice cracking. "I… I just need some time, David. I need you to leave and I need to be alone."
She just needed to think. To figure out if any of what she feared was even a problem at all. It could be the flu after all. That could be why she was feeling the nausea grow worse again even now.
She began to move from one foot to another looking at David , as he watched her. She was starting to feel more uncomfortable , and he was looking so confused.
Maddie knew he didn't understand what was going on. She saw a glimpse of the pain he felt from her words, before he quickly buried it, making her immediately regret saying them. Making the nausea within her rise even more…
The last couple days she hadn't felt well. All last night the nausea had kept her awake, and this morning it hadn't been any better. Hence her reason for a trip to the store.
Maddie's eyes pleaded with David to leave, her discomfort growing by the second. He noticed her face begin to take on a greenish hue, and before he could react, she was rushing to the downstairs bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
David heard the unmistakable sounds of her being sick and immediately opened the door. He knelt beside her, gently holding her hair back and rubbing her back in soothing circles." It's ok Maddie…Im right here."
After the episode passed, Maddie stood feeling a little unbalanced. "I… I need to shower," she stammered.
David helped her upstairs, supporting her as she swayed. He wanted to make sure she would be ok, so he waited patiently outside the bathroom as she showered , brushed her teeth and put on some pajamas.
When Maddie came out of the bathroom, she felt more refreshed, but still completely done in for the day. " I'm not going to be in today David. We have an appointment at 2:15, would you mind meeting with him alone?"
David agreed. " Yeah, no problem Maddie. Let's get you tucked into bed ,then I'll leave so you can get some rest."
He helped her into bed, tucking the covers around her. "I'll stop by after the meeting today, ..bring you up to speed… bring you some chicken soup." He smiled gently at her. Maddie smiled appreciatively back at him. " Thanks David." She whispered.
She laid her head down on the pillow and closed her eyes. Her exhaustion was palpable, and she fell asleep almost instantly.
David sat beside her, watching her sleep, his mind racing with concern. What was wrong with her? Why was she so sick? He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, feeling a surge of protectiveness towards her. He would take care of her, no matter what. And that meant meeting the 2:15 client.
As David headed downstairs, he remembered the bags of groceries Maddie had brought in earlier. He decided to quickly put them away for her, not wanting to leave them out. He began to unload the bags, putting the items away in their respective places.
As he was putting away the last of the groceries, his hand brushed against something unexpected in the bottom of the bag. He pulled it out, and his eyes widened in surprise. A pregnancy test stared back at him.
David's mind reeled as he processed this new information. He felt a mix of emotions: shock, fear and even a hint of excitement. Was Maddie pregnant?
The pieces were falling Into place – Maddie's exhaustion, her pale complexion, her getting sick… it all made sense now.
He finished putting away the groceries, his hands moving on autopilot. His thoughts were with Maddie, asleep upstairs. He could only imagine the thoughts that were running rampant through her honey blonde head. Oh Maddie…this is a good thing, he thought.. But was it? She had been feeling so sad lately, so upset. Maybe she didn't want his baby? Oh God, that was it…that was what had been bothering her. Maybe it wasn't his baby? Sam... David felt a deep ache within him. He wanted the baby to be his most definitely, but he also knew he wanted Maddie to be his even more. And more then anything, what he wanted to do just then was to crawl into bed with her, hold her tight and assure her that everything was going to be just fine. But no, not now he couldn't. He promised her to meet the 2:15 appointment, and he didn't want to let her down.
David made a mental priority to check on her later, to bring her food and comfort. He would be patient, let her rest and recover for tonight they would talk.
But he couldn't shake off the feeling that their lives were about to change forever.
With a newfound sense of purpose, David headed to the office, his mind whirling with possibilities. He would take care of things, make sure Maddie was okay, and then… then they would face whatever came next together.
The Morning After ( the laundry mat)
Chapter 2
Maddie woke up a few hours later , with memories of the morning greeting her - the nausea, the decision to skip work, and David. She threw on a lavender sweater and leggings, her mind racing with thoughts of the pregnancy test she had bought.
She rushed down the stairs , realizing that she hadn't even put away the groceries after coming back from the store. Her nausea had put a halt to all her plans.
