Father Knows First

[Addisonsgirl]

Father Knows First.docx (66.04 KB)

Maddie was sitting in her office waiting for David; she kept glancing at the clock on her desk which was nearing the half hour mark. Almost 5:30 and still no David! He was supposed to have picked her up at 5 in order to make their 6’o clock appointment with Dr. Hill. She knew he was out in the field with Viola, but before he had left the house this morning she had reminded him three times – three times! – that her appointment was for that evening. Could this man ever be on time?

Maddie sighed and took a drink of water, she had been told to drink two 8 ounce glasses of water an hour before the appointment and make sure she did not urinate. Already, she felt like she had to pee, which was not helping her mood. With one last look at the clock Maddie stood up, grabbed her purse and headed for the door with a heavy heart. Didn’t David realize that this was a very special appointment and they were to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time? She felt a flash of anger at David as she stomped towards her office door. Just as she was about to reach for the doorknob the door was jerked open leaving her hand hanging in midair.

David was standing in front of her, a slightly worried smile on his face, unusual for him. Yeah, you better be worried, buster! she thought furiously and shot her index finger at him like a bullet. “You!”

“Maddie,” he soothed, raising both hands in defense, “I know. This time it's really not my fault.” He knew he was late but he hadn’t expected a tractor trailer accident to have closed down the freeway. Viola had tried to get to Blue Moon as fast as he could but all the streets were backed up due to the freeway accident.

“Yeah, sure!” Maddie looked at him with annoyance. “What was it this time? You had to save a class of kids from a school bus accident?” Her voice was dripping with acid sarcasm, and he knew he deserved at least that, even if this time he was innocent.

“No, this time it was a tractor trailer,” he replied and added hastily: “You can ask Viola, and you know he wouldn't be able to keep the truth from you. He's a lousy liar.”

That calmed her a bit, basically because it was true. She still was annoyed, because they were still going to be late. “David. We are going to be late. So tell me, what happened to you?”

David put his arm around Maddie’s waist and steered her toward the exit. “I’ll explain on the way.” he told her hurriedly. “Come on.”

They made it to the doctor’s office at 15 minutes past 6 and were ushered into the sonogram room. Maddie was handed a paper gown and told to undress. As they waited for the doctor to come in to do the sonogram, Maddie felt like she was ready to bust. She needed to pee in the worst way. She was lying on the table with her legs crossed all her energy focused on not letting go of her bladder. David was trying to get her mind off her bladder, but trying to make her laugh was not helping in the least.

“Stop David!” Maddie told him adamantly through clenched teeth. “I know you are trying to help, but trying to make me laugh is not helping matters.”

David worked really hard to suppress a chuckle; instead, he nodded his head as he took her hand. “Sorry, babe. Just trying to help.” He leaned over to kiss her. Both were happy when the door opened and the doctor came in carrying Maddie’s chart. He knew how uncomfortable most women were while waiting for the sonogram, so he didn’t waste any time as he picked up the ultrasound gel and rubbed it on Maddie’s belly.

The gel was cold but she instantly forgot her discomfort as the doctor began to move the wand over Maddie’s baby. Instantly, a grey picture formed on the sonogram machine screen. David took Maddie’s hand and leaned a little forward not to miss a single thing as they watched the monitor. A loud swooshing sound filled the room which turned into a low throbbing sound as the doctor moved the wand slowly over Maddie’s belly.

“There you go, folks.” Dr. Hill smiled as he moved the wand. “That’s the sound of your baby’s heartbeat.”

A huge smile split David’s face. “No kidding doc.” David peered closer at the monitor. He could see what looked like a tiny bean pulsating on the screen. He pointed at the small image. “What’s that?”

“Your baby.” The doctor laughed. Both men looked toward Maddie who was softly crying as she looked at baby’s image.

David squeezed her hand gently. “You okay, babe?” He asked softly, green eyes glittering with everything he felt at that moment.

Maddie could hear the croakiness in David’s voice. She looked into his green eyes so full of love and hope. “I’m so happy.” Maddie cried out in a totally un-Maddie-like way. “This is our baby, David.” Maddie wiped her eyes and smiled through her happy tears. The doctor was silent through this exchange. He was used to the joy of expecting parents and was thrilled to be part of it.

“I know.” David nodded. He couldn’t find any words to describe his feelings, so he tried to convey his feelings with his eyes. Those green eyes were the mirror of his soul.

Finally, the couple got their emotions in check. The doctor gave them a photo of the baby’s image. Maddie and David looked it over together. “Hey bean.” David whispered and put his finger on the small image.

Maddie laughed. “Bean?”

“The baby looks like a bean now.” David looked closer at the picture. “Yes, a bean.” Maddie just shook her head and smiled. She was so happy. David was also happy, although he had something on his mind but didn’t know how to bring it up to the doctor.

As the doctor was wiping the gel off of Maddie’s belly, David cleared his throat. “Um doc. Uhh... I want to ask you something.” David ruffled his hair. Maddie frowned and looked at him questioningly. “You know how the bean was made, right?” The doctor stared at David. “I was just wondering. I mean…”

Maddie turned red. She knew what David was going to ask the doctor, and for some reason she felt embarrassed to talk about sex with the doctor which she knew was dumb since he was her gynecologist. Maddie looked at David pointedly. “David, I’m sure that we are fine.”

David ignored her. He needed to know if it was okay for them to fool around and if and when they had to stop. He hoped that wouldn't be too soon. “You see doc, Maddie and I are well,” he brushed his fingers through his hair again, “um quite active and I….”

“David!” Maddie tried to cut him off but he didn’t get the hint.

“And you see we enjoy um…” Maddie cringed; she wanted to disappear into a hole.

The doctor realized where David was heading with his rambling and he burst out laughing. “It’s fine.”

“Fine?” David asked wiping his hand across his chin.

“Hey guys, anything that feels good to the mom is okay with the baby. You have months to go before you need to ask about refraining from intercourse.” The doctor smiled broadly. “Plenty of time.”

“Plenty?” David echoed.

“Plenty,” Dr. Hill confirmed with a smile.

David nodded eagerly. “Good to know.” Maddie closed her eyes.

“Well, I’ll see you in a month.” The doctor opened the door. “Have fun.” He laughed as he closed the door behind him.

“You are such a jerk,” she hissed at him the moment they left the practice. “What is Dr. Hill supposed to think now?!”

“That we don't believe our bean will be delivered by the stork,” David replied dryly. “What's wrong with that?”

“You didn't have to make it look like we were some sex fiends!” Maddie snapped

David raised an ironic eyebrow. “But we are!” he chuckled, took Maddie's hand and kissed it. “Come on, babe,” he soothed, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you.”

“No, you never do,” Maddie grumbled, already mollified.

“I'm just nervous,” David admitted. “I want everything to be perfect, and well it's the first time...” he fell silent for a moment, and a little shadow crept over his face. He pulled himself together and finished: “...that I’ve been to such an important doctor’s visit..“

Maddie looked at him with teary eyes; she knew what he was talking about, but she saw on his face that he didn't want ghosts from the past to spoil this moment of joy. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with fervor in the middle of the parking garage.

“Whoa!” he gasped when their lips finally parted. “What was that for?”

“Do I need a reason?” she whispered in a sultry voice.

David ushered Maddie into the car pdq without another word. She still had a smile on her face as she reached over to kiss him. “I love you, Addison.” Her legs spread involuntarily.

David leaned closer so their tongues could meet. “Love you too, babe.” He licked her tongue with his causing slight moans to issue from Maddie. The hormones raging through her body were turning her into a nymphomaniac. The only thing that seemed to be on her mind was what was between her legs and how she could get her hands on David. Or get him to lay his big, skilled, long-fingered hands on her. Not that she wasn’t highly interested in him before but now it was a frantic urge; a constant throbbing that needed to be assuaged.“Mmh, you taste great.” David moaned into her mouth.

Maddie took David’s hand and placed it between her open legs. David chuckled as his fingers began to play a symphony on Maddie’s silk panties. “Ya like that, huh?” Her response was to pull him closer and cup his hard dick in her hand. “God, Maddie you are so hot.” He could almost see the steam rising from her heated body. He loved it. His dick began to twitch in his pants as he heard Maddie’s guttural cries as she neared her orgasm. He knew he’d broken his record today he thought as she cried out his name in passion but he wisely remained silent.

Maddie leaned her head against the headrest as she came down to earth. Her eyes were closed and her face was flushed and David had never loved her more. Here she was the woman who was carrying his baby. Sometimes he still couldn’t believe that Maddie was his. He kissed her on the forehead and moved her damp hair off of her face. “Good, babe?”

She opened one eye. “Always.” She cooed as she her hand began to stroke him through his pants.

David laughed softly. “You little animal.” He teased. “I think I can wait til we get home.” He moved his hand under her dress again and heard her sharp intake of breath. “I’m not a sex fiend like you.”

Blue eyes shot open. “Sex fiend!” She pretended she was insulted as she playfully punched his arm. “How dare you?” She feigned outrage.

