Rick was not too religious but he did feel that having a grounding in Christianity would be helpful to Card in the future. So on Sunday the family minus Kate who was still bed ridden would go to the nearest Church. It would also get Card used to sitting among strangers in a controlled environment.
Alexis had gotten up early to help Card to decide on the dress she was going to wear. Alexis sat on the bed while Card paraded the dresses she thought would be appropriate.
"No Card those are all wrong." Alexis said as she rose from the bed.
It became obvious that Card had no sense of what a Church going clothes consisted. She had mostly shown party style dresses.
Alexis was muttering to herself.
"Did not Grams put any thing sensible in here?" Alexis said.
"I don't know" Card said on verge of breaking down in tears. "Why must everything be so hard?"
Alexis stopped looking and took her foster Sister in her arms.
"There…there Card there is no need to cry. I'll find you a dress." Alexis said.
"Alexis I know you will but everything else you can not fix. I've been thrust into an unknown situation and I feel so lost. Everything I knew was not good but at least it was predictable." Card sobbed.
"Yes I can not imagine on how bewildered you feel. Everything is so new and frightening. I felt that way when I was kidnapped and I ended up in a cage in some rich guy's house in France. I knew I had to keep my head in order to survive." Alexis said.
"You were kidnapped?" Card said.
"Yes I was but I was able to escape my captors for a moment so I could alert my Dad where I was. I could have only done that by keeping my fears at bay, I did not let them overwhelm me. Only later when I was safe did I break down. So you see Card. This is your safe place. Gramps, Dad, Kate, Gramps Jim and I will keep you safe. So why don't you go into the bathroom and dry your eyes and I'll resume looking for a dress ok Card?" Alexis suggested.
Card shook her head then headed to the bathroom as Alexis resumed the search.
Finally in the back of the closet she found the perfect dress is was a Navy Blue knit which had mid calf length. It would be perfect.
"Card come look at this one." Alexis said.
Card came out of the bathroom and saw the sophisticated dress.
"Oooh pretty" Card said.
"And look it would go well with your shoes and coat." Alexis said.
Finally dressed Card went downstairs to wait for Alexis.
"Well look at you." Grams said kissing her cheek.
"You look very nice" Jackson said with a hug.
He too cleaned up nicely in a suit though he looked a bit uncomfortable wearing it.
"Kate. Lanie has agreed to be here for you while we are gone." Rick said leaning down to give her a kiss.
Kate still in bed pouted when she heard she was going to have a watcher.
"What am I five?" She grumbled to Rick as he was leaving her with a kiss.
Rick came out of the bedroom looking very good indeed.
"Nice suit Son" Jackson commented.
Lanie appeared as Alexis came down the stairs.
"So where is my patient?" Lanie asked.
"Lanie she is in the bedroom she is not feeling the most sociable this morning." Rick said.
Rick gathered everyone together then they left the loft leaving Lanie behind.
\\\\\
"So Girl Friend what do you want to do?" Lanie said entering the bedroom.
"I don't know Lanie ….Excuse me…" Kate said as she bolted to the bathroom.
She retched for a few minutes as Lanie being coached by Rick stood by with the needed supplies. Once the door was opened Lanie entered seeing Kate so miserable. She handed over the crackers and bottled water. Lanie inspected the crystal globe the water came in.
"Pure Glacial waters from Canada" She read.
"Yeah Rick had them specially imported for me." Kate was able to squeak out.
"100% pure…" Lanie continued.
"Yeah it was like the water in the wilderness." Kate said.
"Let's get you up then back in the warm bed and not this cold floor." Lanie said.
Kate nodded and at this point Kate felt grateful that her husband had arranged Lanie to be there with her. The truth was she would have had to stay on the floor until someone helped her up. That was a bitter truth to confront especially with the way she was able to survive in the wilds. Kate was half carried out of the bathroom.
"Lanie why not the couch…? I have had enough of this bed for now." Kate said.
"Ok Girl Friend the couch it is." Lanie agreed then helped ease her down on the couch where her nest was built.
Once situated Kate relaxed as Lanie sat in a nearby chair.
"I don't know how you did it Girl Friend." Lanie said shaking her head.
"Do what Lanie?" Kate asked as she turned her head to look at her old friend.
"Survive with a serious injury too. How did you do it?" Lanie said.
"Well It was not easy…I just relied on my training from my Father. Some how those lessons I though I was not paying attention when he gave them to me really helped." Kate said.
"I know you stated that in your book." Lanie said.
"Lanie Parish you read my book?" Kate said being a bit surprised.
"Why not….? I was curious and beside it was written by my best friend too." Lanie said.
"Well I mean I know you read Rick's other books but I'm surprised that is all. Don't tell me you went out and bought it?" Kate said.
"Nah Writer Boy had it couriered over to me after I signed a zillion forms! Boy that publisher of his sure wanted this story kept under wraps!" Lanie said.
