The conversation around the Brunch table wound down and then Rick paid for the check. They all exited the restaurant. Naomi was pleased to have met both Rick and the rest of his family. She was curious on what his living arrangements were. She was lucky to be in a rent controlled apt which her Aunt had lived many years ago.
Since she had lived with her before she passed on she was grandfathered in. Her meager salary was barely able to cover their costs especially placing Erica in a private school. That took the bulk of her meager pay. They lived frugally. Josh who was emotionally unavailable did support his child. Though, Erica would have preferred the visits in lieu of the checks. Naomi had fallen out of love with the arrogant Doctor a long time ago. Though she despised him she would never let her Daughter know anything but the good things he did. Rick asked several pointed questions to which Naomi answered truthfully in the town car.
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Getting back to the loft Card and Erica ran up stairs as soon as the door opened. It was good to see Card being so lively Rick thought.
Kate was lying on the Couch as Rick entered the room.
"Hey honey, I'm home I brought guests." Rick said.
Oh great just what she needed now. Kate thought.
"Well that is just peachy. Rick could you come over here a moment?" Kate asked.
Rick excused himself and went into the living room.
Martha ever the hostess took over.
"Naomi would you like some coffee it is right through here in the kitchen." Martha said.
"Rick what is going on…Could you not at least have texted me you were doing this?" Kate whispered.
"Babe, I did text you…Several times…See look for yourself." Rick said showing her his texting history.
"Lanie did my phone ever chirp?" Kate asked.
"Not that I'm aware of happening Kate. I've got to go. I hope you had a nice time at church Writer Man." Lanie said exiting the loft.
Jackson and Martha were entertaining Naomi while Rick was trying to extricate himself out of the dog house.
"Honesty Kate I'm not lying." Rick protested.
"Where is my iPad? I'll clear this up right away." Kate said.
"Honey it is right beside you." Rick said.
"It is not turning on? Why is it not doing that?" Kate said being totally perplexed.
"Kate honey when was the last time you used it? Have you charged it at all between that time and the present?" Rick carefully asked.
"Rick I don't know maybe I'm not sure." Kate said.
"There…there Kate I'll plug it in for you." Rick said retrieving the power cord.
Rick plugged it in and after a few moments the screen came to life with over 7 texts and two pics. They were all from her loving husband.
Kate seemed to settle down. Rick tried to talk but he was shushed by Kate while she was reading these texts. Once she was finished she allowed Rick to speak.
"Arf…!" Rick said.
Kate rolled her eyes at her husband.
"If you are a good boy Mommy might scratch your belly and give you a Scooby snack." Kate said while she winked at him.
So after being reprimanded by Alexis who happened to have entered the room at that exact time Rick asked if she had any questions.
"So you are telling me the Josh I dated had a 12…" Kate said being interrupted by Rick.
"Kate that is 13…" Rick corrected which earned him a scowl.
"Ok Rick a 13 year old Daughter who he never spent any time at all? And that same Daughter and her Mother are here in the loft?" Kate asked.
"Correct-amundo…!" Rick said doing the Elvis imitation of moving his hands back and forth while turned sideways.
Kate rolled her eyes once again.
"Rick should you need to break out your Blue Suede Shoes?" Kate said playing along.
"Thank you….Thank you very much" Rick responded still imitating Elvis.
"Ok and Card has made friends with the Daughter of someone I used to have dated, Right?" Kate said looking to Rick for confirmation.
"By George I think she has got it!" Rick said in his best Henry Higgins' voice.
"Dad…Henry Higgins did not say that…It was the Retired Col." Alexis said now correcting the master.
"I hate it when you show the flaw in my logic Oh Daughter of mine." Rick said.
Alexis responded by sticking out her tongue.
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Naomi was being slightly grilled in the kitchen while holding on to a cup of coffee which Martha had set before her.
Jackson was relaying all pertinent information to Sophie who was busy on the secure databases. The earwig in his ear got her response.
"Jackson she is clean…No threat determined." Sophie said.
She did not mind being the data gopher today. She liked having a long slow Sunday. She had her fun the other day scaring those Bankers. She had to admit working with Jackson was always so interesting.
Jackson acknowledged in a text which he was working under the table.
Once Martha listening to the voices in the other room determined it was time for Naomi to meet Kate.
"Come along Dear I think Katherine is available. You must meet her." Martha said.
Martha entered the front room. It seems like Kate though not completely mollified was in a better mood.
"Katherine, I want you to meet Naomi. She is Card's new friend Erica's Mother." Martha said.
Kate looked up and saw a woman with a similar build and color of hair with Brown eyes looking at her. It seemed Josh had a type.
