Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 19 - Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Taylor!
"So where are you taking me?" Mac's warm baritone voice whispered in her ear as they snuggled together in the back of the limousine.
"Well you said you were lost right?" Stella asked softly.
"Yes."
"Then should it matter? Trust me handsome I'm not going to leave you by the side of the road or in a strange place alone," she informed him and he chuckled. But as they neared The Plaza hotel, Mac looked at the hotel valet area as they neared it to his wife in surprise.
"But..."
"Thought since we don't have to get up that early tomorrow, we could spent one night here, relive some happy memories."
"Amazing," Mac mumbled as he planted a warm kiss below her ear. "Love that you keep me guessing."
The limousine stopped and Stella and Mac headed for the reception area as the valet usher helped with their bags; which were transferred to a waiting bellhop who got their room number and took their bags up to the honeymoon suite.
"And if Danny and Lindsay stay here?"
"The walls are soundproof Mac," Stella teased and Mac just rolled his eyes. "They are staying someplace else."
They entered the room, which was already decorated with soft candles, roses and a few other delectable items for them to enjoy. Mac paid the bellhop and then placed everything aside, loosened his tie and headed over to the window to hold his wife close to his chest. His hands rested on her warm belly, her heart keeping time with his.
"Still looks so magical," Stella whispered as they looked down at the wedding party tent in the park beneath them. Stella took Mac's hand and guided him over to the bed and turned to face him, gently tugging at his brand new tie until it hung loosely around his neck.
"A few more months and we'll be able to use the cuffs again," she whispered as her lips started to taste his; covering them so his next few words were muffled and obscure. Her tongue gently pushed its way inside, forcing his mouth to groan in pleasurable delight.
"I bought you something new," she informed him as she gently pushed his jacket off his arms, tossed it aside and continued with his dress shirt until he had just his black dress pants on, her warm lips already planting warm, hungry kisses on his bare chest.
"You smell good Mac."
"Someone bought me new cologne," he informed her in a husky tone as he guided her mouth back to his, his fingers already on the zipper of her dress, gently unzipping the satin and letting it fall to her feet, revealing new black satin and lace. "Wow. Is that um...new?" He asked weakly as he quickly shed the rest of his clothing.
"Bought it for you...to enjoy that is," she added when he had first frowned. "Trust me Mac, I'm not that kinky."
"Yeah I'd have to draw the line there also but on you..." he whispered as his warm lips started to plant kisses above her ample breasts. "Drives me crazy," he mumbled as he twisted himself around and carefully lowered her down on to him. With only a two months before the baby was due, even direct woman on top was now becoming a challenge.
"Have to get creative again Mr. Scientist," Stella lightly teased as Mac's mouth silenced her once more. His fingers got lost in curls as his other hand delighted in touching her warm velvety skin.
"Creative huh," he smiled as he gently moved her to the same position they had tried a few nights ago. "Well since we only tried this one once...is that okay?"
"Ah like this one," Stella told him, his mind once again set at ease. With the baby belly in the way, locking lips for any extended amounts of time was just as difficult as the first time they tried it so instead had to lock their lips onto available skin as their rhythm increased.
"The baby moved," Stella gasped as they neared climax.
"Stella I love you," Mac groaned before the room finally was quiet and the bed still. They carefully broke apart and while Mac arranged the bed for them to relax on Stella quickly fetched the basket of goodies and then eased herself onto the bed, on her side, facing her husband.
"You are glowing," he praised.
"Thanks to you," she praised in return as she pulled the tissue back on the gift basket.
"Sparkling white grape juice," Mac gently frowned as he pulled out the champagne style bottle.
"Trust me Mac, you'll like it. Just like you'll like this," Stella told him as she carefully dipped a large strawberry into the dipping chocolate and guided his lips to it. But instead of offering him all of it, she quickly pushed the fruit all the way into his mouth and then went after it with her own lips and tongue; forcing his mind to once again explode in pleasurable delight.
"Liked that," Mac admitted as it was his turn next. This time he took out a small piece of sponge cake and did the same thing as Stella, his tongue carefully licking off all the excess chocolate before they broke apart for some air and another treat.
