SPN fic: Where the Heart Is
Title: Where the Heart Is
Author: drabblewriter
Rating: PG13
Pairing(s): Nick/Sarah
Disclaimer: Supernatural and it's characters aren't mine. They belong to the geniuses at the CW.
Spoilers: 5.22
Summary: He opened his eyes to a nursery...
When Lucifer left him, Nick felt as if his very soul was being torn to pieces. Before the darkness took over, the last thing he saw was the fallen angel’s light surrounding Sam Winchester.
Nick opened his eyes to a nursery - a familiar one. He instantly recognized his son’s room, and a fraction of second later the accompanying grief came crashing in. This had to be a nightmare. Any moment now, that damn burglar would come in with a knife and Mikey’s crib would fill with blood.
Nick shook his head, trying to wake up, but nothing happened. A tiny cry came from the crib, but he couldn’t bring himself to look. He knew he would only see the mangled body of his baby, a hellish image already seared into his brain forever. He just couldn’t face it again, even if only in a dream.
Then a voice came from down the hall: “I’m coming, sweetie, don’t cry.”
Nick’s heart stopped. Sarah. That was his wife’s voice. This hadn’t happened in his nightmares before.
A moment later, she came into the room, wearing the tight jeans and pink t-shirt he had always loved on her, and scooped the baby up into her arms. “There, it’s all right,” she cooed. “Shh, let’s you get you your bottle, hmm?”
Nick stood stock still and absolutely silent, not wanting to disturb the image in front of him. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his wife when she wasn’t lying bloodied and broken in their bed.
Then Sarah turned to look at Nick, and his breath caught. “Oh, you’re here,” she said with a breathtaking smile. “Supper’s ready. I made lasagna.” His favorite. “Are you coming?”
“Th-this is a dream,” Nick whispered, knowing he would wake up any moment. “I’m dreaming. This isn’t real.” Though he couldn’t begin to describe how much he wanted it to be.
His wife’s grin widened. “Of course it’s real. You’re in Heaven, Nick. We’re together again.”
Heaven. Nick let the idea sink in for a moment. He’d never considered himself a particularly religious man, but he supposed it was possible. He prayed it was the truth.
“Come on,” Sarah encouraged, “let‘s eat.”
Nick took a deep breath and stepped closer to her, peering at the baby cradled in her arms, safe and whole. “Can I hold him?” he breathed.
“Of course.” Sarah handed him over, and Nick took the infant with as much care as he had in life. Little Mikey smiled up at him, and his dad felt his heart melt just as it had the first time he had seen him. Nick could feel tears running down his cheeks but didn’t both to wipe them away.
“Supper’s getting cold,” his wife said gently as she laid a hand on his arm and led him out of the room. As they moved down the hall, the smell of good food wafted up from the kitchen.
If this was a dream, Nick was going to enjoy having his wife and son back for as long as he could.
If it was Heaven, it wasn’t what he had expected. It was better.