Chapter 20 Sex, Lies and Surveillance Tapes

[Addisonsgirl]

After Maddie had tucked Jade in for the night she came downstairs to sit beside David who was sprawled out on the sofa in a pair of tight sweats and a battered t-shirt watching a hockey game on TV. He smiled when Maddie sat next to him and placed his feet on her thighs – pushing up her short night shirt with his toes until her lacy pink panties were revealed. His dick lengthened as his toes moved between her legs edging them apart.

“David!” Maddie laughed.

“You heard about being fingered?” He leered teasingly, “how about being toed?”

“Again your romantic love talk makes me swoon!” Maddie quipped as she pushed his foot away and moved his feet off of her lap.

“I know. It takes skills,” David joked as he sat up and replaced his foot with his hand. He touched damp lace and chuckled. “Guess you enjoyed my toe. Or is it just being next to me that gets your juices flowing?”

Maddie batted her eyelashes at him in an over dramatic flirtatious manner as she trapped his hand between her legs. “Why of course, Mr. Addison. Just the thought of your hands on me makes me come.” Which wasn’t far from the truth.

“I know.” He purred moving his fingers over her hotbox until her legs opened to allow him to pet her just the way she loved. “Like it, don’t you, babe.” He chuckled as Maddie moved her hips against his fingers that were slowly drawing small circles around her aching nub.

“Yes. Yes.” Maddie pulled David against her as her tongue moved over his lips.

“Well, I think you’ll like this more,” he whispered against her lips as he ripped off her panties, “why do you bother wearing panties when we’re home?” he asked as pulled off his sweats revealing that he was wearing nothing underneath. “Makes things sooo much easier, babe.” He placed her hand on his hard boner and heard her sharp intake of breath. “Yeah, you love my big dick.” He moved his dick against her hand. “See how big and hard you make me.”

“Oh God, David, I love it.” She laid her head back as David began to rain slow baby kisses across her neck to that spot that was such a surprising erogenous zone.“Ooohh!!” she moaned over and over as David pleasured that spot with his hot lips and tongue. “Oh, David... Fuck me. I want it soo bad.”

David chuckled as he ran his hands over her legs. “Patience, babe,” he crooned into her ear. “You are one greedy hussy. Always wanting my dick.” He moved his hand lightly over her swollen nub and she gasped. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Oh David... give it to me now! Please...” Her hands cupped his bare ass pulling him on top of her.

They were half sitting, half lying on the couch until David pushed her down on her back. Her nails were digging into his butt cheeks as he moved over her. He looked down into her face with his incredible eyes making her moan for him even more.

“What do you want, baby?” He covered her mouth with his using his tongue as a paint brush over her lips and gums. “Tell me, woman,” he demanded, then began to kiss her deeply, passionately until she was almost vibrating beneath him.

“Make love to me, David!” she gasped desperately, “Make me come over and over.”

“Greedy huh?” He purred as his knee moved slowly over her pubic mound causing her to spiral into an intense orgasm that had her screaming his name into his neck.

David pushed into her aching core with one deep plunge before her spasms halted. He began to move in and out of her with short slow stabs with his dick. Maddie wrapped her legs around his shins as her nails raked his back. She began to writhe under him. “Fuck me harder, baby. Please.” She moved against him fiercely. “Oh God, yes!” she screamed as David pounded into her with deep hard lunges that had them moving in sync together in their ecstasy. Both reached their climax almost simultaneously as their cries of passion reverberated through the room.

David held her tightly as he gazed down at her. “Damn, what are we going to do when the Bean gets older? We don’t want to scare her.”

Maddie giggled. “Maybe it's time to soundproof her room,” she suggested teasingly.

“Maybe.” David agreed as he played with her hair. “I love you, honey.”

Maddie kissed his jaw. “Ditto.”

After a few minutes of cuddling together in their afterglow, David went to the kitchen and came back carrying a plate of cookies and two glasses of milk, one chocolate one white. He put the tray down on the coffee table and sat back munching a cookie. “So, how was your lunch?”

They hadn’t had a chance to talk about Maddie’s lunch with her friend yet. Just as David walked in the door from work Jade had a melt down and it took all their energy to get her bathe and put to bed. David and Maddie actually took the baby in the big tub with the both of them and the warm water seemed to soothe her. David left Maddie giving her nightly feeding to a drowsy Jade as he tip toed downstairs where Maddie had found him watching the hockey game.

“So, how’s your old friend?” David asked as he reached for his chocolate milk and took a large gulp.

Maddie didn’t want to open a can of worms with David about helping Iris with her troubles with her husband, so when they heard Jade begin to whimper from upstairs she felt as if she had been let off the hook. “You want to go to her or should I?” Maddie asked.

David jumped up to tend to the baby. “You stay here, I’ll be back in a jif.” He winked as he bounced up the stairs.

A few minutes later David came down after making sure the baby was back asleep her pacifier tucked in her mouth. He smiled at his wife as he flopped beside her. “I just am so happy.” He pulled her on his lap. He took the cookie from her hand and began to feed her small bits with his fingers.

“I’m happy too,” Maddie told him as she playfully nipped his finger then kissed it.

“I’m happy.” He pointed to Maddie with the finger she had just kissed. “You’re happy.” He nuzzled her neck. “We’re all slap happy.”

Maddie didn’t think it was best to bring up Iris’ case right now. Her husband wasn’t coming to the states for another few weeks so she had time to ease David into her going back to Blue Moon sooner than expected.

***
The following weekend Terri's little apartment was crowded with three couples and two babies; she had invited Maddie and David and Agnes and Bert for a belated birthday dinner. The three couples, different from each other as they were, had grown really strong friendship bonds and got along wonderfully. When they got together it was always lively, funny and – mostly due to David and Richie – loud. Terri was wearing her new emerald earrings Richie had given her for her birthday only a few days ago, and Maddie and David had both noticed them and exchanged a quick glance that had gone unnoticed by the other four.

It was easy when Maddie and David brought Jade to Terri’s since she had all the baby equipment that they needed so they didn’t have to lug half the nursery along with them – and the same went for when Terri brought Nate to their house. Nate being a bit older than Jade seemed to be more aware that there was another tiny person in his midst. Sometimes it seemed he followed Jade with his big almost black eyes. Jade on the other hand seemed to ignore the older baby – David quipped that she was playing hard to get – and had learned it from her mother. But for the most part the babies seemed to get along well – as far as one could tell that by their tender age.

David also joked that he wasn’t crazy about his daughter sleeping with a man so soon because when the adults got together the babies usually wound up sleeping peacefully together, as if the presence of the respective other had a calming effect on them.

This evening, however, was an exception. Just as the grownups had finished the dinner Terri and Richie had cooked together and dessert was being served, Nate who was teething started to cry, and after a few moments Jade aka Beanie chimed in. The Addison brothers jumped to their feet, both eager to show their women how much they appreciated what they accomplished every day.

“I'll get it,” Richie told Terri, waving her off as she started to rise from her chair. “You're the birthday girl after all.”

“Stay put, Blondie,” David told Maddie nonchalantly, “you're on duty every day.”

“Maybe I can I lend a hand?” Bert asked eagerly, always keen on learning for his future role as a dad; he planned to be at least as good with his and Agnes' little cherub as the two Addison brothers.

“C'mon,” David threw over his shoulder, “watch and learn from the pros.” Bert jumped up from his seat and followed his idol and Richie into the small nursery.

Nathan and Jade had worked themselves into a sobbing match; the boy was obviously in a little in pain from his teeth, and the Bean wasn't amused about having been woken up so rudely from her sleep. Bert and David were watching very carefully as Richie applied the teething medicine on Nate's gums and were impressed how quickly it seemed to take away the pain. Jade calmed down as soon as Nathan stopped crying and she seemed content to be in her father's arms. Both infants looked from one man to the other curiously.

"So, you're gonna pop the question?" David asked almost casually while he was looking at Jade as if he were talking to her.

"What?!" Richie gasped and Bert turned to him with an open mouthed expression.

David smirked and threw his brother a devilish sideways glance. "You heard me. You did give her mom's earrings, like you said."

Bert didn't know the backstory of those mysterious earrings, but he knew that his idol David and his brother had lost their mother when they had been still kids, so any piece that had belonged to her had to be very precious to them; it had to mean something if Richie had given them to his love muffin Terri. Bert remembered that it had been mentioned the day the three of them had watched the babies while their women had been shopping for Agnes' wedding dress.

Richie turned to little Nathan. "Oh, those,“ he said nonchalantly and shrugged. “Well, you know it was her birthday, and those are pretty..."

“Very pretty,” Bert threw in. “A very special gift for a very special lady.”

