The First, The Last, My Everything Ch 3 - Take Me To The River, a moonlighting fanfic

Take Me To The River

I don't know why I love you like I do

After all the changes you put me through

I wanna know
Won't you tell me
Am I in love to stay?

Take me to the river
And wash me down
Won't you cleanse my soul
Put my feet on the ground

Hold me, love me, please me, tease me
'Til I can't, 'til I can't take no more

Take me to the river

Al Green

It was Sunday morning a couple of weeks later, and Maddie took a shower while baby Alex was taking his mid-morning nap. David had gone to 8am mass and planned on picking up a few groceries on his way home, so she had a few moments alone. She dried and styled her hair, and then, before getting dressed, stood naked in front of the full length mirror in their bedroom, surveying her appearance. She hadn't quite lost all of the pregnancy weight from Alex and yet here she was, again! She put her hand on her stomach and turned slightly to the side – she was almost 11 weeks along now and definitely starting to show. She wondered if she'd ever get her flat stomach back again after two pregnancies. And between being a nursing mom and the new pregnancy, her breasts were much larger than usual. Maddie sighed – then shook her head. Life with David Addison was certainly never going to be dull.

Meanwhile, David came home from church and the grocery store. He brought the groceries inside and put them away in the kitchen. David went upstairs and walked up quietly behind Maddie, putting his arms around her. He slid one hand down over her baby bump. "You're absolutely gorgeous, Mrs. Addison. God, just look at you. I'm a very lucky man." He kissed the side of her neck, then lifted her hair with one hand and brushed his lips to that spot on the back of her neck.

Maddie: "Mmmm. Oh please, David. I'm already showing. And gaining weight. Just when I was almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight."

David whispered in her ear: "You've never been more beautiful to me, Maddie. I have to have you. Now."

Maddie: "Alex will be up from his nap soon. We need to be quick."

David: "Quick is my middle name, honey."

Maddie laughed: "Quick is a word I would never use to describe you, Addison."

David smirked at her, green eyes full of passion and heat: "What word would you use, Goldilocks?"

Maddie turned around and looked at him, running her hand along his cheek and through the side of his hair: "Oh, I don't know. Handsome. Sexy. Clever. Passionate. Attentive. Sensual. Someone who…"

David leaned in and whispered: "Fucks you senseless up against the mirror in our bedroom?"

Maddie: "David!"

Afterwards, Maddie and David lay together on their bed, her head on his chest, his hands stroking her hair, until they heard Alex stirring through the baby monitor.

Maddie: "I've got him." She put on her silky pink robe and went to his room. Alex was wide awake in his crib, and he smiled and cooed at her and kicked his little legs. Maddie smiled back at him, then picked him up and held him, and kissed the top of his head. "Hi sweetheart! You're something else, little one, you know that? You're so happy! And you look just like your daddy." She changed his diaper, then nursed him in the glider rocker in his room. David put on a pair of gray sweats and a black t-shirt and went downstairs and made them salads for lunch. They ate at the kitchen table while Alex sat happily in his swing, watching them both.

David: "So I talked to Father O'Neill after mass this morning about a christening for Alex. We could do something during mass or have a private service. I was thinking maybe the latter, and my dad and Steph could come into town and stay with us?"

Maddie: "No, David."

David: "I want him to be christened, Maddie. He's already 4 months old! I mean we probably should have done it sooner."

Maddie rolled her eyes at him: "Absolutely not."

Together:

David:

"How dare you roll your eyes at me, Madolyn! This is important to me, honey. Inna gadda da vida, why do you have to be so stubborn and difficult? Can't you just do something for me, for once, without us having to go ten rounds over it? And why do you always make me out to be the bad guy?"

Maddie:

"David, you know how I feel about religion. I'm in this relationship, too. He's my son, too. Don't I get a say in how he's raised? How dare you talk to a priest without mentioning any of this to me first! And just because I'm not religious doesn't make me a bad person!"

David looked at Maddie, mouth half hung open in disbelief.

