At the sound of the door knocking, Kate managed to get halfway to standing before Rick shot her a look and motioned with his finger for her to sit back down. She sighed but allowed her body to sink back into the couch.
Rick made his way to the hall and took a deep breath before opening the door, revealing Jim Beckett, the man looking just as nervous as his eldest.
"Hey, Jim. Thanks for coming." Rick greeted receiving a nervous smile from the elder man.
"Hi, Rick. Where's Katie?" Rick smiled.
"She's resting," he made sure to say it loud enough so Kate could hear it, eliciting a huff from the woman, "on the couch, Nevaeh's in the kitchen setting the table." Jim gave him a tight smile. "Come on in." Castle motioned for him to enter the loft before closing the door behind him, taking his coat while he moved through to the living room.
"Hey, Katie." Jim greeted relief colouring his words, leaning in to kiss her cheek gently. "How you feeling?"
"Smothered." Kate sighed, loud enough for Rick to hear as he walked past. Her boyfriend poked his tongue out in response before continuing to Nevaeh's side, making Kate chuckle. "But I'm okay, daddy." She murmured, the childish name coming forth at the tender look he was giving her. "Just a broken leg, I didn't even need to stay in overnight. And Rick's taking good care of me." She whispered the the last sentence, winking at her father conspiratorially, making him laugh.
"I'm glad. Rick worried me when he phoned to say you were both in hospital." Kate smiled softly.
"Nevaeh's okay too." She murmured, trying and failing to keep all the reproach out of her voice at his not asking.
"I was going to ask that next. How is she, was she badly hurt?" Kate shrugged.
"Concussion, mild dehydration." She sighed, looking down at her hands. "I nearly shot her, daddy." She whispered thickly. Jim took her hand in his own and squeezed, waiting until she looked up to speak.
"Nearly doesn't count, Katie. You didn't and you're both okay. That's all that matters." Kate nodded. "Now, guess we should go join them so we can eat, huh?" Kate smiled. "Come on, Katie." He stood and took both of her hands, pulling gently to help her up.
Rick looked up once he heard them coming and pulled out Kate's chair, kissing her cheek before repeating the process with Nevaeh, making her giggle.
"You're silly, Rick." Nevaeh assessed accurately, smiling at her sister when she laughed. Rick glared playfully at them both while Jim watched on bemused.
"Ganging up on me." Rick sighed shaking his head as he put plates in front of them both and going back for his own and Jim's.
"Kate?" Nevaeh whispered to the woman sat beside her.
"Yes, Navi?" Kate asked softly. Nevaeh flicked her eyes to Jim, who was pretending he wasn't aware of the action.
"Is that my daddy?" All three adults felt the comment in their chests. Fear, curiosity and awe all at war in her voice. Kate nodded.
"Yeah baby, he is." She murmured, gently palming the back of her head. "You wanna say hi?"
"Hi." Nevaeh murmured shyly. Jim smiled.
"Hey, Nevaeh. You okay?" He asked kindly. The seven year old nodded. "That's good. Bet you're glad to be back with Katie and Rick, huh? Must have been scary." Kate and Rick exchanged looks as he came back into the room; neither of them had asked what it had been like.
"Was kinda scary." Nevaeh murmured. "I knew Kate would find me though." She smiled softly as Jim mirrored her.
"Yeah, how come?" Nevaeh smiled at Kate, not noticing how touched the young woman was.
"'Cause she loves me." Nevaeh shrugged as if it were obvious. Kate looked from on man to the other before embracing Nevaeh. She hugged her back before pulling back and regarding her closely. "You okay, Kate?" Kate nodded.
"Yeah." Kate cleared her throat. "I'm glad you knew I'd find you, Navi." She gently cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. "We will always find you, Nevaeh." She whispered against her skin before kissing her again and pulling back. Nevaeh gave her a funny look before turning to Rick.
"She's just having a moment." Rick explained, garnering a nod and quiet 'Oh' from her. Jim and Rick exchanged smiles while Navi started her dinner.