Kate had to chuckle it was just like Gina to do something like that. Though she had only met the Dragon lady a few times.
"So are you going to say something which was not in the book?" Lanie asked. "Come on Kate I know you did not include everything in the book."
"Well Lanie I did not include the feeling I was being watched over." Kate said.
"Watched over like what a Big Foot?" Lanie asked.
"Well I would not go that far but I did have much good fortune in obtaining food in the first few days. I would find a squirrel's store of nuts and berries pretty easily. I mean sometimes they were sitting almost next to me. That and it rained most of the time so there was plenty of fresh water." Kate said.
"You mean it was like the animals of the forest were looking out for you?" Lanie said with eyes wide.
"Well I could not attribute it to anything else. I guess they knew I was hurt and would not hurt them. I simply can not explain it Lanie so why try? It happened I survived and eventually I was rescued. I know Rick went all out on the rescue." Kate said as Lanie rose to bring her the bowl prepared for Kate's breakfast of nuts and berries.
Lanie sat back down as Kate munched on her breakfast. Lanie was in awe.
"What Lanie?" Kate said feeling so self conscious like when you have spinach caught between your teeth.
"Nothing …well just look at you…eating nuts and berries…I remember a time when you consisted on Coffee and the occasional Bear Claw that Writer Boy provided. Otherwise I think you would have starved." Lanie said.
"Yeah Lanie must I stress it is Writer Man with the emphasis on Man! Just look for yourself!" Kate said pointing at her swollen stomach.
"You are deflecting." Lanie pointed out "…Oh alright Writer Man."
Kate smiled then continued.
"Yeah Lanie that is another thing being in the wilderness taught me. I was aware how I was not taking good care of my body. I was taking it for granted. I was not eating right and it held me back for awhile until I got stronger. I would have recovered faster if I had not abused my body by denying it the right fuel." Kate said. "So when I came back I vowed I would not revert back. Besides I got used to eating this for breakfast."
"I would have never pegged you as a Health nut. They always look like they are going to kneel over." Lanie said.
Kate laughed.
"Yeah I know…I think they just over do it…as one once said, 'Everything in moderation.'" Kate said.
\\\\\
Rick and family got to church. Card was asked by a young woman if she wanted to go to the Sunday school. Card looked at Rick.
"It is ok if you want to attend Card." He said.
"Card I'll go with you." Alexis said.
"No Alexis it is kind of you to offer but I have to learn to do things on my own." Card said as she accompanied the young woman.
Rick was so proud when she disappeared from sight. Soon they were seated and the sermon began on Greed and how corrosive it is.
\\\\\
Card was brought to a smaller room with a bunch of younger kids she would be the oldest one there.
"Class we have a new guest. Her name is Card. I want everyone to warmly welcome her." The woman called Naomi said.
"Hi I'm Erica…You sure have a pretty dress." She said as she held out her hand.
"Thank you Erica…You also have a pretty dress. I'm Card. I'm a bit nervous. I've never attended a class before." Card said.
"There is nothing to be nervous I will show you around." Erica said.
"Hi I'm Timmy" one of the smallest kids in the room said.
"Hi Timmy I'm pleased to meet you." Card said using the manners taught by her tutors.
If there was one thing Carmine did instill to her Daughter was to have good manners.
Everyone introduced themselves except for one older boy.
"Card What kind of silly name is that?" The boy laughed.
Erica got mad and told him off.
"Brian what kind of Name is that? So how do you like it? Huh Brian…?" Erica said jumping to the defense of her new friend though she was about 2 years younger. "Besides I think Card is a pretty name. Come on Card sit beside me and ignore that bully."
Brian seeing that his joke fell flat felt bad.
"I'm so sorry Erica and Card I do like your name." Brian said.
"Ok Brian apology accepted. Now go over there." Erica warned.
Brian did as Erica suggested and Naomi started the class on the golden rule.
Card raised her hand.
"Yes Card?" Naomi replied.
"I think that is where the man with the Gold makes the rules?" Card said.
The class erupted in laughter.
Naomi hushed the children.
"Well that is one way of thinking about it. But it is not the lord's way. Timmy, can you explain what the golden rule is?" Naomi asked.
"The Golden Rule is do unto others what you would like to be done to you." Timmy said.
"Every good Timmy…" Naomi said. "Would you explain it further?"
"Yeah it is a way of life where you give everyone respect because you expect yourself to be treated with the same kind of respect." Timmy said.
"Very good Timmy… Well that is all the time we have…Card thank you for attending our class. I do hope to see you back here." Naomi said. "Everyone have a safe holiday season."
Card and Erica exited the class as the church was ending.
"So where do you live?" Erica asked.
Card gave out the address of the loft.
"Hey that is close to where I live only a couple of blocks away. Would you like to come to my house and play?" Erica shyly asked.
