Sammy's Turn to Cry

[Addisonsgirl]

The next 6 months passed by in the blink of an eye. Blue Moon was thriving and David and Maddie hired 2 new investigators to take some of the weight off of David and Bert who wanted to be home more with their wives and children. Maddie’s adjustment to her new work schedule was coming along well, and she no longer had the need to call David numerous times a day. Agnes was happy working with Maddie and much to David’s chagrin had only agreed to return to Blue Moon one day a week. The new receptionist was capable – but she wasn’t Agnes DiPesto, or, of course, now Agnes Viola; she also was very friendly and treated all clients with the utmost courtesy and attention, but she lacked that special unique, slightly crazy charm that was only Agnes' gift.

Maddie was doing fine in her pregnancy after a couple of months of severe morning sickness. She thanked God for Edna pitching in with Jade on those mornings when she could barely lift her head out of the toilet. The nausea had finally subsided during her third month, and now she was feeling wonderful – and was even hornier than she had been when she was carrying Jade. And that was another reason why David needed to be home more often – a horny Maddie was a cranky Maddie and needed his loving at least once a day. She was now entering her 6th month of pregnancy, and both she and David were eager to find out the sex of the new bambino which David had taken to calling Spud because he insisted this one resembled a tiny potato. During the last few sonograms the baby had never been in a position that they could tell the sex. Hopefully the next appointment would reveal it. This way the couple could start arguing about one sex’s names instead of two.

Since Maddie was an older mom, this time around her doctor had suggested she have an amniocentesis to make sure that everything was fine. The initial prenatal tests had come back perfect, but Dr. Hill wanted Maddie to have an amnio anyway. Maddie had opted out of the test though, for a couple of reasons. One she knew there was a risk of miscarriage during and after the procedure and secondly she couldn’t imagine anyway aborting a baby she was carrying if the tests showed any abnormalities, so why risk it? David was happy with Maddie’s choice which mirrored exactly his own thoughts – but secretly he had been afraid that she would want to take every possibility to check out to the max that everything was going to be fine. She had once more surprised him.

And another Monday reared its head – David came into Blue Moon that morning whistling and bopping to the tunes in his head. The weekend had been spent happily with his little family. They had spent most of the time at home. Jade had learned to swim like a little fish and wanted to spend almost every waking moment in the pool. David loved to play in the pool with his daughter while Maddie looked on. Even at 6 months pregnant the sight of his wife in a bathing suit still made him drool. The couple spent the rest of the time when Jade was sleeping making love over and over. Maddie was once again insatiable, and David of course never failed to satisfy his amorous wife whenever she needed him. He was tanned and fit and sexually sated on that fine morning when he walked into Blue Moon with a huge grin.

The grin quickly disappeared when he saw who was sitting in the outside office – Sam Crawford! David shook his head to clear it, thinking he was stuck in a bad dream. Why the hell was the spaceman there – and then it hit him! He remembered that that morning he had an appointment with one of the companies Blue Moon had inherited from Lou LaSalle. The company had something to do with the aeronautic industry and wanted Blue Moon to look into the theft of some top secret information. Maybe Rocket Man worked for the firm? He’d soon find out.

David fixed his bullet proof smile to his face as he approached Sam. After all, he had nothing to fear from the handsome guy from Maddie's past – the last time they had met, almost a lifetime ago, as it seemed to him, both he and Maddie had made it clear to Sam what they thought about him, and he had retreated with his tail between his legs – defeated. David had every reason to be self-confident about this encounter, although a little voice at the back of his head whispered to him that this couldn't be entirely accidental. He extended his hand to the other man jovially.

“Well, well, Sammy boy. What brings you to my neck of the woods?” David emphasized the word my. He was suddenly glad that Maddie didn’t come into the office on Mondays. She would not be happy to see her old lover at all. The last time they had met up with Sam had been in Chicago when David and Maddie had flown in for her cousin’s wedding and to introduce David to her extended family. Immediately when Sam had realized she was pregnant he had insinuated the child may be his which had thrown Maddie into a tailspin. Thankfully, the doctor had been able to approximate that Maddie had gotten pregnant long after Sam had left town. And even if the doctor hadn’t been able to reassure the couple, just looking at Jade’s eyes now there was no question over who was her father.

Sam stood up as he took David’s hand and shook it. “David.”

David nodded in return. “Sam.”

The two men stared each other down; but Sam realized soon that had been a bad idea – he was the first to break eye contact. He grudgingly admitted to himself that David looked very happy and that his deep tan just brought out the color of his eyes which added to his allure. Suddenly Sam was sorry he had agreed to be the one to explain to Blue Moon why his company – Time and Space – was hiring them. Sam had taken the job at the company earlier that year. The main offices of the company were located in Los Angeles, but Sam mainly worked out of the Chicago office where he lived. Sam was in charge of the New Project Division which was unfortunately being infiltrated by an unknown suspect who was stealing their work and secrets. When the company mentioned that they were hiring Blue Moon Investigations to investigate Sam had jumped on the opportunity to see how David and Maddie were coming along. The former astronaut spitefully hoped that they were miserable and heading for divorce, but seeing the happiness in the other man’s eyes made Sam realize that his wishes were not coming true anytime soon. He inwardly sighed with frustration.

David escorted Sam into his office. The outer office was a hive of activity, and just from sitting in the office waiting for Addison, he had been able to see that the agency was thriving which was another bitter pill for him to swallow. Had he actually been wrong about David Addison? During the time he had spent in L.A. when he had been trying to woo Maddie back he had determined that her handsome partner was little more than a playboy looking for a good time. Sam had been clearly shocked when he had realized that cool, controlled Maddie Hayes actually was interested in her crude, uncouth, uneducated partner. How could she even imagine that David Addison would be a better choice than him? After all, although he had to acknowledge that David was sexy in a plebeian sort of way – he, Sam, was the one who she should be with – he was handsome, successful, educated and pretty well off.

When Sam had left L.A. without waiting for Maddie to give him an answer on his marriage proposal he had expected her to eventually come to her senses. He knew she was hot for David and figured it wouldn’t take her long to get him out of her system. He had been surprised but still unconcerned when he had called Maddie a few weeks later and she had told him that she and Addison were shacking up. He had decided to be patient, thinking their red hot affair would end soon. But when he had seen them in Chicago and Maddie and David were engaged and expecting a baby he had been once again thrown for a loop. But in Sam’s one way mind he figured that David would now be the one to grow tired and bored with a wife and child. He could see from the short time that he spent with the man that David liked to party. But now, almost two years later, he was shocked that the marriage had survived and the business was so successful. Bitterly, Sam was already planning a way to make them both miserable.

Sam sat back on the leather chair in front of David’s desk after he had explained why his company was hiring Blue Moon. He was itching to wipe that smug smile off of Addison’s face. “So, how’s Maddie?” he asked in a deliberately nonchalant tone, just to make sure that David's obvious happiness wasn't affecting him at all.

David could see a glint of malice in the other man’s eyes that set his teeth on edge. “Fine. She’s fine,” David informed Sam without giving him any more information, although he longed to throw Maddie's second pregnancy in the other man's face. But he wasn't going to show Luke Skywalker how much his unexpected presence disturbed him.

Sam laughed snidely. “So you two are still together.” He shook his head, “somehow I didn’t think it would last.”

David felt his hands clench into fists, but he wouldn’t allow the other man to see his anger. He shrugged nonchalantly. “And why may I ask would that ridiculous thought cross your mind?” David stared into Sam’s ice blue eyes.

Sam mirrored David’s shrug. “Let’s just say that I’ve known Maddie almost all over my life. And I never thought of you as her type.”

David ignored the disdainful tone. “Well, guess she got bored with all the NSMs in her life,” he replied.

Sam frowned. “NSMs?” he echoed.

David smirked. “Nice safe men.”

Sam laughed with an ugly snore. “And I suppose I fall into that category?” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Well, maybe not so nice,” David quipped but inside he was dead serious. Sam was a troublemaker and a sneak, but David knew he was no longer a threat to his relationship with Maddie. The blue eyed snake was in their past.

“Funny, Addison,” Sam threw out. “I must say I am glad that Maddie is finally happy.” He really wasn’t. “Although I always thought that she would have been happy with me.” Sam shrugged as he shook his head. “I guess people change. I know she did.”

