Being woken up at 5:30 in the morning for vital checks and bloodwork was a real drag. Hospitals were ironically one of the worst places to try and get any rest. But today he got to go home so he didn't mind it when they came in. It meant his countdown to freedom was on.

About an hour later Shauna came by "I say this with the utmost sincerity; I hope I don't see you in here ever again"

"Yea, I can get on board with that. Hey uh, listen this is going to sound weird but I'm gonna go for it. Worst thing that happens is you never see me again, right? My friend Kevin; he's a real solid dude. Smart, loyal, funny. He's the real deal. If I gave you his number, you think you'd ever call him?"

She was a bit surprised; usually it was the patients hitting on her. "What are you, his wingman or something?"

"Not usually, if anything he's always been more of one to me. But if it convinces you to send him a text I'd be happy to take the credit." He replied holding up a small piece of note paper with Atwater's name and number on it.

"Give it here. No guarantees but I'll consider it" She smiled as she reached for the paper

"Woohoo"

"I said no guarantees!" She laughed. This group was tight. They were a family by choice and that type of loyalty meant something to her. If Kevin was the type of guy to hang around with this crowd then perhaps he was worth the chance.

"Maybe I'll see you again after all" He joked as she went to leave the room

"Maybe, maybe not. Be safe Adam"

"Will try, thank you for your help. Y'all have been really great to me and my family"

"You're very welcome" She waved as she left. Her shift was about to end and she wanted to finish her notes for the incoming crew.

Discharge was as smooth as could be. Once Kim and Makayla were allowed in at 9 that morning they only had to wait about an hour more for Adam to be signed out. It gave Adam a chance to change into his own clothes and for the nurse to go over some directions now that Kim had come by. They'd be written down for the two of them but they wanted to make sure that two ears heard the important next steps in Adam's recovery.

"Do I really have to get wheeled out?" Adam whined to his nurse

"Yes, it's standard procedure. Transport should be by shortly. Unless you've had a change of heart and want to stay longer?"

"Oh I'm out of here. No offense."

"None taken. Remember the contact numbers for this floor and his doctors are right on the front page of that packet. So if you think of any other questions or anything comes up don't hesitate, that number on the top is for this floor it's 24/7 and there's always a doctor on call here. If you're really in a spot call 911 right away."

All 3 of them nodded. Happy to be inching closer and closer to being home. Once Adam was wheeled out and their car was brought up to the entrance by the Valet's they were on their way.

"So, what do you want to do when we get home? Any wishes?" Kim asked as she looked over to make sure he was comfortable in the car.

"Just want to relax with the two of you. Legit, that's like all I want right now. No people coming and going, no one making anyone leave."

"But you need to make sure you get your walks in dad"

Kim smiled, who needs nurses when you had a ten year old to keep you in check.

"That's right, I do. I bet I can count on you to oversee and make sure I get those steps in?"

"I'm all over it. Can I make you a chart for home? Like the one on your wall in the hospital room"

"That would be extremely helpful Mack." He chuckled and looked over at Kim who smiled back at him.

Once they helped Adam get inside and on the couch they took an hour or two to themselves and watched a movie as a family. The walk from the curb and then up the small set of stairs would count as his movement for a while. After lunch Makayla made him a calendar for the next 3 weeks; when he'd go back for a check up with his doctors. As promised it was very comprehensive and included checkboxes for each time he walked, napped, took medicine and even what his pain levels were. All things Makayla overheard during her short visits to the hospital. The girl was really a sponge.

They adjusted to a new routine over the next few weeks. Makayla was allowed to stay home with Adam for a week until she started at her summer camp. Kim wasn't sure who was happier when that camp came around; Makayla as it meant a chance to meet new friends, learn and have fun or Adam who was looking forward to a break from his 4ft tall drill instructor. Kim returned to work; Makayla being all over Adam made her decision easy. If Makayla got nervous or scared that he wasn't right she said would call Kim immediately; fortunately they never needed to go that route.

Adam adjusted well. He eventually called his dad to let him know what happened. He wanted to just do it over a text message but Kim told him that he owed him at least a phone call. His dad seemed to be doing well in Florida and promised that he'd fly in to visit before the end of the summer. Adam held his breath on that but said that he'd pick him up at the airport shall he make the trip.

He also made the tough decision to tell the truth about what happened the day of the shooting. Learning about how angry Callum was about his grandfather being shot and how he was still struggling to handle his emotions in the days that followed clued Adam into the fact that the young boy needed help. Adam hoped that by adding the truth that the ten year old was also dealing with the fact that he shot a person could help the case workers and child psychologists in helping the boy deal with his trauma. He hoped a lot for Callum. But after thinking it over once he had been able to put some space between him and the hospital he realized that not telling those working with him the full story wouldn't be allowing them to fully treat him.

Kevin even met Shauna for a few dates. It was coincidental that Kim was driving when he got a text from her a few days after Adam had been discharged. Kim had no idea that Adam had passed along Kevin's number: She wasn't completely shocked though and the more she thought about it; Shauna and Kevin did have a lot of shared interests and personalities that matched.

"Bro, did you give my number to your nurse?"

"Perhaps….."

"Just couldn't stay out of it could you?"

"Man, you can't see a good thing if it hits you in the face"

"Oh, I'm about to hit someone in the face alright"

Kim couldn't contain her laughter any longer as she listened to the conversation. She was driving and Kevin was nice enough to let this play out on speaker phone.

"Hi Kim! Glad you are enjoying this. I'm guessing she reached out to you?"

"Yea; texted me"

"Here's an idea, it's a wild one so hold on, ready? CALL HER. Kim, don't you think he should call her?"

"Leave me out of this Adam. I'm not going down with your ship"

"I'm a keen observer. You'll be thanking me later. She knows who you are, what you do and you can talk Bulls and basketball with her rather than try and continue to force that stuff on me."

"You're the worst wingman ever!" Kevin said. After a lengthy pause he added "I'll call her after shift"

"I'm the best wingman ever. Gonna put it on a t-shirt so you don't forget it"

"Awww you two are cute. But Kev we're back. Adam we've gotta go"

"Don't have all the fun without me. Be safe!"

"By bro, behave!"

"By Adam, love you"

"Love you too"

Kevin resisted the temptation to make one last joke. He was ecstatic for his friends and how they were approaching their relationship this time. There were times in the past where he felt torn. Like he was expected to pick sides whenever issues came up. He agreed with the two of them; this time had a different feel about it, they'd grown up over the years and were willing to handle things straight on between each other. He'd grown up some as well. He knew a bit more of who he was both on and off the job. If Shauna was reaching out to him she already accepted some of the things that turned other women off in the past. He figured it was worth a shot. If the worst thing he'd have to deal with was Adam gloating about being right; well that wouldn't be so bad.