I have been working on a chapter for another story but my dad is dying so im here to work through this. Be kind.


It was the day of moving the whole family was waiting for the team to arrive. Kim was packing as Adam got the kids ready for the day. The kids had arrived downstairs right as the team arrived to help the family move. "Hey guys! Thanks for coming!" Kim let them all in. The kids running over to hug everyone. "Hey kiddos! Are you excited today?" Kevin asked holding both kids. "Yay!" Both kids screamed. Adam started showimg everyone the first priority areas when Kim recieved a text message followed by a phone call. Adam watched her closely. "Bailey whats going on?" Kim asked knowing it had to bad if he asked her to answer the phone in a text first. "Okay so grandpop is in the hospital with Covid and Pneumonia. Grand mom said she emailed you but you didnt answer." Bailey explained. "Im sorry you couldn't have just said that! My father is in the hospital with Covid and Pneumonia? How is this possible? How bad is it?" Her mind spinning as she crashed on the floor.

"Not great. He failed the swallow test again today. They are talking about feeding tube options." Bailey was holding back the tears as he spoke. "How many times did he fail the swallow test and what feeding tube option are they pushing?" Kim asked hearing everyone behind her falling silent. "3 times. And they haven't push either option yet. It was suggested to start thinking about it. He hasnt eaten in three days. I think you should come home." Bailey suggested. "Fine but my boundaries stay in place. Im coming home for him, not anyone else. Keep me posted with any updates." Kim hung up jumping up running for their room. Adam was right behind her. "Kim! You cant just run off again. We can go but we go together this time. No pushing me away. We can take the kids and the dog so its easier. Lord knows how long we will be there. So we go as a family." He held her arms forcing her to stop and listen to him. "Im not ready for this. What about the move? We have to be out of here in 30 days?" Kim was spinning trying to figure it out.

"Well we pause it for now. We can hire someone to do it next week while we are gone. My sister can supervise getting the move done. And the furniture set up. Lets just move at a slightly slower pace right now. You are in overdrive and you are bound to crash. So what airport should we fly in to?" He watched her sigh heavily. "Allentown or Newark. Which ever has a better flight with time frames." Kim shook her head a bit. "Okay you start packing I will get rid of our guests." Adam kissed her head before turning around to find the team. Kim started to pack all the things they would need for a week. While Adam found the team with the kids downstairs. "So the move is canceled for the time being. We are traveling East to visit her dad. Hes not doing well and she needs us to be with her. I will find a moving company to deal with it this week while we are gone. Its better this way. She needs someone to keep an eye on her." Adam explained to the team.

"Not a problem. Go take care of her and we will take care of the paperwork and rescheduling Kims presentation. Just go take care of your family." Jay patted Adams shoulder as they started to leave. Each person wishing Kim the best. "Kiddos come here please." Adam called the kids over. "Daddy what's wrong?" Mia asked. "So mommys dad is very sick. So we are going to fly out to visit him. We can still look for pumpkins while we are out there but this is very important. Can you guys do this for us?" Adam hoped they wouldnt flip out. "We dont know him." Milo stated very plainly. "Well Im not sure you will meet him since he is so very sick but we just need to support your mom. She is going to need lots of love over the next few days." Adam explained. "We can do that. Can we see Uncle Michael?" Mia asked excited. "I think thats possible. Im sure mom will want to stay at his place because it's familiar and has space for all of us." Adam was fine with that. It would work well for them all.

"Lets go pack some clothes to help mommy." Adam led them up the stairs to their room. He could hear Kim packing. All in a flurry. He couldnt imagine how she was feeling in the moment. He then heard her making a frantic call to Michael letting him know what was going on. Kim had him on speaker phone and Adam heard the conversation loud and clear. "Kim it's fine. Just get here. Use the house as long as you need. I will even shop so there is food in the house for you all and the dog. We can use Boo's old bowls and beds. We have to have one or two that should work. So just get here. Use your codes to get in. Take care and breathe. See you soon." Michael knew she needed to focus elsewhere. "Okay we are set to go. Are you ready in here?" Adam asked seeing Kim wringing her hands together. "Um yeah. I just need to get there. I have us book into Newark and then a car rental from there. Its not super close but more flight times available." Kim shrugged a bit. "Thats fine. Pack your meds just in case. This is going to be difficult no matter what happens." Adam watched her run into the bathroom to grab her meds.

