Chapter 7: Baby Love

It was late October, and Maddie and David were getting ready for a Halloween party hosted by Agnes and Bert. Agnes and Bert had moved in together a few months earlier and this was the first party they had hosted as a couple – they had invited everyone from the Blue Moon office.

Maddie was dressed as a very pregnant 1950s housewife and David was dressed as the Milkman. The idea was all David's, and Maddie had to admit it was clever. David wore a pair of black pants, a white shirt and black bow tie, and a white cap with the words "Milkman" embroidered across the front. He carried an empty carton of whole milk in his hand. Maddie wore a vintage black and white polka-dot 1950s maternity shirtdress with a full skirt, a string of large faux pearls, rubber kitchen gloves, and an apron. They took a look at themselves in the full length mirror in their bedroom and started laughing.

Maddie: "Knocked up by the milkman. This is pretty funny, David. I hope we win best costume!"

David adjusted his cap and ran his fingers through the sides of his hair: "Absolutely. We're lookin' good, Goldilocks. Alex is going to be one handsome kid." Maddie hit him on the arm and laughed.

David and Maddie got in the BMW and David drove them to the party at Bert's and Agnes' place.

David: "I realize this is an ironic conversation to be having with you dressed as a 1950s housewife, but we've never really talked about child care, honey. What do we want to do when the baby comes? I'd love for you to be able to be home with him at first, when he's little, if that's something you'd want to do."

Maddie: "I'd love that too, David. But I'm a modern woman and there's a certain reality of us owning a business that we have to keep in mind. Maybe I can be home with him for the first six months and then come back to work part time? I don't think anyone can handle the books and payroll like I can. I know there's a day care center at Century City, and with my mom and dad getting a place out here and being here part of the year, I'm sure they could help out."

David: "Sounds good, Blondie Blonde. Seriously, Maddie, I want you to do what makes you happy. If you wanted to be home full time, we'd find a way to make it work. And if you don't, then that's fine too. Either way, Alex is gonna be a lucky little critter to get you as his mom." He reached over and touched her face, and tucked a bit of her hair behind her ear.

Maddie and David arrived at a Halloween party that was in full swing. Bert and Agnes answered the door dressed as Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was playing on a turntable in the background. There was a table filled with Halloween-themed appetizers and drinks and there were bowls of candy all around the place. There was a huge tub on the balcony set up for bobbing for apples. The Bela Lugosi version of "Dracula" was playing on the television set.

Agnes: "Mr. and Mrs. Addison! We're so glad you're here! Your costumes are great! They're better than great – they're great great!"

Maddie: "Thanks, Agnes."

Maddie and David made their rounds at the party. All of the Wobblies were there. Jergensen, O'Neill, and Simmons did a group costume and came as the Fruit of the Loom guys – an apple, purple grapes, and green grapes. MacGilicuddy was dressed like a magician and was entertaining people with magic tricks. Jamie was dressed as a fortune teller and was looking into a crystal ball and predicting the future. Richie was there with Maddie's friend Elizabeth, who had flown in for the weekend. Maddie and David exchanged glances – they knew they'd hooked up at their wedding in Vegas but didn't realize this was an ongoing thing.

Maddie gave Elizabeth a hug: "Elizabeth! I had no idea you were in town!"

Elizabeth: "It was a spur of the moment thing. I have to be in LA to meet a client on Monday so I thought I'd fly in a little early and Richie told me about this party. I should have called but thought I'd surprise you. Wow, you look amazing, Maddie. Cute costumes, guys!"

David: "Richie! Great costumes, bro!" Richie and Elizabeth were dressed as Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis from "Top Gun". David pulled his brother aside "Richie, so – you and her?! I knew about Vegas but…"

Richie: "She's incredible, David. We've been keeping in touch ever since Vegas. I flew to Chicago to visit her when you guys were in Paris and wow – what a weekend. She's gorgeous and sexy and smart. Long distance things are tricky but we'll see…"

David: "Well, I'm happy for you guys and I know Elizabeth and Maddie go way back."

Richie: "Yeah, I've heard all kinds of stories about their Kappa Kappa Gamma days." He patted David on the back.

The costume contest was a close call but Maddie and David won first place – and a little gold trophy shaped like a skeleton. They had a great time.

On October 31, Maddie and David stayed home and handed out candy to the trick or treaters from their neighborhood. David, always a child at heart, carved a large pumpkin and sat it outside next to the front door with a lit candle inside. He also decorated the front bushes with spider webs and large fake spiders. Maddie wore a witch hat and David dressed up as a pirate to hand out candy. Maddie thought he was really sexy in his lace up shirt, eye patch, waist sash, head scarf, and slim pants. He held out the candy bowl with a little plastic hook hand. There were a lot of cute kids and cute costumes – little witches and superheroes and princesses and ninjas - and Maddie and David couldn't help but think about their own future trick or treater. After trick or treating ended, Maddie and David turned off their lights and went upstairs to bed.

