Chapter 14
"A dad?" David and Maddie said in unison.
"Yeah. A dad."
"You just found out?" Maddie asked.
"Yup. Apparently, this woman I was dating had my baby and I had no idea."
"Wow. Start from the beginning man."
"I dated Lindsey a few years ago. She was cool. It was great. But she was into some stuff I wasn't cool with."
"What stuff?" Maddie asked.
"She was a lot more into partying than I was. So, I broke it off. I'm down for a good party and a drunken night but she was too much for me. I get a call yesterday. Apparently, Lindsey was pregnant when I broke it off. I don't know if she knew or not but she didn't tell me. She had the baby. She's had periods of time since he was born where she'd be heavy into partying, then stop, then go back heavy, then stop. He's only two and a half and he's gone back and forth between his mom and her parents countless times. When she was partying, he'd live with her parents. When she wasn't he'd live with her. Recently, she started up with some guy who is also heavy into partying. He got her into some questionable things. Now, she's at a point where she's incapable of taking care of the kid. Her parents are tired of of it and don't want to raise him. So she told them who the father is and they called me."
"That's terrible. So what's going to happen?" David asked.
"I'm gonna have to go to Pheonix where they live to sort everything out. We gotta do paternity tests, name change and deal with custody stuff. His name is Wyatt."
"Wow. That means I'm an uncle now. A real uncle," David said in amazement.
"And I'm a real aunt."
A few days later, Maddie was sitting in her office. Agnes knocked on the door and came in. "Ms. Hayes, David Addison Senior is here to see you."
"Send him in. Thank you, Agnes."
David Sr walked in. "Hello, Maddie."
"I know David and Richie aren't very happy with me right now. I'm here to talk to you about talking to them about a possible reconciliation. I'm not proud of how I acted. It's been killing me not being able to meet my granddaughter. And now I find out I have a grandson too. I understand my wrong doing and I want to make up for it."
"I understand. David told me once that people can get past their past and that the future is what counts. I think I can get them to at least talk to you. Come by for dinner later." Maddie writes down the address and hands it to David Sr. "Say seven?"
"I'll be there," David Sr said before walking out of the office
"Maddie, I don't know about this," David and Richie said in unison while pacing.
"I know. But he is your dad. I want Charlotte to have a grandpa. And think about little Wyatt. He won't have any grandparents if you guys don't reconcile with your dad. David you told me the future is all that counts and forget the rest, remember?"
"I hate it when you use my lines against me," David said.
"I know. But they work, don't they?"
"True."
The doorbell rings. Maddie goes to answer it. "Come in."
"Wow. Nice place."
"Thank you," Maddie said.
"Sit down. Dinner is almost ready." David said. David Sr sat on the couch with Maddie and Richie while David went to the kitchen to check on dinner.
"So, son, you're a dad now?"
"Yeah dad. A little boy. It was a woman I dated. I didn't know she was pregnant."
"I'll go see if David needs help," Maddie said leaving father and son alone. Richie and David Sr sat there awkwardly. David and Maddie set the table and came out with dinner. Everyone sat around the table eating. Dinner was awkward. After dinner, that all sat in the living room. "Ok. We need to talk about this. I know what I did was awful. But I want the opportunity to make things better. Now I have two grandkids who I want to get to know and be there. Other than Stephanie, you three and the kids are my only family. I want to be there for my family and want them to be there for me," David Sr said.
"Dad, it's not easy to forget. But I don't want to deny my son a chance to get to know his family," Richie said.
"Same with my little girl," David said. As if she knew they were talking about her, Charlotte let out a cry. "I'll get her," Maddie said as she got up and went upstairs. David, Richie and David Sr sat talking. David told his dad about the house. Richie talked about how he found out about his son and the plans for the boy. Maddie came downstairs holding baby Charlotte. "Someone is awake and it's time to meet her grandpa," Maddie said handing Charlotte to David Sr.
"Hello little angel. What's her name?" David Sr beamed.
"Charlotte," David said.
"What a beautiful name. Maddie, she looks just like you except with brown hair," David Sr said. "Richie what's it like being an uncle?"
"It's great. I love it."