It was a flurry cars, airports, airplanes and several hours before they were arriving at the hospital. It was late afternoon as Kim parked her rental car next to Michael's jumping out needing a hug. "Hey we got you. Lets do this. I can take the kids back to my place and get them dinner. You and Adam visit your dad then drive home in my car. The kids can play at my house while you take your time. Okay?" Michael watched her nod. "Thanks man! Thats very helpful." The guys shook hands while Kim moved to talk to the kids. "Kiddos you are going to head to Uncle Michaels house with Gunner and have dinner. While mommy and daddy visit with my dad. You guys have fun okay?" Kim watched them nod excitedly. "Okay lets do this." Kim sighed shaking but moving with all the confidence she could muster. "What room are we looking for?" Adam asked. "Um 271. We need to grab masks." Kim stated as they walked inside. "Nice place." Adam looked around. "Yeah its maybe 7 years old. No full trauma center though. But its nice." Kim shrugged as she grabbed two masks.

"Lets move." Adam covered his face as Kim covered hers. They entered the elevator going to the second floor. Kim moved with a force down the hallway but she stopped at one point holding her chest, breathing deep, looking panic stricken. "Ma'am are you okay?" A nurse asked seeing Kim. "Oh um yeah just a realization coming over me. But yeah Im fine. Thank you." Kim started to walk again feeling Adams hand on her back. Kim looked inside his room before she opened the door. She opened the door walking in to see a man she barely recognized. "Hey dad. How are you feeling?" Kim asked moving to take a seat near him. "Hey." Joe breathed out. "How are you feeling dad?" Kim asked touching his arm. "Im...okay...hard to...breathe...some." Joe struggled to answer her. His arms shaking, his voice rough but quiet. He looked thinner than she had ever seen. "Well you are going to get better here." Kim started to shake more.

"Dad I dont know how to fix this. Fix this family without therapy. I dont know how to do this." Kim cried seeing her fathers expression. "We did the best... My grandfather." Joe shook his head. "He was a monster right?" Kim asked watching him nod. "He drank...a lot. Gambled away...the house twice. I had pet ducks... I came home one day to find them gone... He said we needed to eat." Kim gasped but let him continue. "He used to take...kittens... in burlap sacks and drown them...in Schuylkill river." Joe finished looking towards her. "Sounds like a psychopath. Really! Who else would drown kittens? You fed them. That proves you are a better person." Kim kept her hand on his arm. "Dad you made me a promise when grandmom died. You promised me that when the time came you would make the call before we had to. To move before we had to make the decision. Dont you think its time to sell the house? It doesnt work for you anymore." Kim watched him think a bit. "I fell." Joe stated. "You fell? When, where?" Kim was shocked. "3 times...on stairs." Joe watched his daughter closely.

"You fell on the stairs 3 times? Dad you really need to sell the house. Its not safe anymore. Its too big and almost 2 acres." Kim was trying to get him to understand. "Your mother...tried." He said. "Mom has been trying to get you to sell?" Kim asked. He just nodded. "I love...the house." Joe looked at her. "I get that. I really do. I loved my Delaware house but it didnt work for me anymore. I was crushed but it was time. And its past time now." Kim watched him coughing, his arms trembling a bit more as he coughed. "Dad how did we get here?" Kim asked wondering how he got covid when he barely leaves the house. "I got it from...the kids I guess." He shook his head. "You are still watching the kids?" Kim asked angry. "Some days. We pay 390 for daycare each month." Joe whispered seeing Kims eyes bug out. "You pay for their daycare?" Kim asked to clarify. "For Noah. Its at least part of it." Joe coughed again. "Dad this has to stop. You are both living off social security. You cant keep doing this." Kim was annoyed and frustrated. "Your mother...lives for the...kids. I cant stop...it." He looked at her surprised by her anger.

"Dad you two need a break. This has been too much on both of you. This has to stop. Please just think about it." Kim begged. Joe just nodded. "Kim maybe we should let your dad rest some." Adam offered knowing Joe had to be tired and talking was making the cough worse. "Um maybe after the nurse comes in. She right outside." Kim pointed. "Okay. Thats fine but he needs rest and so do you." Adam took a seat behind her again. "Hey Im Jackie, his nurse. You are?" The nurse asked. "Im Kim his daughter, this is Adam my boyfriend. So whats the plan going forward?" Kim asked hoping they had a plan. "Well we are doing another swallow test tomorrow to see if he passes or not. Thats with speech therapy. So we will see from there. If he passes we will talk about getting him back on more solid foods. If he fails we will discuss the need for a feeding tube further. Though that comes with its own risks. He could aspirate if he has to throw up. And a more permanent feeding tube would need to be done surgically and that could not heal or he could die in the table. Again its all a risk. Its wait and see at this point." The nurse explained.

