Chapter 7

Stella woke up with a huge smile. She lay there tracing his face. She was happy, really happy; she hadn't ever felt this way. She smiled at his sleeping form, and she buried her head back into his chest, thinking about last night. They made love last night. Well, made love might not be the right words, because they're not in love, are they? She's not. She likes him a lot. She enjoys his company. She trusts him. She loves his daughter. She loves a lot of things about him. She loves the way he is with Haley. Maybe she does love him, but she's not in love with him... yet. Could he be in love with her? No, he couldn't. But last night sure was more than sex, wasn't it? She looks over at the clock, realizing it's three in the morning. She decided to clear her mind of all her thoughts and get some more sleep. She wasn't going to stress out over what was or wasn't going on between them. She closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.

The morning sun bled through the blinds and woke Kelly up. The sunlight beat down on her beautiful face, and her sweet, soft, pink lips were taunting him as if they were calling his name to kiss them. His eyes roamed her body; her curves were dangerous to the eyes. With his pointer finger, he lightly traced her face. His fingertip barely touched her; just a mild touch of warm air touched her as the warmth of his hand teased her. She opened her eyes. "Hey," she whispered, and she smiled up at him.

He tilted his head down, touching her forehead with his. "Hey, did you sleep well?" he asked as his hand played with her hair.

"Yeah, I haven't slept that well in a long time," she smiled. "You."

"Yeah, best sleep ever," he replied honestly, moving the strands of hair that were blocking her eyes. He grinned at her, and she bit her lip.

Stella wasn't sure what was going on; her thoughts from earlier came back to her as she wondered what last night meant. And how would she explain things to Haley? Would Haley approve, or would she get mad? She was brought out of her thoughts as Kelly's lips kissed the top of her head. She smiled as he said, "You, okay?

She looked up at him and smiled. I'm perfect," she whispered, as she kissed his jaw and then his lips. The kiss slowly grew deeper and longer; tongues were colliding, and they pulled back for air.

"Yes, you are perfect," Kelly said, and as he brought her closer, he kissed her forehead. She surprised him with another kiss, and he was completely lost in her mouth, his tongue torturing hers. Their lips moved perfectly, and their hearts beat loudly outside of their chests as they kept kissing.

"Kelly," she moaned as he moved to kiss her neck, sucking and licking her spot over and over. "Kelly," she whispered in pleasure. "Baby, please." She pulled his face back up to hers. "We need to talk."

"Oh," he said as he licked her lips. He rolled away from her. "Talk," he said, not looking at her; he wasn't ready to hear. A list of reasons why they couldn't be more than friends? And how last night was a mistake? He had a fear this was going to happen.

Stella noticed the hurt in his eyes and his strained voice. She sat up and reached for his hand. "Kelly, I want to be with you."

"What?" His voice was loud but full of excitement.

"I want to be you," she said, pausing to look him straight in the eyes. "Do you want to be with me?" she asked in a low voice.

"More than anything," he admitted as he leaned over and kissed her.

"But we still need to talk," she said, pulling away. "So..." She was about to speak, but Kelly stopped her.

"Do you regret last night?" He needed to know.

"No, I don't regret last night; last night was amazing," she smiled as he kissed her forehead again.

"It was perfect—more than perfect, "he told her, as he kissed her ear.

"But..."

He sighed as he got out of bed. "But what, Stella?" he questioned as he slipped on his boxers.

"Whatever this is between us..." She started to say but Kelly cut her off quickly.

"Whatever it is?" He shook his head. "I want it to be a relationship, Stella," he told her as he leaned up against his dresser. "you said you wanted to be with me just seconds ago, you can't go hot and cold on me like this. It's not fair."

Stella sighed, she knew he was right and that wasn't her intention "I do," she paused as she got out of bed. Kelly watched her naked body as she picked up his shirt off the floor. "In due time," she tells him as she slipped his shirt on.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "In due time?" he repeated. "What the hell does that mean?"