“Some don't,” David replied and provided his former rival with an icy green stare. “Anyway, she did and yes, she is very happy,” he pushed out through a pretend grin, “with me.”

Sam stood up and once again extended his hand to David. “Well, I should be going. Nice doing business with you. You will start your investigation as soon as possible?”

David shook Sam’s hand. “Yes, we’ll get on it PDQ.”

“Oh, and say hi to Maddie for me.” Sam told David, “I look forward to seeing her again.”

“Not sure if the feeling will be reciprocated.” David said bluntly.

Sam laughed. “Well, guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

David escorted the other man out of his office then closed the door behind him. If the company wasn’t offering so much money to do what was basically an easy job he’d never have thought about working with Sam Crawford. But he wouldn’t allow the other man to think that he was a threat in any way to him or his family. David was hoping that Maddie would be in agreement.

***
When David got home from the office he found Maddie and Jade in the pool with Terri and Nate. Little Curly was lying on a blanket under an umbrella and the watchful eye of Edna. Despite the initial plan to have Edna over only when Maddie was working, the reliable nanny had started coming around more often when Maddie was so sick at the beginning of her pregnancy. Now even though Maddie was feeling better Edna usually came to the house every day. She had become like part of the family and David no longer felt uncomfortable having her around. He had come to love the Mary Poppins-ish older woman, and so had Maddie. She was also well-liked and trusted by Terri and Agnes who used her babysitting services on occasion.

“Hey!” he greeted everyone with a smile. “Let me get out of these clothes and I’ll start up the grill.” Maddie had called David earlier to tell him that Terri would be staying for dinner since Richie was stuck at the bar. Being at home with 2 babies under the age of 2 was not easy, especially when Richie had to work late; so when Maddie invited her over for the day Terri jumped at the invitation. She was thrilled to be able to spend a semi relaxing day with her sister-in-law. She and Maddie had become as close as sisters; and for standoffish Maddie and independent Terri the relationship was something that was unexpected yet extremely welcome.

“Sounds like a plan, Addison.” Maddie called out from the pool, “and chop chop, you have some hungry women here.” But from the way Maddie licked her lips he knew his wife was talking about something more than food. His dick moved in his pants as he raced upstairs to change.

David grilled up burgers and franks for the hungry crowd; singing and dancing to the Motown music station on the radio. Who would have ever thought that a good time to David Addison was barbequing in his backyard and entertaining his little girl and nephews? Inwardly smiling over his thoughts David once again realized how his life had changed in the last couple of years. From the man who had lived in a bare apartment and spent almost every night out carousing to a content family man with a beautiful pregnant wife and toddler. His contemplation was interrupted by the sounds of Jade clapping her hands and belting out in her baby gibberish the words to their favorite song. David had been crooning this tune to the Bean from the time she was born. He turned up the volume on the radio as he sang the words to ‘My Girl’ to his baby daughter.

In the kitchen Maddie was busy making a salad while Terri watched the children in the backyard. Edna had left to meet a friend so she wouldn’t be joining them for dinner. Maddie heard David singing ‘My Girl’ at the top of his lungs and smiled remembering the time in the garage when he had sung that song to distract a man who was following them. Now it was what he sang to Jade to calm her down when she was cranky and before he put her to bed. When Maddie came out with the salad she smiled to herself as she watched the happy scene in the yard. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude filled her senses when she thought that this little scene may never have occurred if she had followed her brain instead of her heart. And her heart had been right. David was the man for her. Of course they fought – a lot – but she had to admit her initial reservations about David and her misguided belief that he would never settle down and commit had been absolutely wrong. She placed the salad on the table and immediately headed to her sexy husband. She came up to him from behind and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You look so sexy while you cook,” she whispered in his ear.

David put down the spatula he had been using to turn the burgers and turned around to face his wife. He smiled that lopsided half smile that always shot a bolt of heat right through her core. “Only when I cook?” He raised his eyebrow.

Maddie shook her head. “Oh no.” She bent her head so no one could hear. “You’re sexy all the time, and I can’t wait to get my hands on you later.” Her hormones were raging out of control and she couldn’t wait until she was alone with David.

“Patience, my horny hussy,” he purred so low that only Maddie could hear, “if you are a good girl and finish all your supper then I’ll make you feel soo good.” He pulled away, winked and returned to grilling. Maddie planned on being very good at dinner and very bad later that night.

***
When David came out to the yard after putting Jade to sleep and helping Terri to load her two sons into the car he found Maddie sprawled out on a blanket with her hair framed around her face and her legs slightly spread. She was still wearing the one piece black bathing suit, and he felt his dick move in his shorts.

As he knelt beside Maddie, David could almost feel the heat radiating from her body. He trailed his finger over her taut nipples, down over her baby bump and moved slowly between her legs. He rubbed his fingers over her swollen nub as his mouth found hers in a passionate kiss. David felt Maddie’s legs spread wider as she moved her heated loins against his fingers which were making slow circles over her hotbox. Almost immediately, David felt Maddie begin to climax – screaming out his name as she convulsed with pleasure. David chuckled against her mouth which made her climax even more intense. “Wow baby that that may have been the fastest time yet.” David pulled off her bathing suit and his shorts with one practiced move. “God, you are one hot hussy.” He purred as he pushed inside of her with one sharp thrust.

After Maddie – who was almost insatiable – was finally sated the couple lay together on the blanket just staring up at the stars in the night sky. David knew he could put it off no longer. He sat up and looked down at his wife who was lying gloriously naked beside him. He ran his hand through his hair. “I had the meeting with that aerospace company today.”

Maddie nodded. She was still lost in a sexual haze. “Okay.” She pretended to be interested. “So how did it go?”

During dinner David didn’t want to bring up the identity of their new client. He wasn’t sure if Maddie would be – actually he knew – that she wouldn’t be happy about having Sam in the picture. But the case was bringing in good money, and David didn’t want to turn it down. He shook his head. “You’re never gonna guess who the company sent to hire us?” Both knew the company was located in Chicago.

Maddie was no slouch in the brains department; she put two and two together quickly. Space, Chicago – and the tone of David’s voice led her to the right answer. “Not Sam?” She sat up quickly as a frown covered her face.

“Yes, Sam.” David nodded.

Maddie looked at David with a question in her eyes. “So I guess you told him that we couldn’t help.”

David sighed and shook his head. “No, why would I?”

“Why?!” Maddie jumped to her feet and put her hands on her hips – even completely nude she cut an imposing figure when she was angry. “We are not taking this case!” she exclaimed determinedly. “I want nothing to do with Sam!”

David leapt to his feet. “We are taking this case!” David told her firmly. “They’re paying us lots of green money, and with our growing family we don’t turn down that kind of dough.”

“We don’t need the money!” She insisted angrily.

“They’re going to pay us $10,000 to look into who is stealing their space crap secrets – and a bonus of 10 more when we find the culprit.” David ran his hands through his hair. “Besides, you know damn well that it's not just about this one single case – having a huge company as a client will bring more and more money in the future. They are going to hire us again. It would be more than stupid to turn them down.”

Maddie knew he was right, but a nauseous feeling in her gut remained. “And who pray tell will go to Chicago to investigate?” she asked, her hands still on her hips, irrationally hoping to have found a reason why they couldn't take the case anyway.

David shook his head. “They have an office here in L.A. and that is where the leak seems to be stemming from. Space cowboy said they even know what department the mole is hiding.” David snapped his fingers. “Piece of cake, Blondie.”

“I want nothing to do with Sam Crawford!” Maddie repeated, practically growling. “He is nothing but trouble, and you know it!”

“Babe,” David tried to soothe, “we won’t be working with Buck Rogers! He won’t be around us at all!”

“I still don’t like it!” Maddie maintained throwing a towel around her body and heading in the house. “And I can’t understand why you want to have anything to do with him after what he pulled in Chicago!”

“I don't want to have anything to do with him,” David pointed out calmly, “but I don't want to lose the company he works for as a client.” David shrugged. “Besides, he got his back, Maddie, and I doubt he thinks that he can do anything to hurt our marriage now.”

“You don’t know Sam,” she told him curtly.

David sighed. “Oh, but I do,” he contradicted with an ever-so-slight edge to his voice, “and may I remind you that I was the one recognizing his rat bastard side before you had even an inkling about it.” He followed her into the house.

