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

Chapter 11

"Yea, but it's twenty bucks for him" little Adam laughed.

"That's my boy" Adam rubbed his cheek, "only seven and he's hustling"

"Almost eight Dad"

"How could I forget" a hint of sadness in his voice, birthdays seemed scary as of late. Always fearing if his upcoming birthday would be his last. He always considered himself a brave man, willing to put himself in dangerous situations the kind most people ran from.

This? This brought him to his knees, the fear gripped him like a vise.

He felt Kim rub his back, he smiled at her, "I'm good" he whispered he was going to enjoy the day, and live in the moment.

"Hey Sarge!" Adam called holding his arms out for Trudy, "Come on, come give your favorite guy a hug" he laughed.

Surprised when she fell willingly into his arms, "Thank you for this, it doesn't seem like it's enough saying thank you. This is amazing, I love you" he whispered in her ear, feeling her start to cry in his arms.

She leaned back, "Oh, shut up" she laughed through her tears, Kim at Adam's side.

"Come on, just say it. Just one time" Adam begged.

"Ugh, I love you too Special Sauce" Trudy laughed, taking Kim in her arms, "you're the one I love, I just tolerate him"

"Nope, can't take it back, we had witnesses" Adam quipped as he pointed to Jay, Erin, and his dad.

As the day went on both Kim and Adam had been overwhelmed by the amount of people willing to be tested to be a donor for their son, or potentially someone else in the battle of their life.

They'd taken turns on keeping an eye on the kids, they'd left Adam with Cannon who was now running on of the game booths.

"Hey Cannon"Adam said as he tried to stand, "I don't..."

Cannon turned around just in time to catch Adam before he hit the ground, "Cory, go find Uncle Adam, NOW!" He yelled to his brother who was just a few booths away, surprised he was heard over the noise.

"Hey Adam, wake up little man" he was frantic gently hitting his cousin's face,so he was trying desperately not panic.

Cory scanned the crowd, the sun had set a little while ago and he was finding it difficult to find his uncle, he spotted a firefighter. He recognized her as a one of the moms from Dani's soccer team that he helped coach.

He ran to her, "We need help, somethings wrong with Adam, he fell or something. I'm not sure, please help" tears streaming down his face, never having been more afraid.

Gabby put her cup on the table, "Matt, find Adam and Kim!" She made eye contact with her husband knowing he had heard her request.

She found a crowd had formed around the booth, "Get out of the way, now move it!" She elbowed her way through the crowd.

"Cannon, right?"

He nodded, "Yea, please help him" he backed away so Gabby could look him over.

"What happened?"