By the time Kate finished the paperwork, Mackenzie had been moved to 'her' bed. Kate stopped at the threshold, listening to Mackenzie rustle her sheets. She walked to Mackenzie's bedside and sat down on the edge, smiling down at her daughter.
"Hi Mama." Mackenzie smiled weakly.
"Hi Sweetie. Feeling better?"
"Uh-huh but I'm tired, and I wanted you to tuck me in." Mackenzie snuggled down against her pillow as Kate pulled up the blanket and tucked it around her shoulders.
"Sleep now. I'll see you in the morning." Kate stood and set her overnight bag down. Leaning over, she kissed Mackenzie's forehead. "Goodnight, my angel."
"Good night Mama."
Kate stroked her cheek gently until her eyelids slid shut and her breathing became slow and regular. Just then, Kate heard the door open and heard an orderly speaking reassuringly to another patient.
"Here we are, room 204. Now, lets just get you into bed young lady."
Kate peeked around the privacy curtain at her friend wheeling in a young girl. "Hi Morgan."
"Oh, Kate. You're back tonight? Can you give me a hand and turn down the sheets?"
She did so as Morgan helped the girl climb into the bed. After pulling up the sheet and blanket, Morgan started wheeling the gurney out the open door, and instructed her that her father would be in momentarily.
"Don't worry Morgan, I'll sit with her until Mr. Castle arrives."
Up until then, Alexis sat silently, staring ahead with her arms wrapped protectively around her knees. Now, she turned and looked curiously at Kate. Kate smiled at her and introduced herself.
"Hello Alexis, I'm Kate. I met your father downstairs. He showed me your picture."
Alexis looked quizzically up at her. "Are you sick?"
"No honey," Kate smiled. "I'm here with my daughter, Mackenzie." Kate jerked her thumb behind her, indicating the bed behind the curtain. "But, I also work here, so if you need or want anything, just ask."
"Okay."
"Is there anything you want that will help you sleep?"
"Well, I usually sleep with my teddy bear, but I left him at home."
Kate turned around to pick up her overnight bag. "Well, I can't get your teddy, but how about a substitute?"
She pulled a small, brown bear with a deep red bow tie from her bag and presented it to Alexis with a triumphant smile. "Ta-da! He's from Mackenzie's Aunt, but since she's already sleeping, why don't you use him?"
Alexis reached up hesitantly, then pulled the bear snugly to her chest and nuzzled him with her cheek. "Thank you."
"Anytime, angel. Now, is this your first time in the hospital?" Alexis nodded. "That can feel a little scary. Do you have any questions?"
Alexis nodded again. She considered Kate for a minute, then asked tentatively, "Why am I still here?"
Kate sat down on the edge of her bed and took her hand. "I heard the Doctor say you have a sore in your tummy and he just wants to make sure it gets better."
"Oh." Alexis was silent for a moment, looking at Kate pensively. She decided to trust her. "So, I'm not going to die now?"
Kate smiled warmly and took her hands in her own. "No Alexis, you're going to be just fine. In a couple of days, you can go home again, good as new. Why did you think you were going to die?"
"Well, Aiden told me that when mommy went to the hospital she died, so I thought I would too."
Kate reached around to enfold Alexis in her embrace. "Oh, sweetie, not all sickness is the same. I promise you, you are going to get better." She released Alexis and looked her in the eyes. "Now, you just relax and try to get some rest."
Rick stopped at the door and watched Kate tucking Alexis in and kissing her forehead.
"Thanks Kate."
"Anytime, Sweetie." Kate saw some movement in the corner of her eye. "Oh, look who's here."
Rick approached Alexis's bed and marveled at Alexis's smile and relaxed expression. She was normally so anxious and distressed around strangers.
"Hi, Pumpkin. Feeling better?" He reached to rub her shoulder affectionately and glanced nervously at Kate. Kate realized she was intruding and fished around for an excuse to leave them alone.
"Oh, um, I ah, I need to grab an extra blanket. Can I get you anything Mr. Castle?" She scooted around Alexis's bed as she spoke and paused at the door for his answer. Rick turned toward her slightly.
"No, thank you Miss Beckett. I won't be staying long."
Kate glanced behind him and saw Alexis's contented smile falter. Tears sprang to Alexis's eyes before she closed off the emotion behind the same stony look she wore when she first arrived in the room. Kate knew she shouldn't butt-in, but that had never stopped her before.
"Mr. Castle may I have a word with you, in private, before you leave? I'll be in the hallway when you're finished." Then she softly closed the door, leaving them alone.
Rick turned back to find Alexis had assumed her usual distant attitude. He sighed and tried speaking to her again. "How does your stomach feel?"
