Kim jumped and squealed as she felt his hands on her waist. He pulled her back until she fell into his lap. As she tried to wriggle her way free he held her tight, laughing in her ear. When his hand slipped between her thighs she hissed. "Steve, let me go."
"Come on Kim, its Christmas." His words were slightly slurred.
"Let me go, Please."
"When did you become such a prude?" His hand started moving higher and Kim grabbed his wrist.
"Don't." Suddenly he let her go when his father came into the room with the kids. Oliver looked far from impressed but Daisy was far to hyped up on Christmas to notice.
Christmas had always been hectic. They would split the day into three. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with each of their families taking turns. This year it was Steve's family in the morning, Adam's parents for lunch and her sister's for dinner. To try to be fair Kim agreed that they should maintain that and they were all spending the night with Steve and his parents. Although Steve had been annoyed that she was insisting that Daisy still had to see Oliver's grandparents and Adam was pissed off because he didn't want Oliver anywhere near him. Kim convinced him that his Grandparents shouldn't have to suffer though and she couldn't split her kids up on Christmas Day.
Daisy was over excited and she knew that Nan and Pappy were also happy to have them all together, despite the tension that existed between Steve and Kim. They had been good to Kim and Oliver from the start and even now they were doing their best to help out with Daisy.
"Thanks for doing this. I know it's not easy for you." Mary found her in the kitchen washing up some glasses.
"I really do want Daisy and Oliver to enjoy Christmas like they always have. We've always had such a good day. They love it and they love being here."
"Ollie doesn't seem happy."
"He loves you both and you've been here for him for so long and he loves Daisy." He was feeling anxious about being here and he worried about missing out on seeing Adam. Adam had tried to put his annoyance aside when he talked to Oliver and they had spent Christmas Eve together. In the end Adam told him that it would break his mother's heart if she wasn't with him on Christmas Morning and she didn't deserve that.
"Are you having a relationship with his father?" It wasn't that Kim was even surprised by the question; it had to come at some point. It would be stupid to think that it wouldn't.
"No Mary, I am not. Adam's focus is solely on Oliver and being his father." They were pretty much just trying to keep their head above water with regards to their friendship and figuring out how to manage parenting Oliver. It wasn't easy for Kim, she had always made the decisions about Oliver and especially lately they had been tough decisions but gradually Adam was starting to want to have his say. Initially he was just happy to get to know him and spend time with him but now he felt that he deserved to have a say and that took a bit of adjusting on Kim's part. He had pulled her up on it a few times, while she was happy for him to be involved when the decisions were easy, like what movie they were going to see or what they were having for dinner when the calls got tougher Kim would neglect to talk to him about it and Adam started to push back on that.
"Do you want to?"
"What I want is for both my children to be happy and feel safe and loved. That's what is important to me."
"Not what I asked." Mary took the last glass from Kim's hand and started drying it.
"Adam and I have a long complicated history. I think perhaps were are better as friends, we don't seem to hurt each other that way." This was not a conversation she ever expected to have with her mother in law. She was confused, being close to him again was unsettling and he had stirred up feelings and emotions that were hard to control. She had never loved anyone quite like him nor had she ever loved anyone as much as she loved Adam.
"And where does Steve fit into all this?"
"He's Daisy's father, he loves her and she loves him. I will never interfere with that, I want them to be happy together. That's what I want for Daisy and for Oliver too. They both deserve to have their father's in their lives."
"But you marriage is over?"
"Yes, Mary. It is." While she had no idea what Steven had told his parents Kim wanted to make her position perfectly clear. There was no hope and it was time everyone knew that.
"Because of the drinking?"
"That's one of the reasons, yes." Kim removed her washing gloves and turned to face her Mother in law. "I tried to help him, for many months but he didn't want my help. It wasn't an easy decision."
"I am disappointed."
"So am I." she squeezed her mother in law's hands. "This has nothing to do with Oliver's father, despite what Steve may think or may tell you. This happened well before I even knew that Adam was still alive."
