A/N: Stella is gone for good now, but that doesn't mean life for our favorite couple will be all rainbows and sunshine. The way their relationship started was sudden and unusual, so they're going to have to get through some bumps in the road on their journey to find their happily ever after.

"I'm so proud of you, baby," Gabby told Kelly, smiling as she straightened his tie. It was two days before Christmas and Kelly was accepting his award in a ceremony at 51.

"Thank you," Kelly replied, giving her a quick kiss.

"Come on, we should get out there or you're going to be late to your own ceremony," Gabby told Kelly. He nodded, opening the door to his quarters and following her out. They headed for the pad, hand in hand.

Several rows of chairs had been set up on the pad in front of Otis's memorial, and they were filled with their firehouse family. Cindy and Chloe had also shown up for the ceremony, and Antonio, who had gotten into town two days before, was in attendance as well.

As Kelly got closer to the chairs, his face broke into a grin. Sitting in a chair next to Brett was Matthew Casey. Brett hadn't said a word about him coming into town for Christmas and had actually accepted the invitation he'd extended to spend Christmas dinner with himself and Gabby at Gabby's request. He strongly suspected the main reason Gabby had invited her was so that she wouldn't be the only female there, but he hadn't said anything.

Gabby and Kelly took their seats in the front row as Boden took his place behind the lectern that had been set up. "I have known Kelly Severide for most of his life. I have watched him progress throughout his career from a probationary firefighter to the youngest squad lieutenant in the history of Chicago. I've watched as he's grown from a cocky young firefighter into an even cockier young Squad lieutenant into who he is today, one of the best squad lieutenants this city has ever seen. I've had the pleasure of being first his battalion chief and now his deputy division chief and have watching with pride as he's developed from a good firefighter into a great leader.

"Kelly Severide risked his own life to save the life of a teenage girl that day. He stayed behind after sending his men out to rescue that girl, and, when we dug them out, we found that he had used his own body to shield her from harm," Boden continued. "And it is my honor to call him up here today to accept his medal. Deputy Commissioner Hill has kindly joined us here today to make the presentation," Boden finished, nodding at the Commissioner where she sat next to Kelly.

Applause broke out among those in attendance as Hill and Kelly made their way up to the lectern. "It is a privilege to be here with you all today to present the Firefighter's Award of Valor," Hill stated. She turned to Kelly, "Kelly Severide, your actions exemplify the kind of courage and selfless service to others that make the men and women of the CFD so special," she told him.

Kelly turned around as Hill grabbed the medal off of the podium. "I commend you for your dedication, your service, and your valor," she told him as she placed the medal around his neck. "Congratulations," she added as he turned around to salute her.

Everyone applauded again as Kelly stepped behind the podium. He looked out over the crowd over his friends who were gathered there before smiling at Gabby, who had tears running down her face as she smiled back. "I don't really know what to say," he began, "except that I couldn't ask for a better family of firefighters. Without all of you, I wouldn't be standing here today. I couldn't be prouder to work with all of you."

Everyone stood to their feet, clapping and cheering, as Kelly walked back around the podium and made his way to Gabby, taking her into his arms. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered through her tears before kissing him. The rest of 51 gathered around them, patting Kelly on the back, and congratulating him.

Kelly was making his rounds talking to people when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around, smiling when he saw Casey standing there. "Hey!" Kelly greeted him as the two men hugged. "Brett didn't tell us you were coming!"

Casey smiled. "She didn't know herself," he admitted. "I was already trying to find a way to make it here for Christmas, but as soon as she told me that this was happening, I knew I had to be here for it."

Gabby, who had just finished talking to Cindy, made her way over to them. "Hi Matt," she greeted him, smiling. "Hey, Gabby," he responded, giving her a quick hug and kissing her on the cheek. "It's good to see you again."

Gabby smiled, stepping back and wrapping an arm around Kelly's waist. "How long are you in town for?"

"Until the day after New Year's," he replied. "The boys are spending the holidays with Andy's family, so I took furlough from work."

"You're welcome to join us for Christmas dinner if you want," Gabby invited him. "Brett was already planning to come." She rushed to add, "But if you and Brett would rather spend the day alone, we understand."

"No way am I missing out on your Christmas dinner," Brett interjected as she walked up, having caught the tail end of the conversation. "Besides, you know neither Matt nor I can cook to save our lives. I'll bring some baked goods, though!"

Boden walked over to the two couples. "Good to see you again, Casey. We miss you around here."

"Thanks, Chief," Casey replied. "I miss everyone here, too. Believe me, I'd come back in a heartbeat if I could.

"You're doing a good thing, Casey," Boden told him simply. He then turned to Kelly and Gabby. "Could I talk to you two in my office?"