She walked over to him and stood in front of him. "This is all new to me, Kelly. I've never really dated or been in a relationship with Haley. I need to focus on her feelings."

"You can't be with me because of Haley?" he asked in a disbelieving voice.

"Umm." She closed her eyes. She knew he was upset; she could tell by his tone and his eyes. "Haley is my world; I don't know how to be a mom and be your girlfriend too; I want to; I do, but I need to talk to Haley; I need to know how she feels; I need her approval." Kelly nodded as she continued, "I know Haley likes you, but I'm just worried. I've never brought men around her, and dating you might confuse her. Aren't you worried about what Madison will think?"

"Yeah, I understand Stella, I do," he sighed as he pulled her to him. "Madison likes you a lot; I think she will be okay with us seeing each other." He ran his hands up and down her back. "But I get what you mean; I've never brought other women around Madison, so yeah, we should talk to them first.

Stella smiled at him, happy that they were on the same page. "So, you're okay with keeping our relationship on the low for now?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "No, not really," he told her as he pecked her lips. "But I'll do anything for you," he told her as he brushed her hair out of her eye.

"And you're okay with being a couple right, just not out in the open yet. Not telling anyone, anything."

" I am" Kelly tells him. " It will suck but I will manage."

"We need to talk to the girls first and make sure they are both okay with it. Then we will take it from there." She tells him as she kisses his nose.

'Can't we be a secret lovers couple?" he asked with a huge smile and winked at her.

She shook her head and smiled. "Fine, we will be a couple, a secret couple, till we talk to the girls, but if the girls aren't happy about us being together," she paused as she tried to say the word she didn't want to say. "Then we're over Kelly; I'm sorry, but Haley comes first."

Kelly didn't like the idea of his relationship status in the hands of their daughters; not that he believed the girls would be against it; he thinks they would be happy; he just didn't want to end something that felt so right to him, all because his daughter or her daughter didn't want them together. "Gotta," he whispered in a low voice. Even though he was against what she said, he didn't want to lose her. "We can talk to them together."

"No, I want to," she started. "I need to talk to Haley one on one first, and you need to talk to Madison, and if they are okay with everything, then we can talk to them together."

"Okay, that sounds like a plan."

"I'll talk to Haley tonight," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. " I promise."

"And I will talk with Madison tonight also." He replied, then kissed her, a sweet, innocent kiss that was heating up by the second.

"Are you guys awake in there? Or are you on round two hundred?" Gabby's voice yelled through Kelly's bedroom door.

Kelly growled, and Stella laughed. "Why did I give her a key? What was I thinking?' He said this as he walked over to his bedroom. "Gabby, it's so nice of you to stop by," he said sarcastically.

"Whatever," Gabby said as she walked into the room and smiled at the messy bed. "It smells like sex in here—really hot sex," she added, with a wink toward Stella.

Kelly and Stella roll their eyes, "Why are you here?" Kelly asked as he crossed his arms.

She stuck her tongue out at Kelly and then turned to Stella "I am here for Stella," she said, handing her a bag.

"What is that?" Stella asked, giving her friend a confused look. As she took the bag.

Gabby shrugged and said, "Look I figured you couldn't wear the dress you had on last night because the girls would ask questions, so I brought you a change of clothing. I figured you could change clothes here and they would never know. Haley asked this morning where you were, so I told her you had to run errands. And you would be home soon."

"Thank you," Stella told her in a grateful tone. " Everything went well with Haley last night?"

" Yes, it did we had a ball, told stories, threw popcorn at each other, had a dance party, played Barbies, and even Matt played with us," Gabby said as she laughed about the last part. " Shut up." She said, pointing to Severide, " Matt didn't want you to know that part."

Kelly laughed. "I can't make fun of him; Madison makes me play sometimes when she's bored."

Gabby was pleasantly surprised. " Hmm, interesting..." She tells him, as she puts her finger to her chin like she is thinking about something.

