Title: Plan C
Chapter 25 – A Plan for the Future
A/N: Chapter dedicated to StageDiva. Hope you liked it and to everyone else so glad you're all still loving the story so much so far and hope you like this update just as much!
Kelly looks at Erin in utter surprise, his brain failing to send words to his lips in that moment. Erin looks at her husband in wonder…her mind starting to race with the small amount of fear that Kelly might actually say no. His expression one of shock…silent shock.
"Say something," Erin begs with a soft whisper.
He doesn't. Instead his right hand reaches forward, gently cups her face and brings her mouth to his, planting a searing kiss on her lips and then pulling back with a warm, loving smile.
"So…is this…a good thing?"
"Yeah…it's…I think it's great," Kelly tells her in truth as he nods; her expression still one of mild uncertainty.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. And it makes me love you more," he adds as her expression finally softens. "I…I wanted this but I wasn't going to ask…didn't want to sound like I was pushing. It had to be you. You had to want this on your own."
"Makes it official."
"You're not mad I didn't ask sooner?" Kelly inquires in a gentle tone.
"Not at all. I get it. I want to do this for us but…I also want to do this for me. I love you and her. This is my family."
"Love you so much," he whispers as he leans in closer, his arms encircling her waist and pulling into his strong grasp for a romantic union.
Later that night, Erin lays awake thinking about the past day's events, her husband sleeping peacefully beside her. Her mind starts to go through the events that had led up to her heartfelt confession…Kelly being in an accident, her bonding time with Aurora, the loving verbal exchange and then her therapy session with Nick.
Legally adopt Aurora…want to show you how much I love you…love you both…is that okay?
It was a new chapter in her life…in all their lives but the right chapter; one she knows Aurora's birth mother would have approved of and that thought, coupled with Kelly's tender words help her get a solid night's rest – the first one in a week.
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The next morning is back to its regular frantic pace; with both Kelly and Erin rushing around to get things ready for Pauline who would be there shortly to pick up Aurora and Kelly and Erin each heading to their respective places of work.
"See you later," Erin tells her husband, kissing him on the lips and then kneeling down to Aurora. "See you later love bug."
"Okay," Aurora smiles sweetly as she gives Erin a hug and kiss on the cheek. Her and Kelly walk toward the elevator hand in hand, talking about the next few days and then their fall outing to the fair on Sunday.
"Love you…see you tomorrow," Kelly tells her in truth as they linger between their two vehicles. He closes the door to his wife's car and then gets into his own; offering her a wave as they pull out of the underground parking lot and then heads for Firehouse 51.
"Hey," Matt greets as he nears.
"Hey… how's Andrea?"
"She's…getting restless," Matt replies with a slight smirk. "I know that feeling."
"Sounds like you two have a lot in common," Kelly quips as Matt's smile broadens. "Ah…that's a yes," Kelly goads as he playfully punches Matt on the shoulder.
"I'm not gonna deny it," Matt counters with a grin. "How are the hands?"
"They're…fine, yeah a few recovering blisters but I can't stay home because of a few little boo-boo's," Kelly retorts with a snicker. "Blame Shay for that one."
"I remember," Matt nods as they both recall the silly memory.
'Aww whats the matter Kelly…gotta a boo boo?'
'Shay…'
'Oh so owwie suits you better?'
'Boo boo is fine. Okay?'
'Good. Kelly has a boo boo everyone!'
'Thanks Shay.'
"Yeah…she just walked away grinning," Kelly smirks as Boden nears them. "Chief."
"Severide. How's the hands?"
"Fine sir. They'll be okay."
Boden nods and then turns; the two Lieutenants stepping into line beside him and the three of them entering the hub of Firehouse 51 to get their day started.
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"Detective…" Voight greets with a serious tone and frown as Erin nears his office. "I thought…" he starts as he gestures for her to sit down. "We talked about this."
"I went and talked to Kelly's therapist yesterday."
"For how long?" Voight tosses back dryly; Erin tossing back a less than amused expression. "Really?"
"A whole…painful session. Didn't want to go at first but…but I think I did it more for them…Kelly and Aurora than for me. It was hell but afterward…it…I felt better. We only talked about part of what happened but it helped. I have a couple more sessions booked and I'm gonna go. Therapy."
"Whoda thought huh," Voight replies with a small smile. "Couldn't see you sitting here counting bullets for too long."
"Woulda used them for other things than just stocking boxes," she counters dryly. "It…it made me think of things I never wanted to think about or even thought I'd think about…" she huffs as he looks at her in concern. "Plus…I told Kelly I want to legally adopt Aurora. Make it official."
"Big day yesterday," Voight comments softly as her expression relaxes. "Sounds like you have a set plan for the future now."
"For the most part. All this…the shooting…the aftermath, even Kelly's injury the other day just showed me what's really important and to act on it. And now…now I need to get back to work."
"Well there is no shortage here," Voight tells her in truth as he hands her a case file. "Have fun with this one."
"Always do," Erin replies dryly as she gets up and leaves his office.
