Kim awoke in the wee hours of the morning coughing hard. She moved to the bathroom quickly before she woke Adam. Thankfully she had taken the trashcan with her as she started to throw up before she got to the bathroom. She crashed out on the bathroom floor painfully throwing up the mucus that was in her stomach. She wanted to cry but knew that would make things worse. She started to blow her nose trying to get more out but it only ended with having a bloody nose. She sat there on trying to make it stop when she heard Adam moving around. He had woken up hearing her throwing up and blowing her nose. He felt her side of the bed feeling it soaked with sweat. He sighed moving to the bathroom. "Hey. How are you holding up in here?" He saw the bloody tissues so he sat with her. "I hate this. I really do." She sighed as she changed the tissues. "Well it feels like the fever broke so that's good. And it's time for more cough meds. Just rest a bit longer. I'm gonna change the sheets so you aren't sleeping in your sweat." He kissed her forehead as he stepped out to clean up.

He stripped the bed and moved the sheets to the wash before he returned to make the bed again. He returned to the bathroom with clean clothes for her to change into to. "Let me help you change and then I will start the wash." He helped her get out of the wet clothes placing them in the sink and he redressed her. He moved to start the wash Kim following him into the kitchen to sit down to get her meds. She hated the cough meds but they did help her sleep some so she could deal. She got the teaspoon out and pour the meds in. Adam handed her a water. She took the meds quick grimacing at the taste before washing it down with water. "Do you want more pain relievers too just in case?" He wasn't sure how she felt about it. "Yeah it should help with the pain from throwing up too. So yeah let's do that." She took the pills and headed back to bed. She tried to get comfortable but it wasn't easy. "Thank you for dealing with this. I know you have work in the morning." Kim was upset but she couldn't help it. "Hey no worries. We get sick. It happens. I'm not upset at all. I just want you to get better soon." He kissed her head lovingly.

He waited till she was asleep before he crashed out again. He had very few hours to sleep again before he had to be to work. He knew she wasn't sick enough for him to take a sick day. But he also knew she needed to take it easy the next few days. When he woke again he found her sitting up blowing her nose and coughing again. "Are you feeling any better?" He asked rubbing her back. "No but I'm due for more meds. Hopefully they start to kick in soon. I'm already over this." Kim whined a bit. "I hear ya. So today I want you to rest. Take all your tissues, trashcan, cough drops down to the dock. We know you can sleep there and rest there so that's the goal for you today. Okay?" He asked knowing she was still tired from the night before. "Yeah that sounds good. I definitely need it today. Maybe tomorrow I feel up for more but today I'm exhausted." She started to get up heading to the kitchen to get her meds and start her day a bit.

Adam followed close behind wanting to eat something but he also needed a coffee. He was tired as well. He watched her taking some meds before eating some fruit. "I'm not even hungry. I know I need to eat but I'm not hungry at all." Kim munched slowly on her fruit. "I know but you do have to eat. Little bits throughout the day should work. No creamy things, no cheese, no dairy. But pineapple juice is supposed to help with the coughing. And local honey is supposed to help as well. So I will take care of that today while I'm at work. So while I'm showering how about you go sit in the sun for a bit." He watched her nod happily but she moved slowly. He watched till she was settled in the lounge chair before he headed for the shower. As he showered he thought about ways to help her get better quicker. He wasn't sure but he would google it when he got to work. Anything to help her not throw up would be helpful.

When he returned dressed for the day he found her asleep again. He smiled fondly. He covered her with a light blanket and moved an umbrella to cover her face. He would hate for her to wake up sunburnt. He also placed her tissues close by with a trashcan and a few cough drops before he headed to work. He was thankful she was asleep again. He hated seeing her like this but it happened. He headed to work knowing it would feel like a long day full of worry. He knew Kim would be fine overall but it really worried him that she was this sick. He really hated watching her throw up like that. He hated watching her suffer with all the symptoms even with the meds. He hoped like hell they kicked in soon. He arrived at work running into the bullpen trying not to be late. He dropped his bag heading right to the coffee pot. He was exhausted from last night but knew Kim had it worse. He felt people following him.

