The Wedding: Part Three

The camera pans the room -- it is definitely occupied. A round table holds several empty beer bottles. There are clothes strewn all around the room, most seeming to have landed exactly where they were stepped out of - jacket, shirt, pants, tie, socks….shoes kicked halfway across the room..

David Addison sits on the side of the bed. He is wearing only a pair of boxer shorts. His appearance would lead us to believe that it has been a long night!

He punches a pillow, and lies back against it. Almost instantaneously, he jumps back up again, and walks towards the window. He pulls back the drapes and stares into the black, moonless Los Angeles night.

It has been almost four hours since he deposited Maddie in her bed next door, and took the long walk out of that room. Cripes, no wonder he couldn't sleep - he could still feel Maddie in his arms, a soft, compliant Maddie who whispered in his ear, "Make love to me, David." Maddie had been willing, he had definitely been able - and here he was, sitting alone watching infomercials.

Damned champagne - this might be the first time in his life that he blamed alcohol for ruining his evening……nope, make that twice - if you counted he and Maddie and a spaceman named Sam. Damned Sam - best not to even go there! The only good thing he had done for them was to leave town…….hope he's living in some Space Station somewhere!

That had been a beginning for he and Maddie…and this could be another! That's why it had to be exactly right - nothing "iffy", nothing to be questioned. And so he would wait again - until it was right for both of them.

He turns suddenly and walks to the door connecting the two rooms. He opens it just a crack, and light spills across the bed, and gleams off Maddie's blonde hair. She lies on her back, one arm behind her head, looking for all the world like a picture from her modeling days. But this is Maddie at her softest and purest - no tension, no doubts, no fears. He feels himself being stirred by the vision - if he walks one step towards the bed, he will be a goner. He carefully reaches around to the lock on Maddie's side of the door, and turns it with a definitive snap. He takes a final look at his sleeping partner, and pulls the door behind him. He then locks the door on his side as well - quite impressed with the security of the hotel.

He again starts to pace the room like a caged tiger, tracing and retracing his steps. He starts to hang up the clothes, and in a split second, changes his mind and tosses them back in a pile. He walks to the radio, and clicks it on, furiously twisting the dials, looking for the solace that he often finds in his music.

David looks over at the window, to see the light beginning to dawn. He squints at the alarm clock - 6 :15 -- time to get some shut eye……..He rolls over onto his stomach, face pressing into the pillows, and as his eyes close, we hear him mutter, "Maddie".

The music blares out of the bedside radio, rocketing Maddie into wakefulness. She gropes for the controls, and turns down the volume to a manageable level. She props herself up on the pillows as the music continues:

Maddie continues to blink, and focuses her eyes across the room. On the dresser, she sees an enormous vase, filled with at least two dozen lavender roses. She rises from the bed, as if drawn to them. They are fragrant and beautiful - and she is almost awed. It is hard to believe this is her David……….

She thinks back to last evening and tries to ignore the throbbing in her head. Last night - a night bursting with feeling, a celebration of all the wonderful things in life - happiness, passion - and love! She feels warmth creep up into her face. Finally, she had told David she loved him - again!

She finds herself twirling one lock of hair around and around her finger. She observes herself in the mirror across the room. She sighs, and addresses herself out loud.

Maddie: You did what you wanted, and said what you said last night. Champagne - do not even consider blaming the champagne! Did you drink a bit more than usual last night?

Maddie: Maddie Hayes, there are no accidents. All your behaviors last night came from true and honest feelings. You might have had a little assistance from the wine - you might have thought you needed it!

Maddie: David…….who can explain how that man makes me feel? I only know that after all this time, he still makes my heart leap every time I see him……….. God, what must he be thinking this morning? I really don't live to confuse him, to tease him - although sometimes it must seem that way. Things always seem much clearer, stronger for David - he knows what he wants, he knows how he feels, and he has told me consistently since we returned from Chicago. Last night, when he told me he would never love me as much as he did then…… I will play that over and over in my head for the rest of my life.

Maddie: I owe him the same honesty……I need to tell him - to talk to him and make him understand that I meant every word that I said last night.

