It was the dead of winter in Chicago, everything around him was covered by fresh fallen snow at least a foot of it. It seemed every weekend brought at least six inches and he was quickly growing tired of it.

He stomped his boots on the sidewalk to free them of the slush he'd picked up on the walk over from the parking garage. It had been a chaotic day and he was still trying to catch his breath.

She would have his balls if she knew what he was doing but he craved it, he hadn't had a craving this bad in years. Sure the occasional cigar had helped him some and she didn't care for that particular habit all that but this one she hated.

He was scared shitless.

He had bummed a cigarette off one of the security guards, and as he took the first drag off it he felt his nerves begin to settle just a tiny bit. He held his breath for as long as he could before blowing it out watching as the puff of smoke escaped from his lips.

The puff of smoke vanishing in the cold night air, taking his breath along with it. He took a few more puffs before tossing the cigarette to the ground and stomping it out with the toe of his boot.

He needed to get back upstairs.

As he went inside the light from the moon reflected off his wedding band, the flicker of light brought a smile to his face.

So much had happened in three years.

He and Kim finally found their way back to each other, that was the silver lining of what had been a horrific time. It hadn't happened right away and things had gotten a bit worse before they got better.

Things had gotten exponentially better, he and Kim found their footing and eventually found their way to the alter.

Six months after their reunion they ended up married. It was a wedding with little fanfare, just their families and closet friends in attendance as they said their vows.

Sometimes it was still a bit surreal to him, sometimes he still needed to pinch himself to make sure he was really living this life. The life he had thought was lost to him, the life he thought he'd never have.

He allowed the memories to wash over him.

"Adam Ruzek..will you marry me?" Kim asked, her arms looped around his neck.

Adam looked down at her, a goofy grin on his face, "Fuck yes.." he laughed, he kissed her, tangling his hands in her hair, when he finally pulled back he reached into his back pocket. "You beat me.." he laughed as he held the ring between his thumb and index finger, "You sneaky little shit" he laughed once more as he slipped the ring on her finger.

"Great minds, baby. Great minds."

They married just six weeks later.

That's not to say it was smooth sailing, it wasn't it was just they were now equipped to handle the rough seas and the occasional rouge wave.

Never in a million years could you've prepared him for what had transpired just shortly after they married.

"What time is Kevin picking you up?" Kim asked Adam as she tossed her yoga mat and towel in the duffel bag, "Jay going too?"

Adam tied his sneaker, propping his foot up on the kitchen table as he did so, earning a scowl from Kim, he immediately dropped it to the floor "Sorry." He apologized, "Jay bailed. He's going antique shopping with that chick..." he struggled to come up with her name, "You know the one. She's real busty.." he gestured with his hands, pantomiming breasts.

"Adam.." Kim rolled her eyes, "Jacklyn. Her name is Jacklyn." The jury was still out on Jay's latest flame.

"Yeah. That one. Anyway they're going to look at antiques, which I think is about as much fun as a vasectomy." He leaned over to kiss Kim's cheek. "I think this one might stick around."

"You think? I'm not so sure. She's not what Jay usually goes for" Kim grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, she refused to spend the four dollars the gym charged.

"Darlin', he's antiquing with her. He's in to her, or she's gonna give him some seriously good head afterwards." Adam reasoned, not sure on which it was. His buddy never had much to say about the women in his life, Erin had seriously messed with his head and heart. Since then he played it all pretty close to the vest and said very little if anything about them. It didn't stop him from bringing them around, he just provided few details.

"You're gross." Kim laughed. "The last time we went I didn't give you 'seriously good head' as you so eloquently put it." Her husband was worse than a teenage boy some times, his mouth was filthy and he had no filter. If he thought it, he said it.

"No, you did not." Adam laughed, "I'm still bitter about that.." He wagged his finger at her, "but it's different for us. We're married.." he held up his left hand, "this ring says I have to do what ever you want. You know if I wanna stay alive. Can't piss off the wife." He wore that ever present smirk, a smirk that often brought Kim to her knees and he knew it could get him out of trouble.

