Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 5 - Hormones, Cravings & A Day of Firsts
A/N: okay so I know everyone's pregnancy is different I am going to base Stella's in this story off personal family experiences. So if you say that, that would never happen, please remember this is a story and try not to take it so seriously and just enjoy! To the rest that aren't so picky thanks again and hope you like this chapter also!
Special thanks SMackedFan who made a great vid that lends itself well to this story. It's about Ella's obsession with Mac, a man in love with Stella.
www(DOT)youtube(DOT)com/watch?v=79zU6Er_jL8 (remember to put actual . in place of (DOT) when you copy the address into your browser. this site doesn't like direct links in stories) ENJOY! THANKS again!
~New York City~
"Well I'll offer my sincere congratulations right now you two," Dr. Paula Marsh told Mac and Stella as they sat in her office later the following day. Dr. Marsh was the OB/GYN that Dr. Adams had suggested they start to see, especially with a new family on the way. "Stella, how are you feeling today?"
"Besides a slight stomach twinge and the fact that an old pair of pants doesn't fit, I think I'm okay. I thought women always had harsh morning sickness."
"Some do and some don't. When I had my first, it was smooth sailing, hardly a pang of distress until she was born. My second was hell," Dr. Marsh laughed. "That is until the last trimester and then he came out without any problems."
"This is all very new to us," Stella commented, looking at Mac with a slight frown, their hands still attached. "And we have a million questions."
"This is very normal for all first time parents. So lets go over the questions and then Stella I want to do a quick examination, just to see how things are going and then we'll give you some reading, a list of some recommended vitamins in addition to the ones you are taking and a few other things that will help you both along the way. Now Mac, I will say this with a grain of salt to all first time fathers. I'm sure your work is very important but your new family now comes first. And..."
"Dr. Marsh you don't have to worry about me not helping in any way I can. Just not sure what I can do right now."
The older woman looked at the couple before her and smiled. "There is lots you can do. Shall we get started?"
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"Mac, why so quiet?" Stella gently asked about an hour later as they left Dr. Marsh's office and headed into work.
"Just didn't like seeing you in discomfort when she was examining you Stella," he frowned. "Brought back some bad memories about you in the hospital is all."
Stella squeezed his hand and offered a slight frown of her own as her mind quickly flashed an image of what Frankie had done and then quickly erased it before she could dwell on that one ugly act. "And what is going to happen when you see me actually giving birth. You will be there right? Because you know I will be in even more pain?"
"Stella, hell will freeze over before I would ever miss the birth of our child, I give you my word on that. It will be a bit hard to take but I will be there all the way."
"The rest of the stuff she said made sense."
"And we aren't going to tell anyone just yet?" Mac queried.
"Well they always say wait until three months has passed to ensure a miscarriage doesnt take place," she softly mentioned and he looked at her in concern.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"I know that look Mac, what is it?"
"I know you like to take risks at work, I could never fault you for doing your job as well as you do and I would never tell you you can't do something, but..."
"Mac, I promise I will not put myself or our child in harm's way just to get the job done."
"I just worry."
Stella leaned over and planted a warm kiss on his cheek. "So do I. But I guess we'll have lots to read tonight won't we?"
"Lots to read and lots to prepare for. You're glowing you know," Mac suddenly changed the topic.
"Am I?"
"It truly is amazing. Think I'll get any work done today?"
"Think you'll be able to keep this a secret for a few more weeks?"
"Actually I think I'm kinda good at that now. Think you'll get any work done?" Mac countered with a soft smile.
"Dinner time should make for some interesting conversation."
Stella smiled at her husband but as they neared the lab her anxiety started to seize her mind and heart; it was real, it was confirmed this morning. She was going to be a mother. She had told herself long ago that she would never want children as to bring them up in such a world would be a cruel notion. But as her and Mac drew closer, his love for her, even without his words, told her that she would make an amazing parent, especially with him at her side. She offered him one last kiss before the elevator doors opened and then it was time to get the day started.
