Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 6 - Moving Boxes, Short Tempers and Growing Pains
Mac awoke early the following Sunday and headed into the kitchen to start breakfast. With a baby on the way, Stella was advised by Dr. Marsh that she had to make time to eat every morning; not feeding herself and their child was now not an option. After telling Sinclair about their expecting and that neither would be on call on the weekends any longer, it now afforded them time at least on the weekends, to have a proper sit down breakfast, something they both now looked forward to. During the week, however, they would have to rely on cereal, toast and other instant offerings.
Mac opened the fridge and frowned before he realized that they were lacking the necessities for a breakfast that would consist of more than dry toast and herbal tea. Without making another sound, he wrote a quick note, quietly slipped on his coat and runners, grabbed his wallet and headed for the door, thankful his actions didn't wake his sleeping wife.
Stella finally pulled herself from her glorious slumber and reached over to where Mac normally was. She forced her sleepy eyes all the way open and then frowned when she didn't see him beside her; his side of the bed now cold. She glanced down at the mound on her belly and smiled.
"Good morning little one," she greeted the child inside her. She placed both hands on her stomach and smiled with great happiness when she was rewarded with a small movement. "Did you sleep well? Let's go see where daddy is okay?"
Stella slowly pushed herself out of bed and wandered through the maze of boxes in their bedroom, into the hallway and then finally ended up in the kitchen.
"Mac?" She called when she didn't see him. However, when she noticed a note on the front of the fridge she reached for it in haste.
'Out of staples. Went down to Marty's Market. Be right back. Love you both. Mac.'
"Both," Stella echoed as her hand once again automatically rested on her round belly. "Daddy went to get us breakfast," she mumbled as she slowly headed toward the bathroom and closed the door. Dr. Marsh told her that not all women experience morning sickness and she was thankful she was one of them. Having to start each day vomiting over the toilet wasn't something she was keen to face. However, her stomach did have pains and twinges as their baby continued to grow inside her; constant reminders that she needed to take things easy and allow Mac to help her more than she needed in the past.
She had told herself that with this pregnancy not much else, besides her weight would change; that her strong determination to do things for herself would remain. But Mac showed her that it was actually love on her part to allow him to help her, especially when she thought she didn't need it. After all the child she was carrying was also part of him; and his love and concern for both of them were warranted.
"I love you Mac," Stella whispered as she gently rubbed her belly and thought about where Mac was. Gone to get breakfast staples. She knew in the past that neither of them were big breakfasters, Mac sometimes going a whole day without food, unless it was a few bites between cases. But his concern for her physical as well as emotional wellbeing was showing her a new side of him as each day passed; another thing that just cemented their continued love for each other.
She turned on the hot water and started to hum to herself as she started to undress, not aware that her husband had now returned home. After she was undressed, she pushed herself under the hot water and started to allow the steady stream to ease away some nervous jitters.
Mac heard the shower start up and his lips immediately offered a warm smile as he locked the door. He quickly put the perishable items into the fridge and shed his coat. By the time he slowly opened the bathroom door, he was naked and ready to join his wife in the shower. However, not wanting to scare her at all, he softly knocked on the door to alert her to his presence.
"Daddy's home," Mac gently called out as he pushed the door open and peered around the door to see his wife looking at him with an inviting smile.
"Missed you this morning," Stella smiled as Mac closed the door and pushed himself under the hot water beside her.
"Had to get breakfast for you two," he whispered as his arms wrapped around her and his lips planted a warm kiss on hers. "Mmmm you taste good," he mumbled as his hands left her face and rested on her warm belly.
"Morning baby," he whispered before he bent down and planted a kiss near the belly button. He stood back up and smiled as his wife before he pushed a wet curl off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. "Morning mommy," he added before he kissed her once more.
Stella's face rewarded his words with a warm smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Welcome home daddy."
"You okay for a session right now?"
"Better do it in here right now before this belly gets too big."
"But then we get to experiment right?" Mac grinned as he pressed her body into his.