Maddie: "David, you're so cute and so sexy in this pirate costume. I think you should wear it every Halloween. Actually, maybe more often than that…" She stood in front of him, unlacing his pirate shirt, running her hands over his broad chest. Her hands slipped lower, and untied the sash around his waist, and let it drop to the floor. "I want you so bad, baby." She leaned up and kissed him passionately, running her fingers along the back of his hairline.

David: "You can walk my plank any day…"

Maddie laughed: "Addison! I guess I should have expected some kind of suggestive pirate line from you."

David: "Ahoy! Prepare to be boarded."

Maddie: "And David - don't take off the costume." They made love in the moonlight and fell fast asleep afterwards.

Maddie had her 32 week visit with Dr. Weed in early November. Dr. Weed: "How are you feeling, Maddie? Your weight gain looks good and the baby is measuring right on target. Your blood pressure is up a little bit. It's probably not a reason for concern, but definitely take it easy, rest as much as you can, and drink plenty of liquids. We'll keep an eye on it. If you start noticing blurry vision or start cramping or feeling dizzy, call me immediately. Otherwise, I'll see you again in a couple of weeks."

David was concerned. He took Maddie home and immediately started doting on her.

Maddie: "I'm not an invalid, David. I'll be fine. Really."

David: "I don't want to take any chances, Blondie Blonde. Here, have a glass of water and rest here on the couch with your feet up while I make you something healthy to eat."

Maddie was too tired to argue with him. The fatigue of the third trimester had settled in and she was absolutely exhausted. David made her favorite salad with chicken and brought it to her – she had fallen asleep on the couch and was snoring ever so lightly. He laughed, covered her up with a soft blanket, and kissed her gently on the forehead. He supposed it was a lot of work to grow another person inside of you.

Blue Moon was planning a surprise baby shower for Maddie and David at Chez Jay, a funky and fun restaurant in Santa Monica near the pier. Agnes was in charge of all of the plans, with Richie and Jamie helping out. Richie had called Maddie's parents, as well as David Sr. and Stephanie, and made arrangements for them to come out to LA for the shower. They set the shower date for Saturday, November 14, 1987.

Agnes was collecting money from everyone in the office for their group gift for Maddie and David. Agnes knew they hadn't gotten a stroller yet, and the entire office was chipping in to buy them one - the latest, nicest model. Maddie and David were out of the office for the afternoon. They'd gone out to lunch together, then he had driven her home to rest before he had a meeting with a potential client. Viola and MacGilicuddy were playing a heated game of Water Cooler Roulette with the office water cooler, drinking cup after cup of water, and hoping they didn't get the dreaded water bubble – whoever got the glub glub of the bubble was the loser. This time, it was Viola. He lost his bet to MacGilicuddy and had to pay up.

Agnes: "Herbert, I need $8.17 from you for Mr. and Mrs. Addison's baby shower. Your share of the baby gift."

Bert: "I'm sorry Agnes. I'm all tapped out."

Agnes: "Yeah, I know. Glub glub glub. I'll cover your share. But don't get to Chez Jay later than 7pm on Saturday or you'll ruin the surprise."

Bert: "I've been meaning to say something. I can't make it – I have other plans."

Agnes: "You what?!" Agnes grabbed Bert by the tie and dragged him into David's empty office. "Mr. and Mrs. Addison are having a baby! This office is giving them a shower! And you're going to be there – with bells on. Even their parents are coming in for it!"

Bert: "No, I'm not."

Agnes: "Yes, you are."

Bert: "If you think I'm going to that shower, you're all wet."

Agnes: "Herbert, why are you being like this?"

Bert: "Like what?"

Agnes: "Like this – this is unreasonable."

Bert: "Did it ever occur to you that I might have a perfectly valid reason for not attending this function?"

Agnes: "Let's hear it."

Bert: "Well, the plain truth of the matter is – and I am being brutally frank – and frankly, brutal – but the truth is that I become very uncomfortable around women who are in a family way. And the thought of spending the entire evening – never mind the $8.17 – where the entire topic of conversation is pregnancy, well the entire prospect is too hideous to contemplate."

Agnes: "You're just jealous that women can do something you can't."

Bert: "Oh yeah, I really feel cheated out of morning sickness followed by unfathomable pain, which leads to years of being chewed, spit, leaked, and pooped on. No Agnes – some people are meant to have children. Your mother for example. And Mr. and Mrs. Addison. But me – I'd be a flop as a pop."

Agnes: "How can you say that unless you've tried?"

Bert: "Fatherhood isn't something you experiment with. The responsibility is simply too awesome. I mean suppose I did have a kid. Suppose I didn't like it, or it didn't like me. What if we didn't bond?"

Agnes: "Oh Herbert, you're such a worry wart."

Bert: "You're right, I am! And do I want – do we want - to pass along a genetic weakness like that?"

