Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 18 - First Wedding, Second Chances & Third Trimester
A/N: Okay so since the site was messed up (yes that's right Target actually updated on Tuesday! lol) my posting schedule is a bit behind! hope you don't mind a bunch of updates in a row (eek)
"Right thanks Don, and yeah tell Danny he can take the weekend off, Sheldon said he'd be on call. Right bye," Mac hung up with a tight smile.
"The lab still in tact?"
"So far," Mac answered as he joined his wife on the couch later that afternoon. "Don said that the judge reviewing Ella's transfer agreed to send her to Houston after she's been formally sentenced. She'll have a long road of recovery but at least she'll be away from here. Hopefully that will help with a new start. Danny and Lindsay are fine but Don said they mostly talk about their wedding next weekend and he's tempted to lock them in a holding cell," he lightly laughed.
"And I'm now in my third trimester," Stella smiled. "Big changes for all of us."
Mac settled in beside Stella once more and continued through a few more work emails, talking to each other about case emails, employee questions, Sinclair's concerns and a few other things.
Stella lingered with a few things in their bedroom, hearing Mac humming to himself in the kitchen. She slowly undressed and went in search of her husband. And while she didn't really think he'd be game enough to make dinner in his underwear, when she rounded the corner to the kitchen and saw him in the just his black boxers and the apron her smile instantly widened. She offered a wolf whistle and Mac's face instantly blushed as he looked up and grinned.
"Was the deal right?"
"Didn't think you'd actually be game."
"To see you like that?" He countered. "Can I return the hungry whistle?" He teased as she walked up to him, dressed only in a short satin slip and wrapped her arms around his waist. She kissed his bare shoulder and rested her cheek on his back, her eyes glancing at the table where a few days ago held terror and pain. Thankfully those memories were fading, being quickly replaced by her husband's warm love and devotion.
"Good thing we don't have a deep fryer," Mac smirked as Stella's warm hands held onto his waist.
"Yeah good thing," she whispered with a slight sigh.
"Stella?"
"I'm okay Mac," she quickly assured him as she heard the concern in his voice. He turned around from his task and looked at her with a warm smile. "Are you sure?"
"I am sure. Just a memory now Mac and I promise I won't let it ruin tonight."
"You are glowing again," he mentioned as he kissed her lightly on the lips before he turned back to the meal he was preparing.
"Just wait until after dinner," she teased as she playfully slapped his ass, making his face warm once more.
"How hungry are you?"
"Nice try mister, I'm eating first. Or should I say we are eating first."
"How long are you going to play the baby trump card?" Mac arched his brows.
"As long as I can."
Mac chuckled once more as he finished their dinner, Stella adding a few more things to their table; the blinds already closed for some much needed privacy.
"So what should we give Danny and Lindsay as a wedding present?"
"Money?" Mac suggested as they slowly enjoyed their dinner.
"No, try again."
"Coffee maker?" He asked again when Stella nodded her head no.
"Mr. Coffee already has a good home," Stella reminded him in haste. "Gift card?"
"A raise?" Mac arched his brows and Stella laughed. "Okay fine what did they give us?"
"Money," Stella retorted and Mac just rolled his eyes and shook his head. They bantered back and forth about what to buy, finally deciding on a Gift Card after all, as it would afford the newly married couple the opportunity to purchase what they really wanted instead of having to return something they didn't.
Finally after everything was put away Stella went in search of Mac, her desire growing for her husband as each second passed. Just starting into her third trimester she was still very much interested in a good sexual romp, her desire for intimacy still strong and her love for her husband at an all time high.
She rounded the corner and spied him fiddling with something near the dresser and made her way toward him, playfully pushing him to the bed and putting aside whatever he was working on. She gazed down at his smiling face and smiled in return.
"Are you sure you're okay to try this tonight?"
"Better do it before I lose my nerve," Stella lightly mentioned.
"Stella, if you are the least bit uncomfortable then we can go back to my favorite."
