A/N: I'm so aware of the delay in update(s), sorry… Thank you so much for reviewing, adding this story to alerts and favorites! Really, that's so sweet, thank you again! This chapter is a bit longer than the first one, and I really hope you stick with it.
Lily Moonlight, thank you for reading this through! Errors are so mine.
Spoilers: Somehow 5x24-5x25.
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A Haven of Tranquility
Kallistë
She stirs from a deep sleep and smiles dreamily. She moves a bit to feel him sleeping on his side, his head resting on a pillow behind her. She tucks the sheet over their bodies, but she isn't cold, not at all. His hand is around her slightly rounded waist, and she loves being so secure. She hasn't always felt so loved and cherished but she doesn't want to recall it. That part of her life is in her past, and that is how she wants the vivid memories to be. She still has visible evidences, faint scars telling about the battle of life and death. There is no need to ponder what ifs because it's much better to live in the moment. No one knows what the future brings. So much can be lost in seconds. They both have witnessed losses. She closes her eyes as she feels tears burning behind her eyelids. She misses her friend who walks in the palace of winds. She listens to the silence of the night, only from time to time, she hears birds cheeping in the trees outside their villa. The deep and salty ocean air carries her back into the waves of dreams.
---
Again, she is awake. This time it's because she hears louder cheeping of birds, joyful good morning wishes in the language her mother spoke, the buzz of scooters, far distance horns of the cruise ships harboring. At that moment the island is awaken by its own folk, tourists from other counties, birds celebrating the new, sprightly dawn. The sounds are so different compared to the never sleeping city; she had never been awoken by the song of birds. She moves, her intention to sit up, but he tightens his hold snuggling closer. Her back is against his chest, and his warm breaths sweep across her neck.
"It's too early." She hears him mumbling in his sleeps, and he presses his lips on her shoulder blade his stubble gracing delicately her skin.
She just can't believe he would say something like that. The man is, well was a legend of insomnia. He is so different nowadays. He sleeps and snuggles. She lies still for a moment, absorbs his warmth and can't ignore the way his breathing hits against her skin. It sends shivers from her head to toes. It's a very welcome feeling, and a sinful smile plays on her face. He is flush against her, spooning her. She feels suddenly hot recalling their love making earlier on that evening. As much as she wants to wake him up, literally, she holds her breath and lifts his hand carefully. He doesn't protest this time, so she slips out of his embrace. She sits at the edge of the bed. She glances over her bare shoulder and witnesses him still sleeping. Her gaze sweeps across his naked upper body, and she can't stop the anticipation rushing through her seeing his still muscled chest and arms. Her eyes lock on the scar on his chest, and she swallows hard. So much could have been lost in seconds… She lets out a shaky breath as the affection is almost too much. It matters the most that he is with her, and the thought of their baby that is cocooned in her belly warms her heart more than she ever imagined.
---
She reaches for her night dress which is under her pillow. The shirt and her bikini pants she wore the evening before lie somewhere on the floor by the doorway. She grabs a new pair of her bikini pants on the dresser and dresses quickly. She tiptoes her way through the living room of the villa. She sneaks outside the room and breaths the fresh air of the early, sunny morning. She closes the door silently and walks past the lounge chairs under the sun block. The sun is covered with a sheer blanket of clouds, but she can feel the warm of the air.
Yes, warmth and love are permanent in their lives nowadays. Maybe coming back for the first time from Greece was some kind of breaking point for them both. She recalls all the changes after the reading of coffee grounds; his hand on her lower back inevitably, his lingering gazes, her kisses on his cheeks more often, sudden closeness, long lasting dinners and conversations in the evenings, his insistence on driving her home on rainy days...
They never really discussed their changed behaviors. It was the most natural thing to do, to be close friends and finally more than friends. She recollects one late night dinner and walk back to her apartment when the last warm winds of August had whispered in trees and the darkened clouds had been a warning of the upcoming storm. He had pulled her under a roofed doorway of her apartment building just before the downpour had hit the city. They had stood there and watched the rain. The gush of the rain had filled the street, surrounding them completely. Their sudden proximity had been very flaming between them, almost like the unexpected lightning which followed the downpour, but they had shared other kind of electricity. She can still feel the sparkle on her skin when she recalls how he had looked at her.
She remembers looking into his blue eyes as he captured her face between his palms, his thumb brushing along the line of her lower lip. She had shivered at the sudden, so intimate touch, but it had felt good. So good. She hadn't been able to stop his name escaping from her lips in a way she was sure he hadn't heard before. It had given him all permission to go further. His look had been deep as he had locked his eyes with hers, the connection exploring and untamed. His hands had slid along her neck onto her shoulders down along her arms until they had finally found her waist. Of course, they had been close, hugged many times, but he had never before touched her like that. She remembers her leather jacket and a blouse being a bit rucked up on her waist, the touch of his palms on her bare skin burning just above the waistband of her trousers. He had pushed her gently against the brick wall, shielding her body from the wind and rain before his lips had finally met hers. It had been a soft, first kiss, tentative even and it had continued when she had drawn him closer and melted into his arms.
