So, here is the next chapter, all previous comments are still true, ownership of the brilliant show has not randomly became mine.
Enjoy!
They enter the room to see Lanie's relieved face staring up at them, she rushes to their side. Already speaking as she reaches him.
"She'll be fine, they've got the bleeding stopped and she's getting stitches as we speak. She'll be on fluids for tonight but they said if she responds well she'll be awake soon and maybe able to go home tomorrow."
Alexis hugs Lanie, her expression showing the same things as the men silently celebrate. A doctor has approached them and stands smiling at the loving reaction to the news. He interrupts them however with more news.
Rick looks up to see the doctor face him, the man looks kind and thankfully free of any blood on his clothes. Everyone falls silent to hear his words as he addresses them all.
"I take it you are here for Miss Beckett or rather Detective Beckett, she has already corrected me a few times. She is already awake, thanks to the treatment given in the ambulance, and asking for a Rick?"
Jim pats Rick on the shoulder and pushes the stunned man, no one had expected her to be awake so soon. They had just arrived after all. The doctor smiles once more, familiar with the situation and wondering if the man knew just how much in love he is.
"I'll show you to her room, and afterwards she can have one or two visitors. She's been rather vocal despite only being semi-conscious, by my reckoning she's mentioned all of you, just your names mind so I'm sure she'll be glad to see you all, in turn of course."
Everyone nods happily as the man turns and leads Rick down the corridor. Once out of sight Jenny and Lanie persuade Alexis to go to the gift shop with them, leaving Kevin and Jim alone to talk.
The girls chat a bit while they walk, avoiding the reason they're here. Alexis remains silent, her emotions all over the place as the shock passes to reveal thoughts she hadn't realised she had.
"So, we need to avoid pink, Kate does not do pink."
"We can't get her a bear either, I know Kevin Helped Rick surprise her with one the other day."
"Really, how did that go?"
"Rick's already named it, Duncan I think it was, but apparently she loved it."
"I think the giver had a lot to do with that, but why did they need to conspire for it?"
"I don't know but it took a lot of texts, at least one phone call and a trip to the shops."
"Men, can't live with them, won't live without them."
Neither woman comments on Alexis' silence, they realise that the girl is having to adjust tot a lot in a small space of time. Jenny cannot image how the girl feels at her father looking at a woman other than her mother with such love in his eyes.
Alexis however isn't bothered about this, she knows that her dad only married her mother for her sake, although she will never admit to him that she does. She long ago accepted her dad's love for Kate and has came to love her too, albeit a different kind of love, but tonight she realises that Kate has became both the mother and older sister she has always craved.
To be honest she had had many doubts over them dating, as much as she adores Kate a part of her was scared that she would lose her dad, that he'd spent all his time with Kate and not her. But that worry had been dispelled before the pair even got together. Kate had not just wanted to do things with Alexis but also to do things as a family. For reasons unknown to Alexis, Kate spends as much time with her as she does with her dad.
Alexis looks at the women in front of her, now comparing soft toys and silently takes her camera from her bag and snaps a photo, the two turn at the flash, their faces making her take another. The trio laugh as the light stuns them and Alexis explains her actions.
"I mentioned my school project, it's about my definition of family and it makes me want to capture everything. Until now my family has always been small and now with you lot it's massive and just as brilliant. That and I want to show Kate how long you took to choose something."
Jenny hugs the teen as Lanie puts all the soft toys back and walks away from them. The other two follow her to the other side of the shop where she picks up a bar of chocolate and two blank sketchbooks. Still not speaking she pays for the things and exit's the shop.
Finally on the way back to the waiting area, Lanie decides to explain, her voice is thick with emotion as she does so.
"This sketchbook is for you Alexis, I don't know if you can draw but I don't care, fill this with your thoughts about family and Kate and everything that happens. Draw, write, doodle, anything. Just get it all onto the paper, trust me on this."
She hands Alexis the pad. The girl looks slightly confused but thanks her and hugs her in response before Lanie holds up the chocolate bar.
"This is Kate's present, that girl loves chocolate like you would not believe, she doesn't need a cuddly toy; she got one yesterday. All she needs is us, she isn't used to a big family either and knowing we're here for her will do much more than inanimate objects. We'll leave those gifts to the boys."
"They enter the waiting room to where Jim and Kevin seem to have just finished an important conversation, Alexis immediately goes to sit beside Jim while Jenny takes her fiancé's hand. Lanie stands before them all and explains her plan, the second sketchbook in hand.
"All the cards in that shop are cutesy and pink or blue with soccer balls, none of them are good enough for our Kate so, each of us will make our own, we'll give them as a one in the morning, so don't start them yet. Now in a moment Castle will be back to show us where she is, I'll be phoning for a lift home once that happens."
Kevin raises his eyebrow questioningly as beside him Jim nods with understanding. Shaking her head Alexis answers him, her tone making the other's laugh.
"Kate knows she was here and she'll be back in the morning. Kate's bound to be half asleep anyway, and will appreciate seeing her friend much more when both are awake. It's the sensible thing to do."
"Then are you going to do it?"
Kevin's voice is firm, as he looks as the emotional teenager, her eyes are big and her face pale. She opens her mouth to answer but is beaten by Jim.
"Yes she is, once we see Katie we'll get a cab back to mine, she can take Katie's old room and if we can drag Rick too he can get the spare."
Alexis doesn't respond in words, she hugs her grandpa tightly before pulling out a pen and scribbling into her own sketchbook. Jim smiles and keeps his arm around her until her dad returns, he doesn't say anything but points to Kevin before returning to where he came. Jumping up Kevin has to hurry to catch him, leaving behind a group of confused friends.
So reviews please, they're kinda addicting and so very very encouraging.