“All the more reason that you should be suspicious of him!” Maddie threw over her shoulder.

David had reached her and grabbed her elbow, turning her around to face him. “Stop running away!” he told her sharply, and she threw him a fiery glance, but said nothing. David put both his hands on her shoulders and went on in a calmer tone again: “Baby, I know damn well he's a troublemaker. And I know he isn't happy that we are happy – I could clearly read it in his face when I spoke to him today.”

“But then...” Maddie protested.

“But I also know that he is no danger to our family,” David told her firmly. “And even if he tries to cause trouble – which he probably will – what can he do other than spew a few low barbs?”

Maddie pressed her lips together. “I still don't like it,” she grumbled.

“Hey, this can be fun,” David tried to lighten the mood. “Imagine his face when he sees you.” He motioned to her baby bump.

Maddie nodded and put her hand over David’s. “You’re right. He’ll see how happy we are and see green.” She laughed.

David’s hand crept lower past her belly over her pubic mound and over her legs. “Get upstairs, you hussy. I have something for you and the Spud,” David promised with twinkling eyes. “Just do as you are told,” he added in that bossy voice causing Maddie’s legs to turn to jelly as she tried to walk up the stairs. David’s hands were all over her as they made their way to their bedroom.

David took Maddie’s hand and led her to the bed. “Lie down,” he ordered her.

Maddie lay down on the bed on her back but David turned her gently over as his hands began to work on her taut muscles – his long fingers began to knead her firm flesh as he once again undressed her. She began to moan as his big strong hands massaged her tired shoulders – his magic fingers moved down rubbing and working on her lower back and upper thighs.

“Oh David, this is Heaven,” she moaned as his big hands massaged her tenderly until she felt her body melting into the mattress in pleasure. With one fluid move David turned her over as his strong fingers worked lovingly over her baby bump.

He laid his head on her belly. “Feels good, Spud?” he asked lovingly as Maddie smiled down at him.

“Feels great, Daddy,” Maddie whispered in a baby’s voice, “now my mommy wants to feel great too.” Maddie spread her legs and moved up so that David’s head was directly over her hotbox. “Kiss me, fella,” she purred.

David didn’t have to be asked twice. His lips and tongue moved slowly over Maddie’s throbbing nub while his hands were caressing her thighs up and down in a slow, lazy rhythm until she was calling out his name as she reached another amazing climax.

“Oh David; that was wonderful…” she murmured as she pulled his head up so she could kiss him. The taste of her on his mouth always turned her on. “God, honey… I love you,” she told him as she covered his mouth with hers. “Now your turn, big boy.” Her head began to move down his body until she reached her goal. “Lay back and enjoy it,” she told him in her bossy voice this time, and he did – very much.

***
The following Friday, David was out in the field with Bert and the two new detectives that had just recently joined the agency– they were still rookies, and they needed training, so the boss and his short scruffy sidekick had decided to take them on a surveillance mission to show them the ropes. Bert was all puffed up with the knowledge that David now thought of him as a top-notch detective capable of training the new hires along with him.

Maddie was in the office investigating another case she was working on; she was able to do the casework from her desk: she was meticulously going through a pile of bank statements when her intercom buzzed. Jean, Agnes' temporary replacement, announced:

“Mrs. Addison, there's Mr. Crawford here to see you.” For a moment, Maddie's mouth went dry, and her tongue felt raspy and useless. “Mrs. Addison?” Jean prodded.

Quickly, Maddie cleared her throat and swallowed the big lump. “Yes,” she replied hastily, “I'm here.” Her brain felt like in a haze; she was so not mentally prepared to see Sam Crawford now; she didn't want to see him at all, actually. For a brief moment, she contemplated telling Jean to send Sam away with an excuse, but then she scolded herself mentally. This was her town, her agency, her life, and she wasn't going to let Sam do so much as suspect that he could affect her in any way.

“Jean, I need five more minutes here, then you can send Mr. Crawford in,” she told the secretary in a firm voice. Then she jumped up from her chair which was a little difficult due to her swollen belly and hurried into the bathroom where she splashed cold water on her face.

“What is wrong with you?!” she snapped at her own reflection in the mirror. “He's just a client's employee. David is right.” She quickly refreshed her make-up and mascara and snorted. “Damn you, David,” she growled and went back to sit behind her desk.

Moments later, a short knock at the door announced the secretary leading the visitor inside. Slowly, Maddie rose from her seat when Sam walked in with a beaming smile, but she stayed behind her desk, deliberately keeping the distance between them. She didn't bother to plaster a fake smile on her face; Sam surely remembered the way they had parted when they had last met hadn't been a pleasant one – especially not for him.

Neither of them spoke as long as the secretary was still inside. Once Jean had left the room, Sam stepped up to Maddie's desk and extended a hand, still flashing her the best golden boy smile from his handsome face. “Maddie,” he chirruped. “So good to see you.”

She just looked down at his hand with an icy stare and made no move to touch it. “I don't exactly second that,” she replied coolly and lifted her eyes to meet his.

“Surprised?” he asked, smoothly pulling back his hand and sitting down without waiting for an invitation. “I'm sure your... husband told you I came here for business a few days ago?” The slight disdainful emphasis on the word 'husband' and the clearly audible question mark at the end of his sentence made it clear that he was implying David had hidden his visit from her. Maddie was more than grateful that indeed he hadn't and that she didn't have to face an ugly surprise here.

“Of course he did,” she replied with a slight nod and a haughty smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “And I can assure you that Blue Moon Investigations will do everything to bring your boss's case safely home.” She, on the other hand, emphasized the 'boss' – she wasn't sure if Sam got the underlying message she had intended to send: with all your Yale glory you just ended up working for someone else and taking orders – but she felt good saying it. When he didn't reply, she raised a questioning eyebrow. “And what brings you here today? I'm afraid my time is limited.”

Sam smiled another smile, quite unpleasant this time. It made him look like a rat. “Oh, I'm just here to bring you some papers that might be important to move your investigation forward.” He put a manila folder on her desk and then, finally, motioned to her stomach – although she had half-hoped he wouldn't mention it. “And I can see your work time is limited.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked a little sharply.

He snorted a little and shook his head, not even trying to hide his nastiness. “Well, I have to admit that I'm actually a little surprised that your...” - the pause he made before uttering the next word already showed his disdain - “...marriage isn't history yet. But I guess your wonderful husband has you right where he wants you.” Again, that casual motion to her obviously pregnant belly that infuriated her more than anything else.

Maddie knew she should just have dismissed him, she knew he was only trying to cause trouble – in fact, she had been the one to warn David about this! But still, she couldn't bring herself to simply throw him out after the business talk had been done. Some insane part of her urged to hear what he was about to say, even if that would surely mean dripping some poison in her ear. “And that would be?” she pressed through clenched teeth.

Sam smirked. “Barefoot and pregnant at the home hearth,” he snarled. “That's how the ordinary Neanderthal likes it. Because he can't handle a strong, independent woman.”

Maddie clenched her fists to her sides and bit the inside of her cheek, and it hurt. But she wasn't going to give Sam Crawford the satisfaction of showing him her fury, although all her instincts screamed to jump him and claw his eyes out for every scornful word he uttered about David. “How pathetic,” she spat. “How you.” She drew a deep breath and raised her chin. “I don't know why it would be such a turn-on for you to see my marriage fail, but I can assure you – you won't have the pleasure to ever see it.”

Sam tilted his head. “I wouldn't be so sure about that,” he replied smoothly and actually winked at her. “Do you really think bearing one child after the other until you're worn out will tie that primitive party-boy for ever to your side?” He smirked and shook his head. “Believe me, it's only a matter of time.”

“You don't know a thing about us,” she spat and felt her temper rise.

“I know enough,” he shrugged. “Don't forget that it was me who tucked him in after he had drunk himself into a stupor instead of fighting for the woman he was about to lose.”

Maddie pressed her lips together; otherwise she knew she would have yelled at him now with all her pent up anger. Containing her fury cost her so much energy that it physically hurt. “Goodbye, Sam,” she said.

Sam laughed ironically before he turned around and left her office. Slowly, deliberately Maddie opened her fists again and let out a long breath. She had known it. Nothing but trouble. Damn David for allowing him into their lives again!

