After everyone left the hospital, Mac helped Stella move to her private room.
"How are you feeling now Stella?" asked Mac with concern.
"Better, thanks to Lindsay's home cooking. I was starving." said Stella.
"I could see that, three pieces of breaded chicken Stella. I never seen you eat like that." said Mac.
"I know, and those roasted potatoes were to die for. Mac?"
"Yes Stella?"
"I think we need to finish a certain conversation."
"Stella... you should rest. We can talk later. You just came back to us. You sleep now and I'll stay with you." said Mac changing the subject.
"Under one condition Mac, you have to lay down with me again and tell me another story." said Stella.
"Deal, but you have to sleep." said Mac.
After Mac read Stella her story, she fell asleep. Positioning her into his arms, he watched her breathe until he dosed off.
A short time later Stella woke embraced in Macs heat. With a sigh of longing she took her fingers and brushed back Mac's hair as he moaned...
"Stella... I love you."
Stella's look was one of complete joy. She had longed to hear those words from him. With tears in her eyes she called his name.
"Mac...Mac... wake up."
"What is it Stella? Why are you crying?" asked Mac.
"It's nothing Mac, honest." said Stella.
"Are you in pain? Answer me Stella, are you in pain?"
"Yes, okay, Yes... in pain of you not being able to say you love me." cried Stella.
"Stella...what are you talking about?" asked Mac.
"I love you Mac, I've always loved you. Your Smile, your warmth, your kindness, but most of all the way you say you love me while you sleep. Why can't you just say it Mac? Just tell me you love me too."
"Stella." said Mac.
"No Mac, no more. I want to hear the words. All of them Mac, now, or I'll never let you leave this room."
Reaching up, he grabbed Stella tightly in his arms.
"I love you. I love you Stella, You've always been there for me, for us. I was just to stupid to realize the feelings were there. Never allowing myself to believe what I was feeling. Not until I almost lost you Stella, the thought of you not being there anymore in my life, our life, almost destroyed my mind. God Stella, do you understand? I love you." said Mac.
Falling to his knees in tears, Stella bent down beside him and kissed him with all the passion and life God had given her.
..............................................................................
Two Years Later
After a long two year relationship Mac and Stella are now married and pregnant.
.........................................................................................
"Stella... you shouldn't be going into work today."
"C'mon Mac, I'm fine, really. We just found out we're going to be parents and I want to tell everyone."
"I know that Love, but if anything happens to you and our baby I'd be lost. I love you Stella and our unborn child should be your only concern."
"Mac, I'm on desk duty for you. I'll be fine, stop worrying."
"Stella... I have alot to worry about. Damn it, you know Danvale gets released from the Psychiatric Hospital today. I still can't believe that bastard pleaded insanity and only got two years."
"Mac... I'll be fine, I have all of NYPD to protect me."
"You're not helping Stella, They weren't able to protect you back then, were they?"
"That was different Mac. We didn't know Danvale was coming for me. All of NYPD know he's being released today, I'm well protected. Please don't worry."
"I'll always worry Stella. You're my wife, who's carrying our child. Our child Stella, and I'll be damned if anything is going to happen to the two of you."
"Mac... Do you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you Stella. You're my wife."
"Then trust me when I say we'll be fine."
With that said Stella got into the car and waited for Mac.
.......................................................................................
Once at the station Stella gave everyone the good news.
"Congrats... Daddy," said Danny with a huge smile.
"To hell with that Danny, said Flack. Yelling louder to get everyones attention.
"Everybody... Mac and Stella Taylor are having a baby."
(NYPD officers scream through station)
"Congrats guys."
"Yeah... thanks. Everyone back to work." laughed Mac.
"Danny...Flack, my office now." said Mac.
"What's up Mac?" asked Danny.
"Listen up, I want you two protecting Stella and our baby. One or the other stays with her at all times. Understand?"
"Sure Mac, we heard Danvale was being released today." said Danny.
"Mac... I think you need to know something, said Flack.
"What is it Don?"
"Well...I heard from a couple of the guys that work in the Psych ward ,that Peyton has been making regular visits there."
"What the hell would she be doing there?" asked Mac.
"Don't know Mac, but what we do know is she has never gotten over you." said Danny.
"So you think she's planning something with Danvale?" asked Mac.
"I'm not sure Mac, but I'd watch her closely."
