"Please tell me you like it." In the box was a photo album.
He carefully flipped it open. On the first page was a picture of his and Claire's wedding. Stella bit her lip in nervousness. There was a picture that she called their "family portrait". It had Mac and herself standing in the back next to Sid with Flack, Lindsay, Adam, Hawkes, Angell, and Danny sitting on the floor with innocent smiles on. Mac spent the next couple of minutes going through the pictures. There was a picture of all of them at Halloween. Mac was a soldier. Stella was a queen. Adam and Hawkes were the Men in Black. Danny and Flack were gangsters. Angell was an equestrian. Lindsay was a cowgirl. Sid was a killer doctor. Mac finally looked up at Stella.
"I love it." He said. Stella let out a deep breathe.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yes, Stel. I love it."
"What was your favorite picture?" She asked.
"Um… this one." He said pointing to a picture of Mac in between Stella and Clair. They were kissing his cheeks. They both smiled.
"You want some coffee?"
"Sure."
"Milk and 3 sugars, right?"
"You know me so well." They both laughed. Mac got both coffees and went back to the couch. He set the coffees on the table and looked at her. He sat down next to her.
"I don't know how to thank. This is the best gift I have received in a long time. Thank you so much." "Just do it." he told himself. He leaned in and kissed her. Stella was completely and didn't react. Mac was starting to pull away, scared that he had just ruined his friendship when Stella started to kiss him back. Stella ran her hands through his hair. She started to lean back and he followed. Stella was flat on her back and Mac was on top of her. They pulled apart gasping for air. Mac realized that he was on top of her. They were both nervous. Mac got off of her and stood up.
"Stella, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Mac said hoping that she wasn't mad at him. Stella didn't know what to think.
"Maybe it was an accident. Maybe he didn't mean to kiss me."
"Mac It's okay. We can forget about it." She said in a low voice.
"Okay." He responded. She was trying so hard not to cry. She faced the door.
"I have to go. I'll see for dinner tonight okay." She started to open the door. Mac rushed behind her. He placed one hand on her hip and the other over her hand which was on the doorknob. Stella winced at the feel of his touch.
"Stella what's wrong?" He asked. She didn't answer him.
"Tell him! Tell him now! This is Mac Taylor he wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't like you like that."
"Nothing's wrong Mac." She said. He slowly closed the door and turned her around. She was crying. Mac held her hands and pulled closer to him.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"You. I want you, Mac." She answered without hesitation.
"Then why did you say to forget about it?" He asked pulling her closer.
"I thought that's what you wanted." She said looking up at him. He kissed her more sweetly this time. His arms held her body close to his. She slipped her tongue into his mouth. Once again they broke apart gasping for air.
"I love you, Stella Bonasera."
"I love you too, Mac Taylor." She said. Her phone rang.
"Bonasera." She answered.
"We're here."