Chapter 11: Family Of Three
Baby girl Severide makes her debut.
Stella was wheeled into labour and delivery. A nurse guided her onto a bed, helping her change into a gown. Her contractions were becoming intense but still over six minutes apart. As she slowly climbed onto the bed, taking in deep breaths. Her plan was to not get a epidural. Stella had a high pain tolerance but she was re thinking that decision. Not knowing if Kelly was going to be able to be at her side. He was always able to ground her. Even feeling pain she knew he would get her through any discomfort and pain she might have. ‘I don’t need to be a hero’ she thought. The only thing that mattered to her was their baby girl delivered healthy and safely. Stella hated the thought of Kelly not being there. She knew it would break his heart to not be beside her when their daughter made her grand entrance. On the other hand, what mattered was him to be treated properly and his healing. There would be a million moments he would have with their daughter. Although, Stella quietly wishing more than anything be would be there. This was something they had planned. There was no way he would ever miss this. No one could imagine what he had been through these recent days.
Hanna. Dr. Asher came in a short while later. Nurse had hooked Stella up to a fetal monitor to make sure there was no complications and baby’s heart rate were normal.
“Hey there Stella. I’m going to do a assessment and see where we are at. Ok?”
Dr. Asher completed her exam.
“Ok Stella. You are 8cm dilated. It’s going to be a short while but moving along nicely. Baby’s heart rate looks great. No concerns. Try to deep breathe through the contractions. Unfortunately, we are past the point of being able to give you a epidural”
“Thank You. Kelly is being treated in ER. I know he’s ok. I want him here with me. But I want him to be stable enough to be here. Is there anyway you can check on his status? I need reassurance”
“Sure. No problem Stella”
“Yes. She is just right outside”
“I would like her with me until Kelly can hopefully join”
“Of course. I will bring her in and will go check on Kelly right away”
“Thank you, Hanna. I mean Dr. Asher”
“Stella. Please call me Hanna”
Violet came in. Taking Stella’s hand in hers. Knowing Stella needed support.
“I’ve got you Stella. I’m sure Kelly will make it a point to be here. Until then, you get me for as long as you need”
Kelly was nervously twitching in his bed. Looking up at his current IV bag. Hoping he would be set free and even in a wheelchair could be with Stella. He would prefer to walk himself but as long as he was with her when she brought their daughter into the world, that’s all that mattered to him. Boden was at his bedside. Next to Stella, there was no one else he wanted with him.
“Chief. I need to get out of this bed. I need to be with my wife. I can’t miss this moment”
Tears freely falling down his cheeks simultaneously.
“I know Severide. Just give it some time. You need to be strong for them. Stella needs all of you”
“I will never forgive myself. I will never get that back. Since the moment we found out she was pregnant. I promised her I would be there for everything. I would never disappoint them. I will never be Benny”
“Severide. You are NOT Benny. Do you realize how many moments you will have with your daughter?And Stella. You will show up for both of them forever. Stella knows that without a doubt”
Kelly and Boden saw the doctor and nurse conversing. Short while later coming to the foot of Kelly’s bed.
“Ok. Severide. Your vitals and fluid levels have improved. We hear you are about to become a dad. So, as long as you allow a nurse to escort you to your wife. Just for safety. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded”
Boden had never seen a bigger smile on his squads leaders face than in that very moment.
Stella was going through a painful contraction. Violet was holding her hand and helping Stella deep breathe. Stella looked up and saw the most beautiful sight. There was her husband in a gown but standing and smiling.
Violet moved to the side, while Kelly beelined to Stella’s side. Interlocking his hand with hers.
“Kelly. You’re here. I have missed you, my handsome man”
“Baby. I have never seen a more beautiful sight. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how you must of felt. Im so sorry”
“Hey. Stop. This was not your fault. You’re here. That’s all that matters”
Stella feeling a intense contraction. Letting out a piercing screech.
Dr. Asher entered the room. Doing a quick exam.
“Ok Stella. We are ready. 10cm. You ready to meet your baby girl?”
Stella looking over towards her adoring husband. Kelly grasping her hand.
