Stella Bonasera groans as she hears a knock on the door of her apartment. She slowly crawls out of bed and walks in the direction of her front door. She looks through the peep hole and standing in her hallway is her partner, Mac Taylor. Stella quickly unlocks the door and lets Mac into her small, New York apartment. "What's up Mac?" Stella asks with concern in her voice. It's three in the morning.
Mac doesn't say anything as he slowly walks across the floor and flops onto the sofa. "I don't know why I'm here. I just felt like I shouldn't be along and I got in my car and I ended up here." Mac puts his head in his hands.
Stella pops a cork on a bottle of red wine. She pours each of them a glass. She sits next to Mac on the couch and sips her wine. She's wearing a pink tank top and pink and red plaid pyjama pants. "It doesn't matter why you're here. I'm just glad you are." Stella says quietly.
"I'm just tired of being alone. I never thought that I'd say that after I lost Claire, but something doesn't feel right about being alone now." Mac says as he sips his wine. Normally he doesn't share his emotions so readily.
"I know what you mean. When I became a cop I said I would never marry so my family would never have to bury me. It seems silly now because the loneliness can be overwhelming." Stella whispers as she turns towards Mac.
Mac reaches for Stella's hand as she pours out her thoughts to her best friend. "I've been foolish and self-centred. I needed to say something earlier." Mac confesses.
"You can't just blame yourself, Mac. It's not as if I said anything either." Stella says softly.
"I'm going to say now what I should have said a long time ago." Mac takes a deep breath. "I love you, Stella. It shouldn't have taken me so long to tell you." Mac stands up and walks to the window. He doesn't want to see Stella's face when she rejects him. He doesn't hear the rejection come, instead he feels a soft hand on his shoulder. When he turns Stella has a lone tear running down her face.
"Don't blame yourself, Mac. I'm glad you told me. It's healthy for you to have moved on." Stella says gently.
Mac quickly interrupts. "Don't sugarcoat your rejection, Stella. It doesn't help me at all."
"I'm not rejecting you, Mac. In fact, it's exactly the opposite. I love you, Mac. I was just scared to say anything because you still loved Claire and I didn't want to ruin the relationship we already have." Stella protests quickly. She wraps her arms around Mac's waist and leans her head on his chest.
Mac weaves his fingers into Stella's hair and holds her closely. He feels comfortable with Stella in his arms in a different way from the way that he was comfortable with Peyton.
"Are you staying the night?" Stella asks with her face buried in the crook of Mac's neck.
"Yeah, I think I will stay. It's feel right tonight." Mac says quietly as he walks over and flicks the stereo on.
"Good thing you have an overnight bag here then. It might be awkward for you to sleep naked next to me for the first time." Stella says cheekily.
"You want me to sleep in the same bed with you, really?" Mac asks hesitantly.
"Of course I do. If you're staying I want you lying next to me like I've always wanted you to be." Stella says as she sets her wine down.
Mac smiles. He understands now just how much Stella cares about him. He yawns slowly as Stella snuggles against him. "What do you mean like you always wanted me to be?" Mac asks softly.
"I've imagined this moment over and over in my head because I never thought this would happen in real life. Are you tired? Should we head to bed?" Stella asks as she stretches.
"I think so. I sat up for a long time wondering what to do." Mac says as he stretches too.
"You haven't slept yet, have you?"