"Late morning?" Flack greeted as he joined them in the hallway.
"Important meeting we had to attend," Mac quickly answered. "What's going on?"
"Got a suspect from the alley shooting yesterday. If you aren't busy..."
"I'm coming right now," Mac stated as he looked at Stella and offered her a warm smile before he followed after his Detective.
Stella headed into her office to get her day started but as soon as she sat down and pulled out the reading information that Dr. Marsh had given to them, her heart started to beat faster and her hand automatically went to her belly, as she rubbed it instinctively. She wasn't used to taking it easy on the job; much like Mac, she was used to just rushing after a suspect and worrying about the personal consequences later.
But she couldn't do that now. Now she had to think about their child that was growing inside her; a beautiful creation that her and Mac made together one amazing night of love making. And if something ever happened, she knew she'd never forgive herself; his quiet agony would destroy them both. And while she knew Mac wouldn't openly order her to take it easy or confine her to the lab until they told everyone, or even after the news was made public, she had to show respect for their child by doing that herself.
"Stella?" Lindsay questioned as she gently knocked on the door.
Stella quickly shoved the booklets back into the packet Dr. Marsh had given them and looked up at Lindsay with a tight smile.
"Is this a bad time?"
"No, just some personal financial stuff about the move that Mac and I have to contend with," she offered with a heavy sigh as she sealed the brochures inside her purse in her desk drawer.
"How is that going?"
"Three weeks," Stella huffed. "We just got back and...going fine," she replied with a weak smile. "What do you have?"
"Got a second body," Lindsay frowned. "Sheldon is at the scene right now. A young boy, aged ten and..."
"A young boy?" Stella managed as she slowly pushed herself upright. She offered a small curse as they headed into the hallway and she listened to the rest of the details that Lindsay had to offer. Even the ride to their latest crime scene, seemed to take a painful eternity as Stella tried to imagine what they would tell the parents of the dead child; something she prayed she'd never have to endure.
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After having finished up with Flack, Mac reached the second crime scene just after Stella. He was told by Sheldon, that it was a young boy and wondered how the sight would affect Stella. She always found it hard to deal with the death of children, but especially after they received confirmation on their own child this morning, he wondered how things would affect her now. Out of dignity and respect, he couldn't bring himself to tell her to sit certain cases out but hoped inside that if things became too much, she'd tell him or at least find an excuse to go back to the lab. Sadly he knew her too well; she'd do neither.
"Mac," Sheldon greeted as Mac walked up to the dead body of the small boy and gazed down in sorrow. The boy had dark hair and blue eyes; a chilling picture of a child that could be his own.
"Mac?" Stella gently mentioned and he turned his angry gaze to lock with hers. "Signs of a struggle," she informed him, as he followed after her to the front of the boys body. He knelt down beside her as she started to show him the boy's hands.
"What else do we know?"
"Detective Angell is talking to the boys parents," Stella replied as she continued to work on the boy before her; her stomach tight and upset. But she offered a slight moan that only he could hear, he looked at her in worry. "Trust me Mac, I'm okay."
Mac offered a slight nod as Lindsay joined them with further details and soon both of their minds were back on the case at hand, and the small life that was taken too soon. Mac finished up first and headed back to the lab with Sheldon and the body; Stella with Lindsay as they stayed behind to wrap up the scene.
"Mr. Taylor, welcome back," Sid greeted. "Any souvenirs?"
"Oh sorry Sid I didn't know that you wanted..." Mac started in haste.
"I meant for you two," he smiled. "Did you actually see any of Athens?"
"Yes we did," Mac huffed as Sid chuckled.
"Any mini Mac's on the way?"
Mac looked at him in surprise as he offered a smirk at Sid's choice of words, having echoed the same words that Stella mentioned to him only hours earlier.
"Think I'd make a good father?"
"You turned out pretty good," Sid smirked. "I think the two of you will make great parents."
"Thanks. What do you have for me?" Mac questioned in a way that told the seasoned ME, that he didn't want to press the issue any further.
