Baby Boom

[Addisonsgirl]

“Give me the key, babe.” David told Maddie as he moved off the bed. Not that he wouldn’t love to keep her in that position – handcuffed to the iron bed rails both hands up in the air – naked and vulnerable on the bed; and so damn sexy he felt his dick twitch even after a rousing and thoroughly satisfying lovemaking session. Who knew Maddie even had a kinky side? But then, this hadn't been the first slightly kinky thing they had done together. He smirked to himself.

Maddie looked confused. “Key? What key?”

David raised his eyebrows. “The key to the cuffs, Maddie.” He waved towards her handcuffed hands, “surely you have the key.”

“What are you saying?” Maddie’s face turned white and her stomach clenched in fear. “I don’t have a key, David.” She made a futile attempt at pulling out of the cuffs that were so tightly clasped to her wrists.

At first David was flabbergasted that she hadn’t thought about the key before she had allowed him to use them on her, but then he had to suppress his laughter when he saw the humor in the situation. Maddie Hayes naked almost spread eagled to their bed trapped there by a pair of steel handcuffs. He pursed his lips to hide the smirk that was threatening to break out. “You don’t have the key?” he echoed slowly, shaking his head in derision and emphasizing each word.

“Didn’t I just say that?!” she snapped, realizing that she was to blame for this mess, but as usual feeling irrationally angry at David standing there with his dick lengthening and hardening right before her eyes. Really! Did he find this stimulating?

“Um... not for nothing Maddie, but didn’t you realize that a key is needed to open the cuffs once they are fastened to someone’s wrist?” His smirk escaped but he managed to rein it in – but not before Maddie had a glimpse of it. “I mean, after all that's the purpose of these things.”

“You think this is funny?” she gasped, her mouth falling open in horror.

David turned away from her in the pretense of pulling on his discarded clothes but really in an attempt to hide the laughter that was bubbling to the surface. “No, of course not!” He managed to force out through lips clenched tight to stop the laughter. Funny?! He thought. Oh woman, this is priceless!!

Even though Maddie only had a view of the back of David’s head she knew him well enough to know he was shaking with laughter inside. She wished her hands were free so she could slap that smirk right off his face – but if her hands were free she wouldn’t be in this alarming predicament.

“Stop it, David!” she shrieked at him through gritted teeth.

“Stop what?” David turned to her faking innocence.

“Stop laughing!”

David couldn’t help it a smirk ran up the side of his face as his gaze ran over her from her hands cuffed to the bed rails over her naked body. “I don’t think you are in much of a position to give out orders, Miss Hayes,” he quipped. “Although I do like this particular position...”

Maddie pulled on the handcuffs until she was straining with the effort. “I swear to you, Addison, if you don’t get me out of these cuffs I... I…”

David leaned against the wall opposite the bed and folded his arms across his chest. “You’ll what, babe?”

“You…You!” Maddie was steaming.

“One more time, babe – didn’t you realize that without the key you couldn’t get the cuffs off?” David was shocked that Maddie hadn’t thought of the consequences. That was a totally unMaddielike thing to do – and secretly he loved it. She had been so wrapped up in her horniness that she hadn’t thought past the ache between her legs.

Maddie glared at him with icy blue eyes. “Obviously not, stupid!” she growled. “If I had thought of that I wouldn’t be in this situation now!”

“Hmm Maddie Hayes, what were you thinking? Or thinking with?” He approached the bed and sat on the edge. His fingers ran up her long leg to her hotbox. “Thinking with your greedy hotbox is what I think.” He drawled in a honey voice.

Maddie knew what he was saying was true and that made her even angrier. “Get your mitts off me, Addison!” she hissed and kicked out her leg landing her foot right on David’s thigh. He winced in pain as he pulled her leg up in the air along with Maddie’s screeches of indignation.

“If you don’t want to spend the night like this,” David nodded to the cuffs, “I suggest you behave.” He smirked. “Or maybe that's what you’re secretly wishing for?”

Maddie buttoned her lips to stifle the obscenities that were threatening to be aimed at David. She really wanted to strangle him. David leisurely ran his hand over her body. “And behave well.” He licked his lips causing her to shiver even though she was ready to maim him.

“You're a worm, Addison!” she spat like a hellcat when she couldn't hold back any longer. “You're seriously enjoying this?!” She rattled at the handcuffs. “Do you even realize this is all your fault?”

“What?” David laughed. “How can this be my fault?! How could I possibly know you didn't think of the fucking keys?!”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Well, my experiences with... with... kinky sex games are limited!” she snapped. “But you should know better!”

David shrugged. “Well, the ones I've played with had always a safety release,” he replied nonchalantly. Her eyes narrowed, and he took pity on her and smiled a reassuring smile without any hint of mockery now.

“Don't worry, Blondie,” he soothed in a more serious voice, “we'll get you out of here.”

“But how?!” Maddie pulled her face into a nervous frown. “What are we going to do, David?” she asked trying to keep the venom she felt out of her voice. “How am I going to get out of these handcuffs?” She again pulled on them, hoping they would somehow open and release her hands. No such luck.

“I guess I have to call a locksmith, babe,” David told her seriously.

“What?” Maddie sputtered in horror. “You must be joking!”

David shook his head, now feeling sorry for Maddie. Who’d have thunk it – icy queen Maddie Hayes handcuffed to a bed with no key to release her. Naked. “I don’t see any other way, honey.” His voice grew tender as he laid a sheet over her nude body.

Tears sprang to Maddie’s eyes. “But there has to be another way, David!” she almost pleaded.

“Tell me another way, and I’ll do it.” He brushed her cheek tenderly with his knuckles.

But Maddie couldn’t think of a way to get her hands out of the now hated handcuffs, so reluctantly she allowed David to call a 24 hour emergency locksmith. Within a half hour the locksmith had come and released Maddie from her prison. He was an older man and didn’t seem surprised to find a naked woman handcuffed to a bed. When she saw that he wasn't being lewd or amused at all, and also David wasn't doing or saying anything to add to her embarrassment, she started to relax a little inside, but she still felt mortified and would have loved to disappear into a hole.

When the man had finally left with a generous tip Maddie pulled on her nightgown quickly then rubbed her wrists hoping to get the circulation flowing again. “I can’t believe that man didn’t even seem shocked.”

David laughed as he pulled Maddie into his arms. “Hey babe, this is LA LA land. He must have seen it all, and then some. And a naked blonde handcuffed to a bed is probably something he’s seen before.” He kissed the side of her neck and started to gently massage her wrists with his thumbs.

Maddie leaned into his embrace and shook her head. “Well, it’s not something I will ever do again.”

David smirked at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes that caused her pulse to quicken. “Yes, you’re damn right. Next time I’ll be sure to have the key.”

She threw him a fiery glance, but he saw a smile lurkingin the corner of her eyes. “There will be no next time,” she said firmly.

“We'll see,” he grinned.

“What's so funny now?” she asked him suspiciously.

David tilted his head with a wicked lopsided smile. “Well, respectable and always well-behaved Maddie Hayes, handcuffed twice in the same evening...”

Maddie snorted in fake fury and started to punch his chest with her fists, but he caught her wrists like nothing. “Gotcha again!”

They both laughed as they tumbled together on the bed.

***
David woke up to Maddie’s light snoring. He turned over on his back smiling as he looked over at his fiancée. He would let her sleep. Poor girl had to be exhausted. His lips curled in a devilish smirk as he thought about the previous night – straight laced Maddie Hayes getting arrested, him bailing her out of jail... his dick twitched as his mind ran over their little handcuff game and finally how she had to be cut out of the cuffs. No wonder she was exhausted. He placed a light kiss on her brow, pulled up the covers around her and headed toward the shower. He planned to make her a delicious breakfast to give her back her energy.

Maddie woke up to the tantalizing aroma of French toast and coffee coming from the kitchen. A smile came to her face as she pulled off the covers and got out of bed. Her body felt pleasantly sore from their vigorous lovemaking from the previous night. She also felt sticky, so she decided to jump into the shower – she knew that David would get her sticky again before the end of the day and her core clenched pleasantly with that thought.

As she stepped out of the bathroom Maddie heard David calling her from the foot of the stairs. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty!” He had heard the shower running and knew she was up. “You coming?”

“Not yet, fella... but I’m sure you’ll take care of that later,”, she quipped as she pulled on her robe knowing that putting on clothes would be a waste of time.

A broad smile covered David’s face. He loved that Maddie was now so comfortable with their love and sex life that she could actually joke about it. “Oh, you betcha.” He laughed, his eyes running over her as she came down the stairs. The baby bump seemed to be getting bigger every day; he couldn’t wait to hold his daughter in his arms.

Maddie noticed his scrutiny and stopped dead in her tracks. “What?” she questioned.

The panty melting grin that turned her to mush ran up his face. “Just looking at what a former jailbird looks like,” he teased with a mocking lilt to his voice.

Maddie threw him a look that would have killed a lesser man, but David was immune to her blue death rays. “Not funny, Addison.”

“I beg to differ. And since you seem to,” he paused for effect placing his index finger on his forehead as if he were pondering something deeply, “um be receptive to being placed in handcuffs, you...”