"Hi I'm Kate Rick's wife. I'm so sorry I can not rise to greet you properly. I am on 6 weeks of bed rest on Doctor orders." Kate said reaching out her hand.
"Charmed Kate I'm Naomi." She said.
"So I understand you just met our Card?" Kate asked.
"Yes I teach Sunday School at the local church when I am not on call. Today Card entered the class. I do not want to be so bold…She is a bit shy I'm I right?" Naomi said.
"Yes she is she has led a very sheltered life. She is smart though. She had not had much social contact regrettably." Kate said talking about the bright girl upstairs.
"Mom…So sorry to interrupt but I'm going upstairs to check on the girls. It has been very quiet for awhile up there." Alexis said.
"Alexis you have the making of a fine Mother one day" Naomi said.
"Yes Alexis that is a grand idea both Jackson and I were going upstairs to our room. I would love the company." Martha said. "It was nice to meet you Naomi."
"Likewise Martha, Jackson I am pleased to make your acquaintance." Naomi said.
"Ok Alexis go but be discrete." Kate said as she turned to look at the seated Naomi "Since I am on bed rest Alexis has become my eyes and ears domestically. She even puts Rick in his place."
Rick walking out of his office mocked scowled and said.
"I so heard that!" Rick entered the room.
The two women tittered among themselves. Rick surveyed the group. Kate had warmed up considerable to Card's playmate's Mother.
"So Naomi, are you ready for the house tour?" Rick said.
"Only if it is ok with Kate she is the person in charge." Naomi said zinging Rick herself.
"Oh I like her!" Kate chuckled.
"OK Naomi as you can see from the living room in there is my inner sanctum. It is where the magic happens." Rick said showing her the office.
Naomi oohed and ahhed over the selection of Rick's books.
"So Rick is there another Nikki and Room book in the offing?" Naomi asked being insanely curious since she was one of the crazy online fans. Getting any hint would make her day.
"Well yes there will be an 8th book coming out in the series. It is all hush hush right now. Can I depend on your digression?" Rick asked.
Naomi nodded her head though internally she was jumping for joy. Rick's books had brought many a cold night more enjoyable on the midnight shift.
They left the office then stood in Kate and Rick's doorway. Naomi was impressed that the master suite was on the 1st level.
As the tour progressed Rick learned about Erica's private school.
"Alexis went to Marlowe Prep for 6 years." Rick said proudly. "She is on winter break from Columbia. I'm very proud of her. Card has been homeschooled by tutors most of her life. We are torn to allow that to continue or enroll her in college as an undergraduate. Since, she does have high enough test scores to attend any university. It is her personal growth which I feel is the only thing she lacks right now. You were correct Card has been very sheltered most of her life."
"Card is a recent addition to your family. Am I correct? She is not yours or Kate's biological Daughter. Though, it would be hard pressed to not think that since Alexis and Card has such similar features." Naomi said showing how perceptive she is.
"You are correct Naomi…Though we do not treat her differently. How did you know?" Rick asked.
Naomi laughed.
"I was not always an OR nurse. I have and still teach the violin. It was many years ago I taught a small redheaded child on the Bracken Estate. It had to be at least 12 maybe 13 years ago. During my stay the child was injured and scar on her chin was the results. I observed that same scar on her face this morning. I was quite surprised until I remembered how the Bracken family was torn apart by greed. The child inherited all the Bracken wealth. There was a conservator put in place but the papers never mentioned your name." Naomi said.
"So you know…What are you going to do about it?" Rick asked.
"Do about what? Card is a wonderful girl…My Erica is so lucky to have met her. She needs friends Mr. Castle. I saw how she was treated on the Bracken Estate. It was one of the reasons I got dismissed. I cared about her well being. I was pregnant with Erica. That is when the Bracken Estate paid for my Nursing career once I gave birth to Erica. It was hush money but I took it. I'm not proud of myself for being so weak. I think I did use the money for a good cause. I feel I have saved many lives in doing so." Naomi said.
So as a three year old how was her violin playing? Rick asked.
"Well she was amazing in technical expertise. She picked up even the most difficult pieces with ease. She had no heart to the music. You could not feel the music. I'm not sure if you know this but music when played correctly incites your soul. Card's playing was a void. I would like to see a duet between my Erica and Card. I think it would be a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon." Naomi said.
"I too would like that." Rick said. "I could accompany them on the piano."
"Oh I was wondering who in the family played it. However, some places the rich just buy things and never use them. I'm glad you are an exception to that rule." Naomi said.
"Alexis plays the violin too. I found that Card has no concept of Christmas…I think a duet of Christmas Songs with the two girls would be a good idea." Rick said.
The tour ended they returned to the living room.