You're The One That I Want

Maddie and David were standing in the middle of a Christmas tree lot with Richie and a very pregnant Elizabeth. Arguing. The two couples were on an afternoon double date of sorts, going out to lunch at Pink's, then heading to Shawn's Christmas Trees to pick out trees. David was holding Abby against his chest in a Baby Bjorn carrier and gently rubbing the top of her blonde head. Maddie was holding Alex's hand as he toddled around, babbling and enjoying seeing and smelling all of the trees.

Richie and Elizabeth looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Maddie and David had been arguing about the perfect Christmas tree for a while now and they were getting tired of it. They'd already picked theirs out, paid for it, and the sales guy had tied it to the top of Maddie and David's Land Rover.

Maddie: "I like the other one better, David. It's taller and fuller. This one looks kind of scraggly and it's got a gap without branches in the back."

David: "I like this one, Maddie. It has more character. Besides, the one you want isn't straight. It's gonna lean and bother you, and you're gonna complain about it until January. It doesn't have to be perfect to be the one. I mean look at us!"

Maddie gave him an annoyed look: "I can't believe you're comparing our relationship to a Christmas tree."

David smiled: "I think it's the other way around, Blondie Blonde. Look, I'm tired of arguing with you, Maddie. Let's toss a coin. Or play eeny meeny miny moe. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, why does everything have to be an argument?"

Richie: "For the love of Mike, you two. You've got 5 more minutes and then Elizabeth and I are gonna pick one out for you."

Elizabeth decided she needed to turn on her best stealth attorney negotiation skills. She walked over to Alex and squatted down to his level: "Here, I've got an idea. Alex, sweetheart, which tree do you like the best? Point to the one you want." She gently picked Alex up, then walked with him between the two tree options. Alex pointed at the one David wanted, smiled, and said "Tee."

David: "Well, that settles it. You can't say no to us both, Maddie!"

Maddie looked over at David and Alex with the same enthusiastic smirks of childlike wonder on their faces – and caved in.

Maddie: "All right, but that weird gap side is going against the wall."

They paid for their tree and the sales guy tied it to the top of the Land Rover next to Richie and Elizabeth's. They drove to Maddie and David's house first, with Richie and Elizabeth seated in the backseat with Alex and Abby in their car seats. Richie helped David set their tree up in the living room – not without some cursing at the tree stand. Maddie nursed Abby and put her down for her afternoon nap. Elizabeth played with Alex, who was so excited about the tree that he refused to rest. David drove Richie and Elizabeth home and helped them get their tree set up while Maddie turned on the fireplace, lit a Christmas candle, and sat with Alex on the couch in the living room, reading some board books, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" and "Dr. Seuss' ABCs," while he helped her turn the pages. She had to admit to herself that it was a really beautiful tree after all, although she would never tell David that.

David came back to find Maddie sitting on the couch with Alex leaning back against her chest, sound asleep. The house smelled like Christmas, between the scent of the tree and the orange and clove scented candle that Maddie was burning.

David leaned over and kissed Maddie, then picked sleepy Alex up off of her lap: "Looks like he finally wore himself out. I'll put him in his crib. It's kind of warm today for a fire, Maddie."

Maddie smiled: "It just seemed so festive. Alex and I have been enjoying it. I turned on the air conditioner!"

David laughed: "Want me to get the boxes of decorations out?"

Maddie: "That sounds great. I think we are going to have to be really careful with ornaments this year. Alex is so curious and I'm worried about him breaking them and hurting himself. Maybe we can keep the tree simple this year, just lights and bows and things that can't break, leave off the glass balls until the kids are older. I think we have some foam ornaments covered with ribbon that won't break."

David: "Sounds smart, Blondie Blonde."

David took Alex upstairs and laid him gently in his crib. He immediately rolled over onto his belly, catty cornered in his crib, mouth hanging slightly open, just like his father. David shook his head and smiled, closed the door quietly, and went up into the attic and pulled down the boxes of Christmas decorations and brought them downstairs.