***
Maddie spent the rest of the day fretting over Sam’s visit. Although she knew that he was only trying to cause trouble between her and David, unfortunately his words had hit a sore spot with her. Oh yes, she remembered when Sam had called during that month she and David had first gotten together and she had been unsure of his love and commitment – and Sam had poured salt in the wound by telling her that David was only in it for the fun. Well, he had certainly and thankfully been mistaken about that – David had turned into a wonderful husband and devoted father. Yeah, and how long until he grows bored with his happy home and reverts back to party boy Addison? – it was Sam’s voice in her head again. Mentally, she pushed the sour sound out of her head as she picked up Jade and headed home.

And for the rest of the afternoon she tried to concentrate on her daughter and not on the nasty insinuations of a jealous ex-lover. She knew deep down that – just as she herself had matured – David had grown up over the years and wouldn’t ever again be that irresponsible, immature guy that she had first laid eyes on. Of that she was certain… but another voice in her head goaded her... Look at you, Maddie… you’re getting older, and despite what David tells you all men want young and hot – and she admitted to herself she had caught him looking at other women on a couple of occasions when he thought she wasn’t aware – she knew that was normal, but she still loathed the idea of her man’s eyes on anyone else – so maybe someday he may do more than look – her nasty voice laughed at her.

Maddie once again made a concentrated effort to put such thoughts out of her mind. Although no one could see the future, she couldn’t worry about David having a wandering eye. She trusted him as much as she could possible trust any man, but one never knew. And hearing Sam suggest that her marriage may come to an unhappy end bothered her more than she would admit – even to herself, and especially not to Sam Crawford.

At the same time, she felt guilty for having those thoughts – hadn’t David proved over and over again his devotion to her and their family? And hadn’t they had this very same conversation over and over again, to the point of frustration and dangerous exasperation? She knew there was no way she could tell David what Sam had said today, because she wouldn’t be able to hide the cloud of worry that was darkening her mind again… and he would accuse her of doubting him again. She wasn’t really doubting him, but she knew herself: she had to fight those demons within by herself. David would be hurt and get angry at her if he thought she mistrusted him again, and who could blame him?

Another wave of guilt swept over her and made her feel more than uncomfortable; and that feeling made her annoyance grow. Damn David – hadn’t he accepted the case, they wouldn’t have to deal with all this now; she wouldn’t have to search her own soul again, wouldn’t have to feel insecure – and hate herself for it.

So, by the time David came home later that day Maddie had worked herself into a very cranky and temperamental mood.

David could tell that Maddie was not in the best of moods while they were eating dinner. Every time he said a word she almost snapped his head off, so David decided to fend off an argument and remain silent and only address Jade – he figured it was moodiness due to Maddie’s pregnancy, and David knew how to take care of that after the Bean was asleep. So, he just continued to eat his dinner and help Jade with her meal.

David’s head popped up with the sound of a fork being dropped loudly against a plate. His eyes turned to Maddie who was glaring at him with blue steel.

“I just love all your animated conversation at the dinner table,” she remarked sarcastically. How dare he ignore her and gulp down his dinner? Maddie thought, conveniently forgetting how she had jumped at him earlier every time he had said a word to her.

And despite how hard she had tried to squelch them, Sam’s words still ran through her head – barefoot and pregnant – primitive party boy. Also, although she knew it was lunacy when she looked at how hard and taut David’s body was compared to her own swollen and bulky body, she suddenly felt annoyed and angry at her husband – he gets to keep his sexy body while I have to lose mine. Add to that the constant ache between her legs, and that was the recipe for one bitchy, cranky Maddie.

David dropped his own fork shaking his head in wonder. “You gotta be shitting me…”

“Don’t use those words at the dinner table,” Maddie cut him off sharply, relieved to have a real reason to pick on him, “and especially not in front of the baby!”

Jade banged her spoon on her plastic bowl as she looked from her mother to her father. “No bay.” She cried, “no!”

Both parents ignored her. David frowned. “What can I say, Maddie…”

She cut him off again. “In English not much.”

David looked at her with angry green lasers. “What the hell has gotten your panties in a bunch?” he asked and threw his hands up in the air. “You’ve done nothing but pick at me since I walked in the door!”

“I have not!” Maddie snapped back, “you’re imagining things.”

David swallowed a rebuke. He didn’t want to start the night with an argument. Let her win this squabble, he convinced himself, and then later she will get what she needs. If she doesn’t manage to completely ruin the mood, that is. David still thought it was her pregnancy hormones making her crazy. David picked up his fork and resumed eating.

“Okay, sorry,” he capitulated somewhat curtly, but with that lopsided smile that always made her legs weak and this time was no exception but instead of making her want to kiss him she wanted to strangle him for making her feel that way when she was supposed to be angry and annoyed at him – for what real reason she didn’t understand but that didn’t stop her hormonally fueled moodiness.

Maddie swallowed her ire and pushed her legs together to suppress her arousal. “Fine.” She forced out as she put more small pieces of chicken on Jade’s tray. The toddler happily munched on her dinner as she shyly smiled at her adored father.

David winked at Jade and teasingly stole a piece of her chicken. Jade chortled as David put the meat in his mouth and swallowed it. Maddie couldn’t help but smile at the interaction between David and the baby. She loved watching them together and felt no jealousy at the way Jade worshipped her father. She still worshipped her own. David was glad to see the smile tugging at his wife’s lips so he felt it safe to ask about how it went with Sam. He had dropped in the office on the way home to drop off some papers and had been told by Jean that Sam had met with Maddie. He didn’t know why Maddie hadn’t brought it up first thing, and part of him was irked by that, but he didn’t want to set her off again by asking her about why she hadn’t mentioned it.

“So, I hear the Space Cowboy jetted into your office today,” David mentioned nonchalantly, “any reason why he landed at Blue Moon?”

Maddie waited a beat before answering which made David’s antennae go up. “No, nothing,” she replied quickly – a little too quickly. “He just dropped off some additional information he thought we might need for the investigation.” David also didn’t like the way she wouldn’t meet his eyes. What the hell did Sam say to her?

David stared at her hard. “Are you sure? Cause I know how Buck Rogers enjoys trying to get under our skin.”

Maddie got up and began to clear the table. She didn’t want to admit to David that Sam had hit a nerve over things that David probably thought had clearly been put to rest in her mind. Maddie didn’t want to open up that can of worms about not trusting and doubting David before she hadn’t figured out for herself how to handle it, so she kept quiet. She knew she could work it out herself. She knew that David was a good man and a great husband and father – for now – Sam’s voice cut in… “I said I was sure, David,” she forced through clenched teeth, “after all you were the one who said that Sam would be no trouble to us so why have you suddenly changed your mind?”

He hated how she could always twist things around and toss his words back at him. “He can only be trouble if we let him,” he replied a tad sharply. “I haven’t changed my mind. I just thought he may have said something to bother you.” David stood up to help Maddie with the dishes.

Maddie tossed her head again. “No, he hasn’t.” She nodded to Jade. “I got the dishes, David… just go and give Jade her bath.”

Now she was dismissing him? Really, now David was getting annoyed. He knew that Sam had to have said something to his wife, but how could he defend himself if he didn’t know the accusations? He felt as if he was in a kangaroo court. “Fine.” David mumbled in that low, sharp voice that showed his anger better than any yell could have done, picking Jade up and leaving the kitchen in a huff. Maddie’s angry stare followed him; he was angry at her now after creating this mess? She pressed her lips together and handled the dishes with unnecessary force, causing them to clatter loudly.

The rest of the evening went by in a tense silence; Maddie and David were sitting on the couch watching TV, but not cozily snuggling up to each other like they usually did. Instead, there was a distance between them that was not only a physical one. Both were just pretending to be calm, of course… both were hovering in their own worries and frustration.

Maddie felt still guilty and was angry at herself that she let her doubts and insecurities rear their ugly heads again, even if she was quite confident that she would manage to fight them off again once her first irritation would have worn down. In her mind, however, she blamed David for letting Sam intrude again.