As she approached the island, she noticed the groceries were put away after all. Opening the refrigerator, she saw the container of orange juice she had bought.
Then her heart skipped a beat as she realized David must have seen the test. And there it was, sitting in the very center of the island, its presence alone seeming to taunt her. Of course she thought, all last month she had been picking up after him , whether they were at her place or his , but today he decides to be thoughtful and in doing so , he stumbled upon her most private concern, leaving her feeling exposed and anxious. Now that he knew she suspected that she could be pregnant, she also knew he would want answers. And he would be here soon , seeking them.
A few minutes later, her eyes were fixed on the pregnancy test sitting on the bathroom counter. She paced back and forth, her anxiety growing with each passing moment. Finally, the timer she had set dinged. She slowly approached the test, her hand trembling as she picked it up. The result was unmistakable - two pink lines stared back at her, confirming her worst fears. She was pregnant.
Maddie drifted dazedly back into the kitchen, as her mind slowly began to accept the life altering truth. In an attempt to calm her nerves, she opened the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice, wishing for a fleeting second that she could add a splash of gin to numb the increasing anxiety she felt growing within her. The cool liquid soothed her dry throat, but did little to ease her racing heart.
Still feeling overwhelmed, Maddie sank into a chair at the table, her mind reeling in shock. Her hands instinctively went to her belly, cradling it in a protective gesture. She felt a surge of instinctual need to safeguard the tiny life growing within her. She whispered a gentle promise to her unborn child.
"Don't worry, little one, everything will be okay. I will always be here for you."
Maddie couldn't help but imagine David's excitement, already envisioning himself as a father. He was probably picking out baby names and ordering the cigars he would pass out to celebrate its birth , totally oblivious to the uncertainty that gnawed at her. David would make a wonderful father. But what if the baby wasn't his? Would he still want to be with her if she was carrying Sam's child? She knew the depth of David's pain after losing his baby with Tess, and how he dreamed of someday having another child. She was concerned that he was now embracing the idea of fatherhood, despite the potential blow to his heart that could occur.
Maddie's anxiety deepened, not only for David's sake but also for her own. She had finally figured out that she not only loved and needed him, but was truly happy only when she was with him. That realization had scared her at first, but now the prospect of losing him made her heart ache immensely . How would he react when she told him that it was just as possible that Sam could be the father? Would he be angry, hurt, or both?
David opened the front door, expecting to find Maddie recovered from her earlier distress. What he saw instead was Maddie sitting at the kitchen table, the pregnancy test stick still clutched in her hand, her eyes fixed on it with a mix of sadness and trepidation.
David's instincts propelled him to her side, kneeling down beside her. No sense in beating around the bush, he decided. All he wanted was to make her feel better.
"Hey, I saw the test earlier today," he said softly, his voice laced with concern. ""I guess you have the results?
Maddie hesitated, then handed him the stick. David's eyes widened as he saw the two pink lines, and the box itself told him they were the unmistakable indication of a positive result. He felt an overwhelming surge of joy, pulling Maddie into his arms as he exclaimed, "We're having a baby!"
But Maddie's response was far from celebratory. She stiffened before pushing him away, her eyes welling up with tears. "David, wait…it's not that simple," she said, her voice trembling. "There's something I need to tell you. It's possible…well….David, Sam could be the father too."
David's expression faltered, tucking the pain he felt over the possibility deep down into his heart. Maddie's tears were flowing freely now, and he was hearing her own pain tumbling out in a desperate plea. "I'm so sorry, David. I really want the baby to be yours. I don't want Sam to be the father. I love you…and I want you to be this baby's father. I just don't know and most of all I don't want you to get hurt... if its his... I just don't know David ….."
David enveloped Maddie in a warm embrace, then gently brushed away the strands of hair that clung to her tear-stained face.
"Oh, Maddie," he whispered, his smile tender, and his voice filled with compassion. "I already figured all that out, sweetheart. I won't lie, it felt like Sam landed another gut punch to me at first. But here's the thing, Blondie, there's a 50 percent chance, that this baby is mine too. And honestly, it doesn't matter to me if we don't know for sure. If we find out Sam is the father, then this little one will just have two dads. Either way though honey, I'm here for you, and I'm here for this baby, if that's what you want. No matter what."
