Post by Admin on Jul 14, 2019 14:54:34 GMT -5
The next morning David felt cranky and out of sorts and was sorry that Milly wasn’t there to help him with the twins. Two days a week David brought the twins to the daycare center in the building where Blue Moon was and today was one of those days. He tried to hold his temper with Julie when she refused to get dressed and bit his lip hard before he started screaming at Jay when he dropped his cereal along with his milk all over the floor. It wasn’t the twins’ fault that he was tired and moody. He hadn’t slept a wink last night thinking of Maddie and their fight. Damn. Even after all these years she could still get under his skin and make him angrier than any other woman he had ever met! He knew that he should have handled last night better when he thought that she was ready to bolt after their make-out session on the couch but old feelings of hurt led his temper to boil over. Maybe she wasn’t going to run; maybe she was just slowing them down which David realized may have been the right thing to do. Things had gotten out of hand but from the first time he had touched Maddie, David had always found it hard to keep his hands off her – and it seemed the same for Maddie. The sexual aspect of their relationship and always been hot and heavy it was the rest of it that gave them problems.
David sighed as he cleaned the mess on the floor as the twins looked on with wide eyes. They could tell that their father was not himself that morning.
“I’m sorry Daddy.” Jason muttered with a tremble in his voice. “It was an accident.”
David looked at the sadness in his son’s eyes. He immediately strode over to his son and kneeled down to look into his eyes. “It’s ok Jay. I know you didn’t mean it. Daddy is just a bit tired and sad today. So, cut me some slack ok?” He spoke to the twins like little people not babies.
Jason nodded his head as he put his small hand on David’s shoulder. “It’s fine dad. We got this.” He smiled and ran over to help cleaning up his mess.
After David dropped the twins off at daycare, he immediately headed to his office to phone Maddie. When the answering machine picked up David was about to hang up but then he realized it might be better leaving Maddie a message instead of the possibility she might hang up in his face if she had picked up the phone.
“Maddie I just wanted to call and tell you that I was dead wrong last night.” He shook his head and continued. “It’s just – well.” He couldn’t get out the right words and was tempted to hang up, but he plowed on. “When I came back from getting Jay back to bed and saw you all dressed and looking like you were leaving – well – it just brought back all the memories of when we first got together. I know that’s no excuse for flying off the handle like I did but all the hurt and yes anger just came rushing back.” He ran his hands through his hair in agitation. “Damn Maddie. I really was looking forward to getting to know you again. Maybe we were going too fast, but God I just couldn’t keep my hands off of you.” He stopped and tried to find how to say what he meant without sounding like a desperate fool. “And not because I wanted to just get laid. I’m not that man anymore. Actually, when it came to you. I was never that man. We screwed things up badly once and I was hoping we could start fresh. There are so many things we need to talk about that are still festering inside of us.” He nodded to himself. “I hope you call me back. Let’s rewind back to when I went to see to Jay. OK?” He hesitated then added. “I missed you baby.” Then he hung up quickly with an ache in his heart.
Maddie was on her way to San Francisco for a modeling conference. She hadn’t planned on going to see the new crop of models strutting their way across the stage but when she woke up this morning after tossing and turning the entire night, she knew she had to get away from LA for a few days. Maybe it hadn’t been the best thing to come back to Los Angeles and be in the same city with David Addison. She knew that she had to harden her heart – again – and this time forever. So, she had hopped in her car and began the scenic drive along the coast. She was determined to have some fun and make much needed contacts. Her new life in LA was starting and she wasn’t about to let him get in the way.
As the day wore on and there was no phone call from Maddie David’s good intentions flew out the window and a hard knot of anger began to form in his heart. Damn that cold bitch. She still thought that he was not good enough. When would he get it through his thick head and lovesick heart that Maddie would never accept him as the man in her life? The only time that he had felt that they were truly a couple and that she was happy being with him was when she was having his baby but when she lost it everything fell apart. Oh yeah, they had tried to put aside their sadness and heartache and try again but it had not worked out. He had to concentrate on work and the twins and just go with the slap and tickle. David had to accept that when it came to love and women, he would never have luck.
2 DAYS LATER
Maddie was aggravated when she returned home from San Francisco to find her lights were out. Thankfully, it was only a tripped switch but all the food she had in the refrigerator was spoiled but the worst thing was that the answering machine had been turned off for days and she might have missed important calls for her new business. Sighing and still feeling like a lead weight was pressing down on her chest, Maddie ran to the supermarket to replenish her groceries and to buy a much-needed bottle of iced cold wine.
THE NEXT DAY
Maddie was at first annoyed but as the morning wore on, she became worried about Deidre Grey. They had an appointment with a photographer and stylist for a magazine ad promoting Blue Moon Models. Deidre was a 35-year old beauty who had been Maddie’s top models overseas. The model had jumped at the chance when Maddie told her she wanted her to join her in LA and to work for Blue Moon Models. Maddie had last spoken to Deidre the morning she left for her trip to San Francisco. Deidre was excited about a new man she had met, and she was giggling and sighing like a schoolgirl. Maddie felt guilty that she had rushed the model off the phone because with her heart in ashes she couldn’t bear to listen to the other woman gushing over her new man. Now Maddie wished she had questioned the model on her plans. Maybe she decided to go out of town with the mysterious boyfriend for a few days, but Maddie knew deep in her heart that the aspiring model wouldn’t miss the appointment with the stylist and photographer. She knew how important this shoot was to the business start-up. Maddie couldn’t get in contact with the stylist or photographer since they were probably out on location. They had told her that as a favor they were fitting in the shoot for Deidre but had to leave for San Diego for a magazine spread right after their appointment. Feeling worried and nervous Maddie made a few calls to people Deidre knew but no one had seen her for days. Not knowing what else to do or where to look Maddie decided to enlist the help of her old friends at Blue Moon to find the model. Deep in the back of her mind Maddie knew she was also using the model’s disappearance as an excuse to see David but she pushed that even deeper inside of herself as she jumped in her car and drove to the once familiar building where she had left her heart.
