Coming Soon: Chapter 18

[Addisonsgirl]

Maddie and David pulled into the driveway after their week long honeymoon. They had spent the week at a small luxury hotel just off Carbon Beach on Pacific Coast Highway. The newlyweds had spent the week relaxing, eating delicious food and of course making love over and over. The week had been wonderful for a short honey/baby moon. Now, they were both refreshed, looking forward to the future and more in love than ever. David took the suitcases out of the trunk and carried them inside the house where Maddie was looking through the mail that Agnes had left on the entryway table. David looked over her shoulder as she peered through the envelopes.

“Anything good?”

Maddie shook her head. “Bills, bills and…”

“And more bills.” David laughed and put down the suitcases at the foot of the stairs. “Well, at least now we have the moola to pay them.”

“Yes!” Maddie told him with a grin as she placed the mail back on the table. That could wait. “Finally!” She was wearing a bright yellow maternity sundress and with her curvy body and beaming smile she looked breathtaking. David felt his heart lurch – and she was all his! He still couldn’t stop playing with the gold wedding band on his left hand.

Maddie felt the same way as she saw the glint from the band on her left finger. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself,” she admitted. “The business is doing well, I have your baby growing inside of me,” she rubbed her belly as she approached David who in his basketball shorts and tank top looked good enough to eat, “and I have you.” Maddie put her arms around David’s waist as she rested her head on his shoulder her nose breathing in his intoxicating scent. “Husband.” She almost purred the word. “How did I get so lucky?”

David looked down at her with a crooked grin. “Sometimes I ask myself the same thing.” Maddie looked up at him with a smile. But then she saw the wicked glint in his eyes. “How did you get so lucky to catch moi?”

Maddie pulled away in exasperation and playfully punched David in the shoulder. “You couldn’t keep it nice. Could you?”

David laughed. “Serves you right since you mentioned the business first and your husband last.” Maddie rolled her eyes, but he grabbed her hand, lifted it up to his lips and kissed her open palm. “But if you want I can make it real nice for you.” He raised his eyebrows and wiggled them at her.

She giggled as she turned her back to him, shook her rounded butt and began to sashay up the stairs. “Well, I’m tired,” she put her hand up to her mouth to stifle a fake yawn, “I think I’ll turn in. Being lucky is just so exhausting.”

David looked at the bags and then at his sexy wife walking up the spiral stairs shaking her butt and easily made his decision as his dick twitched; the bags could wait – he needed to get his hands on that ass. He chased her up the stairs and was nice to her – real nice.

After they made love Maddie snuggled into David’s arms; he was softly caressing her baby bump which Maddie loved. She looked down at his big hands on her swollen belly and her heart filled with joy. She curled up closer to him and wrapped her arms and legs around her husband wantonly.

David loved how Maddie always wrapped herself around him. He pulled her closer to him as he stroked her baby belly. “Glad we finally decided on a name for the Bean,” he told her, his voice low and husky with emotion. “It’s a beautiful name.”

Maddie sighed happily. “Elizabeth Addison.” She literally savored the name of their daughter on her tongue.

“Happy we compromised.” David winked. “Seems we’re getting good at it.”

Maddie nodded. “We’ve had enough practice.”

David nodded too as he pulled her on top of him. “Speaking of practice…” he slapped her on her ass, “wanna play some more cowgirl and ride the beast?”

Maddie threw back her head and laughed. “Do you have to ask twice, cowboy?”

***
The next month passed in a whirl of anticipation; so did the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays which they spent with all of their friends and family. This was their first Christmas as a couple; and now they were married with a baby on the way. What gift could possibly have topped that?

A week or so after the holidays, Maddie and David were leaving their Lamaze class after having been shown a video of a woman giving birth. David was feeling a bit nervous and woozy as they left the building.

Maddie took his arm as they walked across the lot to their car. “Earth to Addison,” she teased softly. She had noticed David was quieter than normal.

“Oh,” David shook his mood off. “Sorry babe. What did you say?”

She knew him better than he thought. “The video upset you, didn’t it?”

David opened the passenger door for her and helped her in the car. He bent down and kissed her on the corner of her mouth. “No, of course not,” he fibbed.

Maddie looked at him as he scooted into the driver’s seat and started the car. “David!” She put her hand on his leg. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be in the hands of competent doctors and nurses, and you’ll be there to help me. Women give birth every minute.” She pretended to be more matter-of-fact about it than she actually was, but with determination she fought off the slight touch of panic that had washed over her and pulled herself together. Panicking was not an option. Sure, the video had been slightly disturbing, but Maddie already knew that childbirth was not a walk on the beach. It was hard, dirty, painful work but look what came out of it – a baby.

David still felt slightly sick to his stomach. It had all looked so messy and painful. “Yeah, sure... I’ll be there to help.” But he sounded unsure and a little afraid – afraid that he wouldn't be able to pull it off, afraid that he would let her down when she needed him the most. He decided to call his brother as soon as possible and question him about it; from what he knew, Richie had done a really great job coaching their friend Terri in the labor room, and he wasn't even the father of her child. David knew that his brother was always good at teasing, but when it came to serious things, things that really mattered, he could count on him.

“David Addison.” Maddie’s firm voice woke him from his thoughts. “Sure, childbirth isn’t easy. It’s dirty and painful and yes scary,” he turned to look at her and the nervousness in his green eyes made her feel protective of him – she was the one who was going to go through it, but here she was trying to ease his fears. But then, wasn't that what love was all about? Being there for one another? And she knew she needed him with all his strength by her side in that labor room. “But think what’s going to come out of all of it! Elizabeth aka Bean!”

David’s eyes turned from unease to joy. “Yes, a baby. Our baby.” David nodded. “And I will be a great coach. Even better than Richie,” David promised as he put his big hand on her smaller one which was still resting on his thigh. “Now if you can move this hand a bit higher and a little to the left…”

Maddie shook her head but did as she was told.

***
The following day Maddie had an appointment with the obstetrician. David had insisted on going with her. She had been complaining for the last few days of mild abdominal pains and a slight back ache. David, although he didn’t show his wife, was a bit worried and wanted to talk to the doctor to make sure everything was okay. Despite that Tess had lost the baby very early in her pregnancy – that fear of losing another baby still lurked in the back of David’s mind – sneaky and nasty – and raised its ugly head from time to time.

Dr. Hill examined Maddie and did another sonogram. The baby was growing normally. The doctor showed the couple the baby who was sucking her thumb. Maddie grabbed on to David’s hand as they watched their daughter in her womb on the small black screen. She smiled through her happy tears. “Hello Elizabeth,” she whispered. “How are you?”

David was too choked up to speak for a moment until he got his bearings. His eyes glittered as he squeezed Maddie’s hand. “Hey Lizzie Loo. This is your daddy saying hi!”

Maddie play slapped his arm. “Lizzie Loo?” David just laughed as Maddie stared at him in mock horror.

They waited nervously in the doctor’s office after the examination for their consultation. Finally, Dr. Hill opened and sat down on his chair. He flipped through Maddie’s chart then looked at the young couple sitting in front of his desk.

“Everything looks wonderful,” Dr. Hill told them. David visibly let out a huge breath and Maddie smiled.