"Right. Now shut up and kiss me," Stella playfully demanded; Mac only to happy to comply.
XXXXXXXX
After their shower, Stella lingered in the bathroom as Mac quickly dried off and then headed into the kitchen to get their day started. Stella finished and then headed into the kitchen to help Mac who had followed her instructions on how to make simple pancakes. That was the best part of their new weekend ritual, a breakfast they could enjoy.
"Smells wonderful," she praised as she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his warm neck. "Mmm still love shower Mac."
Mac smiled as he finished his task and then both headed into the living room, making room on the now cluttered table for their food. When Mac noticed as Stella hesitated before she took her first bite, he looked at her in concern.
"What?"
"Just an odd twinge, nothing major," she replied with a slight frown.
"Do you need me to call Dr. Marsh?" He quickly questioned.
"No, it'll pass. Just need some tea," she replied with a short breath. "That always seems to calm the tension. Use the baby herbal stuff that Dr. Marsh's holistic friend recommended."
Mac hurried to make some tea, his mind now worried that something could possibly be wrong. Although he was new to the idea of having a child of his own, he wasn't new to the notion that something could still go wrong and their baby could be prematurely aborted or even die inside her womb. That thought made him nauseated and so he forced himself to think on what lay ahead for them both and found himself making two cups of the soothing tea instead of one.
"Mac?"
"Can't help but worry Stella," Mac answered as he placed the two steaming cups on the table before them. "Makes me ache too."
"You know I have heard of husbands sometimes having sympathy pains."
"If I am in pain, will you play nurse for me?" Mac smiled and Stella nodded her head.
"Full body exam," she quickly countered and his reddened.
"How do you feel now?"
"Discomfort is passing. I don't think the baby liked the food last night," she gently frowned. "Or it could just be morning sickness."
"Do you still want to eat?"
"I'll try one and go from there," Stella told him with a strained smile. They started into their breakfast, talking about the storage locker and which items they would be keeping, selling and just getting rid of.
"Hard to believe the time to move is almost here," Stella mentioned as they lingered around the table after breakfast. Mac gently squeezed her hand but his frown remained. "Food is staying down Mac," she smiled as her hand guided his to her belly.
"Baby is giving mommy a tough time in the morning," Mac whispered as his fingers rested on the warm skin. And sure enough, his eyes lit up when the small being inside her belly moved itself beneath the warmth of it's father's hand. Mac felt a small lump develop in his throat as he looked up at her in wonder.
"That to me is still amazing," he confessed in a small voice. "Humbling actually."
"Just wait until you see it come out."
"Hard to imagine you in that much pain Stella," Mac huffed as he leaned back in his chair and looked at her in wonder. "I have heard of the strength of a woman during birth but still...I think to watch you in such agony and..."
"I'm just as scared Mac," Stella admitted. "I have asked others before, but I have no one I can personally get guidance from in all this."
"I guess there is only so much you can read," Mac stated with a slight frown as he regrettably moved his hand from the bump on Stella's belly and offered hers a squeeze. "How are you feeling now?"
"Well enough to tackle that storage locker."
"Okay then let's go."
Mac pushed himself up from the table and hurried to get everything put away. About an hour later they were in traffic, headed toward the storage locker to finally seek some closure for the space they have rented since Stella first moved in with him almost a year ago.
"Can you believe it's been almost a year since we rented this locker," Stella commented as she slowly examined another piece of furniture.
"So much has happened in that time," Mac remarked as he looked up with a dust covered face. "Lots of good stuff and sadly some bad."
"Sure learned not to take things for granted," she noted as she looked back down.
With the baby growing inside her, she could feel her energy already starting to fall and for a brief second cursed herself. However, she knew it was only her inner insecurities about facing motherhood that had brought up feelings of anxiety and so she tried very hard to push them aside, her patience, however, had already started to wear thin.
"I think we should keep this table," Mac piped up.
"I hate that table," Stella frowned.
"But inside the second ro..."
