There was a soft knock on the door and Kim was a little surprised to see Erin standing just outside. She slipped quietly out of the room and embraced her friend who was looking a little better than the last time they saw here, not as tired and drawn as she was when the strain of the relationship breakdown was still apparent. "I just heard. How's Adam?"
"He's getting there. How are you? It's good to see you."
"I'm good I think." They decided to go down to the café for a coffee. Kim quietly slipped back into the room to get Angus. They hadn't seen or heard from Erin for a couple of weeks. Adam, obviously had sided with Jay and Erin understood perfectly well that she was no longer really welcome to stay with them so she had taken all her unused Vacation time and had now transferred to another District and kept her distance.
"He's gotten so big." He peered into the pram at the sleeping baby. "He's so gorgeous still. I miss them both. How's Polly?"
Erin grabbed herself a coffee and Kim an herbal tea. If Erin had looked like crap back then, Kim did now. She looked like she had lost a little weight around her face and god knows she didn't have much to lose in the first place. It had amazed Erin how quickly Kim returned to normal after her pregnancies not that she thought she was anywhere close to what she once was. Her flabby little belly annoyed her no end, not that Adam cared one bit. "Polly is good, still going at a million miles an hour, usually with her father hot on her heels."
"I'm sorry I haven't been in earlier, but I literally just found out. I had been off for a few days and as soon as I got back they told me about the accident." Erin nervously leant across the table and squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. Adam's going to be okay, right?"
"He is. It was a little bit hairy at the start, he had some kidney issues and ended up back in surgery unexpectedly but he's well and truly on the mend now. Al went home yesterday, battered and bruised but okay."
Kim noticed that Erin kept looking at Angus. "Do you want a cuddle?"
"No, don't wake him."
Kim gently lifted him up and handed him to Erin. "He misses you as much as you miss him." Erin gazed down at the sleeping infant and felt a knot in her chest. It had surprised her how much she had missed both Polly and Angus. Perhaps she was ready to be a mother, but now it was too late at least with Jay. Now it was just a daily battle to stay on the straight and narrow. She was trying to prove to herself that she didn't need to go to shit just because things didn't work out the way she wanted.
"How's Jay?"
"He's doing okay. Have you spoken to him lately?" Kim wasn't surprised that she asked about Jay. You couldn't just turn off the tap of caring about someone and there were probably not a lot of people left in her life who were willing to let her know what was going on with Jay. There life had revolved around the Intelligence Unit, pretty much like everyone else so when you suddenly found yourself on the outside you had little chance of being let back in.
Erin shook her head. Nothing was causing her more pain at the moment than the thought of Jay and what she had done to him and to them. "I guess I have to wait until he is ready to talk to me."
Erin walked with Kim and Angus back to Adam's room but she stopped well before they reached his door. "Come and say hi." Kim urged her. At some point she had to take the first step towards repairing all the shattered friendships and that was up to Erin.
"Not yet. I don't want to make a scene."
Kim did, however, convince Erin to come by soon for a visit by telling her how much Polly would really love to see her. She didn't understand why Erin had suddenly disappeared from her life, especially since Jay was still such a big part of it. She had grown up knowing them together and it was confusing for a three year old. She often asked Jay about Erin and Kim had started to notice that the hurt on his face was lessening with time.
Adam was awake when she got back. "Hey. Did you go for a walk?"
Kim kissed him softly. "I went and caught up with Erin. She stopped by to see how you are."
"Oh." Adam's eyes narrowed slightly and he grimaced as he tried to sit up a little. "Nice of her." He added flatly and Kim got the distinct impression that Adam was not interested in talking about Erin right now. Once he found out the whole story of what had gone on he had made it patently obvious that he was in Jay's corner. He never went as far as telling Kim that she couldn't see her or have anything to do with her but Kim knew how he felt.
"I asked her to come over soon to see Polly." Kim chose to ignore his snippy tone.
"Why?"
"Because Polly doesn't understand why Erin suddenly isn't around anymore."
"And who's fault it that?" he snapped as he started to work his way to the edge of the bed.
"Okay, I get that you are still mad, but I think Polly would like it. She was our friend too remember and I know you are pissed because of what happened with her and Jay but that is between them and it's not fair to punish Polly because of it."
"Don't make this all about Polly."
"It's not all about Polly."
He watched as Kim's face darkened with anger and apologised. "Sorry. I don't want to argue about this. I'm glad you saw Erin and Polly will be happy to see her."
She helped him back out of bed and into the bathroom before he hobbled back into the chair ready for lunch. As usual it was completely uninspiring and inedible. Angus was enjoying his lunch though. "His lunch looks much better than mine." Adam peered at the limp sandwich on his tray lifting the soggy bread up by the corner and screwing up his nose. "Do you think he'd share?"
"He's a guts like you, so I doubt it." Kim ran her hand over his soft head gently.
They could hear Polly coming before they saw her. She bounded through the door and the morning tantrum had obviously been long forgotten. She was clutching a drawing in her hands, which she proudly presented to her father. The joy on her face was adorable. It was like she just handed over the Mona Lisa. "It's for you Daddy. That's you." She pointed to a scrawl in the centre of the page. "In bed. And that's Mommy, she's sad."