Kim heard her bedroom door open. She was hoping it was either Oliver or Daisy but she knew that it wasn't. His weight on the bed beside her was far too heavy for her kids. "Kim honey." He slid his hand beneath the covers, seeking her out.
"Steve, please don't."
"Why not?" he tried to get closer. "You love sex. I know you do. Come on Baby, give me something."
"You need to leave."
"Why?" he hissed. "Are you getting it from elsewhere? How long before you jumped on his dick again? Huh?"
"Get out. I've told you there is nothing going on between Adam and I. I actually don't care if you believe me or not." When he showed no signs of leaving Kim tried to get out of bed but he grabbed her arm forcefully.
"Don't mess with me Kim."
Kim leaned closer. "Get your fucking hand off me or so help me god you'll regret it." He let her go and Kim scuttled from the room and climbed into bed with Daisy. Kim tried to push it from her mind but her biggest fear was that this was only the beginning. She had been stupid to agree to stay here.
While Steve seemed to have forgotten, or chosen to ignore what happened the previous night, Kim did not. What she wasn't going to do though was let that ruin her children's Christmas morning. That wasn't an easy feat, Steve completely ignored Oliver and he noticed it although his parents made sure he was included. Daisy loved every minute of it and Oliver eventually got sucked into her excitement, she was built for Christmas.
She could see Steve bristling when Oliver's phone beeped with a message. Kim knew it wasn't from Adam, he had already talked to him earlier, as had Kim but she could tell by the look on Steve's face that was exactly who he thought it was from. "Put you phone away Buddy." Kim asked him quietly.
The first thing that Oliver did when he woke up was call his father. "Merry Christmas Dad."
"Hey Ollie, Merry Christmas."
"I wish you were here."
"I will see you soon, I'm proud of you for doing this for your Mom and Daisy." All he wanted was to see his son but it wasn't fair to insist that he didn't spend the day with his mother and sister either. They had all afternoon and evening together and he just had to accept it.
"It was from Uncle Al." Kim nodded but asked him again to put it away.
When Kim started packing up Steve watched her from the doorway. "Daisy is staying here." He suddenly declared. "With her family."
"No she isn't. She's coming with me, you can pick her up tomorrow afternoon as we agreed."
"The Ruzek's are not her family. She can stay here, you are welcome to stay with her."
"Steve, not now. Don't do this now." Kim continued packing up Oliver's presents. He had already told her that whatever Daisy got here was to stay. Try explaining to a four year old that the new doll that she just got she wasn't allowed to take with her. She had yelled at Kim in defiance and Kim had to just take it on the chin because her father wasn't helping or backing down.
"Don't do what? I want my family together at Christmas."
"We do this every year. We agreed to keep things as normal as possible and I have family too that want to see them." While Steve's voice was getting more and more agitated Kim tried to stay calm, riling him up was the last thing she needed to do.
"Fine, you can come back for Daisy after lunch and take her to see your family. The other's, they are not family."
"They are Oliver's family and have always treated Daisy exactly the same. They are her family too and you know it. They love Daisy."
"Then he can go. Daisy stays here."
"In case you have forgotten Oliver and Daisy are brother and sister. They are both my children too." She called out for the kids to get their coats and boots on. "They want to be together for Christmas. I want them together at Christmas."
"Perhaps you should have thought of that before you threw your little tantrum and ended our marriage. Oliver won't give a shit if Daisy is there or not. All he cares about is that bloody fake father of his."
"Adam is not a fake and he is trying a hell of a lot harder than you to make things easy for both the kids."
Kim thanked George and Mary for the morning and the gifts. Steve suddenly grabbed Daisy and refused to let her go. "Daisy is staying with me."
"Mommy." She cried as her father held her tighter and tighter. He hissed at Daisy to stop fighting him.