"Okay. So lets hope for the best. Lovely." Kim sighed a bit watching the nurse tend to her father. "Dad we are going to get going but I will be back tomorrow. I promise. You know I love you right. Because I do love you." Kim cried a bit. "I do know. I love you too." Joe nodded a bit. "Night dad. Dont cause any issues." Kim smirked as she left with the nurse. "Does he live with anyone?" The nurse asked. "Um he does. My mother. Im not sure she's capable of taking care of him. Im boarderline ready to call APS on her. Its not malicious but she doesnt have a sense of urgency. And she has her own health issues, as well as mental health issues. Plus they babysit a 3 year old during the week. Its too much on them." Kim stressed. "Not sure how much we can help with that. But its good to know. We will see how it goes tomorrow. If you need anything or have any questions just call. Im here all night." Jackie waved as they left. Kim and Adam walked to the car with Adam almost guiding her to the car.

"That was bad. Worse than I was expecting." Kim sighed as she got in the driver seat. "This should be interesting. You driving his new car." Adam was cracking up at her looking over the car. "Well lets get this thing moving. Should be pretty easy to figure out." Kim got the car started and started to back up. "Holy hell thats a loud back up noise. Hopefully its not too hard to drive a fully electric car." Kim laughed as they started to drive. She was almost on auto pilot. Driving the streets like the back of her hand. "Should we grab dinner?" Adam asked looking towards her. "Um we probably should. Unless Michael has leftovers." Kim shrugged. She wasnt hungry at all. More exhausted than anything. "Michael said grab something as they ate at a diner." Adam looked over at Kim. "Okay so how about a Thai place close by?" Kim offered. "Sounds good to me." Adam watched as she drove over a mountain to the location.

"Middle of no where location." Adam was surprised by the location. "Yeah but its the best." Kim winked jumping out to head in. "Its nice in here. I like it." Adam held her as they moved to a table. "You dont have to talk. Just relax a bit and eat. Talk when you are ready." Adam watched her nodding a bit. The couple ordered drinks and appetizers but no other words spoken. Kim was lost in her own mind trying to figure it all out. It seemed like a nightmare but it was real. "Does the cell service suck here or is it just me?" Adam asked unsure what was going on. "Its not the best here. You can try my phone if you want." Kim handed it over with out issue. She really didnt care. "Just trying to send an update to the team. I know you are lost right now." Adam watched her nod a bit. "It feels surreal. Like is this really happening? It feels like a bad dream. Im more than freaked out by what I saw. Not sure how to make sense of it all." Kim closed her eyes steadying herself.

"I thought we were in the wrong room. I didnt recognize him at all. I think the chances of survival are low. Especially with failing the swallow test. I feel pretty battered and broken right now." Kim sighed again. "Again I think this is pretty normal for you. For anyone. Makes you human. Shows you care. You deserved better as a kid but you grew into an amazing adult. They can never take that from you. They can never change who you are at the core. You are amazing." Adam held her hands as their food started to arrive. "I knew Salvator was a bastard but I didnt know it was that bad." Kim mused looking out the window. "Sounds like a piece of shit. I assume you never met him?" Adam asked though he was certain. "Thankfully never had the pleasure. When we were cleaning out the house no one wanted the photo of him with his wife. Everyone said to throw it out. I get why. But still. I have a lot of photos from my grandmothers house. But my dad shredded a lot of them if he didnt know who was in the photo. I never understood why he didnt just throw them out, why shred them?" Kim had always been confused by that.

"I dont get that either. Strange. But your grandmother shredded letters from your grandfather too. Sounds like they are very much a like. Maybe it was easier than to shred the memories than tossing them." Adam watched her thinking. "What did ypu do with all of the photos of you and Paul together?" Adam always wondered. "Put them in a box with his shit. A guess a reminder if what he lost when he gets out." Kim shrugged a bit. "What did you do with the rings?" That haunted him. He was afraid to find them one day. "Ha! Um I stopped on the Brooklyn Bridge leaving town and tossed them in the river. Good luck with the insurance policy for those." Kim laughed seeing Adam shocked. "Why didnt you see them?" He asked. "They have low jack on them. Serial numbers so trace them to the owner. Throwing them in the river means he never sees them again and he cant fight me on the insurance policy. Felt like a great relief tossing them overboard." Kim smirked a bit. "Sounds like something you would do. Did you like it?" Adam asked wondering how she felt.