Maddie: "I hate you sometimes, David Addison." Maddie ran up the spiral staircase to their bedroom - and slammed the door. The entire house vibrated. David looked at baby Alex and expected him to burst into tears, but he was as calm as a cucumber. David smirked and shook his head – at least someone in the house had an even temperament! He picked Alex up out of his swing and walked upstairs with him.

David: "Maddie, honey, open the door, damn it. You can't just shut me out. It's not an unreasonable request! It's not just the two of us anymore, is it?"

Maddie, through the door: "David, you know how I feel about religion. This shouldn't be a surprise to you."

David: "We've got to talk about this, Madolyn. It's really important to me. Aren't you worried about his eternal soul?"

Maddie opened the bedroom door: "No, David, you know how I feel. I don't bel-"

David cut her off: "Don't say that, Maddie. What if HE hears you?" David looked up and pointed to the heavens with his finger. "We don't want Alex to end up in limbo."

Maddie: "What does that even mean, David?"

David: "Think of your son, Maddie. And think of me. It's important to me. Can't you do this for me? You won't let someone sprinkle a little water on his head so he doesn't go to hell?"

Maddie rolled her eyes again: "Oh, please, David! I don't buy it. A christening is what? Cleansing a baby of sin? Clearly, babies arrive in the world as a clean slate and it's the world that screws them up!"

David: "I know you were christened as a baby because I've seen the photograph in your parents' house! Even if you don't believe, it's just a little water on his head."

Maddie: "But what does it mean, David? Does this mean that Alex, and this new baby - our children – are Catholic? And what does that mean? Are we sending them to Catholic school? First communion? Does that mean I'd have to become a Catholic too? Go to mass every Sunday? Sunday School? Go to confession? Pray the Rosary? I don't know that I'm prepared for any of that."

David: "Maddie, I was so scared when Alex was born. I was terrified that I was going to lose you, and him – both of you. I swore then that I'd do everything in my power to keep you both safe. We have to have him christened, Maddie. Please, baby. For me. This is important. If anything ever happened to him and he wasn't christened I would never be able to forgive myself."

There were tears in his eyes and Maddie realized in that moment just how important this was to him. She also realized how little she really knew about David and his religious beliefs – and what that meant for them, and their family. Ever since they'd met at Blue Moon, Maddie had known that David went to church and confession sometimes, and had been raised a Catholic, but they didn't really talk a lot about it. He was visibly upset when she told him she didn't believe in God – and relieved when she told him she might be open to the possibility of a divine being. He told her on more than one occasion that he prayed for her. She knew he went to Catholic school but she'd always assumed it was because his neighborhood public schools were bad, not necessarily for religious reasons. Since they'd been together as a couple, David went to mass sometimes – not every Sunday, but now that she thought about it, more often since Alex was born. He never pressured her to go with him – it was just something he did on his own, and she'd noticed he always seemed happier and lighter when he came back home afterwards. David told her once that when he went to mass, he lit a candle for people he'd lost – for his mother, for the child he and Tess lost, even for John, who he never knew but who he knew was important to Maddie. David was a good man and it touched her.

Growing up, Maddie had gone to church on Christmas Eve and Easter with her parents at their Episcopal church in Chicago, and gone through confirmation, but church had always been something you did, not something that was really a part of you, like it seemed to be for David. She'd planned a church wedding to John back in 1979 – his family were also Episcopalians - and his sudden death really left her questioning everything – religion, the existence of God, all of it. But Maddie had always been pragmatic and questioning and it worried her that David might have unrealistic expectations of their lives together – and their children's lives - in terms of religion.

David knew that Maddie was a skeptic and was a need-to-see-it-to-believe-it sort of person. He knew she wasn't religious but had always assumed she was open to the idea of religion. But to be honest, they never really talked about it. She seemed to support him when he went to mass – or at the very least didn't give him a hard time about it. He knew the Hayes family were Episcopalians and that Maddie had gone to church on Christmas Eve and Easter when she was a child. He knew she'd been christened as a baby, and gone through confirmation, because he'd seen the photos in Alex's and Virginia's house. He wasn't sure why she was so adamantly against religion but he suspected the loss of John had a lot to do with it. She didn't always have faith in things – in him, in herself, and up until not that long ago, in their relationship. And as usual, they didn't talk about things – they'd wait until things reached a boiling point and then have a knockdown, drag out fight – slamming doors and screaming at each other. They had to do a better job of communicating with each other, especially now that they had Alex, and another baby on the way.