"Welcome back Erin," Voight whispers with a comforting smile. His mind had feared that maybe she might still be internalizing all the pain from the shooting and might tease the dark path as she had the other night. But this…this was more progress than he could have imagined. The adoption would be a big emotional step but he knows it would just cement in all their minds, she was there to stay and wanted to make it work in the long run.
"I'm driving!" Erin states as she snatches the keys from Jay's grasp and hurries toward the door. Voight watches with amusement but can only breathe a sigh of relief that his girl was back on the right track and where she belongs.
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'Messy car pileup on the Interstate. Will see you later tomorrow. Love Kelly.'
'Okay I'll pick up our little girl and pray I don't kill her with my cooking lol love Erin.'
She sends the text and then heads for Pauline's, wanting to pick up Aurora and spend some more quality bonding time with her. Maybe actually try her hand at cooking – something. On the way home, Aurora chatters on about working with the Play-Doh and then her new friend Caroline.
"Okay so…right…Cooking for Dummies…" Erin talks to herself, looking down to see Aurora watching her in amusement and then giggling. "Well…when it comes to cooking," Erin starts as she scoops up the precious little girl and places her on the counter, "I'm a bit of a dummy," she concludes by poking her in the stomach; eliciting another infectious giggle. "Let's try…Stir Fry…I think we have. Do you like Rice?"
"Sure."
"Tofu?"
"Sure," Aurora replies with another giggle.
"Right…big help. I could probably put oreo's in the stir fry and you'd like it."
"Sure."
Erin watches Aurora hop off the counter and bound back into the living room, playing with her dollies while a kid-friendly TV show plays in the background. Domestic life…at one time that had sounded so scary to her but now…it's comforting.
"Alright…Aurora. Supper time!"
Last time they had a more informal dinner in front of the TV but they didn't want to get too much into the habit so tonight it was at the table; something Aurora helped set and then went back to playing. Tonight they sit at the table, Erin feeling a bit of an empty pang when she looks at Kelly's chair but tells herself this is the way it would be a lot of nights when he was on shift…and the reverse when she had to work late or do an all-night sting. It's just something they'd have to get used to.
But after dinner, things take a more stressful turn as Jay calls with some grim news about an important witness and Aurora's energy level from the sugary dessert just seems to rebound – full force.
"I said NO!" Erin snaps; Aurora looking up in wonder. A few seconds later, Erin's anxiety lessens and she slumps back against the wall with a defeated expression, Aurora looking up in wonder. She slowly kneels down before the little girl and looks at her apologetically. "Been a long day for both of us and I let you have too much sugar."
"No you didn't," Aurora tosses back.
Erin can't help but smile but knows that she has to be the one to remedy the situation. "Sorry for snapping. It wasn't fair, but how about instead of you watching any more very energetic movies and having any more bedtime treats, we go into the living room and practice some reading."
Aurora at first starts to protest but Erin remembers Kelly's words on being kind but firm and not always giving in. 'She has to know and learn and respect who is in charge. That's always us.' She plunks herself down on the couch and then pulls Aurora onto her lap, picking up one of the reading books.
At first Aurora stubbornly refuses to read, trying to push Erin's hand away and reach for the TV remote to turn the movie back on. But Erin holds her ground, pushing the little electronic device further out of reach and putting the book back in order. She can only stifle a small snicker when Aurora reads a few words in an angry tone. But she continues to not give in and soon the little girl's tone changes and the next reading segment is actually enjoyable.
After they're done, Erin turns off all the lights in the living room, going into Aurora's bedroom just as she's finishing putting on her pajama's and crawling into bed.
"Where's daddy?"
"He's at work sweetie…just us tonight," Erin replies in truth as she kneels down beside the bed, tucking in the covers and then kissing Aurora on her cheek and looking at her with a contented smile. "Love you…love bug."
"Love you too."
Erin turns off the bedside light, the little nightlight in the hallway already on in case either of them had to get up in the middle of the night and use the facilities. "He's…at work," Erin sighs wearily as she climbs into bed, automatically rolling onto Kelly's side and closing her eyes as his husky scent starts to play with her senses.
But just before she falls asleep, she hears the pitter patter of little feet in the hallway, nearing her room and lifts her head to see Aurora's outline standing in the doorway with the little yellow teddy bear dangling in her grasp.
"Can I sleep with you?" Comes the soft, meek request.
How could she ever say no?
"Of course."
Aurora rushes toward the large King sized bed and climbs in, snuggling into Erin's grasp and whispering goodnight one more before she falls asleep.
"Goodnight."
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"So…how was it?" Kelly asks as his hand holds his wife, later that Saturday night's; a few nights later. The week had concluded with each of them having one more therapy session from Nick, Andrea being cleared for going back to her teaching role next week and everyone back into their regular routine.
"It was…necessary," Erin replies with a small huff as the two of them sit at the table in the nice restaurant for their 'date'. Matt had volunteered to look after Aurora and was more than thrilled when Andrea said he could bring her over and the three of them could just 'hang' together. Matt had confessed to Kelly that he would soon propose to Andrea and Kelly couldn't have been happier for his friend.
