The past three months have been extremely busy and somewhat exciting for Kelly and Stella. They officially signed all the documents to make Joshua legally theirs, so Stella was learning to balance her everyday life duties and taking care of her son.

Kelly was in the hospital for three weeks after his accident, and Stella would come to the hospital every morning with Joshua, so Kelly could spend an hour or so with him, and then Gabby or Herrmann's wife Cindy would come pick him up and keep him for a few hours. Stella didn't want him at the hospital all day. She would go home every night, even though she hated leaving Kelly there alone, but he insisted she be at home with their son at night.

When Kelly was released, Stella was happy to have him home but was also feeling overwhelmed. He was in a wheelchair and needed constant help with his bathroom needs and showering. Between taking him to physical therapy every day, taking care of Joshua, and doing everything else around the house, she was close to breaking. But luckily, Matt and Gabby took notice of how rundown she looked and got the firehouse involved.

Stella insisted she was fine; she could handle it on her own, but after a week of handling it on her own, she was waving that white flag. She knew she needed help, so she allowed them to help her lift her load a bit. Everyone at the firehouse took turns coming over to the house and helping with Kelly, cleaning the house, cooking, doing yard work, and helping with Joshua. Kelly had one rule though no one but Stella gave him a bath, which they all agreed to.

A month after Kelly's accident, Cruz stopped by and told Stella that Maggie told him that the social worker wasn't able to find any relatives for Destiny; she was living with a foster family who already had seven other foster kids. That night, after putting Joshua to bed, Stella came downstairs to the living room where Kelly was sleeping since he couldn't walk upstairs yet.

Flashback to a month ago.

Kelly was lying on the couch when Stella walked in and said, " Joshua is sleeping; do you need anything else before I go to bed?"

Kelly thinks for a moment. "No, other than you." He smirks.

Stella smiles as she walks over to the couch, leans down, and kisses him softly. She gasps as he grabs her and brings her on top of him. "Kelly, your legs." She tried to move, but his grip was tight."

"Baby, my legs are fine. They don't hurt; I just can't bend them. I want to hold you and kiss you, just for a little while. I miss sleeping with you. I hate being down here away from you."

"I hate it too." She kisses his jaw, then his lips. They spent the next few minutes kissing and cuddling. She lays her head on his chest as he holds her tightly to him. "So are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" He asks as he rubs her back.

She looks up at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Stella, you seemed distracted since Cruz stopped by this morning; did he say something to upset you?"

"You remember me telling you about that little girl, Destiny, the one you saved in the explosion?"

"Yeah, the one that's mom was in the basement too, and I somehow missed her." His tone was filled with disappointment; he was mad at himself for not noticing or looking further into the basement.

"Baby, it's not your fault; stop blaming yourself." She kissed his cheek. "You didn't know she was in there, but at least you saved her daughter." She wiped the tear that fell from his eye. "Trust me, any mom would be happy to know that her daughter is safe."

He sighed as he caressed her cheek. "What about Destiny?"Is she okay? Did something happen?"

"Cruz said the social worker wasn't able to find any relatives for her. She is staying in foster care until they find her a permanent home." She bites her lip as she thinks about the little girl. Destiny was in the hospital for a week after the explosion, and Stella visited her every day she got attached to her quickly. She cried the day they told her that Destiny had been released. She sat up on him and said, "I kind of have a crazy idea, and I know you are still healing, and Joshua is only a month old. We are still getting used to being parents, but I...

Kelly already knew what she was thinking. "You want to adopt her?" He finished for her.

She gave him a nod. Her face lit up, and her eyes were filled with so much hope. "Financially, we can afford it; we have the space for her; she has no family; we can give her a family; we can love and support her; our little family can become a family of four."

"If this is what you really want, let's do it."

" Really?"

*Yes, I want to do this."

