Title: Plan C
Chapter 16 – Sunshine & Roses (for now)

Erin looks up at Kelly as they slowly sway to their first dance as husband and wife, Kelly holding her close and delighting in the feel of her frame in his grasp.

"So…just once dance right?" He whispers in her ear, his lips nuzzling the soft skin and sending small shivers down her spine.

"Hey we only have an hour here," she retorts with a small smile; the large garage of Firehouse 51 temporarily set up for a brief afternoon party. But as unconventional as their wedding appears, both wanted a few things that were traditional; a first dance, cutting the cake and of course an official photo with them inside Squad truck 3. "But your cologne is driving me to distraction."

"And that's a bad thing?" Kelly tosses back with a small eyebrow wag. Erin offers a musical laugh before both look up to see Aurora rushing up them with a wide grin. "Ah…interloper," he teases as he scoops her up into his arm; the one that hadn't been injured; the other one still holding onto his wife's waist.

"Already jugging a family," Herrmann states proudly as the three of them slowly sway to the music, Aurora looking at the onlookers with a happy grin.

"My family…like the sound of that," Kelly tells her with a serious expression.

"Doesn't daddy look handsome?" Erin asks Aurora who giggles and then proceeds to tug Kelly's bowtie loose and then giggle.

"Thanks squirt," Kelly deadpans as she tries to duck behind Erin for some protection. "She learns fast."

"I think today's just as fun for her as it is for us."

"Tonight will be funner for us."

"Funner…good word," Erin replies with a slight giggle as Aurora's finger latch onto a stray curl and pull, giggling as it bounces back into place. But knowing they can't take too much of their time for granted, the floor opens up for a few more songs, all the teams joining in; Kelly looking at Matt and Andrea Green dancing with friendly smiles and gives his friend a quick wink, Casey smiling and nodding in return. "They seem to be hitting it off."

"I'm glad. Matt needs some happiness," Kelly notes as he looks at the other couples; Mills and Dawson, Mouch and Platt, Donna and Wallace Boden, their friends Nick and Shawna and of course all the various department members with their spouses or dates of choice.

Firehouse 51 is filled with laughter, and happiness, well-wishing and friendly banter all around; every person there taking turns in coming up to the newly married couple and giving them warm hugs, wishing them all the best and then leaving something on the table or in the gift car basket.

"So happy for you both," Shawna hugs Erin and then Kelly and then hands a small package to Aurora. "All of you."

"Tough act to follow Lieutenant Severide," Nick tells Kelly before he gives him a friendly embrace. "I know you'll make this work," he tells him in a low tone as he pulls back after slapping him on the back.

"Thanks for all the help…for everything," Kelly tells Matt as he hands him a small envelope; Matt looking up at his friend in wonder. "I mean it…thank you."

"Always," Matt whispers as Kelly's throat forms a small lump and he gives his friend a weak nod.

"She'd have loved today," Kelly tells Matt, referring to Shay as they both look out onto the dancefloor; both watching in amusement as Benny picks up Aurora and starts to swirl her around on the dancefloor, the little girl waving her arms and squealing in delight as her grandfather revels in her happiness; Erin telling the photographer to catch the happy moment. Kelly's eyes rest on his wife and he feels his heart swell.

"Shay would have said…you done good and then said Erin looks hot in that dress."

"And she'd have been right," they both add with a small laugh.

"She sure does."

"Your wife."

"My…wife. Wow," Kelly whispers as Erin looks over at him; pausing in dancing with Cruz who looks over with a wide grin and eyebrow wag. "I know where you work Cruz!"

Matt laughs as he claps him on the back and both look up to see Andrea talking with Shawna and then looks at Kelly in wonder. "I'm happy she's fitting in here. I think Hallie would approve."

"She would for sure. Thanks for looking after Aurora tonight."

"Take your this weekend."

"Oh…we will," Kelly grins as he pulls away from his friend and heads toward his wife. "Hey beautiful."

"Hey yourself. Have you tried this cake that Mills made?" Erin hands Kelly a plate; his fingers reaching for two forks, them sharing the same plate, Matt instructing the photographer to capture the moment and Benny watching with a proud smile.

The two of them look up to see Boden, Benny and Voight watching and then look back with wondering glances.

