A/N: So, I was going to keep this as just a one-shot, but after a request from well-written and a few sleepless hours, I got this idea and I just couldn't pass it up. So I decided to do a collection of very short one-shots about various holidays. They probably won't be posted on the holiday itself - like this one - and they'll probably be really random - like this one - but I hope you enjoy it anyway. And, if you have any ideas about any other holidays I could use, feel free to PM me or leave it in a review. I could use the help! Many, many thanks to the reviewers from "Fireworks" - you made a horrible holiday wonderful!

Labor Day

Stella laid her head back on her pillow, straining to draw breath into her starving lungs. She tightened her grip on Mac's hand and turned to look at him. Perspiration dotted her forehead, her dark curls plastered to her skin. "This is not how I envisioned spending Labor Day," she panted.

"Cheer up, Stel," he said with a grin. He brushed her sweaty curls back from her brow with a tender hand, his calloused thumbs skating across her cheeks. "It'll all be over soon."

"Easy for you to say," she grumbled. The bed creaked when she shifted. "It doesn't feel like someone's got your stomach in a vice-grip."

"Nice description. I don't think I've ever heard it put quite like that."

"Oh, shut up. This is all your fault."

"My fault?" His eyebrows almost disappeared into his hairline. "How is it my fault?"

"Your idea. And science says it is."

"I seem to remember from college that two people have to be involved."

"Doesn't matter. It's still your fault."

He smirked smugly at her. "I don't exactly remember you complaining about it back then. In fact, I seem to recall you enjoying it rather immensely."

She shot him her patented glare, her green eyes narrowed. His smirk widened. "I did enjoy it immensely. It was fun back then."

"And it's not now?"

"Absolutely not. And if this is what comes out of that, it's going to be a long time before we ever do that again."

Mac's gray-blue eyes widened. "You wound me, Stel."

"You'll get over it eventually."

"Somehow I doubt that." Mac leaned forward, gently placing a kiss on her lips. He pulled away and smiled warmly at her, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. "In just a few hours, it'll be over, and it'll completely be worth it."

The corner of her mouth quirked, and she kissed him again softly. "Yeah. I guess it will be."

But then another wave of pain hit her hard, and she screamed against gritted teeth. Her fingers clenched his. After several long moments, the agony subsided, and she released his fingers and sank back against the pillow. "Never mind," she gasped. "Not worth it."

Mac shook the hand she'd been clasping. "I never realized how strong you are. I think you almost broke my hand."

She grinned at him and trailed her fingers down his strong jaw. "Sorry."

"No, you're not." He turned his head just a little and gently kissed her scarred fingertips. "But that's okay. I think it's worth it."

Suddenly the door swung open, and a gray-haired woman clad in blue stepped into the room, her tennis shoes making soft noises against the tile floor. The silver band draped across her shoulders glinted in the low light. "How are we doing?" she asked, giving Stella a warm smile.

Stella frowned. "He's doing fine," she retorted, jerking her thumb at Mac. "I hurt."

Mac looked up at the woman, the corners of his mouth twitching. "She's gorgeous, isn't she?"

"Aw." Stella smiled and patted his cheek with the palm of her hand. "It's still your fault."

The woman chuckled. "You'd be surprised at how many women say that in my presence."

"'Cause it's true," Stella said triumphantly.

She laughed again and shook her head wordlessly. A short stool waited patiently in the corner, and she crossed the room in a few steps. The metal legs scraped against the floor as she pulled it over to the edge of Stella's bed. "Okay, I'm going to check something really quickly, and we'll see if you're ready to go."

"I'd better be ready to go," Stella groaned, glancing at Mac. "This is getting a little ridiculous."

"It'll all be over soon," Mac repeated, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I really wish you'd quit saying that."

"Okay, Stella," the woman sat up and gave Stella another warm smile. "Looks like you're all ready." She stood up and crossed the room to a glass cabinet on the other side. The door swung open, and two similarly dressed women walked into the huge room.

"Are you ready for this?" Mac asked Stella as the woman snapped a pair of gloves over her hands.

Stella smiled at him and, reaching up a little, brushed a kiss against his cheek. "As long as you're with me," she whispered.

Mac returned her smile. "Good."

With a final loud snap from the rubber gloves, the woman returned to Stella's bedside and took a seat on the stool again. "All right, let's get this party started! Mr. Taylor, sit behind her, keep her supported.'

