Alexis was editing the story that she had gotten from her Sister Card. It had been 3 months since the incident on the bridge. Grace had stayed in a coma since that time. Father Brown was more pious that usual. Eric had returned home but spent most of the time with his Mother. Card was happy she was about to get her degree. The rest of the Family was so proud.
Alexis left her laptop to amble into the loft. Only Eric Jr. and Rick were there. Babies Emily and Jackson was in their cribs. Kate was at physical therapy.
"Dad…May I talk to you for a moment?" Alexis asked.
"Sure Pumpkin. Let's go into my office and that way we are away from little ears." Rick said.
Rick closed the door to the office then took his writing chair. Alexis sat on the couch.
"So Pumpkin what is on your mind?" Rick asked.
"Dad… You know I gave up working because I am concerned about the health of my child." Alexis said.
"Yeah that topic did appear from time to time. So, don't tell me you are getting tired of staying around the house?" Rick asked.
"Well don't get me wrong I love staying with Eric Jr. and seeing him develop…" Alexis said.
"I hear a but coming…" Rick said holding his grown Daughter's hand.
Alexis smiled her Dad knew her so well.
"Yeah Dad I have been restless…However, That is not what I wanted to talk about…It is about Card…" Alexis said.
"Card…? What do you know Alexis? Is she in some sort of trouble? Is it Carmine?" Rick worriedly said "…Do I have to get Jackson on the case? No Better yet Sophie she has just come back from Europe I bet she is free!"
Alexis laughed then shook her head.
"Dad calm down. I know Card has had quite a few exciting times in this family. She is in no trouble actually I came to get your professional advice…" Alexis said trying to control her giggles.
"Professional advice…? Alexis what sort of professional advice can you be asking me to perform?" Rick asked.
"Well Dad these past few weeks Card gave me an assignment and she would be mortified if she knew I was talking to you." Alexis conspiratorially said.
"What sort of assignment Pumpkin?" Rick asked with his curiosity peaked.
"Card wrote a book and I've been helping her edit it!" Alexis blurted out.
"She did what? Pumpkin you need to start at the beginning…" Rick said.
"Dad just after Christmas Day Card pulled me aside and showed to me a very rough 130 chapter book. I saw right away she was writing in your style… Anyway I got it down to a more manageable 40 chapters in 3 volumes. I would like your opinion on this book. Since, you have a much more nuanced palate." Alexis said …I think she has real talent…I would like your opinion but you need to keep this on the down low."
"Sure Pumpkin I can do that but you will need to be the ones watching the kids while I do it. Where is this book?" Rick asked.
"It is on your view screen under A Card File" Alexis said.
"Really… Alexis could you not come up with a more imaginative name?" Rick teased. "Of course not you are my most Logical of my Daughters"
"Ok Dad I will leave now not trying to influence your thinking." Alexis said rising up.
"Ok Pumpkin tell Kate when she returns that I'm in here. I should bang this out in about 3 hours. Everything is already for Card's PHD graduation. I know it is being held at Charlie's Brown House but I thought we would have a small Family only get together here. Is Eric going to join us?" Rick asked.
"Yeah Dad that sounds good…I will tell Mom when she shows up. Alexis said leaving. "No Dad. Eric has not returned from the hospital yet…The NYPD has not as yet found any clues on why my Mother in Law was shot. Perhaps Sophie's trip would have found something."
"Alexis I know you are feeling a bit abandoned…It has been only few weeks since that fateful day…Please give him a bit more time." Rick said getting up to hold his eldest Daughter who burst into tears.
"Dad…I feel I am losing him…He is never home and when he is he does not touch me…Do you think he should see Dr. Burke?" Alexis asked.
"Well which one the older or younger? Carter is retired but sees some patients occasionally. I can call him to ask…He has sure helped your dear old Dad over the years." Rick said.
"Dad would you please…the older one…" Alexis asked with watery eyes.
"Yeah no problem matter of fact I could call him right now." Rick said moving toward the phone.
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Rick called Carter as Alexis left to check on her kid and Babies Jackson and Emily. Carter answered on the first ring.
"Hello?" the melodious voice of the retired therapist asked.
"Hello Carter Rick Castle here…" Rick replied.
"Rick how good to hear your voice…So why are you phoning?" Carter asked.
"Well Carter we had a bit of a family tragedy a few weeks ago…You know my Daughter Alexis?" Rick asked.
"Yes I remember her…tragedies seem to come quite frequently in your family…How may I assist you?" Carter stated.
"Well it is not specifically Alexis though she is affected but the tragedy was her Mother in Law. She was shot with a shotgun on the ramp going to the bridge to Staten Island." Rick related.
"I recall seeing something about a gang land slaying on that bridge…Heavens Man you are not saying she was involved in that?" Carter asked very concerned.
"Yes that is the event but that is not the reason…My Son in Law Eric is having a hard time dealing with his anger and grief. His Mother has been in a coma for at least 12 weeks. It was heroic effort that kept her alive…NYPD has no suspects…He needs help in dealing with this tragedy. I don't think he has ever had to deal with any adversity. So he is totally ill prepared for this event." Rick said.