Maddie walked over to David and touched his cheek: "I'm so sorry, David. I guess it just took me off guard. I had no idea how much this meant to you. I love you, baby. Let's have a christening. But we really do need to talk about what this means for Alex's life – for our kids' lives."

David: "I couldn't agree more, Maddie. I love you too, honey." David leaned over and kissed Maddie softly on the lips.

Alex looked at both of his parents and – for the very first time – giggled.

Maddie: "Oh, David! He just laughed! His first laugh!"

David smirked and shook his head: "I'm glad this is funny to someone!" He spun around the room with Alex who continued to laugh, then put his little hand in his mouth and smiled – and drooled. "Maddie, just look how cute he is! I can't believe we made him!"

Maddie smiled: "He's pretty incredible, isn't he?"

David and Maddie made arrangements for Alex's christening for a couple of weeks later with Father O'Neill – a private service, on a Saturday morning, with a lunch following at their house. David Sr. and Stephanie planned to fly to Los Angeles for the ceremony and were going to stay with Maddie and David.

The next weekend, Maddie and Elizabeth went shopping for a christening gown for baby Alex, followed by lunch out together. David and Richie stayed at home with Alex and watched a Clippers vs. 76ers game on television.

Elizabeth: "I have to say, Maddie, this is not what I had in mind when you said you wanted to go dress shopping!"

Maddie: "Believe me, I am less thrilled than you are. But I want him to look cute - and not like a girl! I think simple is probably best – something appropriate for a boy or a girl. We'll have another one soon enough who will have to wear it."

Maddie chose a simple white cotton Feltman Brothers christening gown with a rounded collar, pintucks, and a little matching cap. Afterwards, Maddie and Elizabeth went to Market Street for lunch. They both ordered fish and vegetables and sparkling water.

Maddie: "Speaking of dresses, how is the wedding dress hunt going? You know you can always borrow mine – it's vintage Halston."

Elizabeth: "That dress is spectacular – and sexy, wow - but the church would never allow it! I need something that covers my shoulders. I have in my mind what I want – I just have to find it. Soon."

Maddie: "And the wedding planning? I'm happy to help – make calls, get quotes, whatever you need."

Elizabeth: "Oh, Maddie! You know I have no time! Mom's helping with a lot of it and I've hired a wedding planner to help out. I do have some meetings back in Chicago in a few weeks – plan to finalize some plans when I'm there. I think Richie is going to go with me."

Maddie: "I'm so glad you're in LA, Elizabeth. I've missed you so much. It seems like yesterday that we were at Northwestern together – but also like a million years ago. So tell me the truth – how do you like LA? It took me a while to get used to it."

Elizabeth: "Oh, I love it. I sure don't miss the Chicago winters, that's for sure. Gosh, what a time we had at Northwestern, though! Remember all those socials with Sigma Nu and that guy who taught you how to play pool? And that time you had that modeling gig in New York over spring break and we drove there together and hooked up with those cute underwear models? Good times. What was that guy's name you dated who went to Yale? The one you grew up with? He was really good looking but I always thought he was kind of an asshole."

Maddie: "Sam Crawford. And yeah, you can say that again."

Elizabeth: "I'll never forget that time you called me late one night a few years ago – you were out dancing with David and Richie. I knew then there was something between you and David. Just something in your voice when you mentioned his name. Who'd have thought two Northwestern sorority sisters would end up with brothers from Philly? We're going to really and truly be sisters!"

Elizabeth and Maddie smiled at each other and squeezed each other's hands.

Maddie: "So you and Richie – are you thinking about kids?"

Elizabeth: "Well, I have some news there. I think I may be pregnant. I'm late and you know me – I'm never late. I mean, we've been careful, but not, um, always…"

Maddie: "Boy do I know that feeling."

Elizabeth: "I haven't told anyone. Not even Richie so you can't breathe a word to David. I'm kind of terrified if I'm honest. This is totally unexpected."

