Chapter 8 - Heavenly Presents

[Addisonsgirl]

“Come on, David!” Maddie urged. “Do it, now!”

“Why the hurry?” David replied. “We have plenty of time!” He was lounging on the sofa in his most comfortable sweats and ripped t-shirt watching the ballgame. He really didn’t feel the urge to do this now.

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Oh Addison, you are impossible!” she scolded, took the remote control out of his hand and shoved the telephone into it. “Call your father. Or do you want me to believe you're ashamed of me?”

David grunted. “Very funny. Okay, okay, I'll call him.” David sat up holding the phone in his hand as if it was a live grenade.

“Good. And while you're at it, call your brother too,” she told him.

“Richie?” David cried out in an exaggerated manner. “Why?!”

Maddie shook her head in mild disapproval. “Because he's your brother, dope, and you want him at our wedding.”

“Who said that?” he protested.

Maddie laughed. “Well, I happen to like your brother, and I want him at our wedding. Besides, you're gonna need a best man, right?”

“Eek!” David gasped. “You're out of your mind, woman, if you think...”

“Oh, shut up!” she interrupted and smacked his upper arm. “Now dial.”

David sighed, pursed his lips in annoyance and dialed his father's telephone number. She got up from the couch and whispered: “I'll leave you alone, so you can talk.”

“You stay right here!” David replied, wrapped his free arm around Maddie's waist and pulled her in his lap; as usual, he felt more secure when she was with him. She sensed that and, touched by his gesture, leaned a little closer to him.

He looked a little nervous as the phone rang, and Maddie sighed inwardly; why were things still a little awkward between David and his father? She suspected that there were still a lot of things she didn't know about them. Finally, the phone was answered. David cleared his throat.

“Hi, Stephanie, this is David... yes, the same.” He looked at Maddie a little sheepishly and mouthed: “It's her.” then he spoke into the phone again: “Is my father there? I need to speak to him. I have news.” He smiled. “Yes, good news... Thanks... Okay, bye.” David searched Maddie's gaze, and she gave him an encouraging nod.

“David?” his father's voice croaked through the phone.

“Yes, dad, it's me,” David replied.

“Well, great to hear from you, son... I hear you have news?”

“Yes, dad...” David smiled and then blurted out: “I'm getting married.”

“Has the bug finally bitten you?” his father exclaimed, sounding quite pleased. “Who is it? No, wait... is it the beautiful blonde you're working for, what was her name, Maddie?”

“Yes, dad, Maddie,” David said and smiled at her. “Yep, it's her.” Absentmindedly, he patted the side of her tiny baby bump, and she slightly shook her head. David's father, another one who seemed to have noticed there was something between her and David.

“That is surely one classy woman, son,” David's father said appreciatively. “How on earth did you trick her into marrying you?”

“Well, I must have something,” he replied a little sourly, and Maddie, noticing his tone, frowned and looked at him questioningly. David just shook his head.

“I'm sure you do.” The older man laughed. “Just kidding, son, just kidding. That is wonderful news indeed. Congratulations!”

“Thanks, dad.” David relaxed a little, and then he added with a smile in his voice: “Oh, and you're gonna be a grandfather too!”

“Oh...” came through the phone, then silence.

David frowned. “Dad?”

His father cleared his throat. “Son,” he replied, “that's wonderful news too.”

David pursed his lips. “But?” he didn't look at Maddie, who frowned, asking herself what was going on between father and son.

“But...” came through the phone, “I've learned from my past mistakes.”

“What are you saying, dad?” David inquired, getting a little annoyed, and wrapped his arm even more tightly around Maddie's waist.

”I'm just saying...” the older man cleared his throat. “Don't get me wrong – Maddie is a mighty fine woman, and it's great you're having a kid, but...” he hesitated for a moment and then added: “...be sure you marry her only for the right reasons.”

In the blink of an eye, David was eighteen years again and heard the angry voice of his father ringing in his ears: “I don't want to hear excuses, you are going to marry that girl. An Addison sticks to his responsibility!”

David looked at Maddie and shook his head with a reassuring smile when he saw the worried expression on her face. A wave of affection for his father washed over him, and he told him: “Don't worry, dad... they couldn't be any righter.”

He could hear the smile in his father's voice. “Well, in that case... wow!”

David gave an adorable boyish little laugh. “Yeah, dad, that about nails it.”

They shared a moment of not too awkward silence, then his father asked: “So... when is the great day gonna be?”

“Oh, we haven't set a date yet, but we don't want to wait too long...” he looked inquiringly at Maddie, they hadn't really talked about the details yet; he was happy to see that she nodded eagerly, with a big smile.

“That's the way to go, son,” David Sr. agreed. “You found a good woman, you better tie the knot and don't give her the chance to run.”

David nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, dad, I guess I figured that out just in time.”

“Well, you'll let us know as soon as you know more, right?” The older man cleared his throat. “And call your brother.”

David blew up his cheeks in an annoyed way and rolled his eyes, but replied reluctantly: “Yes, sir.”

Maddie chuckled softly while David said his goodbyes to his father and then hung up. “That looks like it went fine!” she said. “What did he say?”

“He loves you and he is thrilled about the Bean,” David told her. Father-son-talk in a nutshell.

“That's all?” she inquired.

“That's all,” he confirmed, and she let it be nice; she didn't need to dig out every bit of information at once – she knew that if something was the matter, David would come around with it eventually.

“Now Richard,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, yeah,” David growled. “No wonder my father loves you.”

She elbowed him roughly. “So do you,” she replied dryly. Then she got up from his lap. “Now I really don't need to hear that immature talk... just call him and tell him he's gonna be a brother-in-law and an uncle soon. I'll be upstairs getting ready for bed.”

“Don't fall asleep!” David called after her and smirked. Maddie just shook her head and waved him off.

“Okay,” David sighed when she disappeared up the stairs and reluctantly dialed his brother's number.

The receiver was picked up after the first ring, and Richie's deep unmistakable voice barked through the phone: “I said you have the wrong number! Get it?”

“I'm tempted to hang up,” David replied dryly.

“Yo, Dave!” Richie exclaimed. “What's shakin', bro?”

“Listen, I got news,” David told him impatiently.

“Shoot.”

Hesitantly, David said: “I'm getting married.”

“What?!” Richie gasped. “Why?”

David rolled his eyes. “Because, jackass.”

Richie chuckled. “What's the matter, bro? Not hittin' pay dirt any more with the ladies?”

