Title: Happy Anniversary
Chapter 14 - Year Fourteen Ivory

A/N: TGIF SMACKIES

~TRADITIONAL GIFT = IVORY ~

"Come on Stella let me see," Mac groans as he tries to see what his wife is up to as she quickly closes the cover to their personal lap top.

"Mac it's a surprise," Stella reminds him as she looks at him with a smile as he eases himself down at the table beside her.

"Okay but if I end getting an ivory handled spanking paddle you are going to be in trouble."

"Mmm hadn't thought about that but thanks for the idea," Stella teases as she leans toward him. "Have you been a bad boy?"

"Mmm always," he murmurs in return as he plants a warm kiss on her lips and then pulls back with a slight frown.

"How is your mother?"

"She's okay; still resting at home but the doctor wants her to come in for some more tests tomorrow...." Mac's voice trails off as he looks outside as the rain continues to pelt against the window. As soon as Stella's hand rests on his he looks back with a weak smile.

"She's going to be okay."

"I know. Just wish she could have come out this year."

"Next years the big party right? She'll be here for that."

"Wow fifteen years," Mac ponders as he leans back in his chair, his hand still clutching his wife's.

"Hard to believe sometimes?"

"Still feels like the first year."

"Ah thats because our spark has never died."

"Thanks to our non traditional anniversary gifts," Mac grins in return.

"Only that?"

"Well maybe a few more things," Mac teases. "Speaking of anniversary gifts, who's idea was the non traditional?"

"Yours," Stella just shakes her head. "And what did you get me that's non traditional?"

"Uh...well..."

"Mac I want to be surprised," Stella reminds him. "Don't you want to be?"

"No," he deadpans and her lips playfully cup his chin and bring his lips to hers.

"Mmm surprise," she whispers warmly as she tastes his lips and then pull back. But just as Mac is about to deepen their kiss, a knock is heard at the door and Stella looks at him in wonder. "Mac?"

"Surprise," he states with a slight smirk as she heads to the door; pulling it open and eagerly accepting the beautiful bouquet of roses for Stella Taylor. She quickly signs for it and then turns back to Mac with a broad grin.

"Okay so every other year it's our number in red roses; this year they are all different colors."

"Non traditional for me?" Mac asks sheepishly.

"They are beautiful. But your cryptic smile tells me there is something more behind this."

"Well they signify the various aspects of Stella Taylor that I have come to love, adore and cherish over the years. My best friend, partner, wife and the woman I love more than anything."

"They are truly amazing," Stella praises as she wraps her arms around Mac's neck and pulls his lips back to hers, hungrily devouring them with a myriad of kisses. Finally pulling back she heads toward the kitchen; Mac following with a satisfied look on his face, part one of his present already received very well.

Stella arranges the vase and then turns back to Mac with a loving smile. "Thank you."

"You are more than welcome," he states softly as he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her captive against him once more; his lips devouring hers with warmth and passion. His hands gently start to tease her back; dancing between her sweater and naked skin, his brain delighting in the sensation's being offered his fingertips.

Stella's tongue gently teases his, pushing into the soft folds of his mouth and eliciting warm moans of delight as his erection starts to swell, his body starting to harden in anticipation. But just before they could get too carried away another knock was heard at the door and Stella pulls back in surprise.

"Mac?"

"Not me this time," he laments as he leans back against the counter. "But I can't answer the door," he groans as his swollen groin force his brain to stay put.

"Remember what I told you..."

"Right think autopsy photo's," Mac groans as Stella heads for the door. But finally remembering they had to have their electrical panel inspected, the stranger's voice forces Mac's recovery faster than anticipated. Mac heads to help with the inspection as Stella tends to a few more things; checking once more on her confirmation for Mac's anniversary surprise for tomorrow.

"I just hope he likes this...it's very out of the box for us," she lightly frowns as she finally closes the computer for good and then goes about finishing a few more things before dinner.

XXXXXXXX

"Here let me help with that," Mac suggests as he takes the dinner dish from her hands and ferries to the table, heading back for a bottle of wine; the soft orchestral music already playing.

"Notice anything different about tonight's meal?"

"Everything looks plain?" Mac arches his brows.

"Ivory colored."

"Ah...is it flavored?"

"Yes," Stella laughs. "It's elephant."

"What?"

"Well figured if we couldn't buy real ivory gifts this year then why not what it comes from."

"Stella?" Mac asks in horror.

"Oh just try it."

"I'm not eating elephant."

"It's not elephant," she just shakes her head.

Mac finally tries the meat and looks up in wonder. "What is it?"

"Pheasant in cream sauce."

"I knew that," Mac insists with a smile. "Well it's very good."