"Steve please. You are upsetting her and you're hurting her." Steve gave Kim a shove as she tried to take Daisy and Oliver suddenly stepped in between them both. Steve's mother and father were horrified to see their son turn his hand and look like he was about to strike the boy. Oliver flinched but didn't back down. "Don't touch my Mom." He screamed. "Don't touch my Mom."
George stepped forward and grabbed his son's hand. "Don't you dare ever raise your hand to Oliver or Kim." He had a vice like grip on him and an iciness to his voice that Kim had never heard before. "Let Daisy go."
He relaxed his grip and Daisy literally fell into her mother's arms, screaming hysterically. "You should go." George turned to Kim. "Enjoy your Christmas."
"I'm sorry." How many more times did she have to say that, apologise for her husband's behaviour. Unfortunately they had just seen the worst of their son. George squeezed her hand. "Go and let the kids enjoy Christmas."
Daisy was still sobbing as they drove the short distance to the Janet's house where they were having lunch. Oliver was upset but said nothing and Kim had no idea how she was going to explain this. The fact that he had raised his hand to Oliver again had angered her beyond belief, he promised that it was a one-time thing but how could she ever trust him again. Making the decision to leave Steve hadn't been an easy one and she did wonder if she had been hasty. Adam turning up had certainly thrown a spanner in the works but today, together with his behaviour last night confirmed to her that she had made the right call.
Adam was going to lose his shit and she hated that it had the potential to ruin his first Christmas with Oliver.
"Are you going to tell Dad?" Oliver asked her, it seemed that he had the same concerns about Adam as she did.
Kim tugged on his beanie. "I will, but how about we do it tomorrow. He's so excited about today, you know he hasn't had a real Christmas for a long time. I want you both to enjoy it. Can we do that?"
He nodded. He could do that for his Dad; he would do anything for his Dad, just like he was willing to do anything to protect his Mom and why he stood in between his mother and Steve; he needed to protect her. He didn't know why he did it, but he knew that he had too. "I don't want to see him again."
"Okay."
"But I love Nan and Pappy." He burst into tears so she pulled the car over. She thought she was doing the right thing, trying to keep the adults happy when she should have been making sure both her children were happy.
"We will work it out. I promise." Kim grabbed his hands and brushed away his tears. "I love you so much Ollie and I am sorry you got hurt."
"Why doesn't he like me? What did I do?"
"Ollie you didn't do anything, this is not your fault. None of this is your fault. I don't know why he's like this. But so many people love you. I love you, Daisy does and Adam, your Dad certainly does. Nan and Pappy love you, Grandma and Pops, Al, Erin and Jay, Kev, everyone. You are so loved Ollie never forget that. You are such a special boy, you always have been. Please don't think that people don't love you."
"Me too?" Finally Daisy joined the conversation. Kim was grateful that she was still at the age where she could move on quickly. She was sure the lure of more presents would make her forget all about the drama.
"Yes, you too."
"I love Ollie too." She had obviously been listening and Kim liked that it made her brother smile.
"There is a whole lotta love in this car." Kim shuffled through the playlist in the car. "So let's put on some Christmas tunes and sing our hearts out. Okay?"
By the time they pulled into Janet's drive the mood had definitely lifted. Both Oliver and Daisy shot out of the car and Adam looked relieved that they were finally here. His mother had definitely gone overboard and every half blown relative within a hundred miles was slowly descending on the place. Kim would keep him under control. He noticed that she was taking just a little longer to come inside than the kids did but she just smiled at him, gave him a quick peck on the cheek and wished him a Merry Christmas.
Despite her attempts to get him to not go crazy Oliver was now happily sporting opening game tickets to the Cubs Season along with a new jersey. Daisy had the world's largest art and craft supply box at her disposal and numerous accessories for her new dollhouse, which was a hit and Kim had a beautiful necklace as well as a Day Spa voucher so she could get pampered.
"So you didn't listen to a word I said?"
"I listened and then decided to ignore you. Let me have this one, please?"