She rises, pulling on a white silk robe that is lying across the bottom of the bed. She looks in the mirror - assesses her appearance-and just as quickly, dismisses it.

She walks over to the connecting door, pausing only for an instant, turns the knob, and yanks! The door is unyielding. She takes a close look at the mechanism and sees that it is locked. This puzzles her - she knows that David didn't lock it when he went through it last evening. And she knows she didn't lock it when she changed into her nightclothes.

She flips the lock open, and again grabs the doorknob. She tries again - it still won't budge. She steps back trying to understand clearly in her head what is going on here. If the door is still locked, that means David has locked it from his side. What does that mean - who is being protected……and from whom???

Maddie sits on the side of the bed, with her head in her hands. She punches a pillow and lies back against it. Almost instantaneously, she jumps back up and walks towards the window. She pulls back the drapes, and stares into the bright Los Angeles day.

She starts to pace the room, like a sleek leopard, tracing and retracing her steps. She walks over again to the flowers, and pulls a single perfect bloom from the vase. As she paces, she holds it to her nose, inhaling the sweet perfume. She goes to the radio and spins the dial until she hears a familiar tune……..

David: Hell, no, I've had massages before, Eric, my man. But I think the last person who gave me a massage was ERICA - if you catch my drift……..

Eric: Mr. Addison, here's the thing. A massage can be an experience of renewal and revitalization, and evidently Terri feels you could use it. But unless you can approach it in the right manner, and relax…….it's not going to do any good. If you don't want a massage, that's OK with me.

David: Eric, pal, I am a "been there, done that" kind of guy. I'll try anything once - twice if I like it. Just tell me what the procedure is here.

David: That Terri, thinks she's a million laughs. She probably thinks this is hysterical. Do you think she could have sent one of those 900 number chicks - great outfits and great …….well, fill in the blanks. Course not - she has to send Dr. Magic Hands there with his white coat and his "professional" manner. Well, I don't want to hurt Terri's feelings, so let's just get this over with.

David climbs up onto the table and under the sheet. He sits for a moment, and then his hands rustle under the sheet. They emerge from under the sheets holding his boxers.

David: Pal, considering where you're gonna have your hands - you might wanna call me Dave. In fact, do you think you should be buying me dinner first?

Maddie lies on the massage table. It is apparent that the relaxation is starting to take hold. There is a CD player, which is playing some very generic new age music as a background.

Maddie: OK, no man bashing - even though sometimes it is the easy road to take. My question is - how do I make this guy know that I am with him - that I am ready to commit to a relationship with him.

Jenna: No, K - I -- S -- S …………Keep It Simple, Stupid. In my opinion, guys don't necessarily want the flowery words and phrases, the sonnets and poetry. They want to cut to the heart of it - state your feelings honestly and clearly, and you'll move on. I'll guarantee it.

Maddie: Sounds easy enough. There has been a lot of emotion flowing between the two of us recently - I want to make sure that he knows it is not just the romance of the wedding. And I want to know that it is the same for him.

Jenna: I'm giving you my number one advice -- KISS. And now, I suggest that you just kick back and enjoy the rest of this massage. I promise - you will be so ready for whatever happens the rest of the day.

David lies on the table……and we can tell the massage is beginning to work on him. He feels like he is melting into himself…all his bones are dissolving. He looks up at Eric with sleepy eyes.

Eric: Actually, it seemed like a pretty good choice for me - flexible hours, changes of scenery, and what I do always makes the clients feel better.

David: I once told somebody that the day she walked into my life, I felt like destiny had given me a massage. Funny, the things you remember. Well, anyway, it's been over five years, and we've really made it work - at least the work aspect of it.

David: Her! In the beginning, it was all going to be just a joke. She was chilly and uptight - a real lightweight, I thought. I figured she would just play at the agency until she got tired of it………you know-when blondes have more fun, do they know it? I thought I could hang on to a fairly undemanding job for a few more rides around the block.

David: She surprised the hell out of me……….and continues to surprise me every day. She gets to me - like nobody else on earth gets to me. I just know she is the one I am destined to be with.

