the day of dark clouds, date delays, and daisies
"Well, Katherine, I must say, it's nice to see you smiling," Martha says as she and her daughter by marriage grab a table at the bustling cafe. The energy inside the building was in stark contrast to the impending storm that was gearing up to pour down on the city. As dark clouds continued to roll in, it felt like a bolt of lightning, a gust of wind, sheets of rain could pop up at any moment. Still, the cafe goers were cheery as if it was a delightful, sunny day, and that was true for Martha and Kate, too.
"I'm just happy to see you, that's all," Kate smiles brighter. It hadn't been all that long since she had last seen Martha, but it felt like it. So much has happened and so much has changed since she had.
"Oh, I'm sure," Martha chuckles. "How long until we can go pick up Ruby?"
Kate looks down at her watch. "She should be done soon, but she wanted some time to visit with some friends. I think we can head over there in 10 minutes or so."
"Wonderful. I want to hear all about your little Irish adventure," Martha says.
"Oh, yeah, Ruby will have lots to tell you about," Kate chuckles. "Quite a birthday present, huh?"
"I think it's just marvelous you two were able to take her on that trip," Martha says. "That girl is the humblest teenager I've ever met, so I don't think you have anything to worry about."
The grin on Kate's face twinges.
"At least, not on that front," Martha adds. "How's she been feeling since you've been home?"
"She's okay," Kate shrugs. "It was definitely exhausting, even though we tried to slow things down. But you know how overwhelming visiting a new place can be, much less a new country for the first time."
"Oh, don't I!" Martha exclaims. "Richard told me he caught a bit of a summer cold the week after."
"Uh, yeah," Kate scoffs. "We're back home for two days and I had to ship him off to a hotel until he got better. I'm worried about him coming back sick again."
Castle had taken a considerable step back from writing, and the public appearances that came with it. But a few weeks ago, a close friend asked him to present at a prestigious award ceremony, an honor too big to pass up. So, he was on the west coast for a few days, hoping not to catch another bug.
"I know, darling, but I'm sure it'll all be fine," Martha says. "It certainly seems like you've been in a good mood otherwise?"
"Yeah, yeah, I am," Kate nods. "Obviously I still worry, but Ruby's been doing...better, and it feels so good to have her home."
"And how are you feeling about...other things?" Martha asks tactfully.
"Um...it's still hard...some days, but I'm not–we're not giving up on that idea yet," Kate says.
A few years ago, Kate would've never imagined sharing such a vulnerable part of her life with someone who wasn't Rick or Lanie, but Martha had been there for her in ways no one else was. After she and Rick had been shot in their home, it was Martha who was at her bedside when she woke up in the hospital. Martha who nursed her and Rick back to health, who kept them honest in physical therapy, who knew how heartbroken Kate was when she learned that her injuries meant she might never be able to carry Rick's kids.
"I'm glad to hear that," Martha nods, uncharacteristically trying her best not to make too much of a big deal out of that news. "And you know, you can always get a dog."
"Not you too!" Kate exclaims. "Ruby has been hounding us about getting a dog for...andddd she already told you that."
"Well, actually, Alexis might have mentioned that they're trying to get you on board," Martha chuckles as she sips her tea.
"I'm not saying we should never get a dog, I just don't think now is a good time," Kate explains.
"Trust me, kiddo, Richard badgered me for a dog for years when he was young. He was on his third straight summer of begging when I told him that if he wanted to get a dog, he needed to dog sit for the neighbors first. Two nights watching that puppy and I didn't hear a peep from him about it again. I am all for you sticking to your guns."
Kate smiles at the solidarity just as her phone starts to ring. "Oh, it's Rick," Kate says. "Is it okay I answer this?" Martha obviously nods for Kate to pick up the call.
"Hey, babe," Kate says.
"Hey, what are you up to?" Rick asks.
"I am at a cafe with your mom waiting for Ruby's appointment to be over," Kate explains.