"I'm just making an observation." He couldn't have chosen better for Ollie, spending time with his Dad was all he wanted and for Kim that was better than any material gift. Daisy loved the craft box and Kim could see a lot of time in her near future 'making' things. "As long as I get something to hang on my fridge." Adam told Daisy when she thanked him which she promised his would be the first thing she did.
"I also wanted to give you this." He handed Kim an envelope. "Read it later."
Kim had held herself a little away from him since she had arrived. Even her Christmas greeting was barely a peck on the cheek and he felt it was somewhat unfriendly even and he thought they were in a better place than that. "Have I upset you?" Adam found her in the kitchen staring out the window. He rested a hand on her back and was surprised to see her flinch a little.
'What?" she swung around suddenly. "No, Adam not at all. It's just been a tough day."
"Why?"
Kim shrugged. "It's just not easy." He didn't get a chance to ask her anything else because they were interrupted by the arrival of the rest of his family. A family he didn't really care to spend much time with ten years ago so why his mother felt the need to inflict them on him now was a little frustrating. He really would have preferred jut to spend the time with Kim, Oliver, Daisy and his parents.
After lunch Adam snuck away with Daisy to watch a movie. He needed to get away from everyone and he couldn't think of anything better than curling up on the couch downstairs with this one. She had slipped her little hand in his and asked him to put a movie on for her. They crept quietly down the stairs into the peace of the theatre room. He did wonder initially why on earth his mother needed a theatre room but right now he appreciated it. "Have you had a fun day?"
Daisy didn't take he eyes off the TV. "Daddy was angry."
"Why was he angry?"
"He didn't want me to go to Grandma's."
"He misses you."
"He yelled at Mommy and Pappy yelled at him. Oliver was crying in the car and I told him I loved him." Adam knew that something wasn't right when Kim arrived but she kept brushing him off, telling him that she was just tired. Oliver seemed okay and Daisy was knee deep in present un-wrapping.
"Well of course you do."
"Mommy does but Daddy doesn't." She finally looked at Adam. "You love Ollie?"
"I do and you too."
While his heart was in his mouth he loved the smile that lit up her face. "Yeah?" She was Kim's daughter; he couldn't love Kim and their son and not love this little girl. They hadn't known each other for long but Adam loved spending time with her. Right now, this was pretty damn perfect except he didn't love the conversation they were currently having.
"Of course and Mommy too." He stroked her hair and watched as Daisy rested her head on his lap and drifted off to sleep.
"Here you are?" Kim finally found them hiding downstairs. She wasn't surprised that he had snuck off for some time alone. She couldn't blame him because his family was full on. However finding him down here with Daisy was a surprise. "She's crashed?"
"She has. About ten minutes ago." He held out his hand and made sure Kim sat down next to him. Kim went to lift Daisy off his lap but he told her to leave her where she was, he was enjoying having her there, she was calming him down. "Are you okay?"
"I'm tired. That family seems a little extra crazy this year." She nodded her head towards the stairs.
"Where's Ollie?"
"Playing with his cousins. He doesn't seem to mind the craziness."
"Steve wasn't happy about Daisy coming here?"
"Is she okay?'
Adam was still stroking her hair softly. "She seems worried about who loves Oliver, that her Dad doesn't." Kim closed her eyes. "Hey, Kim." He tapped her leg. "Talk to me."
"Steve's not doing great. Oliver was upset about it. He loves Steve's parents and is worried that he won't be able to see them anymore." Kim rubbed her hand over her face. "He wants to know what he did wrong."
"Kim, this has to stop." She was surprised he was so rational about it but then again she hadn't told him the whole story yet.
"Oliver doesn't want to see him again."
"Well you know my feelings on that. Can't say I am upset about it."
"Didn't think you would be." Slowly Kim lowered her head onto his shoulder, she was rubbing Daisy's back gently and it felt nice when Adam pressed a gentle kiss onto the top of her head. It felt nice just to be here.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know."
"What can I do?"
Well for starters he could tell her that he loved her. That would be a good place to start. That is what she wanted to say, but instead she said, "Please always be in Oliver's corner."