Isn't She Lovely

It was a sunny and warm Saturday morning in mid-August and Maddie awoke to the smell of coffee brewing and music playing softly. She looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand – 9am. She yawned, put on a robe, and padded down the hall to peek into Alex's nursery – empty. David must have gotten up with him. She walked down the spiral staircase and into the kitchen and leaned against the door, taking in the scene unfolding in front of her.

David was playing an Al Green album on the turntable and was dancing around the kitchen to "Love and Happiness," wearing a black t-shirt, a pair of gray sweatpants, and Maddie's pink and cream floral apron, as he flipped pancakes expertly on a griddle. The man had charm and swagger in spades and Maddie couldn't help but smile at him.

Alex was sitting in his high chair, babbling away happily, clearly enjoying the music and the time with his dad. David removed the cooked pancakes from the griddle and put them on a platter, cut a pancake up into tiny square pieces, deposited them in front of Alex on the highchair tray, and poured some maple syrup over them. Alex smiled and clapped, and grabbed a pancake square between his chunky little fingers and awkwardly shoved it into his mouth. David smiled at his son and patted his blond head.

Maddie: "David! What is this?"

David: "Hey Goldilocks. Sleep well? This? Well, this is our new tradition. Saturday morning breakfast. I was thinking I could get up with the kid – well, kids before too much longer – watch some cartoons, listen to some music, and make us breakfast every Saturday, let you sleep in. Whatcha think about that? I'm serving up pancakes. Figured Ad Man here is big enough to eat them now."

Maddie smiled: "I think that sounds fantastic."

David: "C'mere, Maddie. Dance with me."

David pulled Maddie into his arms, and started dancing around the kitchen with her. Alex squealed with delight, watching his parents dance.

Maddie: "You're very sexy, Addison, being domestic and wearing these sweats. You know they drive me crazy."

David looked down at himself, smirked at her, and raised an eyebrow: "Do they? Maybe I should wear them more often." He leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips, and rubbed her baby bump.

Maddie: "Oh David, your face is all sticky!"

David: "The curse of a baby covered with maple syrup. Look at him! Not sure that he has this feeding himself thing figured out yet, but he sure seems to be having fun."

Alex smiled, showing his now four front teeth. He was wearing more of the pancakes than he'd actually eaten, including a couple of pieces stuck in his hair and one on his cheek.

Maddie: "Hey muffin, look how cute you are! What a big boy you are feeding yourself! You want some help?" She sat down and helped feed him pieces of pancake with a toddler fork. He happily gobbled them down and smiled at his mom. David watched the two of them together and his heart swelled with love. Maddie had started sleeping in his t-shirts on occasion and he thought she was so beautiful, and sexy, sitting there, blonde curls still messy and tousled from sleep, wearing one of his white t-shirts, a bit taut over her growing belly, and an open silky robe over it, long legs stretched out in front of her, barefoot.

David: "You're so good with him, Maddie. And so beautiful. He's a lucky little critter to have you as his mom."

Maddie and David smoldered at each other. David made plates for Maddie and himself and they sat down together and enjoyed breakfast as a family. After they ate, Maddie sat there sipping a glass of juice and David looked at her – he saw a change in her face and she looked like she was a million miles away.

David: "What's wrong, honey? I can tell when you have something on your mind…"

Maddie: "I was just thinking that I'll be 34 weeks along next week. Kind of nervous because this is around the time last time that…"

David: "I know. I've been thinking about it too."

Maddie: "I feel really good, David. I do. And at my last appointment, everything looked good. My blood pressure is normal, I passed the gestational diabetes test with flying colors, I don't have any swelling or anything like that. I'm glad I see Dr. Weed again this week. I think it will give me some peace of mind. In my heart, I feel like everything is going to be fine this time but there's always that worry in the back of my mind."

David: "I know, honey. I was so scared, Maddie, when Alex was born. I'm so glad you're both okay. I really feel like everything is gonna be as perfect as perfect can be this time. Truly."

Maddie: "I think I want to have a VBAC this time, David. I know there are some risks involved since I had a c-section last time but I really want to experience natural childbirth – put all of those Lamaze classes we took to good use – and I feel like the recovery would be so much easier, especially since we have Alex now."

