Title: All I Need is You
Chapter 20 - All I Need is you!
A/N: Special thanks to Stardust 585, SBT, crazy-hot, herky_illiniwek, Hoshihikari, nciscsinyluver, da-doink-doink, rocksmacked, AngieKatreen, snowangel-983, kaidii, Phantom of the Tinman, Hazmatt, Smacked-for-life, SMacked Hard, snow6853, sucker-4-smacked, Maja16, JackSam, babyDd, Sophia923, x-natalie-x, CSI-ncis, SMacked Fan, JillSwinburne, Elizabeth Perry, neuhuli, SMACkedHuddy, talkstoangels77, Ajordan111, Angelina56, Wildweasel, Catulicious. If I have forgotten you and you review on a regular basis then my humble apologies but thank you as well. And a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone else who took the time to read and review. Truly means a lot.
Hope you all like this conclusion.
As I already have a story with a child who's a boy hope you are all not disappointed with this.
"It's a girl. Our daughter Mac, she's so amazing," Stella whispered between soft sobs as she took their new baby girl, who's crying slightly subsided as soon as Dr. Marsh placed her on Stella's chest, Mac leaning in and planting warm kisses on his daughters flushed cheek. She had on a small pink hat to keep her head warm and since she was now cleaned she was wrapped in a warm pink blanket and sleeper.
"She's so beautiful Stella, just like you," Mac kissed his wife next. "You are the most amazing woman in the world."
"Well Mac, she's also here because of you."
Stella handed Mac his daughter who proudly showed her to his mother. Millie who had already kissed and hugged Stella, taking dozens of pictures, finally stepping back and allowing Dr. Marsh to help the other female nurse clean Stella up and make sure she was okay to be transferred to a private room.
"Our daughter Mac."
"Our daughter Stella."
"Does she have a name?" Dr. Marsh asked in wonder.
"Cassidy Stella Taylor," Mac whispered as he looked up at Stella with a warm smile.
"That's it Mac," Stella agreed with a tired expression as her hand rested on her now sagging belly; an odd feeling starting to consume her. The pain had subsided as she was told, the birthing evidence was quickly being cleaned off her so she could be transferred to a private room for the night but when she got no movement in her belly she looked up at her daughter, carefully being held in her father's arms and she sighed contentedly.
"Stella you okay to move to a clean bed?"
"I'll help," Mac said quickly as he carefully handed his daughter to his mother and then went to help Stella move to a fresh bed.
"Blood loss was minimal and you didn't tear that much. You should be healed in a few weeks."
"T-tear?"
"Why do you think I was screaming?" Stella gently teased but Mac didn't smile.
"But..."
"Mac, I'll be okay. I wasn't as bad as some."
"Stella I want you to feed Cassidy within the next two hours if possible," Dr. Marsh instructed and Stella nodded as Millie handed Stella back her baby girl. "If you're feeling up to it, you might want to walk with her, if you are not to sore. It will also help to relax you and help you both sleep."
"Thank you for all your help," Stella smiled and Mac offered her a brief hug.
"Thank you for helping bring our baby girl into the world."
"You both did an amazing job," Dr. Marsh smiled. "Now let me take care of a few more things."
Millie had already wandered into the ER waiting area to inform Flack and Jessica who were ecstatic and said to pass on their congratulations to Mac and Stella and then took their leave; it already been well into the early morning hours. After calling Danny and Lindsay, Millie reappeared in the birthing suite, smiling happily at her son who was half seated on the clean bed holding his wife as she carefully held their new daughter; her precious granddaughter. She had already taken as many pictures as both Mac and Stella had wanted but a few more candid snaps of the proud parents were in order.
"Hello little one," Mac soothed as his daughter tried to focus her watery blue eyes on her father's comforting and familiar voice. "Hello Cassidy."
"She can't focus just yet but she knows the sound of your voice Mac," Stella mentioned as Cassidy tried to look back at her mother. "I love her so much," Stella gently heaved as Mac kissed the top of her head.
"You did an amazing job today Stella. It um...it really hurt to see you in so much pain," Mac whispered into his wife's ear as his arm gently squeezed her shoulder. "But your strength was truly something. And you kept our daughter safe and..." his voice finally broke as Cassidy slightly yawned, making all three adults swell with love. Dr. Marsh finally came back and Mac carried Cassidy as Stella was wheeled to her private room; a sleeping bed for Mac was waiting right beside hers. Millie finally took her leave, saying she'd bring breakfast and a fresh change of clothes for Stella after she had at least gotten a few hours of sleep. As hospital space was at a shortage and Stella's bloodloss was minimal; she'd be okay to finish the rest of her resting and healing time in the comfort of her own home.
Mac closed the door to the private room after Dr. Marsh had left and watched as Stella moved Cassidy into position and started to tenderly feed their daughter.
