Hey guys!

I have no words to say how grateful I am for all your comments! I'm so happy you're enjoying this story.

I managed to finish a chapter today, trying to heal my broker Burzek heart, since the show is not really doing that anytime soon, and I decided to update again to make that covid situation that one of you is going through a little better!

I'm also going to post a sequel to one of my stories tomorrow, so hopefully that will keep you a little entertained.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! You are amazing!!

Happy reading!

Xoxo,

Nina

"Ms. B! Ms. B!" Gracie came running to the classroom, the joy reflected in her face and her tone of voice was priceless. "You're never going to guess what happened last night?"

"I have no idea. But it must have been amazing if it made you this excited." Kim knew that Gracie was really looking forward to today, having Adam come to field day with her was all she talked about during the week and to be honest, it was a pretty frequent topic for her uncle too. Spending the weekend with her pops was also a big deal, especially since Bob had planned an amazing weekend to make up for the time he was missing out on her. There were many reasons for Gracie to be bouncing around like she was right now.

"It was! I spoke with mommy and daddy. They told me that they love me and they miss me a whole lot."

"Gracie, that's fantastic! Of course they love you and miss you. Who wouldn't?" Kim smiled and walked closer to her to tickle her tummy and give her a big hug.

"Mommy is really happy you're helping us."

"I'm really glad about that, especially because I'm also very happy helping you and your uncle." The grin on Gracie's face was melting Kim's heart.

"This is the best week ever!!" The child said enthusiastically and ran to her desk, telling everyone who came across her that she had spoken to her parents. It was too cute and also incredibly sad. Kim really wanted for Kit and Anne to be able to come back and be with their daughter again.

Lucky, that lovely energy she came into school with was only boosted by the thrill that field day brought to all of them.

The atmosphere at school was joyful and fun. Children were up and running everywhere, gathered up in teams and wearing different colors in order to tell them apart. parents and family members seemed delighted to be sharing time with their little ones and they were ecstatic to have them in school.

Gracie was one of them. He had barely said hello to Kim. As soon as Gracie saw him, she took Adam by the hand and showed him around the building and although Kim would have liked a little more time with him, it was cute seeing them together.

The week had been long, Sunday was probably the last time they actually spent time together. Both Kim and Adam had been busy, but luckily he managed to keep things on time by the bullpen and was able to take care of Grace without having to ask anyone for help, which was both good and bad. Good because he really cherished all the moments that he got to spend with his niece.

Adam never thought it was going to feel so good to be living with her, in his mind children and parenting weren't meant for him. He knew he wasn't Gracie's Dad, and that this was momentary but he was the family she had right now, he was the father figure Gracie had and he was determined not to let her down. It was bad, because as much as he loved spending time with Grace, he was also enjoying all the time he could get with Kim, and they didn't get any of that this week, but they had the weekend to look forward to.

The Ruzeks were is Brett's team, well there were other teachers too, but Sylvie was the only one Adam knew anyway. He was paying attention to all the games and activities and was giving his all to make sure that Grace was having the time of her life, but he was also keeping an eye on Kim, more precisely on the guy that was shamelessly hitting on her. Hadn't he realized he was in a school with kids everywhere?

Apparently the look on his face was pretty evident, because as soon as they had a snack break Sylvie came over to talk to him.

"That's Ian. The kids call him coach." The blonde said answering the question in Adam's mind when she saw Gracie walking away to a group of her friends, but he decided to play dumb.

"Who?"

"Gracie's gym teacher. Also the guy who's standing next to Kim who you seem to be staring at for the last half an hour." She replied laughing at the situation. Nothing ever happened without Sylvie being aware of it. Adam just looked at her with his typical lopsided smirk and raised both hands pleading guilty. "Look, you have nothing to worry about. He's been like this for the past year and Kim just ignores him." Adam lightly chuckled before speaking.

"Aren't you worried that she'll get pissed at you for giving me all this quality information? I'm not complaining, just asking." He clarified after seeing the look she was giving him.

"Well, I'm not lying and it's not like you don't know she obviously likes you. Besides, I told you already. I'm rooting you, I think you're good for her, so you can just see me as your guardian angel."

"Thank you, I appreciate the support. I promise I'll have her back."

"I know you will." She smiled and patted his back before going back to her students.

Field day was a huge success, the kids were happy, the families were enjoying themselves and the teachers were exhausted.

Adam tried to approach Kim all day, but he kept his distance when he saw some mothers being particularly interested in their dynamics. Although he couldn't care less about it because he didn't mind people knowing that they were a thing, he was aware that this was Kim's place of work and that Mrs. Quinn had already warned her about gossip and people talking. The least that he wanted was to make any of this harder for her, so he just sucked it up and was thankful for the two times they walked past each other and managed to lightly brush the back of their hands. They looked like a pair of teenagers who were trying not to get caught and even though Kim needed to take things slow, she was really beginning to feel the strain of not being around him as much as she'd like.

