It was cookie baking day. Kim asked Adam to take the kids out if the house for the day. Today she planned on making 8 to 10 flavors and two to three batches each. It would be a long day on her feet and she didn't need the distraction. Adam started to become concerned when he saw the amount of supplies all over the kitchen. He also noticed the table was larger and covered with a table cloth. On top of the cloth Kim had spread out 15 cooling racks. He saw boxes of parchment paper and 12 cookie sheets. He definitely wanted to be else where today. "Are you all set for today?" Adam asked looking around the room. "Yeah. I've been doing this for years. I have two doughs already made in the fridge so I'm more than prepared. Have fun today with the kids!" Kim wanted them gone ASAP. She needed to focus.
"Alright we are off to the play zone. Have a good day! Don't burn yourself!" Adam rushed the kids out the door. He was slightly terrified when Kim was in this mode. The slightest thing would set her off and he didn't want to be caught in the cross hairs. So he was meeting Kevin at the play zone with the kids to relax and have fun. Kevin was already there when the trio arrived. Adam got out first before getting Allie out. She had a special bond with Kevin so she was anxious to get free to see him. After she was safely in his arms Adam got Riley out next. Carrying his son over to where Kevin and Allie were standing. "Let me guess she in full crazy baking mode and you were scared so you left?" Kevin laughed when he saw Adam grimace. "You have no idea! Plus she asked me to take the kids out today. She apparently gets a little crazy. I can't wait to eat them but I'm happy to be away." Adam shuddered thinking about the craziness in the house right now.
"Well the good news is she baked a hell of a lot if cookies. And she cleans up after herself so you won't have to do anything. So let's get the kids inside to play." The group made their way inside where the kids ran around and play while the adults kept watch and exchanged small talk. Adam and Kevin had grown close since Adam joined Intelligence. But they could always be closer and for Kim he would make that a priority. Kevin and Kim were literally like brother and sister. They were best friends, they had a bond that couldn't be broken. So Adam wanted to make the effort with him as well. "So any thoughts on Christmas gift for Kim?" Kevin was wondering what his thoughts were about the holiday. "Yeah I'm planning to surprise her with a trip to the condo in February. Just the two of us." Adam answered as he watched the kids running around. "Sounds good she will love that. That is her safe place. And it seems to be special for the two of you." Kevin watched Adams face as they spoke he knew there was more to the story.
"Yeah I ah... I want to ask Kim to marry me. I thought the place we had our first date would be the perfect place." Adam admitted shyly. "Wow! Man that's great! I'm really happy for you both. You two are meant to be. I promise to keep it quiet I won't say a word but if you want advice let me know." Kevin patted Adam on the back knowing this was the best thing for them both. "Thanks I appreciate that. I'm kind of nervous about it but excited at the same time. I just want us to be a family forever." Adam watched the kids wishing for more kids. He wanted to be a part of every aspect of it. He was robbed of that the first time around. It would have been special the first time but Kim having his child would be even more special to him. The love of his life carrying their child, his child would be the most amazing this in the world.
"Let's go play with the kids." Kevin knew they needed a change of conversation for a bit. "Yeah sounds fun!" Adam got up and jogged over to his son who was trying to climb the small rock wall. Kevin found Allie bouncing around on the trampoline. He took a video to send to Kim. While boys played Kim was hard at work baking tons of cookies. She had already made three batches of chocolate chip and was moving on to the peanut butter chip. She needed to make 2 batches of these before moving on to Oatmeal Raisin. She also needed to make plain oatmeal, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, Italian butter cookies and almond joy cookies before she could end for the day. Or do more based on how she was feeling. It was hard on the back and normal her feet were killing her when it was over.
The table was covered with cookies cooling. Kim pulled out the cookie tins and started to pack them away till she was ready to gift them later in the week. Kim had purchased gift containers, enough to give to everyone who help them out and provided services for her family. It became a tradition and everyone looked forward to it every year. She would be damned if she didn't make it happen. The kitchen was a big mess but she didn't care. She refused to clean it till she was done. Knowing she would go through tons of packaging she had the garbage can and recycle can close by to make things more efficient. And made sure no to co-mingle her measuring cups and spoons so they could be reused.
