Hey everyone happy Saturday!

Can we take a second to rejoice over the Burzek kiss we got last Wednesday? Oh my gosh! If only they would just let them be happy already.

Anyway, here's chapter 15 of this story. Hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much for your lovely reviews and for reading. It fills my heart and motivates me to keep doing it.

Happy reading!

Xoxo,

Nina

Sylvie had already left, Matt texted her inviting her over for a movie and since it was almost time for Kim to go too, the blonde accepted the invitation.

Kim told her all the details about the morning, Mrs. Quinn's comments and caring advice, and how Adam handled the whole Andrew situation.

Sylvie wasn't surprised, for some reason she knew that he was going to be supportive and kind. She knew in her heart that he was the right guy for Kim. It was strange and she was nowhere near ready to share this with her friend, but she could see so many connections and so many similarities between Adam and her cousin, that she couldn't help but think that it was Andrew who sent him to Kim's life. She really wanted to believe that, and she prayed to god not to be wrong.

Of course Andrew's death was devastating for Kim, but it was equally heartbreaking for Sylvie too. At the beginning they would both seek comfort in each other, they were their own support system, bringing each other up when one of them was down low. As time went by, Sylvie started to come to terms with the fact that her cousin was gone, but that she needed to move on, live her life and try to be happy. She owed that much to him.

She was determined to start moving her life forward, and when she saw how stuck Kim was, she did her best to pull her up, to continue supporting her and to help her try to be happy again. That's all she wanted.

Seeing her friend suffer was hard. Not only because it's always hard to watch how someone you love is completely torn apart, but also because she was reminded of the tragedy her family had just gone through, of the pain that she was also trying to heal from.

She started to question herself. Should she go on with her life? Should she keep mourning? Was she a bad cousin if she decided to try to be happy? Did she love him less because of that? All those questions haunted her every morning when she woke up, every night when she went to bed and every time she saw Kim cry.

That was probably one of the few times that she actually got mad at her friend. She was mad because she couldn't see her like that any more, because she couldn't believe how Kim was wasting her life crying when her cousins had just lost his, and mostly because she felt guilty that she wasn't crying like Kim was.

It wasn't until after months of therapy that Sylvie realized that she was fine and that Kim was also fine. That mourning is a process, and that everyone does what they can. It didn't mean that she loved Andrew less or that Kim loved him more, it just meant that both of them were different and that they were both doing what they could. That was when she finally understood the quote 'the only way out is through'. They were both going through it, and there was no right or wrong path, just the path each one of them could take.

Once she got that, she knew it was just a matter of time, and that she was always going to stand by her friend.

Today she left Kim's apartment knowing that the time had come, that she was starting to be ready to move on and be happy again.

After a shower and getting into a pair of jeans a white tank top and a mid thigh mustard yellow shirt that she left unbuttoned, Kim texted Adam to double check what time she should be there.

We're here and about to heat up dinner, so just come when you want.

He finished that message with a winky face. Kim smiled, the goofy look on her face as she stared at the screen was something that Sylvie would definitely mock her for.

She grabbed her keys and her bag and headed out the door. Kim got there in no time, the traffic lights decided to be good to her and they were all green and besides, they really didn't live that far apart from each other.

As she stood outside the Ruzeks' door she could hear Gracie giggle at Adam's rendition of let it go. Kim could really see how Grace was having a good time with her uncle despite everything that was going on around her. He was massively funny and determined to protect his niece, it was evident how much he loved her and she loved him. What was it with him that made Kim feel so at ease?

The brunette finally knocked on the wooden door of his apartment and immediately heard her student's voice.

"Uncle Adam there's someone at the door."

She heard Adam's voice but couldn't quite tell what it was that he was saying, when she heard Gracie again, she kind of figured it out. "Who is it?"

"It's Kim, um Ms. B."

"Uncle Adam it's Ms. B!" The little girl yelled across the room and then started running away from the door. A few seconds later Adam opened the door with little Gracie perched on his hip, she seemed happy and shy and Adam's smile was just glowing.

