Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for sexual situations and language

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: Just want to make a note that I'm not a medical doctor so I might have some things wrong though I tried my best not to.

A/N #2: I'd been wondering what feedback I'd get for the last chapter, so I was really happy to receive what I did and I will go straight to my thank yous for that! noelianoe (I'm not surprised you're hoping the result of the accident is nothing too tragic, I really thought people would think the same way you do and I was right. You'll be able to see soon how things will go with that!),

vetgirlmx (I wasn't very surprised to see your reaction to the accident. Or that you're hoping him being hurt isn't too serious. Also, I had a feeling you might get an idea of what I was going to do so to see you saying you think you know where I was going with that it wasn't a big shock, lol, you can figure stuff out really well sometimes. Your comments about cliffhangers are the same as mine, I have the same reaction to them, but I do need to write them as they add a lot more spice to a story… or suspense as you said. And yeah, I did have a cliffhanger very soon in this story, so I'm not surprised it's annoying you. But I am relieved by the well done comment you gave me, so I know you're not too mad or anything. I'm really happy to see you loved the flashback and that you had as much fun with that as Julia did going through it. And you're right, Jim and Beckett don't usually get alone time, so I'm pleased you loved that little bit they had with it. And you're right, it'll be hectic for her being really worried about Castle. Not surprised you're thinking that he'll be alright but still think she'll need to be worried though it does make sense, lol. And you made a good point about them getting all their shopping ahead of schedule as you put it. I didn't think you were rambling, it was nice to see what you thought about the chapter as there were several things going on. But great that you want to know badly what happens next and now you can know!),

MsNYC (I wasn't surprised to see your reaction to the accident as well, or that you're hoping Castle is okay and it's nothing too serious. I had a feeling someone would wonder if Beckett or Julia would sense that something would happen, so to see that in your review wasn't a shock. And I'm not surprised you loved the flashback since I do know you like those. And of course that you're sad about Castle. Your comment about Meredith surprised me, but not surprised you're hoping it's not her. Nice to see you thought it was great writing as usual of course!) and

TORONTOSUN (Great that you liked how I wrote the chapter as a whole. And yeah, I didn't think anyone they were close to wouldn't be happy with Beckett and the baby. Really nice to read that I could surprise you so much with the accident too!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them all and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) by George Harrison, from his album Living in the Material World.

Trying To Touch And Reach You

"You're earlier than I thought you'd be," Beckett said with a laugh as she was hugging Skye tightly.

"Look at you," the investigator said teasingly when they parted. "I know you're probably being asked this left and right, how are you?"

"I'm fine and I don't blame you because everyone's anxious about my health and the baby's," Beckett said, leading her over to the porch where her father was standing. "Which is touching."

"Well I'm glad to know you're alright," Skye told her. "Hullo again Jim," she directed to Beckett's father, shaking his hand.

"Hello, good trip?" Jim said.

"Oh sure, smooth drive with no snow," Skye replied. They went inside and after she pet the dogs she looked around and said, "Where's Rick?"

"He had to go out to the market and get some food for lunch," Beckett explained. "He should be back really soon. I'll take you up to your room in the meantime."

"I'm relieved to know I'm not imposing," Skye commented as they went up the stairs together.

"I would have said, and we've had more people in this house than we do now," Beckett replied. She smiled as they walked into one of the guest rooms and said, "How's everyone back at home?"

"Oh, you know… not too bad," Skye said. "The girls are eager for Christmas and Mary just wants me home."

"I don't blame her," Beckett said.

"Katie," Jim called from downstairs.

Going over quickly to the top of the stairs Beckett saw her father had put on his coat and outer layers before she said, "Tell Eliza we might have lunch a little late."

"Why isn't Richard back yet?" Jim asked.

"Probably got held up at the florist's," Beckett said with a smile.

Jim smiled and nodded before he said, "I'll be back with her."

"Would be interested in seeing what he gets you," Skye commented as she walked out to Beckett. "You've gotten interesting bouquets before. Seems to be a lot of coral roses though."

"Come on, I'll make you some tea," Beckett said laughingly as she shook her head. With Skye thanking her she led the way downstairs and they went together to the kitchen where she started on the tea.