"Cruz gave me the social worker's number, so I'll call her in the morning. He said that she is going to want to come to the house and talk to us; and check the house out; our finances, pretty much get into all our business; it's going to be a different process than what we had to do with Joshua, but it would be worth it."

"Yes, it will." He pulls her down to capture her lips. "Think we can handle two kids?"

" Yes, I think we can handle two, three, four...

Kelly's eyes widened. " Let's get used to being a family of four first, before we add more kids to our lives. "

" Okay, but heads up I want a house full of kids someday. There's a lot of kids out there that deserve a home, and I know I can't save all the kids in the world, but I want to save as many as I can. "

Kelly kisses her tenderly. " I love your big heart, and I love you. "

" I love you too."

End of flashback...

The next day, Stella called the social worker and got the ball rolling. It took a few weeks for everything to go legally through. The day Kelly was released from physical therapy and no longer needed the wheelchair, they got the call saying Destiny was all theirs. They went to the courthouse that afternoon, and Matt and Gabby came with them. The judge signed the adoption agreement, and within an hour, Destiny Marie Jones became Destiny Marie Severide. The little girl was a little confused about her new living arrangement, but as the days went by, she got more and more comfortable with Kelly and Stella. She was loving Joshua, and Stella even had her room painted pink with unicorns as she told her about when they first met.

Destiny has been living with them for a month now, and she seems a lot more happy and content. She even agreed to be the flower girl at their wedding.

After Kelly's physical therapy ended, Stella and Gabby started to plan the wedding. Even though Gabby told her it takes months to plan a wedding the right way, Stella insisted that it had to be as soon as possible; she wanted to be Mrs. Kelly Severide the sooner the better. Her son and daughter were already carrying Kelly's last name, and she couldn't wait to carry it.

The day before the wedding, Kelly was in the kitchen fixing Destiny's lunch. His mom flew in for the wedding and to meet her new grandchildren. Jennifer was sitting at the table, holding Joshua, and smiling at Destiny, who was coloring in her coloring book. "Can I call you grandma?"

"Yes, you can, sweetie."

" Cool."

Kelly looked over at the table and smiled. She wasn't calling him or Stella's mom and dad yet; Stella told her she didn't have to; she didn't want to force her into it; she wanted her to do it on her own. That's why when Kelly placed her lunch on the table beside her and said, "Here you go, baby girl." As he walked back to the counter.

"Thank you, Daddy."

He stopped, turned, and looked at her with a surprised look. Jennifer was surprised too. "Your welcome, babygirl."

He said with a huge smile being called Daddy for the first time made his heart melt.

The slamming of the front door was followed by "ugh!" The sound made everyone look at the kitchen doorway as Stella walked in. She looked pissed and overwhelmed. She walked over to Kelly, who immediately pulled her into his arms. "I love Gabby; I do; she's my best friend; she's the sister I always wanted. I'm glad to have her back in my life, but I'm going to kill her, and you are going to have to visit me in prison."

"Don't kill her, mommy."

"Oh, baby, I didn't..." she trailed off. "Did you call me mommy?" She asked as she walked over to her.

Destiny looked up at her. "Yes, you are my mommy, right?"

Stella kneeled in front of her, her eyes tearing up. "Yeah, if that's what you want me to be."

"I do." The little girl smiled at her. "You are my mommy, and he's my daddy," she said, pointing to Kelly. "This is my grandma." She pointed to Jennifer. "And that's my brother. My family."

Stella was crying happy tears. "Yes, baby, we are your family, and we always will be."

Destiny hugged Stella tightly. "Finish your lunch, baby. Mommy and Daddy are going to go in the other room and talk, okay?"

" Okay." She replied as she picked up her fork.

Jennifer wiped her eyes; she was a little emotional about what she just witnessed.

Once they were in the living room, "She calls me mommy."

"I heard; she called me daddy."

"Hearing her call me mommy lifted my whole mood; I can't remember why I was so upset now." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Gabby pissed you off." He reminded her as he pulled her closer.