“Thanks, Bertie boy!” Richie glared at him.

"Who do you think you're kidding, bro?“ David snorted and asked Jade: “Who does your uncle Richie think he's kidding? Not us, huh, Beanie?” He slapped Bert's back. “And surely no flies on Bertie boy here when it comes to romance.” While Bert puffed out his chest a little, David turned to Richie again. “Those were mom's earrings. You know what that means."

The older one rolled his eyes. "Goddammit, Dave!” he barked in an exasperated voice, and Nate wrinkled his tiny nose to show his indignation at his loud voice. Richie noticed it and immediately lowered his voice. “It means that I wanted to score a few points with my chick, and..."

"Bullshit, Rich,” David interrupted gleefully. “It means that she's The One."

“No doubt about that,” Bert agreed.

Surprisingly enough, Richie didn't object anymore, he just grinned sheepishly. "Whatever that means."

David chuckled and slapped his back. "We're two lucky bastards."

Bert cleared his throat, and Richie slapped his back too. “Alright, man,” he laughed, “three.”

In the meantime, Maddie, Terri and Agnes were finishing their dessert. As soon as the men had left the room, Maddie started her inquiry: "Did Richie give you these earrings?"

Terri beamed happily and touched them. "Yes," she nodded. Agnes smiled a knowing smile. She had known there was something between Terri and David's older brother the evening she and Bert had met her for the first time.

“They are beautiful,” Maddie remarked and went on almost casually, all detective: "And they belonged to his mother?"

The brunette frowned. “How did you know?” she asked, feeling a little uneasy. Were these earrings some kind of family heirloom, and Maddie thought they should belong to her?

But Maddie was thinking no such thing, of course; she smiled and asked unexpectedly: "And has he proposed yet?"

"What?!" Terri gasped, at first thinking her ears had deceived her.

Agnes clapped her hands. “Oh, wouldn't that be great?” she enthused.

Maddie shrugged. "If he hasn't, I'm sure it will happen soon," she predicted.

Terri waved her enthusiastic friends off with a nervous little laugh. "Oh no, why would you think that? Just because the earrings belonged to his mom..."

“Are you kidding?” Agnes interrupted. “When a man gives you jewelry that was his mother's or grandmother's...”

“Whoa, slow down, girls!” Terri told them with a nervous laugh.

"Did he tell you the story of their mom’s jewelry?" Maddie asked.

"Story?” Terri echoed with a frown; it was obvious that she had no idea what Maddie was talking about. “What story?"

Agnes leaned forward. “A romantic story??” She was all ears. “Spill!”

Maddie put down her dessert spoon and leaned a little forward too, all too eager to enlighten her friends – but especially Terri – about what the deal really was with Richie's gift. "Their mom had only two pieces of real jewelry,” she began in a hushed voice, as if she were telling a secret. “These earrings you've got and..." – she pointed to the beautifully wrought golden cross she was wearing on a gold chain – "...this." Agnes knew already that Maddie's cross had belonged to David's mother, but she hadn't heard about the earrings yet. Terri examined the cross closely and then looked back at Maddie, her brown eyes wide open and her ears pricked up, in order not to miss anything. "Their father gave them the jewelry when David was about fifteen and Richie eighteen," Maddie went on. Terri's eyes were glued to Maddie's lips. "And he told them to give it to their future wives once they have found The One," Maddie finished in a meaningful voice, enjoying the effect her words had on the other woman.

“The One,” Agnes repeated in a solemn, almost awestruck voice.

Terri swallowed nervously; her mouth was suddenly very dry. The words Their future wives were ringing in her ears. “The One?” she echoed.

“To spend their lives with,” Maddie explained and leaned back with a smile; she touched the cross around her neck. "David gave this to me shortly after he proposed."

Terri quickly shook her head. "Oh... oh well, no, Richie didn't mention any of this, and it really doesn't mean..."

“Of course it does!” Agnes exclaimed.

"Terri, I'm sure it does mean exactly what I told you," Maddie agreed with a nod and pointed her finger at her friend in a determined gesture. "He will ask you."

The brunette woman waved her hand nonchalantly. "Maybe he doesn't even remember what his father said..."

Maddie rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on!” She threw her hands in the air. “They were his mother's, and he does remember. You know I'm right." She frowned at her friend. "Why are you so reluctant to acknowledge that?" She didn't get it; Terri sounded almost as if she was afraid that Richie would ask her to marry him? Agnes scrutinized her curiously.

Terri shrugged and played with her dessert spoon. "Maybe I don't want to get my hopes too high..."

Maddie's jaw dropped; she wasn't used to such pessimism from her quirky friend. "You sound like me!” she exclaimed in disbelief, accompanied by a chuckle from Agnes, and challenged: “Now you tell me – has Richie ever disappointed you?"

Terri looked up at her again and then slowly, thoughtfully shook her head. "No..." After a short pause she said with utter honesty: "Apart from my son he's the best thing that ever happened to me." Maddie smiled, and she went on with a shrug: "Since the moment he offered to be my Lamaze partner and coach, he has exceeded each and every one of my hopes and expectations." With a sudden spark in her dark eyes, she leaned forward and added in a conspiratorial tone: "And when I say each one, I mean each – and every – single – one." She emphasized every word and raised her eyebrows suggestively.

Maddie replied dryly and without thinking: "Oh, if he's only a bit like his brother, I can imagine that." The moment those spontaneous words had tumbled from it, she put her hand over her mouth and blushed. "I mean...” she raised both hands, “not that I'm trying to imagine any of it..." Maddie looked and sounded so mortified that Terri giggled despite of her earlier nervousness and the seriousness of their conversation. "Oh God, I can't believe I just said that..." Maddie covered her eyes. Agnes put her hand over her mouth and giggled too; despite her sometimes a little naive-looking demeanor, she was a very sensual woman and, unlike Maddie, had never been ashamed of it.

Terri raised her hands in a soothing gesture and laughed. "Hey, we're all grown-ups. Nothing wrong with a little girl talk."

“Absolutely nothing,” Agnes confirmed brightly.

Maddie looked from one to the other and cleared her throat a little nervously. "No... no, of course not,” she assured quickly and tried to fight her embarrassment. “I'm just not used to this." She shrugged. "But then, I wasn't used to "it" either. Well, at least not like that."

All three of them laughed; Agnes still remembered vividly the change in Maddie -- she had noticed it right from the beginning when Sam Crawford had disappeared and she had started to get in on with David: she had become a different person. Maddie laughed along although she felt still a bit embarrassed, but she was already relaxing more; it was simply impossible to feel uncomfortable in Terri's and Agnes' presence. The short brunette leaned a little forward and asked in a conspiratorial tone: "That good, huh?"

Agnes pricked up her ears too, although she already knew the answer – she was more curious to see Maddie's reaction; lewd “girl talk” was nothing Maddie Hayes had ever indulged in.

Maddie felt a rosy blush rise over her neck, but then she thought 'oh, what the hey' and lowered her voice, feeling very bold when she just answered: "Incredible."

They all looked at each other and then burst out laughing. Agnes clapped her hands. “Oh, Maddie!” she laughed.

"Oh, I think I know exactly what you're talking about!" Terri replied and winked at Maddie.

Maddie and Agnes exchanged a look and nudged her playfully. "You do, huh?"

Terri leaned forward again and lowered her dark velvety voice even deeper. "Oh God,” she sighed, “he is so smokin' hot!"

They shared another laugh until they were almost crying, and when they finally calmed down, Agnes took part in the conversation again, smiled at her friend and simply stated: "And you love him."

Terri drew a deep breath and solemnly answered: "I'm crazy about that guy."

Agnes and Maddie nodded with a satisfied smile, and Maddie told her: "You're The One."

Before Terri had the chance to reply, the door opened and Richie entered the living room; he was carrying baby Nate who was looking around curiously. Terri went into mommy mode and exclaimed: "Awww, here's my big boy!"

"And look,” Richie replied dryly in his deep voice, lifting the baby high in the air, “I've brought Junior too." Terri rolled her eyes at him, and he asked: "What were you girls giggling about?"

The women exchanged a quick glance, and Maddie said hastily: "Oh, I was just admiring your beautiful birthday gift..."

Richie shrugged with a half-smile. "Yeah well, I'm a man of wealth and taste..."

"No, you're just full of shit, bro," David commented dryly; he had entered the living room behind his brother, carrying Jade in his arms, heeled by Bert.

“Addison!” Maddie scolded. “Not in front of the kids!”

Terri grinned, and David defended himself: “Can't teach 'em soon enough!” He turned to his daughter and singsonged: “Your uncle Richie is full of poo-poo, Beanie!”

“And your uncle Dave is a bubblehead, Junior!” Richie singsonged to Nate in the same way.