Agnes: "Well, it wouldn't just be your gene pool. A baby doesn't have to be the worst parts of two people. I've always believed that it's usually the best. Like Mr. and Mrs. Addison's son. He's going to be a great baby, a great kid. And what baby wouldn't want to have your wit?"

Bert: "Do you think I'm witty?"

Agnes: "The wittiest. And your good looks. I could really get into your genes, Herbert Quentin Viola."

Bert: "And I yours. Okay, what time and where?"

Agnes: "Saturday. 7pm Chez Jay. With bells on." They kissed passionately and Agnes congratulated herself on convincing him to come.

The evening of Maddie's and David's baby shower was a beautiful one, clear and cool outside. Richie was able to secretly get David Sr., Stephanie, Alex, and Virginia to Chez Jay without Maddie and David finding out they were even in town. Elizabeth was there too, on another business trip. She was helping her law firm, Sidley Austin, open a west coast office in downtown LA. Richie lured Maddie and David to Chez Jay for a couple's night out with Elizabeth and him.

When Maddie and David walked into the funky back room of Chez Jay, they were sincerely surprised and thrilled at the outpouring of love and excitement from their family and friends for them and the baby. They both beamed.

There was a table of gifts, all wrapped in blue wrapping paper, and there were platters of all kinds of delicious food. Champagne was opened and passed around. The entire room sang "For they are jolly good fellows, which nobody can deny!"

There was fantastic Motown music playing and everyone was dancing. David pulled Maddie into his arms, with her hands around his neck and his arms around her waist, and they danced to The Supremes' "Baby Love". Maddie had never had a bigger glow and David had never had a bigger smile. They were both incredibly happy.

Ooh, baby love, my baby love

I need you, oh how I need you

But all you do is treat me bad

Break my heart and leave me sad

Tell me, what did I do wrong

To make you stay away so long

'Cause baby love, my baby love

Been missing ya, miss kissing ya

Instead of breaking up

Let's do some kissing and making up

Don't throw our love away

In my arms, why don't you stay?

Maddie hadn't been feeling very well all day. She felt absolutely exhausted but she had dismissed it as just being in her third trimester and staying busy with work and all of the preparations for baby Alex's arrival. When she and David were dancing, Maddie noticed that her vision started going blurry and she started feeling weak and dizzy. Suddenly, she had a severe, stabbing pain in the lower left part of her belly. She felt a gush and she looked down to find she was drenched with blood.

Maddie whispered: "Something's wrong, David. Something doesn't feel right."

David looked down at Maddie, and her face suddenly went flush and her arms suddenly went limp. She started to fall forward and David caught her in his arms. David's face was as painted with panic as Maddie's was pale. "Baby Love" was still playing in the background.

David: "Are you all right, honey? Stay back, everyone, give her some space." David looked down at her and saw all the blood and knew this was something bad.

Richie and Agnes happened to be close by and rushed over to their side.

David: "Agnes, go call an ambulance. As fast as you can. Rich, tell her parents, and dad and Steph." He tossed the BMW keys to Richie. "I'm going with Maddie. Bring her parents to the hospital."

Agnes stayed on the phone and gave the emergency responders as much information as she could. The ambulance got to Chez Jay quickly and the paramedics put Maddie on a stretcher and immediately started taking her vitals. David could tell by the look on the paramedics' faces that this was really bad. There was a lot of blood and David was terrified. He rode in the ambulance to the hospital with Maddie and held her hand. Her usually warm hands were cold and clammy. The paramedics gave her an IV and oxygen and laid her on her left side, to optimize blood flow to the baby. They took her blood pressure, and it was very high. David was really scared and Maddie looked at him with absolute terror in her eyes, before drifting in and out of consciousness. David could hear the paramedics saying words he'd read about in their pregnancy books but didn't really understand – pre-eclampsia and placental abruption. But when they pulled out a fetal doppler, and put it on Maddie's belly, David was relieved to hear the thump-thump, thump-thump of the baby's heartbeat, although it did sound faster than it normally did in Dr. Weed's office. David gave them information about Maddie and her medical history as the ambulance sped towards the hospital. David heard the paramedics on the radio to the hospital as they gave them Dr. Weed's name and talked through what was going on with Maddie.

When they got to the hospital, Maddie was immediately rushed into the emergency room and the nurse asked David to wait outside while they assessed Maddie and the baby. David was absolutely beside himself and paced back and forth. In the ER, Maddie was immediately hooked up to a slew of monitors and doctors and nurses began assessing the situation. A nurse came out to talk to David a few minutes later, but to him, it felt like hours.