“Stuff it, David.” She stood with her hands on her hips at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m never going to live any of it down, am I?”

“Of course you are.” He smirked broadly. “Someday. Maybe. But not today, that would be asking too much.” He rubbed his hands together, “just that last night I saw a whole new you!”

She gritted her teeth and growled.

He ignored her warning. “Maddie Hayes caught with her hand in another man’s underwear.” He shook his head. “Or was it a g-string?”

“I told you it meant nothing!” She was mortified over that little episode. The one time she decides to let her hair down and go with the flow she gets caught and David of course had to get wind of what she had done.

“I know, I know,” he waved her off nonchalantly and winked with a devilish glint in his eyes. “I have to memorize that excuse for the next time you catch me doing something...”

“You made your point, David!” Maddie snapped and blushed crimson red, which only fueled her anger. It mortified her that David realized she had double standards for his behavior and hers – but she knew her bad behavior meant nothing. That didn't make it any better, of course.

“How much did he charge you?” he teased, subtly reminding her that the strippers were really male prostitutes.

Maddie growled one last time then turned to walk up the steps.

David reached out and grabbed her arm turning her around. “Okay okay. Sorry. I’ll stop.” He didn’t want to start the day with a fight and he now knew when to keep his fat mouth closed – well most of the time. With a teasing warning he added: “For now.”

She searched his green eyes which had lost their mocking glint now. She put her chin up in her unconscious haughty manner that always made his dick twitch. “I hope so, David. I really just want to put last night behind me.”

He nodded but she could see a teasing glimmer in the corners of his green eyes. “Maybe next time we can use the cuffs to put your hands behind you.”

Her eyes widened but despite her annoyance with him she felt the dampness between her legs when she remembered how it had felt to be totally under his control, cuffed to their bed. That was one aspect of the previous night she didn’t plan on forgetting. She moistened her lips with her tongue. “An interesting thought,” she admitted a little breathlessly.

“That's my girl,” he smirked. “But this time I’ll have the key. AND I won’t be so horny that I would forget I needed one.” He guffawed loudly.

Despite the teasing Maddie didn’t feel annoyance, only that damn ache between her legs she had become accustomed to in the past months. “Do tell.” She raised her eyebrow at him and pulled her robe tight against her breasts allowing her rock hard nipples to show through the thin material.

“Nice view, babe,” he told her huskily pulling her into his arms for a slow kiss. Maddie returned the kiss with fervor. Finally, David pulled away first. “Patience, my greedy hussy,” he teased. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.” His fingers snaked between her legs. “I know this will still be hot later, and a little bit of waiting will only make it hotter.”

Maddie playfully punched his shoulder and giggled. “I am really hungry. And it smells wonderful.” She laughingly swayed into the kitchen; David gave her butt a resounding slap as she moved past him.

They enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of cinnamon French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. Maddie smiled at David over the rim of her coffee cup. “You’re going to have to stop feeding me, David, or I’m going to weigh a ton soon.”

David laughed. “So, more of you to love.”

Maddie raised an ironic eyebrow. “You say that now.”

His eyes blazed into hers. “I mean it, babe. I love you for more than your body.”

Maddie shrugged. “Well, the Bean should be here soon, and then I hope I can get my figure back.” She was worried that with her age it would be difficult to regain her slim shape. She only hoped David meant what he always said about not caring about her body but she wasn’t sure how far that really would go, and that made her a little nervous.

Green eyes roved over her. “Your figure is just fine with me.” He wiggled his eyebrows, “I have no problem with your bigger tits and ass.”

Maddie threw him a playful scowl. “Anyway, maybe we should talk about the Bean’s name. You didn’t seem thrilled with the top name we picked out.”

“What was it again? Alexandria?” A slight frown furrowed his brow, accompanied by a shrug. “It just seems like such a long name to saddle a tiny baby with. I told you that when you first mentioned it.”

“She’s not going to be a tiny baby for long,” Maddie pointed out.

“Still,” his hands moved along with his words. “The name is so long. And a little pompous.”

Maddie thought a bit, “Alexis?”

David wrinkled his nose. “Seriously? Like In Alexis Carrington? You don't want to mark our daughter as a bitch already in the daycare center.”

A loud sigh escaped Maddie. “Weren’t you the one who said that naming her after my father would score you points with him?”

“On second though your dad likes me just fine,” he quipped.

Maddie frowned. “Stop fooling, David. The name of our child is very important.”

“Exactly,” he agreed. “And that is why I want it to be something we both love. Impressing your father with our daughter's name is really of no importance to me.”

Maddie thought of more girl names; unfortunately like David she couldn’t think of one that she loved. She threw a name out. “Alice?”

“As in Wonderland?” David wasn’t crazy with that name.

Maddie threw him a look. “Annie?”

“As in Orphan?” David ruffled his hair. “Come on. Annie is not a real name anyway, it's a pet name. What’s with the A’s anyway?”

Maddie was losing her patience. “Well, why don’t you throw out a name or two that you like.”

David thought for a few seconds. “Ashley?” He laughed. “Another A.” He ran his hands through his already messy hair. “Rebecca?”

Maddie swayed her head skeptically. “Of Sunny Brook farm?”

“Funny.”

“Come on, Addison. There must be a name we can both agree on.” She patted her protruding belly. “I’d hate to have to write Bean on the birth certificate.”

“Jenna?” David tried.

Maddie nodded slowly. “I like that.”

“So we can add that to the list?”

“List?” Maddie asked sarcastically. “We had two names.” She tilted her head to the side. “Did we agree at least on Jenna?”

“I suppose so. And it’s a start.” David told her taking a gulp of his orange juice. “We still have a couple of more months to decide.”

“You know I like to plan ahead.” Maddie teased.

“Speaking of planning...” he took another piece of bacon, “when are your parents coming in?”

“Tuesday morning.” Maddie poured herself a glass of milk. She was trying to cut down on her caffeine intake. “And your dad and Stephanie?”

“Today.” David finished off his juice.

Maddie stopped with the glass halfway to her mouth. “Today?” she echoed. “Aren’t you picking them up at the airport?”

David shook his head. “No, they don’t know exactly when their flight will take off due to fog, so they’re just going to take a cab.” David stood up and pulled her into his arms. “So... what do you want to do with all of our free time today, Miss Hayes?”

Maddie giggled as David untied her robe to reveal her nakedness. She felt a bolt of heat hit her right between her legs as his tongue ran over her neck and throat. “I remember hearing something about coming…” She trailed off with a moan as David’s tongue found that spot.

David pushed her against the wall and wrapped her leg around his waist. “You betcha,” he purred thrusting into her with one deep push. “Coming right up.”

***
The next evening, after they had come home from the agency and showered, David was sitting on the bed watching Maddie putting on her clothes, getting ready for the dinner with his dad and Stephanie. He absolutely loved the fullness of her body brought on by the pregnancy. His eyes traveled down from her voluptuous breasts to her now prominent baby bump. He still had to pinch himself when he thought about that it was his baby growing inside of her. Through his own stupid pride and fear he could have lost what was now his whole world – Maddie and this baby whom he loved immensely already. Maddie turned around and bent down to get her shoes at the bottom of the closet and the full, roundness of her curvy ass hit David right between his eyes – and legs. His dick lengthened and moved inside the casual slacks he had just put on. He quickly stood up and approached Maddie from behind wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against his body and the erection that was throbbing in his pants.

Maddie felt strong arms pulling her up. “David!” she exclaimed breathlessly as she felt the evidence of his arousal against her butt. Despite herself and her hurry to get ready she felt that familiar ache spread between her legs. She had become a bigger sex addict than David it seemed.

“Maddie,” he whispered as he began to run his tongue slowly over that spot on her neck; his sneaky fingers were already pulling up the hem of her dress, and she felt her insides turn to mush.

Maddie tried to pull away, although somewhat reluctantly. “Addison, we have to meet your father and Stephanie in less than a half hour, and the restaurant isn’t very close,” she pointed out.

“Shhh,” David purred, turning her knees to jelly. His magic fingers were now stroking her aching loins in the slow circular moves she craved. He felt the dampness spreading through her lacy panties. “Go with it, babe. I can feel how much you want it.”

David chuckled, breaking down all her resistance to his seduction. She moved her curvy ass against his boner and was happy to hear him catch his breath and moan. “Wow, big boy, is all that for me?” She turned around in his arms; her fingers stroking the tent in his pants.

“Every inch,” he promised in a low husky voice laced with sex and passion.

David tumbled her on the bed and lay beside her as he released his throbbing member from the confines of his pants. Maddie gasped as she opened her legs to relieve the ache and to welcome him inside of her. David didn't bother to pull her panties off and just pushed them to the side with his hand, then pushed himself into her hotbox with one deep thrust. Maddie moaned and draped her leg over David’s hip as she started to move along with him. The sex was hot and fast, and both reached their climax almost simultaneously.

David tenderly pushed the damp hair off Maddie’s forehead but a wicked glint lurked in the green of his eyes. “You hussy, you! Making me late to dinner with my dad.” His irresistible smirk ran up his face; the same smirk she never knew whether to kiss or smack off his handsome face. “You greedy girl,” he teased.

