A year is 365 days; it's been exactly 365 days since Kelly and Stella met on a plane, both looking for a fast hookup and nothing more. Who would have thought that one encounter would lead them to their true destiny? The last year has flown by faster than either of them could have imagined. Stella and Kelly's lives have changed tremendously for the better.
Stella moved to Chicago a couple of weeks after Kelly came to New York looking for her. She stayed at Gabby and Matt's for a couple of months, but then decided it was time to get her own place. With the new baby on the way, she figured it was time to spread her wings. She brought a house two houses down from Matt and Gabby. Kelly moved in with her, which only made Stella happier, cause she gotten used to having people around all the time. She didn't want to live alone again.
Kelly, Gabby, and Matt have been trying to get her to be a firefighter again, but that's a subject she won't talk about; she told them she's not firefighter material, and they should respect her enough to not continuously ask her why. Only Kelly knows the real reason. She did, however, tell Gabby and Matt that being a firefighter doesn't bring her joy anymore since Misty's death. And respectfully, Gabby dropped the subject.
She did confide in Gabby about some of her past, about what Paul and Sonny did to her. And she joined a therapy group; she goes to weekly sessions and talks to women who have been through familiar situations. These women are helping her in ways she never thought possible. She doesn't have to work because of the money Misty left her. So she signed up for some volunteer work within the community. She got the idea to mentor troubled teenage girls who have been physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually abused and hooked on drugs. She has found a connection with each of the six girls in her group. Helping them overcome their struggles and their traumatizing past has given her a sense of accomplishment and helped her put her past behind her and focus on the good thing's life has to offer. Kelly has been her biggest supporter when it comes to everything she is doing within the community and with the girls she is helping. She knows she wouldn't be where she is today if it weren't for Kelly believing in her, helping her, and supporting her. She feels like she got a second chance at life because of Misty, and she's hoping that she can help these girls like Misty helped her.
They were both getting used to being in a relationship, and living together. Not every day was peaches and cream, Stella and Kelly had discussions that led to huge disagreements, they sometimes argue and bumped heads here and there, and sometimes their anger got the best of them, but at the end of the day there's not a thing in the world they wouldn't do for each other.
Their feelings for each other have grown into the love field, but neither one has been able to say those three little words yet, in fear of what the other might say or react.
Kelly smiles as he walks into Matt's kitchen. " Hey!" He said this as he leaned against the counter, watching Matt unload the dishwasher.
Matt looks over at him. "Hey, what brought you by?" he asked as he continued to unload the dish washer.
Kelly shrugged. "Stella wanted to see her godson."
Matt laughed. "She sees him all the time."
"That's what I told her, but she insisted we stop in before heading to the grocery store."
Matt gave him a surprised look. "Are you going to the grocery store with her?" he asked in a surprised tone.
"Yeah. What's the big deal?"
"You hate grocery shopping, and normally Stella goes by herself."
Kelly laughs, "True, very true... But I wanted to spend time with her between being on shift and helping OFI on my off days, and she's usually out doing her community work. We don't get to spend much time together. But this morning she told me she didn't have any plans, so after a few hours of enjoying each other." he tells him with a smirk. Matt shakes his head. "I called and told Seager I was taking the day off to spend it with my girlfriend, and that's what I'm doing; she wanted me to run errands with her, so here I am."
"Seager probably got jealous." Matt tells him. "She's got a thing for you."
"I don't give a damn if she got jealous or not. Stella is all I think about and all I want." Matt just nods at him. "You know, today marks a year since we met on that plane."
Matt arched his eyebrow. "Wow. A year already. Time really does fly by when you're having fun."
"Yep it sure does, it has been the best year of my life. This far. " Kelly smiled as he thought about how far they've come. "I think I'm going to finally say those words tonight."
"What words?" Matt asked confusedly.
"You know those three little words... I've been trying to say bu
" You haven't told her you love her yet?" Matt said it loudly, interrupting him.
"Shut up, man." Kelly yelled, then he punched his shoulder. "Stella is upstairs with Gabby. I don't want her to know what we are talking about."
Matt rubbed his shoulder where Kelly punched him. "Man, what's the hole up? You told me months ago you were in love with her; why haven't you told her?"