"Mac I said..."
"But we could..."
"Mac, I hate that table!" She snapped, her head down. A few seconds of silence passed before she looked up and glanced at his perplexed expression. "Hormones," she mumbled with her own look of sorrow.
"Hormones," Mac whispered in return.
"Damn I hate feeling this emotional."
"Stella..."
"Mac, I am sorry," she huffed. "Where do you think..."
"Stella, if you feel that strongly..."
"Actually Mac, I don't care," she remarked as she slowly walked over to a chair and plunked herself down. She let out a heavy sigh and then looked at him in remorse. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. I guess I should get used to the mood swings?" He asked in a gentle tone as he slowly walked up to her and sat down beside her.
"Me snapping at you for no reason, isn't something you should ever have to get used to," Stella lamented as Mac slowly sat down beside her and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. "No matter the excuse."
Mac kissed her dusty cheek and then offered a slight grimace when he had to wipe some dust from his lips which made her chuckle. "Good to hear you laugh."
"Mac I'm..." she started only to have him silence her with a quick warm kiss.
"Nothing to be sorry for. I also read the same book as you remember?"
"We read it together."
"So I know what to expect. But just to be on the safe side, I'll take all the loaded weapons out of the house," he smirked. However, when she looked at him with a serious expression, his smile was replaced with a frown. "Sorry was supposed to be funny."
"No Mac, that was funny, but I guess I was just thinking about guns and kids. I have heard so many horror stories about loaded guns around the house and we have more than our fair share."
"We'll just have to keep them locked away in a safe place," Mac assured her. "Handcuffs too."
"Only the police issue. Not my black fuzzy ones, those I'll use on you a few more times before our baby is born. And probably after."
"Promise?" He grinned.
"Oh yeah," she kissed him in return.
"Come on let's finish up and then go home and rest. I'm really starting to get tired," he smirked and she playfully swatted his arm. "Sympathy fatigue?"
"Now you're really pushing it Taylor," Stella gently growled with a smile that put his mind and heart at ease. They continued for the better part of the day, until every last item was either tagged for the move, for sale or for disposal. Finally after they were done, Mac locked the door to the storage locker and joined Stella in the truck.
"Tired?"
"A little."
"You can be honest you know," Mac gently reminded her as he started up the truck and headed for home.
"Hate to say I'm tired when I didn't do much today."
"Stella, you have a baby growing inside of you remember?"
"Couldn't fit my pants this morning Mac, kinda hard to forget," she gently laughed as she tenderly stroked her belly. "Baby is taking all of mommy's energy away," she finished with a sigh. "I'm tired, sore, out of energy..."
"Guess it's a good thing I'm ordering dinner in tonight then," Mac stated as they neared their place.
"Seriously Mac, I don't..."
"After a long day like today, Stella, I'd be happy to order in dinner. Don't feel like doing much clean up myself."
"Ah."
They reach their apartment and slowly wander toward the elevator. "Hard to believe that in less than two weeks, we'll be in our new home."
"Excited?" Mac wondered as they reached their now cluttered apartment and slowly started to shed their coats and shoes.
"Very. Looking forward to a fresh start with my new family."
"Just go and unwind a little and I'll clean up a bit more and then order us in something."
"No more Thai. I don't think our baby likes spicy."
"Thank goodness. Now we can out vote you," Mac teased and Stella playfully swatted his arm.
She planted a kiss on his cheek and then slowly headed into the bedroom to get dressed in clothes a little more comfortable. She looked over at the reading information about what to expect as you enter your second trimester and offered a small sigh. She heard Mac humming in the kitchen and felt bad for the way she treated him earlier. However mood swings, being emotional and having highs and lows were common in the first trimester and she just hoped they would at least subside as she moved into her second.