The gynecologist went on: “And we want it to stay that way.”

Both Maddie and David’s ears perked up. They knew the doctor had something to say.

“You see, the aches and pains you’ve been experiencing,” the doctor was looking at Maddie, “could be a sign of early labor and we don’t want that to happen yet.” He sat back and looked at the couple whose brows were both furrowed with worry. “Oh, it’s just a slight chance and really nothing to worry about, but just to be on the safe side I would take a few steps to prevent any chance of going into labor yet. That young lady needs at least another 4 weeks or so until her lungs are fully formed.”

Maddie spoke up first. “What should I do? Or not do?”

Dr. Hill looked at the young couple. “I would refrain from any even moderately heavy lifting.”

David and Maddie were nodding along. “Listen to the doc, babe,” he told her. “No lifting.”

“I heard him, David. I’m not deaf!” Maddie didn’t mean to snap, but she was a bit nervous now. “What else, Doctor?”

“No exercising.” He sounded a little severe now and, knowing that Maddie was a former model and thinking she might be concerned about getting her shape back soon, felt the need to emphasize this point. “And I mean no exercising. Walking and stair climbing are fine, but no squats or jumping jacks – you get my meaning.”

Getting back her shape was the last thing on Maddie's mind now. “Of course, Dr. Hill.” The couple nodded. So far this didn’t sound so bad. No lifting, no exercising – that was fine.

“Oh, and one other thing,” the gynecologist added as if he had almost forgotten the last point. “No orgasms. Orgasms can cause the uterus to contract and put you into labor,” he told them matter-of-factly.

Maddie and David looked comical as both their mouths dropped open at the same time. “What?”

The doctor suppressed a laugh; he remembered how active these two were. “It’s only for a few weeks.”

“Okay okay, doc.” David ruffled his hair. “Anything else?”

Dr. Hill shook his head, trying not to smile at the devastated looks on the couple’s faces. “No, that about sums it up. Any questions?”

Maddie stood up. “No questions,” she replied flatly. “Thank you. So I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

The doctor nodded as he watched David and Maddie leave his office he called out. “If you think of any questions or have any worries, don’t hesitate to call!”

***
Everyone around Blue Moon was walking around on eggshells, especially David. Mount St. Maddie was close to an eruption at any given minute. The office staff figured that their female boss’ mood swings and irritability were due to her pregnancy hormones and aches and pains – which was only partly true. Only David knew the real reason behind Maddie’s steadily increasing crankiness – she needed to get laid badly. The poor girl hadn’t had an orgasm in over two weeks, and David knew somewhat smugly that being around him put her in heat.

He watched her curvy butt as she slammed out of his office over some small infraction that would have never bothered her before – and that meant something, because he hadn't known her other than always a little upset. He shook his head as he tried to concentrate on finding the lost receipt that had caused her latest meltdown. This forced celibacy wasn’t easy on him either, David thought morosely. His dick was constantly hard and sneaking a left hand date with junior wasn’t the same as getting off by his wife. But David was a grown man and knew it was only temporary – he wasn’t fueled by his urges as was some complicated blonde he was married to – and wasn’t she always the one who used to call him the sex maniac? David ran a hand through his hair as he mused about that little fact. He smiled to himself as he thought about having her admit that she was more of a sex fiend than he was.

A few minutes later he heard a tentative knock on his office door. “Spit and slide under,” he called nonchalantly but continued to work as the door opened bringing in the scent of vanilla and lemon.

“David, listen...” Maddie began as she approached his desk slowly. “I didn't mean to... you know. It’s just..” she waved her hand in the air and sighed, seeking compassion.

David sat back in his chair, his eyes boring into Maddie with a wicked glint lurking through the green of his eyes. “That you are so horny.” He smirked at her smugly. “And I really do understand you. How can you not be when you’re always around me?”

Maddie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She suddenly had the urge to wipe the smug smirk off of David’s face. Any notion she had had to apologize was instantly gone. “Fuck you, Addison!” she hissed venomously.

David pushed back in his chair thrusting out his hips provocatively, revealing a huge bulge. “Oh, and don't you wish!” he chuckled.

“I wish I could strangle you with your tie!” she pressed through clenched teeth, her hands on her hips and that haughty, angry look on her face that never failed to make his dick twitch.

“I’m sure you had a reason to come back into my office for such a pleasant visit!” He stood up and deliberately touched the huge boner pushing out the front of his pants. “What could it be?”

Maddie growled, turned on her heel and once again slammed out of his office. David stood there and chuckled. He really needed to be nicer to her and stop teasing her. But he would get her to admit she was crazed without his dick. He loved that idea so much that he disappeared into his bathroom for a short date, locking the door behind him.

The next few days ran by in the same fashion. Poor Agnes was beside herself trying to please her unpredictable boss – but even La Dolce DiPesto was on the verge of losing her patience, that’s how bitchy Maddie had become – while the others were giving Maddie a wide berth and only reported to David.

David was tired from a long week of work and cranky Maddie; he understood her, but once more she was overdoing it a little, taking all her anger and frustration out on him. He was also horny and needing desperately to get laid – he told himself it was only a couple of more weeks, and then they could resume their love life which he badly missed. But he knew that there would be another temporary hiatus on their lovemaking after the Bean was born although they’d probably be so tired and overwhelmed by the new bambina that sex would take a backseat for a while in their life, and that was okay with him. Although they both enjoyed their amazing sex life David knew that his relationship with Maddie was based on far more than sex and orgasms.

Finally, Friday came to an end. That night the couple decided to go straight home and order take out – a large pizza with the works sounded great to both of them. The weather was nasty – and Maddie was still cranky, so home was where they wanted to be.

After they had eaten, the couple cuddled on the couch and watched a movie. Just holding Maddie in his arms was heaven to David. He smoothed back her hair and inhaled her delicious scent. “I love you, baby,” he told her holding her tighter in his strong arms as his hand gently caressed her baby bump.

Maddie stirred under his touch and sighed. “I love you too, David, and I'm sorry I’ve been such a bitch.”

Maddie admitted to herself that she missed David’s lovemaking; she missed the orgasms and the way he made her feel. For years Maddie had been almost celibate – there had been one or two mistakes over the years that had left her cold and lonely – but now she craved sex constantly, and not only since she had become pregnant. Even before they had become a couple Maddie had felt the allure of David and sneakily had succumbed to her urges now and then by pleasuring herself. During that time she even woke up in the throes of orgasm after a dream of David making love to her, although her imagination and dreams had never even come close to how it really felt when they finally did it; sex with David had exceeded every single one of her fantasies by light years. His power over her and her attraction to him had always made her feel guilty and embarrassed, but when they finally got together and she realized the depth of his feelings for her, Maddie had allowed her sexuality to blossom. She had grown to depend on her daily dose of David, and without that outlet she had turned into a grouchy bitch and simply felt like she wasn't herself anymore. She looked up at her husband; it wasn’t his fault that he was so irresistible and that she had to refrain from climaxing, and it was wrong to take out her frustration on him. “Really, I’m sorry,” she apologized again.

David kissed her head. “Believe me, I understand, honey; it’s hard to be around me and the Big D without wanting me and it.” A smirk covered his face as his eyes twinkled with mischief.

