Thanks a lot everyone for your sweet comments! I thought I'd be nice and post a little earlier - but I had to split the final chapter so that you get something earlier than I announced, but Valentine's remains on Feb 14 - so the final part will still be posted tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy :-)

Chapter 2

Stella sighed. Another Saturday night that she was going to spend alone in her apartment. And this one was even worse – it was Valentine's Day. With another deep sigh, she started to pack her stuff, getting ready to leave the office when she heard the voice of a radio host coming from the break room across the corridor.

"This next song …"

She had just finished cleaning up her desk while thinking that on a Saturday evening nobody would mind if the radio was turned on this loud when suddenly the words of the speaker caught her attention.

"… play it especially for Stella and Mac!"

Huh?!? Ah, just a coincidence. Stella and Mac are not exactly rare names…

Her mind wandered for moments, but then she called herself to order and wanted to leave. Just then, the song started and she stopped leaning against her doorframe, listening to the soft voice of Emmylou Harris.

You may wonder if you know me
You may wonder if I care
Or if I'll leave you sad and lonely
Or if I'll always be right there

Well there's no need for doubt now darlin'
'Cause I have come to know
This love of ours is no common flower
You know this love is like a red, red rose

She thought about the lyrics while she listened to them. Memories rushed through her mind within seconds. Thoughts started to appear at the surface, thoughts that made her realize that there might be long-time hidden things goin' on. She sighed deeply and tears slowly filled her eyes while she listened to the emotional melody.

XXXXX

At the other end of the corridor, Mac found himself listening to the same song, totally caught up with the lyrics and the dreamy sound. His thoughts went back.

And you may wonder about this dreamer
If she's all you thought she'd be
And, oh, if anything but someday
Ever comes from lovin' me

But hold me close and tell me darlin'
That you have come to know
This love I bring you is no common thing
You know this love is like a red, red rose

He wondered about himself, daydreaming of the woman he worked with for such a long time without any hint of deeper feelings.

You are a fool! Didn't you just admit to yourself that there ARE deeper feelings?

The song made him brood over the situation more and more. Weren't there those little signs that there were feelings on her side, too? Or was it just his imagination, was he just projecting things into past situations now, because of the mood of the moment? How else could it be explained that he didn't see any signs WHEN the situations occurred?

Because there couldn't be what shouldn't be? Or did he really ignore the signs?

A thought came up in his mind. At first, he pushed it aside right away. What a ridiculous idea! But the song still went on, gnawing at his resistance and pessimism.

He gulped, listening to the lyrics, still unsure if he should do what he wanted to do and how to do it and what might happen afterwards if there was something happening at all and…This song MUST be a sign to do something. It was talking to HIM directly.

After thinking for a short moment, he picked up the phone.

XXXXX

The song slowly faded out and Stella got a feeling of helplessness and desperation when she slowly started to realize the depth of her feelings and how close this song came to reality, to HER life, to her current situation.

About 30 minutes later, she was still sitting in her office, not knowing what to do now. Right in that moment, she heard a knock at the door.

Lindsay? No, she wouldn't knock. But who could be there, this late on a Saturday evening?

A little emotionally upset and uncertain she went to the door and opened it.

Outside, there was a young man in a baseball jacket, holding a package in his hands.

"Yes?" she asked in surprise.

"I have a delivery for Miss Stella Bonasera," he answered.

"Well, that's me," she wondered. "But what kind of a delivery is this on a Saturday night and where does it come from?"

"I guess there's a card inside the carton, maybe that explains it?" the young man smiled at her. "Will you accept the package?"

"Sure, sorry," she said.

He handed the package to her and thanked her for the tip she gave him. After he left, she opened the carton, finding the most beautiful red rose she'd ever seen in it. Under it, there was a little card. She had tears in her eyes again while reading the text, carefully written in clear letters:

Be my Valentine?

TBC