No Shay in this one...she plays a big role in the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews! Enjoy!


"You weren't kidding," Kelly teased as he watched Renee finish off a Caesar salad big enough to feed a small third world country.

"I'm callin' it. Two hundred pounds!" said Renee joking, or at least she hoped she was joking.

The pair talked for over two hours. Kelly was thrilled when Renee told him her company was letting her transfer back. She was too valuable for them to tell her no, and with the pregnancy, she could kind of call the shots.

She'd been smart and kept her place, not giving it up for some reason. Renee would stay there tonight.

They headed back to her place and Kelly brought in the mountain of baby stuff they'd bought.

"We have enough for twins," laughed Kelly dropping the huge load in his arms.

"If you EVER say that again, I'm going back and getting that jumper! "

Renee sat on her couch taking off her shoes, rubbing her feet. All the walking had her exhausted. Kelly came and sat next to her wanting to rub her neck and back.

"Want me to massage your neck a little?" he asked unsure of what was acceptable.

"Oh, yes," Renee said sweeping her hair to one side.

Kelly began with her neck, gently pushing his thumbs into the tight parts. He worked down her shoulders and further down her back. She made a little sound of delight and it brought back memories of nights when she let out other sounds of delight.

"Renee," said Kelly stopping the massage, "this has been a great day. This whole thing is gonna be the best thing. Thank you for comin' back and telling me, including me."

"Thank you Kelly for being who I thought you were, who I knew you were." Renee felt tears coming to her eyes. "God, I've been so emotional lately."

Kelly brushed her tears with his thumbs and pulled her in close. He wanted to kiss her, but knew it was too soon, way too soon. Hell, he'd just found out he was going to be a father last night. No, right now a hug was enough.

"Don't kill me, but I've gotta go. I'll be back tomorrow whenever you want. We can get the crib, pick out a paint color, whatever you need." Kelly was glad he had three days off.

"I will call you in the morning? Or do you just want to come over?"

"I'll be over at, say, nine?" Kelly asked.

"Perfect," said Renee.

"Perfect," smiled Kelly, hugging her one more time before heading out.

Kelly got home to an empty apartment. He was also exhausted, physically and emotionally. He wanted to avoid the conversation coming with Shay.

He knew she had to be so disappointed, so let down. One minute they are making baby plans, the next minute Kelly's preparing for a baby that has nothing to do with her.

What am I gonna say? Do? Nothing will make this okay in her mind, thought Kelly. Nothing. That was why he didn't want the conversation to come.

Kelly started dinner. Shay would at least be happy with that. It would be a spaghetti night, easiest thing to make. Small salad, a little garlic bread...done.

Shay walked in an hour later not knowing what to expect. She found Kelly alone at the dining room table waiting for her. He had two glasses of wine poured, table set, garlic bread in a basket.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," she answered.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I guess. You?" Shay wasn't sure where to even begin.

"Yeah, but I was worried about you all day. Shay, I am so sorry, maybe we can..."

"Just stop," interrupted Shay. "I thought we were going to be pregnant yesterday. I was sure WE would be getting good news, but now."

"I didn't plan this," Kelly interrupted.

"No shit. What are you? Like sixteen? Hell, you're thirty Kelly! What thirty year old doesn't know about birth control. I'd think you had it down to a science with your vast experience." The bitter disappointment of last night was coming tumbling out of Shay's mouth.

"Shay, I'm so damn sorry. I want you to be in this. You're gonna be a huge part of my baby's life." Kelly's voice was barely a whisper. He knew that whatever he said would not be good enough.

"I don't want that. I'm having my own baby, Kelly. I'm going with my original plan and I'm finding a sperm donor. It was a stupid idea in the first place, so don't worry about it!" Shay grabbed her glass of wine and ran upstairs slamming her bedroom door.

Kelly thought of his mom. The bitter disappointment in Shay's voice sounded like his own mother's voice.

-0-

"Benny, can we at least talk about this?" pleaded Kelly's mom to her husband.

Kelly was peeking from around the hallway corner. He heard his mom crying...again. He wanted to rush out and grab her legs, hold her legs really tight. He didn't move.

"Corinne, we've been over this and over this. I don't want another kid. You're always bitchin' about my job, how I'm never around. And you gotta admit, Kelly's a handful." Benny was putting on his boots barely looking at his wife.

"He's four now and so much easier. Let's give him a little brother. Things will be better Benny," Corinne was practically sobbing.

Kelly felt a hot wetness on his face and quickly used his sleeve to wipe his eyes and nose.