Maddie: "We just got a package from your dad and Stephanie. A monogrammed needlepoint stocking for Abby to match the rest of ours that they gave us last year. And a Baby's First Christmas 1988 ornament. That was so thoughtful of them."

David: "I'm sure it's all Stephanie's doing. I'll give them a call later and say thanks."

Maddie: "Let's put out some of this décor while the kids are napping. Maybe we can decorate the tree tonight? And do we want to take the kids to the mall to see Santa? I used to go every year when I was little. My parents have lots of pictures."

David: "Absolutely. I've seen those photos, Goldilocks. You were so cute! Maybe we can take them after their nap, then grab dinner somewhere, come back here and decorate the tree?"

Maddie: "Sounds good. I hope they don't scream, David."

David: "All part of the experience, Blondie Blonde."

Maddie and David put garland, stocking holders, and their four stockings on the fireplace mantel. Maddie sat out a few framed family Christmas photos, including one of David and Richie with their mom and dad at Christmas when they were little, one of 5 year old Maddie sitting on Santa's lap, and one of the entire Addison-Hayes clan, including a tiny baby Alex, in front of Maddie and David's tree the previous year. David put a wreath on the front door and some garland on the spiral staircase.

When they woke up from their naps, Maddie dressed Alex and Abby in matching red and green plaid outfits, and she and David took them to Westfield Mall in Century City and waited in line with them to see Santa. When it was their turn, a Photo Elf helper guided them over to Santa's chair. Maddie gently handed Abby to Santa to hold and David deposited Alex on Santa's lap. They both quickly leapt out of the way for the photo op. Alex took one look at the strange man with a white beard, gave a little frown to his parents, and started wailing. Abby, picking up on the vibes from her older brother, followed suit.

Maddie: "Oh, brother. Poor little things."

David shook his head and smirked: "Oh, the ho-ho-horror! They'll be fine, Maddie. It's character building."

The unfazed Santa just sat there and kept smiling as Alex and Abby screamed and the Photo Elf snapped a photo. Maddie and David exchanged glances, then quickly rushed over and scooped them up, holding and consoling them. They said thank you to Santa, paid for a photo, and grabbed a quick dinner in the mall food court while they waited for the photo to develop. After dinner, they went back to retrieve their Santa photo. The Photo Elf handed the 5x7 picture to them inside a red, white, and green paper folded card with "Santa and Me" printed in script on the front.

David looked at the photo, shook his head, and laughed: "This is gold, Maddie. A framer, for sure."

Maddie: "This is awful, David! I'm glad we only paid for one photo. Just look at their little faces! Maybe your dad can dress up as Santa when he comes to visit and we can have a do-over."

They drove back home and decorated their Christmas tree. David put on The Temptations' Christmas album and donned a Santa hat. He danced around the room to "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town" with Abby in his arms, who smiled and cooed at him, then kissed her and put her in her swing so she could watch all the tree decorating activity. David strung white lights around the tree and put the star on the top. Maddie held Alex and let him help her put ribbons and ribbon-covered foam balls on the tree. When they were done, they all stood back to admire their handiwork. David leaned over and kissed Maddie gently on the lips.

Alex pointed at the tree: "Tee. Ooooo!"

David kissed the top of his head: "That's right, buddy. It's a great tree."

Maddie and David gave the kids baths and got them ready for bed. Maddie nursed Abby and rocked her until she fell asleep, then put her in her crib. David gave Alex a bottle and read "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" to him until he got sleepy, then put him in his crib. Maddie ran a warm bubble bath, lit a few candles around the tub, and slipped in. The warm water felt soothing after the long day of Christmas-ing.

David: "Room for two in there or would you rather be alone?"

Maddie reached her arm out to him: "There's always room for two. Come here, you…"

David slipped his clothes off and got in the tub behind Maddie. She leaned back against his chest and he wrapped his legs around her. It felt good to be close to each other. "I think it's gonna be a great Christmas, Maddie. Richie and Elizabeth's baby should be here any day now, and we have the Blue Moon party coming up, and then the office will be closed for a couple of weeks. It'll be nice to have some time together, just enjoy the holiday."

