Spinelli didn't exactly know what Stella meant by it, but all she wanted was to see her boyfriend, Arnold.
"Just let me see him! Where is he?" Spinelli asked, frantically.
"Right this way." Stella guided all of them.
"Any word on McCaffery?" Gerald asked. "in critical condition. He's being held in the ICU. No word about his recovery." Stella answered.
They soon found where Arnold was. He was awake and alert but had a nasal cannula on in the meantime.
"Arnold!" The entire team greeted. "Took you guys long enough…" Arnold chuckled. "Oh, I thought this was Arnold. It's just a grumpy grandpa." Travis chuckled. "You ok? And why do you have a nasal cannula?"
"I'm fine. I just needed this 'cause I was having a bit of trouble breathing but Dr. Bailey said this will come off soon, I'll be making a full recovery." Arnold smiled. "It's great to see you're alright, sweetie." Stella smiled as she rubbed his leg.
"Where's my favorite person in the whole world?" Arnold asked with a smile. Donovan and Gerald stepped aside, revealing Spinelli. She then smiled. Arnold smiled as well.
Spinelli went in close and got to hug Arnold once more. Arnold hugged her and smiled.
"So when are you two getting married?" Stella lightly smirked.
"Mom, really?" Arnold lowered his eyelids while Spinelli blushed.
"It's cool to know that our Lieutenant's mother is our Battalion Chief. Don't y'all find it cool?" Victoria soon mentioned. Everyone mostly agreed.
"Hey, Arnold. When are you expected to get discharged from the hospital?" Gerald soon asked his best friend. "Should be sometime tonight if I'm feeling better."
"Oh, thank God! I thought I was gonna have to sleep without you!" Spinelli soon laughed. "I should probably keep my mouth shut before I say something weird…" Donovan said. Everyone mostly laughed.
"Lieutenant, what even happened back there? All we heard was a loud explosion. Any idea what that was?" The rookie Dixon asked.
"I barely have any clue… I remember hearing a weird noise, and next thing I know, a burning tree branch fell and that's all I remember." Arnold replied.
"That's odd… We'll soon find out. Don't stress about it." Stella told her son. Arnold smiled.
Ten Minutes Later
They were all laughing after the story of Donovan's first call as a rookie.
"And that's why McShay had him as his favorite rookie he's recruited." Michelle finished.
"C'mon! Isn't there anything else to talk about?" Donovan asked while embarrassed.
"Actually, what about station Forty-Eight? You had them shut down, right?" Dixon asked.
"Ah, yes. I already told you all the main reasons. The Captain and Lieutenants are all gonna get investigated and soon disciplined, they will all be fired regardless of the outcomes of the investigations. One of the rookies is getting therapy for the trauma he's suffered in his short time. Nearly got killed 'cause of his Captain, got overworked to the point they all puked, and how mistreated they were. There are many reasons why they were shut down but I'm not gonna stand here and list them alphabetically."
"That many reasons?" Dixon replied. "Unfortunately my rook, yes. And you're seriously lucky to have been assigned to Fifty-Five. One of the best Firehouses in the city."
"I'm not sure whether that's a little biased but…" Travis replied. "I'm serious! Look, I love all the stations equally, but Fifty-Five is one of the most hard-working and dedicated I've ever seen in a Station."
Everyone smiled at one another.
"Alright, I think it's time we let Arnold get some rest now. Right, honey?" Stella looked at her son. He only nodded.
"Take care, man."
"Stay strong, brother."
"Love you, big dog."
"Can't wait to see you back at the Firehouse."
"I'll stay with him, in case he needs some company." Spinelli said. "You sure?" Arnold looked over. "Yes, I'm sure. I'm not gonna leave you here, after all, we are dating now so it only seems right." Spinelli smiled at Arnold. She then kissed his forehead.
"We'll leave you guys be." Travis smirked as they all started to walk away.
"They're all gone now. And I haven't had a bit of love in a while since this morning." Spinelli smirked. Arnold smirked as well. The two then started to kiss.
"Isn't romance sweet?" Travis asked as everyone was now watching them like a romance movie.
"Guys, what the hell?! This isn't funny!" Spinelli exclaimed as she blushed. Arnold blushed as well.
"It's just a teeny little memory for all of us." Stella chuckled.
"Get out!" Spinelli exclaimed while blushing.
"Ok, yeesh."
Spinelli crossed her arms as everyone left. "Sorry about that little flip out, Arnold." Spinelli rubbed the back of her neck. "It's alright. Where were we?" Arnold smirked.
"Oh, you…" Spinelli then started to kiss Arnold again.
"I love you, my lovable football head." Spinelli smirked as she had a line of saliva from his mouth. "And I love you, my lovable rough Princess." Arnold smirked as well, the two kept kissing after.
Soon after their kiss, they were holding hands.
"Hey, Spinelli? Mind if I ask something?" Arnold looked over. "What's up?"
"Look, I know we just started dating each other, but…"
"You're already thinking of marriage?" She smirked. "Maybe?" Arnold gave a nervous smile as he blushed. "But what I was thinking, was after marrying you, what would be next for us? I know we once talked about having a kid, but that was when we first started feeling love for each other and mainly just having sex at that time."
"Arnold, are you trying to say we should have a kid one day? Together?" Spinelli looked at Arnold in the eye. "Well… I may have started to have a family with Rhonda before she died, but… with us now together, I was honestly thinking whether one day we should have a child."
"Arnold, I'd love to have a kid with you, I really do! But… it just feels weird because I'm gonna be out of the Firehouse for nearly a year just to carry our child. And honestly, I obviously know how babies are made so I seriously don't mind that, I'd love to but… I feel like that's something for another day, we have Andy to take care of, and maybe one day she'll be a big sister."
