Something's Got A Hold On Me

Oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah
I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no, no
I just wanna tell you right now that I
I believe, I really do believe that

Something's got a hold on me, yeah
Oh, it must be love
Oh, something's got a hold on me right now, child
Oh, it must be love

Let me tell you now

I've got a feeling, I feel so strange
Everything about me seems to have changed
Step by step, I got a brand new walk
I even sound sweeter when I talk

I said, oh, oh, oh, oh
Hey, hey, yeah
Oh, it must be love

Etta James

It was Monday morning about a month later, and David was driving Maddie in the BMW to her appointment with Dr. Weed. She was a little over 16 weeks along and had once again opted for amniocentesis – because of her age – to make sure everything was okay with the baby. David took the day off of work to take her to the appointment and Virginia kept baby Alex for the morning. Maddie felt anxious and David did everything he could to keep her calm, including telling silly jokes.

David: "Okay Maddie, here's another one. Why was Cinderella so bad at soccer?"

Maddie: "I have no idea."

David: "Because she kept running away from the ball!" David slapped his leg and started laughing hysterically.

Maddie couldn't help but smile at him. He was doing his best to calm her nerves even though it really wasn't helping.

David: "Why do mushrooms get invited to all the parties?"

Maddie just looked at him.

David: "Because they are all such fungis. Get it, Maddie? Fun guys!"

Maddie rolled her eyes, then looked over at David with a nervous expression on her face: "I don't know if I am more anxious this time, knowing what to expect, or if I was more anxious last time, not really sure what was going to happen. The idea of that needle again makes me feel a little faint."

David: "It'll be okay, Maddie. I'll be there with you. I mean, I know I'm not the one who has to go through it but I'll hold your hand. And afterwards I'll go pick up anything you want to eat. And honey, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I mean would the results change anything?"

Maddie: "The last thing I want to think about is eating. But I appreciate it, David. And I want to do it – if there's something wrong, I'd like to be prepared for it. And knowing that there isn't something wrong, well, that would give me a sense of relief."

David reached over and squeezed her hand: "I'm here to support you either way, Blondie Blonde." David looked at Maddie's anxious face and decided to continue with his joke telling "How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend? He gave her a ring! Get it?"

Maddie: "Oh, David, really! You are a never ending repository of terrible jokes."

David smiled and asked: "Would it help if I sang?" Maddie rolled her eyes at him and sighed.

They arrived right on time for Maddie's 10am appointment. The nurse called them back to the exam room where Maddie changed into a gown, then laid back on the exam table. The nurse checked her blood pressure and heart rate, which all looked good. Dr. Weed came in wheeling a cart with medical equipment on it including a very long hollow needle. She cleaned Maddie's belly with an antiseptic cleaner, and Dr. Weed and the nurse worked together to use an ultrasound to get pictures of the baby's position – and printed off a few photos for Maddie and David – the baby had really grown since the last time they had an ultrasound a few weeks earlier.

David sat beside Maddie and held her hand. Looking at that needle, he felt a little woozy himself, so he understood her anxiety. Dr. Weed instructed Maddie to stay very still during the procedure. "The baby is growing nicely, Maddie and David. He or she is about the size of an avocado now."

Maddie nervously laughed "Why is it that babies' sizes are always compared to food? Why not something else? Like a baseball or a bottle of shampoo?"

Dr. Weed smiled: "Only the Blue Moon Shampoo girl would use that analogy! I know you've done this before, Maddie, but even still, this long needle can look a little scary. You might feel a sharp, stinging sensation and a little pressure, and a little cramping but it should not be painful. You also might feel a slight tugging or pulling sensation but that is all normal." Dr. Weed inserted the long, thin needle through Maddie's abdominal wall and into the amniotic sac, then withdrew a small amount of amniotic fluid with a syringe. Dr. Weed and the nurse checked the baby's heartbeat with the ultrasound and everyone was relieved to hear the healthy thump-thump, thump-thump.