ER Nurse: "Mr. Addison, your wife has had a placental abruption and the baby is in fetal distress. An abruption is a very rare but very serious complication when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the baby is born. The placenta is the organ that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the baby and a detachment causes heavy bleeding and possible oxygen deprivation for the baby. Dr. Weed is on call and is in the hospital now. Your wife's blood pressure is also extremely high, and we believe this is sudden onset pre-eclampsia and could be the reason for the abruption. We have to do an emergency caesarian section to save their lives. They are prepping her for surgery now. We're doing everything we can. I'm so sorry, Mr. Addison."

David was crying. "Can I see her? Can I be with her? We've gone through Lamaze classes and I'd planned to be in the delivery room even if she had to have a c-section."

Nurse: "Since this is an emergency, she will have to be under general anesthesia in an operating room and I'm afraid that means you can't be in there with her. I know how hard this all must be to hear. You should know that Dr. Weed is the best obstetric surgeon out there. She and our team are going to do everything they can for your wife and the baby. Let me show you to the maternity waiting room and we will update you as soon as we can."

The nurse took David to the maternity waiting room where the rest of the family was already gathered – Alex, Virginia, David Sr., Stephanie, and Richie. David wondered how fast Richie had to drive to get them there so quickly. David told them everything the nurse had told him, then walked to the opposite corner of the darkened waiting room and sat down by himself. He wanted to be alone.

David's shirt was splattered with blood and his eyes were filled with tears. He sat in the waiting room chair with his face in his hands, feeling absolutely helpless. He looked over at Maddie's parents, Richie, his dad, and Stephanie. Alex knew David wanted to be alone – he'd have felt the same way himself – he put his hand into a fist and made a gesture of kindness and support to David, who managed to give a halfhearted smile back to Alex.

David ran his hands through his hair, tears streaming down his cheeks. He had never felt so alone, or so powerless. He prayed to God, for a miracle, for both Maddie and the baby to be okay. He'd lost a baby before, with Tess, years and years ago but it was nothing like this – it was early on in Tess's pregnancy, and he and Tess were both kids themselves, 18 years old, forced into a marriage that neither of them wanted. The memory of that loss had faded over the years, but it felt like an especially cruel twist of fate to possibly be in this situation again, almost 15 years later, with the love of his life.

David kept thinking of all of the happy memories he had with Maddie. Images kept flashing through his mind of all of the little moments that made up their life together. The first time he'd met her at Blue Moon – and instantly fell in love. The first time they'd danced together in that bar to "Since I Fell For You". Their first kiss in the parking garage. All of the crazy, silly cases they'd solved together. The first time they'd made love. Dancing in the laundromat. Serenading her in front of her parents' house in Chicago. Their engagement. Moving in together. Their wedding in Vegas, and how beautiful she was it almost hurt to look at her. Walking hand in hand with her along the Seine in Paris. Carrying her over the threshold after their wedding and honeymoon. The first time they heard the baby's heartbeat. Feeling him kick for the first time. And the little silly things too. The time Maddie burned dinner in the oven and he had to get out the fire extinguisher. The time Maddie unknowingly kept flicking blue paint onto him when they were painting the baby's nursery and he got so irritated with her – but then picked her up in his arms and swung her around and kissed her. The time he was heading out to a client meeting and kissed Maddie goodbye – then leaned down and kissed her baby bump goodbye as well. He smiled, thinking of all of their happy memories, and prayed that they would have many more happy memories together.

Meanwhile Maddie was in surgery, under general anesthesia – the birth experience that no mother wanted. An emergency c-section was required because of her sudden onset pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, and the baby's fetal distress. She had lost a lot of blood and Dr. Weed and her medical team were doing everything they could to save her and the baby.

David saw a nurse walking towards him across the waiting room. How long had they even been there? Minutes? Hours? Days? He had lost all concept of time. "Mr. Addison? Can you come with me?"

David had no idea what to expect. He had never felt more anxious, or terrified, or alone. The nurse brought David to a recovery room. He stood in the doorway and saw Maddie laying in a bed, stomach flat, pale as a ghost. There were IVs with fluids and medications and a bag of blood going into her arm. She opened her eyes and looked over at him, then weakly reached her arm out to him. He ran over to the bed, grabbed her hand, and sat down next to her.

Maddie spoke in the weakest, groggiest voice "David…I didn't want anyone else to tell you." David was afraid of what she was going to say next. He cried and held Maddie's hand to his cheek, then kissed it gently.

Maddie: "He's here."

David, not quite understanding: "What?"

Maddie: "Alex. He's here. He's okay. I'm okay."

David's tears were coming harder now, but these were tears of joy, and of relief: "He's really okay?"

Maddie: "He's tiny but he's okay. He's in the neonatal intensive care unit and Dr. Weed said we will both be here for a while but he's okay. We're okay."

David leaned over and kissed Maddie, forgetting about all of the wires and IVs and her incision. She winced and he quickly caught himself. "Oh Maddie, I am so sorry baby, I am just so happy and so relieved. I was afraid I had lost you – both of you. I was so scared." He stroked Maddie's forehead and cheek and brushed a bit of her hair behind her ear. David smiled and laughed both out of happiness and relief.