Kim rolled her eyes, "Is that so? Except for when I ask you to change the oil in my car or cut the grass in the back yard..you don't do it. You whine and I've got to nag you..."

Adam laughed when he heard Kevin's impatient honking, "Hear that? It's Atwater...I gotta go. You know how he gets if I make him wait. Love you darlin', be careful." He kissed her cheek and was out the door in a flash.

"Bye baby!" Kim called out to him. The man knew how to aggravate the piss out of her some days but she adored him despite it.

"What's up dog." Kevin greeted him as he climbed in.

"All good, my man. All good." He felt his phone buzz in his pocket, an incoming text.

'Cut the grass before I get home and you just might get some of that seriously good head, baby'.

He could see the gleam in Adam's eye, his face lit up as he read the message "I'm guessing it's Burgess, yeah?" Kevin asked, refusing to refer to her as 'Ruzek', she'd always be 'Burgess' to him.

"Yes.." Adam smiled, "she's feisty today."

"Stop. Just shot yo mouth. She's like my sister man..I don't wanna hear it." Kevin pulled away.

The class was a relatively new edition to the gym she and Adam belonged to and she enjoyed it immensely. She soon discovered that yoga had been the perfect way to shed whatever stress she was carrying, and with her job she carried around a ton of stress. It was nice to decompress and while Adam had initially taken a few classes with her, he hated them and she could no longer stand to her his whining over it. She ended up forming a fast friendship with a few women from the class, She had bonded pretty quickly with the entire group but she and Staci really hit it off. Staci was a stay at home mom and married to an attorney and before long she and Kim were meeting up at least twice a week for yoga and had even had a few girls nights together.

Kim smiled when Staci finally arrived, "Sorry.." she apologized looking a bit harried, "my sitter was running late and the kids were at each other's throat. The dog shit all over the rug, it's been fun." Staci rolled her eyes, "I see you snagged us a good spot."

Kim laughed, "Sounds like a good time. I did. I hope you don't mind, I was getting tired of being in the back. How're the kids?" She had met them a handful of times and they were absolutely adorable.

"Rotten." Staci laughed as she unrolled her mat, "Jax was mad at Juliana for some trivial reason. He then thought it'd be a good idea to give his sister a haircut" she explained, "and Monday is picture day at their school."

"Ouch!" Kim tried not to laugh at her friend, "So..crazy morning, yeah?" She gave up trying to hide her amusement.

"Yes." She pulled out her cellphone and swiped through the images until she found what she was looking for, "I don't think Hudson has a future as a hair stylist, he did some serious damage"

Kim took the phone from her friend and sucked her teeth, "Oh! That's not good, she's still cute as can be though."

"Well, Yes she is, but I don't think even the most talented stylist can fix what Huddy did." Staci tossed it in her duffel bag, "Alright enough about my little demons..how's that handsome husband of yours?"

"Annoying. Loud. A man child somedays." Kim laughed, "But he's mine. He's out with a buddy of his what they're up to I've no clue."

As the room filled it up the crowd grew quiet their instructor ran a tight ship and didn't appreciate the class carrying on with multiple conversations. She insisted on near silence once the class began, stating that talking during yoga defeated the purpose. That they needed to free their mind of distractions and talking would be counter productive. Just a few minutes after the scheduled time, one of the managers came in moved to the front of the room, "Sorry for the delay in getting class started, Amy is out today. We've called in an instructor from one of our other locations..she's just getting ready.." she glanced at the door as it opened, "Never-mind her she is, thanks again Brenda!" She stepped down turning the spot over to Brenda.

Staci glanced at Kim when she heard the gasp, "You Okay?"

"Yep." Kim's response was curt, she put her head down and began to was going to do the work and then leave, hoping that she would go unnoticed by Brenda.

Staci hadn't known Kim very long but she had a pretty decent understanding of her new friend, and right now it was clear to her that Kim was on edge. Just ten minutes remained in the hour long class and Kim was rigid and her body language had her on the defensive.

They didn't always stop for a coffee after class, but today they would. Staci would make sure of it, she needed to know why Kim's mood had changed.

