The Beauty of Love As It Was Made To Be 18/?
Title: The Beauty of Love As It Was Made To Be 18/?
Rating: PG
Pairing and Characters: Dean/Cas, Faith, Sam/Sarah, Kevin
Spoilers/Warnings: none I can think of
Word Count: ~3,600 (this chapter)
Summary: This is a sequel to "Like To Stay in Heaven..." you don't have to read that first to start this, but it would help a lot. That masterpost is here. You do need to read the prologue which is here. This starts two months after the end of my version of season 7.
This chapter: Three months have passed at the beginning of this chapter, then there's another time-jump. Kevin makes a decision about college. Sam and Sarah’s baby is born.
Notes: This story will most likely turn into another monster. I've had this story in mind for a while and haven't had a way to write it out. It could go on for a long time to see Dean and Cas' daughter grow to an adult.
Previous
“Are you sure about this?” Dean asked as Kevin was packing up his clothing. Kevin had told Dean that he was enrolled in the University of Kansas in Lawrence and could move in within the next three days.
“I’ve already been accepted, billed, and enrolled in classes. I’m going. I was hoping for a ride, but I can get there if you don’t want to.”
“Of course I’ll drive you.” Dean hadn’t meant to seem unsupportive. He had just been surprised by the news when Kevin hadn’t talked about it since they got back from New York. “I just wanted to make sure that you really wanted to do this.”
“Believe me, I do. I’ve had three months to think about it and I’ve made up my mind.”
Dean nodded, expecting as much. “Okay, when do you want to go?”
“It’s about four hours from here so we can leave tomorrow morning. I want to make sure I have time to get moved in and make sure I don’t forget anything.”
“Tomorrow it is.” Dean clapped Kevin on the back. “I’m proud of you, Kevin.” He smiled and left Kevin to finish packing.
The next morning, Faith was running in fast circles around the library trying to catch her fairy while Dean helped Kevin pack up the Impala. Cas was keeping an eye on Faith. Once everything was ready to go, Dean brought Kevin back in to say his goodbyes.
He thanked Cas for his help and wished them well. He then moved to the library to try and catch the running nephilim. She giggled as Kevin just missed her. Eventually, he cut off her path and scooped her up.
“I’m gonna miss you, Faith. You were always a lot of fun.” She frowned when she understood what was happening. “I’ll come to visit sometimes.”
“No!” She hugged him around his neck. “Kev Kev!”
He rubbed her back soothingly. “I’ll talk to you over the computer, okay? I won’t be gone forever.”
She started crying and refused to let Kevin go. Dean saw her fairy hovering above her shoulder as if to comfort her too. Cas moved over and took Faith from Kevin. She reached out and screamed for the prophet.
“Shh, he’ll be back, honey. Like he said, he won’t be gone forever.” Cas waved for them to go while he tried to calm her down. Dean came over and kissed her head and kissed Cas before taking Kevin out to the car.
Faith had stopped crying but was pouting as Cas sat beside her on the couch and read one of her favorite stories from the Grimm fairytale book. In her fit earlier, she had broken a couple cups and lights as she raged. After a couple lines, she made an irritated noise and slapped the book from Cas’s hands. It landed on the floor with a sharp thump.
“Faith!” Cas picked her up. “I understand that you’re upset, but you can’t do that.” She huffed and tried to push away from Cas.
He carried her to her room and put her in her crib. They had put angel binding in the room so there would be a place they could be sure they could hold her for punishment. She cried out in frustration and looked at Cas with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, honey. You’re gonna stay in here until you can behave. I know you’re mad and sad that Kevin’s gone but you need to not break or throw things when you’re mad.” He rubbed her head and she pushed his hands away. “I’ll check on you later. I love you.”
Tears fell down her cheeks as Cas left her alone in her room. A small golden light flickered around the rails of her crib. She watched in mild interest as her fairy settled on the top of them and watched her with sympathetic eyes. She flew down and wiped the tears from her face before settling on the bed across from her, tiny wings hanging limp behind her back. It wasn’t much, but Faith felt a little better as the fairy watched over her.
Dean helped Kevin with his last box for his dorm room. His roommate was helping him unpack, he had moved in the previous day, and seemed really nice.
