Love's Journey 3
by Castlefan6
Authors Note This is the continuation of Love's Journey, originally authored by The Muse of Apollo, chapters 1-7 of the original story, all following are work of Castlefan6' IF you haven't read the original Love's Journey, and Love's Journey 2 please do so before proceeding with this,
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 6
Previously
"Hey, it's OK, come on now, I got more love in my last few years of life than many get in a lifetime, no more tears, just promise me you will love each other as much as I love you both right now, I mean it Promise Me". Kate is sobbing with one arm around Jess, one around Rick, and Rick's trying to hold it all in, until Kate answers Jess with one word, "Always" then Rick totally loses it before saying the word "Always."
Castle's Loft
1:00 AM next Morning
The ride back from the Hamptons had been quiet, very quiet. Rick sat in the middle of two women he loved and who loved him more than anything in the world.
One he would have to bid farewell too soon, the other, his hopes for the future and a journey back to more than what they had ever had before.
How was one supposed to deal with this, so sad that Jess would be leaving the world and his life forever, yet another part of him excited to begin to start a new journey with Kate, Is this even normal. God he was glad that Dr. Burke had talked to Kate, there was no way he would be able to as Kate said, "explain the situation as perfectly normal for three people who love each other"
Rick lifts Jess out of the car and carries her to the elevator, Kate supporting her legs and making sure she is covered, the luggage is loaded, and the carrier loaded onto the elevator,
"Will that be all Mr. Castle, I would be happy to accompany you to take care of the bags if you wish sir,"
"No, Henry, Thanks so much for all you have done, give our best to your Dad, and don't be a stranger" as he shakes the young man's hand, slipping him a generous tip.
The elevator carried them to the top floor and Rick's loft, and as the door opened, they were surprised to see Alexis and Martha standing, waiting to greet them, Rick is still carrying a sleeping Jess as he looks towards Kate,
"Hope you don't mind but I called them yesterday, I know what it's like to be away when things like this happen, and no matter how much time goes by, you still feel some guilt."
Jess speaks for the first time in over two hours, "Thank You Kate, he doesn't mind, and if he did he wouldn't if I asked him not to, Right Rick?"
"You know you can have anything in this world from me, and Thank You Kate, that was so thoughtful for Mother and Alexis as well"
The two red heads have now cleared the path to the Loft and wait patiently as Rick gently carries Jess to their bed, places her on one side, and motions for Alexis to lay down beside her.
Alexis slips next to Jess, and can't hold the tears back any longer, as she wraps her arms around Jess, sobbing so hard, she can hardly breathe
"Hey there, Lexi it's OK sweetie, I'm here now, I got you," as Jess turns and embraces the young girl who continues to cry like Rick has never seen or heard. "Shh baby it's going to be fine, and you want to know why?" Jess reassures her as she kisses the top of her head and gently strokes her back.
"Jess, how can you say that, I am young, but I know that our time together is almost over and there's nothing I can do, so tell me how things will be OK?" as the tears return
Jess reaches out and takes Kate by the hand, who has done a good job hiding her own tears, at least till now, "Lexi, I may have to go but Kate is going to be with you and your Dad, she loves you all so very much, and I want you to love her like I know you love me, OK?"
Alexis looks up and just pulls Kate onto the bed, she is in the middle, Jess on her right, hugging and kissing her head, and Kate on her left crying softly and trying to stay strong.
Alexis catches her breath hugs Kate and then asks "Dad can you and Grams give Jess, Kate and I a few minutes, I think we need to talk"
Rick and Martha reply in unison, Of course, and leave the room quietly as Alexis starts to speak through her tears, first to Jess, then to Kate.
"What do you think that is about Richard? Martha asks so naively she perhaps is the last one in the room to see the love between Rick and Kate, Rick and Jess, and Jess for the entire family.
"I'm sure we will find out what and when the tell us Mother" Rick say sadly.
"Oh Richard, what happened, she was the picture of health just a few weeks ago, what on earth can cause her to**"
"Die Mother? It's OK you can say it, we have been talking about it since she first found out, 10 days ago, and this is the part she dreaded the most, the talk with Alexis."
"Why do you suppose she wanted to talk to Katherine at the same time/"
"Mother, you can't be that blind, you have to know that Kate loves me, and I love her, and before you ask Yes Jess knew it before we would even admit it.
