Somewhere With You Chapter 10
ao3
On December 23rd, Jensen offered to drive Jared and Kaylee to the airport, but Jared refused. “You shouldn’t be away from Roxy longer than you have to. Stay home and pack your stuff. Moving day is less than a week away.”
The flight to Atlanta was short and easy. Their layover in Atlanta was another story. The connecting flight from Denver was delayed due to weather, leaving the Padaleckis stranded for hours. Kaylee was mostly well behaved. Her whining over missing Christmas with Jensen and Roxy had stopped. She worried about Santa finding her in California. As the night went on, she had another fear. “Can he find us in the airport, Daddy?” she asked, tears filling her eyes.
Jared held her on his lap and rocked her. “Of course he can, Kaylee, don’t worry.”
“I wish Jensen and Roxy were here,” she mumbled into his chest as she began to fall asleep.
“Me too, sweetie, me too.”
Jared was exhausted and he still had hours of traveling ahead of him.
The intercom blared, snapping him from his light doze. “Flight 453 Atlanta to Denver has been canceled. All connections out of Denver have been diverted due to heavy snow. All passengers are asked to report to the desk for travel assistance.”
As the message repeated, Jared groaned but didn’t join the line of other stranded passengers. He carefully moved his sleeping daughter so he could grab his phone. Scrolling to the necessary contact, he dialed and was greeted with, “Good evening, Mr. Padalecki. My name is Susan. How may I assist you this evening?”
After explaining his dilemma, Susan presented him with several solutions. A small commuter flight in the morning and a rental car sounded like the answer to his prayers. “Book it,” he said. “And tell them we’ll be right there.” Jared sighed in relief, the Black card does have advantages.
Once he had new travel plans he made the call he was dreading.
“Mom, I’m really sorry, but we’re not going to make it.”
To her credit, she sounded disappointed, but understanding. Weather can’t be helped. They’d ship the gifts and try to arrange a visit another time.
Late Christmas Eve Jensen was nodding off on the couch, the television showing holiday movies so he wouldn't be alone with his anxiety, when he heard a noise. Then his doorbell rang. “What the hell?” He rubbed his eyes and stumbled to the door. “Who is it?” he asked as he opened the door.
“Hey.” Jared was standing on his porch with a sleeping Kaylee in his arms.
“Jared, what are you-- come in.” He moved aside to let them inside. “What happened? Did your flight get canceled?”
“No. Well yes, but something else happened.” Jared stepped inside and toed off his shoes. Then he handed Kaylee off to Jensen and kissed him.
“What happened?”
“I'm an idiot,” Jared said. He moved past Jensen into the living room. “All we wanted for Christmas was you. You and Roxy. And here I was taking us three thousand miles away from you. I don't know what I was thinking. Worst Christmas ever.”
With Kaylee asleep in his arms, Jensen sat down on the couch still looking confused and sleep ruffled. “What about your parents?”
“What about them?” Jared asked. His confidence in his decision was overwhelming. “They never asked what we wanted. When we needed them, they wanted nothing to do with us. We want you.”
It took Jensen a moment to process Jared's words. “You're staying here for Christmas?”
Jared nodded, a grin blooming on his face. “Jensen, we want to be wherever you are.”
At Jared's words Jensen felt as if his heart had finally broken free from a cold, dark prison. He took a couple breaths and said, “I want you here. I love you.” He looked at the tiny girl sleeping in his arms and added, “both of you.”
As Jensen tucked Kaylee into bed, Jared played Santa and brought all of the Christmas presents into Jensen’s house.
On Christmas morning Kaylee woke up in her room at Jensen’s house. She knew exactly where she was and figured Santa had made her Christmas wish come true. She and her daddy were spending Christmas with Jensen and Roxy. She climbed out of bed and ran to Jensen's room. “Daddy! Jensen! Wake up! It’s Christmas!” She pulled herself up onto the bed. “Get up! Get up! Santa was here! Daddy, Santa found us at Jensen’s house just like you said. Get up!”
“I’m up, I’m up,” Jared said. He sat up and smiled at his daughter. “Merry Christmas, Sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy. Merry Christmas, Jensen.”
Jensen rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep.
“Jensen!” Kaylee whined and bounced on the bed patting Jensen's hip. “It’s Christmas! Wake up!”
He answered with a loud fake snore.
“Jensen! Santa was here!”
He sat straight up. “Santa? Why didn’t you say so?” He threw the covers off so that they covered Kaylee making her giggle. “I’m gonna go open presents.”
From under the blankets Kaylee yelled, “Wait for me!”
Kaylee squealed with joy as tore into her gifts. She instantly changed Herman and her American girl doll into their new Christmas outfits. Then waited slightly impatiently as her father helped her assemble the Avengers Lego set Jensen bought for her. Jensen filmed the every minute with his phone.
Once Kaylee was busy helping the Avengers save the world, Jensen handed Jared a small package. Jared quirked a brow. “I thought we said no gifts.”
“Santa brought it,” Jensen replied looking as innocent as he could.
Jared opened the perfectly wrapped box. “First editions of The Sun Also Rises and Old Man and The Sea? Jensen?” He smiled up at Jensen. “Thank you.”
Jensen shrugged. “Santa thought you needed books from Florida’s favorite son.”
“I thought that was Jimmy Buffett,” Jared teased.
Jensen handed him his phone. “That’s why I put his music on your phone.” He tapped the phone and Jimmy Buffett’s Christmas album began playing.
Jared grabbed Jensen’s hand and pulled him to sit next to him. “Thanks, Santa,” he whispered placing a hand on Jensen’s cheek and kissing him.
“Kaylee, isn’t there a gift for Jensen over there?” Jared asked while keeping his arm around Jensen.
Jensen raised a brow at the tag which read: To Jensen from Jared, Kaylee and Roxy. He looked at his dog wearing a new Christmas bandana in place of the cone. “You were in on this?” She answered with a paw over her face as if she understood his question.
The box wasn’t much bigger than a shirt box, but it was too heavy to be a shirt. He carefully removed the top and folded back the tissue paper to reveal a framed photo collage. There was one of Kaylee giggling while Roxy licked her cheek. Another of Jensen carrying Kaylee on the beach after a long day of boating. And finally one of Kaylee sitting between Jared and Jensen as they read a book. They looked like a family. And, Jensen realized, this morning felt like family. He swallowed over the emotions constricting his throat. “Thanks guys. This, this is wonderful.” He looked over at Jared. “How did you get this one?” He pointed to the one of the three of them reading.
Jared smiled. “Gen took it and emailed it to me.”