A deep laugh bubbled up from David’s chest as he grabbed her hand and held it between his big ones. “And I love it!” He bent down and kissed that spot on her neck. “And I love you.”

“Now that’s better.” Maddie nodded her head. “But please hurry home, David.” She whispered in his ear. “I need you inside of me.”

David raced home as fast as he could. They barely made it in the front door before Maddie began to tear off his clothes. “Can’t wait huh, honey?” David purred as he peeled off Maddie’s clothes. Soon they were both naked. David pushed her up against the door and kneed open her legs. “What do you want, Maddie?” David asked as he moved his hard cock teasingly over her mound.

Maddie gasped. “I want you. I want that big dick in me.” Maddie groaned as she moved her hot loins against him. “Please!”

“I love it when you beg.” David chuckled as he slowly moved his dick against her. “Kiss it.” David pushed her to a kneeling position in front of him, and her knees easily surrendered from their own weakness when she heard his bossy voice ordering her around. “Make love to my big cock with that sassy mouth of yours.” He moved his hips toward her.

Maddie looked up at him with smoldering eyes as her hand stroked his dick. She flicked her tongue and began to lick the head of his penis slowly like she was licking a delicious ice cream cone. She turned her head and began to move her tongue up and down the shaft of David’s cock. He tangled his hands in her hair as her tongue worked its magic on his cock. David loved watching Maddie give him head; it turned him on incredibly, especially since she seemed to enjoy it as much as he did. He loved how when she put him in her mouth her moans hummed over his dick which felt amazing.

“Suck it, baby.” David crooned as she finally took his entire dick in her mouth and began to move her head back and forth giving David great pleasure. “I love fucking your mouth baby.” David moved his hips back and forth as he pumped his dick into her mouth. “I know you love it too.” He panted. “God! I’m gonna come baby. Oh Maddie, I’m coming.” David groaned as he came with a rush and a roar his hands wrapped in her hair.

Maddie smiled up at him as she stood up and leaned against his hard body. “Ya like?”

David was still rebooting. “I love.” He told her as he pulled her up and pushed her against the door. “Now I’m gonna fuck you til you scream.” He pushed into her with one strong thrust causing her to let out a loud and guttural moan; he was buried deep within her as he began to move slowly inside of her. “I know you love.” His tongue was moving across her throat heading to that spot that drove her wild.

“Oh David. David.” Maddie felt as if her entire body was on fire. She crossed her ankles around his muscular shins as he fucked her senseless. “Yes...” she panted. “Come on, give it to me!” Her body moved in time with his. Her hands were on his rock hard ass pushing him deeper inside her; his hands were running wild all over body: over her ass, between her legs, up and down her legs. “I’m going to come.” She moaned covering his mouth with deep kisses. David returned her hot wet kisses as he felt her break apart under him. The sound of her screams echoing through the house and her pulsating loins tight around his dick brought him over the edge with her. They remained wrapped together for a few minutes trying to catch their breath. Finally, Maddie pulled away from David with a seductive smile. “Wow.” She crooned huskily. “Wow.”

“You are a wild woman!” David smiled down at her. “And I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“You made me this way.” Maddie laughed as she broke free from his arms and ran up the stairs. She stopped at looked at him over her shoulder. “And I’m not done with you yet.” She winked and wiggled her curvy ass at him. “You coming?”

David laughed as he headed up the stairs after her.

When Maddie got up the next morning she carefully untangled her limbs from David trying her best not to wake him. Maddie had a phone call to make. She wanted to share her happiness with her parents; she knew that her mother would be beside herself with joy. She had been waiting years for a grandchild and now she her wish was coming true. Maddie was less sure of how her dad would take the news but she hoped he would be happy too. She did know he wouldn’t be happy that she was still a single woman – and truthfully, if she thought about it Maddie wasn’t happy either. Now that she was pregnant with David’s baby she wanted to be his wife but as yet he hadn’t asked her; not even hinted about it. Could it be that David was gun shy about getting married after his first one’s failure? She remembered his reaction from the previous day; it was natural that he was reminded of the first time with Tess – the marriage had turned out a failure, and they had lost the baby too. It had to have left him traumatized. She pushed that thought out of her head. Of course David would marry her, he just hadn’t gotten around to asking her yet.

She threw David a last glance and smiled at his sleeping figure underneath the sheet. Although things weren't perfect, of course, she still felt like in a dream and couldn't believe her happiness and that this all was really true. That was one of the things David Addison had taught her: that things and people didn't have to be perfect to make you happy.

Quietly, she left the bedroom and snuck downstairs to use the telephone in the living room. She didn't know how David would feel about telling her parents about the baby right away, but she needed to share her happiness, and she didn't think it would do any harm.

The phone rang about four times before her mother answered.

“Mom!” Maddie exclaimed. “It's me!”

“Maddie!” the joy in her mother's crystal clear voice was evident, and Maddie felt guilty right away. She knew she should talk to her parents more often; well, maybe now that would change.

“Yes, it's me,” she confirmed unnecessarily. “I hope I didn't wake you up...”

“Nonsense! It’s after 10. We never sleep that late!” Virginia Hayes interrupted firmly. “Let me tell you something strange, dear – I was going to call you today!”

“You were?”

“Oh yes! I had a weird dream that you needed to talk to me...” she laughed. “Oh well, just your silly old mother, I guess.”

Maddie joined her mother's laugh. “Not silly at all, mom!” she contradicted and suggested. “Maybe a sign?”

“Oh honey, since when do you believe in such things as signs?” Maddie could see her mother before her inner eye shaking her head with an indulgent smile.

“Some things change,” she remarked vaguely and asked: “How is everything? Is daddy still working too much?”

“Oh, I swear your father is driving me crazy,” Virginia sighed. “I keep telling him to take it a little easier and that he isn't 30 any more, but does he ever listen to me?"

“Did he ever?” Maddie laughed and answered her mother's rhetorical question in unison with Virginia: “He's just SO stubborn.”

Both women laughed, and finally Virginia asked: “So, baby, what is it you wanted to talk about?”

“Talk about? Me?” childishly, Maddie kept putting off the moment, still a little anxious about her mother's reaction.

“Madolyn...” Virginia warned playfully, and Maddie knew she had her I-can-smell-your cowpatties-young-lady-face on.

“Mom,” she began, drew a deep breath and then, in spite of a better plan, simply blurted out: “You’re going to be a grandmother!“

“A grandmother?” Virginia echoed incredulously and then exclaimed with joy: “Oh Maddie... is that true?”

Maddie felt tears well up in her eyes when she heard her mother's delight. “Yes,” she confirmed in a croaky voice, “yes, mom, it's true!”

“Oh, that's so wonderful! I always hoped... oh, wait,” she interrupted herself, “I didn't even knew you were... is it someone I know?”

Maddie swallowed. “Well, yes, as a matter of fact...” she let her voice trail off.

“It's David!” her mother exclaimed out of the blue, catching Maddie completely off guard. “Right?”

“Mom! What... I mean, how do you...” she stumbled over her own words, completely taken aback by her mother's display of sixth sense. No flies on Virginia Hayes.

“It's him, isn't it?” Virginia urged.

She didn't seem unhappy about it, and Maddie smiled. “Yes, mom, it's him. It's David. We are... we're living together now.” Her mother didn't need to know how fast, upside-down and confusing things had been; what mattered was how things were now.

“I knew it!” Virginia cried. “Oh baby, I knew it when I saw you two together last year. You had that certain... oh, I don't know. I just... knew it.”

Maddie shook her head, again amazed at her mother's sixth sense. Amazed at the fact how obvious her and David's connection had been already back then, even if them both hadn't realized it yet – or chosen to ignore it, for whatever crazy reasons. She did recall her mother asking her that one time if she was interested in David for more than business and she had almost snapped her mother’s head off with her denials. Thank God, these times were over now. When she spoke, the smile in her voice was clearly audible. “Oh mom... not even we had an inkling back then, but well, now...”

“You sound very happy, sweetheart,” Virginia stated lovingly.

“I am, mom,” Maddie replied with a choked up voice, and both women shared a moment of comfortable mother/daughter silence.

“So,” Virginia said brightly after a while, “when will the wedding bells ring?”

Bang! Maddie was sobered in a jiffy. Of course, her mother would ask the dreaded question. She wished she had an answer; she wished that answer could be Next month, the fourteenth or anything final like that. She had no answer. She had to answer something.

“Ah... we... well...” Maddie stumbled over her own words and cleared her throat firmly. “We haven't set a date yet, mother.”

Virginia had always been able to smell her daughter's cowpatties a mile against the wind. “What does that mean?” she put her finger in the wound.

Maddie sighed and closed her eyes and scraped her wits together. “Mom, things have been a whirlwind lately, and we've only found out about the baby a few days ago,” she said vaguely, hoping Virginia would be satisfied by that answer. She wished that she was satisfied with that answer.

Of course her mother wasn't. “Oh, I see...” she commented in that voice that indicated a but; when Virginia Hayes spoke in that voice, there was always a but. “But... you are getting married, aren't you?”

