Married with Babies

[Addisonsgirl]

On the way home from visiting Stephanie and Hope at the hospital both Maddie and Terri made a stop at the drugstore. They couldn't wait to get home to see the results of their pregnancy tests. Terri was a little nervous about Richie’s reaction, so she wasn't planning on saying anything to him until she knew for sure. Maddie, somehow untypically for her, felt she should share the news with David from the start.

After exchanging news about Stephanie and the baby and seeing to Jade, Maddie put the pregnancy kit on the coffee table in front of the sofa where David was sitting with Jade in his lap. Suddenly, Maddie realized she was a tad nervous over David’s reaction. She knew how she felt: their lives had just returned to some semblance of order; Jade was out of that colicky infant phase and for the most part was sleeping through the night. And of course she had just returned to Blue Moon part-time. Another baby at this time would be upsetting and inconvenient. She thought David would feel the same. Of course, she should have known better.

At first David didn’t realize what Maddie had placed before him, but when it dawned on him a huge smile covered his handsome face. A pregnancy test! Now that came totally unexpected. Were they going to have another baby? The thought filled him with joy. Sure, he knew it wouldn’t be easy with two babies under two running around the house, but they could do it, and if needed they’d get a part time college kid to help out around the house. Then, of course, there were Virginia and Alex too who, he was sure, would be as thrilled as he was. Although David knew that even though they would offer their assistance watching two small children under the age of two might be too much for them. David sat up straight and pulled Jade up on his lap and pretended she was dancing. “This is great, mommy!” He singsonged in a high baby-like voice. “A little brother or sister to boss around!” He moved the baby’s arms up in the victory sign.

Maddie was taken aback. Her eyes grew wide. “I didn’t even take the test yet, David,” she snapped, “and why are you so damn happy?”

For a split second David's face froze when he remembered Maddie uttering almost those exact same words the morning after the first night they had been together, and he was surprised how vivid the memory of that hurt still was – but then he quickly pushed that thought away. “Maybe the question is – why aren’t you happy?”

Maddie paced back and forth in front of the couch. “I never said I wasn’t happy!” She ceased her pacing which was making David dizzy and stood over him with her hands on her hips. “Don’t put words in my mouth!” She flopped down on the couch next to him and put her head in her hands. “I don’t know how I feel,” she admitted ruefully and honestly.

David was glad she was open about her feelings and didn't cover them up by provoking a fight; he patted Maddie’s hair gently. “Baby, whatever the results are – we’ll get through it together.”

She looked up into David’s face and was for the moment hypnotized by the love and happiness emanating from her husband’s incredible eyes, and she was glad she had decided not to hide her suspicion from him as maybe she would have done a few months before. “But Jade is so young, and I just got back into a routine and…”

“And and and...” David repeated in a light, yet soothing tone.

“Maybe this isn’t a good time,” Maddie confessed her worries, hoping he wouldn’t get angry with her.

David pursed his lips thoughtfully. Even though he would have loved to have another baby as soon as possible, he did understand his wife’s ambivalence. Wow, he thought to himself, we are actually discussing things like two mature adults, Maddie's being honest about her feelings, and I am trying hard to understand them.

“Maybe it’s not up to us to decide whether it’s a good time or not,” he told her slowly. He put Jade down on the play mat and pulled Maddie into his arms. “Come on, honey,” he nodded toward the baby who was happily playing with her toys, “would another one be such a bad thing?”

Maddie shook her head. “No, of course not... but I just started working again and...”

David cut her off. He tried to keep the edge out if his voice. “Is working more important than having our kids?”

Maddie pulled out of his arms. “No, of course not!” She threw her head back on to the back of the couch.

David pulled her back into his arms. He didn’t want to argue. “We didn’t plan the Bean, and look how that turned out. Before we continue this line of dialogue why don’t you go into the bathroom and take the test?” he suggested softly.

Maddie nodded slowly; she felt a million miles away.

He kissed the top of her head. “Listen, babe, why don’t I put the Bean to bed, and you do what you got to do.” He stood up and bent down to pick Jade up, then with the baby in his arms he threw Maddie a two finger kiss as he headed toward the stairs.

She was sitting on their bed, holding the still unopened box, when David walked into the room after putting Jade to sleep. He looked at his wife who was opening and closing the top folds of the box mindlessly. “So?” David inquired.

“I didn’t take it yet. I’m kinda nervous,” Maddie admitted.

For a second David felt angry; why was it such a bad thing if she was going to have another baby? He wanted a couple of kids at least, and he had thought they were on the same page about that. After all, she wasn’t getting any younger. But Maddie still had to plan everything. He pushed these unwanted thoughts out of his head with conviction; he didn’t want to fight over this. Deep down he knew that she was on his page and that she would eventually embrace it if it turned out that she was pregnant, even if she thought this might not be a good time; that was just the eternal worrier in her. A wave of affection for his over-thinking wife washed over him; he knew that she was the hardest on herself.

He pointed to the bathroom door. “Well, now’s a good time as any.” He shrugged. “Waiting isn’t going to change the results.”

Maddie nodded as she took the pregnancy kit and headed toward the bathroom with David. The waiting seemed endless, but a few minutes later the test strip came back negative. David didn’t bother to look at Maddie as he shed his clothes and headed toward the shower. “Guess you’re happy,” he threw out at her; he was disappointed and maybe a tiny bit annoyed at Maddie. He stepped into the shower to hide his feelings from his wife.

Maddie had felt a momentary feeling of relief when the results came back negative. She was really proud of them – they hadn't even had an argument but handled the matter like mature adults. But she still was a little irritated about David's attitude all the same; oh, he hadn't really said anything reproachful to her, but she had been able to feel his disappointment and a little more – a hint of anger about how she felt. How could he not understand her? He wasn't the one literally having to carry all the weight of the pregnancy; it was easy for him to see only the positive sides. But she decided to let the case rest for now – the question didn't matter much now because after all she was not pregnant, and that was a good thing. She pulled herself together mentally and put a smile on her face, hoping the mood would follow.

When the phone on her bedside table rang, she frowned. "Hello?" she answered a little worried, like always when you get an unexpected phone call late in the evening.

"Hey, it's Terri." Her soon-to-be sister-in-law sounded normal and as bright as ever.

"Terri, hey," she answered a little absentmindedly.

"So... spill!" Terri urged. "How did your test come out?"

"Oh, the test!" Maddie tried to sound deliberately nonchalant and cleared her throat. "Negative."

"Okay." A little pause at the other end of the line, then Terri asked neutrally: "And is that good news or bad news?"

"That's good news, of course!" Maddie put a hint of glee and relief in her voice that she didn't really feel, as she suddenly was astounded to realize.

"Is it?" Terri probed, not sounding so convinced. Damn, sometimes her way of questioning things and putting her finger right in the wound reminded Maddie of Agnes.

"It is," she assured firmly. "I mean – It's simply not the right time for a new baby yet. I've just started to work again, and I have my hands full with Jade. I’m not sure if I’m up to two babies so small and so close in age.” Maddie was unconsciously trying to convince herself as well as Terri.

Sometimes Terri wondered why Maddie was so keen on working. Terri wished that she could stay home full time with Nate, but at the start it hadn't been an option because she had been alone, and even now that she and Richie were together they had just bought a home and they needed her income. Maddie also had her parents around to help, and David didn’t work nearly every night like Richie did, so really it wouldn’t be such an extra burden for her to have another baby. Terri felt an uncharacteristic pang of irritation and jealousy toward her friend who sometimes through all her worrying seemed to forget how lucky she was.

She mentally shook off her momentary annoyance at her ever-worrying friend, because envy wasn't in her nature and replied lightly: "Well, congratulations then!"

"Thanks," Maddie murmured and asked: "And what about you??"

"Another Addison on the way," came Terri's answer, and Maddie could hear the smile in her friend's voice.

"You sound like that’s happy news," she smiled and was wondering about the faint sadness suddenly tugging at her heart.

