Chapter 20 - wow. I can't thank you guys enough, you have no idea how happy those reviews make me! All y'all are hilarious with them! So, yes, cookies all round :)

I have the next3 written out, well, planned, which will take me up to my vacation, from which will be a 2 weeks hiatus and hopefully some more chapters :D

Hope y'all enjoy! Becs x

Stella trotted into the hall's dimly lit parking lot, her hand lost in her bag in search of the car keys. When her fingers finally clasped around the fob, she finally pulled them out, but her urgency causing clumsiness when they fell to the floor with clatter. As she bent to pick them up, movement near the exit caught her eye: Mac's dark escalade drove down the ramp and onto the street below. The speed of which he did was questionable to Stella. He casually turned the car onto the street; there was no urgency to his actions. If where he was going was so important to miss the Mayoral ball, there first outing as a couple, why wasn't he peeling out of the building, tires screeching, to hell with safety?

A nagging question began to form in the back of Stella's mind. Had she actually scared him off, saying that they would be the centre of attention, all eyes on them?

She shook her head, dismissing the insane notion, and quickly unlocked the car and started the engine, hoping he wasn't too far ahead already.

As she turned onto the street, she could see Mac's car in the distance, the height of her own work-provided Escalade proving helpful.

She turned left when he did; then a right a couple of seconds after him.

When he eventually came to a stop, parking outside of a restaurant, she drove straight past. She decided that if she circled the block, by the time she found a space for herself, Mac would have had enough time to be involved in whatever it was he was doing.

She watched him through the rear-view mirror as she locked up his car and entered the restaurant. The typical girlfriend insecurities bubbled under the surface: Was he seeing somebody else? As much as she knew that that could never be the case, she still questioned it. Just like the possibility that she'd scared him with her playful jokes was running through her mind with added neon flashing lights and Vanna White pointing at it and grinning. Why Vanna White, she didn't know.

She parked up and grabbed the overcoat from the backseat, wrapping it around her as she slowly approached the restaurant.

Staying as near the wall as possible, without looking like she was on a stake-out, (although, wasn't she really?) she peered into the large window looking into the establishment.

There were red not-quite-leather booths along the far-side wall, and a long wooden bar opposite it. A few tables were dotted around a middle clearing, a couple of them with customers. It reminded of bars she'd seen in old movies; half expecting to see Scott Baio appear from behind book case with a cream pie gun.

She couldn't see who was in all of the booths, but she didn't recognise Mac from what she saw.

Moving towards the inset door, she looked out to the street 'inconspicuously'. She opened the first door and went to grab the second door's handle when someone spoke behind her, giving her a fright. "You took your time."

"My God, Mac!" Stella breathed as he stepped out from the shadows, "Are you intentionally trying to kill me?"

"That depends on whether you're intentionally following me," he smirked. That was a good sign.

"I was worried…you taking off like that…What are you doing here anyway?"

He didn't answer her, just lay a hand to the small of her back, led her into the restaurant and over to one of the booths. "Martha, Bill, you remember Stella," Mac said, gesturing to the older couple.

"Of course, it's good to see you again," Martha smiled.

"You too…" Was she blushing? Had she actually shrunk to the two foot that she felt?

Martha and Bill Myserson, parents of Claire Susannah Myserson/Taylor, watched her search in vain for words, any words. Mac smirked at her side, enjoying the humiliation.

"We're only in town for today, and Mac wanted to see us. We're sorry for pulling him out of the party," Bill smiled. He was a nice man, always friendly and genuine. His hair was salt more than pepper now, although that had happened practically over night after 9/11. Stella had met them a once or twice over the years, most notably at Claire's wake.

"Oh, not a problem. He'd probably thank you for it," Stella smiled. "It was nice to see you again, I'll leave you all alone-"

"Oh no, Child! Please, join us. We're only catching up over drinks," Martha practically shouted. She'd always struck Stella as being an Alpha-Mom, the kind that made the best cookies and threw the best 5th birthday parties. She was always jealous of Claire in that respect.

