Hazel Rain

Chapter 32

These days were Kim's favorite, the moments they spent as a family of four, it didn't happen often and she cherished the days it did happen.

Luckily today was one of those days, she watched from the porch as Adam played soccer with Hazel and Samuel. The little boy was struggling to keep up, sure he was pretty proficient when it came to walking...running was a different story. He'd run for a few steps only to fall down, it didn't help that he was still a bit top heavy. In true Ruzek fashion he bucked any help offered to him, he was determined to do it all by himself.

Today was his first birthday, her baby boy was morphing into a toddler, he seemed to be developing at lightning fast speed. He started walking at just ten and a half months old and it seemed nothing would slow him down.

Karen, Brian and Zoe were due to arrive at any minute for a small family celebration before tomorrow's massive birthday celebration.

Kim was still holding out hope when it came to Adam and his mother, when he dropped off the box of her belongings, Kim was hopeful. It seemed to be turn in the right direction but that had been three weeks ago and he hadn't spoke of her since.

It was a delicate situation, as much as she wanted to push Adam towards his mother she knew she couldn't, if Adam was pushed too much; he would shut down and that would solve nothing. In fact it would only create problems, so she was left to stand on the sidelines and just hope that Adam would find it within himself to let his mother into their little world.

Kim missed their meetings at the park and she knew the kids did as well, Hazel had asked about her just a few days ago, begged to go see her. She'd been able to dodge Hazel and her repeated questions, but she knew that would only last so long.

"I'm hungry!" Hazel whined as she scampered up the stairs and on to the porch she squeezed in beside Kim on the seat, "Uncle Adam cheated...he used his hands. Chelle says no hands in soccer." Hazel had started playing in an instructional soccer league that Michelle Olinsky volunteered with.

Kim wrapped her arm around her lovingly, "Well, you know what I say about Uncle Adam don't you?"

She covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled, "He's not a good listener."

"Hey! I heard that Nut!" Adam laughed as he moved slowly behind Samuel who insisted on climbing up the three steps on his own, he did it on his hands and knees and clapped excitedly when he was finished.

"Samuel, you're so your mother's son. So excited over the littlest things." He tossed the little boy over his shoulder as if he were a sack of potatoes, Sam laughing the entire time.

Kim picked Sam up when he held his arms out to her, "You're mommy's favorite man!" She winked at Adam over Sam's shoulder.

"That's cool. You've got Sam...I've got my Nut." He plucked Hazel from the bench and held her on his hip.

The sound of gravel crunching as the car pulled up the driveway made Hazel squirm in his arms, "Zoe's here!! Let me go! Zoe!" She took off like a bat out of hell as soon as her feet touched the ground, Elsa at her heels.

"Hazel!" Zoe shouted, as she lifted Hazel up and spun with her, "I missed you!" Even though the girls were ten years apart they had become close, and it warmed Kim's heart that her family had welcomed Hazel into their lives, she was no different from Sam.