"Ladies. That's it. This was a fabulous class, thanks for being such kick ass students." Brenda started weaving her way through the classroom, she had spotted her the minute she walked in.

She'd always be able to pick that bitch out of a crowd.

"You okay?" Staci asked Kim, her hand on her forearm, "you seem agitated."

Kim pursed her lips, "the instructor? She's an ex of Adam's. She's a nasty woman, and she's a liar." She hurriedly grabbed her things, rolled the yoga mat up as she spoke.

Staci glanced over her shoulder at the woman, "Really? She strikes me as a bit of an airhead. She doesn't strike me as someone who'd catch Adam's eye."

"It was an ugly time for Adam when they hooked up. It's a long story, I don't want to get into it." Kim slung the yoga mat over her shoulder, "I just want to get out of here."

"Alright let's go."

Brenda caught them at the door, "Kim..how could you leave without saying hi." She grinned like a Cheshire Cat.

Kim shook her head in disgust, "Excuse me." She wasn't going to talk to her, "I'm leaving." She tried to sidestep her only for Brenda to follow her every move, it became crystal clear to Kim that she wasn't getting away from her. "What do you want?"

"How're you?" She pointed to the engagement ring and wedding band on Kim's finger, "Married, huh?"

"Yep." Kim replied.

"To who?" Brenda asked, "how long?"

Staci watched the exchange carefully, Kim's demeanor was cold and her jaw locked. She could see the anger rolling off her friend in waves.

"Six months. To Adam." Kim forced herself to smile and tilted her head, "I'm leaving now." She pushed passed her, knocking her off balance a bit. The move was a calculated one and she was hoping Brenda would take the bait. She'd love to wipe the floor with the woman's face.

Brenda steadied herself and went back at Kim, "Adam? Adam Ruzek? He married you?" She began to roar with laughter, "Oh that's hilarious. Well, since you've made it six months..I'm betting it won't last another six months. That man will never be able to stay with you for that long, knowing Adam as I do, he probably already has a little piece of ass on the side." She enjoyed the way Kim's face distorted and her cheeks turned bright red, "Tell him to call me, my number hasn't changed. We always had great sex, I'm sure he's missing it."

Staci felt her jaw drop, she was in a state of shock.

Brenda knew she had gone too far, when she felt Kim's fist connect with her jaw. It had left her disoriented for a few seconds but she managed to find her footing and attempted to go back at her.

Kim quickly shook out her hand, the pain was immediate after she hit her target, but it was an amazing feeling. Her adrenaline had kicked in and she had grabbed Brenda's arm and bent it behind her back and tossed her to the ground, her knee in the bitch's back, "Shut. The. Fuck. Up." She seethed, "Don't you dare say my husband's name"

Brenda was able to wiggle free from the hold and had flipped Kim off of her, she was no straddling Kim and was able to get a punch in before she felt someone pulling her and Kim apart.

Staci had rushed over to Kim and was was trying to calm her, it wasn't working.

Both Kim and Brenda managed to get back at it, Staci did the only thing she could think of.

Kevin pulled the lever and they waited as their targets flew across the zip line, they often hit up the shooting range, they'd both would've rather played paintball but Jay begged them to put it off until he could join them. In an effort to keep Jay from whining they decided to have a little target practice instead.

The owner had allowed them to use some of his more high powered guns and they guys were loving it, Adam rubbed his collarbone, "That one there..." he pointed to the gun on the shelf, "has a serious recoil. It's spot on though, it's a nice weapon for sure." He could still feel the sting, he rubbed his fingers over it. He knew it was just a matter of time before a bruise appeared.

"Indeed it is. I'm sure the fine citizens of Chicago will get their hands on it before we do" his sarcasm was thick, "kinda sad too. I mean were the 5-0 and they're outgunning us. That's some serious shit, brother."

"You ain't lying" Adam dropped his target on the table. His phone vibrating in his back pocket.

"Tell the wife it's boys day. She can't call you. It's my time with you." Kevin teased.

Adam rolled his eyes as he answered the call, "Hey.." he was more than a bit surprised to hear Staci's voice on the other end of the call, "What happened?" He asked, "Okay. On my way."

