"Good morning!" Kim smiled as she came into the kitchen. "Mommy!" Allie ran to her smiling wide. "Hi baby! Are you having a good morning with daddy and Ry?" She asked hugging her daughter tight. "Yes we are making pancakes!" She all but yelled scaring the little kitten at their feet. "That great baby but let's try not to yell too close to Tiger. His little ears are pretty sensitive at this age okay." Kim released her daughter and picked up the kitten snuggling him close. "Sorry mommy! We fed him already and cleaned up his box." They had tasked Allie with learning how to care for the animal knowing that it was important to learn at an early age. But also because once Kim was pregnant she wouldn't be allowed to do litter box duty anymore. Cats fecal matter had enzyme that could kill the baby. "That's okay sweetheart and thank you for taking care of Tiger. I'm sure he appreciates it. Now let's go see daddy and Ry." She led the way to the kitchen still holding the kitten close to her chest.
"Well this smells amazing! Are you boys having fun?" Kim asked before kissing Riley's cheeks and kissing Adams lips softly. "Yeah!" Ry giggled as he sat on the countertop. "That's great! You are such a great helper!" Kim smiled seeing how much more vocal he had gotten since moving in with her. He was almost a totally different kid. "Morning babe! Thanks for getting up with them. I didn't realize how tired I was." Kim placed Tiger down as he was getting fidgety in her arms. "It's no problem. I love spending time with my kids. I even played with Tiger a bit before the kids woke. He getting stronger that's for sure. Jumping much higher after his toys. It's kind of fun watching him go nuts over the toys." He shrugged a bit not watching to come off weak for liking a kitten. "Tough guys and kittens is hot! Just remember that!" She winked walked to get a cup of coffee. "I will have to keep that in mind." He smirked knowing she was teasing on purpose.
As the family sat around the table eating in silence enjoying the company the couple noticed something was slightly off with Allie. While she had still been bubbly she seemed to be mulling something over. Luckily Adam hadn't been called in and Kim was scheduled off for the day. While they normally let the kids come to them when something was wrong they decided to ask her about it. "Allie Cat everything okay sweetheart?" Adam took the lead knowing it was important with step parents to show they would support the kids and help anyway they could. "Um I miss daddy. He's not been around much lately. Is he coming back?" She asked sheepishly. Kim covered her mouth trying to hide the gasp while Adam looked hurt and angry. Not angry at Allie but that his daughter was being hurt once again by her father.
"Oh honey! He will be back. He is just very busy with work right now. I promise when he calls tonight I will talk to him about this okay?" Kim tried to stay calm but she was anything but calm. "I have an idea! What if you and me had a daddy/daughter day? We can do anything you want." Adam tired to sound upbeat but he was pissed. Allie jumped from her chair clearly excited running over to hug Adam. "I take it that's a yes?" He double checked. "Yes! I have to go get ready!" She ran from the room giggling the whole way. "Why do I have the feeling I'm in for pink barf all day?" Adam cringed thinking of all the pink crap Allie would want. He hated pink and so did Kim. It baffled them both. "Probably! Good luck with that!" Kim laughed grabbing the plates and headed for the kitchen.
"Ry come on let's go have a shower!" Adam carried him upstairs to their bathroom. Normally they still did baths with him but today he was going to kill two birds with one stone. He would simply shower Riley at the same time making things easier and faster this morning. Once the boys finished Kim jumped in knowing she didn't have much time before Adam left with Allie. They hear all kinds of ruckus coming from her room. Combined with giggling so they weren't too worried just yet. When she finally came out of her room dressed in leggings, a tunic top and some Ugg boots she was adorable. The smile was wide on her face, shining with happiness just like her mother. "Alright my sweet girl where are we going?" He shuddered to think where she would want to go today but knew he would do anything to make her smile. "Manis!" She yelled jumping up and down. Adam groaned knowing she didn't mean the sandwich shop. "Okay. Does daddy have to get paint though?" He asked hoping for a small reprieve. "Yes! Duh daddy!" She giggled pulling him towards the door. "Okay but you need a coat and say bye to your mom and brother okay first okay?" He watched as she ran off to say her byes and came running back. He could only imagine the fresh hell they would deal with once she turned 13.
