Strong Enough

Alternate Ending

Jay tightened the last screw, he gently shook the crib pleased with that it was secure, "Only took us six hours but it's done" he laughed as Adam was putting the finishing touches on the dresser.

"I appreciate your help, Halstead" Adam tossed him a can of beer, "I think Kim had given up all hope of me getting this nursery ready for the little guy" the last few days had been perfect. He felt confident in his ability to love his son, no longer referring to him as Kim and that bastard's son, it wasn't that bastard's son it was his son. He couldn't wait until he could hold him in his arms, and be the father he deserved.

Jay eyed him suspiciously, "Not to sound like a complete dick" he hesitated, "what's changed? You sound excited" he gathered the tools and put them in the tool box.

Adam shrugged his shoulders, "I had a long talk with someone who has been where Kim and I are, and he's proven that DNA doesn't matter, that it's possible to love a child that was the product of rape"

"I'm happy for you, but I tried telling you that" he smirked, "you really need to start listening when I talk"

Adam nodded, "You did" he smiled, "but I think I really needed to hear it from someone who has lived it"

"I get it" Jay finished off his beer, "who was it?"

"Doesn't matter" Adam replied, not wanting the wrath of Trudy Platt.

Kim was on the couch reading a magazine when the guys returned from the nursery, "Is it together?" The tip of her index finger in her mouth, hopeful they had been able to figure it out.

"You can relax Darlin', it's done" he sat down on the couch, pulling her legs into his lap, "how are you feeling?"

"Like I'm about to burst" she caressed her belly, "this little guy is free to make an appearance any day now"

Jay grabbed his car keys off the counter, "I'm gonna head out" he announced.

Adam stood and shook his hand, "thanks for all your help, I wouldn't have gotten it put together without your help"

"Yes, Jay. Thank you!" She had taken up residence at Adam's side, her arms wrapped around his arm. "Little Adam, thanks you as well, now he'll have a safe place to sleep instead of the death trap his daddy had constructed" she remembered how proud Adam had been when he showed her the completed crib, only for it to slowly fall in on itself.

Jay curled his lip, "Little Adam?"

"Yep, Adam Michael Ruzek Junior" Adam smiled, his hand resting protectively on Kim's stomach.

"I like it" he kissed Kim's cheek, "Erin misses you" he said softly.

Kim hadn't spoken to Erin since she had brought up putting the baby up for adoption, it wasn't because she was mad at Erin but embarrassed by her own behavior. She ever should have stormed out of the diner, Erin was only trying to help her. She was going to blame it on the pregnancy and her hormones causing her to be all over the place emotionally.

"I will call her" she told Jay, "I miss her too, and she needs to be here when he's born"

"I got something for Adam" Adam said later that night, he took off down the hallway.

Kim was thrilled to see the joy back in her fiancé' eyes, watching as he searched the closet for the item in question.

He held the blue gift bag in his hands, "here" he handed it to her, "I know it's early but I want to start him young"

"What is it?"

"Don't ask, open it" he smiled sitting beside her, "he won't be able to use it for awhile but at least he will be familiar with it from day one"

Kim's interest was piqued, she pulled the tissue paper from the bag and laughed when she spotted it, "A football?"

"Of course, if my boy is going to be a starting quarterback, he needs to familiarize himself with this" he took the ball from her hands, "you gotta start 'em young, mark my words he's gonna be great"

Kim could feel her eyes well up with tears, "Adam this is so sweet" she kissed his cheek, "I think our son is going to be great, how can he not be with you as his daddy"

Adam went quiet for a few minutes, "What is it?" Kim asked him.

He pulled her against his chest, allowing the scent of her shampoo to fill his senses. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath he kissed the back of her head before he spoke, "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize what I should have known all along, you shouldn't have had to worry about it" he felt awful, "you deserved better and I failed you, but I promise that won't ever happen again. I love you and our son"

---NOTE---

Short I know but I felt like this was a good spot to end this chapter.

I lied last note, said only one chapter remained but may be two more or one fairly long one.

Thanks for reading (oh, and it unedited. I'm getting lazy)