Kelly sighs and rubs the back of his head. "I'm scared, to be honest."
" Why?"
"Casey, I am so in love with her and so thankful that she's part of my life. But what if..." He trailed off.
"She rejects you?" Casey finished from him.
"Yeah, and not just that—what if those words scare her off or make her pull back from me?" He would be crushed if she started to pull away from him now.
"One of the strongest fears that keeps us from saying what is in our hearts is the fear of our feelings not being returned. Love is like a seesaw: It's easy to begin with one person caring more for another at the start, but a balance of give-and-take is what gives the relationship momentum." Matt leans up against the sink. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."
Kelly gave him a surprised look. " Really?"
"Really, the way she looks at you and talks about you, whether she wants to admit it or not, that girl is in love with you. It's written all over her face. "
Kelly smiled as he thought about what he just said. Maybe he's right; maybe she is feeling what he's feeling, and she's just scared like him. "I'm going to tell her tonight."
"Tell who what?" Gabby said as she was walking into the kitchen.
Kelly's eyes widened. "Where's Stella's?" He asked, ignoring what Gabby said.
Gabby looked between the two. "Hmm. don't tell me Severide, Matt will tell me later, so ha!" She said than sticks her tongue out at him. Matt rolled his eyes. As Stella walked into the room.
"Doesn't little man look cute in his little Chicago jersey Aunt Stella got him?" Stella said as she showed off the five-month-old. Gabby and Matt smile at their son as Stella shows him off. "
"Future quarterback little Marques Casey." Kelly said as he raised the baby's hand up, cheering.
"Well, our little future quarterback is going to be real fussy tonight." Matt said.
" Why?" Stella asked as she kissed the baby's chubby cheek.
"The Dawson family reunion is today, yay!" Matt said it sarcastically. Kelly laughed.
Gabby punched his stomach. "Knock it off; it's not going to be that bad." She tells him. " Hopefully." She added.
"They are going to toss our son around like he's a sack of potatoes." Matt tells hers. " I can already picture it now."
Gabby gave her son a sad smile. "I know... " She said sadly.
"You know, you guys could come with us." Matt suggested.
Kelly looked at Stella, who gave him a look. "No, thanks; I mean, thank you for the invite, but we have plans."
"We do?" Stella asked.
"Yes, we do, and no more questions." He tells her before kissing her softly. Stella smiled and gave him a curious look.
Gabby looked at Matt, who just shrugged. "Okay, we should get ready," she said as she took the baby from Stella.
"I'll grab the aspirin." Matt said as he walked out of the room.
"He really doesn't want to go, huh?" Stella asked.
"No, he does not, but you know you do anything for the people you love." Gabby tells her.
Stella nods. "That's very true." She said, looking at Kelly.
Kelly wrapped his arms around her waist. "Sure is." He agreed, then kissed her cheek.
Later that night, Stella walked out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. As she walked into their bedroom, she saw a note on the bed. She walked over and picked it up. "Do me a favor and slip on that red dress hanging on the back of the closet door, and meet me in the dining room at seven." She arched her eyebrow and smiled as she looked at the dress and the clock. She had thirty minutes to make herself irresistible.
Kelly lit the candles and dimmed the lights. He turned on some soft music. And looked around the dining room, making sure he had everything ready.
Stella slowly walked into the dining room, her eyes lighting up at the sight before her. A big bouquet of lilies was in the middle of the table, with a candle on each side. Champagne was at the end of the table, chilling in an ice bucket. The table was set for two. "What's the occasion?" She asked as she walked over and smelled the lilies.
"We reached a milestone." Kelly said as he walked into the dining room, carrying two plates. He stopped when he saw her. She was breathtaking, standing in the candlelit room, her curly black hair offsetting her tan skin and beautiful hazelnut eyes. The dress he picked out for her melted to every curve of her body; she was captivating. He swallowed hard. "You sure know how to make someone stop in their tracks." He sat the plates down on the table. "You look like an angel with the glow of the candlelight reflected on you. God, Your beautiful." He told her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What can I say, my boyfriend's got good taste?" She teased him, then kissed him. "Two Questions?" She asked as the kiss broke. "One, what's that incredible smell?" She lifts her nose slightly and took in the aroma surrounding her.