David was in a particularly irritable mood that morning, but he was trying hard to hide it from his co-workers and employees. Three days had passed and still no word from that blonde who had once again burrowed her way deep under his skin and into his heart. As David tried to concentrate on notes on a case Viola had been investigating, he was finding it hard to concentrate. Laying his head back on his chair and closing his eyes David tried to relax. He hadn’t been sleeping well and that just added to his crossness. Sighing deeply David was just about to doze off when the phone buzzer went off. Even more annoyed David picked up the phone to find out what Agnes wanted….
Maddie walked into David’s office with a sense of déjà vu. How many times had she crossed this threshold? How many times had she been in this office? She looked around to see that a few things had changed. David’s office looked newer, sleeker. He had replaced his old desk with a shiny black chrome one. The walls were painted half crème and half tan which made the office look more professional. A pain lanced across Maddie’s heart as she realized how much she no longer knew about Blue Moon and David.
David was leaning with his back against his desk as Maddie strolled into his office. Although he was hurt and angry at her his eyes couldn’t help but drink her in like a man who has been stranded in an arid desert for days. She was wearing a wraparound beige dress which was molded to her shapely curves; his eyes moved down to her long, sexy legs – with each step she took one of her luscious thighs peeked through the slit in her skirt. David felt his member move in his pants and made a conscious effort to tame the beast. He put his hands in front of his pants to hide his apparent arousal hoping that she hadn’t noticed. And although his heart and body wanted her his brain knew he had to keep his distance from her nuttiness. Seems it was still the same old song – Maddie pushing him away with one hand while pulling down his zipper with the other. But now he was 5 years older and wiser and was too tired and jaded to put up with her crazy ways. David hardened his heart and willed his member to soften as he watched her walk towards him.
Maddie saw David watching her with narrowed eyes and was suddenly uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her – she could tell that he was not thrilled to see her and that made her very sad – and a bit angry. Just because she didn’t fall into bed with him, he had no right to be upset with her! Same old David still ruled by the thing between his legs. Suddenly she was sorry she had come to Blue Moon for help. But now she was here, and she was worried about Deidre so instead of walking out of his office she continued toward David warily.
“So, what brings you to this neck of the woods?” David drawled as he waved her to sit down in the client chair.
“I have a problem.”
“You’re telling me.” He quipped and saw her face pale with anger.
Maddie looked at David with blue eyes filled with hurt and ire. “I think I made a mistake coming here.”
David saw Maddie turn to leave and quickly he got in front of her blocking her way to the door. “Sorry.” David told her with a half-smile. “It was a joke. A bad joke.” He took her by the arm and steered her back to the chair. Both could feel the bolt of electricity with that one touch. Both ignored it. “Agnes told me that you wanted to hire Blue Moon?”
Maddie sat down and David leaned against the desk facing her. Maddie wished she could move her chair back. He was too close for comfort. Maddie loved the way his muscular forearms poked out of his rolled-up sleeves. She loved the way his tie was always slightly untied and how his shoulders filled out his dress shirt. Maddie was trying hard to concentrate on telling David about Deidre’s disappearance and not on the huge bulge between his legs. She felt her nipples tighten and had to press her legs together in a futile attempt to stop her lovebox from twitching. She averted her eyes from his body as she explained about Diedre’s disappearance.
David nodded along with her story. “You have no idea who her new boyfriend is?” he asked Maddie.
Maddie shook her head. “No and no one seems to know anything about him or how they met.” Maddie replied.
David scratched his head as then anger rose up in him like a coiled snake, “And like you said Deidre would have contacted you if she wasn’t going to show up for the shoot?” He stared at her with green chips of ice. “I bet you had lots of messages on your answering machine when you got back from your impromptu trip. Maybe you missed it.” He was being nasty, but he couldn’t help himself. Damn icy woman didn’t even have the decency to mention the message he had left for her.
Maddie hated the coldness in David’s eyes. But suddenly Maddie remembered how when she had come home from San Francisco her power had been out. Her answering machine had not been working right since she had returned. Did she conveniently push that to the back of her mind, so she had an excuse to come here? Maddie’s mind screamed yes. She was instantly annoyed with herself and embarrassed. Her face paled.
David saw Maddie’s face whiten. “What’s the matter? Do you remember anything?”
Maddie stood up quickly. “I’m sorry I wasted your time.” She wanted to run out of his office and to the safety of a David free zone.
“I’m sorry too.” David couldn’t help the anger that coated his words. “You’ve wasted much more than my time.” His eyes narrowed as he stated at her with chips of green ice. To David’s frazzled mind it seemed that the blonde was once again playing one of her nutty head games. But this time he would nip it in the bud!