"Oh well," Terri replied, and Maddie could see the other woman shrug before her inner eye, "that's a given. Of course I want to have kids with Richie...” Terri's voice trailed off for a moment, then she laughed and went on: “I mean, I could have waited a little too, you know – enjoying my new old body shape a little longer, but hey – on the bright side, this time when the pregnancy hormones start to rage, I will have a handsome and incredibly sexy husband to take care of that." She chuckled throatily with the knowledge that this pregnancy, unlike the last one, wouldn't come with the sexual frustration of a long dry spell; Richie would gladly see to that. She sighed happily without even noticing.

"I'm happy for you then," Maddie said a little uneasily.

"Thanks, Maddie. I don't believe anyway there's such a thing as the perfect time – there's always something that doesn't fit." She paused for a moment, and her words already started to sink into Maddie's brain, and without being aware, she nodded slowly in agreement. "Oh," Terri added, "but you have to do me a favor..."

"Done," Maddie replied without thinking and, despite her melancholic and confused state of mind, smiled to herself when she realized that she had really changed her ways and still was changing them.

"You sound like David," Terri remarked with a smile in her voice, and Maddie knew she meant it as a compliment. Her friend went on: "Listen, please don't tell David about this before I've had the chance to tell Richie. I doubt he could keep it to himself."

"Your secret is safe with me," Maddie assured. "But you are going to tell Richie soon, aren't you?"

"Of course!" Terri laughed. "Tonight he’s working the night shift at the bar, and tomorrow afternoon is the day we go into contract on our new house!” Terri’s voice was filled with happiness. “I figure I’ll tell him tomorrow night.”

Terri was extra excited about that. She and Richie had just recently bought a small but lovely ranch house not far from the university where she worked. Terri had saved a bit of money over the years, and Richie’s bar was doing well, so they thought the time was right to pool their resources and buy a home of their own. Both had grown up in houses and although their childhood houses had not been mansions, they had both enjoyed having a backyard – and both wanted that for Nate. Maybe someday they would be able to afford a bigger home, but for now they were both thrilled they would soon be living together in something that belonged to them – oh, and the bank for the next thirty years of course.

"Oh, that is wonderful news too!" Maddie nodded. “And sure I can keep your secret."

"Thanks. Speaking of a secret... did you tell David about your suspicion?" Terri asked out of the blue.

Maddie nodded. "I did." She sighed. "He was disappointed about the way it had turned out."

"I can imagine," Terri remarked carefully. "Everything okay?"

"Yes. We didn't fight," Maddie answered the unasked question.

Terri chuckled. "I'm so proud of you both. Well, the right time will come for you too, and then you'll both be happy, and that's the way it should be."

Maddie swallowed. "You're right." They said goodbye, and she put down the receiver, staring at it thoughtfully for a moment. Terri's words reverberated in her head: Of course I want to have kids with Richie... I don't believe anyway there's such a thing as the perfect time – there's always something that doesn't fit... the right time will come for you too...

Was the time really so wrong? She did want more kids with David, and Terri was right – who was to say when the right time is? Maybe in two years another baby would be inconvenient because she would be back at Blue Moon full time and the agency might need her. And then in a few more years it might be inconvenient because Jade would be starting school and a new baby may be in the way. There's always something that doesn't fit. And then – soon, she would be over forty – and who knew if she would be able to get pregnant again when she finally decided that now might be a convenient time.

She remembered the sad slump of David’s shoulders when he had headed into the shower and knew that she needed to tell him the way she felt. A happy smile crawled slowly over Maddie's face when she got up from the bed and went into the bathroom that was filled with steam and the scent of soap; she noticed that, unlike other nights, David was not singing in the shower. Maddie dropped her clothes on the bathroom floor and joined him in the shower.

David had his face turned up toward the stream of water as she moved closer to him and put her hands on his chest. David was momentarily startled; he had been deep in thought. “Maddie?”

“David.” Maddie stared hard into her husband’s incredible eyes. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed,” she told him seriously.

David looked down at her beautiful face. “I’m sorry you’re not,” he replied in a hoarse voice.

Maddie took the soap and began to wash David’s chest in a slow circular motion. “But I am.”

David took the other bar of soap and began to mimic Maddie’s moves on her chest. He looked her into the eyes with a question in his. “Am what?”

“Disappointed,” Maddie told him as her hands moved over his taut belly. David’s hands were still busy on her breasts. Maddie sighed as his magic fingers along with the soap stroked her nipples.

A slow grin moved up the side of David’s face. “Are you saying you’re disappointed 'cause I’m disappointed, and you think that I’m disappointed that you’re not disappointed?”

Maddie laughed. “I actually understand what you’re saying, Addison.” Her hands moved even lower causing David’s pulse to race and his dick to harden. “And no, it wouldn't be such a bad thing if we had another one. I realize that I do want another baby – and soon.” She saw the smile covering her husband’s face. “But not that soon,” she explained. “Is it okay to wait maybe until Jade is about a year old?” She smiled into his eyes and added: “Roughly. Not over planning anything. I mean, that’s not so long, is it?”

David felt his heart sing. “No, not long at all,” he agreed as his hand moved lower.

Maddie moved closer to him and spread her legs. “I want a little boy who looks just like you. He’ll drive the girls wild,” she moaned.

“Ah, like I drive you wild.” David purred smugly as he dropped the soap and pinned Maddie against the glass wall of the shower stall.

“I am wild for you, fella.” Maddie purred back as she cupped his ass and moved her loins against his massive boner.

“And I’m wild for you,” David whispered as he placed her right leg around his hips and thrust into her quivering core with one deep push.

***
The next night after they had finally gone into contract for the house they had fallen in love with, Terri thought it was a good time to tell Richie her piece of news. She was a little nervous, because she was going to tell Richie about her pregnancy and wasn't 100% sure what his reaction would be. Even though she reckoned he was now a family man and wanted a family with another child or two, she was a little worried that maybe he wouldn't be so thrilled that this was happening so early – and she also always had the question nagging at the back of her head if and how his feelings about Nate would change once she gave him a child of his own. She sighed as she pulled on her comfortable sleep shirt, left the bathroom and crossed her tiny bedroom; she was really looking forward to moving into their new home soon.

From the corners of his eyes Richie, who had already made himself comfortable in bed, saw Terri approach and turned off the TV he had been watching. He winked at her and patted the mattress beside him. “Come to papa,” he teased.

Terri almost let out a nervous chuckle at the hidden irony of his words and climbed into bed beside him, but didn't lie down. She cleared her throat. "Richie... I have something to tell you,” she began. She mentally calmed the nervousness in her voice.

“Oh really?” He put the remote control on the bedside table and turned his full attention to her. “Is that a coincidence or what?” He grinned his lopsided Addison grin; when he spoke, he managed to drop his voice almost a full octave which was always dangerous. “Because I have something for you too.”

“No, I... I didn't mean that,” she stuttered and deliberately remained strictly on her side of the bed although the prospect of making love and procrastinating was very tempting. “I meant... a present. Kind of an... an early wedding present."

Richie raised his eyebrows in surprise. "A wedding present?” he echoed, thrown off track for a moment. “Wow, I didn't even expect one." Thoughts of what he would get her for a gift ran across his mind.

"Well, just for the record: I do," Terri replied dryly.

He laughed in his deep voice. "Hint taken. So, where's mine? I loooove getting presents." He reached out for her waist and pulled her close with a firm grip while he purred: "And unwrapping them is the best part..."

Quickly, before he could throw her off track, Terri caught his hands. "And I love you unwrapping me, but let me tell you first what it is."

He let his hand rest on her hip and threw her a thoughtful glance. "Okay, I'm curious now. What is it, sugar?" he inquired.

"Hmm.” She nodded and swallowed. “Okay. Remember when I told you I only came as a double package?" She threw him a nervous sideways glance.

Richie frowned; how could he ever forget that? "Yes, of course. Why?"

She drew a deep breath. "Make that triple."