“I never have a problem with that,” David snarled.

“Then why the hell would you do that, man? When there's so many chicks out there who haven't got their share of...”

“I'm not interested in other chicks anymore,” David interrupted firmly.

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Richie chuckled.

David was getting annoyed. It was always the same. “Listen...”

“I am listening, I just don't get it,” his brother replied. “I mean, Dave, come on – what happened to hit and run, love 'em and leave 'em, hump 'em and dump 'em...”

“Has grown up,” David snapped. “Wouldn't do you any harm, either!”

“What about that big blonde you work for?” Richie went on. “You can't possibly come off the market without at least trying to get into her...”

“Rich...” David growled in a menacing tone.

But Richie was all enthusiasm. “I know I would love to put my...”

“Shut – the fuck – up!” David thundered in outrage. “You're talking about my future wife!”

Incredibly enough, for one moment, there was only silence while David tried to calm down. He knew his brother, after all; he had a loose mouth and was a jerk, and whoa – is that how Maddie feels when I'm on a roll myself? He asked himself guiltily. No, can't be – I'm not that bad, am I?

“Whoa, you kiddin' me, bro?” Richie's incredulous voice came through the phone. “why would a class-act like her...”

“Listen,” David interrupted, his momentary anger under control, “I know I won the lottery, okay?”

“Wow,” Richie said after a while, “this is dead serious, ain't it?”

“Yes.” David smiled to himself. “It is.”

“Well, I guess... congratulations then!” Richie snickered. “A sad day for all the chicks in L.A., but hopefully a happy day for you!”

“There's more.” David cleared his throat. “We're having a bambino too.”

“I'll be damned!!” Richie exclaimed. “You're not wasting any time, bro, are you? Holy shit, that's fucking awesome.”

David couldn't help but chuckle at his brother's choice of words; rude as they were, he knew they expressed heartfelt joy. You could say about Richie what you wanted, but just like David he loved kids, so his enthusiasm was genuine. “Yeah,” David agreed, “fucking awesome, Rich.”

“Ah... now, when is the big day?” Richie asked.

“In the near future. We haven't set a date yet, but not more than maybe two or three months.” David cleared his throat again. “You gotta do me a favor.”

“Hey, done,” Richie replied. “As long as it doesn't involve...”

“I need a best man,” David interrupted firmly. He frowned when his brother fell silent. “Yo, Rich? You still there?”

“You really want me to be your best man?” the older one asked, and by the funny tone in his voice David could tell that he was touched and hadn't expected that. Damn that jackass, he loved that idiot.

“Yeah, well, it's not that I want you to,” he quickly replied. “But you're family, and so, I suppose...”

“Right,” Richie croaked.

“Right.”

“So...” Richie hesitated. “What happens now?”

“Nothing,” David told him. “Just try not to get arrested or pursued by the mob for the next few weeks, and I'll let you know as soon as I know more myself, okay?”

“Jerk!” Richie snapped.

“Schmuck,” David replied and slammed down the receiver. Then he shook his head and laughed.

He was still smiling to himself when he left the living room, turned off the lights and headed for the spiral staircase. He had to admit that he wasn't too unhappy after all with the two phone calls, and especially what his father had told him about marrying for the right reasons had given him a really good feeling. Suddenly, halfway up the staircase, David stopped dead in his tracks, when a thought hit him.

***
Maddie was already in bed when David entered the bedroom, but she was still awake. “How did it go?” she asked.

“Fine,” David told her absentmindedly.

“Good,” she replied and yawned. “Hurry up, I'm tired...”

“Wait...” he demanded, “I want to give you something.”

“I bet you do, Addison,” she teased.

David shook his head. “Not what you think.” His voice wasn't mocking or teasing at all which caught Maddie's attention. She sat up again and watched him rummage in his closet. After a few moments, he came over to the bed, sat down beside her and took her hand; then he put a tiny white cardboard box in it. It was a little yellowed, and its edges were a little battered. “This is for you,” he said quietly.

Maddie frowned, not knowing what to expect. “What is that, David?” she asked.

“Open it.” He nodded his head towards the little box, obviously not intending to tell her more before she wouldn't have seen what was in that box. Maddie opened the box and found a delicate golden necklace with a beautifully wrought golden cross. She took it out of the box, looked up at him questioningly and saw his gaze upon her face, waiting for her reaction. “It was my mom's,” he murmured.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “This belonged to your mother?” she asked, in case she had misunderstood him.

“Yes,” he nodded with a smile, and she waited for him to go on. “You know, she had two pieces of real jewelry – this cross and a pair of emerald earrings. Nothing big or extra fancy, but real emeralds.” His voice assumed a tender, almost boyish tone. “Her eyes were green, you know,” he added. Maddie smiled and thought: Thank you, mama Addison. “Anyway,” David went on, “when I was about 15 years old and Richie was a few years older, dad gave them to us. He told us to give them to our future wives, once we'd have found The One.”

“The One?” Maddie echoed.

“To spend our lives with.” David's voice got a little funny, and Maddie saw he was trying hard to keep his composure; she knew that any moment now he would make some funny remark, just to lighten the mood. “Richie got the earrings,” he explained unnecessarily and shrugged. “I guess dad figured Rich would have more difficulties in finding a decent girl.” He threw her a lopsided grin and scrutinized her a little nervously.

“How come Tess doesn't have it?” Maddie hadn't wanted to ask, but somehow the words just had tumbled out of her mouth. Damn, she didn't want to remind him of his failure of a marriage, but it seemed like he didn't mind.

He shrugged again. “I never gave it to her.”

“But why?” Maddie blurted out. “I mean, she was your...” she bit her lip and fell silent.

David pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I guess I knew she wasn't The One. It just...” he slightly shook his head. “It just didn't feel right.”

Maddie looked down at the golden cross in her hand and asked in a hoarse voice: “And you want me to have it?”

He looked her deep in the eyes, and she felt her heart and her insides melt. “Yes,” he replied simply and was afraid for a moment she would feel uncomfortable with it. “Hey,” he added quickly, “I know it's a cross and you don't really believe in all that stuff, so if...” he licked his lips nervously, “if you don't wanna wear it, it's okay, really. I just want you to...” he shrugged. “...have it.”

Maddie closed her hand around the cross and smiled. “It's beautiful.” She was touched to see his face lighten up and nudged him playfully. “Hey, I didn't believe in a lot of things I believe in now.” She winked at him, and his lips curved into his half-smile. “Besides,” she went on, “even if I'm not religious, that doesn't mean it can't, say, protect me, right?”

