THE WAY WE WEREN'T
*This story would not have been written if it weren't for the help, guidance and brainstorm sessions with DanaDanielleLadyCornflake – it's been so fun talking through this fanfic scenario with you while trying to stay true to the characters. THANK YOU! – let's keep talking Moonlighting* - oh and…listen to Moonlighting The Podcast!
"Schlemiel, schlimazel,hasenpfeffer incorporated!"
David moves the baby's little feet to the beat of the theme song as he belts it out…anything to keep him smiling while mom has a chance to get herself ready for the day before he heads into work.
Terri peers over David's shoulder and mimics her baby's joyful face.
Terri: Are you filling his head with classic TV tunes already, Addison?
David: An-ni-thing – to – keep – him hap-py…
David keeps the tune of the song as he talks to Terri, so 8-month-old Walt won't know the difference.
Terri: I'll take over from here David… (she looks at the time) You better get going, I thought you had a 9am.
David looks at his watch and be-bops his way into the kitchen.
David: Yeouch – I better take my mocha-java to go… don't want to piss off the boss lady…of course, she's never on time these days anyway.
As David pours coffee in a thermos, Terri comes in and wraps her arms around him from behind.
Terri: It's nice to have you here in the morning, Addison. Last night was wonderful.
David turns around smiling and wraps his arms around Terri.
David: Wonderful, huh? (joking) I usually hear…mind blowing, earth shattering…the best time two people can have together outside sharing that double hot fudge Sundae at Sunset Creamery!
Terri: (Laughs) It was all those things.
David: (Grins) Nice to be here this morning too…
Terri: But, like we talked about, I just want to make sure we're…serious before you're here every morning…(taps his thermos) taking mocha-java to go, you know, for Walt's sake.
David: (Looks into her eyes) I'm serious.
Terri: So we'll see you tonight?
He flashes her that classic Addison sideways grin.
David: Can't get enough of me, huh?
David grabs his thermos, kisses Walt on his chubby cheek, gives Terri a quick peck on the lips and he's out the door.
Across Town Maddie finishes her eggs and puts her dish in the sink.
Maddie: (Calls) Ok! I'm off…thanks for breakfast!
Walter Bishop enters the kitchen.
Walter: Whoa whoa whoa…hold your horses, Maddie. I'll drive you. Just let me go out and warm up the engine – you don't just run off in a precision instrument like that.
Maddie: That's very sweet of you Walter, but it's not necessary. I'm fine, the BMW's fine, it's about time we all got back to fine. Really…
Walter: You don't look fine…
Walter pulls a napkin free that was tucked into the top of Maddie's silky blouse. Maddie smiles.
Walter: There, that's better.
He smiles back at her, his blue eyes sparkling. He's been such a rock for her these past few months. Maddie leans in and kisses him lightly on the cheek.
Maddie: Really, you worry too much…I'm a big girl, and it's time I got back to big girl things…like driving myself to work. Besides, I need to be on time today.
Maddie walks into the foyer and picks up her keys. Walter follows.
Walter: On time is not what's important, hun, safety is.
Maddie: You've kept me safe, Walter, and I appreciate that. But we can't stay in this bubble forever.
Walter: Ok, but I'm coming to take you to lunch.
Maddie relents.
Maddie: Ok, Walter, I'll see you at Noon.
Maddie slides inside her BMW, sticks her coffee mug in the cup holder and pulls out of her driveway. A ways down the road she flips on the radio, Baby Love by the Supremes is playing. Maddie feels an aching pain in her heart and instinctively her hand moves to cover her flat tummy - tears well up in her eyes. Five months ago Maddie lost the baby she was carrying and she's just now starting to recover.
A whistling David Addison throws open the Blue Moon office door and greets his employees. Some are playing cards, a few are reading the morning paper, one is even doing some impressive tricks with a yo-yo. They greet their boss apathetically.
Wobblies: Good morning Mr. Addison.
David barely notices, it's the usual routine around there lately…he saunters towards his office.
David: Agnes, I'll be in my office. Buzz me when…
Agnes: She's in.
David stops in his tracks and turns to look at his secretary.
David: In? She is? This early?
Agnes nods her curly mop.
Agnes: Yup.
David does a 360 spin looking around the office.
David: (Confused) Then…where's Wally?
Agnes: He didn't bring her today.
David: Didn't bring her today? Are we back in Season 3?
Agnes: No. He just…didn't bring her today. She brought herself.
David: Brought herself, huh? I'll see about this…
David marches towards Maddie's office door, throws it open and comes to a screeching halt at the sight of Maddie Hayes sitting there, briefcase open, slicing through a pile of mail with a letter opener, wearing a well-fitted silky grey blouse and pencil skirt…he feels off balance. Suddenly everything seems back to…dare he think, normal?…the way nothing had been in almost a year. Maddie looks up.
Maddie: Hi David.
David tucks his hands in his pockets and walks slowly towards her.
David: Hi Maddie.
