Once Ryan, Jenny and Lanie had left, Kate took a short nap, tired by everything she had just learned. When she woke up again, Rick was talking with Alexis and Martha in the living room part of her room. She looked at them for a few minutes. She loved the family dynamics they had. They fitted perfectly with one another. They completed each other. She couldn't hear what they were talking about because they kept their voices low, probably not to wake her. She went on observing them until Rick turned to check on her and noticed she was awake. She smiled at him when he started to get up.

"Stay there Rick, they haven't seen you much."

"You know what? I have a better idea." He said, dragging the armchair he was sitting on and moving it by her bed.

Martha and Alexis followed his exampled and soon Kate was surrounded by Castles. They included her in the conversation they were having – debating Rick's right to go and check on his daughter on campus whenever he felt like it – as if the situation was normal. Kate felt emotion fill her when she realized that she had been completely accepted by this extraordinary family. Sure, things had been a bit tensed with Alexis since the summer she disappeared on her father but … somehow, she knew they would end up ok. She completely understood that she would need to earn the teenager's trust back but she would do it, no matter what it takes. Because Richard Castle comes with Alexis, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'm gonna go get some coffee. Anyone want anything?" Rick asked, looking at his mother and daughter.

"I'm fine, thanks." Alexis said.

"I'm coming with you." Martha said, knowing that her granddaughter wanted to talk to Kate in private.

Before leaving, he went back to Kate and kissed her. Just because he could do it now.

Once they had left and closed the door behind them, Alexis turned around to face Kate. Her face was serious and Kate knew she would want answers.

"What do you want to know Alexis?" Kate asked calmly, patting the side of her bed to invite the young woman to sit down.

"Are you really ok?" Alexis asked, taking in the different casts and bandages.

"I'm fine. Well … not really at my best but there is nothing life threatening. They're taking those off tomorrow actually." Kate said, touching the plastic cases that were keeping her side still.

"And … Dad said you could … stay paralyzed ..."

"Yes. That a possibility." Kate said, feeling tears gather in her eyes. "They can't know for sure right now, they have to wait for my back to stop being bruised." she explained, feeling the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry I asked, I ..."

"No, it's ok Alexis. You have the right to know. I just … It's the only thing I … I'm really having a hard time accepting that."

"Do they hurt? Your legs I mean."

"I don't know, I can't feel them. I imagine that's the only advantage of the situation." she tried to joke.

"Do you really love him?" Alexis asked suddenly.

Here it was. The real question. Kate was more than happy to change the subject.

"Yes I do. More than anything." she answered with a smile on her face.

"Isn't it kind of … sudden for a realization that big?" Alexis asked.

"Oh no, it was not sudden at all." Kate laughed lightly. I've been in love with your father since forever. Well, since my mother bought me his first book for my birthday. Of course at the time it was more of a celebrity crush but still. I've loved, really loved your father for a long time Alexis, I was just to stubborn to accept and admit it. You'll see when you meet the right guy. It seems so powerful and so good. But at the same time it's so scary. When I was hanging on he roof, all I could think about was your father. Everything that could have been if I hadn't been so scared of what I knew deep down would be wonderful. I'm aware that I wasted a lot of time and that I made your father wait for way too long and I'm not proud of it Alexis."

"I believe you. And I like you. Well, to be honest I wouldn't nominate you to be elected person of the year but I guess I can understand your reasons. I just … You need to be sure about it. About Dad. Because he can't take another rejection from you. He was really miserable last summer. It was horrible. I can't see him like that again. You have to promise me that you won't leave him. Please." Alexis said, her own eyes filling with tears.

"I can't promise you that everything will be perfect all the time Alexis. But I can swear that I will not hurt him intentionally. And I won't push him away anymore. And if you feel like I'm pulling away, come and tell me. I'm not proud of it but it has become sort of a second nature for me … to run away when things get too serious.

"Oh don't worry about that. You'll hear from me if you try to push him away again." Alexis said, smiling.

Relief was clear in her eyes. Now she would be able to share her father's happiness.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

When Rick and Martha got back in the room, Kate and Alexis were talking about college.

"Hey, what are you two girls talking about?" he asked, sitting back in his chair near Kate and taking her hand.

"Oh, Kate was telling me about all the fun stuff there is to do in college. It sounds awesome!"

Rick almost choked on his coffee when he head his daughter enthusiasm. Knowing that Kate had had a pretty severe wild child phase, he didn't not like the sound of her sharing her experience with Alexis.

"Relax Rick, I'm just sharing the soft stuff with her." Kate said, squeezing his hand. "She can figure the rest all by herself." she continued when she felt him relax.

Jim joined the clan a while later, sharing some of Kate's college stories with them, much to her dismay. She didn't need to know everything she had done in her youth. Things of the past should stay in the past. She couldn't be mad at them for laughing at her expense though. She disconnected herself from the conversation and took in the scene before her. All the people she considered as really close family were here, gathered around her, and that was all she needed to get better. Of course, her mother was not here but she knew she was looking after her. And Kate was sure she would not have the same angry expression she had on her face when she was falling off the roof. She was exactly where she was meant to be. Even if she couldn't help but think that all of them gathered around a dining table would be better than gathered around her hospital bed. But it was better than nothing.

After Alexis, Martha and Jim had left, Rick could finally kiss her like he had wanted too since the visitors had started to arrive. The kiss heated up rather quickly and soon Rick had joined her in the bed. Kate couldn't think of anything else than Rick's lips on her when suddenly, she felt it. She broke the kiss.

"Rick?"

"Hmmm." he mumbled, attacking her neck.

"Rick!" she said, a little more forcefully.

"What?"

"Are you … are you touching my leg?" she asked, looking at him straight in the eyes.

"Uh … yes." he said, looking at her leg to be sure.

"I … I can feel it. Your hand. On my leg." she said, tears spilling out of her eyes and a huge smile growing on her face.

So, this is the end ... I decided to end it on a positive note so you can imagine how the rest is going to evolve however you want!

I'm so sorry for having been such an aweful updater for this story but university is absolutely crazy this year. It's been only three months and I'm already dead on my feet!

Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed the story.