---
Now she hears distant voices from the hotel's open-air lounge as she watches the rising sun. She has seen dawns. Those are memorable. But what she doesn't ever want to forget is the night, snow whitening and blanketing the city, when they babysat his godchild together. It was just one thing amongst their other usual routines that they had chanced to do.
Lucy's tiny head rested against Stella's shoulder after she had been bottle fed. She grabbed a small blanket from the back of the sofa to cover her shoulder in the case she would throw up. She rocked her gently pacing slowly back and forth in front of Mac in the Messer's living room, trying to burp the baby.
"This is the hardest thing to do." She stated.
"Can I?" Mac asked.
She stopped and thought about it for a second. "Have you done this before?"
"Yeah. Few times." He said truthfully. She gave Lucy into his arms. He positioned her on his shoulder. "I have babysat before."
"Oh?"
"Don't' try to hide your shock." He chuckled at her surprised look. "My sister has a boy, he is fifteen now, but when he was a kid, we… uh… Claire and I used to babysit him."
"I'll bet you gave Claire the hardest work to do." She teased him. "You just teach him how to read a suspect's Miranda rights, didn't you?"
"Guilty as charged." He smirked, rocking Lucy. The baby gave a small burp, and he couldn't help but smile. "Who did the hardest job this time, Stell?"
She glared at him but couldn't hide her smile as he gave Lucy into her arms. "You are so adorable." She supported her bottom with one hand. Her tiny body jerked with a muffled cry as she buried her head in her neck. She soothed the infant's back with her other hand, and Lucy's eyes began to shut. She headed into the bedroom after Lucy had fallen asleep. She placed the baby in the crib, tucked her under a soft blanket, making sure she was okay before she turned to leave the room.
-
Leaving the Messer's apartment, after the parents got home, Mac drove her home. They reached the driveway she lived by. She unlocked her seatbelt, leaned over the hand break and kissed him softly.
"Late night coffee?"
"Yes." He mumbled against her lips.
Snow cracked under their steps as they walked across the pavement. Cold wind bit their faces, snowflakes floating around them on their way inside her apartment building. It wasn't long after they were inside her warm and cozy apartment and settled on the sofa. She leaned against him, her back against his chest. His one arm rested on the back rest of the sofa as his other arm was wrapped around her waist, his fingertips brushing her skin just below the hem of her shirt, and his face pressed against her hair. They had fallen into a comfortable silence after enjoying their late night coffee. He broke it by asking: "What are you going to do at Christmas?"
"I think I'll stay here at home." She pondered for a moment. "Have you plans?"
"Actually yes." He said.
She asked arching her brown. "Really?"
"Yeah, and I hope you could be a part of it."
"I swear to God if you are planning to stay at work on Christmas Eve—"
"No, Stell. That's not my plan." He murmured against her hair. "I thought if we traveled to Chicago."
"You- You want me to come with you?" She was completely surprised by his suggestion. Before she could think the choice of her words, he let out a small chuckle and trailed small kisses along the side of her neck. He began slowly to unbutton her shirt and guided them both on an unexplored level of their relationship. "You don't know how much."
Her lips smirked, heat suddenly waving in her body, and she felt his breaths sweeping across her skin. His fingers fumbled with one button after another.
"I call that a sexual harassment, detective Taylor."
His voice was guttural rasp. "Tell me to stop, and I will."
Her chest heaved with anticipation, and she remained silent. Satisfied by her nonverbal agreement he bantered in her ear. "So would you?"
"Would I what?"
"Come with me." He slid his other hand into her hair tilting her head a bit backwards. "First in the bedroom." He placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth, making her moan softly, and her lips parted. Not kissing her yet, he pulled away to look to her eyes, and they said everything there. Agonizingly, his lips brushed against hers as he finished unbuttoning her shirt. They welcomed the fire, both owning, demanding but very much loving.
She definitely doesn't forget that night.
And then, on Christmas holiday to Chicago.
She should have guessed he had the color of his mother's eyes.
---
She hadn't expected it, the proposal, to happen anytime for he had been married once. Maybe still would have been if 911 hadn't happened. The downfall that had changed so many lives, their both, too. They were, still are of course, comfortable with each other's though they have had their struggles, just like any other couple, between the hours of work and being together. Being with him without any legal commitment would have been enough for her. But apparently he hadn't thought the same way. He had wanted more.