"Well..." Sid started.
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Much like the past few days, by the time the mid afternoon rolled around, Stella felt hunger pains as they pulled at her from the inside and knew she could no longer push them aside as she had in the past; she had a small life to consider now. Stella wandered down to the vending machine to fetch whatever looked somewhat edible and then headed back upstairs and into her empty office.
By the time the day was nearing an end both Mac and Stella were still caught up the details of their newest case; a case that now plagued both their minds with haunting images of the dead child.
"Time to go?" Mac asked Stella as he gently knocked on her door; the sun already set.
"Yeah hold on a sec," she replied, not looking up; her patience wearing a tad thin from the notes her brain was trying to separate from the images of the dead child.
"It can..."
"Mac, I said hold on a sec!" She growled before she stopped her writing and put down her pen, her eyes not daring to look up at him. When she did, he offered him a look of remorse. "Sorry."
"Hormones?" He quietly queried.
"That and the images of that dead boy. Mac he looked like..."
"Stella, our child is going to be fine, boy or girl and we won't allow harm to come to it."
"I'm sorry I snapped," she huffed. "My patience I guess is a bit thin today."
"Then it's time to go."
Stella realized that arguing was out of the question and so simply allowed Mac to help her with her coat and then they walked out into the quiet hallway and down to the street. The ride to their apartment was spent trying to discuss Mac's first case, rather than the dead boy that their minds still showed dead images of.
"I'll make dinner tonight," Mac told Stella as they entered their apartment.
"Mac, I don't mind..."
"I know you don't but I really want to. I know today was emotionally draining on both of us and I want to help," he stated warmly.
Stella's hand caressed his cheek before she tenderly kissed his lips. "Whatever you make will be just fine."
"Can't promise it won't affect our baby," he lightly frowned as his hands followed hers and rested on her warm belly. He looked at her and smiled before he kissed her back. "I love you."
"I love you too," she replied in kind.
They finally broke apart and Mac busied himself with making them a modest dinner, mostly under Stella's direction; which of course ensured she ate the items that wouldn't turn her stomach. After dinner Mac put the dishes away and then headed into the bedroom to see Stella sitting on the bed with the reading material in her hands.
"Come here," Stella invited him.
Mac padded over to her side and slowly sat down, his eyes now fixed on the items in her hands.
"I thought we could read all this together. See she even included one on sex and pregnancy. I guess she knows us," Stella teased and Mac slightly blushed as he flipped through the other packets of vital information.
"Can we read the sex one first?" He asked eagerly and she lightly laughed.
Stella moved herself up on the bed, so that she was leaning against the wall and looked at Mac and smiled. "Want to join me?"
Mac just returned a warm smile as he eased himself up on the bed, but unlike in the past, wouldn't allow himself to lie on her warm belly; fear that he would somehow hurt the baby.
"Mac you can lie u..."
"Stella, I don't want to hurt the baby," Mac frowned.
"I meant you can put your head here," she guided his head with her fingers.
Mac slipped onto his side and allowed his head to be moved onto her upper chest, his lips inches away from their offspring growing inside.
"Hello baby," he softly mentioned as his fingers started to gently swirl around Stella's tender skin. "Can you hear daddy?"
Stella smiled as her fingers played with Mac's hair as he talked to their baby, growing in her belly. She picked up the first booklet and then looked at Mac who at that very moment looked at her with a side smile.
"What?" He asked in haste.
"I think you'll like this one. Pregnancy and sex. Dr. Marsh said it differs for each couple but after her examination of me said we should be okay to have sex."
"Should be? Stella, she said..."
"Mac, her concern was more for when I am lot bigger than this," she informed him as she touched his rough cheek. "In fact as I get bigger it even has some position suggestions."
"Really?" Mac arched his brows in wonder. "Such as?"
"Woman on top."
"That already is my favorite," Mac informed her. "What else?"
"Spooning."