"I don't know I would have to ask my Dad." Card replied.
"Well would you I would love it if you could." Erica said.
Card and Erica walked up to Rick.
"Dad" Card said. "This is Erica, She is my new friend. She wants to know if I could go to her house to play."
Rick ignored the conversation and had his back to Card while Alexis introduced herself.
Hi Erica I'm Card's big Sister Alexis I'm pleased to meet you. Alexis said holding out her gloved hand.
Erica gasped hers in a friendly hand shake.
"I'm pleased to meet you too Alexis you also have such a pretty dress like Card." Erica said.
"Thank you Erica you have a pretty one too." Alexis said as she nudged her Father. "Dad turn around Card had made a new friend."
Alexis was trying to get her Parent's attention.
Rick turned around and Erica gasped.
"You are he!" She said.
Rick used to the fan reaction just smiled.
"Yes I am and who are you young lady?" Rick said smiling.
Erica was star struck she would have never guessed her favorite author was Card's Father or that he lived so close to she and her Mother.
"Dad this is Erica my friend. She wanted to know if I could go to her house to play. Please Dad say yes." Card said.
At this point Jackson came up.
"So what do we have here Card." Jackson said.
Erica broken out of her trance introduced herself.
"Well I'm pleased to meet you. I'm Card's Grand Father Jackson. Rick can I have a word?" Jackson asked.
"Excuse us for a moment I'll be right back." Rick said as he stepped away with Jackson.
"So Dad what is up?" Rick asked.
"You can not let Card go anywhere without first getting the area secure." Jackson said.
"Yeah Dad I know that…I was not going to let her go. I was going to suggest that her friend come to the loft. That way we will get to know her better and you can do the vetting I know you want to do." Rick said.
Rick returned.
"So sorry about the small interruption Card can not go today but if you like you could come to her house." Rick said.
Erica looked a bit sad then she brightened up.
"I will go and ask my Mother." Erica said as she rushed over to Naomi then dragged her over to meet Rick.
Naomi walked over and was just as star struck as her daughter.
Rick laughed as he introduced himself along with Alexis and Jackson.
"So Erica you want to go play at Card's house then?" Naomi asked.
"Yes Please Mother I would like that very much." Erica said.
"If it is ok with Mr. Castle I'm ok with it but I would need to accompany you for the first visit. Is that ok with you?" Naomi said.
"Yes that would be agreeable." Rick said.
Rick approved on the way Naomi looked out for her Daughter.
"We can take our town car." Rick said as they exited the church.
"That would be nice not having to get a taxi." Naomi said.
"We usually go have Brunch now would you like to join us? Or would you like to come over when we have returned? The Brunch would be my treat." Rick said.
"Yes Thank you I would like it very much. Would you like to have Brunch with Card, Erica?" Naomi asked her Daughter.
"Yes Mother if you please." Erica said.
"Well then that is settled let's go to Brunch!" Rick said as everyone got into the town car.
\\\\\
They ended up in a place not too far away which served a wonderful Brunch of Belgian Waffles and lots of whipped cream.
"So Naomi what do you do?" Rick asked at Brunch.
"I'm a nurse…Actually this is not the first time we have met. I'm an OR nurse. I was on the surgical staff when your now wife was placed in the OR. I came out later to tell you she was out of surgery since Dr. Wilson was busy with another patient." Naomi said. "I heard you had a run in with Josh that day. He is such a hot headed guy."
"Yeah he is…I had to break it up" Jim Beckett said scowling thinking about that day. "He was acting like a child."
"Well what a small world. And what is your last name?" Jackson asked.
"Davidson but I'm not married I'm divorced." Naomi said.
So your Daughter's last Name is Davidson too? Jackson asked.
Naomi shook her head yes.
So what a coincidence…. I knew a Doctor Joshua Davidson." Martha said. "Are you related or know him?"
Alexis had scowl on her face as she sort of listen in on the Adult Conversation after the mentioning of Josh. She sure disliked that man pushing her Father like he had some how caused all this trouble.
Naomi looked around the table at everyone's face. It seemed that her ex was equally disliked here too.
"Yes I do he is my ex. He is Erica's father. Though, she never sees him. He is always off somewhere around the world!" Naomi lamented.
"Yes that is DMB for you." Rick said.
"DMB? What is that?" Naomi asked.
"Don't pay any attention to my Son Naomi. He makes up different things to represent people he does not like." Martha said patting her hand.
"DMB stand for Doctor Motorcycle Boy." Alexis said icily breaking into the conversation.
Naomi started laughing.
"That describes him to a Tee!" Naomi said between laughs.
Card and Erica looked over to see Erica's Mother laughing hard. They both stopped their conservation then gazed at her.
"Wait until I tell Kate this." Rick whispered to Alexis.
Alexis just nodded her head in agreement. Her Mom would be surprised indeed.