“Of course we are, mom!” Maddie snapped and bit her lip. “I'm sorry... I'm just a little...”

“Hormonal?” Virginia suggested sweetly, and Maddie sighed again. “Don't worry, sweetheart. Whatever you two do will be fine, and I'm sure you know what is the best for you and your family. Your father and I will support you any time.”

“Thanks, mom,” Maddie replied and felt a little weepy; she added: “You know, it's all still very fresh, and...”

“But you two are happy about it?” Virginia cut in.

Maddie nodded, although her mother couldn't see her. “Yes, mom, we're very happy about it.”

“Good. And I don't have to ask if you two love each other.” It wasn't a question.

Maddie laughed through her upwelling tears. “No, mom,” she confirmed.

“Good,” Virginia repeated. “Well, then I see absolutely no reason why things shouldn't turn out great and absolutely as they should be, right?”

“Right.” Maddie nodded again and then suddenly moaned. “Oh, mom... do you think daddy will see it the same way?”

Virginia cleared her throat. “If he knows what is good for him, he will,” she replied firmly after a short moment, and added: “Just leave it up to me. I will tell him later when he'll be home for lunch.”

“Thanks, mom,” Maddie smiled. “It's always good talking to you.”

“You made me very happy, sweetheart,” Virginia smiled back through the phone. “I love you.”

“I love you too, mom.”

When she hung up, her heart was already lighter. Her mom had always had a way to focus on the things that really mattered, just like... Maddie smiled to herself before even finishing the thought. Of course. We love each other. We're going to have a baby. There's absolutely no reason why things shouldn't turn out great.

When Virginia got off the phone with Maddie her heart was filled with joy. Finally she was going to be a grandmother! For some time Virginia had been skeptical that dream would ever come true; her hard headed daughter didn’t seem interested in marriage or motherhood. She knew that Maddie was difficult, moody and at times hard to get along with just like her father and that it would take a special man to handle her. But when Virginia had seen her daughter with David Addison a while ago she knew that he was the one. She could tell that David was crazy about her daughter and that Maddie was similarly head over in heels over him, but for some strange reason neither of them seemed ready to face their feelings.

Virginia shook her head and smiled when she thought about how every phone conversation with Maddie always turned to David: David did this, did I tell you what David said, David this and David that. One time she had point blank asked Maddie if she was interested in David, and her daughter had practically snapped her head off and told her adamantly that they were just friends and business partners. But with a mother’s intuition Virginia had known that her obstinate daughter had more than a business interest in her green-eyed partner – she had simply protested too much.

Virginia smiled again as she thought that she had never heard such pure bliss in her daughter’s voice like a few minutes ago, when she had told her about her pregnancy and that she and David finally were a couple. Finally, Maddie seemed happy! As Virginia made lunch for her husband she rehearsed in her head how she was going to break the news to him that Maddie was pregnant. She knew her husband was old fashioned and that he wouldn’t take kindly to the fact that his daughter was having a baby without a husband. When Virginia had brought up the topic of marriage to her daughter Maddie had gotten a little upset, and given that it all was still “very fresh”, as Maddie had said, Virginia presumed that the couple hadn't discussed marriage yet, and that seemed to make Maddie nervous. But Virginia had the feeling that David Addison was an old-fashioned guy in some ways too, and she wasn't really worried. She didn't doubt for one minute that he was going to propose to her daughter; not that it was really necessary nowadays, but well... it was just right.

Virginia sighed when she thought about what a different world it was now than when she was a single woman. It was a shame and an embarrassment for a woman to be an unwed mother in her day. She knew times had changed for the world but not for Alex Hayes; apart from that, he loved his daughter and was one of those fathers who didn't think any man was good enough for their daughter.

Alex came into the kitchen for his lunch and noticed a huge grin covering his wife’s face. He knew she had spoken to Maddie just a short while ago and wondered if something their daughter had said was the cause of that smile. He worried about Maddie alone and running a business. He dearly wished she would get married and settle down and hopefully move back to Chicago. Alex kissed the top of his wife’s head as he took his seat at the table. He smiled as Virginia placed a BLT in front of him then sat down at the table across from him with a cup of coffee.

“Why so happy, my dear?” he asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Virginia took a sip of coffee and tried to get her thoughts together. She hoped that Alex would be as happy as she was or at least sensible about it.

***
“I’m going to kill him!” Alex raged as what his wife told him settled in his brain. “Is it that Addison character who is responsible!!??”

Virginia tried to calm her husband down. “Calm down Alex! I believe they both are responsible, and Maddie is happy and so am I!” Virginia clapped her hands together.

“Happy?” Alex shook his head. “Our daughter is having a baby and she is not married, Virginia! What’s there to be happy about?” Alex shook his head miserably.

“Alex!” his wife tried to soothe. “This is 1987, not the middle ages - and I’m sure they will get married. Eventually.”

“And does the they include that wise-cracking, fly by the seat of his pants, partner of hers?” Alex roared. “That type does not usually stick around to see things through!” He knew he was being overly harsh on the young man he had only met one time, but although he thought David Addison was a nice enough sort he didn’t know how reliable or trust worthy he was.

Virginia had had enough. “Alexander Hayes!” she scolded in a crystal clear voice that allowed no objection. “You know no such thing about that young man, and you will be as fair as I have always known you to be! Especially for the sake of our daughter who loves him!”

Alex grumbled something unintelligible, and Virginia continued firmly: “And he loves her. I could see when we met him that he was crazy about our daughter!”

“For now.” He grumbled.

Virginia stared at her husband with steely eyes. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

Alex stood up and began to pace around the kitchen. “It means,” Alex ran his hands over his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know what it means! I just hope he plans to do right by our daughter!”

Virginia approached her husband and patted his arm lovingly. “Maddie is happy, Alex!” She smiled at her unhappy husband. “I’ve never heard such contentment or joy in her voice before.” She hugged Alex. “I’m sure that David loves her and she loves him. And I'm sure they will do the right thing, whatever it might be for them. But I have a feeling we won't be disappointed.”

“But they aren’t married.” Alex growled.

Virginia sighed. That was one trait her husband and her daughter had always shared, apart from their temper: the glass was always half empty. “That’s their business, Alex,” she reminded him.

Alex mumbled something that sounded like a reluctant consent, and Virginia was too distracted by her own excitement to notice that he wasn't through with the subject yet. But Alex knew what he was going to do. He was going to take a little trip out to LA and have a good talk with that young man.

***
The next morning, Maddie and David were just about to leave the house and go to work, when the telephone rang. Maddie rolled her eyes as they were already a little late, but answered the phone anyway. David stood in the doorway of the entrance and watched her with a smile on his face. It still was all a little new to him, and he just loved sharing all those everyday things with Maddie; her morning rituals – not without stealing the odd quickie in the shower in the morning from time to time which was, as a matter of fact, the reason why they were late today; their breakfast together, watching the news or some movie in the evening, or watching the game with his head in her lap – not without distracting her from time to time by starting to kiss her neck or run his hands all over her body and he absolutely loved when she made a move stroking his chest, sneaking her hand in to the waistband of his sweats - which always caused them to immediately forget what they were watching; he loved eyeing Maddie sitting at her vanity in the evening, brushing her hair out before she came to bed – sometimes David was happy just watching her, but mostly he didn't give her more than five minutes before he strolled over to her, took the brush out of her hand and carried her over to the bed.

David snapped out of his daydreams, when he heard Maddie gasp into the phone: “Daddy? You are where?!” she threw him a slightly panicky glance, and he answered with a questioning look.

“Ah... no, of course I'm happy to see you, daddy...” Maddie spoke hastily into the phone. “It's just a little surprising, and I...” David's eyes popped open. He's here? he mouthed, pointing with both index fingers to the floor, and Maddie turned her back on him with an impatient frown. Obviously, she felt as uncomfortable as he did. “No, that's fine, daddy, I can make it. Sure. I'll meet you at the hotel where you stayed last time, they make a great omelet. I'll see you in about an hour. Bye.” Slowly, she put down the receiver but didn't turn around.

“Maddie?” David said to her back. “Your parents are here?”

Almost reluctantly, so it seemed, she turned around and looked at him with a little tinge of guilt in her eyes which confused him. “Only my father,” she said. “He's having a business meeting in town this afternoon and thought it would be nice if we could have breakfast together.”

“Of course it would be,” David replied in an encouraging tone, although he was nervous himself. “Why wouldn't it?”

Maddie swallowed. Her father hadn't mentioned her pregnancy, and with David right beside her she couldn't bring it up. She wasn't sure if her mother had told him already. David tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Do you want me to come with you?” he asked.

“No!” she blurted out hastily and regretted it when she saw him flinch. “I can handle it,” she added more softly.

David's jaw tightened. “I should be with you when we tell your parents,” he said firmly, and Maddie loved him for it.

“Of course you should,” she said quickly. “I'm not planning to bring up the subject now. It's only a breakfast.”