"Pardon?" Mac frowned and she chuckled. He snatched the paper from her hands and read the information for himself before he offered it back. "I uh...hands and knees?" He gently gulped and Stella just rubbed his cheek once again. "Is that even legal?" He queried and she laughed.
"Mac, we have time to figure it all out."
"Should we even be talking about sex in front of the baby?" He queried and she laughed as she put down the papers.
"Okay so since you are not taking this seriously, it's time for something serious."
"Such as?"
"Make love to me Mac."
"Like the sound of that," he whispered as he moved himself onto his back and gently twisted her to rest on top of him.
"Mac, I don't have to be on top all the time," Stella whispered as she lowered herself down. "Tomorrow, you're on top."
"Sounds like a deal to me," Mac answered with a smile. "Okay baby you can go to sleep now, mommy and daddy are going to have sex," Mac teased and Stella just looked at him in surprise. "What?"
"Mac, you better hope our child's first word isn't sex," she teased as her lips neared his. But before he could offer another word, her hands wrapped themselves around his face as she started to hungrily devour his mouth. Mac's hands slowly removed Stella's nightshirt, his warm hands holding her captive against his rapidly beating heart as bare flesh collided with bare flesh.
"Tell me if anything hurts or is uncomfortable Stella," Mac whispered in her ear before his lips planted warm kisses on the sensitive spot below her lobe, his mouth starting to suck on the on the skin. Stella's body arched further into his, their bodies attached and their union already started.
However, unlike other night's during a love making session, Stella could feel that Mac was hesitating and holding back his actions. She loved him for his kindness and tenderness that he offered her each time they made love; but tonight he was a different man.
"Mac?" Stella asked as she stopped kissing him and looked at him with a slight frown; their actions immediately slowing. "What's wrong?"
"Never made love to a pregnant woman before Stella, not sure what to do," he huffed in regret. "Don't want to hurt you."
She kissed his lips once more. "I love you Mac. And I love the fact that you are so concerned with my wellbeing and I would never fault you for your kindness and tenderness. But please believe me that you could never hurt me that much and if I even for one second felt a pang of pain or discomfort I would tell you. Do you still want to continue?"
"Yes," he answered with a warm smile; their bodies still attached. "Just want to please you."
"You never have to try too hard to do that Mac. You are an amazing husband and I love you very much."
Mac's heart surged under her warm praise and confirmation that she would be okay and that gave his body the extra push he needed to continue. In truth, he didn't think he would hurt her but since he never experienced making love to a pregnant woman he held back more than he normally would.
When Stella offered her last gasp and their climax was complete, the room was silent. Stella slowly eased herself off Mac and curled up beside him, her head on his bare chest; damp curls pasted to his sweaty sides and neck. Her fingers started to gently play with the light dusting of hair below his belly button and Mac gently sucked in some air as her fingers moved lower.
He kissed the top of her head but remained silent.
"Talk to me Mac."
"Well today has been a day of firsts," he started, his fingers still on her back as they stroked her warmly. "Never been with my wife when the doctor has confirmed that we are having our own child," his voice started out soft and calm. "Never went to work and looked at the dead body of a child and for an instant wondered what the fate of our own could be."
Stella felt his body tense at the last statement he offered and looked up in loving concern. She planted a warm kiss on his damp chest and he looked down with a smile.
"Never actually had to take home information on being a parent, much less look foward to reading it together. Never made love to my amazing wife as she is carrying our first child. Truly a beautiful gift."
Stella's eyes slightly watered at his praise. "I'm glad that we were able to experience all these firsts together Mac. And more to come."
"And I promise I will be there for all of them. Any odd cravings?" He wondered.
"Today I ate a whole bag of Cheezies with one of those really gross sub things."
Mac lightly chuckled as Stella wrinkled her nose at her memory. "You must have a strong stomach."
"Strong will."
"Speaking of that," Mac started with a bit of hesitation.
"Work?" She arched a wondering brow.
"I would never, especially in right now and in front of the team but if you..."
"Mac, we talked about this."
"We never talked about how quickly you were affected by the dead boy this morning," he reminded her.