"She has your appetite," Stella smiled as Cassidy's soft lips sucked her milk filled breast. With her free hand she tenderly stroked some of their daughter's golden hair, looking up at Mac with a warm smile as he approached. Mac fixed her pillow and gently pulled her hair back into a ponytail as instructed. He then sat down beside Stella once again and watched in fascination as his wife fed their child.
"I think she has your appetite," Mac teased as his fingers stroked Stella's cheek, not wanting to disturb their child while eating. "I think we might have more reading to do."
"We are going to be just fine," Stella assured him as she looked at him with a warm smile. Mac kissed her cheek and then watched as Stella shifted Cassidy from one breast to the next. "Good thing she wasn't born with teeth."
"Some are born with teeth?"
"Can you imagine how that would feel?"
"I know what your teeth feel like," Mac smirked and Stella just shook her head. "But I like it."
"Flirt," she smiled as they both looked down at their daughter who was busy making soft sucking noises as she hungrily ate the beneficial milk that her mother offered. "I really wanted a girl," Stella whispered as her daughter shifted in her tired grasp. "I would have loved our son just as much bu..."
"Stella, I know the strong bond a mother has with her daughter and how you were robbed of that," Mac stated as he gently massaged her neck, his eyes still fixed on their daughter. "I wanted this for you also. We can always try for a boy."
"Right well you already told Don?"
"Stella..."
"Mac I'm all for the idea. But give me a few months to recover," Stella lightly teased and Mac kissed her cheek once more.
Once Cassidy was finished Stella covered herself back up, put Cassidy's hat back on and then started to gently burp her. When the small noise escaped their daughter's tiny pink lips, Stella handed her to Mac so she could position herself in the bed a bit better for the night; her energy expelled and wanting more than anything to get some much needed rest. She pulled the covers over her and watched Mac as he slowly walked around with his daughter in his grasp.
"Just go to sleep Cassidy," Mac whispered as his daughter's tiny blue eyes once again tried to fix on the warm voice of her father as he gently rocked her to sleep. Finally sleep won the battle and Mac watched as dark brown lashes finally framed flushed cheeks. His eyes watered once more as he looked down at the amazing gift in his arms and then up at his smiling wife. Cassidy gently stretched in her father's arms and Mac's heart swelled once again.
"Just wait until you hear her say daddy," Stella mumbled as Mac walked back up to her and gently placed Cassidy in the small, clear portable sleeping tub that their daughter would sleep in for the night; right next to her mother. Mac pushed his bed up close to the other side of Stella's and finally pushed himself under the hospital issue blanket. "Think you'll get any sleep?"
"Well Dr. Marsh said that she could sleep for a few solid hours or just an hour," Stella answered.
"Well in that case I hope she has your sleeping habits instead of mine," Mac smiled as he leaned over and gently kissed Stella on the lips. "I love you Stella Taylor."
"I love you too Mac Taylor," Stella smiled in return. "Goodnight."
"If you need to wake up and walk, remember to wake me also okay."
"Mac..."
"Stella please," Mac insisted.
"I feed, you change right?"
"That is the plan for right now," Mac agreed as he dimmed the light to almost nothing; the room not completely dark. Mac curled onto his side, his hand resting near Stella's side. He was more than thankful that Cassidy slept for about four hours before she woke up and needed to be fed. Mac was up quickly, pushing the sleep from his eyes and hurrying to hand their crying bundle to his wife so she could offer some much needed nourishment and loving attention. After she was finished Mac gently burped her and then changed her diaper before he kissed her on the cheek and placed her back into her sleeping container. He headed back into bed and closed his eyes for another few hours.
Stella was the next one to wake up first, opening her weary eyes just as their daughter started to gently fuss. She looked over at Mac who was still sleep on his side, his hair mussed, face lightly flushed and clothes rumpled; and he was still the most handsome man she had ever seen.
"I love you Mac," she whispered, taking delight when his lips curled into a gentle smile, but his eyes didn't open. Stella turned her gaze back to their daughter just as Cassidy opened her small blue eyes and looked at her mother, her face not offering an expression just yet. She would have Mac's warm blue eyes and her golden curls; she was perfect.
"You're perfect little one," Stella offered as she placed her little finger into the plastic box, smiling warmly as Cassidy's tiny pink fingers wrapped around her mother's warm finger and held on, making Stella's eyes instantly water. "I love you so much; you'll never be alone, I promise you that right now."
When she turned back Mac was looking at her with a warm smile on his face. "Amazing sight to wake up to," Mac confessed in truth. "My family."
"Our family," Stella echoed. "Our family. Dreams do come true Mac."
Mac finally pushed himself out of the hospital bed and slowly walked around to his daughter's portable sleeping tub. "Good morning Cassidy," he stated warmly and was delighted when his daughter's beautiful face finally turned to acknowledge her father. He too offered his warm finger and smiled as she took the digit and held on, making Mac's heart warm once again. "I think she's hungry," Mac told Stella, when he noticed Cassidy's small lips trying to latch onto the end of his finger. "Definitely has your eating habits."