As the hours went on Kim continued baking. It was insane how many cookies she made but the happiness that came from giving them away was all she needed to get through it and make more. She had two more types of cookies left to make when she heard the kids come home with Adam. "Hey Darling. Is it okay to come in?" Adam was nervous but he couldn't keep the kids away longer. They were exhausted and needed naps. "Um yeah just please don't help me. I don't need someone else in the kitchen." Kim was busy working but answered him not looking aware from her work. "That's fine. I'm just gonna put the kids to bed then come back to taste test." He headed away with the kids in tow. "Mommy dumped dough on Daddy's head once. Stay clear of cookie making!" Allie whispered hoping her mom didn't hear that. "Oh really? Well I'm gonna follow orders and not go in there. I might sit close but I'm not going in I promise." Adam chuckled thinking about his girl dumping dough on Eric's head.
He put the kids in bed and waited till they were asleep before he left. He walk cautiously towards the kitchen to grab a cookie or two. "Just grabbing a cookie. Not coming close. Don't want to get dough on the head!" Adam laughed opening a tin to get a cookie. "Haha! I'm so glad Allie to,d you about that. She didn't even see it. But yes it happened. How's the cookie?" Kim asked running the mixer making the next batch of cookies. "Cookies good. Takes like shortbread." Adam sat by the table munching on the cookie. "It's a sugar cookie. My grandmoms recipe. She passed in 2013. I miss her so much but making her cookies makes me feel close to her." Kim started to put the latest dough on the cookie sheets that were lined with parchment paper. These stuck like hell and made such a mess so the paper helped with clean up.
"Do you have any grandparents left?" Adam asked watching her work. "No. The last passed away in 2020. She wasn't a good person so I wasn't upset. More surprised than anything. I hadn't spoke to her in years because she was so nasty. My dad told me to stop visiting her so I did." Kim put another tray of cookies in the oven. "Why do you keep them on the tray?" Adam watched her move through the kitchen. "So the bottom cooks a bit more. But it still stays soft on the inside." Kim moved back to working on the cookies. Adam just watched her move. "What about you. Got any grand parents left?" Kim asked while moving around the kitchen. "Um yeah they live in Minnesota. My moms parents. I still see them when I can. Riley loves them very much. We should go visit them. I want them to know you and our daughter." Adam watched her move. Waiting to see how she would react to that. "Yeah we can do that. Im sure the kids would love it. Being somewhere different. Learning new things. Let's plan it in the new year." Kim Keith working as she spoke but she definitely wanted the kids to see their great grand parents. Kim wished she still had her grand parents but she wouldn't let herself get down about it.
"Hey they are still watching you. How about we make some traditional dishes that your grand mom would make? Tell me the tradition." Adam got another cookie wanting to try different ones. "Well so we live all over so it was always hard and expensive shipping gifts all over the east coast. So we would all drive to West Virginia where my grandparents lived. We would do Thanksgiving on the Thursday and then Friday we would do Christmas. We always had Swedish food. Um that side of my family is mostly Swedish. And then Saturday we would all start heading home. Sunday was the recoup day before working on Monday for the adults. It was crazy and a full house but it was family. The good times. I miss them so much." Kim kept working and Adam made no movement to comfort her. He wanted to but he was afraid of starting a fight.
"So Christmas night, here in our home. We should do that traditional Swedish dinner. I think it will be nice to restart the tradition with our kids." Adam watched her smile and nod her head. "Yeah I think that would be nice. I've told Allie stories about them and she has seen photos but I'm not sure she really understands the concept of death and heaven. You know my grandfather was an alcoholic. And when I was younger I was so afraid I was going to turn out like him. But he got sober. I knew it was possible after I was raped but I fought hard to get better and not let that define me. I didn't want that to follow me forever. I guess it was different but it still worries me some days. But the thing that always gets me is I never knew till way after he was gone that he had a drinking problem. He wasn't angry or abusive. No one ever said a bad word about him drinking. Other than he drank to much. And neighbors had to go pick him up when he was drunk in his car. I'm so thankful I have only good memories of him, of them." Kim stared at the recipe in front of her holding back tears.