"How'd it go getting the crib?" Skye asked as they were waiting for the water to heat up.

"We got everything we needed," Beckett said.

"You mentioned that might happen in your e-mail," Skye replied.

"I didn't think it would," Beckett said, slightly laughingly. "But we were there, the furniture was there, and we just thought why not?"

"Are you done writing for the day? If you're not, then why don't I take your dogs down the beach? I could use a walk," Skye told her.

"Well since Eliza's going to be joining…" Beckett started to say.

Skye was startled when her friend trailed off and she said in concern, "What's wrong?"

"It's… I need to call Rick," Beckett breathed out before she rushed to her phone on the kitchen table.

"Has something happened to him?" Skye asked her.

"I don't know I just know I have to get in touch with him," Beckett said, the phone at her ear as it was dialing. She braced herself for the moment her husband would answer, and she could laugh off the sudden dread that had filled her inexplicably. But her husband's voicemail message played, and she hung up before she said, "Something's wrong."

"He went to the market?" Skye asked, rushing to the kitchen and where she knew the family kept their yellow pages.

"And the florist," Beckett replied.

"I'll call the market," Skye said, finding that number. She let Beckett have the book before she dialed and walked away from her, waiting for someone to answer.

Talking to the employee at the florist Beckett hung up and said wearily, "He was there, he did get me a bouquet, but he left and… was okay. But he went to the market after because he went first to get the flowers."

"You're right, he went to the deli, picked up a few things and then talked to David before leaving," Skye said. "And that was only about five minutes ago."

Beckett opened her mouth to speak before her phone rang in her hand and she hurriedly answered it, putting it on speaker. "Beckett," she said quickly as she didn't recognize the number.

"Kate? It's Brad," the chief said slowly.

"Brad? Why are you calling… where are you calling from?" Beckett asked, feeling even more concerned.

"I'm so sorry," Brad said sadly. "But Rick was in an accident at the intersection of Roanoke and Lake; he's here at Hamptons General. Do not drive I'm on my way right now with Hutchinson to pick you up."

"I can drive you-" Skye started to say, watching her friend closely.

"No, I'll go with Brad," Beckett interrupted her. "I need you to stay here and tell my dad what happened and… call Martha…"

"I'll call everyone," Skye said, embracing her before she walked with Beckett over to the foyer to help her with her coat, scarf and gloves. "I'll take care of it don't worry."

"Thank you," Beckett whispered.

"I'm happy to help, come on," Skye told her. And though she wasn't bundled up herself she walked with her friend outside, her arm wrapped around her before they were on the sidewalk in front of the house. "We'll get Julia too, don't worry."

Nodding Beckett got into the passenger seat of Brad's squad car and as soon as they were on their way she texted Darnley before she said to the chief who was driving, "Do you know how he is?"

"They were working on him, so I don't know, Wade and Rice are at the accident scene," Brad said. "They'll tell you I'm sure," he finished, hoping she wouldn't ask in what shape the car was.

"Were you at the scene?" Beckett asked.

Cursing in his mind Brad said, "I was he was struck behind the driver's door by a car that ran the red light."

"Drunk?" Beckett asked, feeling horrible as she could imagine what the car looked like.

"Most likely, he was taken to the hospital as well, but I don't know how he's doing," Brad repeated, glancing out of the corner of his eye quickly at Beckett and seeing she was watching him.

"And?" Beckett prompted.

Trying not to sigh Brad explained about the car spinning until it struck a tree and was stopped before he said, "We're here, I'll try and find someone for you to make sure they'll tell you how he is."

Beckett got out of the car and barely waited for Brad to do so on the other side before she was heading inside the hospital. But he caught up to her and she reluctantly let him lead her to where her husband was.

"He's been moved," the nurse that the chief spoke to told them. "Up to the second floor."

"Come on," Brad said, taking Beckett to the elevator. He watched her as they went up one story, not sure if there was anything he could say after finding out where exactly Castle was since it meant he was in a room likely on his own.

As soon as they were on the second floor Beckett went to the nurse's station and said, "I'm looking for my husband, Richard Castle."