He scrutinized her closely, a clueless look fogging his deep blue eyes, but then a ghost of understanding flew over his handsome face and it dawned on him what she was trying to say; a twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Are you saying...” – his eyes quickly darted to her flat stomach, then back to her slightly anxious face – “...we're not alone in this bed?"

The expression in his eyes and the loving teasing tone of his voice told her already that he was anything but unhappy about this new development; Terri smiled. "Yes, that's what I'm saying."

"We're having another baby?!" Now the excitement in his voice was unmistakable.

Terri beamed – not only because of his happy reaction, but also and especially because of his choice of words – he had said "another" baby, equalizing the new addition to their family with baby Nathan! "Yes!" she confirmed, now very excited and happy.

Richie ran his hands through his hair a few times and then, after a short pause, he blurted out: "Wow, that's pretty darn awesome!" Suddenly, he took her face in both hands and pulled her in for a deep steamy kiss that lasted until she had to gasp for air.

Happy laughter erupted, then Terri asked breathlessly: "So you like the present?"

"I love the present!” he replied passionately. “I always wanted a bunch of kids!" At those words though, unnoticed by him, a shadow flew over her face; without noticing the change in her demeanor, he went on: "Which reminds me... we have to talk about Junior."

Terri cleared her throat uneasily. "About Nate?” She raised her eyebrows in question. “Why? What's wrong?"

Richie shook his head. "Nothing's wrong. He's a great kid.” He shrugged. “There's just one thing I don't like about him."

Suddenly, her heart sank. "What's that?" she asked suspiciously.

He wasn't so sure how to tell her what had been on his mind since the moment he had proposed to her, but then he just blurted out: "He should be an Addison."

Terri felt like punched in the gut and was speechless at first. Hadn't he just given her the impression that Nathan Knowles was to him equal to any Addison kid? And now this? What exactly was he saying? "Ah... um..." she stuttered again, then pulled herself together and out of his arms, moving a little away from him. In an upset voice, she blurted out: "Well, Richie, he isn't. But you knew that before,” she told him firmly, her voice getting a little high-pitched. “And if that is a problem now, I have to tell you that this is the worst timing ever to..."

Richie raised his hands and interrupted the flow of her rant: "Whoa, whoa, whoa... hold your horses, Knowles,” he told her smoothly. “What about you listen to what I'm actually saying before you get all worked up about what you assume I'm gonna say?" He threw her a challenging look, and she pressed her lips together, looking at him questioningly, puzzled, clueless about where he was aiming at. "We're a family, right? And as far as I'm concerned, Junior is the firstborn of this family,” he told her firmly and caught her completely off guard with these words. “Therefore he should bear the same name," he added, and she frowned; his words had deeply touched her, but she still didn't understand where he wanted to arrive – until he finally said it: "I want to adopt him."

Terri thought at first her ears had deceived her, and she stared at him with her mouth hanging open; she hadn't seen that coming. "You... you want to adopt him?" Stuttering seemed to have become a habit with her tonight.

Richie rolled his eyes. "Come on, is that so hard to understand?” he asked. “I held him in my hands when he had just been born, I sing his lullaby, I change his diapers if I must and I rub his gums with Orajel when he's teething.” He counted the points with his distractingly long fingers. “I want to be his father in the eyes of the law too."

Terri had heard enough. This went far beyond what she had hoped for. In a choked up voice and with tears welling up in her eyes she asked: "Oh Richie... are you sure?"

He smirked, feeling that childish joy when you really manage to surprise the hell out of someone you love. "And isn't that so much better than what you thought I was gonna say?” he purred and added: “Whatever stupid thing that was." Terri could just nod, for the moment completely unable to speak or move. He couldn't believe himself how fast and how deeply he had fallen in love with this woman; still, he had to tease her. “Are you crying, Knowles?” he asked in a mockingly severe tone.

Finally, Terri pulled herself together and moved back into his arms where she belonged, and he gladly pulled her close to his body again. She drew a deep, shuddering breath, inhaling his scent. "Do you have even the slightest idea of how much I love you, coach?" she asked in a hoarse voice.

He chuckled. "I think I do, but a little reminder won't do no harm, just to be sure.” He pulled her a little closer and lowered his voice a little more. “Why don't you just... show me?"

***
A few days later, the Wednesday before Terri's and Richie's wedding, the groom and the bride went for the last fittings of their tuxedo and wedding gown, each accompanied by their Best Man and Maid Of Honor; Terri and Maddie had brought Agnes along with them too. This time both bachelor party and bridal shower had gone absolutely smoothly and without any collateral damage: nobody had slept under a table, nobody had been arrested or gone missing in any way.

The chat Agnes and Maddie were sharing subsided when Terri emerged from the changing room in her champagne-colored dress with boat-neckline and long tight sleeves that stretched her figure and made her look taller than she actually was. The classic elegant cut accentuated her slim waist; secretly she was a little relieved it still fit.

“Wow, you look so beautiful!” Agnes sighed and patted her swollen belly. “I can't even remember when my waistline looked like that.”

“It's perfect,” Maddie nodded, “Richie is so gonna lose it!”

“Oh, I hope!” Terri laughed and turned to look at herself in the mirror. She had always thought of herself as rather cute, but nothing that special, but in this moment she was stunned by her own appearance; she looked healthy, happy and simply radiant – and very attractive.

Agnes watched her closely and frowned, then she blurted out: “You're not pregnant, are you?”

Terri's jaw dropped, and she looked at her waist in the mirror. No, absolutely no way it was visible already. “Are you a witch or what?” she asked Agnes dryly, and Maddie laughed.

“Oh Agnes, right, you didn't know!” she replied.

“Then it's true!” Agnes exclaimed and clapped her hands. “Oh Terri, that's so wonderful! You and Richie must be so happy!”

“Yes, what did he say when you told him?” Maddie inquired; she hadn't seen Terri or spoken to her since their phone call when they had exchanged pregnancy test results.

Terri slowly turned around to them with a smile. “He's thrilled.”

“I can imagine.” Maddie felt melancholic for a second when she remembered the look of happy excitement on David's face when he had thought she was pregnant too, but the moment went by quickly when she firmly told herself that it was only a matter of time. “And you know already he makes a great dad,” she added and was momentarily unsure if she had mentioned something she better shouldn't have touched; she knew she in Terri's place would be happy but worried at the same time about Richie's attitude towards Nathan and if that would change with the arrival of a new family member that, unlike Nate, was his own flesh and blood.

Some of the uneasiness seemed to have shone through on her face, because Terri assumed an almost soothing voice when she said with a smile: “Guess what he did?”

“Did?” Agnes echoed, and Maddie frowned, both clueless.

And Terri told them.

***
Almost at the same time, Richie was slipping on his tuxedo jacket and emerged from the changing room into the waiting area where David was flopped on a black leather couch. Richie sauntered to the middle of the room, spread his arms and turned around. "So? Whatcha think, bro?"

David pursed his lips into an amused smile. "Not bad,” he nodded and added ironically: “If I were a chick I'd jump you myself."

The older one chuckled. "Well, we're truly a pair of handsome devils. And there's no denying that we Addisons simply clean up good in a tux."

The brothers looked at each other in the mirror, and for a moment the looks they exchanged got thoughtful, then David expressed the thought that both were having at that same time: "Who would've thunk how fast life can change,” he commented. “And now look at us. You came to L.A. not even a year ago, and now you've got a business, a car, a house, a kid and in a few days also a wife." He slapped his brother's back. "You even beat my record."

Richie smoothed out his lapels and replied smugly: "Don't forget I can beat you in anything at any time, bro.” David snorted in brotherly disdain, and Richie went on: “By the way, speaking of kids... bambino number two is on its way already."

David stared at his brother with his mouth hanging open. "What? Are you saying you knocked up Terri?" For a minute a slight feeling of envy filled David, but he pushed it firmly away. Why was everything so easy for Terri and Richie? They always seemed to be on the same page while he and the complicated blonde were hardly ever in the same chapter – sometimes book. He hadn’t let on to Maddie how disappointed he actually was that she wasn’t pregnant, but waiting a few more months wasn’t so bad, he told himself as he came back to the present.

