As promised Kim came back the next morning. She was slightly later than usual as she got held up dropping Makayla off with her babysitter.
"I'd say goodmorning to you but it doesn't look like it's treated you well" Adam was in his chair, getting used to his own little routine.
"Yea, sorry. You look good, is your hair wet?"
"Yup! Got to take the world's quickest shower. Nursing assistant pretty much timed me but I made it through all right. Feel pretty out of it now but it was worth it."
"You do smell better"
"Ooo good one. You're still off though. Spill."
"Makayla was less than happy about not being able to come back today. With you having to talk about the case I just couldn't bring her by. Plus as we talked last night, it's her routine and it's really good for her."
"Kim, you don't have to ever defend your parenting decisions to me. You're an amazing mother; the fact that you feel as hurt as you do but still put what's really in her best interest above your own feelings will always be proof of that. Come here" He held out his arms and she sat on the left armrest of his chair while he did his best to wrap her in a hug. "I love you" He added with a kiss to her cheek
"I love you too." She said, turning her face to kiss him properly. "I love how better you smell today" They both chuckled a bit before returning to rest their heads against each other. "Your ribs stiff yet? Need to get back into bed?"
"Yea, I think I'll still give walking a try though. Gotta get those steps in y'know?"
"Right but don't push it"
"Won't push it." He held his arm out and she hooked hers around as they walked. She was a bit more tucked into him this time; it was as though they were drawing strength from each other. He didn't make it any further than he had the day before but wasn't discouraged. Kim was a bit worried that he would expect to grow leaps and bounds each day but his doctor had written it clearly on the little whiteboard to 'Manage Expectations' and that was something he would work on. He knew he could be quick with his emotions in the past. That things would frustrate him easily, or that he could jump to a quick conclusion. He didn't necessarily like that version of himself and made the conscious decision a couple of years ago to try and think before he acted. It wasn't always easy; when you saw what some people could do to each other it could make you want to scream and throw things, but that wouldn't make him any better than those he was trying to lock up. So he tried and would keep trying if not for himself, for his family.
Voight and Chapman came by shortly after Adam took a well deserved after-walk nap. As Kim and Adam had predicted Chapman initially thought it would be best for Kim to not be in the room. She was afraid that she would influence Adam's decision making abilities. She relented once Voight agreed with Kim that throughout the case Adam had been in constant contact with Kim. That she already knew more of the ins and outs of this case than Voight even knew.
The irony of it all was that in the end no decisions regarding charges were made. Callum still hadn't given his interview as he didn't take too well to being taken in by child services. They had seen it happen with children often. Many times they were over emotional but had a hard time expressing all of their feelings and it came out in anger. Other times kids would just shut down and refuse to talk to a single soul. Callum acted out with some extreme anger. He was currently being monitored and evaluated by a team of child psychologists. Adam asked if he could wait until those results to give his statement. Eventually Voight and Chapman agreed; the boy needed help and that was the main goal in whatever road they decided to go in. Sam Beck's fate would be determined after that. She was being held without bail and they could continue to add charges as appropriate.
Once Chapman and Voight exited the room Kim studied Adam's face; looking for any sign of any emotional distress.
"You ok? I know it stinks that this isn't over with yet"
"Was it ever really going to be over after today? There'd always be a need to give testimony again. Most important thing is to try and get this right"
"Adam Ruzek the man that you are" Kim grasped his face in her hands before giving him a quick kiss that ended with their foreheads resting against each other. "What do you want to do now? Or at least after lunch."
"I feel like I need to get out of this room, I know I can't but I feel like I need out" Kim understood his agitation. He had been holding it together so well for someone who didn't sit still very often.
Suddenly Kim had an idea. "How about we try and walk down to that lounge area at the end of the hallway. We go down there, sit and eat lunch. You know you can at least make it down there. Who cares about making it back. We'll figure that out later. I can always wheel you back if you're too tired."
"I'd love that" He said with a wide smile
"Alright, let's bust you out of this room for a bit. I'll come back and grab your lunch and then run to the cafe to grab a sandwich after we get you settled"
"Bossy Burgess is back; I like her" His smile turned into a devilish smirk
"Be good or I'll leave you out here" She replied as she walked with him. "Careful sitting, these are a bit lower than the chair in your room. Don't want to jostle your ribs too much"
"Yea, wow. Thanks for that heads up. Not going to lie, you are definitely going to have to help me stand back up."
She really adored this man and all of the growth he had made. "I'd be happy to help. Be right back with your food, relax and catch your breath. I can see you trying to act like that didn't feel like a marathon"
"Oh but it feels so good to be out of that room. Felt like lockup all over again." That admission made Kim stop in her tracks. One thing they had never talked about was the times he was in prison. Despite their totally different circumstances he was eventually put in a 23 & 1 setting each time. Adam didn't do well with confinement and though he never discussed it with her Kim knew that it left him unsettled each time.