Maddie: "David, I was thinking we should go to Christmas Eve mass as a family this year. They have a special family mass at 5pm. There's a nativity play and a children's choir singing carols. It's an abbreviated service for the little ones. I found out about it when I called to talk to the priest about Abby's christening after the holidays. Elizabeth and I were thinking we could have Abby's and their baby's christenings at the same time, by the way. What do you think?"

David: "Are you serious, Maddie? I think that would be fantastic. All of it."

Maddie turned around and looked at him: "I'm not saying I feel the same way about religion that you do, David, but I know it's important to you, and I'm going to do my best to support you. I'm sure my parents would love to join us, maybe your dad and Stephanie too?"

David was absolutely shocked. These were all words that he never expected to hear Maddie say.

David: "I love you, Madolyn. Truly. It feels so good just being here with you. I never imagined we'd have this much peace with each other."

Maddie: "Peace?! Ha! Clearly you weren't there for our tree fight earlier."

David: "Where would we be without the banter, baby?"

David and Maddie got out of the tub and dried off, then made love, slowly, passionately, and completely, then fell asleep tangled in each other's arms – until Abby woke up for her 3am feeding.

The next week was the annual Blue Moon holiday party, after which the office was going to close down for two weeks for their annual Christmas vacation. Blue Moon had rented out Dimples, a local karaoke bar, for an evening of dinner, drinks, and singing, for employees and their significant others. Agnes had made all of the arrangements, and it was shaping up to be a fun evening. Alex and Virginia Hayes were more than happy to watch Alex and Abby for the evening. Virginia was holding Abby and Alex was sitting on the floor with little Alex, who was banging away on his toy piano and babbling nonstop.

Maddie: "Thanks mom and daddy, we shouldn't be late. I just fed Abby so she should be good until bedtime and there are bottles in the fridge."

Virginia: "No worries, dear. You two stay out as late as you want. We're always happy to be here with these little ones. Abby looks so much like you did as a baby, Maddie. It's just uncanny. But she definitely has David's smile and dimples, I think. And so much hair! You were almost bald." Maddie rolled her eyes, wondering just how many times her mother was going to tell that story – it wasn't like she was still bald.

David came down the spiral staircase wearing a fitted black t-shirt, black leather jacket, gray jeans, and black shoes. Maddie – wearing an oversized pink fuzzy sweater with snowflakes on it and pink slacks – frowned at him.

Maddie: "That's not very festive, David."

David: "What can I say, baby? I'm not a festive clothing kind of guy. Plus, don't forget our little karaoke performance – I wanted to look the part. I called earlier and made sure they have the music for it so we are all set. Not a lot of Christmas stuff. Richie will be disappointed – I think he was hoping to belt out some Bing Crosby."

Maddie whispered in his ear: "I will say, you're looking very sexy, Addison." They smoldered at each other.

David: "What's in that tote bag you're carrying?"

Maddie: "A surprise. Okay mom and daddy, we are off!"

Alex: "Have fun tonight, you two! Rudolph is on CBS tonight – thought we'd watch it with the kids. Maybe tape it on the VCR so you can watch it again later."

David: "That's a great idea, Alex! Thanks! I love Yukon Cornelius."

David drove Maddie in the BMW to the holiday party, which was in full swing when they got there. The Wobblies were all doing tequila shots at the bar. Agnes was wearing a tartan plaid dress with a Christmas cardigan over it, embroidered with a Santa, a tree, a teddy bear on a sleigh, and nutcrackers, earrings shaped like candy canes, and a long necklace with colored lights on it that lit up. Bert was, grudgingly, wearing a red sweater with a large snowman on it and a Santa hat, at Agnes' insistence. David grabbed a beer from the bar and Maddie had club soda with lime. There was a big spread of heavy hors d'oeuvres on a long table and karaoke was already in full swing. MacGilicuddy, already several tequila shots in, was up on stage singing "Sweet Caroline."

Maddie: "Let's let everyone get good and drunk before we get up there, David. I'm nervous."