"Ms. Beckett? We were told you were here," the nurse said. "Dr. Bell is working on your husband still but the second she's finished she'll come out to speak to you."

"Can you tell me how he is?" Beckett said, not sure how she should take that news.

"I'm afraid not you'll have to speak to the doctor," the nurse replied.

Beckett was about to speak again when she stopped and looked at Brad who'd touched her shoulder. She let him lead her over to the chairs in the waiting room when she saw Rice walking over to them.

"I'm sorry sir," the officer said to Brad. "We found this in the car."

"Why-" the chief started to say.

"No, it's alright," Beckett said, jumping up to take the flowers in the officer's hands. She held the bouquet Rice gave her and nodded her thanks before she sat down again.

"I guess he stopped to get those for you," Brad said as he sat with her.

With a tearful smile Beckett murmured, "I already knew." With that the flowers nearly fell to the floor as she dropped them to her lap and she buried her face in her hands trying not to start crying as she was afraid of how her husband was doing at that moment.

"Skye? Where's Katie?" Jim asked as he and Eliza came into the house to find the woman in the foyer on her phone.

Taking Jim by the arm while Eliza was busy with the dogs greeting her Skye let him know what had happened with Castle before she said, "I've contacted Martha who's on her way already; she's going to call Alexis and let her know. I'll drive you to the hospital, but someone should contact Lanie and the boys in the city."

"I can do that," Jim said, coming out of his shock at the news with her commanding tone.

"Hi Skye, what are you talking about?" Eliza asked, going over to them since the dogs had stopped trying to lick her face. She frowned when she realized they both looked upset and she then said, "Are Mommy and Daddy kay?"

"I'm afraid your mother found out that your father was in an accident," Jim said, not surprised when Eliza gasped. "She went to the hospital to see him."

"I want to go too!" the little girl said firmly before she burst into tears.

"Listen," Jim said to Skye. "We forgot about Julia, some-" he began to say.

"Take Eliza and I'll get her," the investigator replied, wondering how she'd managed to forget the girl. She threw on her coat as Jim and Eliza went over to the garage and went over to her rental car she'd driven to the house. She made her way to the school, remembering then that there were still Castle and Beckett's friends in the city to contact. As she was walking into the office she hoped Beckett's father was doing that, saying to the secretary behind the front desk, "I need to pick up Julia Castle."

"You should eat something," Mari was telling her friend.

"I'm not hungry," Julia said, shaking her head before she sighed heavily. "Something's wrong."

"Maybe you should call your mom," Peter suggested as he, Mari and Julia were eating lunch together; Dawn at home sick.

"How? They're going to see me," Julia asked.

"We're finished eating," Mari said as her tray was clear. "Come on." She led Julia over to set aside their trays before she and Peter hurried their friend up to the field where Julia could call.

Once she was sure no one could see her Julia began to dial her mother's number and put the phone to her ear. She waited for her mother to answer, hoping she would, but when her mother's voicemail message began to play she hung up, looking at her friends.

"Maybe she couldn't hear it," Mari said at the upset expression on her friend's face.

"I don't know… she's always got it close," Julia said.

"Julia," a voice called suddenly, making the three turn around immediately. "Julia you're needed down at the office."

Looking at her friends, Julia wondered if she'd gotten caught using her phone but knew she couldn't keep the proctor waiting and walked over to her. "Am I in trouble?" she asked the woman.

"No," the proctor said simply before she led her off the field and down to where the office building was.

Julia wanted to ask what was wrong, but she got the feeling she wouldn't get an answer, so she waited uneasily to see what would happen once they got inside the office building. She thought she'd be taken to the dean's office but was startled to find Skye in front of the secretary's desk. "Skye?" she asked.

"Thank you," the investigator told the proctor. "I have your backpack Julia, let's go."

As they walked out of the building to the parking lot Julia was almost going crazy with not knowing what was going on, but the investigator ushered her too quickly for her to speak. But when they were finally driving away from her school she said; more angrily than she'd wanted to; "What happened Skye?"

Looking at the girl in the rearview mirror the investigator sighed and began to speak saying, "It's your father."

