Well, I know this took long, but as y'all may know by now, I'm getting ready for my exam which is on Monday (Feb/28) and I really just haven't had much time to write. I do apologize for the delay and if some of you given up by now, but I just can't neglect my studies and I hope you'll understand! And to those who do understand and still come back to read, despite the long waiting time: THANK YOU! That really means the world to me and makes my day! :)

I hope to be back in March with a few more updates and also hope to finish this up, soon and come back with my first AU story... the first outline is done by now and I'm working on some filler chapters to make it a little more logical and interesting for you, BUT: until this story is wrapped up I won't post anything new, except for a Oneshot if a great idea pops into my mind.

Now, ENJOY!

Chapter 15: Meeting Millie

~ M ~ T ~

"How long have you been playing since Monday?" I asked Benjamin, my last student for today. He was only 7 years old, but playing the bass guitar like he's never done anything else in his life. He was a very talented young child, patiently and eagerly watching when you would show him how to play a certain chord and yet he was very fast in learning new songs and new chords. When I watched him play the songs he learned I couldn't help but admire that young boy, remembering that I wasn't as fast as he was with learning this instrument, not that I was slow, but I just needed a little bit longer. When I asked him how long he's been playing he looked up at me and his bright green eyes would hold passion for the music he made with his instrument, like I've never seen that in the eyes of a kid.

"I'm playing two or three hours a day." He answered with a small smile.

"I think you're a very talented young man, Benjamin." I said warmly and he rewarded me with a proud smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor."

Though most of the songs he played were quite easy to learn and to play, but he also played a few songs that were rather hard for a kid his age. The first time I met him, was on Monday and he was coming twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays. I didn't expect such a passion and seriousness from a child his age when I met him first, but as soon as he started talking about his instrument and then started playing what he could play, so I'd get to know him and his skills a little better, I was impressed and yet amazed.

"I can't play my favorite song, because there is one chord I don't know yet." He said, as he stopped playing and then looked up.

"What chord?"

He told me the chord he couldn't play and I tried to show him how to do it, though it was pretty hard, as he had smaller hands than I had and he was playing a normal bass guitar, not just one children, but he knew his way around with his instrument and after I showed him how it was done properly he quickly found an easier way for him to grab it. It always amazed me how creative and yet clever some kids were, but then I was just the same when I was smaller. Nowadays it was a little harder to just do things as easily as back then, because people would watch your every move and you were well aware of that fact. Maybe it also was the fact that you got to know the consequences of your doing and you care a lot more about it than a child does.

After Benjamin's lesson was over and he already left with his mother picking him up, I started to put a few things away that I wasn't able to put back earlier. A glimpse on my watch told me that I probably was the last one coming home today, but then things needed to be tidy and in order, right? I was getting my coat when I heart a soft knock on the door to my small class room, my boss standing in the doorway as I turned around.

"Michael, to what do I owe the honor?" I asked him in a light tone.

"I was just dropping by and see how you were doing, though I thought you'd be gone by now." He answered with a small smile.

"Well, had to put a few things away first."

"Noticed that. You getting along?"

"Yeah, pretty well, actually. I've got some nice students and co-workers here."

"The kids love you, Mac. And the older 'students' too. Kinda sad to know that you're not going to stay." He said, causing me to look at him in surprise. "Yeah, Lt. de LaRossa told me that he needed a job for an undercover officer named Mac Taylor. Don't worry, I keep my mouth shut, worked with him a few times already."

"I didn't know you knew him."

"Well, he's a good friend of my father and his neighbor."

"That explains a lot. Well, I know I can trust you, Michael, just make sure no one else finds out."

"No one will. So… you're here alone?"

"Actually, no. I'm doing this job with my work partner, Stella Bonasera." I said in a lower tone as we walked down the corridor that let to the main entrance of the school.

"I see. You must be very close to her, then, I guess."

"She's my best friend and long time partner ever since I came to New York."

"Yeah. So you're married?"

"In real life? No… haven't found that one since Claire died…"
"Heard about that, sorry, Mac."

"It's okay. Still brings up sad memories when talking about her, but life must go on, right? What about you?"

"My wife's expecting our second child." He answered and for the first time he had a full smile on his lips.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. Well, I wish you good luck with that case Mac and I know you'll find a good woman again. Just don't give up on it."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow, Michael." I said as I shook his hand for a goodbye.

"See ya." He said and then watched me taking my leave, walking the short way home, now much later than the days before.

As walked up to the house and wanted to open the door, I already heard soft sounds of a piano. I knew we had one inside, but I never figured Stella was playing the piano. Though when I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but smile as I saw her sitting there, playing a song on it, but when she heard me walking up to her, she stopped playing and looked at me, a somewhat shy smile on her slips.

"Go on." I said as I walked up to her, standing behind her, resting my hands on her shoulders, as she, much to my surprise, continued her song.

"After all those years, you're still able to surprise me, Stella." I said warmly as she stopped playing and then got up and turned around to me.