Maddie nestled her head onto David's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly. " David, I do want that. I want that with all my heart. You, me and our baby... but Sam….."
David pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with conviction. "I know ... I love you Maddie, and I need you in my life. I'm not going anywhere. We're going to get through this, together. "
He wrapped his arms around her, his voice filled with reassurance.
"Everything is going to be ok. And I promise you this Blondie, we are going to be ok too. Better then ok. We'll be good"
Maddie looked up at him with questioning eyes, but a small smile played on her lips as she accepted his comfort.
"Good?" She asked.
"Better then good" he replied." We'll be fine."
" Fine? " Maddie repeated him, her smile quickening Davids heart.
"Fine" David told her as he nodded his head, giving her his special smile that he reserved only for her.
"Thank you, David." Maddie placed a kiss on his lips, and the two stood in silence, their eyes locked together and soaking in the others presence as the room began to feel warm.
A moment later David spoke , his voice rough as he attempted to put off his desires .
"Hey, do you feel up to eating? David asked, releasing her from his embrace.
Maddie's smile grew wider. "Actually, I am feeling pretty hungry right now."
David raised an eyebrow. "What are you in the mood for?"
Maddie's response was unexpected. "Dessert."
David chuckled. "Dessert? No dinner first? What?...are you already craving pickles and ice cream?"
Maddie shook her head, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"Hmmm, more like tickles and whipped cream."
She took David's hand, leading him upstairs. David followed willingly, a knowing glint in his eye.
As they reached the bedroom door, David turned to the audience and winked. "Some things need to stay behind closed doors," he whispered to them.
The last thing the audience saw was David's all too happy, tongue-out sex face before the door shut, leaving them to wonder what delicious dessert Maddie had in mind.
The Morning After ( the laundry mat)
Chapter 2
Maddie woke up a few hours later , with memories of the morning greeting her - the nausea, the decision to skip work, and David. She threw on a lavender sweater and leggings, her mind racing with thoughts of the pregnancy test she had bought.
She rushed down the stairs , realizing that she hadn't even put away the groceries after coming back from the store. Her nausea had put a halt to all her plans.
As she approached the island, she noticed the groceries were put away after all. Opening the refrigerator, she saw the container of orange juice she had bought.
Then her heart skipped a beat as she realized David must have seen the test. And there it was, sitting in the very center of the island, its presence alone seeming to taunt her. Of course she thought, all last month she had been picking up after him , whether they were at her place or his , but today he decides to be thoughtful and in doing so , he stumbled upon her most private concern, leaving her feeling exposed and anxious. Now that he knew she suspected that she could be pregnant, she also knew he would want answers. And he would be here soon , seeking them.
A few minutes later, her eyes were fixed on the pregnancy test sitting on the bathroom counter. She paced back and forth, her anxiety growing with each passing moment. Finally, the timer she had set dinged. She slowly approached the test, her hand trembling as she picked it up. The result was unmistakable - two pink lines stared back at her, confirming her worst fears. She was pregnant.
Maddie drifted dazedly back into the kitchen, as her mind slowly began to accept the life altering truth. In an attempt to calm her nerves, she opened the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice, wishing for a fleeting second that she could add a splash of gin to numb the increasing anxiety she felt growing within her. The cool liquid soothed her dry throat, but did little to ease her racing heart.
Still feeling overwhelmed, Maddie sank into a chair at the table, her mind reeling in shock. Her hands instinctively went to her belly, cradling it in a protective gesture. She felt a surge of instinctual need to safeguard the tiny life growing within her. She whispered a gentle promise to her unborn child.
"Don't worry, little one, everything will be okay. I will always be here for you."
Maddie couldn't help but imagine David's excitement, already envisioning himself as a father. He was probably picking out baby names and ordering the cigars he would pass out to celebrate its birth , totally oblivious to the uncertainty that gnawed at her. David would make a wonderful father. But what if the baby wasn't his? Would he still want to be with her if she was carrying Sam's child? She knew the depth of David's pain after losing his baby with Tess, and how he dreamed of someday having another child. She was concerned that he was now embracing the idea of fatherhood, despite the potential blow to his heart that could occur.
