Hey friends I am really really sorry that this is so late my muse is trying to write this story and two others at the same time and that is hard for me. Don't think I am giving up on this because I not just chapters may come in spurts. Please be patient. Let me know what you think.

Thanks to lilly moonlight for looking over this.

Chapter 8

Don looked down in shame. Stella looked so mad. At least they got most of the room painted before Danny decided to splatter paint on him. Danny claimed that it was an accident.

Don was finishing painting a corner when …

"Hey Flack," Danny said.

"Yeah Messer," Don said, turning around only to have a paint brush come across his chest.

"What the hell?" he asked shocked.

"Sorry Don I didn't know you were going to turn around," he said, laughing

"Really now ooops," Don said, swiping his brush across Danny's shoulder.

Danny's jaw dropped.

"Don it really was an accident," Danny said

"Ok guys that's enough lets finish up without any more accidents," Mac said, sternly.

They both agreed by glaring at each other and went back to work. They got half of the last wall when Danny tripped on the plastic on the floor falling into Don. That was when the chaos started. There was shouting, wrestling, and paint flying ever where it didn't stop until they heard a female voice shout.

"What the hell!"

That was where they were now with a shocked Lindsay and an angry Stella staring in to the nursery.

"I was serious about keeping the paint on the walls guys," Stella said.

Stella looked at the guys Don and Danny were covered in paint the worst but Mac and Hawkes had some on them too like they tried to break up the paint fight. Shaking her head she looked at the unfinished splattered wall.

"Stella I'm really sorry I tripped and things just kind of got out of hand," Danny explained, sheepishly.

Stella raised her eyebrows.

"Really that is what happened," Danny said.

"We'll get everything cleaned up don't worry Stell," Don said.

Danny nodded in agreement.

"Well after you clean up in here you better go get your selves cleaned up because Lindsay and I are going to take you guys out to dinner," Stella said sternly.

The guys could tell by the tiny smirk on Stella's face that she had forgiven them.

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Don didn't think that he was ever going to wash the paint out of his hair or body. He felt awful for making such a mess and it didn't help that the other guys kept glaring at him. He shifted uncomfortably on the metal bench in front of the new small restaurant they wanted to try. They were so late after they cleaned up that the restaurant had formed a crowd and they had to wait for a table. Stella and Lindsay didn't seem to mind the wait but the guys were not happy. Don saw a woman with a baby stroller and a little girl with two pony tails walk up to the restaurant. Mac stood up to open the door for them.

"Hey" the little girl greeted as she ran to Stella.

"Hey, Tabby it is good to see you again," Stella said, as Tabby hugged her.

"Are you going to eat here?" Tabby asked, excitedly.

"We sure are," Stella said.

"My Granddaddy makes the best Mac-a-rooney and tease you come have some," Tabby said pulling lightly on her arm.

"Tabitha don't pull on her," Heather scolded.

"It's ok," Stella said. "I have to wait until it is my turn then I can try some Macaroni cheese," Stella added, holding up the pager she was given.

Tabby looked confused as her mother motioned for her to follow thanking Mac as she entered door.

Stella smiled at her friends questioning looks.

"Tabby got lost in a store I was in today and I helped get her back to her mom," Stella explained.

It wasn't long before the pager went off.

"That was quick," Lindsay said, standing.

The group was led to a table in the middle of the restaurant and was given menus.

"Your waitress will be with you soon," the hostess said and then walking away.

"This is a nice place," Danny said, looking around the small Italian restaurant.

"Yeah I read about it in the paper," Stella said.

"Hi, I'm Jessica I will be your waitress. Can I take your drink order while you look over your menu?" asked a petite woman with red hair.

They gave her their order and she left to go fill them.

"Everything looks good," Mac stated.

Soon the waitress came back with their drinks and took their meal orders.

"Where's the restroom?" Stella asked, before the waitress walked away.

"The first door after the bar," Jessica said, then went to put in the orders.

Stella got up from the table and headed toward the restroom.

Stella made her way past booths and tables to the bar. That was when someone grabbed her by the wrist. She quickly pulled her wrist from the tight grasp.

"Where are you going baby?" asked the big burly stumbling man in front of her.

She knew this could turn bad quickly the giant of a man reeked of alcohol.

"Excuse me," Stella said pushing past. Hoping ignoring him would work.

Of course it didn't work the man grabbed her arms and pinned her to the bar.

"Hey buddy leave her alone," the bartender said.

"Shut up," the man growled.

"Hey buddy if you don't leave her alone I will call security," the bartender warned.

"I told you to shut up man," the man snarled, leaning into Stella more.

Stella took advantage while the man was distracted and was able to pull away from him. When she pulled free she began to tumble backwards. She seemed to fall in slow motion. She closed her eyes instinctively preparing herself to hit the floor. Only she realized that she didn't land on the floor but on something soft and warm. It took her a minute to realize that she had landed on a person. She struggled to get up but two hands stopped her.

"Take it easy, it's ok," a deep voice said behind her.

"I'm so sorry," Stella apologize, as she tried to get up again.

"It's ok it's not your fault," the voice reassured.

"Are you ok?" a man asked kneeling in front of her.

The man had big brown eyes, blonde hair and a handsome face.

"Yeah just a little stunned. I'm really sorry," she said.

"It's ok Ty is used to pretty women falling all over him just not literally. I'm Mike. What is your name?"

"Stella,"

"It is nice to meet you Stella. My name is Tyson I want you to slow stand and I'm going to move my legs then you can sit back down,"

Mike gave her his hands and she slowly stood up. She turned her head to see a handsome black man scooting father into the booth. She knew that she was blushing as Mike helped her sit back down and to make matters worse Don was heading her way.