This week’s episode of Chicago Fire delivered an emotional moment between Stella and Severide as she confronted her fears

about starting a family. A visit from Stella’s cousin, Cole, unexpectedly shed light on her past struggles and helped her gain clarity

about her future with Severide. Initially, Cole assumed that Severide was the reason Stella had grown distant from her family.

However, Stella set the record straight, admitting that it was her own feelings of shame that kept her away. She opened up about the painful memories of her past—her failed marriage and the destructive path of her ex-husband. After realizing the truth, Cole apologized to Severide and took the opportunity to share more about Stella’s upbringing.

Cole explained that after Stella tragically lost both of her parents at the age of 12, she moved in with him and his mother. Their household dynamic changed when his mother gave birth to a second child and later struggled with postpartum depression. During this time, Stella took on a significant caregiving role, stepping in to support her aunt and younger cousins. As Cole reminisced about their childhood, Severide saw a new side of his wife—one shaped by deep responsibility and sacrifice.

Later that evening, Stella reflected on her conversation with Cole. Sitting with Severide at home, she expressed how reconnecting with her cousin made her realize just how quickly time slips away. She admitted that she had let her family drift away, but she no longer wanted to make the same mistake. The experience also made her confront her own hesitations about having children.

Though she acknowledged that her aunt’s struggles played a role in shaping her fears, Stella bravely admitted her feelings: “I don’t know if I want to go through pregnancy. But I do know one thing—I want a family with you, Kelly.”

With that, she proposed an alternative: adoption. “What if we opened our home to a child who truly needs it? Just like Aunt Laverne did for me?” she suggested, hoping Severide would be open to the idea.

After taking a moment to process, Severide smiled warmly and replied, “I think that sounds… just right.” He sealed his response with a heartfelt kiss, making it clear that he was fully on board with Stella’s vision for their future.

Stella’s choice allows her to continue her firefighting career while also embracing motherhood in a way that aligns with her past experiences. But will this new journey be as smooth as they hope? With adoption being a recurring theme for characters like Gabby, Sylvie, and Cruz, time will tell if Stella and Severide’s story will unfold differently—or if unexpected challenges will test their decision.