Mac finished putting a few things away in the kitchen and then headed into the living room. However when he heard nothing coming from their bedroom, not even an angry grunt, he started to wonder if she was okay and went in search of his wife. He rounded the corner and spied her on the bed, asleep. He gazed upon her peaceful frame, her swollen belly slightly exposed and his lips curled into an automatic smile. Knowing dinner could wait, Mac quickly pulled off his dusty sweater and eased himself behind his wife. He carefully wrapped is arms around her and held her close as he planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
She mumbled something incoherent but thankfully didn't wake up. Mac closed his eyes, the soft rhythm of her breath and heart beat taking him into the darkness of slumber.
About two hours later, Stella finally stirred awake and glanced over at Mac's sleeping face and smiled. She hadn't realized that she had fallen asleep; as when she lay down she only intended a few minutes of shut eye just to get some rest and pray her emotional teeter-totter would finally balance out. However, the baby inside her told her that mommy needed more than a few minutes, and so she was now kin to listen to what it was telling her.
Stella glanced down at peaceful face of her sleeping husband and smiled before she reached over, pulled open a small drawer and retrieved the black fuzzy handcuffs that had become their adult toy of choice. Once again loving how Mac, even asleep, just seemed to allow her to move him where needed, she succeeded in trapping his wrists above his head just as his eyes started to flutter open.
"Welcome back handsome."
"I..." Mac started as he tried to move. He glanced up at his captive wrists and then up at his smiling wife and grinned.
"See what happens when you fall asleep," she stated playfully as she pushed the covers back and slowly eased herself onto his waist.
"Love waking up like this."
"I know."
"Are you going to take advantage of me now?"
"No, now I'm going to read to you," Stella teased and Mac pouted as his body flexed beneath hers. "Missed you like this."
"Me too. And..." was all Mac got out before Stella leaned in and silenced him with a hungry kiss, his body going hard at her desirable touching. "Another first..."
"What's that?"
"Being at the mercy of my pregnant wife."
"Like it?"
"I think that's obvious," Mac smiled as Stella removed the last vestiage of her clothing, the only fabric between them was Mac's lightly sweat stained t-shirt. "Come to me Stella," Mac begged as she moved herself into position and their union started. Her fingers grasped his trapped arms and squeezed his hard muscles as her tongue started to tease his ear, his body going hard beneath her. With his wrists held firmly in place above his head, a few things were a bit tricky, but as their union progressed, they realized it wasn't as difficult as first imagined.
"Love you like this Mac," Stella whispered in his ear once more.
"Love you," Mac whispered in return, with a slight gasp as he felt new sentations thanks to the baby inside his wife's belly that was pressing down on his stomach. Her lips latched onto his once more and continued to hungrily devour them, silencing his pleasurable moans as their rhythm continued. Stella's tongue forced it's way back into Mac's mouth, her fingers loving his hard body beneath hers, both of them now covered in sweat.
"MAC!" Stella finally gasped before their union was complete and the room was once again quiet.
"Glad you got your energy back."
"Just used it up," Stella smiled as she looked into the flushed face of trapped husband. "You make me feel amazing," she praised as she kissed his salty lips once more.
"Your love for me is amazing," Mac smlied back as Stella gently eased herself off him and lay beside him. Her fingers traced paths on his sweaty arms, making him laugh as she neared a ticklish spot. "Um Stella?"
"Yes Mac?"
"Funny...you can let me go now."
"No way, you are staying like this all night."
"All night?"
"I can't have my way with you all night?" Stella pouted and Mac gently chuckled. "Okay fine," she resigned as she made a move to release him, finally allowing his now free arms to wrap around her naked body and hold her close.
"Did I mention that every time with you is even more amazing that the last?"
"I think you are biased," she retorted.
"Very. Thank you for remembering those. Don't pack those away where we can't find them. We might need them again."
"You can't use them on me right now Mac."
"I know," he grinned and she nodded her head.
"Flirt," she teased and it was his turn to nod. "Don't worry, these little guys will stay close where I can find them," she stated as she put them back onto the bedside table and then looked at Mac with a warm smile. "Did we miss dinner?"
"I think we did," he frowned as he rolled over and looked at the clock. "Yup we missed it."