"Rick if you can convince your Son in Law to see me I will do what I can for him." Carter said. "Oh on a side note Congrats on your baby Daughter. Kate must be so proud. Where is she?"
"Well she is at physical therapy…This last birth caused a deterioration in her physical strength. But she is coping with the methods you taught her." Rick said.
"Oh I am so sorry to hear of her condition…" Carter said.
"Yeah well she is doing well otherwise…" Rick said. "Thank you for all your help over the years my old friend."
"I am happy to lend my services… I will be talking to you soon Bye Rick." Carter Burke said.
"Bye Carter I will be following up with you soon." Rick said ending the call.
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Rick satisfied with the call pulled out his view screen and pulled up the file. He began to read and was instantly transported to the land of an NY Medical Examinator. Betsy Price. Rick smiled to see a more than passing resemblance to Alexis. He was intrigued as he delved further into the book. A few minutes later in his estimation he was stopped by a knock at the door. It was Kate. She was looking tired after her physical therapy.
"Hey Honey guess what?" Kate said as she kissed his lips.
"Hi Honey…" Rick said sort of distracted. "I could get used to more of that."
"Ok Rick what are you doing? What has captured your interest?" Kate asked sitting on his lap.
"What Oh Kate it seems we are going to have another published Author in the family." Rick said.
"What do you mean?" Kate asked intrigued by his statement. "Who is it? Martha? Alexis?"
"Card…" Rick replied "…She is really good…I love her plot development and Characters are really recognizable."
"Really… Please Rick let me have a look." Kate asked.
"Kate I will do you one better I will send you a copy of this file… However, you had other good news?" Rick asked.
"Yeah well it can wait…Please send me that file." Kate said getting off his lap with another kiss. "I need to check on Emily. She is probably hungry by now."
Kate bounced out the door as Alexis came in.
"Well Dad it has been 4 hours what did you think?" Alexis asked.
"Alexis you did a superb job editing! I mean those characters are…" Rick said.
"Yeah it seems she writes what she knows too." Alexis said. "So you approve?"
"Very much so…I want to call Paula immediately!" Rick said. "I can not wait for the next book it is that good!"
"Well I think you should wait until we both talk to Card…She is a bit busy today being Valedictorian and all perhaps at the reception tonight we can talk then? Is Paula coming?" Alexis said.
"Yes both she and Gina are appearing at the reception at Charlie's Brown House. Rick confirmed. Speaking of Graduating… I better get your Mom and myself into gear. We only have a few minute before we all go to dinner." Rick said looking at the time.
Rick got out of his office and went into the bedroom he could hear the shower running. Stripping down he entered the shower.
"Oh Rick you scared me…I did not expect you…" Kate said melting into his chest.
"So no more hose huh?" Rick said looking down at his wife's almost perfect body.
"Yeah…That was what I was trying to tell you…No more Hose or physical therapy…I'm also cleared for other activities too." Kate said kissing her husband.
"Do tell…" Rick said smiling.
"Not now Rick we will be late…" Kate said squealing.
"Ok Kate rain check for tonight…?" Rick said.
"You got it Buster tonight is ours to rock your world." Kate said kissing him as she got out of the shower.
They quickly got dressed as they exited the bedroom they were confronted with Alexis in full logistic mode. She was ordering the twins to hurry up and Card was standing in the middle of this confusion.
"Mom Dad…" Card said flying toward them once she saw them.
"Well look at you…The Valedictorian and all of that! You made us proud Card." Rick said hugging his grown Daughter.
"Thanks Dad…I could not have made it without yours and Mom's support." Card quietly said.
"Card I am very proud of you…This is your special day congrats on graduating." Kate said hugging her Daughter.
Soon their quite bubble was broken with the addition of the twins joining.
"Come on we need to go! I'm hungry" David complained tugging on Rick's pant's leg.
"Well you heard the young man we should be off." Rick said wrapping his arms around his Daughter's and Wife's waists.
The trip to the dinner was a raucous affair. Rick was cracking jokes. He had the kids thoroughly entertained.
Rick had rented out the restaurant for the night. There were going to be many guests from Fashion to Politics to NYPD brass to Captains of Industries all there to celebrate along with the Castle Clan.
Paula was busy organizing where everyone was to be seated.
"Hi Paula we need to talk later" Rick said.
"Ok You guys are seated at table 12 Kids at table 14 and others at table 13." Paula said looking at her chart.
"Hi Paula" Alexis said greeting the older woman with a hug.
"Well look at you…Rick did say you were pregnant again Congrats I did not see your Husband is he not coming?" Paula asked.
"Well he will come later I suppose but thanks for the congratulations." Alexis said.
The groups all got seated and the dinner was over quickly. It was now time to head for the Graduation ceremony. It was a small size only 200 students were getting their degree early. It seemed like Card's group dwarfed those of other students.
Card stood at the podium and Rick had a flashback to Alexis' graduation night. He squeezed Kate's hand as she too realized what he was thinking. It was a rainy night that night but today it was only light flurrying. Kate smiled at her husband and was so happy went Card was presented her diploma and the Dean of Students announced Card's full time professorship. Everyone in the crowd whooped it up as Card stood there smiling. Rick was loudest one of all.
