Title: Plan C
Chapter 12 – The First Few Steps

A/N: thanks so much to everyone who is still loving this story so much! To the First Guest who said Erin is taking Shay's place – hmm Shay and Kelly were never romantically involved so she's not really taking her place *wink* to the rest on board with our new little family so glad you're liking their journey. To Newperson & second guest thanks so much as always- you guys rock!

"Okay so…just…one step at…Kelly!" Erin exclaims as Severide tries to stand but his legs start to buckle. She's not able to fully support his entire weight and is thankful that his uninjured arm is able to shoot out and help steady himself on the side railing of the hospital bed. "You don't have to rush this."

He looks at her with a furrowed brow and pauses before he takes a step forward. "You think I want to stay here any longer with that…damn catheter? Trust me…they're not fun," he gently grimaces; her expression morphing into one of soft amusement. "What's going on?"

"I….I don't want you falling at home and reinjuring yourself. Yes I want you out but…but I'm nervous and scared. Damn I sound like a broken record," she smiles as she offers her arm. "Like the slippers by the way."

"Dad bought them," Severide groans as he looks down the navy slippers with Kermit the Frog on them. "Got them on sale."

"Coulda been worse."

"Miss Piggy?" Severide retorts as they slowly head toward the entrance to the hospital room. His whole body aches as they step into a slow rhythm, his heart racing and his head slightly pounding.

"Is this okay?"

"Yeah just…feels like I haven't walked in a month."

"Well…it's been almost a week."

"I need to go home," he tells her as he pulls her a bit closer but then pauses; Erin looking up in wonder. "Suddenly I'm nervous."

The two of them share a chuckle before they slowly head back to his room; Severide's body tired but his mind anxious to get home and rest in a familiar and welcoming environment.

"It um…" she pauses as she helps him with his sweater, her fingers slightly trembling as they pause. Severide's free hand quickly envelops hers and holds it against his rapidly chest as she leans in closer; the two of them standing motionless near the entrance to his hospital room.

"We can be nervous together right?" He looks at her seriously and she nods. But just as their lips are about to connect with a kiss, her phone buzzes and she's quick to pull the phone, both of them looking down at the number and then up at each other with worried glances. "Erin…."

"Hello. Uh…this is Erin Lindsay. Ms. Green? Is everything okay with Aurora?" She asks in haste.

"Just wanted to say everything is okay. I think she'll be okay until the day is over."

"Okay, that's great to hear. I'll be there in a few hours."

"You sure?"

"Yeah…I'll get Matt to get the groceries," she tosses back with a smirk. "I can drive a car better than filling a cart. Alright…time to get into your pants."

He can only offer a small chuckle as she helps him with a pair of sweat pants, offering a small grimace as she gets a first look at the bruises marring his legs and then feels her throat catch.

"Oh God…no…" she whispers in horror as his hand rests on her shoulder and she looks up in defeat. "Kelly…"

"I'm going to be fine. Just…I know it looks bad."

"Does it hurt…stupid…course it does," Erin scolds herself as her fingers slowly reach out and gingerly touch the black webbing on his thigh.

"Crowbar," Severide mentions as she tries to swallow, helping him fully dress and then standing upright and looking at him with a tightly drawn smile. "I need to leave here."

"Okay."

Erin helps him gather up the rest of his personal items, texting Casey on the way out and asking if he can pick up some groceries and she'll pick up Aurora.

XXXXXXXX

"Damn…feels like I haven't been home in forever," Severide comments as he stands in the entranceway to his apartment, Erin pulling away in a hurry to go and fix his bed – the bed she had slept in the night before. She hears his shuffling and stops just as she arranges the final pillow.

"Couch um…it was. Sorry."

"Don't be," he whispers as he nears her.

"When I woke up…Aurora came in here…looking for you. I uh…I get why you don't want just any woman to…"

"You're not just any woman," Severide interjects seriously; Erin looking up nervously, her heart rapidly thumping. "I…" he starts with a heavy sigh. But before he can say anything more, they both hear the door open and Casey's voice call out.