"I guess you're right. Come here." Spinelli leaned over. "I love you." Arnold kissed her cheek. "Aww. I love you too, sweetheart." Spinelli kissed him back.
"Arnold, I really can't express how much I love you." Spinelli smiled. Arnold smiled back and caressed her cheek. "I'll always love you, Spinelli, no matter what or what anyone says, I'll always love you." Arnold then kissed Spinelli's nose.
"It's crazy when I think about it, really. I've never felt this attracted to someone ever, but you, Arnold… You make me feel extremely special even when I don't deserve it, and I love you for it." Spinelli smiled as she squeezed his hand. Arnold smiled and squeezed her hand back.
"Hey, Arnold. Let me ask you something." Spinelli started. "Anything, my dear."
"Where's my damn hug at?" Arnold just chuckled slightly. "Bring it in, sweetie." Spinelli went in for a hug and kissed his forehead.
"Ugh, I can't wait to see you again tonight! I hate having to see you here."
"Unfortunately I have to stay here depending on what Dr. Bailey says." Arnold stroked her hair. "I love the way your hair feels. Have I ever told you that?" Arnold slowly kissed Spinelli's cheek. "A little new but I'd love to hear more." She giggled.
Later at Night
Spinelli was home and just finished giving Andy her milk bottle.
"Boy, this feels a lot different without Arnold usually doing this." She then looked at Andrea. "Aw, don't worry, Sweetheart. Daddy will be home soon, he only had a minor setback, that's all. You'll see him again, ok?" She then kissed Andy's face. "I hope he comes home early to see you right now."
At MedStar Memorial
"I must warn you, Lieutenant, since your mother told me you're interim Captain, I recommend STAYING on incident command. You should let your body heal, I'd give it a week before charging back into a burning building." Dr. Bailey told Arnold.
"Alright. And again, thanks for everything."
"That's what we're here for." The two smiled. "I also know you want to thank me for releasing you now so you can see your beloved."
"How'd you find out so quick?" Arnold chuckled. "Ugh, I can't wait to see Spinelli right now!"
"Oh, trust me, that's how I feel after a long shift here, not wanting to waste a single second to see my husband."
"Oh, you're married? Congrats! How long have you been married?"
"About ten years, we just had our anniversary last month."
"Say, who's your husband? Does he work or what does he do?"
"Oh, he's a second-year firefighter at Station Fifteen."
"Oh, I think I may have heard of that department but I don't know." Arnold replied as he signed some papers. "Well anyways, thanks again for everything, Doc."
"You have a great rest of your night." She replied with a smile. "You too." Arnold also smiled.
Back at The Mansion
Spinelli had waited long enough for Arnold but it was ten minutes past Andrea's bedtime. She was singing Andy a lullaby in her soothing voice, which made Andy fall asleep fast.
She laid Andy in her crib and kissed her forehead, and then tucked her in along with the small teddy bear Arnold gifted her.
"Alright…. now what?" Spinelli wondered to herself. She decided to watch tv in the meantime until Arnold came back.
Later
Spinelli turned off the TV as she was now getting anxious.
"C'mon, Arnold! Where are you?" She stood up.
She then heard the door unlocking.
"Anyone home? 'Cause I am!" It was Arnold who walked in. He closed the door behind him and locked it.
"Arnold!" Spinelli ran for a hug. "Spinelli! Aw, how I missed you!" Arnold held her by her waist and spun her around as they hugged.
Spinelli then kissed Arnold once she got back on her feet.
"I honestly thought I was gonna have to sleep alone a day after we declared our love for each other. I'm just glad to see you're back!"
"I'm grateful to be back, sweetie. All on my mind was you, and you only." Arnold kissed her forehead.
"You know, it's been a while since we've done it…" Spinelli smirked. "Ugh, Spinelli, as much as I want to do it with you, I honestly feel tired. Think some other time?"
"Whatever works best for you, my lovable football head." Spinelli kissed Arnold. "What I do feel like is maybe a few kisses in the shower." Arnold smirked.
"A few? More like a lot." Spinelli smirked back. "Now Arnold, be a dear and carry me over towards our bathroom. I feel a little sluggish right now." She bit her lip.
"My Doctor advised me not to do heavy lifting."
"You bitch!" She laughed. Arnold also laughed and kissed her afterward.
"Now be a dear and do so for me." Spinelli smirked. "Whatever you say, my rough Princess." Arnold kissed Spinelli's forehead.
Thirty-Five Minutes Later
"Ugh, I still feel wet after all that kissing we did, now give me another kiss!"
"Bad day?" Arnold chuckled. He kissed Spinelli after. "Oh, shut up." She laughed. She then shivered a little. "You cold?" Arnold noticed. She only nodded.
Arnold had his arms around Spinelli and tucked themselves in.
"Thanks." Spinelli kissed Arnold on the cheek. "Anything for you, sweetheart."
"I guess it wasn't too much of a good idea to not care about what temperature the water was at, huh?"
"Ah, don't worry about it, I'm not mad. Spinelli, you don't have a worry in this world right now, just relax, sleep tight, and sweet dreams." Arnold slowly kissed Spinelli's forehead.
"I love it when you do that, makes me full of happiness." Spinelli smiled. "Love you, Arnold. Sweet dreams." She kissed his cheek once more and soon closed her eyes to get some rest.
"Good night, sweetheart." Arnold whispered and smiled.
One chapter unfortunately since I've been too distracted today. A quick heads up, the Chicago adventure in the Knights at War story should be starting within these next two days! I'm extremely excited for all the action it's gonna contain! Hope you'll be checking that out!