“Of course not!” David confirmed eagerly, and Maddie simply leaned in and kissed him.

“Thank you, David,” she said softly. “This is a wonderful gift.”

He grinned happily. “What can I say...”

“In English – not much,” she teased.

“Trying to be funny, young lady?” He smirked. “I have something I think might keep that sassy mouth full.”

“Really, Mr. Addison, and what might that be?” She carefully put the cross back in the box and placed it on the bedside night table.

David chuckled as he pulled Maddie into his arms. “Something big and juicy.” His hands slowly slid off her nightgown. “Something you love.” He purred as he placed her hand on the pole sticking out the front of his sweats.

Maddie squirmed in his arms. “Awfully smug, aren’t we, Mr. Addison?” Maddie teased as her hands pulled down the waistband of his sweats until they reached smooth steel.

“Why, I’m wrong?” David’s tongue moved down her jawline over her neck to that spot on the underside of her hairline. Maddie moaned as his hot tongue flicked over it.

Maddie pulled David’s t-shirt over his head as her mouth rained slow wet kisses over his muscular chest. She loved how his chest hair tickled her nose as she kissed it, and she could never get enough of his smell.

David lay back on the bed as Maddie began to move her tongue down over his body, and he was beyond thrilled when he understood what her intention was. He lifted his hips and kicked off his sweat pants and tangled his hands in Maddie’s hair pulling her head down to his rock hard cock.

Maddie flicked her tongue over David’s dick slowly. “Is this the big and juicy thing?” She teased as her hand wrapped around the shaft of his dick to give her tongue better leverage to pleasure him.

David lay with his eyes shut as Maddie pleasured him with her sassy mouth. “Oh yeah, baby. Just like that. Lick my cock.” David told her in a low husky voice that sent shock waves between her legs and over her loins. “Yeah, Maddie, you love my cock, don't you.” David began to move his hips when Maddie took his full length into her mouth and began to suck on his cock greedily. “Yeah, babe... Suck it good... Yeah you’re my bad girl.” David moaned pulling her hair with one hand as the other pushed her head back and forth over his dick. “Oh yeah.” David cried as he thrusted into her mouth with one big push and came with such force he felt as if his head was blown off.

Maddie gave David’s dick one last kiss before she scooted up and climbed on top of his still quivering body. “Yeah, I think you love it too.” She whispered into his ear then began to gasp as David pushed his dick deep into her and rolled her on her back pressing her into the mattress.

“Oh, I love your mouth on me, babe, and what you're doing to me, and I love my dick in your hot pussy.” He began to make love to Maddie with short hard plunges in and out over and over again.

Maddie’s entire body was a raving inferno. She couldn’t get enough of David’s loving. Her fingers clawed his back as she panted his name in her ecstasy. She wrapped her legs around his hips and began to mimic his movements until they were thrashing on the bed against each other until they both came with a bolt of lightning screaming each other’s name until they were hoarse.

***
Maddie looked at her watch; it was almost noon and she had a sonogram appointment at 1. She fiddled with the papers absentmindedly for a minute or two, then she closed the ledger folder on her desk, put some important papers in a neat pile, picked up her purse and headed towards David’s office. She was excited but a bit nervous too. This sonogram was used to make sure that the baby was growing normally, had all its fingers and toes and all its organs were in the right place. They had no reason to worry that not everything would be as it should, but Maddie guessed it was normal to feel a little nervous about it until they knew for sure. She touched the necklace with the cross from David's mother she was wearing under her dress; she was neither religious nor superstitious, but she figured it wouldn't do any harm to wear it.

Dr. Hill had told them they would probably be able to tell the sex of the baby too. David and she had discussed it, and they had agreed they wanted to know the sex of the baby. Maddie smiled to herself as she imagined a little boy who looked just like David. But then that didn't really matter as long as it was healthy, she thought as she knocked on David’s door with two quick raps. She was in a hurry to put her mind at ease that everything was fine with the Bean. They had just enough time to make it across town in lunch hour traffic to the doctor’s office.

She smiled at David's “Spit and slide under.” But when she walked in she was annoyed to see David leaning back in his chair, feet propped on the desk, casually reading a magazine. She looked at him with steely blue daggers. “Addison! Have you forgotten the sonogram appointment?” She pointedly looked at her watch.

David smirked at her as he slowly sat up then moved to his feet in one fluid movement. “We have plenty of time, babe,” he drawled nonchalantly. All morning long David had been feeling extra horny. And now the sight of Maddie in that tight yellow silk dress was making his dick twitch in his pants. He licked his lips as his eyes, like hot fingers, moved over her body – the ample breasts pushing against the buttons of the front of her dress, her rounded tummy, her curvy butt – he knew that she would protest, but he needed to get his hands on her pronto. He was excited to know the sex of the baby too but a few minutes later than planned wouldn’t make a difference to him. He badly needed to get laid.

Maddie's eyes narrowed at his casual answer; she almost felt David’s eyes move over her body and despite herself she felt hot lava feel in her veins as her juices began to flow. She clamped her legs together instinctively although that had never made any difference before. She approached his desk as he walked around it haughtily. Her temper began to rise as she felt her insides melt as usual at the mere sight of him. Damn that man!! They needed to leave for the appointment. She didn’t want to be late! And didn’t he care about the sonogram and all that it entailed? She shook her head at him. “Hurry up, David!”

“What’s the rush, babe? We’ve got plenty of time.” He replied as he strutted to his office door and locked it. He leaned back on the door with a brazen grin running up the side of his handsome face. Maddie was in no mood for his games. Her mind was on the doctor’s appointment and the baby.

“Unlock that door, Addison!” she snapped. “We have no time for your games now!” She almost stomped her heels into the carpet in her frustration. Her eyes were flashing angrily at David, and that just turned him on more. He loved how he could always seduce her into doing exactly what he wanted. And if that was a game, then he was truly the Master of it. He smirked as he sauntered toward her.

“David. We have to go!” Maddie’s hands tensed into fists at her sides. She took two steps back.

He approached her with smoldering emeralds. He stopped inches from her sexy body and smirked broadly. “No, we have to come. Now.” He purred as he pulled her in his arms.

“David!” Maddie wriggled a little in his grasp and tried to pull away, but he only held her tighter. “We’ll be late...” she mumbled feebly as his tongue flamed across her throat to that spot. “Stop...”

