A/N: Hey everyone! I'm very sad to say that this is the last official chapter of Stella's Girl! I think I am going to write a little epilogue though. I've had such a great time writing this and I'm sad to see it end but it's reached that point where I can't really go any further. Thank you so much for sticking with me through it!
B x

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI New York or any of its characters.

Chapter Twenty Four

Mac sat in his office and watched as the elevator doors opened up. Madeline stepped out, closely followed by Stella who was pushing Isla in a stroller. They walked together towards Stella's office. Madeline was fidgeting, pulling at the ends of her hair and twiddling her thumbs. He saw as a department counsellor stood up from one of the chairs in Stella's office. They all shook hands and stood talking for a short while; the whole thing seeming incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. Mac noticed how Madeline wouldn't look anyone in the eyes; she just stared at the floor. The counsellor and Madeline left the office, and walked back towards the elevator, leaving Stella and Isla behind.

Isla giggled happily in her stroller while Stella worked away. When Isla began to get grizzly, Stella scooped her up and held her on her lap, working around her. Mac got up and strode into her office.

"You know, I don't usually approve of personal life coming into the lab." He said sternly. "But in this case, I'll gladly make an exception." He finished, breaking out into a smile.

"I didn't really see the point of getting a sitter for an hour. Besides, I thought she'd make a great mascot for my desk." Stella laughed, kissing the top of Isla's head.

"Madeline agreed to talk to someone then?" Mac pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Yeah, she really doesn't want to but she's smart, she knows it's for the best."

"Good."

"It makes me feel better just knowing she's gone, even if it's only the once." Stella bounced Isla up and down on her knee. "I mean, obviously I'd rather she would talk to me, but as long as she's talking to someone."

"Well, it's a big adjustment for the both of you. Are you sure you don't need to talk to someone?"

"Thanks Mac, but as long as the girls are both okay, then so am I." She said reassuringly. "Hand me that diaper bag?"

Stella took the bag off of Mac and pulled out a pink bib and a bottle. At first she tried to juggle feeding Isla and typing up case notes, but eventually she gave up with the work. It could wait until Madeline came back.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The counsellor's office was unbearably cold. The constant ticking sound of the clock was the only noise in the room. The office wasn't as fancy as she had pictured but it was still just as intimidating.

Madeline sat on the dark leather chair, her hands, trembling, were placed in her lap. She nervously pulled apart a damp tissue, turning it over and over in her hands. Her eyes remained focused on a scuff on the floor. She could feel the therapist's eyes boring into her. It was uncomfortable and unsettling. Madeline brought the chain from around her neck and put it between her teeth, pulling it back and forth. The therapist had barely said anything to her, yet Madeline was overcome with the urge to spill her heart out. She just wanted to say anything to fill the awful silence.

"My mother is practically perfect. If I can't get Isla to stop crying, she can." Madeline whispered through her tears. "I feel like I've let her down."

"And why do you think that?" The therapist asked in calming voice.

Madeline shrugged and wiped her eyes again. She didn't know what to say. The thoughts swam around in her head, desperate to get out. Deep down she knew it was irrational but the feeling just kept eating at her. Stella had always told Madeline how great she was doing and how proud she was. Madeline just struggled to actually believe it.

"I don't know. I just, it feels like I have so much to live up to. And I don't know how to do it. I love my mother; I just want her to be proud of me."

"How do you know she's not?"

"I...I guess I don't." Madeline frowned and rubbed her forehead.

A beeping sound made Madeline jump out of her skin.

"Madeline, I'm afraid the session is over." The therapist began to speak.

Madeline jumped up out of her chair at lightning speed. She started walking towards the door. She had to get out of there.

"Here's my card, if you want to arrange another session, just give me a call." The therapist smiled warmly, handing Madeline the small white rectangle.

She nodded and took hold of the card. As the therapist shut her office door, Madeline opened up her hand and let it fall to the floor. It was going to be a long walk, but she took the stairs up to the crime lab. The whole way up, she didn't run into anyone and she was able to clear her head. Madeline sat herself down on one of the stairs, two floors away from the crime lab. Her head rested against the cool concrete wall and she closed her eyes.