She sighed. "You know when I first told Gabby that we were getting married as soon as you were better? She got all upset, saying she couldn't be the maid of honor nine months pregnant, and she got very dramatic. Saying it's hard to find a dress and her condition. "

"I remember."

"And then she heard about some store downtown that did maternity dresses, wedding gowns, and all kinds of other dresses. So she was all happy again, but my colors were Emerald Green, White, and Gold. I wanted the maid of honor and my bridesmaids to wear emerald green dresses. But unfortunately, the store didn't have a maternity dress in that color. So Gabby cried again, and I know it was because she was emotional and hormonal, so I told her to pick out any dress, and I would change the colors to match what she picked out."

Kelly sighed. "And I told you that it's your wedding, not Gabby's. It's about making you happy, not Gabby. But you changed the colors anyway to make Gabby happy because that's just the heart you have."

She laid her head on his shoulder. "I hate pink; I don't know why she had to pick pink, but I changed my colors to pink, white, and gold."

"What happened? Why do you want to kill your best friend?"

Stella pulled away and said, "Well, since Gabby had the baby last week, she decided that pink is not her color."

"Oh boy." Kelly knew where this was going.

"Yep, she said now that she's not pregnant, she doesn't want to wear the pink dress." She was irritated, and Kelly could tell. "Our wedding is tomorrow; I can't change the colors now. Kelly, I got Destiny a pink dress to wear as our flower girl; the church is all decorated already; the flowers are ordered and paid for; our whole wedding is paid for; everything is pink, white, and gold-related. But my maid of honor wants to wear a different color." She runs her fingers through her hair. "I think we should elope."

Kelly gives her a sympathetic look. "Baby, we are not eloping; we are getting married tomorrow at 11 a.m. and Gabby is going to have to suck it up and wear the pink dress or don't come at all. It's your wedding; it's your day. You should have the wedding you want, not the...

"I couldn't agree more," Gabby said, walking into the living room.

"What are you doing here?" Stella wasn't in the mood to argue with her anymore.

"I came to apologize for being an overdramatic bitch."

"It's about time." Stella replied.

"Look, I felt bad about you changing your wedding colors to make me happy. Stella, Kelly is right; this is your wedding; it should be how you want it. With that being said, Matt and I, along with some help from the other 51 members, decided to make sure you got what you wanted."

Stella looked at Kelly, who was also just as confused as she was. "What did you do?" She was afraid of the answer.

"I changed the colors of your wedding." She tells her as she unzips her dress bag.

"What the hell, Gab?" She stopped talking when Gabby revealed the emerald green dress.

"I know you hate pink, and it meant a lot that you changed your colors just to make me happy. I couldn't let you get married with a color you hate."

Stella was crying softly. "I appreciate the gesture, but there is no way we can change the colors now,...

"I already did."

" What?"

"I switched the dresses out, so all six of your girls have their dresses already. Matt, Cruz, Herrmann, and Mouch, along with their wives, are changing the colors at the church. Brett and I got the flowers changed, and I also got Destiny a new dress. Everything is taken care of, including the guy's ties. The wedding will be exactly the way you want it."

"Gabby, you are an angel. I love you." Stella said as she hugged her tightly.

"I love you too."

The next morning at the church, Stella stood in front of the full-length mirror. She turned a few times, admiring herself in her wedding gown. It was a white and emerald green bridal gown. A line-laced, custom sweep-train sweetheart sleeveless embroidery beaded satin dress With matching two-inch heels.

" Wow!"

Stella turned to see Gabby's mom in the doorway.

"Stella, you look absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry I'm late, Stella," Gabby said as she ran into the room. "But I..,. Oh my goodness. You look stunning." Her eyes fill with tears as she stares at her best friend.

"I feel like a princess," Stella tells them as she looks at herself again. She looks at Gabby. "You look stunning yourself." She was wearing an emerald green spaghetti strap long satin beaded V-neck gown.

