Mackey Residence

  Late Afternoon

  Gabrielle parks her Ford Taurus as close to the front porch as she dares. Peering over at Madison, she offers the new mother a coy wink.

  "I left you a nice surprise inside of your tote bag," Gabrielle says through her grin. "In case hubby wants to go a few rounds. You're too young to be popping kids out of the oven on repeat. A girl's gotta be safe."

  "Um...Okay. Thanks," Madison replies, her cheeks reddening. "You think of everything, Gabrielle."

  "No problem. We, women, have to stick together. Now, don't forget what I told you. Lingerie and food are a wife's best friend. Combine them both....And a man is like putty in your hands. When hubby comes home, make sure the pasta sauce is still simmering. Offer him a taste as soon as he walks in. Make sure you do the whisper I taught you. All sultry like. Use that wooden spoon in the cookware set, and do everything in slow motion. Give him time to soak in the view. Ask his input. He'll be doubly thrilled. See if the Gabrielle Combo-Maker doesn't add some spark to your lovelife? Hubby won't be able to resist you."

  "Gabrielle...I really appreciate the advice. But we have a new baby. James and I can't be going at it every single night."

  "Who said you would be?" Gabrielle says with a giggle. "You're just gonna remind dear hubby why you're the most important woman in his life right now. He'll either move on from the ghost in his past...Or be forced to confront her. Either way, you'll be a lot closer to gaining full possession of your husband. It's his heart you have to win over, Madison. But it's also his mind. You need to crowd her out."

  "Oh gosh. That sounds so...Mean. I don't want him to forget Samantha. Not completely. I just want him to move on from her loss. I want him to fully see me...And our son. I don't think he does. Not...The way I need him to. I love James."

  "Darling...Listen to me," Gabriella whispers, leaning close to Madison. "It's the same thing. As long as he's holding on to Samantha...He isn't holding on to you. That's just the way it is. Hubby needs to move on. It's the best way."

  Madison's mouth droops and she nods sadly. Reaching for the door release, Madison is shocked when Gabrielle plants a kiss on her left cheek. The shocked mother turns to face Gabrielle, brown eyes wide and questioning. Gabrielle's eyes also widen and she quickly glances away. Gabrielle stares at James Junior, who is asleep in his teeny car seat. For the first time, the younger woman's voice wavers.

  "Sorry. You just...You remind me so much of my little sister. I forgot myself for a second there. I'm always giving her advice about boys and relationships. She never listens. I'm sorry, Madison."

  "Oh. It's fine. I was just surprised. No harm done," Madison says reassuringly.

  "Do you want some help getting the baby inside?" Gabrielle says, her eyes full of tears. "Truth be told, I just need an excuse to hold him. Gives me a chance to imagine how it would have felt to hold my own son."

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  "Of course," Madison exclaims, offering Gabrielle a friendly smile. "You're welcome to hold Jamie anytime. You don't even have to ask. I'm so sorry about your baby, Gabrielle."

  "You have nothing to be sorry about, Madison. Now, let's get inside. You have spaghetti sauce to prepare."

  -

  -

  Castleton Police Department

  Detective Mackey exits the building and crosses to his Crown Victoria. He grins like a cat burglar as he strolls across the parking lot. The idea of holding tiny Jamie to his chest, and kissing Madison's supple lips, puts a pep in his step like no other. He spins at the sound of Dave clearing his throat.

  The large deputy leans against the tailgate of his black Nissan Titan, a secretive grin plastered to his face. James diverts and strolls to where Dave leans.

  "So what's got wings on your feet, Mack? Or do I even have to ask?"

  "No. You don't," Mackey chuckles.

  "I figured. I'm considering surprising Octavia at her place tonight. She's too down in the dumps for my liking. I haven't seen her this sad since just after Vivian's murder. Trying to think of something real nice to go with dinner."

  "How about a ring?" Mackey volunteers.

  "What? Too early for that," Dave quickly states, his face flushing. "I promised Octavia there'd be no pressure."

  "Dave...Dave. After all of your many years of experience and wisdom...Haven't you figured it out yet? Pressure isn't giving a woman a ring. A ring is a promise. From you. After that..The pressure is on you...To uphold that promise."

  Dave stares blankly at Detective Mackey, afraid to show the emotions building up inside of him. The number one being fear. Fear of moving too fast. Fear of repeating old mistakes. Fear of losing Octavia. Another scene, like the one which unfolded the last occasion he saw Hazel, is a scene he hopes to forever avoid.

  "You've been happily married twice, Mackey. I have to believe you know what you're talking about. I just...I feel like...Things are different with Octavia and me. I pushed too hard with Hazel. And in the end, she broke. Our love for each other wasn't enough for her to even try. I'm afraid of doing the same thing all over again. I don't know if I can take another failure. Not this time, Mack."

  "I'm right here, Dave. I know. I understand. That's why you need to give Octavia the ring. Give it to her now. She knows how you feel. She's not dumb. Repeat what you told me. Reassure her that there is absolutely no pressure...That she can return the ring at any time. See if she doesn't have exactly the opposite reaction than the one you're expecting. Octavia and I are pretty close too, Dave. She loves you. Of that...You can be sure of."

  Dave reaches out his hand as if to shake Detective Mackey's. James smirks and clasps Dave hand in his own. Without much hesitation, Dave pulls James to him in a brotherly bear hug. Mackey's eyes widen and he pats the large deputy's back with his free hand.

  "Right. Okay, Buddy. Better quit before people start to wonder about us," Mackey quips.

  "Maybe Sergeant Emerson will see us together and get the wrong idea?" Dave counters, releasing James and grinning like a fool.

  "Maybe? And maybe, she'll start having other fantasies. When I first moved to Castleton...I also had to maneuver around Sergeant Emerson's womanly advances. The female mind can be weird sometimes."

  "Tell me about it," Dave states with a dramatic eye roll. "Well, let me get going. The jeweler closes at seven. I might call him up and beg him to hold the doors for me. I hope you're right about this, James. Don't forget...I know where you live."

  "Yeah, yeah, tough guy," Mackey responds, waving a shooing hand at Dave. "Get the hell out of my face. See you later."

  "Later, Mack. Be safe."

  Detective Mackey walks to his Crown Vic and climbs inside. The detective idles in his sedan--watching as Dave makes a frantic phone call from the confines of his gargantuan pickup. When Dave finally pulls out of his spot, James follows the Titan through the nearly empty parking lot. They go opposite directions at the stop sign.