" I don't care who you tell, I'll do anything for my princess," Kelly tells her in a cocky tone

Gabby sighed happily. "Also, um Stella fair warning... Jessica is at the house."

"Why?" Stella asked; it wasn't directed at Gabby but more at herself.

Gabby shrugged. "She showed up about an hour ago, and said she wants to spend the day with Haley; she said she's leaving in the morning."

Stella's eyes widen. "Really?"

"That's what she told me and Matt."

Stella wondered if this was a joke or if she was actually going back to Springfield. "I guess I should get dressed and get home. Hopefully, she does leave."

Kelly watched Stella for a moment " You, okay?" he asked, as he reached for her hand.

Stella nodded, " Yeah, I am, I promise." She tells him, before kissing his cheek and walking to the bathroom. Leaving Kelly wondering if she really was fine or not.

After changing and kissing Kelly for a few moments, Stella and Gabby headed home. "How was the sex?" Gabby asked as they pulled out of the driveway.

Stella rolled her eyes. "It was okay."

Gabby eyed her and said, "Okay, that's all I get."

"Fine, it was incredible," Stella admitted. Gabby screamed like a high schooler. "He definitely knows what he's doing in all areas, especially down there. He did things to me I didn't know existed."

Gabby arched her eyebrow. "Damn girl, it sounds like you had a pretty awesome night."

"I did; it was the best night I ever had," she tells her as she thinks about last night. "I felt kind of embarrassed, though."

"Why?"

"He said he wanted to taste me, and I had no idea what that meant."

Gabby gave her a confused look. "You never had a guy go down on you?" Gabby asked in a non-believing tone.

Stella shook her. "Nope, not till last night. Grant is the only one I was ever with, until last night. And trust me Grant never did anything to me like Kelly did last night. "

" Wow! Grant sucks."

"I agree."

"So, are you guys together now, or was this a one-time thing, or a friends-with-benefits thing?" Gabby asked, needing to know where the couple stood.

Stella looked out the window. "We talked this morning, and both are on the same page; we want to be together, and we both agreed that last night was more than just sex. But we have a lot to consider first."

"Like what?'

"Our daughters"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we have to make sure Haley and Madison are okay with us seeing each other and that it won't cause any issues."

Gabby thought for a moment. "I get that, but the girls are going to be thrilled; Haley loves Kelly, and Madison loves you; there will be no issues."

Stella sighed, "It's not that simple, Gabby; I have to make sure Haley understands what it means for me to be in a relationship. I don't know how she is going to act because she has never had a man figure around her. Casey and Kelly are the only male figures in her life; she doesn't even remember that much about Grant, and I never dated after Grant. Jessica had tons of guys in her life, but I wouldn't let Haley around them. So, this will be new to her, and I need to make sure she is 100 percent okay with it."

Gabby nodded. "Even though I truly believe Haley is going to be very excited over this, if there is some slight chance, she is against it, what does that mean for you and Kelly?" She had to ask; she was curious about her answer.

"I told Kelly that if, by some slight chance, Haley or Madison is against us seeing each other, then it's over." She tells her as she looks out the window. She wants the girls to be okay with it because she likes Kelly, but the girls have to come first. She promised herself long ago that Haley would always be first in her life.

Gabby was shocked by that answer. "And Kelly is okay with this?"

"Kelly and I agree it's the right thing to do; our girls come first; they are more important than whatever Kelly and I might have had," Stella said, in a low voice, but Gabby could pick up on the sadness in her tone.

Gabby hates that Stella is letting the kids decide her relationship's future, and she doesn't believe Kelly is okay with it. But she decided not to comment because she knew the girls were going to be excited. "So, are you going to let Jessica take Haley for the day?" She asked, deciding to change the subject.

"Haley is going to want to spend the day with her; she loves her aunt Jessica. and I trust her with Haley; Jess would never let anything happen to her. "

"You know, Matt and I told the girls, since the fair got rained out last night, that we could go today. I figured we could take them to the fair and invite Jessica. That way, I could keep an eye on Jessica for you."

