Adam was packing up to leave for the day when he saw something out of the corner of his eye on his desk. He didn't recall it being there earlier. He lifted the card seeing it was just a address and time. He flipped it over to see it was Kim's business card. He was surprised and confused. What did this all mean? Did she want to start some thing? Or did she just want to talk? "Ruze what's that?" Kevin asked as he watched his friend looking confused. "Um an address and a time on Kim's business card. Not sure what's this is about." Adam stated as he headed out. He drove straight home to shower and change. He ate something before heading to the address he was given.
Kim headed straight home to get the kids fed and showered before getting them settled into bed for the night. The kids were still sleeping in cribs and for now in the same room though they had separate rooms. They seemed to have less nightmares sleeping in the same room together. It helped Kim relax knowing they had each other. After they were asleep Kim got changed into something more comfortable but still covered. She was nervous wondering if he would show or not. She was sure she hadn't been this nervous in a long time but this was what she had to do. Had to make things clear as her kids would always be her first priority in any relationship.
Adam stood a front the address confused thinking bringing him to a home was strange. He wasn't sure if this was her home or not. He headed to the door slowly and decided to knock just in case this was her home and the kids were asleep. As he knocked he waited on baited breath hoping this was her home and not a trap. He heard the door unlock and open as he watched and waited. He saw her and gasped. She was even more beautiful dressed in just sweats and a shirt. "Hey. I'm glad you could make it. Come on in." Kim held the door open wider for him to enter. "Hey. Thanks for the invite even if it was secretive." Adam smiled as he watch her walk towards the kitchen. "You want a drink?" Kim held up a beer. "Just a water please. Driving tonight. So why did you invite me over?" Adam asked taking the water from her. "Um well I wanted to talk now that it's all in the open. You know why I'm running now and you about my babies. I know you said it changed nothing but of course it does. Maybe it doesn't change how you see me but it still changes everything." Kim stated as they stood awkwardly in the kitchen.
"Well then let's sit and talk this out. Because I still see you as beautiful, strong, powerful. I think I see you as stronger now knowing what you are going through. Please let me in. I want to help you." Adam pleaded as they walked towards the couch. "I'm trying. I really am. You wouldn't be here if I wasn't." Kim said more harshly that she intended. "Hey I know. I get that. I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't. Just talk to me, help me understand." Adam reached out to hold her hand. He was surprised when she didn't pull back right away. "When we talked earlier in the interview room, I was honest with you. After hearing my story I was more than honest with you. But I'm still so broken. I'm still a shell of a person. I don't recognize myself most days. The only place I feel like me is at work where I can just block it all out. I'm so not ready to try again especially since I'm not even divorced yet." Kim sighed taking a deep breath before talking again.
"I know it's over, hell I asked for this to be over but I'm still not over it all emotionally. I still have a lot of work to do. I believe the sanctity of marriage and I won't do anything against that. I know it sounds crazy but it's how I was raised. My kids are my world, they will always be first in my life. And I'm afraid to let anyone close to them because they are already traumatized. However I want to try just being friends. Learning about each other. Seeing if something more than attractiveness is there. But I need to go slow, snails pace. That's what I can offer you. If that doesn't work for you then we can walk away now. We can work together and be great partners and that's that. You just need to tell me if it's possible." Kim laid it all out for him.
"Hey I totally understand. What you have been through has been literal hell. I'm good with friends for now and seeing where it goes. And I agree with the sanctity of marriage. My dad cheated on my mom so I would never do that to you or anyone. I agree with not doing anything to misconstrue things. I want this, want you, when you are ready. We have all the time in the world." Adam told her as he squeezed her hand. "Are you sure about all this? I know it's a lot. I get that." Kim asked again just to make sure. "It's a lot I agree. But this is what I want. I feel a connection with you like I've never felt before. Snails pace works for me!" Adam winked before giving her his best lip sided grin trying to melt her heart.
"Sounds good and thank you for being so understanding. I really can't wait for this fresh start. It's been a long sad road. I never thought I would be starting over at 30." Kim shook her head slightly as she sighed. "Hey it's not your fault. And you are good a great job at this second phase. Soon enough you will be totally free to start that new life to do whatever you want in life. What do you want to do in life? What's your goal?" Adam asked imploring her to look deep inside herself for the answer. "God I don't even know. I want to travel with the kids. I want to be happy, once and for all. No longer walking on eggshells waiting for nasty remarks or comments that I'm not a good wife and mother because I work. I just want to feel normal whatever that means." Kim rambled on. "Sounds like a life that you deserve. That the kids deserve. And you will get that. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road but you will all get there. Whether we are together or not, you will get the life you deserve." Adam smiled at her wishing he could fix it all but knowing he couldn't.
