Kelly dropped to one knee in the middle of an inferno, had torn his mask off and asked the love of his life to marry him. It was a very unconventional place and time. It was not only dangerous but he never even had a ring. This was not the plan. The concern that consumed him for weeks was Stella expressing she never wanted to get married again. After Grant, she never wanted to be in a situation where she could never just leave. With that being said Kelly was not Grant in any way, shape or form. Stella was so in love with her boyfriend and most importantly was finally in a healthy, loving relationship. Still, Kelly was worried. Maybe, she wouldn't ever want to marry him. In the middle of that call when Stella wouldn't leave, she was going to be by Kelly's side until they were safely out of the building. They were trapped and he questioned her for not going out with her company. Finally, her words were magic to Kelly. Everything he wanted to hear.
"No way. I'm never leaving you. Don't you get that by now?"
That was it. The moment was now.
As a happily, engaged couple. Everything was perfect. Stella had passed her lieutenants exam. Although, She would have to leave 51. It didn't matter. Kelly reassured her, no matter where she went, she would excel as a leader.
Then, Squad 3 was called to Navy Pier for a boat rescue.
Truck and Ambo were anxiously waiting on the pier. Everyone was worried. Stella was utterly terrified. None of squad was surfacing, their tanks were running out of air. They didn't have much time. Stella was on her radio asking for confirmation, where she received no response. Stella couldn't hold on anymore. She broke down. She looked at Brett.
"I can't watch this anymore. I can't watch his lifeless body come out of the water. I won't have those memories. I'm going to go over to the other side of the pier"
Not able to think any positive thoughts, she had let her mind and heart go to the worst possible place.
How could this be happening? All her dreams were coming true with the love of her life. In minutes, it had been ripped away. She was living a absolute nightmare. Stella was sobbing as she walked away. Her 51 family knew she needed to take a beat and reluctantly let her walk away.
Meanwhile, Casey was out in the water and had helped Kelly pull Cruz to the surface. Kelly was exhausted, he couldn't continue. Casey administered CPR to Cruz and after what seemed like an eternity, he coughed up some water. Everyone was ok.
By this time, Stella had walked away from the rigs. She was devastated and heartbroken, Rescue boats had brought squad back to the pier. Everyone was elated. Clapping and cheering. Cruz was rushed to a waiting ambo for treatment. Brett had attempted to get Kelly on the gurney wanting to make sure he was out of the woods. Kelly was extremely fatigued. He was nervously looking around in every direction. Where was Stella? Brett had seen his confusion. As she laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Kelly, she's on the other side of the pier. We all thought the worst had happened. When she got no reply on the radio, she broke. She wasn't going to watch you come out of the water any different than you went in"
Kelly's heart shattered. The only thing that kept him going while under water was knowing he would do anything to get back to his fiance.
"I need to go find her"
He ran up the pier, searching for her. He saw a magical but also heartbreaking sight. Sunshine was glaring from the water and shining on her face. She was so beautiful as she was staring into the water but also he saw a vision of despair.
"Stella. Sweetheart. Turn around"
Stella heard his voice. Her eyes widened.
She saw him. Her fiance. Her love. He was alive.
"KELLY. OH MY GOSH. Yo-Your alive."
Stella couldn't get into his arms fast enough, wrapping her arms secretly around his neck. "Stella. I'm ok. I'm so sorry I put you through this, I really am. Truthfully, it was a close call. I didn't think it was going to end well. The only thing that kept me going was YOU. I was determined to get back to you. To start this amazing next chapter. The thought of you, my beautiful fiance and being able to stare into those gorgeous brown eyes again was the one thing that kept me alive. You saved me"
"Kelly, I was terrified. The thought of losing you. Not being able to grow old with you, broke me. My heart literally was crumbling into a million pieces"
"Stella, I'M NEVER GONNA LEAVE YOU"