"Those three…are kinda scary," Kelly quips as Erin smiles in agreement.

"But at least…they're all on our side."

They linger at the Firehouse for the next hour until a call finally comes in and the relief squads that Boden had called in rush toward the trucks waiting outside and its back to business as usual.

"I'm glad we got the pictures in the truck before they had to leave," Erin states as Kelly's arm wraps around her bare, slender shoulders and gives her a loving squeeze, kissing the top of her head and sighing happily. "Speaking of pictures…"

"Yup, I'll round up the others."

Kelly heads first for his friends, thanking them again for coming and then to his squad members and lastly his boss, thanking him for all his amazing help and support. After the pictures in the Park are done, Pauline would be taking Aurora for dinner and then Matt would come and pick her up and take her home; that is after his dinner date with Andrea was over.

As they head for the open doors of the waiting limousine, Aurora rushes toward the long black car, bounding inside and making the rest of the stragglers laugh.

"Look daddy!" Aurora exclaims as she holds up a small wrapped box.

"Who's name is that?"

Aurora looks at the name – her name and then starts to spell it out and looking up with a wide grin. "ME!" She exclaims as she is allowed to open the box; doing so with glee. She pulls out a little blond haired doll wearing a white dress, looking just like her.

"That's Princess Aurora," Erin tells her warmly as Aurora clutches the doll and then gives Erin a big hug and kiss.

"Thank you Erin."

"You're welcome sweetheart."

They arrive at the Park and at first it's all business with the paid photographer telling them were to stand, how to pose and sometimes…to breathe and then just smile. After all the posed pictures are taken with the new couple, new family…a their family and friends, the photographer sends the new couple into the rose garden area and starts to snap some candid pictures.

"Today was perfect," Erin comments as her arm remains looped with her husband's and they slowly wander the beautiful garden.

"Everything turned out better than expected."

"Expecting a disaster call?" Erin counters.

"Force of habit I guess," Kelly shrugs as his free hand covers over hers and they stop for a moment, the photographer hanging back, hoping to capture a stolen, private moment. And they would. A few of them. Kelly leans in closer, cupping her face and looking at her with love; a love that would only continue to grow and strengthen.

'What time is our dinner reservation?"

"We're ordering in," she whispers as her hand rests on his cheek; his grin widening as he plants a warm kiss on her lips and the romantic moment is caught on film – digital film.

"Alright sweetheart you be a good girl for daddy okay? Be a good girl for Grandma Pauline and Uncle Matt. And we'll see you in a few days."

"No daddy," Aurora moans as her arms wrap around his neck. "Want to stay with you."

"I know sweetie but you'll be with Uncle Matt and Grandpa Benny and cousin Violet. You'll have a good time. I love you and be a good girl for Uncle Matt."

"Ok-ay," she moans as Matt takes her into his grasp. It was more last minute, but Molly's had would House the rest of the group from 51 and 21; its doors opening wide to the partygoers and Matt would make sure that Aurora had enough distraction to tire her and then it was Pauline's turn until it was bed time; Matt picking her up after his real first date with Andrea. And the night would be a success for all of them.

XXXXXXXX

"Can we tell the driver to go faster?" Kelly's lips nuzzle her ear as they now sit the two lone occupants in the back of the black stretch limo.

"How do you know we're not almost there?"

"Tell me where it is and I'll stop talking."

"I have a better idea of what to do with those lips," she tells him in a husky tone as she brings her mouth to his; his lips hungrily crushing hers, muttering something about telling the driver to hurry up. But when they reach their destination, a boutique bed and breakfast hotel, Kelly's the one to actually stop their actions and look up in wonder.

"What is…this place? Villa…d'Citta?" Kelly reads the name of the luxury hotel and looks at his wife in wonder.

"I wanted tonight to be just as perfect as you made today."

They get out of the limo and enter the quiet hotel hand in hand and are immediately greeted by a neatly manicured hostess, who tells them about the honeymoon suite that awaits them; the chauffer from the limousine bringing in their bags.

They are shown to their room that is already decorated with white candles, soft music, rose petals and an edible welcome basket that includes a bottle of celebratory champagne and a few other goodies. The large king sized bed is open and ready and two white, plush bathrobes hang beside the large soaker tub for two – beckoning both to use them.

