The First, The Last, My Everything
We got it together, didn't we
We've definitely got our thing together, don't we baby?
Isn't that nice?
I mean really, when you really sit and think about it,
Isn't it really, really nice?
The first, the last, my everything
And the answer to all my dreams
You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star
My kind of wonderful, that's what you are
I know there's only, only one like you
There's no way they could have made two
Now you're all I'm living for, your love I'll keep forever more
You're the first, you're the last, my everything
Barry White
It was late morning on a Friday in mid-February 1988 and the elevator doors opened on the 20th floor of the Blue Moon Century City office building. The beige pumps of Maddie Addison appeared. She was pushing a navy blue stroller and wearing a pair of large sunglasses and a belted button-down peach colored dress and matching jacket, her blonde hair styled in soft curls cascading down to her shoulders. She had mostly regained her pre-pregnancy figure, but, as a nursing mom, had a few more curves than usual. Maddie had just taken baby Alex for his 3 month checkup at the pediatrician's office and was stopping by Blue Moon to meet David for lunch and visit with Richie, Agnes, Bert, and the Wobblies. She opened the door to Blue Moon and pushed the stroller inside.
Agnes: "Mrs. Addison! It's great to see you! It's better than great - it's great great!" Agnes hopped down off of her chair, happily walked over to Maddie and Alex, and peeked into the stroller. She smiled at Alex. "He's getting so big!"
Maddie: "He sure is! We've just been to his 3 month checkup at the pediatrician and thought we'd stop by and say hello to everyone and meet David for lunch."
Agnes: "Mr. Addison has been singing and dancing around all morning - looking forward to seeing you two. I hope it's okay that I told you that."
Maddie laughed: "I think it would be a cold day in hell before there was a morning without David singing and dancing! But that's sweet, Agnes. Thanks for telling me."
Agnes: "Mr. Addison told me your parents closed on their condo in LA. I bet it's nice having them so close by."
Maddie: "Yeah, they closed a couple of weeks ago and are getting settled in. They plan to be snowbirds until my father retires in a couple of years – spend the winters here in LA and the summers back in Chicago. It's great having them so close by and they can't get enough of Alex. I think they're really enjoying the LA weather. It's nice having Richie and Elizabeth here now, too."
Agnes: "Oh, we love The Other Mr. Addison! Bert really enjoys going on stakeouts with him and he's funny just like Mr. Addison is." Agnes looked lovingly down at baby Alex. "Can I hold him?"
Maddie: "Of course, Agnes!" She unbuckled Alex from his stroller and expertly handed him to Agnes. Alex cooed and smiled.
Agnes: "He looks exactly like Mr. Addison with your blond hair. Look at his little smirk and dimples!" Alex smiled and cooed at Agnes and reached out to her with his little hand.
Everyone gathered around and made a fuss over little Alex, who seemed to enjoy all the attention. Meanwhile, David's office door opened and Richie and Bert walked out. Bert smiled and nodded at Maddie, then joined the crowd around the baby – although not being a fan of babies, not too close. Richie walked over to Maddie and picked her up and swung her around.
Richie: "Sis! It's great to see you! Davey has been looking forward to seeing you and showing Alex off all morning! Gotta run – meeting a new client for lunch today. Dinner tomorrow night?"
Maddie: "Sounds great, Richie. David's cooking so you won't have to eat something I've prepared this time."
Richie: "Oh thank God. I love you, Sis, but you are a terrible cook! What was that burnt, rubbery casserole thing you made last time?"
Maddie: "Lasagna! It wasn't that bad! Richie, you are as bad as David teasing me about my cooking!"
Richie: "I've never eaten anything like it. Think you might want to consider a different recipe!" Richie laughed and Maddie rolled her eyes at him. He waved goodbye before heading out of the office.
David leaned against his office door, shoved his hands in his pockets, and took in the scene unfolding in front of him. He beamed at Maddie. She smiled back at him and the entire office could feel the love and heat between the two of them.
David walked over to Maddie and said in a soft, sandpapery voice: "Hey, Blondie Blonde. Wow, you look gorgeous. It's weird seeing you dressed and all."
