It had taken several hours at the hospital and when they'd finally left they had to stop and fill the prescriptions the doctor had written for Stella. One was for prenatal vitamins and one for iron, as Stella was anemic. The taxi ride to the pharmacy and waiting for the scripts to be filled took another hour. It was afternoon when they finally arrived at Don's apartment.

Don helped Stella into her pajamas and settled her into bed and tucked the blanket around her. He placed a bottle of water on the nightstand beside her, kissed on the forehead and headed out to get some groceries.

As he walked the two blocks to the health food store he used, Don found himself whistling. I'm going to be a dad! In his mind's eye he could see Stella holding a tiny baby to her breast as it nursed. God he loved that woman, and that baby. Once he reached the store he quickly gathered the items on his mental list, low fat milk and yogurt, whole grain bread, brown rice, organic peas and carrots, salmon steaks, ginger tea, soda crackers, real maple syrup, eggs, a couple containers of various berries and pancake mix. He paid for his purchases and headed home. At the corner he stopped in the convenience store and picked up two containers of Ben and Jerry's. Then he went home.

He was pleased Stella was still asleep when he got back and he put the groceries away, then started dinner. He turned the radio on, keeping the volume low, and sang along as he cooked. When Stella woke she used the rest room then followed her nose and ears to the kitchen. She stifled a laugh when she found Don, his dress shirt pulled from his pants and unbuttoned, a towel over his shoulder, singing and dancing along with the radio. He turned suddenly, caught sight of her and froze. He felt a wave of heat spread over his face.

Stella laughed then stepped forward to hug him, her arms slipping beneath his shirt as they came around his middle. He slipped his arms around her and dropped a kiss on her lips.

"Mm mm," she moaned.

"Hi Mommy, sleep well," he asked when they pulled apart. A smile lit her face, then she leaned in and nuzzled his neck. She kissed his jaw and bit his ear lobe. "I like that" she whispered in his ear.

"My kissing you?"

"That too. I like you calling me Mommy."

"I like it too. Now Mommy, it's just about time to eat, so go sit down." Don pushed her towards the table.

"I can help."

"Stella, let me spoil you, 'k?" He asked as he began fixing their plates.

"Alright," Stella agreed.

Don brought two plates filled with salmon steaks, rice and peas and carrots. The he went back for a basket of warm bread and two glasses of milk. One more trip and he set two bowls of yogurt and berries in the middle of the table.

"Looks good," Stella told him, praying her stomach was going to cooperate.

"Just try small bites," Don encouraged her.

Stella did and closed her eyes as her mouth watered. "This salmon is delicious."

Don smiled and watched as she tried everything and when her stomach didn't react, dug in with enthusiasm.

They ate in companionable silence, Stella enjoying her first meal in over a week, and Don enjoying Stella's enjoyment. Afterwards Don sent her to the parlor while he cleaned up. When she argued he reminded her that she was going to let him pamper her, so she went. When Don joined her he brought her a bottle of water and a beer for himself. He lit a fire and turned on the stereo. He put in one of Stella's cd's by R. Carlos Nakai and soft flute music filled the room. After going into the bedroom and changing into a pair of sleep pants he walked over to the sofa, sat down with his back against the arm, his right leg bent at the knee against the sofa's back, his left leg along the front. Stella settled between his legs, laying her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. His right hand wandered up to tangle in her curls and he gently pulled her head back. In a moment his lips were on hers. What had started as a gentle kiss quickly ignited an inferno. It was only when someone pounding on the door finally registered that Don pulled back. Both he and Stella were drawing ragged breaths.

"Flack?! You in there? Open up!"

Don groaned as he recognized Mac's voice. He'd forgotten to call him and tell him how Stella was, then he'd shut off both their cells and the ringer on his land line so they wouldn't wake Stella. He quickly maneuvered around Stella and went to open the door.

"Don what happened? The hospital won't give us any info on Stella, except that she's been released. We tried her place but she isn't there. I thought you were going to call," Mac said as soon as he opened the door. He walked in followed by Danny.

"Shit Mac I'm sorry. I-we, I forgot to call."

"Don?" Stella called from the parlor.

"Stella's here," Mac asked, a mix of anger and relief in his voice, as he pushed past Don into the parlor. "Isn't this cute," he gestured to Don's state of undress after taking the sight of Stella in a tank and pair of flannel sleep pants. You two are so busy playing house that-----"

He was cut off as Don's fist slammed into his jaw. He stumbled back against the wall and quickly righted himself. Stella was instantly between them trying to pull Don away.

"Don't you ever talk about her that way," Don yelled, his hands still clenched in fists.

"Don, please don't, please," Stella begged him. "Oh God" she groaned just before throwing her hand over her mouth and running to the bathroom.

Don's anger at Mac was quickly replaced with concern for Stella. "Damn it Mac that's the first thing she's kept down for more than ten minutes in a week!" He dropped his hands and headed towards the bathroom.

"Get him some ice," he threw over his shoulder to Danny. Then he rushed to the bathroom and tried the door only to find it locked. He could hear her losing the dinner she'd enjoyed such a short time ago. "Stella, Honey , please open the door. Come on Honey let me in," he begged.