David scrutinized her closely with his intense green eyes. “You sure, babe?”

“Yes, I'm sure,” she confirmed and drew a deep breath. “You take the car, I'll take a cab.”

He left the house reluctantly.

***
Maddie sipped on her orange juice nervously while she was sitting in the hotel restaurant where she had agreed to meet her father. If she was honest, she dreaded the meeting – she knew her mother probably told her father about their phone call, and she had an inkling of what her father's opinion was on that subject. Apart from the fact that none of her – not numerous – boyfriends had ever been good enough for her in his eyes, he certainly would not approve of the fact that she was pregnant without being married or at least having a ring on her finger. And if she was honest – she wasn't too crazy about that fact either. God, she was pretty sure that David would ask her to marry him, but as she had always been a worrier and pessimist, there was always that remaining doubt nagging away at her courage: what if he didn't? What if he was too scared, too traumatized? Then an alarming thought hit her: what if he thought she wasn't ready yet? But then – how could he think that?

Alexander Hayes' appearance at her table woke her from her thoughts. “Madolyn!” he exclaimed and pulled her into a tight hug when she got up to greet him: “Daddy!”

“It's so great to see you!” He held her at arm's length. “you look... wonderful.” He scrutinized her closely.

Maddie started to feel uncomfortable. “You too, daddy,” she replied, “as always!” Quickly, before they could attract any attention, she sat down again. Their waitress appeared, and within a few minutes, they had ordered breakfast, and Alex was stirring a huge cup of strong coffee which he always enjoyed whenever he had breakfast out; his wife allowed him only decaffeinated coffee.

“So...” he started after a while, and Maddie braced herself up. She was almost relieved when he said: “Your mother told me about the news.”

She swallowed and looked at him, trying a smile. “Big news, huh?” she managed nervously.

Alex leaned a little forward. “Your mother tells me it's that business partner of yours, that Addison guy?”

There goes the inquiry. “Yes, daddy,” Maddie replied brightly, “it's David.” She swallowed again and added firmly: “I love him.”

“Hm.” Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow. “And what about him?”

“Daddy,” she said almost pleadingly, “we are happy. He loves me, too.”

Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

She drew a deep breath. “Yes, I'm sure,” she told him seriously and meant it.

“And you're happy?” her father asked and gave her a concerned look, knowing perfectly well that she was a master at hiding her feelings, and especially when they were heavy on her heart. He was almost shocked at the blinding glow of happiness that warmed her face; he had all the answers he needed already.

“Yes, daddy,” she answered with a smile, “I'm very happy.”

He smiled back, touched by her reaction, and reached over the table to take her hand. “Then we're happy too,” he assured her. Maddie started to feel relieved, but of course the inquiry wasn't over yet. Alex took a sip of his coffee and asked almost casually: “And when will the wedding be?”

Maddie sighed. “We haven't set a date yet, daddy,” she said which was the same lie/no lie she had told her mother.

Alex put down his coffee mug. “What does that mean?” he inquired.

“Daddy, as I already told mom – this is all very new for us, and we got the news only a few days ago.” Maddie hated that she sounded like a guilty schoolgirl defending herself. “We didn't even have the chance to...”

“Are you saying,” Alex interrupted, “that your young man hasn't asked you yet?”

Although that was true and Maddie was a little put off by that fact herself, she was starting to get a little annoyed with her father. He didn't know anything of David's background and history or of the history of their complicated relationship. He didn't have the right to judge him. “I am saying,” she stated firmly, “that although we are very happy, things have been a whirlwind lately, and we haven't had the chance to talk about marriage yet.” She raised her chin, and Alex got a clear I know you want my best, but this is none of your business vibe from his hard-headed daughter that reminded him of himself in so many ways.

“But you will, of course.”

“Of course we will.” she added, maybe to convince herself: “Don't worry, daddy. David is an old-fashioned guy in many things.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Old fashioned? Really?”

Maddie knew what her father’s dig meant and her annoyance rose. “Yes daddy! He is!” She had to keep herself from snapping at her father.

Alex could hear the annoyance in Maddie’s voice so he decided to back off; for now. He nodded. “Good then. The important thing is you're happy.”

“I really am, daddy.” she smiled. “You better get used to it.”

***
Alex had been pleased with how Maddie had looked; Virginia had perceived that perfectly right from their phone call. Their daughter was obviously extremely happy and deeply in love. That was a good thing, of course, and Alex knew that Maddie wasn't a fool and wouldn't fall in love with a man whom she could not respect, so he assumed that Addison couldn't be a complete asshole; he hadn't gotten a bad impression himself when he had met him the year before, and his wife had downright taken a shine to him. But still, he had his convictions of what was right and what was not, and he wouldn't be who he was if he didn't have his say.

He had planned to call David Addison in the office and ask him to meet for a private talk; he was sure David wouldn't refuse. But things got simpler when, during their breakfast, Maddie had told Alex that she would love to have lunch with him but had an appointment she couldn't delay. So, he knew that she would be out during lunch break. Well, then he would be in.

***
David had been brooding the whole morning, nervous about Maddie's father being in town and not really sure what to do. He wanted to ask him for Maddie's hand, and that he was here seemed to be a good occasion, but then he was in town only for one day, and David didn't know how to reach him. To ask Maddie was not an option, of course. David sighed. Although it was a little weird, he wouldn't have a choice but to call Maddie's father when he returned to Chicago again and talk to him. In fact, he would do that tonight, he swore to himself. And then, as soon as he felt that the moment was right, he would propose to Maddie. That thought made him very nervous; although he couldn't imagine her turning him down, but with that woman you never knew.

After a short knock at the door, Agnes popped her curly head in. “Mr. Addison, there's Mr. Hayes here to see you.”

David almost jumped up from his chair. “Mr. Hayes?” Agnes nodded.

He drew a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair, making it stand out in every direction. “Mr. Hayes,” he repeated. “Alright. Alright.” This was unexpected, but really not a bad development. In fact, it was a great development, Maddie was out having her hair done and David figured that now was probably the only time to do what he had to do face to face and not over the phone – which just wouldn't have felt right. He threw Agnes a questioning, almost pleading look.

She nodded. “You look great,” she soothed, her eyes looked him over, “but maybe fix your hair a little," she suggested with a smile. David grabbed a mirror from his desk and fixed his unruly hair as he tried to calm his nerves. As usual, Agnes seemed to know what was bothering him. “Maybe you should welcome him yourself?” she suggested. David nodded as he ran around his desk.

“Of course, of course. Right.” He grabbed his jacket that was flung over the back of his chair and pulled it on. He felt the urge to look like a mature adult for Maddie's slightly intimidating father; Alexander Hayes had been very nice to him and very jovial in general when David had met him for the first time, but that had been a completely different setting. Today, he seemed much more intimidating than before; that he had much more hair on his head than David didn't exactly help for some irrational reason.

David rushed out of his office into the main office where the big impressive figure of Alexander Hayes was standing in the middle of the room, making polite, friendly small talk with Agnes. David cleared his throat and walked up to him.

“Mr. Hayes!” he exclaimed a little too loudly and extended his hand.

Alex turned around and smiled slightly, but in a kind of distracted way; he shook David's hand firmly. “David.”

“I'm afraid Maddie is not in,” David said, irrationally hoping Alex would leave, but the elder man nodded to his surprise.

“I know. I came here to see you.” he motioned his head to David's door. “I was hoping I could see you in your office for a minute.”

David suppressed a hysterical laugh at those words and nodded. “Oh, of course, Sir... I'd be glad to...”

“Good.” Without waiting for David's answer, Alex marched towards his office with determined steps. David sighed and followed him, catching an encouraging glance from Agnes from the corner of his eyes. She waved her hands in ushering moves, and David followed Alex into his own office.

“Please, have a seat, Sir,” he nodded towards one of the black leather chairs, and Alex took it. David was standing in the middle of the room, feeling clumsier than ever before. “Can I offer you something? Maybe a...”

“I really don't have that much time,” Alex cut him off in a not unfriendly, but firm way. “I came here to talk to you about...”

“If you pardon me,” David interrupted, raising both hands, “actually, I'm glad you're here, Sir, because I also have something I need to talk to you about.”

Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes, and if you don't mind, I would be really grateful if I could get it off my chest first.” Maddie's father kept looking at him in silence, and David added: “I'm a little nervous about it.”

Well, you should be, Alex thought. You know what I'm here for and now you want me to think it was all your idea. He pressed his lips together and waved his hand at David. “Well, then out with it, young man,” he grumbled. “Too much hither and thither has never gotten anybody far.”

David drew a deep breath and, not really knowing how to start, decided to stick to his usual method, just opened his mouth and let the words flow out: "Your daughter and I...” he flinched a little when he saw Alex narrow his eyes, “...we are... we will..." He fumbled for the right thing to say and stumbled over his own words. This ain't working, Dave. He drew another deep breath. "Mr. Hayes, I love your daughter,” he finally blurted out. Now there was no turning back. Go on, for Pete's sake, finish what you have to say, like the man Maddie deserves. “...and... and I would be honored if you gave me your permission to...” he swallowed and then blurted out: “...to ask for her hand." He nodded and looked at Alex with a mix of relief and satisfaction with himself.