David felt his wife boil and simmer at his side, and he knew something was eating her up inside. He also knew that it had to have something to do with Sam… that alone was enough to make him furious – the unbelievable thought that, obviously, the rat bastard had still enough power over her to throw her off balance with some of the crap he surely had spewed. Whatever that was in detail, the realization shocked David – he had honestly been convinced that their relationship – or, more Maddie’s belief and trust in that relationship – was strong enough by now to deal with ridiculous crap like a nasty, envious old lover.

David was furious that Maddie allowed Sam’s words – whatever had been uttered – to affect her like that, and he was furious that she wasn’t opening up to him and telling him what it was that bothered her so much. Yes, he knew that her pregnancy had reached a state by now where her hormonal-induced, ugly mood swings had to be reckoned with – but he knew hormonal crankiness when he saw it; during her last pregnancy he had learned to distinguish whether her moodiness was due to her pregnancy hormones or whether there were other reasons behind it. And this time there were definitely other reasons behind it – hell, it was obvious to any idiot who could put two and two together that the reason for her mood had to be something Sam had said or done.

Really, how many times had they lived through situations like this? Irritation had hung between them like a poisonous cloud, mostly born from some stupid misunderstanding, just because they – mostly Maddie – had kept to themselves what irritated them, instead of addressing the subject openly so that it could be resolved. And each and every time they had promised each other to do better the next time, to open up, to be honest about fears, insecurities and irritations. And again – nothing; there his wife was sitting beside him – close, yet so far away – harboring some anger or worry about God knows what crap Sam had put in her brain, not giving him the slightest chance to defend himself or convince her that her worries were pointless.

Finally, Maddie yawned pointedly and got up from the couch with some effort due to her baby bump, which didn’t exactly lighten her mood. “I’m going to bed,” she murmured and headed for the spiral staircase.

Not this time, David thought. He knew from past experience that the longer they waited before they addressed the offending topic, the more tense it got between them, then the more miserable and cranky they both became making the situation even worse. “Wait!” he called quickly after her and turned off the TV, following upstairs on her heels.

He let her take her time in the bathroom, and when she came out he noticed she made a point of yawning again; it was obvious that she was trying to avoid a talk. David sighed a little, feeling more compassionate than annoyed. True, they had agreed on being open with each other, but after all, he knew too what it was like to jump to conclusions and hold back one's own worries. Suddenly, a wave of affection for his complicated blonde washed over him. He knew that it was as tough for her sometimes as it was for him; probably even tougher due to her ‘jump to conclusions’ mindset which he did know she was desperately trying to change.

“Maddie,” he said softly when she pulled back the sheets.

Almost reluctantly, she turned around to him. “David?”

He took a step nearer. “Talk to me,” he urged in an almost pleading voice. “You know you can't fool me anyway, so let's just cut it short and tell me what's bothering you, 'cause in the end you will anyway, so let’s cut to the chase and avoid hostile silences, then angry words.” She rolled her eyes at him, but didn't object, and he added: “It was the rat bastard, wasn't it?”

Maddie sighed and let herself slump down on the bed. She couldn't tell David what was really bothering her, but she realized she had to give him something – and she realized also, ruefully, that she was breaking the promise they had given each other over and over again – to be honest about their worries.

“Yes,” she finally admitted, “it was Sam.”

“I knew it!” David growled and climbed in bed beside her. “What did he say?”

She shrugged. “He... he expressed his surprise that we're still together.” It wasn't exactly a lie; she peeked at David from under her long eyelashes, hoping he would be satisfied with her answer.

“That no-good, self-centered asshole!” he blurted out in fury, and she noticed with some relief that his fuses being blown made him forget to question her further. David's jaw tightened with his rage, and somehow that touched a string in her heart, to see how protective he was about her, about them. “I'm gonna kick his ass to the moon the next time...”

“I told you he was trouble,” she murmured grumpily.

“And I told you he can't harm us,” David replied firmly, put both his hands to her shoulders and turned her to face him. “He's just a jealous asshole who eats his heart out every time he sees you because he still wants you and because he can't handle it that you dumped him for me. Don't let him get to you.”

Maddie had a feeling that the danger was over – David was so relieved that she had told him something, even if it wasn't the full truth, that he obviously wasn't planning on investigating further. She was still feeling a bit guilty that she hid something from him, but bottom line was – she had gotten upset over something Sam had said to her, and now she had told David about it.

“I know,” she replied, determined to take his attention completely off the subject for now. “And I'm sorry that I’ve been snapping at you all night.”

David smirked. “Ah, so you admit to that now?”

She let her fingers wander up his arm. “I was very upset,” she defended herself in a girlish voice and bit her lower lip. David forgot everything else; he also forgot that he had been angry at her for keeping in what bothered her and for taking her foul mood out on him. All he could think about was that Sam asshole Crawford had upset his woman and made her think God knew what. After all, with Maddie Hayes you never knew what ugly thoughts a snarky remark could plant in her mind, even if technically, she wasn't Maddie Hayes anymore.

He reached out and grabbed the base of her neck with his left hand, pulling her close to him, so close that their faces were only inches apart. She didn't back off. “We need to calm you down then,” he uttered in a hoarse voice. Maddie stared at his lips, unable to reply, the muscles in her lower belly clenching.

She was the one to brace the last distance between them and brought her lips onto his. She turned her whole body towards him while they were kissing passionately, and soon her hands were tugging frantically at his shirt until he let go of her for a moment, allowing her to pull the shirt over his head; it landed somewhere on the floor of the dim-lit bedroom.

With a sigh, David let his head fall back as Maddie trailed a path of kissed along his chiseled jaw and down the side of his throat and entangled both hands in her hair, messing it up completely. Without further ado, her hands went to the waistband of his sweatpants, and he eagerly helped her pull them down; of course he stood to attention already. Within a split second, his pants lay on the floor too. She followed his treasure trail with her lips and flaming tongue, sliding down on the bed.

“Yeah, baby,” David murmured, “kiss it...”

Maddie closed her lips firmly around his erection and enjoyed the feeling of his hot smooth skin in her mouth as much as the pleasure and delight she evoked in him – clearly obvious in his moans and the way he pulled her hair while she bobbed her head up and down, using her tongue and teeth on him just the way she knew he loved, lovingly stroking his thighs as she did so.

“Maddie...” he panted, “God, you're killing me!” He grabbed her hair firmer, and with two forceful upwards thrusts of his hips he came long and hard.

“Your turn,” he told her in a hoarse voice when he was able to speak again and pulled her up to his side. His big hands wandered lazily over her body, caressing, stroking and teasing all the right spots. Maddie moaned, and he felt her body tense and relax at the same time. He brought his lips to that spot on her neck that seemed like a secret trigger to her opening her legs and chuckled softly against her skin as his long expert fingers found their way to where she ached the most and started to draw lazy circles around her swollen nub.

“Please,” she breathed and arched her back a little, trying to intensify the contact.

“Please what,” David teased and let his mouth wander over the silk of her nighty until it found the hardened nipple peeking through the soft fabric, closing his lips firmly around it, sucking it hard.

“Don't make me wait,” she panted and pulled him on top of her, “I want to feel you now.”

Something in the urgency of her voice made him drop his teasing game; she seemed almost desperate for the ultimate connection, and David's mission was it to fulfill her every wish right now to take off any upsetting thought that might still be swirling around in her head.

“Easy, babe,” he purred, but not with a smug undertone, and positioned himself between her legs. “Look at me.”

She opened her eyes, and he smiled down at her with shining emeralds. “I love you, Blondie.”

She had time to smile back before he plunged into her with one deep push, causing her to cry his name out loud. He continued to make her forget any nagging thought about Sam until they both fell into an exhausted sleep.

***
David was trying to wrap up the investigation into Sam’s company as quickly as possible. He wouldn’t feel completely at ease until the Space Cowboy traveled back to Chicago. But just as it seemed that the spy had been targeted evidence turned up leading them in another direction. David noticed Maddie wasn’t even asking how the case was going making him think that she was purposely putting everything about the case and Sam out of her mind. Maddie was still intermittingly edgy and out of sorts but David made sure to give her his extra special double dose of love and adoration and that seemed to be keeping his blonde mostly happy and content.