“We’re gonna put it in your room at our house,” Kaylee told him.
“Oh yeah?”
“We were going to hang it in your room at our house, but we wanted you to know that it was yours. So you can decide where to hang it. If you want,” Jared clarified.
“Daddy has that one in the living room,” Kaylee said pointing at the one of the three of them. “And I have this one in my room.” She pointed to the one of her and Roxy.
“Well, thank you guys. I’ll take this with me everywhere I go.”
Everything felt so right Jensen wanted to bottle it; store it away to open when things weren't so perfect.
He heard Rick's words in his head “Enjoy the good while you can.” Yes, sadness always found him, but he could be happy in this moment.
“Thank you,” Jensen said again. “This has been the best Christmas,” he paused, unable to stop smiling at Jared. “I'm really glad you came back. I never had Christmas here.”
Jared looked around and turned back to Jensen with a wide smile. “This has been a great morning. We made it to Christmas,” he added with a wink.
Jensen’s eyes dragged slowly over Jared. “Yeah and I can’t wait to open my other present.”
Jared colored slightly and shifted in his chair but he had to admit he was longing for that moment too.
Jensen turned to Kaylee. “Kaylee, I have one more present for you.”
“What is it?” she asked jumping to her feet. “What is it?”
“You have to come with me.” He set his gift aside and held out his hand so she could pull him to his feet. Together they walked down the hall to the door Jensen always had locked. “Close your eyes and wait there.”
Once her hands were over her eyes, Jensen unlocked the door. A moment later he said, “Okay, sweetie you can look now.”
A high pitched noise erupted from her and Jensen wondered if all the dolphins in the area would be at his beach. “A bicycle! A bicycle! Daddy, look a bicycle!” She ran to it and tried to climb on. “Daddy can I ride it right now?”
Laughing, Jared said, “Wait ‘til we get it outside, hun. What do you say to Jensen?”
The girl flung herself at Jensen and kissed him. “Thank you, Jensen! Thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it! It’s the best present ever!” she said following her dad as he pushed the bike out of the small room.
As Jensen followed his gaze fell upon the picture of Rick and Mason. Though his heart clenched, he smiled. Rick would want him to be happy. He looked down the hall at Jared and Kaylee eagerly waiting for him. His smile grew wider as he shut the door behind him and joined them.
New Year’s Eve was spent cuddled on blankets in Jensen's backyard. There’s nothing like fireworks on the water. They woke Kaylee for the show. She sat on Jensen's lap and he relaxed back into Jared's arms. Jensen was convinced his life couldn't get better and then Jared whispered, “I love you.” When Jensen turned his head for a kiss Jared added, “This is going to be the best year ever.”
When Jared returned from leaving Kaylee at Kim and Rob’s house for the night, he found Jensen, in his new room, dressing for their evening out. He admired the sight of Jensen in tailored dress pants and shirt. Jensen looked good all dressed up. Too good in Jared’s opinion. He wasn’t going to make it through dinner. “We don’t have to do this, you know,” Jared said for the hundredth time. “I’m perfectly happy staying in with you.”
Jensen buttoned the cuff on his shirt. “I’m going to take you for a nice dinner at a place where people actually don’t wear shorts and t-shirts. There may even be live music.”
Jared stepped closer to him. “You know, other than the night we spent at the animal hospital, this is the first night I’ve been away from Kaylee.”
“And?” Jensen asked with a confused tilt to his head.
“We could skip dinner and go straight for dessert.” Jared sidled up to Jensen, putting his hands on the man’s hips.
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, I know. You’re a cheap date with a sweet tooth. But I want to show off my boyfriend, so indulge me.”
Jared pulled Jensen against him. “But we already have the house to ourselves. Seems like a waste to leave it,” he whispered, kissing Jensen’s neck and letting his hands slide to Jensen’s ass to hold him close.
A pleased sigh escaped Jensen as he enjoyed Jared’s ministrations. Jared ground his hips into Jensen’s. “I guess I could be talked into some predate activities.”
“Yes,” Jared agreed between kisses. “Definitely. Predate blow jobs at least.” He undid Jensen’s belt and worked open the button and zipper of his pants to allow him to slip a hand inside. The back of his hand grazed Jensen’s dick earning him a quiet hiss. Jared went back to kissing Jensen and tugged on Jensen’s pants to make them fall to his knees.
“Jared --”
“Jensen, come on,” Jared begged. “It’s been weeks since we’ve done anything. I’ve been going crazy thinking about you.” He shoved his hand inside Jensen’s boxer briefs and began to stroke him. His mouth returned to Jensen’s in a fierce, demanding kiss.
Soon Jensen was driving into Jared’s hand and he broke from the kiss. “Fuck, Jared,” he rasped. He yanked open Jared’s shorts and worked them down Jared’s legs.
Jared forced Jensen’s hands away, instead choosing to grind his cock against Jensen’s and both men groaned at the touch.
Jensen rocked against him and Jared wrapped his hands around both of their erections. As he stroked them, Jensen’s fingers dug into Jared's shoulders, his hips bucking into Jared’s hand.
Just as Jensen thought he was getting close, Jared folded to his knees and began to tongue Jensen’s balls making the man curse. He sucked on one then the other before flattening his tongue and licking Jensen’s cock from base to tip.
“Holy mother of...” Jensen's curse brought another smirk to Jared, and fingers of the hand that wasn't working Jensen’s cock squeezed the man’s hip. Another long lick, and this time Jared swirled his tongue around the tip to lap up the beading pre-come.
Jared continued his teasing licks, and at the pinnacle of every sweep of tongue he slipped his lips around the head and gave a light suck, before letting his tongue do all the work. His fingers wrapped around what didn't fit in his mouth and then he began moving up and down the shaft, swirling his tongue at the tip.
Jensen's fingers clenched lightly in Jared’s hair, but didn't try to guide the movements, and he tried to stop his hips from moving more than a few unconscious twitches. But when a loud groan spilled out of him, Jared hummed in satisfaction. That sound reverberated through the both of them and Jensen canted his hips forward. “Jare,” he gasped, “stop. I’m close.”
Jared pulled off but continued to mouth at Jensen’s balls. “Hmm?” he asked looking up at Jensen with a playful smirk.
“Such a fuckin' tease,” Jensen growled.
Jared chuckled and licked Jensen's cock. “Want to move it to the bed?”
Jensen nodded. “Yeah, I'm done with these appetizers.” He tore off his shirt, kicked out of his pants, and tackled Jared onto the bed, making the bed groan and creak. Grinning, he pinned Jared’s hands to the bed and bent to kiss his throat. Jared didn’t try to move. He let Jensen kiss him thoroughly. When Jensen began to strip off Jared’s clothes, Jared left his hands gripping the rattan bars of the headboard above his head in silent cooperation.