The couple followed Boden to his office, sitting in the chairs across from his desk. He closed the door behind them and then took a seat behind the desk. "Violet Mikami came to my office at the end of last shift. She's requested a transfer to Firehouse 69. A PIC position recently opened up there, and she'd like to take it." He paused for a moment, looking at Gaby. "That means that there will be a paramedic spot opening up here at 51. I wanted to know if you'd be interested in taking it."

Gabby glanced at Kelly before responding. "I'd like to think about it for a few days before giving you my answer, Chief. When would you need to know?"

Boden looked surprised but nodded. "Of course," he told her. "I've not put in Violet's transfer paperwork yet, so we have some time. I'll need to know by the end of next week."

"Thanks, Chief," Gabby told the older man. "I appreciate that. It means a lot that you asked me."

When the couple left Boden's office, Kelly turned to Gabby. "I was surprised you didn't say yes right away," he told her. "I know we never really talked about it, but I just always assumed you'd jump at the chance to come back to 51."

"It's not that I don't want to, Kelly," Gabby assured him. "I just want to make sure I don't rush into anything." The tones sounded before Gabby could finish, calling both Squad and Ambo out on a call. "Can we talk about it when you get home?" she asked quickly.

"Of course," Kelly replied, giving her a quick kiss before taking off for the squad.

Gabby watched him go, wondering what it would be like to be back at 51, going on a call again. She really did miss it, and it had taken everything in her to not immediately say yes to Boden.

"Penny for your thoughts," Gabby's thoughts were interrupted by Herrmann walking up to her.

She smiled at the older man. "Hey, Herrmann. I was just thinking about how much I miss working here at 51 and going on calls."

"Ya know, a little birdy told me that there might be a spot opening up soon for a paramedic," Herrmann hinted. "But you didn't hear that from me."

Gabby smiled. "I know. Boden asked me if I wanted it. But I told him I needed some time to think about it." Seeing the questioning look in Herrmann's eyes, she added, "I really do want to be back here, Herrmann. More than anything. But I'm not sure being a paramedic is the right fit for me anymore."

Herrmann got a knowing look on his face. "You want to be back on Truck."

Gabby nodded. "The whole reason I left Truck in the first place was because I didn't want to risk Louis losing both Matt and me. I wanted to ensure he always had a parent to come home to him. But there is no Louis anymore. There's nothing holding me back from being a firefighter again."

"Have you talked to Severide about this yet?" Herrmann asked.

Gabby shook her head. "I haven't had a chance," she admitted. "I was going to tell him, but then squad got called out."

Herrmann placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just remember that just a couple of months ago, he thought he was going to lose you. So don't be surprised if he doesn't take it well at first. He might need some time, but I'm sure he'll come around eventually."

"So, you want to talk about that job offer now?" Kelly asked the next day. He'd just gotten home from shift a little while ago, and he was lying on the couch, his head resting on Gabby's lap.

"Okay," Gabby agreed. "Kelly, I don't know if I want to go back to being a paramedic," she told him honestly.

Kelly looked up at her. "But I thought you loved it?"

Gabby sighed. "I did. I do. And I'm not saying I'd never want to do it again, but I don't know that it's what I want to do forever. I want to be a firefighter again."

"Why?" Kelly asked, sitting up and turning to face her. "Gabby, you left firefighting once because it was too dangerous and went back to being a paramedic. Why would you want to go back to being a firefighter now?"

"I left because of Louie," Gabby told him. "That's the only reason, Kelly, and you know that. I loved being a firefighter, and I was good at it. The only reason I left is because I wanted to make sure Louie always had someone to come home to him."

"What if we have kids down the road? Then what?" Kelly asked.

Gabby shrugged. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"I don't like the idea," Kelly admitted. "It's too dangerous."

Gabby laughed. "Says the man that's almost gotten himself killed more times than I count. And that's just the times that I know of."

"Gabby," Kelly protested. "I can't risk losing you. I don't want to risk losing you."

"Hey," Gabby said gently, smiling. "What are you so worried about? You're the one that trained me, remember?"

Kelly rolled his eyes. "Really? You're going to pull that card?" he asked, his annoyance evident in his voice. "Did you forget about all the times I also saved your butt?"

"Then it's a good thing you'll be there to do it again if I need it," Gabby replied, not giving up.

"What if you don't get assigned to 51?" Kelly shot back. "Our schedules could be different, too, if you get assigned to another firehouse. And there's no slots open at 51 right now."

"I could always take the paramedic position for now," Gabby said thoughtfully, "and then talk to Boden about transferring to truck if something opens up."

Kelly still didn't like the idea, but he knew this was an argument he wasn't going to win. "Fine," he told her, resigned. "I don't like the idea, but you've obviously made your mind up already." He stood up. "I'm going to try and get some sleep. We had a lot of calls overnight, and I'm tired."

Gabby sighed. She'd known Kelly wouldn't be the biggest fan of the idea, but she'd hoped he'd understand and eventually come around. Right now, though, she wasn't sure that would happen, at least not any time soon.