Dr. Weed came in to talk to both of them. "Maddie and the baby are both doing well. Maddie has lost a lot of blood. She's going to be weak and will need some help for a while but she's going to be fine. We've given her a blood transfusion. Everything looks good internally – there shouldn't be any issues with you two conceiving again in the future. Her blood pressure came down immediately after the baby was delivered. And your son is doing very well. He's a good size for 34 weeks - 5 pounds, 3 ounces, 17 inches long. He's breathing on his own but we have him in an incubator as a precaution since he was born so early. He's a fighter, that one, and has a set of lungs on him. Maddie will need to stay in the hospital for the next week or so and your son will need to stay in the NICU for the next few days, as well. But if everything goes as I think it will, they should both be home within a week or so."

Dr. Weed pulled David aside and said to him privately: "I have to be honest with you, David, it was really touch and go there for a while, for both of them. It was a full placental abruption and she's so lucky she got to the hospital so quickly. Maddie will need a lot of rest tonight after everything she's been through. But tomorrow, she should be able to go to the NICU and see the baby. For tonight, I'll have someone from the NICU come and get you."

David, through tears: "I can't thank you enough, Dr. Weed. For everything. Truly." He shook her hand and she gave him a hug.

Dr. Weed left and David sat in the recovery room with Maddie and quietly held her hand while she slept.

A few minutes later, a NICU nurse came in. "Mr. Addison, I'm Nurse Collins and I'm the head nurse in our NICU. I've been helping take care of your baby. Would you like to meet your son?"

David smiled, tears in his eyes: "Absolutely."

David added: "Would someone be able to go give an update to our entourage in the waiting room? My wife's parents are there, and my dad and his wife, and my brother."

Nurse Collins: "Of course, Mr. Addison. I'll ask someone to go talk to them and give them an update. We only allow two people in at a time to visit with the baby, in addition to the parents, but there's no reason they can't stand at the window and peek in at the baby, and take turns meeting him." She patted his arm.

Nurse Collins took David to the NICU nursery. Before they walked inside, she had David wash his hands and put on blue scrubs over his clothes. "We try to keep as sterile an environment in the NICU as we can, and we ask parents and visitors to wash their hands and suit up in scrubs each time they visit."

Nurse Collins continued: "Mr. Addison, before you meet your son, don't be alarmed when you hear all the beeping and see all the wires and tubes. That's all very normal for the NICU nursery. Your son is doing extremely well. He's breathing on his own but we are giving him oxygen as a precaution. Over the next few days, we'll turn that oxygen down little by little to make sure he continues to breathe successfully on his own. He has a heart monitor to keep check on his heart rate because babies born early can have trouble maintaining their heart rate – those are the EKG rounds you will see on his chest. So far, his heart rate looks very good. His APGAR scores at birth were much higher than what we usually see with a baby born at 34 weeks. We have babies in here born far earlier and with some very, very serious conditions and you may see some of that too – just know that every baby and every situation is different. Your son is very healthy – he was just born early and needs a little extra time to catch up."

David was so relieved hearing all of this – he had no idea what to expect. He nervously walked into the NICU with the nurse and over to meet Alex. They hadn't talked about any of this in their Lamaze classes, and David was kicking himself for not reading up more on potential complications. Alex was in an incubator on a warming blanket. He was wearing a diaper and a little blue, white, and pink striped soft cap on his head. He had a nasal cannula in his nose to give him extra oxygen and had an IV in his little arm. He had small round EKG round strips on his chest attached to a heart rate monitor. There was a little pink and blue card with a cartoon stork printed on it on the end of the incubator with all of his information: "Alexander David Addison. 5 pounds, 3 ounces. 17 inches. 11/14/87. 10:21pm."

David looked down at his son and instantly fell in love – and had an overwhelming need to protect this little guy. He was so small but so perfect. He could see so much of himself in him – the shape of his face, the dimples on his little chin and cheeks, the shape of his eyes and ears. He had a cute little nose that looked more like Maddie's than his own.

Nurse Collins: "We always keep caps on NICU babies to keep their heads warm but I have to tell you, I've never seen such a head of hair on a newborn, especially not one born at 34 weeks. As blond as can be and sticking up all over the place. He's really cute – and you'll just have to believe me when I say I don't say that about all the babies I see. He's gonna be a charmer, that one. And boy, what a screamer - he's got a set of lungs on him."

David laughed: "Just like his mother." Nurse Collins laughed with him.

David reached into the incubator and touched Alex's little hand with his finger. Alex grabbed David's finger with his little hand. David smiled as tears ran down his face. Their son.

Nurse Collins: "I understand your wife had a very difficult delivery. Dr. Weed said she is recovering tonight but that she should be able to come to the NICU tomorrow and hold him – and try feeding him. Would you like to hold him now?"

