Adam slowly walked into the doctors office, he refused the company of anyone else.

"Mr Ruzek, are you sure you don't want your family with you?" Dr. Lee said as he sat down, putting the iPad on his desk, "I can have someone bring them back"

Adam waved him off, "just tell me how my wife is" he was trying to read the doctors's body language, "when can I see her?"

"Your wife is in serious condition, her skull was fractured and right now we are monitoring her cerebral pressure, we had to place a device that monitors her pressure around the clock, it's a bit higher than we would like right now, but it doesn't require surgical intervention at the moment" he pulled up a picture on the iPad, and pushed it across the desk for Adam to look at it, he used a stylus to circle an area of concern, "here is the fracture, it's not a major concern as its relatively small and it's not complete" he swiped that picture away and pulled another image up, "your wife's spine has been injured as well at the lumbar portion of her spine she has a micro fracture"

Adam groaned, "what?" He was overwhelmed, "is she paralyzed?" He couldn't believe he was saying those words.

"We don't know, I'm optimistic. Like I said it's a micro fracture and based on the images her spinal cord is intact, there is some serious swelling around the injured area. Which may limit the sensation she has from about mid-thigh down, but we won't know anything for sure until she regains consciousness"

Adam hung his head, "when can I see her, and my children when can they see her?"

"You can see here once they have her settled on the floor, I'm sorry your children won't be able to see her until she is out of ICU and in a regular room" he turned the iPad off, "Also, just to warn you, the driver's side window exploded on impact and her face has been cut pretty extensively, so she has received several stitches to different sections on her face, the largest just above her left eyebrow. A plastic surgeon was called in and did all the repairs" he stood up from behind the desk, "do you have any questions?"

Adam shrugged his shoulders, "when will she wake up?"

"I don't know, could be within an hour could be a day or two, I wish I had a better answer for you" he shook his hand, "Nurse Sant, will be down shortly to bring you to her room, I wish your wife a speedy recovery"

"Thank you Dr. Lee" Adam said as he followed him out of the office.

Adam sat in the hallway for a bit, where he finally allowed himself to cry.

"Dad, Adam's coming" Annie said shifting Harper in her arms, "Daddy, he looks awful" his eyes red and swollen.

"How is she?" Amy asked, sitting beside him.

Anthony climbed up into his lap, "daddy, where's my mommy?"

Adam held him as he fought tears, he failed and cried as he held his little boy, "Adam, you're scaring us son, how's Kim?" Bob asked again.

He struggled to compose himself, finally finding the ability to speak again, "umm, she has a fractured skull, and" he started to sob again.

"Hang on a second" Jay said spotting his brother Will at the desk, "hey Will, come here"

Will came over, "I was looking for you guys, Adam is there anything I can do for you?" He asked.

Jay responded, "yea, pull up Kim's chart and explain it to us, so Adam doesn't have to"

Adam offered a smile as a thank you.

Will read the chart for a few minutes, "looks like she has a head injury, while its not serious at this stage they are monitoring it, she has a fracture in the lumbar region of her spine which doesn't require surgery and shouldn't affect her mobility long term" he continued reading "she has several facial lacerations, and is being admitted to the ICU, she's already been assigned a room, I can take you up there now Adam if you'd like"

Adam stood up, "please"

Anthony still in his arms, "Adam, he can't come. I'm sorry" Will explained.

"Anthony, go with grandma" he tried passing him off to Amy, the little boy's grip on Adam's neck turning almost vise like, "please pal"

"No, no, no! I want mommy!" He screamed, "no daddy, no!"

Adam sat back down with him, "I know you want mommy buddy, but she's hurt and I need to go check on her and make sure she gets better. You can't come up with me because a lot of sick people are trying to get better" he tried to explain, "I bet Aunt Annie will stay with you" his eyes locking with his sister's "I know she's missed you, and you missed her too"

"Yea, come on buddy. I bet I can find a vending machine we can raid" he giggled at Annie's suggestion.

"Candy at nighttime? Mommy always says no" Anthony reminded them.

"Well, we won't tell her, will we" Annie smiled, "let daddy go"

He got down from Adam's lap and took Annie's hand, and she started to walk off, but not before Adam grabbed her arm, "hey, no matter what I love you, I hope you know that" he told her.