"I love that idea; thank you," Stella tells her in a thankful tone.

"Anytime," Gabby said as they pulled into the driveway.

Stella took a deep breath before walking into the house. She walked into the living room to find Jessica dancing with Haley and Madison.

"Hey, mama!" Haley yelled.

"Hey, baby."

"Hey Stella," Madison said as she did a flip.

"Madison, sweetheart, be careful," Stella told her.

Jessica quit dancing and said, "Girls, continue dancing; I'll be right back." She walked over to Stella. "Can we talk just for a minute?"

Stella didn't want to, but she agreed anyway. Considering she is supposedly leaving tomorrow "Come on." They walked out on the front porch. "So talk."

Jessica sat down. "I know you aren't ready to let me back in right now. And I understand; you're still hurt, and I get that. With time, we will be back as close as before. I know we will."

Stella gave her a confused look. "Jess, you are my sister, and I love you endlessly, your blood, and I love my nephews, and Haley loves you. But lines were crossed that can't be uncrossed. I did, however, decide to forgive you."

"You forgive me," Jessica spoke in an excited tone. " I'm so ...

"No, I'm not done yet," Stella said, interrupting her excitement. " Kelly said I needed to forgive you so I could start healing, and he's right. People can forgive someone and not have anything to do with them. My forgiveness is for past reconciliation, not for future consideration. You want to call and talk to Haley. You can call anytime. I will not keep Haley from you. But you and I are done; I can forgive, but I can't forget."

"Stella, you can't just cut me out of your life; that's not fair."

"What's not fair is what you and Grant did to me for six years. What's not fair is that you lied to me when all I ever did was be there for you. What's not fair is that even after Grant was gone, you waited to tell me the truth. What's not fair is I had your back through everything you never truly had mine as you claimed. What's not fair is I gave up a big part of my dreams to make sure you were good. I didn't go to college; I didn't get to travel. I didn't get to do a lot of things I planned. You caused the damage between us, not me. All I ever did was love you unconditionally, I took you in when you had nowhere to go, and helped raise your boys, while you went on tour. You got to live your life, while I took care of your responsibility that wasn't fair." Stella tells her in an angered tone. She had to catch her breath for a moment after saying all that, but happy she did.

"Are you saying you and I will never speak again? Because I'm going back to Springfield, the boys need me." Jessica said, a little taken back by everything she just said to her.

"I can't predict the future, but as of right now, we shouldn't speak. I need to continue to process stuff; I'm still hurting and not ready to make things right, and I honestly don't know if I ever will be. But I do forgive you and I forgive Grant. I'm ready to start my healing process. I owe it to myself and Haley."

"This is ridiculous. I made a mistake...

Stella put her hands up interrupting whatever she was going to say. "Jess, we aren't going to argue about this. I said what I wanted to say. Now Casey and Gabby are taking the girls to the fair; they invited you to come with them so you and Haley could spend time together. "

"Thank you; I love that little girl."

"I know, and I told you I wouldn't keep Haley from you; you can call her anytime. And my nephews can call me anytime. The kids shouldn't be in the middle of our situation. Go back to Springfield, take care of your boys, and be happy. Haley and I are starting to enjoy Chicago, and we are happy. I deserve to be happy. "

"But... " Jessica started, but the door opened. "Sorry to interrupt," Gabby said as she and Casey and both girls walked out the door. "We promised the girls to take them to that new toy store that opened before we went to the fair."

"It's fine; we're done talking," Stella said as she looked over at her sister, who was nervously biting her lip. Stella had a feeling there was something she was hiding from her. "Jessica is going to go with you guys, so she can spend the entire day with Haley. Since she is leaving in the morning."

Jessica gave them a forced smile. "Sounds fun; I love toy stores."

"Haley, you be good for Uncle Matt, Aunt Gabby, and Jessica. Use your manners. I love you." Stella said as she bent down, kissed her cheek, and hugged her.

