A/N: What can I say? It's getting harder and harder to keep up with the expectation out of all your wonderful reviews. Can I do it? Ooohh… I hope so.

School is still being a biotch and I'm stuck with my story. Yes, this story. Ooooh, the pressure is closing in on me. Please, please cheer me up. :)

Enjoy!


I was more than happy to tell him. Once and for all, I don't want to keep it inside anymore. "The chief asked my why you weren't coming to the party," I started willing him to look at me. "I said some stupid excuse for the both if us. I figured you could use some company so I headed over to your place. You were drunk when I arrived, you offered me a bottle but…"

"You know better," he finished for me. It's an age-old habit we have, finishing each other's sentences. "Two drunk people under one roof may spell trouble," he muttered, remembering a quote from a retired beat cop we once worked with.

I chuckled at the memory. "Yeah, but…" I paused as I realized the irony in that statement. "It turned out that I didn't know better either, Mac." It was his turn to chuckle, his eyes having some semblance of lightness in them. "You kissed me and I was powerless not to kiss back. Your hands were like fire on my skin… the fire that I desperately needed," I blushed at my confession. There was a point where I didn't want to continue but Mac placing kisses on my palm and fingers told me that it's all right.

"I must admit, I couldn't remember how we ended up in the bedroom," I continued, placing our hands back on my bump. "I guess I was pretty shocked at how fast things were happening. Or maybe I was drunk with…" I didn't want to say the word but it's the only one I could think of that's appropriate, "lust."

I could see a blush creeping up his cheeks. "And I guess you have an idea of what happened next," I whispered, managing my own flush. We smiled at each other, our hands tight against each other. "And before you ask… you were good." My face was burning like crazy.

"Stell," he said softly, "something's telling me you're not…" I could see him searching for words, "happy – while you're with me." I knew it came out off but I got what he was trying to say.

He was kind of right when he said that. It took me a while to think of how to say my answer properly. But I've decided to give it out as is. "You called me Claire, Mac," I said emotionlessly and a bit forcefully. The pain of the morning after came back to me like a ton of bricks. The slight smile on his face fell when he heard that. "You were kissing Claire. Not me. You were touching her, tasting her, making love to her. You said you wanted a child with her," I was crying at this point in our conversation. His hand was limp and heavy on my abdomen. It was hard to meet his eyes – but it was harder to look away when I did. "I guess this is her way of fulfilling what she left here on earth."

"I was drunk," he reasoned, trying to grasp the reality that I am carrying his child in my womb.

"Yes, I know," I said vehemently. "All the more reason I understand." I do understand. I still don't get why this happened but there is no use in questioning. It's here, I'm pregnant and I'm planning to keep my little baby.

"Stella, you shouldn't bear the consequences of my carelessness," Mac continued looking more lost than he already is.

"This baby inside me," I said emphasizing each word, "is mine as it is yours. We made this little life, Mac. I could've said no but I… didn't. I couldn't." I said the last word as if I was talking to myself.

I felt his hand on my cheek, wiping away my tears. "Why, Stell?" His touch was warm and comforting.

I couldn't shake off the memories of that night, the morning after until the time I had to face him. It hurt me a lot that he wasn't seeing me with him in those intimate moments. My heart broke when her name escaped his lips instead of mine. I couldn't forget how warm yet very cold his embrace was. But I reminded myself of the real reason why I went over there to his place at the first place – to cheer him up.

"I didn't – couldn't – say no because… I knew those were your happy memories of her," I said slowly. "You said you wanted to have kids with her. That's something she wasn't able to give you. You were remembering your dreams with her." I took a deep breath before I continued, "I couldn't deny you your happiness, Mac. I love you that much."

He stared blankly at me. "What did you say, Stella?" he asked, his hands cradling my face. "You love me?"

I closed my eyes, my way of saying yes. "I understand if you don't feel that same." And I'm pretty sure he didn't. "All this mess… it's so much to process already. I don't want to burden you with another one so just please forget I ever said anything."

The next thing I knew, Mac's lips were on mine – the same soft and gentle kiss we shared that night. I was just too weak to resist him. I kissed him back with the same eagerness, my arms pulling him closer to me. "Thank you," he whispered against my lips. "Thank you…"

"For what, Mac?" I asked kissing the tip of his nose.

"For chasing my fears away," he said sitting beside me, his arms around my frame, "I was scared of loving you, Stella. I was afraid of admitting it to you – to myself that I…" he paused and took a deep breath, "I've always loved you."

I held my breath at his confession. I couldn't form words to tell him what I was feeling. He continued, "After Claire… I was thankful for you being beside me when I needed someone. I thought no one would stand being with me – Claire did say once that I'm a hard person to understand." I laughed at this; she's right after all. "But you stayed. You made things easier for me," he said after a smile. "It wasn't hard to fall for you. What was harder was… admitting that I do."

Mac coming clean like this is rare. Like most guys, he would dance around a topic before saying anything. He's a man of not many words – more on actions. And it's true. He may not have said that he loves me, but in the back of my mind, I felt that he does.

"But what about Peyton?" I asked. "How about her?"

"She's a nice lady," he said, placing a kiss on my forehead. "I did like her but it was hard to be with her. She asked for so much right away – things I can't give her." Mac shrugged and continued, "Peyton and I were better off as friends and co-workers."

I had to look down. Friends and co-workers were all I thought we could be. "Hey, Stella.. don't," he said, kissing me again. He might have read my mind. "We do bring out the best in each other in our line of work, Stell. Give me a chance and I'll prove to you that it doesn't end there."

"What are you saying, Mac?" I asked him.

"If you're willing, maybe we can try to make this work," he answered shyly. He took my hands in his and went on to say, "I mean if you want to raise the baby with me. Please… it would mean so much to me."

I couldn't believe my ears. He's offering me a… "A family, Mac?" He nodded and all I could do was cry and wrap my arms around him tight.

Yes, I want a family with this man.


Thanks so much.

That's all I could say to y'all. You are simply the best!