"You look rough! I take it last night was horrible?" Kevin asked watching his best friend looking ragged and stressed. "Yeah it was rough for sure. While she was awake it wasn't that bad. But as soon as she slept the coughing got worse to the point she was throwing up. Then she had a fever before bed that needed treating. During the night she woke coughing, throwing up and a bloody nose but the fever broke. So I had to change the sheets and her outfit so she was clean again. But it's really just watching her trying to throw up the mucus kills me. It looks painful. Her eyes clenched shut, her mouth open wider than I thought was humanly possible, her skin stretched out, her body straining trying to get out the smallest amount. I know she's going to be sore for days to come. She asleep again on the deck. I moved the umbrella to cover her so she doesn't burn in the sun." Adam explained as his shoulders sagged under the relief of letting it out.

"Sounds rough. Hopefully the meds kick in soon. You two need relief." Kevin felt for them. He could only imagine how bad it was. "At least she had you to take care of her. You helped her take her meds, helped clean her up and helped her get situated again. That is the best you can do in the time. From what I know it takes 24 hours for the steroids go fully kick in. So hopefully later today it will get better. If not there are more steps to take. Maybe an allergy panel, seeing an allergist or an ENT. But you will get through this together." Jay knew it wouldn't help much but he also knew they could handle it. "Yeah I know. It's just tough watching her struggling. I'm just thankful she was able to sleep again. And she promised to eat even though she's admitted she's not hungry at all. But she promised me she would eat throughout the day just to make sure she has the strength she needs to push through. So I'm proud of her for that. That's progress for sure." Adam stated as he moved back to his desk.

"That is progress. Maybe place an order for delivery of fruits and veggies. Lots of protein so she had options but doesn't need to worry about shopping today?" Antonio offered knowing that would help some. "Already started an order this morning. I read that pineapple juice can help loosen the mucus better than cough meds so I figure it can't hurt to try it." Adam shrugged knowing they would try anything to stop the coughing. "You are right it can't hurt so it's worth the try for sure." Jay wasn't sure how that worked but he knew if Erin was sick he would try anything to help her. "That's the plan. She also probably has an interview today, televised so she needs to get better quick. Though she's not interested in doing the interview at all. But hopefully it will get the paps off her back." He sighed knowing the stress wasn't helping her at all. "About her family right?" Erin asked thinking that was about right. "Yup! They are hounding her trying to get the story. Her lawyers worked fast to prevent her sister from telling her side of the story but she was still about to hint and lead them to the story. I really want to hurt that woman but know it's not worth it." Adam noticed Mouse had joined them.

"So I sent all the information about the trackers to Platt and she is working to get arrest warrants for stalking. And whatever else she can come up with. She's pissed off and not backing down. And I had a thought I wanted to mention. It's none of my business but Kim's grandfather is buried in Upstate New York, where he was born. Her grandmothers family is all buried in that same cemetery. Why is her grandmother buried in Maryland?" Mouse asked unsure. "Well thank you for getting Platt involved, I can only imagine how nuts she is going over this. The grandmother thing I'm not sure but I kind of think maybe that's a conversation we need to have. Maybe it will help bring her closure. Thanks for looking that up. I never even thought about. Truthfully I don't think she did either. But having them together sounds like a nice plan." He mused wondering how that would work. "If we don't get a case I will look into how that would work. I can imagine a judge would need to be involved but I will look into it." Mouse nodded and headed back out.

"I think I need to do some research on Kim's family. I don't think she knows much about them. I'm not sure she even knows about New York." Adam decided to an Ancestry search on Kim's family. It might shed some light on things. "He said upstate New York. A lot of immigrants settled in that area working the rail lines. But it was mostly Sweds and Polish. Is she either?" Al asked unsure about her heritage. "Honestly I have no clue. My mother asked once and Kim said she didn't know. I could maybe see it." He thought for a moment. "She found this German Pyramid when she was in Europe as a child. She said it smells like her grandmothers house. I got her a few more from eBay since they are so expensive brand new. I hoped one might have that same smell but none did. She keeps it in a plastic bag to preserve the smell." He had thought of buying more but they didn't have the display space for more. "Must be heart breaking only have that smell to remind her of her grandmother. Were they close?" Erin asked having no clue about that part of Kim's life.

