The doctor told them that some additional tests were being run on Castle as a precaution. His vital signs were steadily improving but he was still in and out of consciousness. Considering it was still unknown what exactly was injected into his system, this was not unusual. Once the results of the lab work was back, they could be more proactive with treatment.
"All in all, he is doing well but we are still going to keep him for a day or two. Again, it's just a precaution. It's going to be another hour before the additional testing is complete, but as soon as he's settled into a room, I'll send a nurse to come get all of you."
Kate breathed an inward sigh of relief at the news and could feel the familiar sting of tears forming in her eyes. She feels Alexis move next to her and slips her hand into Kate's. She hears her softly murmur "Dad's going to make it because you found him in time."
Looking at Alexis she answered, "I had help, a lot of help and your dad played a big part in that too."
Kate couldn't help but chuckle as she rolled her eyes and responds "Yes, but don't tell him that Kate. He'll never let you live it down and if you think he's bad now, you haven't seen him at his worst."
Reassured that her dad was back in safe hands, Kate felt Alexis lean her head on her shoulder. It was a small gesture but needed for both of them.
Just then Esposito and Ryan showed up and Kate filled them in on Castle prognosis. Ryan went to phone the captain and Jenny, while Esposito walked with Lanie and Alexis to the cafeteria to find something to eat. Leaving Martha and Kate in the waiting area.
Martha looked over at Kate, sipping her coffee from the cup that Esposito brought to her when the boys had arrived. "You know when you left the loft this morning, Alexis said she wasn't worried about her dad anymore. She said you would do anything to bring him home safely. Richard is very lucky to have you Kate. We are all lucky to have you as part of our family."
Reaching over to grasp Kate's hand, "Thank you for taking care of us and more importantly, thank you for finding my boy and bringing him home."
She squeezed her hand in an effort to keep her composure, "Martha you don't need to thank me. I didn't do anything more than what he would have done if it was me." As she turned her face to Martha's gaze and sensed that Martha was holding something back. Kate needed to know what exactly was really on her mind. "Martha, is something wrong?"
"Yes, there is Kate, and given what we've just been through, I hope that you will give me a honest answer."
Nodding her head, "Sure. What's the question?" as she took a sip of the her coffee.
"How long have you been in love with my son?"
Kate choked on her coffee as she felt the heat on her neck and across her face. Taken back by the bluntness of the question, she takes a napkin to wipe at a spot on her jeans and collect her thoughts. Kate knew Martha could see right through her so she might as well be honest with her and herself.
Taking a deep breath she looked at Martha and whispers, "I really don't know ... it just short of happened."
"Darling, have you told him how you feel?" already knowing the answer to the question.
"No. I was going to tell him but in the end I didn't and then he left with Gina. I still thought they were together until yesterday and Castle probably still thinks I'm with Tom. I broke things off with him before Castle left for the Hamptons, but I never had the chance to tell him."
Martha watched as Kate fiddled with her coffee cup, "It seems to me that you were both given a second chance. I can now assume that was the reason for Richard's return to the city, he was hoping for a second chance. Life doesn't give you a lot of those opportunities, but you know that better than anyone. It's giving you one now Kate; take it."
Before she can answer Ryan returned from his calls with Alexis, Lanie and Esposito a few steps behind him. The small group settles in with some drinks and snacks to keep them occupied while waiting to see Castle.
Kate's mind, however, was not on what was going on with the group but what was said between herself and Martha. Needing to get away, she excused herself and walked into the ladies room.
Lanie looked over at Alexis talking with the boys and turns back to Martha and whispers, "What's wrong with Kate?"
"I'm guessing she's thinking about love and second chances and hopefully, Richard is doing the same thing."
_
He was finally settled into a private room. After they had finished with the tests, bandaged up the cuts that needed it and gave him a fresh hospital gown in lieu of his clothes, he laid in the bed. A nurse had just finished checking his IV bag and told him that he missed lunch but she would find the dinner menu for him.
"Your family and friends should be on there way up shortly. I'm sure they are anxious to see you as much as you are to see them." Tucking in the blankets around him she continued, "You rest a little and I'll go check to see where they are located." She's gone before he can thank her.
Settling back against the pillows to wait his mind starts to wonder. He can't wait to see Alexis and his mother and he can't wait to see Kate again. He was so happy to see her when he woke up earlier and she was telling him that he was okay. Just then the door bursts open.
"Dad ...!" as Alexis runs to him. He reached for her and hugs her close. She pulls back to look at him just as his mother walks up to the other side of the bed.
"Richard ... you gave us all quite a scare." as she leaned down to kiss his cheek and whispers, "What did they do to my boy?" Kissing his cheek again before stepping back.
"I'll be fine Mother. I'm just more ruggedly handsome then I was before."
Shaking her head she looked over at Alexis, "He's back darling. He'll milk this for three months if not longer." Sitting in the chair next to his bed.
Alexis sits back against the bed next to Castle and says, "It's okay Gram. I'm so glad that dad is alive. Besides, if he gets out of hand, Kate will set him straight."
As if on cue the door to the room opens again and Lanie, Ryan and Esposito come walking into the room. While the boys immediately told Castle how brilliant he was for the recording on the laptop and for turning on the GPS tracking on his cell phone, Lanie was checking his bandages and the bruises that were visible to her.
