Forgiven 2 of 4

Chapter 33

ONE MONTH LATER

Kim sat at the coffee table, Helen had just picked Anthony up and was taking him to the park with her and Charlotte or as Anthony caller her "Charwee".

The last four weeks had been an emotional roller coaster, it seemed to have more dips and crazy turns than anything else, but today was the day.

She quickly fed and changed Harper, she was nearly three months old and doing well, every so often you could coax a smile from her.

Al sat in the hallway, he had finally gotten his head on straight but still couldn't bring himself to step foot in the room. All of the nurses kept asking if he was okay, if he needed anything each time he said he was fine and asked them not to mention him when they went in the room.

"You should go in, you know" Kim told him when she arrived, "I know he would love to see you, he's been asking for you" she had spoken with Meredith a few times never for very long it was usually a few minutes when she dropped the kids off and them picked them up. Most of it when Adam was put back in ICU for the longest two weeks of her life. It was always one step forward, three steps back he finally turned the corner and never looked back. She didn't want to get Anthony's hopes up, so he didn't know Adam was coming home. He had been heartbroken that Adam missed his third birthday, he had cried for a long time. It was Kevin who had finally calmed him down, she felt awful calling him but Anthony asked for him.

"I know, I just feel awful for waiting this long to show up" Al said as he played with Harper's little hand "she looks like you, Kim, she's lucky" he laughed "I let him down, and you. I should have been here for you, helped out more, not hiding at a bar"

"It was rough for all of us Al, I know how close you are with Adam and I know it scared you. It's okay, don't worry. Please come inside and see Adam"

Al opened the door for Kim and waited as she went inside, giving them a few minutes.

"Hey, darlin', I was beginning to think you weren't coming" he gingerly stood up and kissed her, his lips lingering on hers "I'm so glad I'm leaving this place, can you give me my girl" he asked as he sat back on the bed he wasn't allowed to bend and he couldn't lift things.

"Are you sure?" Kim asked as she unbuckled Harper from her infant carrier.

"Yes, I've been dying to get my hands on her" he glanced around the room "where's Anthony?"

She set Harper in his arms, still feeling her heart skip a beat every time she watched him hold one of their children "He's with Helen and Charlie, they went to the park" she waved Al in, "someone's here to see you"

Adam smiled when he saw Al walk in, "O, my man. Where in the hell have you been hiding?"

Al shrugged his shoulders "I don't know kid" he mumbled.

"Adam, let me take Harper, give you two some time to catch up" she lifted Harper, "I will be back in a little bit"

"Take care Al" Kim said as she left.

Al sat down, his elbows on his knees "I should have come sooner, I should have done a lot of things Adam" his eyes focused on the floor, "Adam, you should never have been a part of that raid"

Adam sat up on the edge of the bed, his hand instinctively going to his side still tender and would be for some time, "Al, I screwed up I ran in that house without support. I know you saved my life when that guy put the gun to my head" He had no recollection of it Hank reminded him a few days ago when he chewed his ass out for putting himself and his team at risk "if it wasn't for you Kim would be a widow. It's my fault you got shot, and it's my fault I was shot"

"I'm really sorry Adam, for everything. I should have been here to help Kim" he felt terrible.

"Kim told me Meredith helped out with the kids, that's more than enough Al. You can help me by finding the damn doctor so I can get out of this place" he laughed as he stood, he had lost some weight and it was still a struggle to walk but he wanted out.

"Well, sit down. You look like shit, I will be right back" he turned to leave.

"Alvin, come here" Adam said, "I love you" he carefully hugged Al.

"I love you too, kid"

"Aunt Helen, I'm hungry" Anthony said as he sat on the bench, his face red and his hair dripping with sweat, "Can we get food?"

She couldn't help but laugh, all the kid did was eat "how about we head home, mommy should be home now" Kim had already sent her the message that she was home with Adam.

"No McDonalds?" he gave her the saddest eyes, something she was sure Charlotte had taught him.

"Drive thru?"

"Yes!" He jumped up and ran to Charlotte "she said yes!"

"Are you sure they're on their way?" Adam asked as he paced in front of the window, it had been days since he last saw Anthony, he was uncomfortable seeing Adam in the hospital. He would cry as soon as they got in the car after a visit, telling Kim he was afraid, so she never pushed him to go.

"Please sit down, you're making me nervous. I promise they will be here, they stopped to pick up some food" she guided him back to the couch, "please stay on this couch"

"Stay here?" He arched an eyebrow, "I know a way you can keep me here" he held his hand out to her.

"Adam Ruzek, I would love to do what you are suggesting, but you know we can't" she sat beside him "your doctor hasn't cleared you yet, two weeks ago you sat in ICU on a vent" the image making her sick "and my sister in law is bringing our son and niece in this house any minute now"

"Hey" he lifted her chin "are you okay?"

"I will be" she ran her hand over his chest, "it's gonna take awhile to stop worrying about you, this was the hardest month or so Adam, I was so afraid I was going to lose you" a few tears falling "you would have a good day, only for the next three days to be the exact opposite"

"I can't imagine what it was like, I don't remember much" Adam told her "I don't know if I could've handle seeing you in the bed"

They heard a car door, ending their conversation, Adam was up out the front door, Kim watched from the window.

"Hey Anthony, look who it is!" Charlotte said to her cousin, the little boy had become such a bright spot in her life.

"That's my daddy!" Anthony squealed, he fought with the seat buckle, "help me Charwee"

Charlotte laughed, she loved the way he said her name "Here you go" she reached over and unbuckled Helen helping him out of the car.

Anthony took off running as fast as his little legs would take him, Kim could see what Anthony was about to do and made it outside just in time to brace Adam.

Anthony's little legs catapulting him into Adam's arms, Adam grimaced in pain but he could feel Kim behind him. He was pretty sure that if she wasn't he would have been on his ass "I've missed you Anthony, so much" he hugged him.

"I love you daddy and I'm glad you feel better"

----Note----

Never expected to get a chapter out today let alone two, but it was a good way to unwind after a day where I wanted to pull my hair our or punch someone in the throat.

It's not perfect but the "Ruzeks" need a little boring in their lives, I may concentrate on Linstead the next chapter or two it's still up in the air though.

As always, thanks!

-Kristi