"He babysat recently. We came home to find them both a sleep with Charlotte sleeping on Richie's chest," Maddie said.
"Richie you'll be back with Wyatt in time for Christmas?" David Sr asked.
"Yeah."
"If it's alright with you guys, I'd love to come out with Stephanie for Christmas. Celebrate the first Addison family Christmas with the kids."
"That would be great dad," David said. Charlotte let out a big yawn. "Someone is tired. Why you help me put her to bed and I can give you a tour," Maddie said to David Sr.
"Sure." Maddie and David walked up the stairs.
"So, bro. What do you think?" Richie asked.
"I guess I can understand his nervousness. And I don't want the kids to grow up wondering why they have a grandpa but we don't talk to him."
"Yeah, I agree."
A week later David sat in his office. He heard a knock on his door. "Come in."
"Hi," Maddie said walking in. He could tell she was nervous to bring up something.
"What's wrong?"
"Margret called me. She wants to do another interview about me becoming a mom."
"So what's wrong?"
"I know she'll ask about what I said last time when the subject of kids came up. And I want to talk about our son. But I wanted to talk to you about it first."
"Honey, are you sure you want to talk about him publicly?"
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Well, if you want, I can be in the room while you give the interview. If it gets too difficult to talk about, I'll be there."
"Thank you," Maddie said kissing David.
A few days later, Margret, Maddie and David sat in Maddie's office. "The Blue Moon Girl is now The Blue Moon Mom. Last time we did an interview, I asked you about having kids. You said there were private matters you might discuss one day. Have those matters been resolved? Can you talk about it now?"
Maddie looked at David. He gave a slight nod. "Well to answer your first question: the matter honestly can never be resolved. And yes I can talk about it today. Our daughter isn't our first child. After being best friends and working together for a few years, my relationship with David had shifted from friendship and business partner to romantic partner. Our romantic relationship was new. We didn't know where it would go. What would happen with us or our relationship. Then, I found out I was pregnant. We were happy and scared. We were figuring out our relationship while preparing for parenthood. Unfortunately, I went into labor prematurely late in my pregnancy. I gave birth to baby boy. He didn't survive."
"That's awful. I'm a mom myself. I can't imagine doing all that's needed and being so excited to meet the baby and then that happening."
"Yeah. It was an awful experience. But it made our relationship and our bond stronger. We were there for each other."
"Given that experience, what was it like with this pregnancy?" Margret asked.
"Absolutely terrifying. Every movement was nerve wracking. I always thought there was a problem. I was afraid to set up the nursery thinking we'd do all of that work only to have to take it down again. When I went into premature labor, I was at my baby shower. This time, I was terrified to go into my baby shower. I remember sitting in the car terrified to go in as David reassured me everything would be fine. Neither of us were able to relax until we heard her first scream."
"What has motherhood been like?"
"It's amazing. I never expected to be a mother. I never thought I'd be a good mother. Some days when she won't stop crying, I still question it. But my husband is always there to reassure me that I'm an excellent mother. It's better than I ever could have imagined."
"And your husband? What kind of father is he?"
"He's an amazing father. He loves to sing, especially to our daughter. He always sings My Girl by The Temptations to her. I see a daddy's girl in the making."
"That's so sweet. So tell me, being a former model, what would you say if your little girl wants to model when she's older?" Margret asked
"I would tell her about my experience with modeling and let her choose what she feels is best." The rest of the interview went well. Margret wanted to print a picture of mother and daughter for the article. Maddie refused. She didn't want to put her baby into the public eye before she's old enough to decide to be in it or not.
Later that day, Maddie was catching up on some paper work. "Ms. Hayes?" Agnes said standing in the open doorway of Maddie's office. "I'm going to head home soon. Just wanted to know if you needed anything."
"No Agnes. I'm fine."
"Ok. I just wanted to say I heard you talking about the loss of the baby. And that was a very brave admirable thing to do."
"It was?"
"Yeah. It's not often that public figures, especially women, openly talk to the public about their real-life struggles. People in the public eye are sort of out on pedestals. A woman who lost a baby might feel connected to you because you went through the same thing she did. What you said in the article might give that woman who lost a baby the courage to talk to someone about her struggle. Thank you for showing that just because you live better than many people, you're still like any other woman on the inside."
