Warning! Spoilers ahead for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9.
So much has happened inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 9, “A Favor,” but amid the chaos, the outing also inches theories about Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd getting pregnant into reality. The longest-active couple in the first responder procedural has gone through so much over the years, both professionally and personally. Both endured hardships in their previous romances that initially made their relationship trickier to navigate. That said, when they finally got married in the Chicago Fire season 10 finale, it took their dynamic to a whole new level.
InChicago Fireseason 13, episode 9, Kidd is revealed to be out of town for her Girls on Fire program. While the narrative doesn’t have a connection with what’s happening in Firehouse 51, her absence is part of Wolf Entertainment’s scheme of rotating cast members all year long. Back at home,Wallace Boden’s replacement, Dom Pascal, and the rest of the squad continue with their affairs. That said, the 2025 midseason premiere also answers some of the biggest questions left by the show when it went on hiatus, including the professional status of Mouch McHolland and Christopher Herrmann.
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 9 Officially Makes Mouch A Lieutenant
Mouch Passes His Exam
At the top of the hour,Chicago Fireseason 13, episode 9 confirms that the veteran members of Firehouse 51 have passed their respective exams. For context, “Quicksand” — the show’s final episode of 2024, wrapped up as the pair was about to enter their testing rooms, leaving the resolution to the narrative hanging. Before he left,Herrmann was personally chosen by Boden to replace him as the firehouse’s new battalion chief.However, when he missed the next text, his attempt at taking it coincided with Mouch’s own desire to move up the ranks.
As discussed multiple times, there is currently no room in the team to take over a segment, hence why Joe Cruz backed out of taking the lieutenant’s exam, as he revealed earlier inChicago Fireseason 13.
Because Herrmann’s promotion has clear ramifications for Firehouse 51, as he potentially better positions himself to take over from Pascal, Mouch moving up the ladder doesn’t seem like it’ll be as significant. As discussed multiple times, there is currently no room in the team to take over a segment, hence whyJoe Cruz backed out of taking the lieutenant’s exam, as he revealed earlier inChicago Fireseason 13. That being said, Mouch’s new role may actually have bigger ramifications than originally perceived.
Mouch’s Promotion Will Make It Easier For Chicago Fire To Give Stella Kidd A Pregnancy Arc
Truck 81 Would Be In Good Hands Once Kidd Gets Pregnant
While McHolland doesn’t have a team to lead, having the designation makes it easier for him to slide up whenever possible. That’s exactly what happens inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 9 whenPascal asks Mouch to fill in for Kidd during a call. Granted that it is temporary, this option makes it easier for Severide and his wife to decide to start a family, knowing that Truck 81 will be in capable hands once she inevitably needs to step back from calls and either be on desk duty or maternity leave.
Chicago Fire Season 13 Secretly Reveals Matt Casey’s True Firehouse 51 Replacement
Three seasons after Jesse Spencer officially leaves, Chicago Fire season 13, episode 7 reveals Matt Casey’s true Firehouse 51 replacement.
Severide has been clear about wanting to start a family. He mentioned this desire in theChicago Fireseason 12 finale afterSylvie Brett Caseyoffered an update about her new life in Portland, Oregon with Matt Casey. Kidd was obviously taken aback by the confession, and they haven’t revisited the matter since. While One Chicago will hopefully continue to explore her apprehension about getting pregnant at this point, knowing Mouch can take over her team would presumably quell some of her fears.
Is It Really Time For Chicago Fire To Make Kidd & Severide Parents?
Chicago Fire Needs To Make Sure Kidd & Severide Are Ready
For those who have followed Severide and Kidd’s love story for a long time, it’s difficult not to root for them to have a family. Not only is it the natural progression of their relationship, having been married for a couple of years now, but also because of the eagerness to see them actually be parents. Both had difficult childhoods, and it would be interesting to see how that would impact the way they raise their own kid — if they will.
At the very least,Chicago Fireneeds to show that the couple is fully ready and willing to start a family.
That being said, if it will only lead to another complication in their relationship, then it’s best to hold off on it. To say that things haven’t been easy for them as a couple would be an understatement, especially afterSeveride’s sudden disappearance inChicago Fireseason 11to prioritize OFI. It would be unfair for Kidd to be left with a baby to raise if her husband pulls something similar again. At the very least,Chicago Fireneeds to show that the couple is fully ready and willing to start a family.