"Just didn't want you to lose interest Mac."
Mac looked up at her with a frown before he gently eased her down, carefully wrapping a hand around the back of her head and guiding her lips to meet his, hungrily devouring them in heated passion. "I don't care how we make love Stella, as long as we both want to, that's what makes it special, not the position. But even if you did lose your nerve and weren't feeling in the mood, I would never lose interest, I love you too much."
She cursed how easily her emotions would flare up and her eyes watered at his tender words; whereas normally she would have just smiled and attacked him nonetheless.
"Just a bit nervous about that," Stella told him in truth.
"Come here," Mac invited as he guided her lips back to his once more; another maneuver suddenly springing to mind. "Do you trust me?" Mac whispered into her ear as his fingers gently eased her underwear all the way off, his body already naked.
"With my life," she answered warmly.
"Good," Mac replied in return as he gently twisted himself around knowing that that by this stage in her pregnancy, her being on her back at all for any length of time was out of the question. Stella offered a small gasp as Mac moved her closer to the edge of the bed but still marveled at his sexual creativity; another side of him she thought she'd never see. And as their union started it wasn't with the same vigor as previous, it was still filled with love and tenderness.
"Are you okay like this?"
"You never seem too amaze me Mac Taylor," Stella gently gasped as their union continued. Mac smiled as he tried to lean in to kiss her lips; their new position adding a bit more difficulty than before. Stella's hand gently gripped Mac's lightly sweat covered back as their rhythm started to increase; her own core temperature already heated to the max thanks to the baby growing inside her.
"Wow Stella this feels..."
"Amazing," she finished with a large grin.
Mac watched her perfect naked body moving in time with his and reveled in the feeling of herself giving her all to him in that heated act. Not being able to feel her lips on his body as they neared climax was also new but something that when he offered his final gasp and they slowly pulled apart, more than made up for by guiding her lips to his and crushing them with passion.
Stella moved herself back onto the bed fully, laying down on her side, Mac in front of her as her lips continued to tease his sizzling flesh with hungry nibbles and passionate kisses. "I'm almost out of breath after that," she whispered a few minutes later as their lips finally came up for some much needed fresh air.
"Yeah that was um..."
"Did you make that position up?" Stella smiled and Mac nodded his head in agreement.
"I am a scientist remember. Experimenting is something I do best," he lightly boasted and she giggled at his playful expression.
"Ah right you are, Mr. Scientist," she teased, playfully poking his sweaty side with her delicate finger.
"And the baby?"
"Think we shocked it into an early bedtime," Stella laughed as her tenderly caressed her belly.
"We'll have to remember that when it actually arrives."
"Trust me Mac, our sex life will not suffer," Stella reminded him.
"I know because we won't let it," he stated as he kissed her lips once more. "Come on lets get some rest," Mac whispered as he gently helped her up, pulled back the covers and then took much delight when his wife's warm naked body pressed up against his under the covers. They made small talk about what next week would hold before both were too tired to keep trying to stay awake and then finally feel asleep; safe in each other's embrace. And while she might have dominated their nightmares for the past few nights, when Mac and Stella fell asleep tonight, Ella McBride wasn't even an inkling.
"Do you understand all the charges that have been filed?" Jessica asked Ella that same night as her and Don stood inside the prison hospital that Ella McBride was now being held in.
"And I'm going to Houston?" Ella asked with a heavy frown.
"Yes Judge Peterson allowed the transfer; but the sentence remained the same."
"Right," Ella huffed as her brain replayed the multi-word sentencing the Judge had forced her to listen to only hours earlier.
"The transfer will be arranged on Monday and you'll leave here on Tuesday," Flack informed her.
"Um is Carl here?"
"Yeah he's just outside. He can stay for a few minutes and then can come back tomorrow," Jessica stated as her and Flack turned and left the room and Carl entered.
"Think she'll ever be reformed?" Flack mumbled to Jessica as they waited outside for Carl to finish.