"I'll see…about dinner," Erin tells him as she pulls back with a soft smile; her eyes wanting to water and her mind racing about what happens next. "Hey…"

"Hey…I brought groceries. How is he?"

"Tired. I think he's going for a nap," Erin replies in truth as she takes a few things out of the bags and then stops; Casey looking at her in wonder. "I uh…"

"Erin?"

"I have a few things to get so um…I'll be back."

Erin quickly grabs her jacket and hurries toward the door, Casey watching with his mouth slightly slackened.

"Matt?"

"Hey…"

"Thought you were going for a nap?"

"Yeah I was but…did Erin leave?"

"Yeah…said she had to get a few things. Just up and left. What's going on?" Casey asks in concern.

"I don't know. I uh…she's scared. We…we talked about her moving in here and then…look Matt…I…when Shay and I lived in our place we made it work. But...this isn't our place so..."

"We'll make this work."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. In fact...I was thinking more about that deal that you made with Shay about finding a place altogether...like a side by side with a shared deck and back yard."

"Or if we know a handyman that can make us a shared deck and back yard," Severide smiles. "Means a lot. Thanks. I hope she comes back."

"Hope so to," Casey replies with a friendly smile. "She'll be back."

"So...anyone in particular?"

"Was um...Aurora's teacher is single right?" Casey asks rhetorically as Severide chuckles.

"Call her."

"I will...later. So…supper?"

"Yeah…I'm going for a nap," Severide retorts with a snicker as Casey watches him take the pain pill and disappear from view.

"I hope she comes back…you both need each other," Casey whispers as he looks at the clock with a frown.

XXXXXXXX

"Thanks for seeing me again…on short notice. I swear next time I'll give you some notice," Erin utters with a distressed tone as she sits at a small table at a little café beside the medical building.

"Trust me I could use a break from the office gossip. As if I care which mimbo Jane slept with last night," Shawna Brownstone, Nick, Kelly's therapist's fiancé snickers.

"Was she the one with the Red fauxhawk?"

"Good eye," Shawna smiles as she slowly enjoys her pasta salad. "How is Kelly?"

"Sidelined for a bit from a…a bad work related accident. Broken arm. Will be off work for a few weeks. It was a clean break so should heal faster but um…I thought it would be a good trial run for me to stay there and just help out and then…I just left there and came here. I freaked out at the thought…I don't want to mess things up. Last night I slept in Kelly's bed when he was at the hospital and…and in the morning Aurora came to see him and I was there and…I love him, I love her but…I'm scared. Damn…tell me to stop rambling."

"Stop rambling," Shawna retorts as Erin offers her a soft smile. "Sounds like me talking," she adds with a smile. "Dealing with older kids I think is tougher. First time I stayed at Nick's, his daughter gave me coffee in a to go cup the next morning."

"Subtle."

"Never has been. Told me straight up. Shawna…I'm never gonna call you mom so deal with it. And I did. I never expected her to call me mom. Still don't. Every so often, I'm labelled the step-mom title but I prefer things to be on a first name basis. But Dylan, he let it slip one time already. Each situation is different. How your dynamic is with Aurora you'll have to figure that out as you go along."

"I don't expect her to call me that but I don't want to be just a weekend fling or something. Never been one for the whole traditional wedding or…"

"Wedding?" Shawna's brows gently arch as Erin's cheeks warm. "Did Kelly…"

"No," Erin interjects in haste. "But I'm afraid to start something and then screw up."

"So…you're waiting for both of you to become perfect?"

"Kelly is perfect," Erin whispers with a warm smile; Shawna smiling at the same time. "I don't know what I'm waiting for."

"If you want it…go for it. Otherwise the moment could pass and you might both regret it."

"Right…I guess I just needed to talk," Erin comments softly.

"I don't mind. Like I said…I've been in your place before and Nick and I have made it work and we're getting married in a few weeks. And as for tradition. I say…"

"Yeah?"

"To hell with it," Shawna states proudly and of them share a chuckle.

"You know…this pasta salad is really good."

XXXXXXXX

"Never thought I'd see the day."

"Don't tell Hank," Erin chuckles as Halstead just shakes his head as both of them look at the booster seat in the back of the police sedan.