Maddie struggled against him and David released her reluctantly. “Baby, come on...” he urged, knowing that she didn't need much encouragement.

“No, David. Later,” she almost pleaded with him. Damn it she was so aroused that she wanted it too. What was wrong with her?

“Maddie, Maddie, Maddie...” he drawled in his caramel voice. “Spare a few minutes for a man in need,” he whispered, stroking the tent in the front of his pants, knowing she would be majorly turned on by that sight.

Against her will, her eyes were drawn to his hands touching himself, and she swallowed hard. She was getting more annoyed with him and with herself – maybe even more with herself – as she felt the dampness between her thighs. Furiously, she turned her back on him heading toward the door. “Fine! I’ll go without you!” she growled.

David grabbed her elbow and whirled her around, right into his arms where he caught her firmly. “No, you won’t.” His voice was husky with arousal but firm, expecting to be obeyed.

Maddie felt David grab her arm and the next thing she knew she was pressed against his body with the proof of his arousal poking her belly through their clothes and sending a bolt of electricity through her entire body, hitting her right between her legs. He grinded against her, and she had to suppress a moan.

David saw the horniness in her eyes and chuckled as his tongue lightly brushed over her lips. “Shhh babe... You know you want it.” His hand cupped her curvy ass and pushed it against his hardness, and this time she couldn't suppress the moan; automatically, she held on to his upper arms to steady herself. Maddie's knees were weak, and he knew it. “Just a quickie, honey...” His voice was liquid caramel, and her insides became just as liquid.

“We really should be going,” she almost pleaded as she tried to pull out of his arms, but they were like steel holding her close to his rock hard body and dick.

“Soon...” he purred running his hands over her body, finally snaking under her skirt, pulling it up inch by inch. She moaned again, and the guttural sound fueled his own desire. He ran his fingertips up her inner thigh and delighted in the subtle change of her body language; her whole body seemed to surrender slowly to his demanding hands and lips, and her legs opened a little wider almost automatically. Almost casually, his fingers brushed over the damp silk, and Maddie bit her lip to suppress another moan.

“No, stop!” Maddie gasped. “We need to leave.” But her words belied her as she moved even closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh, David...” she moaned as her defenses finally crumbled and she began to rain hot kisses across his chiseled jawline.

David chuckled almost triumphantly as his hands cupped her swollen breasts. “Oh God, Maddie,” he croaked in a rough voice, “your tits are perfect.” His mouth covered her rock hard nipple poking through the silk dress, and automatically she arched her back, pushing her breasts into his face. He moaned as his knee moved between her legs and chuckled again when she began to ride his muscular thigh almost immediately. “Yeah babe,” he purred into her ear, “I always get you hot. Huh.” He moved her off him. “But maybe you're right, honey... maybe we should stop. Don’t want to be late,” he teased, knowing she was too far gone to stop. He knew how to tame his woman.

“Oh God, no, David,” Maddie whimpered, “please don't stop...” She caught his hand he had just pulled away and moved it between her legs to her sodden panties.

“Hmmm... so you want me to pet your hot pussy?” David purred as his hands crept up her skirt and landed on wet silk.

“Yes,” she panted, “oh yes, please...”

“I love how you can’t resist me baby,” he told her smugly and teasingly moved his long skilled fingers over her aching core.

Maddie’s blood began to boil as David pulled up her skirt revealing her light blue silk panties. She opened her legs wider as he whispered in her ear: “So hot, Maddie... damn, you are one hot woman.” His hand petted her dampness in the way she craved which drove her wild. His tongue dancing in her mouth, the feel of one hand playing with her breasts and the slow circular motion on her swollen nub by David’s magic fingers brought her to a shuddering climax almost immediately. “Oh David... David, David!” she gasped.

David covered her mouth with his to cover her orgasmic cries of ecstasy. “Oh yeah, baby... come good for me,” he groaned as he deftly turned her around and bent her over his desk, telling her: “We're not done yet.” With his left hand he ripped off her sodden panties – which had Maddie panting his name – and threw them aside as his right hand unzipped his pants and pulled out his throbbing dick.

The sound of David unzipping his pants never failed to excite her beyond measure, especially when she couldn't see it. She couldn’t wait to feel him inside of her pulsating core.

His left hand pulled up her dress revealing her naked butt which he began to play with – squeezing, stroking, petting til she was moaning and pushing herself against his moving hand. “I’m gonna fuck you sooo good, Maddie.” David kneed open her legs to accept his huge cock. “You’re gonna get it good,” he promised and she whimpered in eager anticipation, “then thank me for making you come sooo fucking hard,” he told her as he thrust into her with one deep push.

Maddie had just found her release from David’s magic fingers when she felt him push his huge cock deep inside of her feeling her completely. “Oh God!” she gasped as he filled her aching hotbox. She moved her hips to feel all of him.

David pulled her by the hair and began to nibble on her neck over that spot to the side of her mouth as his hands moved all over her body – squeezing her breasts, petting her hotbox, stroking her legs. “Oh yeah, babe. You like my big dick inside of you.” David whispered as his lips moved across the back of her neck slowly moving over that magic spot again and again. “Yeah, you love it,” he moaned as moved inside of her. “Say it.”

He began to make love to her with deep thrusts pulling almost all the way out then pushing his dick deep inside again – again; his hands seemed to be everywhere, making her body a raging inferno of passion. She couldn’t help the deep moans that escaped from her mouth, and she had to obey his demand. “Oh David... Yes, I love it!” she panted. “Fuck me, David. Just like that.” She took a good grasp at the desk to steady herself and meet his thrusts. “Oh, it feels so good... Please don’t stop!” she gasped.

“Don't worry,” he replied breathlessly as he pumped into her with increasing rhythm, “I'm just getting started...”

The feeling of his huge dick inside of her – his hands all over her body and the sound of his voice purring into her ear what he was doing to her caused her to spiral into such an intense orgasm she nearly blacked out.

But he wasn’t done with her yet. David shifted down a gear and began to rotate his hips against her; grinding against her sexy butt. His tongue continued to run slowly over her neck and throat as his two hands cupped her breasts, playing with her rock hard nipples. Maddie felt her arousal already building up again; she couldn’t believe that she was so quickly going to find her release again. She couldn’t get enough of the green-eyed devil who had enslaved her with his lovemaking. She swallowed her screams of passion knowing the staff was in the outer office by biting on the inside of her cheek. She felt David growing bigger and bigger inside of her and that served to increase her desire for him.

