"Lexi"
"Papa Jimmy," Alexis cried as Kate's father wrapped the girl in a warm embrace.
"Lexi, look I know this sucks but we'll get through this together, ok?" Alexis nodded her head in approval while it was trapped against Jim's chest. "Good, now let's have a seat so I can hear exactly what happened."
"Ok so the doctor didn't tell you anything different then she told us?"asked Esposito.
"No, I told Dr. Warner to tell you exactly what they found, and no this isn't your fault; it has to do with her heart."
"So you're sure I didn't break anything when I tackled her?"
"No you didn't break anything."
"Excuse me sorry to interrupt, but we are moving Mr. Castle to the ICU now. I'm here to take all of you up to the family waiting area there," nurse Hathaway said. "Mr. Beckett, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Heartmen will be coming in to update you shortly on Ms. Beckett. Dr. Heartmen is currently completing an ultrasound on her."
"Oh my God, she's pregnant?"Alexis asked in exasperation.
"Oh um, sorry about that. I should have been more specific. The ultrasound is being done on her heart to check for any deformations and also to check the blood flow. I will take you up, Mr. Beckett, to join the rest of them in the ICU waiting room after the doctors have talked with you."
"I'm sorry but I won't be staying down here. I'm not leaving my granddaughter's side. I told her we would get through this together. The doctors can come up and talk to all of us together. Plus Katie would yell at me if I left their sides. I may be her father but she carries a gun. I'm not taking any chances."Jim said holding his hands up as a suspect would surrendering.
The nurse let out a breath of a laugh and said, "Well alright. Follow me."
The group all stood and followed Nurse Hathaway to the ICU waiting area on the seventh floor. The waiting area was situated off of the hall that lead to a set of wooden double doors with glass inserts. Beyond the doors lay the seventh floor ICU. Martha held her breath as she entered the waiting room wondering how long this would be her new home for. Would her son even survive the next several hours or would she have to decide to turn off the machines that were currently keeping him alive? Could she make that decision if she had to? Would she be able to let her son die if he really is brain dead? "Oh Richard you can never do anything without a big production can you?" she thought. Nurse Hathaway spoke up.
"Please make yourselves comfortable. There is a mini fridge that is stocked with juice, milk, and water. The cabinets on the left above the sink contain hot chocolate packets, tea bags and some coffee. There is a hot water tap that you can use and a microwave. The cabinets that run below the counter contain blankets if you need them. When you finish with the blanket just place it in the container in the hall with the blue bag, that way it will be sent to the laundry. If you need anything please don't hesitate to call the nurse's station with the phone on the wall." With that nurse Hathaway left.
Alexis sat on the mint green vinyl sofa with her Gram on the right and Papa Jimmy on the left of her. Esposito, Ryan and Lanie, which they had met up with in the hall on the way to the ICU, sat on chairs flanking the sofa. No one talked only the sounds of their breaths could be heard, each lost in their own thoughts. Alexis let out a sigh as Dr. Warner walked in with another doctor following her.
"Hi everyone, this is Dr. Owens, he is going to be Mr. Castle's doctor for the remainder of his stay here at the hospital."
"Hello," Dr Owens said extending a hand to Martha as she reciprocated. "Dr. Warner and I have gone over Mr. Castle's files together and we a currently still waiting on the one test to come in that Dr. Warner mentioned to you down stairs. We are expecting the EEG results to be done in about an hour. I will read over the results and then discuss the results with you and let you know what options you will have to make for Mr. Castle's health. We currently have Mr. Castle in room ICU741. Nurse Phillips will be in shortly to bring you back to see him. I have to warn you that it is going to be scary when you see Mr. Castle. His is still a little blue around the mouth and his fingers. He has a ventilator helping him breathe, along with wires attached to his chest to monitor his heartbeat. Mr. Castle also has two IVs, one in each arm, that are delivering warm saline solution to his body to warm him back up. Do any of you have any questions for me?"
"How long will it be before I can see my dad?"
"In about five to ten minutes. The hospital allows up to three people in the ICU rooms at a time. "Anything else?" everyone looked at each other until Martha spoke up.
"I think were good for now."
Just then two more doctors walked in to the waiting room.
"Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Heartmen," Dr Owens greeted as he passed them leaving with Dr. Warner.
Mr. Beckett, I know that I was able to talk to you downstairs for awhile along with Dr. Warner. Dr. Warner informed the rest of you on Ms. Beckett's condition correct?"
"Yes," Jim replied.
"Ok, this is Dr. Heartmen, Ms. Beckett's cardiologist. He is going to be continuing to treat Ms. Beckett while she is here. I'll leave you to it Dr. Heartmen."
"Thank you Dr. Rodriguez," Dr. Heartmen said as Dr. Rodriguez left. "As all of you were informed, Ms. Beckett has Atrial Fibrillation. We are going to be keeping Ms. Beckett in the hospital for a week to continue monitoring her heart. We need to check to see if this was just a onetime stress induced incident or if she had Chronic Atrial Fibrillation. She will be in the ICU for at least two days and will be moved to critical care if things are looking good. Her ultrasound went well and her heart seems to have healed well from the shooting. There isn't even any scar tissue build up which I would expect to see. Ms. Beckett is currently in room ICU731 which is located across the hall from Mr. Castle's room so that visiting them will be easier. Also, Ms. Beckett will be able to see into Mr. Castle's room since she is only allowed out of bed to use the bathroom. Ms. Beckett is doing well and may be tired, but she should seem like herself. She has an IV, heart monitor, and is currently off all oxygen. Mr. Beckett if you would please follow me Ms. Beckett is asking that you come see her."
"Um, Lexi are you going to be okay if I go?"
"Yes, Papa Jimmy."
"If you want me to come with you to see your dad, just pop your head into Katie's room okay?"
"I think I'll be fine with Gram but if we need you, I'll come get you." With that Jim got up after giving Alexis a squeeze and left with Dr. Heartmen.