Kevin may have been busting Adam's balls initially but he could tell by the look on Adam's face something was up, "I'm coming with."

Kevin didn't like what he saw when they arrived at the gym, three patrol cars in the fire zone in front of the building. Quite a crowd had formed near the main doors of the gym.

Kevin whipped out his badge and began clearing the crowd as Adam rushed inside.

"Kim!" Adam called out, finding only Staci. He grabbed her hand, "Hey..Where's Kim?"

Staci pointed at the door, "In the back. She's with the manager. I told them not to call the police but they didn't listen."

"Police?" Adam was confused as hell, Staci hadn't given him much over the phone and he just assumed Kim was hurt, "Why the police? What happened?"

"Our regular instructor was out today, they called in someone from another location. Instantly I could tell Kim didn't like her..."

"What the fuck happened?" Adam interrupted her, he didn't care for all the details.

"It was your ex. She was the instructor. She and Kim had words. Kim tried to ignore her and walk away, but your ex was relentless..she kept going and Kim clocked her. Right in the face, they were pulled apart but ended up going at each other's throats again. I called you. They called the police."

Adam was finally brought back to the manager's office, he spotted a pair patrol officers talking to Brenda in an office across the hall.

Kim sat with an ice bag on her cheek, she was still trembling when she watched Adam come through the door. She tossed the ice bag to the ground and threw herself at Adam, sobbing in his arms.

"Shh.." Adam whispered into her hair, his hand running the length of her back, "It's okay. I'm here. It's okay." He hated when she cried.

Kim finally pulled away from him, "I hit her. I shouldn't have I know, but she kept saying horrible things about you..I had to hit her. Then before I knew it, it was an all out brawl."

Adam inspected her cheek, lightly running his fingers over the red mark, "Does it hurt? It's starting to swell." He placed a feathery light kiss on her cheek. He then turned his attention to her hand, "Babe...it's pretty swollen."

"I know" Kim bit the corner of her lip, "will you take my rings off, I don't want them to have to be cut off" she could already feel her fingers starting to swell, "I think my hand is broken."

"I think so too, darlin'. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I let her get to me. I never should've given her that power." Kim had already talked with the police and she was in the clear, and she knew Brenda would be sent on her way as well. She was certain it helped that she had been the training officer for one of the patrolmen.

"What did she say?"

"Doesn't matter. She's bitter and hateful. I never should've stooped to her level" Kim sat in his lap, "though I won't lie..punching that bitch in the mouth sure felt good."

Adam smirked, "Did it now?"

"Fuck yes." Kim smiled just a little bit.

"Do you have any idea and how turned on I am right now?" Adam pulled her face down to him, "I could totally fuck you right now..in this room." He kissed her lips, "it'd be fucking amazing."

Kim laughed against his lips, "If I wasn't a sweaty mess and my hand wasn't throbbing I'd let you fuck me in this room.."

"Oh, Babe." Adam sighed, "I'm sorry." He hated seeing her in pain of any kind.

Adam could laugh at the memory now, but in the days immediately afterwards he was a bit rough. Kim had broken her hand and was upset with herself for reacting the way she did. Adam carried a fair bit of guilt over it, he had been the one to bring Brenda into her life and that hurt. He feared that Kim would believe the nasty things she had said, and he let it get to him. Kim finally got through to him and they moved on and Brenda had never been seen again.

He swayed impatiently as he waited for the elevator desperate to get upstairs. He had yet another memory wash over him, one that would be forever ingrained in his mind and heart.

He stood in the doorway to the living room and watched as Kim slept. It had been a long few days and he was glad Kim was finally resting. She'd spent much of the previous night in the bathroom.

The puke bucket wrapped in her arms was a sign that she was still feeling sick to her stomach. She had spent the last few days puking her guts out, she'd spend hours throwing up and then she'd feel okay for a bit and then she'd finally work up the courage to eat something and then it would start all over again.

It was a vicious cycle and it was beginning to worry him, she was healthy as a horse and rarely did she get sick. Seeing her like this wasn't easy, and he hated that he couldn't help her.