"It's great sweet pea, but why is Mommy sad?"
"Because you are hurt." She rolled her eyes at the stupidity of his question. "I'm sad too."
"Would it make you happy to sit up here for a cuddle?" Adam patted his knee and Polly nodded enthusiastically. Kim warned her to be gentle as she handed Angus to her mother so she could help Polly up into Adam's lap. Instantly she rested her head on his chest as Adam wrapped both arms around her and dipped his head so that she was tucked up under his chin. "I feel much better now." They both looked content.
Suddenly Polly remembered she had something to tell her father and she sat up quickly and tried to turn around. Her knee crashed into his side and Adam groaned loudly as the pain rifled through him. "Polly." Kim leapt out of the chair and pulled Polly off his lap and snapped at her. "I told you to be careful."
Polly burst into tears and threw herself face first into the chair that Kim had just vacated. "Kim, she didn't mean it." Adam tried to reassure her that he was fine despite the intense pain.
Kim felt everything rising up inside her and the room started swimming, the sound of Polly's crying was cutting through her skull and making her head throb. The best thing she could do was walk away. So she left. She could hear Adam calling out after her but it was not like he could follow. Ellen offered to go but Adam knew she just needed to be by herself for a while. He gingerly reached over and got Polly's attention. "Come here Sweetie." as he helped her carefully climb back into his lap.
"Sorry Daddy."
"I know you are Polly. It's okay, Daddy's just still a little bit hurt and you need to be careful. If you sit nice and still you can stay here for a bit." She rested her head on his chest and gradually the sobs subsided.
"I'm worried about Kim." Ellen waited until Polly had calmed down.
"So am I." Adam knew his wife well enough to know when she was on the edge. He could see it on her face, she looked tired and there no life in her. Why would there be? The last few days had been hard on her. He knew what it was like to sit on her side of the bed and worry and he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy. Throw in two small children and it was little wonder she'd snapped.
"I tried to talk to her this morning."
"She told me."
"It didn't go down well. I think I upset her."
Adam tried to reassure her that Kim was fine, tired and stressed right now but that wasn't unexpected. He had faith in her and encouraged Ellen to have some too. "You know Kim, stubborn as a mule, tough as nails and determined to do things her way."
By the time Kim came back Bob had arrived and Polly was bouncing around the room happily and Angus was sleeping. Their parents took the kids down to the café to give them a break. As soon as they left Kim buried her head in Adam's lap and cried. He rubbed her back and ran his fingers through her hair and let her go. Eventually she lifted her head and looked at her husband. "Was Polly okay?"
"She was perfectly happy once she got in some good Daddy hugs."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at her like that."
"Baby, please forget about it. Polly will. Look at how many times I've made her cry and she still adores me." Kim smiled despite herself. "This has been rough on you. I just get to lie here and have people fuss over me and do everything for me. You are holding us together, you are holding my family together and you are doing a great job. Every time I think that's it, I couldn't love you any more than I do…bang I find out that I can and I do."
"You're sweet."
"When that car hit us and I was trapped in there waiting for help, somewhere deep in my mind all I could think of is that I cannot be away from you. I worried that you'd be so freaked out and upset and I couldn't bear to think of how much this would affect you. I told you weeks ago you make me tick and I meant it."
"Stop it. You are making me cry." She rested her hands on his cheeks, roughened with a full beard from days without shaving.
"Kiss me." She quickly pressed her lips against his before pulling away. Adam tilted his head and gave her a look that told her that wasn't good enough so she kissed him again, longer and slower. "Better." He smiled against her lips before kissing her again quickly and rested his forehead on hers. "We can do this."
Polly went home with Bob and Kim and Angus stayed for a little while before she headed home and packed a few more things and checked the mail. It felt nice to be in her own home for a while and enjoy the peace and quiet. It was just her and Angus and she sat down and let the quietness wash over her. She couldn't wait to get Adam home and even though he wouldn't be able to help her much having them all under one roof would make life so much easier.
For a change and to give her mother a break for a while they all stayed at Bob and Susan's for dinner. They enjoyed having Polly for a few hours and the change probably did Polly good also. Susan was happy to whisk Angus from his car seat as soon as she arrived and made Kim sit down, put her feet up and relax.
Adam was sitting on the edge of the bed impatiently tapping his leg with his free hand. "Hey Baby." He rushed out when Kim finally picked up her phone.
"Hi, Good Morning." She mumbled, shoving another mouthful of breakfast in. She was trying to get her breakfast down while feeding Angus so she could get into the hospital. The Doctor was due in this morning and they were hoping to be discharged. Polly was rifling through one of their packed bags looking for her favourite socks which Kim had chosen to ignore just like she had chosen to ignore her whining about what she had to wear. "What's up? What time is the Doctor coming?"
"Already been in and I'm all yours."
"What? Really?" she swallowed her last mouthful quickly. "You can come home?"
"As soon as you get here." He couldn't wait and probably would have jumped in a cab given half the chance. A week had been long enough. "How long do you think you'll be?"