Maddie pulled out of his arms. “You think this is all a big joke, don’t you?” She was furious at his cavalier smug attitude. Her hand once again itched to smack that smirk off of his face – but part of her wanted to kiss him until he was dizzy.

David raised his hands up in defense. “No, I don’t think it’s a joke, but you have to admit that you miss my lovin'.”

“As usually, you are much too smug, Addison,” she growled.

“Smug maybe,” he admitted, “but it is true.” He winked at her wickedly.

Maddie tried to get off the couch; with her added bulk she was slower than normal, so David had an easy time of pulling her back down on the couch next to him. “I want to go to bed!” she snapped at him. “I’m tired.”

“Why is it so hard to admit you are going crazy 'cause you can’t get laid?” David whispered into her ear. “Let me show you how easy it is: I miss it a lot. One of my favorite things in life, honey, is making you come over and over. And without it my days aren’t complete.”

How could he go from making her want to kick him to making her want to kiss him in less than a minute? Maddie’s anger left her with David’s admission, and she melted into his arms. She shrugged. “Of course I miss our lovemaking.” She leaned into him. “And yes, I miss coming. Happy now?” she asked still half grumpily.

David smiled and patted her ass. “Yes, always – and watching the rest of this movie with you in my arms will make me even happier.”

A couple of hours later after the movie was over the couple went upstairs together to go to bed. They were both tired. Maddie began to undress and slip into her robe; David told her he was going to take a quick shower and closed the door behind him.

He undressed quickly and turned on the water as he stepped in to the large shower. He began to soap his body as his hand wandered to the huge boner that he had been trying to hide from Maddie. Having her in his arms and feeling her soft curves against him had made him hot, but since she couldn’t become aroused he knew not to make her aware of the situation.

David closed his eyes and began to stroke his dick as the water ran down over his body. In his mind he was picturing making love to Maddie and making her come. He could see her face in his mind’s eye – her head thrown back as she chanted his name – her cheeks flushed and her eyes closed – her face a picture of ecstasy as she climaxed. “Oh God, Maddie...” David moaned as he neared his orgasm.

Maddie had kept forgetting to remind David that their Lamaze class had been changed from Monday night to Tuesday next week. She didn’t want to forget again, so she walked into the bathroom to tell David about the change in their plans.

First she was shocked and confused to hear him moaning her name, and when she looked into the shower she was stunned to see David with his hand on his massive erection. He was playing with himself!

Maddie stared at him, a bit angry and a bit confused. “What are you doing?”

David almost jumped; he hated to be caught with his hand on his dick, although he didn't really have to feel guilty about anything. He took the defensive. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“I know what you’re doing, David – but why?” Maddie wasn’t happy with the fact that David was masturbating.

David raised his eyebrows as if to say ‘are you kidding?’ Maddie shook her head in a slightly hurt gesture and completely surprised him when she went on: “I mean, why not let me do that?” Not waiting for his answer, she threw off her robe and walked into the shower while he stared at her with his mouth hanging open. “Just because I can’t come doesn’t mean you have to suffer.” She pulled his hand away tenderly and took his dick in her hand, beginning to stroke it in that age old rhythm; hard pulsating steel throbbed in her hand as she fondled David’s boner. “I miss your dick,” she admitted huskily as she pressed her swollen breasts into his chest and kissed his neck, and that pushed David over the edge as he came into her hand like a horny 13 year old boy.

“Oh God Maddie, oh, I’m coming...” His head fell back against the shower wall as he came in waves of passion.

“Now David, didn’t that feel so much better than your own hand?” Maddie asked hoarsely as she licked his lips.

“Oh God, Maddie... You know it did, baby.” He kept his head against the wall until his brain rebooted which took a few seconds. God, he hadn’t come so long and hard from a hand job since he was a kid. He inwardly shook his head, thinking about the fiery heat this blonde caused in his body and soul. When David finally came back to his senses he looked at Maddie seriously. “Honey, I know that you’re cranky and horny, and I didn’t want to have you do anything for me when you can’t come.”

Maddie looked at David with a bit of anger in her eyes. “But I’m your wife, and I want to make you happy.” She shook her head. “I want to love you.” She covered his mouth in a passionate kiss.

Although that sweet womanly statement had touched him deeply, David grabbed her hands and pushed her slightly away from him. “I don’t want you to get aroused without coming as an option.”

Maddie laughed. “Well, big boy, as you well know I’m always turned on by you anyway, so what the hey?” She winked at him with a sexy look in her eyes.

“Finally admitting my sexual power over you, huh?” David chuckled. “So yeah – what the hey?” He pulled her into his arms as they water sluiced over them in hot waves. “I love you so much, Mrs. Addison,” he told her.

She nodded delightedly. “Oh, I know.” She moved her hands over his muscular chest. “And now you owe me.”

David began to move her hand over his once again hard dick. “Owe you?” he echoed.

“Yep, for every orgasm I give you I want two in return when I’m able to join the game again,” she demanded.

David pursed his lips and tilted his head. “You are one greedy hussy.” He moved his hips so that his cock glided through her fisted grip on him. “And you drive a hard bargain.”

Maddie raised her eyebrows. “So do we have a deal?”

“You betcha,” he agreed. “But let's raise the stakes. Because this time I want to fuck your sassy mouth.”

And he did.

***
Wednesday, Richie slept a little longer since it was his day off, and when he got up he was in a far better mood than he usually was in the morning. That was, of course, because he was looking forward to spending the day with Terri and baby Nathan who was now eight weeks old. The day dawned warm and sunny and Richie looked forward to taking Terri and the baby to the beach for a day of relaxation. He jumped up and began to plan for the day.

Before Nathan was born, Richie had spent every Wednesday evening with Terri at the Lamaze class; after the lesson, they usually ate dinner out some place, laughed and talked and basically had a great time together, simply enjoying each other's company. That habit had slowly, sneakily grown on him, and when it had ended abruptly with the baby's birth and he had spent his first Wednesday evening in weeks alone, he had felt somehow strange and not at ease with himself. At first he hadn't realized what it was that made him restless and put him in a bad mood. But the slow realization dawned on him that he was missing the baby – he still didn’t quite accept that he was really missing Terri. So, in order to keep in touch with Terri and keep track of the baby of course, every day he found another reason – some would say: excuse – to call Terri and make sure she had everything they needed; ask her about Nathan's development; check if she was doing okay.

And he had developed a new habit: every time when he had a day off – most of the time it happened to be on a Wednesday, if he didn't have to switch with one of his colleagues at the bar – he dropped by and brought her something he had bought for the baby, took her out for a walk, brought groceries and cooked for them, did some work in her apartment if something needed to be fixed; after a while, he finally admitted to himself that he simply missed her company and wanted to spend time with her, although he wasn't yet willing to analyze the reasons.

So, this Wednesday, like every Wednesday, he called Terri early that morning to see what she was up to. He got his first surprise when he noticed a certain edge to her normally open and friendly voice as she answered the phone. Ignoring her slightly impatient tone, he greeted her as brightly as usual.

“Hey Knowles, what's up? What do you want to do today?”

“Oh, Richie...” came her slightly hesitant answer – as if she hadn't expected him to call. “Honestly... I'm not really in the mood to go out today.”