"Smoked oysters?" Mac asked with raised brows as he fingered the small tin that was in the basket.
"Those are an aphrodisiac," she told him. "And yes I can have them because they are well cooked."
"Stella we don't need help in that area," he lightly frowned and she giggled as she carefully pulled the lid open. She used the small fork to dig one out and held it up for her husband to taste. "Um...have I ever had these before?"
"Try it Mr. Skeptic," she playfully demanded and he had no choice but to comply.
"Actually not bad, very smoky," he informed her as he continued to dig around in the basket of goodies, Stella happily eating everything he wouldn't. When they had finally exhausted everything in the picnic basket, Mac headed into the bathroom to start up the shower; Stella not being allowed to go into the jetted hot tub this time around. Their shower lasted longer than expected thanks to a very hot and heavy but non-sexual make out session, standing up sex not an option with the size of her belly at this time and anal sex not even an inkling for them.
"Mmmm shower Mac," Stella purred as she snuggled closer into Mac's embrace underneath the luxurious silk sheets of their King sized bed. "I love you Mr. Taylor."
"I love you Mrs. Taylor," Mac whispered in return as he kissed the side of her face before both fell into sleep; tired from the long days exciting events. Taken into a world of happy dreams, a place where evil wasn't allowed to penetrate.
"How is she doctor?"
"She's struggling," the prison doctor informed Ella's guardian that same night, a few states over. Both older women stood on the other side of a solid door, peering in through a large, barred security window, watching the young woman curled on her side in misery.
"Her wound for the most part has healed but she's refused her meals this week which means I had to force the protein shot and she's not engaged in any of the physical activities. I thought it was her roommate so I had her transferred here to a solitary room to see if she'd at least perk up a bit more. Nothing."
"She's lost her will to live?"
"Looks like it," the prison doctor huffed heavily. "Gotta be something really bad to make you completely give up your will to live. But I just got an email from someone named Carl Franklin. I guess he's her boyfriend or something and is coming to see her next weekend. Maybe when she hears that she'll pick up a bit more."
"Okay," the guardian sighed as she took the email page and carefully entered Ella's cell. "Ella, I have an email from Carl here. Do you want me to read it?"
Ella slowly lifted her watery gaze and for the first time in weeks, her lips started to tug into a small smile. She finally nodded her head and the older woman looked back at the doctor and nodded before she turned back to Ella and started to read.
'Ella. Finally got some time off work and I'm coming to...' the guardian's voice trailed off softly. The first week had been pure hell for Ella. Being stripped to nothing and inspected upon arrival, her few belongings taken and locked away for when she would be released. Her cell was a small hellhole and her roommate a demon on two legs. After the first day, she lay on her side and refused to move; finally garnering some medical attention and getting her way into a small private room.
She didn't have much to hold onto; her aunt hadn't called or come to visit yet; Mac was out of the question. As much as she wanted to believe that he would show up to offer some encouragement to her to seek the treatment she knew she needed, he never came and she knew he never would. But then there was Carl. And now with the mention of his name, her spirits peaked up a bit.
"Ella?"
"I'm hungry," she finally offered them the first sign that she wanted to do something to help herself get better. "Please?"
"Coming right up," her guardian smiled as she handed her the email note. "It seems he really cares for you."
"Yeah, I know."
"Mac, we have to have bacon," Stella playfully argued as they lingered in bed the following morning. "Everything tastes better with bacon."
"Everything?" Mac arched his brows, looking at her over the top of the room service menu.
"Yes everything," she stated once more as she pushed the menu down and firmly kissed his lips. "Especially you."
"Ah right," he smirked as he twisted himself around and reached for the phone, Stella's fingers teasing his bare chest and eliciting small laughs from his lips as her fingers moved lower to more sensitive and ticklish areas. When he gently pushed her hand away she returned a sad pout and he frowned. "You know I can't handle when you do that."
"Where is that tie of yours?" She teased as he dialed the number for room service.
"I think the lab is going to be very quiet for the next two weeks," Mac murmured as quickly reached for his underwear and supplied robe so he could be presentable for when room service arrived.