Maddie's father, much to his dismay, wasn't impressed; as a matter of fact, Alex didn't even seem to be surprised about David's revelation. He replied sort of grumpily: "Well, young man, of course that's the only honorable thing to do in this situation."

David frowned. "Situation?" he echoed.

Alex' jawline tightened a little when he explained: "Given the fact that you're... expecting."

David's eyes almost popped out. Shit. I'm a dead man. "You... you know about that?" he gasped with a little panic in his husky voice.

Alex nodded gravely. "That's what I came her to talk about. Of course we do."

We?! Oh, this was getting worse by the minute. "Mrs. Hayes knows, too?" David asked feebly.

Alex snorted in a very Hayes sort of way. "Of course she does,” he confirmed. “Madolyn told us." He frowned, showing a little confusion for the first time since he had come in. "Didn't you know she called us?"

David felt his knees go to rubber and shook his head. "No, Sir, I had no idea."

Alex leaned a little forward. This was getting interesting. "You mean, when I came here, you didn't know I was aware of...?" If that was true, it threw a completely different light on the situation – and this handsome guy his beloved daughter seemed to be crazy about. Maybe, he wasn't so bad after all?

David swallowed: "I wouldn't have been that calm if I'd known that you knew."

Alex, unexpectedly, had to suppress an amused smile. "That's what you call calm?"

David raised both hands in a defensive gesture. "Mr. Hayes, I..."

Alex interrupted firmly: "So, you are asking for Madolyn's hand because it's the most honorable thing to do." He didn't smile yet – he knew that David was intimidated by him and wasn't in a hurry to change that – but he was secretly pleased with the nervous young man before him.

David surprised him by shaking his head. "No,” he replied not less firmly, regaining a little of his courage now, and pointed out: “I'm asking that because I love her."

"I see..."

David cleared his throat. "So... what do you think?"

Maddie's father shrugged which looked a little weird with his massive shoulders and replied with a stony face: "Well, my wife apparently has developed a soft spot for you when we met you for the last year." In his mind, he added: ...and usually she's a good judge of character. Of course, he didn't say that out loud. He went on: "And my daughter...” he shrugged again and finally admitted: “I have never seen her so happy before in her whole life. So, I assume what I think, doesn't matter."

Now it was David's turn to shrug. “No, it doesn't,” he confirmed, and Alex frowned. “But then,” he went on, “... it kinda does."

Alex was taken a little aback, but then he nodded. That man had managed to surprise him twice – no, three times in as much as two minutes' time, and that wasn't something that happened often to Alexander Hayes. Obviously, there was more to him than met the eye. "I appreciate that." He noticed that David wasn't avoiding his gaze but returning his stare quietly, much more calmly than before. He didn't seem to be afraid of him, at least not anymore, and that was something that usually impressed Alex. But that didn't mean he would let him off the hook that easily. “Do you have any idea,” he began, “what it really means to take responsibility, to give up a single life and take care of a family?”

David's jawline tightened when he heard Maddie's father challenge him. He didn't blame him; Alexander Hayes loved his daughter and like every father should, just wanted to make sure she would have the best. Sure, he was judging the book by its cover, but that was only a very human thing to do. He couldn't really know what was behind David Addison's wise-cracking exterior; he knew nothing about a twelve-year-old boy who had to practically raise himself after the death of his mother or about a frightened eighteen-year-old young man, really more boy than man, that stood in front of a priest, his hand clutched by the hand of an equally frightened seventeen-year-old girl – two children who knew nothing about life and still were trying to do the right thing.

After a long pause, David replied quietly: “Yes, Sir, I happen to have an idea about that.”

Alex, weird enough, left it at that; he had no idea what was happening behind these intense green eyes that were fixed on him, but he also recognized a no-nonsense expression when he saw it. At that moment, he knew that David Addison was deadly serious, and that he would do everything to take care of his daughter and their baby just the way it should be. He cleared his throat and realized that David was still waiting for an answer – and he decided not to make it harder than necessary. Unexpectedly, Addison had passed the first test, and not too poorly. "Well, young man, go and propose to my daughter. And if she says yes, you have my consent." Slowly, he rose from his seat.

David couldn't believe it had been that... well, easy was maybe the wrong word, but he had the impression this hadn't been too bad. "Thank you, Sir." He extended his hand; Alex shook it and nodded, and, following some maybe self-destructive instinct, David added firmly: "Not that it would keep me from asking her if you hadn't given it."

Alex' features froze, and he threw him a severe glance; now, he was impressed. After a long pause that seemed to last an eternity, he nodded again with finality and grumbled: "Well, after this is settled... you'll have to excuse me. I have a flight to take.”

David woke from his tense state his struggle for self-control had put him in and hurried to open the office door for Alex. “Would you please give my best regards to Mrs. Hayes?”

Alex saw the genuine warm shine in David's eyes, and for one moment he forgot to keep up his severe-father-mask and smiled. “I'm sure she'll be delighted,” he replied and left.

When the wooden door of the main office closed behind his hopefully-soon-to-be father-in-law, David exhaled deeply in relief. Only then he noticed that Agnes' big brown eyes were fixed on him with a big question in them. David threw her a nonchalant lopsided smile and winked, and she knew everything was going to be okay.

***
David was tired. The last couple of days had been a whirl of emotions for him. And for some strange reason he felt more nervous and edgy after his talk with Maddie’s dad. Now it was real. He needed to ask Maddie to marry him. But how could little Davey from South Philly think that the Blue Moon Shampoo girl wanted to be married to him? He knew Maddie loved him and was thrilled to be having his baby but David was afraid to rock the boat and bring up marriage, although deep down he knew she wouldn't think twice about marrying him if he asked and that he shouldn't be carried away by his own insecurities.

After Maddie’s dad left his office Bert came running in with information on the Anselmo case which they had been working on for weeks without so much as a lead. This time Bert seemed to have gotten solid information from a trusted source, so before David could think about his talk with Maddie’s dad and its ramifications he was out of the office with Viola.

As David sat in the cold car with Viola later that night, he realized that this was the first time he was actually glad to be on a stake out with Viola. It gave him time to think and plan what he was going to do; when he was going to ask Maddie to be his wife, and especially how. He knew he wanted to ‘WOW’ her with his proposal – she deserved nothing but the best, she deserved to feel special; he needed to show her he was not taking her for granted; but David had no inkling yet how to do it and was hoping for some inspiration. So for now sitting in the car with Bert rambling on and bending his ear actually was fine with him.

Maddie on the other hand was not fine with it. She knew she was being childishly selfish but she wanted to be with David. She wanted him to ask her to be his wife sooner rather than later, but although she knew in her heart he would do it it drove her crazy not to know when, and she knew it definitely wouldn’t happen if he wasn’t there. And Maddie knew David well enough to sense that he wasn’t very unhappy about having to be on a stake out with Bert. That was his typical pattern of avoiding situations that made him feel uncomfortable. She knew that if he really wanted to David could have asked one of the other detectives to go with Bert.

This Anselmo case seemed to be a hard nut to crack and a waste of time but David seemed eager to run all over the city with Viola. Did he detect her desire for him to ask her to get married? And did that scare him off? Or was he just falling back in his pattern of feeling insecure because of their different backgrounds? Deep down she knew that David was indeed an old fashioned guy, like she had told her father, and that he wanted to marry her. But did he know that too? Especially with her now being pregnant, the fiasco with Tess had to be on his mind – did that keep him from asking her? But that was completely irrational – his situation back then and now couldn't be compared. Maddie shook that ridiculous thought out of her brain and blamed it on her hormones that were playing havoc with her emotions and body. And another thing nagged at her nerves: no David – no sex; and that was very frustrating to a woman whose libido was out of control. She sighed as she picked up her purse and headed home for the day.

Maddie had no clue her father had visited Blue Moon; Agnes had been wise enough to realize that Mr. Hayes probably didn’t want Maddie to know he had been to see Mr. Addison, and she had a feeling that Mr. Addison didn't want that either, so she had made sure to tell the staff and Bert not to mention it in front of Miss Hayes. She had actually threatened Bert, motor mouth, Viola with bodily harm if he uttered a word about Mr. Hayes. She figured if Mr. Addison wanted to tell Miss Hayes then that was his business. As she drove home alone Maddie wondered how long David and Bert would be running around on this Anselmo case.

***
The next couple of days Maddie and David barely saw each other. He was working night and day with Bert tracking down leads on the case. He was barely in the office, and when he was he was distracted and in a hurry. And at night when he finally came home after midnight he showered and flopped into bed. And after a perfunctory kiss on her lips, mostly while she was already asleep or half asleep, he was out like a light.