Dr. Weed: "That's it, Maddie. Everything went perfectly. Go home and rest. You don't have to stay in bed, but don't drive, work, exercise, or lift anything heavier than Alex today and tomorrow. Just take it easy. I should have the results by the end of this week and I'll call you as soon as I get them. You might experience some mild cramping and spotting and that's normal but if you have anything more severe than that give me a call immediately. You may have some tenderness or bruising where the needle was inserted but that should go away in a couple of days. I'd also recommend increasing your fluid intake for the next few days – that will help replenish the amniotic fluid that was removed and help lessen any cramping you might experience. Everything looks good. Do you want to find out the sex again, like you did with Alex?"

David: "Did someone say sex?" Maddie hit his arm but was thankful for the comic relief.

Dr. Weed: "Well speaking of, you should also avoid sex for the next 48 hours." David looked crushed. Maddie rolled her eyes at him. Dr. Weed laughed. "David, I wish all the dads who came into my office were as funny as you are."

Maddie: "Yeah – he's a riot. Thanks, Dr. Weed. We definitely want to find out the sex of the baby – you know what a planner I am. And I'm so glad this test is over with. It's definitely high on the ick factor level for me."

David: "Thanks for everything, Dr. Weed." He stood up and shook her hand, then helped Maddie get dressed and back to the car.

David drove Maddie home and got her settled on the couch with the latest book she was reading, Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow, some pillows, a soft blanket, a cup of peppermint tea, and a large glass of water. "Stay here and rest, Blondie Blonde, have something to drink, and let me know if you need anything. I have everything under control. I'll just bring Alex to you if he gets hungry – or I can give him a bottle, if you're sleeping."

Maddie: "I'm not an invalid, David… but I appreciate it."

Virginia emerged from the kitchen holding a sleeping baby Alex. His head was on her shoulder and his mouth was slightly hanging open. "How did everything go? Alex has been a little angel. We played with some toys on his floor mat – I think he is going to start sitting up by himself any day now. He loves that Fisher Price record player. He gets so excited when I play a record on it. I think he's going to be musical like you are, David. I gave him a bottle about a half hour ago and put him in his high chair and gave him some cereal and sweet potatoes and he's been napping in my arms ever since. He's getting so big."

David took Alex out of Virginia's arms and laid him down in his Pack N Play that was now permanently perched in front of the piano. "Let's give your arms a break, Ginny. We really appreciate you watching him." Alex sighed, put hit little arms over his head, and continued sleeping, a small smirk on his face.

Virginia: "Oh, It's no trouble at all, dear. How are you feeling, Tickle Bug? Are you hungry?"

Maddie: "I'm good, mom. Happy to have that test over with. And I'm starving!"

Virginia made lunch for the three of them and David called Blue Moon to check in on business and to let Agnes know that everything went well. He also called his dad and Stephanie and left a message that the test went well and he'd call them with the test results as soon as they got them back. David and Virginia looked at the sonogram pictures together and then put them on the fridge with magnets along with the other ones from a few weeks earlier.

After lunch, Virginia headed home: "Call me if you two need anything. You know I'm always thrilled to come over and take care of this little angel. I'm going to be so sad when we head back to Chicago for the summer. The plan is to be there between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Maddie, your father is considering retiring a little earlier than he'd originally planned so we can move to LA full time. We just love it here. This weather! We've made several new friends at the golf club here, and Alex has several business colleagues and clients who live here. And most importantly, you two and your growing family! We miss Chicago – I mean we've lived our whole lives there until now – but we can always travel there and visit."

Maddie: "Oh mom, that's fantastic news. We'd love that."

While Maddie read –- and Alex napped, David went to Blockbuster and rented movies that he thought Maddie would enjoy and picked up a few things at the grocery store.

David: "Score! They had The Witches of Eastwick AND The Princess Bride. Those just came out a couple of weeks ago – someone was returning them after the weekend and I snagged them. Thought you might enjoy those." Maddie smiled at him.