“Fine with me,” he replied. “I wanted to fix that rack in your storeroom anyway. I can pass by the grocer's on my way. What would you like for lunch? Dinner?”

“Listen...” she cleared her throat, and he frowned. She sounded somehow a little weird, not like her usual self. “I don't think it's a good idea. You shouldn't... I don't feel like it.”

“Like what?” he inquired.

“I just... oh well, I just need a little time for myself,” came Terri's lame answer. Bullshit! You are by yourself all the time! he thought.

“What's wrong?” he asked bluntly. Even through his thick head he could tell when a woman was putting him off. But why would Terri do that to him? He thought they had been getting along wonderfully.

“Nothing, really.” There was a short pause on the other end of the line, before she went on: “I'm just not good company today. That's all.”

Richie rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then he replied lightly: “Okay, I understand. It's one of these days, huh?”

“Yeah... just one of these days.”

“Well, then... you just call if there's anything you need, kiddo,” he told her nonchalantly. “See ya next time. Feel better.”

Terri stared for a few seconds at the receiver in her hand before she put it down. “See ya...” she murmured and shook her head at herself. Why on earth was she feeling disappointed? She had told him she didn't want his company, so why was she a little dismayed now that he hadn't inquired further for her reasons or tried to persuade her? Maybe he was secretly relieved that she had told him not to come over, maybe these visits had become a burden to him, just something he felt obliged to, for whatever reason? Or maybe he just didn't care... anyway, he had sounded like he was fine with not seeing her today.

Well, what did you expect? She shook her head again. It was surely better this way; better to take one step back from something that had started to confuse and frustrate her more and more. Richie was her friend – a very good friend, the best friend one could imagine, and he had done things for her that went beyond friendship. But what did that even mean – beyond friendship? She had realized that she had started to wait impatiently for Richie's calls, to wait impatiently for Wednesday to come because she would see him.

She enjoyed his company more and more every time; she liked to go out with him, to spend time at home with him, to watch him play with Nathan, to talk and to laugh with him. And he had such a warm, contagious laugh; it seemed to bubble up from deep within, and speaking of deep – the low timbre of his voice sometimes made her toes curl in a very pleasant way. And he always smelled good. All of this was more than confusing, because they were just friends. Or weren't they? At least, he had never given her any reason to assume he wanted to be more than that – and where the hell did that thought come from?

With a sigh Terri ran her hand through her hair. Now that was great. Had she really started to feel more than just friendship for Richie? Could her life get any more complicated? No, it was better to put some distance between them for a while, before things got more and more confusing; and being in his company and looking into his deep blue eyes that had always a smile lurking somewhere in their depths didn't really help. No, she couldn't risk falling in love with a guy now, not even with a great guy like Richard Addison. Especially not if there wasn't even a slight chance that he would reciprocate her feelings. And not if he was feeling only friendship for her. And really, how could he, why would he want more? Oh, sure – he was the right age to settle down with a family – his own family. Not a woman who already had a baby.

Interrupting her thoughts, Nathan started to whimper – for about the fifth time in the last hour – and with a sigh Terri went to look after him. She had just managed to calm him down again with some hot water – he was suffering a bit from colic – when the doorbell rang.

Swearing under her breath – and hoping the baby wouldn't be disturbed and wake up again – she went to the door and opened it a little abruptly. “What?!” she almost growled.

She was totally flabbergasted when she saw Richie outside. “Surprise!” he grinned.

“What are you doing here?” she asked a little briskly. But her heart soared at the sight of his lopsided grin.

“Picking you and the bambino up for lunch,” he replied as if their earlier conversation had never happened.

Absurdly enough, she felt a little elated that after all he had shown up in spite of her telling him not to. But she suppressed the pleasant flutter in her stomach. “Richie,” she said with a hint of regret in her voice, “I told you it's not a good idea today...”

“Nonsense,” he waved her off, “you need to eat, don't you?”

“But I told you I'm not good company today,” she insisted stubbornly. Persuade me to go with you, she urged silently despite her misgivings.

“That's okay, I'll entertain you,” he replied dryly, and she couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from twitching.

“I also told you I'm not in the mood to go out today.”

Richie crossed his arms. “Yeah, yeah. And I'm telling you now you need to get out of the house. And you need to eat. And we're not going out to a restaurant, don't worry.”

“Then where are we going?” she asked curiously, not realizing that she had already agreed to his plans with that answer.

His mouth curved into a half-smile. “To the beach,” he revealed, “for a picnic. I have everything we need in the car. Now let me come in and get Junior's stuff ready while you put on a sundress, will ya?”

She writhed under his probing gaze. She really wanted to, but what about her earlier thoughts? “I'm not sure this is a good idea...”

Richie rolled his eyes. “But I am,” he replied firmly, “and you should really listen to me. I'm the coach, remember?”

Involuntarily, her heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyebrows. “I thought that job ended with Nate’s birth?”

He scrutinized her closely. “Well, you were wrong, Knowles,” he said calmly. “Unless, of course, you want to terminate my employment.”

Terri swallowed and, after a short pause, slowly shook her head. “No, I don't think I want that,” she murmured, telling him the truth. She didn't want to distance herself from him, she didn't want him to stop showing up. She wanted... ah, she wasn't sure what she wanted, what she dared to want. But she knew she wanted Richie around.

He nodded his head inside. “Then get moving,” he told her with that irresistible Addison lopsided smile.

***
Two hours later, they were half sitting, half laying on a blanket on a secluded beach, the baby between them and a picnic basket with the remnants of their sandwiches beside them, enjoying the sun and the soothing noise of the waves rolling on the sand. Baby Nate was feeling better; he had had another bottle of hot water and even kept down all of his formula, and Terri had watched with a smile as Richie caressed the tiny stomach in slow, circular motions and hummed a few tunes that sounded like a lullaby, a melody she didn't know. Finally, the boy fell asleep.

Simultaneously, they looked up from the sleeping baby and at each other. Thank you, Terri mouthed silently to Richie, and he smiled. She sighed and stretched her limbs, enjoying the sun on her face.

“Life as it should be,” she remarked. “I could get used to this.”

Richie smirked. “Guess you took off your cranky pants?”

Terri laughed. “Thanks for dragging me here,” she replied and flopped herself down on the side, resting her head on her hand. “I guess you were right – I just needed to get out of the house. Probably just a case of cabin fever.”

He propped himself up on one elbow too, facing her. “Told ya,” he shrugged and looked her deep in the eyes. “The coach always knows what's good for you.”

Their stares locked, and Terri's heart beat a little faster. She swallowed. “Does he?”

A few seconds passed without either of them moving or saying anything, and after a moment that seemed to last hours, Richie answered in his deep voice: “He does.” Then he braced the distance between them, leaned forward above the sleeping child and tentatively brought his face close to Terri's. Her warm brown eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't back away, and so he slowly lowered his lips onto hers and kissed her.

The kiss didn't last very long, and it was more warm and tender than passionate, but when their mouths parted, Terri's cheeks were a little flushed. Richie seemed to be almost as surprised as she was and pulled back into his position from before, waiting for her reaction.

“Why did you do that?” she asked a little breathlessly.