Maddie: "Well, you're getting married in July. Want to go pick up a pregnancy test? We could run by your place and you could take it while they're at my place watching the game. Believe me, I'm a pro at taking them at this point."

Maddie and Elizabeth stopped by the store and picked up a pregnancy test – two of them – and went back to Elizabeth's and Richie's apartment. 30 minutes and lots of anxious pacing later, the test tubes were all blue. Positive.

Elizabeth: "Wow, Maddie. I'm just in shock. It's funny because it's not like I haven't had my fair share of experiences in the past and never had a pregnancy scare. And we've been careful. I have a diaphragm and I'm religious about using it. Well, there was one time but…"

Maddie nodded, understanding completely: "These Addison men. I swear, David could look at me and I'd get pregnant. And I know what you mean – I'd never had a pregnancy scare before either. I never expected that it would be so easy to get pregnant, especially at my age."

Elizabeth: "Just meant to be! Well, I guess I know the conversation I'm going to have to have tonight. I hope he's going to be happy. I have no idea what I'm going to do about work. I love what I do and I worked for a long time to become partner – I can't just quit. And I love Richie but I just don't see him being Mr. Mom."

Maddie: "We should think about sharing a nanny. Seriously. You guys could move closer to us and she could take care of all of them. A whole little pack of Addisons."

Elizabeth: "That's honestly a great idea, Maddie. I mean, we're going to have to find a new place – this apartment only has one bedroom!"

Maddie: "Well, I can certainly recommend my OB/GYN. She's the best. She saved my life – and Alex's. I'll give you her number and feel free to drop my name when you make an appointment – she was a big Blue Moon Shampoo fan plus David has of course completely charmed her. That man!" They both laughed.

The next evening, Richie and Elizabeth had Maddie and David over for dinner. Baby Alex stayed with Virginia and Alex Hayes, who were more than happy to watch him for the evening. Maddie and David walked into the apartment and down the entryway stairs. David was shocked to see it so well furnished – two couches, a rug, a coffee table and end tables, lamps, framed pictures on the walls, a small dining room table that seated 4, curtains over the windows.

David: "Hey Bro, it's been a while since I've been over here but gotta say, never thought I'd see the day when this place was so well furnished."

Richie: "You left us a blank canvas, Davey. Literally all you had in here was a bed and that Pec Deck that you took with you. Most of this is Elizabeth's handiwork."

Maddie: "Well, it looks great! This place has great bones. The first time I visited David here, this room was completely empty. We had to sit on his trunk." Maddie and David looked at each other and smiled at that memory. "Whatever you're cooking smells delicious!"

Richie: "It's mom's pot roast recipe. Been simmering all day. Has Davey made it for you? It's really great."

Maddie: "He has but it's usually Steak a la Dave in our house. I'm so impressed – and thankful – that the two of you can both cook so well."

David: "We had to learn how to cook or we would have starved! Dad worked all the time in the fish market and we kind of had to fend for ourselves after mom passed away."

Richie: "Self-taught too. We had mom's recipes and cookbooks and we just kind of winged it. Lots of trial and error. But over time, we got pretty good. And later on we realized it was a real asset in the dating world to be able to cook."

Elizabeth: "Well, Maddie and I are thrilled you can both cook so well. Maddie's a terrible cook and I'm not great, either. Maddie, remember when you set the toast on fire in the Kappa house and the fire department came? The sisters put up that poster of you as Smokey the Bear with the tag line 'Remember, only you can prevent Sorority fires.'"

Maddie: "Don't remind me."

David and Richie looked at each other and burst out laughing. Maddie rolled her eyes at them.

David: "I'm sorry, honey, it's just so funny. Why am I just now hearing that story?"

Maddie: "I hate you. Both of you. "

David and Richie each enjoyed a beer before dinner while Maddie and Elizabeth had sparkling water. After the delicious pot roast dinner, Richie clinked his beer bottle with his fork.

Richie: "Well, Elizabeth and I have some news. We're expecting a baby. It's still really early, and she hasn't had a doctor's appointment yet, but we wanted to tell you two. I'll let dad and Steph know once we see the doctor and have a better idea of the due date."