"Blame the baby," Stella gently laughed as Mac moved himself so that his head was resting just above the baby bump.
"Hello baby," his lips tickled her bare belly with his warm breath. "Did you give mommy naughty thoughts while she was sleeping? Distract her from dinner?"
"Nice try Mac, you do that to me all on your own," she informed him and his smile widened. Mac's warm breath continued to talk in a low tone to their baby while Stella's fingers played with skin and hair. Stella's fingers played with Mac's dusty hair as he continued to talk in a low, warm tone to their child. Stella could feel slight movements inside as the child would move itself closer to the sound of it's father's voice and her eyes automatically watered.
Mac looked up at her and frowned. "You okay?"
"Just never felt love like this before Mac. This child, it knows the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand and it shows its love by being near those things. It's just amazing."
"Wish I could feel that."
"Cramps, bloated feet, sore back, short fuse and gross food combinations? I'd happily trades places with you," she sighed and he chuckled.
"Thanks, but I think I'll just live vicariously through you."
"Thought so."
"Hungry?"
"Actually, we both are," Stella informed him.
"Say no more."
Mac regrettably pushed himself out of the warm nest the two of them had created and hurried into the kitchen to order something light for dinner and then wandered back into the bedroom to be with Stella until their meal arrived. They talked about what the next two weeks would hold and how two weeks from today they'd be spending their first night in their new home.
XXXXXXXX
Stella awoke early the next morning to find Mac's side of the bed cold and offered a slight frown as she slowly pushed herself up and then slowly got out of bed and went in search of her elusive husband. She rounded the corner into the living room and amidst the myriads of boxes and packing supplies, she spied him asleep on the couch, a small blanket barely keeping him covered.
Mac sensed movement in their apartment, years of always learning to sleep with one ear open and he was quick to open his eyes and gaze at his wife.
"Morning," he replied with a strained expression.
"Did I snore again?"
"Couldn't sleep," he offered in half truth.
"Mac I'm so sorry. I hate to think that you had to sleep here because of me," Stella moaned.
"It's okay," Mac yawned as he rubbed his tired eyes and offered a slight stretch as he slowly sat up and made some room for his wife to sit down beside him. He started to rub her back and kissed her cheek before he bent himself down to kiss her belly and say good morning to their child, safely tucked inside her stomach. They talked for a little while before both knew it was time to get up and get ready for work.
Once dressed, coffee in hand for Mac, and chamomile tea for Stella, they headed into work.
"Think you'll wrap up the Sellers case today?" Mac wondered as they exited the elevator and started to walk down the hallway toward their offices.
"Really hope so," she sighed. "The guy is a rat but he's damn good at playing the system. We'll get him Mac. And yours?"
"I am just waiting on an arrest warrant for Dixon now," Mac frowns as Flack hurried toward them. "And I think it's coming this way. See you tonight?"
"Careful around this guy Mac, I heard that Noah Dixon is a real nut job."
"Yours isn't much better."
"Morning," Flack greeted them with a tense expression. "Mac, I got that second warrant. You all set?"
"This one will put his ass in jail this time; you bet I'm all set."
Stella watched Mac take is leave and then went in search of Jessica, who she would accompany to bring in her own suspect.
"Morning Mommy Taylor," Jessica greeted Stella with a large smile. "How are you feeling today?"
"A little tired and a little irritable," Stella replied with a tight smile. "I think I kept Mac awake last night so he went and slept on the couch."
"Ouch."
"I felt bad Jessica, but you know Mac. Puts it all on himself and I know he didn't get any sleep; but of course he'll say he did, because he knows that's what I want to hear. Hence the irritability."
"Anything I can do?"
"Keep loaded guns away," she teased.
"Ah. Anything else?"
"No, but you look a little perplexed yourself. What's going on?"
"Lindsay keeps texting me at god forsaken hours about the wedding stuff. She doesn't want to burden you with the move and all," Jessica chuckled as they head outside toward Jessica's car.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Stella lightly moaned. "Jessica, I don't mind helping at all, really."