While Maddie shook her head and covered her eyes, Terri and Agnes threw their curly heads back and laughed.

***
A few days later, Maddie was having lunch again with her friend Iris Lane. She had invited Iris over to meet Jade and also to discuss the case. She had been doing a bit of sleuthing on her own since their last lunch. During the day during Jade’s nap time Maddie conducted her own investigation on Iris’ husband. She hadn’t yet said a word about it to David even though she tried to convince herself that he wouldn’t mind her doing some work from home while the baby slept. Maddie had found out many interesting things about Brian O’Malley that Iris needed to know, so she had called her up and invited her old friend to lunch. Thankfully, O’Malley had not come home to the States yet, so surveillance on him wasn’t a priority as of yet – but Maddie realized she would have to have a talk with David regarding this case – and soon.

Maddie brought out a tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of iced tea to the patio where Iris was sitting; she had suggested they eat their lunch outside in the yard to enjoy the beautiful day. She had just put down Jade for her nap, so now they could enjoy their meal in peace. A baby monitor was stationed on the table so that Maddie could hear when Jade woke up.

Maddie sat down with a sigh as she motioned for her friend to take a sandwich from the tray. She hated to tell her friend the bad news.

A few minutes later the women were munching on the sandwiches. Iris put her sandwich down on her plate and wiped her mouth on a napkin. She looked Maddie in the eye. “So what have you found out?” she asked a little reluctantly. She knew that her old friend had been looking into her husband’s affairs, and she knew in her gut the findings wouldn’t be good. Maddie took a sip of her iced tea and sighed. She had to tell Iris that her husband was busy hiding his money in overseas accounts and selling off assets without her knowledge.

David was going to surprise his wife by coming home early that day. The leads were going nowhere so he sent his short sidekick back to Blue Moon and drove straight home. He was feeling amorous and he knew that Jade usually took her nap at this time so things looked promising for an afternoon tryst with his wife.

When he pulled up to the house his eager anticipation was replaced by surprise as he saw a late model Mercedes parked in the driveway. He didn’t remember Maddie mentioning she was going to have company. David’s investigative skills kicked in as he quietly slid his key in the lock and walked into the house.

David walked into the house and ran upstairs to check on Jade – first things first. He reached down to touch the silky head of his baby, then he turned and walked downstairs to see what his wife was up to – and with whom. David heard women’s voices coming from the backyard, but he didn’t recognize the woman’s voice who was talking to Maddie. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard what the women were discussing, and he didn't believe his ears at first when he heard Maddie mention an ominous “investigation”; but when he heard the word “surveillance” he started to see red.

A cold feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach and spread over his body but he forced a smile onto his face as he headed to the patio. He saw Maddie’s face turn white when she saw him and felt his guts clench. How could she be so sneaky? Where was the promise to talk things out? Be up front? David felt his blood run cold as he stared into the lying blue eyes of his wife.

When Maddie saw David walk out into the yard she thought she would faint. Why was he home so early? She couldn’t let him find out what she had been up to or he’d be furious – but when she saw the icy green eyes turn her way she realized he must have eavesdropped on part of their conversation. Damn that man.

David threw Iris a beaming smile but if one looked closely you could clearly detect it didn’t reach his eyes. Iris saw the handsome green eyed man walk towards her and realized that this had to be Maddie’s husband, David Addison. Boy, was he a looker! Maddie sure had caught herself a live one, but then she remembered what her own handsome husband was up to and felt slightly nauseous.

David raised a questioning eyebrow at Maddie, waiting for an introduction which she quickly gave. “David this is my old friend Iris.” She looked at Iris and then David. “And this is my husband David.”

The two nodded to one another and shook hands, and David pulled a chair up to the table. He helped himself to one of the sandwiches. He waved his hands at both of the women. “Don’t mind me. Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

“What are you doing home so early, David?” Maddie tried to force some nonchalance into her voice she didn't actually feel. What was he doing home? She hadn't expected him for hours! She felt angry for being thwarted and guilty for being caught at the same time, but quickly pushed the latter emotion aside.

David took a bite of his sandwich. “The leads were going nowhere, so I decided to come home to my lovely wife and baby.” He smiled at Iris then looked Maddie in her eyes with icy chips of green. “Surprise!” he said, barely able to hide the sarcasm in his voice. “You didn’t tell me you were having company.”

Maddie cleared her throat, feeling more and more uncomfortable by the minute – and getting ever madder at David for putting her in that position. “Oh, I thought I mentioned it.”

David shook his head. “Nope,” he drawled. “Now, why wouldn’t you think to mention having lunch with an old friend?”

Iris realized that there was a bit of tension between the couple. She didn’t understand what was going on, but she was beginning to feel uncomfortable and thought it would be best if she left. She quickly made her excuses, telling Maddie she would call her the next day.

After Maddie had closed the door on her friend she stomped back on to the patio and turned on David. “Thanks for embarrassing me in front of my friend!” she snapped. Her hands were fists at her side.

David threw his sandwich on the table and jumped to his feet. “Are you fucking kidding me, Sherlock Holmes?” he barked back. “You have the nerve to be mad at me?” His hands were moving around in fury. “I never thought you could be so sneaky!”

Maddie felt trapped. She didn’t know how she was going to get herself out of this, so like she always did her defense was to go on the offense. “And why were you spying on me?” she snapped. “Listening in on my conversations? Do you have bugs hidden around the house?” She realized at the back of her mind that she was being ridiculous, but she couldn’t seem to stop her mouth. Deep down, she knew she was wrong of course, but was trying to turn the tables.

David’s head snapped back. Love and marriage were hard work, he knew that of course, but there were times he got the impression that he always had to be the one to work the hardest, and that Maddie didn’t shoulder the same burden at working hard that he did; it wasn't a pleasant feeling. “Are you joking? I wasn’t fucking spying on you. I was walking to the backyard and heard your friend thanking you for investigating her husband. What the fuck is that about?”

Maddie turned her head away from David. “I was going to tell you, but there never seemed to be a good time,” she defended herself lamely.

“Now seems like a fucking perfect time.” David’s voice was icy.

Maddie flopped in the chair and moved her hands over her face. “Iris is having trouble with her husband who happens to be a famous Irish movie star,” she started to explain. “She thinks that he is cheating and hiding money from her. She asked me to look into his finances. She trusts me and knows that I would be discreet. So I just made a few phone calls.” She looked at David who had been listening to her words silently, with an unreadable expression, arms folded reservedly. “No big deal.” She shrugged.

“No big deal?!” David ruffled his hair in exasperation; he really had been trying to listen to her story without being negative about it from the beginning, but that nonchalant shrug along with her obviously total absence of any feeling of guilt made his ire escalate. “Here I am at work, thinking that you’re taking care of our daughter,” he exploded, “and you’re working on a case?” His voice dripped fury and made the word working sound like something obscene. His voice was low in his rage when he added: “Neglecting our baby.”

“How dare you?” Maddie felt her back go up.

David produced an ironic little bow. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Blue ice met green glaciers. “Now you’re insinuating I’m a bad mother?” Maddie felt her voice shaking. How could he think that she would neglect Jade? What went through that man’s head?

“I never said that,” he contradicted.

“Well, a neglectful mother is a bad mother!” Her eyes were angry, but David could detect the hurt behind the anger.

“I didn’t mean that you’re a bad mother, Maddie, and you know it!” he backpedaled quickly.

“All I know is that my husband just told me I neglect our baby.” She stared at him with blue flames. “You did say that, didn’t you?” She had to stop herself from kicking him hard. In a crazy irrational way, she was happy that he had thrown that at her, because it gave her the chance to turn her self-righteous fury at him instead of questioning her own behavior.

“Okay, I’m sorry, that was a low blow, but” – David’s finger pointed at her like a weapon – “I thought we had agreed that you would stay home full time until Jade was older and then maybe go back part time.”

“I don’t remember a maybe in that agreement!” Maddie threw at him.

David refused to rise to the bait. He didn’t want to argue about this anymore – this talk was through, this disagreement was compromised on and put to rest – or so he had thought, until his sneaky wife had decided behind his back – again! – to take matters in her own hands. Maddie had agreed to concentrate on Jade until she was older, and he planned to hold her to that. David shook his head. “Anyway, give me the information and me and Bert will follow up.”

Maddie stared at David like he had three heads. “You must be joking.”

“I don’t see me laughing, do you?” David asked her snidely.

“Iris hired me. Not you or Bert. She trusts me. Get it?” she snapped, her voice full of arrogance.

“What I get is that you are going back on what we compromised on!” he told her in an elusively calm, almost menacing voice. “And that you went behind my back! Again! And that is a fucking big deal. If I’d have done it you’d have snapped my neck.”