She smiled, "I do Adam, and I love you too"

"You ready?" Will asked him as they exited the elevator, "it's room 302, I can take you to it if you like" he told him.

"No, I'm okay" Adam shook his hand, "thanks Will, I appreciate it" he watched as Will informed the nurses that he was Kim's husband, the nurses politely smiling at him from the nurses station.

He walked slowly down the corridor, his eyes seeking the room number on each door, he paused when he got to Kim's room the door was closed, but the blinds opened. He stood outside her door for a few minutes staring through the window. The doctor didn't lie when he explained the cuts to her face, he brought his hand to his mouth, he was heartbroken at the sight of her. She looked so tiny and frail in the bed, he carefully opened the door and stepped inside. His breath catching in his throat as he approached her and her wounds became more obvious.

He pulled the chair closer to the bed, he kissed her forehead before sitting down, the wind knocked out of him when he saw what they had to place in her skull to measure the pressure it looked barbaric. He tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing yet another set of stitches, he counted seven different scars of various sizes. He gently placed a kiss on her lips, as he sat down he took her hand in his drawing it to his lips and kissing her fingers.

He opened his mouth to speak, but overcome with emotion.

"Hey" she said as she stepped outside "we just heard, it's bad Derek, but she should recover" she sat down finally letting it all hit her, she had just dropped Anthony with Phil and Kim's parents, "Adam's a wreck still, poor Anthony knows something is wrong but he can quite figure it out, it's heartbreaking"

Derek sat down "I hate this, I hate that I can't be with you. My god, your brother doesn't deserve this, not after what I did to him" his guilt had returned with a vengeance "I never should have stepped foot in that hospital tonight, all I did was add more stress for your brother"

"Stop Derek, please" she could hear his voice crack, "I'm gonna come home, I will have my dad drop me off"

"You can stay with your brother, I will be fine" he told her though he wasn't entirely sure, three separate times he had pulled the bottle from the back of the fridge so tempted to open it and chug it one gulp, he wasn't sure how much longer his resolve would last.

"He's upstairs with Kim, we are just waiting for my dad to talk with him a few minutes and then we are taking the kids home, I need to be with you" she told him, she missed him.

"Yeah? Okay, I miss you" he told her relieved she was coming home.

Bob knocked on the door lightly, "can I come in son?" The most he had spoken to his son in weeks, "you hanging in?"

Adam wiped his face, "I guess, is Anthony okay?"

"He's with Phil and Kim's parents right now, but he's exhausted so is Harper. Amy wants to know if it's okay if we take them back to our house" he placed his hand on Adam's shoulder.

Adam nodded, almost as if he was afraid to speak, he turned to face his father, he started to speak only to break down in his father's arms.

"It's going to be okay, Adam. Everything will be, Kim will be okay and our family will be okay" he rubbed his back.

"I was so afraid Dad, I can't do any of this without her" he put his head down on the bed, "she has to be okay"

"You heard Will, she will be okay" he patted his back, "call us if you need anything, no matter the time, okay?"

Adam nodded, "I'm sorry Dad"

"None of that matters, we will figure it all out. You just take care of her" he pointed at Kim, "she's all that matters right now"

Adam couldn't get comfortable in the chair it had to be after three in the morning, his whole body was stiff. He watched as she slept, she looked peaceful as if she wasn't just in a serious car accident. He was clueless as to what happened he wasn't sure he wanted to know, he was surprised when the phone rang. He answered it quickly.

"Hello?"

"Adam it's me Annie" she whispered afraid to wake Derek up, "I just needed to make sure you're okay"

He ran his hand through his hair, "I've been better" he muttered, his eyes focused on Kim, "I've never been so scared in my life, it was like it was happening all over again" he leaned back in the chair, "I shouldn't have gone after Derek" he knew he was wrong that it was easier to be angry than it was to deal with his fear, "tell him I'm sorry"

She was shocked, "I will, he feels terrible too" she watched as he slept, she wanted to tell Adam how wonderful he was but she knew now wasn't the time, "has she woken up yet?"

He sighed, "no, I won't feel better until she does, she looks terrible" his hand resting on her thigh, "her face is all cut up, I wish I could trade places with her. She doesn't deserve this"

Annie could hear the hurt in his voice, she knew she was seconds from crying herself, "it's late Adam, try and get some sleep. I love you big brother"

He smiled, "I love you too little sister"

"No!" Anthony yelled knocking the container of orange juice on the floor, "I want my mommy!"

