Internal Struggles Chapter 3

The doctor walked briskly to those who were waiting. "I'm just letting you know that we have rushed Mister Castle to surgery. His appendix came close to bursting," The doctor said.

Kate breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," Kate said.

Shortly after, Martha approached them. She hugged Alexis before turning. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you, Dear," Martha said to her before turning her attention to Kate.

"Thanks for being there. I just heard… Appendicitis? Lord," Martha said. "I thought I was the theatrical one in the family."

Xxxxxx

The operation went without a hitch and Castle was soon put into a recovery room. As soon as he was lucid enough they were allowed to go and see him.

"Hey everyone. Can I have a word with Lexie alone first?" Castle asked. He was thankful the others agreed but Alexis was looking terrified. Over the events that brought them here, she was given a verbal lashing on more than one occasion.

"Dad. I know ai shouldn't have called Kate without your permission," Alexis was on the verge of crying once again.

"oh, Lexie come here. Come on," Castle encouraged her to approach him. He knew that him snapping at her hurt her deeply which was something he never wanted to do.

"Dad… I was so scared." Alexis hugged him but made sure to do it right away from where he had surgery.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Lexie. I was in a lot of pain and scared." Castle said to her.

"Scared? You?" It felt like a revelation. She had never heard her dad admit it so openly.

"Yes, Kiddo," Castle stated. "But I do want you to know how proud I am of you. You handled yourself and the situation with such bravery," Castle said earnestly.

"Thanks. But I was scared too so I don't know about brave," Alexis said as she hugged her dad again.

Katte watched the scene unfold from the door silently. She was glad that the two were hugging each other. In fact they all were scared but then it turned out to be so anti-climatic.

Martha looked at Kate. "Thank you for being there. Is there anything you need? Coffee or something?" Martha asked her. Kate just shook her head. "I should tell you… The name is Martha Rodgers."

Kate apologized with a look.

"Just something minor… Enough with the Miss/Ms it makes me sound like an old school ma-am or something."

Kae laughed slightly. "You missed a hell of a show, Martha." They both had a good laugh while Kate related the events in the hospital after they got there.

"Really. This sounds counter-productive which is sometimes his way… He must care about you if he didn't want to trouble you."

"I'll get you a coffee." Kate already walked off to give the family some privacy. She knew she would have plenty of time to spend with Castle. She mused at her thoughts of how annoying Castle could be, he provides some relief from the mundane with his humor and despite being annoyed, Kate admitted herself that she cared for the Castles.

ENDENDENDEND

THE END

A/N: Thanks again for reviewing. Kinda upset with myself since I had an idea for Kate on painkillers.