"Thank you, Agnes. I really appreciate that."
"You're welcome Ms. Hayes. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Agnes."
A few weeks later was Thanksgiving. The holiday was quiet. Agnes and Bert brought over baby Ashley. Mrs. Hayes went to visit some other family. A few weeks later, it was almost Christmas. This year was extra special. Not only was it the first Christmas for both babies, but Richie would be back in Los Angeles with his son. Maddie and David were anxiously in their house preparing for Richie's arrival. He was bringing over his son for the first time. The doorbell rang and Maddie answered the door. Richie walked in carrying a little boy. "Hi," Maddie said. Richie walked in and was greeted by David. He put down the boy. "This is Wyatt James Addison," Richie said proudly. The toddler had brown eyes and brown hair.
"He looks just like you," Maddie said.
"Wyatt, this is Uncle Dave and Auntie Maddie. Can you say hi?"
"Look a truck," Wyatt said excitedly holding out his toy truck.
"That's a cool truck," David said sitting on the floor with Wyatt. As David and Wyatt played on the floor, Charlotte let out a wail from upstairs. Maddie goes upstairs to check on her. A few minutes later she walks down to the living room with the baby. Wyatt looks up at Maddie and Charlotte. "A baby!" Wyatt said excitedly getting up and running over to Maddie who sits down on the couch holding Charlotte. "This is your cousin," Maddie said showing the baby to Wyatt.
"Pretty cousin," Wyatt said. Everyone laughed.
"Yes, she's very pretty," Richie said. "Can you say hi cousin Charlotte?"
"Hi cousin. She so small," Wyatt said.
"She's a baby," Maddie said.
"I a big boy," Wyatt said proudly.
"Yes a very big boy," Maddie smiled.
"She play with trucks?"
"No sorry buddy. She's too young. But Uncle Dave will play with your trucks," Maddie said pointing to David.
"Uncle Dave play with trucks?" Wyatt asked running over to David.
"Sure buddy," David said smiling.
"Red truck Uncle Dave," Wyatt said excitedly as held up a red pickup truck toy.
"Good job Wyatt. Can you show me the blue truck?" David asked as Wyatt held up a blue truck.
"He doesn't seem affected by the change or all of the strangers he's suddenly meeting," Maddie said.
"I think change is just normal to him that this point. I found out that it wasn't just her parents who would take care of him when she was partying. Sometimes her sister. Sometimes an aunt. I guess everyone in the family just got tired of it," Richie said.
"Did they say they wanted to keep in contact?" Maddie asked.
"Honestly, they didn't seem to care. Nobody in the family seemed interested in saying goodbye to him. They didn't ask for my address to send him anything. I got the feeling that they were relieved to not have to deal with him anymore."
"That's awful. Well, now he has a family who loves him," Maddie said.
A few days later was Christmas. Everyone was gathering at Maddie and David's house. David Sr and Stephanie flew in from Philadelphia. Everyone was sitting around enjoying Christmas Eve waiting for dinner. All three Addison men sat on the floor playing trains with Wyatt. Maddie and her mom sat on the couch with Stephanie who was playing with Charlotte. "The Addison boys are having fun," Mrs. Hayes said.
"And they all have about the same level of maturity, mom," Maddie said. Richie and David heard Maddie's comment and stuck their tongues out at her. "See what I mean?"
"This happy little princess in my lap is far more entertaining," Stephanie said as she tickled a happy laughing Charolette. "She's the happiest baby I've ever seen."
"Not when she's screaming to be fed or changed at two in the morning," Maddie said.
"She definitely has the Addison personality," Stephanie said smiling at Charlotte.
"Just my luck," Maddie said. Both David and Mrs. Hayes could see a hint of sadness in Maddie.
"Why don't we let the men play with the trains and us ladies check on dinner," Mrs. Hayes said. All three ladies walked into the kitchen with Stephanie holding Charlotte. "Are you alright?" Mrs. Hayes asked Maddie.