She may not have said much to the therapist but the session had definitely made her think. She was a good mother. She could see that now. It was like the clouds had lifted and she could see the sun. Madeline loved her daughter, and she would do anything for her.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Isla lay snoozing in her stroller, finally giving Stella time to get some work done. It was incredibly quiet in her office. She even slowed down her typing so that she barely made a sound. When the phone started ringing, she nearly tore it off holder in her hast to answer it quickly. She waited for a minute before she said anything; her eyes were focused on Isla, who, thankfully, didn't even stir.

"Bonasera" She answered quietly.

"Hi, Stella, listen, I gave Madeline my card after the session ended and told her she could call to book another one. I just found the card on the floor outside my door. Please, just make sure she knows the offer still stands." The therapists said.

"The session ended? When?" Stella asked confused, she checked her watch.

"About 20 minutes ago."

"Oh. Okay, well I'll let her know, thanks." Stella pressed the end call button and hurriedly dialled in Madeline's cell phone number. She tapped her fingers on the desk and the phone continued to ring.

"Hey mum." Madeline whispered down the phone.

"Madeline, where are you? Did you get lost?" The tone of worry was clear.

"I'm fine. I just needed a minute. I'm on my way down."

Stella heard Madeline's footsteps just before she hung up the phone. She put the phone down and carried on typing, glancing up at the elevator doors every few seconds. Eventually Madeline made her way back to the office. Stella got up out of her desk chair and walked around to the other side, sitting down on the edge.

"How'd it go?" Stella asked eagerly.

"I'm not going back." Madeline replied stubbornly. "But it was fine."

"Why aren't you going back?"

"Have you ever been to one of those things?" Madeline raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Madeline was slightly taken aback by Stella's response.

"Then you know how uncomfortable they are. I'm not going. I didn't have anything to say to her. I didn't really want to say anything."

"Well, I can't make you go back, but please, promise me you won't disregard it completely?" Stella took hold of Madeline's hands.

Madeline nodded and let herself be pulled in to a hug. Stella kissed Madeline's forehead and held her tightly.

"I promise" Madeline said, her voice muffled. "It will be okay though. That's why I took so long getting back down here. I was thinking."

"Yeah? What were you thinking?" Stella asked, stroking the side of Madeline's face.

"You're proud of me, right?" Madeline looked up at Stella.

"Of course! Why would you even ask that?" Stella looked almost hurt by the question.

"I was just checking." Madeline smiled, shrugging her shoulders.

"I love you." Stella said quietly.

"I love you too." Madeline replied, kissing Stella on the cheek.

From inside her stroller, Isla started making noise, calling out for attention. They both laughed at the sight of Isla shaking her arms around. Stella picked her up out of the stroller and kissed her nose. She handed her to Madeline. Madeline's eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across her face.

"Are you gunna stick around for a while? I finish for lunch in an hour; we'll go get a bite to eat." Stella asked, walking around the other side of her desk.

"Take an early lunch." Mac smiled as he walked into Stella's office, his coat in his hand. "C'mon, it's my treat."

"Thanks Mac." Madeline smiled gratefully. "I'm just going to change Isla first."

Madeline picked up the diaper bag and hugged Mac and Stella before leaving the office with Isla in her arms.

"Is she okay? Mac asked smiling and putting his arms into his coat sleeves.

"Uh, yeah, I think so. It's kinda hard to tell with her." Stella shrugged, switching off her computer.

Stella picked up her jacket from the back of her chair and put it on. She grabbed her purse from the floor and slung it over her shoulder.

"Just like her mother." Mac laughed. He took hold of the stroller and started leaving the room.

Stella laughed back and punched him softly on the arm. Mac put his arm around Stella's waist and they walked out of her office, towards the elevators.

"We're gunna just fine." Stella smiled. She felt truly happy.