After running his usual morning jog he came home before she had even waked up. It was their day off, almost three months after moving together, a morning of an early May. He headed into the kitchen, placed a bag of fresh, lemon flavor, baked muffins on the kitchen counter and loaded the coffee machine before he made his way into the bathroom.
She was woken by the sound of spray of water and the delicious smell of fresh poured coffee lingering in the air. Rays of the sun lightened their apartment through the blinds as she crawled up from the bed, her hair tangled. She made her way into the kitchen seeing the bag of muffins he remembered buying. She smiled walking down the hallway into the bathroom. She closed the door silently and tossed her tank top and a pair of pajama pants on the floor stepping into the bath behind the shower curtain. The warm spray of water hit her skin, too, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Morning." She placed a soft kiss on his shoulder blade and inhaled the scent of the shower gel he used.
"Good morning to you." He flipped them carefully around so she stood under the shower.
"Thank you for the muffins." She smiled at him.
"You're welcome." He brushed her wet hair away from her face and slid his hands along her back. "You know what day it is?"
"Yes, I do." She grinned at him and placed her hands around his neck. "We should have more days off together."
"You need to talk with your boss."
"I think I have my ways with you." She bantered.
"You are always so good at making deals." He leaned down to kiss her neck. "Turn around, babe. Let me wash your hair."
"Later."
She was given a confused, almost hurt look but she soothed him by purring against his wet skin: "Let me wash you."
"Done it already—" He protested, but she silenced him by stepping flush against him, and the curves of her body caught fully his attention.
"Oh I know, just let me please you." She breathed."Babe."
A wide smirk spread on his face as she slid her hands down, down and down...
-
He leaned against the kitchen counter, a towel wrapped around his waist, his arms across his chest feeling more than relaxed and satisfied. He couldn't hide his grin as she walked past him into the kitchen wearing a robe and knotting the belt of it.
"I thought I said 'let me please you'. Not the other way around." She failed, too, hiding her smug smile. She caught his gaze. "And stop staring at me."
"You look so good after co—"
"Mac!" A heavy blush rose on her cheeks. She welcomed the cool air of the fridge soothing her skin, but it didn't easy her blushing.
"I swear, I'm not staring at you. Just admiring."
She sighed deeply, took a carton of milk out of the fridge and added a small amount of milk into her coffee. She peeked over her shoulder witnessing his gaze still lingering on her body.
"Could you give me a muffin, please?"
She heard him opening the paper bag, taking an item out of it.
The smell of fresh baked muffins filled the air, and she turned around. "God, they smell deli—"
She stopped short her eyes widening. She stammered. "T- That's not a muffin."
"No, it isn't." He held a blue box of Tiffany's, the place she could recognize even from the moon, on his palm. "Do you remember what day it is?"
It wasn't her birthday, it wasn't even his. She really couldn't think coherently. "O- Our day off together?"
Smiling, he stepped closer, placed the box on the kitchen counter and cupped her face with his hands. "Precisely a year ago, when you left to go to Greece..."
She gasped at the realization.
"I didn't understand how I felt until you were miles away from me…"
She bowed her head, partly shamed because she knew in what kind of troubles he could have faced due to her personal mission to gain justice, but mostly because she knew exactly what he would ask and that she never believed to happen. He stroked the side of her face guessing her mind process. He continued his voice softer than ever before. "I was so worried, Stell."
Tears began to flow down her cheeks.
His voice was a deep and steady. "Stell, you are the woman of my life." He pressed his lips against her forehead. "I love you, care about you, and always will."
"Mac…"
He tilted her head to see her eyes. "I love you. Marry me."
He didn't need to wait long for her respond.
"Yes." Her body molded to his. "Of course I'll marry you."
She grins almost sheepishly when she admires her golden band.
---
Their wedding had been small and private, just like they both had wanted. Nothing too fancy, but she can't forget how much work it took to organize even a small wedding. She would have wanted to do the same thing that Lindsay and Danny did, but he had insisted on having a small ceremony with close friends. So she had agreed, and doesn't regret it. She hadn't wanted to wear any traditional wedding dress but when she had found the simple ivory, v-back satin gown with sweep train, the bodice gathered and the Empire waist accented with silver beading she just had known that was hers. She hadn't been able to hide her grin when she had seen Mac, the man in the black suit with the white shirt and the matching colored tie with the beading of her dress, waiting for her at the other end of the aisle. It is said that the bridal bouquet should represent the bride's personality, but she hadn't wanted the flowers represent only her. So she had chosen flowers, delphiniums and white roses, to her bridal bouquet.
Six people, Don, Lucy with her parents, the priest, were in the church to witness their wows, and others were invited directly to the party place. Petals of white roses had been scattered on her path through the rows of seating, and she finally reached her destiny. Before she settled next to Mac in front of the priest, Mrs. Taylor rose from her seat and welcomed her to their family by kissing her gently on her cheek. Another pair of blue eyes twinkled in joy and happiness as she still had enough strength to travel from the windy city to witness her son's wedding.