She was getting ready to go out. The school staff had agreed on going out for drinks to celebrate that everything ran smoothly, and mainly just to unwind and relax from a pretty stressful week. She was meeting them there and had to leave in twenty minutes tops if she didn't want to be extremely late.

The sound of the doorbell made her flinch, making her almost smudge the eyeliner. She put the stuff she had lying around away quickly and walked to the door.

"Hey." She greeted as soon as she opened, not being able to hide the smile on her face.

"Hi." He said shyly. "I know you have plans tonight, but I just dropped off Gracie at my pop's and on my way to Kev's I figured I could stop by and give you a quick kiss. It was a long week, and as much as I liked seeing you today, it kind of sucked not even hugging you." His voice dropped a little and he nervously scratched the back of his head at his confession. Kim just stepped back and opened the door for him to come in, closing it right after he did it.

"You're gonna kill me Ruzek."

"Me? Have you checked yourself out in the mirror? Talk about killing someone." He eyed her from head to toe admiring what he had in front of him. She was dressed comfortably and cute. High waisted jeans, white sneakers and a white knitted midriff top with black stripes. Her hair was lose with lovely waves and she had just a little make up, keeping a natural look but accentuating her features.

"Like what you see?" She turned to give him a better glimpse as she let loose a giggle. She was totally playing with him and enjoying that flirting game they had on.

"Yes. Very much." He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to him, pressing his lips against hers and lightly pulling on her lower lip with his teeth. "You looked adorable today at work and you look so fucking good right now." He whispered, barely losing contact with her lips. She didn't even speak, she just attacked his mouth wildly, her tongue seeking entry and he gladly allowed it. That was her way of telling him that she thought he looked hot as the hell.

"I have a whole of fifteen minutes before I have to leave and I'd love to spend them cuddling with you on the couch." Once again, her words had a life of her own. With Adam she was authentic, she was herself and she felt like she could tell him what she wanted.

Adam hugged her and walked both of them over to the couch. She fell on his chest and felt as safe as ever. "Thanks for coming over. I really missed you this week." She felt his lips kiss the top of her head and his hand rubbing her back.

"Me too. You're becoming a huge part of my life." He said that without thinking. He didn't want to push her and maybe this comment would do just that, but Kim just smiled and tried to bury her face deeper in his chest while her hands held a tighter grip of his waist.

"Is that a good thing?"

"It is if you want to be a part of it." She lifted her head up and found his lips again.

"It's a good thing then." She answered.

Now it was Adam, the one who was smiling. He wanted to have her closer to him, to touch her and feel the smoothness of her skin but he knew that even attempting that was going to make them both more frustrated than ever. They both had plans and neither of them was going to bail, that's why those fifteen minutes just lying there with her, breathing each other in felt like heaven.

"So…" He just threw it out there.

"Yes?"

"Is this Coach Ian guy going to be there tonight?" There was a hint of jealousy in his voice and Kim liked it a little.

"Well, all of us are going, so it's likely he will. Why?" She asked, but she already knew the answer to his question.

"I don't know. I just don't like him." Kim chuckled at his excuse and he protested. "Hey!"

"You don't even know him. He's a good guy."

"I don't need to know him to see how interested he is in you." She wiggled a little to settle herself in his arms after hearing him.

"Well, he's into a rude awakening because gym teachers are not my type."

"And what's your type?"

"First responders." She said quickly, making Adam chuckle.

"That's a pretty wide spectrum. Any chance you could be more specific?"

"Yeah, Policemen. Detectives detailed to intelligence to be more exact. Do you happen to know any that you could set me up with?"

"I might…" He pecked his lips mid sentence. "…know a guy." He kissed her again.

"Ok. Just let him know that I have a date with a hot guy tomorrow, so the bar is set pretty high right now."

"Ha! Heard that Ian?" He said to the air, making Kim laugh.

Both their phones buzzed almost at the same time, their friends were asking them where they were.

"I have to go. Sylvie is asking for me."

"Yeah, Atwater is too. And I have to pick up the pizza on the way."

"One more kiss?" He just went for it, he didn't even answer her question and they both got off the couch even though they didn't really want to.

"Have fun babe." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as they were standing by the door. "We'll talk tomorrow but I'll be picking you up at eight, alright?"

"Sure. I'm really looking forward to it." Her smile was honest and pure. "Say hi to Kevin for me." She leant in to hug him and hid her face on the crook of his neck. "And if you can, could you let me know you got there safe?"

He thought that request was adorable, but it also broke his heart thinking about everything she has gone through with Andrew's passing. "Of course. You too. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Can't wait." One last peck and he was out the door.