Authors Note: I'm sorry if Jo Danville is a bit OC as I don't know her all that well yet, still I like her a lot so decided to have her in this story along with the rest :o) To me she has always seemed a bit like a wise owl.
Chapter 5.
Stella let out a load groan as she turned in bed; she was trying to sleep only the baby was not agreeing as it moved around inside her. Slowly she got of the bed she and Mac was sharing and walked over to the window.
"Star?" he heard him say as he slowly got up.
"It's no use, she won't sleep," said Stella frustrated.
"Hmm, maybe if we play with her then she'll get worn out," he suggested.
"Need I to remind you that she's still inside me, how are you planning to play with her?" asked Stella. They had started to call the baby she as Stella was convinced that it was a little girl and as Mac didn't have any objections to this it had stayed that way.
"Come here," said Mac, patting on the spot next to him in bed. Stella sighed as she walked over and sat down next to him. Mac pulled up her nightgown only to look at the bump on her belly. He slowly placed the hand on top only to feel the baby moving. The baby somehow seeming aware of his father kicked his hand then moved as he wanted Mac to find him as he quickly did. It was almost like they were playing a game of tag.
Stella smiled, slowly closing her eyes, trying to rest as Mac continued to play with the baby. She would soon be asleep while the two others continued their game.
It was early the next morning that the alarm bell woke Stella up. She yawned, slowly opening her eyes only to find Mac sleeping on her belly. She smiled as she let a hand go through his hair to wake him. He slowly opened his eyes saying, "Good morning, my star."
"Good morning, handsome," she said and smiled at him.
"So ready to go to work?" he said, slowly sitting up in the bed.
"Mmm, do you want the bathroom first or?" she asked.
"You take it," he offered and the she slowly got up and walked in that direction.
When the couple later walked into the crime lab Stella was met by the usual look. Judgment. They by now knew why she was back, it was due to the baby, and it was as simple as that. In the beginning it hadn't been this obvious, but now there was no way of hiding it. No one had asked her about it this far, not even Danna, Lindsay, Sid or Sheldon. She however had a feeling that they were talking about her behind her back.
"Mac," she said in a low tone.
"Yes," he said, looking at his woman.
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all, having her and…" she stopped, as they walked towards his office.
"What do you mean?" he asked her rather confused.
"I'm just tired of the looks and if she ever asks about how she became are we then going to say it was because of a drunken mistake and lack of birth control," she said, rather frustrated.
"No, do you want me to talk to them?" he asked, meaning his employees.
"I doubt it would do much good," she said with a heavy sigh, slowly walking away from him and the others. She needed a moment of peace.
Stella sank down on one of the benches in the changing room, sighing heavy. Was she crazy for doing this? She and Mac did after all love each other, that much she knew, still this baby had deserved to be conceived other than the way it had. And if the baby hadn't happened would they then have been a couple`?
"Are you okay?" she heard a soft voice asked and turned to look at Jo. The older female was looking at her with great concern.
"Not really no," said Stella honestly.
"Do you wish to talk about it?" Jo offered, sitting down next to her. She didn't know Stella all that well yet, but she still considered her a friend. And since the other woman seemed troubled that was the least she could offer.
"You have children right?" said Stella.
"A son and a daughter," said Jo with a smile.
"And can I assume that they were both conceived the right way?" asked Stella. She hadn't really talked to Jo about this before; all she knew was that she loved her children a lot.
"Only Tyler, Ellie I adopted after I got divorced, why do you ask?" said Jo without any further explanation.
"Well I think you already have gotten how this little one came to life, I'm having concern as to how I'm going to share the story with her someday," said Stella with a very heavy sigh.
"I have yes, but you know it's just a how a child is conceived that matters, it is what happens after and how much you love that does. The way I see it this child will be loved to bits of both you and Mac. If she ever want to hear the story about how she become you can always tell her that she wasn't planned, but that you did love her father and she was what brought you together," said Jo wisely.
"You are right, thank you," said Stella, smiling at the old owl. She could now understand why Mac had so high regard of the older woman.
"You are more than welcome and as for the stares they will die away in time, there will always be more gossip," said Jo, without Stella hadn't brought it up.
Stella nodded as she slowly got up, gently stroking the belly saying, "So I guess you, me and Auntie Jo will check out that new scene. That's why you came in here wasn't it?"
"It was, in addition to check on you," said Jo with a dignified smile as the two women walked towards the elevator.
Just as the door opened Stella heard Mac's dark voice ask, "Feeling better, my star."
"I am yes, we'll see you a little later," she said, giving him a kiss before getting into the elevator. She was glad he still let her work a lot even with the baby, after all Stella would have been mighty restless at home. She turned to Jo deciding to start on a conversation about her children and motherhood knowing she most likely could learn a lot from her. And if she knew Jo she knew she wouldn't mind sharing as long as she didn't stepped over any limits.
Feedback always welcome and very much appreciated :o)