Jensen took his time, slowly moving down the length of Jared's body. He licked and kissed Jared’s chest, his tongue teased each nipple and his hands traced over every muscle. Jared only lost his patience when Jensen reached his cock, and was licking, rubbing, teasing, doing everything but swallowing it down.
“Please. Now you’re the fucking tease.”
Jensen smirked at him then pushed himself back. He paused, letting his eyes drink their fill of Jared spread out on the bed. When their eyes met again, Jared saw more than just lust, more than just carnal desire in Jensen’s eyes. There was tenderness and love and that made Jared’s breath catch and his heart race. He let Jensen position him the way he wanted and he let go of the headboard to hand Jensen the lube and condom that were left conveniently on the night stand.
He tore open the condom and rolled it over his cock. Then he slicked both hands with lube. One he kept wrapped around his own length while he worked a finger of the other into Jared. He let Jared adjust to the feeling, then Jensen was pumping the finger in, out, joining it with another. Jensen's fingers twisted inside while his other hand slowly worked his dick, keeping him rock hard.
“C'mon, Jen.” Jared growled, reaching for Jensen. That sound and the sight of Jared spread out like that, desperate and wanting him, made Jensen ache. He took a breath, pressed into Jared, past the resistance, into the heat, and Jared trembled underneath him.
Jensen had wanted this so badly he knew it wouldn’t be enough. Nothing with Jared was ever enough. He tried to give Jared time to adjust, but it was all he could do not to fuck him as hard as he wanted to. He settled for meeting Jared's mouth with his own and swallowing down a kiss. Jared shook underneath him, around him. Jensen drew back, then pushed in again, and again until he lost all sense of control. The bed groaned and creaked beneath them. The rattan headboard slammed against the wall. Every creak and slam of the bed added to the chorus of moans and pants and curses of the men.
Jensen slipped his hand between them and wrapped it around Jared's cock, stroking him in time to his thrusts. Jared’s heels and hands were gripping Jensen tightly as he was driven closer and closer to bliss. With one final thrust and moan from Jensen, Jared came over both of them. The heat and pressure and finally the sight of Jared’s orgasm sent Jensen right over the edge.
Barely catching his breath, Jensen managed to pull out, dispose of the condom with shaking hands, and laid down next to Jared. He scooted close to him, and upon catching his breath nudged Jared with his elbow. “Don't you fuckin' fall asleep on me. We can still make our reservation if you shake your ass.”
A tired pained whine escaped Jared. “Don't you think my ass has done enough for one night?”
Jensen snorted. “Jared, I promise I will take good care of your ass if you go to the restaurant with me.”
Jared quirked his brow and looked at Jensen. “Good care? What exactly does that mean?”
“Have I ever disappointed you?” Jensen gave him quick kiss, brushing some hair off Jared’s face and leaving his fingers in Jared’s hair. “Remember,” Jensen said with another kiss, “that was the appetizer for tonight’s main event.”
Jared kissed the inside of Jensen’s wrist. “Alright, I’ll get showered.” He sighed and went to push himself up, but Jensen snatched his hand and tugged him back into a kiss.
When they broke apart to breathe, Jared rested his forehead against Jensen’s and whispered “I love you.”
Jensen leaned back to meet Jared’s eyes and a tiny, amazed smile crossed his face. “Love you, too,” he said with another kiss.
After another minute, Jared forced himself away. “I’ve got to get cleaned up. Made a promise to my boyfriend.” The bed creaked again as he stood up. “We are moving your bed over here. This one is much too loud.”
Jensen chucked in agreement as he watched Jared make his way to his bathroom. “Then I'll never leave,” he called after him only half teasing.
“Who wants you to?” Jared replied over his shoulder, not teasing at all.
By the end of January, Roxy's cast came off. By the end of February, her strength had returned and she was ready to work. However, Jensen didn't place the call to the Red Cross or to animal rescue. Although part of him was afraid to put her at risk, he was realizing he didn't want to leave Jared and Kaylee
As he trained with Roxy on Jared's private portion of the beach, Jensen saw Hilarie playing with her kids. She waved and Jensen whistled for Roxy and they joined her.
“Roxy's looking good out there. Our hero is back in business,” Hilarie said as Jensen and Roxy sat down by her.
Jensen smiled. “Yeah, I don't know.”
Suddenly concerned, Hilarie scratched her nails down Roxy's back. “Is something still wrong with her? Didn't she heal properly?”
Seeing her worry Jensen shook his head. “Oh no, she's fine. Pretty much good as new. It's me. I don't think I want to go back out there.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid to leave Jared and Kaylee. It's like if I do, I'll ruin this perfect little thing we've got going.”
Hilarie nodded. “So are you going to take a job with the sheriff's department?” she asked hoping not to sound too eager.
Jensen narrowed his eyes in speculation. “I don't know. I’m stuck in neutral and I know we've got to do something, but I don't know what that should be.”
Hilarie put her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re done running.”
He wrinkled his brow at her words, unsure of what she meant. Jensen checked his watch and pushed himself to his feet. “It's time to get my girl at the library so I guess I'll see you later.”
Hilarie grinned at his 'my girl'. “You're a good man, Jensen, you'll figure it out.”
A leashed Roxy was always welcome in the library, so Jensen brought her along when he picked up Kaylee. He watched some of the story time moms check out Jared as the librarian cleaned up after story hour. It made Jensen want to walk over and kiss the breath out of Jared and show those women that they were wasting their time. But he knew Jared wouldn't want him to behave that way.
Kaylee ran to greet him the moment she saw him. Her hug and her babble of excitement always soothed him. He met Jared's eyes and smiled a hello. With a tilt of his head, Jared asked Jensen to join him at the desk.
Jared opened with, “We've got to talk.”
Jensen froze. 'We've got to talk' was never good. “Yeah I’ve got something I need to talk to you about, too.”
Jared, however, was too preoccupied to really hear Jensen. “Kaylee's got this thing, like a play or something her daycare class is putting on. It's next week and they have practice today. So could you drop her off there instead of taking her home with you?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. And then there's this other thing we need to discuss,” Jared added with a nervous bite of his lip. Suddenly he stopped what he was doing and his expression became worried. “Wait, did you say you wanted to talk? Did you get called for a job?” Jared tried not to look as panicked as he felt.
Jensen shook his head. “It's nothing. It can wait until you get home.”