The next morning Maddie was waiting for David to wake up; she didn’t know what time he had come home the night before. She had waited up til almost 12:30 but must have fallen asleep; when she got up at 2am to use the bathroom David was sound asleep beside her. She sat in the chair beside the window watching him sleep with a mixture of love and anger. How dare he sleep like a baby when she tossed and turned most of the night, wondering why he wasn’t asking her to be his wife? Intellectually she knew he was busy with work but her heart didn’t want to hear it; it felt that if he really wanted to ask her he would make sure to find the time. She saw David stirring and sat on the edge of the bed next to him. She saw him open one dazzling green eye as a lopsided green covered his face. He pulled her down beside him on the bed.

“Missed you,” he purred which hit her right between her legs. She grudgingly realized she missed his hands on her; his mouth ravaging her; his dick inside of her… She felt her legs open as her loins came to life.

David noticed that gleam in Maddie’s eyes; her horny look he called it. “I know you missed this.” David placed her hand on his rock hard cock.

“Well, you have been elusive these past few days.” She forced a laugh. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were avoiding me.”

David sat up and stared at her with his eyes wide although he guiltily knew he could have had one of the other men go traipsing all over town with Bert. So far it had turned into another wild goose chase. He knew he couldn't avoid the situation forever, he knew he had to man up and muster his courage to ask her to marry him, but for now he ignored her accusation as he pulled her against his body. Maddie wasn't the only one who was horny; he missed her too. “I’m certainly not avoiding you now baby.” He nuzzled her neck as his fingers crawled up her leg under her dress. Maddie let her head fall back and gave in to the sensations that were washing over her. She made those little noises deep down in her throat that told him control freak Maddie Hayes wasn't in charge any longer. “Wow, I can almost feel the steam rising from you, sweetheart.” He whispered as he deftly began to undress her.

Before she knew it, Maddie was naked under David being thoroughly fucked as he pummeled her into the mattress with hard deep strokes of his massive cock; she used every ounce of her force and energy to spur him on – she needed to feel the connection, and boy did she need to come. She spiraled into a mind numbing orgasm in a matter of minutes followed by two more before David came long and hard with a guttural cry of ecstasy. “That was great.” David crooned into her ear as he nuzzled her neck before he rolled off and sat up. He took her in his arms. “God Maddie, it gets better every day. How did we do without it for two whole days?” He smirked lovingly at her, and she was sure they would go for another round.

She laughed and playfully punched his arm. “Well, you’re the one who was so busy with Bert.” She looked at him from under her long lashes. “Should I be jealous?” She joked but David didn’t answer.

He glanced at the clock. “Well, I gotta get going. Going to meet Bert at the courthouse in an hour.” David jumped up and headed for the bathroom, pulling Maddie out of her afterglow.

She sat up, “What?” She was annoyed. “David Addison! Don’t you dare run out on me again!”

He rooted to the spot and turned around to face her again, frowning. “What are you saying?”

Maddie stood up and put her hands on her hips. “What’s going on, David?”

“What’s going on?” David stared at Maddie bare ass with her hands on her hips and felt a smirk run over his face which was not the reaction she was looking for.

“Oh, is something funny, Addison?” Her temper was rising.

He shook his head slowly trying to look serious. “Nothing is going on, Maddie.” He shook his head again. “Just trying to do my job.”

She snorted. “A job that could easily be done by Jorgenson or O'Neill.”

David threw his hands up in the air. “I don’t understand what’s bothering you. We got a big retainer for this case and the promise of more if we find Anselmo.” He ran his hands through his hair in aggravation. He knew Maddie was right, but he couldn’t admit to her that he was avoiding her to bide his time and think about how to propose to her; that would have made him look like an insecure boy she maybe wouldn't want to marry. Gee that sounded like her and not him he mused.

Maddie glared at him. “I think you’re avoiding me, and that bothers me, David.”

David approached her slowly and pulled her into his arms. “Well, you’re mistaken.” He ran his hands over her body. “I love you, baby.” He kissed the corner of her mouth tenderly, and she melted. “But I’m busy with work. Isn't that what you always demanded from me, that I take work seriously? It’s not like I’m playing around.” He moved her hair off of her face and tucked a tendril behind her ear. “You need to calm down, baby. Your hormones are making you crazy.”

Maddie pulled away with a mean stare. “My hormones? You say my hormones are driving me crazy?” The fleeting thought that maybe he was right ran through her mind, but she blew it away. “No, the fact that the father of my child is avoiding me is making me crazy.” She stormed past him and slammed into the bathroom angrily.

David sighed and tried to open the door but it was locked. He knocked on the door. “Maddie, come on out baby.”

“Go away, David!”

He tried again. “Maddie.”

“Go AWAY!” Her voice was shrill now.

With one last angry pound on the door David shook his head. He had to meet Bert in a half hour, he didn’t have time for her hormonal nonsense now.

On the cab ride to meet Bert David was overthinking again. Damn he was becoming Maddie!! But this was a very big step, and he had to get it right. If she said no to his proposal... well she wouldn’t, at least he assumed she wouldn't... but it had to be perfect for his perfect woman. But he didn’t want to ask her when she was being so bitchy like she had been today. Suddenly, David snapped out of his thoughts when he realized he had to buy a ring. Dumb David! Worrying about how and when he wanted to pop the question, but not even thinking about a ring. He’d have to remedy that today.

Bert’s eyes were wide as David ushered him into Harry Winston in Beverly Hills. “What are we doing here, sir?” Bert looked around puzzled, “Do you think Anselmo might be hiding out here?”

David bent down to whisper in Bert’s ear. “Last I heard he was spotted in this neighborhood so we have to check out every option.”

Bert nodded and turned his curly head from one side to the other, scanning the surroundings. In the meanwhile, David walked around the jewelry counter and smiled at the woman behind the counter.

She smiled back flirtatiously. “How may I help you, sir?”

David leaned over the counter and whispered. “I’m looking for an engagement ring.”

The flirtatious smile was replaced by a professional one. “Oh, how wonderful for you. What type of ring are you looking for?”

David frowned. What type of ring? “An engagement ring.” David repeated.

The woman laughed. “I know that, but there are many different styles to choose from.”

This made David nervous. “Styles?”

Bert had been looking around the store, then he noticed David chatting with a salesgirl so he meandered over.“Sir?” He whispered to David pulling his head to his level. “Any leads?” Bert’s eyes were darting all over the store looking for what he didn’t really know, but he knew that Mr. Addison must have brought them here for a reason. He just didn’t realize what that reason was.

David shook Bert off. “Lead?”

“Anselmo!” Bert whispered again.

David made a face and ignored him turning back to the salesgirl. She had brought out a tray of shiny engagements rings – heart shaped, rectangular, round, big diamonds, small diamonds – they were all beautiful.

“Bert, what do you think?” David asked scratching his head.

“Think, sir?” Bert was confused. “About what?”

“Rings, Bert.” David was getting impatient with his short side kick. “What ring do you like?”

Bert looked at what David was looking at. He glanced up at David with a huge grin covering his face. Mr. Addison was buying a ring for Miss Hayes? Wait til he told Agnes! “For Miss Hayes?”

“No, for Jamie.” David snapped. “Of course for Maddie.” David stared down at the rings again. “I want to find her the perfect ring.”

“Oh... this is tough, sir.” Bert put on his important face. “Miss Hayes is a very special lady.”

David nodded. “You’re telling me.”

The salesgirl knew she needed to step in. She was used to nervous men trying to choose a ring for the woman they loved. Her specialty was guiding the man to choose the best ring for their woman and their budget. She looked over the handsome green eyed man on the other side of the counter. Just by the cut of his suit she could tell he wasn’t rolling in the dough but she also knew with her sales woman’s intuition that he wouldn’t be satisfied with anything but the best for his lady. She looked over the trays of rings finally settling on a lovely 1 carat oval diamond surrounded by small diamond baguettes. The ring wasn’t at the top of the price scale but it wasn’t on the bottom either. It was a beautiful ring that any woman would be proud to wear on her finger. She picked it out of the tray and laid it on a small satin pillow for the young man to see.

David stared at the ring afraid to touch it. “Whadda ya think?” He asked Bert who was staring gape mouth at the tray of rings. Asking Agnes to be his wife was on his mind lately; he eyed a decent sized heart shaped ring and thought how it would look on his love’s finger.

“Can I see that one?” Viola pointed to the ring that caught his eye.

David shook his head. “No, I meant this one, Bert.” He picked up the ring and turned it over in his hand. The ring looked small in David’s big hand but knew it would look perfect on Maddie’s finger; he just wished he knew the perfect time to ask her and the perfect way.

Bert looked down at the expensive ring in David’s hand. “It is lovely, sir.” He nodded. “But looks expensive.”

The sales woman smiled. “Well, we sell only the best.”

“And that is exactly what I want for Maddie.” David nodded. “How much?”

When the sales woman told David the price he thought he would faint. He knew he’d be paying this ring off for a very long time, but in his heart he knew it was worth it. With the threat of bodily harm and a torturous death David swore Viola to secrecy. He made him swear he wouldn’t even tell Agnes. Bert knew Mr. Addison was serious and knew he would have to keep this very special secret for his beloved boss.