David: Like a screaming line drive! Don't get me wrong, I want her. Walking away from her last night…..I showed more self control than I have in my entire life.

David: Because it is going to work this time - because she wants it as much as I do - because she was afraid of something before….one thing, a million things! I don't think she's afraid anymore. But I need to know that…and so does she.

David: I'll know it when she knows it. This sounds crazy, but it is going to hit her like a ton of bricks…a real revelation. She's been fighting with herself for so long……she overthinks everything….. she is not going to believe how easy it's going to be.

David: Me neither. In fact, far from it. So tell me, Eric, do you think my Slinky's kinked? I'm a few clowns short of a circus?? A few beers short of a six pack?

Eric: Well, if I were you, I wouldn't back off too far. Women are funny…………and your lady seems like no exception to the rule. She's used to you being the one who pursues - at least that's the way it sounds to me.

Eric: I wish you luck, Dave. Let's get rid of the rest of that tension for you. You're on your way - when we started your muscles were tighter than a spandex dress on a well built lady.

David closes the door, as Eric picks up his table and walks down the hall. Halfway down, a feminine arm emerges from a doorway, and pulls him into a linen closet. He steps willingly into Jenna's arms.

Maddie is seated on the bed, wrapped only in a sheet. In her lap, she has a phone book that she is leaning on, along with some hotel stationary. She is surrounded by crumpled balls of white paper. She tries again, leaning on the phone book for support.

She smiles - perfect! She folds the note into thirds. She holds it up to her lips and places an invisible kiss on the paper. She walks to the connecting door, and slides the note through to David's room. She leans back against the door, smiling, and just stands there for a moments, thinking.

The pillows are piled on the foot of the bed. David lies on his stomach, with his arms propped up on the pillows. The sheet is still anchored, sarong style, around his hips. He is in a pleasant state of relaxation, and could easily drift off to sleep. He catches a movement. He spots a piece of white stationary being slid under the connecting door to Maddie's room.

His pleasure is evident, and he smiles - almost in a trance like state. He begins, quietly at first, to whistle the notes to "Blue Moon". The notes grow stronger and clearer.

David continues to whistle. Maddie, still leaning against the door, hears the notes. She begins to hum, and then to sing along as she recognizes the familiar tune.

David hears the sound of Maddie singing - muffled, but distinguishable. He remains leaning against the door for a few moments, then drifts back towards the bed. He leans back against the headboard, then reaches over to turn the clock towards him. 1:45 - time to get a move on.

Maddie and David, each in their own showers. They shampoo, wash, rinse - enjoying the refreshment of the water after the massages. Maddie turns her water off first. David hears the water stop,and turns his off as well. He grins to himself as he pictures Maddie standing in the shower, wearing nothing but a drip and a smile. He reaches over and raps on the tile with his knuckles.

They continue the game for several minutes, reluctant to break the connection. They finally end it as David taps out a rendition of "Shave and a haircut"….and Maddie raps out her answer….."two bits".

Maddie wraps herself in a huge towel, and steps out of the shower. She approaches the mirror, and wipes the hot steam off of a section. We see her reflection as she takes a seat, and begins to brush through her wet hair. She stops for a second, prints the letters "D + M" in the steam, and surrounds them with a heart. She looks at what she has done, shakes her head, and exits into the bedroom, the camera still focused on the valentine in the mirror.

David steps out of the shower, one towel around his head, one wrapped around his torso, hanging dangerously low around his hips. He takes the one off his head, towels his hair dry, and uses it to wipe the steam off the mirror before dropping it to the floor. He goes through the motions of shaving……putting shaving cream on his face, and carefully scraping the razor across his face, all the while continuing to whistle "Blue Moon".

Maddie is wearing her silk robe, having begun her preparations for the wedding. She is wearing her lingerie under the robe, and is sitting at the dressing table, applying her makeup when there is a knock on the hotel room door.

Terri: It sounds like mass pandemonium there. The babysitter says that little Wally and Miss Me are getting along famously. In fact, Wally has spent most of the day following Miss Me all over the apartment.

