Title: How Their Lives Changed

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI:NY it belongs to Anthony Zuiker and CBS.

Author's Note: The last chapter

Beta'd by: lily moonlight

Rating: T

Epilogue: Better Than They Could Have Imagined It

-Five and a half years later: Spring, 2015-

Daniela walked up to the microphone and the dean smiled at her.

"Okay Daniela," he said, "You spell this word correctly for the win: your word is juvenescent."

Daniela took a deep breath and her gaze quickly searched through the audience and found who she was looking for, her parents and siblings as well as her extended family.

When Daniela made eye contact with her crowd, she saw multiple thumbs up.

Following everyone's lead Giovanna Meghan and Anthony Evan shouted out to her, "Go, sissy, go!"

Daniela smiled and began. "Juvenescent. J-u-v-e-n-e-s-c-e-n-t, juvenescent."

"Daniela, that is correct: you win!" the dean announced.

The crowd broke into applause and Daniela beamed as she was handed the trophy and heard her family cheer loudly, especially Uncle Donnie, who called out, "That a girl, Dani!"

Sitting in the audience, Stella covered her mouth with her hands, trying to hold back the tears. Daniela had made Mac and her so proud. It was hard to believe it had been nearly six years since their eldest daughter had showed up at their door step: so much had happened since then. Daniela was now almost ten years old and as vivacious as she was hardworking. She could spell at an advanced level and, to her parents' delight, was also showing an interest in math and science.

Shortly after the near-accident when Don had saved both Stella and Daniela, Mac and Stella had hosted a joint housewarming/thank you party in which they had both given Don a heartfelt 'thank you' for averting major injuries.

It was just before the party that Daniela had first met her Grandma Millie. And even though it was long in the past, Stella remembered it as if it were only yesterday…

Stella was in the kitchen with Daniela putting away the clean dishes when the door opened and she heard a voice saying, "Okay, where is my granddaughter?"

Smiling, Stella took her daughter by the hand and went to the door, greeting her mother-in-law with a hug, before she introduced the newest member of the family. "Millie, I would like you to meet your granddaughter, Daniela Myerson-Taylor." Kneeling down to a now wide-eyed Daniela, she continued, "Sweetie, this is your Grandma Millie. Can you say hi?"

With an adorable smile on her face, Daniela walked closer and then hugged her grandma around the knees. "Hi, Grandma."

Millie got down to Daniela's level and returned the hug. "Hello there, sweetheart, I'm so happy to meet you. How about we go take a look at what I've brought with me for you?"

Right then, they all heard Mac grunt as he struggled to bring in Millie's luggage. After about managing to get in the door, he set the cases down with a sigh. "Mom, you didn't buy out the clothing and toy store did you?"

Millie waved away Mac's question. "Nonsense, McKenna. I only bought one or two items…"
Smiling to herself at the memory of just how many presents Millie had brought, Stella was lost in her thoughts when she heard an excited voice. "Mommy, daddy I won! I won! Did you see?"

Stella hugged her tightly. "Of course we did sweetie, you did an awesome job!"

Every time Stella saw a smile on Daniela's face she smiled too. For the most part, Daniela was a happy girl, except on one memorable occasion when she had expressed uncertainty.

-Three years prior: Spring 2012-

Stella and Mac were beyond elated about the joyous news they had just received: they were expecting and Daniela would soon have a brother or sister to play with. All they had to do now was tell their daughter the good news.

At dinner with Daniela, Mac spoke up, glancing at Stella. "Sweetheart, how would you feel about having a brother or sister in about seven and a half months?'

It took a little time for Daniela to think as she stared at her parents, before she said anything. "Does this mean I'll be a big sister?" she asked them.

Both Stella and Mac nodded; they were about to smile when they saw a sad look on Daniela's face.

Stella looked at her in concern. "What's wrong, baby girl?"

Though she was obviously trying hard to not let her facial expressions give her away, her parents knew she was having trouble. In a quivering voice she inquired, "Mommy, you and daddy will still love me, right? Even with a new baby?"

Both Stella and Mac placed their forks down and looked at each other. It saddened them to know that Daniela was worried about not being loved, but it also didn't wholly surprise them considering what she had been through before.

Stella stood up and walked over to Daniela, pulling her into a hug. "Of course we'll still love you, baby girl, no matter what."

As Stella watched Daniela go to her father and to each of her extended family members, receiving more commendations from all of them, she remembered one of many good times they had shared: one of the monthly checkups where they had found out more happy news.

-Late May, 2012-

One day after school had let out for the day, Stella, Mac, and Daniela were in the waiting room waiting for the technician to call Stella's name. Since the day they had promised Daniela they would always love her they had decided it would be best to have her come along and had gained Stella's ob-gyn, Dr. Hayden Marshall's authorization to allow their daughter to come in with them, after promising Daniela would be on her best behavior.

"Stella Taylor?"

