Stella lashes fluttered as she slowly woke. She smiled when she caught sight of her handsome husband. Don was sound asleep in the chair beside her bed. His long legs sprawled out in front of him, his head leaning on his hand, which rested upon the arm of the chair. She felt a tightening in her stomach, but no real pain, for the moment. She hadn't wanted to take any pain meds, but her doctor had made the suggestion and Don had latched onto the idea. He hated seeing her in pain, and she had definitely been in pain. Stella smiled again as she recalled him trying to convince her to accept the medication.

"Please Stella, you need to rest before the baby comes, besides" he'd locked those beautiful blue eyes onto her green ones, "it's killing me to see you like this."

When he looked at her like that, spoke to her in that voice, so husky with emotion, it wasn't in her to deny him anything. And the dazzling smile he'd bestowed on her when she acquiesced would have normally had her tingling to her toes. At the moment though, the other things going on with her body had forestalled that reaction, but it had still warmed her heart.

Don made a soft snorting sound and began to quietly snore. Stella smiled, the sound was comforting to her, reminding Don was here for her. She was still amazed they were together, a couple, and soon a family. She let her mind wander to their first date.

Although she and Don had often had dinner, drinks or hung out, oh yeah and spent the day in bed together doing all sorts of delicious things to each other, they had never officially dated. Don decided this had to be remedied immediately and asked Stella to go out with him the following weekend.

"Don you are so sweet. We've spent all of free time in your bed for the past three days, now you want to go on a date?" Stella was amazed by this tall hunk of a man.

"Come on, Stel, I want to do this right. I want to pamper you and treat you like you deserve to be treated. You're not just a fuck buddy, you know that right?" he asked concern marring his handsome face.

"I know Don. I just think we put the cart before the horse."

"I know Honey and I want to fix that. We've known each other for years, but I still feel there's a part of me you haven't seen. Please, go to dinner with me? Let me woo you."

That had been the first time he'd done it to her, used those eyes, that voice, husky with emotion and Stella knew she was in trouble. If he ever found out what that did to her, how she couldn't find it in herself to deny him anything. Oh God! Not that she didn't want to go out with him, she just loved busting his chops. Smiling at him she said yes.

Don knocked on her door promptly at seven on the evening in question. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, a crisp white shirt, and surprisingly a solid dusky blue silk tie. He'd brought her roses, pink ones in a beautiful bouquet with white baby's breath. He'd taken her to dinner at one of the city's very posh, upscale restaurants where he'd held her close as they danced.

"You're very good at this," she told him, trying not to think about what his holding her so close, swaying to the music was doing to her body.

His laughter sounded in her ear. "I'll have you know I worked very hard planning tonight. I wanted it to be special for you. I love you Stella."

Tears had welled in her eyes. All her life she'd longed to hear someone say that to her. Frankie had, along with a few others, but they'd all ended up breaking her heart, and in Frankie's case her spirit, in the end. With Don Stella knew it was different. Hell she'd known Don since he was a rookie. He was a man of his word and if he said he loved her, you had damn well better believe it was true.

"I love you too Don," she'd answered when she could finally speak, her voice rough from the unshed tears. She was a little surprised at how easy it was for her to say that to him, and at how long it had been true.

He'd smiled down at her. "You ready for the next part of tonight?"

"There's more?"

Don wiggled his eye brows at her. "You better believe there is."

They'd left the restaurant then, and Stella noticed as they walked out how many women were eying her with envy. A small smile had tugged at her mouth, yes indeed she was a lucky woman.

They'd ended up at Central Park and Don led her to one of the horse drawn carriages waiting there. As they'd ridden through the park he'd held her close and they'd ended up making out. By the time the ride was over they'd both been ready to call it a night. For a change they were headed to Stella's place and she couldn't resist teasing him.

"So tell me Don, does tonight's date end at my door with a few naughty goodnight kisses?"

"Funny Stella. You know damn well when we get there I'm going come inside and strip that dress off you and make love to you all night long." And that's exactly what he did.

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AN: Thanks for the reveiws. They inspire me to get going on the next chapter. Now for the bad news. My boys are playing in a hockey tournament this weekend. We have 4 games Sat., 2 Sun., and if they make it to the finals 2 on Mon. I'm taking my lap top with me, but I'm not sure how much I'll get done. Therefore I'm guessing it'll be late Tues. or even Wed. before I update. For those of you also reading Pitter Patter I'll be updating that later today. Now If you could really inspire me I've already got ideas for the next couple chapters so review and maybe I'll get two ready while I'm at the tournament.