Maddie’s temper rose as she stared at David. Was the spiteful angry man once again rearing his head. Sure, seemed like it. Maddie couldn’t speak for a moment as her heart filled with dread. Damn David! Why did he believe he had changed toward her? He was probably playing some spiteful game to hurt her.
David turned his back on her and headed toward his chair. He plopped in the chair and ran his hands through his hair in ire. “If you’re through wasting my time,” he drawled caustically, “I really should get back to work.” He bent his head over the papers strewn over his desk. “I’m sure you remember your way out of my office.” He dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
Maddie’s fists clenched at her side. It took all her strength not to reach over David’s desk and claw out his eyes. Instead she held back her anger, stiffened her back and walked out of his office with most of her dignity intact but her heart was breaking in her chest. Maddie didn’t even stop to speak with Agnes. She had to leave the office before her heart betrayed her and her tears fell from her eyes. Damn that man she cried inwardly as she made her way to her car…and away from Blue Moon and David Addison
Maddie was very busy during the next couple of weeks. She had finally heard from Diedre who had spontaneously flew off to marry her new man. He was a multi-millionaire and a great catch and had no intention of letting this one slip through her fingers. She had left the name of the model who could take her place on the shoot in the message that Maddie had never received. Thankfully, the client was willing to set up another shoot.
Setting up Blue Moon Models, hiring support staff and finding work for her models kept her occupied but her heart was heavy. The daytime was manageable since she filled her days with work, but the nights were agony. For 5 years she had struggled to build a life for herself without David Addison. For 5 years she had fought to exorcise her feelings for him. And she had almost succeeded. But now all her old feelings and new ones overwhelmed her. What made her believe that she had ousted that green-eyed devil from her heart and mind? She had to admit to herself that she would never, ever truly be over David. She missed him more now with each and every day that passed. Every time the phone rang, she hoped to hear that husky voice that haunted her dreams. Every time she saw a tall man with brown hair in a crowd, she thought it was him. Why had she allowed her heart and mind to be possessed again?
All these thoughts swirled through Maddie’s mind as she drove to a photo shoot for one of her models. This was the first big job for her agency but the joy she should have felt for her business was clouded with sadness. Maybe it had been a mistake to return to LA, but this was her home. As Maddie pasted a fake smile on her face – one that had become familiar to her over the past years – she forced all thoughts of David Addison from her mind. Today would be the first day of the rest of her life. She would find a life without HIM in it. She would.
On the other side of town David was also struggling with his feelings over Maddie. Maybe he had overreacted that night. Maybe she had changed. He knew he had reacted with the hurt and pain he remembered feeling so many years ago. Those feelings had once turned him into an angry bitter man – one he didn’t want to ever be again. Now he had the twins to think of. And those two small people deserved all the love and happiness he could give them. They didn’t have a mother, so he had to step up and give them double the love they deserved.
The ringing of his private phone line pushed David out of his deep thoughts. Automatically his hand reached for the phone hoping it was Maddie. “Addison.”
“David.”
A sharp pain ran through David’s body. He never thought he would hear the sound of that husky voice again. His hand gripped the receiver tightly as he tried to regain his voice.
The husky voice spoke again a bit louder this time. “David are you there?”
David had an irrational urge to hang up the phone but instead he took a deep breath and replied cautiously. “Yeah. It’s me.”
A short laugh. “I guess you never thought you’d here from me again?”
His grip on the phone tightened. He came right to the point. “What do you want?”
“What do you think I want?” Ice formed around his heart.
David spat out his words. “Money. Sorry but I’m tapped out. Bringing up 2 kids is expensive.”
That husky laugh he once thought was sexy but now sounded sinister and evil came though the phone. “You’re way off base Dave.”
David’s stomach tightened with dread. He had the urge to hang up in Winter’s face, but he gripped the receiver tighter as he pushed his words out carefully. “Well how bout telling me what base I am on.” His skin crawled.
Another short laugh. “I want to meet my babies.”
David’s heart fell through to his stomach as his throat tightened with anger and dread, “3 years too late.”
“I am their mother.” She told him in a raspy voice filled with confidence and arrogance.
“A mother doesn’t sell off her kids.” David spat out hatefully.
“I have rights you know”
“I think you lost those rights when you walked out on 2 newborns who you never even saw or held!” He raged at her. The pain of that day and the months after raced through David’s mind.
“Not according to my lawyer.” She drawled
David felt his heart stop in fear. Lawyer? What the Hell was she up to? David knew deep in his bones that that evil bitch didn’t care about the twins.
Winter laughed softly. David had a strong urge to reach through the phone and strangle her with his bare hands. But instead he chose his words carefully. “I’m sure we can discuss this like two mature adults.” David threw out slowly. “I think I may be able to come up with a few bucks. Just give me some time.”
Winter’s voice rang out over the phone line. “I don’t want your money babe. I want my kids.” And with that she hung up the phone with a hard click.
For a long minute David just sat there holding the phone to his ear. As he came to his senses, he banged down the receiver in anger and placed his head in his hands. What was she up to? Did she really want to meet the twins? Without another minute wasted David called up his lawyer friend. The news wasn’t what David wanted to hear.