"Well it's not that bad, I just think my texting system is delayed. I think she sends them around dinner time or something but I dont get my notification until about three AM. Yeah goes over well with Don. He wants more than anything to tell her we're having sex and not to text again. I said go for it but he said Danny would just text back asking for pictures," Jessica finished with a laugh.
"Well once they're married things should go back to normal."
"So what's it like? Being pregnant? You certainly have a different glow about yourself."
"Well besides the fact that I can't fit a lot of my clothes now..." her voice trailed off with a slight frown. "It's okay. Just a lot to get used to. Not used to feeling tired in the mid-afternoon. I'm hungry all the time, and my feet are swollen at the end of the day. But I am excited. Every time I feel that baby move or rest my hand on my belly I am happy about the child that Mac and I created!"
Jessica offered her hand a small squeeze. "I think you'll make a terrific mother."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. I think I'll need it."
"Oh I'd be scared also. Don and I of course haven't been together as long as you two have; but we've talked about a few things. Still, parenthood kinda freaks me out."
They talk a bit longer until they reach their intended destination and then both get out of the car and head toward the small run down house. Stella's heart started to beat a bit faster as they neared the front door. Jessica knocked and soon they heard angry footsteps, stomping in their direction.
"What the hell do you want?" A large angry man demanded.
"NYPD," Jessica offered firmly. "We are looking for Norman Sellers. He is wa..." she started. But before she could get another word in, a shot rang out and they heard someone running toward the back of the house. With her old instincts kicking in, Stella rushed past Jessica, who told her to cover the man at the door and instead charged after the one round the back.
"Stella! Wait!" Jessica shouted.
Stella reached the back of the house, her gun drawn, only to duck as a hail of gunfire erupted all around her.
"Stella!" Jessica called out in a panic as she quickly radioed for some backup. Jessica quickly cuffed the man at the door as an accomplice and then rushed around the back to help Stella.
"You okay?"
"Just fell a bit oddly, but I'm fine," she lightly gasped as another shot was fired off.
"No where to go Norman!" Jessica yelled in anger. "You surrender right now and you might get a lighter sentence. And by that I mean twenty five. Keep this up and when my friends show up, you'll really be screwed!"
They waited for what seemed like forever, until Norman Sellers finally dropped his weapon and came out. This time it was Stella who covered Jessica, while she made the arrest.
Meantime, Mac finished with his suspect, Flack already well on his way to booking him for murder; headed back to his office. He passed by Stella's office only to see it still empty and wondered where she was; her suspect already in lockup and waiting to be officially booked.
"I'm sure she's okay," Jessica mentioned as she walked up to Mac in the quiet hallway.
"Where is she?"
"Well I think she her hurt leg more than she let on but she'll be okay," Jessica smiled as she squeezed his arm. "She's one tough girl."
"What does that mean?" Mac queried.
"Oh, she didn't tell you about today?"
"No, what happened?" Mac asked in haste.
"We were at our suspect's house when he tore out the back and Stella went after him. He opened fire but she fell to the ground before he could do any real damage. Trust me, I'm sure she's okay."
"Right. Thanks," Mac replied with a slight frown, his heart now elevated. He watched Jessica take her leave and then headed down to the lockers, hoping he'd find her there. Sure enough when he entered the quiet room, he rounded one set of lockers only to see her sitting on the bench, looking into her own open locker with a despondent expression.
"Stella?"
"Don't start Mac," Stella lightly warned, not looking up.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine."
"What did..."
"I messed up Mac. Plain and simple."
"Damn it Stella, what the hell happened today?" Mac asked with a hint of anger.
"Nothing!" She shot back as she stood up to face him. "That's what you want to hear right?"
As soon as their eyes locked, he could see fear and anger. Her appearance was still askew and her hair a bit tangled, but her face was flushed and fists clenched.
"You know I thought you knew the protocol on..."