“Don’t tempt me!” was all she could think of; it hit her like a ton of bricks that he was to 100 % right about this. She wanted to say I'm sorry, you're right; but, of course, she couldn't.

“You're really too much.” He shook his head in disbelief.

Maddie stood facing David defiantly with her hands on her hips. “Oh, I will tell you that Iris also asked me to find out if her husband is cheating on her.” She hoped David would offer to accompany her on a stake out, but she knew that was a pipe dream as she looked into her husband’s irate eyes. His anger fueled her own irritation.

“No shit, Sherlock?!” David etched. “And how, Columbo, do you intend to do that? Stick Jade in the back of the surveillance van?”

“I was actually going to ask my mother to watch her while we followed him.”

“Over my dead body!” David barked as he turned his back on Maddie and began to climb the stairs to their bedroom.

“That can be arranged!” she yelled at his back.

David ignored her as he slammed into the bedroom. Maddie flew up the stairs and followed David into their room. She watched him as he threw off his clothes and flung them in the corner. He was spoiling for a fight and damn if she was going to back down.

“I’m working on this case,” she told him, her chin held high.

“No,” he growled, “you are not.”

“Watch me!” she spat at him. “I am too! End of discussion!”

David slammed into the bathroom locking the door behind him. He stood under the hot jets of the shower hoping that would calm him down, but thinking about what Maddie had done only made him angrier. What the hell was wrong with her? And she was the one worried about trusting him?

Maddie sat on the bed waiting for David to come out of the bathroom. How dare he lock the door? How dare he act like he controlled her? He was treating her like his daughter, not his wife – and she wouldn’t put up with that sort of treatment. She was successfully working herself into an even greater rage, silencing the little voice in her head that told her to stop.

When David came out of the bathroom and saw Maddie waiting for him on the bed with her head down he thought hopefully maybe she was going to admit she was wrong. But when she lifted her head and looked at him he saw the self-righteous look on her face she always assumed when she thought that she was right – it made him livid. Really, any thought about fucking that look off her face never entered his mind this time; he just wanted to get away from her before he said or did something he’d regret. Quickly he threw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Without so much as looking at her he left the room and sprinted downstairs with Maddie hot on his heels.

“David Addison, stop acting like you’re my father!” she called furiously after him. “You not the boss of me! You have no right to stop me from helping my friend!”

David stopped so fast she nearly collided into his back which was taut with anger. “Your father?” he echoed. “Try and ask your father what he thinks of the stunt you just pulled. I'd be really curious to hear that!”

“That's none of his business!” she shot back.

“And I guess it's none of my fucking business either,” he growled in a dangerously low voice; she could almost physically feel his cold anger, and for the first time since this argument had started she wished she could shift down a gear. This was getting out of control.

“I didn't say that,” she tried to backpedal.

“Leave me alone, Maddie.” He couldn’t look at her. “I need to get out of here.” His voice dripped with disgust. He stepped into his sneakers by the door.

Maddie didn’t like this one bit. “Where are you going, David?”

“Why even bother asking?” he asked acidly. “You didn't like me coming home early anyway, so you should be happy I'm leaving again.” He shrugged. “Maybe to help out at Richie’s. Maybe just for a drive.” He ruffled his hair then finally turned to look at her. Maddie saw the iciness in his eyes, and that made her really nervous now, but she was too angry again to back down. “Figure it out. You’re such a great detective.” His voice was mean and snide and despite her earlier wish to not let this get out of control she itched to smack him.

David opened the door to leave, and Maddie instinctively tried to grab his arm to stop him, but he shook her hand off like a nasty insect. “I can’t stand the sight of you right now,” he told her with disgust in his voice. “Don’t fucking touch me.” And with those words echoing in her head he slammed the door in her face.

Jade woke up to the sound of the door slamming. Maddie spent the afternoon and into the night fuming and waiting for her husband to come back home. After she put Jade to bed she tried to watch TV, but all she saw was icy green eyes. She wanted to call the bar and see if David was still there, but she held off. She didn't even know if he was really there, and if he had not talked to his brother yet she didn't want to clue Richie in that they were having a fight; too embarrassing was the memory of the night months ago when she had been caught in a ridiculous disguise in Richie's bar spying on her husband. Besides, she hated to be the type of wife who called looking for her husband – but hadn’t she been afraid that David was exactly that type of husband? Well, so far he had proven every single one of her fears and qualms about him wrong since they had been together. She wasn't so sure she had exceeded her husband's expectations. She pushed those uncomfortable thoughts out of her mind.

Finally, a little past 10 she heard David’s car pull into the driveway. Quickly, she flopped on the couch and pretended to be engrossed in a television show.

“I didn’t expect you to be up,” was all he said. No explanation. Great! Fresh anger welled up in her again and choked every bit of guilt and placidity she might have been harboring.

“Hoped I wouldn’t be, you mean,” Maddie told him staring defiantly into his eyes. She was happy to see that David wasn’t drunk, and at the same time she felt guilty about that thought – she had no reason to expect him to be drunk. He had changed for the better since they were a couple. Had she? His eyes were still angry and cold.

David ran his hands through his hair. “I’m tired, Maddie,” he told her in an exhausted voice, “and really not in the mood to fight.” He turned around and headed for the spiral staircase.

Maddie stood up and once again found herself following on his heels as he walked up stairs. “Not fight, David,” she pointed out. “Discuss.”

He shook his head as he walked into the bedroom. “I thought you made it clear that your mind's made up and there is nothing to discuss.” He ran his hand over his face. “Really, any discussion should have been before you set your mind to once again go behind my back. How the fuck can I trust you anymore?”

Maddie stood with her hands on her hips. “Now really you are blowing this all out of proportion!” She wasn't sure she believed her own words. “I was going to tell you, David!”

“But you didn’t and that, honey, is the fucking truth.” Once again he slammed into the bathroom.

Maddie’s heart sank as she stared at the closed door. She decided that now was not the time for any type of discussion. David was too stubborn and angry to be able to hear her out. She would wait until he was calmer – unlike what she had told him before she knew that of course there had to be a discussion about all this. And she was optimistic that eventually he would see things her way.

When she heard him come out of the bathroom about 15 minutes later, Maddie pretended to be asleep. But the way that David lie down on the bed so close to the other side – making sure he didn’t touch her – made her feel scared and hurt. She got little sleep that night.

David knew Maddie wasn’t asleep, but he really didn’t want to continue with the fight. She had to come to her senses and realize she was wrong. She had to understand that sneaking around was something he would not tolerate. She had to understand once and for all that she couldn't act like she was still his boss, decide things concerning their family over his head and behind his back. What hurt the most was the thought of how many times she had told him – or insinuated – that he was the one who had to prove to her that he was trustworthy; but since they were together, she had been the one to go behind his back or lie to him again and again. He remembered Sam's phone call during their first month together she had hidden from him; the sleazy hit-on she had received when she had gone out dancing without him; the daycare center she had contacted without talking to him about her plans first; the way she had spied on him when he had been helping out at Richie's bar because she hadn't trusted him to keep his hands off of other women! The way she had scolded him over and over to behave decently when Richie and the boys had thrown him a bachelor party, like he couldn't be trusted five cents' worth.

He tried to stop these unwanted thoughts, but they kept nagging at the back of his head. He made sure to lie as far away from her as possible, because he couldn’t bear to feel her warm, soft skin anywhere near his body. He got little sleep that night.

***
When Maddie awoke the next morning, she noticed with a pang of disappointment that the bed beside her was already empty. When she had finally fallen asleep that night, she had been so exhausted that she had slept through and never noticed when David got up and left for work. Usually, he always made sure to at least kiss her goodbye – which she always noticed – but this time he had just disappeared. Quickly, she hurried down to the kitchen to get Jade's bottle ready; scanning all the kitchen counters she noticed that he hadn't left her a note – no coffee, no nothing. Giving her the silent treatment? Well, two could play this game.

After taking care of Jade and running a few errands, Maddie decided to push her plans for putting Iris' husband under surveillance forward. David was thinking he could stop her from helping her friend? Well, she would teach him that he couldn't control her. Maddie spontaneously called Virginia who naturally invited her daughter over for lunch. Maddie realized that her parents seemed to be spending more and more time in LA. Virginia had mentioned she would be in town for a few more weeks and happily Maddie’s father was flying over to meet his wife. Maddie surmised that Alex’s semi-retirement would turn into full retirement soon. Both her parents couldn’t seem to stay away from Jade and that was fine with Maddie. When she got there with the baby, Virginia had already fixed a light, early lunch for them. Both women watched Jade napping while they were sipping lemonade.