David laughed: "From the looks of it, I think most of them are already there. You've got a fantastic voice, honey. It's gonna be great."

Maddie got a small plate of food and sat with Elizabeth and Agnes at a table. All three of them winced as they listened to Jergenson and his date belt out a very off-key "Disco Inferno."

Maddie: "I wasn't sure if I'd see you here or not tonight, Elizabeth. How are you feeling?"

Elizabeth: "I wasn't sure if I'd make it, Maddie. Two days overdue. I literally feel like I'm going to pop. I'm swollen and grumpy and can't see my feet anymore. And what I wouldn't give for a cocktail."

Maddie: "I hear you. Although I don't think any amount of alcohol would make this singing sound good! Agnes, you're not drinking either?"

Agnes: "Well, I have some news! It's really early but Bert and I are expecting! I am due in July."

Maddie reached out and hugged her: "Oh Agnes, that's wonderful news! I am so happy for you two!"

Elizabeth: "That's fantastic news, Agnes! Oh goodness, Maddie. Take a look."

David and Richie, each holding a beer and wearing Ray Bans, had taken the stage. They sang Sam and Dave's "Soul Man."

Maddie: "Well, at least they can both carry a tune."

O'Neill, Viola, and Simmons were up next, singing "Brick House" from The Commodores.

Maddie grabbed her tote bag, walked over to David, and whispered to him: "Okay, I'm almost ready, David. Let me run to the restroom and freshen up. Give me 5 minutes and I'll meet you on the stage."

After the painful rendition of "Brick House," David jumped back on the stage and grabbed a microphone: "Maddie and I have a little special performance we've been rehearsing for you. Ready, Maddie?"

Maddie walked out on stage with him. She was wearing a skin-tight pair of black leather pants, a short, tight black tank top, a fitted black leather biker jacket, a pair of red stiletto heels – and very red lipstick. She had a lit cigarette in her hand.

David turned off the microphone and whispered: "Jesus Christ, Maddie! Where did you get this outfit? To hell with the karaoke – I want to ravage you now. Let's get out of here…"

Maddie: "David! It's from my modeling days. I probably have a lot of clothes you've never seen that I just don't wear anymore. I couldn't believe I could still fit into it."

David: "Wow. You ready, baby?"

The entirety of the Blue Moon office and their guests stood there, dumbfounded for a while, then they broke out into cheers. They had never seen their boss dressed like this. The karaoke music started and the room instantly recognized what they were going to sing, "You're The One That I Want," from Grease.

David, on the microphone, putting his hand over his heart and feigning shock at seeing her: "Maddie!"

Maddie: "Tell me about it, stud." She took a drag off of the cigarette and coughed a bit, which made David laugh. She handed the cigarette to him and he took a deep puff, exhaled, and licked his lips, looking her up and down. She licked her lips too, and put the cigarette out. They danced together as they sang, just like Sandy and Danny from Grease.

David:

I got chills, they're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying!

Maddie:

You better shape up
'Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true

David:
Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do

Both:

You're the one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The one I need
Oh, yes, indeed

Maddie:

If you're filled with affection
You're too shy to convey
Meditate in my direction
Feel your way…

With that, she took David's one of David's hands and ran it up and down her outer thigh. The crowd cheered. Everyone was into it, clapping and dancing along with their singing.

David:

I better shape up
'Cause you need a man

Maddie:
I need a man
Who can keep me satisfied

David:
I better shape up
If I'm gonna prove

Maddie:
You better prove
That my faith is justified

Both, facing each other and dancing close together, swaying back and forth:

Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure down deep inside

You're the one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The one I need
Oh, yes, indeed

The entire audience broke out into applause. David hugged Maddie, dipped her, and kissed her.

It was the most fun evening any of them had had in a long time. The karaoke – and drinking – continued after Maddie and David's performance. Agnes and Bert did a duet of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream." Kris, Jamie, and Inez sang "We Got The Beat" from the Go-Gos. Everyone got together for one of the few karaoke Christmas songs available, "Do They Know it's Christmas?"