"This isn't the time to lecture me on damn protocol!" She snapped in exasperation. "I know I shouldn't have gone after him and yes I know I rushed into a gun battle with..."
"Our child along for the ride?"
"I said I messed up."
"Stella, you've been down here for the last hour and I have been worried. I had to hear the gist from Jessica!" Mac growled. "I think as your boss, much less your husband I have the right to know when one of my team, especially you does something to endanger another life."
"Jessica's life wasn't in danger."
"Our child's was!"
"So then I'm to be hit over the head with the 'our child' trump card each time I screw up?" She shot back and then quickly stopped and looked at him in remorse.
"I know you want to do what you did before and I really hoped I wouldn't have to.."
"Have to what? Don't you dare assign me to a desk."
"Can you fault me for being concerned?"
Stella looked at Mac in tormented misery. He was right. Today she had to prove to those around her that she could still do her job; that she was just as capable, and nothing was going to stop her from doing what she normally does. But her brain failed to tell her to take it easy because of the precious life she was carrying; and for that she was angry, mostly at herself. She still was capable, no one was questioning that; only she was.
"Just not used to being inept," she huffed as she slammed her locker shut and pushed past him, leaving him in the quiet room, stifled by miserable silence.
Mac offered an angry curse, mostly at himself for getting upset so easily. He slammed his fist into the nearest locker and then hurried to find his wife. He reached the main lobby just as he watched her get into a nearby cab; headed for home. Mac raced back down to the parking lot, got into the Avalanche and then pushed the truck into traffic as fast as rush hour would allow.
Stella's eyes held back angry tears as she leaned her head back on the seat of the cab. She knew Mac was angry that she rushed into the gun battle with the chance that their child could have been hurt or herself shot. It was arrogant presumption that forced her to rush so brazenly after the suspect without thinking; acting on impulse as she has done in the past. But as her hands rest on her warm belly, she cursed herself. Sorry baby, she offers in her mind. Mommy loves you. She reached home a few minutes a head of Mac and slammed the door in anger.
Stella headed into the bedroom in a mental cloud of gloom; her heart in misery. She finally heard Mac enter but didn't make a move to greet him; only stayed fixed in their bedroom.
Mac rounded the corner and looked at her in misery. "I hate when we argue. I am sorry if I sounded harsh. Stella, I always worry about you, you know that. But I guess the way Jess made it sound..." he voice trailed off as his eyes remained locked with hers. "I would never think you inept."
"Mac, I am mad at myself not you. I am mad because I made a decision today that could have resulted in the death of our child. I am mad, because I still had to prove that despite my obvious changes, I can still function as well as I did before!" She snapped before turning away.
Mac watched her shoulders slump and took a few steps in her direction. He gently touched her arm and she turned to him with glistening eyes. He immediately took her into his arms and held her close as he offered her whatever support she needed. "I am not going to force you into a role you don't want and I'm not going to assign you to a desk," he tried to assure her. "I just worry."
"I love you Mac, more than anything and I love our child just as much. I will be careful next time; I promise."
"If I ever lost you..." his voice broke in misery. "I'm sorry too."
"I also hate when we argue."
"I love you Stella. I just want you to be okay."
They remained locked in each other's embrace until Stella finally pulled back and suggested dinner. Mac quickly undressed and then followed after her into the kitchen to help. The rest of the time and during dinner was spent talking about certain aspects of the case; anything but Stella's stressful encounter.
After dinner Mac finished with the dishes and then went in search of his wife. He rounded the corner to their bedroom to see her standing in just her underwear and a silk camisole that barely covered her belly.
"You know I was told that a pregnant woman was the most beautiful woman in the world," Mac whispered as he leaned against the doorframe; as he looked at his wife with longing and desire.
"And?" Stella asked as she turned to him with a gentle smile.
"And I didn't believe that until just now."
"Really?"
"I doubt any other pregnant women could look as beautiful as you do right now," Mac confessed as he slowly removed his t-shirt and walked up to her. He gently placed his arms around her and before her lips could offer another word, he started to hungrily devour them. He carefully moved them to the bed and pulled her on top, and smiled as her warm belly pushed into his.