Alex woke up from his nap and David picked him up, brought him upstairs to change his diaper, and brought him back to Maddie, who nursed him. David picked him up, put on a Motown record, and danced around the room with him while Alex smiled and drooled, then got down on the floor with him to play with some baby toys. "Your mom's right, Maddie. He can almost sit up by himself. You're getting to be a big guy, aren't you Ad Man?"

Maddie: "He really is. He'll be crawling before you know it. We should start thinking about baby proofing this place."

David: "It's that spiral staircase that has me worried. It's an accident waiting to happen! I guess we'll need to get a baby gate."

Maddie smiled at him: "Never thought I'd see the day, Addison. I love you, baby."

David made a healthy dinner for them, making sure Maddie had all of her meats, grains, fruits, milks, and vegetables. They sat at the kitchen table and took turns eating. David fed Alex, who had started solid foods a couple of weeks earlier. He put Alex in his high chair and pulled out a couple of jars of baby food. "What's your poison, big guy? Butternut squash or green beans?" Alex cooed and smiled and excitedly kicked his feet. "Since you had something orange for lunch, let's go with green for dinner." He put a bib on Alex, opened the jar of baby food, sniffed it, made a face, and grabbed a baby spoon. "Yummy! Green beans!" He made airplane noises and hummed as he fed Alex spoonfuls of green beans. Alex smiled and happily ate what David offered him. "Better him than me, Maddie. I don't think I could choke this stuff down!"

Maddie: "Here, David, let me finish with him while you have your dinner. Hey big guy, are you enjoying your green beans? Yummy!" Alex smiled at her and continued happily eating.

David finished his dinner and he and Maddie cleaned Alex's face off. David tossed the bib in the laundry room then took Alex upstairs and gave him his bath, then dressed him in a snuggly sleeper. He brought him back downstairs and Maddie nursed him again before bed. David brought a sleepy Alex upstairs to his room, put him in his crib, turned off the light, and slipped quietly out of the room, closing the door behind him. He picked up the baby monitor off of their bedroom nightstand and brought it back downstairs with him. Maddie and David sat on the couch and watched a video while she leaned against his shoulder.

Maddie: "Thanks for taking such good care of us, David."

David: "How are you feeling, Maddie?"

Maddie: "I'm good. A little tired. A little crampy. Anxious. I'll just be glad to get through the next few days and get the results back."

David: "I know honey. I think it'll all be fine. So do you think it's a boy or a girl this time?"

Maddie: "I honestly don't know. I've felt a little less queasy this time and more tired but not sure what that means."

David: "The Wobblies have a bet going. MacGilicuddy, Jamie, and O'Neill are team blue and Viola, Jorgensen, Simmons, and Agnes are team pink." Maddie rolled her eyes.

A couple of days later, on Wednesday afternoon, David was sitting at his desk, sleeves rolled up, the two top buttons of his dress shirt undone and tie halfway untied, feet on his desk, reviewing some case files. He heard a flurry of activity outside of his door. Agnes buzzed him. "Mr. Addison, Mrs. Addison and Alex are here."

David jumped up from his desk and opened his office door. Maddie was standing there, dressed in a pink maternity dress and comfy tennis shoes, holding baby Alex, who was wearing a cute blue and white romper with sailboats on it.

David: "Well, this is unexpected! Hey, Ad Man!" David smiled and rubbed the top of Alex's blond head and Alex smiled and cooed at his dad. "Is everything okay, honey?"

Maddie: "Agnes, I'm going to speak to Mr. Addison in his office about a few things."

Agnes: "Want me to hold Alex? It's no trouble at all."

Maddie: "That would be great, Agnes, if you don't mind. He's usually a really sweet baby. I packed a few toys in his diaper bag. If he gives you any trouble, just come and get us. We won't be long."

Maddie and David walked into his office and closed the door. He quietly locked it behind them.

Maddie: "Well…"

David: "Well…"

Maddie: "Dr. Weed called. I got the amniocentesis results back."

David: "And?"

Maddie: "And everything is just perfect with the baby. I didn't want to tell you over the phone and I couldn't wait until tonight, so Alex and I decided to come to Blue Moon and surprise you."

David: "Oh, honey, that's fantastic news!" He swept Maddie up into his arms and spun her around, then sat her down and kissed her gently on the lips.

Maddie: "And David, it's a girl. We are having a daughter. Are you happy?"

David beamed and smiled a huge, smirky grin: "I'm over the moon, Madolyn. Couldn't be happier. Daddy's little girl. God, you're so beautiful, Blondie Blonde. I hope she looks like you. We'll have to celebrate!"

He leaned in and kissed her, tucking a bit of her hair behind her ear with his hand. He began kissing her more passionately, parting her lips with his tongue and touching his tongue to hers. He held her in his arms, and ran his hands up and down her back, then over her breasts, then down over her baby bump, then moved his hand lower.

Maddie whispered: "Addison! Save it for when we get home!"

David whispered: "I want to touch you so bad, baby. It's been over 48 hours, Maddie."

Maddie, continuing to whisper: "Yes, and about 10 people plus our son are right outside your office door dying to know what we are in here talking about. They probably have their ears pressed up against the door."

David: "I don't really care. C'mere. I locked the door."

David led her over to his desk and sat down in his chair, pulling her onto his lap. He continued kissing her passionately, running one hand through the back of her hair. He kissed along her cheek and jawline to her neck, lifting her hair so he could gently brush his lips against that spot on the back of her neck. She moaned softly. He slid his other hand up along her inner thigh and slipped his hand inside of her silky underwear and stroked her with his fingers. He whispered in her ear: "I know this is how you like it, Madolyn, isn't it, honey?" She came hard, his mouth over hers to muffle the sounds she was making.

David whispered: "You're so gorgeous when you come."

Maddie blushed and looked coyly in his eyes: "You're, um, very good with your hands, Addison."

David smirked at her, heat in his green eyes, and whispered: "That's just a preview of everything I want to do to you tonight when we're home alone, after junior goes to bed."

Maddie: "Promise?"

David smiled: "Absolutely."

Maddie and David pulled themselves together and walked out of his office. Alex was sitting on Agnes' lap, playing with a stuffed bunny toy. Maddie gathered Alex and his things, kissed David on the lips, gave him a smile, raised an eyebrow, and headed home.

That evening, when David came home from work, Maddie and David got on the phone together and called her mom and dad, who were over the moon excited about the news about a granddaughter. Virginia couldn't wait to start shopping for little girl clothes. They also called David Sr. and Stephanie who were equally excited – they promised to come out and visit soon. Richie had been on a stakeout with Bert when Maddie stopped by the office, so they called to let Richie and Elizabeth know the good news, as well. Elizabeth had just had her first appointment with Dr. Weed and everything went well – she was expecting in early December.

Maddie made an easy dinner for the two of them – pasta and a salad – and they fed baby Alex carrots and apple-banana puree. They got him his bath, put him in a snuggly sleeper, and Maddie nursed him before they put him to bed. They quietly closed the door to his room and went into their bedroom.

David: "Have you thought about weaning him, with Bambina Addison on the way?"

Maddie: "I know I need to. I mean she'll be here before we know it. But I'm just not ready, and I'm not sure that he is, either. It just makes me feel sad to think about him getting so big. How is he almost 6 months old already?"

David: "Time flies, Goldilocks. Before you know it, they'll be in college."

Maddie lit a few candles around the tub in the bathroom and ran a warm bubble bath. She got undressed, put her hair up, and slid into the warm water.

David walked into the bathroom, completely naked: "Room for two?"

Maddie smiled coyly at him: "Always."

David slipped into the tub behind her and she leaned back against his chest, with his arms around her. They stayed that way for a while, chatting and enjoying being close to one another.

Maddie: "It feels so good being here with you, David."

David: "For me too, Blondie Blonde."

Maddie: "We should start thinking about names, David. Did you want to name her after your mother?"

David: "I loved my mom, Maddie, but Irma is a very old fashioned name for someone born in 1988. What about Virginia, after your mom? Ginny is a cute name."