Maddie’s eyes opened wide but before she could reply David jumped off the bed and zippered his pants. He offered his hand to help her off the bed but she smacked it away with a growl. “You… You!”

“Oh, don't worry, babe,” he winked at her. “You can thank me again later.” He looked at his watch with a raised eyebrow. “We really have to leave now.”

***
“I knew we were going to be late!” Maddie hissed when they entered the hotel restaurant where David's father and his wife Stephanie were already seated at a table waiting for them.

“Relax,” David told her nonchalantly. “We're just meeting my dad for a casual family dinner. Who cares if we're five minutes early or late?”

“I do!” she replied icily. “You know I hate being late, to any appointment!” She quickened her pace as she saw Stephanie waving towards her.

“I know you hate being late, but you sure didn't hate coming earlier, did you?” David purred in her ear and pinched her butt.

“You're disgusting!” she muttered under her breath because they had reached the table. David's father rose from his seat to greet them, and after exchanging cordial back slaps and cheek kisses the four of them sat down.

“So,” Stephanie said with a smile to Maddie after they had ordered drinks and food, “the big day will be here soon. Is everything going well with the planning?”

“Oh yes,” Maddie answered, “so far, everything is going as planned.”

“Which is a huge relief for our Miss Perfection here,” David threw in with a mocking undertone.

“Why yes,” Maddie replied pointedly, “and I'm not ashamed to admit I prefer to plan rather than improvise a wedding and am relieved that there haven't been any catastrophes so far.” She raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “Anything wrong with that?”

David raised his hands in defense. “Nothing wrong with avoiding catastrophes.”

His father grinned. “I can't wait to do some crawling...”

“David!” Stephanie scolded him and slapped her husband's shoulder.

“Fine, I'll hide in the bathroom,” David replied dryly and received an identical slap from Maddie.

“You're going to do no such thing,” Maddie and Stephanie snapped almost in unison, and the four of them exchanged a few glances across the table, after a second the table erupted in laughter.

After a delicious dinner, accompanied by relaxed chitchat and laughs, and despite David's protest, his father took care of the bill. The older man ran a hand through his hair which Maddie saw was the identical gesture of David’s hair ruffling.

“Apart from being happy about this special occasion...” – he motioned to Maddie and David who both smiled – “I wanted to share with you kids that I'm happy about another thing too.” He exchanged a glance with Stephanie, and in that moment Maddie knew what her future father-in-law was going to say, and her eyes widened.

Stephanie smiled, and David Sr. went on: “We're going to be parents too.”

“Oh, that's wonderful!” Maddie exclaimed spontaneously.

At first, David didn't understand and frowned. “What?” he asked as he felt his heart skip a beat.

“I'm having a baby,” Stephanie explained with a shy little smile, and although David almost managed to keep his expression straight, Maddie could clearly see that he was shocked. He turned to his father with his mouth hanging open, and David Sr. nodded with a beam on his face.

“I'm gonna be a dad again!” he confirmed.

David blinked and obviously still wasn't able to utter a word, and Maddie started to feel an uncomfortable awkwardness brewing in the air. She kicked him under the table and muttered under her breath: “Say something!”

Finally, David found his voice again. “Wow,” he said flatly, “you must be so happy.”

Stephanie's smile froze a little, and her husband's beam faded away. “Yes, of course I'm happy!”

David's jaw tightened, and Maddie was totally flabbergasted by his almost hostile reaction. What the hell was wrong with him?! “Shouldn't my brother be present to hear the happy news?” he asked curtly.

His father frowned. “Richie had to work tonight and couldn't come,” he said. “We'll meet him tomorrow. And I'd really appreciate if you let me be the one to deliver the news,” he added firmly.

“He's gonna be so thrilled.” The hint of sarcasm in David's voice was clearly audible. Slowly, he rose from his seat. “Well, we should be going now. It was a long day in the office today and pretty tiring for Maddie.”

“I'm not tired, David,” Maddie pressed through clenched teeth, mortified by David's behavior.

“Is there anything wrong, David?” his father asked with a slightly menacing tone but also with a hint of hurt in his voice.

“Nothing I could think of,” David replied and turned to Maddie. “Your parents are flying in early tomorrow morning, and we're supposed to pick them up at the airport, so we really should be going now.” His eyes pierced hers, and she saw that he was not going to give in this time.

Avoiding a scene at any costs, Maddie got up from her chair too with a fake smile. “Right, I forgot about my parents. And actually, I do feel a little tired.” She shrugged apologetically. “The effects of pregnancy. You will experience them for yourself soon,” she said to Stephanie.

David's father rose from his seat for the goodbyes, and this time David avoided hugging him and just waved at him from across the table. He bent down though to kiss Stephanie on the top of her head. “Congratulations,” he murmured, and at least that sounded sincere.

With a last fake smile, Maddie turned around on her heels and stomped out of the restaurant.

***
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she snapped at David as soon as they were sitting in their car and heading home.

“Nothing,” David replied and stared through the windshield.

“Nothing?!” Maddie echoed in disbelief. “You were being rude to your father and his wife for no reason, and I'd like to know what's going on in your head!” she demanded. “I wanted to disappear into a hole!”

“Ohhhh!” David exclaimed with acid sarcasm. “That's what's bothering you, of course. That I embarrassed you. Well, I apologize!”

“It's not about that!” Maddie fired back. “You should apologize to them, not me!”

“What for?!” David asked angrily. “For not doing a happy dance over an uncle or auntie for the Bean?” He shook his head. “I can’t believe it.” He mumbled more to himself than Maddie.

“So that's it?” Maddie looked at him incredulously. “You think it's inappropriate for your father and his wife to have a child?”

“I don't give a shit if it's appropriate or not!” David snorted. “It's ridiculous. I'm 32 years old, my big brother is 35, and I don't need a baby brother or sister,” he spat.

“Seriously, David – you're jealous?!” Maddie gasped. “How childish is that?”

“This has nothing to do with jealousy,” David pressed through gritted teeth.

“Of course it does!” Maddie contradicted and pointed her finger at him. “You're stomping your foot like a spoiled little boy because now you won't be the baby of the family anymore!”

David pulled the car over to the curb with a brisk movement of the steering wheel and turned to Maddie, his eyes like green titanium, and looked at her with a fury that silenced her immediately. “You better stop blabbing about things you don't understand,” he growled slowly and with a dangerous undertone in his voice. “You know nothing about my family. You with your perfect childhood and your perfect family have no idea what we're talking about here, so please do me a favor and for once just shut up and stop fucking telling me how I should behave.”

He didn't wait for an answer, and Maddie was way too shocked to give one anyway; she just fell silent and stared out into the night, her face like stone. She had never seen David like this; she had no idea what could have upset him so much, but this was definitely not the moment for finding out. Even though his reaction towards her was completely unjustified – she really had no idea what his problem was, but how could she understand if he refused to tell her? – she was more worried than mad at him. How was this going to end?

***
David slammed out of the car and stormed into the house without waiting for Maddie as he usually did in his gentlemanly manner. When Maddie finally trod into the house behind him she saw that David had picked up the phone and was about to dial.

Maddie was aghast at David’s behavior; she didn’t understand why he was displaying such a negative reaction to the news of his father and Stephanie having a baby. Yes, she knew that his childhood had been anything but perfect, with his and Richie's mother passed away so early, and okay, it felt surely a little awkward to get a new sibling when you were just to become a parent yourself, but still she couldn't wrap her mind around what bothered him that much about it. Nothing she could think of explained his almost hostile reaction.

"Whom are you calling, David?" she asked suspiciously.

David looked over his shoulder at Maddie as he dialed the phone with an angry finger. "Calling my brother.”

"David!” she exclaimed with indignation. “Your father asked you not to mention his news to Richie!"

"Yeah well, too bad!" David snapped and turned his back to her.

"What is wrong with you?” she inquired angrily. She wished he would tell her what the matter was, so she would be able to deal with it, whatever it was, to help him. But obviously, he wasn't gonna tell her. That reminded her of another occasion, another inexplicable bizarre behavior, another refusal to explain himself. And it had had to do with his dad too, she remembered. Damn, why did he always act like a lunatic, before he let her help? She knew she was complicated herself, but in some ways, David wasn't any better. “Stop it, David!” she yelled at him with fists clenched at her sides. "It’s not your place to tell your brother. Your father wants to be the one to tell him the news!” Maddie’s annoyance at David was rising.

“I've heard your opinion on this, Maddie,” he pressed through gritted teeth, “and now I will deal with my family the way I think is right.” His voice was icy and dismissive, almost mean, and he turned his back on her again when Richie answered the phone.

Maddie swallowed her words as she stood staring at David's back, shaking her head in silent fury. She bit her lip as she listened to his conversation with Richie which didn't give away really much; David just gave his older brother the news that their father and Stephanie were having a baby, and that David Sr. was very happy about his new child. Richie showed up 15 minutes later. He seemed to be just as upset as David which puzzled Maddie even more, since she knew that Richie – despite being the older one – had always seemed to be the more immature of the brothers; and there was only little that could upset him, as far as she knew. So, it had to be something really extraordinary throwing them off balance so much. But, obviously, nobody seemed to care to talk to her and enlighten her, and that drove her crazy and really, really angry – David was her fiancé, for heaven's sake, and she had a right to know what was wrong!