When the family of three heard Stella's name, Mac and Daniela stood up and helped Stella up before following the technician. Stella lay on the bed as the technician put on gloves and spread the cold gel on Stella's growing abdomen. Both Stella and Mac had been assuming she was showing early because she was carrying a big baby. However, they were in for a surprise. The technician placed the apparatus that Daniela called the 'wand' on Stella's abdomen and they soon heard the heart beats and saw not only one fetus, but also a second—now it was clear why Stella was already so big! Daniela who was sitting in her father's lap had grown wide-eyed when Mac whispered to her, "See Dani? Those two little beings growing in mommy could be your brothers or sisters, or both a brother and sister."

The tech moved the apparatus around, smiled, and said, "Congratulations, Taylor family it looks like your family will add twins come November. Would you like to know the genders now or wait?"

Mac and Stella both looked at Daniela since she was the "soon-to-be-big-sister" and decided it would be good to let her choose.

Daniela looked at the kind tech, smiled and declared her choice. "Can we know today please?"

The tech couldn't help but smile at the angelic child—she could tell by her tone that she was excited. Pointing to the screen, she said, "Well I'm happy to announce the twins are fraternal, which means you guys are expecting a boy and a girl."

And now that little boy and girl were hugging their big sister and jumping up and down in excitement. Stella smiled and remembered how helpful Daniela had been, even before the twins were born. Whatever the chores that needed to be done, she was still willing to help even after spending a day with her friends or Lucy,.

-July 10, 2012-

It was a beautiful summer day in July but also a scorcher. Stella was now at 23 weeks, had grown huge and was now having trouble getting around; having to waddle most of the time. So she was working part time by filling out paperwork from home. Mac had become very overprotective of Stella and the unborn babies' safety, which both irritated and amused Stella.

Although she could do most household tasks herself, she knew Mac wouldn't be happy if she did too much, so having the team help out was more than she could ever be thankful for. Now Daniela, there weren't enough praises in the world for Stella to say about their daughter. Only seven and she had gone above and beyond in assisting.

It was Lindsay's day off and she, Lucy and Daniela were all helping with the chores in the Taylor household. Stella was getting a little stir crazy and so she got up and waddled over to where the threesome had been taking out the laundry and putting it into the dryer. Lucy saw her first and before Stella could put her finger to her mouth Lucy yelled out, "Auntie Stella!" which got Daniela and Lindsay's attention.

When Daniela saw her mother standing there looking sheepish, she let go of what she had in her hand, placed her hands on her hips (in the same fashion as Mac) and said, "No mom, go sit on the couch, Aunt Lindsay and I are fine.

Lindsay with a smile and laughter said, "You better listen to your daughter Stell."

With a pout on her face she turned around and waddled back to the couch. Daniela had become her father's daughter all right.

Another good memory Stella had was of a time Daniela had felt the twins kicking.

-September 2012-

At 33 weeks Stella was now on maternity leave and was bigger than she could ever imagine. The twins were now kicking on a regular basis. By now they had the babies names picked out, of course with help from soon to be big sister Daniela.

While Daniela sat doing her homework Stella felt a kick. "Dani, sweetie, would you like to feel your siblings kick?"

With a big smile on her face Dani got up and went up to where her mom was sitting and after placing her hand where Stella told her to, she smiled when she felt the kicks. She decided to make this extra special. "Hi baby sister and baby brother, I am your big sister Daniela but you can call me Dani or sissy. I can't wait you to meet you and teach you what mom and dad have taught me."

With that Daniela was rewarded with more kicks. Stella smiled at how the twins were already bonding with their big sister, even before they were born.

Back in the present, they were all now outside on the front steps of the school and Stella was in thought again when Mac came up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Feeling Mac's gentle touch Stella looked up and smiled. When they saw how their Giovanna and Anthony were hugging Daniela, they were happy to see again how much the twins loved their older sister and recalled how Daniela had always managed to keep them entertained when help was needed.

-March 2013-

Daniela was home for spring break and helping out her mom and dad with four month old Giovanna and Anthony. Mac and Stella were drying and putting away the lunch dishes when they heard cooing, gurgling and squeals of joy. Putting down the plates in their hands, Mac and Stella turned around and saw Daniela laying on her tummy just like her siblings and make silly faces at them.

Mac and Stella loved the scene they were seeing, especially when they remembered nearly a year ago when they first told Daniela the news and she expressed doubt and fear. Since then they had spent as much time with her as possible and more so when they could when the babies arrived.

Now, they heard Don's voice and focused on reality as they heard him say, "All right, guys, it's time for pictures. How about Dani, our own champion speller, with her family first and then we'll take it from there."

Mac, Stella, Dani, Giovanna, and Anthony gathered around. Don focused his camera phone. "Ok everyone say cheese."

With goofy grins and silly smiles the Taylor family said "Cheese!" And another family memory was recorded.

A/N 2: Thanks for reading the epilogue for "How Their Lives Changed"! As always reviews are appreciated!

A/N 3: To my loyal SMacked readers, this will be my last story I will have on the site until mid-November as I will be away from my computer for a month. No worries I will have more when I get back!