Two weeks later, Matt was feeling much better. His back was still a little sore, and the skin was tight from the incision, but the doctors said that those things were to be expected.

He had talked Sylvie into going back to work. The doting (that had been appreciated prior to and immediately after the surgery while everything still hurt) was now starting to get on his nerves. He loved that she cared so much, but he needed a little space to breathe. Thankfully, she hadn't been hurt when he expressed this to her. She was glad he was feeling better.

Severide and Kidd were coming over to visit after Sylvie's first shift back and had offered to give her a ride, which she gladly accepted. They arrived early to pick her up.

When she got in the car, Brett was immediately bombarded by two entirely different things. Severide asked her how Casey was doing. At the same time, Stella said, "Brett, I need you to back me up on this."

She was the tiniest bit overwhelmed. Normally, Stella wasn't awake enough this early to make a coherent thought. Given that she had probably only interacted with Severide this morning, she probably wanted back up on some disagreement between the two of them and, in this small of a space with a full 24 hours ahead of them, that was ground Brett wasn't sure she wanted to cross. She decided to start with Severide's question.

"He's doing a lot better. He's been starting to get up and around a lot more the last few days. Pretty bad case of cabin fever, though."

"Not surprised. Casey never was good at relaxing," Severide replied. "Hopefully he'll go for a walk or ten today so he's bearable when we get there tomorrow."

They chuckled, then Stella whipped around in her seat, staring down Brett. "Girl. Help a sister out. I'm begging you. Kelly's got this protein powder at home and the smell is KILLING me. Tell him he's gotta get rid of it. Or agree with me and tell Casey to tell him he's gotta get rid of it. Either way. It's gotta go."

Sylvie shook her head. "I hate to break it to you, Kidd, but you're pregnant. There's a lot of smells that are going to be unbearable that you never had a problem with or even noticed before."

Severide laughed. "Ha! It stays."

Stella turned back to face the front and pouted. "You were supposed to take my side."

"I'm sure I'll be in your shoes soon enough," Brett laughed, "then you can make fun of me for all the things I'll probably have issues with."

Her mind began to wander to the day she and Matt decided to have kids. Would they have sons or daughters? Maybe one of each? Who would they look more like? A smile crept across her face as she pictured them as a family. Trips to the park, hanging out with the crew at 51, and - hopefully - more love than they could imagine.

Stella broke her out of her daydream. "Hello? Earth to Brett! Hey!"

Sylvie shook her head. "What?"

"You're lost in space. We're at work. Kelly's already gone inside."

"Oh," she blushed. "Sorry."

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"I was just thinking about the future."

"I can't wait to see your and Casey's kids. They're gonna be freakin adorable." Stella smiled. "But for now, c'mon, Miss dreamy, we're gonna be late."

When the two of them walked into the common room, Sylvie was immediately surrounded. Everyone was elated to have her back. They inquired about Casey and were all glad to hear he was doing well. Soon, the bells went off and they went about their day.

At the beginning of one shift, about two weeks later, Severide approached Brett.

"Hey, Casey left his hat at our place the other night when I drove him back to your place. I keep forgetting it at home. Do you want to swing by after shift and pick it up?"

"Uh, yeah," Brett replied. She rubbed her eyes and set a reminder in her phone for the end of shift. She'd been extra tired lately and didn't trust herself to remember a hat in 24 hours. Between the emotional toll of Matt getting hurt and his restlessness when she was home, her energy was at an all-time low. Too much coffee, she supposed, had started making her feel sick, so she just took to drinking tons of water. She hadn't actually had caffeine in about a week and a half. That probably wasn't helping her tired situation. She put her stuff in her locker and went to the common room for breakfast.

The day passed slowly. Halfway through shift, the only calls 61 had gotten were an elderly man who had a heart attack and a teenager who tripped on his afternoon jog and sprained his ankle.

It was only 8pm, but Sylvie was beat. She wished Matt were there so the two of them could snuggle up in his office. She sighed and laid down on her bunk. He'd be back soon enough. Her head hit the pillow and she was soon asleep.

Stella woke her up around 7 the next morning.

"You feeling okay, Brett? You've been out for almost 12 hours."

She furrowed her brow. Had it really been that long? "Uh, yeah," she responded. "I've just been extra tired lately - between planning the wedding and Matt getting hurt. I've been getting plenty of sleep, but I guess the mental load is getting to me."

Stella nodded emphatically. "You let me know if there's anything I can do for you," she said. "Hey, speaking of favors, could you give me a ride home after shift? Kelly wants to go hang out with the squad guys."

"Of course. I'll be glad to have your company," Sylvie replied.

An hour and a half later, the two women were back to the Stellaride apartment, as it had come to be called. After dropping her bags, Stella told Sylvie where the hat was, then went into the kitchen.

"Brett, get in here!" she called.

