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

Chapter 7

She handed Caleb to Jay, "Watch him, I need to see what's wrong with Kim" she set the gift for Adam on the table, happy to see she wasn't the only one who brought a gift.

Kim could hear the knock, "Go away!" She yelled through sobs, she hated everyone right now. Every single one of them and their healthy children, their happy lives. Their only concerns being what to watch or something else just as trivial.

She was beginning to think this was party was a horrible idea, the door opened and Erin sat beside her.

"Kim, what's wrong?" She asked placing her hand on Kim's thigh, "is everything okay?"

Kim laughed, it was an eerie laugh bordering on scary, "Nothing's okay. I don't think it will ever be okay again" she huffed, lifting a picture off the nightstand, "Adam wanted to throw this big party, but it was a mistake. It's only making it that much worse, it's a glimpse of what we won't have soon."

Erin was baffled, she rubbed Kim's back, "I don't understand. I'm trying but I don't know what you mean"

Kim rose from the bed and went to the window watching Adam and Dani running through the bounce house, little Caleb at their heels.

She looked over her shoulder at Erin, "Caleb's adorable you know" she wiped at her eyes, "you're lucky you know, he's happy and carefree"

Erin's confusion growing by the minute, "He is, but I'm pretty sure he's not the reason you're upset"

Kim turned to face her, "You know Adam's been sick, right?" She sat back down, "that he's been running fevers and just not himself"

Erin could feel her heart race, "Kim, you're scaring me. Is Adam not okay?"

"No, he's not" Kim broke down. Her body betraying her as she crumbled into sobs, thankful for Erin's arms holding her, keeping her from falling into pieces.

"Tell me" Erin demanded, "please tell me"

"He has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, my baby has cancer" she said in between sobs, "it's why Adam wanted to have this party, so he could be happy for just a little bit before his world is torn to shreds" she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, Erin also in tears.

"I'm so sorry, what can Jay and I do?" Erin silently cursed herself for asking so a stupid question she knew damn well there was absolutely nothing she could do, "that was stupid, I know"

Kim squeezed Erin's hand offering her friend some comfort, "it wasn't stupid, just nothing you can do"

"No, I can take Dani for you. Whenever you need it, she's welcome to say with Jay and I" she explained, "We're both here for you, no matter what. Any time any day, we are with you. I love Adam, and will do whatever you need from me"

Kim hugged her, "that means so much, I love you!"

"I love you too Kim, we are gonna get through this, you'll see. Adam will be okay"

The party had settled down, all of the children had crashed on the living room floor sleeping soundly.

The bounce houses and giant slides had been deflated and awaiting pick up, Adam felt Kim grab his hand "It's time to tell everyone Adam"

He nodded silently and gathered everyone on the back patio, he wanted to shield his son from this conversation even though he was asleep, finally he started to speak "I know everyone's trying to figure out just what today is about" he willed himself to get through this speech.

Josh came to his side and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "You all know our son has been sick the last few weeks" he paused trying to find the resolve to continue, he could feel his knees wobble.

Josh leaned in, "let me do this little brother" he whispered in Adam's ear.

Adam nodded and immediately took Kim in his arms, needing to feel her arms around him.

The assembled crowd growing increasingly scared, Amanda joined her husband slipping her hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

He winked at her in appreciation, "Adam and Kim have been given devastating news, their kick ass son, my wonderful amazing nephew has been diagnosed with leukemia" he finally said, allowing the word to sink in.

He could hear the gasps from his brother's friends, "Obviously this news has hit them and all of us incredibly hard and while we're scared we know little Adam is a fighter and he will beat this. I just ask that you all support my brother, Kim, and little Dani as best you can" he wiped his eyes, hugging Adam and Kim.

It was an endless procession of well wishes and hugs, by the end of the evening Kim and Adam felt drained emotionally and physically.

"I don't wanna go" Adam told them as they headed down the interstate, "it's not fair!" He pouted, neither one could blame him.

It was a shit hand he'd been dealt and it wasn't fair.

"I know you don't, but we talked about this" Adam glanced back in the rear view mirror.

The previous day had been extremely emotional for all of them, Adam and Dani had been filled in on all of it. A child life specialist helped to explain it all, Adam cried and begged them both to take him home that he didn't want to be in the hospital. Dani was bewildered by it all, she had been quiet and didn't say much at all.

The specialist explained how they would put a central line in his chest to administer his medicines and that he wouldn't need needle sticks in his arm once that was in. That they would just put it in the IV, but that he couldn't get it wet.

It had angered him, summer right around the corner and he would be denied the pool and trips to the lake and water parks.

She explained how the medicine would make him sicker, that he would feel horrible some days that he would throw up among other things a child shouldn't have to deal with.

The biggest blow was when she told him his hair would fall out.

They hadn't been in pre-op long when Adam was wheeled back, his cries echoing down the hall as he was wheeled away.

It took everything Adam had to not run after them and lift his little boy off the bed and run as far away as he could.

He turned and swiftly pulled Kim into his arms, her sobs like a dagger to his heart.

"You okay?" He wiped his own eyes.

"No" she said softly, "it's all so real know, they said he's getting his first does of chemo tonight, I'm not ready for this Adam"

He shrugged, "Me either baby, but our boy needs us and we need to be strong enough for him. You can do that, right?"

Finding a strength she didn't know she possessed she wiped her eyes. "Yes, I can" she said calmly.

Her son needed her to be strong, and damn it she wouldn't let him down.

---Note---

Time jump coming, along with a twist or two.