Terri: Look at this…David gave me this broach as my "something old". It belonged to his mother. When I told him I thought he should keep it for family, he told me that he felt like life had brought me to him as a sister, and that he was sure that his mom would have wanted me to have it! I can't tell you how important that is to me - with no family of my own.

Terri: Who wouldn't be? I'm getting married and my best friend is getting his heart's desire - all in the same day. Today ought to be a national holiday!

Maddie: You have been really good to me, Terri, in spite of the way we met - in spite of the part I played in both Walter's and David's unhappiness.

Terri: Well, if they could still love you and respect you after all of that - who am I to judge? And I've found out, when you choose to let her out, there's a pretty terrific person inside of you - a person I'd like to be my friend.

Mr. Bruce: Here to work my miracles. Although, may I say, there are no miracles required here. This is some pretty great raw material you're giving me to work with. So who'd first?

Mr. Bruce: OK ladies, the rules are - no serious conversation while hairdressing is happening. Only one thing before we start. Maddie, love, I need to see your dress.

Mr. Bruce: Wow, that dress is sinful! And it gives me a great idea about your hair……Terri, fire up some music for creating, and we'll get started. Something with a disco beat, if you please. Sit down right here, Maddie.

Maddie: Oh Mr. Bruce, you're in for a treat. You just comb and tease, and we'll tell you the saga of Terri and Walter's wedding. You will be able to dine out on this story for months.

David emerges from the bathroom, freshly shaven, wearing a long terry robe over his boxers. He sits in front of the mirror to comb his hair. He hears sounds coming from Maddie's room - music, laughter…..and a decidedly masculine voice.

He rises from the chair, and walks over to the connecting door, placing his ear against it, straining to hear. This failing, he picks up a drinking glass and returns to the same position. He catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and realizes how ridiculous he looks. He places the glass back on the dresser. He picks up Maddie's note again, and rereads it.

He thinks to himself - no more games, Addison. Just pick up the phone and call her. He sits down on the bed, picks up the phone, and punches the "O" button.

David: Well, I am actually calling on behalf of the neighbors - seems to be quite a lot of noise coming from that room. And did I hear a man's voice?

Terri: You couldn't possibly be talking about us. We are sitting here knitting and talking about our lost youth. And men??? I don't believe they are allowed above the first floor. And anyway, we don't really know any men.

David: OK funny lady, what gives? Remember, I can make the few hours before your wedding just plain miserable. And not to remind you, but I have caused some havoc at several actual weddings in the past.

Terri: All right, all right! It's just me, Maddie, and Mr. Bruce, the hairdresser. Nothing for you to be alarmed about - or even want to join in on.

Maddie emerges from the bathroom. This is truly her best look - her hair is swept up at the sides, but loose in the back. The blue dress fits like it was made for her, a sleek, fluid column - strapless, with a slit up the side. At her neck, she wears a silver chain, which suspends a deep blue sapphire teardrop pendant. Matching teardrops sparkle on her earlobes.

Maddie starts to leave and at the last moment heads towards the roses on the dresser. She chooses one small perfect blossom, and carries it with her. She smiles back at the two of them….a Mona Lisa smile…and heads out the door.

David enters the room. He is wearing a classic black tuxedo, and looks his very best. He smiles at Terri, but all the while, his eyes are sweeping the room.

Mr. Bruce: Oh right, the Man of Honor and the giver of the lavender roses. You'd better hold on to that honor real tight tonight - that best woman is some vision…if I do say so myself.

David and Terri leave the room, as Mr. Bruce gathers all of his equipment, and returns it to his tote bags. He slings them over his shoulder. As he walks towards the door, he stops at the vase of lavender roses, removes one, breaks off the stem, and places it in the buttonhole of his coat.

David: Now don't go getting all sappy on me. You did your share of catching for me too, honey. I promise I will always be there for you - whenever, wherever. And our boy Walter, he'll have to answer to me if he doesn't treat you like a queen.