Adam couldn't hold back anymore he went to her. He held her from behind. "Sounds like a good man. A man who got help for his problem. I understand why you are scared of that but no one will let that happen. Especially you. You, we have too much to live for to trade it for alcohol. You used it to numb when you had no idea of how to cope with life but now you have me, you have our kids, you have your large support group and you have Dr Charles. You are amazing and always will be." He kissed her head, feeling her nod several times before he went back to his seat. Kim started another type of cookie after putting the last bowl in the dishwasher. She was getting tired and Adam could see it. "I know you don't want help but I also know these get sprinkles. So how about I help with the sprinkles only?" He watched her smile. "Sounds good. I think I can handle that." Kim chuckled as she mixed the ingredients together. She really was a pro at this he thought. She made it look easy. But she was tired and he needed her to relax some. Tomorrow they could make more, she could make he thought.
"Okay so all I need you to do is make a small ball of dough and roll it in the sprinkles or the colored sugar. And then place them on the cookie sheet on top of the parchment paper." Kim showed him what she meant as he worked and she packed up the cookies. "Okay this is messy! And kind of gross! I hope they are worth it." Adam groaned feeling a cold dough on his fingers. "Trust me they are good! I promise!" Kim laughed a bit watching him work. "Oh Eric will be here tomorrow night to make the spritz cookies. I don't get the machine so we have a thing where I make the dough and he shoots the cookies. We make plain and peanut butter ones. And then we make pazellas. Again I make the dough he uses the machine." Kim watched him work noticing he wasn't phased by Eric coming over. "Awesome. Maybe he can show me how to use it too." Adam kept working as Kim changed the cookie sheets in the oven.
"The cookie press is literally from 1975. We have had to hot glue some areas to keep it together but it still works. I don't want to think about once it breaks for good. The new ones suck. They are hand crank and I have broken 3. Literally from over use!" Kim laughed when Adam looked super shocked. "Hey I have good hand strength! But really the presses just suck! Even at a hundred bucks each. Pieces of crap. Gotta do it old school!" Kim moved more cookies around the kitchen. "Why don't you go check on the kids? I can handle. 13 minutes, change sheets, leave the cookies on them till cool. So go check on the kids and rest for a few." Adam shooed her off. He knew she needed a break. "Okay just make sure you don't mess up. I can't give burnt cookies!" Kim laughed as she headed up the stairs.
Both kids were still asleep as Kim watched them sleep for a brief moment. She headed back down to see Adam hard at work. "They are still out cold. Give them another hour and then I will wake them." Kim sat in the chair Adam has once occupied. "Yeah they played super hard and Kev chasing them only tired them out more." Adam moved the cookie sheets out if the oven before replacing them and setting the timer. "What memories do you have of your grand parents?" Kim asked watching him work. "Well they live in the woods. Mountains all around them. We used to go skiing every winter there. Ice skating, ice fishing, snowball fight and sledding. Summers we went swimming, the water was always cold as hell. Lots of hiking, tree forts. It was a good time. Grandma would always cook up a storm. Grandpop liked to build things by hand. I learned a lot from him. Useful skills like chopping wood, cleaning a fish, building a tree fort. They lived hard, still do. Believe in family, values and traditions. They are good people." Adam didn't talk about family much. It was hard for him to be open about his life but he tried.
"Sounds like a place the kids would love. My girl is not a girly girl thank god!" Kim laughed. She would hate having a kid who hated being outside. Kim lived outside most of the year. "Yeah I'm thankful for that too. Like I would do tea parties and paint nails but I'm thrilled she loves going outside and kicking the ball around. Or playing in the sand. Makes things easier that's for sure." Adam put the last tray in the oven. He watched as Kim got up to clean up the kitchen. "After this you are crashing on the couch. We need some time to just be." Adam watched her nod again as she cleaned up. "You better try the rest of the cookies before I pack them up." Kim reminded him. "Good point! I can't have you feeding our friends gross cookies!" Adam chuckled as he tasted one from the last batch. The ones be thought were messy. "Okay I admit it. They are good. Worth the mess." Adam walked over to Kim kissing her cheek before grabbing a drink.