Slowly, Richie shrugged. “I don't know... it just felt right.” He smiled his lopsided smile. “Like everything else with you.”

Terri raised her eyebrows. “Like what?” she asked, sounding a little flabbergasted, as if she hadn't even noticed that they had been doing so many things together and spending so much time together throughout the past months.

“Oh...” Another shrug from Richie. “You know, things... just the average stuff... laughing, talking, buying cars, attending weddings, birthing babies...”

They looked at each other, and Terri noticed a telltale twinkle in his eyes. Her stomach fluttered pleasantly, a sensation she had gotten used to feeling in his presence, but at the same time she felt a string with a heavy weight pull at her heart, and she sighed and looked away. “Babies that aren't yours,” she reminded him – and herself –, and he could have sworn there was a hint of regret in her dark velvety voice.

“It still felt right,” he told her without hesitation, and when she raised her eyes to him again he threw a quick glance down at the sleeping baby and added: “Still does.”

Again, they looked at each other, and this time the connection lasted longer while each was hanging onto their own respective thoughts. Oh, I wish... Terri thought longingly, and her mind was still confused. What if... what if not? Richie on the other hand wasn't confused anymore. He was almost filled with awe when he thought: So, this is what it feels like...

Finally, Terri said with regret in her voice: “Richie, you're the most extraordinary man I've ever met, but I don't want to...”

She never finished her sentence, because Richie leaned in and kissed her again; it just seemed so natural to him, and this time it lasted a little longer and was a little firmer. When their lips parted this time, he didn't pull back, and neither did she; their faces remained close, only inches apart, their breaths caressing their faces.

“You don't want what?” he whispered against her lips.

Terri swallowed and drew a deep breath. “Boy, I sure want to kiss you,” she admitted breathlessly, feeling a little dizzy, “probably more than I should...”

He reached out over the sleeping child with his right hand and brushed a brown lock off of her forehead; it was a very intimate and tender gesture, and for a split second Terri closed her eyes and just enjoyed his touch. “Then what's keeping you, Knowles?” he asked softly in his deep voice that had always touched a special string inside of her.

“I like you, Richie,” Terri said frankly, still not moving away from him. “I like you a lot. Maybe even more than like.” She shook her head. “But I don't want to get my heart broken. I can't afford that.”

Richie frowned and leaned back now. “Do you think I'm planning to break your heart?” he asked, a little hurt in his voice.

Terri shook her head. “Oh no, I know you're not planning on that!” she assured him quickly. “And normally I'd be the first one to say 'let's just try it and see what happens', but...” – another little pause and slight head shake – “I can't only think about myself now.” She looked down at the sleeping baby boy and then up at Richie again. Boy, his deep blue eyes were mesmerizing, and the electrifying feeling of his warm lips on hers had been something she could easily get used to. Why hadn't he come into her life before it got complicated? She blinked a little as to clear her mind and went on: “You have to be aware that I come at a price.” Richie threw her a questioning glance, and she shrugged sheepishly. “Double package.”

Now it was Richie's turn to shake his head; it was as if it had never crossed his mind what she was even worrying about. And, in fact, it hadn't – he had never known her any different than as 'double package', and it had never bothered him. He still had fallen in love with her – and that was the moment when he just realized exactly that.

“Double package...” he echoed with a smile. “Maybe it's Junior here I'm really after, and you're just the price I'm willing to pay?” he teased with a twinkle in his eyes, and when she raised an ironic eyebrow he chuckled. “Hey, just kiddin'. What makes you think any man would not be willing to pay whatever price it takes to get you?” Untypically for Terri, she blushed a little at his compliment, and Richie added: “And what makes you think any man would not see Junior as the cherry on top?”

Terri shook her head with a smile. “Most men wouldn't.”

“Ah!” Richie said triumphantly and wiggled his eyebrows. “But I'm not like most men, didn't you just say that?”

She felt her resistance crumble at the seriousness behind his light and joking tone and the sincerity in his eyes. Could this really be? “Yes, that's right,” she agreed, “but still...”

“Terri,” he interrupted, “after all that we've experienced together, it almost feels like he's mine anyway.” He brushed his index finger over the sleeping baby's cheek, and the gesture warmed her heart, but she still wasn't convinced.

“That's what you're saying now,” she pointed out, “but...”

“But, but, but!” he mimicked and put his finger on her lips to silence her, and she gladly obeyed, wanting him to convince her. “Listen, Knowles... I might be surprising myself here, but...” he shrugged. “I like you too. A lot.”

Terri swallowed and thought no guts, no glory. Then she asked bravely: “Maybe even more than like?”

Richie held her gaze with his for a few moments, then he smiled and slowly shook his head. “Not just maybe,” he purred, and Terri's eyes glittered with happiness.

“Well, coach, in that case...” she leaned forward. “Kiss me again.”

***
When they were walking from the parked car towards Terri's apartment building a few hours later, Richie was effortlessly carrying the baby carrier with the sleeping boy in one hand while the long fingers of his other hand were entwined with Terri's. It was a weird feeling, but weird in a good way – like nothing he had ever felt before. It was like he had told Terri hours before on the beach, when he had kissed her for the first of many times that afternoon – it just felt right. Completely new, but right.

When they were at the door of her apartment, she unlaced her fingers from his with some reluctance to fish for her keys in her purse and threw him a shy but happy little smile that mirrored his own feelings pretty much. She unlocked the door, and Richie took the baby carrier straight into the nursery.

"I'll just change him and put him right to bed," she whispered, "he can't be hungry now."

"Speaking of hungry... how do you feel about a steak and a salad for dinner?" he asked and put the carrier carefully down.

"Oh, that would be great," she sighed, "but I'm afraid I have nothing in my fridge. I couldn't bring myself to leave the house this morning,” she admitted a little sheepishly. “I didn't even go shopping."

"Yeah, but I did, knucklehead," Richie chuckled with a little smirk. "I put all the stuff away in your fridge while you were getting ready."

Terri's jaw dropped. "How are you even real?" she asked in her disarming bluntness, slightly shaking her head in disbelief.

"I'm asking that myself at times," he replied smoothly and shrugged with a wink. "Must be your lucky day."

Her stomach fluttered again, and she laughed, all at ease with herself and the situation. "No, my lucky day was the day your brother introduced me to the black sheep of the family," she told him frankly.

Richie was touched and also a little embarrassed by her confession and – being an Addison from head to toe – covered it up with a nonchalant shrug. "I might remind you of that someday," he teased and gave her backside a little slap. "Come on, Knowles, dinner's gonna be ready in about half an hour."

***
When they came out of the obstetrician’s office, Maddie and David walked silently to the car wrapped up in their own thoughts. David felt slightly numb – it was almost time for the Bean to arrive. He wasn’t sure if he was ready – maybe he needed a few more months to get ready. David had secretly read one or two of the chapters in Maddie’s baby book and wasn’t sure if he needed to finish the entire book before the Bean arrived. Maybe there were secrets in the pages of that book that he needed to know to be a good father. He absentmindedly opened the car door for Maddie who was trying to catch his eye.