She listened for a while to their upset chatter; it revealed nothing than what she knew already: that both men were less than thrilled with their father's new child, and that they resented his happiness for some reason.

"Enough!" she shouted finally in a firm no nonsense voice. "Both of you are being ridiculous! You're both grown men who are acting like spoiled childish jerks! Why can't you just be happy for your father?!"

Richie stared at her blankly, not wanting to argue with his soon to be sister in law but David threw her a venomous glare. “Butt out! With both cheeks!!” he growled furiously. "I told you already to stop admonishing me for my behavior! You with your perfect loving parents” – he almost spat the words out here – “wouldn't understand a fucking thing that" – he waved his hand to encompass himself and Richie – "we've been through, so mind your damn business and don't tell people what they're supposed to feel!"

Maddie was disturbed and hurt over David words and nasty attitude. But Mount St. Maddie was also angry and about to erupt. “Fuck you both!” she screamed at them. “You both need to grow up and stop being so selfish!” She stomped up the stairs in her fury. Both brothers jumped at the sound of the door’s resounding slam.

“Guess I'd better go,” Richie grumbled.

“Hrmph,” David just replied.

***
Terri woke up from the sound of the doorbell that kept shrilling mercilessly. A glance at her alarm clock showed her that it was shortly past midnight. “What the hell...” she mumbled sleepily and pulled the blanket over her head.

Then she heard a familiar voice call her name through the door and was stunned. “Richie?” she murmured and climbed out of the bed. She threw a bathrobe over her nightshirt and shuffled over to the door to open it. A slightly disheveled Richie was standing outside.

“They are having a baby!” he informed her and walked inside, slumping down on her couch.

“What?” Terri frowned and closed the door. “What are you talking about?”

“My dad.” Richie rubbed his hands over his face and noticed her clothes. “Oh, were you sleeping?”

“Never mind,” she waved him off, “guess I gotta get used to waking up in the middle of the night soon anyway.”

“Sorry,” he shrugged sheepishly.

“Forget it.” Terri sat down beside him. “So, what's the matter? You were stuttering something about your dad and a baby.”

“Oh, yes.” He sighed. “My dad is having a baby.”

“Which would mean your dad has a young wife that is not your mother?” Terri assumed.

“Oh right, I never told you,” Richie remembered. “Yes, they only got married last year. She's about our age. Our mom...” he shrugged, and for a moment a shadow flew over his handsome face, “she died when we were kids.”

Terri put a hand on his shoulder. “I'm sorry to hear that,” she said softly.

“I'm a big boy now,” he replied lightly, but Terri saw in the depths of his eyes that he wasn't as nonchalant as he pretended to be, and a wave of affection for him washed over her.

“And you and David don't get along with her?” she asked.

Richie shook his head. “Not, it's not that. She's a really sweet girl, and I like her. Dave does too, I think.”

“So what's your problem then?” she inquired tentatively. “You don't seem happy about the baby.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, it's not like your dad is cheating on your mom.”

“No, it's more like he's cheating on us,” Richie explained in an upset voice and ran a hand through his hair.

Terri frowned. “Cheating on you?” she echoed. “I'm sorry, but that sounds a little selfish and jealous to me.”

Richie snorted. “Funny. Maddie said the same.”

Terri suppressed a smile. She could imagine her blonde friend's reaction. “So David isn't very happy about the new family member either?” she asked. Richie just shook his head. “Well...” she began thoughtfully, “Maddie and I can't know of course what's the deeper reason behind your resentment, but from an unbiased point of view it does sound a little jealous.”

“Maybe,” Richie grumbled, obviously not in the mood to reveal more and go deeper into the matters of his childhood right now. Terri left it at that for the moment; she was sure he had his reasons.

She sighed. “Well, as I see it, there are only two possible ways to handle this situation.”

Richie looked at her with eyebrows raised in question. “Which are?”

She shrugged. “Either you look back or you look forward.” Richie frowned in confusion, and she explained: “Now, I don't know what happened between you guys and your father, and I'm sure it can't be forgotten just like that, because these memories and experiences make us what we are.” Richie nodded silently and kept listening to her; the understanding expression in her warm brown eyes calmed him down somehow. “But it's up to you to decide,” she went on, “if you let these memories define your relationship with your dad. I mean...” she shrugged again. “If you want to have a relationship with your dad in the future, I guess you'll just have to make peace with this new baby somehow.”

“I guess you're right,” he murmured, “and I'm sure we will. Somehow.” His gaze seemed to drift away, and Terri saw unresolved issues and a faint trace of pain in his eyes, and she felt the urge to hug and comfort him. Then suddenly his view seemed to become clear again, and he focused on her tired face. “Oh God, sorry, honey... I woke you up. What was I thinking?” he slapped his front with his palm, and Terri smiled.

“Well, I guess you needed to talk...” she let her voice trail off, suddenly realizing that with his brother and his partners who were also his friends, still she had been the one he had run to when he was upset. She wasn't sure what that meant, but then they were friends too and had formed a special connection over attending Lamaze class together, and as the reason for his anguish was another pregnancy... no, it surely meant nothing, she told herself.

“Yeah, I guess...” ...and I came here of all places, without thinking twice, Richie thought. Now that's pretty remarkable.

Terri shook her head briefly to cast away confusing thought she didn't need right now. “Never mind,” she said. “You're doing so much for me, and I'm happy I can give something back. We're friends, right?”

Richie rose to his feet. “That's right, we're friends,” he confirmed quickly and took her hand to help her up. “But now, you have to go back to sleep.”

“Okay,” she nodded and accompanied him to the door. “Will you be all right?”

“Of course.” He bent forward to kiss her on the front. “Thank you, Knowles.”

“Ah... yeah... sure,” she stuttered, a little startled by his gesture; he had never done anything like that before, but she had to admit she liked it. That startled her even more. “Any time,” she added quickly and opened the door for him. “I'll see you Wednesday?”

“7:30 sharp,” he confirmed and left.

***
When Richie had left in a daze, David headed upstairs. He knew an apology was in order. Even though he was upset and hurt over the situation with his father, he knew he had been dead wrong to take it out on Maddie – and behave in the same way he always accused her of acting. She had no idea why he had reacted the way he did to the news his dad sprung on him tonight, and he realized that his behavior must have looked really weird and disturbing to her. He ran both hands through his hair as he walked into the bedroom. He had some explaining to do which was never easy for him. David had a silver tongue when it came to joking and seduction, but when it came to talking about his feelings or putting his emotions into words he became tongue-tied, even though – just as Maddie – he had gotten much better at that; but it was still especially difficult when it came to his boyhood.

Maddie was lying in bed, hurt and confused over David’s treatment toward her and the way he was acting about Stephanie’s pregnancy. Now she could understand that it might feel a little weird to him, and she knew that his childhood hadn't been an ideal one – unlike hers – but a reaction that strong, even hostile? She couldn't imagine a reason for it. She thought she knew him but was stunned over this new side of David she knew she didn’t like. Could it be jealousy that was leading both him and his brother to act like immature jerks? David was one of the most generous people she knew, and this just didn't make sense, but who knew what was going on behind those gorgeous eyes? She wished he would open up to her – she knew he would expect the same from her, and rightfully so. They were going to spend their lives together, and they should be the first one to turn to for comfort. When David walked into the room she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She was afraid that opening her mouth would only lead to a fight – and she really didn't want another one tonight.

David knew Maddie was only feigning sleep. “I’m sorry, babe,” he whispered walking toward the bed. “I was wrong to act that way toward you.”

Maddie heard the seriousness and vulnerability in his voice, opened her eyes and sat up, turning her blue eyes his way questioningly. “What’s wrong, David?” Maddie inquired softly and stared at him with confusion etched on her beautiful face. “Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

For a long couple of seconds David just stood in front of the bed in silence. It was never easy for him to talk about his childhood. For a moment he was transported back to another time about a year ago when he felt the need to tell Maddie about his earlier years, long before she had known him – about his marriage to Tess and the baby. It hadn’t been easy for him then to dredge up the past since he tried to bury most of those days deep inside of him. But discovering that his father was happy about having another child brought all the bitter memories and hurt to the surface. And now it was only fair he explained why he was feeling the way he was to the woman who was going to share his life. He ran his hand over his face as he pulled the chair close to the foot of the bed.

He drew a deep breath and swallowed. “What’s bothering me?” He shook his head and looked past her remembering... He laughed bitterly. “You really have no idea how life was for me and Richie,” he began. “You grew up with wonderful parents, a great dad who was your hero and a mom who stayed home and made your life easy and happy.” David ruffled his hair. “Oh yeah, our mom did that too, but then she left us – she died.” He nodded his head. “Things were great when my mom was around. She was the kind of mom who had cookies baking when we came in from school. I can still remember how it felt to come inside on a cold day... that wonderful smell... and be greeted with her smile and a plate of her cookies fresh from the oven, “ he laughed, “oh and a hot cup of cocoa with whipped cream.” David’s face was filled with a bitter longing that felt like a knife to Maddie’s heart. “After she left us,” he went on with a stony face, “there were no more cookies.” He swallowed hard. “Oh I knew – Richie and I both understood – that our dad had to work and couldn’t spend his days baking cookies for us or be there when we came home from school...” he paused, “but we did kinda expect him to be there for dinner, even if it was just take out.”

