While Kate got her cast sorted- the swelling had come down enough for it to be swapped for a hard cast- Rick made his way down to paediatrics where Ryan was sat reading a story to Nevaeh.
"Hey Uncle Kev." Castle greeted with a smile as he leaned against the door way of the girl's private room. Having your sister's boyfriend as a major donator to the hospital had its perks. Ryan turned around with a hesitant smile.
"She was bored and..." The detective started to explain but Castle held up his hand to stop him.
"Ryan, Kate and I are so grateful that you spent the night with her. We couldn't be more grateful. And it's good to see her smiling." Ryan looked back at the tiny little girl lying in the huge hospital bed with a soft smile as he watched her giggle. "Besides, good practise right?" Rick teased gently. Ryan chuckled.
"I've got a few months yet, but yeah." The guys shared a knowing smile before Nevaeh interrupted them.
"Rick? Am I going home now?" Castle made his way over to her and perched on the edge of her bed.
"Once the doctor has said you can, you'll be coming back to the loft with me and Katie. Is that okay?" Nevaeh nodded.
"That's what I meant." She assured him, making his heart swell. "Momma's not coming back is she?" Ryan awkwardly excused himself, shooting Castle a sympathetic smile.
"No Sweetheart, she isn't." Rick told her gently, not believing in lying to her about this. Navi nodded slowly.
"But I don't have to go with the social workers because you and Katie will be there right?" Castle gave her a warm smile.
"Yeah Honey. Katie and I will be there. And we will do everything we can to make you happy."
"Within reason of course." Kate's smiling voice cut in from the doorway. Rick turned around and saw her leaning heavily on the frame, her crutches supporting her as she stood on her right leg, her left bent at the knee, her shin and foot adorned in near on florescent red plaster. He gave her a smile before crossing the room to lend her an arm.
"Shouldn't you be on wheels, missus?" He teased softly. Kate gave him a coy smile.
"Not if you don't rat me out." She murmured coquettishly, looking up at him through her lashes. Rick laughed and kissed her temple, glad to have her back. "Hey Baby." Kate kissed Nevaeh's forehead and took Rick's seat on the edge of the bed, missing the tender smile Rick gave her at the nickname. "You ready to come back with us?"
"Home." Rick informed her softly. Kate looked from Castle to Nevaeh.
"Home huh?" Navi nodded shyly. Kate smiled. "Home it is then." She tickled the seven year old's side quickly, making the girl squirm.
"Kate?" Nevaeh asked slowly when her sister's fingers had stopped moving.
"Yes Navi?" Kate asked quietly, a little nervous of where this line of questioning could go.
"You'll love me forever, right?" Huge sapphire eyes found Kate's, the hesitant vulnerability having her heart stumbling in its rhythm. Kate stroked the little girl's cheek.
"For ever and a day." Kate assured her sincerely. Nevaeh held up her arms and Kate scooped her up, pulling her onto her lap and holding her close. Rick came to her side, a subtle hand around her waist helping to hold her steady. Kate leaned into his chest and smiled when he dropped a kiss to her hair.
"Always." Rick added softly, wrapping his other warm around Nevaeh's slim body, turning the embrace into a group hug. Kate turned her head far enough to kiss his chest through his shirt. Rick squeezed her side, telling her he understood the action for what it was; a thank you for the inclusion of her sister in their tradition and an 'I love you' all in one.
Nevaeh held open the front door while Rick kept a steady hand at Kate's back as she hopped into the loft. She shrugged him off before sinking onto the couch with a sigh, beckoning Nevaeh over once she was comfortable. She looked to Rick for permission, smiling widely when he nodded, and skipped across the room to settle beside Kate on the couch, curling into her body on her good side.
Rick locked the door firmly before smiling at the scene. Kate was leaning against the back of the couch, eyes closed, holding Nevaeh close while the child smiled softly, her head pillowed on Kate's chest, her tiny hand resting on her abdomen. Kate sighed softly and opened her eyes to find Castle staring at them from just inside the door.
"You gonna stand there all day Castle?" Kate asked making Nevaeh giggle. Castle poked his tongue out at them both before coming over and sitting the other side of Kate, laying his head opposite Nevaeh's and laying his hand low on Kate's torso. He pursed his lips and blew a breath across Nevaeh's face, laughing when she scrunched up her nose, despite the smile on her face. Kate chuckled low in her throat and brought her hand up to play with his hair.
"What can I do for you m'lady?" He asked seriously.
"Pancakes." Nevaeh giggled. Kate laughed as Rick sat up with a smile.
"You want pancakes huh Little One?" Nevaeh nodded dramatically. Both adults smiled before Rick turned to Kate. "What do you reckon Big Sis, should we give her pancakes?" Kate took one look at the pleading look on Navi's face and realised she had no hope of denying the girl anything.
"I think we could do that." She chuckled when Nevaeh hugged her tightly. Castle leaned in and kissed Kate quickly before pulling back and smiling softly at her.
"I'll get on that then." He smiled and turned to go to the kitchen.
"Wait, come back." Kate insisted. Rick turned back, perplexed, but leaned closer, as Kate was motioning, anyway. She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him back in for another kiss, savouring the connexion for a moment longer than he had before releasing him. "Thank you." She whispered. Castle chuckled and dropped a kiss to the end of her nose and kissed the top of Navi's head before going to make them all breakfast.