Maddie: "David!"
David: "You know what I mean. Dressed for the office. How did junior do at his doctor's appointment? I wish I could have been there – I hate that we had that Anselmo case meeting this morning. I think we are finally starting to make some progress with that new lead."
Maddie: "He did great, David. He's up to 9 pounds, 14 ounces. He's almost doubled his birth weight! I mean he's constantly eating so it's no wonder. And he's on target with all of his milestones like smiling and holding up his head, which is amazing because sometimes preemies can have developmental delays. No shots this time, thank goodness – you remember how fussy he was after the first round last month. He goes back in a month."
David: "I'll be there next time, Maddie, I promise." He leaned over and kissed her cheek then walked over and capably scooped Alex out of Agnes' arms. "Hey, Ad Man! Your mom told me you've doubled in size since you were born!" Alex smiled at David, instantly recognizing his dad, and excitedly started kicking his little feet. David kissed him and spun around the office with him, showing him off and pointing out office landmarks. "Now, that is where Miss DiPesto sits and answers the phone in a rhyme. And that's where the Wobblies sit and do, well, not a lot of anything. There's the water cooler – it makes a fun glub, glub sound. And over there is your mom's office. It's all pink inside. And over here is my office…". David started flying little Alex around like an airplane and making little airplane noises, holding his head gently. He gave him a sniff, walked over to the stroller, and grabbed the diaper bag. "I'm gonna change him." He took Alex into his office, put a changing pad down on his desk, pulled out a diaper and wipes, and expertly changed his diaper. "All better now, huh, buddy?" Alex looked up at David and cooed and smiled.
Maddie leaned against the door frame at the entrance to David's office, crossed her arms, and smiled. She never imagined that David would be such a great, hands on dad, but he was. She smiled at them both.
David: "What's that look for?"
Maddie: "I was just thinking about how much I love you. You're so good with him. You never stop surprising me, David."
They smoldered at each other from across the room.
David: "Hey Goldilocks, wanna grab some lunch? There's a new deli around the corner. They are supposed to have great hoagies – and salads." David held a happy and content baby Alex in his arms.
Maddie: "Sounds great. Hey David, I have something to talk to you about."
David: "I'm all ears – well…not ALL ears." He looked up and down at himself and smiled a mischievous grin.
Maddie rolled her eyes at him: "You never get tired of telling that joke, do you? Anyway, I was thinking about coming back into the office once a week. Now that Mom and Daddy are here, Mom said they would be happy to watch Alex for the day. Honestly, I think they'd be thrilled. I could go over the books, work on payroll, take a look at our financial forecast and P . I could bring some things home with me if I need to. What do you think?"
David: "I think it sounds great, honey. I will happily relinquish payroll and financial duties back to you! But Maddie, sweetheart, you don't have to do it. I want you to be able to stay home with Alex as long as you want to."
Maddie: "I appreciate that, David, I really do. I mean, I love Alex, and I love spending time with him, but I do miss the work, and I think it would be good for me to get out of the house a bit. And good for Alex to be with someone besides me all day. It wouldn't be full time, at least not until he's older, but I miss being here. I mean it is my company. Our company."
David: "Whatever you say, Blondie Blonde." He leaned over and gave Maddie a long, soft kiss, then parted her lips with his tongue and continued kissing her deeply.
Maddie: "Addison! Don't start something you aren't prepared to finish."
David: "Oh, I'm always prepared to finish, Mrs. Addison. To be continued …"
David adjusted himself and the little family of three walked out of David's office and towards the front door of Blue Moon.
Maddie: "Agnes, Mr. Addison and Alex and I are headed out for a quick bite to eat at that new deli around the corner."
Agnes: "Would you like for me to watch Alex? Give you two a little time to yourselves?"
David: "Are you sure? That would be terrific!"
Maddie: "That's really kind of you, Agnes. He's usually a really good baby. Very easy going – unless he's hungry! I just fed him before we left the doctor's office so he should be good for another hour and a half or so. But in case not, there is a bottle in his diaper bag. And David just changed him so you should be good there too." David handed baby Alex to Agnes who sat happily holding him. Agnes loved babies. Bert stood there with a slightly worried and terrified look on his face – he did not share Agnes' sentiments.