David nodded yes. Nurse Collins had David sit down in a rocking chair next to the incubator and gently got Alex out of the incubator and put him in David's arms. David was really nervous holding him with all of the wires and tubes but the nurse showed him how and he settled in and got the hang of it quickly – David Addison was nothing if not a quick study. David couldn't believe Alex was here and doing so well. David held him for a long time, soaking in this first moment with his son. He stroked the side of his face with his finger and touched his little hands and feet. Alex opened his little eyes and looked up and David.

Nurse Collins: "Would you like to try feeding him a bottle? Some babies born at 34 weeks can nurse and take a bottle and for others it's more difficult, and then we need to look at tube feeding for a while. It just depends on the baby and how far he is in that part of his development."

Nurse Collins handed David a tiny bottle of formula and showed him how to hold Alex with his head in the crook of his arm and give him the bottle. Alex immediately took the bottle and drank the entire thing down. The nurse showed David how to burp him gently.

Nurse Collins: "Well, look at that. He's doing great. That's so good to see. You're doing so well with him. Breast feeding is best, especially for a preemie like Alex, but until your wife is well enough to feed him, this is the next best thing."

David looked up at Nurse Collins and smiled, then looked through the windows into the hallway. There was an audience looking in on him and Alex – Virginia and Alex, David Sr. and Stephanie, and Richie were all standing there watching the two of them and there wasn't a dry eye in the group. David smiled and waved at them.

David: "Nurse Collins, the gentleman with gray hair and the blonde lady holding his hand, that's my wife's parents, Alex and Virginia Hayes. Can they come in and meet him first?"

Nurse Collins: "Of course, Mr. Addison. I'll go get them." She smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder.

Nurse Collins walked out of the NICU to get Virginia and Alex. She had them wash their hands and put on scrubs. Virginia and Alex joined David in the NICU with baby Alex.

Virginia couldn't hold back her tears of joy: "Oh my goodness, would you look at him. He's just beautiful. I didn't know what to expect coming in here but he's just perfect. He looks a lot like you, David."

David smiled: "Ginny and Alex, I was so scared. This came out of nowhere – everything was going great, and then it wasn't. We're so lucky. I saw Maddie in the recovery room and we talked with Dr. Weed. It was a placental abruption and pre-eclampsia and we nearly lost them both. But they are both going to be fine. Maddie lost a lot of blood and had to have a transfusion but she's doing well. Dr. Weed said they will probably both need to stay in the hospital for about a week. The baby is doing great. He's 5 pounds 3 ounces, 17 inches long, and breathing on his own, and everyone says that's great. He's able to drink a bottle too and they said that's also great news. His name is Alexander David Addison, after both of his grandfathers – and me, I suppose. Alex Addison."

Virginia and Alex looked at each other with tears in their eyes, and Alex held her hand and squeezed it.

Alex: "I'm really touched, son. I can't tell you how much that means to me. He sure is a handsome little guy. He'd have to be, with you two as his parents."

Virginia and Alex held baby Alex for a little while and then Nurse Collins took him out of their arms and got him settled back into his incubator.

David, Alex, and Virginia walked out of the NICU and Richie, Stephanie, and David Sr. all hugged David. David took Maddie's parents to see Maddie while the others took turns going into the NICU to meet Alex. There were hugs and sighs of relief all around.

Maddie had been moved to a private room in the maternity ward and was sound asleep, resting soundly after the ordeal she'd been through. Alex and Virginia stayed with her while David went to the bathroom and washed his face. He ran his hands through his hair and looked at himself in the mirror. God, what a night, but he was so thankful they were okay.

David also went to the hospital chapel, crossed himself, got on his knees, and prayed. Prayers of thanks for the two of them being okay. Prayers for Maddie's health and recovery. He walked back to Maddie's room, feeling a little lighter and a little clearer.

David whispered to Alex and Virginia: "I'm so glad she's okay. We hadn't even packed her bag to take to the hospital yet. And the few baby clothes we have are all going to be too big. The nursery is mostly ready but we haven't gotten everything we needed. We don't even have a car seat yet. Or a stroller!"

A maternity nurse came in to check on Maddie. "She's doing very well, Mr. Addison, all things considered. She's been through a lot and needs to rest. Her blood pressure is normal and her other vitals look good. We've given her some pain medications and that will make her sleepy. You should go home and rest and come back in the morning."

David: "I can't leave her. Or the baby."

Maternity Nurse: "We have sleeper chairs in all of our hospital rooms. You are certainly welcome to stay. But she's in good hands. If you feel like you need some time to yourself, she's well taken care of, as is your son."

Alex: "Tell you what, David. You stay here with Maddie and the baby tonight. Ginny and I will go back to your house and stay there tonight, check in on the place. In the morning, we'll pack a bag for Maddie, if you tell us where everything is. We can bring some things back for you too, son. We'll let you three settle in as a family and we'll come back to the hospital in the early afternoon. We'll talk to Richie and your dad and Stephanie too . Between the five of us, we'll divide and conquer and take care of it all – the car seat, clothes, diapers, anything else you need for baby Alex."