Richie turned to the mirror again and fixed his tie with his long expert fingers. "You bet I did," he smirked.

David punched his shoulder. "Well done, man!” he told him. “You ain't wasting time.” He leaned a little forward and scrutinized his brother closely. “Was this planned?" he inquired.

Richie shrugged and turned around again. "Neither planned nor unplanned. Just happened."

Once again David was lost in thought when his memory drifted back to the almost-argument with Maddie about her almost-pregnancy, but he pushed those thoughts aside again – it had been resolved – or so he hoped. "Hey, that's great news," he told his brother firmly. Richie just nodded, and David could clearly see in his brother's deep blue eyes how happy he actually was. After a small pause, David asked: "And what about Junior?"

Richie frowned. "What do you mean?" he wanted to know.

David shrugged. "Well, I mean I hope that doesn't change anything..."

The taller one waved him off. "Don't be stupid, bro,” Richie told him almost gruffly. “I love that kid like my own. Nothing's gonna change that."

David smiled and thought, not for the first time in the past few months, that his brother had become a true mature adult in the best sense of the word. Yep, they both had come truly far. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. "Hmm... and have you ever thought of really making him your own?" he asked.

Richie grinned, disappeared into the changing room and came back with a folded paper in his hand that looked like a legal document which he handed to his younger brother wordlessly.

David frowned. "What's that?" Richie didn't reply, so he unfolded and read it – and was amazed to see that it was the adoption document that legally made Nathan Knowles, now Nathan Addison, Richie's son. David looked up at his brother who just grinned his infectious grin. He handed the document back to him and nodded with pursed lips. "Smart move, bro,” he commented and gave him the brotherly back-slap again. “This will make it very difficult for Terri to dump you."

Richie snatched the paper from David's hand, headed for the changing room again and snarled in his deep voice: "I don't need no paper to tie my woman to me, schmuck. I don't need to tie her up at all." He stopped again and threw a look at David over his shoulder, his eyes glittering with a mischievous twinkle. "Although that might be fun..."

David burst out in roaring laughter and threw a coat hanger at him. “I hope you're not gonna die wondering!”

***
The next morning Maddie was sitting at her desk at Blue Moon trying to prepare the expense report for the month. She looked through the receipts a second time but still couldn’t find David’s. She shook her head as she picked up the phone to call David in his office to ask where he’d put them, but then she remembered that he was out in the field with Bert. The accountant was coming by to pick up the ledger and profit and loss sheet for the month at 12, and she wanted everything to be finished by then. Maddie looked at her watch and saw that it was already 11 o’clock; she knew that David wouldn’t be back in the office for the rest of the day. Sighing she rose from her seat and headed to his office. Even though she knew that David had become an astute businessman as well as a damn good detective and was no longer the irresponsible, unreliable man she had met almost four years ago, he still had no head for paperwork and the accounting part of the agency. Maddie could live with that. Now that she was back part time she was taking over the bulk of the paperwork again.

She spent a few minutes talking to Agnes in the outer office. The quirky secretary was getting bigger every day and looked wonderful. Today she was all smiles. She had told Maddie earlier that day that the sonogram she had taken that morning showed she was having a baby boy. For months they had hoped to see some evidence of the sex of the baby but the stubborn one had always been in the wrong position. After discovering the news Bert had been walking around the office all morning with his chest puffed out in his pompous way, and David had teased him mercilessly about his smugness before they left the office. Maddie hoped David would let up on his scruffy sidekick – even though she knew that David had warmed enormously toward Viola in the past year, the shorter man could still rile David up.

Before, Bert’s self-importance and wordy pompousness used to annoy her also, but as she had gotten to know Bert Viola on a personal as well as a business level she realized his haughtiness was really just an act and that he really had a heart of gold and was much smarter than he actually seemed – like his wife. And the way Bert worshipped Agnes made him all the more endearing to Maddie.

Maddie asked Agnes to order her a turkey sandwich before she entered David’s office. Today, she had planned to stay until three so she could get through the pile of paperwork on her desk.

First she looked on David’s desk but saw nothing that she was looking for. She was happy to see that his desk was relatively neat and ordered. She mentally patted herself on the back for being a good influence on her husband. She was grinning as she opened his desk drawers. She picked up a big manila envelope so she could look under it for the missing receipts which she found on the bottom of the drawer underneath David’s Playboy and Godzilla figurines. Boys will be boys, she thought as she went to put back the manila envelope, but it slipped out of her hand. The grin on Maddie’s face was quickly erased and replaced by a look of horror as she stared at the photos that had fallen out of the envelope.

Slowly, like an automaton, Maddie picked up the pictures. A bright blotch of red stained her neck and rode up to her face in embarrassment and anger. She felt sick in the pit of her stomach as she flipped through the photos one by one: picture after picture of her, posing for David and the camera – poses she had never done for anyone else’s eyes let alone camera lens – photos she never thought would ever see the light of day.

Maddie tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. She was almost in tears as she remembered that night – when she was posing for David she hadn’t felt the slightest bit of shame or shyness – but now she felt dirty. How could David, her husband, allow someone to develop these pictures and see not only her nude body, but her posed in such provocative and in some cases almost obscene ways? Maddie felt her face burn as she looked at the photos of herself: spread-eagled on the bed touching herself, fingering her rock hard nipples, lying on her stomach with her butt in the air – and so many others that were never supposed to be seen by anyone.

It had been just for fun for that night, she had believed. Why would he do this? Why would he have these pictures developed? And then leave them in his unlocked desk, for anybody to find? She felt a red hot fury building up inside of her when she thought that any one of the wobblies could have come in here and seen these photos. Was David that dense that he didn’t realize that she didn’t want these photos ever to have seen the light of day?

She flopped in his desk chair and put her head in her hands. She felt nauseous and had to take a few deep breaths until she felt better. Finally, she pushed the offending pictures back in the envelope and stomped out of his office. When she got to her office she hid the pictures in her purse. She would get rid of them when she got home. Maybe she would burn them, she thought unhappily as she tried to concentrate on finishing her paperwork and getting the hell out of the office. She wished David was around so she could wring his neck but that would have to wait until later.

***
David spent most of the day chasing leads regarding the Anslemo case. When he got home about 9 that night he was exhausted. It had been long day, and all he could think about was a hot shower and falling into bed. When David walked into the house he threw his keys and blazer on the hall table, kicked off his shoes and then headed toward the living room where he could hear the TV playing. He was looking forward to telling Maddie how he and Bert seemed to be getting closer and closer to finding the elusive Anselmo character.

Maddie heard David enter the house, and immediately her blood began to boil again – and not from arousal. She almost jumped up and grabbed the envelope holding the offending photos off the coffee table and met David as he was coming into the living room.

Maddie thrust the envelope against David’s chest. "How could you!?" she shrieked shrilly.

For a minute David was taken aback. He couldn’t imagine what he had done to incur the wrath of his wife. Then he looked down at what she had pushed against his chest. Before the envelope fell to the ground David caught it with his big hands. He opened the envelope, and the pictures fell to the floor.

David looked down at the photographs he had almost forgotten about, then up at Maddie, “Where'd you find these?" His eyes narrowed as he was jumping to the not completely unlikely conclusion that Maddie had been spying on him.

She looked at him with blue flames. “I was looking for your expense receipts for the month and,” she pointed down at the pictures that were spread over the floor, “and found these!”

David ran his hands through his hair as he picked up the pictures and began to flip through them. Maddie grabbed them out of his hands. “Hey babe, why are you so pissed?” he asked innocently.

Maddie was flabbergasted that David didn’t understand why she was upset. “How can you have let someone develop these pictures of me?” she asked incredulously.

David shook his head and held up his hands in defense. “No no, wait... I developed them, Maddie.” His smirk ran up the side of his face. “I told you I used to work in a photography studio. Babe, believe me – I don’t want anyone’s eyes on your naked body but mine.” He figured now Maddie would feel better, but as he stared into her eyes they were still angry.

