Once Kate was comfortable Alexis entered the room.
"Dad I 'm all ready" Alexis said.
"Already…?" Rick wondered.
"Dad you didn't forget about the appt with Dr. Berry already?" Alexis asked.
"Dr. Berry oh of course not. Let's go Pumpkin!" Rick said.
"Dad is not Mom coming? I thought she wanted to meet him." Alexis asked.
"Honey, Kate is not doing well. She is confined to bed rest for 6 weeks." Rick said.
"Wha... What is going on Dad?" Alexis asked worriedly.
"I'll tell you in the car. We need to get to your appt." Rick said.
"Ok Dad just this once but do not think I am not on to you!" Alexis warned.
\\\\\
The ride to the doctors was silent. Rick did not dare open his mouth unless later.
Alexis kept looking at her Dad with such expressions that he would be normally babbling up a storm. Gee this must be something really serious.
They arrived at the infamous Dr. Berry. Rick had to smirk to see a picture showing the Dr with his also a Dr. twin.
Soon Alexis was issued into the exam room by herself. She wished her Dad came in with her.
A relatively medium height thin gentleman about 30 years old stepped into the room.
Alexis could see why her mother chose him. Hunky was his middle name.
"Hello I'm Dr. Berry Timothy Berry. I am please to meet you Miss Castle. I have to say you are the spitting image of Meredith" He said.
"Thanks I guess" Alexis said almost drooling after the man.
So it says here you were caught up in an explosion? Dr. Berry asked. "Were you treated at the scene?"
Alexis gazed at the other pictures. There were ones with him in fatigues.
"Yes I was treated at the scene then 18 hours later at a clinic here." Alexis said.
"Ok well let me see what is going on. OH that is not good Alexis I need you to lie on your side and would you like your father to be in here with you?" the doctor asked,
Alexis getting scared asked for her father. Rick was disturbed by the attendant coming to get him.
"What is wrong Pumpkin?" Rick said holding on to her hand.
"Ah Mr. Castle what an honor to finally meet you. Meredith speaks highly of you." The Dr. said.
"Dr…. What is wrong with Alexis?" Rick asked.
"Oh nothing a little surgery can not fix. She is suffering from an infection. It was caused by some of the debris being forced into her ear canal. I am surprised your other two screenings did not catch it. I am going to lance it then watch the pus and yuck stuff drain out. It was about to burst. Luckily we caught it in time. Once it is drained antibiotics and gauze will be stuffed into her ears. This dressing must be changed every day for 15 days." The doctor explained.
"I am so sorry Pumpkin I did not know." Rick said squeezing his daughter's hand as the surgery took place.
The doctor did not lie. It did smell awful. Soon the ear was irrigated and draining finished then he did the same on the other ear. About 20 mins later, Alexis looked like Leia in Star Wars with these huge puffy dressings on each ear.
"Now remember you can not sleep lying down. You need to stay upright but sleeping in a chair is permitted, I want to see you back here on the 10th of Dec. at 10AM." Dr. Berry said.
The drive back to the loft Alexis was angry. She did not get her father to spill before she could not hear anything.
Rick was feeling sad for his Daughter. He should have been paying more attention to her.
/
Returning to the loft Rick set up a white board in front of Alexis who is firmly placed in the chair. This doctor visit had an unwelcomed effect of affecting her inner ear. Thus she had to be carrying most of the way by Rick. Luckily for Rick, Alexis barely weighed much. Once he had placed Alexis in the chair he had several eyes looking at him. One happened to be his wife.
"Honey what are you doing out her. The doctor said best rest." Rick said.
"What was wrong with Alexis? Rick?" Kate asked starting to rise from the couch to look at the younger woman.
"Kate lie down she had bad infections in both ears caused by debris in the explosion. The infection is causing vertigo I need to get something quick before Alexis spews." Rick said crossing the room to find his waste can.
Bringing it back he just managed to get it under her chin before.
Whoosh it came pouring out of her mouth. Rick caught it all.
"Poor Pumpkin." Rick massaged her head. Then she leaned over and did it again. Finally her nausea settled down and Rick placed the results in the trash then disposed of it while bringing another liner.
Kate was still on the couch watching what Rick as nurse maid was doing.
"I can not hear" Alexis said woozily. "I have to stay upright in this chair for 15 days."
Rick wrote on the board.
"I know Pumpkin the nausea should pass I placed a patch behind your ear for motion sickness it should start working soon."
Alexis looking pale grinned slightly.
Thanks Dad. She said.
Now that Rick got one sick person situated he turn his attention to his wife.
Well that emergency is over I ask what are you doing out here? Rick asked.
"I got bored. So I decided I could lie on the couch as well as in bed as long as I was resting Rick." Kate said.
"Rick it is ok both Martha and I were involved in making sure she did not do anything to affect those grandbabies." Jim said.
"So you knew?" Rick was surprised.
"Yeah Rick I told them. I mean usually I would not be lying in bed. So Martha wanted to know. She told Dad." Kate said.
Kate had her Ipad and wrote to Alexis.
"I guess we are going to have to keep each other company for awhile."
Alexis read it and said.
"Yeah I guess so. It is so darn weird not able to hear but I can speak well. I can hear myself speak." She said.
Rick wrote on the white board.
"That is a good thing right?"
Rick was looking worried. Two of his girls were sick.
Alexis read it
"I think so Dad." Alexis said.
Rick smiled on hearing his daughter's reply.
"That is good Alexis" he said
Whoops he then wrote it on the white board.
Alexis tired took a nap in the chair.
Kate on the other hand was calling her boss.
"Hello" Captain Gates said.
"Sir due to a medical condition I can no longer function as this Task force commander. I am immobile for the next 6 weeks. Det. Esposito and Ryan are able to take over. I trust they will do a good job in my stead." Kate said.
"My lord woman what happened?" Gate asked.
"My fall yesterday did do some damage to my ability to carry my babies to term. So my doctor ordered best rest. Rick will be there to fill you in on the details." Kate said.
"Ok Kate, follow your doctor's orders. I will be expecting Mr. Castle soon?" The Captain asked.
"Yes Captain very soon!" Kate said.
"Very well protect those babies Lt. Leave has been granted." The Captain said.
"Thank you Sir." Kate said as she hung up.
"Ok Rick you need to go to the precinct and get everyone up to speed. The Captain has granted medical leave." Kate said.
"But I want to take care of you." Rick said.
"Richard both James and I are here go do what you need to get done." Martha said.
"You will both be alright?" Rick asked worriedly.
Alexis awaken looked around then figured out her Dad was reluctant to go then said.
"Yeah… Dad go! Grams and Gramps will take care of us." Alexis said.
Rick wrote.
"Are you sure?"
"Dad just get out of here!" Alexis said strongly.
Rick just go! Kate said.
Rick kissed them both on the top of their heads then left.