This is the last full chapter, but an epilogue is coming soon. Thanks for the reviews of my first fanfic! It's been fun to write; I hope you've enjoyed reading it.
Love Shayveride, but I think the romance will only exist in fanfiction. Lauren German tweeted that Shay is a lesbian, not bi, not confused- kind of a bummer for those of us hoping Kelly and Shay would eventually get together. So come on fellow writers, let me read your stories of where Chicago Fire should head.
At the hospital, Kelly was inconsolable. He still had no shirt on, wouldn't let anyone look at his back, just paced and bothered the nurses every five minutes demanding to know what was going on. Finally, a doctor came with news.
"Family of Leslie Shay?" she asked with a smile on her face. Everyone in the waiting room stood up.
"I'm Dr. Allen and I have good news...baby and mama are fine. They are resting, blood pressure is perfect. It was just a bad combination of too much work and stress. She will need to be on bed rest for at least a week." The doctor was glad to be delivering some happy news.
"Can I see her? I need to see her," Kelly was heading toward the waiting room door looking at the doctor to lead the way.
"Yes, she's been asking for Kelly. I assume that's you?" Dr. Allen asked, smile still on her face.
"Yes, now let's go." Kelly was so anxious to see Shay and make sure their baby was alright.
"I'll make you a deal. We are going to treat you first. It will only take a few minutes. Come on," Dr. Allen grabbed Kelly's arm and led him to an ER doctor waiting in a nearby room. Hallie had arranged it all and knew Kelly wouldn't agree if waiting was involved. That would just be more minutes away from the woman he loved.
"Really? Now?" Kelly started to protest.
"Yes, Hallie's orders. Leslie is in agreement too, so let's get this over with." The ER doctor cleaned Kelly's burns and covered them with gauze. "I'm giving you a shot to help prevent infection and also putting in a prescription for antibiotics. I want you to start them tonight."
Kelly nodded his head, jumped off the bed and headed out the door. Dr Allen led the way and Kelly thought he was going to lose it when he saw Shay in a hospital bed looking so small and pale. Her face lit up when she saw him.
"Are you okay?" they both asked.
"Shay, I don't know what I would have done," Kelly began, burying his head on her shoulder.
Shay stroked his head, "I'm okay. The baby's perfect. It's okay, we're okay, sshh." Shay knew Kelly was a wreck.
"Kelly, look at me. How are you? Your back?" Shay was spying the huge pieces of gauze on his back wanting to examine him herself.
"I'm fine, but you, our baby..." Kelly didn't say what they both knew could have happened.
Dr. Allen cut in, "But both mom and baby are good. And I can tell you the sex of the baby if you'd like. I know Leslie said you both want to be surprised, but if you change your minds."
"Thanks Doc, but we are waiting. Right, Shay?" Kelly thought they were having a boy. He just had a sense that there was a little boy growing inside Shay. A boy they had decided to name Andrew Darden Severide.
"Yes, I think so. We've waited this long, let's wait a little more." Shay was so relieved the baby was okay. She felt sure they were having a little girl that would have Kelly wrapped the second she arrived. She could picture a beautiful baby girl that Kelly would adore in his usual overprotective way.
"Kel, you need to rest. I need to sleep. Go home and try to sleep, please." Shay had to give it a try.
"Not just no, but hell no. I'm sleeping right here. Now close your eyes and take care of our baby." Kelly stroked Shay's hair softly. Dr. Allen left the couple seeing that arguing with this man would be fruitless. Kelly continued to rub Shay's head and watched her drift off. He had a restless night, so hard to let the panic leave him.
Shay woke up to find Kelly asleep next to her, hot and sweaty. She felt his head. It was burning up.
"Kelly," she whispered.
"What's wrong?" Kelly was awake in an instant, concern written all over his face.
"No, I'm fine. You are burning up. How do you feel? I'm calling the nurse," Shay was pushing the call button before Kelly's first no.
"I feel good. I think it's just the stress of yesterday. Hey, let me worry about you two." Kelly felt like crap and his back was hurting, but didn't need Shay stressed. He smiled at her and got out of the bed heading to the bathroom.
"I'm going to wash off a little. I'll be right back." Kelly washed his face and looked in the mirror. Yes, he had to agree. He looked like shit. The thought of those antibiotics he was supposed to start last night were not even on the radar.
Hallie was with Shay when he opened the door. Great. Two ganging up on him. Kelly knew he didn't stand a chance.
"Well hello, Hallie. Checking on Shay?" he asked with a grin, hoping that made him look a little less like what he saw in the mirror.
"We are taking a walk my friend," Hallie hooked her arm in his and forced him out of the room. Kelly looked back at Shay as if to say "help" but she just raised her eyebrows and waved.
"Shay needs to relax and be stress free, Kelly. And that is going to be impossible if you are admitted to this hospital. Where are the antibiotics you are supposed to be on?" Hallie had a no nonsense attitude, but Kelly knew it came from a place of concern.
"You are right. The last thing I want is to add any stress on Shay. I am going right now to get those..." Kelly was using that grin again. Hallie had to laugh.