"It was haunting," she huffed as she ran her fingers through her damp curls.
Mac gently pulled her up so that her head was resting on the crook of his shoulder. He pulled the blankets over their naked bodies and then kissed her once more on the cheek.
"Can you blame me for worrying?"
"I would blame you if you didn't," she teased as she wrapped her arms around him tighter. Mac turned off the light, whispered good night to his wife and then closed his eyes as he finally drifted into sleep. However, two hours later, Mac rolled onto his side as he tried to shift to a better position. But instead of bumping into his wife's warm body, the side of the bed normally occupied by her was cold.
"Stella?" Mac whispered as he forced his sleepy eyes open and then reached for the small bedside light. When he noticed she wasn't in the room, he reached for his boxers, quickly pulled them on and then went in search of his elusive wife. He rounded the corner to the kitchen only see her leaned against the counter with something in her hands.
Stella looked up at Mac and smiled. "You made me hungry Mac," she informed him and he lightly chuckled.
"I wonder what'll happen when you catch me on a good night," he replied warmly as he slowly walked up to her side and wrapped his arms around her as she continued with her midnight snack. "Just warn me if you get a craving for chocolate covered ants or something," he mentioned and she laughed.
"How about chocolate covered Mac," Stella teased as she kissed his cheek. Stella explained a few more things about why cravings occur as Mac waited until she was finished. When done, they headed back into the bedroom and spent the rest of the night, wrapped in each other's arms until the morning greeted them.
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"Glad we left all those gifts in their boxes," Mac called out from the living room early the next morning.
"Where did you put the rest of the other moving boxes?" Stella asked as she joined him amidst the beginning of the moving chaos. "What are you looking for?"
"My blackberry," Mac frowned and she just smirked. "I had it here on the...found it," he huffed as he reached over for it and then stood back up with a flushed face. "You look beautiful this morning. How are you feeling?"
"My stomach is a bit quezy but not enough to throw up thankfully," she replied with a slight wince. "Might give up coffee until the baby is born, could be the caffeine."
"Stella, our child has to like coffee," Mac reminded her. "Mr. Coffee needs a good child."
Stella laughed as his playful words as she hugged him close and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Come on Mr. Coffee, time to get the day started."
The next few weeks that followed were pretty much the same for Mac and Stella. Stella finally came to terms with her need for food on a more frequent basis during the day; Mac learned not to worry every second she was delayed when at a different crime scene and how to hide their actions from the team and their superior. Each night they would spend in each other's arms; reading their new information, talking to their baby and then if both were into it, they would end the evening with an intimate act of love making before falling asleep, locked in each other's arms. Then it was finally time to tell the team.
Mac and Stella walked into the office on Friday morning; this would be the day they would tell the team, Stella finally started to show and the secret needed to be told by them before anything was offered in the way of gossip.
"Mac?" Danny wondered as he and Lindsay shuffled in after Sheldon into the small meeting room; Flack and Jessica in tow. Adam and Sid were last.
"So I'm sure you are all wondering why we called this meeting," Mac started in a low tone.
"You guys quitting and moving to Greece?" Flack teased.
"Trust me, we were tempted to stay when we were there," Stella smiled as her fingers wrapped around Mac's hand.
"What is..." Lindsay started.
"Stella and I are going to have a baby," Mac announced as he looked at Stella who looked at the group with a happy smile.
"How far along are you?" Jessica asked with her own happy smile.
"Past the safety point," Stella replied. "Over three months."
"You guys had time to..." Danny started only to have Lindsay gently swat his arm and he quickly stopped and frowned.
"Well congratulations," Sheldon offered warmly, the same sentiments being offered by the rest of the team in the small room.
"We wanted you to hear it from us first."
Stella felt all eyes on her before she looked at Mac who returned a small nod. "No I am not going to just sit behind a desk or stay in the lab right now, but I also won't be as active in cases that require me to..."
"Leap tall buildings?" Sid smirked.
"Dodge speeding bullets?" Adam added.