Trying to read her mood, he sits on the corner of her desk.
David: How're you feeling today?
Maddie: (Slices open a letter in one quick motion) I feel great.
David: Great, huh?
Maddie: (Pauses, thinks) Yes. Great. For the first time, in a long time. I feel…almost…like my old self.
David: (Shrugs) Well, that's great. (looks around) So where's Waldo?
Maddie: I told him I was ready to come in on my own today.
David: (Disbelieving) On your own…
He picks up a piece of mail that looks like it holds a check and puts it up to the light.
Maddie: (Annoyed) Why is everyone so surprised? Haven't I always driven myself to work?
David: Well, yeah…until Walter the pint-sized body guard started acting as your personal escort.
She snatches the piece of mail from his hand.
Maddie: He's my husband, David – what issue could you possibly have with a husband being protective of his wife?
David: Well, I…
Maddie: (Angry) Save it! I'd appreciate it if you kept your thoughts and opinions about my relationship to yourself! And anyway…why would you give a moment's thought to what Walter and I are doing – when you've got your own relationship to worry about.
David: (Puckers his lips) No worries in my relationship.
Maddie: And none in mine either other than the ones you invent so you can get under my skin.
David: …why stop at skin.
Maddie: You're vile.
David gets up from the corner of the desk and moves to the middle of her office.
David: Gee, I thought that's what you liked about me.
Maddie: I'll tell you what I'd like. I came in here today, alone and on time, David, because I'd like to get back to business as usual… so can we do that and stop rehashing ancient history?
David: Done.
Knock Knock.
Together: Come in!
A very pregnant Agnes enters. Unbeknownst to anyone until recently, Agnes and Bert secretly eloped months ago when they decided to move in together…and their honeymoon baby was going to be born very soon.
Agnes: Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Addison…your 9:30's here.
Maddie and David maintain eye contact.
David: Perfect timing…
Maddie: Send her in.
Agnes shows the client into Maddie's office and leaves quickly – she feels a chill in the air. She walks somberly back to her desk and sits down with a humph! Bert sees his pregnant wife's troubled face and beelines for her desk.
Bert: Well, now…where's my snookim's smile? I thought after I treated you to a double helping of lasagna last night…rubbed your feet, massaged your back, and made you that face mask out of guacamole, you'd be feeling tip-top.
Agnes: Oh…(she rubs her pregnant belly) my body feels good…it's my mind that feels bad.
Bert looks around the lifeless office…
Bert: Well, that's understandable this place has been the epitome of dreariness lately.
Agnes: Oh…it's not them (she nods towards the office workers)…it's them (she nods towards Maddie's office).
Bert: Them!? Thems haven't ….…(realizes his bad grammar)…they haven't been normal in months.
Agnes: Yeah…I know. I guess…(Pauses and sighs) I guess I just thought that now that all the pieces are back in place…maybe…
Bert: (shocked) Maybe what!?
Agnes: Maybe they could figure their stuff out!
Bert: Agnes, Mrs. Hayes is married and Mr. Addison has committed himself to another – pardon me for being so blunt, but I think that ship has sailed. I mean, I know it's always been our dream…our goal, our mission, to get those two to trade the banter for pampers, but now… (getting worked up) vows have been made, boundaries crossed…new paths forged.
Agnes: OK Bert! I just never thought that two people…with that kind of spark between them, would ever end up with other people…not really…not permanently.
Bert: (Considers) Well, those kind of sparks are very difficult to sustain, Agnes… you know, studies show that 80% of…
Agnes: Herbert! I don't need statistics. You can't measure love with statistics. With love…real love…statistics don't mean jack. I always just thought that's what they had and I'm not ready to give up on it, that's all.
Bert doesn't want Agnes upset. He walks behind her desk and pulls her rag-doll demeanor into a hug and rubs her bulging belly.
Bert: I get that my beloved…you've been their biggest cheerleader. You've rooted for them…you've done everything you can to help them find their way into each other's arms. But now, we have our own little love to look forward to. And I think it's time to accept…time that we accept, that Mrs. Hayes and Mr. Addison are on different paths now….so, let's just focus on the one we have ahead of us – and leave them to their own lives.
Agnes puts her hand over Bert's on her belly, nods and places her forehead on his.
After the client meeting, David disappears downtown under the guise of "filing paperwork" at the courthouse, and Maddie drives to La Colletta to meet Walter for lunch. They chat about their work day while Walter gobbles down a tuna sandwich and Maddie works her way through grilled salmon on a bed of rice.
Walter: Gee, hun, it'd be real nice if you could take a few days off and join me on my trip to Montana, you're always saying you want to visit the great Northwest! We need to take advantage of those Amtrak frequent traveler points.
Maddie: I can't right now, Walter, I'm just getting back into the swing of things at work…in fact, we took on a new client today that is going to require quite a bit of leg work. Besides, I think I've had all the downtime in the last few months I can handle. Getting back to work and into a regular routine is what's going to keep me on track and feeling like my old self again.