"If you knew how bad you looked right now, you wouldn't even be trying with that smile," Hallie reached in her pocket and pulled out a prescription bottle handing it to Kelly. "Please take two right now while I watch you. Then two a day for fifteen days. I am also looking at your back now." Hallie wasn't laughing anymore and Kelly knew it would be a while before he got back to Shay.
Hallie led him to a room and began her work. She took the gauze off, cleaned the burns, and put new dressings on them.
"You are burning up," Hallie had a frown on her face. "I'm going to get an IV started, get some fluids in you, some more antibiotics also. We have to knock this out right now." She was out of the room before Kelly could say anything.
Hallie came back hands full with an IV stand, all kinds of tubing, a couple of bags, reaching one of her hands out to Kelly. She handed him a couple of rather large pills.
"For your pain. I think our best bet is for you to get on your side, face me, and we'll run the line on your top arm." Hallie quickly got to work. She had everything done within ten minutes.
"We won't mention any of this to Shay, right?" asked Kelly, feeling a little better already.
"Of course not, but if I have to admit you, we'll deal with that then. Kelly, you're in bad shape. You have to take care of yourself starting right now." Hallie knew he wouldn't like this next part. "You are going to be in this room for awhile. I want you to sleep and let these bags do their thing. I will come back for you in four hours."
"Four hours! No way, Shay needs me..." Kelly couldn't imagine being away for that long.
"What she needs is for you to be at one hundred percent! You are going to keep your butt in this bed and close your eyes and try to sleep." Hallie put her arm on her hip, daring Kelly to argue. He was feeling drowsy thinking "What were in those pills" just before falling asleep.
Hallie checked on Shay and was relieved to find her sleeping as well. Mission accomplished, both friends resting and hopefully getting better. Now to face all the people in the waiting room. At least she had good news to deliver.
Kelly and Shay were discharged the next day, both doing much better. Shay was on leave until the baby came and Kelly was given mandatory leave by Chief Boden. He wasn't to return for ten days at the earliest. No arguing from Kelly this time. With Shay on bed rest, he was thinking more like two weeks off. She would not be lifting a finger he decided.
Casey and Dawson knew their lieutenant friend was in no shape to be taking care of someone right now. He needed someone to take care of him or he was going to end up back at the hospital.
"Casey, you got a minute?" Dawson asked when she found him alone in the kitchen.
"Sure, what's up? Shay and Kelly okay?" Casey's thoughts were consumed with his friends' health. He was going to stop by after shift tonight and try to convince Kelly that he was staying at their place for a couple of days.
"Shay said everything is great, but I was wondering if you wanted to set up some shifts with me. We can compare schedules and hopefully have someone over there everyday. Kelly can't be taking care of Shay right now. He needs someone to help him with his back.
"Haha! I was just thinking about stopping by tonight and convincing Kelly to let me spend a couple of nights over there. We are on the same wavelength," Casey didn't even realize he was holding one of Gabby's hands.
Peter Mills did. He was heading in the kitchen to start dinner but stopped short when he saw his girl and Casey deep in conversation. He headed straight for Gabby, putting his arm around her making Casey drop the hand he didn't even know was in his.
"Hey Gabby. Severide and Shay okay? What's going on?" Mills was not an insecure man, but seeing Gabby talk to Casey made him fee like he was in eighth grade competing for the prettiest girl in class.
"They're okay, but they need help and neither one will ever ask. We're trying to work out some shifts to stay at their place." Dawson could see the awkwardness of the situation and wanted out of that kitchen fast.
"Count me in." Mills wasn't about to be outdone by truck's lieutenant. "I'm off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday."
"Really, Pete? That's great," said Dawson giving Mills a kiss on the cheek. "Cindy Hermann has volunteered also. I think we have enough help for a month. Haha!"
"Oh, Severide will love that!" Casey was ready to make his exit. "I'll do the first couple of days, you guys get the rest set up. Gabby, thanks for getting this organized. I guess I'll see you in two days?"
"Thanks, Casey." Dawson gave him a quick hug that made everyone uncomfortable.
Since Shay was on bed rest that meant Kelly was on bed rest also. To say she was restless would be an understatement, so she wanted Kelly to stay by her side. It turned out to be just what Kelly needed. Instead of running around, attending to Shay, he was stuck in bed with her.
Casey took the first couple of days, Dawson was up next for two days, Mills stayed over one, and Cindy Hermann took the last two. Kelly's back was better and Shay didn't have to be on complete bed rest after that week.
"Kelly, I never really had the chance to tell you what a bitch I was when I went completely crazy and actually thought you and Dawson were up to something." Shay was avoiding this conversation, but she knew Kelly deserved an apology and so much more than that.
"No words needed. Yes, you were a bitch, but it seems insignificant now," Kelly rubbed Shay's stomach just so happy they were okay. "I don't care about any of that,"
"But I care about it. I hurt you. I know I did. No one really warned me to stay away from you. Everyone at the station has been great and you know they all respect and love you. Boden was just being Boden." Shay looked at Kelly trying to read his thoughts but he had a poker face. "Say something."