"I haven't been playing since I left St. Basils, I'm not the best anymore." She said a shy smile on her face.

"I think it was amazing."

"Thank you." She smiled and then wrapped her arm around my neck and kissed me.

~ S ~ B ~

When Mac said that he thought my playing was amazing, it was the best thing he could have said to me. I didn't know what to do, as it was too early to make dinner and Mac wasn't home as I got home so I finally got myself to sit down and play a few notes. I haven't been playing in ages and needed some time to get used to it first, but when I did I just felt great. It was feeling of happiness running through my veins when I played my favorite piano song: Beethoven's Moonshine Sonata, one of the most amazing piano songs, if you asked me. And yet it was just relaxing to sit there feeling the music in my heart as my fingers danced over the keys.

As I now stood there, carefully held in his loving embrace after I kissed him, I couldn't help but smile. This job had given us so much and yet it had to come to it, causing us to finally see how much in love we actually were all that time and for who knows how long. I knew I had been in love with him for some time even caught myself thinking I was, but never really wanted to believe it, nor to tell him, but now that we actually made that step I was more than happy that I did and every time I looked into his warm sapphire eyes I was reassured that it was the right thing and that he was just feeling the same for me as I felt for him.

"So… any plans for today?" I asked him, just wanting to know if he had something in mind, knowing that he probably wanted to use the time he was here to visit his mother, but if he wanted to take me with him and meet her? Probably not…

"Well, I thought you had a plan, but… how about we make dinner together tonight?" he suggested.

"I like the sound of that, but it's a little early for dinner, don't you think?"

"Well… I uh… actually though we could go and visit my mother…"

"We? You want me to meet her?" I dared to ask in mild surprise.

"Unless you don't want you…" he said and pulled back a little.

"If you want me to come with you, Mac I'd love to meet her." I said, looking at him and noticed a slight bit of surprise in his eyes. "What?"

"Well… just wasn't expecting you to agree that fast."

"I don't mind, Mac. Besides you told me about her and I know you told her about me, didn't you?"

"You know, sometimes it scares me how well you know me."

"You know me just as well, Mac." I said and gave him one quick kiss on his lips. "What do I wear?"

"Well, you already look amazing." He said, causing me to raise my brows.

"But…" I tried to protest but interrupted me.

"Trust me Stella, jeans and that shirt are just fine. She'd probably love you if you wore sweatpants and an old T-Shirt."

"Okay. You sure about that 'she'd love me'?"

"I am sure she loves you right away."

"And why is that?" I asked with raised brows.

"Well, as you know, we've been talking about you some time and she really wanted to meet you some day and, just as a matter of fact, you make her son smile like he hasn't been smiling in a while. Those were her words the last time we spoke." He admitted.

"Mothers…" I said and playfully rolled my eyes.

"Well, but she was right when she said that I was in love with you."

"She said that?"

"She did, but that was a few months ago and honestly I didn't want to believe it, but I know it was true, just afraid to do something about it."

"You and I are alike in many things, Mac." I said and got a nod from him before I pulled away to changes my shoes.

xXxXxXxXx

The ride over to Mac's old childhood home, the small house he grew up in and his mother was now living in all alone, didn't take longer than ten minutes. The first part of those ten minutes was spent in almost tormented silence, me being nervous about meeting his mother and imagining all scenarios that came to my mind. I never was this nervous and I didn't even know why I was that nervous. Of course it was his mother and I just wanted to make a good impression, as I basically was her son's girlfriend, but Mac already told me that she'd like me right away. Yeah, but you always need to see it yourself. My brain reminded me. Right, probably that's it.

"Stella, you don't have to be nervous." Mac's warm voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I looked at him in surprise.

"How'd you know I'm nervous?"

"Well, first of all I sense it, second you're pretty quiet now and third I see it."

"Well, you're quiet, too." I countered.

"Yeah, I am, but I'm not clutching my hands like you do." He said with a small triumphant smile.

"Right, I already said you knew me well." I said and took a deep breath. "Just can't help it, sorry."

"Don't be. I guess if I was to meet your parents I'd be just as nervous as you are. I think telling the other one it's going to be fine doesn't help much in this case."

"Probably not. I know I'll survive though."

"You will." He said and then pulled the car into the driveway of a small, but lovely suburban house.

He gives me a small smile before we both got out of the car and walked up to the door, it being opened just as we reached it and we were greeted by an elderly woman, who walked up to Mac and hugged him closely as soon as she recognized it was him, which only took a few seconds. I watched the lovely scene with a loving smile. Seeing them so close, I felt some of my nervousness subside. She really seemed to be a nice woman.

"Why haven't you called? I could have made some cookies or something…" Millie said, as she pulled away a little, her hands rested on his upper arms and she gave him a gentle, but questioning look.

Alright, so you think Millie and Stella will warm up to each other? And will they tell Millie about their relationship and if they do, what will be the outcome?

I hope you liked this update and PLEASE let me know what you think! THANKS!

blackrose538