"Where did you find this?"

"Lockup. It's not evidence. Jay…Hank told me about Randy's takedown. The two deputies…"

"They all knew the risks. It's not on you okay?" Halstead tells her firmly.

"Alright I gotta run. Be back in a few days."

"Or sooner," Halstead retorts with an amused grin as he watches his partner get into the car and pull away. "Definitely sooner."

Erin arrives at the school with a nervous knot in her stomach, pulling into one of the parking stalls and then getting out to wait for Aurora. As soon as she does, she instantly notices some stares sent in her direction and can hear all the thoughts…who's the cops kid? She offers them a nod and then pulls away from the black car, slowly walking toward an area where some other parents are waiting.

Her stomach tightens as she continues to wait, looking over at some of the other moms…or girlfriends or whoever and suddenly feels a bit self-conscious about her clothing and why she was there. I'm armed don't they know that? Her brain jeers as she looks down at her watch. Of course they're going to look at me…I'm a first timer…a newbie. It'll wear off. It will…right?

But she doesn't have time to ponder her fears any longer as the bell rings and the children all spill out; Aurora coming out a few seconds later and looking for someone she knows, her teacher Andrea Green in tow behind the children. "Aurora!" Erin calls out; the adorable little girl running up to her with her arms open wide.

"How was today?" Erin asks as Andrea nears.

"Very good. And Aurora shared her new doll with Jasmine and Belle and it was a great day all around."

"That's great," Erin exclaims as she looks at Aurora with a warm smile and then back at her teacher. "Thank you. We'll be back tomorrow."

"Okay. Oh before you go…your boyfriend Kelly…his friend Matt…is he single?"

"He sure is," Erin replies with a wide grin. "Works at the same Firehouse as Kelly. 51."

"Good to know. See you both tomorrow."

Erin takes her leave and then heads for the waiting car, the two of them swinging arms as they near.

"Want to go for a ride in my police car?"

"Yes!"

Erin straps her into the back booster seat and then heads for Kelly's apartment. Before she had gone back to the precinct she stopped by her home to get a few personal things for the next few days, telling herself that it was now or never – if she wanted a dry run at being a full time wife and step-mother helping Kelly when he's at his most toughest. This would be a true test for them all.

"Think she's going to come back?" Severide asks Casey with a small frown as he looks at the clock; offering his friend a weak smile.

"She'll be here."

And as if on cue, a knock is heard at the door and Severide slowly limps to open it.

"Daddy!" Aurora shouts as she wraps her little arms around his legs and squeezes; Severide wincing at first and then looking down with a strained smile.

"Hey," he leans in and gives Erin a kiss on the cheek and then pulls back with a loving smile. "Thank you. But…"

"Booster seat in the cruiser."

"Voight allowed it?" Severide asks in amusement.

"Who says he knows?" Erin retorts with a knee-weakening smile.

"Uncle Matt!" Aurora calls out as she rushes into the kitchen where Casey has pulled out a few things for dinner.

"Can you stay for dinner?" Severide asks Erin as the two of them linger in the hallway for a few more minutes.

"If it's okay I want to stay for a few days. I was serious about the trial run. Kinda freaked myself out a bit this afternoon but I want to give this a real shot. So…can I stay for a few days?"

"Stay forever," Severide answers in haste and then looks at her in mild surprise.

XXXXXXXX

That night things aren't quite their normal as Severide is sidelined more than usual due to his injury and is forced to rest in the living room while she helps Casey make a light dinner; Aurora buzzing around them but mostly staying at her father's side. Since Severide's stomach and liver had been punctured he's not able to eat as solid a meal as he might have wanted but a week after the surgery he's able to have stuff that's easy to digest.

They all sit around the living room, a kid-friendly movie playing in the background for Aurora, Kelly slightly napping on the couch while Erin and Casey play a game of cards. About half hour later, Casey slowly scoops a sleeping Aurora into his grasp and carries her into his room, telling them goodnight as Erin helps Severide stand up and steady himself before slowly heading to his room.

"You can take the spare room," Severide suggests in an undertone.

