AN: Thank you all so much for the reviews, favorites, and follows. This story takes some creative license with the character backgrounds since they haven't really explained Kim's family dynamic on the show. I will say that as is true in real life that even though I have named these chapters after the stages of grief that you will see that they all kind of overlap. Also, do not expect them to happen in order. I hope you enjoy this next stage and I will apologize in advance if updates take awhile. These chapters are longer than I am use to writing and I am getting ready to go through a major move, so will have some other priorities in the not to distant future. Happy Reading.
Denial
It's not just a river in Egypt. Kim was actually grateful for it at the moment. Denial was what was getting her through each day. It was that thing that came when the shock wore off, but you were still expected to function. How are you supposed to function like any kind of human when the closest family you had were now gone? The last week had been a blur of phone calls and plans. Erika and Aaron's law firms were insistent on helping with the funeral preparations which meant that Kim had been to countless meetings to discuss flowers, programs, and what would and would not be released to the press. She had no idea how successful Aaron had become as a trial lawyer and was overwhelmed by the number of flowers and cards that had already landed on her door step addressed to Zoey.
Denial was also the only thing that allowed her to keep herself together as she had dealt with her parents. Her mother had become incoherent over the phone at the news initially and her father had only said that they would call back. Kim had gotten through her whole list of phone calls before her mother had pulled herself together and reported that the earliest that she could make it to Chicago was a week. Her father would not be coming. Something about a business commitment. Kim gripped the steering wheel of her car and tried to hold in her anger. It was leaking out at intervals, but her mind kept it in tight check. That's what they had told her in school. The stages of grief can blur at times. No shit, Sherlock. Kim pulled up to the airport and started to look for parking. No way could she just circle around and look for her mother. The lecture she would get for that would never end. No matter who died.
Adam was sitting next to Zoey on the sofa and knew that the girl next to him wasn't really paying any attention to the television. It was on for background noise to whatever was going on in her head. It had been about a week and Adam had not spent this much time in Kim's apartment since they were dating. He had basically taken up residence on her couch at night. When he did get called into work, Keven would split the shift with him so that Zoey always had one of them around. Voight had approved it for two reasons. One was that they still had no idea she was still in danger. All the previous killings had been of families. Parents and children had been killed together. Zoey was the only survivor. The second reason had been a bit more complicated. Zoey was adamant that it only be Adam and Kevin. Kim had tried once to have Roman sit with her and Zoey had insisted that she would just go to the funeral home with Kim. Adam wasn't sure how that conversation went down since Kevin had been the one to get the call that he was needed. Adam wouldn't touch that one with a ten-foot pole.
He was about to check his phone to see whether Kim had picked up her Mom yet when Zoey exhaled quite loudly. Adam looked over and saw that she was obviously debating something.
"What's up, Z?"
Adam use to call Zoey by her initial all the time when he and Kim would meet up with them at a restaurant or a park in the city. They always met half way which is why Adam had not recognized the address a week ago. Zoey's brown eyes found Adam's and she scrunched up her mouth.
"What's Aunt Kim doing now?"
Adam checked his phone and saw that there was no update.
"She's at the airport picking up your grandmother."
Zoey started to pick at non-existent lint on the couch.
"The one that I've only met a few times. I hardly remember her."
Adam could feel himself wrinkling his forehead as he watched Zoey's behavior.
"I did not realize that."
Zoey crossed her arms across her chest and Adam could tell that something was bothering her.
"You don't think that she is going to take me away, do you?"
The light bulb turned on in Adam's mind. That was what she was worried about.
"I don't know. I would hope that you would have some say in that. Do you want to stay with your Aunt Kim?"
Zoey looked back to Adam and nodded her head. "My Mom hated growing up in New York. Aunt Kim did to."
Adam found that curious. "Did they tell you that?"
Zoey looked back at the television and nodded her head. "My Mom did. She said that grandmother and grandfather are always busy with work."
Adam took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "You know that even if you have to go to New York that you can still keep in touch with your friends or your Aunt. I'm guessing you are already on Facebook."
Zoey rolled her eyes and looked at Adam like he was an idiot.
"Ok. Stupid statement. You got me."
Zoey cracked a slight smile. The first one that Adam could remember seeing.
"My Mom said I would never have to stay with my grandparents. She and Daddy had made sure of it. What does that mean?"
Adam figured that since both of Zoey's parents were lawyers that they had probably drawn up custody paperwork. Just in case. Yeah.
"If they said that, you will probably be staying with whoever they named. Did they ever talk about that with you?"
Zoey nodded her head. "I know Mom told me that I would stay with Aunt Kim, but what if she doesn't want me?"
Adam's heart sank. "Zoey, Kim wants you. If that is what your mother wanted, then Kim will move heaven and earth to make sure that happens."
