Disclaimer - I do not own CSI New York or any of its characters.
Chapter Thirteen
Madeline was in the kitchen making dinner when Stella got back to the apartment.
"Hey kiddo, what are you making?" Stella asked.
She dropped her keys on the table and hung her jacket and bag over the back of one of the chairs.
"It's just grilled chicken and vegetables. How was work?" Madeline turned round and kissed Stella on the cheek.
"It was fine. I booked a doctor's appointment for tomorrow at two. How're you feeling? You look a lot better."
"I think I'm okay, it sort of comes and goes. I figured that since it's gone, I should try and eat something. I made enough for two."
"Thanks. Do you need any help?" Stella smiled.
"No it's fine, it won't take long."
Madeline sat down at the table. She still looked a bit pale but the sparkle was back in her eyes. The curls in her hair had bounced back too.
"So, your parents called me today. They said a guy called Jack Penniford keeps turning up at the house, shouting for you. You wanna explain that?"
Madeline hesitated a bit. Stella didn't take her eyes off her.
"Let's skip the interrogation bit, it will be quicker. What did they tell you?"
Stella laughed at her daughter. They were so alike, it was incredible.
"Okay, you got me, sorry, it's a habit. They said Jack was your boyfriend for almost two years, but the past couple of months you've been fighting. Then you decided that you need to come here, to see me, for no real reason. Jack doesn't know you're here and you don't want him to know."
"Fine, I'll explain it all. Jack was my boyfriend, I met him at college, and he's a year older than me. Yes we started fighting and for the last month it just got worse and worse. So we broke up. I didn't decide to come and see you on a whim. I'd be planning it for months. My parents told me a bit about you, and then I did some digging and filled in the blanks through news reports and stuff online. Jack didn't want me to come and that's why we were arguing, he thought I'd meet someone else and forget all about him. I only don't want him to know because it's more hassle than it's worth." Madeline sighed.
It took Stella a few seconds to process all the information Madeline had just reeled off. Everything was starting to fall into place. She felt relieved that she wasn't just an excuse to leave the country. Madeline had actually wanted to see her.
Madeline got up to finish cooking the dinner. Stella went to the fridge and poured herself a glass of wine, she felt relaxed now. Madeline had opened up to her and now she didn't feel like she was constantly treading on eggshells. She walked back over to the table and sat down.
"So, tell me about Jack?" Stella asked casually.
Madeline turned round and gave Stella a suspicious look.
"It's not a test, I promise! I was just curious" Stella threw her hands up and laughed.
"What did you want to know?" Madeline replied, letting her guard down.
Stella saw this as prime opportunity to get as much out of Madeline as possible since she was obviously in a sharing mood. A million questions whirled round Stella's head, and they all seem to fly out of her mouth at once.
"What does he look like? Where did you meet him? What is his family like? Does he have a job? Does he drive? Are you being safe?" Stella rushed.
Madeline rolled her eyes in her Mother's direction. Stella knew the last question was pushing her luck a bit, but she felt like she had the right to know. Then she could decide whether a lecture was in order or not.
"He's tall, maybe 6ft-6ft 2, short blonde hair and blue eyes. I met him at college like I already said. He lives with his mum, dad was never around, and he has 2 brothers. He works at a pub. Yes he drives, his car is blue and it has an air freshener shaped like a football, English football that is. And I'm not even going to entertain that last question."
Madeline put the two dinner plates and her glass of water down on the table. Stella got out two knives and two forks and put them on the table alongside the plates. They ate quietly for a while, until Madeline broke the silence.
"So is Mr Taylor really not your boyfriend?" Madeline asked, putting down her cutlery.
Stella almost choked on her dinner. She dropped her knife on fork onto her plate and took a big gulp of wine, which she also nearly choked on.
"What? Why would you say that?"
"Nothing, I was just asking. You seem really close, that's all." Madeline shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't an accusation, just an observation.
"We are close. I've known him for over 10 years. But we are just friends, and also he's my boss. It's just not like that, at all." Stella defended.