"I think a second chance has been offered; a complete change of scenery and some forced time to think about what she could do with her life and maybe she'll want to be reformed. But she has to want to. Obviously her last incarceration did nothing to help her but now she has to be there for a few years and..." Jessica's voice trailed off as she looked into the room where Carl was talking to Ella. "Sadly I think she'll just end up a statistic."
"Yeah that's that I thought. At least Mac and Stella are going to be okay," Flack offered softly.
"Thats all that really mattered out of all this," Jessica added as looked at her Flack with a warm smile. "Come on let's get this done and go home. I need some attention tonight."
"Like the sound of that."
"Hard to believe it's the weekend already," Stella mentioned as they lingered over breakfast. She cast her gaze out the window and smiled at the blue skies and then looked at Mac with a knowing glance.
"You want to go for a walk right?"
"Scary how well you know me," Stella offered as Mac's fingers played with her wedding band. Her eyes looked down at his fingers and smiled warmly. "Can still wear that."
"Why would that change?"
"Bloating."
"Ah. Are you going to be okay to attend the wedding next weekend?"
"Don't think I'll be doing the polka anytime soon but a slow waltz with my amazing husband is definitely in order." Stella continued at the table, reading something from a magazine as Mac cleaned up and then both headed into the bedroom to get ready and head outside for a walk. The weather was clear and brisk but whereas Mac had his jacket zipped up half way, Stella's was open, the small furnace inside her keeping her well heated. They casually talked about the neighborhood and what they would be making for dinner; thus affecting their actions at the market.
"I guess today is a good day to put that BBQ to use," Mac suggested as he held the basket as Stella filled it with a few more items. "How carnivorous are you feeling?"
"Mmm a little bit of BBQ'd Mac Taylor on the side?" She playfully teased and he smirked as they headed over to the fresh meat area and Mac ordered two t-bone steaks for dinner; any leftovers would be used for lunch on Sunday. They headed home and spent the rest of the day relaxing as per Doctor's orders, fielding calls from the team, talking to Mac's mother and just being together.
"Never knew laundry could be so much fun," Mac smiled as he held up a pair of Stella's lacy panties from the dryer and grinned.
"Liked those do you?" Stella teased as she leaned in closer and planted a warm kiss on his waiting lips.
"Very much. Like them even better off," Mac whispered as his arms captured her and held her close as he planted hungry kisses on her lips, eliciting soft moans from her mouth as her back arched into him, her belly pushing him up against the wall. But before they could get carried away the washing machine dinged and it was back to work.
"So you know what tonight is right?" Stella reminded Mac.
"What?"
"Lamas...you know our breathing..."
"But you said.."
"That's right Mac, we are going to do it in our living room."
"Well we have done it in the living room before," he teased.
"Come on gutter mind, let's go practice our breathing."
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"Stella glad you too see you're okay," Lindsay commented as she hurried up to them the following Monday morning.
"Glad to be here actually," Stella managed with a small smile as she watched Mac head for the lab, a new case already calling for his attention.
"When Don called Danny on the way to the hospital we just about died," she frowned as she gently rubbed Stella's warm belly. "Very happy that baby didn't come prematurely."
"That makes three of us and thanks again for all the beautiful flowers," Stella thanked her as they headed into her office.
"What happened with Ella anyways?"
"Don called us this morning and said the Judge approved her transfer to Houston where her aunt will be. She's in a medical holding cell right now recovering and awaiting transfer. Carl is still with her."
"I don't get it; what does he still see in her?"
"I guess he really does love her and wants her to get better. He even told Jessica that he would take the bus a few times to go and visit her in Houston."
"Wow," Lindsay pondered as she shook her head. "I guess love can believe all things."
"Well let's just hope his love is well founded," Stella countered. "I mean she was able to fool clinical specialists for nearly six months into thinking she was reformed. Ella McBride is a master of making people believe what she wants them to."
"So you think Carl is under her spell?"