David was almost there. He loved to make Maddie come multiple times before he found his own release. He felt he was close as he urged and purred and moved his hips until she came for a third time bucking against him and finally David let go and came so hard he saw lightening behind his eyes.

For a moment, they stood there just like that, both unable to move, Maddie still bent over his desk, David still inside of her, his hands on her hips. Then she slowly straightened her back and turned around to face him. Before she could say anything, he quickly kissed her on the lips and, while he was pulling up his zipper, asked: “So... are we good to go?”

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to keep the glint out of his eyes, and she growled: “Obviously not.”

For about the millionth time since he had met her, David thought it was really a blessing that looks couldn't kill. He licked his lips and admired her curvy derrière as she bent down to pick up her ripped panties from the floor where he had discarded them, then he slumped down on his couch, propping up his feet on the armrest.

“Fine,” he said to her back, “then I'll just sit here and wait until you're ready, Blondie.”

Maddie didnt reply; she just stomped out of his office and slammed the door behind her.

***
About fifteen minutes later, they were finally on their way to Dr. Hill's office. They were riding in silence; David drove and was looking pretty pleased with himself, his usual slight smile playing around his lips.

Maddie sat in the passenger seat with her arms folded and a very grumpy expression on her face. How did he always make her lose her senses and do just about everything that he wanted her to do? She was still fuming over her loss of control and her embarrassment as she was sure as she left David’s office and crossed to her own that all the staff – especially Agnes – knew that she had just been bent over David’s desk and thoroughly banged. Quickly, she had made it into her own office and disappeared into her bathroom where she had refreshed herself and fished for her last pair of the spare panties kept in her desk for emergencies such as what had just happened in his office. Maddie had lost count of the number of times she had replenished the panties since she had been with David.

Damn, she thought now, good thing I always have a spare pair. She threw him a sideways glance from under her long eyelashes and made a mental note to purchase a few new ones, then she got annoyed with herself for even thinking that. Sometimes, Maddie thought again, she couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that David could seduce her, lure her, purr her into doing anything he wanted, and whenever and wherever he wanted it. Of course, that didn't really bother her anymore because – unlike in the beginnings of their relationship – she was sure of his love now, so it was safe for her to allow her self-control to evaporate into thin air as soon as he laid as much as a finger on her. But still – in the office, the doors had eyes and ears. He was really a devil.

She pressed her lips together and stole a glance at his profile again. Oh, she wanted to slap and kiss him at the same time, and she almost had to suppress a smile. Some things would never change.

David turned his face to her. “A penny for your thoughts?” he offered. “Five bucks if they're dirty.”

“Just drive,” she snapped.

“Hey, why are you mad?” he asked innocently. “Because they are dirty?”

“We're gonna be late,” she pressed through clenched teeth.

David cleared his throat. “Well, we wouldn't be, if you hadn't played the old yes-no-yes-no-yesss-game again,” he told her with a mean twinkle in his eyes, and when she shot blue daggers his way, he shrugged innocently: “What? It's true!”

“Why,” she growled, “why does this keep happening? I see that you're up to no good, and I don't run away. Why?”

David chuckled. “I hope that this was just a rhetorical question and you're not really expecting an answer.” He pursed his lips and threw her a dirty sideways glance that made her insides melt. “Because my answer would have to be a smug one.” He snaked his hand under her dress and she angrily pushed him away.

Maddie fixed her stare on the street before them and ignored her boiling blood. “Just drive, Addison,” she hissed.

***
David and Maddie made it to the doctor’s office a few minutes after their scheduled appointment. They were led in to the examining room and Maddie was given a paper gown to wear. She quickly discarded her clothes as David watcher her intently. He had a huge smile covering his face as he watched her undressing. “Need help, babe?“

Maddie growled as she put on the paper gown. “You still aren’t out of the dog house yet, Addison. You’re just lucky that there was no traffic and we were able to make the appointment almost on time.“

David shook his head slowly. “Nah, I’m lucky for another reason.“

Maddie scooted up on the examination table. “Really, and why pray tell is that?“ Her eyes flashed with annoyance. She figured he was going to say something sexual.

He shrugged. “Cause I have you and the Bean.“ David’s eyes shone with emotion. “You are my life.“

Bang! He had done it again. Had hit her right out of the blue with a declaration of love so simple, so honest and so beautiful – and delivered with a nonchalance so casual that she almost had missed it. Maddie’s anger and annoyance with David fled in that instant. She was overcome with love for the green eyed man next to her. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. “Ditto.“ She told him her blue eyes were wet with happy tears.

Suddenly David’s hand reached out to pull out what was hidden under Maddie’s paper gown. His long fingers stroked the delicate cross that she wore around her neck. “You’re wearing the cross.“ David’s voice was filled with surprise and husky with emotion. The thought that Maddie was wearing something that his mother had worn around her neck every day filled David with joy. He had been right to give Maddie the cross. After all, he knew without a shred of doubt that this high maintenance, complicated blonde was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Maddie’s hand covered David’s. “I thought it would be good luck; protect the Bean.“ She smiled with David with shiny eyes. “And I’m starting to believe in things that I never believed before.“

David’s felt a lump in his throat and at first he couldn’t find his voice or the words to tell Maddie that she had just made him the happiest and the luckiest man in the entire world. He loved her with all his heart, and having Maddie wear the cross next to her own heart meant a great deal to him. “Ditto.“ David smiled broadly then leaned over to kiss her.

Just then the door opened and Dr. Hill entered the room with his usual happy smile.

***
“A little girl!“ David almost danced to the car. He was filled with so much happiness that it almost frightened him. “A bambina!“ His trademark lopsided grin covered his face and his eyes danced with bliss.

Maddie was delighted to see David’s excitement. She was happy that everything was fine with the baby. Although she wouldn’t admit it to David she had been a little worried. But now she was relieved and thrilled. They were having a healthy little girl. She suddenly felt David grab her. She shrieked with laughter as he spun her around in the parking lot totally oblivious to the stares of passersby.

“4 inches long, and now the Bean is the size of an apple!“ David grinned happily as he showered Maddie with kisses.

“David, people are looking!“ Maddie told him as she noticed people smiling at them. But truly she didn’t really care. Let them stare. She was happier than she had ever been in her life.

***
Maddie and David walked into Blue Moon hand in hand, huge beaming smiles covering their faces, and that sight warmed Agnes' heart, especially because when they both had left shortly past noon, they hadn't been talking to each other, and Miss Hayes had looked very grumpy. But thankfully, nowadays their little tiffs never lasted very long, and neither of them was in bad moods for long either. It looked like they really were happy together. And that thought made Agnes’ face break out into a huge smile as well.