"Bring her here," Stella replied as she readied herself to feed her daughter. Mac gently lifted Cassidy into his arms and planted a warm kiss on her cheek before he handed her to Stella and then hurried to his bed off to the side and then worked at getting them ready to go home.
"I think we can go home today," Mac told Stella as he eased himself down on the edge of the bed as she fed their daughter. They talked lightly about what the next few days would hold for them, Stella just resting and Mac and Millie taking care of whatever else needed to be tended to. Knowing the team would want to come by very soon to visit, they would also have to clean a few things up at home and ensure Stella was energetic enough to welcome visitors.
"Morning you three," Millie called out as she entered their hospital room with a few bags in her hands. "I have clothing and food."
"I'll take the food," Mac offered.
"And I'll take the clothing," Stella smiled.
"How did she sleep?"
"Got a few solid hours," Stella informed her mother in law. "Course we only went to bed a few hours ago," she lightly laughed as she gently switched Cassidy to the other breast to continue her feeding.
Mac took the food from his mother and started to arrange it on the table for Stella to eat, the clothing waiting for her when she was ready to get dressed to go home. Millie waited until Stella had finished eating and then eagerly took her beautiful granddaughter so that Mac and Stella could have their much needed breakfast; Mac of course too anxious the night before to even think about food. Mac and Stella exchanged amused expressions as they listened to Millie saying funny things to Cassidy; her love and joy, unbridled. Dr. Marsh had come in early to check on Cassidy and Stella, finally saying that while she'd need to just rest for a few more days, Stella and her daughter could go home to rest; knowing it would help both of them to be at their warm loving home instead of the cold, unfriendly hospital.
The three of them lingered until about lunch time, before Mac once again changed Cassidy's diaper; allowing Stella to change her clothing so they could take their leave.
"Time to go home Cassidy," Stella informed her small daughter as she started to dress her in a new onesie that Millie had picked up and then a carrying blanket, Cassidy's round blue eyes fixed on her mother's every action. After Cassidy was ready to go home the three of them slowly walked out of the hospital and into the waiting Avalanche, heading for home.
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"Just to warn you, you already have flowers and gifts waiting," Millie told them as they neared their apartment. "And not all of them are from me."
Mac and Stella just smiled at each other as Millie continued to play with her granddaughter, carefully held in the car seat beside her in the back. And true to her words, as soon as Mac and Stella opened their apartment door, they were greeted with a few beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers from the team, a few food gift baskets and some early presents for Cassidy.
"Wow that was fast," Stella mentioned.
"We did train an efficient team," Mac reminded her with a smirk. "And you are just going to rest now right?"
"No, now I'm going to handcuff you to the bed and so we have sex."
"Stella!" Mac hissed as his face went red in front of his mother. "Not in front of..."
"Sorry, Cassidy close your ears," Stella winked and Mac just shook his head, looking at his mother with a frown.
"Now who I meant."
"McCanna, you think I wasn't young once?" She smiled in return, but said nothing further; just happy that her daughter in law was still so attracted to her son.
"Right," Mac huffed as he headed into the bedroom to put their things away.
"Did you get a sleeping bassinet for right now?"
"We did. We had talked about the incline wedge but then Sid bought us this bassinet so she'll use it when we in here or our bedroom but she'll sleep with the wedge in her crib," Stella told Millie as she fixed the couch. Mac brought out the bassinet and carefully laid his sleeping daughter into it.
"How are you feeling?" Mac wondered as he tucked a curl behind Stella's ear.
"Tired and still sore," she replied with a slight frown.
"Are you going to get some sleep right now?" Mac asked in concern. Dr. Marsh had recommended that Stella take advantage of getting some sleep when Cassidy was sleeping, especially with Mac at home for the few weeks so she didn't have to worry. They had the baby monitor's in place; and being light sleepers it wouldn't be hard for them to wake up when she did.
"I think that's a good idea," Stella smiled as she kissed Mac on the cheek and then slowly headed into their bedroom, her body calling to her for some much needed rest.
Mac went about getting some lunch for himself and his mother, while Millie arranged the flowers and then headed into the living room to knit beside her sleeping granddaughter. A few hours later, Stella awoke to the sound of her daughter calling to her for some nourishment. Mac was quick to bring Cassidy to Stella and then went about getting her something to eat for when she was finished. After Cassidy was finished eating, it was Mac's turn to take her and change her once again, always making sure to clean and dry her sensitive areas before he put on a clean diaper and wrapped her back into her blanket.
Millie happily took her granddaughter, once again allowing Mac and Stella to eat their meal before she had put the tiny infant into the nearby bassinet and then joined her children at the table for a light supper. The conversation revolved around the baby, what to expect from the first few nights at home and the coming week ahead; especially knowing that in the next few days the team would be stopping by with gifts, all wanting to see the newest edition to the Taylor clan.
Millie turned in early, as Mac finished with the dishes and then went in search of his wife; finding her in Cassidy's room, gently rocking her in the rocking chair. Stella looked up and offered Mac a contented smile. "Come and sit with us."