The next few days flew by in a blur of despair and nerves for David. He was on pins and needles waiting for Winter to contact him again about the twins. His lawyer had told him that unfortunately since she was their biological mother, she did have rights to see them. David felt his heart tighten and his stomach clench when he thought about his lawyer’s warning that she might fight him for custody. And that she might win! David couldn’t bear the thought of Winter seeing Jay and Julie never mind that she may have the right to custody! David’s mind filled with rage at the system and at Winter. In what kind of a world can a woman just up and leave her babies and still have rights?
? That Saturday morning David was running errands as all these dire thoughts ran through his mind. He wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing as he blazed into the dry cleaners almost knocking down a woman in his haste. Suddenly the scent of lavender and vanilla filled his senses. He looked down into annoyed blue eyes. “Maddie!”
The annoyance flew out of Maddie’s eyes as they landed on David. “David!”.
David heard the familiar voice as he neared the counter. His head turned to the sound of the voice and his eyes landed on Maddie. “Maddie.”
The dry cleaner cleared his throat to get the attention of the man who was staring at the beautiful blonde and holding soiled garments over his arm. He cleared it a second time before the spell between the couple was broken.
David held up his soiled garments as if to show Maddie his next move. He moved past her and dropped the clothes on the counter. Maddie wasn’t sure whether to say goodbye and leave but when David turned toward her with a half-smile, Maddie knew that she couldn’t walk away. “Do you have time for a quick cup of coffee?” She threw out with a smile. Maddie was stunned and a bit hurt to see the hesitancy in David’s emerald eyes. But just as she was about to turn away, she noticed the uncertainty leave his eyes. “Sure.” He nodded slowly. “A cup of Joe sounds mighty good.”
David and Maddie headed to what was once their favorite coffee shop when they worked together at Blue Moon. Maddie looked around the once familiar place with nostalgia and a bit of longing. “Place hasn’t changed a bit.” She declared as she took her seat across from David in a cozy booth near the back. Suddenly, Maddie remembered one rainy day when they had run into the coffee shop to get out of the rain. They had been bickering all morning about a case. For the life of her Maddie couldn’t remember the details of the case but she did remember sitting in this exact same booth and feeling David’s fingers petting her lovebox slowly driving her out of her mind with pleasure. Maddie was pulled out of her daydream by the sound of David’s voice. She tried to hide the blush that was overtaking her face and neck as she turned to the sound of his husky voice.
David’s hands ran through his hair. “I was wrong about the way I acted when you came to my office the other day.” He shook his head solemnly, “Sorry.” He knew that he owed Maddie an apology and he should have reached out to her earlier but with his problems with Winter he just couldn’t muster the energy. All he had been doing the past few days was worry about losing the twins. Truthfully, he didn’t even want the twins to meet Winter. He knew deep in his gut that she was not in it for love for the twins and he didn’t want them disappointed and hurt. They were too young now to have asked many questions about their mother and David had glossed over her absence by saying she needed to be alone. He really didn’t know that to say to the 2 pairs of his eyes looking to him for answers. He sighed inwardly and tried to pay attention to what Maddie had said.
“It’s ok David. We were both not right.” She laughed shortly. “Let’s just forget it. Let’s just go on from here.” She smiled at him. “Friends?” She threw out with a smile. David nodded with that sideways grin that made her legs turn to jelly. “Friends.”
Silence overcame them as they waited for their coffee. David was waiting for a call from his lawyer about his rights as the twins’ father and his mind was far away. He fidgeted in his seated trying to find something to say to Maddie. Running his hands through his hair David fretted inwardly.
Maddie could see that David was distracted and was instantly sorry that she had invited him for coffee. Maybe David was truly over her this time. Her heart ached when she thought about the way things might have been. In an attempt to make conversation Maddie asked about the twins. Something in David’s eyes puzzled her when she waited for his response – was it sadness or confusion? And why would he be experiencing those emotions regarding his children? But maybe that look in his eyes and nothing to do with the twins and everything to do with their messed-up relationship. Who knew with David?
Just as the waitress arrived with their coffee, David heard his beeper go off and immediately reached into his pocket as he jumped out of the booth. His eyes ran to the caller id and he saw with a jolt of nerves that it was his lawyer. He turned to Maddie quickly, “Sorry I have to leave.” He told her as he threw down some money on the table and rushed out of the diner.
Dumbstruck, hurt and angry Maddie sat in the familiar booth holding back the tears that threatened to fall. “Damn that man!” she cursed inwardly, as she tried to get a hold of her emotions. She sat there for a little while slowly sipping her coffee and trying to put the image of devil green eyes and smirking grins out of her mind and once again shattered heart.
David called his lawyer as soon as he could.
The lawyer came right to the point. “She wants to set up a meeting with the kids as soon as possible.” John White told David matter-of-factly.
David groaned. “What can we do?”
“Not much we can do. Unfortunately, she is their biological mother and according to the law she does have rights.”
“That’s ridiculous!” David practically yelled into the phone turning the heads of a few passer byers. “She never even held them.” He spat out with fury.
The lawyer sighed through the phone. “I understand your wrath but nothing we can do at this point.”
David hung up the phone feeling helpless and filled with rage. He wished he had Winter’s long neck between his hands….