“Miss Hayes, your mother just called and asked you to call her back,” Agnes told Maddie as she handed her the note where she had scribbled the message.

“Make your call, and tell her hi from me,” David said, and Agnes shoved a little pink note into his hand, too.

“And Mr. Addison, your father called too,” she announced brightly. David's shoulders slumped.

“Great, what is it, national call from the parents’ day?” he grumbled.

Maddie laughed. “Come on, Addison, let's make our calls, and later we’ll swap notes.”

“Now that sounds like fun,” David murmured absentmindedly, threw her a finger kiss and turned toward his office.

Ten minutes later he burst into Maddie's office just when she was putting down the receiver.

“They’re coming here!” he blurted out.

Maddie's jaw dropped. “How do you know?” she asked.

“Know what?” David frowned.

“That they’re coming here?!”

David slumped onto the mauve couch and propped his feet up on the armrest, blowing his cheeks in annoyance. “Well, what do you think? My dad just told me,” he explained.

Maddie raised a questioning eyebrow, obviously at a loss. “He told you what?”

David looked at her like she was speaking Chinese. “That they are coming here, over the weekend.” He was emphasizing every word with vivid gestures of his hands which made Maddie lose track for a moment. “Geez, Maddie, I know sometimes I talk lots of crap but I’d really appreciate if you listened to me from time to time!” David regretted snapping at Maddie, but he was nervous about his father and Stephanie coming out to L.A. He still wasn’t very comfortable around his father’s wife which he had slept with years before and which supposedly she didn’t remember.

Maddie got up from her chair. “Wait – your dad and his wife are coming here? Over the weekend?”

“Wow, you must have a sixth sense,” David said ironically, “how did you know that? I've mentioned it only three times during the last thirty seconds!”

Maddie waved him off impatiently. “I heard you, but I thought you were talking about my parents.”

David ruffled his hair and swung his long legs off the couch. “Now it's getting complicated. Why would you think I was talking about your parents? I mean, it's not like they are coming here over the weekend, right?” It had been a rhetorical question, but her silence made him frown, and he looked at her questioningly. “Isn't that right?” he asked again and slowly rose from the couch.

Maddie shrugged and then smiled brightly. “Well, as a matter of fact...”

David raised his hands. “Whoa, wait a sec, wait a sec... you're not telling me...”

She nodded. “My parents are coming here for a few days to start looking for a condo and to help us planning the wedding. They’ll arrive Friday at noon.”

David slumped down on the couch again. “What have I done to deserve this?” he moaned and covered his face with his hands.

“What the hell, David?!” Maddie snapped angrily. “I thought you liked my parents!”

“Oh, of course I do!” he quickly assured her. “I like them a lot. I love your parents!”

“Well, then what is your problem?” she asked and frowned.

David sighed. “I'm just not ready for this.”

“For what?!” She had no idea what he was aiming at and was getting more and more exasperated by the minute.

He shrugged. “Addisons and Hayes meeting. Clash of cultures. Clash of civilizations!”

Maddie rolled her eyes and sat down beside him. “Oh, Addison, you're such a dope sometimes. Come on, you're exaggerating. Your dad is charming and a perfect gentleman and Stephanie seems sweet enough... they will get along perfectly.”

David just tilted his head from the right to the left and made a noise that sounded like “hrmpf.”

“Besides,” she went on and put a reassuring hand on his arm, “look at us – Addison and Hayes can be great together.”

He raised his gaze and looked at her with a lopsided smile slowly spreading over his face. “That's true,” he agreed in a husky voice.

Maddie smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips. “I think it's great they will get to know each other, and I'd really love to see your dad again.”

“Stephanie will be there too,” David reminded her. “In fact, that's why they're coming – she wants to visit her relatives here in L.A.”

“David, we're all grown-ups,” Maddie told him. “If the two of you can handle it, I can handle it too. After all, we'll all be family.”

David nodded and said slowly: “On the bright side... Richie will not be here, so in fact things might not get out of control.”

Maddie snorted and slapped his upper arm. “Yeah, thank God you are always the responsible one who keeps everything in control.”

He chuckled and rose to his feet again, pulling her into a tight embrace. “No, that's what I got you for,” he purred. “You keep me in control, and I get you out of control.”

She nudged him playfully with a smile and blushed a little, then stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear: “Always.”

He was in a happy mood again when they left the office an hour later. Everything was going to be fine.

***
The next day, David and Bert were out in the field again, and Maddie was left in the office to do some accounting and other paperwork. She was just thinking about ordering in a quick sandwich for an early lunch when her door was opened after a short knock. Agnes popped her curly head in, her face beaming with happiness, even more than usual.

“Yes, Miss DiPesto?” Maddie asked.

“Oh Miss Hayes,” Agnes said a little breathlessly, “can I have a minute of your time?”

“Sure, Agnes.” Maddie closed the file she had been working on and folded her hands on her desk after waving Agnes nearer. Agnes closed the door excitedly behind her and sat down on the chair opposite to Maddie's desk. She smiled broadly at her employer but said nothing.

“And what can I do for you, Agnes?” Maddie encouraged.

Agnes was perched on the edge of her seat, almost falling off, and bobbing up and down like an excited kid waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. “Here!” she finally blurted out and waved her left hand in Maddie's direction.

And then Maddie saw it: a rich, dark red gem which looked like a garnet on her ring finger. The gem was set on a beautiful gold band. At first Maddie didn't understand and frowned with a little smile. “Why, that's a beautiful ring, Agnes!” she said and looked at Agnes' face, waiting for an explanation.

“Herbert!” Agnes gasped, and it finally dawned on Maddie.

“Herbert?” she echoed. “You mean, he finally popped the question?”

Agnes nodded frantically, her typical Agnes beam splitting her face in two, her curls bouncing up and down. “He finally popped the question!”

“Oh, Agnes, that's great!” Maddie almost jumped to her feet, rounded her desk and hugged her secretary tightly, feeling really happy for her. She knew that slightly weird Agnes had been lonely for a long time, maybe a little like herself, and she had so much love to give that she deserved having found her happiness – even if that happiness consisted of the even weirder Herbert Viola.

“Yes isn't it!” Agnes exclaimed happily and hugged Maddie tightly back. When they parted, Agnes slumped back onto the seat again while Maddie perched herself on her desk.