"Um it was a solitare stone on the engagement ring. It was huge but just one stone. It didnt feel like a lot if thought was put into it. Like my personality was not taken in to account. I could have picked 15 things that were better for probably less money. It wasnt about the money, it was the lack of thought put into it. Does that make sense?" Kim wasnt sure if he understood. "I understand completely. That makes a lot of sense. The thought counts more than the value. I can agree with that." He smiled seeing her smile bright. "Exactly! I never needed the expensive things. I just wanted to be loved. Understood. I love the little things. The small surprises. Those mean more than anything." Kim held his hand loving the contact and the connection in such a simple setting. "I agree. I love the simple things. Grabbing a coffee for me without me asking. Grabbing my favorite snacks at the store. Making my favorite meals. I love that. You created a whole vacation just so I could see the beach for the first time. We are making plans so I can experience things for the first time. You give me so much without you even knowing it." He leaned over kissing her lips.

"Thank you. I do try to make things special for you. Especially with my life being so crazy all the time. You deserve all the best considering how wonderful you are with my life and our children. I couldnt have asked for a better partner in my life. God thank you so much for being everything during this crazy journey." Kim was near tears trying to stay in control. "You never have to thank me. This is what you deserve, what the kids deserve. What we all deserve as a family. Im so proud of you. You are doing amazing. Even today you have rocked this. The tears were necessary at that point. You were telling him what you needed. How you felt. You did amazing. And then you listened to your dad as he expressed issues from his childhood. You didnt judge your father. You judged his grandfather, who deserved being judged. He was a true monster. One you and I would have put in the psych ward. Lets just be thankful your father wasnt like that." He could see her smile a bit. Though he wasnt sure if it was because of what he said or the food placed before her.

"The kids will asleep most likely when we get home. Anything you want to do tonight?" He asked watching her eat. "Um well we need to let the dog out for a bit. Maybe just relax in front of a fire? Man made or propane." Kim shrugged. "He has both?" Adam asked looking surprised. "Yup. The front room has a wood burner and the back room has the propane fireplace. It's nice having options." Kim knew Adam would be surprised by the house they were staying in the next few days. "Or the sunroom?" Kim shrugged a bit. "I cant wait to see this house. It sounds massive." Adam was very shocked. "The view during the day is more impressive but even at night its kind of crazy. It is a party house. Even the basement has a fridge, wine fridge full, ping pong, air hockey, putting green, massive tv. But I loved it right away. And knew he would too. Even if it was above his budget. We joke that I drop kicked his budget and punted it across the room." Kim chuckled a bit. "How much did you go over by?" He asked amused by the conversation. "30% or 75,000. His budget sucked. Even the agent said he would never get everything for that small amount of money." Kim laughed a bit.

"What was his budget that you imploded?" Adam was shocked. "Oh please it was 250,000. He could have spent double that but I showed restraint. And found everything he was looking for. Plus some. He was trying to be cheap." Kim rolled her eyes a bit. "Thats not terrible. We spent more, mostly because we had to so you didnt have to pay taxes on that money. Otherwise we wouldnt have been able to afford our new home. We got lucky with that." Adam knew they were very lucky with the house they got. "We did lucky. We wont have to move again. At least not in Chicago." Kim winked as they both talked about life after kids. "Yes yes. After retirement we can revisit that conversation." He laughed a bit. "Alright lets finish up and start the rest of the drive." Kim was done eating and wanting to be somewhere safe and comfortable. "Works for me." They paid the bill and headed out again. Kim drove mostly on the backroads. It was dark out but not too dark yet. Kim was still worried about hitting a deer. Especially since the car would be totaled. Kim couldn't have that on her watch.

When Kim pulled into the neighborhood Adam got excited to be out of the car and to see the kids again. "Is that a lake?" He asked as they passed by some water. "No just a large pond with a creek on either side." Kim explained as she drove. "Gotcha." Adam watched trees and houses go by as Kim drove. "Golf course on the right. I think thats number 3." Kim pointed as they moved past it. "Cool." Adam wasnt a golfer but it was a nice feature to the neighborhood. Kim turned left starting up the first hill then down before turning onto Michaeks street. "Oh wow this is steep." Adam was surprised. "It gets worse." As Kim made a sharp right up the steep driveway. "Holy crap! I wouldnt leave in the snow ever." Adam was shocked. Kim parked in the driveway before they headed inside. "Hey. Left your car out front. Didnt feel comfortable parking it in the garage." Kim shrugged her shoulders. "Thats cool. I appreciate that. Make yourself at home. You know where everything is. Help yourself." Michael took the keys and started to move the car into the garage.

