Chapter 12

As they headed to the car, Stella said...

"I want to see the kids Mac. I want to see them and take them home."

"Okay love. We can go pick them pick up right now. Then we will come home. Everything should be cleaned up by then."

"No, Mac. I want to go home too North Carolina. I miss home Mac. I honestly thought we could be happy here, but I was wrong. Our lives are no longer here, Mac. Our world as we knew it here, is gone. It was gone the day we wed in North Carolina."

"Sweetheart... what about Sheldon?" asked Mac.

"He's going to be fine Mac. He's on the road to recovery. I talked with Arianna, it seems her and Sheldon are going to try a relatioship. They've fallen for each other. I know they will be happy. Just as we will be happy when we get home to North Carolina."

"What about the house, love? We just purchased it," said Mac.

"I know, Mac. It will make a lovely late wedding present for Danny, Lindsay and the baby."

Stella noticed Don's face. She could see he was heartbroken. Afterall, who did he have? No one since Jess died. Walking over Stella caressed his cheek. "Don... Mac and I want you and Donnie to come home with us. We want you to move with us to North Carolina. Start a life there. A life with all of us. Please say you'll come. There is nothing stopping you now, Don."

"I'll have to think about it, Stella. Thanks for the offer," said Don.

Getting into the car they headed over to pick up the kids.

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Meanwhile... Adam was sitting on the floor with two other lab techs. They had played four games of snakes and ladders. Four games in which MaCanna had beaten them.

"Listen Mini Mac, you are to smart for us. You already have all our coins, we have nothing left to give you," Adam griped.

Watching from the door Mac and Stella were smiling. MaCanna must have had over twenty dollars worth of coin in front of him. Walking over to Calista, Stella picked her up and snuggled her to her heart.

"There's mommy's little girl. I missed you, sweetheart. You must be starving," said Stella.

"Actually Stel. The girls fed her and changed her. She's quite full. We've all had an amazing time with your little ones. Even our little Mini Mac who robbed us all blind," said Adam.

"Is okay Adam. You cans have all your monies back. No cry... okay," said MaCanna.

Everyone laughed. Then leaving the room they all got back to work.

"Daddy cans we go home now?" asked MaCanna.

"We can son. Home to North Carolina. In a few days."

"Yay... you hear that mommy? We gets to go home on a plane," yelled MaCanna.

Danny and Lindsay were shocked. They couldn't believe it. They had just arrived home to New York and now they were leaving again. "Please say you're not serious, Stella. You and Mac really aren't leaving again, are you?"

"We are Linds. But before we leave we have a gift for you, Danny and the baby, said Stella. Taking the keys out of her pocket she gave them to Lindsay. These are the keys to our new home we bought. This is our gift to you all."

"Oh Stella, we can't accept your new home. It belongs to you and Mac," cried Lindsay.

"Now it belongs to you. You three have a happy life together. Mac the kids and I will be back to visit. We love you guys," said Stella.

After embracing each other the Taylor's headed home ot pack.

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Walking into their home, Stella could still feel and see the shooting that took place. Taking Calista upstairs she placed her down for a nap. "Sleep angel, we will be going home soon." Leaving her door slightly ajar, she checked on MaCanna who was with his daddy placing his winning coins in a piggy bank.

Sitting down Mac asked... "Are you going to be okay, love?"

"I'll be fine Mac. I'm just worried about Don and whether or not he will come with us to North Carolina," said Stella.

"You know what, love? I have a feeling he will. He needs family around him. Besides... he loves MaCanna like he was his own, so have a little faith, love."

As Stella looked down on the blanket, MaCanna was sound asleep on the floor. Picking him up, Mac carried him to his bed. After tucking him in, he kissed his cheek and left the room. Nearing the living room he seen Stella curled up on the couch with her eyes closed.

Walking over, he picked her up in his arms and nestled her against his chest. Tenderly stroking her hair, she caressed the side of her cheek against his face. "Love me, Mac. Make love to me." Sweeping her up into his arms he carried her into their bedroom. Standing her up in front of the mirror he had her watch as he slithered his hands down her arms, back up to her shoulder lifting the shirt from her sunkissed skin.

"Look at you love. Always the beautiful goddess. At times Stella, I feel so undeserving of you. Of our love. You have given me the most passionate four years of our married life. So many nights I wake with the fear that this has been a dream. That none of this was real. So vulnerable, love. You've kept me vulnerable in your love."

Watching her tears fall, Mac caught them withim his thumb. "I didn't mean for you to cry love. Another passionate desire I admire in you. But do you know the desire that makes me crave you? The desire that drives my endless passion to love you? It's the way you quiver in my arms when I touch you, stroke you, caress you, drown you in my desires. That is what completes my soul. That is what completes every waking moment of my life with you and our children in my arms."

Stella was in tears. She couldn't control the love Mac was filling within her soul. Feeling his arms wrap around her in comfort and strength, they just rocked in each others arms while their eyes expressed their love in the mirrors. For at that moment, this was all that was needed to complete them in their world.

tbc...