A/N: And this is it! Thanks to everyone who read and commented on this fic. And a huge thanks to JaydenBell - without her, I'm not sure this chapter ever would have gotten written! Enjoy :)
"So how are you?" Carrie asked as she and Stella settled into their chairs.
The detective smiled at her. "I'm well, actually. I'm very well."
"You know, for once I actually believe you." They both laughed at that. "So why don't you tell me about what's going on that's making you so happy?"
"Well, I met up with my aunt."
"She's the one that sent you your father's letter, correct?"
Stella nodded. "Yes."
"And the meeting went well?"
"It went really well. She brought pictures of my parents, and told me stories about them…"
"You're not angry with them anymore?"
She paused, gathering her thoughts. "How can I be?" she finally asked. "My father died a few weeks before I was born, and it hit my mother hard. Her health deteriorated, and then she didn't survive the birth. It was actually my aunt who put me up for adoption. She was a single woman, and didn't have the means to take care of a child." Stella smiled softly at the memory. "She kept apologizing, over and over again, while we had lunch. But I couldn't be mad at her. She had just lost her brother, and her sister-in-law, and there was no room in her life for a baby. She was only eighteen. There was no way she could have taken care of me."
Carrie smiled at her. "That's very good, Stella. I imagine that must be a huge burden off your shoulders."
"It is. I have family. It's not what I dreamed of when I was a little kid, but…in a way, it's better. Because it's real. My parents might not be here anymore, but they loved me, and I can learn everything about them from my aunt. It's almost like…"
"Like what?"
"Like…maybe that hole I've been carrying around with me for so long…it's not there anymore. It's been filled – not with my parents, but with other things. Things that are just as good."
"You said 'things,'" Carrie pointed out. "So there's more than just one?"
Stella couldn't stop the idiotic grin that spread across her face. "There might be one other thing."
"Do tell."
"I, uh…I took your advice, and I talked to Don."
"And?"
"And you were right. He needed a friend. And so did I."
"So you talked?"
"We talked, we laughed, we cried…we helped each other out. And…we admitted how we felt about each other."
Carrie smiled as well. "And how do you feel about each other?"
Stella rolled her eyes. "I think you know exactly how I feel. You've been pushing me to admit it for months." When her therapist just shrugged, she laughed. "Fine. I…I care about him. And not just as a friend. Something more…much more."
"Does he feel the same?"
The detective grinned again, and she could feel the blush on her cheeks. "Yes."
"So…you're together?"
"Yes." Her hands went up to her cheeks. "God, I can't stop blushing and grinning like a school girl."
"You're happy."
Stella nodded. "I am. I just…it's been so long, you know? I forgot how great it could feel." She sighed happily. "I've never felt so comfortable and safe with someone before. It…it kinda feels like coming home."
"It sounds like you're right where you're supposed to be then."
Stella smiled at her. "I think I am."
Carrie looked at her thoughtfully. "Does that mean I'll be seeing less of you?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. With the job I have…I'll always need someone to talk to Carrie. And you're not just my therapist…you've become my friend."
The older woman leaned forward and took her hand. "You've become mine as well, Stella. I'm glad you're going to keep coming."
Stella shrugged, giving her a playful smile. "Besides, I have a boyfriend now. I'm sure I'm gonna need to vent some time."
Carrie laughed at that. "Too true, my dear. But I do think you and Don will be just fine."
"You know what?" the detective asked, smiling confidently. "So do I."