Chapter 2: Engagement and Accident

"I love you, Stella," Mac says, reaching across the table to grab her hand after they had finished eating.

"I love you too, Mac," Stella smiles at him, and it was the look in her eyes that gave him his confidence.

Mac cleared his throat, "Stella, you have been a great friend and partner ever since I met you. You gave me strength through Claire's death. Lately we have become more than friends, sharing love for one another. At first, I felt that I was betraying Claire by loving you. I didn't want to hurt you if something happened between us, because then not only would our relationship be gone, but also our friendship. Being partners we can not afford to lose our friendship and trust in each other." Stella keeps quiet, which is a change for her, and listens carefully, enchanted by his words. "I can't live without you, Stella. I don't think I can bare the thought of not having you in my life. Let me love you, Stella," Mac says, and he sees tears in Stella's eyes. She tries to hold them back, but it is no use; they fall anyway.

Mac gets up and walks around the table. To Stella's surprise, he gets down on one knee and reaches in his pocket for something. He pulls out a small box, and opens it. "Stella Bonasera, I love you like I have never loved anyone else in this world. Will you marry me?"

"Yes, Mac, of course I will marry you. I have always loved you and always will," Stella replies, tears now pouring from her eyes. Mac gently takes her hand and places the ring on her finger. They both stand up and hug. He kisses her lips passionately while the people around them applaud for the now engaged couple.

"Mac, stay with me tonight; don't leave me when we get back to my apartment. I never want you to leave me again," Stella told him, smiling as he slowed down before a red light.

The light changes, and Mac accelerates, "I will never leave you, Stella." He thinks to himself that he will give her anything and everything she wants, but doesn't know that he already has.

All of sudden a car comes speeding through the light and crashes into the side of Mac's car where Stella is sitting. Mac quickly turns to look at Stella to make sure she is all right, but her right side is bleeding badly. Her arm is also bent awkwardly, and he assumes it is broken. "Stella," he calls to her, trying not to panic when she doesn't reply. "Stel, are you alright?" Not caring about the other driver, he carefully unbuckles her, and then slides her limp body closer to him. Mac checks for a pulse and is relieved to find one in her neck. He starts to apply pressure to her wound that looks to be about five inches long and pulls out his cell phone.

"Flack, this is Taylor. Stella's injured. I was in a car crash. Some guy went speeding through a red light. I don't' know whether he is okay."

"I'll get rescue on the way. I'm heading out the door right now. Stella is tough; she'll make it through this," Flack tries to calm Mac. "I'll see you in five minutes," and they both hang up.

"Stay here, Stella. I can't lose you too. You'll get through this; don't give up," Mac pleads with her.

"I … love you, Mac," Stella stutters, and Mac is slightly surprised to hear her speak.

"I love you too; don't leave me, Stel," Mac says again. She can just barely make out the fear in his eyes as she reaches out to touch his face. She can feel tears falling down his face and knows that he is crying. He kisses her forehead as he hears sirens wailing in the distance.

More chapters to come soon! Please review.