Walter: That's wonderful, Dear. However, maintaining a work / life balance is a priority. Something you, yourself said you didn't have much of before. I want to keep working on the things we talked about last night.
Maddie's stomach sinks…not this conversation again…she sets her fork down.
Maddie: I thought we agreed we're taking everything one step at a time.
Walter: But the question is, how far and few between are those steps going to be? I mean, we've been married nine months now Maddie and intimacy is a very important part of a relationship. Now, granted, for a few of those months you were recovering. But, I'd like some kind of timeline here…the doctor said you were ready months ago.
Maddie: (throws down her napkin) Oh, what does the doctor know…is he me? Has he ever lost a child? Only I know when I'm ready, Walter, I make that decision.
Walter: Now don't get angry, Maddie. This is not an argument and I'm not disputing that you've had a rough go of it. But there are some things husbands and wives discuss, some things we should decide together…and our sex life…or lack thereof… is something we have to keep talking about – I'd like us to get on the same page about this.
Maddie: I told you, I want to make sure it's safe before we…develop that part of our relationship. I can't handle another pregnancy right now.
Walter: Well…now, see… that's another thing that we should decide together. I, on the other hand, think maybe having a baby of our own…sooner rather than later…could bring new joy…new happiness.
Maddie shifts her eyes.
Maddie: I don't know, Walter.
Walter: Well, don't you want to be a mother?
Maddie: I don't know, Walter.
Walter: I'd very much like to be a father. You know this…see? These are the kind of decisions that require a timeline, we're not getting any younger...
Walter's voice fades into the background. The conversation goes on, but Maddie has lost interest…along with her appetite.
After lunch, Maddie heads back to Blue Moon to get started on their new case. She's fuming from the conversation at lunch. Who was Walter to put pressure on her about intimacy or give her a timeline? Why did they need to discuss having a child so soon after she'd lost the last one? Why did the men in her life always ask questions she didn't know the answers to!? She was sick of all of them…crude David, disappearing Sam and nosey Walter…they could all go to Hell!
Back at Blue Moon, Maddie mindlessly looks through her handbag as she enters the office, when she comes nose-to-nose with a chunky little cherub descending mid-air – he giggles hysterically as he lands solidly in David capable hands. Every eye in the office is on the little boy, who David places comfortably on his hip.
She didn't expect to be confronted with Terri and baby Walt visiting David at work so soon.
Maddie: Oh! Well… hello there! (she smiles at baby Walt and caresses his cheek) Been awhile since we had one of these around here! (She catches Terri's eye)
Terri: Hi Maddie…I hope you don't mind. We just stopped by to drop off some lunch for David.
Maddie moves towards Terri and gives her a hug.
Maddie: Mind, of course I don't mind. Lunch, huh? What did you bring?
Terri: Oh, just a couple fried pork chops and steamed greens I made this afternoon.
Maddie: Oooo. Compared to his usual lunch of stale pizza and potato chips, what a treat!
As Maddie and Terri laugh, Maddie peers over at David. His focus is solely on the baby. He's showing the little guy off to their office worker, Chris, who is enthralled. David handles the baby like a pro. Terri gives Maddie a little wink.
Terri: How're you doing?
Maddie: I'm much better…thank you for asking.
Terri gives Maddie's arm a soft, encouraging squeeze…, and then, at the same moment, Walt spits up. Terri moves close to David and the baby and wipes the little boys face off with a soft cloth. The three of them huddle close and the whole office is smiling and cooing at the baby as Terri and David beam with pride. Maddie can't help but feel a pang of sadness and regret – watching the three of them together is like watching what might have been… if only… Maddie stops her thoughts and feels a sudden urge to escape.
She slips into her office without anyone taking much notice – apart from catching eyes quickly with David. Once behind closed doors, she wanders back behind her desk feeling annoyed – and maybe a bit jealous? How has everything worked out so well for David Addison? He's out there with a really lovely girlfriend and beautiful baby…happy as can be, and Maddie still feels nothing but stress and pressure – forced to ponder questions she doesn't know the answer to! She should have the beautiful baby…she should have the right relationship! The instant she thinks it, Walter pops into her mind and she feels guilty – she couldn't have gotten through the last few months without him. She puts her head in her hands knowing that she chose most of this…but the baby, now that just wasn't fair.
A few minutes later, David enters her office with a quick tap at the door. He walks straight towards her and places himself back on the corner of her desk. Maddie pretends to be deep into work.
David: Hey! You ok? I'm sorry about that. I didn't know they were going to stop by.
Maddie: What are you apologizing for, David? I like Terri and it was great to see Walt, he's getting so big!
David beams.
David: Yeah…he really is, (remembers, clears his throat) I just didn't want you to…
Maddie: (cuts him off) I don't.
David: Yeah…ok…well, I just wanted to make sure you were ok.
Maddie: I'm fine and I wish people would stop asking. What I'm really interested in is working on this case we picked up this afternoon. Ok?
David: You're the boss.