"I'm fine mom. I just can't help but feel sad when I look at Wyatt. Not just for the fact that he was unwanted by most of his family, but that Wyatt reminds me of…him." Stephanie didn't understand what the two women were talking about at first. Then it dawned on her. "I'm sorry Maddie," Stephanie said.
"Thank you. I just can't help but think our son would have been just like Wyatt."
"I know some of what happened, but not much. Did you have a name picked out?" Stephanie asked.
"Nothing definitive yet. One name we liked was Tyler Matthew."
"Tyler Matthew Hayes. Sounds nice," Stephanie said.
"Actually, it could have been Tyler Matthew Addison. We hadn't discussed the last name, but I would have given him David's last name if he wanted it. David was going to be his father no matter what a blood test said. He was preparing for fatherhood when I was thousands of miles away, telling him not to call and wasn't sure that it was his baby. But he was determined to be there for me and that baby boy. We had a test done afterward to know for sure. He was David's son."
"I'm so sorry Maddie. Will you tell Sleeping Beauty here about him?" Stephanie asked looking down at Charolette who was now sleeping in her arms.
"We agreed that one day we'll tell her about her big brother Tyler when she's old enough to understand."
After dinner, everyone sat around the living room. Richie sat feeding Charlotte a bottle. "What that?" Wyatt asked.
"This is her dinner," Richie said.
"Is that chicken?"
"No buddy. She's too small to eat food like we do. She eats special food."
"Why daddy?" Richie didn't know how to answer Wyatt. He looked over at Maddie.
"That special food helps her grow big and strong and have strong muscles like you," Maddie said.
"I have strong muffles," Wyatt said proudly.
"Yes you do buddy. Just like me," Richie said as Wyatt went back to playing with his trains.
"He seems so at ease considering everything he's been through already," Mrs. Hayes said.
"I think he's just used to strangers and change. He hasn't known one solid home or family," Richie said as Charlotte finished her bottle.
"Can I burp her?" David Sr said. Richie handed the baby to his dad.
"You Addison men are good with kids," Mrs. Hayes said.
"Well two of them still are like kids," Maddie said laughing. Richie and David stuck their tongues out again.
A little while later, the adults sat around while Charlotte slept in her baby swing and Wyatt slept on Richie's lap. "He's really bonded with you bro," David said to Richie.
"Now that I'm a mom, I just can't imagine being pregnant and giving birth to baby. Then not caring about the baby. Our friends adopted a baby. The birth parents are a young couple who are perfectly capable of taking care of a baby. But they decided they didn't want to. They like their carefree life too much to be tired down to the responsibility of a baby."
"That's just awful. I'm not a mom and I can't understand it," Stephanie said.
"So Richie, have you been seeing anyone?" David Sr asked.
"Actually, I have. Hey Dave, remember the bar fight on Halloween?"
"You guys got into a bar fight?" Mrs. Hayes asked.
"Yeah. Some guy was hassling a good looking woman and wouldn't let up. So we stepped in and he didn't like it. Thought we were moving in on her," Richie said.
"How noble of you two," Mrs. Hayes said.
"She was dressed as Tinkerbell. After you left, we talked. She gave me her number. We have gone out a few times."
"Does she know about Wyatt?" Maddie asked.
"She knows. She said she likes me and the fact that I'm stepping up to my responsibility makes her like me more." As they talked, they could hear the oncoming sounds of a diaper explosion coming from the baby swing. "I hear something rumbling over there," David said.
"I'll change her and get her ready for bed," Maddie said getting up.
"I'll help you dear," Mrs. Hayes said. "I like David's family."
"Me too mom," Maddie said as she changed Charlotte.
"You know who else would like David's family?"
"Daddy. I can imagine daddy and David Senior spending the whole night drinking scotch and talking business while ignoring everyone else in the room."
"Me too."
A few days later, Maddie sat at home with Charlotte. They decided to close down the office between Christmas and new year to prepare for a big New Year's Eve party. They were going to have at the office. David was spending the day helping to decorate. Maddie was sitting on the couch playing with Charlotte when the phone rang. "Hello?"
"Girl! You are never going to believe this," Maddie's cousin Julie said.
"Believe what?"
"Annie is gone," Julie said.