It’s given that Chicago Fire season 14 will focus largely on Stella’s pregnancy. In fairness, Kidd getting pregnant so soon after her adoption with Severide fell through is practically a miracle. But before the series adds a tiny new member to the Chicago Fire cast, it ought to revisit why Stella went on this journey in the first place.
Stella Gives Kelly Specific Reasons For Wanting To Adopt In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 12
The Choice To Adopt Ties Deeply Into Her Family’s History
Character additions such as Brandon Larracuente’s Chicago Fire casting typically stem from behind-the-scenes concerns, such as the anticipated departures of Sam Carver and Darren Ritter. By contrast, Stella Kidd provides a very clear in-universe reason for wanting to start a family with Kelly. Notably, she specifically mentions adoption to Severide after telling him that she has reservations about getting pregnant.
But there’s a lot more to it than that. Stella first suggests adopting in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 12, after a visit from her cousin Cole. After some initial tension between Cole and Stella’s husband, Cole eventually tells Kelly the story of his mother, Stella’s Aunt Laverne, taking in the younger Kidds after their parents died of unknown causes.
Although a saint in the children’s eyes, Aunt Laverne ceased to function in the midst of overwhelming postpartum depression. This forced Stella to step up and care for everybody in much the same way she does at Firehouse 51, providing a glimpse into how she became a strong and caring leader. It also explains Kidd’s reason for wanting to adopt.
Stella says herself when speaking to Kelly at the end of the episode that she wants to adopt a child who needs help so that she can give back to the world what Laverne gave to her. She also appears to retain some silent guilt from her addiction years. But atoning through pregnancy would be a disservice to her character.
Chicago Fire Season 13’s Twist Pregnancy Ruins The Sentiment Behind Stella Wanting Kids
She’s No Longer Giving A Home To A Child In Need
Technically speaking, every child needs help. They’re such notoriously bad hires that we had to pass laws just to keep them from working. But while no child can live on self-sufficiency, Stella’s talk with Kelly makes it perfectly clear that she wants to take in a kid with no place else to go.
That would all be fine if watching Stellaride triumphantly clear the hurdles of first-time parenthood together were the main hook of the storyline. However, the additional hook of paying tribute to Aunt Laverne’s legacy is what makes Stellaride’s relationship arc unique. It elevates their story above those of countless other recently betrothed TV couples.
It’s generally a goal in TV to keep relationships moving so they don’t become stale. But, thanks to Aunt Laverne, Stellaride didn’t feel like they were only starting a family because it’s next on the list of traditional life goals and storylines. The surprise pregnancy walks back that uniqueness, and in more ways than one.