“Last one, Kevin.” Dean set the box down with a pained huff. He pulled something carrying the box up the four flights of stairs. The elevators had been full with a line when they got there.
“Thanks.” He opened it and started unpacking the school supplies.
“So, you got everything you need?”
“I think so. As long as the car is empty, I should.” He looked up and saw Dean hesitantly move around the room. “Thanks, Dean. It means a lot that I have your support, all of you.”
Dean smiled shyly. “Just make us proud, kid.” He moved closer and hugged him briefly. “How about some lunch? Let me buy you your last free meal.”
Kevin smiled. “Okay.”
Dean texted Cas as he and Kevin waited for their food at a campus restaurant.
Kevin is in the process of moving in. We’re just grabbing some lunch then I’ll be on my way home. How’s Faith doin?
Not very well. She’s been breaking things and knocked a book out of my hands earlier. She can’t completely control it I’ve put her in her room for now.
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this would upset her so much. I should be back before dark.
Okay see you.
Bye cas.
It was close to six when Cas’s phone buzzed with a message from Dean to say he was back and to open the door. Cas let him in and took the take-out bag from his hand.
“That’s for you. I figured you hadn’t gone out or had much here so…” he smiled.
“Thanks.” Cas looked in the bag as he walked to the kitchen. Dean followed.
“Well, the campus looks nice and Kevin’s roommate seems like a good guy. I spilled a little holy water on him and handed him the silver lamp just in case and all checked out.”
“Good.” Cas unwrapped the burger, mouth salivating as he hadn’t eaten much today. “If he has any problems, we’re not far.”
“That’s what I told him. He said he’d call every once in a while to give us peace of mind. So, Faith’s in her room?” He pointed back in its general direction.
Cas nodded, his mouth full of food. “She’s been quiet.”
“I’ll check on her.” Dean found Faith lying on her side in her crib while her fairy hovered overhead. The small pixie looked at Dean suspiciously as he moved closer to the crib. Dean put a hand on Faith’s head.
“Hey, I heard you caused Poppa some trouble today.” She rubbed her eyes and hid her face in the bed. “Kevin is just off at school, sweetie. You’ll see him again. Do you want to come out and play with us?” She shook her head and curled up more. “You tired?” She nodded.
Dean smiled and covered her with her small blanket Sarah had bought for them. It was blue with clouds and tiny suns on it. He also picked up her tiger and laid it next to her. She hugged the toy close and closed her eyes. Dean leaned over the crib and kissed the side of her face.
“I love you, honey.” He was opening the door when he heard Faith’s soft voice.
“I love you too, Daddy.”
With a last look back, Dean shut the door and walked back to the kitchen. Cas had finished his food and was sipping at his drink. Dean hugged him from behind and rested his head on his shoulder.
“She didn’t want to come out?”
“No, she was tired.” Dean yawned and rubbed Cas’s stomach absently. “I’m tired too.”
“You did a lot of driving today.” He put his drink back in the to-go bag. “You should go to sleep.”
He groaned a no and stepped back. “There are a lot of movies here you haven’t seen.” He took Cas’s hand and led him to the projector room.
Dean barely made it thirty minutes in before falling asleep on Cas’s shoulder. Cas moved to lay flat and rested Dean’s head on his chest. He fell asleep sometime before the movie ended.
Four months later
The weather had cooled and snow fell as December dawned. Kevin was off for Christmas break. He had decided to spend the month off with his mom in Michigan. It had been a long time since he had seen her.
Dean and Cas had taken a few jobs recently and were sleeping after a successful hunt when Dean’s phone rang loudly. He woke with a groan and nudged Cas, who was laying over him. “Cas, the phone.”
Cas furrowed his brows and pushed back at Dean. “It’s your phone.”
“You’re closer.”
“No.” Cas rolled onto his stomach and closed his eyes.
“Dammit, Cas.” Dean rolled over with a heavy sigh. He pushed on Cas’s back as he leaned over him, getting an irritated grunt, and picked up his phone off the nightstand. Sam was calling. “Sam?”
“Dean, sorry for the hour.”
Dean checked the phone. It was three AM. “It’s fine.” His voice was low and gruff from sleep. “What’s up?”
“Uh, Sarah went into labor earlier today and we’re at the hospital now. It won’t be too long now.”
