Title: Love Has Many Forms, Part 7
Author/Artist: my_sam_dean
Pairing: Dean/ofc, Sam/ofc
Fandom: Supernatural
Theme: 19 - the next door neighbor
Disclaimer: I own nothing Supernatural.
"So . . . I noticed that Daisy seems to be here more than I am. Anything you want to tell me?"
Dean set his beer down on the table. "You know how attached she is to the kids."
"How about you?"
"I'm partial to Knut and Linnae." He smirked.
"You know what I mean."
"Daisy isn't hard to figure out. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body."
Sam worded his next question carefully. "Are you attracted to her?"
"I have to be so careful. I can't screw up our friendship."
"You want a serious relationship with her. And it scares the shit out of you."
"I'm not . . . No, I'm not scared. I don't know if I could take her rejection."
"Have you seen Daisy? The way she looks at you?" Sam scoffed. "There's no way she'd turn you down."
"We both know that she's simple, Sam. I don't want to just date her. She's a part of my future. If we have to stay friends, that is fine. Hanging in the middle, dating each other but unable to move forward, isn't me."
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Dean sat in the Impala, wishing he had some alcohol to calm his nerves. He knew smelling like a brewery would not make a good impression and had to settle for the familiar scent of the leather seats.
His boots weren't new and he wasn't dressed different from when he hunted except for the fact that his jeans didn't have holes in them.
A balding man answered the door and noticed that Dean was by himself. "Hi. Is everyone okay?"
"Yeah, they're fine. Daisy was going to take them to the park right after 'Sesame Street'."
"That show's still on?"
Dean smiled. "You bet. It's much easier to listen to than the new shows they're coming out with. Aliens, inanimate objects and vehicles have annoying voices. It's like a requirement for the cartoons."
"Where are my manners? Come in." He welcomed Dean into his living room. "The twins have a birthday coming up. Have they hit the terrible twos?"
"I'm not sure about that, Sir. I've heard that threes can be worse."
The older man laughed. "Sir? I think we're past that stage, Dean. Too many suppers at your table to be formal."
Nodding, Dean fidgeted in his seat. He was unable to look anywhere but the coffee table between them.
"What's on your mind? Something has you on edge."
"Daisy and I have known each other for awhile now, and some of that time has been spent dating." Dean cleared his throat. "All we've ever done is kiss, Frank, I swear."
"She told me. She doesn't lie, I don't know if she can. I remember the first time she tried to kiss you and you discouraged her in a way that was kind and honorable."
Dean's ears turned red. "She told you about that?"
"You were probably still on your way home when we were talking about it. Explaining to her that all friends can hug but only certain ones can kiss was smart."
"She'd seen Jill give Sam a quick peck and I think it made her wonder where she fit in."
"Giving her a secure place in the lives of Knut and Linnae was a great start."
"I want to make her a permanent part of our family. Frank, I'd like to marry Daisy, with your blessing."
With tears in his eyes, Frank smiled. "I know you'll take care of my little girl."
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"Why were you wrapped around that intern, then? Am I just convenient when you're in town?"
"Convenient! When in the hell has this been about my convenience?" Jill's shrill voice carried through the closed door.
Dean and Daisy had been watching a movie when the other couple walked in. They'd tried to ignore Sam and Jill when their discussion traveled through the house. When they were hearing Jill loud and clear, Dean pulled Daisy closer as he curved his arm around her.
"Why don't we hear Sam?" she asked as she laid her head on Dean's shoulder and took his other hand in hers.
"He doesn't want to wake the kids. She doesn't care who hears her."
"Don't you dare! How can you use family as an excuse--" Jill's latest rant was interrupted by wailing.
"Knew she'd do that," Dean grumbled. He went into the nursery and Daisy followed. After a quick diaper check, the four of them returned to the couch. It was easy to fall into a doze while holding a sleeping baby.
Jill's dramatic exit was to stomp all the way to the front door and slam it on her way out.
Sam sighed as he approached the couch. "Oh, gees. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen." He began to rub his temple.
"Want to help me with bedtime take two?" Dean smiled.
"Like I could ever say no to that."
When they got back downstairs, Daisy was putting the finishing touches on hot chocolate. She already had a plate of sugar cookies on the table.