Maddie: "It is, but I really don't want both of our kids to be named after my parents. Having two Alexes in the family is confusing enough. Maybe for a middle name? David, what was your mom's maiden name? It occurs to me I don't know."

David: "Muller. She was from Germany. Well, her parents were German. Her older brother was born there but she was born here, in Philly, after her parents immigrated before World War II."

Maddie: "So you're half German? How did I not know that?"

David: "I'm a man of mystery, baby. I don't know. I guess it just never came up."

Maddie: "Do you speak any German?"

David: "A little bit. I can understand it better than I can speak it. My grandparents spoke German at home. What was Ginny's maiden name?"

Maddie: "Field"

David: "As in Marshall Field?"

Maddie: "Yeah. One and the same. She doesn't really talk a lot about it but she had quite a trust fund when she and daddy got married. I mean I guess she still does."

David: "Why am I just hearing about this now?"

Maddie: "I don't know, David, I guess there's never been a reason to talk about it."

David: "So your parents are totally loaded. I mean, obviously. I've seen their house, and the way they live."

Maddie: "Well, I don't know about that. I mean they're comfortable."

David: "That's just the kind of thing a wealthy person would say."

Maddie: "I guess I always think of it as their money, not mine. We all know how things went with my money! And I've always been a self-made woman, David. I've never wanted to ask them for anything, although maybe there are times that I should have."

David: "I love that about you, baby. That fierce independent streak. Unless it ends with you slapping me – well sometimes I like that too…" He smiled and smirked at her, and raised an eyebrow.

Maddie: "Addison! So what was your mother's middle name?"

David: "Abigail."

Maddie: "That is the least German sounding name I've ever heard."

David: "I think it was important to her parents, my grandparents, to be American. They'd learned all about the founding fathers before they took their citizenship test just before mom was born. My grandmother was a big fan of Abigail Adams. She had a book about John and Abigail Adams on her coffee table."

Maddie: "I love that, David. And I love the name Abigail. Abby. That's what we should name her. Plus it goes with Alex. Alex and Abby. It's cute."

David: "Abby Addison. I love it. Sounds like a cheerleader's name."

Maddie: "It's always a sports reference with you, Addison, isn't it?"

David: "Hey, you were a cheerleader. I've seen your old pom poms in your parents' house. I bet you were so cute in your uniform. And sexy. Those long legs of yours! Probably had the whole football team wrapped around your little finger. I wish I had known you then. Although you might not have given me the time of day."

Maddie: "Oh please, David. What about you? Did you ever play sports?"

David: "I skied in high school. I was a ski racer. I wasn't great at it, but I lettered in it. But yeah, I was generally more of the 'wear a leather jacket and smoke behind the gym' kind of guy."

Maddie: "I didn't know you ski. I'm not a very good skier but I've always enjoyed it when I've gone on a ski trip. We should take the kids, when they get older. And smoking is so bad for you, David. I know you don't smoke very often but you really should quit. And it smells terrible. But I have to admit, it's sexy. Every time I see you with a cigarette, it turns me on. Maybe I have a thing for bad boys."

David: "Well I should start smoking more often, Mrs. Addison. Maybe I should have one now. Me, naked in this tub, with a cigarette. Would that turn you on, honey?" He leaned over and whispered to her: "And I can be a very, very bad boy."

Maddie laughed: "Addison! You know, I've learned about a million things about you tonight. You never stop surprising me." She turned around and looked at him. "I love you, baby."

Maddie leaned in and kissed David, slowly at first, then more passionately. She ran her fingers through his hair and along the back of his neck. Her hands moved down to his chest, running her fingers through the hair there, then lower, to his belly. She took him in her hand. He was already hard and she stroked him and heard him gasp and moan.

Maddie: "Let's go to bed. I've been waiting for you all afternoon."