"Well then I'm glad you like it," Stella counters and their light banter starts to focus around any kind of dining adventures that stuck out in their minds over the past fourteen years of marriage.

After dinner, Mac once again helps with the dishes, allowing Stella to head into the bedroom where his second anniversary surprise was waiting.

And unlike last year; when his lingerie gifts were mostly red lace, this year he bought her...

"Mac? What on earth..." Stella's voice trails off as she holds up an ivory colored, satin gown with front lace detailing; an exact replica of the one she wore for him on their wedding night. "Oh my g..." her voice trails off as her eyes water for the second time; once again thanks in part to an amazing anniversary gift my her loving husband.

Stella quickly pulls on the gown and then glances at the last item in the box, hidden beneath the folds of ivory satin. She takes the small engraved plague and then turns to see Mac watching her with a loving gaze.

"You remembered?"

"Are you kidding? Our wedding night is forever burned into my highlight reel of amazing nights."

"But this gown...Mac it's the exact same."

"I have an eye for detail."

"And this?" She holds up the small item. "These are our vows."

"I have detail orientated brain."

"Mac?"

"And my mother helped," he admits with a smile.

"Today I stand before you, finally realizing that dreams do come true," Stella starts to read in a soft tone, her mind drifting back to the their wedding day; their personal vows read before a handful of close family and friends.

'Ever since I was a little girl I have searched for my Prince, telling myself that one day he'd find me and make me the happiest girl...'

"In the world," Mac's voice finishes.

"I have found my Prince; it's you Mac and today I offer my love, my heart, my soul and my future. I love you more than anything."

"To hear you say those words Stella..."

"Happiest day of my life Mac," Stella tells him warmly.

"Mine too," he confesses as his hands take the plaque and set it aside. "It was that day also that I pledge my life, my love, my soul and my future to a woman who already held in her heart those very things. Until I die Stella, those words will always be true."

Stella's eyes gently glisten as Mac's warm fingers are quick to brush away a tear, his arms pulling her close, finally able to finish in private after they were interrupted hours earlier. Stella's hands are quick to gently slide under Mac's sweater, easing it over his head and tossing it to the floor beside them.

Mac's arms encircle his wife's body, scooping her up and carrying her the short distance to their bed, easing her down on top as he's quick to join her; his body already starting to harden again in sexual anticipation. His fingers start to slowly push the ivory satin gown upward, his fingers causing small shiver bumps to form. His lips move from her mouth to her neck, tenderly nibbling the soft skin before he moves lowers, his lips teasing her per nipples before planting hungrily kisses on and around them.

"Mac," Stella groans as her body arches in delight at her husband's loving attention. Her fingers help to remove jeans and then underwear, his erection already telling her he's ready for her; her body just as ready for their union to start.

"Make love to me Stella."

"Make love to me Mac."

"With pleasure," Mac warmly whispers as he finally makes penetration.

"Ohh that feels..."

"Love the feel of this," Mac praises as his skin moves against hers; their bodies moving together as one.

"Mmm Mac...that does feel...good..." Stella whispers as her fingers trace his chest, tips brushing against the rough skin before her lips try to plant warm kisses just above his heart.

"Always love the feel of your lips there," Mac tells her in truth as their rhythm starts to increase; small beads of sweat starting to gently slide between naked skin and heated satin.

"Mac I...oh m..." Stella stars as Mac pushes into her once more; one last powerful thrust before Stella calls his name and the room is still.

"Stella..." Mac lightly pants as he rests his forehead on top of hers.

"You always make me feel so amazing Mac."

"Even now?"

"Especially now."

"Explain," Mac urges.

"After being together for this long I think we both know each other so well and how to please the other that we just...let ourselves be lost in our love."

"And we didn't before?"

"Why did you ask?" Stella groans as Mac's lips produce a half smile before he leans in and kisses her on the lips.

"I liked your answer."

"Lost in our love? Sounded like a line from a soap opera," Stella shakes her head as Mac slowly pulls himself out and then pulls down the long ivory gown, his fingers tracing the edging detail by her breasts.

"Soap operas huh, so that's what those coffee breaks you and Lindsay are always taking are really about."

"Nice try," she laughs as she pokes his side, forcing a small chuckle from his own mouth. "We watch the View."

"Ah," he smiles as he pulls back the covers, waiting as both of them arrange themselves inside before he wraps his arms around her shoulders and holds her close, planting a warm kiss on her cheek. "I also remember we didn't get much sleep."

"When?"

"Our wedding night."

"Much? I don't think we slept at all," Stella giggles as her mind thinks back in time. "I was far too excited to be sleeping; we were going to Greece the day after."