David: "I'm here to support you whatever you choose. You know that, right, honey?" Maddie smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

Maddie: "Hey David, do you still want to go look at cars this afternoon? Maybe after lunch? We really need a second car. I've been looking at the Blue Moon finances and I think we can get one as a second company car. I calculated how much we've been spending on cab fares every month, and when you add it all up, it's cheaper to have a car payment. Plus, it's just not really feasible to take cabs with babies in car seats. It doesn't have to be a family car per se – a station wagon or one of those new minivans – but we've got to find something with four doors. Car seats in the back of a coupe are such a pain to deal with – you have to move the front seats and crawl in the back to get Alex out of his car seat and that times two?! I did some research – looked at all the latest reviews in Car and Driver and Motor Trend - and I came up with a list of models to look at."

David laughed.

Maddie: "What's so funny, David?"

David: "You, looking at car magazines. I'm getting a visual that is a real turn on. You in one of them cocktail dresses of yours, wearing stiletto heels, feet on your desk, looking at photos of muscle cars."

Maddie: "David! Well, how else are we going to know what cars are the safest and have the best maintenance records?"

David: "Sounds good, Blondie Blonde."

David cleaned up the kitchen while Maddie gave maple-syrup-covered Alex a bath, then took him into his room to play and read. David walked in to see the two of them sitting together in his glider rocker. Maddie was reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to Alex and he was doing his best to help turn the pages, leaning back against Maddie. He looked up at David and gave him a sleepy, smirky grin.

David: "God, Maddie, it's like looking in a mirror sometimes. I can't wait to meet the new bambina. I wonder who she's gonna look like, what she's going to be like?"

Maddie: "I guess we'll find out soon enough. Six more weeks or so!"

Maddie put Alex in his crib, turned on his mobile, and covered him with a soft blanket. They walked quietly into the hallway and closed the door to his nursery.

David pulled Maddie into his arms, leaned in, and kissed her gently on the lips, then brushed his lips along the side of her face, lifting her hair and kissing that spot on the back of her neck: "You are so unbelievably gorgeous this morning, Mrs. Addison. I don't know how you make my white t-shirts look so sexy but you do. I have to have you. Tell me how you want me. I'll do whatever you want."

It quickly became a wild and frenzied moment between them – hands and lips everywhere with clothing shed on the way back to their bedroom. They made love in the dappled morning light, held each other for a while afterwards, and took a shower together to get ready for the day.

That afternoon, Maddie, David, and baby Alex went to several car dealerships, looking for a new car that would be both practical and not uncool. They looked at several models, trying to strike a balance with Maddie looking for something safe and dependable with David wanting something hip and cool. They looked at the Saab 9000 Turbo, the Acura Integra, even a 4-door version of the BMW they currently had. In the end, they selected a silver 1989 Land Rover Discovery, a brand new SUV on the market. Maddie turned out to be a cutthroat negotiator and got them a great deal. Maddie drove the BMW home and David took the Land Rover with Alex in his car seat in the backseat.

David: "I gotta say, this car is pretty cool. And damn, Madolyn, that was something, watching you negotiate with those dealers. You were so smart and clever, with a whole lot of sex appeal thrown in. I don't think they knew what hit them. And here you are over seven months pregnant to boot. I'm seriously impressed. And seriously turned on."

Maddie: "Oh please, David! You're turned on by everything. I was top of my class in business negotiations at Northwestern. And you know what a shrewd businessman daddy is. I think I just come by it naturally." David smiled and shook his head. This woman never stopped surprising him.

And just like that – the Addisons were now a two-car family.

Maddie had her 34 week checkup with Dr. Weed later that week and David went with her. Maddie's parents watched baby Alex. Their Chicago house had gone under contract incredibly fast, just a couple of days after it went on the market in July, and they had just had the closing the previous week. They had officially permanently moved to LA and were waiting on the moving van to arrive with the remainder of their things from Chicago.

Dr. Weed: "Well, everything looks great, Maddie. Your blood pressure is normal and weight gain looks good. I don't see any signs of swelling or anything else that might be concerning, but if you notice anything out of the ordinary – extreme exhaustion, blurry vision, that sort of thing – call me immediately. Have you two talked about how you want to have this baby? You can certainly do a VBAC, I see no issues with that, we will just want to monitor you closely during labor and delivery. Or we can schedule you for a planned c-section. We should also talk about birth control options for after the baby is born."