"Yes they were. They used to bake together and cook together. I think it makes her feel closer to her grandmother when she's in the kitchen. In the moment she opens up about it you can really see the hurt, see the pain. Just that smell sent her spiraling. I had to move her to get her going again. I'm crushed for her. Especially knowing they never told her that her grandmother died. The people she came from are literally monsters." Adam shrugged as he continued to look into her history. It may have seemed wrong and maybe even underhanded but he knew it would help bring her closure. And maybe even a sense of pride in where she came from. It was definitely keeping him busy. He felt his phone buzz with a camera notification. He noticed it was the deck camera. He started to watch the video cringing watching her. 'What's with the face?" Kevin asked. "The cameras went off outside which let me know Kim was awake. She's coughing up a lung again. It's just hard watching her." He really hated hearing her coughing so hard but he was thankful it was nothing serious.

"Creepy stalker!" Erin laughed throwing a stress ball at him. "What? At least I know what's happening outside my house now. Just happened to be pointed at her. And just so you are aware when she passed out she purposely put the cameras in away mode so I could see she was following my resting orders. So I'm not too concerned with her thinking it's creepy." He half laughed throwing the ball back. "Well that's pretty smart. I'm glad she's willing to work with your fears so you can both function." Al knew that was really helpful for the couple. "I think she knows I can relax and do my job better if I know she's okay. So being willing to do that really is the best thing. She's great." Adam just smiled hoping she got better soon and they could get back to normal life. "She really is. And we still don't understand how you landed her!" Kevin laughed changing the mood a bit. The whole room erupted into laughter. "I asked myself that daily. But I will never take it for granted. I truly am blessed by this life we are living." He really was humbled by his life with Kim.

"It's a completely 180 from this time last year for sure. You were miserable, volunteering for extra shifts to not go home to Wendy. We definitely love seeing you this happy with Kim." Erin had always pushed Adam to leave Wendy but he just sucked it up. "Don't know if I told you guys but Wendy is pregnant. And no it's not mine." He heard everyone gasp. "Really? How did you find out?" Antonio asked. "She texted wanted to get together which I didn't want but Kim pushed for it just in case Wendy was in trouble. Anyway we invited her over, got more dressed since we were in sleep wear, then let her in. Kim made her sign a non disclosure agreement while I watched smirking. We end up talking where she said she wanted me back. And I kind of flipped out a bit. Even calling her out on being pregnant but not far enough for it to be mine. That was the first day I called Kim my wife. I think it was partially to be mean and spiteful but it was how I felt too. Wendy cried as she left. But it didn't bother Kim or myself. We were just happy to move on." Adam explained seeing their shocked faces.

"Wow that's insane! I'm shocked for sure." Jay was blown away by that bomb. Adam had never said anything about seeing Wendy ever. "I just try not to think about her anymore. I have way better things to think about than her. Though Kim and I still talk about the first night I saw her. You know Wendy and I went to the ballet and I saw Kim dance. Afterwards Wendy and I were fighting and Kim interrupted to get past us. I apologized, Kim flirted with me winking as she walked away. Wendy flipped out screaming at me about flirting in front of her. So I ended it right then and there. And then we got called to Kim's house the next morning. It was crazy how it worked out." Adam was sure no one knew the full story. "Are you kidding us? That's insane!" Erin was absolutely shocked. "Yeah it was crazy for sure. But I wouldn't change it. I'm thrilled with how it worked out." Adam just smiled seeing a text that Kim was eating before jumping in the shower. That thrilled him more.

Kim had woken up seeing she was shaded and covered so she was protected from the sun. She smiled but started to cough. She gagged almost right away, she grabbed the trashcan starting to throw up the mucus that settled in her belly while she napped. She was in pain but she made it work. She rested a bit longer making sure she was finished before she headed back in the house. She took more meds and then ate some fruit and a sandwich. She still wasn't hungry but she knew she needed to eat to stay strong. She texted Adam keeping him up to date then texted Brian letting him know she was slightly sick. And to figure out when the interview would be. She really hated the idea but knew it had to happen. While she waited for him to respond she headed to the shower hoping it would help her feel better some. She turned the music on and started to rock out as she showered. She lingered longer loving the extra warmth of the water on her body. It felt amazing to her.