"Oh so it was just Greece that made you that excited?" Mac's fingers gently dig into her sides and forcing the room to be filled with her warm musical laughter.

"M-Mac..." Stella laughs, her face flushed. "Ok-okay already."

"Was there something else?"

"Well the champagne was pretty nice also," she teases as she twists herself around and plants a warm kiss on his lips before he can utter another word. "Course it could have been the handsome man who was sharing my bed that night."

"You mean the happiest man in the world?"

"That would be him."

"Still is the happiest man in the world," he whispers as he kisses her once more. "Happiest and luckiest."

"And smartest. After all he married the happiest woman in the world."

"And the most beautiful," Mac praises.

They talk a while longer about their wedding night details before Mac turns off the light and it's time to get some sleep; once again succumbing to the blissful realm of slumber, carefully held in each other's arms. Stella is the first to awaken the following morning, watching Mac with a loving gaze. They had done so many amazing things together over the years and whether it was just watching TV at home; going to a live event, game or opera; dinner and dancing or a weekend away, each outing was full of love, intimate encounters and some much needed private time together to bond.

"Should I ask what you are thinking?" Mac wonders with a soft yawn as he slowly opens his eyes gazes at her with warm love.

"The morning after."

"Ah yes and the whole spilled caviar fiasco?"

"I was sure the cleaning staff would have billed us for all the mess."

"Well I was a bit distracted the night before," Mac smiles as his mind remembers the sight he woke up to. "You smelt like fish."

"Our first shower together."

"First of many," Mac whispers as he leans in closer. "Speaking of a shower for two..."

"Well it will have to be a quickie, we have a date today."

"We do?" Mac arches his brows in wonder. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise remember."

"You can't even tell me now?"

"Nope."

"Stel-la," he groans as he rolls onto his back, her fingers playfully poking his side and forcing happy bouts of laughter to come from his warm lips.

"Mmm love hearing you laugh Mac," Stella murmurs in his ear as her body presses into his. "Come on...shower time."

"You were serious? We have a time schedule?"

"I was. Come on handsome, don't keep me waiting."

Giving her husband a playful smile, Stella pushes herself out of bed and slowly heads toward the shower; Mac quickly following.

Being already naked and ready to go, Mac turns on the hot water as Stella works to stuff her curls up as high as possible before she slowly sheds her robe and then joins Mac under the hot water.

Mac's hands gently wrap around her forearms, his erection already starting to grow as his eyes hungrily devour her naked flesh; still perfect in his eyes. His mouth starts to nibble her skin, forcing her back to arch in his grasp, his strong hand still holding her naked frame in place.

"Macccc..." Stella gasps as Mac's hands move her hips into position and he's finally allowed to make sexual penetration. Moving together as one wasn't as easy as it was even ten years ago, but Mac gently pushes her up against the tiles, carefully holding her a few inches away as he thrusts into her.

"Stella...I..." Mac groans as her hands try to hold onto his wet, slippery skin as they try to build on their sexual momentum. Mac's fingers move up her back, getting lost in damp curls dancing around the nape of her neck as his lips find their way back to her lips and silence any moans of delight her brain was forcing her to acknowledge.

"Mac...now," Stella whispers in his ear, her face flush and beads of sweat dancing with droplets of warm water.

"Not...yet," Mac manages as he thrusts into her once more.

"Mac!"

"Stella, I...now..." he gently pants as he offers all he has, his wife calling his name as their union finally comes to an end. Mac pulls himself out as being attached after all that action was now a bit more tiresome than before. "Wow Stella...still feels amazing," Mac praises as hot water continues to assault them from every angle.

"Always will," she plants a warm kiss on his damp chest.

They finish up their shower and then head into the kitchen to have breakfast; Mac still wondering about the surprise and Stella doing everything she could to try to change the subject.

"Mac these roses are so amazing."

"You are not going to tell me are you?"

"Nope," she grins as she leans back in her chair and watches his face with a satisfied smile.

"What makes you think I'll even be game?"

"Meaning?"

"Do we have to leave the apartment?"

"And if we do?"

"And if I refuse to go?"

"Do you really think I'll take that seriously?" Stella counters and Mac smiles as he leans back in his chair, finishing his coffee but watch her intently. "I like driving you crazy."

"Trust me you don't need a surprise to do that," he admits. "You seem to do that naturally. I think since the first day we met."

"How many years ago?"

"Never too many."

"Nice try Mac, I'm still not telling."

"Damn it," he lightly curses under his breath, looking at her with a smile so she knows he's not mad.

"Come on Mac, time to get ready to go."

They both work at putting the dishes away and the general clean up before it's time to head into the bedroom to get changed.