He looked at her as she's checking the IV line on his arm, "Where's Kate?"
"She on the phone with Sorenson." she replied as she looks at him.
"Oh. Sorenson was involved in this too?" he asks. 'Great,' he thinks, 'Not only do I have Demming to deal with, now I have to deal with square-jawed too.'
As if knowing what he was thinking Lanie poked at his arm to get his attention. Looking at her she says, "Listen to me Castle and listen good. You have nothing to worry about. Nothing. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
Nodding slowly at her she continued, "Good. Then don't blow it this time around. Because if you do, I'm gonna have to hurt you and I know how to hurt people."
"Take it from me bro, she's not joking." Esposito said from the other side of the room rubbing his arm unconsciously.
"Yeah Dad. Don't blow it." He looked at Alexis sitting next to him. She smiles at him and continues, "I may be a teenager but I'm not blind. I love Kate and she's good for you."
Looking around the room he sees all of them nodding to him, "Well, glad to know that each of have an opinion on this matter. The real question is can I convince her."
"Oh Richard," Martha says with a sigh, "How is it you know so little about women?"
Again, as if on cue, the door opens and the subject of their discussion walks into the room. Noticing how quiet everyone is she looked around and settles her gaze on Castle. "What did you do now?"
Making the quick decision that her son and Kate need a big push towards a conversation that is long over due, Martha is the first one to speak up, "He didn't do anything darling. Alexis and I were just deciding to go back to the loft for a little while. Give Richard a chance to rest. Since we have all that food at the loft, I suggested that the boys and Lanie join us for lunch there."
"I want to check in at the ME office anyway," Lanie added, realising what Martha is doing, she continues "and a nice hot lunch and a quick shower before my shift would be great. Besides, I have to go back to the loft to get my bag."
"Ryan and I need to get all the equipment ready for Henry to pick up. Plus, the captain called Ryan and he wants us to wait for the next officer to arrive at the loft. Some hot food would be great and Ryan and I have our bags there too."
Looking at Ryan and narrowing her eyes she says, "I just got off the phone with the captain, he never said anything to me about you two waiting for the officer."
"He knew that Esposito and I have it covered and probably felt it was something you didn't need to be concerned about."
"Come on Alexis," Martha cuts in before Kate can say anything, "Richard, we'll be back later this evening to see you." As she leaned down to kiss his cheek, she asked "Anything you need from the loft?"
"My sweats and some t-shirts would be great. I'm not a big fan of these hospital gowns." She nods her head and squeezes his hand as she walks away from the bed.
"Bro, we'll catch up with you later." Esposito said as he starts to make his way over to the door.
"We'll make sure everything is safe at the loft." Ryan added as he walks past Esposito and holds the door open.
Lanie walks back over to check his IV line and looks at him, flicking his ear lope she says, "Remember what I said to you a few minutes ago." He nods as she turns and walks over to Kate. "You need anything from the loft, you call me. I'll have one of the boys run it over to you."
"Thanks Lanie. For everything," hugging her friend close to her.
"Tell him," she whispers to Kate before moving away and towards the open door walking out with the boys, the door closing behind them.
Kate turns away from the door just as Martha stops in front of her, "Darling, I can't thank you enough for what you did for us. Not only for bringing Richard safely home, but for all that you did of us, especially Alexis. I won't ever forget it. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, you're a good woman Kate Beckett."
"Thank you Martha," she whispered as the older woman hugs her close.
Before releasing Kate she ever so softly encouraged her, "Talk to him Kate." Kissing her cheek as she steps back and looks over at her son. Smiling, she looks at Alexis she says, "Say goodbye to your father, Alexis. We'll be back later tonight to check on you and I'll bring your clothes that you asked for."
Looking at her dad she kissed his cheek and says, "You get some rest. Gram and I will be back later to see you." Hugging him again she continued, "I'm so very happy that you are alive dad."
Holding her a little bit longer he says, "Me too pumpkin; me too." Kissing her on the forehead as he looked over at his mother and Kate.
Alexis kisses him one last time and then walked over to Kate. "Are you going to stay with us at the loft again tonight? You can sleep in dad's room like you did last night, it's better than the guestroom."
"Yes Alexis. I'm going to stay at the loft until you dad is released." She doesn't need to look at Castle to see that he's heard the whole exchange and that he has a smirk on his face and his eyebrow is raised. "Wipe that look off your face, Castle." Causing Alexis to roll her eyes before turning to look at her father.
"Dad!" Shaking her head at him and turning back around she hugs Kate and whispered, "I knew you would bring dad home safely." Feeling Kate pull Alexis closer to her she continues, "I love you Kate."
"I love you too Alexis," she feels the burn of tears starting to form in her eyes and kisses the teen on her cheek. Pulling back to place her hand on Alexis' cheek, "I'll see you later okay."
Nodding the teen looks back at Castle. "Dad ... we'll be back to see you later."
Kate watched as both Alexis and Martha reach the door and she sees Esposito waiting for them as they head down the hall.
She takes a deep breath before turning her attention back to Castle. She sees the tears in his eyes as he says to her, "You took care of her; of both of them."
Moving slowly towards the bed, she stops only when she's next to him. Reaching out she brushed a lock of his hair back and touches his cheek. "I promised I would along time ago."
Reaching for her hand, he kissed the inside of it and whispers, "We need to talk."