"Right, well, listen, honey," Rick sighs. "My flight is delayed because of the weather."
"There's a storm in Los Angeles?" Kate asks.
"No, in New York," Rick chuckles. "Or heading toward New York. Apparently a pretty bad one because they don't want us to fly through it."
"Oh," Kate says, looking out the window and realizing it had gotten quite a bit darker outside from the storm clouds even though it was barely 10 in the morning. "I hadn't realized it was supposed to be that bad."
"Yeah, I guess it's stretching all the way across the Midwest, too," Rick says. "But anyway, I'll probably either be on a flight late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Which means I am going to miss..."
"Our reservations," Kate realizes. "I had almost forgot."
"Yeah, I mean, obviously we can reschedule, but if someone else wants to go, that would be fine, too," Rick says.
"Aw, but babe, you were really looking forward to it," Kate says.
"Yeah, I've been dreaming about it for weeks," Rick adds. "But you guys can go without me, if you want."
"Okay, well, I'll see what Ruby wants to do," Kate sighs. "I'm sorry, Rick."
"It's alright," Rick says. "I'll text you with my new flight details once I have them."
"Okay, be safe," Kate says. "Love you."
When they hang up, Martha is obviously curious.
"Rick's flight is delayed because of the storm," Kate explains. "I guess it's going to get kind of bad. But, he won't be home in time for our reservation for the chef experience at Per Se tonight."
"That's a bummer," Martha says. "I know he was excited about that."
"Yeah, well, I don't know if Ruby wants to go," Kate says. "If not, would you and Alexis want to?"
"I, for one, would be delighted, and I'm sure Alexis will if she doesn't have plans," Martha smiles.
"Well, let's go see what Ruby thinks," Kate says, checking her watch. "It might still be too early but I don't want to get caught in the rain."
Martha agrees, so they finish their drinks and make the short walk to the hospital.
"Hey, Rubes," Kate says with a beaming smile when her daughter emerges from the procedure room and joins her and Martha in the waiting room. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Ruby says with a shrug.
"You feeling alright, darling?" Martha asks.
"Eh, the infusion makes me a little sleepy," Ruby admits. "And hungry."
"We can pick up lunch, whatever you'd like," Kate smiles. "Though, apparently it's about to rain cats and dogs any moment, so keep that in mind."
"Could we just order pizza, then?" Ruby suggests.
"You bet," Kate nods. On the car ride back to the loft, Martha interviews Ruby about the Ireland trip and Ruby beams when talking about her favorite parts of the adventure (the sheep, obviously), but Kate could tell that something was a little off with her daughter. Not wanting to pry in present company, she decides to wait until later that day to bring it up.
Ruby passed on the dinner at Per Se, citing how tired she was from her treatment. So, it would be Alexis and Martha braving the brutal weather that was bearing down on the city for a night of the finest French cuisine outside of France itself. When the town car arrived that evening, Kate and Ruby escorted Martha downstairs and requested that she tell them all about it the next time they saw one another. Before grabbing the elevator back to the penthouse, the doorman on duty called out for them.
"A package arrived for Ms. Ruby about an hour ago. I wanted to dry it out for you before bringing it up, but since you're here, would you like me to grab it?" Mauricio asks. Ruby nods and the young man steps behind the front desk for a few moments. When he returns, Kate and Ruby's jaws hit the floor.
"Did you...order something I didn't know about?" Kate asks in a whisper.
"No," Ruby confirms.
"The return label says it's from a Michelle Anderson," Mauricio says as he pushed the massive box on a dolly toward the elevator.
"Aunt Michelle?" Ruby states quizzically. "I bet I know what it is."
"Wow, I cannot believe she sent all this," Kate says as they unpack the contents of the package. There are a dozen children's books, art supplies, and toys, all for Ruby's passion project.
"Well, I was telling her about the library at the hospital and she thought it was really cool," Ruby shrugs. "I guess she thought it was really cool."