"I'll play for you two tomorrow," Mac whispered as he eased himself into the nearby Queen Anne arm chair, looking at his tiny daughter asleep in her mother's arms. "Hard to believe sometimes."
"Her or all of it?"
"Both," Mac replied with a slight frown as his warm finger gently brushed his daughter's soft cheek. "She's such a miracle. I'm glad we didn't wait any longer."
"Were you serious when you said you wanted two?" Stella queried.
"I think as you and I can both attest to, one is the loneliest number," Mac told her in truth. "But you are the one that has to go through all that again," his voice died out in a soft whisper as he took her hand and started to play with her fingers. "Hearing you in that much pain...it um...Stella it nearly killed me."
"It hurt like hell," Stella gently chuckled, careful not to wake their daughter. "But Dr. Marsh was right, as soon as I saw Cassidy come out and when I saw the look on your face and then heard her first tiny cries, I forgot my pain. I mean I'm still sore and know I will be for a few more days to come, but I think my body could handle one more. Closer together in age?"
"Stella, you tell me when you're ready," Mac smiled as he kissed her on the lips. "Come on let's get some sleep."
Stella nodded in agreement and then carefully laid Cassidy in her bassinet, which Mac carried into their bedroom. They had talked about having her with them for the first week and then would see how it progressed from there. Once she was in place, Mac and Stella climbed into bed, Mac wrapping his arms around his wife and taking delight as her arms held him close. Stella whispered goodnight, kissed his cheek and then closed her eyes once more, happy dreams of their daughter now filling her head; her painful ordeal nearly a month ago, completely forgotten.
Mac awoke a few hours later to the soft cries of his beloved daughter and was quick to push himself out of bed and hurry to her side. Stella flipped on the light, allowing Mac to see what he was doing as he carefully plucked her from the bassinet, his voice having an instant calming effect as she stopped her crying and looked at her father with a placid expression.
"Hello Cassidy," Mac whispered as he wiped away some fresh tears and kissed her tiny forehead. "Are you hungry?"
"She's right on schedule," Stella mumbled with a sleepy tone, as she took their daughter and brought her tiny lips to her breast, allowing Cassidy to hungrily feed on the nourishing milk her mother was offering. Mac eased himself into bed beside Stella and watched, always fascinated at his daughter's every move.
"Are you sure you're going to be able to go back to work in a few weeks?" Stella lightly teased Mac as his eyes were still fixed on watching his daughter. Her tiny fingers would grasp onto Stella's bare skin or nearby fabric and offer a gentle squeeze, forcing a smile to his lips with her every action. "Mac?"
"Trust me Stella, it will be hard. But then I think all of this will be hard, I don't want to miss anything."
"Well we need to win the lottery and then we can both be stay at home parents."
"Kinda like the sound of that," Mac replied as Stella moved Cassidy to the other breast to continue. They sat in silence a bit longer, watching their daughter and enjoying their quiet time together.
"At least she doesn't need to be changed," Stella informed Mac as her fingers left her daughter's small cotton clad bottom. She handed Cassidy back to her father, who took her with joy and gently rocked her back to sleep. He laid her back in the bassinet and then climbed back into bed beside his wife to allow themselves another few hours before Cassidy would have them at her beck and call once again.
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The following morning Mac was the first to awake and more than pleasantly surprised when he looked over and saw Stella still asleep; knowing more than anything that she needed her rest. He carefully pushed himself from the warm bed and wandered over to see their daughter, whose eyes finally caught the movement of her father and looked up with a slight frown that resembled a small grimace; but to her father it was another gesture of her love for him and his heart melted once more.
"Morning little one," he soothed as he carefully picked her from the warm bassinet and carried her into the living room, his mother just starting to awaken herself. Cassidy started to fuss and he knew she needed to be fed, but also knew that until she really started to cry, he'd allow Stella her much needed rest.
"How is she this morning?" Millie asked in loving concern.
"She's amazing," Mac whispered as he held Cassidy in both arms and looked at her with a loving smile. Her small face tried to focus on her father's but her eyes would dart around as Millie approached or when she finally heard the loving voice of her mother. Mac watched Cassidy's blue eyes searching for Stella's voiced as she lingered in the doorway watching.
"She's looking for you," Mac mentioned as Stella walked up to join them. "Morning," Mac smiled as he kissed her on the lips. "You have color today."
"I actually feel better."
"You know the team is going to want to come by today. Shall I limit..."
"I'll just do what I can," Stella assured him as she kissed his cheek and then offered Millie a good morning hug before she took their daughter and headed for the couch to give Cassidy her breakfast. "I think Cassidy would like a bath today," Stella told Mac as she watched him making breakfast for them, Millie setting the table.
"Not too soon?"
"Well we have that small baby tub," Stella reminded him. "And she does kinda have the hospital smell still on her," Stella offered warmly as she gazed down at her nursing daughter. "Dr. Marsh said it would be okay a few days later as long as it was very gentle. Want to help me?"
"Cows moo?" Mac countered with a smirk from the kitchen table.