"I will, mama, love you too."

"Madison, same for you; I love you too."

Madison smiled big at her. "I will love you " Madison hugged Stella tight.

Both girls jumped off the porch and ran to the car; Matt and Jessica followed behind. "Are you good?" Gabby asked.

"Actually, yes, I'm really good." She tells her, then hugs her. "Have fun."

"Yes, three kids in a toy store, lucky me," Gabby said in a sarcastic tone.

" Three?"

"Girl, you think Haley and Madison are a handful in a toy store? Take Matt with you one day." She joked. Before walking away.

Stella laughed as she watched them all get in the car. She waved as the car pulled out of the driveway. She walked back inside, feeling relieved that she had told Jessica how she felt and that she had finally decided to forgive her. She heads for the shower feeling better than she has in years. Stella walked into the kitchen after her nice, hot shower, very relaxed. She smiled when she saw Kelly sitting at the table. "What are you doing, here?"

"Let's see, Gabby and Matt kidnapped my daughter, and I don't have a life without her; my day gets very boring when she's not around unless I'm on shift. So, I figured I would come and keep my secret lover company."

Stella walked over to him and sat on his lap. "I'm glad you did." She said this as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

"I was so tempted to join you in the shower. but I was a good boy." He said this as he started to kiss her neck.

" Mmmm. I wished you did." She tells him as she enjoys his lips on her neck.

He pulled back from her neck. "Next time, I'll join you."

"Sounds good to me." She said this as she caressed his face. "So, I took your advice."

"You did?" He asked, not sure what advice she was talking about.

"I told Jessica I forgive her."

" Really?" He was surprised, but happy she did it.

"Yeah, I told her I had to so I could start my healing process."

"I'm proud of you." He told her as he kissed her forehead.

"I'm proud of myself; things between us can't ever go back to the way they were. And I told her she could call Haley anytime; I would never keep her from Haley. but I can't just forget what she did; maybe in the future. but not now."

"That makes sense; give yourself time to heal."

"You're very wise; you know that." She teased as she kissed his ear. "How about we snuggle up on the couch?"

"Let's snuggle away, babe." He said this as he lifted her and carried her bridal style. And tossed her on the couch, and she giggled. "I love your laugh," he tells her as they start to make out.

At the fair, Gabby was sitting on the bench watching Matt and Madison on the Farris wheel. Haley was with Jessica getting her face painted.

"That was fun, Aunt Gabby; you should have come," Madison said as she and Matt walked back over to Gabby.

"Aunt Gabby isn't feeling well; maybe next time."

"I'm hungry."

"Well, let's wait on Haley..." Gabby started but was cut off...

"Aunt Gabby!" Haley yelled. "Aunt Gabby."

Gabby jumped up, looking around for Haley. The tone of her voice scared Gabby. " Haley?"

"There she is," Matt said, as they saw the black-haired girl running towards them. "Aunt Gabby!" she yelled again and ran straight to Gabby's arms, crying.

"Hey, baby," Gabby said as she hugged the little girl. "What happened?"

Haley didn't say anything; she just held on to Gabby. Matt gave Gabby a concerned look. Both adults were looking around for Jessica, wondering what the hell had happened.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Matt asked her as he kneeled beside her.

"No, I want to go home. I want my mama."

Gabby and Matt exchange looks. "Okay, we can; we will go home now. Uncle Matt is going to take you to the car. "

" Okay," Haley said as she wiped her tears and let Matt pick her up.

"Why is she crying?" Madison asked.

"Honey, we don't know; you go with Uncle Matt and help him keep Haley from crying. I'll be right there." Gabby tells her as she sees Jessica walking towards her.

"What the hell did you do?" Gabby asked, and she was pissed.

" Nothing."

"You did something; my niece just ran to me crying, which means she ran from you..."

"Technically, she's not your niece; she's my niece, were blood, you're not," Jessica said in a bothered tone.