Erin looks down the hallway and then back at Severide with an anxious expression. "Seems...empty. See you in the morning."

"You know Matt wouldn't mind."

"I know I just…"

"Erin…"

"If I don't walk away now…I might just jump you."

His lips can't help but twist upward as they linger in close proximity a few moments longer. But us much as he wants to take her into his arms and literally ravish her body with his hungry desire, he knows he'd do more harm to his recovering frame and she'd probably put the blame on herself. So they wisely part ways and call it a night.

But for both Erin and Kelly the night is restless as image of Randy Cameron occupy both their thoughts; Kelly taking one of the sleeping pills but Erin forced to rely on sheer physical exhaustion to lure her into the darkness. But the next morning comes all too early.

Aurora comes running into the living room and turns on the TV, finally seeing Erin on the couch and then literally freezing in place.

"Come here," Erin holds out her hand; the little girl hesitating for a few seconds before she comes forward with her sleeping dolly in her grasp. "Who's that?"

"Wendy."

"Wendy. So you sleep with Wendy and Dora is your bath dolly?"

"Yes," Aurora nods as she turns around and rushes back toward her toy box.

"Yes," Erin huffs as she rolls onto her back, her ears listening to the little girls quiet chatter; the rest of the apartment silent. She finally pushes herself up off the couch and heads toward the kitchen, pausing to look down the hallway to the door of the spare bedroom and feels her heart starting to sag. I just can't…could I even ask Kelly if he'd move away from here so we could all have a fresh start?

Erin enters the somewhat familiar kitchen and starts to look around, slowly opening each cupboard and drawer and making a mental note of where each item belongs. Her eyes rest on the fridge next, looking at the list of chores that they have spelt out for Aurora and what things she needs to work on.

Sharing…Kelly's dolls? Her lips can't help but twist upward into an amused smile as she looks at the bottom cupboards and how they are labelled for Aurora to read and get familiar with where her things are. So…organized. She remembers Kelly telling her about a serious discussion he had with Shay about Aurora's cognitive progression and knows she doesn't want to hinder that in any way.

"Coffee…okay I can make coffee," she sighs as she stares at the items in the fridge. She turns back to the cupboard she remembered seeing the coffee tin in and then flips on the switch, heading back to her bag by the couch and taking out her basic's cookbook and starts to idly flip through it. She hears some shuffling and then looks up to see Aurora watching her with wide wondering eyes.

"What's that?"

"Basic's cookbook."

"Why?"

"Because…I can't cook very well."

"Why?" Aurora asks again as Erin offers her a small smirk.

"Why indeed."

But once again Erin can only watch in amusement as Aurora hears her father's voice and goes rushing off down the hallway, disappearing into his bedroom.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

"Hey…goober," Severide greets as he slowly uprights himself.

"How's your arm daddy?" Aurora asks as she gingerly touches the hard cast of recovering arm.

"Strong enough to give you a hug," he replies as he holds her beside him; his thighs still too tender to have her bouncing up and down on them. "Is Erin up?"

"Yes."

"Do you like having her here?" Severide asks as he gently lifts his daughter's sweet face to his.

"Sure."

He's not sure how to evaluate her answer so decides to ask once more.

"Would it be okay if she stayed for a while longer?"

"Sure," Aurora shrugs as Severide hugs her once more.

"It's important that you want her here as much as me."

"Does Uncle Matt?"

"Yeah he does," Severide answers in truth. "So I was hoping that you could help me with something."

"What daddy?"

"Well…it's something for Erin."

"Okay."

Okay…just hope she like it.

A/N: Didn't want to drag out Kelly's hospital recovery b/c it's been over a week for the poor guy but now the trial run is in full swing – some panicked thoughts for Erin as a first timer, but she loves both Kelly and Aurora and knows she wants to stay. Hope you are liking her slowly building friendship with Shauna and a new friend for Matt *grin* but of course the focus is our little growing family and what do you think the next few days will bring and what does Kelly want to make for Erin? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!

PS: For all my #Sevasey fans hope you all liked the first little OS of this season 'Scars of the Mind (based on eppy 4.01)