"Ms. Beckett?" a voice said, startling her and making her look up.

"Dr. Bell?" Beckett asked. When the woman nodded she stood rapidly and said, "Is my husband alright?"

"Please follow me," the doctor replied. She led Beckett down the hall past the nurse's station and said, "Your husband suffered some injuries in the accident, numerous cuts and bruises. His knee was dislocated but we set it back and we'll keep an eye on it as I understand he injured it before." She paused for a moment before she continued with, "He suffered a concussion as well."

"How bad of a concussion?" Beckett asked immediately.

Stopping Bell said, "We found we needed to place him into a coma." At Beckett's dismayed expression she explained, "The trauma he suffered was enough to warrant that."

"Will he recover?" Beckett almost whispered, not realizing her hand was on her abdomen.

"If he's given the chance to recover he should pull through," Bell said, having led her down the hall to a closed door.

Waiting for the woman to open it Beckett walked past her and into the room the second she could do so, seeing her husband on the bed there. She tried not to run to him once she was at his side she cupped his cheek tenderly whispering, "Rick?" She heard the door closing but didn't look away from Castle, studying him closely and seeing the evidence of the accident quickly.

His face was marred by scratches; from the glass in the car Beckett guessed; and she gently ran her fingers underneath one that was across his chin. She felt her legs were weak suddenly and she got onto the side of the bed, holding her husband's hand tightly before she looked down at his arm and saw that there was some gauze peeking out underneath the sleeve of his hospital gown. Pushing it up gently she could see some blood staining it and she blinked back her tears murmuring, "Oh Rick…" before she leaned over and pressed her cheek to his shoulder.

In doing that Beckett could hear his breathing and distantly his heartbeat before she sat back up. "Love, you-" she began to say before there was a knock.

"Ms. Beckett?" a nurse said after he'd opened the door. "I'm sorry but your family is here in the waiting room."

Getting off the bed Beckett turned back to her husband and tenderly cupped his cheek again before she pushed herself away from him and turned her attention to her family.

"Mommy!" Julia cried out when she saw her walking out to them.

"Mommy!" Eliza almost screamed as she was sobbing at the same time. She and her sister ran to their mother and they started to cry again as soon as they were hugging her tightly.

"Shh, don't cry," Beckett said to them before she felt her father's hand on her back. She let him lead them over to the chairs and once she was sitting she said, spotting her mother in law next to her father, "Your daddy is in the room down there and he's unconscious right now," not sure how else to explain it to them. "But he's here in the hospital and they'll take very good care of him."

"Will he wake up?" Eliza asked hopefully.

"He will," Beckett said firmly. "He just needs to recover first."

"Can we see him?" Julia asked, still worried as she could tell her mother was.

Beckett was going to speak when Alexis came off the elevator with Louis and she stood as her stepdaughter strode over to her. She was startled when the young woman hugged her but she responded, embracing Alexis back before telling her how Castle was. "We can see him, we're going to see him right now," she told her. "Come on," she then said. And taking the girls by their hands she led them, Alexis, her mother in law and father down the hall to the room where Castle was before she stopped at his door and let go of Julia to open it. She let Alexis go inside first, holding onto the girls again before they approached the bed, concerned at how they would react when they saw their father as they got close.

Hearing her sister starting to cry as they stood at the end of the bed Julia's chin wobbled and she turned to bury her face into her mother's side as she began to cry herself. Their father had some cuts on his face and a bruise over his right cheek and she had seen the cuts on his hands and arms too. But what was scarier than anything else was the fact that he looked like he was asleep though they knew he wasn't exactly.

"Girls," Martha said, her voice a little strangled as she turned from her son. "Come here," she told them, gathering them to her and going over to the window seat at the one window in the room.

"Katie," Jim said gently. "Here," he added as he brought over a chair for her to sit on.

"Thank you," Beckett said, teary eyed herself after the girls' reactions.

"I'm so sorry," Jim told his daughter, taking her hand and squeezing it gently.

With a nod Beckett reached over to her husband and took his hand, entwining their fingers tightly before she looked at Alexis who had gone to the other side of the bed when she'd sat down. "Do you think he can hear us?"