"Hey, welcome." Adam greeted her. "She's a little shy, wasn't expecting the visit." He stepped away from the door signaling Kim to come in. "Are you gonna say hello, muffin?" Adam kissed the top of Gracie's head and rubbed her back, when she finally nodded he put her down.

"Hi, Ms. B!"

"Hey sweetheart!" She crouched down and waited for Grace to walk over and hug her, just like she did every morning.

"Did I forget my homework at school?" Although Grace was happy to see Kim, she didn't really understand what her teacher was doing at her house.

Kim laughed at her question. "No, you didn't forget anything."

"Actually Grace, I invited her over."

"Oh, that's fun! Are you having dinner with us again?" The little girl asked her teacher, but Adam answered instead.

"She is if she wants to."

"Do you want to have dinner with us?" Kim looked at Adam, who was smiling at both of them and then looked back at Grace.

"Sure, I'll stay." Gracie was jumping up and down at that answer, she grabbed Kim's hand and took her to her room to show her a picture she'd made and also the new bracelet making kit that her grandparents had given her. It didn't take long before the two of them were in the living room with a bunch of colorful beads making bracelets for each other, while Adam got the table ready.

It was such a family plan, it was strange and new to the two adults, yet so familiar and needed for Gracie. She was happy and relaxed and that really was all Adam wanted for her right now. He knew he'd made the right choice and Kim knew she'd made the right decision as she quietly observed how Gracie moved swiftly around the house and saw that sparkle in her eyes that was not that frequent any more.

Kim and Adam had been eyeing each other all evening, not only because they couldn't lose contact between them, but also because they were trying to figure out the best way and time to talk to Grace. The truth was there wasn't an ideal setting for this situation, they just needed it to be out in the open and hope that Gracie would react the way Adam thought she would.

"Grace, do you like dinner? How great of a chef am I?" The little girl rolled her eyes and they both laughed.

"You bought this on our way home. She took a bite of her food and spoke again after swallowing. "But you are getting better at cooking."

"Yes!" He cheered, making Gracie smile. "Grace there's something I want to tell you." Adam spoke softly and looked at Kim for reassurance.

"What? Are you going away too? Like mommy and daddy?"

"No, baby no. I'm right here with you. I promised your daddy that I would take care of you and that's exactly what I'm going to do. So you don't have to worry about me going anywhere." He took Gracie's little hand over the table and she smiled at him. Kim was doing her best not to melt over this conversation. "But, you know how grandpa Bob usually helps me a lot with you? Picking you up or dropping you off when I'm stuck at work?"

"Yes."

"We'll that's going to change, just a little bit."

"Is grandpa Bob leaving?"

"No, but sometimes he's working too and he can't be with you as much as he would want to."

"Ok."

"So, we're getting some extra help. Grandpa Bob will still be around and you can hang out with him as much as you like. Does that sound good?"

"Yeah." She didn't seem so sure, she got off her chair and went over to climb on Adam's lap.

"What's wrong, muffin?"

"What if the person who helps us doesn't like me? Or if I don't like hanging out with them?"

"Something tells me that we're not going to have any problems in that department."

Kim watched them attentively and was a bit nervous about Grace's reaction now.

"What would you say if I tell you that Miss B over here is going to be helping us out?"

"Really?" She sit up quickly still on her uncle's lap and looked over at Kim who was nodding. Grace's eyes were sparkling and Kim was smiling back at her.

"Yes, really. I mean, if that's ok with you." Kim finally spoke, causing a full on grin on the little girl's face.

"Yes! It's ok with me!"

"Good!" Adam said as he pressed a kiss into Gracie's forehead. "How about you go over to your place and finish your dinner?"

"Can we finish our bracelets after we eat?"

"We can, of course." Kim answered and Grace went back to finish her food.

"Gracie, did you tell your uncle about field day?"

"No, she did not."

"Well, we only sent the notice and permission slips today, it's probably still in her backpack."