Danny went to the kitchen and pulled a kitchen towel from a drawer by the sink. He opened the freezer and placed some ice onto the towel, and wrapped it up. He could hear Flack still trying to get Stella to open the bathroom door and let out a sigh of relief when he heard the lock turn. He returned to the parlor and handed Mac the ice pack, both listen to Don's apologizing to Stella as he slipped into the bathroom with her.

"Guess I had it coming," Mac remarked.

Danny nodded. "I'da done the same thing if you wuz talkin' about Lindsey." He went over and turned off the music.

Mac sighed and they both sat down, their chairs facing the fireplace.

In the bathroom Stella was once again doubled over the toilet, the contents of her stomach emptying into it. Don had grabbed a hair band and pulled her hair into it, then he'd reached up and tossed a cloth into the sink, turning on the cold water. Now he sat behind her, his large hand rubbing circles on her back. He wished he could do more. When she finally stopped heaving he stood and filled a glass with water, then turned off the tap and rang out the cloth. He sat back down beside her.

Stella still lay over the toilet, her arm resting on the seat, her head resting on her arm. Tears streamed down her face and soft sobs rocked her body.

"Stella I'm so sorry Honey,"

She turned suddenly and threw herself into his arms.

"He made it sound s-so d-dirty," she cried against his chest.

Don rubbed her back. "No Honey. Neither of us have done anything to be ashamed of." He tried to keep his anger out of his voice, but promised himself that he and Mac weren't finished yet. "I promise you he'll never talk about you like that again."

She cried a few moments more, then allowed him to help her up and wash her face with the cloth. She rinsed her mouth with the water, and when she was done he handed her her toothbrush already dolloped with toothpaste. She quickly brushed knowing the acid from her stomach would damage her teeth if left there, but afraid that she might gag and start to vomit again. When she was done Don wrapped his arms around her. He buried his face in her hair for a moment. Then he looked at her in the mirror.

"Stell," he said, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Look at me." When she raised her eyes to meet his in the mirror he continued. "I love you, and I love this baby," he moved his hand down to caress her lower abdomen. "There is nothing for you to be ashamed of. We didn't do anything wrong. I know you're upset 'cause I hit Mac, and I promise not to do it again, but I will not stand for anyone talking trash about you. Understand?"

She nodded, then turned in his arms. Her arms stole around his neck and she kissed him softly. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"No one has every stood up for me like that, defending my honor."

"I'll always defend your honor Stella."

He kissed her again and then taking her hand, led her out to the parlor.

Mac stood up when he heard the bathroom door open. He watched as Don led Stella into the room. He felt like a heel when he saw that she was pale, and that her eyes and nose were red from crying, and knowing he caused it.

"Stella," he took a step towards her, but stopped when she backed away from him.

Don put his arm around her shoulders, "Why don't we all sit down and talk."

Mac sat back down and watched as Don guided Stella to the sofa and sat down beside her keeping her hand between both of his.

"First off Mac I need to apologize. By the time we left the hospital Stella was exhausted, we stopped to get her prescriptions and when we got back here I put her to bed. I turned off the ringer on the land line and both our cells so they wouldn't disturb her. Then I went to grab some groceries and cooked dinner when I got back. I just forgot about calling you. I'm sorry."

"It's alright Don. I overreacted. It's just that I couldn't get anything out of the hospital..."

Stella whimpered softly, so softly in fact, that only Don heard her. "You ok?"

"Headache's back."

"Danny toss me that bottle of Tylenol next to you?"

Danny turned to grab the bottle and his eyes widened when he saw the bottle of prenatal vitamins identical to the one Lindsey had at home. "Stella, are you pregnant?"

Stella felt all eyes in the room on her. She looked sideways at Don and knew instantly that if she gave him any sign he would field the question. She smiled at him and turned to answer Danny, her eyes locked on Mac's.

"Yeah. That's why I fainted today, and why I've been sick the last week."

"But I thought..." Mac began.

"So did I, but the doctor said I got lucky."

"We got lucky," Don looked at her smiling and corrected her, leaving no doubt as to who the father was. He turned back to Mac. "She's going to be out the rest of the week, until she sees her regular doctor. Next week we'll need to go get her stitches taken out too."

Danny crossed the room and pulled Stella to her feet hugging her. "Wait'll I tell Montana, she's gonna flip. Both of ya at the same time."

Stella smiled, she knew Danny was genuinely happy for her and Don. He let her go and congratulated Don.

Mac looked at her for a moment then smiled. He crossed the room and hugged her too. "I'm happy for you. For both of you," he added shaking Don's hand. "Did you remember to call your captain?"

"He, uh, called as we were leaving the hospital. Gave me the next few days to stay home and take care of Stella."

Mac nodded. Then he turned to Danny. "We should go. Let Stella get some rest."

"Yeah, I'll hold Montana off 'til tomorrow, 'k?"

"Yeah, thanks Danny."

The two left and Don locked up behind them. He started the cd over again and looked at Stella. "Now where were we?"

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AN: Ok it's 10 after 1 in the morning so any typo's are due to sleep deprevation. This chapter finally finishes up this memory, next chapter we have a baby. I hope it was worth the wait. Please review, my ego needs to be stroked. Thanks to those faithful few who always do.