"Jill won't be coming around anymore."
Dean's response was, "We figured that."
"Sorry," was the best Daisy could come up with in the awkward situation.
"I caught her cheating. She didn't even bother to try to hide it," Sam stirred the marshmallows around as they melted.
"Want me to kick her ass?"
"She's a tiny girl, Dean. I don't think that is necessary."
"Your my little brother. I at least have to offer."
"Appreciate the thought, but I'll survive without siccing you on her."
"If she pisses me off, can I let her have it?"
"Just with words. Otherwise we get into the grey area of lock picks and jailbreaks. They're great in movies and suck in real life."
"Suppose I have to be a responsible dad now."
"Yep. Hey, when do we start planning out the backyard playground for the kids?"
"Sometime after the wedding?" Daisy smiled. "Let's handle one event at a time."
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"Frank, she could talk to Dean about it. Don't you trust him?" Anna took a sip of coffee as she looked at her longtime friend.
"Weddings are women's things. Men just have to show up. I have money for it, but I can't help her pick anything out."
"I'll be thrilled to help her with her wedding. I can give her the Mother/Daughter talk if you want me too, but you could do that on your own." She saw the horror-stricken look on his face and quickly offered, "I'll do the talk, just mind your blood pressure."
"I can't thank you enough."
"Am I invited to the service?"
"Of course."
"That is all I could ask for. Would you like more coffee?"
"Sure. You can tell me what a dad's duties are since all I know is I walk her down the aisle."
"Bingo. That's it. Do you know how old your suit is?"
"I can't remember if it fits," he hated to admit.
She seemed way too happy. "We'll need to take you shopping!"
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"How was your day with Anna?"
"I found the perfect dress, Dad!" Daisy's excitement rolled off her in waves. "It makes me look like a princess! And a crown-thing that holds the long veil!" She twirled around once or twice. Dropping her voice, she said, "Anna said to tell you we had the talk so you wouldn't worry. Hey! Why didn't you tell me she helped you find a new suit? Can I see it?"
Frank put on his new white shirt and black suit. He tried not to think of how embarrassed he'd been to have Anna fussing over him in the Men's department. He would have grabbed the first one that fit (meaning he could breathe comfortably in it) and left. Anna actually looked at the cut of the coat. It made a difference. Who knew?
"I really like the suit. Do you have a tie?"
"There's three for you to pick from." Frank the small boxes to show her the different patterns. "I just let Anna pick them after the look she shot me when I pointed one out."
"Well, you look very handsome in your suit. Did you leave anything out to make for supper?"
"What do we usually have on Saturdays? Do you need the car to go to Dean's?" he called from the other room as he changed back into his regular clothes.
She took the partially thawed meat out of the fridge. "Dean is going to drive tonight. We're going to a movie."
"He got a babysitter?"
"Sam's home."
Once he was in the kitchen, he asked, "Still not dating?"
"Nope. He says he wants quality time with Knut and Linnae. We're going to pick up his favorite pizza on the way home from the early movie."
"It's great that you'll share your date nights with Sam."
"He is Dean's brother. He'll be mine, too."
"I'm so proud of you," Frank hugged her. "Did I ever tell you my happiest day?"
"The day I was born." Daisy grinned. "You finally got to meet me."
"That's right." Frank launched into the story that Daisy had heard hundreds of times.
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The little church was decorated and Anna played the piano. Dean stood alone at the front of the church. He appeared to be patiently waiting but Sam could tell he was nervous. Knut and Linnae walked down the aisle, holding hands and ringing bells. When they reached Dean, he took the bells and set them aside. Then, they waited with Dad for the ceremony to begin.
Sam escorted Melanie down the aisle. Sam had a new suit and she wore her Sunday best. She held a small bouquet of white roses.
Frank was fighting to hold the tears back as they stood at the rear of the church. He gave Daisy a kiss before pulling down her front veil.
"Are you ready for this? We can still just go home."
"Daddy!"
"I know. Plan on me being there for every dinner. I don't want to be making meals for one."
"Our door is always open. We'll be visiting you, too."
Frank nodded. "I think they are waiting for us."
"I'll always be your baby girl. I just live down the street."
"I'm not giving away a daughter, I'm getting a family."
