Title: Life is Too Precious

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI:NY, Anthony Zuiker and CBS do.

Author's Note: A request from lily moonlight, this takes place before Ashlynn's siblings were. Hope this story will make sense as it will alternate between first person POV and general POV for flashbacks.

Genre: Family/Angst

Rating: T

Chapter 1: Getting Sick

-Mid July, 2012-

-Stella's POV-

I had been running around all morning getting ready for Alanna and Donovan's second birthday. As I was starting to put the finishing the touches on the cake I felt someone tug on the hem of my shirt and ask "Mommy?".

I looked down and saw a pair of brown doe eyes looking back at me; I will admit that is impossible to be immune to Ashlynn's sweet face and she has done a good job at getting better.

Even though I was stressed I smiled and asked, "Yes sweetie?"

With her beautiful smile, "Mommy, I finished helping daddy get ready can I help you too?"

I couldn't help but soften completely, she sure does know how to disarm me and Mac when we are stressed. I agreed and said, "Okay Ash, get a big spoon and help me frost the cake and if there any leftovers you can have some okay?"

With a huge grin on her face she replied, "Okay mommy!"

As we decorated the cake I was watching Ashlynn who was concentrating on getting the icing on the cake and not on her face; it is amazing our adorable our oldest daughter is almost five and speaking perfect sentences. It was hard to believe that three and a half years ago that we thought we going to lose Ashlynn.

-Late January, 2009; General POV-

It had been a few weeks following their Christmas visit in Chicago when their world changed. It had been a particularly cold January night Stella and Mac had finally fallen asleep after trying hard to get Ashlynn who had been extremely fussy lately only to be waking up again this time Ashlynn was crying and screaming at the top of her lungs. Stella and Mac jumped out of bed, dressed warmly around her and ran to Ashlynn's room. There what Stella and Mac saw broke their heart, Ashlynn was sitting up wailing, wheezing and having difficulty breathing. Stella reached Ashlynn's crib first and quickly picked up the toddler (who buried her head in her mother's neck and continued crying).

Whilst Mac searched for a thermometer she tried to soothe their daughter Stella tried bouncing her up and down gently, soothing back rub and humming the Greek lullaby; usually one of the three works magic on Ashlynn, but not this time. When she placed her hand on Ashlynn's forehead and knew instantly from the warmth she was burning up. Right then she heard Mac walk in and had a digital thermometer in hand. Mac gently coaxed Ashlynn to open her mouth Ashlynn opened her mouth Mac placed the thermometer in her mouth and under the tongue. After a minute he took out the thermometer and when they both saw the temperature, 102 degrees Fahrenheit their telepathy kicked into gear, Mac grabbed a small suitcase they had packed for an emergency trip to the ER and were on their way.

During the ride to Mercy General during which Ashlynn continued to whimper and Stella whispered lovingly, "It going to be okay my sweet one, mommy and daddy are going to make sure of that."

When they arrived they saw it was not packed and the nurse quickly admitted Ashlynn and checked her vitals and in no time was in a room waiting for the doctor, thus beginning the harrowing hospital stay.

A/N 2: Thanks for reading the first chapter of "Life is Too Precious", reviews are appreciated!