Maddie: "I definitely want to do a VBAC – a natural childbirth. That's what we'd planned with Alex but, well, you know how that went. And yes, we probably should talk about birth control, given how, um, quickly I got pregnant last time. I'm not sure either of us are prepared for that to happen again this time."

Dr. Weed: "Well, Maddie, given your past history, I'd recommend considering an IUD – that's short for Intrauterine Device. It's a small, T-shaped device made out of copper that is inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It works by making it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg and, in the event of fertilization, hindering implantation of a fertilized egg by releasing copper ions into the uterine cavity, which are toxic to sperm. There are no hormones released by the device and it's very effective in preventing pregnancy. Unlike condoms or a diaphragm, it remains in place and allows for a certain level of, um, spontaneity. You can't feel it once it's in place. There's not a lot of risks - it can lead to slight changes in your menstrual cycle – a lighter or heavier flow, for example, but overall it's a great choice especially for nursing moms. We can do it immediately after the baby is born and the placenta is delivered, or we can wait until your postpartum checkup. It will last for up to 10 years but it can easily be removed if you want to try to conceive again. Mull that over, and we can talk more about it at your next visit. I'll see you again in 2 weeks and then weekly after that. At your next appointment, we'll start checking you for dilation and effacement, and see if there are any signs of pending labor. You're in the home stretch now."

Maddie checked out and made her next appointment, then walked back to the BMW with David. They were both heading in to Blue Moon after the doctor's appointment. It was Maddie's day in the office to work on payroll and financials.

David: "Spontaneity, huh? I think we have a reputation, even with your doctor!"

Maddie laughed: "Well, you and I both know condoms are never going to work for us. And until we know this is it, it's nice to have an option that does allow for some spontaneity that isn't, you know, a permanent thing."

David: "Would you want more kids? You know I'd have a whole house full but my part in this is a lot less complicated than yours…"

Maddie: "I don't know, David. Two seems pretty perfect and at 37 my fertility window is winding down, I'm afraid. And you're younger and more energetic than I am. Besides, it's different for men. I mean you could have kids at 90!"

David laughed: "Maddie, you make it sound like you're Methuselah! You're just a couple of years older than me. And yeah, men can become fathers at any age I suppose, but 90? I'd be too old and tired to pick them up."

A couple of weeks later, Maddie and David were getting ready for a Labor Day weekend housewarming pool party at Richie and Elizabeth's new house. Alex was in the middle of his afternoon nap. Richie and Elizabeth had recently closed on a home in Bel Air near Maddie and David, with a pool and a walled garden. Maddie and David were both thrilled to have them both so close by.

Maddie was standing in front of the full-length mirror in their bedroom, surveying her appearance – and frowning. She was wearing a one-piece black maternity bathing suit with a white cover up, open in front, a black and white striped sun hat, and a pair of sunglasses. She turned sideways and rubbed her sizable baby bump.

Maddie: "I look absolutely enormous. Like a beached whale. When I look down, I can't even see my feet!"

David: "Maddie, honey, I think you've never been more beautiful." He walked up behind her and put his arms around her, rubbing her baby bump and kissing the side of her neck.

Maddie: "Oh please, David! I bet I weigh more than you do at this point."

David: "I think you're gorgeous – and so sexy – when you're pregnant. I don't know why it turns me on so much but it does. Just the thought of my baby – our baby – inside of you." He lifted her hair with one hand and brushed his lips to that spot on the back of her neck. She moaned softly.

Maddie: "How long has he been asleep? Do you think we have time before we have to leave for the party? I don't know what it is about being pregnant but I can't get enough of you. All those pregnancy hormones, I suppose."

David: "There's always time, baby."

They made love and held each other until Alex woke up from his afternoon nap, then finished getting ready for the party. David wore a pair of black and white print Hawaiian board shorts with an unbuttoned white camp shirt and a pair of sandals. Alex wore a matching pair of swim trunks and a little black t-shirt. They were both wearing sunglasses. David carried him downstairs and before they left, Maddie grabbed the camera and snapped a photo of David and Alex.

Maddie: "You look very handsome, Addison. Both of you!"