"That, my dear, is our dinner." He tells her as he walks her to the table. "Roasted shrimp and peppers with creamy rice." He pulls the chair out for her. "I got the recipe from Herrmann's wife Cindy; she said it's a great romantic meal for a special occasion."
" Which brings me back to my first question. What's the special occasion?" She asked as he opened the champagne bottle.
" You!" He tells her in an affectionate voice. Then he pours the champagne.
" Really?" She give him a surprised look.
"Of course, and because a year ago today, you changed my life." He tells her as he lifts her chin and kisses her tenderly.
Stella bit her lip as she tried to think about what today was. "A year ago today? She repeated. She had no clue what he was talking about.
He sat down and watched the confusion on her face. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
She gave him an I'm sorry look. "No, I don't. Baby, I'm sorry."
He sighed. "It's fine; it was a year ago today that we met on that plane."
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed... "Baby, I totally..." She noticed the hurt in his eyes. " Knew." She finished, giving him a smirk.
"That was cruel." He gives her a hurtful look.
"I know." She stood up. "I've got you something." She tells him, before she walks into the other room.
"You didn't have to get me anything." He replied, as she walks back into the room. "Being with you is enough for me."
"That's so sweet..." She sat back down. "And the feelings are mutual, babe." She hands him an envelope.
Kelly gives her a skeptical look, and he takes the envelope and opens it. "Babe, these are season tickets for the Blackhawks."
Stella smiled as she watched his face light up like a little kid on his birthday. "Front row, apparently some of the most coveted seats are right up against the glass; at least that's what the guy told me who sold me the tickets."
"Yes, he is right, and it is the most expensive seat, especially season tickets."
Stella grabbed his hand. "It was worth every penny to see your face light up. Your smile is totally infectious. I love seeing you so happy!"
"I've never been this happy till you; I swear every time you smile at me, I feel myself fall for you even more." He leans over. "Thank you, I love it," he says before kissing her. "I've got something for you too." He reaches into his pocket.
Her eyes widen as he places the long, black box in front of her. "Kelly," she whispered as she opened it. "It's beautiful." She takes the Sterling silver heart locket out the box. "Always in my heart." Was engraved on the front.
"Open it?"
She slowly opens the heart. " Kelly... " Her eyes filled with tears. "How did you get this?"
"Gabby, had a few pictures of you with your mom. I told her you lost every picture in a fire but one you keep in our living room. So we picked out one and put it inside this locket, so you can keep your mom with you always."
She couldn't believe he had done something so sweet and thoughtful for her. No one's ever given her such a thoughtful, sentimental gift. She stares at the photo of her mom and herself when she was about ten.
Kelly was getting nervous; she hadn't spoken or looked at him in ten minutes. She was staring at the photo and crying. He just wasn't sure if they were happy tears or sad tears. " Stella..." He was going to tell her he was sorry for making her so emotional, but the words that left her mouth stopped him.
"I think I love you." She said, so quickly that she needed to inhale deeply.
"You think?" He asked as he kneeled down beside her. She looks at him; her eyes are so emotional and complex. He can't really read them because of all the crying.
She swallows hard and lays down the locket. She cupped his face. "I know; I've known it since the moment you showed up at my apartment in New York, or maybe even before that. As scary as it is, I don't want to deny it anymore; I don't want to push it away; I don't want to run from it. I love you, Kelly Severide."
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that." He kisses her softly. "I love you too, Stella Kidd." He whispered against her lips. She smiles into the kiss as her arms wrap around his neck. He pulls her up and lifts her, her legs instinctively locking around his waist. Their mouths not disconnecting. He blindly navigates his way to the couch, his hands appreciating the spot where her silky dress meets the flesh of her backside. He squeezes hard, drawing a whimpering sound from her that morphs into a shriek of surprise when he drops her onto the couch not a second later.
"Sorry... " He said as he kneeled on the couch, urging her legs to part further as he crawled up.
She smiles. "What about our food? It's going to get cold."