"Thank you; all the girls look great, especially Destiny. She is very impatient, but she is ready to get to the cake."

Stella laughed. "She loves cake."

"So I wasn't sure if you had something old." Gabby's mom tells her. "After your mom died, you were gone. Mr. Dawson and I cleaned up the house and sent your stuff to you. I found this in my car about a month later. I meant to send it to you, but I decided that maybe I should hold on to it for a special occasion.."She handed her the small square box. "It was your mom's."

Stella's eyes widen and tear up. "This was her favorite locket; my grandma gave it to her."

"I know, and I know you lost everything in a fire a while back, so I know how much it means to have a piece of your mom back, especially today."

"This is the best gift ever." She hugged her tightly.

"Open it, Stella."

She knew there was a picture of her and her mom in there, but as she opened it up and smiled at the picture, she noticed a new picture—a picture that made her cry happy tears, of course. "This is so sweet and thoughtful...

"Giving you the locket today on your wedding day was my idea, but the beautiful picture of your soon-to-be husband and your two adorable kids, that's all Kelly's idea."

" Kelly?"

"Yep, when I told him about my mom finding the locket, he wanted to add a picture to it. I think it's a great picture."

Stella wiped her eyes, then picked up her hair off her neck as Gabby put the locket on her. "I love it. I was missing my mom something terrible this morning, but now it's like she's right here with me."

Gabby's mom hugged Stella one last time. "Let me go get in my seat; I will see you in a few minutes."

Gabby smiled as she took something out of her bag. "So your mom's locket is your something old, and this is your something borrowed." She handed her a medium brown box.

Stella opened it, revealing a silver crystal tiara. "A tiara?"

Gabby smiled. "A princess tiara; I wore this to my wedding. Remember when we were five and your mom brought us those plastic tiaras we wore everywhere? And we said that...

"We were going to wear matching tiaras when we got married." Stella finished for her.

" Yeah." Gabby wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry I missed your wedding."

"It's fine; I'm just glad I got you back now; we get to raise our kids together."

"True. I love you, Gabby Dawson Casey."

"I love you, Stella Kidd, soon to be Severide." They hugged for a moment. "Oh, I also got your something new," she said, looking inside her bag. "Well, it's not from me; it's from Kelly."

Stella was surprised. "I told him no gifts."

"Man, don't listen." She handles the small box.

Stella opens it slowly. "It's a charm bracelet." She looks at the bracelet with one charm on it—a heart charm that had Kelly, Destiny, and Joshua engraved in the middle of the heart.

"There's a note in the box."

Stella pulled out the note. "Stella, I promise every year on this date, I will add a new charm to your bracelet indicating every year we are together, the first charm, the heart, is for our one year down and lifetime to go. I love you, Stella Severide. I can't wait to see you walking down the aisle to me. Kelly." She smiled as she put the bracelet on.

Gabby gave them both a tissue. "Let's go get... Wait... You got your something old, something new, something borrowed, but what about your something blue? I don't have anything blue."

"I got something blue-covered."

"You do?"

"Yeah, between you and me, I'm wearing a blue see-through teddy underneath my dress."

"You slut." Gabby teased.

"Only for Kelly..." She winked.

Gabby laughed. "Okay, let me look at you one last time." She turns her around. ". You look beautiful." She takes the tiara and places it on top of Stella's head. She fixes her hair so her curly black hair frames her face perfectly. "Let's go get you married."

Kelly tapped her foot nervously at the altar. "Man, calm down," Matt tells him, seeing how nervous he is.

"I'm calm." He's never been calmer. He looks at his mom, who is sitting in the front row, holding Joshua, his son, and Stella's son. He has a son, a daughter, and a wife; technically, she's not his wife yet, but she will be. And he couldn't be happier.

Matt patted him on the back. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Kelly shot Matt a menacing glare. "I'm about to be best manless."