"Told you! Alright dishwasher is running. Cookies are all cooling. Oven is turned off. Couch time." Kim slow,y walked to the couch. Adam could see she was in pain. He pulled her in his lap and started to massage her lower back. His was a little sore from bending over that short period of time so he could imagine how hers felt. As his hands moved he saw her head lower and soft moans escape. "Feels good huh?" Adam was being smug but Kim couldn't see him. "Yeah I appreciate it. My feet hurt too but I want ask you to massage them." Kim hated feet. They grossed her out so she wouldn't even think to ask for a foot massage. "In a little bit I will. We need to get the kids up and order some dinner. You are not cooking. You deserve a break from the kitchen." Adam heard her sigh. "I wish we had more time so I could massage you properly but this will have to do." He kissed her neck letting her know what he was getting at. "Maybe later baby." Kim wasn't sure her back could handle it but she knew he would make sure she was safe.
"I heard the kiddos. Be right back." Adam lifted her onto the couch so he could get the kids and bring them down. Kim pulled out her phone to order some food for dinner. The kids were happy to see Kim. They hadn't had much time with her today since she had been baking so Kim decided to set up a movie while they waited for food to be delivered. "Alright you two kiddos. I need you guys to keep momma Kimmie on the couch. She's tired and her feet hurt. If she needs anything you let me know okay?" Both kids agreed as they turned their full attention to the movie. The movie was half over when the food arrived. They decided to set up a picnic around the coffee table with their dinner since the table was still covered with cookies. It also helped that the kids could watch the movie and eat without complaint.
After dinner Adam cleaned up the food before he and Kim packed up the cookies and cleaned up the table. She didn't put too much away as she was baking the next day again but she did put away the items she no longer needed. She also took out the extras that she would need for day two. More if the specialty cookies would be made and only one batch each. She shopped very specifically so the items purchased for these cookies would be used completely. She hated having left over odd ingredients. It only caused her to bake more to use them up. The kitchen was clean, the table was clean and the dishwasher empty when they headed to back to the couch to watch a movie with the kids. Kim really did try to relax but she was uncomfortable in her lower back and feet. Around 8 they noticed both kids snoring softly in their laps. "Let's get the kids in bed. And you in the tub." Adam watched her eyes light up.
Each lifted a child and carried them to bed. Adam has gotten into the habit of taking Allie up as she was 6 and weighted more. She was also dead weight when she slept so Kim just couldn't carry her anymore. It broke her heart that her little girl was so grown up already. As the kids were placed in their beds Kim and Adam took turns saying goodnight to the kids before leaving the room with the door slightly cracked. They headed to their room where Adam started to fill the tub with hot water to try and ease Kim's aching back. Kim wanted on the bed laying back stretching a bit trying to work out the tension. "You ready darling?" Adam watched her sit up and nod her head. "Alright let's get you undressed." He slowly undressed her throwing her clothes in the hamper before leading her to tub. "You aren't getting in with me?" Kim looked confused and sad. "If that's what you want then of course I will." She nodded and waited for him before sitting in the water.
She laid back against his body, his arms wrapped around her. She moaned softly as she sank lower causing Adam to groan. "Sorry baby!" Kim laughed knowing what she had done though it wasn't intentional. "It's all good. I love nights like this. Me and you relaxed in the tub. Just enjoying each other's company. I wish we could be here more often." He nuzzled his nose against her next before kissing the flesh. "Yeah me too. I wish we could just relax more period. It doesn't have to be in the tub. Life is just crazy with two full times job and two kids. That's why I hesitate about having another one right now. It's a lot and I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my career. I think about it but I'm only 26. I'm not ready to let it go." Kim sighed as she confessed her underlying thoughts. "First off I don't expect you to give up your job when we have another one. And I agree with waiting a bit longer. Maybe when Ry is 3 we can revisit the situation. That's 6 months away. So for now let's not think about another child. Let's get through the holidays and enjoy our first Christmas together." He felt her relax right away hearing no more baby talk for 6 months.
