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

Chapter 11

Cannon stood up jamming his hands in his pockets, "I don't know. Ah, shit my dad is gonna kill me" he paced.

"Cannon, tell me what you know" Gabby checked Adam's pulse pleased with it, his breathing was a bit shakier than she would have liked.

"He said my name and I turned around and he dropped" he kneeled back down, "is he okay?"

Matt tore though the crowd, he found Halstead, "Halstead, where's Ruzek?"

Jay held his hands up, "Don't know"

"It's little Adam, somethings wrong. Gabby went to check on him"

Jay immediately put his drink away and started looking for Adam, he climbed up on a table and stole the microphone from the deejay, "Ruzek! Where are you? Get your ass down to the game booths it's Adam! Gabby's with him"

Adam felt the blood drain from his face, Dani asleep in Kim's arms, "Hurry Adam!"

"Gabby's with him" he reminded her, "I will call you" he said as he took off in a sprint.

Cannon was pacing outside the booth, waiting for him uncle.

"Hey I'm sorry Uncle Adam, I'm sorry" Cannon kept repeating.

"Where is he?"

"I'm okay daddy" he heard a soft voice, the best sound he'd heard in days, "Gabby fixed me up" he clutched a bottle of water in his hands.

"Breathe Adam, he's alright" Gabby rubbed his back, "he just fainted, I think he did a bit too much today"

Adam crouched down in front of his boy, his hand on his cheek, "You okay? You didn't hit your head or snag your line, right?"

"Nope"

"I've already checked the central line, it's good" Gabby told him, "your nephew caught him before he fell"

Adam looked over his shoulder, "Cannon, come here"

Cannon walked apprehensively over to his uncle, "Yea?"

Adam stood up and pulled him into his arms, "Thanks, it's okay man. He's okay" he ran his hand through his nephew's hair.

"I was so scared" Cannon choked out, bringing his t-shirt up to wipe his eyes.

"It's alright, bud" he kissed his forehead.

He picked Adam up, and draped an arm over Cannon's shoulder, "let's go back to Aunt Kim, I'm sure she's freaking out"

The heard the music stop, "Just got word little Adam is fine, guys! Severide is coming around with the boot let's fill it up one last time" the deejay called out applause filling the air.

"You sure he's okay?" Trudy asked as Kim checked little Adam out, "you're positive right, shouldn't we call a doctor or something?"

Kim grabbed Trudy's hand, "He's fine. Just tired, we need to get them home, Adam"

"Of course, just give me a few minutes" Adam said as he approached the deejay and whispered something in his ear.

"Hey folks, Adam Ruzek has something he'd like to say to all of you" he explained as he handed Adam the microphone.

Adam cleared his throat before taking the microphone, " I'm not really good at this, my wife is much better with this kind of shit" he started, "I'm gonna do my best though,as you can imagine hearing that your child has leukemia is one of if not the most terrifying thing a parent could ever hear" he glanced over at Kim, "It's been a long ride and we know we have long way to go. Having all of you beside us and supporting our boy, will make the road that much easier. I don't think I could ever put into words what all of this means to us, and all the other people fighting this awful disease. I pray we find a donor for Adam because of this, and who knows maybe someone will be a match for somebody already on the registry" he could see Adam yawn, "My boy's exhausted and if I don't wrap this up my wife may kill me" laughter filled the streets, "On behalf of my family, my wife and my kids I thank you all from the bottom of my heart"

He handed the microphone back to the deejay who quickly turned the music back on, the party atmosphere returning to the crowd.

They tucked the kids in, "Mommy?" Adam called from his bedroom.

"Yeah, baby?" Kim' asked from the doorway.

"I had a lot of fun today" he told her, "I felt like a normal kid again"

Kim smiled through her tears, "I'm glad, buddy"

He looked up at her, "Can I tell you something else?"

She nodded.

"I'm not afraid you know" he said with an air of confidence.

"Of what?" She asked as she sat on his bed.

"Dying. I'm not afraid"

She was blindsided, her heart leaping in her throat. She struggled to form a coherent thought, she watched as Adam tucked the blankets under his chin and his eyelids fluttered as he drifted off to sleep.

She sat there frozen in place, unable to move. Unwilling to move.

--Note--

Surprise!

I had a great morning early afternoon with my boyfriend who promptly passed out about an hour ago..

Most of this was written, and it was begging me to finish it off.

I hope you enjoy it!

I think I caught all the typos but forgive me if I missed some.

Also as you're reading this if you feel so compelled please consider donation (it's the new year after all! Tax deductible as well) to one of these amazing pediatric cancer charities

Gamerosity.com- they help get iPads to kids currently fighting cancer.

LoveYourMelon-they provide kick ass beanies to kids with cancer

St Baldricks is pretty awesome too, they have the coolest shave-a-thons (my inspiration for little Adam giving dad and grandpa Bob a buzz cut, who knows who else he may get a hold of)

And lastly, consider being a bone marrow donor

Go to BeTheMatch.org and consider it. It's painless and easy to do the initial swab! I've been on the registry for years, still hoping I will some day get the call that I'm a match for someone.