So... after a long time of waiting you finally get the next chapter! :D I kinda feel like I've let you guys down with this story lately and if so I really am sorry that I didn't get to it any sooner, but I just didn't feel like writing last week. :( Seems that my muse isn't around that much lately for keeping this story going, but I promise that I'll wrap this story up and I'll also be back with new ideas and hope you guys understand if it takes a little longer to update. For all of you who stayed faithfully and come back to read... I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your support means a lot to me and I really am sorry it's taking me so long to update.

Now I hope you'll enjoy this chapter :)

Chapter 16: Marry Me

~ M ~ T ~

I held my mother's questioning look for a while, giving her a small but loving smile before I answered her question. I knew that we probably were lucky to meet her at home, as she sometimes went for a walk or met a close friend of hers. But I was glad we met her and I knew she was more than happy to see me.

"Well, we wanted to surprise you." I said in a warm tone, causing a smile on my mother's face.

"Well, well, McCanna, I am more than pleased to see you and I see you brought another guest." She said and then looked at Stella, who then walked up to us. My mother greeted her with a warm smile.

"Let me guess, you're Stella?" she said and Stella nodded with a warm smile of hers.

"I am. Nice to meet you Mrs. Taylor." Stella said.

My mother pulled her into a small hug and then stepped back, looking at me and then at Stella and back at me, before she gave us a knowing smile. To me it seemed she knew what we might tell her later, if Stella agreed. I mean we weren't in that romantic relationship for long, yet, but I didn't mind telling my mother, knowing that she'd find out anyways and now knowing that she probably guessed it already.

"Well, I didn't expect guests today so… I can't offer much, but how about we go inside for a cup of coffee?" my mother suggested and Stella and I just nodded and followed her inside, where I closed the door behind us.

"How about I make that coffee, mom?" I offered.

"Nah… it's no big deal making some coffee, but if you really want to…" she said and looked at me. "Well, that means I have some time to get to know your friend."

"We could also just stay here." Stella piped up as we entered the kitchen with the small table and three chairs in one corner.

When I was a child we'd only eat in the kitchen when dad wasn't home or he was coming home later. If he was home for dinner and on Sundays of course, we would eat in the dining room that was right next to the kitchen and could be entered through a round arch. When the house was build my parents didn't want a total open kitchen, like it was in the apartments, but a dining room that had an open connection to the kitchen. Of course you could enter the dining room through a door from the living room, but there was no door to it from the hallway, as it wasn't necessary. My mother looked at Stella for a bit and then at me. When I gave her a shrug, knowing that she wanted to know what I was thinking of her idea she turned back to Stella and nodded.

"Right, why not. We could also sit in the dining room, as it's more comfortable." My mother said and got our agreement.

I quickly busied myself making coffee while my mother and Stella went into the dining room to sit down, my mother, however walking up to the small counter and I heard the door being opened and heard her take something out, what I assume would be some kind of cookies as I know she always had some at home and kept them there and then the door is closed again. When the coffee was ready I joined them in the dining room where my mother, much to my expectation had a plate with cookies and I set down the three cups of coffee and sit down at the head of the table, where my father used to sit, but since mom and Stella sat on opposite sites I was now able to look at both of them. My mother gave me a warm smile when I joined them and so did Stella. Of course I had followed their small conversation from the kitchen, my mother mostly asking a few questions or she would tell Stella a small anecdote from when I was younger. I was amazed to see that they seemed to get along so well at an instant, with only knowing each other a few minutes.

"Now I know where you get that adventurous side from, when on the job." Stella said, as she looked at me. My mother had told her a small story when I was caught at an abandoned warehouse playing with friends.

"Uh, I was way more adventurous when I was a kid. Today sometimes it's nothing compared to my childhood days." I replied with a shy grin.

"We'll see that later." Stella gently teased, drawing a small chuckle from my mother which caused me to blush a little.

