Serving Chicago

Chapter 44: Undercover

"Mia?" Kelly's voice beamed through his best friend's home as he entered, closing the door behind him. It was fairly quiet when he walked in. Not thinking anything of it, he called again' "Mia, it's Kelly". Placing his keys down in the bowl in the hall, he wondered through into the living area, piles of washing stacked on the chairs.

"Kelly James Severide, so help me God. You say another word then I will string your balls off of the ivory tower and invite every single girl you have ever slept with to watch, with arrows!!" The harsh whisper that echoed through the baby monitor located on the living room dresser made Kelly Severide jump. The words that came from his best friends mouth earning a chuckle from himself. She must be settling the twins.

The Halstead twins had been home six weeks but inconveniently, Jay had been called undercover for a sting on the edge of the city. Unfortunately, they both decided that it was too dangerous for him to return home every shift and risk his cover being blown so instead Voight had arranged accommodation to keep Emilia and the twins from being involved.

Emilia had been too tired to argue with the decision when she found out, insisting that she would cope but as soon as she had mentioned it to Matt who had been helping finish the nursery for the twins, he had taken it upon himself to speak with Kelly and Gabby, making sure that Emilia had the support she needed in these still early days. Today, Kelly was calling over the house after shift.

Setting it upon himself to make some breakfast and a hot cup of coffee for Emilia, he headed straight to the kitchen, shifting through her empty cupboards and refrigerator until he found something that resembled more than instant noodles. Shaking his head, Kelly made a mental note to go to the grocery store this afternoon.

It wasn't long after that a very tired Emilia Frances wondered down the stairs, her hair tied back in her usual style but the loose strands more manic than usual. Her eyes drawn and small smile were the first things that Kelly noticed. "Girls already keeping you up all night?" He chuckled softly, he knew the twins slept fairly well, that was until one was unsettled which completely rocked the boat.

With a yawn, Emilia nodded. "I just got them to sleep when you walked in."

Kelly nodded slowly, mentally cursing himself for not thinking about that when he walked in. "Sorry, I didn't think."

Emilia just waved it off. "They're settled now."

"Here" Kelly said, placing the plate in front of his friend before taking his own seat at the table. "Eat. You need to keep your strength up."

"But-" A firm hand in the air stopped Emilia in her tracks.

"Em. Instant noodles aren't going to keep your strength up." He countered. Emilia's defeat evident.

Grateful for Kelly's tough love, Emilia began shovelling the food down like her life depend on it. Kelly was evidently concerned, his eyes watching her intently.

"It's nice to have food that hasn't already been microwaved four times." She explained with a soft chuckle. Finishing the bacon and egg sandwich, she brushed off the crumbs over the plate before going to get up to start the washing up.

"Hey" Kelly quickly took the plate off of her. "Sit."

"Kelly-" it was Emilia's turn to protest.

Ignoring her, he continued. "How's it been without Jay?" He asked, his eyes flicking back every couple of seconds to maintain eye contact.

"He was supposed to be back Thursday. He called yesterday to say it's looking to be more like Tuesday. So I got the girls for a couple more days on my own." She shrugged.

"He couldn't have waited a few more weeks?" Kelly asked incredulously. "You've just undergone massive surgeries. We nearly lost you." He reminded, the tremble in his voice reminding Emilia of the critical condition she had been in just six weeks ago.

Emilia nodded, standing up, she reached her hand to place it on Kelly's arm, rubbing it up and down slightly. "We talked about it before he left, it's been six weeks. Anyway, he's only been gone two weeks." She shrugged. Changing the subject she added. "It's been okay, you've made sure of that." She reminded.

Kelly shrugged. "You're my best friend Em. Right now, you're my only priority."

"Only now?" She mocked.

Kelly shook his head. "You're always my priority." He corrected, moving to place a kiss on his best friend's forehead.

The sound of small cries caused Emilia's shoulders to drop. "I'll go." Kelly offered.

"You sure?" Emilia raised an eyebrow.

"One of them's going to be my replacement in Squad in twenty years' time. Need to teach them all about it."

Emilia shook her head. "Hey! Truck all the way baby!" She mocked, watching as Kelly made his way up the stairs.

Emilia's phone rang, bringing her chuckle to an end when she noticed the caller ID.

Jay

"Hey babe." She answered immediately. "Everything okay?" She asked, concern laced in her voice.

"Hey babes. Sorry I didn't call yesterday. It sort of took a turn." He explained lightly. Knowing Emilia wanted more. "They're raiding tomorrow. I'm hoping to be back by Sunday. I can't wait to be home with you and the girls, I've missed you."

Emilia's breath eased gently. "Thank God for that. I can't wait for you to come back."

She could hear the smile in his voice before it seemed to fade. "How are Ada and Ellie? Are you managing? I hate that I had to do this."

Emilia nodded subconsciously. "They're fine. Kelly, Matt, Gabby, Will and Natalie have all been here watching over us. Kelly's here now actually, he's just gone to see to Ellie whilst I have a coffee. My first one in days." She laughed. Jay missed the mundane. He missed hearing that, even though it hadn't been that long. The recent events that clouded his family had him appreciating every little moment.

"Did you manage to get to the appointment with Dr Choi?" Jay asked, remembering the letter that had arrived before he left on the undercover operation.

Again nodding subconsciously, she answered. "Yeah, it's all good. Scans were clear, stitches are healing. I don't have to go back for another 4 weeks."

"That's amazing. Hey, I'm gonna have to go babe. I love you. Give the girls some love from me." He said quickly before hanging up the phone.

Placing the phone on the table, Emilia stood up and headed towards the twins room, leaning quietly into the door she saw Kelly swaying as he spoke to Ellie.

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A quick little chapter!