Later that night silence filled the room as Mac couldn't get comfortable. Getting out of bed he reached for his son.
"There's daddy's boy. How are you son? Oh daddy loves you so much. Yes he does."
Sitting on the bed Mac rocked him back and forth as he felt a warm hand across his back. Turning around he seen his wifes fevered eyes staring at him.
"Stel.....Stel..oh God you're awake."
"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaac I.....Owwwwwwwwwww....can't......"
Mac noticed she couldn't catch her breath.
"Hold on Stel. God hold on."
Ringing the button for the doctor she came running in.
"What is it Mac?"
"It's my wife. She can't catch her breath. She says it hurts."
"Stella??? Listen to me Stella. Where does it hurt?"
Gently touching her abdomen.
"Okay Stella. Let's get some air into your lungs first."
Placing the little nose tube on her, the doctor checked her sutures.
"Everything looks good Stella. I'm going to give you a little more demerol. When I've done this. Tell me if the pain has eased. Okay?"
Inserting 50mg of demerol into her IV she noticed Stella begin to relax.
"Better?"
Shaking her head yes she asked...
"So thirsty. I'm so thirsty."
"We'll get you some ice water. Just relax okay. I'll be right back."
"Maaaaac...Joe....his..his wife."
"I know sweetheart. We are looking for her. She's still on the loose. Until she's caught you and our son are in danger."
"Here we go Stella. Try this."
After swallowing a little water she closed her eyes again.
"She'll be fine Mac. Let her rest. We'll keep monitoring her around the clock for the next twenty four hours. But she's going to be fine."
With the doctor gone. Mac climbed in beside her with Mitchell. Finally closing his eyes he knew he'd be able to finally rest for a while. As he slept Stella woke to her son fidgiting. Trying to sit up she couldn't.
"Maaaaaaaaac...Maaaac."
"Hmm..what's the matter love?"
"I want to hold Mitchell. Can you help me sit up?"
"Sure love. I'll raise your head for you."
Once he had the bed raised he placed Mitchell in her arms. As soon as he smelled his mommy, he searched for his supper. Squirming in her arms, she tried not to laugh.
"Oh Mac. He's hungry. Where's his bottle."
Passing her the formula she placed it as close as she could to her breast, and watched him drink it down. Clinching his little fist against her heart.
"Isn't he beautiful love. Or should I say handsom. Adam was here earlier, along with the boys. They all say Mitchell looks like you. What do you think of that Stel?"
"Hmm..I don't know. He has that little pout to his lip. Kind of reminds me of someone else I know."
All of a sudden Mac broke.
"Mac?? What is it? Mac??"
"I'm sorry love. I was so scared. I thought Mitchell and I were going to have to live without your love. I wasn't sure how I would have survived. I've never been so scared in my life Stella. Everything came rushing back."
She wanted to reach over the bed and hold him. She wanted to tell him it was alright. But how could she when she couldn't get up to put the baby down.
"Hey Mac. We heard the good news."
As Danny looked towards the bed he seen Mac sobbing with his hands against his face.
"Danny take Mitchell and wait in the hall. Go."
Taking the baby from Stella's arms, Danny took him outside. As the door closed she could hear the Officers cooing the baby. Reaching her hand over towards Mac's neck she pulled him towards her. Wrapping him tightly against her chest as he soaked her in tears.
She hadn't realized how much she had scared him. God he sounded so heartbroken, all the pain he must have held in while she was under. All the insecurities he must have kept hidden about him and Mitchell being on their own.
"Shhh...it's okay Mac. I'm right here. I promise I'm nevr going to leave you or our son. I love you Mac. I love you both so much. I was just as scared of never seeing the two of you again. I could hear you talking to me while I slept. It's okay Mac. I'm home now. We are all home, together as a family."
Raising his face to hers, she kissed him with all the burning passion that was inside her. With every breath she took them both deeper into their love. Neither wanting to release the hurt, the pain that had almost torn them from each other forever.
Slowly breaking the kiss, Stella held him as close as she could to her heart.