~ S ~ B ~

"Never thought someone could ever make my son blush like that again." Millie said, causing a shy smile to Mac's lip and me to blush a little.

"Trust me, it's not always that easy." I said a little teasingly.

"Way easier than you may think, Stella." Mac said quietly, still sharing his shy smile.

I never thought he'd be like this around his mother, but I just loved that smile. Probably because I just loved everything about him. Yes I was in love with the most amazing man in the world and I wasn't saying that because I was in love, but because I've learned a lot about him the past few days and as his undercover wife. We shared a lot of intimate time together and were playing our role perfectly in front of others and it definitely didn't even feel like playing a role. And Mac's always been an amazing friend. Even thinking about that right now, caused a loving smile to my lips, but I didn't notice that I had been lost in thoughts till I heard Mac gently saying my name.

"Stella?"

"Yeah?" I asked, looking at him and then at Millie.

"You okay?" he asked somewhat worried.

"Yes, I uh… was just a little lost in thoughts." I said with smile. "And yes, it were good thoughts."

"It's amazing to watch how well you know each other. I think you'd make a great couple." Millie said, causing us to look at her in surprise.

"I bet we do." I stated warmly, looking at Mac and then at Millie.

"Alright, so… how's your case here going?" Millie asked seemingly interested.

"Well, we do have a suspicion, but no evidence so far to prove anything." Mac said with a small sigh.

We talked about our work here and about some cases back in New York, always aware of not giving too much information away, though I didn't think that Millie would tell anyone about it, but it was against protocol to share information with someone from the outside. Throughout the conversation which was kept light Mac and I would share a few loving glances and smiles and some time later, he was comfortable enough to cover my hand with his, as we were still sitting at the table. While listening to him and Millie making small talk about whatever had been going on since they've seen each other, I took delight in the feeling of his skin on mine, though it was just my hand he held onto. But it gave me a secure feeling of loving warmth. And each time he'd say my name voice was warm and he let a bit of his love shine through his words, something that made my heart warm and put my mind at ease.

These small glances and smiles and his hand on mine were little scenes that Millie of course didn't miss and I noticed a soft smile every once in a while when I would look at her after sharing such a small scene with Mac. I bet she could tell that we really were in love and actually pretty happy so. And as always when you did something you enjoyed, time went by way too fast and it was actually time for dinner. Millie asked us if we wanted to stay for dinner and after he had my agreement Mac said we would, Millie of course more than happy, which was obvious to us. We helped her with dinner and then sat back down, having a light conversation during dinner and after the cleaning was done we stayed a little longer, enjoying the sunset in the small back porch, looking over the well kept garden.

"Did you two ever thought about getting married for real?" Millie asked suddenly, causing us to look at her in surprise.

"Well… maybe not… together?" Mac replied a little uncertain and I just nodded in agreement. "Why?"

"Oh, just thought it may be nice to use the chance of being in your hometown, McCanna." Millie said with a knowing smile. "I do know you're in love."

"That we are." I said, locking eyes with Mac and seeing that he was thinking about what his mother said, though he gave me a more questioning look. Was he really trying to ask me if I wanted to marry him? Just after those few days?

"And I believe very much so." He added. "But I'm not sure if Stella would want that."

"It's a little sudden…" I started and noticed his look. "Are you seriously trying to ask me to marry you?"

"Obviously…" he said quietly and then looked down.

I leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Ask and I'd say yes." I whispered into his ear before I pulled back with a certain smile.

"Marry me?" he asked quietly, but his eyes holding love and certainty.

"Yes." I said and kissed him. "I definitely will marry you if that is what you want."

"It is." He confessed warmly and then took his turn to kiss me.

"So when are you getting married?" Millie asked, with the hint of a smile in her tone.

"Whenever you want to." He said to me.

So, do you guys think they'll get married before the final showdown which is planned for the case? Do they really get married in Chicago?

Please let me know what you think! And thanks so much for reading!

blackrose538