A/N: This chapter kind of wrote itself; I had a very different direction planned for this story, but it sort of took on a mind of its own and decided that this was the direction it needed to go in. I actually like this better than the original plan I had for the story, so I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on this chapter.
Kelly sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He was trying to work on the paperwork he owed Boden, but he was having trouble focusing. Yesterday had been Gabby's 26 week checkup, and they haven't received good news. Her aneurysm was still growing. At this point, the doctor was extremely concerned about Gabby's safety. She had warned the couple that if it continued to grow at its current rate, they would need to make some difficult decisions in the coming week. Their goal was to make it to at least 32 weeks so that the baby stood a chance of surviving, but Kelly had his doubts about whether they'd make it that long.
He had just picked up his phone to text her when the tones went off. Truck 81, Squad 3, Engine 51, Ambulance 61. Traffic Accident. 45 West Olgden.
The call had been for a car that had ended up in a building and seemed like it took forever. They were just starting cleanup when Boden's truck pulled up on scene, its lights flashing and sirens blaring, drawing everyone's attention. Boden jumped out and started for them at a run.
Kelly's heart dropped. Gabby. He started towards Boden, increasing his speed when he saw the panic on his chief's face.
"Severide!" Boden called to him. "It's Gabby; she was brought into Med with severe stomach pain. They think the aneurysm burst. She's in surgery now. Go! We'll meet you there when we're done."
Kelly took off at a run for Boden's truck, jumping in the driver's seat and speeding towards Med. His worst fear was coming true and he might lose both Gabby and the baby. He didn't know if he could survive that.
When he arrived, he hastily parked Boden's truck and ran in the ER doors. Brett and Violet, who had been at Med with the driver of the car when Gabby had been brought in, met him there.
"She's up in surgery. They took her up almost as soon as she came in," Brett told him, running to keep up with Kelly as he strode for the elevator. "Violet's going to wait down here for everyone else."
"Talk to me, Brett. How was she? Did you see anything?" Kelly demanded.
"No; her OB met them when they arrived, and they took her up to the OR right away," Brett informed him.
Thirty minutes later, the crew of Station 51 began pouring into the surgical waiting room. "I've taken 51 out of service for the rest of the shift," Boden explained. "We're here as long as you need us, Kelly."
"Thanks, Chief," Kelly replied, thankful to have his firehouse family there with him. He couldn't imagine going through this alone.
A few minutes later Casey came running into the waiting room, immediately heading over to where Brett and Kelly sat next to each other. "I was getting ready to board the place when your text came through," he told Brett. He then turned to Kelly. "She's going to be okay, Kelly. She's strong. She'll pull through this."
They sat there in silence for several moments before Brett spoke up. "Has anyone called Antonio yet?" she asked hesitantly.
Kelly shook his head, immediately feeling guilty for not calling Gabby's brother. He started to pull out his phone, but Casey stopped him. "I'll call him," he told Kelly.
"He hates your guts, Casey. That's not a good idea," Kelly insisted.
"I'll do it," Brett spoke up, putting an end to their discussion as she walked out of the waiting room to make the call. She came back a few minutes later. "He'll be on the next flight to Chicago," she informed the two men.
They'd been waiting nearly two hours when Dr. Cortez finally came out to the waiting room. "Kelly Severide," she called, and Kelly jumped to his feet, rushing over to her. Casey, Brett, and Boden followed him over, but the rest of the house hung back in an effort to give Kelly some privacy.
"Gabby's aneurysm did rupture. Thankfully she was having abdominal pain ahead of time and had called my office. We directed her to call 911 and I met her here. Based on the amount of blood loss, we think it ruptured right before she got here, which is a good thing. It gave us the time we needed to get her to surgery," the doctor informed them. "She lost a lot of blood; her heart did stop on the table, but we were able to resuscitate her. We were able to get the bleeding stopped, but Gabby is in critical condition."
Kelly let out the breath he'd been holding. She was alive; that's what mattered. He was afraid to ask the next question but knew that it needed to be asked. "And the baby?"
Dr. Cortez shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Kelly; we weren't able to save the baby. It was just too early."
Tears filled Kelly's eyes and he felt Casey's hand squeeze his shoulder. "When can I see Gabby?" he managed to ask.
"She's being transferred to the ICU now; once she's settled in a room we'll let you know, and you can go see her," the doctor informed him. "She was having some issues breathing, so she's on a ventilator, and we've sedated her for now to help keep her calm." She paused before adding, "Kelly, we have her stabilized for now, but she lost a lot of blood. The next few days are going to be critical."
Kelly felt numb. Their baby was gone; dead. And Gabby was in the ICU and they didn't even know yet if she'd pull through. His Gabby. His pretty Gabby. The woman that he'd come to love over the past few months was fighting for her life in the ICU.
Boden and Casey guided him back to his chair while Brett left to go call Antonio with the latest update. Casey stepped away to fill in the rest of 51 on what they'd been told while Boden sat with Kelly. "Kelly, Dawson's a fighter. She's going to pull through," Boden told him with more confidence than he felt.
"I- I don't know what I'd do without her, Chief. I can't lose her," Kelly sobbed. "I can't."
Boden squeezed his squad lieutenant's shoulder, holding back his own tears. "I know, Kelly. But Gabby's strong. She's going to be okay. She has you to fight for."