"Wouldn't be the first time a young man has been misguided by love," Stella sighed as she looked at Lindsay with a slight shrug. "But I hope in this case his faith is founded."
"I'm just glad you are all okay," Lindsay finally decided to drop the topic. "How are you feeling?"
"That forced rest was just what the doctor ordered," Stella told her in truth. "The premature labor pains were tough the first night and I just hope that my real labor doesn't last that long. But today they are gone; a bit of discomfort but our baby is safe," she paused to rub her belly lovingly, "and that's all that matters. Mac took good care of us on the weekend."
"I'm glad."
"Got everything done for Saturday?"
"Trust me, planning your wedding helped mine so much," Lindsay admitted as she waited for Stella to shed her coat and then they both headed for the lab. "I have been driving everyone else nuts, but I'm okay."
"Yeah Jess told me about the text messages."
"Damn that stupid time delay," Lindsay chuckles as they enter the busy lab. "I swear she was going to kill me with the last text message."
"Yeah I know she told me," Stella laughed in reply. "Two AM."
"So if you two would like to get some work done today," Mac teased with a straight face as he handed Stella a file. "Please look at this. Sheldon and I will be in the field."
"Duty calls," Stella replied as she took the file and opened, handing part to Lindsay to get started on and then slowly headed for a stool to start on her own piece. She hated to use the excuse that she needed to sit down because she was tired and was thankful that no one offered undue sympathy when she did choose to sit to complete a task.
A few hours later Stella headed back toward her office and stopped to observe her husband at his desk working. Mac looked up and a smile crossed his handsome face, which in turn produced a warm one. She slowly pushed her way into his office and eased herself onto his couch, her body at an angle and her feet on the arm.
"Tired?"
"Bloated, stiff, achy..." her voice trailed off with a smile. "And Friday I am leaving work early to buy shoes."
"Pardon?" Mac arched his brows. "Shoes? Stella you already own a lot of shoes."
"Mac, I'm buying some nice flat shoes for the wedding. All my evening shoes are heels and trust me I am not wearing heels. I could go in bare feet."
"Ah no."
"Why not? I mean besides the whole barefoot and pregnant thing," she teased.
"Because then people would say I am a neglectful husband," Mac countered with a smug smile.
"I doubt people would ever think that about you Mac."
"You know it's been almost two weeks since you and I just sat and lingered, alone, in this office."
"I know," Stella huffed as she cast her gaze upward and gently massaged her temples. "So much has happened in those two weeks."
"How is the baby?"
"Thankfully he's tired himself out."
"Well she could have your good sense to rest," Mac countered and Stella giggled as she looked over at him in wonder.
"Take me home Mac."
With a gentle nod of his head in agreement he was swiftly out of his chair and at her side, helping her stand up. Just as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek Danny appeared in the doorway.
"Hey get a room will ya."
"We are about to," Stella shot back and Danny just smirked.
"Just need a signature before you go."
"Why are you nervous Danny?" Mac teased as he took the file. "Thought all your wedding plans were finalized?"
"They are...Lindsay's not the only one who's nervous," Danny stated making both of them laugh. Mac signed the form and gave it back to Danny and both he and Stella watched as he took his leave and headed back into the hallway and was gone. Mac grabbed his coat and then walked with Stella to her office and got her coat as well and then it was into a cab and then home.
"You are very quiet tonight," Mac mentioned as he led Stella to the couch and both slowly sat down. Stella elevated her feet and once again took delight in the gentle massage he offered.
"Just thinking about that afternoon..."
"Stella..."
"No Mac, it's okay. I can talk about it and keep my emotions under control. Besides it's good to talk this stuff out right?"
"Okay."
"Just remembering some of the things she said. About you loving her you and...and that you didn't want to be a father..."
"Stella, I..."
"It was a lie Mac and I never believed it, so please don't worry; I won't go into stress shock again. When she said that I remembered your face when I told you we were going to have a baby and it lit up; I don't think I have ever seen you happier. That memory helped me survive. Except of course on our wedding day."
