You Are My Hero

Kim walked toward their apartment, slowing down when she spotted Adam at the door.

"ADAM!" she yelled out, laughing, excitement flowing through her. He turned around, catching sight of her, his expression expectant.

"WE WON!" she exclaimed.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" he yelled back, bent down, arms extended. She laughed and started running toward him.

"Tell me what the judge said," he demanded when she was close enough.

"I guess bottom line is who the child is most bonded with, so… so… she's ours," she said. Adam's overjoyed expression mirrored hers, she was sure.

"You're my hero right now, oh my God," exclaimed Adam, throwing his arms around her and picking her right up off the ground. She squealed, her arms going around his neck.

He put her down, and she didn't even stop to think. It was the most natural reaction, her overwhelming relief at knowing Makayla was officially theirs and the excitement of becoming a family causing her to grab Adam's face and kiss him. It was a short kiss, a sweet kiss. But it was everything. All the love she felt for him, she poured into that kiss. She knew she couldn't have done any of this without him, and she had never been more grateful for him than in this moment. She felt his surprise, but he recovered quickly and kissed her back with just as much enthusiasm. They pulled back, silly grins on both their faces.

"Alright, let's go see her," said Adam, still smiling.

"Let's go see our kid," Kim replied, smiling back.

"Alright," Adam said.

As they walked down the corridor toward their apartment, Kim commented on what Adam was holding.

"Champagne and pizza, that's very upstairs-downstairs," she said.

"You'd think, but it's actually an expensive pizza and a very cheap bottle of champagne," he replied, making her laugh.

They reached their apartment and Kim opened the door to find Makayla and Gabby reading in the living room.

"Hey!" said Kim, and Makayla got up and ran toward them, Adam bending down and picking her up, holding her close, his arm going around Kim. Tonight, it was official. They'd been a family for a long time, but tonight it felt… real. Like nothing could come in between them, keep them apart. They stood like that for a few seconds before Makayla wanted to be put down.

They said goodbye to Gabby before getting out plates to eat the pizza Adam had got. Makayla was thrilled to be getting out of eating any veggies tonight, but Kim figured it was a celebration, even if Makayla didn't quite know anything about what had been going on.

They ate dinner together, a calmness stealing over Kim. She'd been so stressed about this day, dreading it, imagining the worst. She was brought back into the present when she heard Makayla's giggles, and she looked at her daughter, smiling at her happy little face, thinking of all the memories they'd make together, as a family. Adam was making silly faces, and she felt a rush of love for him. She always felt the love, but sometimes it came in tidal waves, like right now, washing over her, drenching her with the feeling. If not for him, she would've been a mess these last few months. When the lawyer had brought up his name, she'd been terrified of what to say, how to explain what he meant to them. But then she'd looked at him, sitting over there, supporting her. Never once leaving her side, not even on the toughest days, and she got the strength to answer. She'd decided to be honest, and every single word she'd said up there on the stand, she'd meant with her whole heart. She couldn't explain hers and Adam's relationship, except that he was family. He completed their little family, as unconventional as it was. It was perfect to her.

After dinner, they washed up, and did the bedtime routine, and both of them did stories with Makayla, indulging in her requests for more stories than usual, going a little past her bedtime. But Kim wanted to soak in the togetherness, and she suspected Adam did too. Once Makayla had gone to sleep, they stepped out into the hallway, walking to the living room, taking a seat on the couch. Adam pulled Kim right to him, snuggling close. They were both content to just sit together for a while.

Then Adam broke the silence and said, "Thank you,". It was the softest murmur, but because they were sitting so close together, Kim caught it. She turned to face him, but he was looking down.

"For what?" she asked, confused. There was a pause, a pause during which Adam took a deep breath, and then finally looked up at her. His face was serious, but she couldn't make out what he was feeling.

"You brought Makayla into our lives. I mean, I know she just crashed into it one day, but you brought her into our lives. You decided to take her in, foster her. You became her guardian, and you brought me in. Without you, I wouldn't have this family," he said. Kim was stunned. She hasn't expected this, and it reminded her of two years ago, when they'd sat in this same apartment and talked about doing everything together for their baby. He'd taken her hand and thanked her, and her heart had been full in that moment, planning the future with him. While a lot had happened, and things were so different now, the love she felt for him was the same, if not more. She still planned the future with him, but now those plans included Makayla, too.

Reminiscing that night, she grabbed his hand and brought it up to her lips and kissed his knuckles. She understood how he was feeling, and she wanted him to know she felt the same.

"Adam… you complete this family. You're thanking me for making you a part of it, but honestly, it wasn't complete without you. Makayla needs you, she loves you. And… so do I," she said. A slow smile spread on Adam's face.

"Yeah?" he asked. "Yeah," she whispered. "I love you, Adam," she said, a soft smile spreading across her face. They both leaned toward each other, meeting halfway until their lips met. It was a soft kiss, full of love. They pulled apart, still smiling.

He stood up, pulling her up with him. "Come on," he said. "Let's go to bed."

They turned off all the lights and locked up before walking toward the bedroom.

"Hey, for the record, I love you too, darlin'," he told her as they held hands.

"Oh yeah?" she answered, smiling widely.

"Oh yeah," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.