Maddie continues thumbing through paperwork as David looks on wondering if everything with Maddie is really as "fine" as she claims it to be.
For the next few months… everyone in the Blue Moon office pitches in, working the cases they've taken on now that Maddie is back at the helm and leading the charge. A temp has been filling in for Agnes since she and Bert had a healthy baby girl named Petunia, and Maddie and David's working relationship falls back in to what it was pre…everything. They banter, they flirt, they fight, they solve entertaining mysteries…but at the end of the day, they both go home to their respective partners. The new normal.
After a long day of detecting, which ended in a wild chase down at the Santa Monica pier where Maddie and David pursued their suspect from one amusement park ride to another, even getting a lecture along the way about needing to buy a ticket for each ride…they finally captured the crook on the tea cups, Maddie arrives home to a house that is filled with a horrible stench. She finds Walter in the kitchen surrounded by the makings for Cabbage Rolls…a Bishop family favorite and his Grandmother's recipe. Maddie picks up the mail in the foyer and pushes her way into the kitchen waving the envelops under of her nose to lessen the smell.
Walter: Hi Hun.
Maddie: Walter…what's all this?
Walter: (Cringes) Eh…I know. The smell of steamed cabbage is awful…but the taste is amazing, just wait and see.
Maddie: (Unconvinced) Can't wait.
Walter: There's a bottle of Chablis chilling in the fridge, why don't you pour us a glass while I get these in the oven.
Maddie pours two glasses of Chablis, sets them on the kitchen counter and makes two small piles, one for mail addressed to Walter, and one for her mail. Finally she comes to a light blue envelope that is addressed to both of them – the return address is Terri Knowles. Maddie takes a large sip of her wine and opens the envelope.
Walter: (Smiling) What'd we get?
Maddie: Looks like an invitation to Walt's first birthday party.
Walter: A year? Already? That is amazing…where does the time go?
Maddie tosses the invitation aside.
Walter: Well…when is this shindig?
Maddie shrugs.
Maddie: I don't know. Is this something we really need to go to? A kids birthday party?
Walter: Of course! We have to be there. I helped bring that kid into this world…he's named after me…after us…for god's sake. It's not something we can miss.
Maddie: It's just going to be a bunch of babies and their parents and David. Honestly Walter…I think we can get away with sending a nice gift.
Walter: Now you're just being silly. David is your business partner. We were very much involved in this child's birth. How can we miss it?
Maddie: I really don't think anyone is going to miss us if we're not at this party, Walter. Sure we happened to be there when Terri gave birth, but it's not like we're involved in his everyday life. You're acting like we're the Godparents or something.
Walter: Why are you so resistant to this? Is this about the loss of your baby?
Maddie: No! Of course not! I…I … (growls) Uggggg…whatever…if you want to go, we'll go. (Maddie slams the rest of her wine.) I'm going to take a shower while you finish dinner.
Walter doesn't say anything else and just shakes his head as Maddie storms out of the kitchen and upstairs.
A month later… everyone gathers at Terri's house to celebrate Walt's first birthday. When Walter and Maddie arrive, the house is full of screaming children, swaying balloons, sugar in every form imaginable and some incredible music coming from the stereo. They wander in slowly through the maddening crowd and eventually come upon Terri who welcomes them warmly, sticks drinks in their hands and points them to the back yard where it's much quieter.
Meanwhile, outside…David is sipping a beer, manning the BBQ and chatting with a group of guys about golf when he catches a glimpse of a hot blonde stepping through the sliding glass door and onto the grass…he does a double take and realizes it's Maddie – a svelte pantsuit on, sensible heels, her silky hair pulled up in a sparkling clip on one side. Her post pregnancy body looking better than ever with curves in all the right places. Sure, he sees her at the office, but here, in a another context – it's like he's seeing her…fully… for the first time, in a long time – the encounter sends his mind reeling in another direction…he nearly chokes on his beer, which sends all the eyes around him in one direction…
Tim: Whoa. Who's that?
Rob: Isn't that Maddie Hayes?
Curt: Maddie Hayes…what would she be doing here?
David: Yes, that's Maddie Hayes. She's my business partner. Yo! Maddie! Walter! Welcome!
Walter smiles and waves and Maddie passively nods in his direction. David's heart palpitates.
Tim: Who's that guy with her?
David: (Turning back to the BBQ) That…my friend, is her husband.
Men: Him?...no way.
David: Yes way!
Men: Some guys get all the luck.
David rotates the hot dogs and flips the burgers and glances back to Maddie and Walter standing awkwardly together – a bit surprising with how much time they seem to spend together.
As Maddie and Walter stand in the middle of Terri's back yard at a party where they know no one but the birthday boy, his mother and his mother's boyfriend who happens to be Maddie's business partner and ex-boyfriend…they sip their drinks and feel a bit awkward. They wave to David who is manning the BBQ with a pack of men around him admiring his skills. Suddenly they're approached by a face they recognize…baby Walt! But who is he attached to?