David had a couple of beers too many so Maddie drove them home. When they got there, Alex Hayes was asleep on the couch, television remote in his hand, with "Miracle on 34th Street" on the television. Virginia was sitting next to him with her head on his shoulder.

Virginia: "I hope you two had a fun time. Maddie, what on earth are you wearing? What happened to your pink sweater set?"

Maddie: "We did a little karaoke performance together. It's a long story, mother. I hope they were good for you."

Virginia: "Absolute angels, both of them. The most delightful little people. They are both asleep upstairs. They went down around 9pm."

Maddie and David walked Alex and Virginia to the door and said their goodbyes. As soon as Maddie's parents drove away, David pushed Maddie against the spiral staircase and started kissing her passionately, touching his tongue to hers, and biting her lips lightly, running his hands wildly through her hair and up and down her body. He ran his lips along her jawline and along her neck to that spot that drove her wild and as he did, the stubble on his face grazed against her cheek. Maddie thought that the smell of him – aftershave and leather and beer and cigarettes, plus his natural musky scent - was intoxicating.

David: "I have wanted to do this all night long. Do you have any idea how hot you are?"

Maddie laughed: "Maybe I should wear black leather more often! Let's go upstairs."

David whispered: "I don't want to go upstairs, Madolyn. I have to have you now."

Her scent drove him crazy – she always smelled like lavender and citrus and something he couldn't quite put his fingers on, that was just her, that he couldn't get enough of. David unbuckled and unzipped his jeans and slid down Maddie's leather pants. He continued kissing her passionately, then slipped his hand between her legs and stroked her with his fingers, just the way he knew she liked it.

David: "Are you ready for me, baby? I want you so bad."

He lifted her up and entered her in one quick thrust. They both gasped and moaned. Their lovemaking was wild and frenzied, up against the spiral staircase, until they climaxed together.

Maddie: "Wow. Pretty incredible, Addison."

David smirked at her, and ran his hands gently through her hair: "You can say that again, Blondie Blonde."

The next few days were a flurry of activity. David Sr. and Stephanie flew in from Philly and there was a big family dinner with take-out Italian food at Richie and Elizabeth's new house. David, Richie, Alex, and David Sr. played a round of golf one afternoon at Alex's new country club. David Sr wasn't a great player but David and Richie, who now played fairly often with Alex, were both getting a lot better, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful LA weather, day drinking, and driving the golf cart. Maddie and her mother did some Christmas shopping at Century City Mall with Alex and Abby and wrapped gifts while the kids napped. Maddie and David had a date night while Alex and Virginia watched Alex and Abby – they did some Christmas shopping for the kids, had a leisurely dinner together, and saw the new Bill Murray Christmas movie, "Scrooged."

On Christmas Eve, David and Richie went out together and did some last minute Christmas shopping, along with a liquor store run. Maddie, Virginia, and a very grumpy and almost 2 weeks overdue Elizabeth baked sugar cookies for Santa at Maddie and David's house. Maddie was very thankful that her mother and Elizabeth oversaw the entire operation – making the dough, rolling and cutting out the shapes, and baking the cookies. Maddie put Alex in his high chair and handed him a cooled star-shaped sugar cookie, a small bowl with frosting, and a toddler spoon to spread the icing on the cookie. Alex had other ideas – he happily ate most of the frosting with his fingers, smearing it all around his mouth and face, put the bowl on his head, and ate little bites of unfrosted cookie. Maddie couldn't help but laugh at her messy son and snapped some photos of him with their 35mm camera. Abby sat in her bouncy seat, cheerfully watching the entire operation, smiling and cooing.

The entire Addison-Hayes clan went to Christmas Eve mass together. David held Alex, who was mesmerized by the music, the children's nativity play, and the candles. Maddie wasn't particularly religious but she knew David was and it warmed her heart seeing the joy on his face, and she had to admit that she had a good time. Baby Abby was as good as gold and slept in her arms during the service. Elizabeth's water broke as they were singing "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" and Richie rushed her to the hospital, promising to call as soon as there were any updates. There was never a dull moment in the Addison family!