“Congratulations,” Maddie said with warmth, “I don't know anyone who deserves to be happy more than you!”

“Oh, thank you, Miss Hayes,” Agnes grinned, “that is so sweet of you. Oh, I thought he would never get himself together and ask!”

Maddie remembered not long ago, when she had told Agnes that David had finally proposed to her, Agnes had expressed her hope that Bert would take it as a good example since Mr. Addison had always been his beloved idol. Maddie then had encouraged her and told her that she was sure Bert would propose soon; actually, she had been glad to be able to return the favor – Agnes had always been a great supporter of her and David's relationship.

“Do tell,” Maddie replied now ironically, “what is it with these guys? They always have a big mouth and clever lines for us, but when it comes to the things we want to hear, they can't get any clumsier.” She had almost gone nuts over waiting for David to propose to her; pompous Herbert Viola and wisecracking David Addison couldn't be more different, but in some things obviously all men were the same.

“I know!” Agnes rolled her eyes in a very un-Agnes way. “But fortunately, in the end they mostly get it right.”

The two women looked at each other in a fond, conspiratorial way and said unison: “I told you so!” Then they both laughed and hugged again.

“I have news too,” Maddie told Agnes spontaneously after a few moments and quickly added: ”Maybe you have already suspected it...”

Agnes clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Oh, you mean the baby? That is the most wonderful news, Miss Hayes!”

“Why am I not surprised?” Maddie said dryly, more to herself, and marveled again at the unselfish joy Agnes had always taken in trying to bring her and David together. She took Agnes' hands in her own and looked at both their engagement rings. “Oh Agnes,” she sighed, “look at us blushing brides... who would have thought it, say, five months ago? While Bert was still running away from you, and I was running away from...” she fell silent, suddenly not wanting to think back to that confusing period of her life.

“From yourself?” Agnes offered and smiled. “I did,” she simply said and shrugged. “I knew.”

Maddie shook her head and smiled too; and how good did it feel to smile all the time. “You knew,” she echoed, and suddenly she had an idea. “Agnes, I'd like to ask you a favor.”

Agnes' huge brown eyes popped open. “Done, Miss Hayes!” she said eagerly, seriously; and it struck Maddie how much Agnes DiPesto and David were alike in some things – both spontaneous, both not considering the consequences sometimes, both following their hearts, both full of life and love. “You know I'd do anything for you,” Agnes confirmed solemnly. Maddie was touched.

She cleared her throat. “Well, as you know, I don't have family here in L.A., and I'm not really close to any of my cousins I have back in Chicago.” She paused for a moment and looked at Agnes who just nodded. “So,” she went on, “I was thinking if you would maybe do me the pleasure and be my maid of honor.”

Agnes' jaw dropped, her eyes wide open in disbelief. “Me?” she exclaimed. “Your maid of honor?”

Maddie nodded and smiled. “Oh, Miss Hayes, I would really love to do that! Really!”

“Then it's settled!” Maddie said and hugged Agnes again, tightly this time. Damn, she felt like she was getting a little teary which she hated. She hugged Agnes a little longer to be able to blink her tears away.

When Maddie finally released her, Agnes blurted out: “Oh Miss Hayes, and could you be mine? My maid of honor? I don't have family, and I don't have friends.” She still smiled graciously when she said that, completely unaware of how sad that really was, and Maddie thought oh, what the hell, who cares anyway – and let her tears flow freely when she hugged Agnes again.

“But you do have friends,” she replied, “you do! Oh Agnes, I would be honored to be your maid of honor.”

Both women sniffled a bit, and when they finally parted, the silence was a little awkward at first, but only for a moment.

“Why don't we go out to dinner some day this week,” Maddie suggested spontaneously, “to celebrate all those good things that have been happening to us lately.”

“You and me, Miss Hayes?” Agnes asked with big eyes.

“No,” Maddie laughed, “I think it's safe to take our men with us, what do you think? You, me...”

“...Mr. Addison and Herbert? The four of us?” Agnes finished with a happy smile.

Maddie nodded. “Yes, that would be fun, don't you think?”

“It would be great!” Agnes agreed enthusiastically.

“Well, then that's settled too.”

Agnes bopped her head earrings jingling, curls flying. Then Maddie had a thought.

“Um Agnes, since we are going to be each other’s maids of honor and all,” Maddie lowered her voice as if they were co-conspirators. “Maybe you should call me Maddie.”

Agnes’ eyes widened as she shook her head fiercely. “Oh no, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right!” she cried.

Maddie laughed. “Why not, Agnes?”

“You’re my boss!”

“But I’m also your friend.”

Agnes nodded, seemed to think then shook her head again. “I wouldn’t feel right, Miss Hayes!”

Maddie placed her finger on her lips in thought. “How about if you still call me Miss Hayes in the office but Maddie when we are not at work?” Maddie smiled at her kooky friend.

“Oh yes,” Agnes thought again. “Yes Miss Hayes. Maddie. Miss Hayes.” Agnes nodded quickly. “I think I can do that.”

“Okay, so we’re set.” Maddie turned back to her chair, leaned back and smiled at Agnes who got to her feet and headed to the outer office.

“Yes... Maddie.” Agnes whispered and giggled as she left the office. Maddie smiled at the closed door then went back to her paperwork.

***
David and Bert stopped at their favorite restaurant for lunch when they were out in the field. The burgers were huge, the waitresses were cute and the food was cheap. Bert was over the moon that he was having another lunch with his idol and mentor. He was learning a lot from Mr. Addison; already Bert had been sent out to do legwork alone and with one of the other detectives in training. He also had been on quite a few stakeouts without the head of Blue Moon. Bert felt as if he was becoming a vital asset to the agency. He swallowed his food then cleared his throat loudly.

David wasn’t paying much attention to Viola. He was thinking about the coming weekend and his dad meeting Maddie’s parents. It wasn’t as if he was ashamed of his father; it was just that he knew his dad could be crude and overbearing (yeah, like him) and was totally unlike Maddie’s country club parents. Just like David, his dad was more comfortable lounging around the house in sweats watching the ballgame and swigging a beer. David couldn’t imagine Alex yelling at the TV while drinking a cold one – but then, when they had been to Chicago at cousin Joan's wedding, Alex had surprised David with how cordially he had welcomed him into the family and with what he had said about Sam Crawford. So, maybe there was hope. He just hoped the two men would be able to find some common ground, he hoped they didn’t hate each other. He knew that Maddie’s dad didn’t warm up easily to people, and he knew his dad could be loud and obnoxious when he was nervous.

