A quick note-the previous chapter was originally intended as a one shot, but because of the response I received, I decided to continue. I would like to state that in no way will I be gratuitously emotionally whumping Castle and Co., I will only continue this if I can elicit new sides of characters. On that note, please read, review, and enjoy :)
Alexis sat on the stiff, cold chair in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting her dad's arrival.
She would never have guessed this would happen. Things had been going well-she was getting good grades and had a wonderful relationship with Ashley, Dad was happier than ever working with the Police Department, and Gram had become a close, integrated part of her life.
It was amazing how quickly things could change. When she heard Gram grumbling about pain in her arm that morning, she had discredited it as one of the normal aches and pains that crept up with age.
And within a few blurry moments of Gram's collapse, her lips blue beneath her red lipstick, the scream of an ambulance siren, and the shock of defibrillator paddles, her entire world had crashed dead-on into a cement wall.
When the doctor walked into the room with an apologetic expression glued to his face, Alexis didn't know how to respond. Should she cry? Should she be angry? Should she feel guilty?
She didn't say anything when the doctor asked for her cell phone to call her dad. She just handed it over, wading through a tangle of emotions she couldn't define.
Time ceased to exist, yet continued. The doctor asked if she was okay. She nodded and retreated behind a magazine, reading about recipes, garden care, and home decorating. Meaningless words ran through her mind, lacking any literary continuity, but keeping the moment at bay.
Then Dad walked into the room. Time slammed back into effect, throwing her headlong into a reality she wasn't prepared to meet. Sorrow struck her chest, leaving her breathless as she moved into her father's warm arms.
Hiccupping sobs convulsed in her throat as she struggled for air.
And Dad's hand was there, smoothing a calming stroke across her back.
"I'm sorry," she murmured into his chilly blue coat. "I'm sorry."
"Sweetie." He breathed against her hair, rejection for her apology in the single word. "None of this is your fault. You know that, right?"
She nodded wordlessly, stepping away and swiping at her red eyes. That was when she saw Detective Beckett in the corner.
The normally collected detective had small pockets of tears in her eyes, which she easily blinked away when she noticed Alexis' attention.
Alexis breathed deeply and forced herself to push back her emotion. "Thank you for coming, detective."
Kate released a brief nod, not attempting to accept the nicety with a comment or smile, however small.
"Excuse me, is this the Castle family?" A nurse stepped into the room, a plastic mask of empathy plastered to her face.
Alexis looked to her father to answer, then away again when she caught a glimpse of his shell-shocked expression. Detective Beckett must have noticed it too, because she stepped in and answered for him.
"Yes, it is. I'm a friend of the family."
"You can go in now." A stiff, sympathetic smile crossed the woman's face.
"Thank you." Kate said as the nurse exited.
Somehow Kate managed to herd both of them to Martha's room, stopping at the door to give them a moment to collect their thoughts.
"Dad," Alexis started, a slight waver slipping into her voice, "I don't think I can do this."
Dad put his arm around her should and gave a tight squeeze that hurt a little bit, but was nice nonetheless. "Alexis, you are the granddaughter of Martha Rogers, the greatest actress to grace Broadway's stage, the finest woman to mother a famous author, and the best grandmother a teenager could have. You can do this."
Alexis swallowed, fighting tears again. "Okay."