"We talked about the actual shooting and…and he helped me let go of my anger a bit more," she tells him, leaving out a few personal tidbits but not feeling any shame or tension in telling her husband part of her therapy session. They talked freely about that day and now this…was just part of the healing process. And it would help them both.
"I had to let go of that anger…at myself."
"I'm glad you did…I'm glad you went to see Nick," Kelly states.
"Me too. Speaking of Nick and Shawna…their wedding is in two weeks."
"And then…"
"Then what?"
"Then I thought…maybe…" Kelly's voice nervously pauses for a few seconds, "looking for a new place."
"Are you sure? Only when you're ready."
"I think I'm ready," he replies with a firm nod of his head. "I've been thinking about this for a while now and with Matt about to pop the question I figured…"
"Wait…what?" Erin interjects with a growing smile. "Really?"
"Oh damn! I wasn't…" Kelly resigns with a small snicker as he shakes his head and then slightly dips it in defeat. "You can't tell anyone!"
"Yeah who am I going to tell? Aurora?" Erin playfully retorts. "I'm happy for them both. Especially Matt."
"Me too. He took is too hard after Hallie's passing and…and if they do set a quick date…then…"
"We don't have that much room," Erin concludes correctly.
"But that's not the main reason for wanting to move. Matt would never pressure me, he wouldn't," Kelly relays in truth. "It's just time. He and I talked about getting a side by side place and he's in agreement. Think he'll talk to Andrea about it but…but it's what Shay would have wanted. All of us together for Aurora's sake."
"Okay," she agrees as her fingers tighten around his. "If you're okay with this then I'm okay with it too. House hunting…will be fun."
They start to talk about the area they'd like to find a place in and what amenities they'd like nearby. As they enjoy their meal, Kelly mentions that he'd like to take Aurora to a child's therapy session – a very kind and skilled female therapist that Nick had recommended.
"Think it's important for her to just…get Aurora to talk about the shooting and Jasmine's death and maybe…her mother's."
Despite the fact it'll be a tough situation, both agree it would be for the best, at least to make sure their precious little girl wasn't holding onto any growing resentment. The appointment would take place the following week when Kelly had a day off.
After dinner they head outside, hand in hand, just walking along the street, talking, looking in shops and then stopping at one that sells fresh pastries and enjoying one last sweet treat to end the culinary part of their date night. Since Matt would be home with Aurora by now, Kelly drives them to the Park…a dark and secluded area and they end the enjoyable evening with a romantic romp in the back of the car.
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"I want cotton candy daddy!" Aurora tugs on Kelly's arm as they near the entrance to the child's fall fair in the Park. The day was bright and crisp but full of hope and promise.
"Okay but after some real food. Let's look at all the…stuff first," he quips in amusement as he looks at Erin for help.
"How about we get our faces painted!"
"YES!" Aurora shouts as Kelly shakes his head. "Daddy to?"
"Can I be a fireman?"
"You are a fireman silly," Aurora tosses back; Kelly laughing more and hoisting her up into the air.
"You sound like your mother," he tells her softly, Erin's grasp on his arm tightening as she looks up in support. "Real food and rides first!"
"Tea cups!"
"Okay," he resigns as they head toward the spinning ride. But declaring himself too big for the ride, Kelly opts to video tape it instead and happily relegates his seat to Erin. He watches with delight as the two of them get into a brightly pink colored cup and then both wave at him.
"Shay would have loved this," he whispers as a small lump forms in his throat. He snaps a few pictures and then videotapes the rest; Erin snapping a few funny selfies of her and Aurora with mock horrified expressions as the world zooms around behind them.
"The world…is spinning," Erin laughs as she gets off, Aurora holding onto her hand and readily agreeing.
"Okay…let's check out some of the other booths before another ride."
"Agreed," Erin agrees with a firm nod as Aurora, who instantly gets her stable legs back, wants another turn.
"Later," Kelly tells her firmly.
"Much later," Erin whispers in sarcasm.
About half hour later they watch as Matt and Andrea approach them, walking hand in hand with bright smiles on their faces. However…something else wasn't lost on either adult as they near.
"I see the ring," Erin states as she gives Andrea a hug.
"Matt just proposed," Andrea replies with a bright beaming smile as she looks down at Aurora. "I'm going to marry your Uncle Matt."
"Yay!" Aurora claps as she gives Andrea a hug; Erin pressing Andrea for the proposal details and Kelly shaking Matt's hand.
After that the five of them slowly wander around the fall fair, each of them taking turns going on the rides; eating food, playing games, buying a few homemade crafts and just enjoying the day as one tight knit group – as family. When they have absorbed as much fall fair fun as possible, they head to a nearby family restaurant and complete the day with a hearty meal – the bond firmly cemented between the five of them.
A plan for the future already set in stone. Or…was it?
A/N: So one more angsty event is planned but I thought I'd give you all a small break with some happy family time and of course some fun broments. Yup Matt's engaged and the future is moving along nicely – their plan to all live together is something they all want. Kelly's on board with the adoption and of course some more husband/wife and family bonding time. Hope you all liked this update and please do review before you go and thanks so much!