"I think so," the young woman said immediately, drying her cheeks from her tears after she'd calmed down. "Have you talked to him yet?"

"Slightly," Beckett admitted. She looked at Castle and said gently, "Rick we're all here… the girls want to speak to you."

"C-can we?" Eliza whispered, hiccupping a little as she'd stopped sobbing. When her mother reached out to her she ran over to her and let her grandfather put her up on the bed. She stared at Castle's face and then curled up against his side, pressing close to him saying, "I love you Daddy, you gotta wake up," as she wrapped her arms around him the best she could.

Going over to her mother Julia watched as Eliza started to tell Castle about her day at school, looking up at him. She knew her sister thought that might wake up their father, but she sighed under her breath when there was no change in him.

"Come here Lizzy," Alexis said, going over to take the little girl. "I bet you Dad loved your story."

"Yeah?" Eliza asked tearfully as she wrapped her arms around her big sister.

"Of course," Martha said as Alexis sat with her on the window seat. "I enjoyed it too."

"We all did," Jim said, helping Julia sit on the edge of the bed.

Looking at her father Julia was going to stay where she was thinking that she wasn't going to lie down as her sister had done. But she couldn't stop herself and she lay next to him, "Lizzy's right, you gotta wake up Daddy. We want you to come back. The baby too."

Beckett's hand went down to her abdomen and she closed her eyes for a moment before she opened them as Julia spoke again. She listened to how her oldest's day had gone, glancing at Eliza to see that she was leaning against Alexis, listening as well she could tell.

"Mommy?" Julia said, getting her mother's attention. "What about my homework?"

"I'll call Peter's mother and see if he could get it for you," Beckett replied. "But I'll need to do that later."

"Are… are we staying here?" Julia whispered.

"No," Jim said. When everyone looked at him he was staring at Martha and told her, "We haven't eaten yet."

"That's very true," Castle mother said, standing up. "Let's go down to the cafeteria and pick something up."

"But Daddy," Eliza said worriedly as Alexis stood up and set her down.

"I'll stay with him," Beckett said firmly.

"Katie-" Jim began.

"I don't want him to be alone," Beckett replied. "Bring me a sandwich okay?"

"We'll see if we can't get something much better," Martha said in concern.

"Wait," Julia said, not going over to the door as the others were. "Can I give him a kiss?"

"Me too," Eliza said quickly before anyone could say anything to her sister.

Beckett got up and moved out of the way of the girls who were helped by Alexis to get up on the bed so they could kiss their father's cheek. After Martha had pressed a kiss to Castle's forehead she watched them leave and close the door behind them before she turned and looked at her husband. "I need to go home eventually love but we're not going to let you be alone," she told him, wondering why she didn't have a problem speaking to him. But she had to believe that her husband could hear her, so she wasn't going to stop.

"When you wake up," she said, not realizing she was speaking so firmly. "I'll have to tell you about how we talked to you." Beckett smiled and said, "Remember our second morning together? You ended up talking to me when I was still asleep…" Something came to mind then, and she smiled briefly before she reminded herself to grab what she needed when she got home.

"Ms. Beckett," the same nurse from before said after Beckett called him inside at his knock. "There's a man in the waiting room here to see you."

"Did he give his name?" Beckett asked standing up immediately.

"Patrick," the nurse replied.

"Please and tell the woman with him that she can come in as well," Beckett replied. As soon as the man had left she went to the door and stepped to the hall, keeping Castle within sight. But when she saw her friend walking down to her she rushed up to him and threw her arms around him as tightly as she could.

"Here," Darnley said, leading Beckett into Castle's room. He looked at him on the bed and breathed out saying, "Kate I'm so sorry."

Something in Beckett seemed to break and she couldn't stop the tears she had been holding back since she had first seen her husband and she began to cry. She felt Darnley leading her around the bed and when they stopped she assumed he had brought her to the window seat. But she couldn't stop sobbing; her face in her hands; before her friend embraced her tightly to his chest, rubbing her back gently to comfort her while she wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder.

"He'll recover," Skye said the second she and Darnley heard her tears were subsiding.