Maddie and David grabbed a quick bite to eat at the deli around the corner. It was great getting out for lunch together, just the two of them. They chatted about Alex's appointment and the latest goings on at Blue Moon.
David leaned over and whispered to Maddie: "It's so great to see you for lunch, Blondie Blonde. We've got a few minutes before we need to get back. I want you so much, baby. How about a quickie against the wall of a bathroom stall? There's not really anyone else in here. I'm sure we won't get caught. You go to the restroom and I'll come in and knock and say I'm the maintenance man."
Maddie: "DAVID!"
David: "C'mon Maddie. I haven't been able to stop thinking about being with you ever since that kiss in my office. I promise it'll be quick." He ran the fingers of his left hand through the back of her hair and along the back of her neck to that spot, and rubbed the pads of his fingers against it, making her shudder.
Maddie: "Quick, huh? Boy, you sure do know how to turn a girl on, Addison." He smiled and smirked at her, and raised a hopeful eyebrow. She considered his proposition for a moment. "Okay, but we need to be quiet. I want to be able to show my face here again. That was a really good salad."
David: "I am quiet. You're the screamer."
Maddie: "You always think you're quiet, David, but you never are."
Maddie and David returned to Blue Moon, holding hands and looking flushed and slightly disheveled. David had lipstick on the collar of his shirt and his hair was sticking up in the back. One of the buttons down the front of Maddie's dress was undone. The always perceptive Agnes Dipesto noticed it and smiled at them – she exchanged a knowing glance with Bert.
Agnes: "Alex has been so good. He's been sleeping here in my arms for the past 20 minutes or so. He's a really sweet baby." Agnes handed a sleeping Alex back to Maddie. "Mr. and Mrs. Addison, do you have plans for Valentine's Day on Sunday? Bert and I are taking a flamenco dancing lesson, then recreating our first date – going to the LaBrea Tar Pits and sharing a platter of enchiladas at El Cholo."
David and Maddie looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
Maddie: "Well, that certainly sounds – romantic. No, no specific plans that I know of, unless David has something up his sleeve."
Maddie kissed David goodbye, and David kissed Alex on the top of his little head. Maddie buckled Alex into his stroller and they both left the Blue Moon office to head home. David winked at Agnes and headed back to his office for the rest of the afternoon, happily humming a Motown tune.
Richie and Elizabeth came over to Maddie's and David's house for dinner on Saturday night. David was cooking his famous "Steak a la Dave" and playing bartender for the evening. David and Richie hung out together in the kitchen while Maddie and Elizabeth stayed in the living room with baby Alex. Maddie nursed an always-hungry Alex and chatted with her sorority sister, friend, and soon to be sister-in-law.
Maddie: "How are things going with the new Sidley Austin office in LA?"
Elizabeth: "Oh, it's just crazy, Maddie. You know how it's always been for me after law school in Chicago. You put in the 80 hour work weeks to make partner and it never lets up. The work is all consuming, even more so now with our new LA office. I mean I worked all day today before we came over here, and I have briefs to review when we go back home. I love the work or I wouldn't do it. But you know it's always been hard for me to have any kind of relationship with anyone. Then Richie came along – thanks to you and David – and we have just fallen head over heels in love. But we don't spend as much time together as either of us would like. I am hoping that can change once things settle down a bit with the new office."
Maddie: "Any wedding plans yet?"
Elizabeth: "Well, if you can believe it, we just set a date for July. July 2. Back home in Chicago. Richie thought it would be fun to have fireworks around our anniversary every year. I hope you will be my matron of honor."
Maddie: "Oh, Elizabeth! That's so exciting! I'd be honored. We're just thrilled for you both."
Elizabeth: "Working on the details now. Mom is helping with the church – you know my parents would die if we didn't have a big Catholic wedding. They're thrilled I've met a nice Catholic boy. They just love him."
David and Richie were having a similar conversation in the kitchen as David cooked dinner and mixed martinis for everyone except for Maddie, who was having sparkling water with lime.