Kim turned on her side and her eyes opened, "Hey..." her voice raspy and dry. She could still taste an acidic hint of vomit, "you're home."

"I am." Adam squeezed in on the small section of couch that she wasn't on, "You Okay?"

"No. I think this it was death feels like..." Kim mumbled, "I'm so over this Adam."

Adam lifted her legs up and moved to sit on the couch, dropping her legs in his lap, "So..are your ready to go the doctor?"

Kim ran her hand over her forehead, "I think so. Stomach bugs don't usually last this long..and you haven't caught it." She furrowed her brow in disgust, "which by the way isn't fair, no one else has been sick."

"Maybe it's not a bug." Adam suggested, "I made you an appointment for first thing tomorrow. I've got to testify in court, I tried to get out of it and they shut me down. So, I'll need you to call me ASAP. Okay?"

"Yes, Sir." Kim forced a smile, "I'm sleepy." She hated feeling like this, hated being exhausted all the time.

"Go back to sleep baby." Adam whispered as her eyes fluttered a bit before she finally crashed.

He'd do anything for her, and he hated seeing her so exhausted and sick.

Kim was still in a bit of shock as she left the doctors office, and she couldn't wait to get to Adam. She had hoped he'd be at the district when she arrived, she had contemplated calling him but she was afraid she'd spill the beans and she wanted to see the look on his face when she shared the news with him.

She was surprised to find him hanging out in the break room, the necktie around his neck loosened and his dress shirt untucked and looking rumpled. Her husband wasn't much for dressing up, "Hey baby." Kim smiled wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Hey!" Adam grinned, he kissed the top of her head, "You look better..I told you to call me. I've left you at least five voicemails..what'd the doctor say?"

Kim had ignored his calls, "I know. I saw them on my call log." She led him to the table in the corner of the room, "sit down for me."

Adam did as he was told, "Are you okay?" she looked better than she had in days and her eyes sparkled a bit, the light was back in her eyes and it was promising . He was still a bit perplexed as to what was going on, "Darlin, what's going on?"

"I'm not sick baby, I'm carrying a baby." She brought her hands to her stomach, "I'm pregnant Adam. About seven weeks along."

"What?" Adam stammered, his eyes grew watery. "Baby?" He placed his hand on her stomach, "You're pregnant?" He kneeled in front of her, placing his cheek against her stomach, "A baby?"

Kim wiped her eyes, "Yes." She smiled, running her fingers through Adam's disheveled hair, "Are you happy?"

Adam jumped up, "Yes!" He smiled, he captured her lips in an intense kiss one hand still on her stomach, "I'm fucking ecstatic, Kim." Of all the things it could've been, Adam had never even considered pregnancy a possibility.

The dinging of the elevator pulled him from his thoughts, he deftly swiped away the lone tear from beneath his eye as he stepped in the empty elevator.

It had been nine months, well nine months and a week to be exact, it seemed the newest Ruzek really enjoyed its current digs and was in no hurry to leave. While the baby may have been happy to stay put, Kim was uncomfortable and cranky. She was miserable in fact, the last six weeks of her pregnancy had really pushed her past her breaking point.

Adam was often the one to catch the brunt of it. Wether it was anger, frustration, sadness, or any number of different emotions Adam seemed to always take it on the chin. He didn't care though, it was the least he could do.

He had spent the last nine months in awe of his wife, watching as she nourished their unborn child, it was a beautiful thing to witness. Kim did everything in her power to insure their child received what it needed, that their child would be healthy.

He was so fucking proud of her, he would never be able to articulate just how proud he was. He marveled at her strength and her determination, he had been overwhelmed by the urge to protect her and their unborn child. He had always been protective of Kim, not that she needed him to be she was quite the badass in her own right. Just knowing that his child was growing inside of her, heightened his desire to protect Kim and by proxy their child.

He had yet to hold his child but he loved it with his entire being, he would give his life if it meant his child would be okay.

It often left him feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, he was terrified. He was going to be responsible for this tiny little being that he and Kim had created and it was a heavy burden to carry. He was thankful their kid had Kim, somedays Adam wasn't sure he could keep a house plant alive.