Stella finished up with Cassidy and then once again handed her to Millie so that her and Mac could have their breakfast, Millie more than willing to wait. She gently carried her granddaughter to the window, offering her some natural warmth from the sun and smiling as Cassidy's face would gently crease from the light before she headed back into the living room to wait for Mac and Stella to finish breakfast. After they were finished, she handed Cassidy back to her parents and smiled as they headed into the bathroom to tend to their daughter, allowing her to have her breakfast.
"Remember only warm," Stella reminded Mac as he filled the small tub and she started to undress their daughter. After the diaper was off and she was cleaned of soil, Mac carefully placed her in the warm water. Both watched in fascination as Cassidy's body eased in its trembling and her soft pink skin started to lose the goose bumps. "I think she likes her bath."
"When can she shower with me?"
"Mmm I think I'd like to see that," Stella teased as she planed a warm kiss on Mac's lips.
With a very soft cloth, Stella very gently started to wash her daughter clean, her tender skin still not ready for rubbing or firm washing. Cassidy offered a small laugh of sorts, a small facial gesture that once again bonded her two loving parents to her once again. "She's so precious," Stella whispered as she pushed some golden hair back with her warm, wet fingers.
"She's you," Mac praised and Stella looked at him with a smile.
"She's us."
Stella finished washing Cassidy and then lifted her onto a soft fluffy towel which allowed Mac to empty the washing bin and leave it in the shower just as Stella finished drying Cassidy and putting her in a clean diaper.
"Can't wait until she can wear something other than a onesie," Stella mentioned as she dressed Cassidy in a baby yellow sleeper. Once she was dressed in her warm clothing, Cassidy was carried by her mother into the living room and held as Mac and Stella sat on the couch and watched as Millie opened the first few presents and handed them to Mac to show Stella. Finally Danny and Lindsay arrived, bringing a few gifts and taking lots of pictures.
"Hey Mac, she looks like Stella," Danny teased Mac.
"Thank goodness," Mac countered with a smile.
"Danny," Lindsay gently scolded as she looked back down at Cassidy in her arms. "Hello Cassidy, I'm your Auntie Lindsay and you'll be seeing me a lot," she cooed. "When mommy and daddy need a night out, you'll be staying with us."
"She will?" Danny asked weakly and all five adults in the room laughed.
"Yeah good practice Danny," Stella winked at Lindsay.
They lingered a bit longer before finally taking their leave, Sheldon was the next to arrive with Adam, staying for about half hour, bringing gifts and more fresh flowers before they too took their leave.
"Truly a miracle," Sid smiled as he carefully held Cassidy in his arms about an hour later; Alice looking on with a warm smile. "Mac you know she looks..."
"Yeah like Stella," he huffed and Stella just smiled and gave him a small hug. "Trust me, I'm happy with that."
An hour after that Don and Jessica showed up, bearing a gift from Sinclair who wasn't able to drop by in person just yet.
"Suits you," Stella teased Flack as he held Cassidy in his arms and looked at them with a nervous frown.
"I feel like I'm going to break her," Flack stated and Jessica just smiled.
"She is just the sweetest thing I have ever seen," Jessica gushed as it was her turn next to take Cassidy and hold her for as long as she was able.
Finally it was dinnertime and Stella once again rested by the kitchen table, feeding Cassidy as Mac placed the rest of the food on the table.
"How is she?"
"Well she was able to nap today in between visits so that was a bonus, but she's tired," Stella noted as Cassidy wasn't as hungry as she would have thought. "At least I hope she's just tired," Stella frowned. "Should I be worried?"
"Don't worry Stella," Millie assured her warmly a she gave her a small squeeze on her shoulder. "You did a great job with her today. She was also woken up twice, remember? She just needs to rest. Trust me in a few hours, you'll wish she was this tired."
Stella offered a gentle smile as she covered herself back up and then carefully placed Cassidy in her bassinet before she joined Mac on the couch to just relax and unwind; Millie in her favorite chair knitting for her granddaughter. The three of them talked about the day, who came to visit, the funny anecdotes and finally the re-looking over the gifts they received. Two hours later Cassidy finally started to fuss once more and Stella carefully picked her up and held her daughter in her arms.
Mac gently reached for his guitar and started to softly play for his family; a term that still warmed his heart like nothing before. Stella watched as Cassidy forced her tiny eyes open and tried to twist her head in the direction of the music she had heard while growing inside her mother's belly. Stella looked up and smiled at Mac who looked at his daughter and grinned.
"She'll definitely like Aerosmith," Mac teased as Stella arranged Cassidy so she could watch her father play. As soon as she heard the soft music, Cassidy stopped her fussing and was just watching avidly as her father continued to play for her. Millie watched with a smile as Cassidy was completely captivated by the music; even still a half hour later she was struggling to keep her eyes open as the music continued to play. Finally she fell back asleep in her mother's arms, happy and contented as she lay in her sleeping bassinet. Mac carried Cassidy into their bedroom for the night as Stella said her goodnight to Millie and then headed into the bathroom to have a shower.
