Stella made a shocking offer.

Michelle was surprised. "Uh…. I respect you, and I see you as my mentor. But Chief, I really want to become Captain, don't get me wrong, but I think Arnold deserves that job. He's the leader of this house when we were all lost."

Stella had a small smile. "I understand. I just thought I'd let you lead since your father was Captain previously. Thanks, McShay." Stella started walking away.

"Listen, I appreciate the offer, but if I were to become Captain, I want to STAY Captain permanently. If anyone deserves Captain of this house, it's Arnold. Everyone trusts him, he's shown that leadership, he has such a special bond with each and every one of us, and he's been a Lieutenant for years. He's earned this opportunity once more."

Stella was looking back. She soon walked out.

"55! Line up!" She called out.

Warren was on his phone trying to call his wife.

"Come on…!" He looked at the engine room entrance, and back at his phone.

Background Music: By My Side by Richard Walters

"Let's go, Fifty-Five!" Stella called out.

Ben shook his head. "Screw it…" He started to run off.

"Line up." Everyone was lined up.

Stella let out a deep sigh, "This morning, I spoke to you about what a mutiny means. When we're asked to follow rank, we're asked to trust our leaders with our lives. To blindly follow in good faith. Looking back…" Stella shook her head, "I wish I had the stomach to do what you did. To QUESTION, to stand your ground in the face of a broken trust." She walked forward. "I took over this house, worried that I'd find a team that wouldn't follow orders. But that wasn't the case. Today, I saw a team who cares deeply for each other and always has each other's backs."

While Stella kept talking to them, Warren was running to MedStar to find Bailey.

"'Scuse me! 'Scuse me!" Ben motioned them out of the way.

"While Randall is gone, this house will need a new leader. A trusted one." Stella stepped in front of her son. "Lieutenant Shortman. Time and time again, you have led this team with your courage during your time as Captain previously, this community and house are so lucky to have a Lieutenant like you. You have a special bond with everyone here, and I have no doubt about it. You sacrificed your own life so strangers could live to see another day. You sacrificed yourself to bring down an arsonist in a factory fire. You're such a special leader. A natural, born to lead. Shortman, the acting Captain position is yours, if you'll have it."

Everyone was awaiting his decision and to explode in excitement. Arnold was silent for a few seconds.

He took a deep breath. "I accept, Chief." Arnold replied. "Congratulations, Captain." She smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Ah! AND there's one more thing here. Lieutenant? Captain?" She yanked both of them by their collars. "I believe these two have a special announcement." Stella let Arnold and Spinelli take over for her. "Don't think I didn't notice and let it slide." She smiled.

She stepped aside near the Engine truck. She smiled and encouraged them by nodding once.

"Everyone… Lieutenant Spinelli and I have a very special announcement to make…" Arnold smiled. Spinelli also smiled. She held out her hand and showed off what was on her ring finger. "Spinelli and I… We are ENGAGED!"

Everyone clapped and cheered for them.

"Congratulations guys!"

"Yo, congrats!"

"Congratulations! When's the wedding?"

Everyone was talking over each other, clapping, whistling, and cheering for the happy couple.

"You're all dismissed." Stella smiled. Before she walked away, she patted her son's shoulder and then walked away.

As everybody kept celebrating, the scene soon switched back to Ben who kept running to the hospital and was determined to see his wife, along with their kid.

Bailey had a kid with her ex, now Ben was her father.

It soon switched back to the firehouse where Arnold and Spinelli kissed in front of all their friends, showing their love.

The song soon started fading out once the two lovebirds separated from their kiss, with everyone clapping and cheering.

Stella watched from the rear of the Engine truck, leaning against it with her arms crossed, and with a shining smile on her face. A smile so big she hasn't felt in quite a while in the past few days. Stella nodded her head with a smile and soon started to walk away with the song fading out.

Arnold and Spinelli kissed again as they couldn't resist.

"Congratulations, Captain…" Spinelli whispered with a smile. "I love you, Lieutenant…" Arnold whispered back with a smile.

"Any idea when the wedding will be?" Pep stepped forward. "We haven't planned much yet since I proposed last night, but trust me, you all will be the first to know." Arnold kissed Spinelli's forehead and smiled.

All they could do at that moment was smile. The sunny afternoon sun shined through the garage doors, making it feel more wholesome, romantic, relaxing, and beautiful.

