Thank you for the awesome reviews! Some of you have sent me a kind word on EVERY update - amazing. Appreciate all the love from the bottom of my heart. Okay, enough mushy stuff. On to the story where there may be some more mushy stuff or maybe not. :)
The dinner was stopped in its merry tracks by a simmering fireman… Severide was not happy with the band of wedding planners positioned around his dining room table. Jay exited promptly after Kelly finished his first beer, saying he had to be in extra early tomorrow. Ritchie excused himself up to his room soon after.
His room, thought Kelly resenting the way the older man had moved into their apartment and more disturbingly into Erin's heart. Cancer my ass.
Erin headed to their bedroom soon after, giving Kelly one of her I'm so disappointed in you looks. Kelly's anger doubled with the quick peck she landed on his cheek to say goodnight. The throbbing pain in his arms didn't help his mind space any and when his legs joined in, he decided to park it on the couch with more beer and ibuprofen. He was dozing off and on, eventually sprawling out, body almost hiding the small couch.
"Kelly, come to bed," whispered Erin kneeling in front of him, rubbing his forehead to bring him back to the land of the living. She'd finally read the text from Shay around 2:00 in the morning, also finding a full night's sleep impossible. The more she tossed and turned, the clearer the picture that greeted Kelly when he got home appeared in her brain. Could've handled that one better.
"Am I dreamin?" he mumbled.
"No. Come on," she grabbed his arm nudging it up, getting him to stumble to their bedroom. He landed face down on the bed, letting out a deep sigh.
Erin straddled him, gently massaging his neck, slowly working to his shoulders, down the length of both his arms.
"Aaaaa," he moaned, "that feels so good."
"I love you. Don't be mad." Erin kissed him on the back of the neck, working the massage to his lower back.
"Not mad," he murmured. "Damn you are good at this."
Erin laughed thinking every fireman's wife should take some class in the ways of the masseuse. "Why didn't you tell me what happened?" she asked softly, laying down next to him.
He cracked his eyes open slightly. "When? Before or after you and Jay picked out your china?"
Erin couldn't help but laugh, point taken. She felt something she hadn't with anyone else… she didn't have the need to always win. Yes, Kelly was in the right on this one.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up with my dad wanting to be a part of this, be a part of something that involves me," she tried to explain, hoping it made sense.
"I get it, Erin. You don't think I do, but I do." Kelly paused thinking hard about his next words. "I just don't want to see you hurt. Ever. By Ritchie or by anyone else." He rolled on his side, brushing her hair out of her eyes, seeing the moistness in them.
"Who's gonna hurt me? I've got this big, bad fireman to protect me," she said, her voice still a whisper.
Kelly took her face in his hands, kissing her deeply, wondering how those lips could feel like velvet, her skin so soft. I could just touch that face all day. He pulled away taking in her beauty, caressing her cheek with his hand, running his finger over a dimple. I'm done for.
He was always amazed that he could not stay mad at this woman for long. She could infuriate him like no other, but he could always let it go.
"I'm not that big, not too bad," he teased, rolling on top of her.
"You feel up to this?" Erin asked wondering how he could catch a second wind, no matter the shift, no matter the hell he'd gone through… she couldn't think of one time he'd begged her off saying he was tired.
"You're jokin' right?" Kelly brought his lips to hers with no hesitation. His tongue hungrily searched for hers as his hands slid over her hips, pressing her into him.
Kelly moaned with a pleasure he was unable to control or contain. Erin softly slipped her hand on his mouth, "Ssshhh," she whispered. "Dad's next door."
He decided he would send her to knew heights tonight if that was even possible. He was gonna try. He wanted to bring a sound out of her so loud that dear old dad would hear, through the walls, even outside if he ventured there. Immature? Hell yes. A dick move? Uh, maybe. He didn't care. Severide was givin' it his all.
In twenty minutes he was satisfied, mission accomplished.
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"Any news on the deadbeat dad front?" asked Shay as soon as Kelly popped his weary head in at 51.
"He's never leavin.' Ever," complained Kelly. "And we had to have quiet sex last night."
"Get out!" Shay couldn't believe it.
"No shit," grumbled Kelly, "but I got a plan to get him out."
"Oh, hell," muttered Shay, waiting for the surely lame plan that she would poke about a thousand holes in.
"It comes down to the dollar. Plain and simple. I'm gonna offer him money to leave. When he takes it, everyone'll know what an asshole he still is."