"We will warm it up. That's why microwaves were invented." He says with a smirk as he settles against her. She takes a sharp breath because he's pressing against her in all the right places, and she just wants him to take her already. "You can't expect me not to want to make love to you after we said I love you to each other for the first time."
"Your gift got me all up in my feelings." She caressed his face. "It shows me how much you really care about me; no one's ever given me such a meaningful gift." Her eyes tear up. "My mom would have loved you; I wonder if we would have met sooner if she didn't die and If I never moved away from Chicago."
He wipes away a few tears that had fallen. "I'm pretty sure our paths would have crossed, but even though it kills me that I wasn't there for you when you needed someone the most, I'm grateful to have found you when I did." His true emotions showed in his eyes.
"You saved me in ways you don't even know." She was headed down a lonely road after losing Misty, and she knew if she hadn't come visit Gabby when she did, she would have ended up back on drugs. She just never imagined that one trip would change her life so much.
Kelly's fingers traced her jaw line down to her neck. "I like to believe that we saved each other; if it wasn't for you, I would probably be at some bar, continuing my womanizer ways." He watches as his fingers trace the top of her breast. "I never imagined meeting anyone like you and falling so helplessly in love."
Stella leaned up and captured his lips in a sincere kiss; she needed to feel his lips on her. Hearing him say he loved her has set off waves of new emotions she's never experienced. She felt like she was having an inter-body experience.
As their desire for each other grew and their clothes started to come off. Stella was trying to get her tight dress off when, all of a sudden, they rolled off the couch onto the floor. Both laughed out loud, "Are you okay?" Kelly asked through his laughter.
"Me, I landed on you; you're the one that hit the floor the hardest. Are you okay?" Stella said between laughs. "I was trying to unzip my dress, but apparently I failed."
"I'm good." He said this as he closed his eyes. He did hit the floor pretty hard. "I'll probably feel it tomorrow, though."
Stella sat on his waist and unzipped her dress. She pulled the dress off her body. "Much better now."
Kelly opened his eyes to the sight of his beautiful girl lying naked on top of him. Kelly looked down. "You were completely naked under that dress." He kicked his shoes.
"Yes, I was." She tells him as she unbuttons his pants. "I didn't see the point of wearing anything when I knew I wasn't going to be in that dress for long." She pulled his pants off and climbed up his body.
"I like the way you think."
"I figured you would." She teased him as she unbuttoned his shirt. She leans down and kisses him softly. Then, with a look of mischief, she started to move down his body, raining kisses on his chest.
He pulled her up to him, his lips lightly touching hers, and then they pressed more firmly upon her red lips; instinctively, her lips parted with his, and his tongue probed her mouth. Carefully, he drew her into his body as he deepened the kiss and rolled them over so he was on top; her head tilted back as she melted against him. She felt giddy with happiness as he held her close.
He began to kiss her jawline and neck, down to her collarbone. Stella gasped for breath as his kisses tingled over her entire body. His hands were running up and down her sides, and she moaned as they cupped her breasts. Suddenly, they were off her breasts and around her waist as Kelly panted for breath and looked down at her. "I'm so in love with you." His eyes were serious and filled with desire as he looked down at the beauty in his arms.
Her hazelnut eyes looked squarely into his ocean blue eyes. Her hands cupping his face, she said, "I'm so in love with you too." God, it felt good to finally say those words out loud.
Groaning, he removed his boxers and laid atop her, his body between her legs, and she could feel his hard dick pressing into her pussy. It made her shiver with anticipation; she can't describe it. They have had sex thousands of times within the last year, but this time felt different. It felt more meaningful.
Kissing her deeply, his hands ran over her body, her pink nipples hardening as he gently thumbed them. She shivered at the contact with her breasts, pleasure sweeping over her as he gently took one pink nipple into his mouth and suckled it. Moaning as his mouth and fingers sent waves of desire straight to her pussy, she clutched at his shoulders.
Kelly moved his mouth to the other breast, tracing a path of fiery kisses around her breasts.
She takes her hands and places them on his ass; she pushes his hips into her. She was on fire and needed him inside her.
"Patience, baby." He teased her as he kissed her.
She rolled her eyes. "I just want to feel you inside of me, really feel you. I want you to make love to me."