“No. You know me. I'll be stressing about this all day if you don't tell me right now,” Jared said with a fake smile.
Kaylee, still in Jensen's arms, interrupted, “Can we go home now?”
“No, baby. Jensen's going to take you to school so you can practice for the play,” Jared replied.
“I'm going to be a mermaid!” she told Jensen with a giant smile.
“No, Kaylee. This play is about the presidents, remember? No mermaids in the white house,” Jared said.
“You don’t know that for sure,” Jensen said making Jared roll his eyes.
Jared focused on his daughter. “Why don't you go get your backpack and Melvin so Jensen can take you to school.”
“Okay, daddy.” Jensen set her down and she skipped away.
Roxy circled around Jensen and sat at his feet. Jared watched her then looked up at Jensen. “Lauren should be here soon. After you drop Kaylee at school, why don't you come back? We could go for lunch or something and we can talk then.” He tried to bury his nerves behind a pleasant smile.
Jensen shrugged. “Okay man. I'll see you in twenty minutes.”
Tourists had taken over all the lunch places Jared frequented, but Jensen took him to a small dingy bar that served perfectly grilled burgers. The moment the waiter left with their orders Jared asked, “So, what did you want to talk about? Do you and Roxy have to go be heroes somewhere?”
“No. I don't have a job. I mean, I'm not leaving. The Red Cross didn't call or anything.” Jensen fiddled with the corner of his paper placemat. “We used to do that so we wouldn’t be here.” A nervous smile flickered across Jensen's face, but he took a breath and forged on. “I hated being here, alone in that house, it didn’t feel like home without Rick. So Roxy and I would be on the road for months at a time. Or we’d take the boat island hopping.”
He stopped speaking when the waiter brought a bowl of water for Roxy. In his silence, dozens of scenarios raced through Jared’s mind.
“I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to leave. I want to be here with you and Kaylee. But I can't sit on my ass all day. So,” he took a deep breath, “I was thinking of starting my own business.”
“Really?!” Jared sat up and leaned closer. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to train service dogs. Not just rescue dogs, but there are service dogs that help people in a lot of areas--”
“Yes, Jensen. Yes. You should absolutely do that. You would be great.” Jared spoke with such certainty that Jensen felt his own confidence grow.
“Thanks.” Jensen gave him a pleased smile. “But, uh, I don’t know anything about starting a business so I’m going to need some help and some time to figure it all out and get a place.”
“Let me know what I can do to help,” Jared said eagerly.
“About that, uh, is it okay that Roxy and I stay with you until the end of the season? We’d stay on the boat, but I probably need to sell it.”
“What? No.” Jared said hastily. “I mean, yes, of course you can stay with us. We love having you. But don’t sell the boat.”
“Thanks. You've completely spoiled me, you know. I don't even want to sleep on my boat anymore if it means you're not next to me. But if I’m going to fund my business, I’ll need to sell the boat.” Jared opened his mouth to argue but Jensen added, “I’m not taking your money, Jared.”
Jared sighed and nearly surrendered when another idea crept into his mind. He smiled to himself as he nervously fiddled with the napkin wrapped flatware. “You know, you and Roxy could move in permanently. If you want. You could sell your house and keep the boat. No pressure, just giving you options. ” He glanced at Jensen to gauge his reaction.
Jensen ran a hand over his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “If spending tourist season with you works out, maybe we'll do that.”
They stared at each other as the importance of the conversation hit them. Jared grinned feeling very pleased with himself. This was the kind of talk he liked.
Jensen looked relieved. Clearing his throat he asked, “Didn't you say you had something else to talk about?”
Jared blinked to shake off the euphoria he was feeling and laughed at himself. “Right. I almost forgot. Kaylee's school needs a name for an emergency contact. Can I list you?”
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, of course. You didn't need to take me to lunch to ask that.”
Jared gave him a small hopeful smile. “Maybe I was hoping for an afternoon quickie.”
Jensen turned toward the bar and yelled, “Check please!”
Epilogue
Upon realizing he was gay, Jensen understood he would never be a dad. Rick convinced him otherwise with their adoption of Mason. But when he lost them, Jensen accepted that he wasn't meant for fatherhood. All of that remained true, but he taught Kaylee how to ride the bicycle. He also taught her how to climb a tree and how to bait a hook and how to swim. Every night she told him she loved him and he would say he loved her too.
Now, a year to the day that he met Kaylee and her father, Jensen stood in Rick's office taping shut another box. No breakdown this time. No tears. His melancholy was overshadowed by his joy of starting a new life with Jared and Kaylee. His house was up for sale and Jeff was helping him start his business.
He carried the box to the kitchen where Jared, Jeff and Osric stood looking at a stack of papers. “Wow. Those papers must be really heavy if it takes all three of you to move them,” he snarked.
Osric jumped, but Jeff and Jared looked up at him with wide smiles. “It's an offer on your house,” Jeff told him.
“Jen, it's enough to fund your business,” Jared said not disguising his excitement.
“It is?” Jensen set the box down and flipped through the pages. “Holy shit. This means I don't have to sell my boat.”
“Which I was never going to let you do,” Jared reminded him.
Jensen held up the papers. “Now we don't have to argue about it.” He grabbed a pen and signed the offer.
“Osric, think you can take this to Rob before he closes the office?”
Osric accepted the papers and looked at Jared. “Yeah, not a problem, but there's more.”
Jensen gave Osric a look. “What are you, infomercial pitch man?”
“Uh no,” Jared said, stepping around the counter and in front of Osric. “The courier brought these, too.” He handed Jensen the other stack of papers that had been sitting on the counter. “Tom's given up his rights. I signed the final petition for adoption. Jeff and Osric witnessed it for me.”
Jensen doubted they saw the tremor in his hand, but he couldn't hide the emotion in his voice. “You sure about this?”
“Yes, Jensen. This is just the first step, but I want you to be Kaylee's dad. Kaylee wants you to be her dad. Now it's up to you. If you want to be her dad, sign the papers.”
Jensen paged through them and appeared to be studying them. “You know, the process would be easier if we were married.”
Osric and Jeff exchanged quick elbow jabs while Jared's mouth hung open for a minute. “Why Jensen Ackles are you proposing?”
Jensen’s heart hammered with nerves and he spoke quietly but sincerely. “What I’m saying is if we’re going to be a family, we should be a real family. And if the judge says no to this,” he held up the papers, “at least I can be Kaylee’s step dad.” He waited but Jared didn’t speak. “So? Jared. Will you marry me?”
“You bet your sweet ass I will,” Jared replied as he closed the distance between them and sealed the promise with a kiss.