"You mean night," Mac teased warmly and Stella offered him a gentle smile.
"That too. Her lies Mac...she never knew you and I know it was just an obsession because you were the first kind and descent man to come along and show her any kind of compassion. But instead of taking it at face value she was so starved and had to twist it into something ugly and dangerous."
"I for one am glad it's over," Mac huffed as his fingers gently rested on her belly, the warmth of his touch once again being rewarded with his child's movements under the skin. "And I'm glad you never believed any of her lies."
"At times though I did feel sorry for her. I mean that night in the alley; if you are that desperate for attention that you have to hurt yourself..."
"Well I just hope that being in prison with only Carl to come and visit her periodically, she'll come to some kind of sense and move on."
"I hope that too."
Mac looked at Stella and smiled; a few more minutes passed, neither having to speak or offer words as sometimes they just knew what the other was thinking. Finally Mac pushed himself up and helped Stella to her feet, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her firmly on the lips.
"I love you Stella Taylor. Always."
Ella looked at her cuffed wrist attached to the transfer bed in the back of the prison bus she was being transferred to the airport and then into an airplane that would take her to Houston. She had all but spent her tears when the two female guards had come to take her away, her last few minutes with Carl used up so fast she hardly had time to think. She knew she deserved her prison time but still was angry at herself for letting it get this far.
"Now I'll never see him again," she mumbled in misery, attracting the attention of one of the female guards who looked at her in pity. "I could have made him love me," she mumbled in sorrow. The older woman offered a simple nod and then looked away; an air of indifference to the young woman's plight lost on her distracted brain.
She had hoped that Mac would at least come to see her once. She could understand; as much as it did anger her, that he was at his wife's side in the hospital. Only Carl was there to make sure she was okay. Also at the hearing and then today when she was sent off, nothing; not for even a second.
"But he did love me," she tries to reason, giving her head a shake. But every time she closed her eyes the only face she would see was Carl's not Mac Taylor; the other part of her brain trying to force her to understand that Mac never loved her and didn't care that she was going, his only concern was his family.
"Should have been my family!" Ella spat in contempt.
She cast her weary gaze out the small window and looked at the darkened skies as the bus neared the airport and she felt her heart start to pick up the pace. She had visited prison one time and remembered how she hated the smell, the hungry eyes, the lewd comments and the feeling of hopelessness. That was her fate now; by her own doing. The van came to a stop and it seemed like forever before she was wheeled out of the van and into the back of the transport airplane, milking her recovery as much as possible.
"Next stop Houston," she heard one of the new female guards say to the other. "Then we can be rid of her and get back to work."
Ella's anger surged once again, part of her brain falsely reasoning that those words were a personal attack directed at her instead of just a regular inmate in her situation.
"Someday..." her voice trailed off as the doors hissed shut.
Mac lay in bed that night, awake but thankful that Stella was draped across his chest asleep. His mind kept drifting back to Stella's words about her being trapped in the apartment with Ella, her life on the line. And while knew she was putting on a brave face for him, telling him that she was okay to talk about it; he could tell by the way her body tensed and lips slightly quivered that she was still scared and rightly so.
Her felt her body shift, her warm breath comforting on his bare chest and in the darkness his lips curled into a warm smile. Finally he closed his eyes and allowed himself to think back on happy memories of their honeymoon in Greece and his mind was at once in peace and he was able to sleep right through until the morning.
The rest of the week passed by without incident. Danny and Lindsay were hardly seen as they were trying to juggle last minute family and wedding preparations in between finishing cases before they disappeared to the tropics for two weeks. The rest of the team picked up the extra workload and Stella found herself getting more tired out as each day would progress. Her anxiety about being a mother would ebb and flow; someday with worries and others with great excitement; all part of the natural process she was assured by Dr. Marsh.
"Can't believe it's Friday already," Stella gently moaned as she allowed Mac to help her with her coat; true to her words of leaving early to pick up some new shoes for the wedding the next day.