The rest of the family went back to David and Maddie's house and had a Christmas Eve dinner together. Maddie was in a family-forced kitchen "time out" after the turkey disaster at Thanksgiving so they enjoyed a store bought ham with sides made by Virginia and Stephanie. They lit a fire and Maddie played Christmas carols on the piano while everyone sang. David decided to dress up as Santa for a "do-over" photo, and Alex and Abby happily let their father, as Santa, hold them. He donned his Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, sat in a chair with them in front of the tree, and gave his best smirky grin as everyone snapped photos. Maddie sat next to them and gave him a kiss as Alex grabbed and pulled on his fake beard. Everyone laughed and continued to take photos and Alex Hayes videotaped it all.

Richie called from the hospital with an update. Elizabeth's labor was progressing slowly and it was going to be a long night. She was dilated to 3cm and they had been walking around the hospital hoping that would help her labor progress. He promised to call back as soon as there was more news.

Alex, Virginia, David Sr, and Stephanie chipped in and cleaned up the kitchen while Maddie and David filled the kids' stockings with a few toys. The house looked and smelled beautiful, with presents under the tree and festive décor everywhere. Alex and Virginia went home to their condo and David Sr and Stephanie went to Richie and Elizabeth's house, where they were staying for the week. Maddie nursed Abby and rocked her to sleep, then gently laid her in her crib. Maddie smiled at her beautiful daughter who had inherited David's easygoing – and, she suspected, fun - personality and how this was her very first Christmas. She walked out of her room and quietly closed the door. David – still in his Santa costume – sat with a sleepy Alex in the glider rocker in his room and read "The Night Before Christmas" to him - a beautiful hardback copy of the story, a gift from Agnes and Bert – then put him in his crib, blew him a two finger kiss, and closed the door to his room. Maddie and David walked into their hallway at exactly the same time and smoldered at each other.

David smiled at Maddie and reached over and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear: "Hey there, Blondie Blonde. What a fun night, huh? I have to run downstairs and check on something. I'll be back up in a few minutes."

Maddie: "Okay, baby. Leave the Santa costume on, will you? And meet me in our bedroom in 10."

David: "Whatever you say, boss."

David walked down the spiral staircase and into the living room. In true "Santa Dave" form, he pulled out a small wrapped gift that he'd been hiding and tucked it into her stocking, along with a few of her favorite things. He shook his head and smiled at the beautiful home they were building together, then walked back upstairs and into their bedroom – and his jaw dropped open.

David: "Jesus, Maddie. What is this?"

Maddie: "Let's just say it's a Christmas gift for Santa."

Maddie was wearing a much too short pleated navy and gray plaid skirt, a tight white button-down oxford shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top few buttons unbuttoned, and a gray tie, loosened at the neckline, with white knee socks and loafers.

David: "You're filled with surprises lately, Mrs. Addison. Where did you get this little plaid number?"

Maddie laughed: "It's my uniform from high school. I found it when I was digging out the leather pants a couple of weeks ago. They were both in a big box of clothes from my parents' house in Chicago. I had to wear a navy blazer with it too but it was way too small. I could barely get the rest of it on – I'm clearly taller now than I was when I was in high school. This would absolutely have been a uniform violation and I'd have gotten demerits for it."

David smirked at her: "A violation, huh? I don't think I would have learned anything if you'd been in my high school class. I'd have been too busy looking at you, Maddie. Maybe it's a good thing I went to an all-boys school."

Maddie: "Oh please! And David – I mean Santa – I'm not Maddie…"

David smiled at her, then flopped down onto the chair next to the fireplace in their bedroom: "Well, then, ho, ho,ho! Come and sit on Santa's lap. What's your name?"

Maddie sat down on his lap, crossed her long legs, and put her arms around his neck: "Ingrid"

David: "And how old are you, Ingrid?"

Maddie: "Eighteen"

David gulped: "Eighteen?! Have you been a good girl this year, Ingrid? Have you been good a lot? Ever been great, Ingrid? Would you like to be?"