They got out of the tub and dried off, dropping the towels on the floor. They began kissing passionately, hands and lips everywhere. David brushed his lips against that spot on the back of her neck and circled it with his tongue. He pushed her down onto the bed and laid on top of her, kissing down her neck and collar bone to her breasts, gently circling his tongue around each nipple and sucking gently. He peppered her belly with angel kisses before moving lower. He used his mouth and tongue and fingers and as he did, Maddie ran the fingers of her right hand through his hair. She held her left fist over her mouth, trying to stay quiet.

David: "You taste so good. Don't you dare keep quiet. I want to hear you." When she came, she screamed his name in pleasure.

David climbed on top of Maddie and slipped inside of her in one quick motion, then held her arms over her head, pinning her underneath him. "Madolyn, do you have any idea what you fucking do to me? I can't get enough of you." They looked into each other's eyes as they made love – it was a tender, intimate moment between them. They climaxed together and fell asleep naked in each other's arms.

In the middle of the night, David heard Alex crying through the baby monitor. He said to Maddie: "I've got him." David got up, slipped on a pair of boxers, and walked into Alex's room to check on him. He picked Alex up, held him in his arms, and kissed the top of his head, then laid him down on his changing table and changed his diaper. Alex looked up at his dad and smiled, and David smiled back at him. David walked down the spiral staircase with Alex and into the kitchen. David pulled a bottle of breast milk out of the fridge and warmed it but Alex wasn't really hungry. David thought that maybe he'd just had a bad dream, or was feeling a little lonely and hell, didn't we all feel like that sometimes?

David walked around downstairs with Alex for a while, singing softly to him, and looked around at the home that he and Maddie were making together. Sure, there was baby stuff everywhere and he knew the chaos sometimes drove Maddie nuts, but it came with the territory of having kids. High chair in the kitchen, pack and play in front of the piano, play mat, swing, and exersaucer in the living room. But he saw the other things too. The trunk sitting underneath the arched window – the trunk from his apartment where he and Maddie had sat and shared their first real sincere kiss – and inside which Maddie now kept precious keepsakes of their life together – their wedding photo album, an album of the photos from their honeymoon in Paris, a small box of tickets and cards and other mementos, Alex's birth announcement and christening gown, and other family photos that David Sr. and Virginia and Alex Hayes had given them.

He walked with Alex around the living room, looking at the framed pictures sprinkled around, all in beautiful gold and silver frames – all Maddie's doing. He smiled at the thought of her organizing all their photos and making such a beautiful home. A photo of the two of them that Alex Hayes had taken in Chicago, after they'd gotten engaged, Maddie proudly showing off her engagement ring, David's arms around her. Maddie and David in Vegas, beaming as they left the wedding chapel. David and Richie in tuxes that same day, arms around each other's shoulders, smiling. Maddie leaning on the railing of the balcony of their hotel room in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, hair messy and wearing the hotel robe and nothing else. They'd just made love and David thought she'd never been so beautiful. Maddie and David dressed as a pregnant housewife and the milkman, holding the Best Costume trophy they'd won at Agnes' and Bert's annual Halloween party. David, Maddie, and tiny baby Alex leaving the hospital together – they looked both nervous and relieved that Maddie and Alex were both okay. David and Alex asleep in their bed, identical smirks on their faces. Alex, Virginia, David Sr., and Stephanie with baby Alex at Christmas, sitting in front of the tree. The entire family, and the priest, at Alex's christening. David's heart swelled with pride.

David walked back into the kitchen and sat the bottle down on the countertop. He looked at their 6 month old son asleep in his arms, then at the ultrasound photos of their daughter on the fridge. For a long time, he wasn't sure if he'd ever have a family or if things were going to work out with Maddie, and here they were, building this incredible life together. David shook his head, and smiled a huge smirky smile. Kismet. David knew he didn't always have all the answers, and that life could sometimes be unexpected and throw you curve balls, but his life with Maddie - this was real, and magical, and like lightening in a bottle. He was the happiest he'd ever been in his entire life and couldn't wait to see what the future held for them and their family.

"Moonlighting: A Cookbook and Culinary History - Recipes, Restaurants, Clubs, and Cocktails Featured in the Iconic 1980s Series" coming August 5, 2025!