“And you left them in your office drawer for anyone to see!” Maddie shuddered thinking about if Bert or Agnes or one of the other staff members had come across those photos; she would just die of shame! Couldn't he see that?

“Hey, nobody is supposed to go near my drawers, Maddie.” He grinned at her trying to lighten the mood. “And the only one I let in my drawers beside me is you.”

Maddie threw him a venomous glare. “Not funny!” She stomped her foot in anger. “You know damn well that Agnes goes through your desk all the time!” She shook her head, “how about if I had asked her to find those receipts?”

David’s grin disappeared. The thought crossed his mind that she did have a point there, but... Why was she always imagining the worst possible scenario? He folded his arms. “Well, that didn’t happen.”

“But it could have!” She stared at him with indignation, “and how dare you develop those pictures without asking me? I never thought you had in mind to actually develop them! I would never have posed!” Her eyes were spitting fire at him. Those pictures had been taken during a hot romp in the bedroom and she never had imagined that David would think to have them developed!

“Chill, babe!!” David put his hands up as if he was warding off an attack.

“Don’t you dare tell me to ‘chill babe’!” Maddie spat; she couldn’t believe him! She thought she detected a slight smirk on his lips and amusement in the depths of his cat eyes. She really had to hold back her urge to kick him.

“But no harm, no foul,” David tried to appease her. “Sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to be a bad boy.” He winked at her. “And these,” David took the pictures from her hand and began to look through them “are fucking amazing.”

“Are you serious?” she exclaimed, her voice getting shriller by the minute. “I can’t believe not even you with your Cro-magnon brain can’t see the danger of having pictures like that around!” She looked at him in fury, “I’m not just your run of the mill housewife. I’m Maddie Hayes, former supermodel, and now businesswoman!” She put her hands on her hips. “If anyone got hold of any of these pictures my life would be ruined!”

David waved her off which only increased her ire. “Don’t be so dramatic. I told you nobody but me and you are gonna see them!”

“Because I removed them from a completely unsecure drawer in my – our – agency!” she yelled.

He ignored that. Despite Maddie’s tirade David couldn’t keep his eyes off the pictures. Hot damn, his wife was one hot number. He felt his dick twitch in his pants. He threw her a lopsided grin figuring that would appease her. “And boy, do you look hot!” David licked his lips. He began to scrutinize the pictures carefully, completely unaware of the volcano about to explode. He held one up so Maddie could see. “I think this one is my favorite.” David didn’t think that Maddie would keep up with her haranguing. His hormones were taking over his brain – unfortunately he was thinking with the head in his pants and not the one on his shoulders.

Maddie's eyes widened in disbelief when she saw the bulge in David’s pants, and she was filled with a ferocious urge to hurt him. “I can’t believe you?!! You’re aroused! You really are incredible!” A flash of heat hit her right between her legs when she saw the evidence of his arousal and that added to her wrath.

“And you know that!” he teased. “Maddie, Maddie, Maddie, come on babe, let’s go upstairs and look them over together.” He put his arm around her waist. “And if you’re a good girl I’ll show you how truly incredible I can get,” he purred.

Maddie slapped his hand away. “Get your paws off of me. You you…”

David tried to pull Maddie in his arms, but she backed away in anger and hurt. “Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” he told her halfheartedly. “Forgive me.”

Maddie wasn’t taken in by David’s smooth talking; she knew that he still didn’t get it – get why having the pictures developed was wrong; leaving them in his desk was wrong, and now becoming aroused when she was so angry was wrong – he just wanted to get laid. “Leave me alone, David.” And with that she raced up the stairs.

When David entered the bedroom Maddie was sitting at her vanity and brushing her hair as if her blonde locks were the enemy. He caught her eyes through the mirror. He was still holding the pictures in his hand. “Hey Blondie blonde,” he threw at her tentatively. “You okay?”

Maddie turned around in her vanity chair. She looked at David as if he was a bug under her shoe. “Okay?” she repeated slowly in a low dangerous voice. “Am I okay?” She stood up and began tapping the hair brush against her thigh.

David stepped back. Why the hell was she so upset? Nobody had found the pictures, and she was ruining what could be a hot night of wild sex. He looked at his wife who was staring at him with icy blue eyes and his dick lengthened in his pants. The way she looked when she was angry at him made him hot; he couldn’t help it. She looked so sexy, standing there with her hair tousled and her eyes blazing at him that he only wanted to push her up against the vanity and fuck her senseless.

Maddie saw David lick his lips as the bulge in his pants jerked toward her. “David Addison, you are still and always will be a swine!” She tried not to stare at the massive bulge in his pants that was moving around like a snake. She glared at her husband who was standing there with his hips slightly thrust out and she wanted to scream. “Can’t you think with anything other than that thing in your pants?” She did scream at him.

“You love my thing.” David unconsciously petted the tent in his pants. “What the hell has got into you?” He couldn’t help the words that spilled out of his mouth. “I damn well wish it was me.”

Maddie threw him a look that should have vaporized him on the spot. “You are the most vulgar man I know!”

“I always told you should have gotten out more.” he quipped, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Get out of my sight!” she sneered through gritted teeth.“NOW!”

The way his tie was askew, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to reveal his muscular arms and his chest hair peeking out of the top open buttons of his shirt made her feel weak as once again a bolt of heat hit her right between her thighs. She growled low in her throat. She hated him – and herself. “I hate you!” She screamed as she threw her brush at David aiming for his head.

“Whoa!” David ducked and dropped the pictures on the floor. Naked pictures of Maddie stared back up at him; he looked up when he heard the bathroom door slamming with a loud bang. Damn that woman. She really had to make everything a big drama. He shook his head and decided to go check on the baby and then get a beer to give her time to cool off. But first he picked up the photos and put them back in the envelope and stuck them under the mattress. He didn’t want Maddie destroying them in her fury.

When David returned to the bedroom about 30 minutes later he saw that Maddie was lying in bed stiff as a board with her back turned to his side of the bed. David shook his head as he threw off his clothes and lay down beside her. He could tell by her breathing that she was not asleep.

“Maddie.” With a mind of its own David’s dick once again rose to attention. He kept seeing in his mind’s eyes those pictures of Maddie – looking sexier than any naked picture of a woman he had ever seen. His dick twitched in his boxers as he put his hand on her shoulder. “You up, babe?” He moved his boner against her butt.

Maddie moved her shoulder in disgust pushing David’s hand away and at the same time moved her body to the edge of the bed – away from David and his boner. How dare he think she would be interested in sex after what he had done??! She closed her eyes tightly and prayed that she wouldn’t strangle David in his sleep.

By the way Maddie had thrown off his hand like a disgusting bug and moved her body to the edge of the bed alerted David that she was still mad and not in the mood. His boner deflated like a pricked balloon. He rolled over onto his back and tried to fall asleep.

***
The next night was the night before the wedding. Terri spent the night at Addison's whereas David slept at Richie's place. Agnes and Bert stayed at home that night because Agnes was ready to pop soon and needed the comfort of her own home, and Bert didn't want to leave her alone.

The babies were staying with their mothers. On the wedding day Agnes' mother Clara DiPesto was going to stay at the Addison residence with them until David and Maddie returned after the celebration. The Addisons were going to keep Nathan for two more nights to give the newlyweds Terri and Richie the chance to go at least on a very short honeymoon and enjoy the first days of their marriage alone at a cozy little romantic hotel up the coast doing things that were best done without an infant within earshot.

Terri and Maddie spent a nice relaxing evening together, and even if Maddie still had the unresolved matter with David and the infamous pictures at the back of her head, she managed to keep her behavior happy and unresentful, and even when later in the evening the brothers called them to say goodnight, she exchanged a few words that were at least polite and didn't sound too cold. Terri noticed some wrong vibes between her Maid Of Honor and her husband but decided firmly to ignore them – she did love them both and wanted them to be happy, but she wasn't Agnes; this was going to be her wedding, and she was determined not to let it spoil by anything or anybody. And she knew that David and Maddie always had some sort of drama going on between them. Sometimes she swore that they were the stars in a Movie of the Week.