Maddie was happy that now it was safe to go into labor at any time as Dr. Hill had told them. Of course, she was happy that she would be soon welcoming her daughter into the world as well as finally being able to see her feet again – but something else was making her almost giddy now. Not that she wasn’t thrilled, of course, that she soon would be holding her daughter in her arms – but after almost a month of no orgasms Maddie was climbing the walls.

She had heeded the doctor’s warnings to not climax for fear of bringing on an early labor. She had tried not to get sexually excited, but – unfortunately in this case – just the sound of David’s voice could turn her on. Not to mention the emerald green of his eyes and that almost wicked half grin he tossed her way. It was especially difficult when he teased her, but many times he got her all hot and bothered without even doing anything deliberately to provoke it. She shivered as she looked at her sexy husband. Oh, how she missed his hands on her – and her hands on him. Maddie felt herself dampen as she watched David’s hands on the steering wheel. And when her eyes fell on the ever present bulge in his tight jeans she felt a twinge between her inner thighs. She opened her legs to relieve the ache as she licked her lip in anticipation.

David’s thoughts were interrupted when he saw Maddie spread her legs open through the corner of his eye. And when she licked her lips he felt his dick twitch in his pants. He could almost cut the sexual tension with a knife. He smirked inwardly – it had been over a month, and since they had gotten together they had never gone longer than two days without making love – he knew she needed it bad. God and so did he – he missed making Maddie come. She had insisted that he didn’t have to suffer and made sure to take care of him but it wasn’t the same without hearing her screaming his name in the throes of her own orgasm or, even better, coming together. He loved how hot she was, and pleasuring Maddie and making her come numerous times made his own pleasure so much keener. Now he could get his hands on her hotbox again – and he planned to make the most of it; who knew how long they would have to refrain from sex again after the birth. He turned his crooked smile her way and smirked as he heard her groan aloud.

Maddie looked around they were all alone in the underground garage in the doctor’s building – there was no one else around. She leaned into David and began kissing his neck as her fingers stroked the tent in his pants. “David...” she moaned with urge in her voice as she took his big hand and placed it between her legs.

David could almost feel the steam rising between her legs – he could feel how hot she was even through the cotton material of her leggings. His fingers stroked and played with her as they crawled into her pants. Maddie lifter up her hips to allow David to pull her pants down past her knees. He felt her legs spread wider as his fingers played over her lacy panties. Her cries of ecstasy reverberated through the car as she reached her orgasm with only a few slow strokes over her swollen nub.

Maddie opened her eyes to see a smug smirk cover David’s face which only increased her desire for him. “Oh, that was so good,” she admitted, her voice hoarse with passion.

“Beat my record this time, babe,” he chuckled, “no question there.”

Instead of being annoyed Maddie chuckled along with David. “Yes, you did, big boy,” she purred as her hand cupped David’s hardness, “now let’s get home. I think we’re going to break a lot of records today.”

David grinned broadly as he headed home as fast as he could without getting a speeding ticket. Maddie was busy playing with his dick and using his hand as a paintbrush stroking between her legs while he told her in his most seductive voice what he was going to do with her. She came to another shuddering climax as they pulled into their circular driveway.

Before David even had the front door closed completely, Maddie dropped to her knees in front of him – which was no easy feat – and pulled down his zipper. She released his throbbing erection into her hot hands and blew on it with her hot breath, causing David to steady himself against the door because his knees suddenly felt like rubber. “My little hussy,” he whispered as he pushed his hips out invitingly. Her tongue flicked out and licked the tip of his cock lightly. He moaned as he began to move his cock over her lips. “Suck it, baby.”

Maddie smiled as she took him in her mouth and began to pleasure him just the way he loved it. She felt her juices begin to flow again, and wantonly her hand reached down between her legs where she began to pet herself as she made love to his cock with her mouth.

“Oh Maddie... Yeah, baby...” David tangled his fingers through Maddie’s hair as he watched her blonde head bobbing on his dick. “Oh babe, suck it good. Yeah... oh God,” David crooned as Maddie’s hot mouth moved up and down over the shaft of his dick. When he looked down again he saw that Maddie was stroking herself as she pleasured him. That sight made him groan with passion. “Yeah, stroke that hot pussy, babe. Sucking on my big dick turns you on. Yeah, good babe,” David purred. “Just like that. Make yourself come real good.”

After just a few minutes, he felt the vibrations of Maddie’s silent screams over his dick as she brought herself to orgasm – and that brought him over the edge too. He felt the tingling in his spine which led to such a strong orgasm he felt it all through his body.

David laid his head back against the door, breathing heavily as he rebooted his brain. Finally, he opened his eyes to see Maddie standing in front of him unbuttoning her blouse slowly and licking her lips. God, she really had become a nympho, and he loved it. He threw her a panty melting grin as he pushed off the door and stood in front of her moving her fingers away and taking over unbuttoning her blouse.

“Let me,” he purred. Maddie watched his long fingers undoing her blouse and unhooking her bra, and she shivered with desire. “You really can’t get enough today?” he smirked as he pulled off her blouse and bra and tossed them on the table near the door. “I'm not sure, maybe we shouldn’t overdo it, baby,” he teased raising a mocking eyebrow.

Maddie felt the cool air over her upper body, and it made her sensitive nipples even harder. She shook her head at David as she lifted his hands to cover her aching breasts. “Not an option, Addison,” she murmured as she practically ripped off his shirt while he kicked away his jeans and boxers.

David squeezed her sensitive mounds as his knee grinded into her aching core. “Really, Mrs. Addison, and why is that?” His tongue played over that spot on her neck.

“I’m so hot for you,” she panted while she was practically riding his knee; her arms were around his neck for support.

“Oh yes, I know that.” David pushed her off gently and began to peel off her pants slowly. She kicked them away leaving her standing in the middle of the entryway wearing only her lacy maternity thong and nothing else.

David’s eyes rode slowly over her body causing Maddie’s blood to boil. She threw back her head and shook her hair sultrily. “Like what you see, big boy?”

He loved what he saw – baby bump and all – and he loved especially that she obviously felt very sexy and self-confident with no hints of her earlier insecurities left. “Oh yeah,” he told her huskily. “You make me so damn hard.” He made his move toward her and pulled her in his arms. He turned her around, pushed her against the door and began to thrust his erection against her curvy butt. “And you can feel it, babe.” His left hand slowly pulled off her thong and threw it aside.

Maddie moved her ass against his dick causing David to groan. He pushed his throbbing boner between her legs and began to move his hips back and forth, moving between her legs over her throbbing nub. Maddie closed her legs tight to improve the friction as she moved along with him. She was so slick with her arousal that his cock glided over her aching core effortlessly.

“Oh God, David,” she gasped. “I missed this so much.” She propped her arms against the door to prevent her jelly legs from giving way. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” She accompanied each thrust with a moan.

David hands were cupped around Maddie’s breasts; his nimble fingers playing with her rock hard nipples; his lips beat a path of fire over her neck and shoulders – lingering now and then on that spot – as his dick moved faster and faster between her legs. “Oh God Maddie... this feels great,” he groaned. “You’re so fucking wet, baby.”