Maddie looked down shyly, then back at David: "Well to tell you the truth, Santa, I've been a very very bad girl this year. I'm afraid I might be on your naughty list. Can you check?"

David, getting into the role play, pretended to check his list: "My, my, Ingrid, you have been a naughty girl this year."

Maddie leaned in and brushed her lips against his ear and whispered: "Santa, I was thinking, maybe we can come up with some sort of, um, arrangement?"

David: "I'm all ears. Well – not all ears…"

Maddie: "I really, really want to be on the nice list, Santa."

David: "Oh, you would, would you?"

Maddie: "I promise I can be really good. I'd like to be great. Maybe if I show you just how great I can be, you can take me off of your naughty list?"

She took his hand and slid it up her inner thigh. He realized she wasn't wearing any underwear and raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. She looked back at him and gave him her best supermodel bedroom eyes and seductive smile.

David: "Jesus, Maddie – I mean Ingrid. I think we can come up with some kind of arrangement. What kind of gift did you have in mind for Christmas?"

Maddie: "The only package I want for Christmas this year is yours. I want you to fill me up with your holiday spirit."

Maddie and David continued their role play, discarding the Santa costume and school girl uniform all around the bedroom, and made love in their master bedroom. Afterwards, Maddie lay with her head on David's chest, his hands stroking her hair. They fell asleep that way and slept soundly until Abby woke them up at 6am, wet and hungry.

Alex and Virginia came over early with armloads of gifts and Virginia made her famous Christmas morning cinnamon rolls for everyone. Alex and Abby were dressed in cute matching red and white candy cane striped Christmas pajamas with green trim. David played bartender, making Mimosas for everyone, and Alex made scrambled eggs and bacon. Maddie put on a pot of coffee and cut up some fruit. David Sr. and Stephanie arrived just as breakfast was being served. Little Alex sat in his high chair, happily eating bites of cinnamon roll, scrambled eggs, and fruit and drinking a sippy cup of juice.

The phone rang just as everyone was finishing breakfast and David answered it. It was Richie with news that the baby had arrived – Michael Richard Addison, born at 7:22am, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and 19 inches long. Elizabeth and the baby were doing well but she was exhausted after a long labor. There were cheers all around and a champagne toast to the new baby.

After breakfast, they opened gifts. Little Alex was spoiled with a lot of toys and clothes although he was more interested in the boxes and wrapping paper than any of the gifts. David handed out identically wrapped gifts, one to Alex and Virginia, and the other to Maddie. They were navy blue leather photo albums with the word "Chicago" embossed in silver lettering on the covers. Inside were photos of every room in and every angle of the Hayes residence in Chicago, as well as some of their favorite places throughout the city, including Alex and Ginny's club, the Drake, the Chicago river downtown, Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, and other famous Chicago landmarks.

David: "I figured since you are all out here now, and sold your old house, I'd put together photos of it for you, along with photos of Chicago. Having lost my mom when I was little, I know how important photos and memories are. Richie and Elizabeth helped me, as did Agnes."

Alex: "I'm really touched, son. This was very kind of you."

Virginia: "We will treasure this, dear. What a thoughtful gift!"

Maddie leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips. She had tears in her eyes: "Oh, David. You even took photos of my old room. This is so sweet."

David: "Look in your stocking, honey…"

Maddie pulled her stocking down from the fireplace mantel. Inside was a small, beautifully wrapped box with a pair of pearl earrings inside, to match the necklace David had given her the previous Christmas. There was also a gift certificate to her favorite spa, a gift certificate to her favorite seafood restaurant, and two tickets to the opera. She smiled at him.

Maddie: "Look in yours, David."

David pulled down his stocking. There was a small box with a gold signet ring with his initials on it, something that he had always wanted, along with tickets to the Long Beach Blues Festival, a gift certificate to his favorite steakhouse, and tickets to see The Temptations and The Isley Brothers at the Hollywood Bowl. He smirked, then gave Maddie a big smile, and shook his head.

Maddie and David smoldered at each other. Somewhere along the line, they'd gotten out of their own way and figured out what was important to each other, and tried to give it to each other as best they could.