Maddie listened with tears welling up in her eyes, feeling her heart ache for the little boys who were left without a mother. She remained silent, afraid if she opened her mouth she would break the spell and David would close down to her. She started to understand his feelings, and she knew there was more.

“Can’t tell you how many times we ate cereal for dinner after a sorry attempt to cook a meal,” he went on and shrugged. “But after a few months I took over the cooking. I got really good at it and I enjoyed it too, but I would have liked it better if my dad was at the dinner table eating with us.” David spoke hastily, almost stumbling over his words. “He always called and told us that he had to work late but when he came home we could smell liquor on his breath.” David waved his hands in the air for emphasis, “sometimes I hated him.” The memories made the hurt and angry feelings well up in David. He stopped for a moment to regain his composure and ran his hands through his hair. “He was never there for us when we needed him to be.” He shook his head gravely. “Never. I remember one time in particular. It was the annual award ceremony at school and I was getting the award for academic excellence for that year.” Maddie looked a little surprised, and a small smirk curled his lips. “Yeah, surprise surprise, I was smart in school.” David’s hands couldn’t keep still while he was continuing his story; Maddie's gaze was glued to his lips. “I remember I was so happy, and I wanted my dad to be proud of me. I must have reminded him a dozen times that I was getting that award.” He shook his head at the sad memory, and the long leaden pause told Maddie already how this story was going to end. “He never came.” David swallowed the lump in his throat. “I was the only kid there without a parent in the audience. And I was the one who had gotten the highest award.” He laughed again snidely. “Well, I guess after that I started to believe that school and being a good student weren’t very important, so I began to slack off. I became the class clown and my grades nosedived. You know how many notes from the teachers to my dad I threw away? I don’t know if they ever did contact him, but he never mentioned it. Guess he didn’t give a shit.”

Maddie was beginning to understand more and more David’s anguish regarding his new sibling, and her heart clenched for him. She once again saw in her mind’s eye the little boy eagerly awaiting his dad – who never came. For an instant Maddie hated David’s father, but then she realized how the older man must have felt. He must have been devastated over the death of his wife. But that was no excuse really – he should have been there for his sons. But she was not going to judge him; she thanked God silently that she never had had to find out how her own father would have tackled such a situation.

“That must have been terrible,” she whispered tonelessly, still not reaching out to touch him. She wanted him to finish his tale, to get it all off his chest. “I’m so sorry, David.”

“Yeah, me too.” He scratched his head. “Me and my brother practically raised ourselves,” David told her with resentment. “Imagine, learning things from Richie that should have been taught by a dad – a grown man? I mean, Richie tried... but it just wasn’t the same. My father was never there to teach me – us – the things a dad should teach his sons – lucky we grew up half way decent.”

Maddie looked over at David with her eyes filled with love and compassion. “I’d say more than half way,” she told him in an almost quivering voice.

David threw her a crooked grin but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, he was still back thinking about his early years. He shrugged. “I mean, although we bust each other’s balls and sometimes can’t stand the sight of each other... I have to admit Richie stepped up to the plate and took over for my dad a whole lot of times.”

“I know you guys are just putting on a show,” Maddie commented softly.

David’s mind drifted back to one particular time Richie was there for him, as he told Maddie his story.

Almost twenty years ago in South Philly...

13 year old David was in the bathroom, dressing for his 8th grade dance. He was excited and had been looking forward to it for weeks. David dressed carefully for that night: he had made sure that his suit was clean and that his best white shirt was freshly pressed. He had a crush on a girl in his class named Karen, and he wanted to look his best so she would notice him. He put the tie around his neck and realized with a sinking feeling he had no idea how to tie a necktie knot.

Richie was lying in their room watching TV and tossing a ball against the wall. The thought that his mother would be yelling at him to stop playing ball in the house dawned on him, but since she wasn’t around and there was nobody to care if he played ball in the house or not, he continued lobbing the ball against the wall, maybe even harder. He heard David in the bathroom getting dressed for his dance, and since he was bored with the show and the ball throwing, Richie decided a little brotherly teasing was in order.

“Davey and his girl sitting in a tree. K I S S I N G,” he snickered, knowing that the younger one could hear him – the house was small, and the tiny bathroom just across the even tinier hall. “Hey little bro, what’s your little girlfriend’s name?” Richie knew that his brother had a crush on the girl down the block. “Isn’t her name Karen?” He made smooching sounds.

David was getting more and more frustrated, trying to tie a knot in his damn tie, and he was in no mood for Richie’s teasing. “Shut up, Rich, or I swear I’m gonna pop you in the mouth!” he snapped.

Richie laughed shrilly. “Yeah yeah, bro. You’re a lover, not a fighter!” he teased. “So, do you think you’ll get lucky? Ever touch a tit?” Ah, thank God for little brothers, he thought, at least one reason for laughing.

David bit his lip and felt tears spring to his eyes. Sometimes he hated his older brother! He was always teasing him and making him feel small. David had shot up over the last year, but he was still three years younger than Richie and still much smaller. He pushed his annoyance at his brother out of his mind as he carefully tried to fix the necktie into some semblance of what it was supposed to look like. He failed miserably. Maybe he should just go without it.

“Little Davey and Karen sitting in a tree. K I S S I N G,” he heard Richie's voice again, “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes David pushing a baby carriage.” Another sarcastic chuckle.

Richie was surprised that his brother didn’t shout at him to stop teasing him. Come to think of it, the kid had been in the bathroom for a long time. Richie sat up on the bed and called out to David: “Hey bro, you fall in?”

David heard Richie teasing him but ignored him – he didn’t know what he was going to do if he couldn’t figure out how to tie the damn necktie correctly. He looked in the mirror and saw that he had tangled the tie around his neck into what looked like a big knot that looked nothing like a tie was supposed to look. He just stood there fighting back tears and wondering what to do when Richie walked into the bathroom. Just what he needed right now.

Richie immediately noticed the tears in his brother’s eyes and what looked like a sorry attempt at a necktie around his neck. Suddenly, what was going on hit him like a ton of bricks, and for a moment he despised his father. He grabbed David's shoulders and turned his brother around to face him and pulled the tie off his neck. “Damn, Dave,” Richie said gruffly, hiding the sudden warmth and love he felt for the younger boy, “can’t you do anything without moi?”

David buttoned his lips closely together and avoided to look into his brother's eyes. If Richie teased him about his stupid tears now he knew would just die. He turned his face away while Richie put the tie around his neck and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"Damn, stand still!" Richie growled and smacked the back of his head. "And look here how it's done, willya, or do you think I'm your fuckin' maid? Next time you'll do it alone!"

Reluctantly, David looked down at his brother's hands while he tied the knot correctly and in curt words explained what he was doing.

"There you go," the older one finally said and turned David around again so that he could look at the result in the mirror. The tie looked perfect now, and still, he wanted to cry.

"Thanks," he murmured, just a boy, barely a teenager, unable to put his feelings in words, yet so desperate to share some of them.

"That was for my own sake," Richie replied grimly. "Can't have people make fun of me because my baby brother comes to the dance lookin' like a hobo. I'm The Adman, after all."

"Still thanks," David replied stubbornly, and Richie left the bathroom with a shrug and an unintelligible grumble. “Ass,” David muttered under his breath and wiped his eyes dry with his left fist. Ten minutes later, when he had pulled on his jacket and was heading downstairs, he heard his brother call him from behind.

“Yo, kiddo!”

He froze in the middle of the stairs and turned around to see Richie leaned against the wall near the stairs; arms and ankles crossed, a little ironic smirk on his face. "Don't talk too much," he advised him unexpectedly. "Tell her she's pretty. And..." he unfolded his arms and held his hands up, measuring a space of maybe two hands' breadth and went on: "If she comes THAT close – go for it." David's eyes widened, and he blushed a little, to his own dismay. Richie noticed it, of course, and winked. "Ain't gonna happen anyway, whelp... but best you know. Now go!" He waved his hands in dismissal.

David turned around again with burning cheeks and almost fled from the house. That was the first night he ever kissed a girl...

By the time David finished his story, Maddie had tears on her cheeks; not being ashamed of them, she used her fingers to wipe them away as she held out her arms to David. “Come here now,” she ordered in the bossy tone he usually used on her, but this time he obeyed, needing Maddie’s arms wrapped around him to ease the pain he felt delving into difficult memories.

David sat on the bed next to Maddie who enveloped him in her loving embrace, pressing him close to her heart. “I’m sorry I can’t erase the pain and unhappiness of your past,” she looked deeply into his hurt filled green eyes, “but I do promise to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”

***
The next morning early, Stephanie called before they left for work. Maddie was a little worried when David took the receiver from her to talk to his stepmother, but he gave her a reassuring nod. He talked to her very briefly, but in an affectionate tone, and Maddie understood they were going to meet for lunch at some restaurant downtown.

“Do you want me to come?” Maddie offered.