Elizabeth: "We're thinking I'm probably due the first part of December."

David: "Bro! Liz! We couldn't be happier for you two. Wow!"

Maddie: "We're so happy for you both. And we'll be pregnant together, Elizabeth. Our babies will be so close in age – just a couple of months apart. I'm so excited for you!"

On the way home from dinner, David and Maddie chatted about the news in the car.

David: "I can't believe my brother knocked up your best friend."

Maddie: "Well, they are engaged, David. And we certainly have no room to talk."

David: "It's pretty exciting though, Maddie. Our kids will be the same age and living in the same city – they'll grow up together, hopefully be close. Nice to see Richie settling down and doing some positive stuff. He was in a tough place for a long time, never really making a go of anything."

Maddie: "I think it's wonderful, David."

The next Saturday was Alex's christening day. Maddie and David invited their families and closest friends for the occasion – Alex and Virginia, David Sr. and Stephanie, Richie, Elizabeth, Bert, and Agnes were all there. Maddie wore a light blue belted suit, accentuating her hourglass figure. David wore a dark suit, white dress shirt, and light blue tie that he'd bought specifically for the occasion – it matched Maddie's dress. Baby Alex was an adorable little blond cherub in his christening gown and matching cap.

The guests were seated in the church and Maddie and David stood at the front of the church at the baptismal font with Father O'Neill. Maddie held Alex. Richie and Elizabeth stood with them, as well. David and Maddie had asked them to be Alex's godparents.

David whispered to Maddie: "Hey Blondie Blonde, how are you holding up? You look beautiful in blue."

Maddie whispered back: "Well, I haven't burst into flames yet so that's a good thing. You're a good man, Addison. I'm lucky to have you. Usually." She smiled sweetly at him. He smoldered back at her.

Everyone was quiet as the ceremony began. They all looked at their programs so they could follow along with the service.

Father O'Neill: "What name do you give this child?"

Maddie and David: "Alexander David Addison"

Father O'Neill: "What do you ask of God's church for Alexander David Addison?"

Maddie and David: "Baptism"

Father O'Neill: "You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of training him in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?"

Maddie and David: "We do."

Father O'Neill, to Richie and Elizabeth: "Are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?"

Richie and Elizabeth: "We are."

Father O'Neill: "Alexander David Addison, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name, I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents and godparents to do the same." Father O'Neill made a sign of the cross with his thumb on Alex's little forehead, in silence, followed by David, Maddie, Richie, and Elizabeth. Alex smiled at the attention from everyone.

Father O'Neill continued: "My dear brothers and sisters, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly on this child who is to be baptized, on his parents and godparents, and on all the baptized. By the mystery of your death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give him the new life of baptism, and welcome him into your Holy Church."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Through baptism and confirmation, make him your faithful follower and a witness to your gospel."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Lead him by a holy life to the joys of God's kingdom."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Make the lives of his parents and godparents examples of faith to inspire this child."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Keep his family always in your love."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us."

All: "Lord, hear our prayer."

Father O'Neill: "Holy Mary, Mother of God."

All: "Pray for us."

Father O'Neill: "Saint John the Baptist"

All: "Pray for us."

Father O'Neill: "Saint Peter and Saint Paul."

All: "Pray for us."

Father O'Neill: "Almighty and ever living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child. Set him free from your original sin, make him a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Father O'Neill anointed Alex on his chest with the oil of catechumens: "We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior. May he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen."

Father O'Neill continued: "My dear brothers and sisters, we now ask God to give this child new life in abundance through water and the Holy Spirit. Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power. In baptism, we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creation, your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God's holy people, set free from sin by baptism. In the waters of the Jordan, your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross. After his resurrection, he told his disciples: 'Go out and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.' Father, look now with love upon your Church and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Spirit, give to the water of this font the grace of your son. You created man in your own likeness: cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit."

Father O'Neill touched the water with his right hand and continued: "We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism also rise with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Father O'Neill continued: "Dear parents and godparents, you have come here to present this child for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit, he is to receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring him up in the practice of faith. See that the divine life which God gives him is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in his heart. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be baptized."

Father O'Neill: "Do you reject Satan?"