David: Terri, that is the easiest promise I've ever had to make. I promise you - all the kinks will be worked out before you're back from your honeymoon.

Terri and David begin their walk down the aisle. David catches his first glimpse of Maddie at the foot of the altar, by Walter's side. Everything else in the church fades as their eyes meet.

Maddie: My God, the way this man looks in a tux - he makes me weak! I can't for the life of me figure out why I have been fighting this. He loves me and I love him. It seems so simple.

David and Terri arrive at the altar and he turns her over to Walter. David takes his place at the altar, across from Maddie. A hundred different things pass between them - and not a word is spoken. Father McGraw speaks quietly to Terri and Walter, and then addresses the congregation.

Maddie looks across at David, and rises. She crosses in front of him as she walks to the podium. His eyes never leave her. She opens the book and begins to read.

As Maddie returns to her seat, she passes so close to David that her skirt brushes the leg of his pants. She returns to her seat, and shoots him a devilish grin.

The rest of the wedding passes in a blur. The vows, which seemed so mesmerizing the night before, sound just a bit different when Walter and Terri recite them. David takes a deep breath - he needs to get out of this church. Maddie feels light-headed. She focuses her eyes on the floor, and tries to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

As Walter and Terri exchange their first married kiss, Maddie and David, almost as if it had been rehearsed, simultaneously inhale, and then slowly exhale, as if somehow sharing the same air was bringing them closer together.

And then finally it is over. Applause breaks out, music plays, and Walter escorts his bride back down the aisle, David and Maddie meet in the middle aisle and link arms for their walk to the rear of the church. They don't exchange a word, but their tightly clasped hands speak volumes. As they reach the vestibule, David reaches for Maddie's waist to pull her close to him, but his good intentions are immediately cut short by the wedding photographer.

Photographer: OK you two need to get in the receiving line. David, you here, right next to Terri, and Maddie, all the way over on the other side next to Walter.

Terri: We still have this reception line and pictures - about an hour, I'd say. And David - you might want to keep the drinking to a minimum tonight.

David: Way to go, Walter. OK - how `bout we get this show on the road? Here comes a few more guys - hey are there any twins at this wedding? I could swear I've spoken to this guy before.

The camera pans the room. This is the cocktail hour - wedding guests milling around, chatting, waiters circulating with trays of hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Terri and Walter move among the guests, accepting handshakes, kisses and congratulations. David hangs by the bar, sipping slowly on a glass of champagne. Maddie is in the middle of the room surrounded by a crowd of men - Walter's co-workers at IBM. David feels his temperature start to climb as he watches the men vying for Maddie's attention. He motions a waiter with an empty tray over to him.

David watches the waiter as he makes his way through the crowds to Maddie's side. He offers her the tray. She picks up the rose, and her eyes search for David. When she finds him, she raises the rose to her lips and kisses it - then lifts it towards him as a kind of salute. She speaks to the waiter, who walks away with the glass of champagne still on the tray. The waiter returns to David.

David grins and thanks the waiter. He catches Maddie's eye, and bringing his index finger to his lips, launches her a kiss. She purses her lips, as if to catch and return it. They hold eye contact for a moment, then return to their duties as members of the wedding.

Terri: Maddie, want to do me a favor? Come to the ladies room with me and help me with this dress. That is one job I'm not eager to have David take on. He would never let me forget it.

Terri: They've got a special room for us right back here. I guess I could have asked Walter, but why spoil the magic, right? I don't think your first job as a new husband should be holding your new wife's dress over her head.

Terri: It's my "something blue". David's idea - it's a temporary tattoo. He suggested it might be a little funny to rock Walter's world a little bit tonight.

Terri: Let's just sit here a moment and make sure everything is where it should be. I'd hate to have our "first dance" with my dress stuck in my pantyhose.

Terri: No garter. And here's the way we do the rest….Introductions, just Walter and I, there's no reason we need to put you through it. Then we are cutting the cake right away. Then some dancing, then dinner, then more dancing. Then I toss the bouquet at the very end.

They exit into the dining room, where all the guests are seated at their tables. Maddie sits at the head table, leaving two seats between she and David.