Maddie felt her knees buckle as the force of her orgasm hit her. She was screaming out David’s name as waves of passion overcame her. “David! David! David!” she screamed. David’s teeth nipped the back of her neck as he thrust into her pulsating core with one deep push. With only two long strokes inside he began to climax; David felt his orgasm from the tips of his toes to the tip of his head and through his cock. He held on to Maddie tightly as his teeth grazed that spot in his passion. He swore he saw lightening behind his eyes as his orgasm ran over his body.

Maddie collapsed her spent body against David’s. Her legs were wobbly and her hotbox was beating from the pulsating waves of her orgasms. “Oh David. That was wonderful,” she purred cat-like, turning around in his arms with effort. Her arms went around his neck as her mouth met his in a passionate kiss. “God, I love you, fella,” she told him.

David smacked Maddie’s ass as his hands ran over her body. “And I adore you, wife.” He gave her ear a little love bite. “But I think I’ve created a monster.” He shook his head as his green eyes bore into hers.

Maddie tilted her head as she looked up at David. She still couldn’t look into those mesmerizing eyes without getting lost, and she had the suspicion that would never change. “A monster?”

“A sex monster.” He grinned at her wickedly. “A vampire of love.”

Maddie laughed huskily. “Well I do like to suck…” Her voice trailed off as her eyes darkened with passion.

David feigned shock. “Mrs. Addison!” he scolded. “Do you see what I mean? You are one wicked, wanton witch.” He rubbed his once again hard dick against her loins. “What am I going to do with you?”

Maddie took his big hand in her smaller one and led him to the spiral staircase leading up to their bedroom. “Let’s go upstairs. I have a few ideas.” She winked.

David’s dick jerked toward her. “Oh, so do I, honey. So do I.”

Maddie and David spent the rest of that afternoon in bed, making love and making up for lost time – Maddie more than made up for her month of celibacy, and she was feeling her old self again as all the tension, worry and crankiness fell off her shoulders. She had just cuddled into his arms when her eyes fell upon the clock on the nightstand. It was so late, and they had to get ready to meet their friends for dinner, she suddenly remembered.

Abruptly she moved out of David’s arms and sat up. “David, we have to get ready!” she exclaimed. The day had run away from them!

David sat up slowly; he looked at her in confusion. “Ready for what?”

Maddie stood up and headed for the shower. “I almost forgot – we’re meeting Terri, Richie, Bert and Agnes for dinner.”

“So cancel.” David lay down again and pulled the covers over his head. “Cancel,” he repeated. “Tell them I’m sick.”

“No, David.” Maddie shook her head. “This is the first time Terri has left the house for more than a doctor’s appointment and work since Nate was born,” she told him. “This is important to her, and I hope our friends will do the same for me in a few weeks. Get up.”

“You’re the bossy one.” He looked at her, emerald eyes glittering evilly, “and you know what happens when you try to boss me around.” His dick rose.

Maddie shook her head again and rolled her eyes. “Well, why don’t you join me in the shower, and you can show me who’s really boss?” She had her hands on her hips and her legs spread wide.

David jumped off the bed and pulled her into the bathroom. “The things I do for you...” he quipped.

***
Later, when they hurried into the restaurant where they were supposed to meet their friends, the other four were already waiting.

“Sorry, guys,” David grinned, “but with a pregnant lady there's always a last-minute trip to the bathroom.”

“Whatever that means, bro,” Richie chuckled suggestively and yelped when Terri kicked his shin under the table. Maddie blushed a little, but for once she wasn't annoyed and laughed along with the others; after her long abstinence, she was much too sexually sated and happy to let anything spoil her good mood. She was happy to be able to sit down though, as her legs felt like jelly after a day of lovemaking that had been as wild and frenzied as possible in her late stage of pregnancy.

“Terri!” she greeted her friend. “It's so good to see you! How are you? How's Nathan doing?”

“Everything is great!” Terri assured with a beam radiating from her face. “He's staying with my neighbor for a few hours. My first evening off.”

“That's wonderful,” Agnes chimed in and smiled at her. “Terri, you look great. So... happy.”

Oddly enough, Terri seemed to blush a little; unexpectedly for the others, Richie put his hand over hers and cleared his throat. Everybody looked at him, down at his hand covering Terri's and back at him again.

“To end all speculations, guys...” he raised Terri's hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Knowles and I...”

“I knew it!” Maddie and Agnes interrupted him in unison.

Terri laughed sheepishly, and Richie looked flabbergasted from Maddie to Agnes and back. “How could you possibly know?” he asked. “Not even we had an idea...”

“Welcome to my world, bro,” David chuckled and slapped his back. “But actually, it's not such a big surprise.”

“Oh yeah? Since when?!” Maddie snickered and threw David a slightly triumphant look. General laughter erupted, and everybody congratulated Terri and Richie.

They enjoyed a delicious leisurely meal and basically had a great time, and even Bert added to the conversation without annoying the others; after all, he had turned out to be a valuable and fully accepted member in their circle of friends – and they had to admit that each and every one of them had their flaws that were sometimes annoying. After dessert, Maddie started to shift a little uncomfortably in her seat.

“What's wrong, babe?” David asked and put his hand on her knee.

“I think I ate too much,” Maddie sighed, and he chuckled.

“Not for dinner,” he replied in a low, slightly smug voice, but instead of spitting fire at him, Maddie suddenly drew a sharp breath and put both hands on her belly.

“Maddie?” Agnes frowned.

“Uh-oh,” was Terri's comment; she knew the signs and recognized the moment a woman went into labor if she saw one.

“Uh-oh?” David echoed in an alarmed voice.

Richie had been just as quick as Terri and was already rising from his chair. “Looks like it's show time for you guys, bro,” he told him dryly. “I'll go and take care of the bill, and then we should get going.”

“What?!” David gasped and turned to his wife with a slightly panicky glance. “No kidding?” Was this it? He felt faint.

Maddie was a little pale and shook her head, her lips pressed to a thin line. “I think not.”

“Oh...” he ruffled his hair. “But I thought we had another week?” He really wasn’t ready yet. He needed more time!

“Obviously not,” she growled and grasped his arm. “Would you mind?”

David realized that ready or not the Bean was ready to make her appearance. He held his wife around the waist as they hurried to the car.

Five minutes later, they were heading to the hospital – Richie was driving them while Agnes and Bert had taken Terri home; at first, she had wanted to come too, but then she had remembered that her neighbor was expecting her back soon, and besides, she couldn't really be of any help. They found almost no traffic on their way, but still when they arrived at the hospital, Maddie was panting heavily and her contractions came in shorter intervals and each lasted longer than the one before. David had tried his best to calm down himself and Maddie during the car ride, and she had snapped a few times at him, obviously in pain and very nervous.

David tried not to let his own nervousness overwhelm him while he waited for Maddie to be dressed in a hospital gown after the formalities had all been done. Dr. Hill had been called and was already on his way.

“Calm down, bro,” Richie told him in his best soothing deep voice, “the blonde needs you alert now!”

“I know!” David snapped. “What if I screw up?”

“What are you saying?!” Richie slapped the back of his head.

“What the fuck, Rich?!” David barked and shook his fist menacingly at his older brother.

“Listen to your bullshit!” Richie scolded him angrily and repeated his words in a high-pitched voice: “'What if I screw up?' Are you a sissy or what?! Get your shit together, bro! That attitude won't help the bambina!”