"And if he doesn't take it?" asked Shay not liking the sound of this trap.
"Of course he's takin' it," answered Kelly, mind made up. This thing was happenin.'
"I'm going to say it one more time… let things happen the way they're supposed to. You don't need to do anything. If he's bad news, he'll show his colors soon enough, Kel." If there was a way to mess up something good, she knew her best friend had the skills to do it. She knew this so well because she had that same gene. She just hoped he wouldn't do it this time. Something too valuable was at risk.
"If he's bad news? He is bad news, Shay. I gotta protect my girl," Kelly commented smiling. "Don't worry." He kissed her on the forehead and headed off to squad's table, whistling.
"Who's up to losin' a little money?" he asked his guys, straddling a chair and shuffling the waiting deck of cards.
"Glad you're back, lieutenant," chirped out Mills, smiling broadly, digging in his pockets for some change.
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Kelly headed to the apartment, dog tired but catching a second wind with the coming Ritchie eviction. He was so sure Erin's dad would take the bait… he would bet anything on it, he kind of was.
Severide had everything planned out… Erin was back on the trail of the Russians, things heating up again. Kelly knew she'd be out late, maybe all night. It would be the perfect time to make the proposition, watch the scumbag take it… hell he'd help him pack his shit.
The aftermath wasn't an afterthought. Kelly got stuff done because of his dogged determination and single mindedness. It served him well on a call, but this was not a call.
His eyes scanned the kitchen and living room for the man who ditched Erin years ago, but he wasn't downstairs. Kelly got a beer from the fridge not bothering to take off his boots.
"Ritchie!" he called from the dining room table taking another long swig from his bottle.
"Kelly, what's up? I was just on the phone with Erin. She wants me to talk to a florist tomorrow," the older man said coming down the stairs.
"That's great. Haven't heard from her all day," commented Kelly taking another long drink. "Sit," he commanded feeling a little cocky.
"Okay, Dick. It's just me and you. No cameras, not recordin' a thing," began Severide taking another drink. Empty now. He rose to get another beer. He even got Ritchie one.
"Yes?" asked Ritchie wondering what this was all about.
"I'm gonna cut to the chase. I know you don't have cancer. I know you didn't come here to make good with Erin. I also know you're gonna take the money I offer you and get the hell out of town." Kelly smiled and took a long drink from his new beer.
"You're offering me money? Money to leave my baby girl?"
Ritchie had the look of indignation on his face. Kelly thought he'd almost believe him if he didn't know the history of this guy.
"Cut the shit and take the deal," snapped the fireman, draining another beer, feeling no pain. A huge smile crossed his face as he made his way to another bottle.
"You better slow down, son," said Ritchie as Kelly popped open a fresh one.
"I ain't your son. You're not my dad, and you're not one to Erin. You were never there and nothin's changed. So get your crap and get out." Kelly's smile was gone, frustration setting in. He remembered the money… he needed to offer up the money.
"Ten grand is in it for you. You take the money and disappear."
"You're offering me money? A bribe to leave my daughter?" asked Ritchie lingering on the word bribe.
Kelly knew at that second he'd screwed up. This guy would not go gentle into that good night. He was in fit or the long game. They looked at each other for a few, lingering, uncomfortable seconds.
"Ha! I was just screwin' with ya," said Kelly back pedaling fast, throwing the last bottle away. "Gonna hit the shower and head to bed. G'nite, Ritchie." He didn't look back as he took the steps two at a time, cursing his stupidity, how he completely disregarded Shay's warning. Now, it was time for a little damage control. He just hoped Erin wouldn't catch wind of it, not any of it.
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The next morning, Erin stumbled into the apartment looking like she'd been on shift at 51 saving people trapped in a burning building. Kelly had breakfast going and Ritchie was a no show, holed up in his room.
"Hey, beautiful," he said taking her jacket, handing her a glass of orange juice. The table was set and a pile of bacon sat in the middle. He was scrambling up eggs.
After a night of tossing and turning, Kelly decided he'd come clean if put on the chopping block by Ritchie. He'd have to admit he was wrong and apologize. At least his mouth would be sayin' all the right words, but he knew he hadn't been wrong. Erin's dad was up to something. He was as sure as ever.
Ritchie sauntered down the steps, hearing his daughter come home. "Something smells great," he commented grabbing a slice of bacon, grin spreading across his face.
"Yeah, help yourself," said Kelly from the stove, dumping the eggs on a platter.