Hearing her say make love, took him to another world. He smiled down at her as he adjusted himself at her entrance. "I love you." He whispers as he pushes into her, and then it hits him that they are not just having sex; they are actually making love because they love each other. " Damn." He moaned as her pussy encased his dick so perfectly.
Stella's eyes closed, and her mouth was in a little O shape as he pushed further into her. Kelly lowered his mouth to hers, and he kissed her as he thrust in and out of her, his mouth muffling her little moan as he slid home. Fully inside her exquisite tightness.
Kelly began pumping back and forth in her pussy; she could feel some of the pleasure starting to rise again. He lowered his mouth to her nipple, teasing it with his tongue as she slowly started moving back against his thrusts, meeting his hips with her own. Moaning a little, her body moved underneath his, turning him on even more as she responded to him. "I love you." She moaned...
Wrapping his arms tenderly under her shoulders and cradling her head in his hands, he looked deep into her eyes as he purposefully thrust in and out of her, seeing the spark of passion in her eyes. Kissing her lips, he thrust his tongue into her mouth, taking it as his dick was taking her pussy; he started moving more powerfully, wanting her to really feel every inch of him. He sucked her neck hard, like he wanted to leave his mark on her.
"Baby... " She moaned as she felt her orgasm slowly approaching. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Pushing him deeper inside her.
" Fuck... " He moaned against her neck. "You feel so good, so fuckin good." He kept his face nuzzled into her neck as their orgasm rushed through them.
" Kelly..." She screamed as she arched her back. Her orgasm hit her hard.
"Yes, baby, yes," he moaned as he released his seed into her. Her pussy milked his dick like a farmer milks a cow. "Damn." He panted... As they lay motionless for a few minutes.
"I think we worked up an appetite." She giggled as he rolled off her.
"Yeah..." He managed to say a few minutes later.
Stella moved to lay on her side. She traced his chest with her finger. "You make me really happy; you know that right."
He touched her cheek. "The feeling is mutual, babe," he said, sitting up and kissing her gently. "I love you." He loves saying those words to her; he feels like he's walking on air.
"I love you too." She pecks his lips and stands up.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the bathroom, then I'm going to go warm up that deliciousness you fix, because I'm starving."
"Aren't you going to put on some clothes?" He asked with a smirk, not that he mind though he loved the veiw.
"No, I figured that would be a waste of time."
" Really?" He asked as he stood up. "Why's that?"
"Because once I eat," She said, as she was walking towards him. "I'm going to want to make love again." She wraps her arms around his neck. "So I figured, let's eat naked."
He smirked and lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Well, let's get you fed so we can get to round two." She giggled as he ran into the other room, carrying her.
The next morning, Stella rolled over and reached out for Kelly but came up empty. As she opened her eyes, noticing the clock, it was a little after ten a.m. Kelly was already gone to shift; she lay there thinking about the previous night. They ate their dinner naked, fed each other cake naked, and even cleaned up the kitchen naked, which took all night because they couldn't keep their hands off each other. They finally made it upstairs a little after midnight and make love again. Stella was definitely loving her life again; everything seemed to be going in the right direction. Life couldn't get any better.
She took a quick shower and got dressed. She had to be at the community center by one. She smiled as she put on the locket Kelly got her. She took a quick selfie of her wearing the locket and sent it to Kelly, thanking him again. As she walked downstairs, the doorbell rang.
"Good morning, ma'am." The older man said. "I have a certified letter for Stella Kidd ma'am."
"That's me."
"Alright, if you can just sign here for me." He asked as he handed her a clipboard.
Stella signed her name and gave the clipboard back to him. "Here you go; you have a good day, Ma'am."
She took the envelope. "You too, sir." She replied before shutting the door. She walked into the kitchen and started making coffee. As the coffee was being made, she opened the big envelope, noticing the return address was a New York address. She was curious now.
She opens the letter, and her breath catches. She feels like all the oxygen has been sucked from the room. "No. This can't be happening."
She wrings her sweaty hands together. She needed to sit down. But her legs are too heavy, and she can't seem to make them move. "How in the hell can he be up for parole? How is this possible?" She questioned herself as she stared at the letter.