Finally, Maddie let the cat out of the bag. "Mom, I need to ask you a favor...” Virginia smiled at her eagerly, and she drew a deep breath. “Could you watch Jade two or three times for a few hours next week?"

Her mother beamed. "Oh sure, you know I love to spend time with her... is anything wrong?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"No no,” Maddie quickly assured, “I just have to run a few errands."

Virginia smiled. "Okay... but then why don't I come with you, so you don't have to go alone and we could..."

Maddie raised her hands. "Ah... no, mom that won't be necessary."

The older woman frowned. "I know it's not necessary, darling. What's going on, Maddie?” Virginia knew her daughter too well; she recognized when Maddie was hiding something from her.

Maddie sighed. "It's a surveillance," she told her mother reluctantly.

Virginia gasped in surprise. "Surveillance?" she echoed. "Don't you have staff for that kind of work? And..." she raised her eyebrows. "Aren't you still on maternity leave?"

Maddie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well, actually, it's more a private thing, for a friend."

Virginia knew when her daughter was being evasive. "So, is it work or private?" she inquired.

Maddie suppressed an annoyed snort; she felt cornered. "An old friend called me and asked for my help. She has the feeling that her husband is cheating on her and going behind her back financially, and she asked me to investigate," she explained and ignored Virginia's skeptical look. "It took me only a few phone calls to find out that her husband is indeed involved in some fishy business."

"I see.” Virginia nodded. “Well, a few phone calls don't seem to be a big deal."

"Exactly." Secretly, Maddie drew a relieved breath. She knew that she wasn't wrong – even her mother thought it wasn't a big deal. David was totally blowing the whole thing out of proportion.

But she should have known better than to underestimate the sixth sense of her mother. "Does David know about this?" Virginia asked almost casually.

"Of course he does!" Maddie told her firmly; and technically, it wasn't a lie.

"And is he okay with it?" Virginia inquired further. Damn!

Maddie cleared her throat. "Actually, when he found out he was not too happy," she admitted, not being able to lie to her mother's face; the moment the words were out, she already regretted them. Virginia never missed the tiniest detail.

"When he found out?" she echoed. "What do you mean, when he found out? When did he find out? And how?"

Maddie sighed deeply. She knew she had no choice but to spill the beans now. "Iris called me because she's an old friend and wanted discretion," she started in a defensive tone. "Her husband's a famous Irish movie star. I promised to help her and made a few phone calls. I invited her over for lunch to our house, and David came home early and overheard what we were talking about."

Virginia looked at Maddie with a slight frown. “And when did this all transpire?”

Maddie looked away from her mother’s probing eyes. “Yesterday. It happened yesterday.”

"So let me get this straight," Virginia said and raised her hands, "you agreed to help your friend and carry out that... investigation personally without talking about it to David first?"

Maddie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her mom had a disturbing way of boiling things down to the bare bones; and she realized that when all the sugarcoating was taken away, it really sounded bad. "Mom, I knew he would be against it, which is totally ridiculous. It was just a few phone calls," Maddie defended herself, "and I did it while the baby was asleep. Like you just said, it's no big deal."

Virginia folded her arms. "But going behind your husband's back is," she told her daughter bluntly.

Maddie narrowed her eyes. "So you are on his side?" she asked.

Her mother sighed. "Maddie, I remember when you told me about the fight you two had about you going back to work after Jade's birth. You went looking for daycare centers without talking to David first, and I told you back then it was wrong. I won't tell you anything else now."

"But mom!" Maddie flared, absurdly enough feeling like a teenager.

"You two made a compromise," Virginia told her firmly, "you agreed to start working only when Jade was older. Now that hasn't to be set in stone, but you can't back away from it just like that. And especially not behind David's back."

Maddie clenched her hands to fists. "But he's such a stubborn..."

"And that makes it okay to go behind his back?" Virginia interrupted imperturbably and put her hands to her hips. "Don't roll your eyes at me, Madolyn Hayes Addison,” she told her severely. “You know I'm right. You wouldn't tolerate any sneakiness from him either." She pointed a finger at Maddie. "And besides, a few phone calls from home are one thing, but carrying out a surveillance is a completely different kettle of fish."

"I take it then you won't watch Jade?" Maddie grumbled sourly through gritted teeth.

Virginia shook her head. "Darling, you know I love spending time with my granddaughter more than anything else in the world, but I surely won't help you to go behind David's back.” She went on more softly: “Talk to your husband."

Maddie threw her hands in the air in exasperation. “But he won't listen to me! His mind's made up on this subject!”

“You didn't even give him the chance to see things your way,” Virginia told her. “All I can say is – put yourself in his shoes if you expect him to put himself in yours.”

***
Maddie was deep in thought when she was driving to Blue Moon about an hour later. Weird how a talk with her mother could always bring her down to earth again, and things that seemed so terrible and complicated before just seemed so easy. Yes, David was an ass sometimes. Yes, he was stubborn and too old-fashioned sometimes. And yes, he would probably have put up a fight anyway had she told him before about Iris' request.

But – whenever they had talked about problems, they always had managed to eventually find a solution, a compromise. And she herself was stubborn too. Her mother was right: she never had given him a chance to see things her way by giving him the runaround – and if he had gone behind her back she would have wreaked hell.

Damn, what had she been thinking? After all, David didn't have any other motives than to want the best for their baby. Okay, sometimes they disagreed about what actually was the best for the Bean, but well... that was a normal thing – especially for them – and a disagreement had to be resolved by talking about it, and not by trying to sneakily have it her own way. If she put herself in her husband's shoes, she couldn't help but realize how bad he must have felt – especially given their history: it wasn't the first time she had gone behind his back, she admitted reluctantly. David had to feel awful – deceived, ignored, unimportant.

Maddie knew what she had to do – she had to resolve that matter, and quickly. David was giving her the silent treatment? Well, then she would talk. She could even understand him – he had every right to be angry. She still thought that helping her friend with a few phone calls wasn't a big deal, but her mother had been right – that wasn't the issue. She had gone behind his back, betrayed his trust, and that wasn't just a simple faux-pas. She had to make it clear to him that she understood that – and only then they could get to the matter of re-negotiating the terms of her getting back to work.

When she got to Blue Moon pushing Jade's carrier through the entrance door, a great hello erupted. Everybody greeted her enthusiastically; it was the first time in a long time she had come to the agency – after Jade's birth she had come to the office only once to introduce her baby daughter to her Blue Moon family. Everybody was crowding around the stroller, and Maddie exchanged a few silent looks and nods with Agnes who waved her hands with a smile; she had noticed, of course, that David had been pretty upset when he had come in that morning – although he tried – as usual – to hide it, and she had already figured out that there had to be some trouble in paradise. To see Maddie here was a good sign to her – she seemed eager to sort things out with her husband, whatever those things were.

Maddie drew a deep breath and went over to the closed door of David's office. Almost shyly, she raised her right hand and knocked.

At David’s familiar 'spit and slide under' Maddie slowly walked into her husband’s office. He looked up from his papers and his eyes widened in surprise; Maddie felt a painful sting in her heart when she realized that he didn't look pleasantly surprised. "Back from maternity leave so soon?" he asked in a mocking tone, his words dripping acid.

Maddie bit back a sharp remark and reminded herself what she had come here for. "No, I just dropped by to say hi..."

"Well, hi," he interrupted, his voice coated with sarcasm as he deliberately turned his eyes back to his papers.

She cleared her throat. "I was hoping we could talk."

He let out an exaggerated, annoyed sigh. "Maddie, I'm really not in the mood to..."

"David, please,” she interrupted quickly. “I've come in peace. You don't want to talk, that's fine. Then just listen. Please," she repeated a tinge of urgency in her voice.

Something in her tone caught David's attention; it wasn't aggressive or defiant at all today, it was also bare of any self-righteousness. He drew a deep breath and leaned back in his seat, putting as much distance between them as possible. "I'm listening," he told her nonchalantly.

Maddie sighed; she saw it wasn't gonna be easy this time. But then it had been more than just a minor argument between them. She stepped up to his desk and put a stack of papers on it. David just raised his eyebrows in question.

"These are my finds on Iris' husband." She raised her hands in defense when he frowned at the mention of Iris' name. "I swear I did all that research by phone while Jade was asleep."

"And what do you bring that here for?" he asked curtly.

"To ask you to continue all further investigations," she told him without hesitation. Now she really had his full attention.

He doubtfully raised his eyebrows. "Really? And why's that?” He folded his arms. “Your friend hired you, not me or Bert, remember?" he threw back her own words at her.