Mac sat on the edge of the bed; just watching Cassidy as her soft lips offered small sounds as she slept soundly. He watched her tiny fingers curl and uncurl and her face gently crease and then smooth; committing all her tiny actions to his detail orientated brain. As Stella lingered under the hot water, he reflected back on the situation that brought them together in the first place and then the most recent person who nearly destroyed what they had worked so hard to build together; a loving family arrangement. And as his lips offered a warm smile as he looked from his daughter to his wife, he knew that his life was now complete; no one else would ever matter again.
"Ella, you got a visitor!" The cell guardian called out to her in a loud tone.
Ella McBride looked up from her reading material and allowed a small smile to cross her lips. It was just over a month since she had been in prison and while she at first had rebelled to her new surroundings, decided it was in her best interest to learn to play the game; the game that would hopefully lead to her garnering an early release date. She didn't make many new friends, two girls about the same age as her, but mostly she would use them for cigarettes or the occasional adult magazine whenever she needed her own personal release. She was allowed limited email access, but not allowed to contact anyone at the NYPD, CSI or Mac Taylor's personal home or work addresses; a few more restrictions that were tagged onto her sentence.
Molly had emailed her on occasion but true to his word, Carl came to visit at least twice a month; one of those being conjugal in nature. He would inform her of all the happenings that she felt she was missing out on; even telling her that Mac and Stella welcomed a baby girl to the NYPD family; the birth itself made the community news. Ella never requested a copy of the article; her mind still processing lingering thoughts of hatred and jealousy toward a woman who she blames stole the only man she ever loved. However, as the weeks had progressed, she did find Carl taking up more and more space in her mind and heart; finally realizing that his forgiveness for all she did and used him for was part of his way of showing that deep down inside he really did care for her.
She quickly put down her book and pushed herself upright to go and see Carl, her mood instantly lifted at the knowledge that she would once again have something to brag about for the next few weeks. Her eyes, however, quickly looked to their right, to a small slogan that she had written in permanent marker just above her pillow, the same words she fell asleep to each night and the same words that greeted her each morning.
'I will make him love me.'
The next few days passed by the same as the previous, Mac and Stella taking turns sleeping while either Mac got things done around the house and Stella fed Cassidy; or Mac did what was needed and then changed their daughter. Millie helped out with dinner and the team took turns running any errands that required a non personal showing of either member of the Taylor household. Lindsay and Jessica were planning the Jack and Jill shower, an event where both sexes could attend, instead of just one for the girls; Stella insisting that Mac be there every step of the way.
The weekend finally rolled around and as Millie ordered in dinner for a change, Mac and Stella were in the bathroom with Cassidy. Mac held her in the warm water, her umbilical stump finally gone as Stella carefully poured warm water over their happy daughter.
"I think she smiled," Stella noted as Mac supported his daughter's head. Mac grabbed the nearby camera and sure enough a few minutes later, Cassidy's tiny lips tried once again to turn upward and the moment was captured on film for them to appreciate for years to come. "Maybe a grimace?" Stella frowned. "It's too soon for a smile."
"She smiled," Mac insisted. "Can I take that one with me to the office?"
"Mac, she's naked," Stella chuckled. "Take one of her dressed."
"But she smiled."
"She'll smile again," she laughed as she allowed Mac to finally lay Cassidy onto the nearby blanket. Mac carefully dried her warm pink skin and delighted as Cassidy took a hold of one of his fingers and tried to gnaw on the end.
"I can't help you Cassidy," Mac smiled as he bent down and kissed her warm belly. "Mommy has to feed you," Mac stated as he put on a fresh diaper and then carefully wrapped Cassidy in a warm sleeper before handing her back to Stella. Stella carried her into the bedroom and sat down to feed Cassidy, Mac at her side, gently reading to her about what to expect from their growing infant in the next couple of months. Tomorrow night would be the big shower and then it would be full speed ahead with real life once again.
A few hours later it was Stella's turn to awaken and feed their daughter. Thankful that Mac was still asleep, she carefully plucked Cassidy from the bassinet and headed into her own room, slowly easing herself into the nearby rocking chair to feed her daughter. A few minutes later, feeling like she was being watched, she looked up and offered Mac a warm smile.
"Didn't want to wake you."
"I'm a light sleeper," Mac confessed as he slowly wandered into Cassidy's bedroom and sat down next to Stella as she gently rocked Cassidy back and forth. Cassidy took a small break as she sensed her father in the room but quickly returned to her previous task of eating.
"She definitely has my appetite," Stella lightly teased. "I am going to look pretty tired for the shower tomorrow."
"I think you'll look as beautiful as you always do," Mac assured her as he adjusted her top so she could feed Cassidy on the other breast. Mac and Stella lightly talked about the rest of the changes they would make to now personalize their little girl's room.
"Mac she's a girl, she can't have only Army Green," Stella insisted as Mac gently rocked Cassidy back to sleep in his strong arms.