"You look tired."
"I am," she admitted weakly. "I'll be home as soon as I can. You sure you don't want to come with me?"
"Friday afternoon in Macy's? Pretty sure," Mac smirked as they walked toward the elevator. "Hard to believe tomorrow's the wedding."
"Hard to believe in two months we'll be parents," she countered with a tired smile, one hand rubbing her belly.
"Yeah...wow..." Mac mumbled and she laughed as she kissed his cheek. They exited onto the street and Mac hailed a cab for his wife before telling her he loved her and sending her on her way before he got into another cab and heading for home a special surprise already on his mind.
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Stella slowly wandered through the large busy department store, watching new mothers with young children or babies and felt her excitement starting to grow. She was happy she wasn't put off by the ones with screaming children or those with babies that seemed to fuss a lot.
"First or second?" The clerk asked, pulling her from her mental stupor.
"First," Stella smiled in return.
"You have that glow," the woman smiled as she pulled out a pair of sparkly flats. "These will be great even after the baby is born."
Stella tried them on and found them a perfect fit. "I'll take them."
After she had bought and paid for the shoes she headed over to the men's department wanting to get something for Mac that he could match her tomorrow. She headed for the tie department and finally set her eyes upon a piece of silk that compliment her dress perfectly. After picking up a new bottle of cologne she walked back outside and got into the nearest cab, not being able to get home fast enough.
She finally reached home and wanted nothing more than a warm bath and to put her feet up and relax. She was sure Mac probably had supper started, knowing that if she was hungry, he would be in trouble. But as she entered their apartment she instantly noticed something was different. Soft music was playing, there was a large bouquet of crimson roses on the table, some soft candles and her husband waiting with a smile on his handsome face and a rose in one hand.
"Mac?" Stella whispered happily, as her eyes watered.
"Welcome home," he greeted her warmly as he took her bags and helped her with her coat; only to be rewarded with her turning around in his grasp and planting hungry kisses on his waiting lips. His arms around her tightened, crushing the fragrant flower between them. Her fingers teased the back of his neck as her warm lips moved to his ear and gently sucked the tender lobe.
"I love you," she whispered once more as they drew back a little. "Thank you for all this."
"Haven't shown my..." he started only to have her quickly press her finger to his lips and stop him.
"You show your love for me every day in many amazing ways; this is just another one of them," she praised and he kissed her lips once more.
"I love you too," he whispered in delight. "Hungry?"
"You have to ask?" She countered and he chuckled as he led her to the table. They waited for take out, Stella telling him about her shopping adventure and then both diving into their meal and then retiring for the night; a busy day of activity ahead of them tomorrow.
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"You seriously have to make me wait to see you dressed up tonight?" Mac gently moaned as he watched Stella zip up the garment bag to her dress and look at him with a smile.
"I have to wait to see you," she countered and he just rolled his eyes.
"Funny," he state dryly.
"I am going to get my hair and makeup done with the girls and you get to..."
"Mope?" He teased.
"Mac Taylor you don't mope. Remember you always tell me that," she caressed his cheek before kissing his mouth.
"I lied," he smiled as he kissed her back.
"See you later."
Mac could only nod his head in agreement as he followed her out of the bedroom and then joined Don and Jessica in their living room.
"Hey at least you don't have many duties tonight," Flack groaned. "I have to make sure no one drinks a lot."
"At least Sheldon is MC," Mac countered.
"Better than Sid."
"Yeah Sheldon would die if he made a sex joke in public; Sid wouldn't."
"Trust me he's looking forward to it."
"Mac gets to arrest those who are drunk and disorderly," Stella teased.
"Lindsay is threatening bloody murder if anything goes wrong. A bride on her wedding day can be a lot scarier than Mac Taylor in arrest mode."
"I agree with that. I've seen Lindsay in action...scary," Mac smiled as he hugged Stella once more. Finally it was just him and Flack alone and Flack waited for Mac to get his black suit and then both headed out the door to go and see Danny where Sheldon was already waiting.