He complied, sitting on the edge of the bed and sliding his arm around Stella's waist. She leaned back against his chest and wrapped her thin fingers around his larger ones. "Just like we practiced," he murmured in her ear.

"Except this time it hurts," she returned, her breath coming in short and shallow gasps. The pain was almost constant, and her grip on his hand tightened.

"Now, when I tell you to, I want you to push really hard, okay?" The woman positioned herself at the end of Stella's bed and lifted the thin sheet covering her knees.

Stella groaned and looked at Mac. "You sure it's too late to ask for some painkillers?"

"Definitely." The pressure on his hand skyrocketed as another sharp pang raced through her.

"Okay, Stella," the woman said, adjusting the stethoscope around her neck. "Push!"

Stella gritted her teeth and pushed with all her might. Her hand constricted his, cutting off all circulation to his fingers. She moaned and bit back a scream of pain. "Breathe, Stel!" he said in her ear. "C'mon, breathe! He he hoo, he he hoo…"

"You bastard," she growled, glaring at him. "You did this to me! It's all your fault!" He ignored her rants and just squeezed her hands again. She relaxed her respirations just a little, breathing with him as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"I can see something!" the woman said from the end of the bed. "You've gotta keep pushing."

"Ugh, not again!" she groaned. "I don't wanna. Please, Mac, I don't wanna."

Mac shook his head and kissed her drenched hair. "Couple more. Just a couple more, 'kay? You can do this. Breathe."

"Okay, push again!" the woman ordered.

Stella sat straight up, squeezed Mac's hand with all her might, and screamed, "Aarrgh!" Mac winced in pain, her grip feeling like his hand was caught in a vice, and he was suddenly grateful that her eyes were closed so she couldn't yell at him again.

"I got the head and the shoulders!" the older woman shouted. "One more push, Stella! You can do it!"

"Hear that?" Mac kissed her head, ignoring the glare she shot in his direction. "One more! One more, hon!"

"All right, push, Stella!"

Stella gritted her teeth and pushed again with every ounce of strength she possessed, her screams reverberating off the tile walls.

"I got it!" the doctor shouted as Stella collapsed into Mac's arms, chest heaving. Within seconds, a loud smack! and then a baby's protesting cry filled the room. "It's a girl!"

"A girl?" Stella panted, her green eyes lighting up as she looked at Mac. "It's a girl! Can I see her?"

"Let me get her cleaned up a little," the doctor said. She grabbed a towel off the instrument tray next to her and wrapped the child in it before taking it to the other side of the room where the two other women – both nurses – waited.

"You did wonderful, sweetheart," Mac murmured, pressing a kiss onto Stella's curls.

Stella released his hand and brushed a finger down his cheek. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Here she is!" They looked up to see the doctor holding the tiny squalling infant, wrapped in a little pink blanket. Stella held out her arms, and the doctor carefully slid the child into her waiting embrace. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor," she said, grinning widely.

Stella cradled the little girl against her chest, tears springing to her eyes. "Look, Mac. She's beautiful. Absolutely perfect."

Mac gently kissed her temple and watched serenely as the baby wrapped her tiny fingers around his larger one. "Just like her mom," he whispered. "Little Jessica Aiden Taylor."

She smiled and, putting her hand around his neck, gently pulled him down to her. She softly pressed his lips to his, moving her hand down his cheek, feeling his five o'clock shadow scratch against her palm. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It's okay," he replied with a shrug and a grin. "After nine months, I'm used to hormones."

Bouncing their baby daughter in her arms, Stella glared at him playfully. "Watch it."

"Yes, ma'am." He kissed her one more time, then kissed the baby's downy head. "I love you, Mrs. Taylor."

"I love you too, Mr. Taylor."

They sat there for a long moment, staring at the now sleeping little girl, until suddenly Mac broke out into a wide grin. Stella looked at him, eyebrow cocked curiously. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing." She raised both eyebrows, and he chuckled. "It's just… I guess this gives a whole new meaning to 'Labor Day'."


So how did I do? I've never been in labor (and I'm definitely not looking forward to it), but I hope you enjoyed it. Please leave me all comments, good or bad! And, if you're interested, please check out my case-fic in progress "Justice is Served". Thank you all so much!