"Something like that," Mac countered.
The rest of the morning was a bit of a distraction for both Mac and Stella as in between evidence they would be bombarded with questions about potential baby names, their apartment space, Stella's due date, a baby shower after the baby was born and if this would be the only Taylor to be created.
By the end of the day, Stella just slumped back in her chair and offered a heavy sigh just as Mac walked into the room.
"Tired of talking?" He gently teased.
"Lindsay said she suspected but didn't want to say anything in case I just put on weight from Greece and never worked it off," Stella informed Mac and he smiled as he slumped down before her desk. "How did it go with Sinclair?"
"Well as I suspected he was surprised but offered his congratulations and support. But he was a little dismayed when I told him that we'd no longer be working or on call on the weekends unless it was a mayoral priority."
"And we are still employed?" Stella teased.
"I just told him that my team would have to step up to the plate; something I have faith they can do."
"We'll make this work Mac, we will."
"I know," he huffed as he cast his gaze into the dark skies outside.
"Mac?"
"Just tired this week. Tired of work and of talking," he sighed.
"I think both of us are," she replied as she patted her belly. "But never too tired to eat. Take me home Mac."
"Your wish is my command," Mac answered as he reached for her coat.
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"So glad we get to sleep in tomorrow," Stella mentioned as she walked into the living room after dinner on that Friday night.
Mac looked up at her and stared before his lips curled into a wide smile.
"What?"
"You are showing and it's simply amazing," he praised as he nodded to the baby bump that was poking out from under her short camisole. "Beautiful actually. Come and sit with me."
Stella beamed under his praise as she joined him in the living room. Mac cleared some packing supplies off the couch and helped her settle in beside him. He leaned into her belly and planted a warm kiss on the tender bulge.
"Does baby want to hear daddy play?"
"We'd love that Mac," Stella replied eagerly.
Mac reached for his bass guitar and got himself ready as Stella reached for a pillow and eased herself back. She rewarded her husband with a warm smile as he started to gently play whatever she requested. He added soft words and she was sure she could feel their unborn child moving around to position itself to listen to the music.
"Mac...the baby moved," she exclaimed and he was quick to stop and put his hand on her belly. Dr. Marsh had told them that first time parents could usually feel their baby move between sixteen and twenty-two weeks and they were now in that time. But when Mac didn't feel anything, he looked up at Stella and frowned.
"It'll happen again Mac, but the important thing is our baby wanted to hear you play."
"Do you want me to continue?"
"Yes please."
Mac settled back into place and started to play the guitar. Stella gently leaned in and planted a warm kiss on his cheek and then eased herself back, her feet now resting on his legs as he continued to play. And as the night wore on, three steady heartbeats were heard long after the music had died.
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Stella awoke early Saturday morning and looked at Mac who was still asleep and then down at her belly as his hand rested on it and smiled. Sure enough as soon as Mac's body shifted and the heat from his hand moved away, she could feel the baby inside her move as it signaled it's displeasure that the warmth was taken away.
"What happened?" Mac gently whispered as he opened his eyes and looked at Stella who stared at her belly.
"Put your hand back there," Stella directed.
When he moved his hand back, he looked up at Stella in shock as he felt the baby move back to the warmth and his eyes instantly watered.
"It moved," he whispered.
"It likes the warmth that daddy's hand offers," she remarked.
Mac twisted himself around and kissed the spot on her belly where his hand used to be. "Hello baby," he murmured, his warm breath on her skin.
"Love when you talk to our child Mac."
Stella gently touched Mac's face, which forced him to lean up to her and kiss her on the lips. "Morning mommy," he teased.
"Like when you say that."
"Me too daddy."
They lingered in bed a while longer before it was time to get up and start to get things packed for the move that was happening in two weeks.
"Remember if you feel tired..." Mac directed as he stuffed a few more things from their living room into a nearby box.
"We'll rest," she emphasized. "And you can play for us."
Mac grinned at her words as they continued. The rest of the day was spent, talking to each other, their unborn child, packing, eating and resting.