"What um...what do I have to wear?"

"Something warm. And look the rain has stopped. Trust me weather was a key factor in this surprise."

"Flying lessons?"

"No. I know how you hate to fly and believe me I don't want you angry with me."

"Angry?" He arches his brows.

"Upset?" She teases as she hands him a black turtleneck. "Here wear this."

Mac finishes dressing and about twenty minutes later joins his wife in the front hall entrance. Both put on their coats and then head downstairs where the Avalanche is parked. But just as Mac reaches for the driver's side entrance Stella steps in front and quickly snatches the keys, forcing Mac to look at her in wonder.

"You get the back."

"Pardon?" Mac queries.

Stella gently twists him around and then pulls out their black satin blindfold and tries to put it on her husband.

"I can't even see where we're going?"

"Surprise or nothing. Please Mac?"

"At least give me a hint?"

"Okay fine. It's something we've never done before but at one time talked about."

"What?" Mac asks weakly and Stella smiles.

"Please let me blindfold you? I want it to be a real surprise."

"When have I said no to you?" Mac lightly sighs as he takes the blindfold and hops into the back, putting it on as Stella closes the door, sealing him inside.

"Damn it Mac."

"What?" He asks in haste.

"Seeing you that vulnerable always makes me wet," she confesses and his lips curl upward.

"Then my torment is yours also," he states smugly as he leans back in the soft leather, the heavy black satin still closing out the world around. Mac feels his body slightly tense as the Avalanche starts and now wonders what on earth Stella could have planned. Mac's mind continues to wonder as to where they are going when he hears a few things that sound familiar.

"Stella?"

"Almost there Mac."

"And then I can take this off?"

"And then I'm going to attack you."

"Okay," he grins.

Stella finally brings the Avalanche to a stop and then turns around to see Mac fiddling with the seatbelt. "Just a bit longer Mac."

"I still can't take this off."

"Nope."

Mac jus shakes his head as he hears Stella exit the interior of the truck and then open his door to freedom. He takes her hand and allows her to guide him out of the truck; cool air instantly assaulting him from every angle.

"Now?"

"Now," she whispers as her hand quickly intertwines with his right hand, holding it firmly while his left removes the heavy satin, allowing his eyes to finally blink and focus on the object before them.

"What on earth," he states in shock.

"Mr. Taylor?"

"Uh yeah," Mac lightly frowns as he looks over at Stella.

"Ivory escapes. Hope you aren't afraid of heights."

"I..." Mac stammers as he looks at the ivory colored hot air balloon before him, reading the sign plastered on the side of the box that read, 'Happy 14th Mac and Stella Taylor.'

Mac looks at Stella in surprise.

"Another first for both of us."

"First time in a hot air balloon Sir?"

"Uh yeah. Will it crash?"

"Hope not," the operator replies lightly and then looks at Mac with a frown. "Sorry that was supposed to be...no Sir, we have the safest record in the whole state. Your wife said that would be important. Course it's kinda lucky that this year also happens to be Ivory right?"

"Right."

"Okay so if you two want to come with me, I'll give you a few instructions and..." his voice trails as he heads for the balloon.

"Mac?"

"Stella, I'm speechless. This is too amazing beyond words," he tells her in truth as he wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close against his frame.

"I know you don't like flying or are really fond of heights but...but it won't be a long ride, an hour or so if you want and..."

"Stella...we'll be just fine. This it truly something."

"Wait until you see the view."

They both are given an extra set of instructions, a walkie-talkie and the assurance that when they land, the operator will be there to pick them up and bring them back to their truck. Once inside, Mac reads the instructions and then both of them offer a small gasp of delight as the large contraption finally starts to lift into the air.

Mac wraps his arms around Stella, holding her close, his heart rate keeping time with hers. As they climb higher; the clouds already lifted, the city skyline comes into view, giving them a glimpse of Manhattan at it's finest.

"Recognize this spot?" Stella inquires.

Mac looks around and then down and then finally back up at his wife with a warm smile. "I do. Remember what I asked you?"

"I do."

"I love you Stella Bonasera, will you marry me?"

"I love you Mac Taylor, I will marry you."

Mac gently cups her face, a small rush of adrenaline being pumped into his veins as the balloon lifts higher, his lips hungrily devouring hers as the whole world it seems is watching with delight.

"Happy Anniversary Mac."

"Happy Anniversary Stella."

THE END!

A/N: Okay so as per the theme of this story I have tried to put a non traditional spin on a traditional item but not sure if this qualifies and hope you liked as this was also a challenge! One more chapter to go so stay tuned and thanks!

Preview: Year Fifteen = Crystal