***
A couple of days later Sam popped in at Blue Moon again with the excuse that his company wanted an update on the investigation, but David was sure that Sam just wanted to keep his nose in his face to brew up trouble. In spite of all the good and logical reasons for doing business with the company Sam worked for, David started to think that maybe this time it would have been better to follow Maddie’s instincts of not wanting anything to do with Sam Crawford. But now it was too late; Blue Moon had begun to work on the case, and they couldn’t back out now – and David would die before giving Sam the satisfaction of knowing that he could stir even an inkling of distress into their lives.

Jean escorted Sam into the office, and David waved at him to sit in the chair in front of his desk, a strained fake smile plastered on his face. David was glad that Maddie was out having lunch with her mother and was not in the office to see the invader from outer space. Once again the thought that they should never have taken the case flitted through his mind but he brushed it aside. Things would be fine. Sam was no threat to their relationship at all.

After updating him on the case, David was hoping that Sam would immediately leave his office, but it seemed as if the other man was ready to sit down for a nice long chat. He didn’t want to give his former rival the satisfaction of being rude towards him; so he just inwardly sighed as he watched Sam with narrowed eyes, urging him with his mind to leave. David despised the way Sam was almost lounging back in the chair, gazing at him with sharp blue eyes that had that hint of spite at the corners. “So,” he began, obviously being totally at ease with himself, “I saw Maddie the other day.”

David nodded. “Yes, she told me,” he informed him flatly, glad that Maddie hadn’t kept the visit from him; David had the faintest impression of disappointment on the other man’s face about the fact that he obviously hadn’t been able to surprise David with those news. Almost nonchalantly, David changed the subject. “I went through the folder with the information you left,” he told him lightly. “Thanks, but we already had most of that information already.” David wanted Sam to know that his farce of bringing over the file was transparent.

“Just trying to help.” Sam smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was looking over David, wondering what Maddie saw in that caveman. Sure, he was probably very attractive to the opposite sex – but what else could he offer Maddie that he couldn’t? He still couldn’t wrap his mind around that; surely the woman had gone mad.

David pointedly looked at his watch. He wanted the spaceman to leave before his wife got back from lunch. She was picking him up from the office, and they were going to see Dr. Hill for the 6-month-sonogram. Virginia and Alex had offered to take Jade to the zoo that afternoon and David was looking forward to spending some alone time with Maddie. “Thanks,” he repeated almost curtly. “Now I really have to…”

“She looks great,” Sam smirked, “and pregnant again, I noticed.” He laughed snidely. “You surely didn’t waste any time.”

David unconsciously clenched his fists at his sides; the mere mentioning of their new baby by Sam annoying the hell out of him. But he managed to ignore his remark as he stood up quickly. “Well, nice chatting with you, but I really must…”

Sam didn’t make a move to leave; he tilted the chair back and looked up at David who was standing behind the desk staring at him with green ice. Sam knew how to play this game. “I was a little surprised that Maddie was so abrupt with me.”

David’s mouth almost fell open; was this joker kidding? He snorted. “I thought a Yale boy like you was much brighter with putting two and two together?” he snarled. “After the way you acted when we saw you in Chicago, I can’t believe you’d think she’d welcome you with open arms.”

Sam slowly shook his head. “I don’t understand what I did wrong. I just suggested that the child may be mine.” He sat up a little straighter as a smug look covered his face. “After all, that was a possibility, as you know.” David silently stared at him. Sam raised his hands as in defense, but it looked more smug than anything else. “I wasn’t trying to make trouble. Just claim what I thought may be mine.”

“Is that so?” David’s voice was dangerously low.

Sam nodded. “Yes, so I don’t understand why she was so unfriendly to me. I mean, we were so close at one time.” Sam made the word ‘close’ sound dirty. “Real close,” he added with an ugly, sly grin.

“Well, that time was a very long time ago,” David sneered, wishing Sam would get out of his office before he did something he might regret – like throw him out the window. What was he insinuating now? He knew Maddie had slept with Sam, and although he wasn’t jumping for joy thinking about it – that part of their lives was over, and David knew not to dwell on it.

Sam sighed. “Seems like yesterday the first time I kissed Maddie.” Blue spiteful eyes gazed at David.

Hearing his words though affected David more than he had thought they would. He felt his jawline tighten almost painfully. “I think you should leave…”

Sam ignored him. “And over that summer,” he pretended to think, letting his gaze drift far away, “oh, we must have been about 15, maybe 16 or so, and we got really close.”

David began to walk toward the door. He hated listening to Sam talking about his wife. “How nice,” he commented dryly in a deliberate I-don’t-give-a-fuck-tone.

“I bet your wife didn’t tell you I was the one to give her her first orgasm.” Sam chuckled, but to David it sounded obscene. “Oh yes, I remember that night; her sighs are etched in my mind.” He snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something that had been long forgotten. “Oh, and that was the night she also saw – and touched – her first um male appendage – mine.” He chuckled again and David had to hold himself back from smashing in his pretty boy face.

“Shut up, Space Cowboy!” David snapped in a dangerously low voice, pointing his finger at Sam like a saber. “That’s my wife you’re talking about!”

Sam stood up shrugging his shoulders. “Now, now Addison. You must know that you weren’t your wife’s first…” Sam licked his lips, “…man.”

David couldn’t help himself, the words just began to fly out of his mouth. He didn’t hear anyone opening his office door as he snickered with a wicked twang.

“Man?” he spat. “Please, Sammy boy… you were both kids. My wife didn’t have a real orgasm til she was with me. And believe me, she climaxes over and over as we screw over and over; 6/7 times a night sometimes.” David chuckled. “That woman never knew how great it felt to come until she had me. And with me she doesn’t just sigh, she screams with pleasure!” he added.

Maddie stood outside of David’s door with her mouth hanging open. She had come back early from lunch and wanted to surprise her husband, but she was the one who was surprised – and not in a good way. How could he be so crass? Maddie couldn’t believe that David was talking about her like she was some two-bit tramp. She was his wife! How could he share their most intimate business with that vile Sam Crawford? Unfortunately, she hadn’t heard how Sam had riled him up before and thought David was just angry about what she had told him about Sam’s visit the previous day. Was David so insecure over Sam that he had to resort to bragging about his sexual prowess? Maddie was shocked that David would stoop so low, but listening to his smug talk about her it seemed he had once again found the basement door. Her body was actually shaking with fury, but Maddie restrained herself from bursting into David’s office to confront him. She didn’t want to give Sam the satisfaction of seeing her upset. She would deal with David later, but instead of leaving Maddie was rooted to the spot listening to even more of David’s vulgar talk; she just couldn’t stop her sick curiosity.

David, unaware of Maddie’s presence in the outer office, smirked in Sam’s direction. “And when it comes to um male appendages she adores mine.” David laughed throatily. “The girl never saw a big thick cock like mine before. And she tells me that all the time. All the time. She loves it.”

Maddie put her fist in her mouth to stop her from screaming in anger at her crude mate. Instinctively, she looked over her shoulder to see if anybody was witnessing her eavesdropping, but fortunately all the employees were still out on their lunchbreak. She itched to punch David in the mouth, strangle him with his tie, claw out his eyes, kick him in his big appendage.

David was on a roll now and continued: “Maddie worships it.” He nodded, “on her knees, on her back, on everything and anywhere.” Suddenly, he realized he might have gone a tad over the line, but he kept at it until he saw the smug look wiped off Sam’s face. Now Sam looked angry and jealous which made David’s spirit soar with utter satisfaction.

Sam cleared his throat as he stood up to face David. He raised his eyebrow in question. “Somehow I can’t picture Maddie Hayes on her knees worshipping a man’s um appendage. She is much more refined and classy than the whores you are probably use to.”

David had to hang back from punching Sam in his upperclass mouth. His jaw clenched in anger. “It’s Maddie Addison now,” David growled, “and believe me, Captain Cody, you know nothing about my wife – and you obviously know nothing about class. Besides, classy or not, she enjoys me and our sex life.”

“If you say so.” Sam headed to the door.

“I know so.”

Before the men realized she had overheard their conversation, Maddie carefully and noiselessly closed David’s office door then knocked loudly on it as if she had just shown up.

“Who is it?” David snapped, he was still very tense after his ‘talk’ with Sam.

Maddie opened the door slowly. She pretended to be surprised to find Sam there. “Sam.” She nodded curtly at him. “More… information for the case?” Her voice dripped sarcasm.

