She burst into your life the same way her mother had years earlier, all barely manageable curls and a big personality. Her hair may be jet black, and her eyes a startling blue, but in every other way she is Stella, aged five.

And she stole your heart when you weren't looking.

You will never have children of your own. Peyton understands this. You are far too committed to your job to give up any more time for a child. Your son or daughter would always end up second best.

No, you will settle for being Peyton's partner, Reed's stepfather and Amelia Flack's third favorite person in the whole world.

You wouldn't have guessed her parents would make a good couple. Would even have much in common at all. They had often argued over how to handle cases, on one memorable occasion leaving you to convey to her his apology and getting an earful in the process.

But somehow, seeing his dark head next to her curls as they crouched over a body at a crime scene, or talked to each other quietly during a group outing became normal for you all. They kept the PDA's to a minimum but you could see how much he loved her. How much they loved each other.

Then, barely a year after they married in a small but elaborate ceremony, Don called you to the hospital and your best friend placed a squalling newborn in your arms.

There is a shout in the lab. "Uncle Mac!" She runs into your office and clambers up on to your lap. Danny and Lindsay's golden haired brown eyed son Sam, just a month younger, trails behind her like a long suffering brother.

She isn't a princess, she is a queen, and she knows it. Her parents work hard at making sure she isn't spoiled, but you can't help it. This little girl is meant for great things. And you can't wait to see what those things are.

"Amelia!" her mother calls. "What did I tell you?" Stella appears in your doorway, arms crossed.

Her stomach is noticeably round now- a little brother is on the way, a surprise to his parents. There is a debate raging over what his name will be. So far Stella is winning, and the world will probably be blessed with another Don Flack Junior in a few months time.

Her daughter makes a face. "Opps," she says. "I was s'posed to ask if I could come in first."

You can't resist. "It's fine," you say, and Stella throws up her hands in disgust, turning to go back to her work. She is surrounded by men who are wrapped around Amelia's little finger. "But remember to knock next time, okay?"

Amelia nods eagerly. She begins telling you about her day at school. Sam, used to being overshadowed by his friend, sits on your couch and pulls a book out of his backpack to read.

"...and then we had math and I got all the answers right, well 'cept for one but that one was really hard, and I got way better than anyone else, 'cept for Jenny," she tells you and you nod agreeably.

But then she spots someone through the glass walls of your office, and she is scrambling back down off your lap.

"Hey, Daddy," she calls eagerly, running out into the corridor, hair flying behind.

You watch as your best friend's husband closes the file folder and catches his daughter with practiced ease, pulling her up into his arms. They rub noses, a customary greeting between them, and she looks up at him with matching blue eyes.

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Just a little one shot I dreamed up while writing some Slack pieces. More CSI:NY stuff soon, I promise!