Maddie nodded. "She'll understand.” She wasn't so sure Iris would understand, but clearing things with David was far more important and had absolute priority. “I still don't think I was doing any harm to our baby..." David's eyes narrowed, and she quickly went on: "...but nevertheless – we agreed on something else, so I should have told her from the beginning that I couldn't work on that case myself." David just kept looking at her in silence, head slightly tilted to the side, waiting for her to continue.

Maddie sighed. "And of course it was wrong not to talk to you about it before." She drew a deep breath and specified: "To go behind your back. I was wrong. I've realized that now, and I'm really really sorry, David."

He pursed his lips thoughtfully, his expression otherwise unreadable. The he leaned forward again, rose slowly from his seat and rounded the desk. Maddie took that as a good sign – he was walking towards her, not away from her. David shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against his desk, ankles crossed. "The problem is," he finally said calmly, "that you always realize it in the end when you're wrong. And you always apologize." He shrugged. "And then you go and do it again – call a daycare center without informing me, spy on me in men's clothes or whatever you think is necessary or justified."

Maddie shrank a little, and she raised her hands again in defense. "David, I..."

"And what sucks the most," he interrupted, his voice getting angrier now, "is that you always make sure to point out whenever the occasion arises that I'm the one who can't be trusted, whether I go out for a beer with friends, help out at my brother's bar or attend my own fucking bachelor party."

Her shoulders slumped a little. "I know," she admitted in a small voice. “I’m sorry.”

“Really? How can I be sure of that?” David shook his head and looked at her with unbelieving eyes. "Now you tell me, Maddie," he went on, "how am I supposed to trust you again? To believe you really mean it this time?"

"But I always mean it!" she defended herself. Deep down, David knew that was true; he could always see it in her eyes. Whenever she said she was sorry she was being honest.

"Yeah well, you just seem to always forget that quickly!" he snapped.

"It's not that I don't value your opinion or that I think you don't have the right to participate in decisions," she assured and realized how lame that sounded in the light of what had already happened in the past.

"Then what the hell is it?" he demanded to know in a rough voice, wildly gesturing with his hands now. "Because you sure make it look like that!"

She sighed and looked down at her hands wrung in front of her. "I think I didn't tell you anything about Iris because I was sure you'd be even against me making those few calls. And I really didn't think it was a big deal, so I decided to..." she shrugged helplessly and looked at him, "...just do it."

"Maybe it wasn't a big deal," he admitted honestly, "and maybe I would have been against it all the same, I don't know. But that doesn't justify what you did."

"I know, David. And I know that's not how a relationship, any relationship works, let alone a marriage."

"Damn straight, it's not!" angry sparks flew from his eyes, and all she could think was that she desperately wished to see the well-known look of love and passion again in those gorgeous emerald eyes.

"All I can say is that I’ve really, truly tried to do better,” she affirmed. “I guess it's the control freak in me that just wants to be in charge of everything."

"No, it's the stubborn bitch in you!" he snapped and ruffled his hair.

"But I'm your stubborn bitch," she said and bravely reached out for him. When she took his hands in hers and squeezed them, she was relieved to see that he didn't shake her off like he had done the evening before. But he didn't make a move to take her in his arms or even squeeze back either. "Ain't I?" she urged in a slightly shaky voice.

"Of course you are," he replied almost angrily and pulled his hands out of her grip, but not without finally squeezing hers lightly before letting go, she noticed with utter relief. He drew a deep breath and ruffled his hair again. "Listen," he said seriously, "I'll be honest with you. I'm still not okay with this. Right now, I need a bit of time and fresh air. So, I'm going out with Bert now; we wanted to do some legwork anyway this afternoon."

Maddie tried to swallow the lump in her throat and the bitter taste of upwelling tears. "Okay," she nodded.

David took his jacket from the back of his chair and slipped it on. "While you're here, why don't you take the chance and let Agnes fill you in on our current cases." He threw her a mean but not spiteful look. "To satisfy the control freak in you," he added sarcastically.

She smiled at him tentatively and a little sheepishly; he didn't return the smile, but when he turned to the door she had the impression that he maybe looked a little relieved too. "David!" she called.

He stopped dead in his tracks, his hand already on the doorknob, but didn't turn around to look at her. Maddie cleared her throat. "You haven't said yet that you forgive me."

After a moment, he looked over his shoulder; he still wasn't smiling, but in the corners of his eyes she finally saw again how much he loved her. "Don't I always?" he growled. Then he opened the door and left the office. Maddie smiled through her tears.

***
David wasn’t in the mood to do any legwork that afternoon; his problem with Maddie still weighed heavily on his mind. He had meant it when he had asked how he could trust her to not go behind his back again. And like he had told her, it annoyed the hell outta him that she always had in her blonde head that he wasn’t the one to be trusted. If he had done any of the sneaky stuff she had done to him he wasn’t sure that they would have ever come this far in their relationship. All he knew was that even though he was crazily, wildly in love with his wife he had to make sure she knew he would not put up with anymore devious behavior. The foundation of their marriage was on the line if it continued like that.

Bert kept throwing furtive glances David’s way. He knew his friend had something on his mind, and he was hoping he would share his angst. He had asked David the same question three times so far without an answer. Bert cleared his throat as he turned to his boss. “David, are you okay? I mean, I don’t like to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but I have a feeling that you, my good friend, have something on your mind.”

David sat up straight in the passenger seat and ran his hands through his already messy hair. He shook his head. “Everything’s fine, Bertie boy.”

Bert could never stop himself from interfering when he thought he could help. “Well, I saw your wife was in the office today. And I did notice that her usual look of happiness and bliss was not in her eyes today.”

“She looked fine to me,” David lied. He didn’t feel like talking about his problem with Bert. Although they had become good friends the shorter man still could rub him the wrong way.

Bert shifted in his seat. They were parked in front of the home of a man who hired them to see if his wife was cheating on him during the day with their neighbor. So far the wife seemed to be innocent. “Maddie seemed to be carrying a heavy burden on her shapely shoulders.”

David threw Bert a scornful look. “Stop looking at my wife’s shoulders.” David took a sip of his can of Coke, “and her shoulders are fine.”

The shorter man ignored David. “WelIll, to be completely honest, I did overhear your lady love telling Agnes that you were angry over something she had done.”

“Oh really, did she tell Agnes that once again she went behind my fucking back to do what the hell she wanted?!” David couldn’t stop the vehemence from spewing from his lips. He wished he could bite his words back. “Forget it, Bert. It’s nothing.”

Bert nodded thoughtfully. “Well, you just mentioned your better half went behind your back. Please my friend, I am a good listener, and you seem like you need an ear to whisper your problems into right now.”

David sighed deeply. Maybe he did need a sounding board, and – weird enough – so far it had never turned out bad whenever he had confided in Bert. He was still feeling very annoyed with his wife and he couldn’t shake the negative feelings running through his head. David explained in a nutshell what was going on between him and Maddie.

Bert listened quietly until David was finished. “I understand your pain,” he threw a sideways glance at his hero, “but your blonde honey wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, sir. She loves you deeply.”

David nodded. “I know that, but that doesn’t excuse her devious, sneaky ways.” David waved his hands around in agitation. “I’m not sure I can trust her.”

“Do you think maybe the reason she hides things from you is because you have a very definite opinion on how things should be?” Bert suggested bravely.

David glanced at him with a scowl. “I’m not the control freak.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Bert threw out.

“What the hell are you getting at?” David’s jaw dropped, “you can’t tell me that you’re on her side?”

“I’m on no one person’s side.” Bert told him almost solemnly, “I am on the side of true love.”

David made a gagging sound. “What in your scruffy head are you getting at?” David waved him on with his hand, “I’m feeling my hair thinning waiting for your point.”

“Forgive me, sir, if I’m out of line, but maybe your delicious wife,” David looked at him crossly, “feels forced to go behind your sturdy back because she does not feel like her voice will be heard.”

“What? Her voice is heard alright! Screaming, yelling, nagging.”

Bert shook his curly mop of hair, “no, no, David. What I mean is that maybe she thinks that you will not listen to her opinion or her wishes.” Bert looked at David carefully, he didn’t want to raise the wrath of the man he idolized, but sometimes he felt that David was more controlling and stubborn than he’d ever admit. Both of his bosses were like that – even if Maddie was the more stubborn one – and that was the reason for so many of their problems. “Possibly, if she knew you were willing to listen with an open mind and ear she wouldn’t be as sneaky,” Bert continued and added hastily: “But of course I'm not justifying her actions in any way... just trying to explain them. Think of the teenager who sneaks around on her overly strict parents.”

“You saying I’m strict with my wife? What the fuck is that?” David was getting angry at his sidekick.

“Not strict, David, but maybe unwilling to see things through her blue eyes.”