"You do that, I'm going to have a little talk with Peyton. Oh... and remember don't leave Stella's side. Got it." said Mac.
"Got it Mac." replied Danny.
...................................................................................................
After Mac left to find Peyton, she walked into NYPD CSI Dept.
"Welcome back Stella, you look well rested. Did you find what was making you so ill?" asked Peyton.
"Yes, Mac and I are going to have a baby." she smiled.
One look in Peyton's eyes and you could see the hatered. But Stella was to busy working to notice.
"Peyton, Mac is looking for you." Replied Flack.
"OH... well I shouldn't keep him waiting." said Peyton.
With that said Peyton went looking for Mac.
"Peyton... called Mac.
"Yes Mac? How are you?" she asked.
"I'm fine... I need to talk to you." said Mac.
"Oh, what about?" she asked.
"I've been informed by the someone in the department that you've been spending time in the Psych Ward where Danvale is staying."
"Yes... I have Mac, I actually volunteer there twice a week." said Peyton.
"So I should have no concerns that you've been talking to Danvale?" asked Mac.
"None at all Mac." replied Peyton.
"Peyton, I know it was hard on you when I married Stella. I never meant to hurt you." said Mac.
"I know that Mac, sometimes it takes a major tragedy to realize you love someone that you considered a friend." said Peyton.
"Peyton...please. Talk to me about your feelings. For the last two years I feel you've changed towards us. I still consider you my friend Peyton."
"Do me a favour Mac, don't bother. I can never go back to being friends. You tore me apart inside when you ended it." said Peyton.
"Pey...... Before Mac could finish her name Danny came running down the hall.
"Mac, You need to see this." said Danny.
"Calm down Danny, see what?" asked Mac.
Danny turned on the tv in the breakroom and there was Danvale talking to the reporters.
"Danvale... Danvale, how do you feel after being locked away for two years?" asked the reporter.
"I can honestly say I feel remorse for what I did to my family. I've had two years to think and talk about what I had done."
"How about the officer you shot?" asked the reporter.
Looking into the camera Mac could tell by Danvale's eyes that he had not healed. Deep in Mac's mind he knew Stella was in danger.
"I fully apologize to Det. Stella. What I did was wrong, and for that I'm truly sorry." said Danvale.
As Danvale was turning away he looked into the screen with a smirk of pure evil.
"Danny... where's Stella?" asked Mac.
"With Flack, going over one of her cases."
"Peyton, we will talk more later." said Mac.
"Sure Mac, you know where to find me." said Peyton.
"Don... find out who Danvale's Parole officer is please." said MAc.
"I'm on it Mac." said Don.
"Stella, lets go love, we have that appointment with your doctor this afternoon."
"Okay Mac, calm down, why are we walking so fast? MAC..." Stella yelled.
"Sorry love, get in." said Mac.
At the doctors office, Stella and Mac were informed that her doctor wasn't available due to an emergency and that Stella would be seeing the on call physcian. Mac wasn't comfortable with the idea, but Stella told him she'd be fine.
"I'll be right back Mac."
"I'm coming in with you Stella."
"Fine, but you're being worried about nothing." said Stella.
"Good afternoon, you must be the proud new parents to be?"
"Yes we are," replied Stella with a huge smile.
"Okay... Stella if you could get up on the table for me I'll check your blood pressure, weight and do an internal exam."
"Internal exam? No... Dr. Cowell just gave me one the other week. I shouldn't need another one yet." said Stella.
"Let me check. I see... you are right. Then let's get started on everything else." said the doctor.
"Excuse me Doctor..... What is your name?" asked Mac.
"Dr. P. Powell, and you must be the father?"
"I am... and that's my wife and our child she's carrying, understand?" asked Mac.
"I do, shall we begin."
As he started his exam, Mac's phone rang.
"I'll be right back love," said Mac.
After the doctor completed the exam, he informed Stella to go down to the lab for blood work.
"Oh and Stella?"
"Yes doctor?"
"I have some pre-natal vitamins for you to take, twice a day." said the doctor.
"Okay thanks." said Stella.
When Stella and Mac headed down to the medical lab for her bloodwork, the doctor made an interesting phone call.
"Hello?"
"Peyton is that you?"
"Yeah, who else. Did you give her the pills?"