"Green and pink?" Mac queried with a small frown and Stella just shook her head as she followed after him into the bedroom.
"Well since you seem to be fixed on green..."
"Stella..."
"Mac, I don't mind. It's better than pink and blue," she reminded him as she crawled into bed next to him. "We could do like a mossy green, so it's not so dark with pink and cream highlights. I mean she might not be the mostly girly of girls, she still is a girl. But then she might be girly."
Mac arched his brows as Stella and she just rolled her eyes. "You don't even own pink underwear."
"I might surprise you," she whispered in return as she kissed his lips and then turned off the light.
"That kind of surprise I would like."
"Yeah I know," she giggled in the darkened room as Mac's grasp around her tightened.
"I like the idea for the colors," Mac mentioned as they both fell back to sleep.
XXXXXXXX
"Morning," Mac smiled at Stella the following Saturday morning as he pushed some curls off her face and kissed the top of her nose. "How are you feeling today?"
"So nice to wake up and not have any stomach or pelvic pain," she admitted in truth as she leaned over the bed and looked down at Cassidy. "Oh you're up early," Stella smiled down at her daughter as she carefully lifted her up and then laid her down between them on the warm bed.
Cassidy's small eyes tried to focus on each parent but she got confused and so just ended up looking at Stella.
"She's biased," Mac smirked and Stella smiled as her fingers started to gently tease the small baby at her fingertips.
"I feed her."
"Good morning Cassidy," Mac finally offered.
Cassidy turned toward the sound of her father's voice and locked eyes with him; blue with blue. Cassidy gently fussed but didn't start to really wail so both Mac and Stella were able to enjoy gently playing with their daughter for a few added minutes. As she was still too young to even contemplate holding a toy Stella gently placed a small teddy bear on Cassidy's belly to see if she would acknowledge it; she didn't. It was only when Stella held the small bear in the air that Cassidy's eyes finally looked up.
"Silly girl," Stella smiled as she carefully unwrapped Cassidy from her sleeping blanket and allowed her limbs to flail about if she wanted. Cassidy started to fuss and Stella knew she needed to be fed.
"She smells good."
"All babies smell good," Stella smiled.
"I'll put the coffee on," Mac mentioned as he kissed Cassidy once more on the cheek and then headed into the kitchen to join his mother who had already started the tea.
"How is she sleeping a week later?"
"Still up every four hours," Mac gently grimaced. Millie gently patted her son's cheek and smiled.
"Next week will be five."
They talked about the day ahead, both thankful that it wasn't a surprise as they know they would both have warranted early deaths if they had dared tempt Stella with a surprise baby shower and she wasn't ready for it. Stella finally joined them and Millie happily took her granddaughter, allowing Mac and Stella time for breakfast together.
"So we have to be there at five right? And other guys will be there?" Mac frowned as he held Cassidy in his arms sometime after breakfast.
Stella just shook her head and smiled from the kitchen. "No you are going to be the only male with about fifty emotionally charged females."
"Fate worse than death," Mac huffed and both Millie and Stella exchanged amused expressions. The rest of the afternoon was spent just relaxing around the apartment and then it was finally time to get ready.
"You look beautiful," Mac smiled as he watched Stella pull on a fitted sweater that complimented her skirt. "Both of you," he then turned his direction to Cassidy who was lying on the bed looking up at her father. Stella had dressed her in a small denim dress with a pink onesie underneath and matching pink booties and a hat.
"It's like playing dress up right now."
"Hopefully you won't throw up on this one Cassidy," Mac spoke in a gentle tone to his daughter. He quickly fetched the travelling car carrier and carefully bundled Cassidy into the seat and then fixed a blanket around her to keep her warm; her small arms at her sides, her golden hair tucked under her pink hat but her large blue eyes watching everything. Millie joined them in the living room and soon the three of them were packed into the Avalanche heading for the Messer residence.
"Welcome guys, we can begin now because the guest of honor has arrived," Danny greeted them. "And for once Mac, that isn't you," he teased as Lindsay hurried up to them to quickly whisk Cassidy away; wanting to show her off to the room full of waiting people.
"Those two are next," Stella chuckled as she gave her coat to Mac and then followed after her daughter into the Messer living room.
Wanting it to be very informal and relaxed Stella took her time greeting and talking to everyone that was there, holding Cassidy, pausing for a multitude of pictures before she took her seat at Mac's side; Cassidy held firmly in her father's arms. Mac refused to give his daughter to anyone while the gifts were being opened, wanting her to have as much as share as possible in the festivities.
Millie wrote the names and items on the cards so that Stella would know who to thank for what later on and Jessica and Lindsay took turns ferrying gifts back and forth to the bedroom, carefully packing them up for the ride home. Mac finally relinquished his daughter into Jessica's waiting arms and then looked at Stella with a perplexed expression. "I dont like to share," Mac whispered into her ear.
"How are you going to survive her first date?"