"Gotta go. Just not in the cards for us. I'll be home in three days and we can talk more then if you really want." Benny gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek.

"No, you're right. Not in the cards for us," said Corinne wiping her face with her sleeve almost the same way Kelly was.

Benny gave a quick smile and headed out. Corinne sprawled out on her bed, face buried in her pillow.

Kelly waited until he heard the door slam before he went to his parents' bedroom.

He slowly pulled himself up on the bed and laid down next to his mom.

"Mommy, don't cry. Don't cry. I won't be a hand-ful. I won't." Kelly hugged Corinne and didn't understand why this seemed to make her sobs louder.

-0-

Unlike Benny, Kelly was a fixer. He solved problems, he always tried to make things better for his friends, especially Shay.

Kelly wanted to make everything good with Shay now but knew it was impossible. There is nothing I can do for her, he thought. Nothing. There is no fix.

The guilt had been creeping in all day. Each purchase brought more guilt. Guilt at letting Shay down but mostly guilt at how excited he was getting over his baby...with Renee.

The next morning Shay headed to the station before Kelly even thought of getting up. He had figured that would be the drill. He quickly showered, heading to Renee's early, too excited to wait around.

He knocked on the door. No answer. Louder the second time.

Was she okay, he thought. Maybe he should just bust down the door? Before he turned into full squad lieutenant mode, Renee answered, hair still wet.

"Sorry, in the shower," she explained towel drying her hair.

"No, sorry, I'm really early." Kelly shut the door behind him and headed for a bar stool.

"Help yourself to coffee, juice, whatever. I'm going to finish getting ready," Renee came over to Kelly giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

She did it so absentmindedly, she didn't really think about it, just an old habit.

Kelly didn't know how to respond, taken off guard. He reached to give her a hug but missed and brushed her elbow a little.

She rushed off to her bedroom leaving Kelly wondering what just happened. I touched her elbow, he thought. Smooth.

By the time she came out, Kelly had made a list of everything he thought they should get done for the day.

"A list?" laughed Renee.

"Sorry, it's lame. Just excited. Sorry," Kelly repeated, balling up the list.

"No, no! It's cute. You're just not a list-maker, Kelly. Let me see."

He handed it over awkwardly.

"Looks good," said Renee. "And, here's my list," she said smiling handing Kelly a piece of paper at the end of the bar.

Kelly laughed. Both lists were almost identical.

"Let's do it." Kelly held open the door for Renee and felt like a little kid ready for the first day of school.

Renee just laughed again looking at Kelly's face. Yes, he had surprised her, in a good way. Thank God, she thought. Thank you, God.

Her smile disappeared at the thought of her visitors arriving tomorrow.

Her parents were flying in from Santa Barbara at three o'clock the following day. She would have to find a good time to break it to Kelly. Of course, they wanted to meet the man who got their daughter pregnant, who was supposed to go to Madrid, who disappointed their baby so desperately. Stomach in knots again.

They bought all the baby furniture, crib, dresser, changing table. Kelly had insisted on paying.

"I have a lot saved up, no bullshit. Please let me do this," he insisted.

Renee agreed. She didn't want to ruin the day with an argument.

At lunch she had to tell him about her parents' visit.

"My parents are coming in tomorrow from California," she blurted out.

Kelly had a mouthful of sandwich and Renee thought she would have to give the heimlich. Kelly quit choking, drank some water, and finally spoke.

"I'm takin' it they wanna meet me?" he asked knowing the answer.

Hell yeah, her dad would want to meet the asshole who dumped his daughter, who thought of himself, who picked squad over his baby.

"Yes," said Renee quietly. "But don't worry."

"Um, any time someone says 'don't worry' I've learned you should be worried." Kelly smiled as he reached for one of Renee's hands.

"But, you don't worry. You don't need any stress. It'll be okay," Kelly tried to convince himself as much as Renee.

"It will. They're going to see what a good man you are."

"I hope," said Kelly feeling like that was asking for a miracle.

The couple finished their day of shopping and ended up back at Renee's. She pulled Kelly's favorite beer out of her fridge.

"Thanks!" he said wondering when she picked that up. Probably had groceries delivered he thought. He also thought this woman was way too good for him. But if she would take him...

He had an idea percolating and would have a busy evening ahead.

They talked for a little while falling into their comfortable way with each other. Kelly got up to leave and Renee came around to hug him goodbye. She put his hands on her stomach and he couldn't believe how warm it was. He couldn't believe that his baby was growing in there, getting bigger each day. He wiped one eye and Renee put her hands on his face.