“You got this Stella Kidd. Let’s meet our daughter”
“Ok. Stella. I need one good push”
Stella gave all she had, pushing as hard as she could. Squeezing her husbands hand.
“Great job Stella. I can see her head. A couple more pushes and she will be here”
“Ready. Another push. 1-2-3. PUSH”
Stella exhausted. Slamming her head back against the pillow. Kelly rubbing his hand along her sweaty forehead.
“Stel. Your doing so good. So amazing. Your almost there. Home stretch baby”
Stella took in a deep breathe.
“Ok Stella. One more hard push”
Next thing Stella heard was a piercing cry. Their daughters cry. Nurse taking her over to the side. Placing her on weigh scale. Nurse swaddling baby in a warm blanket. Bringing her over and placing their little bundle of joy in Stella’s arms for the first time. Both Stella and Kelly crying.
“Stella. You are amazing. So strong. Look at her. She’s perfect. Gorgeous. Now I have two of the most beautiful girls”
Stella and Kelly found themselves silent for a few moments admiring their beautiful baby girl with her thick, dark hair.
“I can’t believe she’s finally here” whispering Stella.
“Ok. Baby girl. I think it’s time your daddy holds you for the first time. What do you think?”
Stella gently handing their daughter to her daddy for the first time. Seeing Kelly become a dad, something she knew he had always wanted was priceless to her. Thinking of how great of a dad he is going to be. Knowing full well, only being on this earth for a few minutes already had her dad wrapped around her finger.
“This is the greatest moment of my life. You know aside from marrying you, my love”
“It’s ok, Kelly. She’s pretty damn perfect. She can be number one” Stella chuckling.
Kelly climbed into bed beside Stella. Their first moments as a family with their daughter.
51 family had gathered in waiting room. Anxiously awaiting news of the newest family member.
“Kelly take her and meet everyone. I’m too sore to come out with you. Have this moment and introduce our daughter to our family for the first time”
“That would be my pleasure”
“You are good with her name?”
“Her name is perfect. A strong name. She has a namesake of two of the most strong and fierce women both who had a lasting impact on both our lives”
“I’m good, Kelly. Let them enjoy her.”
Kelly made his way out to the waiting room, cradling his daughter in his arms. As all of 51 looked up. Gasps echoed through the room. There wasn’t a dry eye. Making his way closer.
“First, Stella is doing great. Tired and sore but so happy. She gave me the honours to introduce the newest member of our 51 family. Everyone I would like to present…”
“Shaelynn Gloria Severide. 6lbs of perfection. We will call her ‘Shae for short”
Stella and Kelly had wanted their daughter to have a name that meant something to both of them. ‘Shaelynn’ after Kelly’s departed best friend Leslie Shay. Who he knew would be so proud of how far he has come and would be the greatest Auntie. ‘Gloria’ named after DC Hill, who was always a mentor and a woman Stella felt inspired by since joining the academy. A woman of colour, climbing up the ranks with grace and determination.
Shae was passed around for everyone to hold and dote on. All her aunts and uncles. Seeing her in Papa Boden’s arms meant the world to Kelly. Boden always a father figure. Always in his corner. Never giving up on him even when it would of been easy too, especially in the early years. Years later also becoming that person for Stella as well. Kelly thinking Boden walking her down the aisle, giving her away to Kelly. He was everything to both of them.
Later, Kelly taking back his daughter. 51 family filing out of the waiting room.
“Ok. Baby girl. Let’s go back and see your mommy. I’m sure she’s missing you”
Stella admiringly looking up as she saw her husband and daughter come back into the room. Kelly placing her back in her mommy’s arms. Climbing into bed with his family. Shae falling asleep. Not far behind, Stella.
Kelly with one arm around his wife. Placing a kiss to Stella’s forehead and then gently to Shae’s tiny head. Everything that they had been through the past few days was a distant memory because his world was perfect.
“Goodnight my beautiful girls. I love you both to the moon and back”
Kelly now falling asleep. He was still sore and healing. But what he was feeling now…The events of recent days meant nothing now. He had everything he ever wanted. His family. He was the luckiest man not only in Chicago. In the world. Nothing he had or could ever go through would compare to the happiness and joy he was feeling.