Daisy picked up her pink tulips and linked arms with her dad. "Let's go, Daddy."
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"Why didn't you bring a date?"
"You're as blunt as ever, aren't you, Mel?" Sam smiled at his friend. "I tried dating. Didn't work out."
"So? Find someone else."
"I'm pacing myself. It's a small town."
Melanie gave Sam a hard look.
"I'm a wimp?" He shrugged and tried not to blush.
"You can't expect the right gal to show up on your doorstep."
"I know. Maybe you can find her for me."
"I've kept my eyes open. Haven't found one sweet enough for you."
"Aww. You're trying to make me puke. Think Rusty is missing you yet?"
"Brady's keeping him busy. Kid loves the cake and I don't allow sugar at our house."
"He's hell on wheels. That's what you're saying."
"Rusty's the one who gave him cake on the sly. This'll learn him."
"You're mean. Why'd he marry you again?"
"I think someone's flirting with you."
Sam looked over to where Melanie indicated, which happened to be where Dean and Daisy were standing. A little face with curls peeked out from behind Daisy's skirt and quickly hid again when she saw Sam. All he could see was Linnae's fist as she gripped the flowing dress. "Where's her partner in crime?"
"Daisy's dad had Knut earlier."
"I have to go check on them. Let Frank visit."
"Need my help?"
"Um, I think you'd better rescue Rusty. Brady just smeared frosting all over him."
"That is a new suit!" She flew to her feet and yelled, "Brady Elliot!" Both Rusty and Brady looked up, eyes wide.
Grateful that he wasn't Rusty, Sam played peek-a-boo with the cutest little lady until he could swoop her up in his arms. She patted his face and babbled, "Am, am, am, am."
"That's right, sweetie. Got a kiss for me?"
She grinned wide after leaving spit on his cheek.
"You know where Knut is? Let's find him." Knut was easy to find once Sam heard his laugh. He was on Frank's lap, crashing trucks together. "He keeping you entertained, Frank?"
"You bet."
"I can take him. Your family and friends are here today. You should catch up with them."
"I was showing him off. Would've taken Linnae if she wasn't so attached to Daisy." He looked at the cars as he continued, "I gave my baby girl away today. She's my life. What do I do now?"
"You've gained a crew of Winchesters for all your troubles. You won't have to ever be alone if you don't want to."
"My family had their own ideas about how I should have raised Daisy. She needed extra patience and that rubbed some relatives the wrong way. It was easier to lose contact with those that weren't helping, which ended up being most of them."
Sam nodded his understanding. "We don't have any kin, either. We're thrilled to have you, Daisy, and Anna around.. Melanie, Brady and Rusty we've known since before we moved to Shadow Lake. You guys are our family."
"I'm going home to an empty house."
"I'm taking home two overtired toddlers. Want to come with?"
"Really?"
"We have the extra room and I could use an extra set of hands."
"I'll go home with you since you need my help." Frank had to hang on to his pride.
"Umpa!" Linnae reached out to him. When Frank held her, she tucked her face in his neck, gripped his tie in both hands and snuggled in. She felt that she had earned herself a nap.
"We can say our goodbyes to Daisy and Dean. These two need to get to bed."
"When do they leave on their honeymoon?"
"Impala's packed. They leave from the reception."
It was easy to find the special couple. Just because it was their wedding day, Dean accepted a hug from Sam, Frank and even Rusty. Daisy was teary-eyed as they said their goodbyes. She promised to call home everyday if Dean didn't.
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Daisy stared at her mother's wedding ring. Now, it was hers, cleaned up and sparkly. She wondered what her mom felt like on her wedding day, and was sad because she'd never know.
"Hey, Baby. Do you like it?" Dean wrapped his strong arms around her waist. Suddenly, she realized how lucky she was. She felt protected and safe, loved and cherished. She was the only woman who would ever be Dean Winchester's wife. "I thought you'd like the beach."
"I do, I do." She tried to hide a yawn. "Today started so early. I didn't sleep very well last night."
"Worried about today?"
"I thought about how that would be my last night sleeping in my room or listening to my dad snore."
Dean smiled at her. "If you're tired, let's just go to sleep. We're here for a few days. Let's stargaze another night."
"Hmm. That sounds good."