Chapter 11:
Peaceful Slumber
It wasn't until Stella was out of the shower and dressed that she realized how quiet it was. She quickly towel-dried her hair and walked out to her living room. Once again, the sight that met her eyes was a beautiful one.
Mac had fallen asleep after Katina had finished easting and was now laying on his side with Katina tucked in the crook of his arm. Katina was not asleep though, she lay there contentedly playing with her fists. Her big blue-green eyes studying them with wonder.
Stella stood amazed. The baby was only three months old but she was such a happy one. In the few hours she had been in Stella's care, she had only cried when she was hungry or when she needed to be changed. She was such a good baby.
Stella smiled at Katina as she walked over to her couch and debated on what to do. She knew Mac was tired and didn't want to wake him up but she also knew he wouldn't be comfortable. She finally decided to let him sleep. She gently picked up Katina and put her in her car seat. Then she walked back over to Mac and began to take his shoes off. It was a bit awkward but she knew it would make him feel more comfortable. When she was finished, she went to her closet, getting out the extra blanket. As she was covering Mac up, Stella saw that he still had his tie on. With semi-shaking hands, she began taking it off. As she was working, she remembered the other time she had taken off Mac's tie. It had been right before he had gone on his first date since Claire had died. He had been awake that time and had blushed a lot. Stella smiled as she remembered that day.
Mac hadn't moved a muscle since she had started so she knew he must be extremely tired. Stella laid his tie on her coffee table, picked up Katina, and walked to her bedroom. As she crawled underneath the covers, she glanced at the clock. She couldn't believe it was only 9:16am. She didn't give it a second thought though as she made sure Katina was safe, and then fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.