David gulped as his thoughts turned to Stephanie. Okay, he knew she had turned over a new leaf and was crazy about his father, but he didn’t know much more about her than she used to be a drunk and well not the girl next store... He could imagine Virginia’s face if she found out about what happened between him and his step mom. Virginia was one classy lady. What would the two women have in common? But then, Stephanie seemed to be a really warm and lovable girl, and he'd be damned if he ever had seen a more open and welcoming person than Maddie's mother.

Easy, Dave, he told himself, why so negative? You sound like the blonde...

“Um... Mr. Addison.” Bert interrupted his thoughts and put down the enormous burger, trying again to get David’s attention. “I want to tell you how privileged I feel to have these wonderful opportunities to break bread with you, sir.”

Finally, Bert’s voice cut through David’s reverie. He threw the smaller man a questioning gaze. “What?” David looked at Bert hard. “Break what?”

Bert held up his burger. “Bread, sir.” He nodded his curly head as a beatific grin spread over his scruffy face. “I am happy that we have these regular lunch dates.”

David shook his head. “Um, these ain’t dates.”

Bert waved his hand. “You know what I mean, sir.”

David just raised an eyebrow and took a bite out of his bacon cheeseburger. He decided to make an effort to talk to Bert to get his mind off the coming weekend with the parents. “Well, you are becoming a top notch gum shoe.” David winked as he polished off his burger and took a big gulp of his soda. “I was just telling Maddie the other day that we have to start giving you more responsibilities.”

Viola was staring at David in awe. “Oh yes. Mr. Addison.” Bert was almost jumping off his chair. “I would be so honored, sir!”

David went on. “Yep, especially now that Maddie will be out for a while with the bambina. She won’t be returning full time for a few months.” David leaned over the table and added in a conspiratorial tone: “Um don’t mention that part about her not returning... she doesn’t know it yet.”

Viola was nodding his head along with David’s words. He made a motion as if he was zipping his lips shut. “My lips are sealed.”

David stared into the other man’s eyes. “Not even to Agnes.” David wiped his mouth with a napkin as he leaned back in his chair. “Women talk.”

Suddenly a wide grin split Bert’s face. “About Agnes, sir...” Bert’s eyes shone with love. “The light of my life, the air that I breathe, the love of my…”

David cut him off. “What about DiPesto?”

“I’m going to make an honest woman of her.” He gazed at David with adoring eyes. “I am following your hard to fill footsteps and leaving the world of bachelorhood behind me.” Bert nodded his curly head. “I mean, if you – the great lover of women – can put himself off the market, then I can do it too.” Bert took a sip of his soda. “The women of L.A. may suffer, but we are two lucky men, sir, to have found such loving, amazing, beautiful, fine specimens like Miss Hayes and Agnes, then I say we are…..”

“I get it, Bert.” Sometimes David had little patience for his short sidekick. “You asked Agnes to marry you?” David smiled at Bert with a genuine look of happiness for the smaller man. “And I suppose she said yes?”

Bert nodded his head joy shining out of his deep brown eyes. “Oh yes, sir.” Bert smiled broadly. “It was so romantic, sir. I know that I gave you wonderful ideas to propose to Miss Hayes. I know you remember, sir. Don’t you?”

David shook his head and chuckled. “Oh, how could I forget?” David remembered all the mishaps that had happened when he was trying to propose to Maddie – and last but not least how he had almost burnt down the kitchen listening to one of Bert’s hair brain schemes. But David had to admit to himself it really wasn’t the ideas that were bad just the execution.

“I took a page out of the book of love to show Agnes how much I love and cherish her…” Bert went on to tell David how he had proposed to Agnes.

David listened patiently for a bit and then had to cut the little man short or he thought they may never leave the restaurant. “So, when’s the happy date?” he wanted to know.

“Not soon enough, sir.” Bert cleared his throat again. “Um, Mr. Addison... I am overjoyed that we have become closer in the last few months. I value your friendship.” Bet stumbled over his words; he was nervous to ask his hero the next question out of his mouth but he plunged ahead. “I do sincerely hope I'm not asking too much, but... Will you be my best man?” He gulped nervously. “I don’t have a brother, and since I met my sugarcube because you hired me I would love for you to do me the honor.”

David ran his hand through his hair. “Well, to be precise – I didn’t hire you. Maddie did.” David grinned. “But yeah. Okay, I can do that.” He was touched that Bert had asked him to stand up for him. He leaned a little forward and lowered his voice. "But listen to me, Romeo... if you ever do anything to hurt that little curly poet, I'll rip off your love gun and turn it into fine Bananas Foster." David was dead serious. "Are we clear?"

Bert gulped. “I would never do anything to hurt the icing on my cake, the cream in my donut, the…” Bert noticed David was frowning at him impatiently. He nodded his head. “Perfectly clear. I won’t, sir.”

David nodded too. “Good.”

The two men finished their lunch with Bert rambling on about their women and his wedding but this time David was happy to have something to take his thoughts off the weekend.

***
Later that day, Maddie slammed into her office in a fit of fury and slumped into her chair. Damn that man. Could he not understand why she didn’t want to take on this particular client? The fact that David was her equal partner now and not her employee didn't make these debates easier... She practically growled as she pushed the argument with David out of her mind and began to finish her work on the ledger accounts for that month. A few minutes later Maddie sat back and rubbed her eyes. She needed to hire an assistant to help with the billing, but she kept putting it off. She knew that she needed to do it soon so she could train whoever she hired before she had the baby.

A smile came to her face when she thought of the Bean growing in her belly right under her heart. How she loved this baby already... how she loved the direction her life had taken. Her anger at David had long since evaporated, and she planned to saunter over to his office in a few minutes to see if he was ready to go home but first she had to pee – lately she had to pee every 5 minutes it seemed.

Maddie was aghast when she noticed the spots of blood on her panties. Her heart almost stopped in her chest when she thought something might be wrong with the baby. She raced to the phone to summon David.

David picked up the phone on the first ring knowing it was Maddie. He had a smile on his face imagining how she would let him know she wanted to make up without coming out and saying she was sorry. “Men’s room,” he joked, using that voice, but then sat up straight and frowned when he heard the distress in Maddie’s voice even before her words registered in his brain.

“David, hurry in here. I think something may be wrong with the baby.” Maddie sobbed into the phone.