Adam waved bye shuttering once again before leaving the house with Allie dragging him along. He could hear Kim laughing through the door. He couldn't blame her though. If the roles were reversed he would be laughing too. "What are we doing mommy?" Riley asked now they were alone. "You want to go to the indoor play zone?" Kim asked knowing he loved it there. It was full of bounce houses, areas to climb through, slides and ball pits. A kid's absolute heaven. Without answer he ran to grab his coat. Their kitten laid on the couch watching looking thrilled to have the house to himself for a bit. "Alright bud let's go. Say bye to Tiger." Kim watched as he leaned in to kiss Tiger softly saying goodbye and running for the door. "Alright bye Tiger. Be a good boy!" She scratched his head and left the house. Locking the doors as they left. As they drove to the play zone Kim thought about what Allie had said that morning. It really did break her heart but she wasn't about to break her own over Eric anger. Maybe it was more than anger but she didn't care. It was stupid and she wasn't going to sit back and let him hurt their daughter.
As Riley played Kim kept an eye from a safe distance allowing him some freedom to try things on his own. But it didn't stop her from texting Eric letting know they were in for a long conversation later about disappointing their daughter. She knew he would rolling his eyes but she didn't care. She would never allow him to hurt their daughter and knew if he did he would regret it forever. She chose not to look for a response and to take plenty of videos of Riley trying new things for Adam to see later. He really was getting better at the small rock wall that was no larger than he was. The first few times he tried he couldn't quite manage but now he had it. He conquered it in no time. She sent that video to everyone. She was so proud of her little man.
Adam in the other hand wasn't fairing as well. They had arrived at a place Kim normally took Allie as they specialized in mommy/daughter manicure and pedicures. He of course was the only dad there but it didn't bother him. The look on Allie's face was enough for him. He checked them in before helping her to remove her coat and his. He placed them on the coat hooks by the door and helped her get seated comfortably. "Sweetheart why don't you pick the color you want and the color for daddy too okay?" He got some looks from the people around him. Men getting nail polish put on was an issue even in 2023. But he shrugged it off as he watched her look at the colors pointing to the ones she wanted. "Which is the one for daddy?" He asked hoping praying it wasn't pink. Luckily for him she chose a deep blue color. He could live with that as he watched her beaming with pride.
"Alright little lady let's get you and your daddy started okay?" The women watched as Allie got comfy and rested her hands to be worked on. Adam let the people work on his hands but his full focus was on his daughter. "It's very brave to get polish on your nails. Even in today's society." A another woman stated. "Yeah I don't care about that. Seeing how happy it makes my daughter is all I care about. I'm just thankful she didn't choose pink. That wouldn't go so well with my sidearm at work." He still watched Allie being protective but also loving how happy she was. "You're a cop?" The woman asked kind of startled and flustered. "Yeah both myself and her mother are cops. We want our kids to grow up feeling safe in this city and to not be ashamed of something like nail polish. Plus her biological dad has been letting her down so I'm stepping up even more than I already do." He looked over again watching her talk animatedly with the worker. "Sweetheart try to stay still for the lady please?" He didn't want the woman getting annoyed and he didn't want Allie to get hurt even by accident. "Okay sorry daddy." She smiled wide. "It's okay sweetie. Just don't want the lady to have work harder because you are being goofy." She giggled but stayed more still than before.
By the time the nails were dry Adam and Allie were headed out to lunch. He had called Kim to see if she wanted to join. Thankfully Riley was hungry and ready to leave the play zone. They decided to meet at a diner between the two locations that they all liked very much. Adam and Allie had gotten there first so they got a table and waited for the others to arrive. He made sure to bring her crayons and coloring book to keep her busy while they waited. It wasn't too long before Kim showed up with a tuckered out Riley. Who immediately snuggled into his father's arms when they arrived at the table. "I see you two had a fun day. He's not even worried about food he's so tired. Did you have fun bud?" He asked feeling Riley nod. "Okay good. I ordered food for the kids already. I know getting them food faster is key when we are out." He watched the surprised come over her face. "Well thank you. You know you're a pretty amazing daddy Adam Ruzek." Kim smiled sweetly at him getting lost in his eyes.
