Chapter 25

Parker pulled into the church parking lot and parked the car. She got out and opened the back door. She unbuckled the car seat and slid Philip into her arms. She reached over the car seat and picked up the miniature tuxedo and shoes and carried them over her free arm. She walked inside and was met by the wedding planner. She was directed to where Kelly was waiting. She knocked on the door. A blond dressed in CFD Class A's opened the door.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi. Delivering Philip," she said.

He opened the door so she could enter. "Hey, Severide, ring bearer's here."

"Ok," Kelly called. He turned away from the groomsmen he was talking to and walked over to greet Parker and Philip.

"Hi, Daddy," Philip said.

"Hi, Buddy," he said, his smile lighting up his face.

Parker felt a pang in her heart. The smile that had melted and broken her heart four years ago. He looked so handsome and sexy in his Class A's. The impulsive part of her wanted to back him up against the wall and kiss him like there was no tomorrow. The practical side knew better. He was getting married to another woman. Deep down inside, she couldn't help but feel jealous. 'Oh, my God,' she thought. 'I love him.'

"Thanks for bringing him," he said to Parker.

"Not a problem. Just call me when the reception is about over so I can come pick him up."

"You're not staying for the ceremony?"

She shook her head. "Take lots of pictures for me though."

"I'll see what I can do."

He reached out to take Philip from her. He held him tight for a few seconds before setting him down. He took the garment bag from her. "I'll have Matt take him over to the bride room and see if anyone can get him dressed."

"I can dress him," she offered. "I didn't at home because I didn't want his tux wrinkled by the car seat.

"You don't mind?"

"Not at all."

"Okay, well, anywhere you can find a spot," he said, indicating the room.

She called Philip over to a quiet part of the room. While she was dressing him, she was oblivious to the conversation between the best man and the groom.

"You sure you want to do this?" Matt asked Kelly.

"Of course I do. What the hell kind of question is that?"

Matt moved his head toward Parker and Philip.

"She doesn't want me."

"What do you expect? You treat her like crap. You sleep with her on occasion when you need comfort sex. You treat her like a booty call instead of the mother of your child. And the sad part is, she loves you."

Kelly snorted. "The hell she does. She's been making me pay and pay and pay ever since I fucked up her breakfast picnic."

"Of course she's going to make you pay. You treat her like shit."

"Casey, I don't treat her like shit. I've tried to work things out with her. She won't let me. I suggested we get a place. She shut me down. Just like she shut me down the day after we lost Newhouse. She had this breakfast picnic all planned in Jackson Park, but I wasn't into it. She froze me out after that. She only told me she was pregnant because Mary Alice put her foot down and made her tell me."

"She was thinking about you when she planned that picnic, and you froze her out." Casey shook his head. "So did you two ever talk about that? Does she know we lost Newhouse? "

Kelly shook his head. "We don't talk much. Usually it's about Philip, where I can pick him up, and where I can drop him off."

"No wonder. She loves you though. Can't you see she's miserable and putting on a brave face for you and Philip?"

"You are so full of shit, Matt Casey!"

"Take a good long look at her and tell me what you see."

He looked over at Parker, who was straightening the bow tie. She ran a comb through Philip's hair, then leaned back to inspect. He looked at his son and his heart swelled. He looked adorable in his tux.

Parker felt like she was being watched. She turned her head to see Kelly looking at her. She bushed and lowered her head. She stood up and walked Philip over to Kelly. "Here you go."

"Thanks for getting him dressed."

"Anytime."

She glanced up at him. "Good luck today."

She stepped forward and started to turn away. Kelly caught her arm and pulled her back to him. His lips covered hers. She tried to pull away, but his arms caught her around the waist, bringing her in closer to him. She moaned softly as he kissed her. Then she realized that he was marrying another woman in a few minutes. She broke away and turned toward the door. She opened it and stepped through it and back into the church. Kelly watched her go. He glanced over at Matt, who shrugged his shoulders. Kelly walked to the door and opened it.

"Parker?" he called.

She heard her name and turned around. Kelly hurriedly walked toward her. He stopped in front of her. "We need to talk."

"Can't it wait? You're getting married in a few minutes."

"Yeah, about that. We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about. You're getting married. I'm trying to get out of here with my dignity intact."

Kelly took her arm and led her down the aisle and out the side door.

"This is totally inappropriate," she protested.

"Oh, Hell, Parker! Our whole relationship has been inappropriate! We haven't done one damn thing right the whole time I've known you except make Philip."

She looked at him, not sure if she should answer his remark or not.

"Look me in the eye and tell me that kiss didn't mean anything."

Parker sighed. This whole conversation was way out in left field. "It doesn't matter if it meant anything or not. You're getting married. My feelings don't factor into this. Now, please, let me get out of here while I can still hold my head up high and act like a lady."

Kelly stepped forward and snagged an arm around her waist. He pulled her to him. Parker couldn't breathe. He was too close, too sexy, too handsome, too everything. "Say the word and this wedding is off. Say you want all three of us to be a family and I'll make it happen. I love you, Parker. Haven't I paid my penance long enough? How long are you going to keep punishing me? It's been four fucking years! "

"I'm not punishing you. I let you have Philip when you want. I never keep him from seeing you. I want you to have a relationship with him."

"Yes, you let me see him. You let me have him when I want him. But you don't let me have you. Dammit, Parker! It should be us standing before the priest today, not me and Melissa! When are you going to get that through that stubborn, thick Irish head of yours that I love you?"

Parker stepped back, but Kelly tightened his grip and planted her there in front of him. "But you are marrying Melissa. You're going to take vows! You're going to be her husband. I'm not important. And you don't love me. You just think you do."

He snorted. "Are you for fucking real? I've been in love with you ever since our first Cubs game." When he saw the shock register on her face, he continued. "Yeah, ever since way back then. Just look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me, and I'll walk back inside and the wedding can continue."

She looked at him, then dropped her gaze.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me," he ordered.

She heard the tone and realized it was Lieutenant Severide coming out. "I—" she started.

Kelly waited.

"I can't," she admitted.

Kelly cupped her chin with his free hand. He brought his lips down to hers and kissed her long and deep.

"Anyone know where Severide is?" Hermann asked.

"I think he's talking to Parker," Casey said as he peeked out the door. He didn't see Kelly or Parker around, but he did notice that the Church was starting to fill up.

"He'd better hurry the hell up or there's going to be Hell to pay."

"Relax, Hermann. Severide's got this."

Kelly walked back inside. He noticed all eyes on him as he closed the door. "Wedding's off," he announced.

"What? Why?" came a chorus of voices.

"Not going to get into it right now, but the wedding is off."