David decided to surprise Maddie and take her out to dinner. He hated when things were tense between them and wanted to make things right with her. He put his nervousness about ‘the proposal’ – as he had started to call it in his head – out of his mind and would enjoy the evening making Maddie happy. Yes, he would just go with the flow, that had usually never failed him... and who knew, maybe the right moment would present itself this evening. He was whistling when he flew into her office.

Maddie was engrossed in the open file on her desk and at first didn’t hear David barge into her office.

“Hey, Blondie Blonde.” David bent over to kiss Maddie’s lips then perched on the side of her desk. His eyes were twinkling as he looked at her. She had an inner glow that made her extra lovely.

Maddie had felt unhappy and moody all day thinking that David was avoiding her, and especially since they hadn't exactly parted on good terms this morning, she thought guiltily. But now she felt happy as she looked into his green eyes so filled with joy. It didn't look like he held any grudges; he seemed to have forgotten about their argument. That was another one of David's traits that made him so loveable – he never held grudges for long and was always willing to forgive and forget. “Hey stranger.”

“How bout we get out of here and go someplace nice for dinner.” He smiled at her with smoldering eyes. “White table cloths, candles…”

Maddie’s heart leapt with joy. He probably planned to propose at dinner. “That sounds wonderful.” She stood up and stretched her arms over her head. “I’m done here for today.” She closed the file and picked up her purse.

“Great great.”

David had made reservations at ‘Luigi’s’ on Sunset which was one of Maddie’s favorite places to eat. They were shown to a small table by the fireplace. David threw Maddie a panty melting grin. “You like?”

Maddie returned the smile with one of her own. “I like.” She leaned across the table and squeezed David’s hand. Spontaneously, she told him: “Sorry I’ve been so bitchy lately.”

David squeezed her hand back. “It’s okay.” He stroked the inside of her palm with his thumb.

As the meal wore on Maddie was getting increasingly annoyed that David seemed to have no plan to ask her to marry him. His conversation was mostly about Viola, the stake outs and Anselmo. On other occasions she may have been amused at his stories, but tonight she had one thing on her mind – and he didn’t seem to be any closer to popping the question. Maybe she was wrong and he had no plan to ask her to marry him tonight – or any other night. She was also getting irritated with the way the pretty young waitress couldn’t take her eyes off David and hung on his every word.

David noticed Maddie was just pushing her food around her plate. “You okay, babe?” He asked with concern coating his voice. “You feeling sick?”

Maddie shook her head a bit mollified with the concern and love she heard in David’s voice. It wasn't his fault that women always seemed to try to get his attention. She smiled to herself when she thought it's not his fault he is so irresistible, because that was such a David thing to think. “No I’m fine.” She stood up. “Just going to visit the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

David looked up at her, a little puzzled. “You sure?” He had noticed her smile and thought that her mood swings were getting weirder and more confusing by the minute.

Maddie nodded again. “I’m sure.”

A few minutes later Maddie left the ladies’ room and stopped short when she saw the little scene that was being played out at the table. The young waitress was practically in his lap as she gazed down at him laughing with something he must have said. David was looking up at the girl with his irresistible smile, and his green eyes were sparkling with laughter. Maddie was livid. How dare he make a fool out of me when I was in the bathroom? Does he flirt with other women like this when I’m not around? Does he do more than flirt? These thoughts were flying around Maddie’s hormonal mind as she approached the table.

David’ smile was wiped away when saw the thundercloud covering Maddie’s face when she sat down at the table.

“Everything okay?” He asked, honestly concerned; he hoped she wasn’t feeling ill.

The waitress scurried away; unlike David she could see a jealous woman when she saw one.

Maddie glared over at David. “You tell me?”

He frowned. “Tell you what?” Really, David didn’t know if he could stand seven more months of these mood swings.

Maddie leaned over the table and whispered in a deadly voice. “I would appreciate if you didn’t flirt with other women when you are with me.”

“Flirt?” David was puzzled. “I wasn’t flirting.”

Maddie sat back her eyes shooting blue bullets at him. “And what do you call what you were doing with our waitress who looks like she would eat you with a spoon?”

David laughed, a little pleased with her jealousy. “We were just talking, babe.” he shook his head. “Please, why would I want chop meat when I got filet mignon.”

Maddie wasn’t placated. “And maybe you don’t want filet mignon every night.”

David ran his hair through his hair. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Maddie didn’t answer. At that moment the waitress appeared with their check which she placed on the table and walked briskly away. Maddie turned her head and shot daggers with her eyes at the waitress’ back.

David chuckled again; he just couldn't help it. Maddie’s head snapped around and she glowered at him. “You find this amusing?”

“I find this ridiculous!” he replied sarcastically.

Maddie jumped up threw down her napkin and left with a growl. “I’ll wait in the car. Enjoy the view,” she snarled and nodded her head in the direction of the waitress who was taking orders at a nearby table. Shaking his head in annoyance David threw down some bills on the table and followed Maddie out of the restaurant. He had no words for her; he was fuming that she had ruined their dinner. The odd display of jealousy was nice and surely did something for a guy's self-esteem, but being accused with such ridiculous fervor of something he was completely innocent of, certainly ruined the mood. Surely, there wouldn't be any proposal tonight.

He started the car and drove out of the lot in angry silence. They drove a bit in an uncomfortable silence until Maddie turned to David and saw by the tenseness of his jaw and the way his lips were closed tightly together that he was furious with her. Her anger was fueled further. “You have to be kidding?” Maddie shot at him. “You’re angry at me?” She laughed snidely.

David turned to her. “You ruined our dinner.”

“Well next time don’t embarrass me by blatantly flirting with another woman!”

“I was not flirting!” David’s words were clipped and cold. “I was talking.” He frowned at her. “Am I not allowed to talk to another woman?”

“You were laughing?” Maddie snapped.

“Oh so I can’t laugh with another woman?” David’s anger began to cool off. She was really jealous. Why? He had never given her a reason to doubt him? Probably her hormones. Still, she had no right to treat him like that – hormones or not, if she doubted his loyalty like that, he felt he needed to put his foot down. “Maddie, I was being polite, nothing else.”

Maddie turned her head to look at the passenger side window but said not another word on the way home. She knew what was really bothering her, but how could she tell him that she was hurt, nervous and yes angry that he hadn’t proposed that night? Maybe he never would, she fretted.

“Fine,” David said angrily when he turned off the engine, “play the silence game. I like it when you're jealous, but this is far over the line.”

“I am not jealous,” Maddie hissed and jumped out of the car. “I just hate to be treated like that in public!” She slammed the entrance door in David's face, and her demeanor and accusations were so ridiculous that suddenly he couldn't help but chuckle. Yes, she had ruined their dinner and a possible chance to propose to her, but he started to see the reasons for her behavior. Unlike during their first weeks together, she wasn't unsure of him anymore, but he knew she was the jealous type, she knew she would soon lose her trim waist, and her mood swings had been notorious before she got pregnant and the hormones in her body were playing twister with her – he guessed that her crankiness had to be one of the lesser pleasant side effects of her pregnancy. He really hadn't been flirting with the pretty waitress and didn't have to feel guilty about anything, but he felt almost sorry for Maddie. Boy, for being that cranky she had to be hormonal as hell!

He opened the door with his key and had to chuckle again when he saw that she was still standing in the entrance hall, obviously waiting for him. Her hands were clenched to fists when she shot deadly glares at him. “What's so funny, Addison?!” she snapped. “I don't think it's funny!”

He closed the door behind him. “I think it is,” he objected and shook his head. “In fact, I think it's so ridiculous that it's hysterical. Why would I look at another woman when I'm with you? She wasn't even pretty!”

“Ah!” Maddie put her hands to her hips in a menacing gesture. “So you did look!” She raised her chin and threw him a look that could only be described as challenging. He pondered over the options. Either she was falling back into her old pattern of telling him something and expecting him to do the opposite (or accusing him of something and expecting him to prove her wrong) – a malevolent mind would have called that mind game – or – and that seemed more likely to him – she was indeed cranky because she was hormonal as hell, and picking this ridiculous fight was her way of telling him she needed to get laid, and badly. This, of course, needed some remedial action.

He strolled over to her. “I have only eyes for you, and you know it,”

She just snorted, but he saw that sparkle in her eyes, and he knew he had suspected right. Not only was she hormonal, she was also horny as hell. He could almost smell it. Well, he was definitely pleased with that side effect of her pregnancy. “And I think you're trying to pick a fight,” he added and smirked. “To heat up the atmosphere.” He pulled off his jacket and let it fall to the floor.

Maddie blushed a little, and he wanted to push her up the wall roughly and give it to her right there and then. “I'm not...” she started, but David interrupted her by sweeping her up into his arms. “Addison!” she scolded, but he silenced her with a ravishing kiss that made her head spin. When their lips finally parted, she was breathless and crumbling to pieces, her arms around his neck, holding on tight to him.

