Alexis slowly blinked her eyes open, the bright lights of the hospital room making her squint. Her body ached, every muscle feeling heavy and weak. As her vision adjusted, the first thing she saw was her cousin Alex sitting beside her bed. His arms were crossed, but his face was filled with relief and concern.
"Welcome back, kid," Alex said softly, leaning forward. His usual tough exterior softened, showing just how much he had been worried. "You gave us all a scare."
Alexis tried to speak, her throat dry and voice barely audible. "What... what happened?"
Alex leaned closer so she didn't have to strain. "You were caught in the blast. Mark and I worked on you in surgery. You're lucky to be alive."
She gave him a faint smile, her humor intact despite the situation. "Guess I'm tougher than I look."
Alex let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, don't test it again, alright? You're not invincible, Alexis."
Alexis noticed the worry etched in his face, and her expression softened. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to put you all through this."
Alex shook his head. "Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. Just focus on getting better. You've got too many people who care about you to let you give up now."
She nodded slightly, her body too tired to move much. "Thanks, Alex... for being here."
"Always," he replied firmly, his voice steady. "You're family. And family sticks together."
As Alexis drifted back to sleep, comforted by her cousin's presence, Alex stayed by her side, determined not to leave until she was fully out of danger. For now, the relief of seeing her awake was enough to give him hope. Gideon stood in the hospital hallway, holding a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a small, plush stuffed cat in the other. He stared through the window into Alexis's room, watching her as she rested in the bed. The bandages on her arms and the faint bruising on her face reminded him how close he had come to losing her.
For a moment, he stood frozen, his breath caught in his chest. This wasn't a conversation he had ever planned for, but after everything that had happened, he knew he couldn't wait any longer.
He opened the door slowly and stepped inside. Alexis stirred at the sound, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw him, a faint smile touched her lips.
"Hey," she murmured, her voice hoarse but warm. "You brought me... flowers?"
Gideon placed the roses on the bedside table and gently set the stuffed cat on her pillow. "I figured you might like some company... and this little guy seemed like he'd cheer you up."
Alexis chuckled weakly. "He's cute. Thanks, Gideon."
Gideon pulled up a chair and sat beside her, his usually steady hands fidgeting slightly. He cleared his throat, looking at her with a mix of tenderness and determination.
"Alexis," he began, his voice quieter than usual. "There's something I need to tell you. It's important, and I should've told you a long time ago."
Alexis blinked, her brow furrowing. "What is it?"
He hesitated, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I've been your boss for a while now, and I've always been proud of you—for the work you do, for the person you are. But... I haven't been honest with you about something."
Her eyes searched his face, sensing the gravity of his words. "What are you saying?"
Gideon took a deep breath, his voice trembling just slightly. "I'm not just your boss, Alexis. I'm your father."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Alexis stared at him, her expression shifting from confusion to shock.
"My father?" she repeated, her voice barely audible.
"Yes," Gideon said, his eyes meeting hers. "I've always known, but I thought it would be better for you if I stayed in the background. I didn't want to complicate your life. But after what happened today... I realized I couldn't keep this from you anymore. You have a right to know."
Alexis's mind raced as she tried to process the revelation. "Why now?" she asked after a long pause.
"Because I almost lost you," Gideon admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "And I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you without you knowing the truth. You mean everything to me, Alexis. I've always been proud to call you my daughter, even if you didn't know."
Tears welled up in Alexis's eyes, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "This is... a lot," she whispered.
"I know," Gideon said gently. "And I don't expect you to process it all at once. I just needed you to know how much you mean to me."
Alexis reached for the stuffed cat and held it close to her chest. "Thank you... for telling me," she said softly, her voice shaky but sincere.
Gideon leaned forward and lightly touched her hand. "I'm here for you, Alexis. Always."
She nodded, her tears spilling over as she looked at him. "Okay," she said, her voice trembling. "We'll figure this out."
Gideon stayed by her side, silently vowing to make up for the time they had lost. For the first time in years, he felt a sense of peace, knowing that the truth was finally out in the open. As Gideon quietly sat beside Alexis, holding her hand and lost in thought, the door to her hospital room creaked open again. Spencer Reid stepped in, clutching a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a worn, leather-bound copy of Beauty and the Beast in the other. His expression softened as he saw Alexis resting peacefully, her breathing steady but her face still pale.
"Hey," Spencer whispered to Gideon, his voice barely audible. "How is she?"
Gideon glanced up, his gaze weary but hopeful. "She's holding on. She's strong."
Spencer nodded and carefully placed the roses on the table next to Gideon's bouquet. He hesitated for a moment before pulling a chair close to Alexis's bedside. Looking down at the book in his hands, he gave a small, nervous smile.
"She always loved Beauty and the Beast when we were younger," Spencer said softly, almost as if speaking to himself. "She said it was because Belle wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in, no matter how scary things got."
Gideon watched as Spencer opened the book, its pages worn from years of reading. "She's lucky to have someone like you," Gideon murmured.
Spencer shrugged modestly, his eyes fixed on Alexis's peaceful face. "She's my best friend," he said simply. "I'd do anything for her."
He settled into the chair and began to read, his voice gentle and melodic. The familiar tale of love, courage, and redemption filled the room, weaving a sense of warmth and comfort despite the sterile hospital surroundings.
As Spencer read, Alexis stirred slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Though her eyes remained closed, it was clear she could hear the soothing cadence of his voice.
Gideon leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold with a rare sense of gratitude. For the first time in a long while, he felt as though his daughter was truly surrounded by the kind of love and support she deserved.
Spencer's voice continued, steady and reassuring, as he turned the pages of the book. Though Alexis remained asleep, it was as if the words themselves were a lifeline, a reminder that she wasn't alone. And as the story unfolded, the room seemed to glow with quiet hope—a testament to the strength of the bonds that had been forged, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.