"Love how you feel like this," he murmured as his hands tenderly held onto her back.
Stella's lips moved from his mouth to his neck and started to lightly nibble on the warm flesh that was offered; his manly scent already teasing her brain. She sucked his ear lobe and smiled with delight as his body arched into hers; his desire already known, that he needed her very soon.
"Make love to me Stella," Mac begged as his fingers fumbled with the zipper of his jeans. He allowed her hands to take over the lower half of his body as his hands moved to her camisole and removed it. He delighted in the feel of bare skin on bare skin as she finally freed him of his jeans and in a matter of minutes both were only covered in a light film of sweat instead of any type of fabric.
"Come to me Mac," Stella whispered as their bodies moved together as one. Their rhythm wasn't as vigorous as it had been even a few months ago; Mac still somewhat afraid to offer all his strength during their love making. Stella's fingers grabbed some sweaty strands as she forced his mouth back to hers, her tongue invading his lips; her ears taking delight in the forced moans he rewarded her with.
Stella's body neared climax and she offered a hungry gasp into Mac's ear as his body thrust itself into hers once more. She let out one final gasp and then the room was still.
"I think we're having a girl," Stella breathed, her body still attached to her husbands.
"Why do you say that?"
"I could have sworn she gasped when I did," Stella smiled.
"Could be a boy. I think I felt him kick the same time I did," Mac smiled in return as he pushed some sweaty hairs of her flushed face.
"Either way this child is going to be very loved," Stella whispered as she kissed her husbands salty lips once more. She slowly eased herself off Mac's sweaty body and snuggled up beside him as he pulled the covers over them both and kissed her cheek. He whispered good night before he turned out the lights and his arms automatically wrapped themselves around her, holding his wife and unborn child close for the night. A feeling he delighted in more than he ever thought possible.
XXXXXXXX
The rest of the week passed without incident for Stella. Each time a tense situation would arise she would remind herself that two lives were at stake, not just hers anymore and humbly yield to whoever was there to help. Without trying to make it obvious, Mac ensured that she never went to a scene alone, another team member or Detective was always with her to help out if it was needed.
Now into her second trimester, Stella had thankfully conquered any feelings of morning sickness and fatigue but one of the things she loved best was lying with her feet on Mac's lap while he played for them.
"Can't believe this is our last night here," Stella mentioned as Mac finally put his guitar back into its case and leaned back. His hands started to gently massage her tired feet, which forced a warm smile from her lips.
"Tomorrow is a new start," Mac replied with a warm smile.
"A new start for the three of us."
~Albany, New York~
"Wow your last night here," Molly lamented as she and Ella sat by the picture window and stared outside into the rainy night. "I'm going to miss you. Have no other friends here."
Ella offered her a fake smile; not really caring that the young woman beside her was still months away from a release date, her only thoughts now on finding Mac and letting him know how much he had helped her and how she could not make it up to him.
"I'll bet Carl will be happy."
"Yeah I'll live with him for as long as I have to but, I want my own place once again."
"In Manhattan? Won't that be expensive?"
"Yeah but I have some saved up. Nothing to buy in this hell hole."
"Plus, you have the trust money you saved up right?"
"The only thing my parents left me," Ella offered in contempt.
"What are your plans?"
"For tomorrow?"
"Well for...the future, whatever."
"Well as soon as I am out I am going to pay the man I love a visit," Ella stated firmly. "Let him know I'm back in Manhattan and ready to begin our new life together."
I'll see you tomorrow Mac and then I can finally start to show you how much you mean to me!
A/N: Yes they're back..the black and fuzzy's...my signature toy! did it make you smile? okay so anyone think Ella will be happy to see how Mac's life has shaped up now? Wonder what their first meeting will be like? Please review and let me know. Thanks in advance and hope you are still liking this romantic adventure!
PS: NY Stories updated tomorrow