Maddie and David rise and walk to the table where the cake is displayed. Terri and Walter cut the cake as Maddie and David look on. There are the usual shouts from the crowd about smashing the cake, but Terri and Walter nicely feed each other, and swap kisses instead.

At the last minute, when it all seems over, Terri picks up a large glob of icing and smacks it onto David's cheek. The look on his face is priceless, this is a total surprise! The guest applaud in appreciation as David laughs, and wipes his face with a handkerchief.

Maitre d': And now, we would like to ask the bride and groom to come to the dance floor. Terri and Walter…your first dance as Mr. and Mrs. to "What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"

Maddie is standing off to the side of the room quietly watching them dance when David comes up behind her and slides his arms around her waist. She smiles as he whispers in her ear.

She leans in towards David, and proceeds to kiss the icing away, with small nibbling kisses. She proceeds slowly, carefully until every trace of icing is gone. She looks up at him, wearing a half smile.

Maddie: Just trying to help you maintain that GQ image. Look (she indicates Terri and Walter), don't they look sweet together? With them, Addison, we did a good thing!

She pulls his hand towards the top of her dress. As he looks, his eyes widen. There, tucked in her décolletage, where only he can see, is a lavender rosebud. He brushes her skin, then the rose with his fingertips.

David: You're being absolutely wicked. And unless you want to find yourself in a compromising position in the middle of this dance floor………….

The temperature in the room seems to rise about a hundred degrees. They stop dancing - as the whole world goes on around them. Her skin feels hot where he is touching, and she moves her hands across his back and pulls him closer. Her fingers caress his neck, and tangle in his hair.

Maddie grabs his hand and pulls him out of the dining room towards the elevator. They enter and go to the back of the car, each to a separate corner. Maddie looks up and starts to giggle.

The elevator stops on the twenty-first floor, and David holds out his hand. She grabs it, and with fingers interlaced, they fly down the corridor to Maddie's room.

David struggles to open the door with her key, and they step into the room. They are immediately in each other's arms - touching as if it were the first time, exploring each other with their hands. Their lips find each other and cling.

Maddie: I've had a lot of time to think today, in fact, over the last several days. And I'm glad that we spent last night apart - you were right, I think we would have made a big mistake if we had……………..

David: We need each other - I told you when we first met that we would be a terrific team. Now Maddie, I have only one request. Can you ask me again, what you asked me last night?

David lays her back on the pillows. Her hands reach for his face, touching gently, wandering into his hair. Her eyes are clear and searching. Maddie has dreamed of this moment - everywhere he touches, she responds with a sigh, or a cry, or the arch of her body. She is living her most precious fantasy.

They begin to kiss - each kiss different from the one before. There are times when their kiss is merely an exchange of their breath, and others when he seduces her mouth with a series of deep tender kisses……love and lust complimenting each other - leaving an ache inside that cries out to be fulfilled.

They stop and look at each other. It seems incredible that they have gotten their second chance. David brushes her hair back from her face. Maddie smiles her brightest smile.

David: About that scene in the office. While I knew that Walter and Terri would probably know that we had disappeared - I'm not sure I expected it to be the talk of the wedding.

Maddie: What do we have to hide? We are going to be with these people every day. It would be most uncomfortable if we had to hide the way we feel about each other.

Maddie: I don't think we need to get that specific - or graphic. Let's just tell them we have decided to give it a try, make a commitment to each other. OK with you?

Maddie: May I have your attention, please. I'd like to make a small announcement. We're sorry if some of you have been worried about us. There were no problems on Saturday or Sunday - in fact, quite the opposite. Most of you have gone through everything together with us for the last five and a half years, and we wanted you to be among the first to know - Mr. Addison and I have decided that we would like to be an "us". We love each other, and are going to enter into a committed relationship.

Boy is this long……………but we've waited for the reunion of M&D for so much longer. This one is my fantasy………hope it in a little way fulfilled some of yours.

This could not have been done without good and faithful friends………..you know who you are……….thanks for the encouragement and the late night chats……………