Only then noticing the navy blue paint on his nails. "Looks like you got off with no pink today?" Kim chuckled. "Oh yes our girl took it easy on me." He was thrilled to be with his family but concerned by how Riley kept burrowing into his side. "Bud what's going on? You can't get any closer. There is no space left between us." He look towards Kim and she didn't have a clue why he was clingy all of a sudden. "Daddy no go!" He cried. "Hey. Listen I'm not going anywhere Ry. Why do you think that?" They all looked at the small boy who looked scared. "Allie daddy went away. Not you too!" He cried again and they finally understood. He heard them talking that morning. And being away, even though he had fun, left him concerned about his own daddy leaving. "Oh my sweet boy. I'm not leaving you. And neither is Kim. I promise you we will never leave you. And Allies daddy will be back when he's done working. It's all going to be okay." While he wasn't sure it actually would be he needed both his kids to know he wasn't leaving them. Not now, not ever.
That seemed to be what he needed to hear. He bounced out of Adams lap returning to Kim's side to eat the food that just been brought to the table. The waitress over heard the conversation and just smiled sweetly at the small family that was clearly blended. She returned a few moments later to take the order for the adults before leaving them be again. Kim typed out a furious text message to Eric letting him know he's now causing pain for Riley. While it was unintentional it was still causing pain. And that wasn't going to happen. After the text was sent Kim shared the videos of Riley with Adam and Allie. Both very proud of Riley for how he handled the climbing wall. Adam did cringe a little thinking about how much of a risk taker his son was. Unfortunately very much like himself but he hoped Kim would be a calming influence on his life.
While the adults ate their meal both kids were treated to dessert. They figured the kids needed a little pick me after both feeling scared and sad today. So dessert it was. Then headed home for nap time. Both kids showing signs of exhaustion. Allie twirled her hair around her pointer finger and Riley kept rubbing his eyes. By the time they got home both kids were sound asleep. Adam carried Allie as she was too big for Kim to carry anymore. Leaving Kim ti carried Riley who was literally dead weight. The kids slept hard and didn't even budge when she picked him up. After they were both tucked in the couple headed down to the couch to crash for a bit themselves.
"Are you going to kill Eric?" He asked knowing she was seething inside. "Maybe! He can't keep doing this. It's not fair to her, to us, to Riley. She needs both her father's. I mean you are amazing with her. You are the dad every child would want. But she has an another father who should be here too! He should be stepping up as much as you are. You shouldn't have to pick up the pieces of her broken heart because he's being a dickhead." She whisper yelled trying not to wake the kids or scare the cat who was sitting on her lap. "Hey I agree with 100%. And we will work it all out. I love both kids equally. I will never treat them differently. But you are absolutely right. Eric needs to be here, he needs to step it up again. I will always pick up the pieces of her broken heart and I will kick his ass each time. My daughter, our daughter will never get left behind I promise you that." Not that she was concerned about that because she wasn't but he needed to say it just in case.
"And Ry is my son. No different than Allie. He will always be front and center. Never be left behind. Not by me or my family. We love him no different." Kim knew he knew that but he was worth reminding him. "I know. That's what makes this family so great. We both came from divorced parents. We know the challenges of blended families. We know what's it's like when your parents don't get along. The kids always suffer. We won't let that happen. Now let's try to relax a bit before the kids wake up again." He snuggled her up against him being careful not to wake the little kitten. "I like the way that sounds. I love you so very much." She kissed his neck. He moaned softly. "I love you too darling. If you keep doing that we will need to head up stairs." He felt her shrug her shoulders showing she was fine either way. He pulled away slightly looking down at her. "You want to?" He asked with a smirk. "Yeah let's go." Kim placed the kitten on the couch before pulling Adam along to their room.
The couple practically ran to their room. It was something that had surprised both of them the longer they are together. Kims nightmares were gone and she was able to start enjoying a normal, healthy sex life for the first time ever. Adam was surprised with how open she was to having sex and trying new things. He knew for certain that she would have never pulled someone to her room before him. So seeing her so open to being intimate with him made his heart beam with pride. He truly loved those women beside him. As they entered the room they locked the door behind them. Neither wanted to be interrupted by the kids especially if they were naked. They made quick work of their clothes before he laid her down on their bed. He wasted no time in getting her comfortable before he started trailing kisses all over her body. As always paying extra attention to her breasts. He knew how much she loved it and how she arch her back pushing them closer till he paid attention to them. But he never made her wait very long. She waited a lifetime for someone to please her properly and he was going to make damn sure she got what she wanted and needed. Not that it was horrible for him. He had always loved breasts and hers were perfect.