Everyone soon saw that their shifts were just about over for the day. They soon started to walk off and head upstairs to change back into their regular clothes.

"Congratulations again, you guys." Pep smiled. "You two deserve this moment." Michelle smiled as well.

Everyone smiled at them and soon walked off.

Arnold and Spinelli were left in the engine room to kiss one more time, with the sunny afternoon sun shining on them.

As they kept kissing, Warren was outside the hospital entrance arguing with a security guard.

"But I NEED to see my wife!" He argued. "I'm sorry, essential personnel only."

Ben saw two of his friends. "Teddy! Hyderdhal!" He called out.

Teddy and Phoebe came over and opened the door.

"Warren, thank God!" Teddy exclaimed. "Essential personnel only." The guard said.

"I'm Chief of Surgery! He's essential personnel!" Teddy, the blonde woman said. "Warren, thank goodness you're alright!" Phoebe said.

"Where's Bailey? I need to know if she's fine!" Warren begged. "She's in surgery." Teddy replied.

"What?!"

"I mean she's DOING surgery!" She corrected herself. "Oh, thank God…"

"So far, protesters are starting to back away with police reinforcements, but it should be another hour or so before it's deemed safe. Right, Ted?" Phoebe looked at her best friend. "That's right." She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Where's the daycare? I need to see if my kid is alright!" Ben asked. "Phoebe, could you guide him to the daycare? I have to take care of something right now. Meet back with me." Teddy said. Phoebe nodded.

"So what even happened?" Warren asked. "The usual protesters against abortion struck hard. One of my interns got concussed with a brick thrown through a window. I have him here under close observation or it'll be worse if he sleeps. A trainee and one of our best doctors were hit. Our doc is alright, but the trainee is in critical condition right now."

"A hit and run, in other words."

"Yep. Police are doing everything they can to catch the driver, hopefully, they do."

The two soon approached the daycare.

"She's right in there." She pointed. "Thanks, Phoebe! I really can't thank you and Teddy for this!" He smiled. Phoebe nodded with a smile and went back to find the Chief of Surgery. AKA her best friend, Teddy.

Warren soon took his daughter to spend some time with her since it's been a little hectic.

Two Hours Later

Despite the dramatic day that occurred today, everything turned out well in the end. The driver of the hit-n-run was caught and arrested, the trainee was slowly recovering, and the hospital lockdown was lifted.

Arnold and Spinelli soon arrived at MedStar to find their best friend, Phoebe.

She was in her street clothes, with her friends approaching her.

"Phoebe, how's everything? Are you alright?" Arnold asked. "I'm fine, thankfully. And thankfully, everyone is fine too. It's been quite a day. And here I thought the most fun I'd have is having one of my interns picked up off the floor after he saw a brain swelling." She chuckled.

"We heard about the crazy protesters, you weren't hurt, right?" Spinelli asked. "Oh, I'm fine, thankfully. Maybe a little tired and shaken up, but I'm fine." She replied.

Arnold and Spinelli looked at each other. "Phoebe, if you'd like, we could offer you a place to stay at for a while so you don't feel entirely lonely." Arnold gave a friendly smile.

"Oh, please, guys, I couldn't-"

"But we insist! Pheebs, you're a close friend of ours, and we're not sitting by and letting you sleep alone tonight. Spinelli and I were intending to have fun tonight, but we also had quite a day. What do you say?" Arnold offered.

Phoebe sighed and smiled. "Alright, guys. Thanks."

They smiled. "Bring it in." They all hugged. Teddy watched from afar, happy for Phoebe knowing she has caring friends.

After their hug, they soon left the hospital and drove back to the mansion. Arnold and Spinelli told Phoebe about their engagement once they were back home.

Phoebe wasn't too surprised, but pretty astonished since she knew about their love. She congratulated them nonetheless.

Arnold informed his former in-laws about his engagement, and they couldn't wait to see the ring. The road to the wedding began.

Eventually, Gerald would call them to apologize for the night of the factory fire. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but was willing to do whatever it took to regain their trust.

Even though they were anxious to get married, Arnold and Spinelli knew the dangers of their jobs. Being a firefighter isn't easy. A firefighter's life isn't guaranteed the next day, let alone six-eight months, and that is true.

And that does it for this beautiful chapter! The song "By My Side" probably became my favorite song to listen to, it's just so beautiful and makes everything more wholesome! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed that song and the previous songs as well, along with this chapter!