"Whatever, I was just asking. So if he's not, who is?"
Stella coughed; she didn't really know what to say. Ever since Frankie, she had trouble trusting men, so she just stayed away completely.
"Mac has been really great this week, with you being here and everything, but usually I work crazy hours. It's too complicated. I'm definitely better off without one."
Stella couldn't look her daughter in the eye; Madeline was watching Stella very closely. Stella's eye's looked glazed over and there were creases in her forehead. Madeline could tell she'd touched on a difficult topic, but before she could say anything more, everything went dark.
"Oh my God. Madeline!" Stella screamed.
Madeline's eyes rolled back into her head and she slipped down off the chair, her whole body started shaking. Stella jumped up out of her seat, her heart racing. She tore her phone out of her pocket and called 911.
"Detective Bonasera, I need an ambulance now." Stella shouted down the phone.
She passed off all her details on the phone, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on Madeline, who was lying still in front of her. Stella checked Madeline's vitals; she could feel a pulse and started performing CPR. Madeline's body was limp.
The paramedics arrived quicker than Stella had expected. When they got to the apartment Madeline's eye lids had started flickering and soon they opened up.
"Mum?" Madeline whispered. She lifted her head up like she was looking for Stella.
"I'm here sweetie it's going to be okay. I'm right and I'm not going anywhere. Lay your head back down." Stella soothed. She stroked Madeline's forehead and held tightly onto Madeline's hand.
When the paramedics came in and took over, everything felt like a blur. Stella didn't know what was going on, but she never let Madeline out of her sight. She stayed with her in the ambulance, holding on to her as best she could. Time felt like it was at a standstill, like they journey to the hospital took 10 hours instead of 10 minutes.
As they pulled up outside the hospital, Madeline was drifting in and out of consciousness. Every now and then she would try and sit up, or she would try and talk to Stella. Madeline was wheeled into the hospital and hooked up to all sorts of machines. Stella's head was spinning. Madeline was okay though and that was the most important thing. Stella paced the corridor outside of Madeline's room while the doctor was running various tests. She thought back to what Mac had said at lunch. 'You don't have to do this alone.' Stella took her phone out of her pocket and began dialling Mac's number, but before she had a chance to hit the call button, the doctor came out of Madeline's room.
"Ms Lane? I'm Doctor Rayleigh. You're Madeline's mother?" The doctor raised his arm and shook hands with Stella.
"Uh no, I mean yes she is my daughter but I'm not Ms Lane. It's Detective Bonasera." She knew she was rambling but she couldn't help it. "So, how is she? Is she going to be okay?" There was a huge not in her stomach.
"She's going to be absolutely fine, but it did want to talk to you about a few things. Would you mind stepping into my office?" Dr Rayleigh's voice was calm and composed but his words made Stella feel anxious.
"Of course but would you mind if I just go and in and see her for a few minutes?" Stella's wasn't really waiting for permission, she was going regardless.
"Go right ahead, my office is just down the hall, to the right." Doctor Rayleigh smiled at Stella and walked off towards his office.
Mac's number was still up on Stella's phone screen. She hit the call button but it went straight to the machine.
"Mac, it's Stella, I need you. Madeline's sick, she's in the hospital. Please, come and meet me." She hung up the phone and walked into Madeline's room.
Madeline was sitting up in bed. She was awake but her eye's looked distant. Stella smiled at her daughter. She looked so fragile.
"Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?" Stella sat down on the edge of the bed and held Madeline's hand.
"Well, I've been better. Thank you." Madeline smiled weakly.
Stella laughed and stood up. She kissed her daughter on the forehead.
"I'm going to see your doctor know okay, I'll be right back. I called Mac, so don't be surprised if he shows up."
Stella kissed her daughter again and turned to leave the room.
"Mum?" Madeline said, just as Stella was about to walk away.
"Yes honey?" Stella turned around.
"Before you go, just know that I'm really sorry." Madeline whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I love you Madeline." Stella whispered back.