THE END
On December 23rd, Jensen offered to drive Jared and Kaylee to the airport, but Jared refused. “You shouldn’t be away from Roxy longer than you have to. Stay home and pack your stuff. Moving day is less than a week away.”
The flight to Atlanta was short and easy. Their layover in Atlanta was another story. The connecting flight from Denver was delayed due to weather, leaving the Padaleckis stranded for hours. Kaylee was mostly well behaved. Her whining over missing Christmas with Jensen and Roxy had stopped. She worried about Santa finding her in California. As the night went on, she had another fear. “Can he find us in the airport, Daddy?” she asked, tears filling her eyes.
Jared held her on his lap and rocked her. “Of course he can, Kaylee, don’t worry.”
“I wish Jensen and Roxy were here,” she mumbled into his chest as she began to fall asleep.
“Me too, sweetie, me too.”
Jared was exhausted and he still had hours of traveling ahead of him.
The intercom blared, snapping him from his light doze. “Flight 453 Atlanta to Denver has been canceled. All connections out of Denver have been diverted due to heavy snow. All passengers are asked to report to the desk for travel assistance.”
As the message repeated, Jared groaned but didn’t join the line of other stranded passengers. He carefully moved his sleeping daughter so he could grab his phone. Scrolling to the necessary contact, he dialed and was greeted with, “Good evening, Mr. Padalecki. My name is Susan. How may I assist you this evening?”
After explaining his dilemma, Susan presented him with several solutions. A small commuter flight in the morning and a rental car sounded like the answer to his prayers. “Book it,” he said. “And tell them we’ll be right there.” Jared sighed in relief, the Black card does have advantages.
Once he had new travel plans he made the call he was dreading.
“Mom, I’m really sorry, but we’re not going to make it.”
To her credit, she sounded disappointed, but understanding. Weather can’t be helped. They’d ship the gifts and try to arrange a visit another time.
Late Christmas Eve Jensen was nodding off on the couch, the television showing holiday movies so he wouldn't be alone with his anxiety, when he heard a noise. Then his doorbell rang. “What the hell?” He rubbed his eyes and stumbled to the door. “Who is it?” he asked as he opened the door.
“Hey.” Jared was standing on his porch with a sleeping Kaylee in his arms.
“Jared, what are you-- come in.” He moved aside to let them inside. “What happened? Did your flight get canceled?”
“No. Well yes, but something else happened.” Jared stepped inside and toed off his shoes. Then he handed Kaylee off to Jensen and kissed him.
“What happened?”
“I'm an idiot,” Jared said. He moved past Jensen into the living room. “All we wanted for Christmas was you. You and Roxy. And here I was taking us three thousand miles away from you. I don't know what I was thinking. Worst Christmas ever.”
With Kaylee asleep in his arms, Jensen sat down on the couch still looking confused and sleep ruffled. “What about your parents?”
“What about them?” Jared asked. His confidence in his decision was overwhelming. “They never asked what we wanted. When we needed them, they wanted nothing to do with us. We want you.”
It took Jensen a moment to process Jared's words. “You're staying here for Christmas?”
Jared nodded, a grin blooming on his face. “Jensen, we want to be wherever you are.”
At Jared's words Jensen felt as if his heart had finally broken free from a cold, dark prison. He took a couple breaths and said, “I want you here. I love you.” He looked at the tiny girl sleeping in his arms and added, “both of you.”
As Jensen tucked Kaylee into bed, Jared played Santa and brought all of the Christmas presents into Jensen’s house.
On Christmas morning Kaylee woke up in her room at Jensen’s house. She knew exactly where she was and figured Santa had made her Christmas wish come true. She and her daddy were spending Christmas with Jensen and Roxy. She climbed out of bed and ran to Jensen's room. “Daddy! Jensen! Wake up! It’s Christmas!” She pulled herself up onto the bed. “Get up! Get up! Santa was here! Daddy, Santa found us at Jensen’s house just like you said. Get up!”
“I’m up, I’m up,” Jared said. He sat up and smiled at his daughter. “Merry Christmas, Sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy. Merry Christmas, Jensen.”
Jensen rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep.
“Jensen!” Kaylee whined and bounced on the bed patting Jensen's hip. “It’s Christmas! Wake up!”
He answered with a loud fake snore.
“Jensen! Santa was here!”
He sat straight up. “Santa? Why didn’t you say so?” He threw the covers off so that they covered Kaylee making her giggle. “I’m gonna go open presents.”
From under the blankets Kaylee yelled, “Wait for me!”
Kaylee squealed with joy as tore into her gifts. She instantly changed Herman and her American girl doll into their new Christmas outfits. Then waited slightly impatiently as her father helped her assemble the Avengers Lego set Jensen bought for her. Jensen filmed the every minute with his phone.
Once Kaylee was busy helping the Avengers save the world, Jensen handed Jared a small package. Jared quirked a brow. “I thought we said no gifts.”
“Santa brought it,” Jensen replied looking as innocent as he could.
Jared opened the perfectly wrapped box. “First editions of The Sun Also Rises and Old Man and The Sea? Jensen?” He smiled up at Jensen. “Thank you.”
Jensen shrugged. “Santa thought you needed books from Florida’s favorite son.”
“I thought that was Jimmy Buffett,” Jared teased.
Jensen handed him his phone. “That’s why I put his music on your phone.” He tapped the phone and Jimmy Buffett’s Christmas album began playing.
Jared grabbed Jensen’s hand and pulled him to sit next to him. “Thanks, Santa,” he whispered placing a hand on Jensen’s cheek and kissing him.
“Kaylee, isn’t there a gift for Jensen over there?” Jared asked while keeping his arm around Jensen.
Jensen raised a brow at the tag which read: To Jensen from Jared, Kaylee and Roxy. He looked at his dog wearing a new Christmas bandana in place of the cone. “You were in on this?” She answered with a paw over her face as if she understood his question.
The box wasn’t much bigger than a shirt box, but it was too heavy to be a shirt. He carefully removed the top and folded back the tissue paper to reveal a framed photo collage. There was one of Kaylee giggling while Roxy licked her cheek. Another of Jensen carrying Kaylee on the beach after a long day of boating. And finally one of Kaylee sitting between Jared and Jensen as they read a book. They looked like a family. And, Jensen realized, this morning felt like family. He swallowed over the emotions constricting his throat. “Thanks guys. This, this is wonderful.” He looked over at Jared. “How did you get this one?” He pointed to the one of the three of them reading.
Jared smiled. “Gen took it and emailed it to me.”