Boris: (Friendly) Hi there!
Boris sticks out his hand…Maddie and Walter both shake the man's hand while looking at baby Walt.
Boris: I'm Boris, Walt's father.
Maddie and Walter light up.
Together: Oh…wow, how wonderful to meet you / Great to meet you.
Maddie and Walter chat to Boris and learn he lives up in San Francisco and plays saxophone in a band that travels from club to club. He delights in hearing how Maddie and Walter were present at Walt's madcap birth a year ago and is over the moon to finally meet the people his child is named after. Boris is a simple man, but about the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. After a bit, David, wearing only board shorts, with his broad shoulders, flat stomach and lean hips on display, sidles up to Maddie so close the heat coming off his half-clad body is palpable…
Maddie: Shouldn't you have a shirt on while working over those hot flames.
David: Nah, I like to live dangerously. (bumps her lightly with his shoulder and whispers in her ear) Besides, I do my best work sweating over hot items. (closer) You look amazing by the way.
Maddie pretends not to hear him, but hates how that comment and his compliment send a jolt right through her loins. And nothing…and I mean nothing, has sent a jolt through her loins in…she doesn't even want to remember how long. David shifts gears and pats Boris on the back…
David: So, you've met Walt's Daddio?
Maddie and Walter smile and nod…they all stand around and chat for a while until other people come along and they get pulled in different directions. Walter happily goes from person to person engaging in conversation. Maddie chats with a few people here and there, but doesn't feel the need to fill her evening making small talk – David seems to appear whenever she has a moment alone.
Later in the evening, everyone is surprised to see Agnes and Bert arrive with their new bundle of joy, two-month-old Petunia Viola.
Bert: (Looking disheveled) Sorry we're late everyone.
Agnes: We didn't want to miss the first birthday party Petunia was ever invited to…but it's a lot of work getting a newborn out the door!
Maddie and David smile over the little bundle of joy nestled in Agnes's arms and take in her tiny features.
Maddie: Wow, what a head of dark, curly hair…
David: Yep – I think you two got the right baby…
Agnes and Bert beam with exhaustive pride. They all chat about how the last couple months has been at Blue Moon without Agnes while she's been on maternity leave…and Agnes talks about the trials and tribulations of being new parents. Bert cradles his baby girl carefully, making sure to support all the parts just the way the nurse showed him…when suddenly…he looks up at Agnes and notices…
Bert: Oh…my… snuggly muffin…Agnes, my love…you've got…
Bert gestures towards Agnes's chest, but she is unaware.
Bert: Honey bunny you've got…well, your…your mammary glands are…a bit over-active.
Bert needs to take matters into his own hands and save his wife from any embarrassment. He turns and places Petunia in Maddie's arms.
Bert: Here…can you…take her…
Bert takes Agnes by the arm and leads her to the restroom…she's got breast milk leaking onto her Tunic-style dress, creating dark circles across her chest.
It's a pleasant surprise for Maddie to have Petunia in her arms…she puts her nose close to the little girls curly halo of hair and breaths in.
Maddie: Ooooh, don't you smell good. You are so beautiful, aren't you? Yes.
Petunia coos. David bends over the two of them and caresses the little girls cheek…they are lost in the moment, caught up in the newness of the infant, the innocence in her face, the uncanny likeness of their beloved secretary and deputy detective mixed perfectly. Maddie feels unbridled joy for the first time in a long time…with a smile spread across her face she looks up at David, who is beaming down at them. Maddie looks from David to the baby, and then back again…and is hit with the weirdest deju-vu moment she's ever had…it's a scene that has played out in her head many times…she and David with a baby. Maddie inhales sharply…starts to sweat…and suddenly finds it hard to breathe. She has to move…David notices the change in her.
David: You alright?
Maddie: Take her for a minute, will you?
She places Petunia in David's arms and disappears down the hall. David calls after her…
David: Maddie!
He wants to go after her, but he's stuck there waiting for Agnes and Bert to return…fortunately, after a moment, they do. Agnes has tied one of her many scarfs creatively around her torso to hide the dampness on top. She reaches for Petunia.
Agnes: Thank you Mr. Addison…this new mom stuff is tough…
But before she even gets her full sentence out, David disappears down the hall…he finds Maddie dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
David: Maddie…
Maddie: Walter wants to have a baby…
David is caught off guard.
David: Well…ok, that's a reasonable request from a husband, isn't it?
Maddie: That's not going to happen.
David: Why…whadda mean? Is there some kind of problem since you…
Maddie: No…not that.
David: What then?
Maddie: I…had my chance, and it didn't work out. And, I just think. That was it…I lost my baby and I don't want to go through all that again.
David takes Maddie by the shoulders.
David: Don't say that…don't talk like that. I saw you out there a minute ago, you're a natural. You're going to be a terrific mother, don't let what happened before stop you from…from having that experience. It'll happen again…and it will be perfect next time…you'll see…
Maddie looks up into his bright green eyes.