"I'm not going to press you to talk about that but I'm here if you want to. Also if you are ever feeling like you are feeling trapped you just let me know ok, we'll see what we can do"
"Not going to lie; not much to talk about other than being locked in a small room wanting to climb walls. And yes I'll definitely let you know. Thank you" His appreciation was genuine. She could see it in his eyes.
They enjoyed their lunch and Adam was able to make it back to his room. He braced himself a bit against the wall for physical support while Kim held on tight to his other arm.
"I think you're done for the day Mr."
"Yea, that was good though. Felt good to figure out exactly where my limit is"
"If you say so. Here have some water"
"Thanks. You ok if I grab a quick nap?"
"Absolutely, I'll check in with Makayla's sitter and catch some afternoon TV."
While he was napping Kim coordinated with Makayla's sitter to have her dropped off at the hospital instead of Kim going to pick her up. It would give Makayla and Adam at least an hour, maybe 2 with each other. The look on their faces was completely worth it.
"Hi dad, are you feeling better today" Makayla said as she skipped into Adam's room
"I am, even better now that you're here" He answered her and scooted over so she could slide onto the bed next to him. Wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in close.
"Mom surprised us!"
"Yes she did" He agreed looking up at Kim and mouthing the words 'thank you' to her. "Guess what, doctors said that I'll be discharged tomorrow morning after rounds." Kim and Adam had gotten the good news during his latest vitals check and dose of ibuprofen. He had been consistently hitting all of his check points, his blood work had stabilized and his pain was under control using over the counter medication. Adam was ecstatic whereas Kim was a little nervous. But in the two days that she had visited Adam had been essentially resting; something he could do from the comfort of their couch.
"Really? Does that mean you get to come home?"
"That's exactly what it means. I get to go home and rest and hang out with you two."
"No work?"
"Nope, not for at least 3 - 4 weeks. Then I might be able to do paperwork, yuck!" Kim laughed as Adam and Makayla each stuck their tongues out. In a few weeks time the prospect of paperwork would be welcome to him. The doctor estimated it would be at least 6 to 8 weeks before he was even able to be considered to return to the field.
"So what are you going to do? I have some books you can read"
"Wow, thank you so much. I'll keep that in mind bumblebee."
"Mom, do I get to come when you pick up dad? Please, please, pleeeeaase" Makayla didn't beg often. Her small episode earlier this morning had been the closest thing to a tantrum Kim could recall her having. Kim knew that once she was able to get Adam back home she'd make sure to talk to Makayla's therapist, and most likely her own as well; Make sure that nothing about this latest incident caused any trouble down the line.
Kim tried not to look at Adam. She knew he'd be all but begging but would leave the decision up to her. "Ok, but only if you promise to be patient. When they say he's getting out tomorrow morning we don't know exactly what time so I don't want to hear 'can we go home now?' every five minutes. Deal?"
"Deal! I promise."
"While we're at it, that goes for you too." Kim laughed as she pointed her finger at Adam who wore a mock expression of shock on his face
"Moi? I would never" And when he laughed, Makayla did too.
"Alright kiddo, time to get ready to go. Say goodbye to your dad, we'll be back tomorrow" Makayla frowned momentarily at the thought of having to leave but when she was reminded that she'd be back in the morning she forgot about being disappointed.
"Look who I get to look after for another night" Shauna said as she entered the room waving to Kim and Makayla. She had heard about the little girl in conversation but had never met her. "You must be Makayla? I've heard a lot about you. My name's Shauna. I look after your dad overnight" Makayla waved in response "you seem as awesome as your parents have said you are"
"Thanks Ms. Shauna. Can you really hear people's hearts with that thing around your neck?"
"My stethoscope? Yes I can hear heartbeats, lung sounds, check for blood pressure and a bunch of other cool things. Wanna listen?"
Makayla looked between Adam and Kim for permission
"Sure, quickly though. I'm going to say goodbye to your dad and then we're out"
Shauna led Makayla over to the spare chair that was still in their room from Atwater the afternoon before and let her experience the sounds using her stethoscope.
"Get some rest, can't wait to have you home tomorrow" Kim said as she leant over and gave Adam a kiss
"Can't wait to get home tomorrow. Thanks again for arranging to have her come by." He said as he returned a kiss of his own. "Night you two"
"Night!" They said in unison while Makayla added a 'thanks' to Shauna for showing her the stethoscope.
"Need anything from me? Dinner should be up in a few minutes. Any other visitors tonight? "
"I should be good, gonna get in my chair, eat and then hit it. Kev went back to work today so I'm sure he's swamped. Had a busy morning anyway, won't mind the early bedtime tonight" He caught the slight look of disappointment from her when he mentioned that Atawater wouldn't be coming by.
"Well I'm a press of a button away." And with that she left him just as his dinner arrived.
The rest of the evening was uneventful. He was probably in bed and asleep by 8:30 glad that this would be his last night here: tomorrow he'd be able to fall asleep with Kim beside him.