Later that day, once everyone knew about Londyn, Adam sat down with her in front of the TV enjoying a pizza together. Adam told her that the people he worked with knew about her and that they were excited to meet her.
"Do any of the people that you work with have kids?" she asks him.
Adam nods his head, "Yeah, a few of them are around your age. I think you get along well with them." he tells her. For the rest of the night, they sat on the couch together watching a movie, then Londyn headed off to bed.
Kim sat in her kitchen with an open bottle of wine in front of her on the counter. Makayla was in bed, and Kim was sulking in the kitchen. She was thinking about her and Adam's relationship before Makayla came into her life. They had an on-and-off relationship and were even engaged once. What happened to them? After Makayla came, they were still a couple, but they had constant disagreements. Kim wouldn't let Adam give her support when it was needed, she went back and forth about Adam living with them which was not good for Makayla, but then would change her mind and say it was good for her to have a father figure in her life. Adam was just left confused about what Kim wanted.
Her cell phone was beside her and she stared at it. Multiple missed calls from Adam. She didn't want to talk to him, but at the same time, she did. She wants to yell at him for not telling her sooner, about his daughter, but at the same time could she blame him? He was probably shocked and stressed out.
She hasn't told Makayla about Londyn yet. She doesn't think it's the best time, but she's going to have to tell her soon. They might end up going to the same school or may run into each other at the store. She should prepare her.
Kim wonders if she should just call Adam. Just to see what he has to say. She picks up her phone and scrolls through her contacts until she finds Adam's name. She holds the phone up to her ear.
Londyn was in bed, and Adam was cleaning up dinner. He heard his phone ringing on the kitchen counter. He wiped his hand, picked up the phone and saw that it was Kim calling. He answered it.
"Hey, Kim," he said. He was relieved that she had finally called him back.
"Hey, sorry I know it's late, but I wanted to talk….um, so you have a daughter?" she says. She didn't really know what to say. She was hoping it didn't sound awkward.
"Yeah, it came as a shock. Sorry, I didn't tell you sooner, I just wasn't ready" he tells her.
"It's okay, you don't owe me an explanation. I mean I was upset at first, but I have no right to be upset. I haven't told Makayla yet. I'm planning on telling her tomorrow. Maybe we can put together a playdate, over at my place or yours, if that's okay with you and Londyn."
"Yeah, that would be nice. It will be good to hang around with someone her age. How about tomorrow?" he asks her.
"Yeah, tomorrow sounds good. Makayla will be happy to see you" she says with a smile.
"How has parenthood been treating you?"
"Good so far. She's amazing. Didn't think I could do it at first, but that was me just overthinking everything" he tells her.
Adam and Kim talked some more on the phone. About work, Makayla. Kim had signed her up for soccer for the fall. Londyn hasn't expressed to him any interest in doing sports, but maybe he should ask her if she would like to do one. They finish up their conversation and say their goodnights.
"Hey, Adam." Kim opened the door of her apartment with a smile. "Makayla has been counting down the hours waiting for you to come."
Adam stood outside Kim's apartment with a glass of wine in his hands and Londyn holding onto his arm. Londyn said that she was okay with coming over for a play date, but now she was a little apprehensive about it. She stared up at Kim with a shy expression.
Kim was a cop. She has spoken to many frightened and shy kids on the job. Makayla came to stand beside Kim with a cheeky smile. "Hi Adam," she said excitedly.
Adam smiled at the young girl and pulled her in for a hug. Londyn stepped back a little. "Hey, Mac it's good to see you".
Kim smiled warmly at Londyn. "Hi, Londyn. I'm Kim. It's so nice to finally meet you." She held her hand out for a handshake and Londyn smiled as she took it. "And this is Makayla."
"Hello," Londyn replied. Makayla returned a hello with a smile.
Kim smiled at the two girls and looked up at Kim. "Come on in."
Kim's apartment was more family-decorated. Some of Makayla's toys and stuffed animals were sprawled out on the floor, pictures were hung up on the wall. Nothing has changed since the last time Adam was here.
Adam watched his daughter as she looked around silently. Adam wondered what kind of homes she had lived in before. He had to take a guess that they probably weren't as nice as this is. He hopes that one day, he and Londyn can have a nice home, just like the one Jay and Erin have. Speaking of Erin and Jay, they have four kids of their own, it will be nice if the whole team can plan a get-together one day.
In the kitchen, Kim set the bottle of wine that Adam brought on the counter. I made chicken parmesan for dinner" Kim said taking the oven mitts out of the drawer. "I hope that's ok with you guys."
"Yeah it's perfect," Adam said. "Thanks for having us over."
"Yeah, of course." Kim turned to speak to Londyn. Kim always had a special place in her heart for young children. "How are you liking Chicago so far?"
"I like all the tall buildings" Londyn replied.
"The scenery here is beautiful, especially at night," Kim said.
"I also liked the toy store, I've never seen that many toys before." Kim looked at Adam with a warm smile.
"Hey Makayla why don't you show Londy your room," Kim told Makayla. Makayla nodded and she and Londyn walked down the hall into Makayla's room.
Londyn looked around Makayla's room. It was colorfully decorated and Londyn could tell that Makalyla loved stuffed animals.