"Of course... but I don't like this. Det. Taylor asked alot of questions."
"Don't worry about Mac, I'll handle him, your concern is Stella, understand?"
"Yes."
"And the poison?"
"Yes, you're playing a dangerous game Peyton."
With that said the phone went dead.
....................................................................................................
Stella was feeling tired and asked Mac to drop her off at home, not realizing she forgot to tell him about the vitamins from the doctor.
"Are you going to be okay love?" asked Mac.
"I'm fine Mac, you go back to work."
Mac gave Stella a kiss and left out the door. What Stella didn't know was that Mac had posted two uniformed officers outside.
"You are not to leave your post... Is that understood?" asked Mac to the officers.
"Yes sir."
And with that Mac headed back to the lab..
.....................................................................................................
Meanwhile...
Stella had opened the vitamins and was about to take one when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi Stella, how you feeling?" asked Lindsay
"Oh... hey Lindsay good. What's up?" asked Stella.
"I'm off today and thought I'd bring over some lunch, you interested?"
"Of course... c'mon over." said Stella.
Stella hung up the phone and went back to opening the vitamins. After taking the one Stella heard the door bell ring.
"Hey Stella."
"Hi Lindsay come in."
"I hope you're hungry, I brought your favorite fried chicken, potatoes and gravy with apple pie."
"Oh Lindsay, sounds great." said Stella.
Stella went to the kitchen to get the plates, while Lindsay sat down and seen the vitamins sitting on the table.
"Hey Stella?"
"Yeah Lindsay?"
"Where did these come from?" she asked.
"Oh... they're the vitamins the doctor gave me, for the baby and I."
"But I thought your doctor wasn't there today. That's what Mac told us." said Lindsay.
"I know, the doctor told me twice a day. They're just vitamins Lindsay. What's the problem?" asked Stella.
"Does Mac know the doctor gave you them?"
"Hmmm...come to think of it, I don't think so. He had left the room to take a call." said Stella.
"Stella, you should have told Mac right away." said Lindsay.
"Stop being so concerned, I'm starving Lindsay, and besides I've only taken one. God you guys are going to drive me insane, I'm safe. Believe me, Danvale is the last thing on my mind." said Stella.
..........................................................................................
After they had finished eating Stella complained of stomach pain and told Lindsay she was going to lay down.
"Lindsay...thanks for coming over and bringing the food, but I'm very tired and I think I ate to much I feel a little nauseated."
"Stella...why don't you lie down and I'll stay with you till Mac comes home. Okay?"
"That would be nice." said Stella.
A few minutes later Lindsay called Mac.
"Hi Mac, it's Lindsay."
"Lindsay? How is my wife feeling?" asked Mac.
"She's laying down Mac, Listen are you aware this doctor gave Stella some vitamins?"
"Lindsay... What vitamins?" asked Maxc.
"I'm not sure Mac, there is no label on them and when I got here Stella said she had taken one already."
"Have you checked on her?"
"Yes... she is beside me on the couch sleeping. But earlier she told me her stomach hurt from eating to much."
"How much did she eat?" asked Mac.
"Well that's the thing, hardly nothing." said Lindsay.
"Okay... keep your eye on her I'm on my way home to get those vitamins." said Mac.
Mac left the station and rushed home to check on Stella. Coming in the door, he said...
"Lindsay... how is she?"
"She's still sleeping, but moaning."
"Stella...wake up love."
"Mac, owww!, I'm going to be sick." said Stella.
Stella threw up all over Macs shoe.
"Oh God, Mac such cramps, help me, it hurts so bad." said Stella.
Mac picked Stella up and rushed her to the hospital ,while he ordered Lindsay to take the vitamins back to the lab for anaylisis.
Upon arrival to the hospital, Mac told the doctor that Stella may have been poisoned.
"Listen, she's been poisoned, with what I'm not sure." said Mac.
"Take her into Triage, STAT. Don't worry Mac she's in good hands." said the doctor.
Mac felt a little at ease knowing the doctor looking after Stella was the one who took care of her in ICU.
"Where the hell is Dr. Powell?" asked Mac.
"Who?" said the nurse.
"Dr. Powell, the OBGYN, he was here this afternoon looking after my wife."
"I'm sorry, but there is no one at this hospital." said the nurse.
"Mac... yelled Lindsay. She was poisoned with Cyanide. Very small amount Mac. It's a good thing she only took one."