That made David think. Maybe Bert was right in his own weird Viola way. He had to admit that when it came to Maddie working and leaving Jade he didn’t want to hear it – and Maddie knew how adamant he was on the subject, despite his grudging agreement to have her return to Blue Moon part time when Jade was older. And he had to admit to himself he would have been dead set against her doing any investigating for her friend even when Jade slept – and that, he had to reluctantly admit – well, that was a little exaggerated. True, they had made an agreement, but that didn't mean this agreement couldn't be changed. And, after all, this would be an exception; she never did say that she was planning to return to work sooner than they had compromised on. Maddie was a mother true, but she had also been a career woman most of her life. He never realized how difficult it had to be for her to give everything up to stay home all day with an infant. David felt his love well up for his wife – just like he had given up his wild bachelor life, she was willing to give everything up for him and Jade – but maybe he could bend a little. Suddenly, things looked brighter.

David patted Bert’s shoulder. “Thanks, Viola.” David grinned at his friend.

A smile split Bert’s unshaven face. He didn’t know how he had helped, but he was glad that David looked happier than he had all day. “You’re welcome. Any time you need to hear my words of wisdom, my pearls of…”

David squeezed Bert’s shoulder causing the short man to grunt. “I get it, Bert.”

***
David couldn’t wait to get home to see his wife. Of course he wasn’t going to make things easy for her – he had to make sure that she realized she was wrong for being sneaky – but he was going to forgive her of course. In fact, he had already forgiven her, but he couldn't forget that easily yet. And then they needed to talk – he felt his dick lengthen – well after a thorough fucking session, that was.

When David strode into the house, Maddie was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. She had purposely put Jade to sleep early, so she could give her whole attention to her husband when he got home. She had carefully dressed in one of her sexy yet classy long satin nightgowns – this one was silver with a slit up each leg that reached to the upper thighs – and low cut enough to reveal the tops of her creamy breasts. Maddie knew she looked good; she only hoped David would notice it too.

David’s dick twitched when he saw Maddie waiting for him dressed in a figure hugging nightgown. She was ready for action, and of course he wasn’t going to disappoint her. Even though after his talk with Bert he was willing to work with her, David still felt a bit angry at his complicated blonde.

She smiled tentatively at him. “Hi,” she said in a husky voice. David knew that she meant it to sound seductive and sultry – and it did – but he also heard a tinge of insecurity in her voice, and that really touched him. Of course she knew she had done him wrong, and she felt bad about it and was afraid he wouldn't forgive her that quickly. Yes, she had realized this wasn't to be taken lightly.

“Hey,” he answered almost casually.

Maddie drew a deep breath. “David, I really meant what I said today. I’m really sorry, honey.” She approached her husband who was still standing by the entry door with his legs slightly spread and his head tilted to the side, waiting for her to come near, obviously not intending to meet her halfway. But she saw the lust glittering in his amazing eyes, and her nipples hardened and pushed against the front of the gown. And when David licked his lips she felt her loins begin to ache for him.

“I know, Maddie,” he replied in a low voice, and her insides melted. “And I meant what I said.” He watched her stride over to him with swaying hips, her nipples straining against the material of her nightgown – he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her.

Maddie took the initiative without any further preliminaries; she was happy that David didn’t move away when she pulled off his suit jacket and tie. He was left with his white dress shirt that she began to slowly unbutton as her lips were beating a fiery trail over his chiseled jaw. “So sorry,” she murmured between kisses. “I’ve been a bad girl.” Her mouth moved down to his chest – her tongue flicked over his nipples lightly. Maddie smiled when she heard David’s breathing quicken. “Am I your bad girl?” she purred.

David shrugged off his shirt as his fingers began to move over Maddie’s taut nipples – stroking them languidly through her nightgown. “Yeah, real bad, babe,” he whispered – his hands gliding over the sheer material of her nightgown, wandering over her still full breasts. “Nice big tits.” David’s big hands began to knead her breasts until he heard Maddie’s gasps of pleasure. “But bad girls need fucking too.” He grabbed a handful of the shiny satin over her cleavage and pulled her hard against him with one sudden move leaving her startled. “Yeah, and I’m gonna bang the ‘bad’ right out of you.”

“David,wait!” Maddie gasped; she wanted to make love, but the look in David’s eyes told her he was still harboring anger inside of him. The hungry look on his handsome face made her want him anyway.

“No can do, Maddie,” he drawled slowly, and she felt like fainting. He kissed her hard on the lips and forced her to the floor in front of the stairs in one fluent move.

Maddie felt a wild desire spring up inside of her – as her quick, greedy fingers unbuckled and unzipped David’s pants and pushed them down around his muscular ass. Her hands moved over his hard butt before she wrapped her arms around his neck; her lips moved over his ear. “Fuck me, David. Do it to me now!” she moaned deep in her throat.

“You are such a bitch sometimes, but I still love you,” David told her in a rough voice as he kneed open her legs and plunged into her with one deep thrust, burying himself to the hilt inside of her. He spread her legs under him as he began to pound into her over and over. “Yeah, babe, take my big dick, I know you love it,” he almost growled as his teeth bit into that spot. The hot tightness of her made him call her name in ecstasy.

When Maddie felt David inside of her she felt her insides melt around him. She loved how he filled her completely. She felt the spasms grow inside of her as he moved inside of her – his hard thrusts were pressing her into the floor – the tile was cold against her ass, but that only intensified the sensation of hotness inside her. She began to spiral out of control - her hands were clawing his back – she was trying to control her screams of passion as not to wake the baby.

David pumped into her with deep hard thrusts, his hips were moving against her forcefully. “Oh yeah babe,” he groaned, “you love it hard. I know you do. Come baby. Come hard for me.” David felt her body tense and knew she was close – his orgasm was building quickly. “Come now, baby,” he urged as he pumped furiously into her almost slamming her against the tiles. “Now, baby!” he demanded in that bossy voice which pushed Maddie over the edge, and when David felt her pulsate around him he gave one last deep thrust and came long and hard with a primal growl.

When it was over, David collapsed on top of her and lay there inert for a minute. Maddie also was too spent to move and loved the feeling of David’s weight pinning her to the floor. But she was the first one to make a move to get off the cold floor. “I hate arguing, but I do love making up,” she purred, still a little breathlessly, as she moved out from under him and stood up.

David smirked as he turned on his back and looked up at his naked wife who was standing over him. He had a great view of her sexy hotbox and legs which were slightly spread open. His hands had a mind of their own and started to run up her leg slowly.

Maddie grinned down at her husband. He really was insatiable, and she loved it. Knowing that she still turned him on completely made her feel sexy and young and so very happy. She winked at him as she took his big hand and pulled him to his feet. “Later, lover. I have your favorite foods cooking, so go, take a shower, and when you come down we’ll eat.“ She licked her lips which made his dick twitch. “And then maybe some sweet dessert?”

David smacked her ass just enough to make it sting. “I love it when you’re bossy,” he teased as he headed towards the stairs, then he turned around and looked at her with his lips pursed and his head tilted to the side, “and about this cooking business – I thought you were trying to make me happy, not sick.” She could see the amusement in his eyes.

Maddie’s blue eyes shot fire at him but her lips twitched in a smile. “I hate you.”

“Yeah, right.” He turned and began to climb the stairs his laughter trailing along with each step he took.

Maddie was thrilled to see David wolf down his meal. Even though she would never win any Blue Ribbons for her cooking, she had improved a great deal in the past months. Being home all day with Jade gave her the opportunity to try out different recipes – and surprisingly most turned out delicious. Tonight she had grilled steaks and made mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. A simple dinner to prepare but getting the steaks done to David’s specifications was not always easy. He loved his steak a certain way, and tonight she had succeeded in grilling it to perfection. Over dinner they had chatted about inconsequential things, not wanting to spoil their meal to discuss their problems; but now that the meal was over Maddie knew she had to open up that nasty can of worms before they rotted.

She cleared off the last of the plates as David sipped his beer. “I’m glad you enjoyed the meal,” she told him bending down and kissing the top of his head. She ran her hands over his face before she sat down across from him.

“It was delicious. Now how bout that dessert?” He winked lasciviously. David also knew that he had some things to say, but sometimes it was still hard to open up and admit that maybe he had kind of pushed her into going behind his back.

Maddie smiled. “Later, cowboy.” She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as she began to speak. “But I think we need to have a talk first.” She drew a deep breath and began: “Yes, I know I told you I was sorry, and yes I know once again I promised not to go behind your back. But David...” her blue eyes were earnest as she stared into his green ones, “this time I swear I will do my damnedest to stick to that promise.”

David held up his hands as if to stop her. “Listen honey, I’ve been doing a little thinking too, and well maybe,” he ran his hands through his hair, “maybe I’ve been stubborn on some things too – I want things my way too.”