Kelly watches Erin pull away and starts to slowly tug at the black satin bowtie around his neck, pulling it free and then watching as she turns to him with a rather daring smile. He takes off his black jacket and drapes it over the nearby chair, watching her reach for the bottle of champagne and then extends her finger, beckoning him to her.

His lips emit a low growl as he continues to unbutton his shirt, nearing her and then pulling her into his grasp and planting a warm kiss on her waiting lips; his hands sliding down her frame and starting to slowly undo the back lacing of her dress.

"Love you Mrs. Severide."

"Love you too Mr. Severide."

XXXXXXXX

"The weekend went by too fast," Erin sighs as she leans against Kelly's shoulder as they sit in the back of a cab on the way home. The weekend had been a romantic success; with them not seeing the light of day since they entered the hotel after their wedding two days ago until this morning.

"Back to reality," Kelly adds with a sigh as his right arm holds her close. "I made room in the closet."

"I don't get my own?" She tosses back with a slight smirk.

"We'll add that to the wish list of our new home…what number would that be?"

"One," she replies dryly as he can't help but offer a small chuckle.

"Right big closet for you…and me?"

"You need clothes?" Erin retorts with a wink.

They arrive at the empty apartment Monday afternoon, wanting to beat Aurora home and get set up a bit before she joined them for supper; Matt at work and having texted Kelly that'd he'd see him probably the following day, adding 'the date was great. I'll be seeing Andrea again.-Matt.' Kelly smiling at his friend's happiness and wanting the best for him.

"We're home," Erin states as Kelly closes the door behind them and then walks up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her ear with his lips.

"Like the sound of home," he whispers with a hungry tone. "Shall we christen a few rooms before she gets home?"

XXXXXXXX

"What's that?" Kelly questions as Erin slowly opens the card and two little cards fall out; the two of them still lingering in bed a couple of hours later.

"It's from Matt…one is ah practical," she hands him the construction store gift card and then looks at the other one and starts to giggle. "And this…is for you."

Kelly takes the rectangular piece of paper and then looks at it with a smirk of his own, flipping it over and then chuckling at what's written on the post-it on the other side.

"So…basic cooking classes and…free babysitting," Erin states as she looks up with gently arched brows. "That's a good deal."

"Yeah for Matt, who's afraid we'll be over to his side of the home for meals on a regular basis," Kelly retorts dryly. "He's looking out for Aurora."

"Ah speaking of which…"

"Yup…time to get up and…" he pauses as his wife pushes herself from the bed wearing nothing. She turns back and offers him a tender smile as hunger flashes in his eyes but then is tempered by her tossing him his sweatshirt. "Right…" he groans as he too starts to get dressed.

"What was the book from Dawson?" Kelly asks as they enter the kitchen.

"The same as from Jay," Erin tosses back with a small groan as she holds up the two books.

"Cooking for Dummies," Kelly reads the title of the book Jay bought them. "Hey at least Dawson's was a bit more PC. Mastering the Basics of Cooking."

"Okay so what can we make with…chicken?" Erin ponders as she pulls the fridge open.

"Chicken…" Kelly mutters as he flips through the cookbook and then stops on what looks simple. "Pan roasted chicken…okay I think we can both master this."

"If we don't…the secret stays here, no telling Matt."

"Agreed!"

The two of them work together to make what they hope is an edible dinner. Pauline drops Aurora off about an hour later, stopping in briefly but then telling them she had to get home to Don. Aurora is put into service with her own little duties of setting the table and then ferrying non-breakables from the counter to the table surface, all the while chatting away about her day.

"I made this daddy," Aurora comes back into the kitchen with a picture in her grasp.

"Let's see sweetheart," he states as he kneels down to his daughter's adoring smile. "Aww I love it," he praises as he kisses her atop her head and then hands it up to Erin to look at. A picture of them in wedding attire standing in front of the large Red squad 3 truck.

"It's sweet Aurora and it'll go right here on the fridge," Erin smiles as she kisses her cheek and then looks for a free magnet. "We need more magnets," she states with a small sigh as she looks into the living room at a few unpacked boxes.

"We'll look later," Kelly tells her as he looks at the pot on the stove. "Well…should we chance it?"

