Rick awoke feeling particularly happy. He heard Kate knocking on Aiden's door to ensure he was up before helping Alexis and Mackenzie get ready for school. He hummed to himself as he jumped into the shower.
Kate helped Alexis with her hair, returning to carry Mackenzie down to the breakfast table. Kate couldn't sleep at all last night, and barely had the energy to get out of bed. Just as she set Mackenzie down and arranged a blanket over her legs, Aiden and Alexis arrived for breakfast.
"Good morning everyone" Martha called as Kate entered from the kitchen with the food. Martha turned to Alexis after the room quieted a little. "Alexis, how are you feeling this morning? Are you ready for dance recital tonight?"
She flashed a brilliant smile and answered enthusiastically, "Great, and yes. Except, I have a funny feeling in my tummy."
Kate's turned to look at Alexis, her expression changing to concern, but Alexis avoided her question by answering, "It's Okay. I'm just nervous, Kate, it doesn't hurt. And yes, I am doing my exercises."
Kate smiled, "You know me so well. You are going to be great."
Kate heard Mackenzie snicker, then giggle, which usually meant Aiden was up to something. Kate turned to gape at him as he took his seat. "Greetings, humans!"
Aiden had placed a short, silver cape around his shoulders and wore a cone head over his usually perfectly styled hair. They all burst into laughter. Rick paused at the dining room door at the sound that erupted from the other side. He hadn't heard that sound for so long and never with such abandon. He loved it. He pushed through the door with his own greeting. "Good morning!"
"Daddy!" Alexis hopped out of her seat and rushed around the table to throw her arms tightly around his waist. "I didn't know you were back."
He hugged her back and stroked her hair affectionately. "I missed all of you so much plus I didn't want to be late for your recital."
"You're coming?" Alexis's eye sparkled with excitement.
"Of course, Pumpkin."
Alexis squealed delightedly again. Kate smiled at the tender scene. "Alexis, honey, eat your breakfast now or you'll be late for school."
Rick started to lower himself into his chair and stopped midway, staring at his son. This action prompted another wave of laughter and a proud smile from Aiden.
"Greetings, parental unit."
Kate reached over to close his mouth with her fingers. This action thawed his paralysis and he sat down, smirking at his son. "Greetings, young one."
"Fried chicken embryos?" Aiden turned to accept his plate from a grinning Kate, while Alexis made a face.
"Ew, Kate. That makes it sound yucky!"
Rick eyed Aiden warily while another fit of giggles traveled around the table. "I hope you're not planning on wearing that to school, or I'll be hearing from the headmaster."
"I won't, dad. I just wanted to try it on before the Halloween Festival at school tomorrow."
Aiden turned a shy eye to her father. "You know, Dad, parents are invited to come to the gym and participate in the games. Do you want to come?"
Rick had forgotten about the school celebration and had planned on spending the quiet time writing. He turned and looked apologetically at his oldest.
"I'm sorry, Aiden. I'd love to come, but I have writing- OW! I mean, I HAD a writing that needs to be done, but I think I can put it off for another time."
He glared at Kate, rubbing his right ankle where she had not so gently kicked him. His look went unnoticed, as Kate continued to chew her food, smiling at Aiden. Aiden jumped up from his chair to give him a big hug. "Thanks, Dad!"
The meal continued pleasantly as they chatted about their Halloween plans. As she finished eating, Kate checked the clock. "Okay, kids. It's time to finish up or I will leave without you."
Kate eyed Aiden suspiciously as he rose to remove his cape. "Okay, what's going on...Ooohhhhh my God!"
Rick peered around his magazine and stood up quickly, knocking his chair over behind him.
"Aiden Castle! What have you done?"
Aiden had removed his Conehead to reveal his equally smooth scalp beneath it. He glanced nervously from Kate to his father, then to Mackenzie.
Rubbing his hand over his bald head, he asked "Do you like it? I'm thinking Yul Brenner for Halloween, but haven't decided between "The King and I" or "The 10 Commandments." He struck a pose and spoke using the appropriate accent. "So let it be written, so let it be done."
Neither adult in the room said anything, Kate's mouth hung open as Rick's face deepened from red to an interesting shade of purple. Mackenzie broke their spell by giggling softly.
