Chicago Fire puts viewers through a lot right now. Van Meter’s life is hanging by a thread. He is stuck in a medically induced coma after getting trapped in a fire with Severide. The longer he stays under, the worse things could get.
Severide has been keeping his distance from the hospital. His reason is Van Meter’s daughter Carrie. He does not want to step on her space. Kidd thinks he is wrong. She knows Carrie would want him there.
Carrie shows up at Firehouse 51 herself. She asks Severide why he has not visited her dad. When he explains, she gently pushes him to come back. She also opens up about her parents. They divorced years ago. Still, Van Meter keeps their wedding photo on his desk. Carrie believes he never stopped loving her mom.
Severide finally goes to the hospital with Carrie. She shares sweet memories of her dad making school lunches with funny drawings. While she steps out for coffee, something big happens. Van Meter wakes up. He even pulls out his breathing tube himself. He is stable. He is alive. It is a huge relief.
At the same time, Severide and Kidd are clearly struggling. At home, he wakes up alone. Kidd leaves early for Girls on Fire training. Their goodbye feels cold. At work, the tension is just as obvious. When Kidd suggests checking on a victim, Severide shuts it down. Even Novak notices something is off.
Kidd finally admits the truth to Violet. She feels shut out again. This time she does not have the energy to fight back in. Isaiah leaving hit her harder than she expected. She feels empty and tired.
Later, Kidd gets emotional after seeing a happy family with a newborn. It reminds her of everything she and Severide have lost. The pain is still there.
Then comes the moment fans needed. Kidd rushes to the hospital after hearing Van Meter is improving. She runs into Severide outside. He tells her seeing Van Meter with his daughter made him realize what matters. He tells Kidd she is his family.
Kidd breaks down. She admits fostering Isaiah did not heal her pain. Losing him hurt deeply. She thought Severide was fine, and that made her feel broken. Severide tells her he is not fine at all. They agree they need to be not okay together. They kiss. They hold each other. It finally feels like they are back on the same side.
Elsewhere, Herrmann struggles with the reality that Mouch and the engine will not return to 51 anytime soon. It is another reminder that change is not easy for anyone.
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