David: "I really appreciate that, Mr. Hayes. Alex. Truly."

Virginia and Alex hugged David and left the hospital with Richie. Richie had a spare key to Maddie's and David's house and took Alex and Virginia there and helped them pack a bag for David and Maddie. Alex and Virginia spent the night there in their guest room. David Sr. and Stephanie took a taxi back to Richie's apartment – David's old place. Richie had gotten furniture for the large empty living room and they slept on the sleeper sofa he'd purchased.

David slept fitfully on an uncomfortable rose colored vinyl sleeper chair next to Maddie. He was determined to be there, no matter what.

Maddie woke up the next morning, very weak and very sore. She opened her eyes, forgetting where she was for a moment. She touched her belly and it was flat and very sore from the c-section incision. Her breasts felt heavy and full. She looked over and saw David, dozing in an armchair beside her bed and admired his ability to sleep pretty much anywhere. He had a five o'clock shadow, hair standing up everywhere, blood splattered on his shirt. She had such an overwhelming feeling of love for this man. How could she ever have doubted their relationship, or questioned whether they should be together? He was the love of her life.

Maddie: "David…"

David jolted awake: "Maddie, honey, is everything okay? How are you feeling, baby?" He leaned over and stroked the side of her face.

Maddie: "I feel really weak, and tired, but I'm good. Have you seen him? How is he?"

David: "He's perfect, Maddie. He's so cute. He's little, but he's a fighter. The nurses say he has a set of lungs on him – a real screamer."

Maddie, hoarsely laughed: "That seems about right. Oh David, I really want to see him."

The nurses checked in on Maddie and all of her vitals looked good. They helped her get up and move around a bit. She was very weak and very sore.

Maddie: "Ugh, David, I feel like my insides are going to fall out. I've never had any kind of major surgery before. But I'm determined to go see him. Even if I have to be wheeled over to him…"

Maddie gestured to the wheelchair the nurses brought into the room for her. The NICU wasn't far, but Maddie was too weak to make that journey on foot, for the time being. David helped the nurses wheel her to the NICU, making silly racecar sounds along the way, where she got to hold Alex for the first time.

Maddie: "Oh, David, he's so beautiful. He looks so much like you. Look at those dimples!" She stroked his little face and he looked up at her, recognizing her voice instantly. She took off his little cap and stroked his hair. "Oh my goodness David, look at all of his blond hair! It's sticking up every which way! I think he has more hair than you do! I've never seen a baby with this much hair. I never pictured him as a blond - I always pictured him with dark hair, like yours. I think he has my nose. Otherwise, I'm not seeing a lot of me in his face. He's all you."

David: "Maybe he'll have your patience and calm and general easygoing nature." David smiled and winked at her, knowing full well Maddie embodied none of those qualities.

Maddie: "David!"

David: "To see you holding him, Maddie, I'm just overwhelmed with love for you both. I'm so happy you're both doing so well." David and Maddie beamed at each other. He leaned over and kissed her, then gently kissed Alex on the top of his little blond head.

Nurse Collins: "Would you like to try to feed him? Your husband gave him a bottle last night and he did great. Some preemies have to have a feeding tube but this little guy seems to be a great eater." She helped Maddie get him to latch on and within a few minutes he was nursing like a champ.

David: "Look at that! A breast man, just like his dad."

Maddie: "David! Will you stop!" She smiled though – it felt good to hear him joking after everything they'd been through. "This is weird. Feeding another person. But it feels like the most natural thing in the world, too."

Maddie was very tired after holding Alex and feeding him for the first time, so David and the nurses helped get her back to her room and she rested and took a nap. David went back to the nursery and visited with baby Alex, and spent the rest of the day going back and forth between Maddie and the baby and helping the nurses take Maddie back to the NICU for feedings.

David Sr., Stephanie, Richie, and Elizabeth came by the hospital in the afternoon. They brought a giant bunch of balloons and beautiful flowers for Maddie's hospital room. Alex and Virginia came back to the hospital in the afternoon as well, bringing the bag they had packed for Maddie and David. They also brought David's and Maddie's new Nikon camera back with them and took lots of photos of everyone with baby Alex. David grabbed a shower in a family bathroom on the maternity floor, shaved, and changed into a t-shirt, jeans, and Reeboks, feeling much more human again after the night they'd had. Maddie was still weak and tired, but she was so glad to be able to visit with everyone.