Kim watched as the two girls disappeared down the hall, their laughter already starting to echo from Makayla's room. She smiled, despite the anxious knot in her stomach. There was something so innocent and raw about the way Londyn seemed to be absorbing everything around her—like she was taking in the world for the first time, with wide eyes and a quiet curiosity. Kim had seen kids who'd been through difficult times, but Londyn's walls were still up, even in this warm, welcoming space.
Adam stood near the kitchen counter, holding his glass of wine, unsure where to place his next move. "You know, I think they're gonna hit it off," he said quietly, watching the girls from the doorway.
Kim nodded, but the concern on her face was hard to miss. "I hope so. It's gonna take time, but it'll be good for both of them." She paused, setting the wine bottle on the counter. "She's been through a lot, hasn't she?"
Adam's eyes softened. "Yeah. More than any kid should ever have to. But she's strong. I can see it in her." His voice was steady, but there was an unspoken weight in his words.
Kim studied him for a moment. She had seen Adam go through his own challenges, and now this—raising a daughter he'd never known existed. It had to be overwhelming. She wanted to ask more, to offer support, but the conversation felt fragile, like the thin thread connecting them was still unraveling.
"So…" Kim cleared her throat, trying to shift the mood. "How's the whole 'dad' thing treating you? Seems like you're adjusting."
Adam chuckled, but it was more of a relieved exhale than anything. "It's not easy. I'm definitely learning as I go. But she's good, Kim. She really is. Even though she's been through hell, I think she's got a good heart."
Kim watched the way he spoke about Londyn—the care in his voice, the way he looked at her like she was already a part of him. It made something twist in her chest. She was happy for Adam, genuinely. But part of her also wondered what their relationship might've been like if their own timing had been different, if they had managed to make things work before their lives had become so complicated.
She shook her head. It wasn't the time for those thoughts. They were just two parents, trying to do the best they could for their daughters. That's what mattered now.
"Well, I'm sure she'll get used to things here. Chicago has a way of growing on people," Kim said, her voice light, though she couldn't quite shake the heaviness in her heart. "And Makayla's gonna love having someone her age around."
Adam took a sip of wine, his eyes drifting back to the hallway where the girls had gone. He had always known that his job was unpredictable, that his relationships had a way of spiraling. But this—raising Londyn—this was a whole new challenge. And despite everything, despite the chaos of his past and the weight of the unknown, he felt more at peace than he had in years.
In Makayla's room, Londyn stood by the door, unsure whether to step inside. Makayla, clearly excited, practically dragged her over to the bed where a few stuffed animals lay in disarray.
"Do you like animals?" Makayla asked, her voice bouncing with energy. "I have a ton of them! This one's my favorite." She pointed to a large, fluffy bear wearing a bowtie.
Londyn took a small step forward and crouched beside the bed. She hadn't had many stuffed animals before, and the sight of them all—so colorful, so loved—made her feel a little strange. She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I like bears."
Makayla's face lit up. "Me too! I named him Mr. Cuddles." She held the bear up to Londyn's face. "You can hold him if you want."
Londyn hesitated but then reached out, taking the stuffed bear into her arms. It felt warm and soft, like something safe. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel quite so alone.
Makayla sat next to her, bouncing up and down on the bed. "I bet Mr. Cuddles would love to meet Londyn! He's super friendly. He doesn't bite."
Londyn's smile grew just a little. "I'm sure he's nice."
"Do you have any stuffed animals?" Makayla asked, turning her head to give Londyn a curious look.
Londyn bit her lip, the question catching her off guard. "Not... not really," she admitted. "I didn't have many where I lived before."
Makayla frowned slightly, sensing Londyn's hesitation. "That's okay," she said quickly. "You can have Mr. Cuddles. He's big enough to share."
Londyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
Makayla nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You can take him home if you want. Or you can keep him here. It's your choice."
Londyn's heart swelled a little. She didn't know how to respond, but she felt something warm inside her chest. Maybe, just maybe, this could be a good place. A place where she could feel safe.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Kim set the table with plates of chicken parmesan, carefully watching Adam as he moved about the room, putting together the rest of the meal. The tension between them, although still palpable, seemed to ease with every minute that passed. Maybe, just maybe, they could do this—be parents for these girls, even if everything else between them was a little more complicated.
"So, about that playdate," Kim said, casually. "I know it's only been a few hours, but maybe we could plan something more... official next time. You know, a trip to the zoo or something. That way, we can let the girls bond without the pressure of all these questions hanging over their heads."
Adam raised an eyebrow but smiled, a genuine one this time. "Yeah, that sounds good. They seem to be getting along, so why not?"
Kim's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with another sip of wine. The last thing she wanted was for this situation to feel forced, or awkward. But if they were really going to do this—work together for the girls—then she had to find a way to make it work. No matter how hard it was to look at Adam and not think about everything they had lost.
"Tomorrow sounds perfect," Kim finally said. "Let's talk more at work."
Back in the living room, Londyn was curled up on the couch with Mr. Cuddles beside her, her head resting against Makayla's shoulder as they watched a movie. Kim stood in the doorway, watching them for a moment before turning back to Adam.
"Looks like they're already getting along," she said softly.
Adam smiled, a quiet, proud smile. "Yeah, they are."
Kim took a breath, letting go of the tension in her chest. "It'll be okay. We'll figure this out."
Adam nodded, his gaze lingering on the two girls. For the first time in a long time, he felt like maybe everything could be okay, too.