Chicago Fire was a somber affair during "Too Close." The episode concluded with the death of Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland), the wife of Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). It was a shock to everyone within Firehouse 51, and it will no doubt inform the tone of upcoming episodes.
There was some good news in the episode, however. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) were approach by an adoption worker and told that they had been officially approved to adopt a child! The couple found out early in the episode, and the moment they shared was pure catnip for Stellaride fans.
Stellaride has been approved for adoption
STELLARIDE BABY INCOMING THIS IS NOT A DRILL THIS IS REAL ITS HAPPENING 🥺🥺🥺 #chicagofire pic.twitter.com/yjt4IklEOn
— court (@stllakidd) March 6, 2025
There was also a subtle exchange between the adoption worker and Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso). Cruz went through some adoption drama of his own with his son, Javi, and the nod between the two men suggests that Cruz may have played a role in securing Stellaride's approval. The worker notes that people who work Firehouse 51 are willing to "go the extra mile."
Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), Severide's half-brother, asked whether the couple had heard back regarding the adoption, but they decided to play coy and claim they are still waiting. Damon's return to the fold has been fortuitous in the sense that the character will be around to aid in his newfound family. For Damon, a guy who has struggled to belong, it will be nice. Once he finds out, of course.
They haven't shared the good news yet
There was also a close call involving Kidd toward the end of the episode. The firefighter saw a dazed man wander out on to the street after a massive car accident, and she ran to get him out of the way before he got hit. She managed to save his life, but put her own on the line in the process.
Severide was understandably concerned. He told his wife that it was much too high a risk to be taking, given that they are going to be parents in the near future. The aforementioned death of Monica Pascal definitely took center stage in the last few minutes of the show.
Stellaride were eager to share the news that they had been approved for adoption, but given the emotional devastation that their boss and the rest of 51 underwent by episode's end, they opted to keep it a secret and save the reveal for another day. Probably a wise decision.