"She shouldn't have taken any. I should have been told about the damn pills." yelled Mac.
"Mac, you can't blame yourself." said Lindsay.
"I can and I d,o Lindsay. She's my wife, It's my job to keep her safe. I swear when she gets out of here, I'll never let out of my site."
"Were there any prints on the pill bottle?" asked Mac.
"None Mac." replied Lindsay.
At that moment the doctor came walking down the hall.
"Det. Taylor, she's asking for you. She's fine and the baby is fine too. She injested a very small amount of Cyanide. We've given her charcol and started her and the baby on a fluid drip. She should be able to go home in the morning."
"Thank-you Doctor." said Mac.
"No problem Mac, I'll check on her later."
"Oh Doc..." said Mac.
"Yes?"
"Do you know a Dr. Powell by chance?" asked Mac.
"Powell...no but I can check around for you if you like."
"Thanks that would be great." said Mac.
"Lindsay... go back to the pills and check each one for partial prints please."
"On my way Mac." said Lindsay.
While Lindsay left, Mac headed down to Stella.
"Mac?" said Stella.
"Hi love, Why didn't you tell me about the vitamins?" he asked.
"I'm sorry Mac, I forgot. I'm so sorry Mac, I could have killed our baby." cried Stella.
"Stella love, stop crying. You're fine now. I'm never leaving your side again until we find out who is attempting to kill you and our child."
"Mac, what about Danvale?" asked Stella.
"We thought that Stella, but at the time we went to the doctor, Danvale was just being released. And besides this isn't Danvales kind of work. He's more hands on Stella. Criminals like him don't change their MO."
"Then who Mac? Who hates us enough to harm our baby?"
"That... Is what we need to figure out, soon." said Mac.
"Mac, we found a partial print on one of the pills. They're running it through CODIS now." said Lindsay.
"Good, let me know what you find." said Mac.
(Doctor returns)
"Mac... I've checked our records and we had a Dr. Powell working here a few months back. He wasn't a OBGYN, he worked as an M.E. in our hospital around the time that Peyton left. From what I was told they were very close friends."
"Mac... Peyton," said Lindsay.
"Thank-you doctor. Lindsay, go back and look into Peyton's history for me and let me know what you find."
"Mac, do really think she could have done this to you and Stella?" asked Lindsay.
"It's possible Lindsay, she wasn't very forgiving when I told her about my feelings for Stella. Though I never thought she'd go this far."
"Okay Mac, I'll call you the minute I find out anything. Are you going to let stella know?" asked Lindsay.
"No, she's been through enough today. From this point on... it is up to all of us as a family to protect her and the baby." said Mac.
With that, Lindsay left the hospital while Mac went back to Stella. When he arrived at her room she was sound asleep. Bending down to kiss her lips he removed her cover, lifted her nightgown and kissed her tummy where their baby was nestled safely. before climbing into bed beside her.
Hidden inside the room, Peyton was watching while twisting her latex gloves over and over.
"Excuse me, Det. Taylor?" said the nurse.
"Yes... what is it?"
"I need to check your wife's vital signs."
"Sure." Mac got up out of the bed while the nurse checked over Stella.
"Mac...Mac?" yelled Danny.
"What is it Danny?" asked Mac.
"We can't find Peyton anywhere. No one has seen her all day." said Danny.
"Okay... Danny, you do not leave Stella's side until I return, understand?"
"You got it Mac." said Danny.
After the nurse left the room, Danny sat down in chair watching over Stella. With no word of warning Peyton came out from the washroom and jabbed Danny with a needle. Danny was out within seconds. Peyton then drugged Stella through her I.V. and had someone help her remove Stella from the room.
A short time later Mac came back in
"Danny... Danny... wake up?"
After no response, Mac pushed the call button and started yelling for the doctor.
"What is it ?" said the doctor.
"Help Danny, God she has my wife, she has taken Stella." said Mac.
"Who?" replied the doctor.
"Peyton, that's who. She must have had the help of that doctor . I swear to God in heaven when I find them, I'll kill them both." said Mac.
"They can't have gotten far , the nurse just left the room not more than ten minutes ago. The possibility is good that they are still here somewhere." said the doctor.
With that said Mac flew out of the room calling for back-up.
"Mac... where do you want us to start?" asked Flack.
