A Sequel to 'Strong Enough' based on the alternate ending of that story

Chapter 3

Adam could see it all over her face and knew he needed to do something, he spotted the jar of tongue depressors and pulled two out, he winked at little Adam.

"Hey look" he said as he put them in his mouth and pretended to be a walrus.

Little Adam bursting into a fit of giggles, a small smile spreading across Kim's face.

The door finally opened and the doctor appeared before them, Adam still doing his best impersonation of a walrus.

"Funny, Mr.Ruzek" he smiled, "How's it going big guy?" He asked little Adam.

Kim smirking at her husband, "Sorry, Doc" he smiled, "just trying to make my girl smile, she's worried about our boy"

The doctor sat on the stool, "You aren't the only dad who has done that" he told him, "tell me what's going on"

Kim pulled her iPad out, Adam smiled at her, his wife was always prepared especially when it came to her kids.

She could feel their eyes on her, a blush creeping up on her cheeks, "Sorry, but I just have some notes" she explained as she pulled up the reminder "He's been running fevers, ranging from as low as 100.2 and as high as 103.6. Tylenol and Motrin help to bring the fevers down. He's just started complaining of joint pain, and he's not eating all that well and sleeps a lot" she finally finished, her hand reaching out for Adam.

"Those are really good notes, Mrs.Ruzek. You shouldn't apologize, it helps, makes my job easier" he smiled as he grabbed his stethoscope and listened to Adam's heart and lungs.

"Chest sounds good, you have a strong heartbeat kid. You're an athlete, right?"

"Yep, football and hockey" little Adam responded, "but I missed hockey tryouts cause of these stupid fevers"

"Ah, that stinks. Hopefully we can figure it out" the doctor smiled as he checked the lymph nodes in Adam's neck.

His fingers finding something of interest, "This lump, how long have you had it?" His question directed at little Adam, but Adam answered.

"That still there son?"Adam asked, "I guess I felt it about six weeks ago or so"

"I guess, it doesn't hurt" he could see the look on his mother's face.

Kim turned to face her husband, "You felt it? Why didn't you say anything?" She couldn't believe he never mentioned it, she was annoyed with him.

"Honest? He said it didn't hurt so I didn't give it another thought" Adam justified, he rubbed Kim's back, "just relax"

She glared at him from the corner of her eye, she was angry with his tone but it could wait.

"Doctor?"

He pulled the gloves off his hands and threw them in the trash can, "Try not to worry, sometimes lymph nodes pop up to the surface when the body is fighting an infection" he explained pulling the little boy's chart up to write his orders, "Here's my plan, I want to do a complete blood work up, have a look at his counts"

"Okay, what're you thinking?" Adam asked not entirely comfortable with where it was headed.

"I have a few different suspects but I'd like to have a complete picture before we go any further, along with the blood work, I want to do a chest X-ray and an ultrasound of his neck get a good luck at the mass" he explained, immediately regretting using the term 'mass'

Kim panicked "Mass? I thought you said it was a lymph node" she needed answers.

"Mrs.Ruzek, it's just a term we use, it doesn't mean anything. We will get to the bottom of this, I promise" he smiled warmly, "in the mean time keep treating the fevers as you have been"

Adam raised his hand, "Yes?"

"Can I play hockey?" He asked sheepishly.

"That's up to mom and dad, and your energy level"

Adam clapped his hands, "Yes!"

"A nurse will be in shortly to draw some blood" he said as he exited the room.

Adam could see the wheels turning in Kim's head, he knew his wife all to well, "Adam, will you be okay if your mom and I go out in the hall for a minute" he could see Adam look a little panicked, "it's fine, and we will back before the nurse draws your blood"

Adam nodded, "Can I have the iPad?"

Kim handed it to him.

"Why didn't you tell me about the lump?" Kim asked as soon as the door was shut, her voice whispered.

"I forgot all about it" Adam told her. "I can see the wheels turning Kim, you need to stop over thinking this and let's just see what the doctor finds"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know you, you're thinking worst case scenario already, and you need to stop" he kissed her forehead he could see the fear in her eyes. He'd do anything to chase her fears away, "You're going to make yourself sick over this. Adam's a healthy kid, I'm sure it's just a bug, they'll prescribe some antibiotics and he'll be good as new"

Kim wiped her eyes, "I hope you're right"

"I'm always right" he smirked, the nurse arriving to draw the blood.

Adam and Kim went back in the room, "I don't know if I can be in here when they do it" Kim said already picking up on little Adam's fear, he had hated needles since he was a baby.

Adam had been the one to stay in the room for shots, "It's alright darlin', I got this. Go square up with the money lady" he winked taking his son's hand in his.

"You were brave Mister Adam" the nurse smiled as she put the band aid on his arm, "make sure they let you in the prize box"

The elder Adam smiled at her, "Thank you, when should we expect the results?"

The nurse shrugged "a few days to about a week it all depends"

They left the room and found Kim, "Our boy is a champ! Not a single tear" Adam told her.

"Are we good to go?"

Kim nodded, "let's go"

4 DAYS LATER

"Mommy, the phone is for you!" Dani shouted from the kitchen, "My mommy is coming Doctor"

"Thanks baby" Kim smiled as she took the phone from Dani, "Hello?"

"Mrs. Ruzek, it's Dr.Miller" his voice serious.

"Hi, did you get my son's results back?"

"We did, I'd like you and your husband to bring Adam in first thing tomorrow, to discuss them"

Kim felt her heart race, "Is everything okay?" She could feel her knees become weak, and her palms sweaty.

"Tomorrow morning is seven good for you?" He asked.

The air had left her lungs, she tried to answer the only sound escaping her lips was a soft groan.

The dial tone ringing in her ear.