“It’s a place for him, that house, whether [Ruzek] recognizes it or not,” Flueger told NBC Insider in 2022.
fter years of making memories in his cherished childhood home, Chicago P.D. power couple Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) have officially decided to make a big Windy City move.
Burgess and Ruzek have lived together since Season 10 of Chicago P.D., and the house holds many memories for Ruzek. Ruzek bought the Canaryville home from his father in Season 9, specifically for Burgess and their adopted daughter, Makayla “Mak” Burgess (Ramona Edith Williams), to live in. It was a romantic gesture considering Ruzek and Burgess weren’t even dating at the time, and slowly but surely, their emotional journey as coparents brought them back together. After tying the knot back in Season 12 of Chicago P.D., Burzek are now focused on setting up Mak for success and happiness.
As she approaches teenage years, Burgess has found herself fretting over her adopted daughter’s future, growing increasingly concerned that Mak isn’t happy in her neighborhood or school due to feeling racially ostracized as a Black student with white parents. Here’s what happened:
The Burzek move has been a long time coming
Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and Officer Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) appear in Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 3.
Photo: Lori Allen/NBC
Burgess first opened up to Ruzek about her parental fears in Season 13’s “Canaryville,” admitting to her husband that she worried Mak wouldn’t ever feel like she belonged in their current neighborhood. Burgess wants Mak to have the tools to embrace her heritage and grow into her own person in hopes that it would help lighten the weight of her childhood losses. While he only wants the best for his family, Burgess’ desire to move was a bit of a heartbreaking development to Ruzek, who harbors the fondest of memories in that household.
“It’s a place for him, that house, whether he recognizes it or not,” Flueger told NBC Insider in a 2022 interview. “He talks about it’s this house flooded with light and a big backyard, and I don’t know that those things are actually true. In reality, that’s how he remembers it. That’s his nostalgic view of the place, and I think he’s got such good memories there that he wants to make sure that he shares it with this kid that he’s just mad about.”
Ruzek ultimately agreed that Makayla transferring schools was for the best, but found himself dragging his feet on reviewing Mak’s many applications. With Ruzek’s father’s health taking a turn, Burgess understood the hesitance in selling the family home, but found herself grappling with Ruzek’s procrastination. However, after Ruzek’s latest investigation had him thinking about his family, he was struck by a change of heart.
Burgess and Ruzek are gearing up for a big move
Chihards are happy to see the couple not leaving Chicago P.D., but laying new roots in the Windy City, and we can’t wait to see where they settle down.
After closing a harrowing case with a veteran cop who chose against marriage and raising kids due to family potentially holding him back at work, Ruzek found himself feeling particularly grateful as he returned home to his wife and daughter. Upon noticing Ruzek’s strange mood, Burgess asked what was on his mind, and he admitted that his life with Burgess and Mak had only made Ruzek better. His family hadn’t held him back; it made him a “better cop.”
“It’s just made me better. It changed a lot, but it’s all for the better,” Ruzek confessed. “I don’t want to be afraid to change more, so we can leave the house.”
Burgess was rendered speechless as Ruzek continued, “My dad would understand. I’m sorry, I guess I was kind of hesitating, but we could leave the house. I could leave the house. We can then go wherever in Chicago is best for Mak.”
Burgess was emotional as she closed the distance between her and her husband, holding Ruzek’s face in her hands. “Which is fine, yeah?” Ruzek asked.
“Yeah,” Burgess said, kissing him to reassure him that they were making the right call as a family. Next thing we know, Ruzek confidently hammered a “For Sale” sign on the home’s front porch, wasting no time in getting a jump start on his family’s exciting new chapter.