"Have the officers search every patients room, every E.R, every stairwell. No one leaves."
"Det. Taylor? I'm afraid you can't do that." said the doctor.
"Listen. Whether you like it or not I'm in charge. Flack are all the exits covered?"
"Yeah...there is no way out. We'll find them Mac."
"How is Danny doing?" asked Mac.
"He's a little dizzy, but other than that he's fine. He feels really guilty right now." said Don.
"I'll go talk to him." said Mac.
"Danny... How you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm okay Mac, I'm really sorry." said Danny.
"Danny it's not your fault, stop blaming yourself." said Mac.
"Mac... if anything happens to her or the baby I'll never forgive myself." said Danny.
"Stop that right now Danny, we're going to find her." said Mac.
"While the police were searching the room, Mac and Flack went to check the basement level of the hospital.
"Listen Mac... you hear that?" asked Don.
"Yeah... sounds like two voices male and female." said Mac.
"Do you think it's Peyton Mac?" asked Don.
"Hard to say. On three Flack."
"One...two... three." And with that, they busted the door. Inside they found two doctors having sex. They both looked stunned.
"Sorry... Listen have you seen a doctor carrying a patient?" He would have had a nurse with him?" said Mac.
"Yes... as a matter of fact they were in quite a hurry. They headed into one of the old E.R. rooms." said the girl.
"Do you know which one? asked Flack. It's very important that you remember."
"I'm not sure, there are three of them down here." she said.
After getting the information, Flack called up and told twenty officers to come downstairs and help search.
"Mac...wait for back-up," said Flack.
Too late, as Mac was running down the halls to find the other rooms. Just as he found the last room he heard a scream.
"Stella...Stella?" As Mac entered the room he seen the doctor lying dead on the floor. Stella on an operating table bleeding from a small inscission that Peyton had started on her stomach.
"Come any closer Mac and I'll kill the baby." Said Peyton.
"Peyton... you don't want to do this. I know your hurting Peyton, but if you give up now we can work this out." said Mac.
"There is nothing to work out Mac, you've made your choice. Now it's my turn, do you understand Mac? My turn."
And with that Peyton turned towards Stella.
(Bang, Bang) went the sound of a gun as Peyton lay dead on the ground in a pool of her own blood.
"Stella...Stella, God I thought I lost you." Picking her up in his arms he carried back upstairs to her room.
"Doctor... yelled Mac. Her stomach, the bleeding." Holding her wound Mac realized he hadn't put her down yet..
"Prep the E.R....now , Stat." said the doctor.
"Yes Doctor." said the nurse.
"Mac you have to let her go, Mac... Put her down." Danny couldn't help but see the tears in Mac's eyes.
Touching Mac's shoulder, he laid Stella on the gurnie as they transfered her to the O.R.
"Mac she'll be fine." And with that said Danny grabbed Mac and embraced him in his arms. Heartbreaking cries could be heard as Mac kept repeating
"I failed her Danny, I failed as her protector, her husband and a father. I couldn't save my first wife from 9/11 and now Stella."
Looking down at his blood drenched hands, Mac cried harder as his family, his team, embraced him tightly in their arms.
When the doctor came out a short time later, he said...
"Mac... your wife is in stable condition and the baby is still alive. Your wife is very strong Mac and has an incredible will to live."
Mac looked up at the Doctor and said... "Thank-you. Thank you again for saving my wife."
...........................................................................................
( 8 months later)
"Huff, huff, huff", hee, hee, hee."
"Stella breathe love, breathe."
"Listen Taylor, this is your fault that I'm in this position, I hate you for putting me through this", hee,hee,huff,huff."
"Awww... sweetheart I can see the crown, Oh! I see dark brown hair, push love, c'mon a little more, almost there."
With one last push Stella and Mac gave birth to a 7lb, 8oz baby girl with huge brown eyes and hair.
"Stella, great job love, she's beautiful."
"Well Detective... what name are you giving to your child? asked the nurse.
"I hadn't thought of that yet."
"I have, said Stella to the nurse. Her name is Claire Marie Taylor."
Mac looked at Stella as tears pooled in his eyes.
"Thank-you my love."
Once everyone left,, Mac picked up his daughter and got into bed with his family.
"I love you Stella, always and forever."
"I know Mac... I know."
End First Story