"I was joking." Matt put his hands up in defense. "Chill out, man. I know this is everything you want and everything you deserve. I'm happy for you and Stella."

Kelly nods. "Thanks; I'm glad you're my best man."

They turned towards the back of the church and watched as the doors opened and music started to play. He smiled proudly as his little girl Destiny appeared; she was wearing an emerald green satin and lace dress with matching shoes. She had a tiara on her head and was smiling big. She held the basket full of lilies and white rose petals; she threw one pedal down, then one more, and then one handful down. She then surprised everyone by running down the aisle to her dad. Kelly was laughing as he bent down, just as she jumped into his arms. Everyone laughed. "Did I do good?" She asked her dad.

"Yes, baby girl, you did a great job." He kissed her cheek. "Go sit with Grandma."

"Okay, daddy." Destiny ran over to Jennifer.

Kelly stood back up and turned his attention to Stella's six girls from her group as they walked down the aisle. They were all wearing matching emerald green dresses and an emerald green heart necklace that Stella gave them as thanks for being a part of her wedding. All the girls smiled at Kelly as they walked by, taking their place. Gabby was next, smiling big and staring at her husband, who was looking at her with so much love and affection. She squeezed Kelly's arm as she got close. She then blew a kiss to Matt and took her place.

Kelly swears his heart stopped as Stella appeared; she looked like an angel walking down the aisle. Their eyes connected, and it was like everyone else disappeared; they were the only two souls in the world.

Stella knew she was walking down to her forever, her soulmate, her hero. This was a day she never thought would come; she didn't think she was marriage material, but then Kelly came along and changed everything.

Once she was in front of him and Gabby took her bouquet from her, Stella turned to face Kelly. They joined their hands "You look gorgeous." He tells her as she blushes. They smiled and mouthed I love you to each other as the preacher began.

"We are gathered here today to join these two souls together. Kelly and Stella are two souls that were destined to be together. " He paused for a moment. "Kelly and Stella have written their vows, so Stella, if you will, please go first."

Stella took a deep breath and cleared her throat. "Since the day I met you, I knew you were a special man. You, more than anyone else, know my insecurities and weaknesses and still never make me feel inadequate. You have always loved me without reservations. You praise me in a way I never thought was possible, and because of you, I am the best woman and mother I can be. The absolute best part about you is your kind heart. You are the most giving, selfless person I know, and I thank God every day that you have given all of your love to me without any hesitation. Life hasn't always been good to me, and I always felt that what happened to me meant that I was too damaged, too broken, or too lost to be loved or wanted. But you proved me wrong and showed me that I was lovable and wanted. You showed me what unconditional love was, and I will forever be grateful." She paused as the tears fell.

"I cannot promise I will always be the perfect wife, but I promise to love you through good times and bad. To choose our love every single day. I promise to always fight with and for you, never against you. I promise to always be your biggest fan, confidant, and best friend. I promise to remember that we are not perfect—only perfect for each other. I promise to love you without hesitation or boundaries from this day forward, for the rest of my life. Thank you for being the man of my dreams and the best father I could ever imagine for our children. Your heart is my home, and your arms are my shelter. I love you, Kelly Severide, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our family."

Kelly wiped his eyes as he prepared himself to say his vows. "Stella, I vowed early in life that I would never marry. Permanent singlehood seemed to be my birthright; marriage and love were things I didn't want or need. Then one day I met this beautiful woman on a plane, and my life hasn't been the same. I promise to be your husband, best friend, navigator, and sidekick. I promise never to leave your side and to always have your back, no matter how tough the challenges get. I vow to be your lover when you need love, your army when you go to war, your pillow when you need to rest, your comfort when you feel pain, your rock when you get weary, your hero when you are under duress, your spirit when you are drained, your shield when you need defense, your ear when no one will listen, your doctor when you are ill, your voice when no one can hear you, your answer when you have questions, and your sunshine when darkness falls. I am yours, all of me. You are my light. And it does not matter what happens in this life as long as you are with me." He paused and wiped her eyes.

