It's Complicated - Chicago Fire Severide Fanfic

The Fourth, part 2

July 4th, 6:30 pm

"Food's ready, come and get it!" One of the guys called, Kelly and Stella happy to be able to finally get something besides snacks in the kids.

"What are we eating for dinner?" Hannah asked as she stood by Kelly with a plate, waiting to get food.

"Grilled fish, grilled chicken, burgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, and baked beans. You like that stuff, don't worry." Kelly assured her, knowing she was a picky-eater.

"Will the triplets eat it?"

"Yeah, if Mom and I threaten them with no dessert."

Kelly and Hannah took the food to the table and divided it amongst their family. Nathan and Lila ate nearly everything on their plates, but Ryder barely touched anything.

"Ryder, buddy, why aren't you eating? Do you feel okay?" Stella asked him, feeling his forehead.

Ryder simply took a sip of water.

"He just mad because I prettier." Lila said, making them all chuckle.

After eating and chatting for a bit, some of the old guys grabbed their guitars and began to sing Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks.

"I like this song!" Hannah told Kelly, dancing to it.

"Let's dance to it, kid! Come on!" Kelly said, getting up and dancing with her, Lila and Nathan following suit.

After that song, they sang Liquor Store Blues by Bruno Mars, which the kids found was very danceable. After a few more songs, Kelly noticed Stella was still sitting down, holding Ryder.

"Stell, come join us. Come on, Ryder." Kelly urged.

Stella looked up at him with concern showing in her eyes.

"What's wrong, baby?" Kelly asked her.

"Ryder really warm and he's napping. I think something's wrong."

"How wrong?"

"Like, we-need-to-go-home-now-wrong."

"Alright, here's the car keys, take him and go to the car and I'll get the other 3." Kelly said, handing her the keys.

Stella took Ryder and they went to the car while Kelly rounded up everything they'd brought.

"Hannah, bring Lila and Nate and come here." Kelly called to her as he put gathered everything they'd brought.

"What's wrong? Why're we leaving before fireworks?" Hannah asked as she joined him with the younger two.

"We gotta go, carry the cooler please and I'll get these two. Mom and Ryder are already in the car waiting."

As Kelly and the kids were on the way out, Benny called to him.

"Kelly, where're you going?"

"Sick kid, we gotta go. Thanks for everything." Kelly called, barely stopping.

"You can't even stick around for fireworks?"

Kelly looked to Benny with disgust. "My son is sick and needs to go home, so no. I'm not sticking around for fireworks."

Before giving Benny a chance to say something, Kelly stormed off to the car, carrying Lila and Nathan with Hannah right beside him.

In the van, Stella was in the passenger seat with Ryder in her arms, sleeping restlessly in nothing but his diaper. 

Kelly quickly loaded Hannah, Nathan, and Lila into their seats and put the cooler in the trunk before jumping in the drivers seat and beginning to drive to home.

"Turn the air on, I'll turn the vents toward Ryder to try and cool him down." Stella commanded Kelly, who instantly did as instructed.

"What's wrong with him?" Hannah asked from the back seat.

"He's really hot and restless and he said he wasn't feeling good before he fell asleep. We're just going home so that Ryder can feel better."

"My poor brother." Lila said.