"Quieter still when I'm gone," she mentioned as she fiddled with something. But when she was offered silence in return she quickly looked up and looked at his expression. "Mac, you know I won't be away every single day for the entire year. In fact I'm sure you'll be tired of us," she emphasized as she rubbed her belly, "just hanging around distracting you."
"You're kidding right?"
"Mac..."
"Trust me, I'll be begging you to bring the baby in more often."
"So I can distract you?"
"You easily do that now, I'm just a master of keeping myself in check," Mac countered as he planted a warm kiss on the top of her nose.
"Ah Master Taylor," Stella teased as she pulled him back down onto the bed. "Like the sound of that."
"You are the real Master of our household," he whispered with a smile as there was a knock on the door. Mac headed to get their breakfast while Stella, already dressed in her own supplied robe, planted herself as the small table that overlooked Central Park and soon both were making light conversation over breakfast, mostly about Mac's mother coming to stay a few weeks before the baby was born, just to help out and such.
XXXXXXXX
And as suspected the two weeks that followed without Danny and Lindsay around were quieter but also busier as the rest of the team to pick up the slack; Stella and Adam doing more in the lab and Mac and Sheldon doing more in the field. And by the time they got back, Stella was well into her third trimester, one month to go.
"We are now officially in countdown mode," Stella announced to make over dinner on a Monday night.
"Countdown?" Mac arched his brows as he looked at the calendar.
"One month Mac," Stella replied as she sat down beside him once more and smiled as his hands rested on her belly. "Two weeks your mother arrives and two weeks and two weeks after that..."
"Our baby," Mac whispered as he slowly pushed up her sweater. "One month little one," Mac's voice soothed to her baby bump. "And how is mommy?"
"Restless," Stella smirked. "Can't seem to sit still, sleeping is...Mac, I'm sorry about last night."
"I'm used to being a light sleeper."
"I'm not used to having to go to the bathroom this often."
"Or being this hungry?" Mac teased as she reached for another tasty morsel.
"One minute I'm excited and the next I'm scared to death," her voice trailed off as Mac gently squeezed her hand.
"But..."
"Mac, it's okay. I have read about new moms in their third trimester and these feelings are normal. But...well I have been so sure and strong and now...I'm scared."
"I will be with you every step of the way."
"You know it's not the birth itself that scares me, it's the after part, the actual parenting part."
"I will be with you every second Stella. You'll never have to worry..." Mac starts only to have her quickly silence him with a warm kiss.
"I know you will be and I know we are going to be in this all the way together, that's not what scares me."
"What scares you?"
"The end result?" Stella offered weakly. "I guess in light of everything...I mean we see good parents turn out bad children and...look what we just went through? That young woman was that way in part because of her parents and..."
"Come here," Mac urged as he offered his hand. Stella quickly took it and eased herself onto his lap, allowing his arms to tighten around her. "Our child will never turn out like Ella McBride or any product of the system because we won't allow that to happen," he assured her in a soft tone. Stella leaned her head on Mac's and offered a heavy sigh. "We aren't perfect but we both turned out okay..." he lightly smirked, forcing her face to soften. "I think our children are going to be just fine."
"Children?"
"Children. At least two remember?"
"I love you Mac," Stella whispered as they finally fell asleep in each other's arms.
XXXXXXXX
"Stella is at home mom," Mac hugged his mother as she hurried into his arms at the airport two weeks later.
"How is she?"
"She wants the baby to come out already," he quipped and his mother laughed.
"I remember the feeling McCanna," she smiled. "And how are you? You look tired."
"I'm worried about her and I'm up when she's up."
"Never helped that you were a light sleeper," Millie Taylor sighed as they reached the Avalanche and headed for home. She gently squeezed her son's hand, forcing Mac to look over at her with a tense smile. "She's going to be just fine. Will you?"
"I will once the pain is over. I was reading about what a woman goes through and I hate seeing Stella in pain. I remember when I found her with Ella and the pain she was experiencing then and..."
"McCanna, it will pass and she will be fine. Believe me once you see your child, the pain will be quickly forgotten."