David drove Maddie and baby Alex to Richie and Elizabeth's new place, picking Alex and Virginia Hayes up along the way. The housewarming party was already buzzing when they arrived, filled with colleagues from Blue Moon and Sidley Austin as well as other friends. There was a blues band playing in the backyard and food catered in. Richie and Elizabeth's new house was a beautiful stucco Spanish revival style one story house, with Spanish tile floors and exposed dark wood beams.

David gave his brother a hug and a pat on the back. They walked together into the backyard. "Congrats, Rich. Not too shabby, bro. We brought you a housewarming gift – a plant. Maddie's idea. She's great with plants. I kill them. She says I have a black thumb and she's probably right. Maybe you and Elizabeth will have better luck with it than I would."

Richie: "Thanks, Davey. Never pictured myself in such a swanky place. But Elizabeth – well, she does really well as a partner in her law firm. And we definitely needed more space with a new Ad Man on the way. Working on the nursery now and she's hired a decorator to look at the rest of the place. It has good bones. Really nice place. Nothing like where we grew up in South Philly, bro! Not too much longer for you and Maddie either."

David: "4 more weeks. Can't believe it, Rich. She had a checkup this past week – no signs of labor. We've both been a bit nervous after everything that happened when Alex was born but so far, so good. I really feel like things are gonna go great this time, and I feel like my intuition is usually right."

Maddie held baby Alex and visited with Elizabeth in the kitchen. He was busy trying to grab everything within his reach. "This place is fantastic, Elizabeth! And I'm secretly glad you're so close to us. How are you feeling?"

Elizabeth: "I feel great, Maddie. I've been really lucky. No morning sickness, lots of energy so far. 3 more months! It's going by so fast. Not much longer for you!"

Maddie: "Another month. I feel absolutely enormous. I've reached that point where it's hard to find a position that's comfortable to sleep in. And lots of heartburn. But I'll take it, especially after everything with Alex."

Elizabeth: "I've been thinking about your idea about sharing a nanny, and I think it's fantastic. I plan on taking 3 months off after the baby is born but after that I'm going to have to go back to work. If you're still in, we should look at nanny agencies, place an ad, start interviewing people, however that all works."

Maddie: "I'm definitely in. I don't know that I want to go back to work full time, at least not for a while, but it's just too much to ask of my parents to keep a baby and a one year old that often."

Everyone had a great time at the party. David led the group in a game of limbo and Maddie and Elizabeth got into the pool with little Alex, who loved the water. Richie and David did shots with the Wobblies and some of Elizabeth's attorney friends and both of them had way too much to drink. Maddie ended up driving David and her parents home.

It was about a month later, early in the morning of October 4, 1988. It was Maddie's due date. She woke up and felt a little crampy, and her back was a little achy, but nothing different than she'd felt the past few days. David was sound asleep on his stomach, catty-cornered across the bed, mouth hanging open, snoring lightly. Maddie smiled at him. He was so cute when he was asleep and it was one of the only times he was quiet and still. She got up, went to the bathroom, and as she was walking back to bed - well, waddling was more like it, she thought - she felt a gush. Immediately, the cramping sensation started feeling like a more pronounced contraction.

Maddie: "David, baby, wake up. My water just broke. I think this is it."

David jolted awake: "Maddie, are you okay? Are you having contractions? Do we need to head to the hospital now?"

Maddie: "Dr. Weed said to call her and head to the hospital as soon as my water broke – or as soon as labor started – since they want to monitor me closely."

David jumped out of bed: "I'm on it. Let me call Alex and Ginny." David immediately picked up the phone, called Maddie's parents, and they got ready to head over to stay with baby Alex. Maddie called Dr. Weed to let her know her water had broken and that she was on the way to the hospital. They both got dressed and ready to head to the hospital. David peeked in on baby Alex – he was still sound asleep, in a position very similar to the way David always slept.

The always organized Maddie had a bag already packed and waiting by the front door, as well as a small bag for David. David grabbed both of them and put them in the back of the Land Rover, where they had not one but two car seats already installed. Just in case things didn't go as planned, both Maddie and David wanted to be as prepared as they could be this time.

Alex and Virginia arrived just as David was helping Maddie down the spiral staircase.

Maddie: "Well, this is it! I love you both, mom and daddy."

David: "Thanks so much for watching him, Alex and Ginny. I'll call you as soon as there's any news."