Richie and David went to bed uncharacteristically early; Richie wanted to save his strength “for the big showdown”, as he said, and David was fine with it as every minute he spent awake reminded him of Maddie and their disagreement. He managed to hide his melancholic mood completely from his brother this time.

***
David was woken up by the ringing of his new cell phone. As he groggily came awake his first thought was that Maddie was calling to talk. “Hello,” he croaked expectantly into the phone but the voice on the other end was not his wife. David ran his hand across his face trying to rub the cobwebs away. “Bert, this better be important.” David growled into the phone. He turned his head to look at the clock and was annoyed to see it was not even 7 am.

“Sorry to wake you, David.” Bert told David apologetically, “but I think you will want to hear this, sir. It is the breakthrough were looking for. It’s been dropped right in our lap, it has...“

David sat up straight. “What is it, Viola? What the hell are you going on about?” David was hoping he could sleep later that morning – figuring the later he slept the less time awake he would be missing Maddie. He hated when they fought. He shook his head and continue to snap at Bert, “It’s the morning of my brother’s wedding, and here you wake me up at the crack of dawn making no sense at all.”

“David, sir. Um... boss. Listen, please!“ Bert pleaded, “Remember that woman who we think is Anselmo’s girlfriend?”

“Yeah.” David ruffled his already sleep-tousled hair.

“She called our informer friend and told him she will meet us in the office in a half hour. She has some information that might lead us to Anselmo. Seems she is just as anxious to learn of his whereabouts as we are.“ Bert continued, “he left her with a little bun in the oven that will be born in approximately 6 months.“

“A woman scorned.” David laughed ironically, “hell hath no fury.” David jumped out of bed and began pulling on his clothes. “Pick me up as soon as you can!“

He left a quick note for Richie on the kitchen table in case his brother woke up before he got back and left the apartment.

***
The woman had given the detectives some good leads that hopefully would shed some light on where Anselmo had disappeared and why. The following week would be busy for the detectives tracking the leads the woman had provided.

After the woman had left David remembered that he had left the toy he had bought for Jade in his office desk. He remembered buying the musical key chain and tucking it in the drawer yesterday; he had forgotten to bring it with him when he left the office. He loved buying his daughter toys and was always happy to play with them with her. He wanted to give it to Jade the next day when he saw her. David turned to Viola who was standing next to his desk. “Hey Bertie boy, do me a favor will ya and get the toy I bought for Jade. It’s in a Toy Box bag in my desk drawer.” David turned around in time to see Bert opening the very same drawer where he had left the photos of Maddie – and it finally hit him how those pictures could have so easily fallen into the wrong hands or been seen by someone else’s eyes. He felt like he had been hit by a bus.

Bert looked through the drawer but came up empty. “I can’t find anything.”

“Forget it, short man.“ David walked over to his desk opened the correct drawer and pulled out the bag, then he walked wordlessly out of the office deep in thought. Boy, he was an ass! Maddie had been 100% right about the photos.

***
David and Richie were the first ones to arrive at the church. Their father was waiting for them outside and hugged them both. “I can't believe you two have made me so proud and so happy!” he blurted out, and for a moment they stood there all three like wooden statues, shuffling their feet a little uneasily; they were Addisons, after all.

After a few moments, Richie cleared his throat and told his father with a lopsided smile: “Wait till you hear! There's more to come, and you are going to be slap happy.”

David Sr. frowned. “What do you mean?”

Richie fumbled with his cufflinks. “You're gonna have another grandbaby,” he told his father.

His father was thrilled beyond words, and he nodded appreciatively when Richie told him he had adopted Nathan as well. He was very impressed with how his oldest son was living up to the responsibility he had taken; besides he really had fallen in love with the little boy Richie usually called Junior and who he already considered his grandson.

“We should go inside,” David piped up; from the corner of his eye he had seen that the limousine with the bride was arriving, and hastily he pushed Richie and his father inside. “I'll be with you in a minute, bro. Go!”

He was very nervous; he didn't know yet how to approach Maddie because he wasn't sure about her mood – he remembered Agnes' wedding when he and Maddie had been at odds about the loan for his old friend Linda Cooper. He had approached Maddie in peace, but she had cut him off very briskly. He knew he was dead wrong this time, he had finally realized that, and he really wanted to apologize to her. But the ceremony was about to start soon, and he didn't want to say what he had to say in a rush. On the other hand, he wanted to give her at least a hint that he wanted to resolve matters – but if she took it the wrong way and got all snippy with him again... he didn't want another wedding to be almost ruined, especially not his brother's. So for now he decided to be quiet. He would have plenty of time after the ceremony to tell – and show – Maddie he was sorry for being an ass about the pictures.

But when the two women, both breathtakingly beautiful in their own way, emerged from the car, much to his surprise Maddie waved at him as soon as she saw him standing there. His eyes drank in her appearance in her Maid of Honor gown. Sometimes he still had to pinch himself in order to believe that Maddie Hayes – ex supermodel – was his and his alone. He gulped as his eyes took in her sensual body clad in rose colored gown with a that accentuated her voluptuous curves – he could see the tops of her creamy breasts peeking out of the subtle v-neckline as he felt his dick lengthen; his eyes ran slowly down her body and fell on the high slit up her left thigh that showed off her sexy leg – a sight that still caused his heart to flutter in his chest. Damn, she was stunning. David stood rooted to the spot as he watched Maddie say a few short words to Terri who nodded; then she approached him.

"David?" she asked tentatively, no aggression in her voice at all. Wow, that was good.

"Maddie," he replied and tried to stay calm.

"Do you have a minute?" Her expression was somehow unreadable, and he was afraid she would pick a fight despite her peaceful demeanor.

He raised his hands and replied bluntly: "Look, I know you hate my guts right now, but this is my brother's wedding, and I'm not gonna..."

"That's exactly what I wanted to say!" she interrupted him.

David raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What exactly?"

Maddie rolled her eyes and sighed in an annoyed voice. "Yes, I do hate your guts right now,” she confirmed dryly but without a really deadly edge to her voice, “but I don't want us to behave like selfish assholes as we did the last time.” She folded her arms. “Let's not ruin Richie's and Terri's wedding. It's too precious, and we can fight any other day."

"And that means?" he inquired.

"A ceasefire," she told him.

"Ceasefire?" he echoed.

She nodded firmly. "Ceasefire. We behave normal. No mean looks, no snide remarks, no nothing."

David was amazed at her seriousness and realized that she obviously had had the same thoughts as he had about behaving in a civilized way and help make this a really great day for Richie and Terri. He felt really good vibes from his wife and thought back to the last time they had been at odds at a wedding – and how that had ended. He felt the beast raise its greedy head, and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Not even a little poke?" he teased. Maddie's eyes narrowed dangerously, and she looked like a dragon starting to breathe fire. Yep, the beast was definitely coming to life in his pants. Quickly he raised his hands. "Hey, just kiddin'. It's a great idea, and I really appreciate it."

She raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You do?"

"I do," he confirmed earnestly and tried to suppress his arousal; he was afraid Maddie would get mad at him again, so he didn't want her to notice it – yet.

Maddie sighed. "Do you think we can pull it off?"

Slowly he shook his head. "I'm not sure at all, but I think if we try we‘ve won half the battle.“

Maddie nodded, relieved and a bit proud of herself; she even smiled a little. "Good."

"Good." David winked and held out his hand. "Then let's make a pact," he teased again.

"Addison!" she snapped indignantly.

He chuckled. "Come on, you said behave normal.” he shrugged in a disarming way. “That's what I do."

Maddie couldn't help but smile again; grumpily she replied: "You're an idiot."

David laughed and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "And that's what you do.” He threw a look over her shoulder and saw Terri shuffling her feet a little nervously. “I gotta go see to my brother. That big jerk is lost without me. And I think the bride is waiting for you too. See ya inside?"

Maddie nodded; even if they hadn‘t resolved the issue by no means yet, she felt already a lot better than she had since finding the pictures. "Yes, see ya."