David: "So Rich, any wedding plans yet? When are you gonna make an honest woman out of her?"
Richie: "July 2, Davey. In Chicago. A big Catholic wedding because she comes from a big Catholic family. You'll be my best man, right, bro?"
David: "Of course, man. Congrats! I gotta start planning a bachelor party! How are things going with her job? Still working all the time?"
Richie: "Yeah, it's just relentless. I don't know how she keeps up the pace. I knew partners in a law firm worked really hard but I had no idea just how crazy it was."
David: "You two thinking about kids?"
Richie: "I'd love it, Davey. Especially after spending so much time with Alex. He's an amazing little guy. But like I said, I may have to be Mr. Mom to make it work for us. We'll see."
The couples enjoyed their dinner together, sharing stories about Blue Moon and Maddie's and Elizabeth's Kappa Kappa Gamma days at Northwestern. David and Maddie took turns holding a very awake Alex while each of them ate dinner. Richie and Elizabeth headed home and Maddie and David gave Alex his bath, then Maddie nursed him before bed. Alex fell asleep and Maddie settled him into his crib. She and David stood over him and watched him sleep.
Maddie: "He's just beautiful, David, and such a happy baby. I'm so thankful every day for him. And for you. We're so lucky. "
David: "That we are, Blondie Blonde. C'mere."
David put his arms around Maddie and held her close, then kissed the top of her head. She looked at him, and touched his face with her hand, looking into his green eyes with her blue ones. "I love you, baby." She leaned up and kissed him, gently at first, then more passionately. It quickly became wild and frenzied between the two of them – they spun out of Alex's room and quietly closed the door, and suddenly their hands and lips were everywhere, and their clothes were discarded in piles as they moved towards their bedroom. They made love in the moonlight and fell asleep in each other's arms.
On Valentine's Day, Maddie woke up in bed – alone. She looked at the alarm clock beside the bed – 9am. She couldn't believe she'd slept so long – she was used to regular 5am wake up cries from Alex. It was the best – and longest - night's sleep she'd had since, well, since Alex was born. She smelled coffee brewing and something cooking.
Maddie and David were spending their first Valentine's Day together, not just as a married couple, but ever. David was determined to up his game and make it the most romantic day ever. Romance was very important to Maddie, and he was going to do his best to deliver. He wanted it to be as perfect a day as he could pull off – no mixed messages, no misunderstandings, no arguments, no questionable exes showing up on the doorstep unannounced.
Maddie called out: "David?"
David: "Stay in bed! Be right there!"
David walked into the bedroom, holding Alex. He was wearing his white boxers with red hearts on them – and nothing else. Maddie thought he looked very fit and sexy. Alex was similarly – and cutely - dressed in a white sleeper with red hearts on it. They both looked at Maddie with identical smirky smiles. "Happy Valentine's Day, baby!"
Maddie laughed. "Happy Valentine's Day, David! My two men! Just look at you two. Where on earth did you find that heart sleeper?
David: "I have my sources. Stay where you are, Blondie Blonde. I got up with the little guy around 6 and changed him and gave him a bottle so you could sleep in. We went downstairs and watched cartoons and I put him in his swing for a while. I'll be right back! Incoming!" David made a little buzzing sound and handed Alex to Maddie. He ran out of the room and down the spiral staircase. He reappeared moments later, carrying a tray with a bud vase with a single red rose, a plate with Maddie's favorite breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, a glass of juice, and a cup of coffee.
Maddie beamed at David: "I don't think anyone has ever brought me breakfast in bed. This is so sweet of you, David! Have you eaten? Want to share with me?"
David: "I'm good, honey. I had something downstairs." David positioned the pillows behind Maddie's head so she could lean back against them, put the breakfast tray on her lap, and took Alex out of her arms. He leaned over and kissed her sweetly on the lips. David and Alex both got in bed beside Maddie and visited while she enjoyed her breakfast.
David: "All right, Goldilocks, Ad Man here and I are gonna clean this up. Go enjoy a bubble bath or a shower and then get dressed and pack a bag. I have a romantic day and evening planned. Your parents are coming over later this morning and watching Alex overnight for us. We're going to Santa Barbara for the night, baby. Pack something nice for an evening out."
