Righty-ho, chappy chap chapter!

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After some pushing, Tina sat with the younger kids in the living room, the game in full swing, while Rick and Kate stood in the kitchen, Elise in her father's arms as Kate moved about to prepare lunch. She had quite the party today; not only were the three Freidman girls her guests, but Martha was also going to be gracing the Castle loft with her presence. It wasn't that Rick didn't enjoy having his mother around; she was just a handful, even more so, in his opinion, than wrangling four young children.

Elise was mimicking words of objects in the kitchen along with Rick, while Kate bustled about as best she could, throwing various bits of food about in attempt to get something together. She had started far later than she should have, and she was beginning to feel the pressure.

"Kate?"

Turning, she was met with the worried eyes of her husband, the baby in his arms leaning on her head on his shoulder, her eyes droopy with sleep. Until now, she hadn't noticed, but on pausing, Kate realized she was panting, possibly from moving too quickly. She felt the throbbing in her leg return, as well as the sweat beads on the side of her head drip down her face.

"Are you alright?" Rick asked, placing a snoozing Elise in her nearby play crib before moving in beside Kate. Reaching a hand up, she pinched the bride of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to shake the feeling of lightheadedness she suddenly had.

"Uh, I uh…" she murmured, taking a few deep breaths before she slowly let her eyes flutter open, the rare sunlight causing her to squint and keel unexpectedly. Luckily, Rick's arms were quick to be around her, and she felt herself crash into his body, her reflexes too slow to even get her arms up. Her nose was crushed against his collarbone; she let out a cry of pain, as weight landed on her injured leg, causing her to fall further.

"Whoa, Kate, hey there…"

Rick guided her to a dining chair, lowering her slowly into her seat, pulling up his own to be beside her. He refused to move more than a few inches from her side, watching her sway in her place, her panting becoming more labored by the minute.

"Kate, I'm calling an ambulance," Rick said, pulling his cell out of his pocket. Normally, Kate would have objected; she was adamant, in most cases, that she would be fine, even if it was clear she needed professional medical help.

But today, she did not try and stop him. Instead, she nodded, letting herself fall again into his embrace, as he dialed 911.

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Needless to say, lunch at the Castles was canceled, as Rick sat in the hospital waiting room with his own children and their three wards. They were sitting on the ground in a circle, a packet of crayons and a giant piece of cardboard folded between them. The only exception was Elise, who was sitting on Rick's lap, quietly watching her siblings on the ground.

"Rick!"

A voice echoing in the corridor turned all the heads, Rick standing almost instantly, clutching Elise in his arms. He started eagerly for Lizzie, who was moving as fast as she possibly could under the circumstances, Reid tailing her with Scott in his arms.

"Oh, god, is she okay?" she sobbed, throwing her arms around her brother-in-law. Rick fought tears of his own as he pulled her close, letting her head fall onto her shoulder, her chest heaving.

"They don't know yet," Rick said, watching Lizzie pull back and gaze incredulously at him, "they won't say anything."

"How are the kids?" she asked, looking over to her niece and nephews on the floor, flashing a quizzical look at the three she did not recognize.

"Uh, they're not too sure what's going on," Rick said with a sigh, looking to Elise, "especially this one. But, she knows something's up."

Lizzie gave a small smile to the little eight-month-old, who was solemn and quiet in her father's arms.

"Utterly deceptive, just like her Daddy," she murmured, her attention back on the three unknown youngsters on the ground. Rick followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Tina, who was intermittently glancing sideways at her elders.

"They're wards of the state," Rick explained, "their parents were both killed, so Kate agreed to take them on until family could be found."

Lizzie nodded, a look of understanding and admiration across her face. Shaking her head, she moved to the nearest seat, Reid following close behind with Scott. Grunting, she managed to lower herself onto the seat, muttering something to a worried Reid.

Shrugging it off, Rick turned his attention to the tugging on his sweater, looking down to see Lucas by his side.

"Daddy, is Momma gonna be okay?" he asked quietly, his tiny voice shaking as he spoke. Elise began to fuss in his arms, squealing quietly as her little blue eyes searched the room. Her body began to shake as sobs erupted from the small girl.

"Momma!" she demanded, over and over, as Rick moved to a seat, bouncing her on his knee in an attempt to soothe her, while Lucas followed him expectantly.

"Lucas, buddy, go play, okay?" Rick pleaded, watching tears pool in his son's eyes.

"What about Momma?" he asked, his voice turning into an almost shout.

"Lucas, honey," Lizzie intervened, looking between a flustered Rick and his upset son, "we have to wait for the doctor, okay?"

Giving a small though unconvinced nod, Lucas continued to look at his aunt with a questioning look, her hands finding his that were now resting gently on her knees.

"When the doctor comes, he'll tell us about Momma, okay?" she explained, "But we don't know yet; we just have to wait."

"Maybe not," Rick cut in, looking quickly to Lizzie before all eyes in the room fell on the gentlemen in the white coat heading toward them. So far (and hopefully for good) this would be the second time a doctor had approached Rick looking the way he did. In his opinion, he wondered just how many more solemn-looking doctors he'd have to endure.

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Sorry this is so disgustingly short, even when I've had so long to write it. Honestly, I haven't been in the greatest mood for writing, but I thought I'd keep you entertained. Oh, and sorry for the cliffhanger!

Kayla x