David shook his head. “No, babe, I have to do this alone.” He saw the sorrow on her face and added quickly: “Really, I think it's better that way. Rich will be there too, and I don't want you in between. I don't want you to be upset. I promise I'll tell you everything.”

“Will your dad be there too?” she asked.

“No, just Steph and us.”

“Are you going to try?” Maddie almost pleaded. “If you just could talk about it...”

“We'll find a way to deal with it,” David replied vaguely.

***
When David and Richie approached the table where Stephanie was waiting for them, they both couldn't help but smile towards their stepmother. They were both really fond of her and were totally at ease with her being their father's wife, despite of the awkwardness and tension surrounding that latest new development – and that wasn't even her fault. They knew that she was an absolute family person and, even though being only about their own age, had emotionally adopted them as “her boys” and wished for nothing more than for everybody to get along well. Now, her pretty face was showing a sorrowful frown, and the brothers felt a little guilty about that. She didn't deserve any of this, but being their father's wife, she had got caught in the middle.

They both approached her from one side each, simultaneously bent down and kissed her temples when they greeted her. Stephanie grabbed David's left and Richie's right hand.

“Oh, I'm so glad you came here, boys!” she exclaimed with both relief and nervousness in her voice.

David and Richie exchanged a glance before they sat down. “Don't be silly, hon,” Richie replied, “why wouldn't we come when you ask to see us?”

She clasped her hands together and looked unhappily from one Addison brother to the other. “Well...”

The waiter appeared at their table, and they ordered water, beer and a light lunch, although none of the three was really hungry. When the waiter had taken their orders and left again, David turned to his stepmother.

“Listen, Steph,” he began, “I'm sorry if yesterday it got a little unpleasant, it wasn't my intention to put you of all people in an awkward situation.”

She nodded and shook her head at the same time. “Yes, no, that's fine...”

David held up his hand and interrupted her. “Wait, there's more.” He cleared his throat and motioned to Richie. “I'm also sorry I didn't respect your and our father's wish not to tell Rich about the news. I shouldn't have called him, but I...” He shrugged. “I just couldn't...”

“I'm glad he did,” Richie threw in.

Stephanie nodded again. “I understand. Really.” She waved her hands at them in a dismissive gesture. “That doesn't matter now.” She looked from one to the other. “It's very important to me to make you boys understand something.” She blinked nervously.

David gave her a serious, questioning look, but added also a reassuring smile. “And what's that?” he asked.

She reached out over the table and took their hands again. “David. Richard,” she began and sighed. “First of all, let me say that I'm so happy that you welcomed me to your family and accepted me at your father's side. I know that wasn't easy for you.”

“Steph...”

She shook her head again. “No, no, Richard, now it's my turn, please.” Richie fell silent again. “Both of you” – a quick sideways glance to David – “have been nothing but warm and welcoming towards me from the beginning, and I'm so thankful for that.” Her voice was a little shaky from the emotion, and David and Richie simultaneously both squeezed her hands. She drew a deep breath, obviously trying to pull herself together, and then went on: “I know this new... development must feel a little weird for you and... and... it will take time for you to accept it, but...”

“Steph,” David interrupted softly, “you really don't owe us any explanation.”

She looked up at him and let go of their hands. “But we are family,” she replied, “and I don't want anything to come between any of us, and especially not between you and your father.”

David and Richie both looked down at their plates, and suddenly she had the feeling she was losing them, although they had been with her only a minute ago. Boy, these Addison men weren't easy to handle, any of them! She had already found that out. “You should know,” she went on firmly, and they looked at her again, “that this...” – almost unconsciously, she moved her right hand over her still flat belly – “wasn't planned or even... thought about. To be honest, I thought that I couldn't have children anyway, so this was a complete surprise for us too, but...” she raised her chin, “now that it's happening, I'm not ashamed to say I'm very happy about it.”

“And you shouldn't be ashamed!” Richie confirmed quickly. “Nobody is saying that!”

Stephanie looked first him, then David deep in the eyes as to make sure she had their full attention. “And you should also know,” she then said slowly, “that this baby will not take your father away from you!”

David looked down at the table again, his lips pursed deep in thought. Richie fell silent too and was waiting for his brother to say something. When it came to these things, David had always been the more sensitive one; being the younger one, their mother's death and the following drifting away of their father had probably affected David more than him, although Richie hadn't forgotten the nagging pain either that had been caused by all that.

Finally David spoke. “You should be nothing but happy about having a baby,” he turned to Stephanie and smiled. “And we,” – he motioned to him and Richie – “are happy for you.”

“That's right,” Richie nodded.

“A baby is always a blessing, no matter how unexpected,” David went on in an affectionate voice; the thought of Terri shot unexpectedly through Richie's mind, and he nodded to himself in agreement. “A baby brother or sister young enough to play with our own kids?” He shrugged; Stephanie swallowed at David's words, not sure what he was aiming at, and was relieved to finally see his smile. “I could think of worse.”

Stephanie nodded and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “But then...”

Simultaneously, the brothers took her hands again. “Having a baby brother or sister is not the problem, Steph,” David told her seriously. He exchanged a glance with his brother to make sure he was on the right path with what he was about to say, and somehow, without words, he understood that Richie was thinking and feeling the same like he was. “Seeing our dad so happy about this new baby...” David paused for a moment and searched for the right words to explain what they felt, without sounding jealous and childish. Stephanie waited, and he shook his head. “Don't get me wrong, Steph – I want our dad to be happy, I really do.”

“So do I,” Richie threw in.

“But,” David went on, “seeing him so happy and thrilled about his new baby, and then remembering how little connected he seemed to be to us when we were kids, and that he maybe never seemed so happy and thrilled about having us...” – he looked at Richie again, and his brother nodded slowly, a shadow flowing over his eyes – “...that hurt.” David's voice was flat now.

Richie motioned with his head towards Stephanie's belly. “This little critter,” he added thoughtfully and with a hint of sadness in his voice, “couldn't take anything away from us that we never really had.”

Stephanie pressed her handkerchief to her mouth and shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes now. “But, no...”

“Bullshit!” Suddenly, a thundering voice interrupted from behind, and the three of them whirled around to see the impressive figure of David Addison Sr. standing beside the table, within earshot. Stephanie's jaw dropped. Nobody had seen him coming, nobody knew why he was there, but nobody asked... that didn't matter. His face was reigned by emotions – surprise, anger, hurt, shame, love, remorse – and his whole composure showed how shaken he was. He pointed his finger at Richie. “When I held you in my arms after you were born,” he turned to David, “and later you – I was the happiest man on Earth.”

“Dad...” Richie interrupted, but his father raised his hand.

“No, you're going to listen to me now, both of you!” Both brothers turned their eyes on their father who was still standing beside the table, too upset to sit down. “When we went out to get some ice cream, or just for a walk, the four of us... I always asked myself: how can one man get so lucky – having the perfect wife and two beautiful sons... I couldn't have been any more proud.”

David looked away and pursed his lips in thought while his father went on: “When your mother was taken away from us...” he paused and swallowed. These were things he had never talked about, to anybody. But now the time had come, and he knew it. He drew a deep breath. “Something inside of me died. I was devastated.”

Richie asked flatly: “And how do you think how we felt?”

“I know!” the Senior emphasized in a desperate voice. “I was so caught up in my own pain that I abandoned you, and it was an awful thing to do! Oh God, don't you think I know that? Don't you think I know that I sucked as a father? And that I haven't regretted it ever since?” He ran his hand over his face. “You look both so much like her, and every time I looked at you...” he shrugged. “I just died a little more.”

“And so we lost you,” David added tonelessly.

David Sr. drew a deep breath and said calmly: “I know that was unforgivable.” He slowly shook his head. “I can't change that now, as much as I want to. But that can't change the fact that the most precious moments in my life were the moments when I held my two beautiful baby sons in my arm for the first time.” He put both of his forearms together, crossing them a little, mimicking the movement of cradling a baby in one's arm.

For a moment, there was silence at the table. David and Richie were staring at the plates, their eyes glittering with unreadable expressions, and their father was looking down at his hands. Stephanie was still pressing her handkerchief against her mouth and wished she could do anything to push the three men together. How her husband had acted with his sons had been terribly wrong, but she could feel his pain. She didn't know how this situation could ever be resolved, and her heart grew heavy, so heavy for all of them.

“I guess that doesn't count anymore,” Richie murmured finally, and David looked at him with a question in his eyes. The brothers exchanged a few looks no one but them understood.

“I guess you're right,” their father replied tonelessly and turned around to leave.

David gave his brother a barely perceptible nod, and Richie called with his deep, thundering voice: “Hey, old man!” Stephanie looked up, and David Sr. stopped dead in his tracks. “If our baby brother...”

“Or sister,” David threw in.

“...or sister,” Richie went on with a nod, “should ever call us and complain that you haven't attended every school production, award ceremony, football game or goddamn ballet performance... shit will hit the fan.”

David nodded too, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “And it won't smell good,” he added in a rough voice.