"We'll hit the storage locker tomorrow," Mac groaned as he sat beside Stella on their small couch. The living room was dotted with boxes of all sizes; packing stickers, packing materials and a few other odds and ends. Take out dinner was on its way.
"Why are you trembling?" Mac suddenly asked as he looked down at Stella's hand as it gently shook in his. "Are you okay?"
"Excited," she answered with a tired smile. Her eyes slightly watered as she looked away. Mac's gentle fingers guided her chin back to face him and he frowned.
"Tell me?"
"When I was little, I had this doll and her name was Sabrina. Her and I would sit by the window and dream that one day we'd have our Prince and a family of little Sabrina's of our own and would live in a beautiful castle away from harm."
Mac felt a lump form in his throat as Stella continued her sad story but didn't have the heart to tell her to stop. He simply brushed away the stray tears and silently urged her to continue.
"But as the years passed that dream started to fade until one day I grew up, Sabrina got lost and my dreams finally died. Then I met you Mac and those dreams started to grow once again. However, I never imagined they would actually come true."
Mac felt his own eyes water as she looked at him with a brave smile. His wife was the strongest, most self sufficient independant woman he had ever been blest to know. To see her in such a sad state broke his heart and yet grew his love for her all the more.
"You humble me with your words Stella," he mentioned as he gently pulled her into his embrace and wrapped his arms around her as he held her close. He planted a warm kiss on her cheek and tenderly rested a hand on her belly, which made her smile once again.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too. More than anything," he whispered as they remained in each others arms until dinner arrived.
~Albany, New York~
Since she was denied her trip in the city two weeks ago, Ella holed herself up in her room and refused to see anyone. She had built up her trip so much in her mind that when she was told by the counselor that it wasn't time yet, she nearly threw away all her hard work of playing to their requests and punched the woman right in the face.
She had dialed Mac's number but frowned when a she got no answer. A week later she dialed again and got a woman's voice which sent her mind into a jealous panic.
'Hello?'
Ella remembered offering a small curse at the strange woman who answered so sweetly, but told herself that she must have misdialed, as Mac was waiting for her and he would never have another woman at his apartment; especially that late in the evening.
"He would never do that to me," she convinced herself.
"You would never do that to me, would you Mac?" She asked the small picture on her dresser. "Never, right?"
Even a visit from her best friend Molly or Carl did little ease her mental anguish. She would be out in two weeks and told herself the first thing she was going to do was pay a visit to the man she thought was waiting for her. Her eyes watered as her fists hit the small pillow repeatedly.
"He is waiting for me!" She chanted over and over again.
Finally after she had dried her tears a knock was heard at the door.
"Ella?"
"Go away Carl!" She hissed.
"I said I was sorry baby. Come on open up. Please?"
She looked at the door and narrowed her eyes in anger. However, she also knew that she would need Carl to help her get back on her feet when she was back in Manhattan. But it would only be until Mac took her into his own home for her to live with him; then she'd have no use for Carl.
"I will be with you Mac," she whispered to his small picture before she took in a deep breath and then pushed herself to her feet and headed for the door. She slowly opened it and looked at Carl with a slight look of disappointment and regret.
"Can I come in?" Carl asked with his own hesitation; a young man genuinely attracted to a young woman who was simply using him for her own sordid means.
"I missed you Carl," she lied as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Sorry I was angry earlier. Just can't wait to leave this place."
"Soon baby. Two weeks right?"
"Two weeks," she echoed. "And then I'll be free; free and with the man I love," she whispered.
Carl hugged her close, falsely reasoning in his mind that he was the man she offered those words about. Sadly he would learn the consequences in the coming weeks of how deadly a game obsession can really be.
A/N: sorry it's been a bit since I updated this but back to regular updates now so hopefully you're all still liking this story and hopefully you all liked this jam packed chapter! (grin) Please review and let me know if you want some more. Thanks in advance. You guys so rock!
PS: NY Stories updated tomorrow