Searching For Answers (We Can Make This Work sequel)

Chapter 58

** Darcy's P.O.V. **

I woke up groggily, my vision slightly blurred and the taste of dry blood in my mouth was horrid. As soon as my senses came to, the pain hit, it felt as if someone had thrown a roaring hot iron rod through my chest. I winced as I opened my eyes and as soon as I did the figure hovering over me made me forget all about my pain.

"Cas?" I whispered in a strained tone

I didn't recognise his features at first, he was so much younger looking, so fresh and there was an undeniable vibrancy about him. He had finally cleaned up his act

"Hey Darce" he spoke softly

One thing that didn't change was his soft, caring nature. Although all he ever wanted was to show his macho side, when it came to just being the two of us he had a heart of gold.

"Do you need me to get you anything?" He asked as he took my hand in his

"Water please" I managed to croak

He rushed to the table at the end of the room and poured some water into a plastic cup. He took two long strides back to me and held my head as I sipped the ice cold water. I suddenly felt so much better.

"What are you doing here Casper? Where's Aaron? Where's Kate?" My voice was a little clearer now and the more I began to wake from the sedative, the more questions began to enter my head and panic began to set in

"Hey, hey relax Darce" he urged softly as he gently lay me back against the pillows "Aaron called me 3 days ago, he wasn't sure how long you had left and he figured it was only right I saw you before.... In case something were to happen to you" he began to explain, a slight shake in his tone, I clearly gave them a scare.

"Aaron is gone to get some coffee, he's hasn't slept since you came here. Kate is fine, she's with Aaron right now, they should be back soon" he smiled reassuringly as he rubbed the back of my hand gently with his thumb

"How long have I been out for?" I asked in confusion at his timeline

"4 days. You flat lined twice and needed 5 blood transfusions, I really don't know how you're still here Darce, but then again you've always been as stubborn as an ox haven't you?" Casper laughed slightly

I smiled at his stupid joke, I missed having him around.

"How are you?" I smiled as I squeezed his hand gently

"I'm good Darce, really good! I've been sober 2 years now, I've just bought a house in Orlando, I'm working for a tech firm down there now" He smiled proudly

"That's amazing Cas, I'm so proud of you" I smiled lovingly

"I missed you Darce" he said a little more serious now

"I missed you too" I sighed

"Listen, I can't stay much longer, my flight leaves in 2 hours. It's been great seeing you, obviously not in this state, you have no idea what it was like thinking I had to say goodbye to you for good, but I can tell you'll be just fine! You've got something great here Darce, Aaron is a great man and you'll love Kate, she's amazing. Keep in touch ok?" He said softly as he stood up from his chair and wrapped his arms gently around me as he kissed my forehead softly

"I love you" he whispered in my ear gently

"Always" I replied as I kissed his cheek

"See you soon" I looked up at him

"Take care" he smiled softly as he backed out of the room

I shut my eyes for a second. Savouring our moment.

"Mommy" I heard a high pitched call as my eyes flickered open

I certainly wasn't used to hearing that! I looked up to see Kate in Aaron's arms as they both entered the room with wide grins on their faces.

"Hey sleepy head" Aaron greeted as he kissed my forehead

"Hi" I smiled looking up at him

"Hey kiddo" I said as I took Kate's hand an placed a kiss on her knuckles

"Mommy" she whispered

"When did she start calling me that?" I asked laughing

"As soon as they brought you to hospital! She cried for hours and when she finally stopped she lay in beside you and started saying mommy, she hasn't stopped since" he laughed as he shook his head looking adoringly at Kate

"She's amazing Darce" he said as he placed her softly in beside me

"I know" I whispered as I directed my attention towards her

"I applied for us to be her permanent carers" he said as he took a seat beside me

"Aaron what about the hours? You're in work and I'm in college! How can we take care of her?" I asked worryingly

"I've cut my days at the Bureau to 3 days a week, when I'm working we can get a babysitter and you can carry on with college as normal. This is the right thing to do Darcy, beside I couldn't let her go back. I went to speak to the head of the orphanage about finalising the details, there were so many children and not nearly enough staff or space, it was horrendous, seeing that sealed the deal for me." He spoke convincingly

"Ok" I smiled as I held Kate close "Welcome to the family princess" I whispered as I hugged her gently, wincing as the pain began to hit again

"Hey how about I take her home? You need to rest" Aaron suggested as he lifted Kate from the bed

"Jacob flew up from D.C, he was here earlier but you weren't awake, he's going to stay with us until you get back up on your feet again" he smiled

"Casper was here when I woke up" I said looking for a reaction from him

"Yeah he stayed by your bedside since he got here 3 days ago" Aaron said impressed "he's a good guy Darce"

"Yeah, he is" I grinned looking down at my hands

"I'll bring Darcy home and get her to bed, JJ called and said she'd be here soon too" Hotch informed me

"Great! Gosh it's been too long since I've seen her" I said enthusiastically, my mood escalating a bit

Hotch left Darcy on the chair and came to my side and hugged me gently

"I'm so glad you're ok" he whispered as he kissed me gently "I love you so much"

"I love you too" I grinned as I stretched my neck to kiss him once more

Hotch backed away from the bed and picked Kate up to leave the room

"See you later alligator" I called after Kate blowing her a kiss

She gave a small wave as she left the room