A/N: Nope, still don't own them. And slight spoilers up to 5x24 "Grounds for Deception." Needed a slight break from all the angst I've been writing. Hope you enjoy. If you do, please leave a review and let me know! If you don't like it, feel free to tell me as well. I appreciate all comments/constructive criticism!
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It wasn't arrogance to think she knew everything there was to know about him, after years of friendship, years of time spent together. Dinners here, coffee dates there. She had been around him when he was married to Claire. She knew what type of husband he had been, what type of man he was in a relationship. And yes, after that dark day in September she knew things would be different, he was different; hell, they all were. But then again, she watched while he dated Peyton. As painful as it had been, she watched him. Noted the changes in him, how he reacted to situations. He was far more hesitant than he used to be, more guarded. She knew he was afraid of being hurt again; of losing what he held close to his heart.
And then Peyton left. Or, more accurately, never came back, and once again Mac was left to pick up the pieces of his heart. As always she was there to lend her unerring support. He was her friend, her best friend; the only man she'd truly trust with her heart. The incident in Greece just solidified the fact that no matter what happened, he was there for her. She had betrayed his trust; a betrayal that would not easily be forgiven had it been anyone else; but with her it was different. With her he had quickly moved on, coming to her aide, being her rock, her shelter, even before she realized how much she needed it.
When they finally admitted to each other how they felt, she tried not to, but she had certain expectations of how his behavior would be. Not based on instinct, rather after careful analysis of data collected and stored over time. She had waited; waited for him to become overly protective, to be hesitant about allowing their relationship to be known, to build up those walls he so easily built around his heart. But all her expectations had been blown to the wind when he still managed to surprise her.
He was still very protective, but he understood her independent nature, always there within reach, but never overbearing. They had easily reached an understanding when it came to their actions in the work place; both were too professional to be conspicuous about shows of affection, but he showed no shame in hugging her after a rough day, or holding her hand as they left for the night. And her fears about those walls? All she would have to do is look in his eyes as he laid everything bare for her to see; his happiness, his fear, and most of all, his love for her.
As Stella looked at the man in front of her, holding her hand as the priest pronounced them husband and wife, while their friends looked on in approval, she saw her future. He was her life, and she was his. As he leaned in to kiss his wife, all the fears she had felt growing up; fears of being forever alone and unloved, happily flew out the window with the touch of his lips. Now all she had were great expectations of their future together.