“We’re gonna put it in your room at our house,” Kaylee told him.
“Oh yeah?”
“We were going to hang it in your room at our house, but we wanted you to know that it was yours. So you can decide where to hang it. If you want,” Jared clarified.
“Daddy has that one in the living room,” Kaylee said pointing at the one of the three of them. “And I have this one in my room.” She pointed to the one of her and Roxy.
“Well, thank you guys. I’ll take this with me everywhere I go.”
Everything felt so right Jensen wanted to bottle it; store it away to open when things weren't so perfect.
He heard Rick's words in his head “Enjoy the good while you can.” Yes, sadness always found him, but he could be happy in this moment.
“Thank you,” Jensen said again. “This has been the best Christmas,” he paused, unable to stop smiling at Jared. “I'm really glad you came back. I never had Christmas here.”
Jared looked around and turned back to Jensen with a wide smile. “This has been a great morning. We made it to Christmas,” he added with a wink.
Jensen’s eyes dragged slowly over Jared. “Yeah and I can’t wait to open my other present.”
Jared colored slightly and shifted in his chair but he had to admit he was longing for that moment too.
Jensen turned to Kaylee. “Kaylee, I have one more present for you.”
“What is it?” she asked jumping to her feet. “What is it?”
“You have to come with me.” He set his gift aside and held out his hand so she could pull him to his feet. Together they walked down the hall to the door Jensen always had locked. “Close your eyes and wait there.”
Once her hands were over her eyes, Jensen unlocked the door. A moment later he said, “Okay, sweetie you can look now.”
A high pitched noise erupted from her and Jensen wondered if all the dolphins in the area would be at his beach. “A bicycle! A bicycle! Daddy, look a bicycle!” She ran to it and tried to climb on. “Daddy can I ride it right now?”
Laughing, Jared said, “Wait ‘til we get it outside, hun. What do you say to Jensen?”
The girl flung herself at Jensen and kissed him. “Thank you, Jensen! Thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it! It’s the best present ever!” she said following her dad as he pushed the bike out of the small room.
As Jensen followed his gaze fell upon the picture of Rick and Mason. Though his heart clenched, he smiled. Rick would want him to be happy. He looked down the hall at Jared and Kaylee eagerly waiting for him. His smile grew wider as he shut the door behind him and joined them.
New Year’s Eve was spent cuddled on blankets in Jensen's backyard. There’s nothing like fireworks on the water. They woke Kaylee for the show. She sat on Jensen's lap and he relaxed back into Jared's arms. Jensen was convinced his life couldn't get better and then Jared whispered, “I love you.” When Jensen turned his head for a kiss Jared added, “This is going to be the best year ever.”
When Jared returned from leaving Kaylee at Kim and Rob’s house for the night, he found Jensen, in his new room, dressing for their evening out. He admired the sight of Jensen in tailored dress pants and shirt. Jensen looked good all dressed up. Too good in Jared’s opinion. He wasn’t going to make it through dinner. “We don’t have to do this, you know,” Jared said for the hundredth time. “I’m perfectly happy staying in with you.”
Jensen buttoned the cuff on his shirt. “I’m going to take you for a nice dinner at a place where people actually don’t wear shorts and t-shirts. There may even be live music.”
Jared stepped closer to him. “You know, other than the night we spent at the animal hospital, this is the first night I’ve been away from Kaylee.”
“And?” Jensen asked with a confused tilt to his head.
“We could skip dinner and go straight for dessert.” Jared sidled up to Jensen, putting his hands on the man’s hips.
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, I know. You’re a cheap date with a sweet tooth. But I want to show off my boyfriend, so indulge me.”
Jared pulled Jensen against him. “But we already have the house to ourselves. Seems like a waste to leave it,” he whispered, kissing Jensen’s neck and letting his hands slide to Jensen’s ass to hold him close.
A pleased sigh escaped Jensen as he enjoyed Jared’s ministrations. Jared ground his hips into Jensen’s. “I guess I could be talked into some predate activities.”
“Yes,” Jared agreed between kisses. “Definitely. Predate blow jobs at least.” He undid Jensen’s belt and worked open the button and zipper of his pants to allow him to slip a hand inside. The back of his hand grazed Jensen’s dick earning him a quiet hiss. Jared went back to kissing Jensen and tugged on Jensen’s pants to make them fall to his knees.
“Jared --”
“Jensen, come on,” Jared begged. “It’s been weeks since we’ve done anything. I’ve been going crazy thinking about you.” He shoved his hand inside Jensen’s boxer briefs and began to stroke him. His mouth returned to Jensen’s in a fierce, demanding kiss.
Soon Jensen was driving into Jared’s hand and he broke from the kiss. “Fuck, Jared,” he rasped. He yanked open Jared’s shorts and worked them down Jared’s legs.
Jared forced Jensen’s hands away, instead choosing to grind his cock against Jensen’s and both men groaned at the touch.
Jensen rocked against him and Jared wrapped his hands around both of their erections. As he stroked them, Jensen’s fingers dug into Jared's shoulders, his hips bucking into Jared’s hand.
Just as Jensen thought he was getting close, Jared folded to his knees and began to tongue Jensen’s balls making the man curse. He sucked on one then the other before flattening his tongue and licking Jensen’s cock from base to tip.
“Holy mother of...” Jensen's curse brought another smirk to Jared, and fingers of the hand that wasn't working Jensen’s cock squeezed the man’s hip. Another long lick, and this time Jared swirled his tongue around the tip to lap up the beading pre-come.
Jared continued his teasing licks, and at the pinnacle of every sweep of tongue he slipped his lips around the head and gave a light suck, before letting his tongue do all the work. His fingers wrapped around what didn't fit in his mouth and then he began moving up and down the shaft, swirling his tongue at the tip.
Jensen's fingers clenched lightly in Jared’s hair, but didn't try to guide the movements, and he tried to stop his hips from moving more than a few unconscious twitches. But when a loud groan spilled out of him, Jared hummed in satisfaction. That sound reverberated through the both of them and Jensen canted his hips forward. “Jare,” he gasped, “stop. I’m close.”
Jared pulled off but continued to mouth at Jensen’s balls. “Hmm?” he asked looking up at Jensen with a playful smirk.
“Such a fuckin' tease,” Jensen growled.
Jared chuckled and licked Jensen's cock. “Want to move it to the bed?”
Jensen nodded. “Yeah, I'm done with these appetizers.” He tore off his shirt, kicked out of his pants, and tackled Jared onto the bed, making the bed groan and creak. Grinning, he pinned Jared’s hands to the bed and bent to kiss his throat. Jared didn’t try to move. He let Jensen kiss him thoroughly. When Jensen began to strip off Jared’s clothes, Jared left his hands gripping the rattan bars of the headboard above his head in silent cooperation.