"You look like me. We could be cue balls together."
Kate looked from Aiden to Mackenzie to Rick and realized he was about to blow.
"Mackenzie, honey, we'll be right back."
She herded a still silent and fuming Rick and a grinning Aiden from the dining room into Rick's office before he could explode. And explode he did, at Kate. He rounded on her as she closed the door behind them. "Kate! How the hell could you let him do something as stupid as this?" Kate's mouth dropped into an 'O' of surprise, but he ignored it. He started pacing as he ranted. "I'll admit that your approach at parenting is fresh and interesting at times. I even went along with things I disagreed with to teach the children important lessons, but this!"
He turned back to her and threw his hand in Aiden's direction. "Unorthodox is one thing, but have you lost your mind?!"
Kate stood, stunned at his tirade. Then her demeanor changed from shocked to angry. She thrust her fists to her hips and leaned toward him, eyes narrowing in challenge.
"Why do you assume that I encouraged him? I'm as surprised as you are."
He leaned in toward her as well. "You were in charge! Where were you while he was shaving his head?"
Kate snorted derisively. "And YOU are his father. Where were you?"
Just before Rick could rip into her again, Aiden spoke up.
"Dad, wait! Kate didn't know anything about it. Gram helped me while Kate was busy with the girls."
Rick didn't even look at him. "Stay out of this, Aiden!"
"But if you'd let me explain..."
Rick finally turned his angry gaze at his son. "You are grounded for 3 weeks, or until this..." he flicked his wrist at Aiden's head, "grows back. That means *no* Halloween."
Now he was mad. Aiden realized that his father still didn't want to understand him. He'd put up with it for four years now, since his mom died. But now that he'd experienced Kate's compassion, he wasn't going to just take it anymore. His father was going to at least hear what he had to say. Aiden jumped in between them, throwing his hands up in the air.
"What's the big deal? Its just hair! I wanted to make Mackenzie laugh and to feel comfortable at the recital. Isn't she more important?" Tears sprang to his eyes as Rick looked at him. Before he could respond, Aiden continued in a softer voice, choked with emotion. "Jeez, dad. My hair will look the same by Christmas, but Mackenzie's not going to live until Thanksgiving."
The room grew immediately silent. Rick looked up at Kate's face to see all the color drain from it. She turned slightly and bent down to look Aiden straight in the eye, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Aiden, who told you that?"
Aiden looked at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. "I overheard you talking to the doctor on the phone last night." He looked up at her, valiantly trying to hold back his tears. "I just want her to know I love her. I wanted to make her happy."
Kate looked at him silently for a moment, then pulled him into a tight hug, speaking softly. "It will be okay, Aiden." She released him and looked at him seriously. "Apologize to your father for yelling at him."
He dropped his head and turned to face his father. "I'm sorry for yelling, Dad. Mackenzie was so sad yesterday because she's losing her hair again. I just wanted to make her feel better."
Rick swallowed visibly. He worked his mouth for a second, before his response finally came out. "It's all right, Son. I understand."
Kate stood and addressed Aiden. "Go get your bag honey. I'll drop you off at school on my way to the hospital with Mackenzie." She eyed his shiny head and smiled mischievously. "And don't forget your hat." Aiden grinned and glanced nervously at his father before exiting the room. Kate didn't leave yet and couldn't turn around to face him.
"Kate, I'm so sorry for my outburst..." he stammered as he reached to touch her shoulder. She allowed it, simply bowing her head. "Kate? What's wrong with Mackenzie? What did the doctor say?"
The concern in his voice almost broke her resolve not to cry. She lifted her head again and straightened her shoulders resolutely, still facing away from him. "The cancer returned to her brain and spinal cord. She needs high-dose chemo and a stem-cell transplant, but no matching donor could be found." She turned around and smiled at him as a single tear trailed down her cheek. "He said we should just cherish her life while we still can."
Rick stood, unable to move or say anything as she turned and left, softly closing the door behind her.
"Hello! Rick, did you get my message about Gina? She wants you to sign a new contract."
She sat down on the sofa while she spoke, pulling out several files they needed to review before their upcoming meeting. When she didn't receive a response, she looked up to see him staring out the window.