"How can you know?" Beckett asked tearfully, looking up at them.

"I was in the same way," Skye replied as Darnley was having Beckett sit on the window seat they were in front of. "His body needs time to heal. Were you going to stay here?" When her friend nodded slightly she said firmly, "Good, he'll need you for that."

Beckett couldn't find any words to say to disagree; instead she looked at her friend and said, "I didn't expect you here so soon."

"Thank Skye, she pulled some strings and got me on a flight only fifteen minutes after you called," Darnley answered. When his friend looked at him he explained, "I was at Dulles already to grab my husband to get lunch."

"No case?" Beckett asked.

"I'm off now remember?" Darnley replied. When she whispered an apology he said firmly, "Don't. It wasn't a problem and you needed me here."

"Me too I think; I can help you out with anything at home," Skye said. "Do you plan on having the girls stay here?"

"I don't know… they can't go to school- no. No, they're not going to school and I want them here," Beckett replied. "But they need things to do."

"I can help you out there," Skye said with a nod. "Don't look at me like that," she said simply when Beckett tilted her head up to look at her. "I called Mary and she's fine with it and our girls will understand. The least I can do for what you've done for me and Mary."

"Aren't we even?" Beckett asked.

Skye was about to speak when her friend took a shuddering breath and once she was done she told her, "About that but still. Also, you haven't considered I'm quite concerned for him as well."

Wondering why she had forgotten the investigator was friends with her husband as well Beckett nodded, and she said, "Okay but… don't try to do too much."

"I'll see," Skye said as she and Darnley watched Beckett standing up.

"Oh my god Kate," Darnley said. "You are pregnant."

Though she was still a little teary Beckett laughed briefly and said, "I wasn't lying." She then took her friend's hand and laid it onto her stomach saying, "Since you probably won't be here when the baby starts kicking."

"He will wake up," Darnley told her seriously before he stood up. "Skye's right, just stick close to him and he will heal."

Beckett wanted to remind him she hadn't said it like that when the door opened, and she looked to see it was her family.

"Patrick!" Julia said in surprise when she was the first to spot him.

"Hey guys, I came to give Kate a helping hand," Darnley replied. "We should get lunch," he said to Skye when he saw the food the others were carrying.

"You can eat with us," Beckett said as Skye stepped aside for a nurse coming in.

Though he was going to protest Darnley saw the kind of desperation in her eyes and he said, "I think we can do that."

"How's Daddy?" Eliza asked worriedly once the nurse was leaving.

"He's stable," the man said with a nod before leaving.

"I thought we have to get Daddy food," Eliza said sadly.

"Not yet sweetie, but soon," Beckett replied, hugging her with one arm tightly.

"This is for you Mommy," Julia said, her voice soft. "You need to eat; for you and the baby."

"I know, your daddy would make sure I did," Beckett said, smiling briefly at her before she took the sandwich she was handing her. She let go of Eliza to embrace Julia tightly and she kissed her temple telling her, "Thank you so much," before picking up one slice of her turkey sandwich. "Skye said she would stick around the home and take care of things there," she said to the others after they'd been eating for a while.

"She doesn't want to go home?" Alexis said.

"No, where's Louis?" Beckett said with a frown.

"In the waiting room," Julia said.

"Can't he come here? He's family too," Eliza added.

"Sweetie can you go get him?" Beckett asked Julia.

With a nod the girl immediately left and ran out to the waiting room where her sister's boyfriend was eating the sandwich he'd gotten with them in the cafeteria. "Come on," Julia told him when he looked up at her in slight surprise. "Mommy wants you to be with us."

"Are you sure?" Louis said, startled as the girl was pulling on his hand. At her rapid nod he wrapped up his sandwich before following her, pausing in the doorway of the room. "Lex…" he breathed out as she rushed up to him and hugged him. "I'm so sorry."

"I know," Alexis said tearfully. "But… he has to know we're here."

"He does," Louis said with a nod before they let go of each other. "Kate I'm sorry… everyone. This is…"

"We understand," Jim said as the young man trailed off.

"He's right, thank you," Beckett said. "Please, sit and eat with us." Once the young man had done so she said, "I need to go home after this, I have to pick up some things but I don't want him to be alone."