"I keep telling myself that but even now, every twinge, and I'm on edge. I mean what if something goes wrong?"
"Dr. Marsh is a very good doctor, Stella will be just fine."
Mac and his mother talk more about her new amended stay. She'll be there for the first two weeks and then will head back home to give the couple some much needed privacy; knowing that within that time frame that intimacy will not be something they'll be sharing just yet.
"Millie," Stella greeted her mother in law with a warm hug.
"Stella you are glowing," Millie commends as she pulls back and examines the beautiful woman before her. "Come and sit down and I'll make some tea."
"I'll see you both later," Mac stated warmly as he kissed Stella warmly on the lips and gave his mother a quick smile before he took his leave; anxious to get things finished at the lab and wrap up as much as possible before anything would happen that would take him away for a few weeks at least. Mac had to laugh because every time the phone rang or his pager went off, his heart would race in expectation of his first child.
'Trust me Mac, if Stella goes into labor and you're here, we'll get you there in time,' Flack always assured him.
"This place looks amazing," Millie noted as her and Stella stood in the baby's room.
"We had to leave everything neutral for now," Stella mentioned warmly as she slowly headed for the rocking chair and Millie took a seat in a nearby Queen Ann chair that would house either one when the other was either feeding or trying to gently rock the baby to sleep.
"How did Lamas go?"
"We had to do the at home version," Stella smiled. "Neither of us could make the class times and we found that doing it right before bed helped us both sleep better."
"I'm just happy you got him to do it with you."
"Mac has been very hands on throughout this whole thing," Stella smiled. "As I know he will be for everything."
"I know he will. He's so happy and excited. And I'm glad I'll be here for the shower. But are you sure you want to wait only a two weeks? I don't mind coming back later."
"Well this will also help us see what else we need to buy," Stella replied as her eyes lingered on the crib.
"I think you're going to be a wonderful mother Stella and I can't thank you enough for coming into Mac's life," Millie said in a warm tone, forcing Stella's eyes look at her; instantly misting. "When he lost Claire I worried that he'd never find happiness, but now with you in his heart, I know he'll never face loneliness again."
"I love him more than anything."
"I know you do and he has the same love for you," Millie tenderly squeezed her hand. "Now where will I be staying?"
Stella slowly pushed herself up from the rocking chair and led Millie into another room and helped her get settled before they walked back into the kitchen and started to make things for dinner. Stella worked a half day, not wanting to put too much workload stress on her husband with the Messer's back but the team already doing double duty. Stella plied Millie with a million questions on giving birth as they worked about and by the time Mac came home for dinner, some of her nervous anxiety about having their baby has finally subsided.
"Welcome home," Stella greeted Mac with a warm kiss. Mac said hello to his mother and then hurried into their bedroom to get changed before emerging for dinner dressed in casual clothing.
"I think the last time we sat down for dinner altogether was just before the wedding," Mac stated as they lingered around the dinner table later that night. He looked over at Stella who offered an uncomfortable frown and his heart started to beat faster.
"Just a twinge," Stella assured him in haste.
"McCanna is a worrier by nature," Millie teased her son.
"Was trained well," Mac countered.
"I hope you mean by the Marines," Millie shot back and Mac smiled. "And you'll never have to worry about the baby's room being a mess."
"Oh trust me, if I didn't know him so well I would suspect him of hiding the odd Playboy here and there," Stella giggled to which Mac just rolled his eyes.
"Yes I remember Mac's first encounter with Playboy."
"What? Dad told you?" Mac asked in shock.
"Mac what's this?"
"Stella, it's nothing."
"When he was fourteen and just..."
"Do you ever want to see your grandchild?" Mac teased his mother with a smile.
"I want to hear this Mac, you can go in the other room if it makes you uncomfortable," Stella goaded and Mac just let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.
"Fine but that's it. One embarrassing story is enough."
"Tell me the rest in private," Stella winked at Millie.
"Well anyways McCanna was fourteen and of course he liked girls but was always too shy to make a move on anyone and so his friend, Mark, suggested a Playboy. As if one fourteen year old knows how to advise another on anything when it comes to girls. So McCanna I guess read the magazine and the next day his father overhears him tell our neighbor she has nice big..."