Zoey took in a deep breath. "My Mom told me other things to."
"Like what?"
Zoey pulled out her cellphone. Erin had brought over more of Zoey's stuff as the forensic team had cleared Zoey's room. Her cellphone had been one of those things. Zoey was now going through some screens on it and then she must have found what she was looking for. She handed it to Adam and he looked down to see his contact information all neatly listed. Including his rarely used email address. Adam looked back to Zoey.
"How did you get all this?"
Zoey shrugged. "My Mom gave it to me for emergencies. She said if anything ever happened and I couldn't get a hold of Aunt Kim, you were next and then Kevin. I was supposed to take my phone with me when I ran. I forgot it."
So many things began to fall into place for Adam. "Zoey, was your treehouse a part of an escape plan?"
Zoey was locking her phone as she spoke. "Yes."
Adam sat back and rubbed his mouth with his hand. Kim's sister had saved her daughter's life.
"She's not staying with us, is she?"
Adam had to shake his head to follow Zoey's line of thought.
"Um.. I believe so. I think she is going to be sleeping in Kim's room."
Zoey scrunched up her eyes. "Where will you sleep then if Aunt Kim is on the couch?"
Adam shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't sure this apartment was big enough for all of them. And it was going to be quite awkward.
"I might have to go back to my apartment." The look on Zoey's face told him that this plan was totally unacceptable. "Or I could take the floor." The tension in Zoey's body seemed to lessen and Adam wondered exactly how much Zoey had heard that night.
Kim hated funerals. It didn't matter whose they were. This one was just plain torture. Sitting at the front of the church for the wake made her feel like her mourning was being placed on display. Plus, Zoey was plastered to her side and she knew she was feeling the eyes on her as well. Erika and Aaron would be missed by this community. The sheer number of people in the church overwhelmed Kim. The outpouring of flowers, cards, and food was too much to deal with.
Looking up to the front of the church and seeing their photos up there as the minister was giving the service was making all of this real. Her mother sat next to her with delicate little tears rolling down her cheeks at the minister's heartfelt and kind words. Kim didn't know how her mother was doing it. Zoey and Kim were a mess. Kim knew her eyes were blood shot and puffy and her makeup had deserted her a good thirty minutes ago. Not her mother. Ever the poised and put together Eva Burgess, she even mourned with composure. Kim knew her mother was devastated, but her pride would never allow her to look weak in front of people.
When the service finally ended and Kim made her way out with Zoey and her mother, Roman came up and gave her a quick hug. "I'll see you at the reception." Kim appreciated the gesture. She had not even had a chance to call him this week and when she even had a moment and thought about it she was too exhausted.
The three women headed for the limo that the law firm had provided and Zoey stopped before the door. Kim saw that she was looking over the crowd like she was searching for someone. Kim rubbed her niece's shoulders.
"You won't see them. They are blending in so they can work security. Kevin and Adam will be at the reception. They promised."
Zoey got in the limo without a word and Kim saw her mother arch a perfectly formed eyebrow. Kim figured that the mention of Adam's name was what had caused that. Kim got in the car and busied herself with trying to get Zoey situated to avoid any comment from her mother to go along with that eyebrow.
The reception was an out of body experience for Kim. It was all too well done for her taste. Too stuffy. But then again, she had to remind herself that Erika and Aaron were lawyers for good firms. This was expected. Her mother was making her way around the room talking with people and making introductions. Kim just didn't have it in her. Roman and Kevin had made it their place to be close to Kim for moral support. It felt weird having Sean place a hand on her back to escort her to some part of the house. The head of Aaron's firm had graciously volunteered to host this event. Kim would normally question why, but just didn't have the energy.
For some reason, Kim's mom had taken a liking to Roman and would wave the two of them over whenever she felt that they needed to talk to someone. Kim was pretty close to her limit and was about to excuse herself to go look for Zoey when one of Aaron's partners came up to her.
"Kim Burgess?" Kim nodded and extended her hand to shake the tall dark haired man's hand. "I am so sorry for your loss. My name is Derek West. I worked with Aaron. I was also in charge of his estate planning."
Kim could feel her spine straighten in tension. She was worried about this. What if they had placed Zoey with her mother? Erika wouldn't do that would she?
"I'm not sure if this is the time, but here is my card. We can schedule the reading when you are ready, but I assumed with Zoey you would want that settled quickly."
Kim could feel herself robotically take the card and nod her head.
"I have not met him yet, and wasn't sure if he would be here. Could you also make sure that Adam Ruzek is there as well? Erika told me that he worked with you."
Kim shut her eyes and then reopened them trying to understand what the man was implying. She felt Roman stiffen and then begin to fidget at the mention of Adam.