David: Promise me. Promise me you'll try again.
Throughout the night, anytime Terri is looking for David, he seems to be Maddie-adjacent. When it's time to cut the cake, David is mixing another Martini for Maddie in the kitchen. When Walt's opening his gifts, David is leaning against a wall in the back of the room talking to Maddie about a case. When people start leaving, Terri looks around for David and finds him with his hands on Maddie's shoulders talking to her intimately. At this point, Walter, who was looking for Maddie, appears next to Terri, seeing what she sees.
Walter: They're still very close.
Terri: Yeah…I'm realizing that.
Finally everyone leaves and Terri bangs things around in the kitchen a little too loudly.
David: Terri, Terri, honey…let me help clean this up.
Terri: Oh, now you want to help? You've been M.I.A. all night.
David: (Jaw drops) What!? M.I.A.? No no no…just the opposite, I've been present and accounted for! I cooked the food, made the drinks, I've got three bags of garbage out there. How is that M.I.A.?
Terri: You seemed to be more interested in catering to Maddie Hayes than participating in this birthday party.
Terri is pretty upset and David never sees Terri upset. He turns her around and gives her a warm hug.
David: Come here… did I?
Terri: I didn't realize you two were still so close.
David: Well…I mean…they really didn't know anyone else here until Agnes and Bert showed up. And, besides, I didn't want to step on Boris's toes. Yes, you and I are together, but he's the father. He should help open the presents and cut the cake. Not me! I was just trying to stay out of the way.
Of course everything David says makes sense, Terri just didn't like how it made her feel and she couldn't help but ask…
Terri: Do you still have feelings for Maddie?
David: Feelings for Maddie? Terri…she's a married woman, did you see that little nebbish man here with her today? That's her husband, remember?
Terri: That doesn't mean you don't have feelings for her. I see how you look at her! I know your past…how magnetic you two can be.
David: …I'm not sure I'd categorize any feelings as magnetic…repellent most of the time…
Terri: David…
He puts his forehead to hers…
David: I'll tell you who I do have feelings for… a certain dark-haired musician standing about an inch away from me.
He leans in and kisses her sweetly on the lips. She pulls him into a deep hug and then leans back and looks him in the eye.
Terri: Exactly how strong are these feelings for me, Addison?
David: (Blinks) Growing stronger by the day.
Terri: O…K…because you know…I'm not in this just for the hell of it. I want a family, a strong male figure in Walt's life for the long term. I'm not interested in men coming in and out of his life, or mine. I see a future with you. I just want to make that clear.
David pulls her into another hug and looks up.
David: Couldn't be clearer.
That night as Maddie and Walter drive back to her mansion Walter brings up the subject of kids again.
Walter: Seeing all those cute little babies at the party tonight really got me thinking again about having one of our own.
Maddie looks out the side window and doesn't respond.
Walter: Why do you always shut down when we have this conversation?
Maddie: Why do you always insist on having this conversation?
Walter: I didn't know I did. Or, at least, I didn't know it was a bad thing. (reaches over and covers her hand with his) I want to build a family with you Madolyn…I thought that's what you wanted, too…that's what you told me when we first met, anyway.
Maddie: (Annoyed) Did I? Is that what I said, Walter? I want to build a family with you?
Walter: Yes. Well…yes...you were in the family way…and we got married…and the plan was, to raise a family together. Wasn't it?
Maddie: I don't know, I don't know anymore, Walter… a lot has changed since then.
Walter: (Pushes back, glances over at her) …or maybe some things haven't changed.
Maddie's anger is simmering – she hates when Walter challenges her.
Maddie: And what's that supposed to mean?
Walter: What was going on between you and David tonight…you seemed to be talking pretty intimately. In fact, I can't remember a single time in our relationship when we talked that intimately.
Maddie closes her eyes, already exhausted with this conversation…she doesn't respond.
Walter: Well?
Maddie: (Shouts) What? What Walter…what do you want me to say?
Walter: Stop stringing me along, Maddie…I've had a lot of patience, empathy and understanding about what you've been through this past year, but you can't keep me in limbo forever. So, how about some honestly. Do you ever see wanting to have a child?
Maddie: (flat) No.
Walter: No?
Maddie: (snaps) No! I said no and I meant it.
Walter: Ok then…, let me ask a follow-up question.
Maddie: (Warning) Walter…you're going down a path…and you may not like where leads...
Walter: No, really…I want to ask, because I'm picking up on something else here and I think I deserve answers. Do you not want to have a baby at all…or do you not want to have a baby with me? Because you certainly make no efforts to do…anything that would lead to us having a child.
The feeling of holding the baby with David tonight, the intensity in his eyes as he encouraged her not to give up the idea of motherhood, the reality of who she really sees herself raising a family with overtakes her…
Maddie: (Blurts it out) Alright, you want honesty, Walter? …To be honest, if I were going to have a child with anyone, it'd be David, alright? I'm sorry, but that's the truth. It's as hard for me to accept as anyone.