She was about to kindly refuse when Mac assured her that Martha could be very persistent when she wanted to be, and if she wanted to leave alive, she'd better take a seat. So Stella relented, sliding into the booth next to Martha while Mac went to the bar to get another round.

Stella was taking off her overcoat when, "Listen," Bill said squaring his hefty build, "Before this gets awkward, we want you to know that we know about Mac and yourself, and we're very happy for you," Martha looked from her husband to Stella, nodding her head as she went. "Mac was always good to Claire, and he deserves to be happy."

When the shock subsided and she regained the use of her body, she folded the coat, putting it next to her on the seat. "I don't know what to say…I appreciate it very much. I know getting your...blessing, of sorts, would mean a lot to Mac. Claire is still very much a part of his life, and I don't intend to change that," She smiled, "Well, not much."

Martha chuckled, putting a hand over Stella's. "Mac was hit hard by what happened. We all were. But it's time, and he knows that." She leant in, her greying shoulder length hair falling forwards, "And between us girls, he sounds happier than he has in a long time."

"Drinks," Mac announced, placing the tray on the table. Bill took his beer and handed his wife her Gin and Tonic. Stella took her Martini as Mac sat next to her, thankful for the interruption. What should she say? Thank them? Apologise for taking Claire's space?

"Son," Bill started in a firm tone, "We were just telling Stella that Martha and I are happy for you two. And we know Claire is too."

"Well, thank you, sir-"

"After 17 years in the family and he still calls me 'Sir'-"

"Boys, boys, why don't we just order some food and change the subject?" Martha chuckled. She turned to Stella, "If you think this is bad, don't start them on politics or sports. They'll bicker like school girls."

Xx

The two couples enjoyed a meal together, some laughs and some memories. Stella wasn't made to feel like a third wheel, which she appreciated, and joined in with some anecdotes about Claire.

Bill and Martha had always liked Stella, what they saw of her at least. She was a good friend to Claire and even better to Mac after her untimely demise. They had been worrying about Mac; he hadn't taken the death well (How can you take it well really?) but knowing Stella was there had settled them somewhat. The evolution of their relationship was to be expected really.

When 10pm came around, the older couple announced that they would have to go, as they had an early train back to Albany the next day. They hugged, said their goodbyes, and told each other to stay in touch.

10pm was apparently a big time for the restaurant. The bar tender was joined by another, while a man appeared at the far end of the room and flicked a switch to the turntables in front of him. Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' soulfully began over the stereo-system, some couples from the surrounding tables going to the dance floor.

Mac led Stella to the floor, not even retaking their seats after seeing the Myserson's off.

He held her at the small of her back, her hands clasped behind his neck, as they swayed to the music.

"I'm sorry about coming here tonight," she told him, "I didn't know what was happening. You ran off so fast."

"I don't blame you. I'm kind of glad you did come, Bill and Martha had been asking about you, especially after I told them about us."

"When did you tell them?"

"When they announced they were coming into town. I didn't want to have to lie to them. I got the feeling they weren't that surprised actually."

"Yeah, I got that impression. But, listen, you don't have to hide things from me. Anything to do with Claire isn't going to throw me, you know, you can tell me."

She stroked her fingers through the hair at his neck.

He nodded. "I do know that, it just feels different now. I mean, you're no longer a friend of mine and Claire's; you're my girlfriend. That's a whole new dimension that can get confusing to be in."

"I understand that, but you have to talk to me. Tell me when it's confusing and we can sort it out. No more running off or pulling away?"

Mac chuckled, "I haven't really been that good of a boyfriend, have I?"

"You've had your moments," she pursed her lips in a smirk. "You just need to talk to me, okay?"

"Okay," he promised, with a kiss. "Did I mention how amazing you look?"

"Once or twice, but it never gets old."

"Do you think we have time to get back to the party?"

Stella checked her watch over Mac's shoulder, "I think so. Although what state the others will be in is up in the air." He gave her a questioning look. "Well, everyone was drinking save Natalie; Danny was keeping an extra close eye on Aiden on account of her outfit; and Connor's girl-du-jour saw everyone as competition, I think."

"Ah…"

"Yeah…you ready?" she wiggled her eyebrows with a smirk.