The emotional fall out of the day rippled through the next week.

Kim didn't know how to handle either of them. Adam was an emotional wreck and Oliver was terrified he was going to leave.

He tried though, really hard to reassure Oliver and was there for him as much as he could but he closed off from Kim because he was just emotionally spent. He had nothing left after giving Oliver all his time and energy.

Their lawyer told them not to think about the timeline and Adam's demand for an immediate answer, she had prepared them for the long haul. They would be getting an offer, she was sure of it but it was going to be low and they had to be prepared for that and not to get angry about it. She wouldn't accept it and they should let her handle it.

It was easier said than done because Adam stewed over it. He struggled to let it go and let the process happen.

"It's after seven Adam, she's not going to call tonight." Kim put her hand on his arm when he looked at his phone for the tenth time. "Why don't you put your phone on silent and leave it over there." She pointed to the console table by the door where he always left his keys.

"She might."

"No she won't." Kim said gently. "Sweetheart, please try and switch off."

The biggest difference Kim felt now was that their relationship had changed so drastically. When Adam had his moments of crisis previously they didn't have a sexual connection, they hadn't crossed that bridge from being in love and not admitting to it to committing to each other on every level.

"I'm trying." It was his pained expression that broke her heart. She honestly did believe he was trying but it was getting a little bigger than him and overwhelming everything. Oliver noticed it and worried that he'd said the wrong thing.

"Dad has been funny since the meeting. Did I not say the right thing?" He'd asked Kim when she checked on him after he'd gone to bed.

"Not at all Ollie, it's just a little rough for him. Remembering everything he went through. He's here with us and he will be okay."

That's what Kim honestly believed, he was still here, he hadn't run. He was fighting his demons like he promised her he would, even though they were circling him right now.

Adam let Kim take the phone from his hand and she actually decided to turn it off instead. Adam asked her why. "Because you are here, you are safe, and if anyone needs to get hold of you they will get hold of me if you don't answer."

"Okay." He nodded quietly. In all honesty he felt like it was what was needed, he just didn't have the strength to do it himself. It felt a little like his previous life when nobody would call him, his phone stayed silent for days and that was confronting but he had Kim beside him now and he could do this.

He was avoiding the kids though, he still talked to Oliver every day but would skip dinners if he could and turn up just as Daisy was going to bed. He'd hang with Oliver and play a computer game while Kim dealt with Daisy and then stay for an hour or so before leaving again.

He was barely around and the shift in the house was noticeable to Kim, both the kids struggled a little and she was trying not to get upset at Adam for being distant because she did understand how hard this had been for him and he was trying.

Kim had asked Oliver to call him and ask him to come to dinner because he wouldn't say no to him. They cooked his favourite and Daisy drew him a picture because she 'missed him so much.'

As soon as he came in Daisy was in his face with her newest drawing. "Adam, I used my new glitter pens you bought me." He was always picking up little things for Daisy. He didn't do the big gestures with her because he was worried about overstepping the mark, particularly now they were trying to hide their relationship from the kids. He didn't want Daisy talking about him all the time as it would make Steve harder to deal with.

He seemed happy enough to be there but Kim could feel the undercurrent.

She tried to take his mind off things once the kids were in bed. Since they'd had the meeting Adam had been distant and they certainly hadn't even been close to having sex which was unusual for them. Making up for lost time had been something that they were enjoying, regularly, whenever they could get a spare moment together.

Adam did lean into the kiss at first but suddenly pushed Kim away. "I can't."

"Okay." Kim laid bother her hands on this thighs and tried to look into his eyes but he averted his gaze. "Do you want to talk about it, or tell me why? Because I felt you for a moment and then something changed."

"I felt Paul."

"I didn't."

"He's here." He tapped his temple with his forefinger. "And I am not going to do that to you. I promised you I'd never let Paul take over and I heard him and I won't hurt you. Paul would hurt you, I won't. He's not winning."

"I love you Adam."

"I know." He stood up suddenly, his body tense and rigid. "I know. I'm sorry I put you through this."

"Through what?"

Pacing back and forth across the lounge he rolled his neck several times trying to shake it off. "All this mess with the FEDS. I should've dropped it or not let you get involved."

"I'm not sorry. I wanted to be there for you, I want to be in this with you. Adam, we've talked about this. Whatever world we are in, I am glad we are in it together, that we are in the same world again." Kim pleaded with him.

"I'm scared."

"Oh what?"

"That I put you and Ollie through all this for nothing."

Kim stood behind him and slid her arms around his waist, burying her head in his back. It took him a few moments before he grabbed her hands and held them against his chest. "None is this is for nothing Adam. Even if you don't get a dime, I think you were right, you needed to do this to move on. I can't wait to see what that looks like for you and us and our family."

"It's not great at the moment."

"Honestly, no it's not, still 1000% times better than where I was a year ago… when I still thought you were dead. It was hard for you, harder than I can ever imagine and it wasn't easy for me either Adam. If you gave me a choice, every single day I'd chose this. I love you. I love that you are here, even when you feel broken."

Adam let go of her hands and turned to face Kim. "Do you mind if we just sit for a bit. Watch some TV. Just be still."

"I will be still with you."

Kim stretched out in front of Adam on the couch and held his hand tucked up under her chin as his arm draped over her and eventually he did start kissing her neck and moving his hand under her shirt and she let him go. It was peaceful and calming and Kim could feel the tension ebb out of him.

It had to go at Adam's pace and within a few days it was back on an even keel again. He'd spoken to his lawyer and she had reassured him that everything was progressing exactly as she expected and he started to trust the process.

Oliver and Daisy pulled him out of the abyss and Kim didn't falter.

Kim realised he had turned the corner when he promised to take her out for dinner when they had a rare night without the kids, but the moment he arrived he couldn't keep his hands to himself and they spent the night in bed and ordered in.

He kept thanking her for saving him.

Again.