"Rick, didn't you hear me? I said Gina wants to renegotiate your contract." She stood to hand him the file in her hand, waving it practically under his nose until he turned to notice her for the first time. "Huh? Oh, Paula, you're here."
Paula had looked at him strangely. "Of course I'm here. Haven't you been listening to me?""
He took the file from her, but just set it down unopened on the corner of his desk. "I'm sorry Paula. I'm worried about one of the children."
She rolled her eyes. "Well, get that floozy nanny to take care of it and concentrate on what's really important."
Rick stood and practically ran her out of his office, threatening to send her on a permanent vacation if she continued to speak about Kate that way. Paula stormed into the living room after her unpleasant encounter with the author. "What did *I* do?..." she mumbled. She replayed her conversation with Rick over in her mind, but still didn't understand what had set him off.
"And, since when does he call her Kate?" she speculated.
Needing something to soothe her nerves, she wandered into the kitchen in search of a cup of coffee. She saw Martha standing at the sink and emitted an evil chuckle. My day is already looking up, she thought, then launched her first attack. Martha' only reaction to her jab and was a throaty laugh. Paula started to feel agitated. What is going on here today? She looked closely at her face and tried once more for a response. Perplexed at her unaccustomed silence, she sipped her coffee and watched Martha concentrate on her task.
She would never admit it to anyone, but she admired the woman. It takes a strong woman to be able to raise a child by themselves and an even stronger one with manage a career while doing so. It was why she also like Kate a little too; not that she would ever admit that either.
Setting down her mug, she took a step toward her when she heard Martha sniffle. Martha was crying?She opened her mouth to ridicule her, but something stopped her. A memory. Only one other time in their history had she cried in front of her. That was just after Kyra died.
Entering the kitchen one day a month after the funeral, she'd found Martha leaning against the counter weeping. Uncharacteristically, she had offered comfort and she'd accepted, taking solace from her own pain in return.
"Martha, what is it?"
"Are you still here?"
She ignored the jab and moved next to her and placed her hand lightly on her arm. "Martha?"
With her eyes closed, Martha contemplated what Paula would do with the information if she told her about Mackenzie. She didn't want her to use it against Kate. At length, she looked up at her. In answer, she questioned her abrasively.
"Miss Haas, have you ever lost someone you love?"
Her eyebrows creased with disbelief at the question. Saddened, she answered quietly. "Martha, you already know the answer to that."
She did. She knew better than anyone else. Kyra had been more than just her best friend; she'd been a sister and beloved confidante for over 15 years. Meeting at boarding school and sharing a room in college, they'd been inseparable until graduation when Paula had landed a job with the up-and-coming author, Rick Castle. But even that brief separation didn't last long.
Paula invited Kyra to the first signing she helped Rick with. She proudly introduced her best friend to her handsome boss. Martha smiled at the memory. They fell in love for each other practically on sight.
From the beginning, Paula had an arrogant boldness that propelled her forward in the business world, gaining her a 'dragon-lady' reputation in a very short while. She earned it. Once she decided what she wanted, she held on with a dogged tenacity that frightened normal folks. Paula had been smitten with Rick at the time, but neither he nor Kyra had known it. Only for Kyra would Paula have stepped aside.
She recalled how Kyra's death crushed Paula, cutting her off from the only loving source she'd ever had. She and Rick reacted the same, throwing themselves into work and avoiding all comfort. Paula had become brash and Martha her sworn enemy. Martha reached for a dish towel to wipe his hands, turning towards her.
"Yes, I know, Paula. I know that your heart still aches for her everyday."
The warm, pitying timber in her voice pulled her own grief to the forefront and tears stung her eyes. "It's about Beckett's daughter, isn't it? She's sick again?"
Martha nodded. "The doctor only gave her a few weeks to live."
Paula sighed. "Losing Kyra was so hard. I hate to think what losing a child will do to them. I hope Rick doesn't shut Kate out the way he pushed us away." Martha pulled away and stared at her, obviously floored. "Come on, Martha. I'm not that oblivious. I know they're in love."
"You're not angry? I thought you loved him?"
Paula stepped back to retrieve her briefcase from the counter and started for the door. "Of course I love him. He was the husband of my best friend and my business partner. But I'm not in love with him."