Note From The Author—Here we go. This is the last chapter of Baby Steps. It's pretty short, because writing another whole wedding and reception felt somewhat like beating a dead horse. So you're getting a slightly abridged version : ). Side note, I actually have no idea how Stella and Flack met so if I'm off please humor me. I'm seriously contemplating a sequel for this story that would revolve around the milestones in Sophia's life. Also keep an eye out for the next multi-chapter story which will most likely be called Stays In Vegas. I hope you've enjoyed this story and thanks for sticking with it.

Disclaimer—I do not own the CSI: NY characters

The morning of the second crime lab wedding found Danny standing outside the chapel frowning at his tie.

"You still pouting Messer?" Lindsay asked from behind him.

Danny turned, his frown only deepening. "I am not pouting. I don't pout Montana."

"You are pouting," she told him as she rescued the tie from his hands. "I don't know why you're pouting. I thought you put money on six months out."

He tried not to fidget as she tied the tie for him. "I put money on six months out from our wedding, not six months after Sophia was born! I lost…" He caught his wife's pointed look and stopped. "Well we won't talk about how much I lost but I'm not happy about it."

Lindsay leaned up to kiss him. "But you're happy for Stella and Flack."

"Yeah," he conceded, his face softening. "Yeah, I'm really happy for them."

"Then go get the groom so we can have a wedding."

Standing with Danny at the front of the church Flack felt a little bit like he may pass out. He's never been so nervous or excited in his life and he found himself anxious to see Stella come down the aisle. The music started and their bridesmaids and groomsmen came first. Angell was at the head of the group carrying Sophia in her adorable little dress, the same shimmering maroon as the bridesmaids', all bouncing brown curls and big blue eyes. Jess stopped for a moment in front of Flack and he kissed the tiny hand his daughter was reaching out towards him. Lindsay came next, wearing an ear to ear grin along with her coppery colored gown.

Then the congregation stood and the rest of the world disappeared as Stella came into view on Mac's arm. She hadn't wanted a veil because she said it made her feel silly. She'd also joked about the appropriateness of a white dress seeing as their six month old would be in the wedding; but she had given in to the desire and she was a gorgeous vision in white. The flowing silk hugged close to her body and ended in a train that trailed beautifully behind her.

Stella and Mac stopped at the front of the church, and Flack was so absorbed that he barely heard anything when Mac gave her away. Then they were standing together in front of the priest and it seemed as if everything clicked into place. He caught Stella's eye and they both grinned like idiots momentarily before they turned to the priest as he began the ceremony.

Everything was going smoothly and beautifully when Sophia began to reach out towards her parents, on the verge of a full on fit. Stella reached out and took the baby from Angell. She tried to settle her but the materials of their dresses slipped and slid against each other. Laughing, she kissed her before passing her to Flack. He settled her comfortably in his arms, winking at Stella. "We never did do anything conventionally," he told her. The entire congregation laughed as they returned to the ceremony.

When it came time for Flack's vows he found himself taking a deep breath to calm his shaking nerves. Feeling slightly steadier, he began. "I had such a huge crush on you from the moment I met you," he told her. "The very first time I saw you I think you were chewing out some poor cop for compromising a crime scene; and all of the sudden I found myself so fascinated by this beautiful woman who looked like a goddess and lit into cops with her hands on her hips in her high heeled boots. The longer I knew you the worse it got, and I found myself completely head over heels in love with you and praying that one day I could talk you into going out on a date with me. You're the strongest, most beautiful, most intelligent woman I've ever known and I'm so in love with you that there are days I don't even know what to do with myself. You've gave me our daughter and your love and I can't believe that you chose me of all people to spend the rest of your life with, but you're crazy if you think I'm going to question it. I love you."

Stella was crying for the first time all day when he finished. "I never thought I would have you," she said quietly. "After all that I've been through I always had this feeling that maybe love just wasn't meant to be for me. But then I met you, and there was always just something about you. Even when we were fighting about cases or something stupid like me not feeding you when I drove, I always felt something underneath it all. I've almost lost you more than once and I know now that if it's anywhere within my power I'm never letting you out of my life. I fell in love with you so fast and I can honestly say that you've made me happier than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. I suppose we're in the same boat because I can't believe that I have you in my life and that we have this wonderful little girl. I love you."

Just as with Danny and Lindsay's wedding, everyone was crying when they finished their vows. When the priest asked for the rings there was a little bit of juggling as Danny took out the rings, handed them to Flack, then carefully took Sophia. The rest of the wedding seemed to fly by and soon they came to the final moment. They heard that final pronouncement and Flack took Stella in his arms and kissed her more tenderly than she had ever imagined. Danny passed Sophia back and Stella and Flack walked back down the aisle as man and wife with their daughter between them.

Note From The Author-- Here we are at the end. I think I may actually shed a few tears. I'm so glad you stuck with me through it all and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. Thanks