As she dressed she heard the doorbell ring. She looked out seeing it was a grocery delivery. She knew right away it was Adam. She brought the groceries in putting them away right away before crashing out again. It was surprising how tired she got from just that small activity. Kim sat for a bit looking over her schedule then started the wash. She knew Adam had stripped the bed but hadn't actually washed anything since Kim hated wet clothes being left in the washer for long periods of time. She was happy to at least be somewhat productive as she laid on the couch. This was the best option for the day it also kept her close to the meds she would need in another hour or so. The second dose of steroids was needed soon so she wanted to stay inside till the sheets were in the dryer and her meds taken. Then she planned to go down the dock to rest by the water.

After her steroids were taken and the sheets were drying Kim headed to the dock with all her things. She settled in for the long haul. The water was how she would heal. After a short nap she sat on the steps letting her legs rest in the water. It was comfortable and helped keep her cool on such a warm day. Kim watched the water seeing more people on the lake than normal. It was summer and school was over for the year so maybe this was tourists? Maybe people with second homes like her. But she watched them as they moved by. It also reminded her that she needed to look into getting Adam the kayak so they could enjoy the lake more. She grabbed her phone to take a look at the cost but also the feature available. One that offered a small cooler space would be nice on the hotter days. But she really hadn't researched it yet so today she could do that while she rested on the couch in the dock area.

She was surprised when she heard Adam walking towards her. "Hey! Wow I didn't realize it was that time already!" She got up walking towards him. "We got cut loose early so I came right here to take care of you." He hugged her tight carrying her back to the couch. "How are you feeling?" He asked holding her close. "Um not much change from yesterday but I know it takes time. How was your day?" She asked with her eyes closed resting against him. "Boring really. But I did a little research today." He watched her sit up and look over at him. "Do tell." She smiled interested in what he looked into. "Well it was brought to my attention that your grandfather is buried in Upstate New York. And your grandmothers family is buried in the same cemetery. I wondered how you would feel about getting your grandmother moved to be with them?" He watched her process the information. "How did that even come up?" Kim asked overly confused. "Well Mouse looked into your grandmothers burial and thought it was strange your grand father wasn't with her. So he looked into it. From there I looked into more finding out some about your ancestors." He saw her eyes lighting up some.

"Really what did you find?" Kim asked confused but surprised and excited. "So your mom's parents are the first born of their families here in America. So your family really hasn't been here all that long. They arrived in the early 1920's Kim." He knew she would be shocked. "How is that possible? That's crazy!" She loved learning this information from him. "So they settled in New York in an area called Dunkirk or Fredonia. It's close to Jamestown. It's on a lake. While they didn't live lake front by any means they lived close to the water." He heard her gasping. "They worked on the railroad and lived on the property owned by the railroad till they could afford their own land. It was actually pretty typical for those who immigrated from Sweden." He saw her look shocked as hell. "So I'm Swedish?" She asked skeptical. "Well at least somewhat yes. I think I got a good start if you want to look at the family tree I started." He laughed as she literally grabbed his phone.

She was amazed by what he found. "This is really insane. I had no idea my family was so large but also so fractured. People literally split on two sides of the country. It's insane. I wonder what else is out there for us to find?" Kim looked up excited to find more information. "I did one other very interesting thing that you will lose it over. So I found a long distance cousin who has passed away but he lived and died in Bethlehem PA. Which as you know is close to where Jim is." He saw her almost jumping from joy. "So how did he die? What did he do?" Kim wanted to know everything. "Well apparently he worked at Bethlehem Steel which was a very large company then. And he actually died there after a fall. It crazy right?" He watched her eyes looking at his phone processing everything she was told. "Can we visit when we go out? Would that be okay?" Kim asked hoping he would be fine with that. "Absolutely! I think it's a great idea. And he was a veteran so we should grab a small flag to place at his tombstone. I think it would be a nice way to honor your new found family." He loved how excited she was.