It took their father almost a full minute before he turned around again; his face looked like chiseled stone, but his breathing was deep and heavy, and his eyes shone with tears he didn't try to hide. As if on cue, David and Richie both stood simultaneously from their seats. Their father stood there like a pillar of salt, unable to move, but the brothers braced the distance without any hesitation left and stepped up to the older man.

They hugged a bit clumsily, looking and sounding a little bizarre; a cordial symphony of back slapping. Stephanie wasn't ashamed of the tears that were streaming down her face.

***
“How did it go?” Maddie asked anxiously when David got back to the office in the afternoon, her gaze searching his face. His expression was serious, but not as hard or brooding as she had seen him before that morning.

Now he pursed his lips and nodded slowly, and she was happy to see a faint smile lurking in the corners of his eyes. “Not bad,” he said, and she knew everything was okay. “Dad was there too.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Your father? But I thought you and Richie were just meeting Stephanie for lunch?”

David shrugged. “He didn't know about it and went looking for her. She had left the address of the restaurant at the hotel, and so he came there.” The smile had reached his mouth now, and his lips curled into his half-smile. “He said the right things.”

Maddie beamed. “So everything is all right? What about Richie?”

David nodded. “He said the right things too,” he told her, and she could clearly hear the connection he felt to his older brother.

“That's great, David, I'm so happy about that.”

He took her hands. “I know you are. You were right.”

She raised a questioning eyebrow. “Not that I'm objecting, but – about what?”

He chuckled. “Don't get swellheaded, Blondie.” He pulled her in his arms. “That we needed to talk about it. I mean...” he shrugged. “It's not that everything's washed away now just like that, but I think we're okay. On a good way, at least.”

She smiled. “Good boy.”

“I love you, Maddie,” he told her with rare seriousness.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “I know, knucklehead,” she replied. “I love you too.”

***
Maria, the dressmaker, shook her head as she tried to zip up Maddie’s wedding dress unsuccessfully. Her eyes raked over Maddie’s swollen body and she clucked her tongue. “Madonna! Miss Hayes,” Maria piped up in her broken English, “you eating a bit too much pasta!” The woman sniggered as she got out her measuring tape.

Maddie was mortified; yes she was gaining weight, but she was seven months pregnant. Wasn’t that common? Maybe she was bigger than she should be? Maddie questioned herself, but then she remembered her last doctor’s check-up which was just last week, and he had said she was doing fine and her weight gain was perfectly normal. “I am having a baby!” Maddie snapped at the older woman raising her chin in her Maddie Hayes haughty manner.

“Yes, one baby – not triplets.” The woman laughed at her own joke.

Maddie didn’t think she was one bit funny and just wanted to crawl into a hole. “Well, what do you have to do so it can fit me by Friday?” Maddie made a mental note never to refer this old witch to any woman she knew, and she was going to talk to the owner of the Bridal Shop about this woman’s unfeeling words. “I’m getting married on Saturday.”

Maddie felt the tears falling as she drove back to Blue Moon. She had run out to have the dress fitted on what should have been her lunch hour. She no longer had an appetite for the turkey club sandwich she had asked Agnes to order for her before she left for the dressmaker. She looked down at her growing belly and her unhappy eyes didn’t see the fruit of her and David's love but a big belly and thunder thighs. She felt her breasts and was now disgusted at how big they had become. David must be disgusted with her body she thought sadly but then remembered how he always seemed to love to touch her – but maybe he was only humoring his gross pregnant wife.

Maddie pulled into the parking space and put her head on the steering wheel. After a few moments, she pulled herself together and left the car. But as much as she tried to regain her composure, now she was in a bad mood which always brought out her bitchiness... and unfortunately this bitchiness was usually directed at those she felt close to – well, maybe on some days to everyone.

She stormed into Blue Moon and slammed into her office, leaving Agnes and the wobblies wondering what was wrong now. Since their bosses had been together, Miss Hayes' temperamental fits and ugly mood swings had been remarkably reduced, and when she was in a bad mood, it had usually to do with Mr. Addison – some things never changed. But as far as they knew, David had been out all morning on a case with Bert Viola, so he couldn’t be the cause of her bad mood. Although... with her, you never knew.

Agnes was determined to find out more. She slowly approached Maddie’s office and tentatively knocked on the door. “Miss Hayes? Are you okay?”

Maddie didn’t feel like talking to anyone but she couldn’t snub Agnes, not like she had used to sometimes in the past. “Come on in, Agnes,” she called reluctantly.

Agnes scrutinized her closely and could see that she had been crying. Suddenly, she was nervous. “Is everything okay with you and the baby?” she asked.

“Oh, Agnes! Yes, everything is great. Why would you ask such a thing?” Maddie’s voice was a bit peevish.

Agnes sat in the chair in front of Maddie’s desk. “Well, you don't look too great,” she told her bluntly. “In fact, you look like you’ve been crying.” A worried frown flew over Agnes' face, and Maddie felt a little guilty when she saw her concern.

“It’s nothing, Agnes.” Maddie waved her hand in the air dismissively.

“Well, people don’t cry for nothing. Especially not you Maddie,” Agnes told her pointedly. Sometimes Agnes wondered if she was putting her nose where it didn’t belong, but especially since she and her boss had become friends, she felt more entitled than ever before to watch over her well-being, even if that meant exposing herself at her friend's wrath at some point. But when she looked at Maddie, the other woman didn’t look annoyed, just sad.

“I’m a fat cow!” Maddie blurted out and jumped up from her seat, beginning to pace around the office.

Agnes was shocked. “A fat cow?” she echoed. “What are you saying? You’re beautiful!” She looked Maddie up and down.

“My dress doesn’t fit.” Maddie’s hands waved over her body. “The dressmaker insinuated that I was fat.”

Agnes' jaw dropped open; she was enraged. How dare that woman make a pregnant woman feel bad about herself? She was going to give that old crone a call. “Nonsense!” she objected firmly. “You’re pregnant and absolutely glowing!”

Maddie shook her head. “Absolutely huge!” She emphasized her words with her hands, describing a whale-like contour with both arms. Maddie waved Agnes toward the door. “I just want to be alone now. Please don’t mention any of this to anyone – not even David.”

“I guess you won’t be wanting your sandwich now?” Agnes slid out of the office under Maddie’s blue death glare.

When Agnes finally closed the door behind her, Maddie slumped back in her chair. Suddenly a thought flew through her mind. Terri! She would understand her. She was almost two months ahead of her and of course even bigger; she was a fellow in misery.

After Maddie got off the phone with Terri she felt already a little better about herself but she was still not in the best of moods which David soon discovered.

***
David opened the front door of their home and let Maddie enter ahead of him. He didn’t know what was bothering her today, but she had been picking on him from the moment he had returned to Blue Moon. Was she seeking vengeance for his frenzied behavior after his dad's baby news? He thought she would have been happy that he and Bert had solved the case, but all she harped on was how little he had been in the office the last couple of weeks. Knowing that she was hormonal allowed her some leeway with him, but today she had gone way over the line, and David had enough. He had bitten his lips shut one time too many. He knew if he had to listen any longer to her unfair picking, he would give her an appropriately sarcastic answer, and that would surely lead to a fight. That wasn't what he wanted. He slung his jacket over the rail of the staircase heading upstairs.

Maddie threw him a look. “I hope you intend to hang that up later. I’m not your maid you know.”

David froze on the spot, but ignored her waspishness again, telling himself to stay calm. He changed tactics.

“So Goldilocks, what do you want to eat beside my porridge?” he attempted to joke around with her.

Instead of joining in on the quip, Maddie’s eyes flashed angrily at him. “I’m not hungry.” She pointed at him with her finger as if it was a loaded pistol. “Is that all you ever think about? Food and sex?” She stomped her foot. “I’m sick of it. Sick of you!”

David’s head snapped back. “Whoa!” he exclaimed, unable any longer to mask his anger. When it was enough, it was enough. “What the fuck is up with you today, Maddie?”

“Up with me? Nothing is up with me as you so succinctly put it,” she lied.

“Well, whatever it is, you need to stop taking it out on me,” he snarled in a cold clipped voice that finally cut through her fog of moodiness. “I’ve told you before, I’m not your whipping boy!” He turned his back on her and walked into the living room with long angry steps as he pulled off his tie and threw it on the table. He then kicked off his shoes and plopped on the sofa. He turned on the television and flipped through the channels, pointedly ignoring Maddie.

Maddie followed him and pulled the remote out of his hands. David looked up at her furiously but noticed with surprise the painful look she gave him. “My dress didn’t fit,” she blurted out in a miserable voice.

David ruffled his hair. Was this mood due to a dress? “What?”

Maddie flopped down next to him and turned off the television. “My wedding dress,” she tried to explain. “I went to my final fitting today, and the dress was too tight!”

“So?” David scratched his head. “I’m sure it can be let out by Saturday.” He told her matter-of-factly.

Maddie’s annoyance was returning. How could any man be less understanding? “The woman hinted that I was fat!” she told him with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

David looked at her and did the worse thing he could do at that minute. He laughed. “Fat? You’re pregnant.”

Maddie jumped up. “How could you laugh at me?”

David looked up at her with serious eyes. “I’m not laughing at you at all.” He stood up and took her hands in his. “I bet you didn’t understand her. Isn’t she the woman who speaks in broken English?”