To ease the tension more Adam decided to let his fingers roam her body. He knew it well but it didn't stop him from enjoying her body. He felt so lucky to have this beautiful women in his arms. So lucky to have her be the love of his life. To be the mother of his children. He always believed that anyone can birth a child, it's what happens after that determines a parent. She was the mother of his kids, he knew that from day one. His fingers continued to roam down her body as he felt her moving. "Are you wanting them somewhere specific?" He whispered in her ear feeling her shudder. "Maybe?" She sassed back hearing him laugh. "Alright I know what that means." He started to kiss her neck as his fingers moved further into her core. He slid his finger down further till it was inside her. Her moan was music to his ears.
He continued to kiss her shoulders and neck and his fingers moved in and out if her body. His free hand held on to body so she could jerk around and harm herself. It was slow, intimate and thoroughly enjoyable for Kim. As she came water splashed out of the tub but neither cared. They were caught in the moment. A moment that had happened before but it wasn't any less special. When her body relaxed again she slipped his fingers out locking them clean before helping her turn around. "Let's head to bed baby." Kim whispered against his lips before kissing him hard and fast. As the kiss turned more passionate their hands explored each other's body's. Touching all the right places to turn them on more. "Yeah let's get out. We should dry off before we get into bed." He was out of breath but still bursting with passion for her.
Drying off didn't really happen though. As soon as they were out Kim was back on him ready to move things further. The towels were thrown on the floor and she was carried to the bed. He dropped her on the bed watching her body especially her breasts bounce from the contact. She reached up wrapping her arms around his next bringing down to her, joining their lips once more. It was almost frantic at this point but they both needed that feeling if being connected. And Adam was hard as a rock. Giving her no time to get comfortable he thrusted inside her filling her up fully with one thrust. They moaned together feeling that connection. There was no time to adjust, no time to stretch before he starting thrusting hard and fast. He needed a release only she could give him. Kim knew this would be fast so she threw her legs around his waist trapping and bringing in lower for deeper thrusts. Kim held on for dear life as he pounded into her till they both reached their high together.
They moans and cries were muffled by their lips pressed together. They were sweaty and flushed with exhaustion but it was amazing. Adam laid next to her not wanting to crush her. "God you're amazing Kim." Adam's breathing ragged as he tried to calm himself. "No baby! You, you are amazing! Literally the best ever!" Kim rolled on top of him kissing his chest before straddling his lap. "Ready to go again? Damn darling what's gotten into you?" The smug grin on his face made them both laugh. "You!" Kim reached behind her to work him getting him ready for another round. "You will be the death of me. But what a way to go!" Adam laughed just before she sank down on him. She rode him hard and good. But carefully not to break him.
As they both got closer Adam sat up hold her body tight. Her breasts rubbed on his bare chest. It made the whole thing hotter and sexier. He pulled back slightly to suck on her breasts knowing it drive her crazy. She lost her rhythm for a moment but regained it quick enough that it didn't interrupt the moment. Adam felt himself twitch inside her so he did the only thing he could, should do. He reach down to play with her clit. He sent her to her climax before he himself came inside her. It felt like he came in waves as he bit her breast to muffle his groan. Kims head was still thrown back pleasure he opened his eyes again. She moved to look at him with the dreamiest smile he had ever seen. It was pure happiness filled with bliss. He wish he had a camera to save this memory. A memory of a time he realized he could still love her more. He wondered how much he would love by the time they got married. It seemed to grow each day and each time she met herself be vulnerable.
"I love you darling! Forever! You are my everything!" Adam kissed her hard as he moved them so they were lying in their sides again. "God I love you too Adam. My everything, my whole world, my rock, my home, my safe place. You literally gave me my life back. Because before we found each other again I wasn't really living. Now I am and it's all because of you." Kim had tears in her eyes but so did Adam. They shared sweet kisses feeling their tears mixing in their cheeks. "I can't wait to marry you one day." Adam whispered just before she fell asleep. He didn't see the beaming smile on her face but he felt it. Tomorrow he would start shopping that was the plan. To start planning the rest of his life with the women he loved more than life itself.