"I did not," Mac protested and Stella looked at Mac in shock. "She's making this up."
"Your father told me. I guess he wasn't too impressed with your words but was impressed you told the truth as to why you said them. But you were grounded for the weekend for reading that material in the first place and for not telling us."
"And I have never said that since," Mac frowned as he took another drink of his wine. "Or read another issue in my life. No need."
Stella squeezed her husbands hand but gently laughed. "Don't worry Mac, we'll just make sure if we do have a computer for the family it's left in the kitchen."
"And our kids room will not have a door...bars maybe," his voice trailed off as the two women just laughed once again. The rest of the evening was filled with light conversation about what the first few weeks after the baby was born would comprise of and then it was time to call it a night.
"Playboy huh?" Stella teased Mac as she lay in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, her finger making small circles around his belly button.
"Stella it wasn't..." Mac started in protest.
"Mac, I'm not mad, I think it's funny and something any teenage boy would have done. Trust me if you werent at least curious at looking at that kind of magazine back then I would have been worried you didn't like girls or something."
"Oh I liked them alright, but was always nervous around them."
"Why?"
"Never thought I had much to offer back then. Knew when I finished school I wanted to go into the Marines; they paid for my university education and then I was gone on tour in various places, killing other soldiers. Not exactly a life that most young women are attracted to."
"I would have been. Would have thought you the most handsome man on the planet; just like now."
Mac's hand that had been gently massaging her neck stops and gently lifts her face to his. "And that's why I love you and think I always have," he finished in a whisper.
Stella lifts Mac's t-shirt a little higher and plants warm kiss on his bare skin. "I love you too."
"My mother is next door."
"Just don't moan."
"Funny."
XXXXXXXX
"You are actually in today?" Sid asked Stella a week before the baby was due. "Brave woman."
"Trust me Sid, I get along with my mother in law but..."
"Yeah I hear ya, after a while you want them dead. Oh wait mine is," he frowned and Stella just rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Give this to our distracted fearless leader."
"Distracted?"
"This morning he put mustard into his coffee. He didn't tell you?"
"Haven't had time yet, but thanks for the gossip."
"You didn't hear it from me!" Sid called out after her.
Stella laughed to herself as she went in search of Mac and finally found him walking back to his office with a pensive stare on his face. "That is not a good look for you."
"Budget concerns once again. What's up?"
"Autopsy results for the Ryder case."
"Anything out of the ordinary?"
"I think it was Colonel mustard," she teased.
"Sid right?"
"I have to protect my sources," Stella countered and he just shook his head as he took the file and headed into his office.
"Partner in crime is more like it," Mac huffed as he gestured for Stella to sit instead of stand. "Anything?"
"Mac, when my water breaks you'll know. Dr. Marsh says that most first babies are either right on time or overdue. Only a select few come early."
"A week is asking too much?"
"In that much of a hurry to see me in pain? Mac, I'm kidding," Stella added quickly when his smile turned to a look of horror. "Besides I'm just as anxious as you now to have this baby just come out already."
"How is your back today?"
"Trust me our medical is going to be through the roof at the end of this month," she replied with a frown. "But I'm trying to take it in stride."
"You know one of the things I admire about you is your strength; all the things you have been through and you have the amazing ability to just bounce back like nothing happened."
"I hear a but in there."
"But sometimes it's okay to complain to me if you are in pain you know," Mac told her. "I am not going to think you weak or less or..."
"Emotional? I can't be that woman Mac...the weepy...crying...whatever..."
"There is nothing wrong with it."
"Mac I'm not used to complaining about anything."
"Okay so wrong choice of words. Open up?"
"Sorry if you think I haven't been open enough. I'm for the most part okay but today just tired and out of energy."
"Then it's time to go."
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"Do you seriously expect me to go in today? Stella today's the due date," Mac moaned as he looked at her from across the bedroom, only his dress pants and t-shirt on.
"Mac the twinges are gone and I feel fine; I don't think this baby is coming today," she tried to assure him. "And just to prove it, I think I'll join you."
