Forbidden (Kelly Severide)

Chapter 24

Three months pregnant, Ivy had started to show just enough that she had to swap out her regular clothes for maternity wear. It was strange to not be out in the field with Squad 3, but she was getting used to her new role at the academy. Still, she missed the adrenaline and camaraderie of the firehouse, and today, she decided to pay them a visit during her time off.

When she arrived, the familiar sight of Firehouse 51 filled her with both comfort and longing. Kelly was waiting for her, leaning against the truck with his signature smirk. He walked over, wrapping his arms around her and resting his hand on her belly, something he had been doing more often as their baby grew.

"How's our little one doing?" Kelly asked, his voice filled with both excitement and concern.

Ivy smiled, placing her hand over his. "Kicking like crazy. Definitely your kid."

Kelly chuckled before his face turned serious. "I still can't believe we're going to be parents. You're going to be an amazing mom, you know that, right?"

Ivy's heart swelled with love for him. "And you're going to be the best dad, Kelly. I know it."

They stood there for a moment, talking about their future, about their new family, when the tones dropped, signaling a call for Squad 3.

Kelly gave Ivy a quick kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Be careful," Ivy said, watching as the team jumped into action.

The fire was a bad one—a large warehouse with flames shooting out of every window. Ivy stayed behind at the firehouse, but her heart was with Kelly and the rest of the squad. Hours passed, and she tried to keep busy, chatting with some of the crew still at the firehouse, but her mind kept drifting back to Kelly.

When Squad 3 finally returned, Ivy could immediately tell something was wrong. The mood was tense, and Kelly wasn't with them. Her stomach twisted with worry.

"Where's Kelly?" Ivy asked Matt, her voice trembling.

Matt's expression softened. "He got hurt in the fire. Not too bad, but he's at the hospital. We thought it would be best if you stayed here. The chief wants you to step in as acting lieutenant for the rest of the shift."

Her heart raced with both fear for Kelly and the sudden responsibility placed on her. She hadn't expected to lead, especially while pregnant, but she wouldn't let anyone down.

"Okay," Ivy said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Let's get through this."

For the rest of the shift, Ivy held it together, taking command of Squad 3 from the firehouse. She didn't go into the buildings, but she coordinated from the command center, making sure everyone knew their role. The adrenaline rush was familiar, but the weight of being in charge felt heavier, especially knowing Kelly was hurt.

As soon as the shift ended, Ivy rushed to the hospital. Her heart was pounding as she entered Kelly's room, relief flooding her when she saw him sitting up, his arm in a sling but otherwise okay.

"Thank God you're alright," Ivy said, rushing over to him and gently cupping his face in her hands. "I was so worried."

Kelly smiled weakly, though his eyes were shadowed with something else. "I'm okay, babe. Just a sprained shoulder."

But something in his voice gave Ivy pause. There was more to this than just the injury. She could feel it.

Before she could ask, Kelly's phone buzzed on the bedside table. He glanced at it, his expression suddenly changing. His face paled, and his breath hitched in his throat.

"Kelly?" Ivy asked, her heart sinking. "What is it?"

He didn't answer right away. He just stared at the phone screen, his hands trembling. After what felt like an eternity, he finally whispered, "Benny's dead."

Ivy's heart dropped. Benny Severide, Kelly's father, had always been a complicated figure in Kelly's life, but he was still his father. Seeing the raw pain in Kelly's eyes made her chest tighten.

Without a word, Ivy pulled him into her arms, holding him close as he buried his face in her shoulder. She felt his body shake as he let the tears fall, his grief overwhelming him.

"I'm so sorry, Kelly," Ivy whispered, running her hand through his hair. "I'm here. I've got you."

For a long time, they stayed like that—Kelly holding onto her as though she were his lifeline, and Ivy offering the only comfort she could. She hated seeing him like this, but she knew he needed to let it out.

When Kelly returned to the firehouse a few days later, the weight of his father's death still hung over him, but he was determined to move forward. His first shift back was hard, but everyone at Firehouse 51 had his back. Except for one person—Eric Whaley.

Whaley, a firefighter from a neighboring house, had always had a chip on his shoulder when it came to Kelly. But today, he seemed to be looking for a fight.

"You know, Severide," Whaley said, his voice dripping with malice as they sat in the kitchen during a lull between calls, "you're real good at letting people die, huh? First my sister, now your dad."

The entire room went silent. Ivy, who had been sitting next to Kelly, immediately felt her blood boil.

Kelly stiffened, his jaw clenching as he shot a glare at Whaley. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Whaley sneered. "You were engaged to my sister, and she died because of you. You couldn't save her, just like you couldn't save your dad. You're a coward, Severide."

Before Kelly could even respond, Ivy was on her feet, marching right up to Whaley. "You better shut your mouth before I shut it for you."

Whaley laughed. "Oh, what are you gonna do, sweetheart? You're pregnant. Can't even do your job anymore."

That was the last straw. Ivy didn't care that she wasn't on duty. She didn't care that Whaley was a firefighter. She didn't even care that she was pregnant. All she cared about was defending the man she loved.

Without hesitation, she balled her fist and punched Whaley square in the face, sending him stumbling back. The room erupted in shocked gasps, but Ivy didn't care.

"Don't you ever talk to him like that again," Ivy snarled, her eyes blazing with fury. "You don't know anything about Kelly or what he's been through. You don't get to stand here and act like you're better than him when all you are is a miserable, bitter coward."

Whaley wiped the blood from his lip, looking furious, but he didn't say anything. He knew better than to push Ivy any further.

Kelly stood up, wrapping an arm around Ivy's waist. "Let's go," he said quietly, his voice filled with both pride and gratitude for what she had just done.

They walked out of the kitchen together, and once they were alone in Kelly's office, he pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers.

"Thank you," Kelly whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ivy smiled softly, her anger fading as she looked into his eyes. "You'll never have to find out."