"I love Jess, but I also love Kate and sometimes I hate myself because I feel like I am cheating on one of them, but we all know what our rules are, and Jess has pleaded with Kate to show me the love she knows she has, when, "he simply fades out and looks out at the stars.
Martha has broken open a bottle of wine, the most expensive kind of course, and Rick sits on the loveseat with his drink not even touched, just trying to etch in his mind every little memory he can, when the door opens, and the three ladies walk out, hand in hand.
"Dad, Grams, we have something to say, and I would appreciate it if you would put your drink down Grams, this is important" Alexis scolds her Grandmother.
"Of curse Alexis but I can****
"Gram put the damn drink down" Alexis shows signs of both Kate and Jess now, and Martha responds immediately.
"Maybe you don't know it, but Jess is very sick, and has to leave us soon, but Kate has loved Dad for a long time and was to afraid to say anything, so Jess made them talk, she tricked them when they were at the Hamptons."
Both Jess and Kate are smiling as they gently squeeze each hand, "Any way, Dad did some dumb things and Kate did some dumb things but that's all worked out now, and Grams, you do not ask what they did, or I'll tell Dad what you did"
Martha has a look of horror on it but says nothing. "I knew I loved Jess, and the more we talked Jess made me see that Kate did the same things for me as she did, when I was just a kid, so I always loved Kate too, I was just mad at her, but we are good now, Right Kate?"
"You bet Lexi, Jess told me to always call you that so every time you heard it you would think of her, is that OK?" Alexis nods and Ricks face is contorted in confusion of how his little girl had grown so much but also how much Jess was easing the way for Kate, not only in his life, but Alexis's as well.
"Jess told me that she had something put away for me for my wedding day, and only Kate knows what it is and where she keeps it, I know I'm a kid, but I know I am going to miss you Jess, so so much", as tears begin to form again
"Thanks for bringing me back to Kate, now I know I will always have a mom even if she isn't my Mom, because you both loved me with all of your hearts".
"One more thing Dad, and this is non negar, negote"
"Nonnegotiable Jess gently prompts,"
"Thanks Jess, anyway that means you don't get a vote, Kate is moving in downstairs in Jess's apartment to help me and Jess, and to be sure you don't do anything dumb Dad" "We three ladies talked and decided it made the most sense, right Jess, Kate?"
"Right Lexi" is the reply in unison as Rick just smiles, his tears will fall soon but once again this woman had now discussed death with a 13-year-old girl, arranged for new living arrangements that did make total sense, and has embraced Kate as her Mom, like she did Jess.
Martha senses the need to get to her room, so she excuses herself, then Alexis also goes to bed, with the promise that both Jess and Kate would tuck her in once she is ready, after all she is a teenager but somewhere that little girl heart still longs for a mother, now she has two.
Jess makes the trip to Alexis room, aided by Kate and Rick, and as she and Kate enter the room, she see's why it took Alexis so long to get ready. On her dressing table with the big mirror, she has drawn a huge heart, and put the words, "I love U Moms Jess and Kate." Tears are hard to hold back but Rick is dismissed by Alexis, she wanted to talk to Jess and Kate, after a few minutes she is about asleep when Kate says, "How about we turn off the light now and go to sleep, we will be right here if you need us,"
"Love You is the muffled response, then "Sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite" slurred and then she was out. Jess mouthed to Kate "sorry she got the bug thing from me" as Kate helped Jess out of the room and Rick was right there to carry her downstairs.
"So, Kate did you agree to move downstairs or did you get guilted into it?"
"No actually I agreed, and Jess thought it was a good idea, you are going to need help here and I am on paid leave till whenever, so it makes sense to be close."
Jess looks up at Rick and said, "No problem with that is there Rick?"
"Of course not, I just didn't want Kate to be guilted to doing something she didn't want to, **"
"There is no place I would rather be Rick, tough decision, lonely apartment, or here with my family, speaking of I am going to head down now, call me if you need anything at all, OK?" Kate interrupts.
Rick stands and kisses Kate, as he holds Jess's hand, then pulls her in for a one arm hug almost afraid to let go, then another quick kiss and "Thanks Kate, we love you, all of us do"
"Good night Rick, I love you, All of you as well"
A/N If you think they are getting harder to read, I can tell you this broke me, and I still have some more scenes to write. Hope you enjoy, Next Chapter will be tissue time for sure, you are warned.