"Don't mind if I do," said Ritchie greedily grabbing a second slice of bacon. "Hey, Erin, I can't meet with the florist today. I got a line on a possible investment opportunity. Somethin' too good to pass up."
"And what is this investment opportunity? Who with?" inquired Erin.
Ritchie sat down to explain this new chance to make somethin' of himself, his second chance to his daughter. As he laid out the investment, Kelly could see a scam unfolding before his eyes. He couldn't believe Erin seemed so interested in this scheme, voicing no concerns.
Severide knew he had to keep his mouth shut. If he called bullshit, the older man was going to unfold another scheme...Kelly's. He knew he'd done this to himself.
Ritchie's eyes were going from Erin to Kelly. They seemed to be daring Severide to say something.
"So how much you need, Dad?" asked Erin, ready to get some sleep, only partially coherent.
"Ten thousand would be perfect, but there is no way I'm lettin' you…" Ritchie protested.
"Hey, just listen. Let me check these guys out and if it looks like a good deal, I'm in." Erin rose, not touching the eggs. She kissed Ritchie on the forehead.
Kelly walked to her slowly, grinding his teeth together to keep quiet. "Are we gonna talk about this?" he whispered.
She kissed him firmly on the lips. "Nope. I know what you'll say. Wake me in a couple of hours." Erin turned toward the bedroom. "Oh, will you meet with the florist for me? Dad'll give you the address." She came back in for another kiss
Ritchie placed a card in front of Kelly. "Two o'clock," he said smiling.
Great. I'm a damn flower girl now, Kelly thought, running the card through his fingers.
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The investors checked out, a group of commercial real estate developers with a line on some cheap property. Erin was giving Dad the ten grand, no discussion, much to Kelly's chagrin. He knew when her jaw set in that granite line there was no arguin.'
The wedding date had been jet propelled up at warp speed... it was now a head spinning four days away. The long engagement resembled a shotgun wedding. The rumor at the house was that Erin was expecting.
"Let's get a new pot started on the due date," suggested Mouch refusing to pay up on the last bet. "They ain't hitched yet everybody," he protested when Hermann demanded the cash.
The first wedding plan was to have the nuptials at 51 where Kelly felt most comfortable. He would've loved that if it weren't for the Boden wedding, the call, and the explosion at the building. He knew Otis would be facing a nightmare… back at the firehouse in almost the same scenario. Severide couldn't do that to his sister's friend, boyfriend. They needed a Plan B.
Christopher Hermann came in for the save. The bumbling fireman actually saw his plan come together this time. His church rescheduled an AA meeting and cleared the way for a fireman wedding. It was set.
But what should have been one of the happiest times in the young couple's life together was tension filled, the air so thick, it was almost suffocating.
Erin withdrew the ten grand in the form of a cashier's check, telling Kelly, "I'm investing. That's it." And that was it. She'd take no conversation on the matter, not listening when he tried to get her to give the money directly to the developers.
She handed the check to Ritchie one night while the three were watching movies, as if passing the salt at the dinner table. He nonchalantly said, "Thanks" and it was done.
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Kelly put himself in charge of the reception deciding on Joe's as the perfect place… their place. Shay was helping, or rather he put her in charge.
He walked into the apartment feeling lighter than he had in days. Joe's could do that. Jeanine and all the waitresses were gonna make sure this was a night of fun to remember. He couldn't wait to share the finalized plans with Erin. Hell, maybe she was right about her dad, maybe he'd actually make 'em all rich with this real estate deal.
Kelly skipped up the stairs, looking for his fiancee. "Erin," he called wondering where the heck she was.
He saw the answer as he stepped into their bedroom. Erin was in a ball on the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her bent knees, rocking back and forth. Silent sobs were wracking her body, tears staining her face. It was a soundless wail, her voice having left her an hour ago. A crumpled paper peeking out from her left hand, suffocating between her fist and her knee.
Kelly dropped down beside her, taking Erin in his arms… "Baby, what happened?" His first instinct was that someone had died, Voight? Jay?
She shook her head no, over and over, dropping the paper to the ground. Kelly kept one arm around her, picking up the little white paper.
He read the note, a scribbled out message to Erin on it. Balling it up, he flung it against the wall.
Kelly knew what he was looking at now. This was the aftermath he hadn't given a thought to earlier. The aftermath punching him in the gut right now and devastating his girl. The aftermath of Richard Lindsay.
I was tough on Erin in this one, but you know Kelly will be there for her. Your thoughts?