Alex sat in a large empty box and played with his new toys and crinkled some bows and wrapping paper while Abby went down for her morning nap. In the afternoon, Virginia and Alex watched the kids while Maddie and David, along with David Sr and Stephanie, visited Richie and Elizabeth and the new baby at the hospital. Michael was a very cute baby, with dark hair and blue eyes, like Richie. David brought their 35mm camera along and snapped lots of photos. They picked up their traditional Chinese takeout on their way home an everyone enjoyed the food and the time together – and the fact that Maddie wasn't cooking anything. Baby Alex was a big fan of Lo Mein but ended up wearing more of it than he ate.

The next week, Alex and Virginia hosted a New Year's Eve fondue dinner party with several of their new LA friends. Maddie and David brought Alex and Abby and everyone made a fuss over their beautiful little family. Maddie and David left the party right after dinner, put the kids to bed, and made love, then watched "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve" on television. They laid in bed together, Maddie's head on David's chest, and watched the ball drop in Times Square.

David leaned over and kissed Maddie, softly and deeply: "Happy 1989, Madolyn."

Maddie: "It's 9pm! It won't be midnight for another 3 hours."

David: "I'll kiss you again at midnight LA time."

It was a restless night in the Addison household. Abby was going through a growth spurt and was up every two hours or so to nurse. Alex woke up too, from a bad dream. David went into his room and checked on him. He picked him up and held him, rocking him until he fell back asleep. He gently laid him down in his crib and put a soft blanket over him. He walked over to Abby's nursery and stood in the doorway, watching Maddie rock Abby and sing "Hush, Little Baby" to her. His beautiful girls – they both took his breath away.

David: "You have a really beautiful voice, Maddie. I don't hear you sing often enough."

Maddie: "How long have you been standing there, David?"

David: "Just a couple of minutes. Alex had a bad dream, I think. I went into his room and rocked him until he fell back asleep. I think he'll sleep until morning now. Remember that case a few years ago at Christmas time, with the baby, and the mom named Mary, and the three Kings? I told you then I thought you'd make one hell of a mother. And I was right."

Maddie smiled: "Oh, David. You're not so bad yourself, fella. Having two kids so close together isn't for the faint of heart. I'm so glad we have each other."

David: "It'll get easier as they get older, Goldilocks. I hope they grow up to be really close. I know Richie and I were always close, and still are. I mean we fight and he drives me crazy sometimes but we've always been there for each other."

Maddie: "I hope so, David. I was always kind of lonely, being an only child. I always wonder why my parents didn't have more children. I've never asked them about it. I'm not sure if they couldn't have more kids, or just didn't want more."

David teased: "You were all they could handle, Blondie Blonde. You think about having more? Me and you?"

Maddie: "I think two is pretty perfect. At least for now. I wonder what our kids will be when they grow up?"

David: "They can be anything they want, Blondie Blonde."

Maddie: "Maybe Abby can be a scientist. Win the Nobel Prize."

David: "Look at us Maddie. Do you think we're gonna have a kid with a PhD? Nah, I think our kids are gonna get by on their wits. And their looks."

Maddie laughed: "David! Speak for yourself. I was always a straight A student! And you, well, you're a lot smarter than you let on."

David: "It's all street smarts, baby. Picking locks. Stakeouts. Car chases. I can't imagine sitting in a lab or doing math problems. Abby's so gorgeous – maybe she'll be a supermodel like you. And Alex – he has a lot of charm. Maybe he can be an actor. Or a pilot. Or a samurai. It would be fun to have a samurai in the family."

Maddie rolled her eyes at him: "Maybe he can be a detective. Take over Blue Moon."

Maddie and David looked at each other, thinking of the future that awaited them. Maddie put Abby back into her crib and walked out of her nursery with David, hand in hand. There were so many possibilities, and so many unknowns, but they were both certain of the life they were building together.

"Moonlighting: A Cookbook and Culinary History - Recipes, Restaurants, Clubs, and Cocktails Featured in the Iconic 1980s Series" now available thru Amazon and TuckerDS Press! It's great great!