"Well you can see most of it from here. Powder room is there. Kitchen over there with the dry bar. Like he said help yourself. There should be a really good honey bourbon in the lower cabinet." Kim opened the fridge grabbing some tea. She then moved to the sunroom to crash on the couch closing her eyes. Michael re-enteted seeing Kim crashed out on the couch in the sunroom. "How is she doing?" He asked Adam who was looking for a drink. "She holding tough. I think its going to get ugly over the next few days. But for now shes okay. She willingly ate dinner, she spoke about her feelings, she cried with her dad a bit. I think the fight is giving out. I only hope she sleeps through the night. We both know she needs it." Adam headed towards her. "Hey. You want to torture Michael with Rocky Horror or My 600 pound life?" Adam offered seeing the tv in the room. Kim laughed as Michael groaned. "Can we agree on something less insane? Please?" He begged. "Nope! If it makes her smile thats all I care about. Sorry man." Adam laughed takimg the remote to find something to watch that Kim would love. Something to make her laugh again.

They finally settled on old episodes of Family Guy. Kim was amused, laughing some. Adam couldnt care a less. It didnt bother him. Michael though kept commenting on the fucked up shit Kim was watching with caused her to flip him off. Kim started to fall asleep on the couch, Michael was sound asleep so Adam was on his own a bit. "Gunner. Potty time." Adam called out knowing he needed to potty before bed. Gunner ran down the stairs excited to see Adam. "Lets go potty outside." Adam waant sure where to go. "Out the door to the right to the shale. There is no grass. Unless you go out the basement into the woods." Kim mentioned as her eyes were closed. "Thanks darling." Adam smirked a bit. "Okay buddy shale area tonight. Tomorrow you can play in the woods." Adam walked them outside to the shale area. Adam had a flash light lite up just in case. He didnt know the area at all so the flash light was needed. He was surprised when he heard a faint mew coming towards him. Gunner looked excited which was surprising.

"Well hello little buddy. Are you not scared of my dog?" Adam asked the small cat that was loving on him. "Oh hey my bud! Look at you." Kim smirked as she exited the house. The cat started to scream for Kim. "Okay bud lets get on our chair together." Kim sat down snapping her fingers as the cat jumped into her lap. He moved right up her body settling in her chest. "Awe you missed me. I missed you too." Kim was petting the cat with her eyes closed relaxing in the hammock chair. "Well hes cute. And not scared of Gunner. Gunner was excited for a friend." Adam sat next to them with Gunner jumping in his lap. "Buddy I dont need your fur in my mouth." Kim laughed as the cat moved around on her. "I take it you know this cat well?" Adam asked watching them. "Yeah this is Oden. Hes the neighbors indoor/outdoor cat. Well one of three. They also have a small dog. He wants to move inside with Michael but he is not having it. He says we dont steal the neighbors cat." Kim laughed a bit. "Sounds about right. How long does this last?" Adam had no clue. "Depends on the day. Some days a few minutes some days a few hours. I didnt expect him to like you or Gunner. He hates Michael." Kim chuckled still petting the cat.

"We really need to get to bed so as soon as hes up we are heading back in to bed." Adam knew she was exhausted. "Agree completely. I might fall asleep right here." Kim laughed a bit. "Well thats cool too but I would prefer you sleeping inside, in the bed." He winked at her. "Oh I agree. Much more comfortable. But I like hanging out with my buddy." Kim laughed as he moved around again. "Bud your mom needs to cut your nails. Its killing me." Kim hissed a bit. "Oh shit did he just fall out of your lap?" Adam was concerned. "Not really. He just slid off. He's fine." Kim got up to leave. "Okay buddy till tomorrow. Sleep tight." Kim moved inside with Adam and Gunner right behind her. "Lets get you into bed. You need it." Adam followed her up the stairs to their room finding the bed ready for them. Kim kicked off her shoes and moved towards the kids room. Kim saw both kids sound asleep and Gunner settling next to them. "Good night my loves." Kim kissed both their cheeks as she exited the room. Adam followed the same routine.

When he returned he found Kim in bed with her eyes closed. "Just rest. You got this." He got in next to her pulling her into his hold. "I love you." Kim whispered as she drifted off. "Love you too. I got you all night." Adam falling asleep holding her tight. He could only hope the next day went better but he doubted it. He would stand by her through it all and never let her fall. No matter what happened the next few days or weeks. They would get through it together, forever.