Warning! Spoilers ahead for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9.

So much has happened in Chicago Fire season 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.

In 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 es His Exam

At the top of the hour, Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9 confirms that the veteran of Firehouse 51 have ed 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 in Chicago Fire season 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 why Joe Cruz backed out of taking the lieutenant's exam, as he revealed earlier in Chicago Fire season 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 in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9 when Pascal 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.

Severide has been clear about wanting to start a family. He mentioned this desire in the Chicago Fire season 12 finale after Sylvie Brett Casey offered 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 Fire needs 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 after Severide's sudden disappearance in Chicago Fire season 11 to 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 Fire needs to show that the couple is fully ready and willing to start a family.