Sylvie went to join her friend. "What's up?"

"Here, smell this. Tell me it's not awful," Stella said, shoving Kelly's container of protein powder.

The sudden strong smell knocked Sylvie backwards. "Whoof!"

"See what I was telling you?!" Stella exclaimed. "This stuff is AWFUL."

"Well, yes, but you also shoved it right in my face." Sylvie chuckled at her friend's persistence. "Of course it's going to be strong."

Stella shook her head. "You're not gonna take my side on this one, are you?"

"Sorry, Kidd," Sylvie shrugged. "How do you handle yourself at the firehouse? There's so many strong smells there -- and that's without being pregnant."

"I actually don't know," Stella replied. "I have my 12 week doctor's appointment tomorrow, though, so at least we'll finally be able to tell them."

"You're lucky they haven't figured it out yet, really."

"Yeah, I'm surprised we haven't spilled the beans yet."

Sylvie nodded. When you spent a full 24 hours with people you were as close to as they were with everyone at 51, secrets were scarce. "But, if you think about it," she said, a realization dawning on her, "You told me right away, then Foster and Matt found out not long after. We're usually the first to call each other out on little changes."

"You've got a point. . . I mean, Herrmann has been busting my balls for being tired at Molly's -"

"And everyone bought your story about getting an early strain of the flu, especially after Severide stayed home with you for a couple days."

"Damn," Stella whispered.

The friends sat in comfortable silence for a minute.

"Wait," Brett said, "you said it's your 12 week appointment tomorrow?"

Stella nodded. "Before you say it - I know the actual end of the trimester is 16 weeks. Kelly and I talked about it and, as long as everything looks good tomorrow, we decided to tell everyone early."

"I hope it goes well," Sylvie said, smiling.

"Thanks," Stella replied. She glanced at the time. "Casey waiting for you?"

Brett looked at her watch. "Oh, pickles, it's almost noon already. Do you wanna join Matt and me for lunch?"

Stella declined and sent Sylvie on her way. "Tell your man I say hi."

"Will do. Good luck tomorrow. "

"Thanks. See you next shift."

"See you," Sylvie said, then left for home.

Two days later, they were all back at 51. Casey was only allowed to operate the call switch, but he was delighted to be out of the apartment. It would make the next two weeks until he could go back to active duty much more bearable.

Stella's doctor had said everything was looking good with the baby, so as soon as Kelly was done with his morning officers' meeting, she met him in the chief's office. She had asked Brett to come with her for moral support, and Severide motioned for Casey to stay there with him.

"Chief, we have something we need to tell you," Kelly said.

Boden took stock of the four men and women in his office. He quirked an eyebrow at his squad lieutenant.

Stella looked at her husband. Kelly reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers. She addressed Boden, "Chief, I'm pregnant."

Boden's face lit up and he jumped out of his chair. "Stella Kidd, get over here!" he exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. When he released her a moment later, he looked suspiciously at Brett and Casey. "Are you two in here to tell me the same thing?"

Sylvie quickly shook her head. "No - at least, if we are, it's news to me." She looked to her fiance. "But we're definitely hoping to be someday."

Matt smiled back at her. "We just want to get through the wedding first."

Boden nodded, then turned back to Kidd. "So what does this mean for you?"

"If it's okay with you, Chief, I'd like to stay on truck as long as I can."

Boden looked to his truck captain, a question in his eyes. "This okay with you?"

Casey nodded. "Kidd talked to me about a month ago, before the accident."

"So you two have it worked out?" Boden asked.

"Yes, Chief," Kidd and Casey replied simultaneously.

"Well, then congratulations you two," Boden said to the married couple. "There's nothing quite like becoming a parent."

"Thanks, Chief."

"When are you two planning on telling the others?" Boden asked.

Stella shrugged. "How about now?"

Boden smiled, and the five of them walked out to the common room.

"Everyone, gather around," Boden called. He waited for a moment while everyone turned their attention to him. "I wanted to let you all know we'll be adding to our ranks."

Everyone looked around, confused. All of their slots were full.

Herrmann finally spoke, "Who's gaining a spot, Chief?"

Boden had a glint in his eye. "Starting today, we're adding a temporary spot on truck."

"So when's the new guy getting here?" Mouch asked.

Stella couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Kelly's hand. "He, or she, is already right in here," she said, placing a hand over her abdomen.

The members of 51 erupted in a chorus of congratulations. Then Gallo spoke up, "Does this mean you're leaving us?"

"Not a chance, Gallo!" Kidd replied enthusiastically. "I'm gonna stay as long as I can, have myself a baby, then I'll be right back before you know it."

Gallo smiled. Stella had immensely helped him a number of times over the years, and he cherished her friendship. Seeing her leave would have been hard.

With that, everyone resumed their chatter until the bells went off and it was back to work.