Virginia gave Maddie a hug: "We love you, Tickle Bug. You too, David, dear. We can't wait to meet the new baby."

Alex: "We love you sweetheart. David, take good care of our girl."

David: "Will do, Alex."

David drove Maddie to the hospital. It was thankfully very early morning, before traffic started, so they made good time. Her contractions started getting more frequent and more regular during the drive to the hospital. They checked in, and an orderly brought a wheelchair for Maddie. David helped the orderly push Maddie back to Labor and Delivery, making little racecar sounds along the way. Maddie rolled her eyes at him but was secretly relieved at the humor and the distraction from her contractions.

The Labor and Delivery nurses got Maddie settled into a private room, where she changed into a hospital gown. The nurses checked her vitals and her progress, then hooked her up to a fetal monitor and an IV. Meanwhile, David was humming Marvin Gaye's "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and checking out all of the equipment. He gave them all the details of everything that had happened that morning.

David: "Her water broke around 4am and contractions started around the same time. They were irregular at first but they started getting more regular and closer together on the drive over here. They are about 7 minutes apart by my count."

Nurse: "Well, Maddie, you're already 5cm dilated and 90% effaced. That's wonderful progress. You're close to the point where we administer an epidural, if that's something you want."

Maddie: "I really hope to give birth naturally. We did Lamaze classes together."

Nurse, looking at David and shaking her head, and smiling: "Well, looks like you have quite the partner here to help you. Dr. Weed should be here shortly to check in on you."

The nurse left for a few minutes and Maddie and David looked at each other. This was really happening! Just the way they'd hoped it would have happened last time.

Dr. Weed arrived a short while later and checked on Maddie's progress: "Well, Maddie, you're progressing very quickly and the baby's heart rate looks good. You're at 7 centimeters now and getting close to the transition period. It's the final stage of labor and can be very intense – but it's usually the quickest phase. I've done this a lot and I'd bet good money you have this baby before lunch time."

Maddie's labor continued progressing quickly and her contractions rapidly got closer and closer together and more and more intense – and painful. David held her hand and coached her through breathing and focusing, just like they'd learned to do in Lamaze class. He brought a focus object with them from their house – a small brass unicorn figure – that he sat on the dresser in front of the hospital bed for Maddie to focus on.

David rubbed her lower back and gently pushed her hair away from her face, and looked at the fetal and contraction monitors next to them: "Two short breaths and one long, Maddie. Hee-hee-ho, hee-hee-ho. Looks like you are almost through this contraction. Do you want some more ice chips, baby?"

Maddie: "I hate you, David Addison. I hate you for doing this to me. I'm never sleeping with you again."

David: "I know Goldilocks, I know, let it all out. Hate me all you want. It's gonna be okay."

Maddie: "Shut up, David."

Dr. Weed checked Maddie's progress again: "Maddie, you're 10cm dilated and fully effaced. It's time for this baby to make an appearance. Let's get you ready to start pushing. Every time you feel a contraction, take a deep breath and push."

David stood behind Maddie and she leaned back against him as she was pushing. David thought that this was such a different experience than when Alex was born and he was so excited to be there every step of the way. Maddie held and squeezed his hands.

Dr. Weed: "Okay, Maddie, just a few more pushes and she'll be here. The head is crowning."

Maddie pushed three more times and the baby was born. The nurse laid a hospital baby blanket across Maddie's chest. Dr. Weed carefully lifted the baby up and slid her onto the blanket. The whole room rejoiced when they heard the baby cry.

Maddie put her arms around the baby: "Oh, David! Look at her! She's so perfect."

David: "She's beautiful. Blondie blonde, I'm so proud of you. I love you, honey."

Dr. Weed: "David, would you like to cut the cord?"

David took the scissors from Dr. Weed and – a bit nervously - cut the cord. David leaned over and kissed Maddie on the lips. They were both crying. Tears of joy – and relief.

David stayed with the baby while the nurses cleaned her up and weighed and measured her. She was 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 inches long. David was instantly and overwhelmingly in love with his daughter. Their daughter. The nurse put a diaper on her and swaddled her in a blanket and handed her to David. He brought her back over to Maddie to hold.

David: "Maddie, she's absolutely perfect. I think she looks a lot like you."

Maddie: "I think she has your mouth. And dimples. And so much blonde hair, just like Alex. Oh David, I love you so much, baby."

