IN THIS SKIN -- CHICAGO FIRE

32;

  Marley inspected the ring on Kelly's finger, a wide smile on her face. Relief was an understatement. Yes, she was shocked that he'd gone on a gambling vacation and came home married, the fact that this big news was his marriage and not his abandoning of her was like music to her ears.
"Just, explain again, how did this happen?" She said, a smile on her face. Whilst this made Kelly's smile grow, it made Matt's frown deepen. She was taking this well- too well.
"We met at a table, and we just really hit it off." He smiled, and Marley could see that he truly did care about this woman, whose name she didn't even know yet.
"What's she like, Kel?" This intrigued Matt too, and the pair found themselves listening intently.
"She's the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, she is the most amazing woman, she's so kind, loving and she's perfect." Kelly gushed, and smiles spread across both Matt and Marley's face. "She's called Britney. Britney Severide." Marley nodded.
"So, when can I meet her?"

In almost an instant, the mood of the conversation changed.
"Erm, well, soon, I promise."
"Surely soon means today? I mean, she is going to be living with us isn't she?"
Realisation crossed Matt's face before Marley had even clocked what he meant.
"You haven't told her, have you?" Matt couldn't nor did he try to hide the anger in his voice. Marley's smile dropped, and Kelly nervously glanced between the two.
"Look, it's nothing personal baby, it just never came up. Trust me, as soon as I leave here, we're going for coffee and I'm gonna explain everything to her. She'll be completely cool, I promise, and she'll be mad that I haven't already introduced you. It'll all be fine." Kelly pleaded, but Marley didn't feel as annoyed as she thought she would, again, she was just relieved that he wasn't intending to give her up.
"You think that makes it all okay?" Matt yelled, but Marley stood up instantly, placing a hand on his arm and shaking her head.
"No, Matt. Leave it. Please?" She said, a begging look in her eyes.
"What? How can you be okay with this, Marls?" His eyes narrowed.
"Look, I trust him. Can I have one drama-free birthday, please?" Despite this, anger was still clear in his face. "How about you cool it for now Matt, then if this all goes pear shaped you can go as crazy as you want, for the both of us?" Matt rolled his eyes but agreed, reluctantly, but agreed. Both Marley and Kelly were relieved, and the mood was lightened instantly.

"So, what did you get me for my birthday?" Marley sang, as the three left Kelly's office.
"What? A new member to the family wasn't enough?"
"Nope." A smirk was on her face and they both knew she was joking- she was never ever ungrateful and never expected anything on any occasion.
"You'll have to wait until later kiddo, I gotta go, I'll be back soon." Kelly said, kissing her forehead quickly and rushing away. His swift exit made the firehouse members almost convinced Marley had completely rejected the idea of him being engaged, but the smile and laughter that followed him through Marley was something unexpected and comforting.

The rest of the shift went by quickly and fairly uneventfully. Marley was grateful, and was intrigued by how secretive and vague everyone had been about what the plans were for afterwards. Shift finished at 3pm, and Kelly returned promptly, only he wasn't alone.

A beautiful woman followed him. It was mutually assumed that it was Britney, and this surprised everyone that he was going to introduce her to everyone all at once. Both adults eyes set on Marley, and she gulped nervously, Peter stood behind her, a hand on her shoulder. She spun around quickly.
"She's going to hate me." She mumbled, making Peter, and also Mouch who was also in earshot frown.
"What? No way." Mouch said, patting her back and walking away. It was a small gesture, but certainly a sincere one.
"But what if she does Peter? What if she makes him send me back?"
"Why on earth would either of them do that?"
"I don't know Peter, but what if they do?!" She said, growing flustered. Peter frowned, she was naturally an anxious person and could see her getting herself worked up.
"Look, if, worst case scenario here babe, she doesn't like you, for some unknown reason, why on earth would Kelly ever choose someone he met three days ago over someone he's known for as long as you?" He said, placing both hands on her cheeks and looking into her eyes.
"Look at her. She's perfect, and she's everything he wants. I've brought nothing but trouble for him." Before he could respond, Kelly and Britney approached, both of them smiling widely.

"Marley, this is my wife, Britney. Britney, this is Marley." Despite her overwhelming anxiety during the encounter, she managed to put on a large smile.
"It's so great to meet you!" Britney surprised Marley when she ignored her outstretched hand and instead embraced her in a large hug. Immediately relief flooded her body.
"You too."

After quick introductions, Kelly announced he had to leave. Britney and him shared a kiss and he was off before Marley could protest.
"Okay," Britney said, turning to Marley, whose eyes widened in anticipation for what was about to be said. "Don't look so worried!" Britney laughed, immediately soothing her nerves. "If you're up for spending some time together, just the two of us, I have a very special birthday afternoon planned for us." She winked, and Marley couldn't hide the grin on her face.
"Okay, yeah, that'll be great."

An afternoon of shopping was something that Marley rarely enjoyed but she found that being with Britney was enjoyable. Despite any and all of Marley's protests, Britney insisted that everything that was bought was a birthday gift. She wasn't used to having someone so interested in her, and Britney was loving having someone she could spoil. The final thing they'd bought was a short, bodycon black dress with a halter neck. Britney paid and insisted that Marley got changed into it, whilst she herself changed into something more fancy. They went to an Italian that Marley had been wanting to go to since she had seen it. It was expensive and posh and they both loved it. By the end of the evening, Marley felt truly spoilt and loved, but confusion grew when they pulled into Molly's.
"What are we doing here?" She laughed, smoothing her dress as she stood up from the car seat.
"Well, Kelly wanted to meet us here to get a drink." Britney smiled.
"Do I get a drink?" Marley grinned up at Britney. She rolled her eyes and smirked.
"You're seventeen kiddo, not twenty-one just yet. Hey, aren't you working with cops too?" Britney retorted, laughing. The pairs jokes continued as they approached the door, Britney insisting Marley went first.

"SURPRISE!" Was shouted as she entered, and she took in the scene before her. Everyone who she worked with at the district, everyone at the firehouse and even some people she knew from multiple hospital visits. Her heart swelled with love as she smiled wider. Britney put her chin on top of Marley's head and hugged her as she walked past. Kelly approached her, mirroring her grin.
"Happy birthday kiddo." He said, hugging her tightly. "Okay," He said loudly, and everyone stopped to listen. "Marls, we've all got you a joint present this year, from all of us at 51."
"Okay.." She said, looking at everyone skeptically, whilst they all stared at her with grins bigger than a child in a candy shop. Kelly nodded and Cruz walked up to her and covered her eyes, she felt a hand embrace hers as she was led outside.

The hands were removed from her eyes and 51 stood around her, all of them looking proudly at the gift before them.
"SURPRISE!"
"...again" mumbled Herrmann afterwards, earning laughter from everyone.
"No way." Marley gasped, facing everyone.
"We all know you've had your licence a while now, thought we'd treat you to a real nice one."
"You guys are the best!" She squealed, feeling truly overjoyed.

She could easily say that this had been the best birthday she'd ever had.