You got this, Stella Kidd! Chicago Fire it was full of red novels during its run, but nothing compares to Kelly Severide’s relationship with Stella Kidd.
When fans first met Kelly (played by Taylor Kinney), was a rough and tough firefighter who was known to be a ladies’ man. At the time, he was brooding and wild while his eventual best friend Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) was the softie that viewers rooted for to find love.
Over the years, One Chicago diehards have gotten used to Kelly’s whirlwind romances — including the time she got married in Las Vegas after losing her roomie and BFF Leslie Shay (Lauren German) in season 3. However, the arrival of Stella (Miranda Rae May) in season 4 shook things up.
The new character, who made his debut in 2016, left fans with many questions and even more the hope that The leader of Squad 3 might find some kind of forever love.
Unfortunately, it took time before Kelly and Stella’s love lives finally aligned. They had to overcome jealous exes, overbearing parents and work complications before eventually crossing the “just friends” line.
Through all the ups and downsKelly always seemed sure that Stella was the One. During season 8, episode 4, the lieutenant put Stella at ease after a scary call involving an infectious disease.
“Hey, I’m not worried,” he told her in the November 2019 episode. “That’s not how I’m going.” When asked how he was doing, he only told Stella: “(Like) an old man in bed with our children and grandchildren and you surrounding me.”
Throughout their relationship, Kelly almost lost Stella on several occasions, due in part to her stubbornness and the fact that he thinks he knows what’s best for her. It was the case in season 9 when he chose to freeze Stella out so he could focus on the exam of his lieutenant.
“I was MIA because I thought it was best for you. Chief Conway told me the white shirts said the only reason you’re on the ladder is because you’re with me. I didn’t tell you because I thought that will blow your mind. You deserve better,” he told his girlfriend at the time.
Stella replied in response to the question if she thought she could really handle being a boss. “Of course, I know I don’t need your help with some proof. I needed to do what you know best: to tell me, ‘You got this, Stella Kidd,'” he replied. “And to pick me up when I feel low, and instead, I close myself. I close myself like the bad old days.”
Her fiery reaction prompted Kelly to give her one of her own most memorable speeches on the series.
“That attitude of yours is exactly why I know you got this, Stella Kidd, and that’s why I know how bad I’ve lived, and that’s why I’ll never let you get away from me again,” he said to which Stella replied: “You’re not the decision maker. And soon enough, we’ll be in the same rank, so listen up. I am the one who will never let you get away. “
A season later, the duo returned to a rough patch, but showrunner Derek Haas in February 2022, he joked that a wedding was still in the plans for love. “We are aiming for a wedding episode this season. I wrote it – maybe not in ink, but as close as possible to ink,” he said Variety, referring to newly engaged Kelly and Stella. (The two married during the season 10 finale later that year).
Chicago Fire airs on NBC Wednesdays at 9 pm ET.
Scroll down to relive all the ups and downs of Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s relationship: