Full Disclosure by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of events as the end of Episode 4-22 played out. A discussion was held about therapy and the future between the two, then dropped. Picks up after Kyle walks away, but before the zombie ending with Rick and Alexis. Some old characters owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story. This will have ANGST, but I think you will like the end result. I liked the TV Show, but several areas bothered me, how many times has "this will be our last case used?" This will take the conversation to the next level, but not everything will be smooth sailing.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 12
Previously
Alexis you have a very serious condition known as Ectopic Pregnancy, more commonly known as tubular pregnancy.
I want to schedule an Out-Patient procedure as soon as possible at the hospital here. If we do this before the tube ruptures, there is an excellent chance that the tube will be completely restored and function as designed for future pregnancies.
Four Winds Hotel
Palo Alto CA
Friday before Thanksgiving 6:30 PM
Rick knows something is wrong the minute they walk through the door, the addition of Monkey Bunkie the 2nd is just confirmation. Kate holds one finger up as if to say give us a moment, then we will let everyone know what is going on.
Alexis is the one to find her strength first, and call out
"Grams, can you come in please, I need to tell you all something."
"Of course, darling, what did the doctor have to say child? I'm sure it*"
"Grams, Please. Dad, Grams I have to go to the hospital on Monday for outpatient surgery, it was found that I have a tubular pregnancy, Mom has the pamphlet that explains it all, so I just want to get this out and then we can talk.
The embryo has attached to the outer wall of my fallopian tube, and if not treated will cause the tube to rupture, forcing the doctors to remove it entirely.
The operation on Monday is laparoscopic, and the Doctor is hopeful the tube will be left intact for later in my life. I may have to watch it more closely when I plan a family, so that this doesn't happen again, sorry Dad, Cosmo will have to wait," she half smiles half cries through swollen and puffy red eyes.
"Sweetie that doesn't matter, as long as you are going to be OK, Thank God Kate got that appointment when she did. It sounds like you are going to be resting for about 4-6 weeks after surgery, so Mom and we will see what we can come up with to support you,"
"Dad, I can fly to New York on Wednesday unless there are complications, I will just need a wheel chair and can't lift anything for a while. If you would rather have Thanksgiving at the Loft, I can make the trip. The time off will match almost perfectly with my break, so I won't have to drop out or go online for classes."
"Lexi let's take one day at a time for now OK. We need to get you home safely and healthy after the surgery Monday, then we can have Thanksgiving the following week if you don't feel like travelling, let's just see, OK?"
"Of course, Mom, you always know what's best for us all. If you don't mind I am going to lie down, I didn't get much sleep last night, and I am beat."
"Lexie, why don't you lie down with me for a nap, I'm pretty tired as well and you need to break in Monkey Bunkie 2 slowly," as she smiles at her. Alexis has picked up on the fact that it's her Dad that doesn't want either of his ladies out of his sight, so she agrees,
"Sure Mom, if I start to snore just poke me," she laughs
As soon as Alexis is asleep, Kate brushes her hair out of her eyes and gently slides into the living suite. Rick is staring out the window and Martha is attempting to read a magazine.
"OK Katherine, what's the whole story, and please darling don't sugar coat it, I for one must know the truth and how much danger my Grand-daughter is in."
Kate opens the pamphlets, and chooses the one that skims through all of the material, "We're lucky, Lexi is only 7 weeks, 8 tops, had she waited we would have had to have major surgery, and even worse, hold funeral services for the unborn embryo.
Now she will have a small incision, to use the camera and robotics to remove the embryo from the wall of her tube and repair any damage it may have caused."
Rick's tears begin to fall, and Kate rushes to be by his side, "Thank God you were there for her Kate, I could never live with myself if my pride had cost my little girl more pain and suffering."
Kate holds him close, just whispering low, "I love you, I want you, and I want to get married soon" it was about the third time she repeated it so low that only Rick could hear did his head pop up, and ask,
"Do you mean it?
"Yes I mean it Rick, I've given you full disclosure, and I'd like to get married while Lexi is home to serve as my Maid of honor, just the small group our family and less than 50 friends, maybe at the yacht club where we held last year's party."
"Don't you want to know if I've given you the same, full disclosure?"
"Not anymore Babe, all I care about is going forward, like you told me, the past is the past and our future begins now, I love you and it's stupid to wait any longer."
"Let's get Lexi out of this surgery, then we will go home when she is up to it, then plan a small party, OK Babe?"
For the first time in months Rick has that smile back the one that shines from his soul. "Sounds great to me, can we tell Mother and Alexis tonight?"
"Why not, I'm sure that Lexi will be thrilled,"
Four Winds Hotel
Palo Alto CA
4 hours later
"Kate, please don't be mad, but I've had this since the day you told me "I'm not saying no, I'm just saying not now" because I knew the minute you said yes, I wanted this on your finger, he opens a beautiful ring box, that brings Kate to tears immediately,
All of a sudden, she feels an arm around he waist supporting her, as Alexis is standing by her side. Rick drops to one knee, "I had a huge speech all written out, but the only thing I want to know is Katherine Beckett, will you marry me?
The tears are flowing from both Alexis, as well as Kate, as Kate whispers "Yes, Always Babe," then a huge group hug.
"Do you like it Mom?" Alexis who had slipped from the bed, asks, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes, baby, I do, I love it, did you help Dad pick this out?"
"Of course, I wanted the ring to represent what you mean to this family, strong, yet feminine, class without snobbish, and a heart that couldn't be any bigger, I love you Mom, and I'm so glad you said yes."
Martha walks in to catch the hugging and tears, "Does this mean my son has finally had the gahoonas to ask you the question Katherine, and by the tears, can I expect our family to be expanding?"
"Thanks Martha, he actually asked me a few months ago, it was I that as you say lacked the gahoonas to say yes, until today. And Yes, your family is expanding, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. As soon as Lexi is strong enough she will be my Maid of Honor and it will be a quiet small ceremony just family and close friends."
The remainder of the weekend was spent going over possible plans for the wedding, and it really did keep everyone's mind off of the upcoming surgery on Monday till around mid-day Sunday. Then the thoughts of the next day creeped in on each of them.
Rick was worried, more worried than he had been since Kate had fought for her life, after the shooting. Martha was trying to keep up a stoic front, but eventually retired early, with tears streaming down her face. Alexis seemed to be the one taking the situation the best.
"Don't worry Dad, the car service will be here at 5:15 AM, Are you sure you want to wake up that early? I mean Mom and I will be fine, "
"Alexis there is now way we are going to let you go through surgery with just your poor Mom there by herself, of course your father and I will be there."
Stanford University Medical Center
05:45 AM Monday
Kate and Alexis have just completed registration and are sitting in the waiting area, to be called back to prepare for the surgery. Rick and Martha are busy wearing a hole out in their respective sides of the carpet, and finally Doctor Horvath comes out to greet them.
"Hi Alexis, Ms. Beckett, I hope the weekend hasn't been too stressful on you, and you were able to get some rest.:
"Thanks Dr. Horvath, this is Alexis's Dad and my fiancé Rick Castle, and this is my Mother in law Martha Rogers, guys, this is Doctor Horvath, Lanie got us in to see and caught Lexi's problem early.
"Any questions you might have, that the pamphlet didn't answer? If not, I am going to take Alexis and Ms. Beckett back, once Alexis is prepped for surgery you will all have a chance to say Good night to her for about 2 hours, before you see her in recovery. All Set?"
A/N This is a good place to stop, hopefully you have picked up on the Full Disclosure that was so important to Kate initially, that each knew intimate details of the other's life, is gone once real-life kicks in. She is more concerned about her daughter, than what happened in the past, and she has told Rick her biggest secret, known only to Maddie and Lanie prior. Life deals us many curves, those than learn to navigate stay on track, "It's not as important for me to have been your FIRST, as much as it is for me to be your LAST".