Walter: (Feels numb) Wow. Well…thank you. That's all I needed to know. (Thinks) But, then again…if I'm honest. I guess I already did.
Maddie closes her eyes, shakes her head…takes a deep breath and sighs. Did she really just say that? Walter focuses on the road and slowly makes his way home.
Back at Terri's house, she and David make love. The during part is good, but as soon as it's over, as usual, David resists the urge to head out the door. He lays in the dark and thinks about Maddie and Walter and how disconnected they seemed at the party, in fact, they barely spoke…and Maddie not wanting to be a mother? His mind is swimming with thoughts about Maddie as he holds Terri in his arms.
Terri: You there, Addison? You seem a million miles away.
They hear baby Walt over the monitor.
David: (Moves to get up) I'll go get him.
Terri: (Pulls him back) Let him be…he'll go back to sleep.
David: (Stands up and pulls boxers on) Let's bring him in with us…it's his birthday…besides, I didn't get to spend much time with the little guy tonight.
Terri sighs and rolls on her back. When David brings Walt in, they both curl up around him and go to sleep.
A couple days later… Maddie and David drive through the streets of Los Angeles on their way back to Blue Moon as they discuss their latest case. Two people whose significant others have run off together…the woman's husband and the man's wife. They emptied their savings, took the family pets and absconded into the night. The discarded partners want Maddie and David to track the pair down and get the family pets back – prize winning Greyhounds.
Maddie: My God.
David: You rang?
Maddie: This case. These people.
David: (Kisses a check he's holding) this retainer.
Maddie: What is this world coming to if these are the things people care about? Not the person they've spent half their life with…but prize winning animals? Is that really what they've asked us to find and return to them?
David: Well, they say there's no love like the love a dog…I guess these people are proving that point.
Maddie: Running off with your best friend's spouse…how could they? What's happened to humanity!?
David: (Rolls his eyes) Yeah…gee…imagine. Coveting thy neighbors' wife.
He looks Maddie up and down, licks his lips, exhales and looks out the side window. Maddie's solemn face concentrates on driving. David looks back at her.
David: So, if you're so into the idea of sticking it out with the person you've committed to, I guess everything's ok with you and Wally?
Maddie: (Shrugs) Yeah… sure, I suppose.
David: (Chuckles) Well, you've convinced me.
Maddie doesn't say anything back, but he can tell there's more on her mind.
David: It's just…seeing you two at the party the other day…you seemed a little. Disconnected.
Maddie peers over at David.
Maddie: I don't think this is something we should talk about.
David: Why not? We're friends aren't we? Lot of water under our bridge. We should be able to talk about things…including our current relationships. Why not?
Maddie: I don't know…I'm not sure I want to know…I'm not sure I want you to know. You'll just use it as ammunition against me later.
David: That bad huh?
Maddie: No. I didn't say that.
David: Well, we don't need to go into the intimate details.
Maddie shifts. David pushes.
David: (Peers at her) There…are intimate details, aren't there, Madolyn?
Maddie: (Instantly irritated) I don't want to do this, David.
David: (laughs with his hands up) Ok…ok. Well, I'm happy to share. Want me to go first? Would that make it easier?
Maddie: Make what easier? I haven't agreed to anything.
David: Alright…well, I'll share with the class and then you decide if you're willing to share back. Kind of a … I'll show you mine if you show me yours proposition.
Maddie: (looks at him and rolls her eyes) I already don't like where this is going.
David: Anyway… I think Terri wants to get married and…
Maddie: (Cuts him off) Married? Married! You haven't even been together a year!
David: Yeah, well…I know that, but with the baby and all, she wants him growing up as part of a family unit.
Maddie: That is a terrible idea David…a horrible idea…I can't think of a worse idea than to get married.
David: Why not!? You're married!
Maddie: That's different.
David: How? How is that different?
Maddie: It was just…a spontaneous decision, and trust me, I live with the consequences of that every day… But you…you still have a choice.
David: Well, I could do a lot worse – Terri is a great girl…and the kid, Ooo, bang-boom…he's the best.
Maddie: Well, what about having your own child someday.
David: (Considers) Yeah…well, I suppose that could happen.
Her head turns quickly towards him.
Maddie: Could it? Could it happen?
David: (Shrugs) Well, any time two people are havin' sex it's always a possibility.
Tilts his head, trying to figure her out.
David: What about you? Thought any more about what we talked about the other night? Having a baby?
Maddie: Yes…I told you. It's not going to happen.
David: Oh yeah? And what does Wally have to say about this? He wants a child, isn't that a little selfish?
Maddie: Yes…in fact, it's the reason he's moving out.
David sits up in his seat.
David: Moving out? Moving out…whadda you mean moving out? He's leaving?
Maddie: That's usually what moving out means, David. Yes…Walter and I are splitting up.
David thinks.
David: Wow…I think I'm speechless. How? Why? When was this decided?