The priest began: "Friends, we have been invited here today to share with Mac and Stella a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together as colleagues and friends. Their love and understanding of each other has grown and deepened, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife…"
Their fingers entwined as they listened to the words of marriage.
"Marriage is the act of faith and personal commitment as well as moral and physical union between parties. Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between two human beings..."
The quotation from the Bible was read.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing..."
In that blessed moment she realized what those words really meant, what they truly held inside.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."
Then, she felt him squeezing her hand gently, letting her know he had understood the depth of the message, too.
"…When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
And they faced the devotion together.
-
"May these rings be blessed as the symbols of the affectionate unity."
"I Mac, take you Stella to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before…"
"I Stella, take you Mac to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together..."
"I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live. This ring is a sign of my love and faithfulness." He lowered his voice so she only heard him.
"With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you." Smile shone from her face.
"By the power vested in me by the State of New York I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Before he pressed gently his lips against hers, he mouthed 'I love you.'
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Taylor…"
She smiles through her tears. "We love you more than you know."
---
She places her hands on her lower abdomen and she just can't stop her smile forming. She had always felt she had missed some part of her life but she has it now – a family. She had thought it had been the stress of the wedding that had caused her to miss her three periods, but it definitely isn't the stress as there are four missed periods now. And the two lines in the pregnancy tests confirm her doubts. She soothes her tummy over her silken night dress. She knows her body too well; the small growth of her belly and changes in her body. She is more tired but she is glad that the nausea hadn't been as strong as she expected it to be. She wonders if he hunches something. He should know something because he had paid quite a lot attention to her body. He sees the small pieces, maybe totally missing the whole picture, she chuckles. He always notices everything, even when it comes to her shopping or every woman's dilemma of what to wear at work.
He was, still is, practically her boss, but that will change soon. She will be on her maternity leave and maybe after that she considers having just a day job at the university. She had liked giving lessons, teaching and telling about different kind of techniques they had used at work. She admits she would miss her job as a crime scene investigator, but they just couldn't do the hours of work after the birth of the baby. She doesn't want to be old fashioned and think that a woman's place is home with children, cleaning and taking care of household but she can't bear the thought of taking the small infant to day care after her maternity leave would be over. She is sure they are able to adjust to the situation financially her being home with their firstborn. It's just her thoughts, but she knows how fast the months run to her due date. Things need to be taken care of, but she wants to plan their future with him, too.
---
There is a view down the hotel's open-air lounge, and she sees hotel's visitors swimming in the pool. Another lazy day is on its way. It has been so lovely on the island, and she can't believe how much time he put to find this place. It's another world completely, and she loves every moment she has with him. She lets her gaze wander from the torques water of the pool over the dark sea and the volcano. It has been silent many, many years and she hopes is will be lifeless. By some theories the last and largest volcanic eruption might have collapsed an ancient civilization thousands of years ago. It is probably one of the biggest, unrevealed secrets of the mankind, and only God knows what is buried in the bed of the sea.
Some truths will never come into daylight, she sure knows that. She wishes to know her roots and heritage for that knowledge she would have wanted to carry to their baby. The man she considered as her guardian angel stole her truths, and that is still hard to accept. She is grateful, though, knowing the history, the tales and stories which are as old as the volcano deep in the ocean. At least she carries some parts of her mother's land in her heart. She lets the warm breaths of air sooth her mind, drying her tears. The eternal life wraps her into a warm embrace. The light shines and powers her rays bouncing off her skin. The haziness of the night vanishes while the sun rises on the sky that covers the Aegean Sea.
---
He is about to call her name but closes his mouth abruptly as he reaches the doorway facing the brightness. The sun forces him to flicker his eyes. It brightens the color of her night dress the mild wind waving the hem of it, making the dress look like a white flame. Her tanned skin glows. The sun gilds her hair which falls along her shoulders. She seems to bloom, and the vision takes his breath away. Little by little, his eyes adjust to the divine beauty, shine what is in front of him and above the sky. He sees her tilting her head toward the sun and admires his wife bathing under the eternal life. As much as he wants to touch her he allows her to have the moment alone. He turns around and pads his way toward the bedroom. Smiling, he rests on the bed and closes his eyes. She is Kallistë, he dreams and falls into tranquility, the most beautiful one.
TBC
FYI, I took the liberty to use some elements of the wedding ceremonies and wows I googled. I only did it because my English isn't that good and needed some help. No harm done, right? The lines of the quotation from the Bible are 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Thanks for reading! Blame my real life if this chapter was too sappy:D Feedback is always welcome.