a very 51 christmas

One of the best things that came from giving birth in October, Stella found, was that her maternity leave lasted throughout the end of the year. This meant she'd get to be fully present for her baby's first Halloween, first Thanksgiving, and first Christmas. Stella was lucky and she loved it.

Kelly wasn't nearly as lucky. His paternity leave didn't last long, and he was already back at work by the time Halloween rolled around. Thankfully Stella was feeling good enough to dress Maya up and take her to the station so Kelly could see the newborn in her costume.

He was off on Thanksgiving, but Kelly's holiday off ended sooner than it was supposed to after he and Squad got called in to assist with a water rescue. The call ended well, and Kelly had been able to spend the majority of the day with his family so overall, it wasn't the worst way to spend Maya's first Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, Firehouse 51's second shift pulled the short straw once again and would be on shift for Christmas. Kelly tried to play it cool when he told Stella, but she knew better. As much as he loved being a firefighter and he loved the team at 51, Kelly would much rather spend the holiday with his wife and new baby.

Stella knew he was bummed, and she was too. So, she hatched a plan.

It took no convincing to get Chloe and Cindy on board and soon all the other wives and significant others were in on the plan as well. Roles were assigned, food was ordered, decorations were purchased, and the children old enough to know what was going on were sworn to secrecy. Everything was perfect - they just needed Christmas to come so they could execute their plan.

… … …

Christmas morning was a lively affair in the Severide household. Kelly had gotten up early to shower and make breakfast before leaving for the firehouse and Stella's excitement for the day's surprise had her too wound up to sleep. Maya seemed to pick up on her mother's barely concealed excitement so the almost three-month-old was up early as well.

Stella nursed her and tried to get her back to sleep, wanting the baby to be as rested as possible for the day ahead. As soon as Maya had fallen back asleep, Stella put her back in her bassinet and joined Kelly in the kitchen.

They shared a quick breakfast and coffee before Kelly had to leave for the station. As soon as the door closed behind him, Stella returned to the kitchen and started preparing the food she'd been assigned for the day.

It was slow going, with Maya waking up again about an hour into her prep, but Stella managed to get everything prepped.

With Maya secured in a baby wrap on Stella's chest and the Christmas group text alive with steady updates, Stella moved around the kitchen. She put a pie in the oven and started the potatoes to boil, all while gently rocking Maya and keeping an ear on the scanner.

It was just after 10:00 am when Stella heard the call she was waiting for—one that involved Truck, Engine, Squad, and Ambo. A full station call usually meant they'd be gone for at least a few hours, which meant this was the perfect time to head over there.

Stella told the group chat as much then went around making sure she had everything Maya would need for the day, along with all the food. She fed Maya one more time, got the food loaded into the car, and then it was off to the firehouse.

As she drove the familiar route to the firehouse, the excitement started to build and chase out all the other emotions Stella was feeling.

… … …

It was just past noon by the time the trucks rolled back into the station. The call had been just a simple house fire, likely caused by an uncleaned chimney. The fire had been put out quickly and the house had been saved, but the family ended up being displaced for the holiday, which was always hard.

Calls involving families were always hard, especially around the holidays, and morale already hadn't been the highest from the start of the shift, so it was a rather quiet group of firefighters and paramedics that returned to the station. Everyone wanted to be home with their families instead of at work and even though they all loved their team, it just wasn't the same.

Their moods brightened immediately when they entered the kitchen and common room and found their significant others and their kids standing around a buffet of food and twinkly decorations.

"Hey!" Herrmann called with a smile, one of the first through the door. He immediately walked over to Cindy and his kids.

The others followed suit, either going to hug and stand with their families or gather around the large spread of food. Kelly and Boden were the last two to walk in though their reactions were no less special.

"What's all this?" the Squad Lieutenant asked with a smile. He went straight to Stella's side and welcomed her with a kiss before taking Maya from her and peppering her with kisses.

Stella smiled at the sight—watching her husband be a father was something she'd never grow tired of seeing. "I know none of us like working on holidays but we figured an hour or two and Christmas lunch with your families would make things a little more bearable."

"It was Stella's idea," Chloe added from where she was standing with Joe, Javi, and little Otis.

Kelly looked at his wife and gave her a beaming smile before kissing her again. "I love you."

"I love you too." Stella gave Kelly one more quick peck before turning to the others. "Let's dig in!"

Needing no other instructions, the group of first responders and their families started making their plates and settling around the room to eat.

It wasn't the way they'd envisioned spending Maya's first Christmas, but Stella and Kelly couldn't have been happier with how the day turned out. Holidays like Christmas were about family and the people at 51 were their family too.

A/N: hi friends! first and foremost, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

weather in the states has been crazy the last week or so, so I hope you're all staying safe!

sorry it's been so long since I've posted - writer's block has been a bitch and on top of that I left my previous job, accepted a new job, and am in the process of moving 3 hours away so I haven't had all that much time to write. I don't know when I'll be able to post again, but I promise I do have some good things for you (and Maya) in the works!