Dean could hear the radiant smile on Sam’s face. “Why didn’t you call earlier and tell us?”
“Because labor can last a long time, days even, but she’s close to pushing. You want to fly up here and meet the new Winchester?”
They still hadn’t told them if it was a boy or girl yet and Dean was itching to know. “Yeah, just give us a few minutes. Faith will take us up there.”
“Okay. Some of Sarah’s family is here too so try to be discrete.”
“Sure thing, Sammy.” He hung up and put his phone back down. Cas still had his eyes closed so Dean grabbed a pillow and swung it down on Cas’s head.
Cas protested loudly and grabbed the pillow. “Dean,” he whined and threw the pillow at him, “don’t.”
“Get up, Cas. Sarah is in labor. We need to go meet our niece or nephew.” He slapped Cas’s butt hard as he stood and went to dress. Cas cursed at him and burrowed under the covers.
Dean pulled on his jeans and went to Faith’s room. He found her sitting up and playing with her fairy. He picked her up with her tiger. “Hey, you want to go see Uncle Sammy?” She nodded vigorously. “Guess what?”
“What?” She smiled.
“Baby will be here today too.” She shrieked and clapped. “We have to go meet Baby in New York.” She bounced in his arms happily. “Let’s get dressed, okay?”
He set her down and helped her put on her favorite white dress with yellow flowers and pretty white shoes. She tugged at his pants when he finished with her shoes.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, honey?” He crouched to her level.
“Can you braid my hair? I wanna be pretty for Baby.” She clasped her hands behind her back and batted her lashes around her huge blue eyes, Cas’s eyes. How could he say no?
“Of course, honey. Just let me go check on Poppa, okay? Go wait in the other room for me.” He waited for her to run through the door before going back to his room. Cas was sitting on the bed and slowly pulling on some pants. His hair was sticking up in all directions and his eyelids were droopy in exhaustion.
“Couldn’t she have given birth at a more reasonable hour?” He scowled at his jeans when they didn’t pull up as easy as they were supposed to.
“Sorry for keeping you up so late. Faith is ready so anytime, slowpoke.” He winked at the glare Cas threw him and headed back to Faith. She was sitting on the couch they set up in the library, knocking her feet together in excitement.
Dean sat beside her and lifted her to sit on his lap. He hadn’t known how, or thought he needed to know how to braid hair until Faith had asked him to a couple months ago. He looked up videos on YouTube and eventually mastered it for his daughter.
He took a few strands of her sandy blonde hair. She squirmed on his lap as he tried to start the braid. “Sit still, sweetie.” By the time he was done, Cas had found his way out, not looking any happier.
“Poppa, we’ll meet Baby today.” She climbed off Dean and ran to hug Cas around his knees.
Cas laughed. “We will. Are you excited to have a cousin?”
“Yes.” She stayed attached to Cas. “Will Baby be able to fly too? Will Baby be a superhero like you and Daddy?”
Cas looked at Dean for help. Dean stood and loosened the nephilim’s strong grip. Cas then answered, “Everyone’s a superhero, Faith. With Sam and Sarah, how could Baby be normal or ordinary? Baby won’t be able to fly, but I’m sure there will be something else that will make Baby great.”
She considered that answer and smiled. “I’ll teach Baby to fly.”
“Maybe.” Dean stood and took Faith’s hand. Cas took her other hand. “Just find Sarah and take us outside the hospital. We don’t want to scare anyone.” She nodded obediently and focused.
With a gut-wrenching feeling of vertigo, they landed on the sidewalk outside a hospital. It was a lot colder here than Kansas and Dean regretted not putting on a coat, or putting one on Faith, although she seemed unaffected by the cold. He took out his phone and called Sam to find out where they were in the building.
The three of them walked hand-in-hand through the entrance and up the elevator to the fourth floor. Sam was waiting around the corner of the elevator. Faith called out immediately and ran to Sam.
Sam crouched to meet the running child. She knocked him back on his butt as she tackled him in a hug. He laughed as she held him tight. Dean and Cas helped Sam stand with Faith in his arms.
“Hey, guys.” Sam looked tired but was glowing like the sun. “Everyone’s waiting just down the hall.” He led them down a little and set down Faith.
