Kelly was so thankful he was able to patch things up with Stella after their breakup. Truth be told, he was absolutely miserable without her. He understood why she broke up with him. Even with being right about Tyler's intentions. Kelly had been shutting Stella out since his dad passed away. Kelly had so many scars when it came to Benny Severide but losing him broke him into a million pieces. The last conversation they had, of course had ended in a fight. He went to Benny for guidance and for once in his life just wanted support from his dad. Then he was gone...
Everything seemed to go downhill after Benny's funeral. Even at his best, Kelly had trouble communicating and conveying his feelings...During dark times there was none. Stella tried everyday to be there for him. But each day that passed he was pushing her away even more so than the day before. At the end Stella was hanging onto her relationship for dear life. She was in love with him, he was her person but she also was never going to be in a one sided relationship ever again. For Kelly, he knew he was on the verge of losing Stella. One day on shift, during a cigar chat with Casey telling his best friend, he knew he was wrecking things but couldn't stop being swayed down this current. Eventually, his fears became a reality. Stella was at the end of her rope. She had no solution to salvaging their relationship for her own well being and not repeating her past. She ended things. The hardest thing she had ever done as she loved Kelly more than anything.
At first it was awkward and tense but eventually they returned to being friends and co workers. Stella was able to move forward as best as she could. She still and probably would always love Kelly but life moves on. Kelly, for his part existed. Still excelling as Squad lieutenant and even starting to assist in arson investigations with OFI something he had a knack for. Now that life had moved forward, he would socialize at Molly's even when Stella was working. Kelly secretly had another agenda. He just wanted to be near her. He missed her. There was no other women which old Kelly there definitely would of been, but he had no interest. He only wanted Stella. After Stella helped him on a OFI case and trying to bring down a woman Benny had chased for years. Stella connected with the husband about what she went through with Grant, and how he deserved so much more which lead to the capture of this woman after so many years. Kelly had a mix of wanting to be a better man for her and a feeling of being so damn proud of her. When Stella knocked on the door at Benny's cabin that was now Kelly's. He laid it all out on the table
"You deserve a better man than me. So, I decided. I decided I'm gonna be the man you deserve" Stella practically leaped into his arms and a night of passion ensued. Kelly was back together with the love of his life and he was never gonna let her go again.
Kelly took her out on a romantic date. Stella was surprised. This wasn't the Kelly she knew. But he wanted to show her just what she meant to him. As she expressed how everyone viewed him as a non romantic man.
"Well, maybe I didn't have the right girl to be romantic with"
Later, at the loft. Cuddling on the couch watching a movie. Stella's choice.
"Thank You" Kelly whispered softly in his girlfriends ear.
"Where did that come from? Thank you for what?"
"For giving me another chance. Being apart from you has been awful. I 100% understand you ending things. You were giving all of you to me and I wasn't giving anything back to you. Regardless of what I was going through, that is my biggest regret. Realizing I had lost the love of my life. Well I never want to live that life again. I promise, Stel I will never take you, take us for granted again. IM ALL IN. I love you so much"
"Oh, my love. For the record being without you was awful for me too. I know breaking up was what I had to do but it broke my heart. I never stopped loving you. Your my true love, Kelly Severide. From this point forward I will always fight for you, for us"
As Kelly gave her a soft, passionate kiss. Having a high wattage smile that he was certain would never disappear.
"What!" Stella seeing his widening grin
"Just realizing. I have had my last first kiss"