"How about I order dinner and you can keep exploring?" He watched her nod but her eyes never left his phone. "Huh?" She looked confused a bit. "What's up?" He asked concerned. "So my grandfather is buried in the small plot as his parents. And it looks like my grandmother was supposed to be the same. Look at this picture of my great grandmother Rose's grave stone." She turned the phone showing him the photo. "Oh wow. It already has her name and birthday date on it. What the hell happened?" Now he was confused for sure and the cop side coming out. "This is crazy. Maybe to force me to go back to a place I want nothing to do with? I know that sounds egotistical but maybe?" She had her head crooked to the side thinking. "It's possible given your mother's issues. And how your parents used you. They obviously wasted more money with a tombstone that wasn't needed. Let's just keep looking for the good stuff." Adam figured they should stay on the positive for now at least.

"Probably a good plan. Let's look at the lake they lived by. Maybe we can visit that next year? Would you be interested in doing that?" She asked still looking towards the phone. "Hell ya! Sounds fun! So yes let's do that!" He hugged her tight as he finished the order for dinner. "Oh look at this lake! It's huge! And they have beaches. Oh yeah we are so checking this out!" Kim was giddy with excitement learning something positive about her family. "I can't wait! Seeing you excited about your family is very different and new. But I'm excited about it. So I want to support it completely!" He kissed her hard. "Oh look there is a Greek place by the water. Looks pretty cool. And a shopping center close by. A pier over the water. I love it already." Kim smiled looking for things to do. "Oh this looks so tacky but we have to do it! It's a Lucille Ball museum!" She laughed knowing it would be a tourist trap for sure but she really wanted to do it. "Was that the red headed lady with the whiny voice from the black and white tv shows?" He asked confused. "Yes! I know it's tacky but it could be cool?" She was nudging him a bit trying to get him on board. "Alright let's do it then! Anything that makes you this excited we will do!" He just laughed seeing her happy and excited about something.

Adam kissed her head heading into get their dinner. She followed behind but still looking at the phone. He couldn't help but chuckle over her excitement. "You want to eat outside tonight?" He watched her nod happily. She brought the dishes outside while Adam brought the food. Kim stepped back inside to grab drinks for them. They sat down sharing the two meals. Adam always did this when he ordered the food knowing Kim liked to try lots of food. She liked sampling when they went out and he did too. And he was happy to encourage it. "I love that you found Mexican food here. It's so good!" Kim shimmied in her seat. "Strangely enough I really like the veggie tacos! It sounds strange but it's really good." He really didn't think he would like them but he really enjoyed them. The grilled veggies and cheese was a good blend.

"I really like them too. We need to order from this place again." Kim stated as she started the chicken tacos. "The salsa is good too. We can get stuff for the next party from this place. It will be easier but also tasty!" He watched her smile. "Sounds good babe!" She smiled eating happily. The couple finished eating in silence but their legs were always touching. It was sweet, loving and fun for the couple. Neither were surprised when they heard a little mew coming towards them. "Hey buddy! Where have you been all day?" Kim asked the cat as he rubbed against her. "Dude you got little eye bogies. Can I clean them?" She asked like she could answer. She moved to the lounge chair letting the cat jump in her lap. "Babe can you hand me a napkin please?" Kim took the napkin moving to clean the cat's eyes. He didn't like it at all but he let it happen. "Thank you buddy! You did good." Kim pet his head loving how happy he was with her. "Is he drooling on you?" Adam asked watching the scene. "Yup!" Kim laughed a bit. "That's gross!" Adam shuddered but loved watching them together. He took a few photos letting them relax together.

"Hey stop wiggling around. You will fall." Kim hissed as she got scratched. "You okay?" Adam jumped up. "Yeah he slid and his nails dug in as he tried not to fall. But it will happen since he won't stop moving around and trying to nip my fingers." Kim smiled even if the scratch hurt. "You want me to move him?" Adam wasn't sure how that would go over. "Nah it's fine. He's about to fall anyway." The couple laughed as the cat fell off her lap as he twisted around. "You are a mess dude." Adam just watched as he was now flopping around on the deck rolling back and forth. "Yeah this is pretty normal for him." Kim watched but wasn't concerned. Kim closed her eyes for a minute but heard her phone dinging. Adam looked at her phone seeing it was Jim's aide. "Here's your phone." Adam handed her the phone letting her check it out. Kim looked at it clicking the message. Adam watched her read the message her face turning red with anger and tears in her eyes.