“Yeah, yeah, you're right.” David rubbed his face and drew a deep breath. “I can't let her down.”

“And you won't!” Richie assured in a firm voice and grabbed his shoulders. “Listen, kiddo. You've trained for this, just like Terri and me. But you have one big advantage I didn't have.”

David sighed and ruffled his hair. “Really, and what's that?” he wanted to know.

Richie squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly. “You know your chick's body better than she does.” He shrugged. “I mean, I'm planning to get there too, but... okay, that's not really the issue here.”

“Rich!” David growled.

“Dave. Dave. Focus.” David tried his best to keep the panic from overtaking completely. Richie was right: they had been training for months for exactly this moment, and he wasn't going to let Maddie down. Not now, not ever. “Remember three things,” Richie was telling him. “Number one: she's gonna swear and curse you. Terri cursed me, and I was as innocent as freshly fallen snow. Let her.” David nodded; he was sure that Maddie would wish him to hell and back, but that was fine with him. “Number two,” Richie continued, “tell her she's doing great.” He counted the points with his fingers and held up a third finger when he added: “But the most important thing is: don't forget that you are the coach. And the coach is always in charge. Got that?”

“I think so...”

A nurse approached them quickly. “Mr. Addison!” she called out to them and beckoned David to her with urging waves of her hand. “Are you ready?”

“Hell, no,” David muttered under his breath.

“Yes!” Richie said and pushed him towards the impatient nurse. “Now go! Oh, and Dave...”

“What?”

Richie smiled. “This is gonna be the most amazing thing you'll ever see. Trust me.”

***
Maddie had never worked as hard in her entire life, but when she first laid eyes on her baby daughter she knew all the pain and sweat had been worth it. The baby was now in the care of the nurses who were bathing and cleaning up the newborn while David was sprawled out on the chair next to her bed. She was exhausted but still in the aftermath of the adrenaline rush so sleep wasn't in sight yet.

Maddie peered at David – his head was thrown back and his eyes were closed, but she knew he wasn’t sleeping either – his hair was a mess of crazy spikes all over his head and his clothes were rumpled and wrinkled – a feeling of such intense love overcame her that she almost swooned. David Addison, her husband and father of her child. It still amazed her that they were now a married couple with a baby. She was happy just watching him rest. “I love you David,” she whispered very low so she didn’t disturb his rest. He had worked almost as hard as she had in the delivery room – and she was ashamed to remember how she had yelled curses at him while he patiently tried to help her breathe – to push when it was needed, to hold back when it wasn't time to push. Secretly, she had been a little afraid that he would let himself become overcome by his anxiety and lose his nerve, but he had proven after all that he was indeed reliable when it came to things that really mattered.

One green eye opened first then the other slowly followed as David stretched out his long body. He looked at Maddie, her blonde hair fanned out on her pillow and her face tired but still so very beautiful, and his heart turned over. His brother had been right with everything he had told him – what he had experienced had undeniably been the most amazing thing he had ever seen; and boy had she cursed him!

He smirked her way teasingly, “I thought you hated me.” He raised his hand, palm up towards her. “Wait, what were your exact words?” He pursed his lips thoughtfully in his typical gesture. “Oh yeah – you can’t stand the sight of me.”

A red flush ran up Maddie’s neck to her face in embarrassment and regret. “David, I…”

He raised the other hand now as if to stop her from talking. “Oh, and what was the other phrase that you kept repeating...” he shook his head, “ something about never letting me touch you again?” He sat back and stared at her with a slight smirk twitching on his lips. He knew she hadn’t been serious when she said those things to him, but of course he couldn’t let an opportunity to tease her pass him by.

Maddie shrugged sheepishly, “Come on, David... You know I didn’t mean those things.” She looked into his eyes – blue on green – “You know how my mouth usually runs ahead of me on normal occasions, and well with the pain and the fear and...”

David burst out laughing as he got up to sit on the edge of her hospital bed. “I’m teasing you, honey,” he told her softly. “I know you didn’t mean what you said.” He ran his hand up her leg, “especially about never letting me touch you again.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I think I might reconsider that...”

“Oh, I'm sure you will,” he chuckled. She threw him a fiery glance, and he added with a wink: “And about the rest...” – a theatrical shrug – “I've heard worse from you.”

“You poor poor man,” she replied with mild sarcasm, “how do you even put up with me?”

“I'm a well-trained expert by now,” he replied nonchalantly, “and besides, I love a challenge.” He winked at her. “You know I wouldn't want you any other way.”

Suddenly, her tiredness and the whirlwind of emotions and hormones she had been put through during the last few hours overwhelmed Maddie, and she wanted to tell David everything she felt, her happiness, her endless joy about their baby daughter – paired with a slight anxiousness of what their future as a family would hold for them – and, above all, her love for him. And he understood everything from the blinding blue of her eyes, the flutter of her lashes and the slight trembling of her voice when she just said: “Jerk.”

Their banter was interrupted by the nurse bringing in their baby daughter for a feeding. She smiled at the young couple as she placed the baby in Maddie’s arms. Again, Maddie was overcome with emotion; and this time she could feel tears leaking out of her eyes. She had never been an emotional woman, but the feelings she had for this child and her husband were something she had never experienced before. She bent down to kiss the downy head. The nurse handed Maddie the bottle of formula then left the newborn with her parents.

The baby began to suck on the bottle greedily as her parents watched her in awe and in rare silence. “Wow, look at her sucking down that bottle.” David felt a lump in his throat as he watched his baby daughter. “She’s a hungry little girl,” he croaked, his voice sounded funny even to his own ears. “Right, Beanie?”

Maddie heard the emotion in David’s voice as she held the baby in her arms while feeding her the bottle. The delicious baby smell filled her senses. She felt her heart filling with so much love she thought it would surely burst.

“Don’t call her that,” she admonished him softly, perfectly well knowing that their baby girl would forever be his Bean for him – and, in some way, for her too. “We chose her name, remember?” Maddie put the bottle down and carefully placed the baby on her shoulder as she patted the infant’s back. Both Maddie and David laughed as the baby let out a huge burp.

“My turn,” David told Maddie as he reached for his daughter.

He gently took the baby from Maddie’s arms, totally overcome with emotion looking at his new born daughter; he had never thought he could feel so much love for such a tiny human being. His eyes glittered dangerously when he looked down at the baby.

And then she opened her eyes for the first time and seemed to be gazing into her father’s identical green eyes. David could barely breathe as he stared back at his daughter. “Cat eyes,” he murmured hoarsely.

Maddie too was mesmerized by the sight; even though the baby was tiny and still a little wrinkled from the bumpy ride it had gone through, there was no doubt that she definitely had her father's eyes.

David and Maddie looked up and at each other at the same time. “Jade,” David said without thinking. “Her name is Jade. Okay?”

Maddie looked down at her daughter again and scrutinized her closely, then she nodded with a smile. “Yes, I love it!”

“Jade Elizabeth Addison.” David looked at Maddie then back down at his daughter. “A beautiful name for a beautiful baby.” His face was covered with pure joy.

Maddie wiped away her tears as she watched David cuddling the baby. She nodded happily. “Perfect.”