"I vow to love and cherish you for all the days of my life. I promise to love and guide our children Destiny and Joshua and any other children that come into our lives till my dying day. I love you, Stella Kidd. I swear I could not love you more than I do now, and yet I know I will tomorrow. And I can't wait to see what the future holds for us and our children."

"Stella Kidd, do you take Kelly Severide to be your husband, to live together in (holy) matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" The preacher said:

"I do." Stella takes the ring from Gabby and turns back to Kelly, happiness beaming from within. "Kelly I give you this ring to wear as a symbol of my enduring love, my eternal faith, and my undying devotion. It is an outward reminder of our inner unity." She places the ring on his finger.

The preacher turns to Kelly. "Kelly Severide, do you take Stella Kidd to be your wife, to live together in (holy) matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do!" Kelly turns to get the ring from Matt, then back to Stella. " Stella I give you this ring to wear as a symbol of my enduring love, my eternal faith, and my undying devotion. It is an outward reminder of our inner unity." He slips the ring on her finger.

The preacher smiled. "I now pronounce it for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Severide Kelly, you can kiss your bride."

Kelly pulled her close. " Finally!" He whispers before capturing her lips in a passionate, deep kiss. As everyone stands and claps.

The reception was beautiful and everything Stella could have hoped for. She was wrapped up in Kelly's arms, dancing slowly with him; Gabby was dancing with Matt; Jennifer was somehow dancing with Joshua and Destiny. Everyone looked like they were having a good time. "I love you, Mrs. Severide."

She pulled back, giving him an affectionate smile. "I love that name; say it again."

"Stella Severide."

She closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. "I love my new name, and I love you so much." She kisses him sweetly.

"Time for the best man's speech," Gabby yelled. As everyone turned towards Matt, who was walking on the stage.

"Kelly Severide got married today; I'm still in shock. This man tried to talk me out of marrying Gabby; he was like, Come on, Matt, don't marry her; we could stay single and travel the world hooking up with random women and never settle down. He said a man only needs money, sex, alcohol, and sports."

Stella arches her eyebrows at Kelly. "That was the dumb me, baby; I'm not that man anymore."

"I know, baby."

"I never thought the day would come that Kelly Severide would fall in love, but I got front-row tickets to his love story. Stella Kidd changed his whole life, and she is the best thing to ever happen to him. So thank you, Stella, for flirting with my friend on a plane and changing his life for the better. To the bride and groom, I wish you health and happiness. May your love always be added. May it never be subtracted. May your household multiply, and may your hearts never be divided!"

Everyone clasps and whistles.

Gabby takes the stage next. "Hey everyone! Today has been a spectacular day. Watching my best friend marry my husband's best friend is something indescribable. Stella, you are my sister, my best friend, the godmother to my son, the jelly to my peanut butter, and the cheese to my sandwich. Our friendship means so much to me. I'm so glad that you fell for Kelly and moved back to Chicago. Kelly, I love you for who you are and what you have done and will continue to do for my best friend. The truth is this: finding a person who loves you just as you are is the best thing in life. They see you through your bad, good, high, low, and everything in between without bailing out. The person still sees the sun rise and set in your eyes. When you find that person, stick with them. I found mine." She winks at Matt. "And I'm so happy my best friend found hers, so raise your glasses as we toast Kelly and Stella Severide. May your joys be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as its foam."

As everyone cheers and whistles, the couple share a few sweet kisses. Destiny ran over to them, and Kelly picked her up and swung her around. Stella went, and got Joshua from Jennifer and walked back over to her little family. The four danced and laughed as everyone watched. "Today was perfect," Stella tells Kelly as they dance, one arm holding Joshua and the other around Kelly's neck.

Kelly had one arm wrapped around Stella's waist and held Destiny in his other arm. "It's only going to get better, I promise."