A/N: Hey! Just one more after this one and we go on to other projects. I hope you stay with me, too.
Thanks! And enjoy all the fluff!
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Stella blushed, too. Dylan and Mara weren't the only ones who suckled on her breasts. And those suckles, were preludes to the kids they have now. Mac left his camera in the car but he brought his phone with him. He used that to take some pictures of his newborn with his wife and son. "You can take pictures of me and her later," he said when Stella offered.
Soon, the steady pressure on her nipple stopped and even breaths were on her skin. Stella looked down and saw that Mara fell asleep. "After all, newborns are awake for an hour or so," she thought, lifting her drape back up and letting Mac tie it. He also placed her carefully back on the crib. A few more pictures and he went back to his seat.
"I think I'm going to call them now," he said.
"Call Danny," Stella suggested. "That's the fastest way to disseminate information around the lab." The both of them laughed out loud as he dialed Danny's number.
Dylan was back on the bed and snuggled close to his mom. "Are you happy, Dylan?" she asked him.
"I'm very happy, Mommy!" he replied, putting his arms around her neck.
They heard Mac laughing and when they looked at him, he had his phone at arm's length. Cheers and something that sounded like applause could be heard on the other line. After a few seconds, Mac placed the phone back against his ear and said, "Yeah, I'll send pictures as soon as I click off. Room seven-sixteen, right. Alright, thanks, Danny. Bye." He was still chuckling when he switched to E-mail and sent Danny a couple of pictures.
"So?" Stella asked, expectantly.
"Well, you were right," he said. "He told everyone the news right after I said 'It's a girl'. I think he was in the hallway between the trace lab and the break room – that's the most populated place in the lab at any given time." Mac pocketed his phone and continued, "I could hear Adam and Lindsey nearby. Danny promised to tell Flack and the doctors if I send him pictures."
"Which you did."
"Yes, and he said they would all drop by probably after shift." He stood up and paced the room and said, "I'll call my mother later. She would be so elated…"
"Mac…" Stella interrupted his talking, "can you get my purse from the car. I uh… I want to call Andrea." He smiled softly and nodded.
Before leaving, he gave her a long kiss and said, "I'm so proud of you," and ruffled Dylan's hair. "I'll be back in a few minutes." And as usual, Dylan waved goodbye as he left.
Stella tried to stand up but she was still too weak. So she instructed Dylan to carefully push the crib nearer to the bed. He did what he was told and looked lovingly at his little sister.
When they heard the door open, they expected Mac with her purse and some food (not from the hospital). He did come back with those, but he wasn't alone. "Donnie!" Dylan cried out, flinging himself to the blue-eyed detective.
"Hey, big bro!" he hugged back. "Hey Stella." He hugged her, too and noticed the little bundle beside her. Dylan was with Mac on a nearby couch, attacking a slice of carrot cake. Don walked over to the other side and gently pulled down the blanket. "Oh she's beautiful, Stella," he commented, tracing his index finger up and down the baby's cheek.
"What are you doing here so quickly?" she asked, carrying her sleeping daughter.
"I was just a few blocks away when Messer put out the broadcast," he said, placing a basket of oranges on the bedside table. "I figured I could spare a few minutes to see the new addition to the Taylor family before the battalion gets here. Danny also taunted me, saying he has pictures of the little one."
Mara fidgeted a little and they lowered their voices. "And now, you got one up on him… seeing her up close," she said. "Want to hold her, Uncle Donnie?"
Don blushed and held out his arms. "Just tell me what to do. I haven't carried an infant before," he admitted. In no time, Stella had Mara in his arms.
"Be careful," Dylan from his seat, halfway through the cake he was eating. "That's my baby sister." A huge flash filled the room. Mac also took his camera from the car.
"What's her name?" Don asked, feeling comfortable with the slight weight in his arms. "So pretty…"
"Her name's Mary Alexandra," Mac answered. "Mara – as Stella calls her now." Don smiled and returned his attention to the baby.
Dylan was finished with the cake and walked over to the detective. "Me carry?" he said to the adults, holding out his arms to his sister. Mac then picked up and perched him on his hip. "No, Daddy. May I carry my baby sister? Pwease?"
The homicide detective placed Mara back in Stella's arms and was now tinkering with his phone – probably telling Danny about him being with the new parents already. A soft snigger shortly after confirmed that. And Dylan was badgering his father to letting him carry the baby.
"I promise that I'll be careful. Very careful," he said with his hands filled with the fabric of Mac's shirt. "Please…"
Stella wanted him to carry Mara. But it was risky nonetheless. "Come here and sit beside Mommy," she called over to Dylan. He crawled nearer and seated himself on one of the pillows. He already had his arms out and ready. Mac and Don watched in amusement. "Now, put your arms like this," Stella directed his arms enough to cradle the baby's head, neck and back. "And your knees… like this," she continued for him to support the baby's legs and feet. "Okay… you ready?"
"Yes, Mommy!" he exclaimed. Stella carefully placed Mara in her brother's arms, smoothing out the blanket around her. She immediately choked back tears when she saw her children together. Dylan's eyes saw only his new little sister, attentive and alert of the responsibility he had at that moment. Mac was shaking so much with emotion that Don had to take the pictures.
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Mo – lol, for sure Mac saw way more than that hahaha…
Everybody – I forgot to add in the last chapter that "Mara" is baby Mary Alexandra's nickname.