"I love her, Chief," Kelly confessed softly. "I love her, and I never told her. I was too scared. And now I might never get that chance."
Boden didn't trust his voice, so he merely squeezed Kelly's shoulder again as tears traced their way down both men's cheeks.
Casey must have instructed the rest of 51 to go home, as they all filed past him, giving him words of condolence and encouragement as they left.
"Mr. Severide?" A nurse approached Kelly. "We've gotten Ms. Dawson settled in a room; you can see her now." She glanced at Boden, Casey, and Brett and then added, "I'm afraid there's a limit of two visitors at a time, but everyone else is welcome to wait in the ICU waiting room."
Kelly nodded and stood up, following the nurse to the ICU, the others trailing behind. When they reached the waiting room, Boden, Casey, and Brett stayed back while Kelly continued into the ICU.
When they reached Gabby's room, fresh tears gathered in his eyes at the sight of Gabby lying in the hospital bed, tubes and wires running everywhere. She looked so small lying there, far from his Gabby; the one that was full of life and spunk and stubbornness.
The nurse noticed his reaction and tried to reassure him. "I know all the tubes and wires can be frightening, but don't let them scare you. They're helping her; as she improves, we'll be able to remove some of them."
Kelly nodded. "Thank you," he whispered hoarsely before stepping into Gabby's room. He quickly made his way to her bedside and pulled one of the chairs in there over to her bed. "Gabby, I'm here," he told her softly, taking one of her hands in his. "It's going to be okay. You're going to pull through. Everyone keeps talking about how strong you are, and how you're a fighter. I need you to fight for me right now, Gabby. Please. I can't lose you, too. I need you."
Although he knew that Gabby was sedated and hadn't been expecting any type of reaction, he still couldn't help but feel disappointed when he didn't get one. He'd give anything for another squeeze of his hand, to hear her voice again, or to see her look at him with her beautiful brown eyes.
"I feel so helpless, just sitting here," Brett stated softly out in the waiting room. "I know there's nothing we can do, but I still just feel so helpless…"
Casey wrapped his arm around his girlfriend, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I know," he replied, his voice heavy with emotion. "Me, too." His thoughts were on the brunette who had once been the love of his life. Even though their marriage had ended, and he'd moved on, a part of him would always love her. The thought of losing her…it devastated him. And Kelly…his heart went out to his best friend. He'd been in Kelly's position once: sitting beside Gabby's bedside after she'd lost their child, waiting, hoping, and praying that she'd wake up, but also dreading the moment when he'd have to tell her about the baby.
Boden rested a hand on Casey's shoulder, and it was only then that Casey realized the tears that had been threatening to fall all afternoon had finally escaped his eyes. He quickly wiped them away before turning to the older man. "Chief, Brett and I can wait here. I doubt we'll get any news tonight. Go home to Donna and Terrance."
Boden shook his head. "I'm not ready to leave just yet," he replied, his voice raspy with emotion. Gabby had been like a daughter to him, and Kelly was like a son. Boden had known Kelly since he was just a little boy and had watched him grow up.
When Kelly had been assigned to Boden's firehouse, he'd had the opportunity to watch him grow as a firefighter, had been there for his promotion to lieutenant. He'd watched Kelly go through heartbreak after heartbreak, and now this. To lose his baby and possibly lose the woman he loved…Boden wasn't sure they'd be able to reach Kelly if the worst happened.
Boden stood up. "I'm going to go check on Kelly, see if I can convince him to take a break and get something to eat," he informed Casey and Brett before heading through the double doors leading to the ICU.
When he reached Gabby's room, he stood at the window, taking in the sight before him. Gabby was lying in the hospital bed with tubes and wires running everywhere, the beeping of monitors providing a constant source of noise. Kelly was sitting next to her bed, one hand clasping one of Gabby's hands while the other hand stroked her hair, his face stained with tears, and he looked utterly defeated.
Boden gathered himself before stepping inside the door of the room and clearing his throat to get the squad lieutenant's attention. "Kelly, take a break. Go get something to eat and take some time. I'll sit with her."
Kelly shook his head. "I'm not leaving her, Chief! I want to be here. I need to be here," he insisted.
"Severide. Take a break. That's an order," Boden replied, his voice making it clear there was no room for argument. Then he added, in a gentler tone, "You won't be any good to her when she wakes up if you don't take care of yourself. She's going to need you then."
Kelly sighed as he stood up. He knew Boden was right, but that didn't make it any easier to leave her. He knew Gabby wouldn't wake up until the sedation was lifted, and that wouldn't be lifted until they were ready to take her off the vent, but he was still scared to leave her. He was scared that something would happen and he wouldn't be there.
"I'll be here with her," Boden promised the younger man, almost as though he could read Kelly's mind. "I won't leave her side. I promise. And if anything changes, I'll make sure you're notified."
Kelly nodded and leaning down to kiss Gabby on her forehead, whispered, "I'll be back. Hang on for me, pretty Gabby." He stepped away from the bed and walked to the doorway, turning back to watch as Boden took up his position next to Gabby before leaving the room. He walked out to the waiting room but didn't stop, continuing to walk until he got to the elevators. He pushed the button for the floor his destination was on, leaving a confused Casey and Brett behind as the doors closed.