"Darling what do you want?" He asked between kisses. "You. Inside me." She moaned out digging her fingers into his shoulders. "That's the plan but how? Fast, slow, rough. Tell me." He loved when she was vocal about her needs. "Fast, hard." She groaned feeling him nipping at mounds. "Your wish is granted." He sat up slightly moving her legs into her chest giving him full access to pound into her as hard and as fast as possible. He kept their lips matted together to muffle their moans so they didn't wake the kids. With each hard thrust her hips bucked to meet his. They worked in a quick time together to bring their release. He held back till she finished before he allowed himself to explode inside her.
He was quick to more out of her and allow her legs to fall to the mattress. But only so he could wrap his naked body around hers. He loved feeling her hot, naked, flushed, sweaty skin against his. Her heart pounding against his chest, her ragged breathing against his neck. It was enough to have wanting to be inside her again. But he would wait for her to decide if that's what she wanted. Her fingers trailing his slick skin. "I'm so happy with you! Thank you for always taking care of me. For waiting for me even if you didn't know you were. My life, my soulmate, my missing piece, my other half, the key to my soul. I love you." Her eyes were shining bright staring into his soul. "You are my everything. My miracle! I love you more than I could ever say." He felt her leg wrap over his hip, her fingers trailing further down. He adjusted them both so he could slid inside her once more. This time each movement was slow, purposeful, meaningful. Their eyes never closing, never looking away, always locked on each other.
As they fell over the edge once more, this time together, they whispered each others names. They heard the kids starting to rise so Adam dressed quick and headed to the kids allowing Kim time to clean up before heading out again. The family spent the rest of day together playing in the yard or playing with Tiger. They all had a great day together. It was lite and carefree. But as bed time rolled around they knew Eric would be calling. While he slacked off on doing visits he had kept up with calls. As he called Allie was excited to tell him all about her day like normal. She was obviously to the tension between her parents. She was just so happy to talk to him. As soon as she handed the phone back to Kim she ran out of the room looking for Adam. She loved sharing with him that she talked with her daddy. He always paid attention to her and listened to everything she said. He also asked her questions to try to get to expand in her stories. But tonight he kept the kids busy so Kim could talk to Eric, more like yell at him.
"Look Kim I'm sorry. Okay? I know I've been distant but it's been hard for me. You're getting married to him. You haven't even been together a year. I like him for you but aren't you guys rushing this? You didn't want to marry me." He was hurt very much by her engagement to Adam. "I get you are hurt but we weren't good together. You agreed on that when we ended it. We agreed to always put Allie first between us. And I've done that. She's my world. But my heart, my soul has always been locked up with Adam. Literally he has had my heart for 13 years. We have talked about this before but I'm not lying when I say that my nightmares went away when came back into my life. I'm not lying when I say that I can actually enjoy a sex life with Adam. I don't get nightmares after anymore and it's only been since he's been back. I literally need him in my life." She breathed deeply for a second.
"None of that matters Eric. Our daughter is what matters. She is sad you haven't been around. So much so that now Riley is afraid Adams going to leave and not come back. Do you realize what's it like holding two sad children because you let Allie down and have been letting her down for weeks now. You can't blame us for this, it's all on you. I have never prevented you from seeing her. No matter the day or the time I've made it work. So now you need to make it work. Our daughter deserves that! Lucky for her she has Adam who gladly picked up the pieces of her broken heart today. He went and got his nails painted with her. He was just thankful she picked a navy blue color. So you have a choice here. Step it up and be a father to your daughter or don't. But if you don't I will take you to court to permanently change the custody agreement. I've been pretty damn generous with this shit so suck it up and be a real fucking man! Anyone can be a father but it takes a real man to be a dad. Have a great night thinking about it." Kim hung up not waiting for a reply.
She stewed the rest of the night. Nothing could change her mind. Nothing could calm it. Adam didn't even try. He knew she was hurting over this. He allowed her to feel all her feelings. He allowed her to process the possibility of taking Eric to court. She didn't want that, he didn't either but they would if they had to. He would just wait to see when she fell. And he would be there to catch her. He would always be there to catch her. This is just how his family worked. They lifted each other up always. Tonight the cloud would hand over them. Dreading what tomorrow would bring. All they knew was they would be okay, as long as they stayed together.