**********************************************
Maddie and Agnes met for lunch one Saturday a month; trying different restaurants and catching up on their lives. Agnes could tell this Saturday that something was weighing heavy on Maddie’s mind. Her blue eyes were dull and filled with sadness. She thought of the trouble that David was going through and her heart hurt. Why did two wonderful people have to go through so much sadness in their lives? “Are you ok Maddie?” Agnes ventured; her brown eyes wide with the concern she felt for her former boss.
Maddie sat back and put down her fork. She shook her head as she picked up her wine glass and took a long pull. Slowly, Maddie recounted to Agnes what had happened between her and David leaving out the most intimate details.
Why did things always have to be so complicated between David and Maddie, Agnes fretted inwardly. Anyone with half a brain could see that they were meant to be together. Agnes shook her head making her long earrings tinkle. “David’s behavior had nothing to do with you.”
Maddie looked at Agnes over the rim of her wine glass. “Well I was the only one with him.”
Agnes sighed deeply then began to tell Maddie about what was going on with Winter and the twins.
Maddie’s eyes widened as Agnes spoke. Oh no, she cried, “Oh my God Agnes. That’s horrible. No wonder David seemed miles away.” Her eyes deepened with sadness. “I wish he would have confided in me instead of running off like that.”
Agnes nodded. “You know David.” She said pointedly. “Not one to reveal what’s going on. The only reason he told me, and Bert was because he needed time away from the office to visit his lawyer.”
“I wish I could help.” Maddie was concerned. She knew that the twins were David’s world. She couldn’t imagine how he would cope if he lost them. Especially to a woman like Winter.
Suddenly, Agnes had an idea. “Listen Maddie come over to my house after we go shopping.” Agnes had the afternoon free since Bert and David had taken the children to a movie. “Bert is grilling up burgers and franks and David and the twins are staying for dinner.”
Maddie shrugged. “I doubt David would care if I was there or not.” She picked up her fork and picked at her pasta.
Agnes looked deeply at Maddie. “I know you don’t feel that way.” Agnes took a sip of wine. “I think you know that David needs you now more than ever.” Maddie saw the concern in Agnes’ big brown eyes. She nodded. “He needs all of us.”
David was surprised and pleased to see Maddie at Bert and Agnes’ house when he arrived there with the twins. But then he remembered how he had bolted and left her alone at the coffee shop and he suddenly felt ashamed and uncomfortable. The twins ran toward Maddie with huge grins.
“Maddie lady!” Jason ran around Maddie in circles as Julie just looked up at her with that sideways grin that was so familiar.
“How are my favorite twins?” Maddie laughed as she looked down at the whirling dervishes.
“Great Great!” They screamed in unison.
David shook his head. “Hey guys! Give Maddie some space!” He winked at Maddie glad that the kids had broken the ice a bit. “She isn’t used to such energetic little people making her dizzy!” He reached down and grabbed Jay and hugged him close to his body. “Actually, you’re even making me dizzy!” He put Jay down and pretended to wobble around. Everyone laughed. “Go play little monsters!” David play ordered.
The twins ran to the other children and began to play happily.
David kissed Maddie on the cheek in greeting. “Sorry about the other day,” he ran his fingers through his hair, “I supposed Agnes clued you in on what’s happening.”
Maddie put her hand up to David’s cheek. David could see the concern in Maddie’s cornflower blue eyes and his heart skipped a beat. He still loved this woman! “I could only imagine what you are going through.” Maddie whispered tenderly. “But I’m here for you and the kids if you need me.”
David’s hand closed over Maddie’s, “I need you.” He whispered back, his green eyes blazing hotly. Maddie nodded. Their interaction was broken by Bert calling David’s name urgently.
“I think Bert needs you to start the grill!” Agnes chirped happily after noticing the heat between David and Maddie. “You know he’s hopeless with that!”
“I just need a little help!” Bert shouted as he tried to douse the fire that had started to go out of control on the charcoal grill he favored.
David ran to help Bert, his heart feeling lighter than it had in days.
Despite the near fire, the barbeque was a success. Everyone ate heartily, even David. He hadn’t had much of an appetite since hearing from Winter. He kept sneaking peeks at Maddie who was talking to Agnes and Bert. Still a beauty. His heart hurt thinking of what might have been…. Was it too late? David didn’t know but right now all his attention was on the mess with Winter.
Maddie could see that David was not himself. He was very quiet and when she looked at him from under her long lashes, she noticed his usually quick smile was replaced by clenched lips and his bright green eyes seemed dull with worry. Maddie didn’t know how to make things right but first thing in the morning she was going to look into Winter and her lawyer. David was much too caught up in the dilemma to see things clearly.
The rest of the evening sped by. The children ate too much junk food and ran around so much that they all feel asleep in a pile on the blanket Agnes had put down for them to calm down and relax.
David’s heart pulled at the sight of the children sleeping peacefully and without a care in the world. The twins didn’t deserve to have their lives turned upside down by a woman who never wanted to be a mother. David didn’t know if she even had any maternal instincts at all. David couldn’t help but glance at Maddie remembering of the baby they had lost. David knew she would have been a wonderful mother. She was so beautiful, and David had been thrilled to have a second chance with her. He sighed inwardly. But now with this mess with his crazy ex and the twins his life seemed to be spiraling out of control again. David was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear Maddie calling his name.
Maddie put her hand gently on David’s shoulder to get his attention. She had called his name a few times, but he seemed no to hear her. “David.” She prompted.
David felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, and along with the scent of vanilla and lavender he knew who belonged to that hand. He looked up into concerned blue eyes that pulled at his heart. David shook off his unpleasant thoughts and smiled up at her. “Sorry Maddie.” He shook his head. “I kinda zoned out there for a minute.”
Maddie nodded with a soft smile. “How about I help you get the twins home and to bed.” She nodded toward the pile of children on the blanket. “They’re dead to the world.”
For a second David was tempted to say no. He didn’t want to drag Maddie into his misery but seeing the concern and support in her blue eyes made him nod his head in agreement. He threw her a sideways grin that almost reached his eyes. “Sure thing! Let’s round up those youngins!” He jumped to his feet and headed towards his sleeping twins.
A couple of hours later the twins were down for the night and David was making coffee for him and Maddie. Maddie was watching him as he poured the coffee into mugs. Without thinking David added one sugar and milk to Maddie’s mug and handed it to her. Maddie smiled. “You remembered how I like my coffee.”
David ran his hair through his hair and chuckled. “I didn’t even realize I was fixing it for you.” He shook his head and sat on the stool next to Maddie. They were seated on stools which flanked his spacious kitchen island. “I’m one screwed up guy.”
Maddie nodded. “You have reason to be.” She told him. She saw how his mouth was pursed with tension and felt her heart swell with emotion. Damn she was still crazy about this man. Maddie nodded with a soft smile. “Listen let’s try to enjoy the rest of the night and tomorrow I will start snooping into Winter.”
David shook his head, “Maddie this is my problem. I don’t want to bother you with my problem.” His eyes were bright grin as he gazed at her.
Maddie’s eyes opened wide, “David! Stop! You’re much too close to this!” She shot blue daggers at him. “Stop with your pride or whatever it is. I can see more clearly than you on Winter and what she is up to.”
A sideways grin slipped slowly up David’s face, “Done.” He nodded.
“Done.” Before things went sideways, Maddie finished her coffee and stood to leave. “I guess I better be going. It’s getting late.” She laid her cup in the sink and walked toward the living room.
David dreaded being alone with his thoughts. He didn’t want Maddie to leave. She was his rock and always had been. Why did they screw things up so badly? He shook those negative thoughts out of his head.
“Don’t leave.” He asked her with his green eyes glued to her face. “It’s not that late.”
Maddie hesitated. With all her being she wanted to stay with David. With all her soul she wanted to be in his arms and love him until he forgot his worries. “David, I think I should go.” But she didn’t move.
David strode toward her with his cocky walk that made Maddie’s nipples harden. “I think you should stay.”
Before Maddie could protest, she felt David’s warm lips on hers. Why with only one kiss, one touch could this man make her body and heart crave him so deeply. Her tongue pushed its way into his mouth as their hands ran over each other’s bodies. “I want you David.” She breathed into his mouth.
“I need you Maddie.” David replied pulling back her head by her hair and finding that spot on her neck that he had discovered all those years ago. Suddenly, all his worries and fears disappeared. Deep within him, he knew everything was going to be ok. Tonight, he’d be lost in Maddie.
David practically carried Maddie into his bedroom; his hands moving slowly over her shapely body. When they reached the bedroom and locked the door behind them (twins can be sneaky) David languidly pulled off Maddie’s sweater and bra and threw them onto the floor; his lips and tongue adored her breasts and erect nipples which he held in his strong hands until he felt her move her body wanting more. His hands, tongue and lips cherished each new part of her exposed skin as Maddie moaned and groaned with pleasure. David felt as if he couldn’t get enough of loving the complicated blonde who was crying his name over and over. And the sound of his name on her lips made him jerk in his pants. “You like this?” David purred. He pushed her down onto the bed and scooted down between her naked thighs. His tongue moved between her legs, traveling slowly up her thighs until he reached the hot lava of her arousal. David felt his member throbbing with passion as his tongue traveled leisurely over her swollen nub while his hands fondled her heaving breasts. David knew just how to make Maddie lose her mind. He had never forgotten how to please Maddie Hayes. And she was the only woman who could make him feel like a 16-year old virgin with his first girl. How had he wasted so many years not loving her?
Maddie felt as if her entire body was pulsating with sexual ecstasy. David’s tongue trailed streaks of fire over her body and when he reached her most intimate place, she thought she had died and gone to Heaven. Her love nub began to twitch and pulse as she climaxed so deeply, she felt it from the top of her head to her toes. Maddie felt as if her orgasm would never end as she screamed David’s name over and over until it echoed off the walls of her teenage room. No man could arouse and satisfy her like David Addison. How had she lived without him for so many years? Wasted years!
Finally when he had pleasured her to his satisfaction and Maddie was naked and squirming on the bed David stood up next to her. “Show me how much you want me honey.” He purred as he pulled down his zipper to release the beast inside of his pants.
Maddie gasped when her eyes saw David spring from his pants. Her already tender love nub began to twitch in anticipation of having that monster deep inside her lovebox. She had missed David’s lovemaking and was eager to have him on top of her. Maddie gazed up into David’s eyes with a sexy invitation on her face. Slowly, she opened her legs wider to reveal the glistening womanhood that was his to pleasure.
Almost out of his head with lust, David moved over Maddie and covered her body with his muscular one. No other woman could make him lose his senses like Maddie could. David made tender love to the woman he adored. “God! I love this.” He purred deep in his throat.