He touched two fingers to his lips and turned around. "Then let's go."

Maddie watched him walk into the church with the ghost of a smile on her lips and a good feeling in her gut, although she wasn't quite sure where exactly that came from. David hadn't said anything about picturegate, but somehow she had the impression he was going to try and resolve that matter with her. She swore to herself that she would hear him out if he took a step towards her.

“Maddie?” came Terri's voice from behind, and she quickly shook her head to clear off the cobwebs in her mind and turned around to her friend and future sister-in-law. When she smiled at her she didn't even have to fake it.

“I'm here,” she replied and walked back to her. “And I'm sure my dad will be here any minute.” As Terri didn't have any close family – her parents had both passed away a few years ago, and neither had any siblings, so there were no uncles or cousins – she had asked Maddie if maybe her father would be willing to give her away. Maddie had been thrilled about that idea, and Alex had been flattered to be asked; he had taken an instant liking to his son-in-law's older brother and had teased David more than once about the fact that Richie had gone from irresponsible to mature adult in record speed whereas it had taken David quite a bit longer.

“Are you okay?” Terri asked and motioned vaguely towards the church where David had disappeared.

Maddie nodded ruefully. Although she had handled it way better than the last time she had been appointed Maid Of Honor, Terri of course had noticed that not everything was sunshine and roses between her and David and was worried. Which she really shouldn't be, Maddie thought with a touch of guilt – it was Terri's day, and nothing else should be on her mind.

“Everything is fine,” Maddie told her and was almost sure that was true. Terri didn't have to know the details. “Really,” she smiled when the brunette bride looked at her a little skeptically. “Today there's only one Addison you need to focus on, and he's tall, insanely handsome, has deep blue eyes and will be standing right next to my idiotic husband.”

Terri scrutinized her Maid Of Honor closely and decided that she didn't need to worry today. Still, she sighed.

“What is it?” Maddie asked and smoothed out the front of Terri's dress. “Nervous?”

“A little,” Terri admitted. “I guess that's normal, right?”

“Of course,” Maddie soothed. “But no need to worry. Let me tell you one thing – marrying an Addison: best decision I ever made.” She nodded as to affirm her words.

Terri smiled. “You never regretted it?” she inquired, and Maddie shook her head.

“Not even for one single moment,” she pointed out, and she knew that despite all the fights, disagreements and misunderstandings that was the truth. She smiled and repeated: “Not even once.”

***
David threw a glance at his watch and saw that the ceremony was about to start any minute. He turned to the groom who seemed to be a fortress of calm. David noticed that his bow tie was perfectly tied and smiled to himself. Slowly, he walked over to his brother and fixed his boutonnière.

“Any last requests?” he asked.

Richie grinned. “You were right, bro,” he said, and when David frowned, he went on: “About not having second thoughts.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “I'm absolutely sure of what I'm doing, and that doesn't feel weird at all.”

David elbowed him. “See?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Richie elbowed him back. “Are we good to go? You got the rings, bro?”

David slapped his forehead with his left hand. “Holy fuck, Rich! I knew something was missing!” He watched his brother's face turn white and smirked. “Gotcha, schmuck!” He pulled the rings out of his pocket and held them up for Richie to see.

“You're a sick jackass!” Richie growled and punched his chest hard.

David chuckled and pushed him towards the door. “I think you just broke my rib, but to see that stupid face of yours was worth it. Now go!”

***
The ceremony went beautifully, and Maddie and David exchanged looks that unconsciously expressed their longing to resolve the matter that had caused their latest tiff. Both were determined to talk it out and make up eventually, and that attitude shone through. Maddie even got the impression there was something like regret in David's eyes, and she was optimistic – yes, optimistic! – that he had realized that this time he had been dead wrong. She tried to send him over positive vibes signalizing her openness.

Maddie, Stephanie and Agnes had to fight their tears when the couple made their vows, and when Richie pulled Terri in his arms and kissed her, poor hormonal Agnes completely lost it and started to sob; Bert did his best to comfort her.

Later at the reception, everybody was having a great time; even Stephanie had made the wedding although she was still slightly sore from giving birth to Hope the week before. Her husband had been nervous about her attending a huge celebration so soon after giving birth but spunky Stephanie had told him that in the old days women were working in the fields and in their kitchens the day after childbirth. And even though the elder Addison reminded his wife that she was not a field worker he was secretly pleased that she didn’t want to miss her step-son’s wedding. Everyone was having fun eating, dancing and drinking and celebrating another wedding.

After having completed all their duties associated with being the Best Man and the Maid Of Honor, David and Maddie finally found some time for themselves; the newlyweds were glued to each other anyway and wouldn’t have noticed if all the guests had suddenly disappeared. When David asked her to dance with him, Maddie gladly accepted.

After they had been swaying in silence to the music for a few moments, David nodded his head towards Richie and Terri who were dancing nearby. “They make a great couple,” he commented.

Maddie nodded. “I hate to say it, but – I told you so.”

David chuckled. “You love to say that, admit it.”

Maddie couldn't help but smile. “Okay, true.”

“And you were right,” David confirmed and cleared his throat. “Not only about Terri and Richie.”

Maddie looked at him with a slight questioning frown, but her heart leapt at his words. Still, she tried to play it calm. “Oh?”

He looked right into her eyes. “I mean, you were right about the pictures. I was an idiot.”

“Not that I want to contradict you,” Maddie replied sarcastically, “but where does this sudden insight come from?”

David pursed his lips in thought for a moment, and Maddie felt her stomach flutter. “Let's just say, sometimes I do think with the head between my shoulders and realize when I'm wrong.” That wasn't a lie; but Maddie didn't need to know how close a call it had been, and how easily her fear about the pictures could have come true. “It just takes a little longer sometimes.”

She pressed her lips together and looked away from his face when she remembered the shame and hurt she had felt after finding the pictures in his office desk drawer and his stupid, nonchalant reaction to her rant.

“Maddie,” he said softly, and she looked up at him again. “Please forgive me. It was stupid to develop those pics without asking you first, and it was fucking stupid even for me to keep them in my drawer. I swear I didn't even remember they were there. I simply didn't even consider the chance anybody would go through my drawer. That was stupid.”

She melted when she saw the honest regret in his amazing eyes. “Yes, it was,” she replied quietly.

“Please believe me, I never meant to hurt or disrespect you, and I hope you know that I never meant anybody to see them,” he assured her. “I'm really, really sorry, babe.”

“You should be,” she told him firmly. Although she was touched by the honesty in his eyes and he was already forgiven she couldn’t make it too easy on him or she wouldn’t be Maddie.

“I am,” he confirmed. “I'll tell you what. When we get home, the first thing we do is burn them.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Really!” he repeated eagerly.

Maddie pouted. “I'm disappointed.”

“What?” David frowned in an adorably clueless way. “Why?”

“The first thing when we get home is burning the pictures, seriously?” She shook her head sarcastically. “Really, Addison, I thought you had other things on your mind. Don't you think you have some making up to do?” She moved a little closer to him, glad the band was playing a slow tune.

David's eyes glittered when he realized what she was aiming at, and his dick twitched in his pants when he saw her tongue darting out and moistening her lips. His trademark smirk spread on his face. “I think I have a lot of making up to do,” he purred and pulled her closer until his boner was pressing into her pubic area. “And you surely won't be disappointed.”

Maddie pressed herself closer to his hard body and wrapped her arms around his neck as she furtively moved her hips against his boner. “That a promise, fella?” she breathed in his ear.

“Wait and see.” He chuckled moving her slowly across the dance floor.

The rest of the night sped by, and soon it was time to wish Terri and Richie good night. After bidding the happy couple a good trip and reassuring them that Nathan would be no bother, Maddie and David quickly made their own getaway. Their hormones were in overdrive and neither could wait to get their hands on the other. When they got home Clara was dozing on the sofa. She woke up with a start and began to question the horny couple about the details of the wedding. Not wanting to be rude but with a boner poking a hole through his pants David hurried through his recital of the happening of the wedding and reception with Maddie adding in bits and pieces. Finally Clara was left in her bright yellow Bug. Thankfully, the babies were sleeping peacefully.