"Like hell. If I have to I will handcuff you to that bed," Mac gently warned.
"Yeah then I'm sure you're mother would have more stories besides the Playboy. Oh Mac, why are they black and fuzzy?"
"I meant the...Stella..." Mac groaned as she pushed herself off the bed and walked up to him, kissing him on the lips and stopping his words.
"Even on our wedding day I have never seen you so nervous."
"Just don't want anything to go wrong. This could mean your life," Mac whispered softly as he kissed her on the mouth. "I want you to stay home."
"I am coming with you and if you argue, I'll leave you handcuffed to the bed for your mother to find," Stella teased and Mac knew better than to argue. So with benign conversation to get them through until they reached the lab, Mac and Stella both got started into their day, reaching lunch without incident.
"Stella you look pale," Lindsay noted as Stella slowly downed some cold water.
"I think I'll just go and rest. Had to have been those damn Cheezies," Stella wheezed lightly as she quickly removed herself and headed for Mac's office.
She offered people passing by a weak smile finally reaching Mac's office to find him on the phone. He looked up as she entered and knew something was wrong.
"Stella?"
"Just a small twinge Mac, I just need to sit down for..."
"Should I call Dr. Marsh?"
"No I think I'll...yes Mac..."
"What?"
"Call Dr. Marsh. My water just broke."
"Your wat..."
"Call Dr. Marsh!" Stella growled and Mac picked up the phone and called Dr. Marsh who told Mac to get her to the hospital without causing and accident and she'd meet them there.
"I'll bring the overnight bag and see you both there," Millie assured her son as Mac quickly hung up and headed for his wife, carefully wrapping his coat around her shoulders and with Lindsay's help got her down to the avalanche.
"Mac, I'll drive," Lindsay insisted as she took the keys after Mac had gotten into the back with Stella, her head on his lap and her knees lifted, doing the breathing technique that they had been taught. Stella gripped Mac's hand as a mild contraction started, her breathing starting to pick up the pace with each pang and then slow back down again.
"Okay Stella, just breathe," Mac instructed as he felt her hand grip his once more.
"Again Mac..." she huffed as another contraction passed. "I'll say one thing for our baby it has your will..." she wheezed. "Once it's made up its mind..." she gasped once more, offering his hand another strong grip.
"Damn you're strong."
"Stop...cursing..." Stella offered a strained smile and Mac smirked as they finally neared the hospital ER entrance. Mac allowed Stella to be helped into a waiting wheelchair and then he hurried after the orderly as they took Stella into a room to wait until her contractions were close enough to transfer her to a birthing suite to await the arrival of their child.
Lindsay parked the car and then hurried into the waiting area, Danny and Flack already on their way over, Jessica would meet them there. Mac left Stella with Dr. Marsh and headed out to talk to his team.
"There is no reason for you all to..."
"Sheldon is running the lab Mac," Danny assured him and Mac just shook his head.
"Great."
"Better than Sid."
"Mac, we'll wait for a few hours and then..."
"Guys her contractions aren't that close together yet. It could be a couple of hours yet."
Mac finally realized that arguing with team as a lost cause and so took his leave and headed back to his wife. Dr. Marsh was gone but his mother was now sitting beside Stella's beside; but when Mac entered the room, Stella's eyes locked with his and her face finally relaxed.
"Everything okay?" Mac asked in haste.
"Everything is right on track," Stella assured him. "Dr. Marsh had to go and check on a few other patients but she's only page away if my contractions get closer together," Stella smiled as Mac gently wiped some damp sweat off her brow and then planted a warm kiss on it, before he took her hand and allowed her to offer another firm squeeze. Millie sat in her chair knitting a small blanket for her new grandchild, wanting to be there in case Mac needed her to get something for Stella but not wanting to interfere; wanting her son to experience as much as he could during this whole process.
"Mac..." she gasped as she gently closed her eyes, took a deep breath and allowed her body to follow the natural process to the lead up to the birth of their child.
Mac gently rubbed her belly, the warmth was something he never felt before but she softly assured him that she was okay except when the actual contractions came; then her pain naturally surged.