"Um sure. I can do that. Does my mother need to be there as well? She is only in town for the next two days?"
She could see that Derek was weighing his words. "Would not hurt. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss. Aaron was an amazing man and he and Erika will be missed."
Kim continued to stare after the man as he walked away. Roman put his arm around Kim's shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. "Why would Adam need to be there?" Kim shook her head. She had no idea.
Adam found Zoey in one of the back rooms of what he could only call a mansion. This was not a house. He had never been in one and felt like he was completely out of place. The kid looked overwhelmed. She was surrounded by her friends and what probably had started out as good moral support was quickly turning into too much.
Adam had scanned the room and saw that Kim was being ferried around by her mother and Roman. Adam wanted to be irritated at the way that Roman was possessively placing his hand on Kim's low back, but under the circumstances if Kim needed him then he would not ruin that.
Adam looked back to Zoey and saw that there were some tears forming in the corners of her eyes as her friends continued to give her hugs and then their parents would follow. Adam made his way through the crowd of people and placed a gentle hand on Zoey's shoulder.
"Do you need a minute, Z?" Zoey looked up and nodded her head. "Excuse us."
The woman in front of them looked like she was offended that Adam would dare keep her from extending her condolences, but Adam could have cared less. He steered Zoey out the back and down the back porch. The large grounds out the back gave them plenty of space to walk.
Adam looked towards a particular corner of the property and could just make out the white van that he knew held Olinsky and Halstead. They were not going to let anything happen to that little girl. Adam wondered how many in the party would be shocked to know that he was carrying while dressed in his best suit.
The two of them walked in silence till they found a bench under a large tree in the yard. Adam wasn't going to talk unless Zoey wanted to. He figured that she had done enough talking all afternoon. They just enjoyed the quiet and the space. Zoey began to kick her feet and Adam finally realized how truly petite Kim's niece was. She was small for eleven. Apparently, Kim had gotten all the height in the family. Zoey looked like she was going to be lucky to hit 5'2'' by the time she was fully grown. Adam wondered if that is what had his protective instincts kicking in.
Adam took a sip from the glass he was still holding and let the cool liquid sooth his throat.
"How can people be so fake?"
Ok, talking was apparently on the table after all. "I don't know. Hard times bring the best and worst out of people."
Zoey scoffed. "You mean that people suck."
Adam nearly chocked on the sip of water he had been taking. "Um. No, that's not what I mean. And when did you start talking like that?"
Zoey crossed her arms across her chest. "Sorry. That one girl in there. A week ago she would have never said a word to me at school. Now she is giving me a hug and talking about how we will have to eat together at lunch. I don't get it."
Adam saw now. Zoey was getting a crash course in human nature. Not that she wasn't at that age for the cruelness of school social interaction, but despite keeping her out for the last week she was now having to deal with what she was going to be going back to.
"Wow. That does suck." Zoey gave Adam an eye roll. "What? I'm the adult here. I can talk like that."
There it was. The small smile again. Adam heard one of the back doors to the house open up and he saw Kim walk out onto the back porch. He observed her looking over the back lawn and knew she was probably searching for them. Adam stood up so that she could see him over some of the bushes that lined the lawn. Kim began walking in their direction so Adam sat back down.
"Kim's on her way over." Zoey nodded. "Grandmother isn't with her, right?"
"No."
"Good."
Kim walked up to the bench and sat down on the other side of Zoey. She didn't say a word. She just started to lightly play with a strand of Zoey's hair. Zoey wasn't talking so Adam figured he had been nominated.
"We just needed some air." He saw Kim raise an eyebrow. "Same here."
The three of them just sat there and listened to the low hum of the reception continue without them. Adam could smell the grass and the light vanilla of Kim's perfume. He felt Zoey take the glass of water from his hand and she took a sip. He let her keep the glass and he squeezed her shoulder. He was about to get up to give the two of them some space when Kim caught his eye. She shook her head to give him permission to stay and he settled back in place. Sometimes words are not needed. Sometimes, he guessed, that someone's presence was enough.
Kim knew she was fidgeting. She and her mother were sitting in the chairs opposite of Derek West's desk and Adam was off to the side leaning against the wall. Kim's mom kept throwing her side eye, but it still didn't stop her. Her nerves were completely fried. She had put off this meeting as long as she dared. Her mother was leaving this evening and had insisted that they schedule the meeting for the morning, so she could make plans.
Kim knew that her mother felt that Zoey's best option was to move with her to New York. She had told her as much the other night after Zoey had gone to bed. Kim had tried to explain that she thought that moving Zoey out of the city would be too much change too soon. Particularly since she wouldn't know anyone in New York. Her mother had not been deterred.
"After all Kim, you aren't married and working as a cop is so dangerous. That isn't exactly the most stable environment for a child."