Amy tried to console him, "I know sweetie" she went to hug him, he jumped down from the chair and slipped in the orange juice hitting his head on the corner of the cabinet, his screams bringing Bob running in the kitchen.

"What happened?" He asked scooping Anthony up in his arms blood pouring from the gash on his forehead.

Amy grabbed a handful of paper towels, and handed them to Bob "he pushed the orange juice bottle off the table, and started yelling for Kim. I tried to hug him and he jumped down and slipped" she wanted to cry, "is it bad?"

Bob pulled the towels away, "yea, he's gonna need stitches" he grabbed a fresh handful of towels and reapplied them to Anthony's head.

They heard Annie come in, "where are you guys?" She called out.

"You have wonderful timing Princess, can you stay with Harper while we take Anthony to the hospital" Bob asked.

Annie tried to keep from vomiting at the sight of the blood, plus the scent of the orange juice mixed with the blood "of course"

"We will call you" Amy said as they hurried out the door.

Adam was pacing the hallway as they examined Kim, she had started stirring but had yet to wake up. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, "Ruzek" he answered without looking at the caller ID he could hear Anthony crying in the background "what's wrong?"

Amy sighed "he's okay Adam"

"Like hell he is, he doesn't sound okay. What's going on?" This was the last thing he needed.

"He had a bit of a tantrum, and spilled some orange juice and he ended up slipping in it and he hit his head on the corner of the cabinet. Your dad thinks he needs stitches, we are almost at the emergency room now"

Adam felt his heart constrict, "here? Are you coming here?"

"Yes, we just pulled in the parking lot" Amy explained as Bob lifted Anthony from her arms, they had been unable to put him in his car seat, "come downstairs please"

"Excuse me, Nurse!" Adam yelled he waited for her to turn around "my son was just brought in downstairs, he needs stitches will you tell my wife's doctor that's where I am" he told her.

"Of course Mr. Ruzek" she replied

Adam waited for the elevator, after about five minutes he opted for the stairs, he took the steps three at a time, completely out of breath once he arrived at the ER.

"Anthony Ruzek, he's only 4. My parents just brought him in" he told the woman at triage, she buzzed the door granting him access "thank you"

He checked each cubicle, finally hearing his son's cries, "hey don't cry" he rushed to Anthony's side, grabbing his hand "oh, man buddy you did it up good" he kissed the top of his head, "does it hurt?"

Anthony's lip trembled "I want mommy" his thumb going to his mouth.

"That's all he's been saying all morning" Amy told him, wiping tears from her eyes, "I'm sorry Adam"

He scooted beside Anthony on the bed, "don't be it's not your fault,it was an accident" he saw Will approach "hey Anthony you remember Jay's brother, right?"

Anthony nodded, "he's the doctor who is going to fix that cut"

Will smiled "hey Anthony, I hear you're a brave boy" he slipped the gloves on and checked the cut, "ouch, you did a good job" he grabbed a suture kit from the cabinet and prepared the lidocaine, "listen, I need to give you a shot, it's gonna sting for a little bit but it will make it so you don't hurt anymore, okay?"

"I need to step outside" Amy told them "I can't watch you give my baby a shot"

"Will you go upstairs and check in on Kim, please?" Adam asked, he hated that he had to leave her, "the doctors were examining her when you called and I don't know what they found"

"Of course, please come up as soon as you can" she told him, "take care of my grandson"

She pulled the door closed and could still hear Anthony's cries as she walked down the corridor, she took the opportunity to call Annie to let her know Anthony just needed a few stitches.

"All done" Will took off the gloves and grabbed some stickers from a drawer, "which one do you want?"

Anthony picked one, Adam put it on his shirt "I'm proud of you, you're a brave man"

"Can I see mommy?"

"Not yet buddy, but soon." Adam could see Anthony's lip tremble again, "I'm sorry"

"Go on up Adam, he's fine. Anthony, you want to pick something out at the gift shop?" Bob asked him, " you got eight stitches, so here's eight dollars" he explained pulling the singles from his wallet, "let's go spend it"

"Bye Daddy!" Anthony waved, his shirt covered in blood still.

"Be good buddy, I love you"

Adam stepped out of the elevator and jogged down the hallway, stopping in his tracks when he saw Amy sitting in the chair outside Kim's room crying.

