Chapter 3

When the door to Mac's office opened, Audrey looked up to see Stella slowly closing the door. After she stepped in, Stella walked over to the couch and sat down under Audrey's legs, letting them rest on her lap.

"So, what happened? Stella asked as she rested her head on her arm.

"Today has just been so bad. First it the anniversary of 9\11, then Jason cheated on me with my best friend, Casey – well, I should say ex-best friend - then Jason had the nerve to tell me it was time to get over my mother's death," she was able to tell Stella what had happened because she had no more tears to cry, and she was just tired at this point.

Stella couldn't believe that this all had happened to Audrey today. She never thought that Jason would say something like that; she never liked the guy, and now she knew why. She had looked at Audrey as her daughter ever since Claire passed away.

"Now, I might be in trouble with the school because I punched him." One lonely tear slid down her cheek as she asked, "Stella, why are men such jerks?"

"Well, not all are. There are some out there that are like you father; you're only sixteen. You will find the right one, I promise," it broke Stella's heart to see her like this.

"I hope you're right. You know what, it's not the whole cheating part that really gets me, don't get me wrong, it made me mad, but it was about what he said about my mom. He always said that he cared and then he went and said that," she sighed and then laughed.

This made Stella smile. "What is so funny?" she asked, afraid of the answer.

"You should have seen his face when I hit him," she laughed some more.

"Well, he deserved it," she got up. "I'm going to go get your father and see what the school said." She walked toward the door.

"Stella?" She turned back around to look at Audrey. "Thanks for talking to me. I love you," she said

"You're welcome, and I love you too," she walked out of the office about the same time Mac walked out of the locker room.

"So is she doing a little better?" Mac asked, putting his phone on his belt.

"Yeah, she was even laughing." Stella smiled at the thought

"Really? What did you say?" he asked, glad that his daughter was laughing.

"Nothing, she was thinking of Jason's face when she hit him," they both laughed. "Speaking of that, what did the school say?"

"That she wouldn't be in trouble given the circumstances."

"Good. I can't believe he did that to her. I wish I could punch him too," she said with anger in her eyes.

"Me and you both," he agreed. "Thanks for talking to her, Stella; she really looks up to you."

"Yeah, well I'm here for her and you too, Mac; if you need anything, you can always call me, and I will be there."

"Well, thanks again, Stella. I'm going to go check on her," he said, walking towards his office.

"No problem," she called to him before turning to walk down the hall.

Mac turned for a second and watched her walk away, then went into his office to find Audrey asleep. He walked over to the couch and covered her up before leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. Then he walked over to his desk and watched her sleep. He wished he could protect her from the world and have her never be in pain but, knowing that this could not happen, he just would have to do the best he could. He missed Claire right now, mostly because of the sleeping girl who really needed her mother right now.