Merrville County

  Early thursday morning

  Mackey Residence

  Madison and Detective Patterson conclude their womanly gossip as Dave and James exit the front door and make their way across the porch. Madison turns at an angle, holding James Junior so that Octavia can lean close and kiss the sleeping infant's dimpled cheek. Octavia coos softly and withdraws, her eyelids lowered with affection.

  "Such a beautiful, baby," Octavia whispers.

  Dave, in turn, leans and kisses Octavia's cheek. Octavia turns into his kiss and Dave shuffles his eyebrows.

  "So are you. Ready to go, Hon? We'll be late for our flight. Check-in is gonna be hell this morning."

  "Yeah. I'm good, Dave. See you, Madison. Take care of that cute kid. See ya, James. Bye. See ya."

  Octavia turns to wave three times. Eventually, Dave ushers the woman detective to his hulking pickup truck--using a strong hand gently pressed against the small of her back. Dave opens Octavia's door, and allows her to climb inside the Nissan, before rounding the front of the pickup and climbing behind the wheel. He honks the truck's horn as he carefully navigates the driveway. Madison and James stand at the edge of the porch and enthusiastically wave. Once Dave's truck is out of sight, Madison turns to James with a sad smile.

  "This is the first time Dave's gone on a trip without you. Well, since you both became friends. Are you gonna be okay, James?"

  Detective Mackey smirks while shrugging his shoulders. He pulls Madison into a sideways hug, mindful of the dozing infant held in her arms.

  "Of course," James protests with a sullen pout. "Why wouldn't I be? We're both big boys. I'm pretty sure Dave and I will be spending even less time together once he and Octavia finally say 'I do'. They're gonna have to figure a lot of things out as they go. Marriage life is very different than what Dave is used to."

  "Ha. Tell me about it. Good thing he has a dear friend to help him get through it," Madison says.

  "I don't know about that, Maddie," James states, his tone cryptic. "Some things...A man has to learn all by himself."

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  "Like what?"

  "Loyalty...Fidelity, things like that," James explains. "Those things can't be taught. But without 'em...You can derail a good relationship real quick without knowing it. That's why, last night...I needed to know that you have faith in me, Madison. That you have faith in our love. To me, love isn't just a word you say. It's something much deeper than that. I, uh...Madison, I think it's time we sold the other house."

  Madison's eyes widen and her mouth drops partially open. She tilts her head to one side and studies James carefully.

  "James, are you sure? I mean, it's really your house. I didn't put one red cent into it. It's your house and your memories. I don't want...What brought this on, James? Why the sudden change of heart?"

  "I've been thinking about putting the house up for sale...For quite a few months. I saw you watching me, Madison. Even if I pretended I didn't. It was a couple of months before Jamie was born. Around the time, Dave and I got back from Nathan's Parish. I have to admit, I thought I was pretty slick...Sneaking out there alone. But, you were even better. I almost didn't notice you standing in the woods. The glint off of your sunglasses is what told me to look a little harder," James stops talking and shuffles his brows. "Have you ever thought about being a detective, Maddie? Or a Private Eye? You'd be real good at it."

  "I learned from the best," Madison says with a shy grin.

  James cups Madison's face and gently kisses her lips. He contemplates the time of morning, wanting nothing more than to hold her all day.

  "I don't want you to think I don't love you, Madison. That I spend my time comparing you to Samantha. I wouldn't do that. The time me and Samantha had together was precious. It was wonderful. But, it's over. She's gone. I'm living for today. Madison...You're my yesterday, my today, and my tomorrow. You and Jamie Junior. I can't afford to live in the past. And to prove that to you...I'm gonna sell the house."

  "James, no. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have followed you out there. I suspected that was where you were going but I just needed to see for myself. I don't want you to sell the house until you're ready. Please, don't make another decision because of me. It makes me feel guilty."

  "You shouldn't," James interjects. "Marriage is about compromise. I don't want memories destroying what we have. I don't want you to feel as if you have to compete with a woman from my past. I want us to focus on each other...And on our son. Nothing else matters, Madison. Only you."

  "I love you, James," Madison says, tears streaming down her face.

  "I love you more," James replies, holding back tears of his own.

  On cue, Jamie utters a single grunt. Madison's eyelids lower and she offers James a wily grin. Detective Mackey's expression quickly turns suspicious.

  "Prove your love to me, James. Someone needs a diaper change."

  "Uh, sorry, Maddie. I've got some very important reports to file for the Chief. Gotta run," James responds.

  "James!"

  "I was only kidding, Maddie," James laughs. "Let me have him."

  Madison gently passes Jamie to his father. James holds the slightly fussy baby at arm's length, playfully scrunching up his face.

  "Oh boy, Jamie. What has Mommy been feeding you?" James quips.

  Madison reaches out and strokes Jamie's back, shaking her head at her extremely goofy husband.