Hours later Kate is busy cleaning up the kitchen, and putting the left over pizza in the fridge. She looks over, and finds Dominick passed out on her couch. She finishes up in the kitchen, and heads to the linen closet to grab a blanket. She's just flipped on the light in the closet when she hears him calling out.
"Mom? Mom where are you?" he calls from the other room.
She turns, and races into the other room. She finds him where she left him. He lies on the couch, with his eyes closet. She squats down in front of the couch.
"Mom?" He cries in his sleep.
Her heart breaks for him. He lies on the couch on his stomach. She takes a deep breath, and places her hand on his back. She whispers into his ear.
"Dominick?"
He opens his eyes, and looks at her, "Did I fall asleep?"
"Yeah," she nods.
He shifts positions. He sits up on the couch. She rises from the floor, and takes a seat next to him.
"Why did you wake me up?"
"Dominick do you always talk in your sleep?"
"It's not the only thing that I do in my sleep," he tells her.
She looks at him, and furrows her brow, "What do you mean?"
"I sleep walk too."
"You were calling for me in your sleep."
"I always do. I have to be locked in my room at night."
"They locked you in your room at night?"
"The doctor told them they should for my own safety."
"Why?"
He unbuttons his Yankee's jersey. He removes the jersey. Underneath he wears a white wife-beater tank top. He shows her his left upper arm, an area previously covered by his jersey. She looks at the scar.
"What happened?"
"When I was three my room was in on the second floor. I managed to open my door, make it down the stairs, unlock the back door, and go into the backyard. I tripped on a toy, and landed on the dog's tie out. That is when I woke up. The sound of the dog barking at me, from his kennel woke them up."
"How does locking you in your room keep you safe, if you can unlock a door in your sleep?"
"Because I can't unlock a deadbolt in my sleep."
"How do you ever get enough rest?"
He shrugs, "I don't think I do."
"Is there anything I can do to keep you from sleep walking?"
He shrugs, "I don't know."
"Are you ready to go to bed?"
"I usually go to bed around nine."
She looks at her watch, "It's ten 'til nine."
"I'm pretty tired."
"I can't watch you if you're down here, and I'm in bed. Why don't you just sleep upstairs with me?"
"I'm seven," he reminds her.
"You have been away from home for five years. I think that it's okay for you to sleep with me for one night. Tomorrow we will figure something else out. We have to get you some clothes anyway."
"Ok," he agrees.
He follows her up to her room. She grabs pajamas and tucks him in. She heads into the bathroom, and takes a quick shower. When she gets out she finds him sitting in her bed, with the lamp on, wide awake.
"I thought you were tired."
"I am, but that doesn't mean I can sleep. Will you read me a story?"
She looks around the room. The only book she can find is Castle's.
"Only if you want to hear about murder," she answers.
"It doesn't matter what it is about."
"Okay," she agrees. She takes the book off her nightstand, and peels back the covers. She crawls into the bed. He scoots over to her side of the bed. He leans against her, and she wraps her arm around him. She begins to read to him. When she finishes chapter one she looks over at him. He is fast asleep. She puts the book back on the nightstand. She turns, and just watches him as he sleeps.
She stares at the angelic face, with a sense of relief. Finally she has her son back. She listens as he breathes in, and out. A lot can change in five years. He is no longer the chubby toddler, with an unhealthy attachment to a stuffed dog, and a pacifier. He isn't a baby. He's a boy. He's tall, and slender. Five years has passed, and she's changed so much. She wonders in what ways he has changed. She realizes that she barely knows him. She doesn't know what he likes, or dislikes. She takes a deep breath, and tries to let go of the things that she can't control. She kisses his forehead, and reaches to turn off the lamp.
She wakes up to the sound of her phone ringing, hours later. She rolls over, and reaches for it. She grabs the phone off the nightstand, and puts it to her ear.
"Beckett," she yawns.
"I haven't seen you in days would you like to join me for breakfast?"
"What time is it?"
"Seven. Why?"
"I have some errands that I need to run first."
"Okay so why don't you meet me for breakfast around, nine?"
"Meet you where?"
"Why don't you just come over here? I..."
She cuts him off, "Why don't you come over here?"
"There? Why?"
"Please."
"Okay," he agrees.
"I'll see you later," she hangs up the phone.
She looks over at the other side of the bed. Dominick is still sleeping. She hasn't heard a peep out of him all night. He lays on his side, facing her. She kisses his cheek.
"Dominick wake up."
He opens his eyes and looks at her, "Wake up? What time is it?"
"Seven."
"Seven?" He cocks an eyebrow.
"In the morning," she reveals.
"I slept all night?"
"Yes."
"What did I say?"
"Nothing."