“Oh David! I love it too. I love you!” She gasped as she moved her hips to meet his thrusts. Maddie loved how David pressed her into the mattress as he pushed his manhood deep inside of her lovebox. How she missed the way David filled her completely! She screamed out in pleasure as he began to thrust into her slowly at first then building up the pace until he was pounding into her almost savagely. Her second climax snuck up on her and was so intense that she began to claw at his back underneath the sweatshirt that he still wore. David’s orgasm came seconds later making him scream out her name in passion.
After they came down to earth David pulled Maddie into his arms and covered her face with kisses. “God! I love you baby.” He told her in that melted chocolate voice that could turn her insides to mush. “Don’t you ever leave me again.”
The night was filled with loving and promises. But morning came all too soon.
**************************************************************
The following days passed quickly. Despite Maddie’s trepidation, David insisted on joining her in the investigation of Winter. Why did she want to see the twins all of a sudden? David had contacted Winter’s ex-husband and he hadn’t heard from her. Weird that she didn’t want to see her older children but was adamant on seeing the twins. David had heard from his lawyer that Winter was demanding they set up a date for her to meet the twins. David told him to procrastinate and say the twins were under the weather. Something in the pit of his stomach told David that Winter was up to no good.
A breakthrough came by the way of a model friend of Maddie’s. Although, Maddie was trying to juggle her business and the Winter investigation she was preoccupied at the shoot of a huge magazine cover. She tried to hide her distraction but Piper, the model who Maddie knew for years could see that something was bothering Maddie. After a bit of prompting by the model, Maddie told her about Winter and David. She told Piper that Winter’s lawyer was making David’s life a misery by calling him with demands every day. “That Edison is a real bastard!” Maddie seethed through clenched teeth.
The model thought for a bit. “Edison? Robert Edison?”
“Yes, that’s the scum.” Maddie’s nodded. “Do you know him?”
Piper shook her head. “Not personally but I know of him.” Piper’s eyes turned cold. “He’s into some shady shit.”
A cold dread poured over Maddie. “What do you mean?”
Piper pushed Maddie into a chair and told her what she knew of Robert Edison.
“I will kill that bitch with my bare hands!” David raged as he paced back and forth in his office. “She is even more evil than I could ever imagine!”
Maddie had just informed him that Winter had gotten herself mixed up with some diabolical shit. Robert Edison was not only Winter’s lawyer but was also her lover. He was also the head of a baby selling ring which sold infants and young children to wealthy couples who couldn’t have their own. When Maddie informed the FBI, they told her that they were on to him. He was under investigation for human trafficking and baby selling. The FBI was days away from arresting him. And now Winter was under their radar too. Both should spend the rest of their lives in federal prison.
Maddie nodded her head. “So many evil monsters in this world.”
David ran his hands through his already messed up hair. He looked at Maddie with a grimace. “Bet you’re wondering how I ever got involved with such an evil bitch?”
Maddie remained silent. The thought had crossed her mind once or twice. But she knew that men were ruled by the head in their pants.
David slumped in his chair with his head in his hands. “Damn Maddie when you left, I was a mess.” He shook his head and looked at her with eyes filled with regret. “If it weren’t for Bert and Agnes, I’d either be on skid row or dead. “After they cleaned me up and rescued me, I was still hurting pretty bad.” He looked at her with a rueful look in his eyes. “It wasn’t easy admitting to myself I was a huge asshole and lost the best thing in my life.”
Maddie was staring at him with wide eyes. “It wasn’t easy getting over you either David.” She folded her arms around her body. “You broke my heart. I had to leave and start over. I didn’t think I could ever feel such pain and sadness.” She shook her head. “We were both pretty awful to each other.” Tears pricked at Maddie’s eyes. “After Annie.” She wiped at her eyes like a little girl.
David’s heart ached with dread. “She meant nothing to me.” His eyes gleamed with regret, “she was the closest woman to you that I could find. I was hurt and bitter.” He ran his hands through his hair, “Walter, the baby…” He stood and walked towards Maddie slowly. “What can I say? I was a jerk.”
Maddie nodded. “We both were. I was crazy.” She nodded with a slight nod of her head.” She looked closely at David, “the biggest mistake in my life was not marrying Walter.” David stated back at her with green orbs. “It was hurting you and ruining whatever we started together.”
“I know we can never forget all the hurt and anger between us. But I hope that we will be able to move forward.”
David moved close to Maddie; he enveloped her in his strong arms and kissed her lips gently. “Thank God we got a second chance. I realized when I saw you again that I really had never gotten over you.” He kissed her again and released her. “Anyway, I met Winter and well, she was just what I needed to get over you. Or so I thought. I never loved her but when she got pregnant, I wanted those babies with all my heart. I saw her evil side then.” He was talking with his hands to accentuate his words. “Damn she was cold. Her parents picked the perfect name for her.” He let out a short laugh. “Unless she was really born of a jackal.”
Maddie grimaced with disgust but then a smile overtook her beautiful face. “She is the true loser.” She walked to the door and locked it. “She lost you and those beautiful babies.” Taking David’s hand, she pulled him toward the new sofa. They needed to christen this new sofa with their love. “But I won’t make that mistake again.”
Their lovemaking was slow and loving. They were ready to start their new life together – with the twins of course.