"Fuck the technicality, I'm more of an aunt than you are. But that's not the point right now. I want to know what happened. What did you do or say?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "She got upset over something I said," she said like it was no big deal

"What did you say?"

"Look, it's no biggie; she will be fine."

"It's a huge biggie. Let me tell you why," Gabby yelled. "One, you upset her to the point that she got so upset that she ran away from you. You, as the adult, allowed her to take off from across the fairgrounds, anything could have happened to her. Someone could have kidnapped her.

"Stop, you are overreacting..." Jessica said, cutting Gabby off, which only pissed Gabby off more.

"Overreacting? Are you kidding me?" Gabby tells her in a furious tone. "Every forty seconds, a child goes missing or is abducted. Anything could have happened to her; thank God it didn't. Because you wouldn't be standing right now if it did."

"She's fine; don't stress about it." She tells her, as she rolls her eyes.

Gabby took a deep breath. "You know what? I'm done talking to you. My niece is upset and wants her mom. But if you think I'm upset, wait till she tells Stella what you said. "

Jessica stood there, watching Gabby walk away. "You guys are my ride," she yelled.

Gabby turned around. "I'm pretty sure you can hitchhike your way back to Springfield. Don't come to my house; you're not welcome there." She tells her as she turns and walks away.

Leaving Jessica standing there with people looking at her. "Maybe I handled that wrong," she said to herself. As she thinks of her sister's reaction when she finds out what she said to her niece.

Kelly and Stella were lying on the couch, kissing and laughing. "I can't believe we just had sex on Gabby's couch."

"It's fine; they won't even know," Kelly tells her as he kisses her.

"You are bad." She tells him in between kisses.

"I know you make me bad," he tells her as they heard a car pull in. " Fuck."

"Damnit Kelly!" she yelled as they jumped up, both throwing their clothes on.

"Hey, it takes two, sweetheart. " Kelly tells her as he puts his jeans back on. " And the way you were screaming my name you enjoyed."

Stella rolled her eyes as they continued to get dressed. They both plopped down on the couch the moment the door opened.

" Mama!" Haley yelled.

Stella was relieved they were dressed. " In here, baby...

"Mama," Haley's cry, stopped Stella mid-sentence. Haley ran to Stella.

"Baby, what happened?" Stella asked, noticing her tears. Stella held her tight. While Kelly rubbed her back.

"Jessica made Haley cry," Madison said as she walked into the room. " I don't know why," she said, as she sat down beside her dad.

Stella looked at Madison then looked at Kelly " What happened?" Stella questioned Gabby and Matt as they came into the living room.

"I'm sorry, Stella, I don't exactly know what happened. Haley came running to me, saying she wanted to go home and she wanted her mom. She wouldn't tell me."

Stella kissed the top of Haley's head. "Baby, what happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Stella looked at Kelly, who was also just as concerned as she was. "Where's Jessica?"

"We left her there; Haley was more important," Gabby told her with an uneasy look.

Stella could sense there was more to Gabby's story, but she did not push it. "Sweetheart, Mommy can't make it better if you don't tell Mommy what happened."

Haley pulled back in and looked at her mom, her eyes red from crying. "Aunt Jessica said, You lied to me."

"I lied to you about what?" Stella asked, "I have never lied to you, and I never will."

Haley pouted. "Aunt Jessica said that Daddy..." she looked down at the floor.

Stella eyed her daughter; she'd never seen her like this. "Daddy what? What did Aunt Jessica say about Daddy?"

Haley looked back up at her mom. "Aunt Jessica said that my daddy... is Dylan and Joshua's daddy too. I told her he is not; he is just my daddy."

Stella's eyes widened; she couldn't believe Jessica told her. She didn't know what to say or how to answer. This is not a subject she was mentally prepared to address yet. Gabby, Matt, and Kelly looked at Stella, who looked like she was about to burst.

"Mama, I told her she was a lair, but she said you were a lair. That daddy is my cousin's daddy, but he's not right, mama?" Haley asked in the most innocent tone.