Sam smiled at her. In his man’s mind he was picturing Maddie on her knees, and his dick hardened. He still wanted her – even if she was carrying another one of the peasant’s offspring. “Just thought I’d drop by to see how the investigation was progressing.” Sam’s eyes on her body were making Maddie uncomfortable. “You’re looking very beautiful today.”

David took Sam’s arm in a firm grip and led him to the open door. “Well, as I told you, we’ll be in touch when we have some concrete information.” He waved him to the exit door. “See you soon. Don’t call us; we’ll call you.” As soon as Sam stepped out of the door, David closed it and leaned his long body against it as he sighed deeply.

Maddie stood in the middle of the room with her fists clenched. “You really are a piece of navel lint!” she spat through gritted teeth.

David’s head snapped off of the door as he gazed at her in puzzlement. He had no clue that Maddie had heard any of his chat with Sam. “What’s your problem now?” he replied testily pushing himself off of the door and coming to stand in front of her. Now, right after the confrontation with Skywalker, he surely didn’t need any hormonal-crankiness-induced shit from Maddie; his patience was running short. And thinking that she may have been right about not taking the case and avoiding the Space Cowboy just made him more upset.

“You’re my problem!” She shoved her pointed finger against his chest. “How could you??”

David shook his head. “Sorry, but I have no clue what’s gotten your panties in a bunch, babe.”

“Don’t you call me babe, you… you…” Maddie was so angry she was sputtering, “you asshole!”

David lifted his hands as if he was defending himself. “Whoa, whoa!” he exclaimed, only the faintest trace of annoyance to his voice. “Hold the phone. What did I do?” He shrugged, “or didn’t do?”

Maddie glared at him with murder in her eyes. “You simple fool.”

Now David was starting to get angry. “Hey!” he barked. “I just had one of the least entertaining conversations of my life, and I’m really not in the mood for serving as your punching ball for no reason.” Maddie’s jaw dropped. He was angry at her?! “Stop calling me names,” he went on a little calmer, but completely unaware of the volcano before him that was just about to erupt, “and tell me what’s got your panties in a knot.”

“Is that all you ever think of? My panties and SEX?” she shouted at him waving her hands around in anger.

He smirked and Maddie had to stop herself from taking his tie and strangling him with it. “Never bothered you before.”

“Well, it bothers me when you talk about me like I’m nothing more than a notch on your belt!” She fumed as she walked up to him and put her hands against his chest, pushing him across the room until his back was once again against the door. “Especially to Sam Crawford! Are you crazy or just plain dumb?”

That was the moment when it hit David that she probably had somehow eavesdropped on his conversation with Sam, and of course she would think the worst. He ruffled his hair. Why did everything that could go wrong between them go wrong? “Maddie. Maddie. Maddie.” His voice was syrupy smooth as he tried to calm his livid wife, but obviously that was the wrong way to achieve his aim.

“Don’t you Maddie me!” She stamped her foot as she moved away from him.

“I didn’t mean any harm,” he went on hastily, “he just started to poke about our relationship again, talking about how he was the first to make you come, how his was the first dick you ever touched, and I just lost it.” Now that he said it it sounded a bit lame even to himself, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

“What are you, 13?” Maddie moved close to him again and pulled at his tie. “You’re a grown man! Who cares what he says happened when we were just kids?! It means nothing to me anymore!”

David pulled his tie out of her hands. “He was bragging,” he insisted.

Maddie’s eyes were blue flames as she stared at him. “And so were you!” she shot back. “Difference is you’re my damn husband who shouldn’t degrade me like that!”

“Degrade you?” David couldn’t believe it. He thought she had long time ago said goodbye to the thought that sex was something to be ashamed of.

Maddie nodded. “What you said about me made me sound like a common whore. Don’t you get it?”

David really didn’t. “No, you’re my wife.”

“Exactly!” Maddie’s voice was shrill now. “And no one should know what goes on in our bedroom. You made me sound like a cock crazed hussy!”

David did the wrong thing and chuckled as he tried to pull her in his arms. “You are a cock crazed hussy – over my dick, honey. We both know that.”

Maddie pulled away from David as if she had been burnt. She had tears of rage in her eyes as she smacked his face in fury. “I hate you!” she cried as she opened the door, then slammed it behind her so hard the walls shook.

David raced out of the office and caught up with Maddie in the parking garage. “Maddie! Wait!” He called but she pretended not to see him as she stomped purposely toward her car. David put his hand over his mouth, “Mad –dieee!!!” he shouted, but she still didn’t turn around. Boy, she was some stubborn woman! David jogged over to her and grabbed her by the elbow and turned her around to face him.

“Stop!” he told her firmly.

Maddie wrenched her arm out of his grip. “Go fuck yourself, David!” she hissed. “I think you should take a cab home. I can’t look at you right now.”

“Well, I’m not taking a cab and we’re going to go for the sonogram appointment, just as we planned.” David grabbed Maddie’s arm and escorted her to the car, opened the door and put her in the passenger seat. “You don’t have to look at me at all, but we’re going to talk later. Get it?” His voice was firm with a dangerous growl underneath the surface.

Maddie had the urge to jump out of the car and race away from her husband, but all of a sudden she was too tired to fight any longer. And her feeling of anger was slowly draining away and being replaced by a deep hurt that made her feel as if her heart was being wrenched out of her chest. How could he talk about her like that? And especially to Sam Crawford?

David kept sneaking peeks at Maddie, but he couldn’t catch her eyes. She purposely was keeping her head turned away from David and facing the passenger window, but she wasn’t even seeing anything since her eyes were filled with bitter tears.

“Earth to Maddie,” David singsonged, trying to get some kind of a rise out of her. An angry screaming Maddie he could deal with, but this silent treatment bothered him much more. David knew he had gone over the line, but he hadn't meant any disrespect to his wife; he just had had to set Sam Crawford straight. Maybe he should have just thrown the jerk out of his office, but at that moment when Sam was bragging about Maddie – well – he just saw red and lost it. He needed – maybe out of some deep seated insecurity that he still felt over the Ivy League astronaut – to show Sam that he, Little Davey from Philly, with nothing than his wits, his charm and his big heart, was the one that Maddie Hayes had chosen. Yes, maybe he had acted immaturely. Yes, maybe he had been crude and vulgar and wrong, but Sam just got under his skin. Once again he realized Maddie had been right about not wanting to take this case. He sighed deeply.

David pulled the car into the parking lot behind the doctor’s office and parked. He turned off the ignition but made no move to get out of the car. From the corner of his eye he could see Maddie was making no move to leave the car either. He ran his hands through his hair. “Baby, I’m sorry,” he told her, his voice low and filled with sorrow.

Maddie couldn’t hold back her sobs any longer when she heard David’s apology. “How could you humiliate me like that?” She sobbed into her hands.

David moved toward her and pulled her into his arms. “Honey, I never meant you any disrespect. I never meant to hurt you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I love you. You’re my life.”

Maddie pushed him away. “Why? Why would you say such vile thing about the mother of your children? Your wife?”

David thought she was taking this far too seriously but he knew enough not to mention that to her. “Sam was bragging to me about how he gave you your first orgasm. How his was the first dick you ever touched.” David shrugged, “I guess I just lost it. I was jealous.”

“You two are worse than little boys! Idiots!” Maddie blurted out. “I am also shocked at Sam’s behavior!”

That made David’s back go up. “Oh, but you’re not shocked that crude vile David can stoop that low? Huh?”

Maddie looked at David with disgust. “I never said that. Don’t you fucking dare try to turn this around and make me the bad guy!” She shook her head and tried to stem her tears with a tissue she had just taken from her purse.

David leaned closer and lowered his voice, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Sam is the bad guy here,” he told her firmly.

“But you come pretty close!” she snapped, her voice almost breaking.

David shrugged. “Maybe,” he admitted, and she looked at him, a little puzzled. “Yes, I should have just dismissed him. Yes, I should have been better than him.” He nodded. “Yes, I should have stayed calm and played it cool and just ignored him. Yes, I was wrong.” He drew a deep breath. “But maybe you should be a little more understanding.”

Maddie's eyes widened in disbelief. “I...?”

“Yes, you!” David replied firmly. “Let me ask you a question – you, being the model of calmness and never going over the line when you're upset...” – the irony in his voice was palpable – “...how cool would you have remained if, say, Jillian had come to talk to you about how great we'd been in bed?”