Jensen took his time, slowly moving down the length of Jared's body. He licked and kissed Jared’s chest, his tongue teased each nipple and his hands traced over every muscle. Jared only lost his patience when Jensen reached his cock, and was licking, rubbing, teasing, doing everything but swallowing it down.
“Please. Now you’re the fucking tease.”
Jensen smirked at him then pushed himself back. He paused, letting his eyes drink their fill of Jared spread out on the bed. When their eyes met again, Jared saw more than just lust, more than just carnal desire in Jensen’s eyes. There was tenderness and love and that made Jared’s breath catch and his heart race. He let Jensen position him the way he wanted and he let go of the headboard to hand Jensen the lube and condom that were left conveniently on the night stand.
He tore open the condom and rolled it over his cock. Then he slicked both hands with lube. One he kept wrapped around his own length while he worked a finger of the other into Jared. He let Jared adjust to the feeling, then Jensen was pumping the finger in, out, joining it with another. Jensen's fingers twisted inside while his other hand slowly worked his dick, keeping him rock hard.
“C'mon, Jen.” Jared growled, reaching for Jensen. That sound and the sight of Jared spread out like that, desperate and wanting him, made Jensen ache. He took a breath, pressed into Jared, past the resistance, into the heat, and Jared trembled underneath him.
Jensen had wanted this so badly he knew it wouldn’t be enough. Nothing with Jared was ever enough. He tried to give Jared time to adjust, but it was all he could do not to fuck him as hard as he wanted to. He settled for meeting Jared's mouth with his own and swallowing down a kiss. Jared shook underneath him, around him. Jensen drew back, then pushed in again, and again until he lost all sense of control. The bed groaned and creaked beneath them. The rattan headboard slammed against the wall. Every creak and slam of the bed added to the chorus of moans and pants and curses of the men.
Jensen slipped his hand between them and wrapped it around Jared's cock, stroking him in time to his thrusts. Jared’s heels and hands were gripping Jensen tightly as he was driven closer and closer to bliss. With one final thrust and moan from Jensen, Jared came over both of them. The heat and pressure and finally the sight of Jared’s orgasm sent Jensen right over the edge.
Barely catching his breath, Jensen managed to pull out, dispose of the condom with shaking hands, and laid down next to Jared. He scooted close to him, and upon catching his breath nudged Jared with his elbow. “Don't you fuckin' fall asleep on me. We can still make our reservation if you shake your ass.”
A tired pained whine escaped Jared. “Don't you think my ass has done enough for one night?”
Jensen snorted. “Jared, I promise I will take good care of your ass if you go to the restaurant with me.”
Jared quirked his brow and looked at Jensen. “Good care? What exactly does that mean?”
“Have I ever disappointed you?” Jensen gave him quick kiss, brushing some hair off Jared’s face and leaving his fingers in Jared’s hair. “Remember,” Jensen said with another kiss, “that was the appetizer for tonight’s main event.”
Jared kissed the inside of Jensen’s wrist. “Alright, I’ll get showered.” He sighed and went to push himself up, but Jensen snatched his hand and tugged him back into a kiss.
When they broke apart to breathe, Jared rested his forehead against Jensen’s and whispered “I love you.”
Jensen leaned back to meet Jared’s eyes and a tiny, amazed smile crossed his face. “Love you, too,” he said with another kiss.
After another minute, Jared forced himself away. “I’ve got to get cleaned up. Made a promise to my boyfriend.” The bed creaked again as he stood up. “We are moving your bed over here. This one is much too loud.”
Jensen chucked in agreement as he watched Jared make his way to his bathroom. “Then I'll never leave,” he called after him only half teasing.
“Who wants you to?” Jared replied over his shoulder, not teasing at all.
By the end of January, Roxy's cast came off. By the end of February, her strength had returned and she was ready to work. However, Jensen didn't place the call to the Red Cross or to animal rescue. Although part of him was afraid to put her at risk, he was realizing he didn't want to leave Jared and Kaylee
As he trained with Roxy on Jared's private portion of the beach, Jensen saw Hilarie playing with her kids. She waved and Jensen whistled for Roxy and they joined her.
“Roxy's looking good out there. Our hero is back in business,” Hilarie said as Jensen and Roxy sat down by her.
Jensen smiled. “Yeah, I don't know.”
Suddenly concerned, Hilarie scratched her nails down Roxy's back. “Is something still wrong with her? Didn't she heal properly?”
Seeing her worry Jensen shook his head. “Oh no, she's fine. Pretty much good as new. It's me. I don't think I want to go back out there.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid to leave Jared and Kaylee. It's like if I do, I'll ruin this perfect little thing we've got going.”
Hilarie nodded. “So are you going to take a job with the sheriff's department?” she asked hoping not to sound too eager.
Jensen narrowed his eyes in speculation. “I don't know. I’m stuck in neutral and I know we've got to do something, but I don't know what that should be.”
Hilarie put her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re done running.”
He wrinkled his brow at her words, unsure of what she meant. Jensen checked his watch and pushed himself to his feet. “It's time to get my girl at the library so I guess I'll see you later.”
Hilarie grinned at his 'my girl'. “You're a good man, Jensen, you'll figure it out.”
A leashed Roxy was always welcome in the library, so Jensen brought her along when he picked up Kaylee. He watched some of the story time moms check out Jared as the librarian cleaned up after story hour. It made Jensen want to walk over and kiss the breath out of Jared and show those women that they were wasting their time. But he knew Jared wouldn't want him to behave that way.
Kaylee ran to greet him the moment she saw him. Her hug and her babble of excitement always soothed him. He met Jared's eyes and smiled a hello. With a tilt of his head, Jared asked Jensen to join him at the desk.
Jared opened with, “We've got to talk.”
Jensen froze. 'We've got to talk' was never good. “Yeah I’ve got something I need to talk to you about, too.”
Jared, however, was too preoccupied to really hear Jensen. “Kaylee's got this thing, like a play or something her daycare class is putting on. It's next week and they have practice today. So could you drop her off there instead of taking her home with you?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. And then there's this other thing we need to discuss,” Jared added with a nervous bite of his lip. Suddenly he stopped what he was doing and his expression became worried. “Wait, did you say you wanted to talk? Did you get called for a job?” Jared tried not to look as panicked as he felt.
Jensen shook his head. “It's nothing. It can wait until you get home.”