"I hope you are right. Just gonna take some time to get there. But since we are friends how about we get to know each other better. Tell me about yourself?" Kim smiled seeing him squirm a bit. "Um Okay so you know where I work and my name." Adam teased. "Really Adam!" Kim whisper yelled knowing he was teasing. "No really. But my parents divorced when I was young. I bounced between the two growing up. I played baseball in school. I love the Cubs, Hawks, Bears and Bulls. I'm 29. I work out 5 days a week. I don't know what else to say. What about you?" Adam asked looking in her eyes.
"Well you know a lot already. I was born in Philly. I moved around a lot as a kid and as an adult. I'm not close to my family, we are on different ends of the spectrum. Um let's see I danced through school. Have a degree in Criminal Justice from University of Delaware. I moved to New York to be a cop, never thought I would move away from the east coast. I love the water, especially the ocean. I'm addicted to crime series. Like seen every episode of all the Law and Orders 100's of Times. I can tell who did it in seconds." Kim laughed and so did Adam. He saw her eyes sparkle. "Love hanging with my kids. Gong to the zoo, the aquarium, just playing together. I like to cook and I'm a mean baker." Kim smiled thinking of baking with her kids.
"Well I think I need proof of that last statement. You know as friends." Adam started with a smirk. "You know I might actually have some cookies I made with the kids this weekend. Be right back." Kim walked to the kitchen needing a bit of space from Adams flirting. Kim returned moments later with a container of cookies. "Okay so home made from scratch chocolate chip cookie. My grandmothers recipe." Kim offered him a cookie. He took it with a skeptical look before taking a bite out of it. "My god this is amazing! I might need to steal that container before I leave." Adam gushed as he ate the cookie. "Well Officer then I would have to arrest you for theft. And I doubt that Voight would be thrilled with someone in his unit being arrested for theft." Kim sassed back. They both heard a noise coming from upstairs. They both looked towards the stairs to see a child sliding down the stairs.
"Hey! How did you get out of your crib?" Kim asked picking up Mia. "Brother!" Mia point to the stairs. "Did he help you or does he need help?" Kim asked. "Yes!" Mia yelled. "Hay Adam would you mind watching her for a minute while I check on Milo?" Kim asked. "Yeah no worries. I got her." Adam watched Mia while Kim headed up the stairs to see Milo standing in his crib looking for her. "What are you doing awake? Huh Mr Man? You want to go get some milk?" Kim asked looking over at him. "Yes!" Milo yelled wanting to be picked up. "Okay let's go see your sister and get some warm milk." Kim picked him and headed down the stairs. When she got downstairs she saw Adam and Mia playing on the floor with their toys.
"Looks like fun! How about we get some warm milk in them and take them back to bed?" Kim suggested. Adam looked up to see Kim holding her son who had his face buried in her chest. He was obviously tired and shy but Adam couldn't help but smile. "Sounds like a good plan but I think this party animal wants to hang with the big kids." Adam pointed to Mia who had no signs of tiredness left. "Warm milk normally does the trick. And maybe a story." Kim walked towards the kitchen to make the cups and warm the milk before returning, Milo still clutching her body. She handed one cup to Mia who started to drink right away and sat back with Milo to get him to drink the cup.
Adam just watched the scene before him. Not really sure what to do but he was enjoying watching Kim as a mother. The kindness that she showed for her children was something he hadn't seen on the job yet. The softness in her voice and movements made him melt. She truly was a wonderful mother. The kids finished their cups and Milo was already back asleep on Kim's chest. "Would you mind bringing the party animal up? Little man in dead weight in my arms right now." Kim asked Adam hoping it was okay. "Yeah no problem. Come on little partier. It's bed time again." Adam scooped her up despite the words no knowing she was exhausted even he could see that. "No way little miss it's bed time again. You already stayed up too late." Kim was no none sense in the moment. She's would not be sassed to. They climbed the stairs and entered the room. "Wow that's the largest crib I've ever seen." Adam was amazed by it. "It's actually two. But I found plans online to make one big one from two small ones so they can sleep together. It seems to help with the nightmares." Kim shrugged. Adams heart melted more fir the broken women in front of him.