Epilogue: 5 years later
Maddie sipped her coffee as she watched the sun rise in the horizon. The view from the balcony of their sprawling ranch home was breathtaking. She loved this time of the morning before anyone was up. This was her quiet time. Who would have imagined 5 years ago that she would need to carve out quiet time for herself? A smile spread over her still beautiful face. Funny, how life could change so quickly!
Maddie thought back as she continued to sip her vanilla spiced coffee. After the trouble with Winter her relationship with David had become closer than ever. And when she discovered with joy that she was pregnant they immediately decided to tie the knot. The twins were beyond thrilled to have Maddie marry their dad. And the day when Jason called her mommy was one of the happiest of her life. Julie was a little more aloof, but she quickly followed her twin’s lead. Since Winter was forced to relinquish her parental rights, Maddie adopted the twins. The Addison’s celebrated the marriage between David and Maddie and the adoption of the twins with one huge party. And what a party it was!
A short time later Maddie had agreed to sell her mini mansion when David suggested he sell his house and together they could buy a home in a family neighborhood with good schools. The family had lived in the house for almost 4 years and everyone loved it. The home was located on a park like setting with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, an enormous eat-in-kitchen, family room, living room and a dining room that had quickly become the spot for friends and family to gather on holidays. Maddie’s parents had moved out to LA when her dad had retired. They now lived in an exclusive retirement community a few miles from the Addison’s. Maddie was happy that her children were very close to their grandparents. Even David’s dad and Stephanie had moved out west after he sold his fish business. It had been a huge surprise when Stephanie had become pregnant and given birth to a little girl, they had named Bethany. Richie had finally settled down too. He had bought a bar he named “Dick’s” in LA and quickly married one of the waitresses. Kim was a nice girl who had a little boy of her own. The family was growing every day. Bert and Agnes had added another little boy to their family and were still very much in love.
Blue Moon Models was doing well. Maddie worked there a couple of days a week and had hired an experienced office manager to oversee the day to day operations of the business. Blue Moon Detective Agency had become one of LA’s most prestigious private detective agencies under David and Bert who David had made partner a few years back. Agnes still worked part time at the agency.
Feelings of peace and contentment ran through Maddie as she reached down to pet Bonnie and Clyde, they were recent additions to their family, and were sleeping contentedly at Maddie’s feet. The 4-month-old Golden Retriever puppies were the twins’ birthday presents. Julie and Jason had been begging for a puppy for a long time. And leave it to David to bring home two puppies on their birthday!
Wow time flies, the twins were 8 years and 2 months already! Jason was an exact replica of David physically but much quieter and more reserved. The little boy was more like Maddie. He was a serious little boy and studied hard to keep up with his grades. Both he and Julie attended Hancock Park Academy and were top in their class. Good grades came much easier to Julie. She was quick as a whip but more impulsive than her twin. She also had a mischievous side that at times got her in trouble at school and home. Maddie laughed to herself. Julie was the female version of David. That little girl would put grey in their hair if she wasn’t reined in.
Suddenly, Maddie’s reverie was interrupted by the sound of the dogs’ barking and the laughter of young voices. Maddie smiled as 4-year-old Alexa scrambled onto the deck with her 3-year-old brother, David at her heels. Those 2 were inseparable and as close as twins! After Alexa was born, Maddie was over the moon. She now had 3 children to love and cherish. Alexa had been an easy baby and was adored by the twins who showed no jealousy at all toward their younger sister. Julie and Jason were filled with happiness that they had a mom and a new baby to love.
David and Maddie had believed their family was complete and then Maddie had found out she was pregnant again! Little David came into their loving home 9 months later. Now looking at her two younger children, Maddie was filled with a wild joy. Raising 4 children was not easy but Maddie loved it. When she thought of how she had believed David would not make a good husband or father she was filled with regret for the years they had lost. But then again Julie and Jay would never have been born if they had made it the first time around. Maddie could not imagine life without them!
As if her thoughts had signaled them the twins whirled into the patio laughing and shrieking. Julie pulled on Alexa’s bright red braid and the little girl turned to her sister with a scowl on her freckled face as her fiery green eyes threw laser beams toward her older sibling. David had told Maddie his hair had been red when he was a little boy, but he had no clue where the freckles had come from. He suggested the mailman jokingly but was quieted by a quick kick to the knee. And little David was as blonde as Maddie with light blue eyes and a lopsided grin. He threw himself into his Maddie’s lap almost causing her to spill her coffee. She laughingly put her mug down and cuddled the little boy close to her body. “Whoa little man.” She giggled. As suddenly as he had jumped in her lap, the little boy jumped off and ran to play with the puppies. The puppies were yapping with joy and the children were shrieking and shouting with glee when David sauntered onto the deck.
“What’s all this noise?” His green eyes twinkled with happiness, “can’t a man get any sleep around here?” He joked as he picked up a puppy and kissed its furry head.
“Sleep?” Maddie raised an eyebrow, “what’s that again?” She quipped; her eyes were filled with love. David bent down to kiss Maddie. He adored her more each and every day. His heart was filled with bliss as his eyes took in his wife and children. Life was good.
“Hey how about going to IHop for some pancakes?” David threw out with a sideways grin. His brood loved that restaurant.
Sounds of yeses and yays echoed across the house as David and Maddie stared into each other’s eyes. The best was yet to come.