A long pause. "I know I don't have the best reputation. I know I've been with many women. Too many women. You know why. After Renee cheated on me and I broke off our engagement, I wanted nothing to do with a real relationship. I guess you hit a nerve because I know deep down I'm not really good enough for you. And my biggest fear is that someday you'll figure that out." Kelly was just looking at Shay's belly, still caressing it, not looking at her face.
"That is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You have been one of the few good things in my life for a long time, and I'm just glad I finally realized it. Kelly, you and I are forever. Will you get that through your skull? Am I making myself clear?" Shay touched Kelly's chin and forced him to look at her.
She repeated her question,"Am I making myself clear?"
"Yes, crystal clear." Kelly meant it. For the first time he really felt that he might just possibly deserve all this, that he deserved some good in his life. It was a relief, kind of like lifting a fog that was surrounding him. He felt energized.
"I was going to surprise you, but maybe I should come clean. I'm looking at a house tomorrow with Dawson. I'll send you pictures and if you think it's perfect I'll put in an offer. Sound good?" Kelly was excited and Shay knew her words hit home.
"We don't have to get a new place. Wherever we are will be perfect," Shay began.
"But I want to do this. It feels right. Don't you think?" Kelly asked.
Shay had to admit that it did sound right. It sounded like a first step to their forever. She didn't know that Kelly had another task for Dawson tomorrow. That he would leave as a surprise.
Shay was alone for the first time in a week, and it was driving her a little more crazy than normal. When Kelly came home, she almost jumped on him.
"Any exciting news?" she asked anxiously.
Kelly had his hands full with a casserole dish, Dawson following close behind with a pot of something that smelled beyond wonderful.
"Nah, Gabby just made all this food because the house hunting was a failure... Hell yeah, I have exciting news!" Kelly put the dish on the counter and reached for his phone. "Look at this!"
He showed her pictures of their new home. Shay thought it was perfect, beautiful, meant for them. Best of all, it had a decent sized backyard. She could imagine barbecues, swing sets, a bunch of kids running around.
Tears welled up in her eyes, "It is perfect." Shay pulled her fireman in tight vowing to never let go.
"My cue to leave," laughed Dawson wishing she could see part two of the evening, but she was sure she would hear all about it tomorrow.
Kelly walked her out. "Gabby, I can't thank you enough. You've done more for me over the past couple of months. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you. Casey and you are more than friends, I want you to know that." It was more than Kelly was comfortable saying and Dawson knew this, that's what made it mean so much.
"Is Shay the pregnant one or are you?" joked Dawson. "If you get sentimental on me, you'll never live it down. Seriously though, it was fun and anything you two need, I'm there. You are family." They quickly hugged and Kelly watched her leave wishing Casey would get off his ass and tell her how he feels. If she chose Mills, then she chose Mills. But this dancing around their obvious attraction was ridiculous. It was definitely a conversation Kelly would take up with his friend and soon.
Kelly set the table, lit a few candles, and got the food ready. Dawson said it was chile rellenos with Spanish rice, her grandmother's recipe, and flan for dessert. All Kelly knew was that it smelled delicious. Shay was waiting impatiently on the couch.
"Celebration dinner ready!" he said with that devilish grin on his face.
"It smells so good! I hope I can leave some for you," laughed Shay ready to attack that food then maybe her man afterwards.
They sat down at the table. "Very impressive, lieutenant," Shay teased as she immediately dug in.
Kelly was sweating, was it getting hot in there or maybe it was the chile rellenos, he thought.
"Hey, are you okay? You look hot. Are you sick?" Shay was up touching Kelly's forehead. He grabbed both her hands and looked at her amazed as always with her beauty. No makeup, in sweats, fully pregnant, and he knew she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He took a deep breath.
"I'm fine. I'm more than fine," he began. "Shay, the best day of my life was the day I met you. Hell, I knew I was in love with you from the start. The second best day was when you realized you loved me." Kelly got on one knee and tried to get a small box out of his pocket. The second thing he needed Dawson for today - picking out the perfect ring.
"Are you okay? What are you doing?" Shay was trying to help him up.
"Shay, you said we are forever - you and me forever. I'm trying to ask you to marry me if you'll stop yanking on my arm. Leslie Shay, will you marry me?" Kelly was laughing through tears waiting for Shay's response, holding out the ring for her to see.
Shay had no words. This was the last thing she expected. She was frozen.
"Shay, I'm asking you to spend forever with me. Will you marry me?" Kelly was getting more nervous, the dumbfounded look on Shay's face was hard to read.
She took Kelly's face in her hands and knelt down in front of him kissing him, never wanting to forget this moment.
"Yes," she whispered knowing those chile rellenos would have to wait. "Yes!" she repeated kissing him all over his face now, laughing.
Kelly's eyes softened, he could relax a little and stop sweating. They were getting married.
He was so lost in the moment he didn't hear Shay say that she thought her water broke. He didn't feel the wetness around his knees. It would take Shay repeating herself for Kelly to realize what was happening.
Shay had a scared look in her eyes. That's all it took. Kelly seemed to wake up and the lieutenant in him took over.
"Let's go have this baby, Baby!"