Out in the parking lot Jerome heard MaKayla arguing with her dad. Feeling her fathers pain from not being able to help his daughter he seen Don come out the front doors.

"Mac! We need you back inside. We have a call out." yelled Don.

"Can't Danny handle it? This isn't a good time Don." said Mac.

"I know that Mac. But Danny is already on another call and Adam can't handle this alone." said Don.

Looking at his daughter she said...

"Go ahead daddy. I'll be fine. I'm going home to get some rest. If you like, you can check on me when you head home. I'm sure you'll be given Jackson's belongings. The key is in there." said MaKayla as she got into the cab and headed home.

Watching her leave Jerome told the guys he'd catch up.

"Hey Mac! Would you like me to check on her for you?" asked Jerome.

"Oh... no. I'm sure she's fine. I'll get her after I finish with this case. Thanks for the offer though." said Mac as he headed back inside.

......................

When MaKayla got home she unlocked the door as Walker came running.

"Hi Walker. Hi baby. Did you leave any presents for mommy?" she asked as she ruffled his fur.

Following MaKayla into the kitchen she brought down his bowl and filled it with food. Then heading into the bedroom she turned on the light and noticed the sheets were still messed up from this mornings love fest. Thinking back MaKayla felt the breeze blow across her nape leaving her to shudder. Closing her eyes she basked herself in their memory....

"Mm... morning my beautiful bride to be. Are you ready for your bridal shower tonight?" asked Jackson.

"Mhm... but right now I want to feel my soon to be husbands lips burn me in endless pleasures." purred MaKayla.

"Well then. Allow me to love you with my warm wet tongue." whispered Jackson as he opened her thighs and trailed a path of kisses up her inner thighs till he reached her moist folds. Kissing her swollen bud he heard the cry escape her sweet lips. Lost in the colors that were swirling within her mind as he plunged his tongue up and over her folds.

Hearing the knock on her door jarred her from her memories. Stripping the sheets from her bed with anger as she wiped the tears away from her eyes she walked out to the hall.

"Quiet Walker. Go lay down."

Opening the door she seen Jerome.

"What is it Jerome?" asked MaKayla.

"I brought you your chocolate and banana milkshake like I do every night for Jackson. It is eight in the evening MaKayla. Can I come in to keep you company as usual? Or am I no longer allowed to keep our routine going?" he smiled warmly.

MaKayla smiled. Too be honest I'd rather be alone, but thanks for the offer."

"Then at least take the milkshake MaKayla. The baby will enjoy it." said Jerome as he turned to leave.

"Jerome! Wait. Come on in." said MaKayla as she walked into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee for him like she always did.

Sitting down together in the living room Walker jumped up on the couch and rested his head on her tummy protectively.

"Listen MaKayla. I know how hard life is going to be for you. Especially with the love you and Jackson shared. It's not easy to live your life alone after eight years of togetherness. It was already marriage MaKayla, neither of you needed a ring or a piece of paper to prove that. You were both forever bonded in God's eyes long ago."

Drinking down her milkshake she noticed the coffee was done perking.

"I'll grab your coffee."

Getting up she walked by him as he gripped her hand.

"MaKayla... please don't do this. Don't shut your heart off from feeling this loss. The last thing Jackson would want is for you to become terrified to feel love again."

"Too late." MaKayla thought to herself. She had already shut everyone out around her. Never would she allow anyone to get close to her again. Not even a child.

Releasing her hand he walked toward the door.

"I'll be back tomorrow night MaKayla. Same time. Get some rest."

Kissing her head he left. Now alone in her and Jackson's home she felt the emptiness begin. Not wanting to feel it she walked into her room and took down the clean sheets. Making the bed she plumped the pillows. Taking one last look she walked into the shower as she soaped her body, rolling it around her tummy and that's when she felt it. The soft little ripple of her child. Trying to ignore it she turned off the taps and changed into her robe.

Sitting on her bed she felt the pain and sorrow hit her once again.

"Walker! Come boy. Come on Walker."

Jumping up on the bed Walker laid across his masters pillows watching as MaKayla snuggled into his warm body with tears dancing on her lids.

..............................

It must have been two in the morning when Mac finally finished up the case with Adam. Calling home he checked with Stella to see if MaKayla showed up. finding out she hadn't Mac headed over to her home. Parking on the street he used Jackson's key to enter the apartment when Walker came running, jumping on Mac knocking him to the ground thinking he was his master.

"Hey boy. Hi there. How are you Walker?"

Licking at Mac's face he finally sat allowing Mac to get up.

"God you're massive Walker. I swear you grow every second." laughed Mac.

"Giving a woof he followed Mac into the bedroom. Running back up on the bed Walker layed himself against MaKayla's tummy.

"That's a good boy. Glad to see you're taking good care of MaKayla." whispred Mac. "Sweetheart! MaKayla! Wake up baby."

Hearing the word baby she thought Jackson was home.

"Mm... Jackson. Love me. Please love me. I had a dream tonight. A dream that you died Jackson." sighed MaKayla.

"MaKayla wake up sweetheart. It's daddy."

Finally opening her eyes she seen her dad leaning over her.

"What are you doing here daddy? I told you not to worry about me." said MaKayla as she tried to sit up. "Walker move. Come on boy, you are pushing on my bladder."

Finally getting up she made her way into the kitchen. Opening the fridge she took out a tub of chocolate ice cream and two bananas. Slicing the bananas into circles she dropped them into the tub. Then taking a large spoon she scooped it up into her mouth while Mac smiled. He was happy to know that she was still feeding the baby. It showed him she still had some emotion of love in her heart.

After finishing the remaining spoonful she tossed the tub into the recycle box and that's when Mac seen the milkshake container.

"Did Jerome stop by tonight love?" asked her dad.

"He did. I told him I wasn't up for company, so he left." she shrugged.

Mac knew she wasn't going to budge.

"Okay sweetheart, you win. Anyway... Sid released Jackson's body to the funeral home you requested. So your mother set up the small memorial for tomorrow." said her dad.

"There won't be no memorial daddy. Jackson didn't want one. His wish was to be cremated. He said the last thing he wanted was a bunch of teary eyed friends sapping over him. So it will just be me and Walker laying him to rest in the small plot we bought together two years ago. But thanks for everything you're trying to do dad."

Walking her dad to the door she opened it as she said...

"Night daddy. See you tomorrow after my shift. I promise I'll stop by before coming home." said MaKayla with a sad smile.

"Okay. I love you MaKayla."

"I know daddy. Night." shutting the door Mac lowered his head and sighed. Thinking to himself that had to be the first time in twenty four years that MaKayla had never said she loved him back.

tbc...