“No. You know me. I'll be stressing about this all day if you don't tell me right now,” Jared said with a fake smile.
Kaylee, still in Jensen's arms, interrupted, “Can we go home now?”
“No, baby. Jensen's going to take you to school so you can practice for the play,” Jared replied.
“I'm going to be a mermaid!” she told Jensen with a giant smile.
“No, Kaylee. This play is about the presidents, remember? No mermaids in the white house,” Jared said.
“You don’t know that for sure,” Jensen said making Jared roll his eyes.
Jared focused on his daughter. “Why don't you go get your backpack and Melvin so Jensen can take you to school.”
“Okay, daddy.” Jensen set her down and she skipped away.
Roxy circled around Jensen and sat at his feet. Jared watched her then looked up at Jensen. “Lauren should be here soon. After you drop Kaylee at school, why don't you come back? We could go for lunch or something and we can talk then.” He tried to bury his nerves behind a pleasant smile.
Jensen shrugged. “Okay man. I'll see you in twenty minutes.”
Tourists had taken over all the lunch places Jared frequented, but Jensen took him to a small dingy bar that served perfectly grilled burgers. The moment the waiter left with their orders Jared asked, “So, what did you want to talk about? Do you and Roxy have to go be heroes somewhere?”
“No. I don't have a job. I mean, I'm not leaving. The Red Cross didn't call or anything.” Jensen fiddled with the corner of his paper placemat. “We used to do that so we wouldn’t be here.” A nervous smile flickered across Jensen's face, but he took a breath and forged on. “I hated being here, alone in that house, it didn’t feel like home without Rick. So Roxy and I would be on the road for months at a time. Or we’d take the boat island hopping.”
He stopped speaking when the waiter brought a bowl of water for Roxy. In his silence, dozens of scenarios raced through Jared’s mind.
“I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to leave. I want to be here with you and Kaylee. But I can't sit on my ass all day. So,” he took a deep breath, “I was thinking of starting my own business.”
“Really?!” Jared sat up and leaned closer. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to train service dogs. Not just rescue dogs, but there are service dogs that help people in a lot of areas--”
“Yes, Jensen. Yes. You should absolutely do that. You would be great.” Jared spoke with such certainty that Jensen felt his own confidence grow.
“Thanks.” Jensen gave him a pleased smile. “But, uh, I don’t know anything about starting a business so I’m going to need some help and some time to figure it all out and get a place.”
“Let me know what I can do to help,” Jared said eagerly.
“About that, uh, is it okay that Roxy and I stay with you until the end of the season? We’d stay on the boat, but I probably need to sell it.”
“What? No.” Jared said hastily. “I mean, yes, of course you can stay with us. We love having you. But don’t sell the boat.”
“Thanks. You've completely spoiled me, you know. I don't even want to sleep on my boat anymore if it means you're not next to me. But if I’m going to fund my business, I’ll need to sell the boat.” Jared opened his mouth to argue but Jensen added, “I’m not taking your money, Jared.”
Jared sighed and nearly surrendered when another idea crept into his mind. He smiled to himself as he nervously fiddled with the napkin wrapped flatware. “You know, you and Roxy could move in permanently. If you want. You could sell your house and keep the boat. No pressure, just giving you options. ” He glanced at Jensen to gauge his reaction.
Jensen ran a hand over his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “If spending tourist season with you works out, maybe we'll do that.”
They stared at each other as the importance of the conversation hit them. Jared grinned feeling very pleased with himself. This was the kind of talk he liked.
Jensen looked relieved. Clearing his throat he asked, “Didn't you say you had something else to talk about?”
Jared blinked to shake off the euphoria he was feeling and laughed at himself. “Right. I almost forgot. Kaylee's school needs a name for an emergency contact. Can I list you?”
Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, of course. You didn't need to take me to lunch to ask that.”
Jared gave him a small hopeful smile. “Maybe I was hoping for an afternoon quickie.”
Jensen turned toward the bar and yelled, “Check please!”
Epilogue
Upon realizing he was gay, Jensen understood he would never be a dad. Rick convinced him otherwise with their adoption of Mason. But when he lost them, Jensen accepted that he wasn't meant for fatherhood. All of that remained true, but he taught Kaylee how to ride the bicycle. He also taught her how to climb a tree and how to bait a hook and how to swim. Every night she told him she loved him and he would say he loved her too.
Now, a year to the day that he met Kaylee and her father, Jensen stood in Rick's office taping shut another box. No breakdown this time. No tears. His melancholy was overshadowed by his joy of starting a new life with Jared and Kaylee. His house was up for sale and Jeff was helping him start his business.
He carried the box to the kitchen where Jared, Jeff and Osric stood looking at a stack of papers. “Wow. Those papers must be really heavy if it takes all three of you to move them,” he snarked.
Osric jumped, but Jeff and Jared looked up at him with wide smiles. “It's an offer on your house,” Jeff told him.
“Jen, it's enough to fund your business,” Jared said not disguising his excitement.
“It is?” Jensen set the box down and flipped through the pages. “Holy shit. This means I don't have to sell my boat.”
“Which I was never going to let you do,” Jared reminded him.
Jensen held up the papers. “Now we don't have to argue about it.” He grabbed a pen and signed the offer.
“Osric, think you can take this to Rob before he closes the office?”
Osric accepted the papers and looked at Jared. “Yeah, not a problem, but there's more.”
Jensen gave Osric a look. “What are you, infomercial pitch man?”
“Uh no,” Jared said, stepping around the counter and in front of Osric. “The courier brought these, too.” He handed Jensen the other stack of papers that had been sitting on the counter. “Tom's given up his rights. I signed the final petition for adoption. Jeff and Osric witnessed it for me.”
Jensen doubted they saw the tremor in his hand, but he couldn't hide the emotion in his voice. “You sure about this?”
“Yes, Jensen. This is just the first step, but I want you to be Kaylee's dad. Kaylee wants you to be her dad. Now it's up to you. If you want to be her dad, sign the papers.”
Jensen paged through them and appeared to be studying them. “You know, the process would be easier if we were married.”
Osric and Jeff exchanged quick elbow jabs while Jared's mouth hung open for a minute. “Why Jensen Ackles are you proposing?”
Jensen’s heart hammered with nerves and he spoke quietly but sincerely. “What I’m saying is if we’re going to be a family, we should be a real family. And if the judge says no to this,” he held up the papers, “at least I can be Kaylee’s step dad.” He waited but Jared didn’t speak. “So? Jared. Will you marry me?”
“You bet your sweet ass I will,” Jared replied as he closed the distance between them and sealed the promise with a kiss.
THE END