After the kids were settled they had back downstairs to the living room. "Thanks for the help with the kids. It's not always easy and I hate relying on my best friend who is living upstairs. She does enough for me when I have to work late. I hate to wake her for stuff like this." Kim sighed. "Hey we got you. And it was fun. Your daughter has a shit ton of energy and has your spunk. She also looks just like you, your mini me. Milo seems sweet, more reserved that's for sure." Adam smiled thinking of the interaction with the kids. "I definitely have a mommas boy that's for sure but I love how independent my daughter is but she luckily has a fear of people outside of this home." Kim explained as she took a seat again. "Well the good news is you have a very large family to support you all, including your best friend. We take care of our family, all of it." Adam sat next to her taking her hand in his. Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
Adam watched as she leaned back and closed her eyes. "Go to bed. You need sleep." Adam stated. "I'm good. I just want to close my eyes for a few minutes." Kim whispered with her eyes still closed. It wasn't long before she was asleep. He watched her for a bit before lifting her up and carrying her upstairs. He found her room and placed her on the bed. Placing a blanket over top of her keeping her warm. He slowly placed a kiss of her cheek before he left the room. He closed up downstairs before leaving her home to drive home. Making sure the door was locked again before he left. The drive home was full of wonder but also his mind spinning over all he learned today about her. As much as it didn't change he felt about her, it was a lot to take on. So he was thrilled with her idea of snails pace. It would give him plenty of time to adjust and get used to this all. Kim's right it's a lot but he wasn't scared of it, just overwhelmed a bit. Maybe it was learning it all at once but he was still interested in a life with Kim.
The next morning Kim awoke in her room with no idea how she got there. She had a blanket covering her and was fully dressed from last night. Adam she thought. He must have moved her when she fell asleep on the couch. She quickly got up and showered before heading to get the kids ready. She was mid routine when April emerged from her room. "Well good morning. How was your date?" She asked as Kim dressed the kids. "What date? What are you talking about?" Kim asked having no clue. "There was a man leaving your room last night, I saw him." April explained. "Oh no! I was asleep and he just put me to bed that's it. Nothing happened. I'm no where near ready for that." Kim tried explaining. "If you say so. But he's kind of hot so you should hit that and fast!" April retreated before she got hit. She knew Kim was not going to speed up but teasing never hurt.
Kim finished dressing the kids before heading downstairs to make them breakfast. And pack their lunches. It was a lot of work in the morning but she didn't mind. She liked knowing the kids had healthy meals while at school. Kim herself snacked on a banana and some coffee before getting the kids in the car and they headed off to daycare. The kids seemed to be enjoying it so far. They were make friends and having fun during the day so it put Kim's mind at ease.
Meanwhile Adam arrived at the district. As he entered the bullpen he found he was one of the last two to show up for shift, Kim being last. "So what happened last night?" Kevin asked thinking he would get the most honest answer as they were best friends. "Well it was the address to Kim's house. We talked a lot. Got to know each other better. We are friends and nothing else at this point. She won't even think about it till the divorce is 100% finalized. Which I agree with. She feels broken, not herself, lost. She wants to go at a snails pace, which I'm fine with. It makes sense given what she's been through. I briefly met the kids, kind of. No formal introduction but Milo helped Mia escape the crib and she came downstairs. Kim had no clue what was going on with Milo so she left Mia with me and ran upstairs. Both kids got milk and eventually fell back to sleep. We took them to bed and then we took the couch again where Kim fell asleep. I carried her to bed, covered her and left." Adam explained with a shrug. He didn't want anyone thinking something happened that didn't.
"Sounds good man. I'm glad you guys are on the same page. And you're right. Wait for things to settle, get to know each other. She's gonna need some therapy most likely when she no longer has to live in fight or flight mode 24/7. It's the right thing for all of you. No way can you just jump into parent mode overnight with all the baggage. Snails pace is perfect for you two. Just try to live in the moment." Antonio understood. He had two kids and was divorced himself. He got the baggage that brought and the issues of trauma. It made complete sense to him. "Thanks man. I got to tell you when the guard comes down and she's just living in that moment her eyes sparkle. It was incredible to see. And I can't wait to see it more." Adam admitted but got quiet when he heard the gate open.
"Sorry I was almost late. I picked up a box of coffee from Dunkin for everyone." Kim lifted it seeing very happy faces as she moved it to the break room. Everyone grabbed a cub before returning to their desk to wait for their assignments. Kim and Adam were the last two in the break room. "Thanks for last night and putting me to bed. I appreciate it and so does my back." Kim smiled looking at him. "You and your very strong back are welcome." Adam winked as he left the room leaving her blushing. The team had watched the interaction. It was only a matter of time till they ended up together they all knew it. But how long would it take was anyone's guess.