She pulled him in and kissed him. Not on the head, not the cheek. No. This was full on the lips. Kelly stroked the back of her head feeling a passion he hadn't felt in months.

She pulled away finally.

"Sorry, I don't know where that came from," said Renee clearly embarrassed.

"Don't be crazy. We're going to be parents. We're a team. We were in love," Kelly added the last part immediately regretting it. Too soon, too much, he thought.

"Yes," she said simply.

Kelly left the apartment knowing what he would do, more convinced of it than ever. He had made plans for dinner with Renee and her parents at 6:30. He would be ready.

It was finally time to leave and Kelly was more than ready. He'd had a busy day, but all in anticipation for this dinner.

He never really cared what anyone thought of him. Like him or not, no sweat off his back. This was different. These people had to like him. They would be linked through a baby for the rest of their lives.

Kelly cleaned up nicely. He'd shaved, worn dress pants, dress shirt and blue blazer. He was dressed like he gave a shit and he did.

Kelly was the first one to arrive at the restaurant and decided to wait up front. He could walk Renee to the table. He didn't want to look like he owned the place already sitting at the table. He could sure use some ice water right now, he thought.

As each minute ticked by, he grew more nervous. They were officially two minutes late, but it felt more like thirty.

What if they refused to meet him? What if they were arguing right now at Renee's place? Kelly got out his phone. No texts. He tried to breathe. He finally asked the maitre d for a glass of ice water. He was downing it in huge gulps when the Royce family arrived.

He rushed over to them awkwardly handing his empty glass to the hostess on his way. She gave him a "this isn't my job" look which didn't help his confidence.

"Renee, you look beautiful," he said hugging her quickly. No kiss, he didn't want pops to kill him before they even reached the table.

"Mr. and Mrs. Royce, so nice to meet you." Kelly extended his hand.

Mr. Royce had the look of a man with confidence...and money. If Kelly knew anything about clothes, he would have realized this man's suit cost about one month of a firefighter's salary.

He returned Kelly's handshake with a stiff smile planted on his face.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Severide."

"Please, sir, call me Kelly." Kelly knew this would be a hard nut to crack.

Rene's mom pushed Kelly's hand out of the way.

"A hug seems so formal for the father of my only grandchild." She was a tiny woman, really petite, but gave a great hug. Both arms, full on, tight squeeze.

Once seated everyone just kind of looked at each other.

"So, you're a fireman, Mr. Severide?" questioned Mr. Royce. It actually sounded more like an accusation than question.

"Yes, sir. All my life. Love it." said Kelly with a smile.

"So I've heard," he muttered.

"We are so excited about the baby, Kelly," said Mrs. Royce. "Renee's an only child, so our first grandchild." She had a huge, genuine smile on her face.

"Couldn't agree with you more, Mrs. Royce! We bought so much baby stuff yesterday. Here, let me show you pictures." Kelly's enthusiasm was infectious.

Renee could tell he'd already won over her mom. She'd never seen him talk so much. He was going on about paint colors, baby clothes, the jumper Renee had picked out to tease him.

Mr. Royce couldn't believe his wife was falling for this kid so quick. He would have to remind her of Renee's tears, heartbreak when they got back to the apartment.

No reminders were necessary. Mrs. Royce had talked, consoled her daughter much more than he had. She heard much more of the story. She knew all too well the hopes Renee had with this young man.

Mrs. Royce made the decision to accept whatever came her way this night. She was an extremely intelligent woman who knew Renee would freeze them out if she didn't accept her grandchild's father. Fortunately, she was pleasantly surprised with Kelly. He was truly excited about the baby...already. He had honor and the way he looked at her daughter. Yes, they would be okay.

The table grew quiet for a few seconds and Kelly thought he'd better act before he lost his nerve.

"Mr. Royce." He turned to Renee's father. "I wanted to ask you in front of Renee and your wife. I wanted to ask you," Kelly was stuttering.

Renee was stunned. What the hell was Kelly doing? The evening had been going so well, mom completely won over and dad not killing Kelly.

"I wanted to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," he finally spit out.

Everyone's mouth literally dropped open. Kelly was sweating so badly, he looked like he'd stopped at the gym and gotten in a quick workout.

He looked at Mr. Royce expectantly, but it was Renee who spoke.

"Kelly, what are you doing? Come here," Renee got up and led Kelly to the front and straight out of the building.

"Kelly, what the hell? The night was going so well. I can't marry you. The answer's no."