David: "She's just like her mom. Punctual and organized. Born on her due date. Are we still good with the name?"

Maddie: "Definitely. Abigail Virginia Addison."

David: "Abby. She looks like an Abby."

David and Maddie enjoyed the time together, just the three of them. Maddie nursed Abby for the first time, and David sat with the two of them on the hospital bed, soaking in this time together. The nurse wheeled in a bassinet and took Abby to the nursery for some newborn tests. David went with her while Maddie rested, and then wheeled baby Abby back into Maddie's room with, again, more racecar noises. Maddie was exhausted, and David let her rest while he made some calls from the in-room phone. He called their house and Virginia answered almost immediately – she and Alex were overjoyed at the news and planned to bring baby Alex to meet his new baby sister as soon as he woke up from his nap. David also called Blue Moon and talked to Agnes, then to Richie, to give them the wonderful news. He then used his calling card to call his dad and Stephanie in Philly.

Virginia and Alex arrived with baby Alex later that afternoon. They were so excited to meet the new baby.

Virginia: "Oh my goodness, what a beautiful baby! Let me hold her. Maddie, she looks so much like you did as a baby. But with so much more hair! David, I think she has your mouth, and dimples. Everything went so much more quickly than I imagined it would. I was in labor for what seemed like forever with you, Maddie. You were so stubborn! This one was ready to make her entrance into the world."

Maddie: "Her name is Abigail Virginia Addison. Abby."

Alex and Virginia looked at each other and smiled, tears in their eyes.

Alex held his namesake grandson and looked over Virginia's shoulder at Abby: "You two sure do make beautiful babies. Congratulations, Maddie and David."

David took baby Alex out of Alex's arms and kissed him: "Hey, big guy! Your mom and I sure did miss you. Do you want to meet your new baby sister? You can touch her, just be really gentle."

Alex took lots of photos of Maddie, David, Alex, and Abby. David took a photo of Virginia, Maddie, and Abby – three generations of Hayes-Addison women – and photos of Virginia and Alex holding their two grandchildren. He was such a proud new dad.

Maddie: "It was such an easier delivery this time. Everything went like clockwork and I feel really great. And really hungry! David, you and daddy should go pick us up something for dinner. I'd love a burger! In N Out, maybe? Animal style. And fries."

David: "Anything you want, Blondie Blonde." He chuckled at his influence on the woman who he'd never seen consume a hamburger until they were together.

As they walked outside the hospital towards Alex's Mercedes, Alex patted David on the back: "Well son, I didn't want to say anything in front of Maddie and Ginny, but I have a couple of celebratory Cuban cigars for us. And a flask of the best Scotch. Care to join me before we head over to In N Out?"

David: "Absolutely!"

Alex and David enjoyed their guys' celebration then picked up dinner for everyone and went back to the hospital. When they got back to Maddie's room, Maddie was nursing Abby again and Virginia was holding little Alex, who was having a bottle. David had a moment of panic thinking about how on earth he and Maddie were going to handle two children under the age of one but he decided to rally and thought they'd figure it all out together. They always did.

Alex and Virginia took baby Alex back home and stayed with him overnight. David stayed at the hospital with Maddie and Abby.

Maddie: "Dr. Weed came by while you and daddy were picking up dinner. She said I'll be able to come home in the morning. I'm really lucky – I feel so good. No stitches, no tears – which is apparently a pretty rare thing. She inserted the IUD after Abby was born and the placenta was delivered, so we're set in terms of birth control, when the time comes."

Maddie and Abby were both soon sound asleep – it had been quite a day! David looked at both of them, stuck his hands in his pockets, shook his head, and smiled. He felt an overwhelming sense of love towards them both, and a need to protect them. He leaned over the bassinet and admired his newborn daughter – she was so beautiful, so much like Maddie. He picked her up and held her in the crook of his arm, and walked around the room with her, talking softly to her and kissing the top of her head. He started singing a song to her, softly and quietly, making sure not to wake Maddie up. Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely?"

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old

I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely, made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed

I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely, made from love

David laid Abby gently back down into her bassinet, and she continued sleeping soundly, as did Maddie. He sat down in the sleeper chair next to his wife and newborn daughter and dozed off himself. He was excited about this next chapter of their lives as a family of four.

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