Kim was mixing the ice chips around in the cup with a spoon, she'd kill for an actual drink but she wasn't allowed one. The ice chips would have to suffice, she'd been induced hours ago but things had hit a wall, she had made a bit of progress and dilated some but it was as if someone had slammed on the brakes. Bringing her labor to an abrupt stop, at the moment they were content to ride it out. The baby wasn't in any danger and Kim was in good spirits. They hoped things would pick up again soon, they were on a short leash though and a cesarean wasn't off the table just yet.

Kim was vehemently against the idea of a cesarean, she and Adam had butt heads over it earlier, and they had agreed to discuss it further if things headed in that direction.

"So..." Adam tapped her knee, "How's it going?" It was a silly fucking question and he knew it but he was anxious, he wasn't handling this well and it scared him. He hated not being in control of the situation and he never handled feeling helpless ver well.

Kim scrunched her nose up in disgust, she pulled the collar of his shirt bringing him closer to her, she shoved her nose in the crook of his neck. Not that she needed to be so close, she could smell it the second he walked in the room. Yet another lovely side effect of her pregnancy, her sense of smell seemed to have his super power status, "You've had a cigarette.." she scowled at him, "Adam.."

"I did not" he attempted to lie, he knew how much she hated it and he was disappointed with himself, he knew she wasn't buying it. "Yes. I had one. I just took a few drags babe, I'm fucking stressed out." He paced the room, "I needed to take the edge off..I feel like there's a boulder on my chest..this kid isn't even here yet and it's gonna give me a fucking ulcer." He plopped down heavily on edge of the bed, bringing his hands to his face, "What if I fuck up." He mumbled from behind his hands.

Kim ran her hand up his arm and around his shoulder, "Adam, honey. You're going to be such a good daddy."

"I don't know..."

"I do. I know it. Adam, you've been amazing this entire pregnancy. A little annoying at times" she shrugged, "we will make mistakes with this baby, every parent does but we won't fuck up." She cringed a bit as she used Adam's favorite word, "Adam, we can do this, I've got faith in us."

"I'm glad you do. I'm so fucking scared it ain't even funny..this kid.." he paused and looked that palm of his hand, running his finger along the lines on it, "Kim..I fucking love it. I've never seen its face..but I love it. Fuck..I don't know anything about it and I love it. It's fucking scary as hell."

She grabbed his face, "Adam..it is scary but I'm not scared. Not when I've got you with me. Together we can do anything."

Adam moved in for a kiss, "I love you."

Kim smiled against his lips, "I love you too." She felt him lean in to her palm, "I will tell you this...that mouth of yours..you need to get a handle on it. Our baby's first word will not be 'fuck', okay?"

Adam laughed at her, "Sorry. I will work on that. I've got what a year before it'll talk?" He teased her, "This kid needs to get its shit together and get out of there..I mean I get it..I love being inside you too..but enough is enough.."

Kim shook her head, "You're an asshole Adam."

"Maybe." He smirked, "I wasn't lying though."

He had just drifted to sleep when he had heard her cry out in pain, it had taken him a few seconds to gather his wits about him, he was at her side in an instant "What is it?" He asked his voice gravely from sleep.

Kim was diaphoretic and her heart raced, "It hurts..my god Adam it hurts so bad." She had been having contractions for a few hours and they hadn't been pleasant by any definition of the word but these were unbelievably painful and she felt as if she was being ripped in half, "I think the baby is coming.." they had broken her water a few hours prior in hopes of speeding things up.

The nurse was in the room in a flash and had done an examination and already had paged the doctor, "Looks like someone has finally gotten the memo and decided to vacate the premises"

Kim had Adam's hand in hers and was squeezing the shit out of it, Adam was sure she was cutting off the circulation, "It's about fucking time."

Well, this was going to be the final chapter..but it became way too long so I've decided to split it up into two parts. So, while it's not the epilogue, it's not quite an actual chapter either. It's a mixture of the two..a hybrid if you will.

Hope it's not too confusing with the time jumps, I also hope it's not still too long! Look for part 2 in a few days! As always thanks for reading and leaving reviews! It's always fun to see your take on it!