"It is really cool, you know," Kate chuckles. "What you did for that place is really cool."
"I don't know," Ruby sighs, turning a little red.
"I mean, I know you don't like when we gas you up, but most people would have have been able to organize and create something amazing the way you have, much less while fighting cancer," Kate states.
"It's just the right thing to do," Ruby counters. "Every hospital should have place for kids to be kids."
"I agree with you, but it's not your job to make it happen, so it's really cool that you did it anyway," Kate says.
"Well, you guys helped," Ruby rolls her eyes. "But it doesn't matter, they don't use it like they should since I came home."
"Uh, that's too bad. It was awesome seeing all the kids hanging out in there," Kate says. "And it was fun to see you with all your friends. The book club, Daisy, heck, the staff all love you, too."
"Yeah, um, I don't...I don't want to talk about Daisy," Ruby sighs. "I don't want to talk about any of it."
"Okay, I'm...sorry. Is everything okay?" Kate asks.
"Uh, Daisy, she...she's gone," Ruby chokes.
"Gone?" Kate's heart sinks as she imagined the worst. "What happened?"
"Her parents took her to a different hospital for children in like Nashville or something. I didn't even know. I just found out today. I didn't get to say goodbye to her."
"Oh, Rubes, I am so sorry," Kate says, gently pulling her in for a hug. Ruby grabs on to Kate's arm and buries her head in her chest. As sad as she was to see Ruby so upset, a little wave of relief hits knowing that "gone" meant something other than her initial thought.
"I was just," she sobs. "I just was looking forward to seeing her."
"I know, baby, I know," Kate says as she runs circles around Ruby's back. After a few minutes, Ruby pulls her head up with a sniffle.
"Could we read together for a while before bed?" Ruby asks. "That always helps me feel better."
"Of course," Kate agrees. "Want to go pick something new from the office?"
Ruby heads off into Rick's bat cave to peruse the collection of classics while Kate changed into her PJs.
"Okay, bud, what did you pick out for us?" She asks when she emerges from the bathroom to see Ruby sitting criss-cross applesauce on the bed. Ruby holds up the book and Kate smiles. "Oh, wow, this is crazy because I was just thinking about how much you remind me of Jo March."
"Is that a good thing?" Ruby laughs.
"Well, why don't you find out?" Kate says as she grabs the book and climbs into bed.
A few hours later, Kate is burning the midnight oil doing a bit of research while Ruby is nestled against her side fast asleep. The front door clicks and creaks open, drawing her attention away from her screen. A few moments later, Rick enters the bedroom with a huge grin.
"Hey," he whispers as he sets his suitcase down.
"Hey yourself," Kate chuckles. "I thought you weren't getting back until the morning."
"Caught the soonest flight I could once the storms let up," Rick explains. "Wanted to be with my girls tonight."
He gestures to Ruby asleep in bed and his body language asks the question.
"We had a little bit of a rough day," Kate whispers.
"I see," Rick whispers as he walks around the edge of the bed to plant a kiss on Kate's pillowy lips. "Whatcha doing?"
"Uh, researching," Kate shrugs. "I'll tell you about it later."
"Okay, well, now you have to tell me," Rick bats his eyes.
"Not yet," Kate insists. "Just feeling a little inspired by our wonder kid."
"She is pretty wonderful," Rick agrees. "Uh, when did you...want to take this?" He shuffles back to his luggage and grabs the pharmacy bag that was resting on top. "Never would have crossed my mind that they sell pregnancy tests at the airport."
"Oh, gonna have to be in the morning, I think," Kate sighs.
Rick nods. He walks with the bag and sets it on the vanity. "It's a date."
a/n: this is a bit of a filler chapter but it definitely sets up the next several chapters so hopefully you weren't terribly bored. also, did you except to be hearing about aunt michelle again? feels like ages since she's made an appearance.