“Uncle Sammy, do you like my hair? Daddy did it for me. I wanted to look nice for Baby.” Faith tugged on the end of her French braid, which reached just passed her shoulder.
“I do. You look very pretty, Faith.” He kissed her cheek with a loud smack, making her giggle.
“Why don’t you go sit by the others while we talk to Sam?” Faith nodded and ran over to Sarah’s parents and friends that were waiting. Dean looked at his brother and finally pulled him into a hug. “You scared yet?”
“I’ve been terrified since I found out she was pregnant.” Sam pulled back and clapped Cas’s shoulder. “You okay, Cas?”
“He’s just tired.” Dean answered when Cas just shrugged and yawned. “We just got back from a job.”
“I’m very happy though, Sam. You’re going to be a great father.” Cas smiled.
“I hope so.” Sam bit his lip nervously. “I should go check on her. She was getting ready to push when you got here and I really need to be there.”
“Yeah, you should. Go.” Dean patted his back. Sam smiled again and went down the hall to Sarah’s room. “Now we wait.”
Dean and Cas sat among the family and kept an eye on Faith. They had to pull her aside and tell her to mind her powers a couple times when she started moving things.
“But I forgot Tiger. I need Tiger.” She frowned at them and pulled on the edge of her dress.
“I’m sorry, babe. You’ll just have to find something else to do.” Dean rubbed her arm sympathetically.
“She’s beautiful.” One of Sarah’s friends leaned over as Faith looked at them. “How old is she?”
“She’ll be three in a couple weeks.” Dean and Cas had started thinking about party ideas.
“Aww, well she’s talking really well for her age.” The woman waved at her when she turned a curious look at her. “She looks just like you.” She looked at Dean. “Except her eyes.”
“Yeah, that’s what everyone says.” Dean took Cas’s hand.
It was a couple hours before a doctor arrived to update them. “Everything went very well and the baby is healthy and currently bonding with mom and dad.” The older man smiled as the family collectively sighed in relief. “They’ll start taking visitors within the hour.”
Faith ran over with her tiger under her arm. “Can we see Baby?”
“Not yet.” Dean frowned.
Cas pointed at the toy. “Where did he come from?” Faith’s face went a little red as she tried to hide him behind her back. “Faith, how did Tiger get here?” He looked to make sure no one else heard their conversation.
“I found him.” Her eyes shifted as she looked down.
“You’re as bad a liar as Poppa.” Dean tilted her head up with a finger. “Faith, did you teleport Tiger here?”
She frowned and looked down again. “Yes, Daddy.”
“You shouldn’t have done that, Faith. What if somebody saw you?”
“No one did,” she insisted quickly, “I made sure they weren’t looking.”
“Okay, but be more careful next time.” Dean looked around at the group as Faith sat in front of them and walked her tiger around, roaring and pouncing on imaginary predators.
It was close to seven when they were finally able to see the baby. They waited for everyone else to go first. Sam was holding the baby in a small bundle in his arms, smiling and talking to the newborn. Sarah was in the bed and smiling tiredly at her husband. Sam looked up when they came in.
“I was wondering when you would finally show up. I thought you would fight everyone to be first in the door.”
“Not quite.” Faith stood on tiptoes as Sam moved around the bed. Dean looked at Sarah. “How you holding up, mom?”
Sarah laughed softly. “I’ve felt better, but it’s all good now.”
“So, you want to meet the new Winchester?” Sam moved closer and tilted his arms. Dean and Cas turned to look. “Meet Henry Robert Winchester.”
Dean looked at Sam. “Henry Robert?” Sam nodded. “That’s a good name.” He looked down at the sleeping baby. He definitely had Sam’s nose but seemed to have Sarah’s full lips. A patch of dark hair was sticking up on top of his round head.
Cas put a hand on Dean’s shoulder as he looked at the baby. “He’s beautiful.” He looked at Sam and Sarah. They both smiled. He reached out a finger to the tiny hands. They gripped his finger on instinct. He was strong for a newborn, but he was nothing compared to the death grip Faith had always had.
“I wanna see!” Faith tugged insistently on Sam’s pants. Dean picked her up so she could see.
“His name is Henry. That’s your new cousin.” Dean smiled as she reached forward and rubbed his hair.