Maddie smoldered at him: "Oh, David!" She leaned over and gave him a long, gentle kiss on the lips, then kissed baby Alex on the top of his head.
Maddie took a long, hot shower and got ready for the day, then packed an overnight bag and walked downstairs. The entire living room was filled with bouquets of flowers – there was a vase with two dozen red roses – minus the one David put in the bud vase, another vase filled with Maddie's favorite flowers, blue hydrangeas, like she'd carried in her wedding bouquet, and yet another vase filled with light pink, lavender, and creamy white cottage roses just like the ones David had brought her in Chicago.
Maddie: "Oh David, this is so romantic! When did you find the time to do all of this? I'm absolutely speechless! I got you something too but it's just a little something. And a little something for later, that's, um, more of an experience. I'll give you all of that in Santa Barbara."
David: "An experience, huh? Now I'm really intrigued, Blondie Blonde. And I have my sources…" Maddie suspected one of those sources was Agnes and made a mental note to thank her the next time she saw her.
David got a shower and got ready for the day himself while Maddie fed Alex. Maddie's parents came over later in the morning and Virginia made a bee line for the baby.
Virginia: "Oh there he is! We're so excited to spend the day and night with this little guy! We were so thrilled when David asked us to help out today. Oh my goodness, look how cute he looks in this little Valentine's sleeper!"
Maddie laughed: "That's all David's doing. And don't say hello to David and me or anything, mom."
Virginia: "Oh, hello, Maddie. Hello, David, dear. You know we love you both. We're just so happy to see this little fellow."
Alex patted David on the shoulder: "Son, you two should have a beautiful day for a drive along the coast. I can't tell you how happy we are to be here in LA. It's a welcome change from the winters in Chicago. I was able to get in a game of golf yesterday! You and I will have to hit the course next weekend, if you're up for a game. Bring that brother of yours, too."
David: "Absolutely!"
Maddie: "Mom, Daddy, would you like us to put the car seat in your car? In case you want to get out with him?"
Alex: "Oh we got a car seat for the Mercedes already. Just in case. I know they can be a pain to move around. Putting that one in your car with Richie when you were in the hospital about did us in. It took the three of us well over an hour to get it set up. We had someone from the baby store install it for us and make sure it was set up correctly."
David: "We can't thank you enough for watching him tonight, Alex and Ginny. We'll be back around lunch time tomorrow."
Virginia: "Take your time, dear. Relax. Enjoy yourselves. He's in good hands."
David and Maddie took the BMW up the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara, about a two hour drive from LA. It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed the coastal views and being together, just the two of them. David regaled Maddie with stories about his trips to the Jersey Shore as a kid. They stopped along the way for a beachfront picnic - David had packed a blanket to sit on and a picnic lunch of cheese, bread, fresh fruit, and sparking water. They arrived in Santa Barbara in the early afternoon and checked in to their oceanfront suite at Fess Parkers Oceanfront Resort, with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Their room had a king sized bed, a sitting area, a large bathroom with a separate garden tub and shower, and a balcony with sweeping views over the beach and the Pacific Ocean.
David walked out onto the balcony and motioned for Maddie to join him: "This is the life, Goldilocks. Look at that view! What do you want to do? Check out the beach? Walk around downtown? Take a nap? I made dinner reservations for tonight at 7."
Maddie walked out onto the balcony with David, taking in the views. He held her in his arms. "Whatever you want, David. It's so nice to be away with you. I can't believe all of this planning you did. It really means a lot to me. It's really romantic."
David: "Romance is the plan, Blondie Blonde. Let's check out the beach, maybe walk around downtown?"
Maddie: "Sounds good, David."
Maddie and David walked hand in hand along the beach and Sterns Wharf. They checked out the historic downtown and its beautiful white stucco and red tiled buildings, stealing kisses along the way. In the evening, they dressed up – David in a dark suit and Maddie in a black and white off-shoulder dress - and had a romantic alfresco dinner on the terrace at El Encanto, with romantic views of the mountains and coast. They kissed and held hands and enjoyed the rare evening just to themselves.