"Did you want to try the birthing tub?" Mac asked as he lovely pushed some sweaty curls off her forehead.
"Surprisingly my body isn't that tense yet Mac," Stella offered weakly as she felt another contraction coming on; gripped his hand and took a few more breaths.
Mac bit down on his anxiety when Stella's face would crunch with pain; telling himself that she wasn't dying and that their baby was fine, this was all a part of the process.
"I love you so much Mac," Stella breathed as she felt another contraction coming and squeezed his hand once more, her breathing starting to also quicken the pace.
"I love you Stella," Mac stated as his fist tightened again and his heart started to pick up the pace, his brow starting to get damp. The next few hours seemed to pass much the same way as the contractions got stronger and stronger. Millie got coffee for Mac who in turned helped Stella, kept her brow chest as dry as possible and offered her whatever words of encouragement he could. Finally, in the early hours in the morning, Don and Jess asleep in the ER waiting room, Sheldon at work, Sid at home and Danny and Lindsay at home by the phone; newlyweds.
"Think our child will have blue or green eyes?" Mac asked as he tenderly stroked her face, his fist still locked with hers.
"Blue, like yours," Stella offered through another contraction. "Call...Dr. Marsh..." she wheezed.
"Stella?"
"Mac, our baby is coming."
"I'll get her," Millie said as she was quickly pulled from her sleepy stupor.
"Stella?"
"Mac!" Stella gasped once more.
A few minutes later the room was once again a busy hive of activity as Mac was forced to stand back and watch as Stella was carefully lifted to a transfer bed and then he followed on one side, Dr. Marsh on the other as she was taken to a birthing suite; Millie anxiously pacing one of the heated rooms while Mac stood at Stella's side; his hand now tightly clenched with hers.
"Okay Stella here we go..." Dr. Marsh stated firmly. "One more push!"
"Macccc!" Stella gasped, her knuckles white, sweat dripping down her brow and her body buckling with the heavy contraction.
"Good girl," Dr. Marsh smiled as she looked at Mac and nodded. "You are doing just great."
"Oh god..." Stella wheezed as another contraction came on. "Mac!" She shouted again as she felt her baby about to breach.
"I'm right here Stella...you are doing great."
"Stella push!"
"I...aahhhhh!"
"Both of you are doing great. Here we go and PUSH!"
"AHHH!"
"Once more and...we have breach...Stella I want you to push with everything you have!" Dr. Marsh directed. "Now push!"
"Mac!"
"I love you Stella," Mac huffed as he breathed in time with his wife, his brow as wet and his heart racing just as fast. She gripped his fist again as her body was expelling their baby.
"Oh god Mac...our baby..."
"Keep going Stella," Dr. Marsh stated loudly as she prepared to pull the baby free. "Almost there, you are doing fine...one more push."
"Oh god Mac...oh g..." Stella panted as she pushed once more, allowing a small scream to escape her lips, ripping Mac's heart in two painful pieces.
"Baby's out!" Dr. Marsh exclaimed as the newest edition to the Taylor family was pulled free; a healthy baby's cries were finally heard and both Mac and Stella looked at each other and exchanged small sobs of delight and ecstasy as Mac bent down and kissed his wife.
"Mac you want to cut the cord? It's usually the father's role," Dr. Marsh asked softly as she handed a pair of surgical scissors to Mac. Mac looked at Stella, who through happy tears and sniffles, nodded yes and Mac's gently shaking hand finally cut their child free, allowing Dr. Marsh to take the baby to get cleaned up to give to its parents.
"Mac..." Stella gently cried. "We did it."
"I love you so much." Mac blinked his own happy tears away and planted a warm kiss on Stella's flushed lips, brushing some hair off her forehead as Dr. Marsh came and stood before them, a wrapped and crying baby in her arms, Millie Taylor to her right.
"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Taylor you are the proud parents of a beautiful baby... ..."
A/N: Please don't flame if the birthing scene/sequence wasn't that real. It's fanfic and I did try to keep it real but am not perfect. What did you think of this chapter? Please review. One more chapter to go and yes you'll learn the baby's sex, name and a few other things...thanks so much!