"Can't wait to see your dress," Jessica stated as she sat in the salon chair next to Lindsay, Stella on the other side; the three of them in a salon beside Central Park; the Messer wedding following the same theme and plan as the Taylor wedding; the weather thankfully cooperating.
"I want to thank both of you for all your help."
"Me?" Stella asked in surprise.
"Moral support?" Lindsay teased and the three of them laughed. They continued to make small talk for the next two hours as all had their hair and makeup done and Lindsay had special nails done for the wedding and honeymoon only. Finally they all carefully climbed into the back of the waiting limousine and headed for the large dressing tent in Central Park.
"Bring back happy memories?" Lindsay asked Stella as she stood and looked wistfully at the area that was being arranged for the upcoming ceremony.
"Many," Stella replied with a smile as she turned and gave Lindsay a warm hug. "I'm very happy for you, I know you'll both be very happy and in love forever."
"Eternity right?"
"Eternity," Stella whispered as she and Lindsay turned and headed back into the dressing tent.
"Your dress is simply amazing," Jessica gushed over the creamy satin fabric that hung above the floor.
"Well Jess..."
"Let's get her dressed."
Stella and Jessica carefully helped Lindsay into her dress and then allowed her mother and sister to help with the rest. Stella stepped back watched with a heavy heart as Lindsay's mom fretted around her daughter, wanting everything to be perfect. She tenderly rubbed her belly, vowing right there that she would never leave her child and would be there for every important event in it's life.
Quickly drying the oncoming tears she headed into her area to get changed. Mac had once again won the argument against wearing a tux and instead agreed on a pure black suit with white shirt and the tie she bought to match her dark sapphire colored dress. When she was finished she headed outside to get some fresh and get a much needed smile and hug from her elusive husband.
She found him talking to Sid and joined the conversation a little before Sid and Alice took their leave, allowing Mac and Stella some alone time before the festivities actually started.
"You look truly amazing," Mac praised as he kissed her cheek, not wanting to mess up her makeup.
"You look pretty great yourself," she praised in return with a tight smile.
"You okay?" Mac asked, sensing something wasn't quite right.
"Wish my mom was here like Lindsay's is right now."
"As you always told me Stella, even if you can't see her face, she lives on inside your heart."
Mac wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close, allowing her body to sag onto his. "I like your shoes by the way," added, forcing a warm smile from her lips and his heart finally started to settle.
"Brings back lots of good memories," Stella mentioned warmly as the watched the busy activity before them.
"Was a magical day for me as well," Mac replied in kind. "Come on time to get started," he said as they both watched Flack gesture to them it was time to get started.
"I'll see you in a bit," Stella smiled as she kissed him on the cheek. Stella slowly headed for the seats and slowly sat down on Lindsay's side beside Sid and Alice, Jessica along with her sister poised to walk down the isle before the bride. Stella looked down at the beautiful band of gold on her finger before looking back up at her handsome husband and smiling when she caught his eye. The music started and a hush fell over the crowd, even passersby stopped to wait for the bride to reveal herself. Jessica was first to walk down the isle, Lindsay's brother in law her partner and both complimenting each other in the purple eggplant that Lindsay had picked. Lindsay's sister was next, Don, Danny's best friend as best as her partner as Danny didn't want Louie in the wedding party. And then came the bride.
Whereas Stella had chosen a more trendy gown, Lindsay's was a more traditional Princess style with a fuller bottom, fitted waist and strapless top, dusted with pearls; the same pearls and roses that held dozens of golden curls up off her face. Stella's mind offered happy pictures of her own wedding and her heart raced with joy as the Minister started into his wedding speech.
Mac finally came and sat down beside her; after he had assured that the two ushers he left in charge of security were doing their job properly. He offered Stella a quiet smile as he took her hand and held it firmly in his; delighting in the added warmth her skin offered his on the crisp afternoon. The Minister finished offering the vows, the rings were exchanged and the kiss was made; the announcement of Mr. and Mrs. Messer being greeted with happy clapping.