Kim wanted to fire back that her and her father flying off at a moment's notice for whatever business meeting and leaving her and her sister with the housekeeper wasn't exactly stable either, but she held her tongue.
Kim looked over to where Adam was standing. He looked relatively calm, but she could see him working the toothpick in his mouth with his tongue. He'd quickly rearranged his work schedule when Kim had told him about the meeting and that Mr. West had required his presence. Kim had asked if he had any idea why that was and Adam was just as clueless as she was. The door finally opened to the office and Derek West quickly made his way behind his desk.
"So sorry about that. Wanted to make sure that I had everything ready and copies for you to take with you after we are done. Will make things easier down the road. Ok. I'll try to make this as simple for you to understand as I can. Basically, Aaron and Erika left everything to Zoey. They have set up measures to move all of their financial assets into a trust for her that will be controlled by her guardians till she is 18. At that point, she will be stipulated a monthly allowance out of it till she is 21 when she is granted full control. They were very specific and have recommended a financial planner as well, but that is not required. I have his name and he is quite good. I actually use him myself."
Kim was following the man as he went through how the will dealt with the house and the cars and other assets that her sister and brother in law owned. Apparently, the house could be lived in by Zoey's guardians as long as she was there or the house could be sold and the money placed in the trust for Zoey.
"All of that can be decided at a later date. I know with the investigation still going on that the house might not be released to you for some time."
Kim noted that Derek was looking at her when he said that and it gave her a reason to hope.
"Now, in regards to Zoey. Erika and Aaron were very specific about who her guardians would be. They have named you, Kim..."
Kim let out a sigh of relief, but then realized that Derek was not finished.
"And you, Adam."
Kim looked over towards Adam and she could hear the toothpick in his mouth snap. Apparently, he was as shocked as she was. She watched as Adam removed the now broken toothpick from his mouth and he pushed off from the wall. He began to open his mouth to say something when Kim's mom talked right over him.
"This is completely unacceptable. They aren't even engaged anymore. That will must have been drawn up before they broke it off. You should be prepared that I along with my husband will be contesting that."
Derek cleared his throat to gather all of their attention.
"Ma'am, Erika and Aaron had actually reaffirmed the will only three weeks ago. They also had a clause in the will that stated under no circumstances would Zoey be placed with the maternal grandparents. There is a contingency list of people stipulated if for some reason Adam or Kim was not an option. I think you will find that any type of legal action would be for naught."
Kim tried to place a tender hand on her mother's arm, but she shrugged it off. Her mother was not finished.
"I cannot believe that they were thinking in that child's best interest. That girl should be in New York with two people. Not stuck here in Chicago with her Aunt who can barely stay in one job for longer than..."
Kim was prepared for the verbal lashing from her mother. She was angry and mourning, but what she hadn't planned on was Adam's response.
"No. You will stop right there. Zoey has already expressed to me that she does not want to go anywhere with you. She wants to stay with Kim and after this display I can understand why."
Kim watched as her mom slowly turned her attention squarely on Adam.
"You dare to say that you know what my granddaughter wants or needs more than I do?"
Adam stood his ground. "In this case, Ma'am. I do. Zoey wants to stay with Kim."
Kim watched as her mother stood up and stormed her way out of Derek's office. Derek gave her and Adam a moment to collect themselves and then he spoke.
"These are never easy. I have copies of the paperwork for both of you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I've attached my card to both packets as well."
Derek handed them the paperwork and then Adam and Kim headed for the front of the building. As they were walking out of the front doors, they both caught the back of Kim's mom getting into what Kim guessed was a chauffeured car. Guess the law firm wanted to avoid any kind of scene when they left.
"Where do you think she is headed?" Kim heard Adam's question, but felt like she was someone else when she answered it.
"Probably the airport."
"Do you think she is going to be a problem?"
Kim shook her head. Her mother was many things, but underhanded and destructive on purpose was not one of them. "No. She'll head home and lick her wounds. Erika blindsided her with that one. I half expected Derek to say that my parents had custody."
"Was never going to happen." Kim was surprised at Adam's statement. "Zoey told me that your sister had assured her that she would never go to her grandparents. She had promised her that she would be going with you. Your sister was quite open with her."
Kim hugged the packet to her chest and then turned to Adam.
"How are we going to do this, Adam?"
The tight smile that Adam gave her told Kim that he was also still coming to terms with the events of that afternoon.
"I guess we will have to take it one day at a time. She is your niece, Kim. She is meant to be with you. I will be here for anything that you both need. Rides to school or dance. Whatever."
Kim smiled and let out a sigh of relief. A helping hand would be welcome. She would bet that she was going to have to take him up on that more than she would want to admit.
Post AN: Reviews are always appreciated. Lets me know how the story is being received. Thanks!