It'd be a warm day in Nome before Maddie told him the real reason…
Maddie: Well…we talked about it…and, kinda came to the mutual agreement that we aren't on the same page…don't want the same things and… decided to end it.
David: (Rolls his eyes) Wow…that sounds so mature.
Maddie: (Unsure) Yeah…Uhhh, something like that. So? Are you moving in?
David: Well…I didn't think you'd ask so soon after you got rid of Wally, but yeah…sure.
Maddie throws him a playful smile…
Maddie: With Terri…
David: And live in sin!? Maddie…what kinda guy do you take me for?
Maddie: Oh…ok…but you're there every night with her? How is this different?
David: I don't know…guess I gotta peruse my bible…been awhile.
Maddie: I'll be on the lookout for hellfire and brimstone…
And with that, Maddie accelerates the BMW down Wilshire Blvd. towards Blue Moon.
A week later, Maddie and David are in the stakeout van watching the couple who stole the greyhounds…hoping to locate where they're keeping dogs – they pets haven't been seen since the night the couple ran off with them. David adjusts a few knobs and jiggles a few wires and then settles down in the back of the van.
David: So… how's the great migration going…?
Maddie: Slow…
David: But still happening?
Maddie: (shifts her eyes) Yeah… he's, you know… looking for a place. I'm not going to rush him out. He can stay in the guest room as long as he wants.
David: … Guest room?
Maddie: Well, there's not much point of him sleeping in with me anymore is there?
David: Apparently there never was.
Maddie gives a half smile and puts the headphones over her ears to listen to what's happening in the house…a whole lot of nothing.
They sit for hours in the van monitoring the couple. The prize winning dogs are nowhere in sight. This is going to be a long one.
To pass the time Maddie and David do their usual fillers… checkers, charades, Monopoly. The hours get so long they resort to talking.
Maddie: I guess I really messed everything up, didn't I?
David: How so?
Maddie: Leaving L.A., forbidding you from coming to Chicago, keeping all my thoughts and feelings to myself, marrying Walter…
David: Oh yeah… that.
Maddie: I'm sorry, David. You deserved better.
David: Yeah, well… you know. Maybe what we thought was a good thing…just wasn't meant to be.
Maddie: If things had been different… the circumstances…I mean, if the baby was yours, and not Sam's …things could've been different…they would have been different.
David: Yeah… well, if you were carrying my baby, I would have made sure things were different. But you see…I never cared about any of that. I was willing to make it work no matter the circumstances.
Maddie: And I didn't want you to have to do that. Reinvent yourself to become the father and husband you thought I wanted.
David: I never saw it that way…I was ready to commit to that life. I wanted the baby… (looks at Maddie) …and I wanted you. I never understood how you could walk away from what we had.
The masks were really falling away…
Maddie: (Looks down) I don't know. Maybe I was afraid of it. The pull between us was too strong. I felt controlled by it.
David: Oh, well…I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were scared. (Laughs and shakes his head) dumb David. Of course…makes perfect sense… that's why you put Walter between us.
David rubs his hand over his face and looks over at Maddie… she's looking at him with so much emotion. They're sitting next to each in the back of the van, shoulder to shoulder… like they've done so many times. Only, this time there's a lot of truth between them for the first time in a long time.
The transparency between them becomes intoxicating…intimate…the wall between them starts to drop. And…slowly…as if being drawn together by some unknown force, they both lean in and share a sweet, sensual kiss … so natural and real it's hard to tell if this is now, the past or some future life. Neither of them wants it to end and it doesn't. The closeness…the familiarity sets a fire off in Maddie, her body remembers what this man can do to her and she wants him…now! She pulls David by his shirt to come closer…David's hand moves up in to her hair and then slides down her back, he moves her hips closer, the kiss becomes more passionate. David kisses down her neck, they're too far gone to stop now.
David: God, Maddie.
Maddie: I want you, David…
David throws her down in the back of the van and they thrash for hours the way they used to. When they finally come up for air and pull their clothes on, they set up some of the equipment they knocked over in their love making frenzy…and get back to listening for clues.
Maddie: (Looks at her watch) Do you need to get back to Terri?
David: (Looks down and shakes his head) Nah, she's in San Francisco this weekend, brought Walt up there to see Boris.
Maddie: Ah, I see…
David: See what?
Maddie: Girlfriends out of town so you feel safe to start something up with me?
David: Start something up? I did not start that…
Maddie: (Laughs) O…k…
David: That was you…
Maddie: ME?
David: Us… that was you, that was me…that was us, Maddie. So don't accuse me of setting out to cheat on anybody…because I didn't.
Maddie opens her mouth to respond, but just at that moment…they hear a dog bark and…they're on the case.
*This story would not have been written if it weren't for the help, guidance and brainstorm sessions with DanaDanielleLadyCornflake – it's been so fun talking through this fanfic scenario with you while trying to stay true to the characters. THANK YOU! – let's keep talking Moonlighting* - oh and…listen to Moonlighting The Podcast!
TO BE CONTINUED…