"Fine." She didn't even bother to look up at him.
Rick sighed again and sat down in the chair next to her bed. "The doctor would like you to stay here for a couple of days to make sure you get all better, okay?"
"Okay."
"Do you have any questions or can I get you anything before I go?" Alexis clutched the teddy bear tightly to her chest and shook her head. Rick stood and reached over to lightly stroke her hair. "I've a meeting in the morning, but I'll come visit you after that, all right?"
Alexis finally looked up at him and smiled slightly. "I would like that, Daddy."
Rick patted her shoulder and turned to leave. He paused at the door. "Get some sleep now. Sweet dreams."
Kate was waiting just outside the door with two blankets draped over her arms. As Rick turned from the room, he almost walked right into her. "Oh, Miss Beckett. What did you want to talk about?"
Kate took a deep breath and looked Rick sternly in the eye. "You really should stay tonight with Alexis."
"Miss Beckett, I appreciate your concern, but Alexis will be fine until tomorrow. I have an business meeting in the morning, but I'll be back after that."
"Mr. Castle, I'm sure that your meeting is very important, but that little girl in there needs her father tonight. Isn't there any way to postpone the meeting or have someone else handle it in your absence?"
Rick was starting to get irritated at her pushiness, his voice raising slightly as he responded. "I don't think I need to explain myself to you. Why is it so important for me to stay here tonight?"
Kate could see that he wasn't going to be persuaded without knowing and she didn't want to alienate him or get him angry. She softened her tone and laid everything out for him.
"Richard, Alexis came to the hospital expecting to die. Now I explained that her illness differed from her mother's, but I also saw her frightened look when you said you weren't staying. She needs you to show her that she'll be all right." At his stricken look, she placed her hand on his arm again. "I know that it's hard for you to be here. If you decide to go, I'll help Alexis, but I really think it would comfort her if you could stay." She squeezed his arm gently and walked around him into the girls' shared room.
Rick stood rooted to the floor and debated on what to do. She was right; he should stay. Alexis was already seeing a therapist, but he didn't know that she feared dying like her mother. If his staying at the hospital would allay that fear, then he would do it.
However, Rick found Kate's effect on him confusing. For the second time tonight, she had known exactly what to say and how to say it to open up his heart. He also couldn't deny that her touch had a very physical affect on him. It immediately calmed his anger and relieved the fear rooted in his chest.
How does she do that? he mused. He shook his head and pulled his phone out to call home.
After the first ring, Rick heard an anxious "Castle residence" at the other end.
"Hello Mother," Rick greeted. "Alexis is going to be fine."
"Thank God," she sighed. "I was so worried. What happened?"
Rick relayed Alexis's diagnosis to his mother.
"Mother, I need to stay the night here. Can you handle watching Aiden for the rest of the night and possibly bringing me a change of clothes? I have to meet with the doctor around 9:30am to discuss possible lifestyle or dietary changes but then I'll be in Alexis's room."
Martha was shocked at his decision. "Of course. I'll get Aiden off to school and meet you there at around 9."
"Very good. Also, I can't make the morning meeting with Paula and Black Pawn. Regardless, Paula should be coming by to get the next installation manuscript that was on my desk. Could you ask her to handle the meeting on her own?" Rick could just hear the wheels turning in his mother's head. "And Mother, play nice. I need Paula to handle my negotiations and I know she is more than capable to handle a meeting without me."
Rick held his breath and finally Martha gave in. "Oh, very well. I'll be nice. Anything else?"
"No, thank you Mother. I'll see you in a few hours. Good night." Rick hung up the phone and turned to enter Alexis's room.
Rick opened the door and took in the scene before him. Kate had pulled a recliner next to Alexis's bed and set out a small pillow and the blanket she'd carried in earlier. She had obviously consoled his daughter as she sat on the bed and held a crying Alexis in her arms. She was just wiping Alexis's tears when Rick returned.
Kate smiled at him and smugly announced, "See?"
Alexis turned to look at Kate and beamed brightly as he approached her.
"I guess I'm not too busy to stay after all." He sat at Alexis's side and she threw her arms around his waist.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Rick felt the tears sting his eyes. Alexis hadn't hugged him in months.
As he wrapped his arms around Alexis and started rocking her, Kate excused herself and pulled the privacy curtain closed around her own makeshift bed next to her daughter. She sat down feeling suddenly exhausted as her own worries pushed into her consciousness.
Kate reached over and slid her fingers across Mackenzie's cheek, then wrapped them around her hand. She finally gave in and let the tears flow silently. After a few moments, she arranged her own blanket and turned out the lamp.
"Sleep well, Angel," she whispered. Then she closed her eyes and slept.