David followed Maddie up the spiral staircase – his hands moving tantalizingly over her curvy butt and up the slit of her dress. Maddie giggled as David’s fingers moved over her sodden panties. David pushed her against the wall outside the bedroom and moved his tongue over her lips. Maddie smiled suggestively as she pushed him away gently.

“Let’s look in on the babies first, big boy,” she whispered, leading David into the nursery by his hand. They both gave the babies gentle kisses before they left the room. David took her by the hand and pulled her into their bedroom.

“I’ve missed you, Mrs. Addison,” he told her as his hands ran over her body. Maddie moved into him, but suddenly David moved away from her. He walked toward the bed and removed the offending pictures out from under the mattress. He was just about to rip them to pieces when Maddie caught his arm.

“Wait, David,” she told him as she took the pictures from his hands. “Maybe you want to give them one last look...” She remembered the horny look on David’s face when he had been looking through the pictures the other night and thought to herself it might be fun to let him look at them and see how hot she could be – and was even if she was close to forty.

A smirk ran up David’s face as he looked at Maddie; his dick twitched in his pants. “How bout we look at them together?” he suggested, his voice syrupy thick. He pulled her on the bed next to him, and she followed eagerly. David licked his lips as he looked through the pictures, and his hand rode up the slit in Maddie’s gown. She didn't waste one single look at the pictures; not because she was embarrassed at seeing herself that way, but because she was totally mesmerized by the look on David's face scrutinizing the pictures, scrutinizing her. And then suddenly, he tossed them aside on the mattress and turned his whole attention to her in the flesh. For a moment that seemed to last an eternity he hypnotized her with the gaze of his incredible green eyes, and she felt her insides turn to mush.

“Why stare at the pictures when I have the real thing right beside me?” he said in a hoarse voice and reached out for her, his left hand grabbing the back of her head, pulling her in for a deep kiss, almost devouring her, and his right hand sneaking between her thighs. She spread her legs to allow David’s fingers to reach her throbbing core. Soft moans came from the back of her throat as her lips moved over David’s neck.

“God, honey, you are so hot!” David told her as he pushed her down on the bed. He slowly peeled off her gown – his mouth moving over each area of exposed skin with tantalizing strokes of his tongue.

“Oh... David!” Maddie chanted over and over as she squirmed on the bed underneath his magic hands; his mouth and tongue on that spot on her neck drove her even wilder; her pulse was running madly against his lips. “Oh God, David!” she cried out as she reached a climax in record time.

David chuckled deep in his throat. “Another record breaker,” he told her smugly as she screamed out his name in the throes of passion.

David wasted no time as he moved his tongue over her lips slowly. “Oh baby, I love you so much,” he assured her. “And I was a dick, babe. Nobody is going to see this,” he ran his hands over her body, “but me.” His tongue moved down her body teasingly slow. “You’re mine, honey.” He lovingly kissed her nipples, teasing them with maddening slow strokes of his tongue until she was thrashing underneath his ministrations. “You forgive me, baby?”

“Oh yes, David. Yes, I love you!” she gasped; her body was a raging inferno. Maddie pulled off David’s shirt, popping the buttons in her hurry and not giving a flying fig about it. David just laughed happily at her urgency as he shrugged out of it and tossed it aside. She began to pull down his zipper and unbuckle his pants in haste. “Soo big!” Maddie gasped as the beast finally sprang free into her hands. “So hard. And all mine.”

David kicked off his pants along with his boxers and socks. “Oh baby, it’s all yours,” he purred. “So hard just for you.” He moved lower, raining baby kisses over her belly to her pubic mound. Maddie opened her legs wider as David’s head moved between them. “Ahh, you taste like honey,” he told her as he began to use his tongue as a paintbrush over her swollen nub.

Maddie began to pull David’s hair as he pleasured her; he almost saw stars, but he didn't mind; that was a delicious pain that was part of the game and to him only proof of how much he drove his woman wild. “Oh... Oh, so good!” she moaned loudly. “Don’t stop. Please. Oh Goddddd!” Maddie screamed as she came so hard she felt dazed and numb.

David planted hot wet kisses back up her body until he reached her mouth which he covered with his and gave her a long soulful kiss. “Good?” he whispered, suddenly bare of all smugness.

Maddie was still shaken from her orgasm, but she managed to smile up at him. “Great. Now it’s your turn, big boy,” she told him as soon as she was able to form a coherent sentence again. She moved off the mattress and knelt beside the bed. She winked at David as she handed him the photos of her and motioned for him to lay back. “I’m going to make you feel sooo good,” she promised, using his own words on him, as she ran her hands over his muscular body.

David laid down flat out on his back with his legs hanging off the bed while Maddie was kneeling between them with one hand running over his muscular thighs while the other held the shaft of his dick, she lowered her head with a smile and licked slowly a path of fire over the whole length of the twitching beast which caused him to groan and close his eyes in ecstasy.

“Look at the pictures,” she told him in a husky voice, and he opened his eyes again and did as he was told while she started to pleasure him completely. David was looking at the sexy photos of Maddie as her head bobbed between his legs. He felt her tongue flicking over his boner, her teeth teasing him, her lips closing firmly around his shaft as he moved his hips up and down rhythmically and in sync with her moves. His eyes fell upon his favorite pose: Maddie lying on the bed spread eagled with her hand playing between her legs, and he imagined how horny she got just by blowing him, because he knew how much she enjoyed it herself. Just the sight of those pictures made his dick twitch, but with the added pleasure of Maddie blowing him he felt as if he had died and gone to Heaven. "Damn babe, I know your pussy is hot for my big cock... Suck it just the way I love and I'll fuck you so gooood," David groaned.

Maddie looked up from between his legs with a sultry smile. “Ya like this?” It was her turn to get smug now, and she did. “You love how I lick you.” Maddie blew on David’s cock, then she took his whole length in her mouth and began to move her head back and forth. The feel of her mouth on his throbbing dick finally led David to throw the pictures aside; he sat up abruptly, tangling his hands in Maddie’s hair and pushing his dick deeper into her mouth. His eyes were closed tightly – In his mind’s eye he still saw the sexy pictures of Maddie, and he imagined how hot and damp she was getting. He could feel by the tingling at the base of his spine that he was close to his climax.

“Oh God babe... This feels great...” David began to pull harder on Maddie’s hair, moving even deeper into her mouth. Like David before, she didn't mind the slight pain, proof of his passion for her. “Oh yeah,” he panted. “Come on, don't stop...” He opened his eyes, and the sight of Maddie’s head between his thighs pushed him over the edge; he threw back his head with a throaty moan, and with two deep thrusts of his cock exploded into a mind bending orgasm.

Maddie moved up on the bed and lay beside David draping her leg over his body. “Now that sounded good,” she purred smugly and added: “So fulfill your promise, husband...”

“You don’t have to ask me twice, my greedy hussy.” His fingers moved between her sticky thighs. “I know what your hungry pussy needs, baby... and I got it for you.” David chuckled as he moved her under him and pushed his dick into her with one deep thrust, causing her to moan. “Yeah, you love this,” he told her as he grinded his hips into her, pinning her body against the mattress. “Tell me how much,” he demanded in his bossy tone.

“Yes, I love it. Oh God, it feels so wonderful. I love your big dick... Oh, David,” Maddie moaned in ecstasy. “Oh God, David! Fuck me please!”

And he fucked her real gooood all night long, just as he had promised.

***
The next few days were very busy for Maddie and David who were taking care of two infants under the age of 2. Thankfully, Nate was an easy peaceful baby unlike their feisty Jade who fought them on everything from feeding to sleep time. The weekend passed in a haze of diapers, flung baby food, lack of sleep, crying spells but also lots of fun and laughter and an abundance of love. David was more sure than ever that he wanted another child – hopefully Maddie was truthful about wanting one too.