"How are you feeling Stella?" Alice Hammerback asked as the crowd started to disperse for the pictures and afternoon mingling.
"Glad to be off my feet right now and hoping they don't serve anything spicy for supper," she answered with a warm smile as the older woman's hand gently touched her belly and then smiled when she felt a slight kick. "You should feel it move when Mac's hand is there."
"Yes he does have that affect on people," Sid started. "He says jump, they just do it."
Stella made small talk with the Hammerback's and those around her before Mac came and joined them for a bit before both of them decided to go for a walk in the park, hand in hand; a delight for all who happened to gaze upon the happy couple enjoying the day and more importantly each other. And no one looking, aside from a select few, would have ever guessed their happiness was ever in jeopardy.
"How are the new shoes?"
"Mac these shoes are amazing."
"Amazing?"
"Just like you," she teased and he just shook his head.
They finally headed into the large dining tent and took their seat beside the Hammerback's, Sheldon and his date, Adam and Kendall his date from the lab; and a few others, Jessica and Don at the head table with the rest of the wedding party.
"Can't go wrong with standard fare," Stella smiled as she walked back to her table with a large plate of food.
"Or the excuse that you are eating for two," Sid smirked, only to receive an elbow in the side from his wife.
The dinnertime conversation was light and focused around the new couple the wedding festivities and where everyone had travelled either on or not on their honeymoon; no mention of work or the one person who nearly destroyed two important guests. The first song, 'When you Love Someone' by Bryan Adams, was watched intently by all; smiles and pictures galore. Finally it was time for the rest of the crowd to join in with the bridal party.
"You okay for a waltz?"
"With you as my partner? You bet I am," Stella agreed in haste to which Mac quickly pushed himself up and extended his hand. Stella took that hand and let her husband lead her to the dance floor, delighting in the feel of his strong arms lovingly wrapped around her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Actually pretty good."
"Oh really?" Mac queried with arched brows. "How good?"
"Good enough to devour you right now," she purred in his ear and his grin widened.
"Want to leave now?" He asked weakly and she lightly laughed.
"Mac, these shoes want to see a bit more action."
"You can keep them on at home," he flirted and she just smiled and planted a warm kiss on his cheek.
"Trust me Mac, this feeling for you won't be leaving anytime soon."
"Good."
Mac and Stella danced a few more dances, listened to the speeches from Lindsay's sister and Don Flack and then it was time to cut the cake. Then it was finally time for the Taylor's to take their leave. Both took turns wishing all the best to Danny and Lindsay who in turned thanked each of them for their love, support, guidance and help with their special day.
Mac allowed Stella as much as she needed with Lindsay and slowly made his way to the front of the tent, casting his gaze into the darkened skies before him; the party still going strong in the tent behind him.
Stella finished up with Lindsay and then went in search of her husband. But as she rounded the corner and spied him in his black suit with his back to her; her mind instantly flashed images of their own wedding night and finding him like this before they left.
"Hello handsome," Stella whispered warmly as she wrapped her arms around him as best she could with her baby bump. "Are you by any chance lost?"
Mac's lips curled into a smile as his brain replayed the same playful image of his own wedding night. "I am," he whispered in return. "Care to take me home?"
"Very much," Stella smiled as Mac turned around to face her, looking into her warm eyes and planting a hungry kiss on her inviting lips.
"I'll call a cab..." Mac started as Stella waved to the limo driver, forcing Mac to look at her in wonder.
"No need."
"Stella?"
"I have a surprise for you Mac."
A/N: any guesses as to her surprise? Hope you all liked this chapter and a bit more to go and then this story wraps! (at least for this round :)
PS: Remember smackies to drop by my forum for the latest spoiler news including the date of Reed's return as well as you know who (yes Mac's new bimbo lol)