"What happened?" He came closer towards her. "Um apparently she had a huge blow out argument with one of the sons and so now she's squealing on them. Apparently Rob doesn't like me, which is fine. I don't like him either. Jimmy thinks I'm weird. Fine whatever don't care. But apparently them plus the grandson know I can't stand listening to Fox News so whenever I was around with them they would purposely talk politics so I would leave earlier. So apparently I'm useful when they need things and when they aren't around but they don't want to be around me. So I'm pretty all over the place with emotions right now." She cried holding the phone almost dropping it. "Hey I'm so sorry. That's horrible. I don't know how anyone could not love you but you are right that's okay. But they knowingly used you and trashed you behind your back. That's beyond deplorable. I know we can't change the past but we can change how we go forward. So we aren't sending things anymore. We can still visit because I know you love him so much. But you are not helping anymore. You have let them off the hook too many times and it needs to be done now. They don't deserve you." He pulled her into a hug letting her cry.

"I really feel like politics thing is what bothers me the most. Like how childish do you have to be? How ignorant do you have to be? It's seriously trashy! Like I know they have money but so do I. I just don't flaunt it like that. Like them. I mean really Rob has no pot to piss in but he plays like he does. Using Jim's money of course. But just because I don't have an education like them doesn't mean I'm dumb. I actually probably make more than they do with my two bit education. I definitely work less and can travel more." Kim paused blowing her nose coughing some. "I heard this statement once that said money can't buy class. I really believe that. It's part of why I donate so much. Trying to make a difference any way I can is more important to me than being seen as wealthy. I don't know if that makes sense at all." She needed to blow her nose again.

"It makes perfect sense. While yes we have a very nice penthouse it's not over the top and it's half the space of everyone else in the building. You helped paint the walls, you cleaned up after the workers, you helped build it literally. I doubt they can say that. And really you are happier here at our lake house. Which is again not over the top. Your car while brand new isn't crazy expensive at all. You live below your means most of the time. And I love that about you. No one can take any of that away from you." Adam rubbed her back knowing she needed reassurance. "I think I try so hard with Jim, for Jim because I lost that time with my grandparents. I live with regret everyday that I never got to say goodbye. Never got to say all the things I would have loved to say. So I'm doing it now. But I am being used. I know that. But this betrayal feels worse than anything else." She crashed back on the lounge chair looking up at the sky tears still in her eyes.

"That makes sense Kim. Makes a lot of sense to me. So we make changes to how we deal with his family and how we support Jim going forward. But they are never using you again. If I see those people I will tell them off. It will be ugly for sure but I will explode on them for what they did to you. No one messes with my wife." He pulled her back into his arms kissing her forehead sweetly. "Same I would fuck up anyone who messes with my husband!" Kim smiled kissing him back. "That's my girl! We got this! We are stronger together and we will conquer this too." He lifted her up carrying her back to the dock. They needed that time together by the water. "Start glowing and healing again. I got you." They rested in the couch together just trying to relax and breathe in some peace. She was wounded a bit but she would bite back and she knew karma was a bigger bitch than she was.

"You know I love when life is calm but it never seems to stay calm long. But I will get there. I know it in my heart that I will be okay. Too much to look forward to not to be okay." She spoke looking out at the water. It was getting darker, harder to see but she could hear it clear as day. "That's right you do. We do! Just a bump in the road but we got this together, always." They stayed together just enjoying the silence. The couple both reeling from the highs and lows of the day. Kim fell asleep first which didn't surprise either of them. Adam carried her to bed letting her sleep in the tank and booty shorts she already had on. He stripped quickly before jumping into bed. His arms wrapped around her protecting her from the world. The world that tried to tear her down. However she was too strong and stronger with him by her side shielding her from the worst. "Sleep tight my love." He whispered as he kissed her good night. He fell asleep thinking of a plan to get the karma ball rolling. It would take time but it would happen.