AN: Short look into the day-to-day of Adam and Kim putting things back together again. One-shot for now, let me know if you'd be interested in another chapter. It's my first time writing for PD, so please review and let me know what you think/other stories you might like to see.
She collapsed into the sofa, exhausted. Taking care of her sister and Zoe was more than rewarding, and she was happy to be doing it, but damn if it wasn't exhausting. In the initial days when they were all still recovering emotionally, most days were spent in the apartment, eating comfort food and watching movies. As her sister had slowly begun to feel more like venturing out again, however, Zoe took full advantage and had them on the move as much as her mother was willing. And for Kim, that meant more trips to the zoo and the lake than she'd had in the past ten years combined.
It also meant thorough exhaustion at the end of the day. If it was a good day and they all spent it out and about, by the time they got home, Kim couldn't wait to put on her pajamas and enjoy ten minutes of quiet time alone before falling asleep. If it was a bad day and they spent it talking and healing, well God knows that was exhausting in its own way.
Today had been one of the former. Nicole had had a string of several good days together, and seemed to perhaps be on the incline permanently. Their parents had been waiting patiently for the go-ahead to host their daughter and granddaughter for a few days, both to support Nicole, and to ease some of the burden on Kim. Nicole and Zoe were driving up to see them that evening, which of course meant Zoe was determined to pack a month's worth of activity into today, as if they may never see each other again. By the time her sister and niece were on the road for the hour drive to her parents' house, it was almost 8:30 and she was already ready for bed. Her life hadn't exactly been exciting lately, but she was raised to believe family takes care of each other, and that's what she was determined to do.
She was damn close to falling asleep fully dressed and sitting upright on the couch when the startling ring of her phone broke the silence. She wearily dragged herself up and towards the kitchen, where she had unceremoniously dropped everything as soon as she was through the door. She felt a familiar flutter kick in as she saw the name on the screen. The name that never failed to make her just a little bit nervous, in the best way possible.
This wasn't an uncommon occurrence lately, an evening visit or call from him; ever since their reunion at the district after his undercover stint ended, they had slowly but surely returned to what their relationship looked like at its best days, before the complications and insecurities of engagement and marriage set in. They supported each other, made each other laugh, talked at the end of a long day, and knew somebody was in their corner.
Perhaps spontaneously kissing in front of the district wasn't the best reemergence into some kind of relationship, but they had stepped back again since that and were slowly rebuilding from the bottom up again. Kim didn't know exactly what they were, or what they were doing for that matter, as they had yet to explicitly address it. She did know, however, that she wasn't going to question it or push it. Knowing how thoroughly she had hurt him and destroyed the best relationship she'd ever had, having him back in her life in any capacity was more than she ever expected or was even sure she deserved.
She quickly accepted the call, realizing she had just been staring at the screen. "Hey," she answered, doing her best to sound casual, and failing as usual.
"Hi," he responded. She closed her eyes instinctually for a moment, letting herself enjoy the comfort of his soft voice on the other end. It remained the greatest grounding force she had ever had. "I didn't wake you, did I Grandma?" he chuckled.
She shuffled back over to the couch and settled in again. These conversations over the last few weeks had stretched for well over an hour at times and she certainly wasn't about to stand for the duration of it. "No, smartass. Damn near it though, that girl is going to be the death of me."
"Park or zoo?" he asked, having heard many times about Zoe's 'greatest hits' of entertainment around the city. "Both," she replied wearily. She heard him laugh lightly on the other end and as always, it brought a smile to her face. "Hey listen," she began, struck by an idea and wanting to get it out before she lost her nerve. "She and Nicole actually drove up to my parents' for the weekend and I desperately need a drink, so if you wanted to come over, um…well, you're welcome to."
The line was silent for a minute and she began to second-guess herself. He paused, debating how great an idea this really was. He had only been back to her apartment once since the break-up, and it was only for a few minutes the day after her sister's attack when he was running her around the city doing various errands. It was just as weird and difficult for him then as he expected it to be. He was really trying to get past it all and start fresh, but that was easier said than done some days, and being in a place they had made so many memories together didn't help. Intelligence was a minefield these days though, and he was really needing a friend and a drink.
"Only if you still have my Jameson in that bottom cabinet. I'm not driving over there for any damn wine."
She laughed, thinking about the ridiculousness of what she was about to say. "You're not going to believe this…"
"I swear to God, Kim, tell me you didn't throw it out or I'm hanging up right now."
"No, weirder. I drank it." It was a long-standing debate throughout the duration of their relationship. They both loved to have a beer together, but after a long day, he much preferred a healthy glass of whiskey, much to Kim's dismay, who couldn't stand the stuff. They lovingly bickered about it all the time, both figuring they'd probably never change the other's mind anyway.
He laughed disbelievingly. q "No fucking way."
"No joke. I was reorganizing the kitchen a few weeks ago and came across it. I figured why not, I'd never actually given it a fair chance before so I tried it. You're in luck though, because I actually liked it enough to buy another bottle. So you've got no excuse not to come."
He dragged himself off the couch, grabbing his wallet and keys as he moved towards the door. "Well I guess I'll just have to see this for myself."
She smiled at her phone for a moment after they hung up. A year ago she never would have thought getting this kind of friendship with him back again was remotely possible. He was the best thing she had ever had, and she was determined to make it work this time. Whatever 'it' currently was.