"Yes, it's there. I didn't know if you could come. That's why I didn't tell you uncle Adam."

Kim stepped in to try to soften up the awkward moment. "This year the school wants to join field and family day, so we are extending the invitation to other members of the family as well." She explained to Adam, as Grace was too concentrated on her dinner.

"And when will that be? I'd love to be there." He said as he looked at Grace.

"Next Friday." Kim shot back.

"You know Grace? I could probably talk to Hank and see if I can get the day off. Would you like that?"

"Uh huh, daddy used to go with me and it was loads of fun. I didn't want to bother you."

"Grace, you don't bother me at all. You have to tell these things, your uncle is pretty cool and all but has no idea of school things. I'm sorry."

"It's ok, uncle Adam." Grace looked at Kim. "Ms. B? Can you help him with school things too? Or do you only help kids like me?"

"Huh, that's a trick question. I teach kids like you, but I think I can help your uncle with this."

"Good." The little kid looked back at Adam. "Ms.B can teach you how to do school things." She stated with a huge smile making both adults laugh.

"Ok. I'll tell you what. I'm gonna read that slip and ask Hank tomorrow to see if I can get the day. I really want to go with you. Your dad and I used to love field day and don't tell him I said this, but I was always much better at it than him." Gracie giggled. She loved to hear about her dad and uncle when they were little.

"Ok! If you can go, can we take pictures and send them to mommy and daddy?"

"Of course we can."

"Yeeiii!!" She cheered and took one last bite of her food. "I'm full."

"No ice cream then?" Adam asked with a smile as he cocked his head to the side. He knew that Gracie wasn't all that full, she was excited and she wanted to finish her bracelet and there was no way she was going to say no to ice cream. Gracie looked up with a mischievous smile.

"Maybe just one scoop." It was impossible to say no to her and those big beautiful green eyes.

Grace waited until both adults finished eating and Adam told her she could go back to the living room to finish her bracelets. After the girl asked if she would go with her, Kim told her that she would go right after helping Adam get the dishes and clean up a little.

"That went pretty well." Kim said to him as she brought the dishes to the kitchen where he was throwing out some scraps and putting some things in the dishwasher. He nodded at her comment and smiled, but as soon as she saw the expression on his face she knew that smile was hiding something. "What's in your head?" She walked closer to him and left what she was holding on the counter to lightly place a hand on his shoulder. He contemplated lying to her, but then he realized they were past that and that if this was going to work both of them needed to be honest.

"It kills me when she says stuff like that. I wish I had all the right answers for her, that I could do everything she needs me to do. But I just don't know sometimes." He was frustrated.

"Adam, do you think your brother and Anne have all the right answers all the time?"

"They seem like they do."

"Well, I'm not a mother, but over the years in all of my meetings with parents the fact that they are all learning how to educate them and how to parent them along the way always pops up. It's ok, it really is. You're learning and you're doing one hell of a job and Gracie is learning too. And I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but, I think what you said today was perfect. Letting her know that you're really trying and that you want her to tell you what she wants. That's going to help her, too. You've got this cool uncle." He stepped closer to her and placed both hands on her hips. Forget electricity, she felt fire running all through her body.

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without your advice, without you being here and helping us."

"You were doing just fine before I came along." She said, looking at the floor.

"You were always part of Gracie's support system even before we met. So I don't really agree with that."

"You know what I mean." He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I know. And you know exactly what I meant, too." She smiled and he felt his heart skip a beat. He wanted to kiss her so bad, but it wasn't an option with Grace being right there. It's just that having her that close was way too tempting.

Luckily they were both pulled back to earth to the sound of Gracie's cute voice coming from the living room.

"Ms. B, come! You have to see what I made!" She couldn't contain her excitement.

"Coming!" Kim said loud enough for Grace to hear.

"Go. I'll be right there with dessert in a minute."

"Ok." She turned to leave and she hesitated. She stopped for a second and Adam hoped that she would turn around and press her lips to his. Instead she slightly shook her head and walked to the living room.