"She's never getting married," Mac insisted and Stella just laughed as she kissed his cheek. About ten minutes later Cassidy made her way back to her mother's arms, her golden waves pulled into a small upright pony tail on top of her head.
"Too cute," Stella laughed at Lindsay as she took yet another memorable picture. "Thank you for all this Lindsay, the three of use really do appreciate it."
"You are more than welcome," Lindsay replied as they both looked into the packed living room, smiling as friends and family sat, ate and laughed together. Stella excused herself into one of the bedrooms to feed Cassidy, not wanting to put on an outward display of herself in her natural state; plus she knew it was better for Cassidy for her to eat with fewer distractions. Mac quietly entered the bedroom to make sure both his girls were okay.
"Like when you say that, both my girls," Stella whispered as she kissed Cassidy on her warm cheek before she handed her over to Mac to continue to put her to sleep. Mac smiled at Stella's compliment and kissed his daughter also. "You know tomorrow is supposed to be nice out and it might be a nice idea to take Cassidy for her first walk to the park."
"I think I'd like that idea," Stella agreed as they headed into the noisy living room once again to rejoin the festivities. An hour later it was just Mac and Stella, Millie and the Messer's.
"I guess it's time we took our leave also," Stella whispered as she motioned to Mac bring the carrying basket so they could finally take their leave, wanting to get Cassidy to sleep and also get some much needed rest themselves. Danny and Don had spent the better part of the past hour, packing everything into the Avalanche before Jessica and Flack took their leave as well.
"Everything is ready to go," Danny told Mac as he handed him the truck keys. After a few more hugs and kisses, the three of them, Cassidy in Mac's grasp headed down to the truck and then finally for home.
"Millie I can't thank you enough for all your help this past month," Stella hugged her mother in law as they lingered around Cassidy's bassinet.
"Stella, I love you like the daughter I never had," Millie whispered warmly. "And I am honored to be even a small part of all of this."
Stella hugged her once more before she allowed Mac to talk to her a few more minutes and then he joined her in the bedroom to get ready to sleep. Mac watched her change with a warm smile before he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her scantily clad frame and kissed her cheek.
"I miss you."
"Mac, I'm sorry that I can't..." Stella started only to have Mac warmly silence her with a gentle kiss.
"Stella I'm not going anywhere," he smiled. "If you want to wait one more week then I'll be here," he smirked and she smiled.
"Since Dr. Marsh said there was no tearing but I'm glad you understand. Trust me Mac, I want to make love to you again."
Mac brought her lips to his and tenderly tasted them. "I love you Stella, with all my heart."
"My heart belongs to you Mac. I love you too."
XXXXXXXX
The next day; Sunday afternoon, Mac and Stella sat on the bench at the park, the warm fall weather the perfect outing for the new Taylor family. The shower was over and Millie would be leaving in two days. She had already told them that within the next year, New York was going to be her new home, wanting to be closer now to her new expanded family; nothing left in Chicago as much like Mac, the memories would be coming with her. She also promised Stella that when she would go back to work, at Mac's side where she belonged, that she (Millie) would be the one to look after Cassidy during the day; ensuring they had a trusted and reliable person looking after their most precious possession.
Cassidy lay in her small portable carrying basket, looking up at her parents with a placid expression. Mac's finger gently brushed her cheek and her lips once again tried to curl upward. "Hi Cassidy," Mac smiled at the tiny girl at his finger tips. "Want to hear daddy play for you tonight?" He asked before he looked at Stella's odd expression.
"What?"
"You know I have known a lot of Mac Taylor's in my life."
"You have?" Mac asked in surprise. "Please explain."
"Yes. Hard ass CSI Mac. Wounded soldier Mac. Painter and moving Mac. My previous favorite shower Mac, closely tied with morning Mac, but I think my all time favorite will now be daddy Mac," she whispered as she planted a warm kiss on his waiting lips.
"Really?" Mac asked with a slight smirk.
"More than you might know."
"Odd because I feel the same way," he whispered as he kissed her in return. "Love mommy Stella more than the rest of her many other personalities." Mac pulled back and looked at his wife with a loving gaze.
"Dreams do come true Mac, even for us. We have an amazing future ahead of us and an amazing family to build. And I know with the two of us doing it together we can never fail; at anything."
"All I need is you," Mac whispered as he kissed her once more. "At my side and in my heart."
"Where we belong."
"Forever Stella. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Come on, let's go home."
THE END!
A/N: okay so what did you all think of this chapter and the ending? Wasn't sure how long you wanted me to make the story so have decided to end it here. Hopefully not to sappy but then this whole chapter was sap! Lol...
So it's up to you guys now...would you like a three-quel? A new story will of course include some peril (yeah duh it's me), a foe (maybe a new one) will emerge and we'll see Cassidy start to grow up with the possible addition of a second Taylor; but that is if you even want a three-quel! So please leave a final review and let me know if you want it and for the end of this story in general and I hope that you liked this sequel to Playing for Keeps AND THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS ROCK (yes even you lurkers).