"Well, Angus is feeding right now and I need to shower." She could hear him groan. "I'll be as quick as I can. Mom can keep the kids here and bring them over once we get home. Not sure I can wrangle the three of you."
Adam was still extremely sore and he walked slowly and tired easily. The swelling on his bruised face was starting to subside but the colours were impressive. He also had massive bruising on his stomach, back and ribs therefore he moved very gingerly. The Doctor would have liked him to stay in a few more days but Adam had convinced them that he was ready to go home and promised to take it easy and Connor Rhodes would be more than happy to keep an eye on him. He had to be back in a few days for another liver scan anyway.
They had to go through his discharge orders before they let Kim take him home, he had exercises to do with his breathing and while his liver was still recovering he needed to take it easy, no heavy lifting or exercise and a list of follow up appointments as long as his arm. It would be another five weeks before they would even entertain Adam going back to work. So while he couldn't wait to get home they both knew within a couple of weeks he would be champing at the bit to get back to work and probably annoying the crap out of each other.
Once she got him in the car he let out a long sigh of relief. "Finally." and squeezed Kim's thigh as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"Are you going to be right to manage the stairs? I could make up the bed downstairs for you?" With their bedrooms all being upstairs Kim was worried that it would be too draining for him to climb up and down the stairs everyday. They had a bathroom downstairs so that wouldn't be a problem.
"Where will you be?"
"Upstairs closer to the kids."
"Then that's where I'll be. I'll manage."
It was hard to tell who was happier, Adam or Kim, at him being home.
Adam did as he was told and sat down on the couch while Kim bought all their bags in. "Can I get you anything?" she called out from the kitchen as she put away a few groceries that they had stopped and picked up on the way home. Not that he was allowed out of the car.
"Yeah Babe." Adam waited until poked her head around the corner. "You can come and sit here with me for a few minutes." Holding out his hand for her to take and Kim didn't need to be asked twice. Slipping one arm around his shoulder and holding onto his hand and finally the cloudiness in her eyes disappeared.
Kissing him slowly she whispered as they drew apart. "I am so happy to have you home."
"I'm glad." He leant in for another kiss. "How long have we got before your Mom brings Polly and Angus home?"
"Whoa, slow down mister."
"Hey, hey get your mind out of the gutter. I just want to sit here with you quietly for a while, knowing our two I won't get the chance again."
It was certainly what they both needed. The past week had been just putting one foot after the other, getting through each day they best they could. Kim had struggled to keep everything together. Angus had been unsettled and hadn't slept well for a few nights, which had piled on the strain. Ellen wanted her to supplement his feeding but she refused and the last couple of days had settled down a little and she was glad she stood her ground. Polly was up and down and they had battled with her tantrums. Hopefully getting them both home and back into their normal routine would help. The next few days, at least there were no plans to go anywhere.
"You know what I am looking forward to the most?" Adam had slowly moved so that he was resting against Kim's chest. "Having you next to me in bed."
"I'm looking forward to not going to the hospital." Adam looked up at her and pouted. "Yes, yes I missed you in my bed too."
They could have stayed like that all day but eventually Ellen texted Kim to let her know that Angus was starting to get hungry so she was on her way over. "Your peace it just about over."
"One more kiss then?" Which she happily agreed to before grabbing some pillows and a rug and setting Adam up on the couch. He had the remote's handy, a water bottle close by as he needed to keep drinking plenty of water to keep his kidney flushed and now the challenge would be getting to watch something that interested him. Unfortunately he could see an afternoon of kid's movies in his near future.
Polly squealed with delight when she saw that her Daddy was sitting on the couch. Kim reminded her that she still needed to be careful but she was perched up next to him on the couch within seconds. Kim took Angus and sat down next to them. It was nice to be a family again.
Kim took both the kids down to the park to let Polly run around while Adam had an afternoon nap. Polly had been at him all morning, fussy over him making sure he was comfortable, had every thing he needed and keeping him entertained. Adam accepted it all with good grace but she could tell when he was starting to get weary. Getting Polly to play in the backyard didn't really distract her enough because she kept running inside to check on her 'sick daddy.'
She settled both of the kids into bed before making some dinner for them both. Adam felt pretty useless watching Kim do it all but she refused to entertain him even moving off the couch to help. It was enough to allow him to nurse Angus while she was putting Polly to bed. He was also allowed to read Polly a story before she went upstairs.
The ultimate reward for behaving himself all day was when he got into bed and Kim climbed in beside him. "I've been waiting for this all day." He squeezed her hand beneath the covers. "I feel better already."
What he didn't expect was for Kim to start crying. Every struggle of the past week, the worry, fear and elation crashing together and finally she felt like she could let it engulf her. "Darlin', it's okay. It's okay, I'm home and we're alright." It was breaking his heart and he just wanted this to be all over. "I am here, at home with you and Polly and Angus and I am not going anywhere."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Crying again." Adam sucked in a breath as he tried to slip an arm around her shoulder and pull her head to rest on his shoulder. It wasn't particularly easy or comfortable but he didn't care. "As long as you are not crying because you have to sleep next to me." That made Kim chuckle through her tears.