When they got back to their hotel suite, Maddie said: "Here, let me get your Valentine's Day gift, David. It's just a little something but it made me think of you." She reached into her overnight bag, and pulled out a small rectangular package, beautifully wrapped in off-white paper and tied with a red satin bow and handed it to David. He opened it - it was a book, "Love Letters and Poems of Great Men". David smiled – it was a very Maddie gift and he appreciated the fact that she was such a romantic at heart – and that he was the recipient of her sentiments.
Maddie thumbed through the pages: "I thought this was a really beautiful book. I know you're not as much of a reader as I am, but I thought this was really romantic. Here, listen to this one, from Beethoven to his wife. 'No one else can ever possess my heart, never, never! Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. Be calm – love me – today – yesterday – what tearful longings for you – you – my life – my all – farewell. Oh, continue to love me – never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.' Isn't that beautiful?"
David smiled: "What can I say, Goldilocks? I'm not much of a letter writer myself – apart from that letter I sent you in Chicago. I'm glad we live in 1988 where we can talk to each other on the phone if we have to be away from each other. But I hope we never have to…" David leaned over and kissed her gently. He held her hand, and rubbed it against the side of his face, then brought it to his lips and kissed it.
Maddie: "I still have that letter. I'll always treasure it. I owe you an apology for that time in Chicago, David. I was in a really hard place and I wasn't fair or kind to you. I'll always regret how I treated you. I am thankful every day for you, David, and the life we have together. Truly." Maddie reached over and touched his face, and kissed him, running her fingers through the back of his hair.
David: "Water under the bridge, baby. All's well that ends well."
Maddie continued thumbing through the book: "Aww, David, that's sweet, quoting Shakespeare. Speaking of, here's my favorite Shakespearean sonnet."
David: "You're not really gonna read Shakespeare to me, are you, Maddie?"
Maddie: "David! I am! This is his 16th sonnet. It's so romantic."
David: "Okay baby, but after this we are gonna get it on."
Maddie: "Addison!"
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove
O no! It is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
David: "It's beautiful, Maddie. I may not come across as the most romantic guy in the world, honey, but I really do appreciate it."
David leaned over and kissed Maddie, slowly at first, then more passionately, running his fingers through the back of her hair and pulling her close to him. He kissed his way along her cheek and ran his tongue along her jawline to be back of her neck, to the spot that he knew drove her crazy.
Maddie: "Let me freshen up for a minute David. I'll be right back. This is that, um, experience I was telling you about."
David was intrigued. Maddie disappeared into the bathroom with her overnight bag for a few minutes. David took the opportunity to get undressed, down to his favorite white boxers with the red hearts – it was Valentine's Day, after all – and ran his fingers through his hair, then flopped down onto the bed.
Maddie shyly peeked her head out of the bathroom, then courageously walked out and leaned against the doorway. "See anything you like, baby?" Maddie was wearing lingerie, but not just any lingerie - this was not like anything she'd ever worn before, not for David, not for anyone. She wore a red silk strapless bustier with open cups with an attached huge red satin bow tied modestly but sexily across the front, and a matching red silk backless thong, with a similar large red satin bow tied across the back, and red leather stiletto heels. She looked like a present, waiting to be unwrapped.
David's jaw dropped to the floor: "Wow. Madolyn, you are so fucking gorgeous."
Maddie smiled shyly: "Addison! I independently picked the same color scheme as you and Alex!"
David: "Jesus, Maddie, where did you even find this? It's unbelievably sexy, honey." He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She ran her hand through the hair on his chest.
Maddie: "Frederick's of Hollywood. You should have seen some of the stuff in there. This was one of the more, um, modest ones."
David: "Oh I've seen some of the stuff in there. I'm just – wow – I'm speechless. So, these bows are, like, functional?"
Maddie: "Yes. Unwrap me, David. I'm your Valentine's Day present."
"Moonlighting: A Cookbook and Culinary History - Recipes, Restaurants, Clubs, and Cocktails Featured in the Iconic 1980s Series" coming August 5, 2025!