Maddie listened intently. Maybe this was a breakthrough for them. She did think that David had been too rigid in many of his ideas regarding her and working, but she didn’t want to risk their marriage to demand that he change his ways; after all, they had discussed this issue thoroughly, and they had come to a compromise. It had seemed wrong to her – and pointless – to try and re-negotiate terms although secretly it had been nagging at her that she had agreed to stay away from Blue Moon completely for a few months. So, instead of addressing the subject, she had snuck - which was even worse, she admitted to herself.

David shook his head. “Listen, what I’m trying to say is that maybe I was wrong to force you to stay home with the baby.”

Maddie was shocked to think that David believed he was forcing her to stay home with Jade. “David!” she cut him off. “You’re not forcing me to stay home with Jade. This is an agreement we made, not some decision you have forced upon me. I love being home with her!” Maddie grinned. “And really, you do know that I won’t be forced to do anything I don’t want to do?”

“You mean that?”

“Of course I do, you, dummy!” Maddie felt a bit annoyed at them both; they had done it again: assumed instead of speaking honestly to each other. Which had led to misunderstandings again. “How could you think I don’t want to be with Jade?”

David ruffled his hair. “Well, I don't know, but to me it looked like you can't wait to get out of the house and back to the office, talking about stakeouts and all...”

She interrupted him again. “David, that was an exception! I never said that I didn't want to stay home with her for the first few months. Most of the time I want to be with her, but maybe not all day every day!” Maddie’s voice was firm in her wants. “And the most important thing... I'm getting the feeling that I'm losing touch with Blue Moon. I'm starting to feel like and outsider.”

“An outsider?!” David echoed in disbelief. “Baby, how can you be an outsider? There is no Blue Moon without you!” He shook his head. He never had thought of that, what had he been thinking? His wife, Maddie formerly-known-as-Hayes Addison, control freak... and how could she of all people not be in touch with the agency that had been her life for three years? Of course she had to feel like a limb had been cut off. His shoulders slumped. “Great. And I wanted you to stay home with Jade all day every day.”

Maddie’s ears perked up when she heard ‘wanted’ instead of want. “Wanted?” Her voice was hopeful.

David nodded slowly. “Maybe I was too adamant that you bend to my ideas, although we compromised on it. I want us to bend together. I was wrong.”

Maddie shook her head. She grabbed David’s hand and squeezed it. “No, we were both wrong. I know we agreed to wait until Jade was older for me to return to work, but I thought that maybe you were just saying that to placate me. I didn’t think you really meant it.”

David grinned sheepishly, “Yeah, maybe I didn’t.” He squeezed her hand back. “But now I am willing to listen.” He threw her the half smile that she adored. “Of course you need to stay in touch with what's going on. I'm sorry I never thought of that.”

“Well, I never realized it before myself,” Maddie shrugged. “But today, when I was at the office and talked to Agnes after you had left... I saw how much I'd been missing.”

“No, you need to keep in touch,” David agreed, and Maddie's heart jumped with joy. “I mean,” he went on, “I still think the Bean shouldn't go to daycare before she’s at least a few months old, but there's nothing wrong with you leaving her with your mother every once in a while when she's in town, that way you could come to the agency and keep your finger in the pie. Or you can just bring her along,” David smiled. “You know everybody is crazy about her.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Agnes and Bert need to practice anyway.”

Maddie sighed and smiled with relief. Again, that easy, seriously? Damn, that talking thing was really a smart thing to do. “That would be great,” she agreed with a lump in her throat.

“Oh,” David went on, “and maybe we can work together on your friend’s case. I looked over the papers you left with me, and you did a great job.” His hands were talking along with him, “and if you want your mom to watch the baby now and again so you can work with me I see nothing wrong with it.” He stared at her intently. “As long as it isn’t too many now and agains.”

Maddie’s face lit up and her eyes sparkled. “Deal!” She smiled. “I love you, David.”

He kissed her hand again. “And I love you, Maddie.”

Maddie stood up and moved closer to David where she fell to her knees. “Now... for some of my sweet dessert.”

David moved his chair back and spread his legs. “And what are you yearning to put in that sassy mouth, my sexy hussy?” he purred, switching into sex mode immediately. His dick was hard as a rock in his sweat pants.

Maddie’s hands were busy pulling down David’s sweats which puddled around his ankles. Then she began to kiss his muscular thighs as she stroked and fondled his massive boner. “I want this big dick in my mouth,” she whispered against his hard cock. Her tongue flicked out licking the shaft in long lazy strokes. “Ya like?” She whispered, knowing perfectly well that he did.

“Oh God, I love,” David moaned as he tangled his hands in her hair. “Lick it, baby. Get your sweet dessert.”

Maddie’s tongue moved over the head of David’s dick, then once again moved over his shaft slowly at first then faster and faster. David was moving his hips in time with her licks but he wanted more. “Suck it, babe. Fuck me with your mouth,” he told her as he pushed her mouth closer to his dick.

Maddie took David in her mouth and began to move her head back and forth faster and faster, in the rhythm he loved. David was now pulling her hair and moving his hips faster and faster going deep into her mouth. His head was thrown back talking dirty to her. “Yeah, babe... suck my dick. I know you fucking love it. Oh God, that feels so good.” He pulled her hair slightly harder as he neared his orgasm. “God, Maddie, I’m coming! Oh yeahhh...” David cried out as he came long and hard in the back of her mouth.

He finally opened his eyes and looked at Maddie who was lovingly raining kisses on his taut belly. How much he loved and adored that woman! He quickly pulled her into his lap and pushed into her with one deep push, causing her to let out a loud gasp. Then he began to move his hips up and down as he fucked her senseless. Maddie began to mimic David’s movements – and now she was the one pulling on his hair. Both of them were moaning each other’s names.

“Oh David, I love this!” she cried out. “Oh, it feels so good. Fuck me!”

“Oh, babe... You’re my bad girl,” he groaned and demanded: “I want you to come for me again. Come, baby. Be my bad hussy.”

“Oh God, yeah...” she panted breathlessly. “I’m bad – bad for you only. Oh yes, I’m coming again!”

And both of them spiraled into intense orgasms that left them gasping.

After he had regained his senses and a bit of his strength, David stood up with Maddie in his arms. “Okay honey, now I fucked you real hard and fast, but if you’re good I’ll take you upstairs and fuck you nice and slow all night long.”

Maddie wrapped her arms around David’s neck. “Promises. Promises.” She laughed against his waiting lips.

***
Time seemed to be flying by. Through Maddie’s hard work and a couple of stake outs with David the couple were able to prove that Iris’ husband was less than faithful. That saved Maddie’s friend Iris a lot of money since they proved that her husband was not only cheating but hiding his assets and money. Iris hired a good lawyer and she would happily and deservedly be walking away from the marriage a very wealthy woman. Iris bestowed on Blue Moon a very big bonus as well as referring a few of her friends who also were wary of their husbands’ intentions.

After the case was solved, David and Maddie had many more long talks, and David understood completely now that it was important to Maddie to still be part of the business. Like they had agreed, she would come into Blue Moon a couple of mornings a week and on the occasional stake out whenever Virginia was in town – which would be quite often. When Virginia wasn’t in town, Maddie would bring Jade to the office, and she and David would take care of her together with the occasional help of Agnes.

Terri and Richie were spending most of their time together, even if Richie was very busy at the bar and, due to the nature of his business, couldn't be free every evening like the average guy; but Terri had always known him like that, and for the moment she was fine with it and appreciated his hard work and the seriousness with which he tried to make his bar a success. Richie's thoughts were more and more circling around the realization that Terri was The One, and one evening when he was home alone doing paperwork for the bar, he suddenly realized that his mind was made up – he was determined to pop the question in the very near future.

In the meantime, Agnes and Bert were putting the finishing touches on their wedding which was less than a week away – Valentine's Day. Maddie had surprised Agnes by planning a bridal shower which included all the Blue Moon ladies, Terri – and even Agnes’ mother came to town for the celebration. The women had a great time at the restaurant – where they ate, drank and opened present after present. Maddie made sure not to hire strippers; she still cringed when she remembered her own shower just a few short months before.

Richie and David planned to throw Bert a bachelor party at the bar that Saturday night. The brothers had planned a night that Bert would never forget.

[guest]

That was a fabulous chapter, thank you ,so well written. I hope we don't have to wait so long for the next one

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2014 18:29:00 GMT -5 guest said:

That was a fabulous chapter, thank you ,so well written. I hope we don't have to wait so long for the next one

thanks, we're already working on it and have it already drawn out in our heads. Stay tuned!!