Agnes and Bert had collected all of the baby gifts from Chez Jay the night before and brought them to David's and Maddie's house, then went to the hospital to visit Maddie and David and meet baby Alex. Despite his reservations about pregnancy and childbirth and children, Bert thought baby Alex was adorable and didn't feel nearly as weird about being around a baby as he thought he would. Agnes and Bert brought more flowers and balloons from the Blue Moon family along with a giant blue teddy bear. Stephanie and Elizabeth went shopping together for baby boy preemie clothes and went back to Richie's apartment to wash them and have them ready for when baby Alex was able to come home. They also bought boxes of preemie sized diapers. Alex and Virginia looked through the baby gifts and realized there was a stroller and a car seat there. Richie, Virginia, and Alex spent a lot of time getting the car seat set up just right in the back of the BMW.

Maddie and baby Alex were getting stronger and doing better every day. Maddie was up and about, walking back and forth to the NICU, holding and feeding baby Alex. Three days after he was born, Alex was doing so well that the NICU nurses were able to turn off his oxygen and heart monitor and took out his IV. He had already gained 4 ounces.

David, meanwhile, refused to leave the hospital. He had been able to change clothes and get a shower, but he hadn't been sleeping or eating well and it showed.

Richie: "Bro, you are looking rough. You gotta get out of here. Go home, rest a little, get some fresh air. They are doing great, man, and Maddie's parents are here with them. Even for just a little while. Come on, I'm staging an intervention."

Virginia: "Maddie and baby Alex will be just fine, David. Alex and I are here and we'll call you if anything happens – which it won't. You don't have to stay away long but it'll do you good to get out of here for a little while. Sometimes you have to take care of yourself to be a stronger person for everyone around you. I have had to learn that the hard way over the years – as a parent and a spouse, sometimes you try to be everything to everyone."

Alex: "David, go home for a little while. We'll be here with Maddie. Get some rest. At least go home and lay down in a bed for a while. Call and check in on the office. It will be okay. We will call you if anything happens, I promise you, son."

Richie drove David home in the BMW. David smiled looking at the car seat in the back.

David: "Thanks for the car seat, Rich."

Richie: "It was in your stack of baby gifts. Be glad you didn't have to put that thing in the car. It took Ginny and Alex and I like an hour and a half to figure that damn thing out. It looks simple but believe me, it isn't. You owe me, bro." The two brothers laughed.

The house seemed so quiet and empty without Maddie there. David looked around and thought about the home they were building together and smiled. He saw the huge pile of unopened baby gifts in the corner of the living room. There was a stroller sitting there too, that Alex and Virginia must have assembled for them. He opened the fridge and smiled at what he saw – it was absolutely filled to the brim with casseroles and other food from their Blue Moon family – Agnes must have organized it. He grabbed a beer and handed one to Richie. It tasted cold and delicious. David picked up the phone on the wall in the kitchen and called Blue Moon. After listening to Agnes' rhyming greeting, he said thank you for the food, gave her an update on Maddie and baby Alex, and got an update on the latest Blue Moon news. David went upstairs and shed the clothes he'd been wearing. He shaved and took a long, hot shower. He laid down in their bed and fell asleep for a couple of hours. The bed smelled like Maddie and it made him miss her, and miss being there with her, but his exhaustion took over and he was able to get a little rest. After his nap, David got up and got dressed in another t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and his Reeboks, then went downstairs. Richie was sitting on their living room couch, watching a soap opera.

Richie: "Bro, you look so much better. Like a new man! Remember when mom was so sick? You didn't want to leave her side. Dad and I would literally have to tear you away. You were a good kid – well most of the time – and you're a good man. I'm proud of you, Davey." He patted David on the back and gave him a hug.

Richie drove David back to the hospital. On the way, they stopped by In-N-Out Burger and got burgers and fries and sodas for everyone and brought all of the goodies to Maddie and their hospital entourage, including their favorite nurses. David had charmed all of the nursing staff while he was in the hospital with Maddie and baby Alex and they all adored him.

A week after baby Alex was born, he and Maddie were discharged to go home. They dressed Alex in a cute blue sleeper that Stephanie and Elizabeth had bought for him and took lot of pictures. David drove Maddie and baby Alex carefully home in the BMW, with Maddie sitting in the backseat with the baby. David carried baby Alex in his car seat inside – Alex had fallen fast asleep during the car ride. David sat the car seat by the circular staircase, then helped Maddie upstairs, then went back downstairs for Alex.

Maddie: "I don't think I've ever been so happy to be home, David. I'm going to take a shower, then rest."

David put Alex gently into the bassinet in their room. Baby Alex cooed and yawned, then continued sleeping soundly. Maddie was still weak, so David helped her get in and out of the shower, then helped get her settled back into their bed, wearing a comfy pair of her pink silky pajamas. He kissed her gently, then climbed into bed next to her. They both fell instantly asleep, with David's arms around her. They were both exhausted but ready to start this new chapter of their lives together.

"Moonlighting: A Cookbook and Culinary History - Recipes, Restaurants, Clubs, and Cocktails Featured in the Iconic 1980s Series" coming August 2025!