"We'll stay," Julia said immediately.

"We will," Martha said. "Don't worry, we won't leave him alone."

"We'll even take shifts with you," Alexis said.

Shaking her head Beckett said, "I'm not going to do that."

"Mommy," Eliza began. "Are you gonna stay here tonight?"

"I need to sweetie," Beckett said gently before she realized Darnley and Skye were walking inside the room.

"Where are you going sleep?" Darnley said.

"I'm sure they have a cot I can use," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when everyone began to speak at once to protest and she said, "Stop," in a loud voice, trying to temper her annoyance for the girls. "I know it's not good but until my husband wakes up I'm not leaving his side. And that includes at night." She was going to speak again when the thought of just being in a separate bed made her throat tighten and she fought her tears for a moment before she said, "I'll have a bed."

"Mommy?" Julia said. "Can I go with you to the house before you come back?"

"Of course," Beckett said. "Do you want to go?" she then directed to Eliza.

"I wanna stay with Daddy," the little girl said.

"Okay," Beckett said as she was finishing up her sandwich. "You two were supposed to eat with us," she directed to Darnley and Skye as they had finished at almost the same time.

"We were starving," Skye admitted first. "But come on, I'll take you two back to your house."

Letting Martha take the wrapper Beckett went to Castle and she gently pressed her lips to his forehead before smoothing back his hair. "I'll be back Rick. And I should have told you before but I love you; so much," she whispered tenderly to him. "If you wake up while Julia and I are gone I won't mind in the slightest." When she pulled away she caressed his cheek with the backs of her fingers before she made herself pull away.

"Can I say goodbye too?" Julia asked hopefully.

"Come here," Beckett told her before Darnley was suddenly stepping forward and helping Julia up onto the bed. She felt Darnley's hand on her back as her eyes welled with tears at the sight of Julia telling Castle that she loved him.

"I'm coming with you," Darnley said to his friend. "No protests, I just want to drop my stuff off and make sure you're okay."

"We'll be back," Beckett said to the others, smiling when her father squeezed her arm. She took Julia's hand once Darnley got her off the bed and they walked to the elevator with Skye. "I appreciate this," she told the two.

"Don't worry," Skye said. "That's what friends are for."

Beckett smiled briefly as she said slightly tearfully, "Rick would have a Dionne Warwick reference there. And I swear I don't cry this much-"

"You have two reasons for that," Darnley said gently. "So we understand."

Seeing her mother getting her phone out of her pocket Julia asked, "What is it Mommy?"

"It's Lanie," Beckett replied, reading the e-mail she'd gotten. "They want to come out but they're working on a case… they're hoping, all of them, that Rick recovers." A short smile went across her lips and she said, "Ryan said he would say a prayer."

"That's nice," Julia said.

"It is," Beckett replied before they were getting inside of Skye's rental car. She sat in the back with Julia and held her against her side tightly, holding her phone in her hand just in case her husband would wake up while they were gone.

Holding her mother's hand once they were home Julia remained silent until they got up to her parents' room saying, "I'm scared Mommy."

"I know sweetie, this is very scary," Beckett told her gently. "But do you know what your daddy told me once about when we're in times like this?" When her oldest shook her head, she cupped her cheek and said, "It's important to have faith. Believe that he'll come back to us and that us giving him this chance to rest will help him get to that point faster."

"I will," Julia said earnestly.

Beckett leaned down and shared a kiss with her daughter before she told her, "I'll just pack up some things and then we'll go right back."

Nodding Julia sat on the bed before she said, "I'm scared about tonight too."

"I know," Beckett said again. "But we can't leave him alone. And you two won't be alone, you'll have the dogs," she said, smiling a little as Macca was licking at Julia's face to her squeal of surprise. "And everyone else here who loves you."

"I'll hope Daddy gets better soon," Julia said. She watched her mother packing some clothes into a bag and she said, almost whispering, "Does the baby know about Daddy?"

"I don't think so," Beckett said reassuringly. "Can you tell Patrick I'm almost ready?"

"Okay," Julia said, taking the dogs with her.