Maddie's anxiety deepened, not only for David's sake but also for her own. She had finally figured out that she not only loved and needed him, but was truly happy only when she was with him. That realization had scared her at first, but now the prospect of losing him made her heart ache immensely . How would he react when she told him that it was just as possible that Sam could be the father? Would he be angry, hurt, or both?
David opened the front door, expecting to find Maddie recovered from her earlier distress. What he saw instead was Maddie sitting at the kitchen table, the pregnancy test stick still clutched in her hand, her eyes fixed on it with a mix of sadness and trepidation.
David's instincts propelled him to her side, kneeling down beside her. No sense in beating around the bush, he decided. All he wanted was to make her feel better.
"Hey, I saw the test earlier today," he said softly, his voice laced with concern. ""I guess you have the results?
Maddie hesitated, then handed him the stick. David's eyes widened as he saw the two pink lines, and the box itself told him they were the unmistakable indication of a positive result. He felt an overwhelming surge of joy, pulling Maddie into his arms as he exclaimed, "We're having a baby!"
But Maddie's response was far from celebratory. She stiffened before pushing him away, her eyes welling up with tears. "David, wait…it's not that simple," she said, her voice trembling. "There's something I need to tell you. It's possible…well….David, Sam could be the father too."
David's expression faltered, tucking the pain he felt over the possibility deep down into his heart. Maddie's tears were flowing freely now, and he was hearing her own pain tumbling out in a desperate plea. "I'm so sorry, David. I really want the baby to be yours. I don't want Sam to be the father. I love you…and I want you to be this baby's father. I just don't know and most of all I don't want you to get hurt... if its his... I just don't know David ….."
David enveloped Maddie in a warm embrace, then gently brushed away the strands of hair that clung to her tear-stained face.
"Oh, Maddie," he whispered, his smile tender, and his voice filled with compassion. "I already figured all that out, sweetheart. I won't lie, it felt like Sam landed another gut punch to me at first. But here's the thing, Blondie, there's a 50 percent chance that this baby is mine too. And honestly, it doesn't matter to me if we don't know for sure. If we find out Sam is the father, then this little one will just have two dads. Either way though honey, I'm here for you, and I'm here for this baby, if that's what you want. No matter what."
Maddie nestled her head onto David's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him tightly. " David, I do want that. I want that with all my heart. You, me and our baby... but Sam….."
David pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with conviction. "I know ... I love you Maddie, and I need you in my life. I'm not going anywhere. We're going to get through this, together. "
He wrapped his arms around her, his voice filled with reassurance.
"Everything is going to be ok. And I promise you this Blondie, we are going to be ok too. Better then ok. We'll be good"
Maddie looked up at him with questioning eyes, but a small smile played on her lips as she accepted his comfort.
"Good?" She asked.
"Better then good" he replied." We'll be fine."
" Fine? " Maddie repeated him, her smile quickening Davids heart.
"Fine" David told her as he nodded his head, giving her his special smile that he reserved only for her.
"Thank you David." Maddie placed a kiss on his lips, and the two stood in silence, their eyes locked together and soaking in the others presence as the room began to feel warm.
A moment later David spoke , his voice rough as he attempted to put off his desires .
"Hey, do you feel up to eating? David asked, releasing her from his embrace.
Maddie's smile grew wider. "Actually, I am feeling pretty hungry right now."
David raised an eyebrow. "What are you in the mood for?"
Maddie's response was unexpected. "Dessert."
David chuckled. " Dessert? No dinner first? What?...are you already craving pickles and ice cream?"
Maddie shook her head, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"Hmmm, more like tickles and whipped cream."
She took David's hand, leading him upstairs. David followed willingly, a knowing glint in his eye.
As they reached the bedroom door, David turned to the audience and winked. "Some things need to stay behind closed doors," he whispered to them.
The last thing the audience saw was David's all too happy, tongue-out sex face before the door shut, leaving them to wonder what delicious dessert Maddie had in mind.