"What happened?" He asked, "why are you crying?"

"Go in Adam, the doctor needs you" she told him.

"Did we get a clear shot of the plate?" Jay asked as he sipped his coffee, "last I heard Kim still hasn't woke up, we need to catch this son of a bitch"

"Mouse is checking the footage now, we've already got boots on the pavement checking repair shops, we will find this guy, you can count on it" Hank told him, "how's my grandson?"

"He's good growing like a weed" Jay smiled, "here Erin wanted you to have the latest photo she had taken, some friend of hers is a photographer" he handed the 5x7 to him.

"Thanks"

Annie felt sick to her stomach, she had finished cleaning up the orange juice and blood and was unable to get the scent of it out of her nose.

Harper's cries filled the kitchen, she washed her hands and went to retrieve her from her bedroom, "how's my favorite girl this morning?"

Harper's toothy grin was always a welcome sight, the resemblance to Kim was uncanny, "you look just like your mommy, and your bubby looks just like your daddy" she couldn't help but envision what her and Derek's baby would look like. She just hoped the baby had Derek's blue eyes.

"You're gonna have a baby cousin soon, you know that?" She laughed when Harper laughed, "but don't tell anyone yet, especially Grandpa"

Amy found Bob and Anthony inside the gift shop, Anthony purchasing a toy airplane, "hey, how's my favorite man?" She asked.

"I'm good, thanks" Bob replied with a smile, "oh, you meant Anthony, didn't you?"

She laughed, "I did, how'd he do?"

"He was a champ, did you get an update on Kim?" He kissed her cheek, "is she awake yet?"

Adam listened as the doctor spoke, his eyes on Kim's, he was afraid if he turned away she would disappear, "but she's okay, right?"

Dr. Lee smiled, "I think so, but we aren't out of the woods yet, it's good you're awake Mrs.Ruzek, but the next few days are crucial. I think you'll regain feeling in your legs over the next few days" he told them, "I will give you two some time alone, use the call button if you need anything" he patted her foot, "try and get some rest, okay?"

Adam grabbed her hand, "are you feeling okay?" He asked, he wanted to lift her in his arms, he settled for holding her hand, "are you in pain?"

"My head hurts, what happened?" She was struggling to remember, "the last thing I remember is Annie, she told me something" she was trying to remember it hit her, "Adam she's pregnant"

Adam couldn't believe it, "Darlin', I think you're confused. Your car was hit, some ass ran the a light."

She noticed the blood on his shirt, "you were on the scene, how did you know?"

He shook his head, "no I wasn't at the scene, it happened in front of the 21st, Sean was there though"

She put her hand, "but you're covered in blood" she pointed to his shirt "how did you get all that blood on you"

He glanced down at his shirt "shit, listen don't freak out"

"Adam, don't ever start a conversation like that and expect me not to freak out, what is it?"

"He's okay I promise"

"Who?"

"Anthony, he hit his head this morning, my dad brought him in for stitches" he watched as she covered her mouth with her hand " I swear he's fine, I bet they're still here" he pulled his phone out.

"Dad, can you put Anthony on the phone?" Adam asked, he put it on speaker, Anthony's voice filling the room.

"Daddy, I buyed a plane with my dollars" Anthony told them, "see!" Adam laughed knowing Anthony was probably holding the toy up to the phone expecting him  to be able to see it.

"That's great pal, someone else wants to say hi" Adam watched as tears filled Kim's eyes.

"Hey my sweet boy, I love you" Kim grabbed Adam's hand, "so much, baby"

"Mommy!!! You feel better" Anthony yelled, "grandma mommy's better" they could hear him yell "can you come home?"

Adam took over the conversation, "soon Anth, mommy still needs to rest"

"Okay, I'm gonna fly my plane now" Anthony told them as he gave the phone to Amy.

"He's gone Adam, playing with your dad" Amy told him, "I'm so happy Kim is awake"

"Let's go see Uncle Derek" Annie told Harper as she buckled her into the car seat, she was about to pull out of the driveway when her father pulled in behind her.

"Aunt Annie, Mommy is better" he yelled as they exited the car, "I talked on the phone with her"

Annie smiled, "is that right buddy? That's awesome!"

"Where you off to?" Bob asked, he took Harper from her car seat, "Kim's gonna be okay"

"That's great news, listen I need to