“I would never have said such things!” she answered in self-righteous indignation; and it was true; she would never have.

“No,” David replied dryly, “you would have thrown something in her face. Or clawed her eyes out. And I do believe hair pulling would have been an option too.” Maddie pressed her lips together, but said nothing. She wasn't sure exactly how her reaction would have been – but she knew she wouldn't have remained calm either. “Baby,” he continued more softly, “I know I went over the line, and I'm sorry... but you see, we all deal differently with that kind of crap.”

When David saw Maddie’s obvious distress, the last bit of his annoyance left him. He hated to see her cry and didn’t want her so upset while carrying the Spud. “Sorry, honey. I was wrong,” he repeated. “Maybe I did act like a boy bragging in the locker room but,” he put his fingertips to her chin and turned her face toward him, “I needed to prove that you were mine. That I was the man who made you lose control,“ he tousled his hair, “not him.”

Tears coursed down Maddie’s face, and David dried them with his thumb. “Who cares what he thinks?!” she whispered fiercely, “I was never his and he knows it and that’s what is killing him. It’s all a game to him.” Maddie shrugged, “I doubt he ever really loved me. He just wanted me, I think only because you did.” She tossed her head. “I don’t care. I don’t love him.”

David nodded as he dried her tears, “I know. But my mouth was faster than my brain.”

Maddie laughed through her tears. “Shocker!”

“We good, babe?” David pleaded as he pulled her into his arms and petted her hair.

“Don’t ever talk about me like that with anyone ever again. And especially not Sam!” Maddie looked into his eyes with those cornflower blue eyes that David got lost in. “Get it?”

David nodded solemnly, feeling lucky to be forgiven so quickly. “Got.” He jumped out of the car in one quick move, whistling the tune of ‘Ain’t too Proud to Beg’ as he raced around the car to open the door for Maddie who couldn’t help but laugh as she took David’s outstretched hand to help hoist her out of the car.

“Come on, babe. Maybe we’ll find out if it’s a Spud or Spudette!” David almost dragged Maddie into the doctor’s office.

An hour later David danced out of the office with Maddie smiling beside him. They were having a baby boy…

***
After a long leisurely afternoon of making love Maddie finally pulled herself reluctantly out of David's arms. David grinned as he pulled her back to him, "relax Blondie your folks won't be back with the Bean for another couple of hours." He told her nuzzling her neck and aiming for that spot which was a direct link to her loins.

Maddie pulled away again and sat up with a serious expression on her lovely face. "Aren't you anxious to pick out the perfect name for our son?" She ran a hand over her baby bump.

David moved his hand over hers. "You mean Bud the Spud isn't perfect?"

Maddie grinned as she shook her head. "No, I don't think so."

“Okay, let me think, babe.” David sat up and ruffled his already messy hair. He seemed to be deep in thought for a couple of minutes. "Alexander?" He snapped his fingers. "A few brownie points can't hurt."

Maddie laughed as she moved on her side and began to play with the damp hair on David's chest. "You're not the one who needs the brownie points," she placed a kiss on the center of his chest. “Sometimes I swear they like you better than me."

"Maybe your mom..." David teased as he pulled her closer to his nude body. Maddie felt a thrill run over her when she snuggled up to him.

Then she shook her head. "No... David."

He frowned. "No? David?"

A beam lit up her face. "I want to name our son David!" she exclaimed with excitement in her voice.

David sat up straight and ran both hands through his unruly hair. "Not David Addison the third." He shook his head. "Or David Addison Junior Junior. That sounds dumb." A hint of regret fleeted through his voice; secretly, he did like the idea of his son having his name.

Maddie thought for a moment. "David Alexander Addison?" she suggested, knowing suddenly that she had found the perfect name.

Although he was doing his best to hide it, David was choked up at the idea that Maddie wanted to name their son after him. Even though he played it off nonchalantly he was thrilled with the notion.

Maddie could see the happiness in David's eyes when she mentioned naming the baby after him. She could clearly see through his masculine bravado to the sentimental man he fought to hide. A huge grin split his face. "David Alexander Addison," he repeated slowly, thoughtfully. “That doesn't sound too bad.” He nodded."Although Bud the Spud Addison has a nice ring to it."

Maddie playfully slapped his shoulder, then before she knew it he had her under him pressed to the mattress as he devoured her with hot passionate kisses.

***
The next Monday they had a special appointment waiting for them at the office; the case for the aeronautic company Sam was working for had been successfully closed, and Blue Moon was to present the final report to their client – represented by Sam Crawford.

Neither David nor Maddie was very happy they had to meet him once again, but this time there would be no room for any of his vile trickery, no way he would be able to stir up any trouble between them... because this time they would make sure they would meet him together.

Ten minutes before Sam was due, David went over to Maddie's office, bringing the report with him he had just finished going through for the last time. It was neatly typed, with all the necessary information attached. When Jean led Sam in, Maddie was sitting in her chair behind her desk, and David was perched on the edge of her desk, right beside her. They were sitting close to each other; the message couldn't have been stronger that they were happy and in love and wanted nothing more to do with Sam.

“What a pleasure to meet you both – together,” Sam greeted them with false friendliness stressing the word together with a snide tone, this time not even bothering to stretch out his hand; he knew that neither of them would shake it.

Without any further preliminaries Maddie took the report and handed it to Sam, not even offering him a seat. “Here's all the information your boss will need,” she told him politely.

“You look especially radiant today,” Sam replied, ignoring David and ignoring the obvious fact that his company was not appreciated.

“Doesn't she,” David piped up and put his arm around Maddie's shoulder, kissing her on the top of her head; she leaned slightly into him.

Sam pursed his lips sourly and said nothing in reply; he had expected that his visits and his well-placed zingersthat he had aimed at both Maddie and David had stirredup some trouble between them, but he detected nothing but harmony and, yes, sparks between the couple. He swallowed the bitter bile that was in his mouth. He wanted to erase the smug and happy looks off their beaming faces but knew he had no more ammunition to use against them. Damn!

“Why, thank you,” Maddie replied smoothly, “maybe that's because we are receiving a lot of good news lately.”

“Good news?” Sam frowned. Really, could things get any worse? He hated David Addison with a silent fury.

“Good news,” Maddie repeated and beamed. “Number one: this case is closed and we never have to see you again.” David couldn't help but chuckle at Sam's face, and Maddie went on: “Number two: we managed to find a name for our child this time without having to fight over it.” David raised his eyebrows in surprise, not having expected something like that, but completely ready to go with the flow. Sam pressed his lips together, and Maddie went on sweetly: “David Alexander Addison.”

Sam couldn't hold back a little snort. “Oh,” he managed, “A boy, huh?”

God, I love this woman, David thought and beamed at Sam. “Yep, Sammy,” he chuckled. “Congratulations might be in order.”

The other man drew a deep breath and slowly rose from his seat. “Congratulations,” he replied curtly and clutched the file Maddie had given him in his hands. “Well, as much as I'd love to have lunch with you guys to celebrate... everything,” – he cleared his throat – “... I have a flight to catch.” He nodded his head. “Maddie. David.” And then, Sam Crawford turned around on his heels and left Maddie's office. Inwardly he vowed that someday he would put a crimp in their love if the party boy Addison didn’t rear his head before then.

“You slayed him, Blondie,” David commented with a deep satisfaction in his voice.

Maddie grinned. “I did, didn't I?” she replied and leaned slightly into her husband. “Do you think we’ve seen the last of him?”

David shrugged. “Probably not. But as far as I'm concerned, we're not gonna do business with him again.” Maddie looked at him with a surprised, happy smile. “If his company wants to hire us again, we'll agree only if he isn't involved,” he went on firmly and kissed her on the top of her head. “You were right about him, babe.”

Maddie lifted her chin haughtily but with a teasing gleam in her eyes. “Aren’t I always?”

David's answer was as quick as dry: “Keep dreaming.” She slapped his shoulder in fake indignation, and he chuckled as he pulled her in his arms. “As long as you were right about me, that’s all that I care about, baby.”

“And it may have taken me a little time, but yes, I was so right about you, husband.”

“And me about you, wife.”

Both chuckled as they leaned in for a loving kiss.