“I understood her perfectly,” Maddie insisted icily. David didn’t want to say the wrong thing so he just stood there looking at her and waited for her to continue. “She implied I was gaining too much weight.”

David shook his head. “You have to gain weight, you’re having a baby!” he told her.

Maddie patted David’s hard, flat belly. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one whose body is changing.” She felt irrationally angry at him. “You’re not the one gaining weight.”

David patted his stomach. “I’ve put on pound or two since you’ve been eating for two.” He smiled crookedly, “no big deal. We’ll be fat together.” The minute the words left his mouth David realized he had said the wrong thing.

Maddie eyes widened. “So I am fat!” she shouted, waving her hands around her body. “I hate my fat body!”

That last remark set David’s teeth on edge. “Oh, so you hate the body that’s carrying our baby? Real nice, Maddie. You’re nuts!” he thundered. “How fucking vain are you?” David’s hands were moving in time to his ire.

“How dare you?” Maddie spat out. “This has nothing to do with my vanity.”

David tried to calm down; he failed miserably. “Are you kidding me?” he barked. “This has everything to do with your vanity, Miss Cover Girl!” Really, sometimes she was too much. He had thought she had left behind her ways of sometimes holding the wrong things too important.

Maddie felt tears fill her eyes. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. “No!” she contradicted again, but she didn't sound stubborn this time; she sounded almost desperate. “I just don’t want you to find me unattractive.” There, she'd said it. That was what was bothering her – the idea that David would no longer find her desirable. That would kill her.

David’s face registered his shock at her words. “Now you are nuts.” David’s both hands ran through his hair leaving it sticking up in angry spikes all over his head. “I adore you and your body!”

“I don’t have the body I had when we first made love,” she reminded him and added desperately: “I have lost my figure pretty soon after.”

David nodded, feeling for her now. This wasn't about her vanity indeed, he realized. She was simply afraid to lose him, and that touched him deeply. “Maddie, I can’t believe that you could think I would ever find you unattractive.” His voice dropped in timbre as he tried to convey his emotions. “I love YOU, not just your body. What kind of a man do you think I am?”

“One that loves a sexy body.” She didn't really believe what she was saying, making him sound superficial now, but she wanted him to disagree with her and tell her she was wrong, even though it might be childish.

“One that loves you,” he contradicted in a firm voice, just at the edge of anger. He knew she was hormonal, and the changes her body was going through had to be frightening somehow, but they had had this exact same discussion a few times already. Sometimes, it annoyed him to be always the one having to promise, to prove... but then he saw the anxious look on her face and mellowed again. Wasn't her insecurity, her fear of losing him more kind of a proof for her love than for her lack of trust? Damn that woman – she was still confusing, complicated and constantly keeping him on his toes. But she was his woman and his lifeline, and he loved her.

He sat on the couch again and pulled her onto his lap. “God, Maddie I loved your body before, and I love it now. I can’t keep my hands off of you, dopey.” His hands began to stroke her body from the nape of her neck down to her legs then up again. His big hand stopped and lingered on her belly. “You’ll always be sexy and desirable to me.”

“How about if I can’t get my pre-baby body back?” she asked, like a child seeking reassurance.

“So what?” he shrugged.

“I’ve gained quite a few pounds in the past few months.”

“And I’ve lost quite a few hairs,” he pointed out.

Maddie looked into his amazing eyes that were so full of adoration it made her feel like an idiot for doubting him. “What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.

“I hope that you won’t find me undesirable if I lose my hair.” David was joking, but... well, he wasn't completely invulnerable either, and who said a man couldn't be at least a little vain?

Maddie shook her head and ran her fingers through his hair. “Of course not! Why would I?” she asked in a flabbergasted voice and suddenly realized what he was trying to point out in his roundabout David way. She blinked sheepishly, and he smiled his half-smile.

“Bingo, babe.” He began to unbutton her blouse. “Love means more than body parts, although I do love these parts,” he almost groaned as his head disappeared into her cleavage. “God, you are so sexy to me.”

Maddie felt the heat course through her body as David fondled her breasts but she reluctantly pulled away from him and pulled his head up gently by his hair so she could look into his eyes which she knew were the mirrors of his soul and feelings. She could always see the truth in David’s mesmerizing eyes. “Am I?” She only felt big and ungainly today.

David didn't take it as her doubting him or his words; he knew that Maddie simply needed extra attention and love tonight, even if she had a weird way asking for it – but then that was his bitchy Blonde. “Oh God, yes. And I’m gonna prove it to you.” He placed her hand on the boner sticking up in his pants. “He don’t lie, babe.” David pushed her down on the couch and kneeled on the floor beside her. “And neither do I.”

He slowly unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off revealing a sexy baby blue lacy bra which outlined her swollen breasts and hard nipples. David’s hands fondled her breasts as his mouth covered her erect nipple. “These will always be perfect to me. Big, small – they are part of you and I love them.” His fingers gently undid her bra pulling it off with one fluid movement.

His tongue moved over her breasts and nipples until she was moaning and pulling on his hair. “Oh David.” She felt her loins begin to throb and ache for David’s magic touch. “Oh, please make love to me, David.”

He shook his head slowly. “Not yet, my beautiful lady. I want to adore you first.” His hand ran up and down her leg teasingly as he pulled up the hem of her dress little by little. “You have the sexiest, longest legs I’ve ever seen.” He bent his head and used his tongue as a paintbrush of fire on her leg – starting at her ankle to the inside of her thighs. Her legs opened invitingly, but David ignored her hotbox lavishing his attention on her beautiful legs. His head bent lower kissing her feet until she giggled. “I love your feet too. So lovely and soft.” Maddie pulled his head up again by his hair. “Stop!” She was laughing now, the most beautiful sound to him. “You’re tickling me.”

David took mercy on her; his mouth ran back up her legs to her swollen belly. Both his mouth and hands adored her baby bump. “How can you ever think you are fat?” He talked to her stomach in a deep husky voice. “Don’t worry, Beanie, your mom will always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me, and not because of her drop dead gorgeous face and body.” He kissed Maddie’s stomach lovingly, “it’s what’s inside her heart and mind that really counts.”

Maddie felt tears prick her eyes. “Oh, David... I love you. I’m sorry I’m such a mess today.” She bent down and kissed the back of his head. “I’m sorry if I picked on you.”

David turned and looked up at her with his crooked grin and a wicked look in the depths of his green eyes. “Yes you did, Miss Hayes. How should I punish you for your bad behavior?” His fingers grazed her aching core and she gasped with need.

“David... please,” she begged as he pulled off her skirt and panties, leaving her naked and squirming on the couch.

“Please what?” he teased as he ran his fingers around her hotbox, never touching her in the place she wanted.

“You are a mean man!” she gasped, pulling his head toward where she ached the most. She felt his tongue on her pulsing nub and moaned with delight. “Oh God yes, I love that.”

David raised his head. “Me too. Even your pussy is beautiful.” He rained hot wet kisses between her legs until she was whimpering in pleasure. “So wet and so hot just for me.” He began to lick her nub with long slow strokes of his tongue. “Come for me, baby.”

“Oh... oh, I’m coming!” Maddie yelled as she fell over the edge into a mind shattering orgasm that seemed to go on forever.

Before the pulsating waves of her climax were over David pulled her on top of him on the carpet and pushed into her quivering core. “Sit up, Maddie,” he told her firmly in the bossy tone that aroused her so, “I want to see your bouncy tits and gorgeous face over me while I fuck you,” he purred, “or you fuck me. Yeah, fuck me with that hot pussy.” David put his hands on either side of her waist and began to move her up and down on his dick. “Yeah babe, just like that...” He closed his eyes for a second to relish the tight feeling of her around him. “Mmmhh, that feels so good,” he moaned and his hands began to fondle her breasts when Maddie continued the rhythm all on her own.

Maddie looked down at David’s handsome face below her; his eyes were closed in ecstasy, and she loved being the woman who put that look on his face. “David. Oh, David,” she gasped as she moved up and down, back and forth on his cock, “I love this.” She saw his eyes open and his emerald eyes so filled with love and passion took her breath away. No one had more beautiful eyes than David Addison. “Oh, I’m coming again!” she screamed as she fell to pieces on top of him.

When Maddie shouted she was coming again David let go – yelling her name in the throes of his climax.

After a few moments both came to their senses. David took Maddie in his arms and cuddled her close to his body. His hands ran all over her body. “I can’t keep my hands off you, honey,” he murmured. “Please believe you are still and always will be the sexiest woman in the world to me.”

Maddie smiled into his chest, “If you promise to remind me from time to time.”

“Of course I will,” David chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “I think I’m feeling bad now.”

Maddie looked up at his face. “Bad? Why?”

He looked at her with a serious expression, but she could see the glint of humor in his eyes, “I don’t hear you telling me you’ll always think I’m sexy.”

Maddie laughed, “You mean will I still find you sexy when you’re bald with a big belly?”

David nodded. Maddie sighed deeply, “Oh God, I hope I never find that out.”

David was taken aback but then he saw the laughter and teasing in her eyes. “Bitch.”

She laughed. “Bastard!” she replied heartily and pulled him on top of her.