Before Ryan has returned with their drinks, Lanie has entered the waiting room carrying a plastic bag. All heads in the room shoot up and try to read her expression. Lanie looks towards the three women who are desperate to hear good news. Kate knows from the look in Lanie's eyes that what she is about to say is going to be bad. Tears begin forming in Kate's eyes and she clutches Alexis's hands even tighter within her own.
Lanie speaks up with a steady and calm voice. 'I spoke to one of the nurses that looked after Castle before he was taken to surgery. They say that there was a large bleed in the brain as well as other injuries mainly to his left side. The surgery should last another couple of hours. She doesn't know if Castle is going to make it or not.'
With that Kate lets out a large sob and brings her knees to her chest to try and contain them. Lanie moves forward in order to offer some comfort to her best friend by providing a shoulder to cry on. Alexis turns to Martha and buries her head in Martha's chest as tears pour down her face. Martha rests her chin on the young girl's head and allows a few tears herself to escape.
When Ryan returns to the room and sees the state that the women are in Esposito quickly informs him of what Lanie had found out. Ryan places the coffees onto the table and then heads out of the room in order to call Jenny to update her on the situation.
About ten minutes later Kate lifts her head from Lanie's shoulder in order to speak to Esposito.
'Javi, can you call Hamptons PD and find out what caused the car accident? Find me as soon as you know something.'
'Sure thing chica. I'll call Chief Brady as I'm sure he'll know something.'
'Thanks, Javi.' Kate replies quietly.
'Beckett, just stay strong. I know that Castle is going to be ok because he won't want me taking his Ferrari.' Esposito tries to inject some humour in the desolate room and Kate gives him a brief smile for the effort but it definitely doesn't reach her eyes. Esposito then turns and heads out to find out what caused the accident.
'Kate, I've got some clothes in this bag that you should change into because they will be more comfortable than the dress.'
'No Lanie. I'm fine. I need to wait here for when the doctors come out.' Kate replies stubbornly.
'Kate, they are not going to be speaking to us for a while and the bathroom is just around the corner. We can quickly change and be right back here within a few minutes.'
'Lanie I need to stay in case of any news.' Kate answers quietly but determinedly.
Martha then speaks up. 'Katherine, go and change so your dress doesn't get completely ruined. If anyone comes we will tell them to wait until you return so you can be here for any news.'
Kate slowly nods her head and rises from the chair. She doesn't have it in her to fight Martha on this too. Lanie follows her out of the room towards the toilet so Kate is not alone.
When they reach the bathroom tears begin falling down Kate's cheeks.
'Hey Sweetie, Rick is going to be ok and you will be able to get married soon. This is just a little bump in the road.' Lanie says as she wipes the tears from Kate's cheeks.
'But I always pictured Castle removing this dress with me as Mrs Castle.' Kate replies as the tears continue to fall.
'I know you did. And you are going to be Mrs Castle but you may have to wait just a bit longer.'
Kate nods but it is not the usual determined look in her eyes. She seems almost lost. She quickly gets on the clothes Lanie managed to rustle up and heads back to the waiting room. When they return, everyone is still in the same place as before. Kate glances at the clock and sees that they have only been at the hospital for an hour but it feels like a lifetime of worry.
Esposito returns about thirty minutes later with news on the car accident.
'What did you find out Espo?'
'The driver that hit Castle's car was drunk with over five times the alcohol limit in his blood,' he states angrily.
'Did they get him?' Kate asks strongly.
'Yeah, he at least did the decent thing and called the ambulance instead of charging off. Castle's car was forced off the road and into a ditch whereas the drunk driver got away with just a few scratches and bruises.'
'Is he going to prison?' Alexis asks in a hoarse voice due to the crying and lack of speaking.
Esposito replies, 'Yeah, he is in custody now and is waiting to find out all the charges. He is definitely going to go away for a long time though. I will make sure of it.'
Kate doesn't respond to any of Esposito's further comments as she can't believe that the reason that her beautiful day was ruined and her husband to be is fighting for his life is due to a drunk driver. The universe has not been fair to her and Castle at all. She spends the rest of the time waiting for news in her own little world trying to think of her future with Castle and praying that she will be able to live it.
Finally, there was a knock on the door and a middle aged man stepped in wearing scrubs.