To all my readers...Have a healthy holiday. May Santa bring you all you wish for.
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Christmas Eve
With everything fully decorated and ready Mac, Stella, and Mitch waited for their company. "How are you feeling love? A little better?" "Yeah...I'm not sure what is kicking around my stomach, but I'll be fine." Kissing Mac on the lips she walked into the kitchen and smiled.
Patting her tummy she whispered..."don't worry little one. Christmas morning we will tell daddy all about you." Stella was so excited. She had known for a while she was with child again. The only thing that saddened her was that Brenda wouldn't be there to share in their joy.
Hearing the knock on the door she walked back out with the desserts, as Mac answered the door. "Hey...look love it's Sheldon and Brenda. Give me that bundle of joy Sheldon, and take off your coat." "Thanks Stella, I have a bunch of presents in the car." "I'll grab them Sheldon, you sit and get warm, the Flack's should be here soon."
Sitting down Mac placed Brenda in the cradle, while Mitch looked over at her. "Baby...baby mama." "Yes son...her name is Brenda. Isn't she pretty?" "baby mama." "Hey guys a little help with these gifts please." "Oh sorry honey. Here I'll take them." Placing Sheldon's gifts under the tree with Mac and Stella's they waited for Don, Jess, and Danny to show up.
"Ho, ho, ho...we're here." Opening the door Jess, Danny and Don walked in. Mitch looked in shock, then he screamed. Oh the horror of seeing a Santa in his home, brought back flashbacks from sitting on Santa's knee with daddy.
"Aww..it's okay Mitch...shh...it's okay. It's just Santa." Sheldon was trying hard not laugh. I mean who could blame Mitch, Don had to be the saddest looking Santa he ever seen. "Hey...where is your tummy Santa? You've lost weight."
"Ho, ho, ho...I have nothing for you for Christams, you've been a very bad boy." Poor Mitch... he just wouldn't stop screaming, as he gripped his mommy's shirt. "Don go change...you're terrifying Mitch." "Fine Jess. But you're no fun. Just what did you do to him Mac? To have him hate Santa."
"I didn't do nothing, blame Stel. She made him sit on his knee." Stella laughed, Mac was forever stretching the truth. "Anyways Mac...once I'm changed I need your help with the presents." With all the presents finally under the tree, everyone sat down and listened to the christmas songs.
"Hey Stel...you look different. Almost like you're glowing." "Umm..thanks Jess, so...what does everyone want from Santa?" "Jess noticed how quickly Stella changed the subject. "Umm..Stel...can I see you in the kitchen?" "Sure...why?"
Walking into the kitchen Jess looked at Stella and whispered..."you're pregnant, aren't you?" "Shh...how'd you guess?" "Come on Stel. It's that damn glow. It's written all over your face. When are you going to tell Mac?"
"Tomorrow morning. It will be his last christmas present." "Aww...this is amazing news Stella. I'm so happy for you. Mitch is the perfect age too. By the time you have this baby he'll be nearing two." "Are you girls coming...or what?" "Yes Mac...we're just grabbing more desserts."
When the darkness fell on the Taylor home, they all gathered around the tree. Turning off the lights, everyone watched as the tree softly glowed.
"God Mac...it's so beautiful. Look at it glow. I just wish Danny and Brenda were here with us right now."
"I know Donnie...but they are. They are always watching." Almost as if on cue Mitch pointed to the star high above the tree. "Ook dada...shinny. See...shinny." As they all looked up at the star they seen it glow bright bringing forth two shadows. Two shadows in the form of Danny and brenda.
"Ohhhh...oh...I don't want to blink. Mac...are you seeing this?" With tears in there eyes they felt as hands caressed their cheeks, such warmth, such heat as it travelled through them. When they reopened their eyes it had disappeared. Reaching for each others hands, while snuggling the kids in close, they all whispered...."Merry Christmas Danny and Brenda, we love you."
Christmas morning...
When eveyone was up for the day, they all waited for Stella so they could open presents. "Come on love...what's taking you so long?" Trying to control her nausea, she walked out smiling. "Alright shall we begin?" "Good idea, let's start with the kids."
Once they had all the presents opened Mac noticed one lone envelope sitting on the branch of the tree. "Hmm...is this from you love?" Nodding her head yes, to afraid to speak, he opened it. Taking out the picture he looked at it.
As Stella watched she seen the small teardrop fall onto the picture. "Stel...you're, we...you and I are..." "Yes Mac. We are having another baby." Scrambling up from the floor Mac wrapped her in his arms. "Oh God Stella...I'm so happy...oh so happy."
While Mac continued to hold his wife, Don snatched the picture and awwed. "Damn Mac...look at the little peanut. Aww...this is amazing. I'm so happy for you two." "Merry Christmas Mac." "Merry Christmas to you too love." Passionately kissing, everyone had to admit. That this was one of the most blessed Christmas's, any of them had ever shared.
The End
Epi...9mths later
"Damn it Jess...where the hell is he?" "I don't know Stella. I called them, Don said he was on with way with Mac." "God damn him, by the time he gets here the baby will be born." "Shh...try and calm down Stella. Just breathe." "Huff, huff, hee, hee."
"Sweetheart....I'm here love. It's okay, I'm here now." "Where the hell were you?" "I'm sorry love, I had a crime scene, then I had to drop Mitch off with Danny at the sitters." "Alright Stella...I need you to push on my count...one...two...three." "Aaaaaaaaaugh...hee, hee." "Once more Stella. One more good push and we will have your new daughter in your arms."
With one final push the baby slid out into the doctor's arms. "Aww...look at her love. God she's so tiny." "Okay daddy...cut the cord." Taking the scissors Mac snipped the cord. Then reaching for his daughter he climbed into bed beside his wife.
"Here she is love. What do you think?" "She's so beautiful. Look at her little rosebud lips and her little fingers that are wrapped around yours," she cried. "Come on Stella, give us her name."cried Jess. "Okay...Melina May Taylor." "Aww...what a wonderful name. Welcome to the family Melina May Taylor."
End.
After Christmas this fic will jump ahead in years. As we will see Mitch, Danny and Melina in high school.