He smirked down at her. “Shut up, Scarlett.” And with that, he turned to the spiral staircase and carried her upstairs with her looking at him in disbelief. He returned her stare with a mean twinkle in his green eyes and a wicked half-smile playing around his sensuous lips, and that combined with the feeling of his strong arms and hands carrying her like she were a feather made her insides melt and liquefy.

“You are unbelievable!” she murmured with an involuntary smile when he entered the bedroom.

“Yeah, so I've been told,” he replied nonchalantly and kicked the door closed behind them. He carried her over to the bed, sinking down with her still in his arms, and before they had even touched the mattress, they were already lost in another intense, passionate kiss, and once Maddie's head had touched the pillow she started to tug madly at his clothes.

David lifted his head for a moment and broke the contact of their mouths. “No,” he said firmly and grasped her wrists, pulling her hands away from him. “Easy, babe. All in due time.” He didn't give her time to object but placed her hands on both sides of her head, bent down again and kissed her on her lips, her jawline and down the side of her throat.

“Oh, David...” she sighed, and the moment he let go of her wrists to unbutton her blouse, her hands went into his hair, tugging at it, messing it up. She half sat up for a moment, so that he could push her blouse off of her shoulders, and when she fell back on the pillow again she pulled him with her. David nibbled and kissed his way down her collarbone and farther down, between her breast, his hands running up and down the sides of her body, and Maddie arched her back and tried to bring her aching breasts in contact with his mouth. David put his hands on her shoulders to hold her still and raised his head, looking her directly in the eyes.

“I said – all in due time,” he purred slowly, in a low voice that was melted caramel and didn't permit objection at the same time. Then his mouth continued to travel lazily down the front of her body, and only when he reached for the zipper at the side of her skirt, she lifted her hips slightly, so that he could pull it down and discard it on the floor with the blouse. Now she was laying there, clad only in her white lacy underwear that looked so innocent yet so sinful, squirming on the mattress, dying for him to touch her; finally touch her in her most intimate places. David stood up slowly, unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off, slowly, teasingly, knowing the effect this was having on Maddie. He enjoyed to hear her sigh when she saw his muscular upper body exposed, and she reached out for him with her arms, longing to touch him.

He smirked down at her. “Soon, babe,” he purred, “you're gonna get it soon.” Then he took off his pants but left his boxers on. He allowed Maddie only so much as a glimpse at the huge tent in his boxers and knelt between her legs. She eagerly spread them wider.

“So beautiful,” he murmured and ran his hands slowly, lightly from her ankles up her legs, and she squirmed. He bent forward and kissed her tenderly yet passionately on the lips, then kissed his way down the side of her neck again, lingering on that special spot, brushing his hot tongue over it. Maddie's pulse ran madly against his lips.

“Oh, David,” she sighed breathlessly, “David...”

“Yeah, babe, I'm here,” he murmured against her feverish skin. “I'm gonna kiss you all over. All over.” He unhooked her bra and pulled it off her, revealing her glorious creamy breasts. Again, he slowly kissed his way down between her breasts, avoiding her aching peaks. “I'm gonna make you feel real good,” he purred while he was raining his little angel kisses down her belly. She closed her eyes, completely surrendering to the sensations, and her hands went into his hair. His fingers ran up the sides of her body until he cupped the sides of her breasts in his hands, but he didn't touch her nipples, and she almost whimpered with need. Every fiber in her body was vibrating, every nerve end tingling, and David could feel her tense more and more the closer his mouth got to her silk-covered center. He pressed his lips on her pubic mound and felt the dampness of the lace-trimmed silk. He smiled.

“Oh God, please...” she moaned and arched her back, pushing her hips towards him. David chuckled softly and finally pulled her panties down, very slowly, and threw them on the floor. He put his hands on her knees and ran them slowly up her thighs, letting them rest on her hips, holding her in place. She opened her legs wide and reached out for him again. He bent forward and blew softly over her swollen nub, and she whimpered again, hardly able to take it any longer. The way she was totally abandoning herself to what he was doing to her turned him incredibly on, and his dick twitched almost painfully in his boxers. He counted slowly to ten in his mind and ran his hands up her body, taking possession of her breasts again, and when she arched her back to push them into his hands, he finally took mercy on her and started to rub his thumbs over the already hardened nipples in a slow circular motion.

“Ah... please,” she begged and pushed her rotating hips, her waiting core towards him, and David couldn't hold himself back any longer and brought his mouth down on her, tasting her hot sweetness, sticky and irresistible like honey, and she let out a cry when his lips and tongue started to worship her and worked their magic. Immediately, her hands went into his hair again, tugging at it while she writhed and squirmed against him and screamed out his name over and over again in ecstasy when, only after a short time, she shuddered in a climax so intense that she almost saw stars behind her closed eyes.

Like a snake, he crawled upwards, still between her legs, and admired for a moment the totally enamored expression on her face, her eyes tightly shut, her lips slightly parted and moist as if she had been licking them, a few beads of sweat sitting on her forehead. Her breathing was still heavy and fast. He smiled and kissed her mouth; he knew she didn't mind finding the taste of her own juices on his lips like some other women did. Nothing they did when they were alone embarrassed her any more.

She opened her eyes, and they seemed to be a darker shade of blue than usual; the expression was a mixture of Oh God, this was so good and I hope you have some more for me. She smiled feebly. “David...”

“Shhh,” he shushed her and finally freed his rock hard dick from its restrains, “your medication's not over yet.”

“Medication?” she echoed with a little frown, but he didn't give her time to question any further. With one single, forceful push he slammed his throbbing cock deeply into her wet core that was still quivering a little from her orgasm that had just subsided.

She cried out in surprise and clawed at his back while he started pounding into her in a maddening pace. “Did. You. Think. I. Was. Done. With. You?” David grunted, emphasizing every word with a hard thrust, each one accompanied by a scream from Maddie. Her arousal and tension was building up again quickly, and he had been holding back his so intently that now his dam was forcefully breaking as he let all the pent-up ecstasy out while he banged her hard and fast.

“Oh David, yes!” Maddie gasped. “Don't stop... don't stop... don't stop...” It fueled his energy, and when he felt her core start to quiver and clench tightly around him, he finished her off with one last deep thrust and came with a rush of pleasure that made him feel like his head would explode into a million pieces.

They both couldn't move so much as a finger for a few seconds, and the sweat on their bodies mingled while they were trying to catch their breath, David's forehead resting on Maddie's. They opened their eyes at the same moment and looked at each other, smiling feebly.

“Wow,” Maddie breathed.

David smiled, but not smugly, brushed the damp hair off her sweaty forehead and kissed it. “Are you feeling better now?” he asked.

Maddie frowned slightly. “Feeling better?” she echoed.

He rolled off her and rested his head on his left hand, his right arm over her chest. “I know your hormones are making you crazy, babe,” he purred and stroked her belly absentmindedly. “Blame it on the Bean.”

Maddie sat upright. “What are you saying, Addison?” she growled and wiped the sweat off of her forehead with an angry move of her right arm.

David sat up beside her. “Don't worry, honey,” he said hastily, sensing another hormonal peak which could get dangerous. “I'm going to make a vow.”

A vow? Those words hit Maddie right into the stomach. Oh God, this was the moment she had been waiting for... and she almost had ruined it with her crankiness. She swallowed the lump in her throat and managed in a croaky voice: “A vow?”

David threw her his lopsided smile. “Damn straight, babe.” He ran his finger up her arm which made her shiver. Say it! she thought. Put me out of my misery and just ask me! He leaned in a little and whispered: “I solemnly swear to make you come really good at least once a day for as long as we live – barring extreme circumstances.” He winked at her wickedly.

Her eyes widened; she didn't believe her ears. “What?!”

He nodded, and she wanted to strangle him. She didn't understand what he was saying until he added: “Oh yeah baby, I promise I'm gonna do my best to fuck all the hormonal crankiness out of you.” His eyes were glittering, and in this moment she almost hated him. She felt tears well up in her eyes, and she would rather have died than let him see them. She jumped out of the bed as if a wasp had stung her.

“You filthy animal!” she spat and slammed into the bathroom.

David was sitting in the bed with his tousled just-fucked-hair and staring at the closed bathroom door with his mouth gaping open in utter confusion. What the hell was wrong with her now? She had been cranky due to her hormones and horniness, and he had medicated her damn well, and she knew it. Why was she freaking out now at this joke that she should have expected from him? Really, she was exaggerating this pregnancy mood thing a little too much. He shook his head, got out of bed and wanted to follow her; maybe she needed another round, he thought and smirked to himself. But the bathroom door was locked; just as she had done this same morning.

Just as he had done in the morning, he knocked at the door. “Maddie!” he called. “What is it now?”

“Leave me alone!” she yelled through the closed door. “I'm cranky, and not even you can fuck that out of me now!”

David threw his hands up in the air angrily. “Great.” He slammed out of the bedroom and rushed downstairs to get a beer out of the fridge to cool down his own temper.

And he didn't hear Maddie miserably crying in the bathroom.