"As long as it's cooked, it can't be too bad right?" Erin agrees weakly as Aurora looks up at them in wonder. After everything is put on the table the three of them sit down; Aurora giggling as she watches her father open the lid with some hesitation.

"You…go first."

"Me?" Erin retorts.

"I know CPR better."

"Lame reason," she tries to verbally protest as she puts some on her plate and then puts some on Aurora's and then Kelly's. He watches her slowly reaching for a forkful but both are stopped as Aurora takes a big mouthful and then starts to chew; both adults looking at the little girl in expectation.

"How is it Aurora?"

"Good," she nods as she reaches for some bread.

Erin takes a bit and then looks at Kelly with a small shrug. "Needs salt."

"Yeah it's uh…good," Kelly states slowly as she just shakes her head. "Needs salt."

"I guess Matt's gift will come in handier than we thought."

After dinner is over, the three of them head into the living room to open the presents that Matt had brought back from the Firehouse; Aurora exciting tearing at all the wrapping for the modest amount of gifts also given to her while Kelly and Erin sit on the crowded couch, reading the cards, talking about the gifts and then discussing where to put them.

"Look daddy! From grampa."

"Course," Kelly grins as he holds up the new jean jacket and little pink pleather purse with a black flower on it. "All I got as a kid was a talking to now and again," he gently snickers as Erin shakes her head and both watch with delight as Aurora puts on her new jacket.

"I love it daddy!"

"Yeah it's pretty great."

"I want one like that too," Erin states as Aurora looks up with a wide grin and then shakes her head no. "Oh is that so?" She giggles as she pulls a now squealing Aurora to her lap and then squeezes her tightly.

"And this…is for us," Kelly holds up the cheque for his wife to see, her eyes slightly widening as she looks up and he nods. "He knows most of it will go for her."

"It's for his family," Erin tells him warmly. "Pretty nice. Course…" she pauses as she holds up Voight's cheque. "This will definitely help."

They open the rest and soon have little piles of new household items around them; both still resting on the couch; Aurora now on the floor playing with the new dress up dolly set that the Herrmann's had bought for her.

"We have some pretty great friends and family members."

"They all want us to succeed," Kelly tells her as Aurora holds up her newly dressed doll. "And Prince Pantless now has…shorts," Kelly teases as Aurora grins widely. "Where are his pants?"

"No daddy, he has shorts!"

"Yeah daddy….he has shorts," Erin teases as she wags the doll before him with a wide grin. "Really don't want to go back to work tomorrow."

"Yup….but I'm glad…couldn't do one more day of vacuuming. Might need…therapy."

"What's therapy daddy?"

"It's what happens right before bed…like now," he retorts with a small smirk as she looks up with a frown. "Bed time for all of us."

They arrange the boxes of gifts into a few piles, leaving them until the next day when they'd have a bit more to either put them away properly or wait until they had moved into their new home; something they were now going to seriously consider.

Erin lets Kelly put Aurora to bed and enters their newly shared bedroom and looks around. So foreign and yet so comforting at the same time…her mind ponders as she heads for the closet and slowly pulls off her sweater, leaving only a light blue tank top on.

"She's…" Kelly starts and then stops as he looks at Erin standing before his closet and looking at him in wonder. "Going to sleep. What's going on?"

"First night as husband and wife…in here. I know it sounds silly but suddenly I feel kinda nervous," she states with a weak smile as he nears. "Tomorrow starts a brand new day."

"For all of us," he whispers as he leans in closer. "Door's locked."

His hands reach for her hips, pulling her closer as their lips lock another happy union awaiting; and they'd need the good times to hold onto and remember, for in the days to come darkness would overshadow them, all of them – in the worst possible way.

A/N: since this story is rated T I wanted to keep to the T rating but for those that want more romance for their wedding weekend, I have a little one shot that is appropriately rated M (called All of Me) that was published today as an aside (hope that's okay and please enjoy if you want). Wanted to give our couple and little family a great day to cherish and enjoy and hope you all liked it. But yes now real life is about to embrace them – with good and bad times so please do review before you go with your thoughts (I hope these past few fluffy chappies weren't too boring but hey had to get them established as a family so no going anywhere!) and thanks so much!