“He’s so tiny. Why is he sleeping? I wanna play with him.” Her eyes widened when he shifted in Sam’s arms and blew a few bubbles.
“You were that tiny once too. You’ll get to play with him all the time when he grows up a little.”
Faith tilted her head as Henry’s hands moved over his face, fingers opening and closing. She laughed. “He’s funny.” She looked over at Sarah and wiggled. Dean put her down and she rushed to the bed. “Are you okay, Sarah?”
“I’m okay, just tired.” She touched her arm gently. “That’s a nice dress, Faith.”
Faith tugged on the bottom of her skirt. “It’s my favorite.”
“It’s a good one.” Sarah smiled.
Faith tried to crawl up on the bed until Dean said her name. “Let Sarah rest. Come here.” She got down reluctantly and came back to Dean’s side.
“You want to hold him?” Sam looked at Dean, knowing the answer. Faith had made him soft when it came to babies and kids.
“Sure.” Sam handed Henry over slowly. The boy was tiny and lighter than Dean remembered Faith being, of course she was six months old when he first held her. Cas leaned over a little more and Dean felt his heart warm in love for the baby.
He pulled up the cloth he was swaddled in when his wiggling legs pulled it down. Tiny hands grabbed at his fingers and Dean couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. His eyes cracked open and stared at him.
“Hey, buddy.” Dean booped his nose. “What do you think of this place so far, huh?” He blew a few more bubbles. “That’s about it, yeah.”
“So Dean, you want another one now?” Sam smiled and crossed his arms.
Dean laughed. “No, one is plenty.” He looked at Faith, who was trying to look at Henry again. Dean knelt down for her to see.
They spent a little longer there. Cas held Henry for a while and Faith told Sarah and Sam about the movies they had watched and what Kevin was doing at college. They left when Sarah almost fell asleep.
Sam made them promise to visit more often and hugged Faith before waving them off. Dean and Cas were yawning as they walked Faith back to her room. She wanted to stay out, but they didn’t want to have to worry about where she was when they woke up.
Dean saw her fairy in her room and Faith began telling her everything as they shut the door and walked back to their room. They both slipped off their shoes and barely got their jeans off before collapsing into sleep together.
Next
Rating: PG
Pairing and Characters: Dean/Cas, Faith, Sam/Sarah, Kevin
Spoilers/Warnings: none I can think of
Word Count: ~3,600 (this chapter)
Summary: This is a sequel to "Like To Stay in Heaven..." you don't have to read that first to start this, but it would help a lot. That masterpost is here. You do need to read the prologue which is here. This starts two months after the end of my version of season 7.
This chapter: Three months have passed at the beginning of this chapter, then there's another time-jump. Kevin makes a decision about college. Sam and Sarah’s baby is born.
Notes: This story will most likely turn into another monster. I've had this story in mind for a while and haven't had a way to write it out. It could go on for a long time to see Dean and Cas' daughter grow to an adult.
Previous
“Are you sure about this?” Dean asked as Kevin was packing up his clothing. Kevin had told Dean that he was enrolled in the University of Kansas in Lawrence and could move in within the next three days.
“I’ve already been accepted, billed, and enrolled in classes. I’m going. I was hoping for a ride, but I can get there if you don’t want to.”
“Of course I’ll drive you.” Dean hadn’t meant to seem unsupportive. He had just been surprised by the news when Kevin hadn’t talked about it since they got back from New York. “I just wanted to make sure that you really wanted to do this.”
“Believe me, I do. I’ve had three months to think about it and I’ve made up my mind.”
Dean nodded, expecting as much. “Okay, when do you want to go?”
“It’s about four hours from here so we can leave tomorrow morning. I want to make sure I have time to get moved in and make sure I don’t forget anything.”
“Tomorrow it is.” Dean clapped Kevin on the back. “I’m proud of you, Kevin.” He smiled and left Kevin to finish packing.
The next morning, Faith was running in fast circles around the library trying to catch her fairy while Dean helped Kevin pack up the Impala. Cas was keeping an eye on Faith. Once everything was ready to go, Dean brought Kevin back in to say his goodbyes.
He thanked Cas for his help and wished them well. He then moved to the library to try and catch the running nephilim. She giggled as Kevin just missed her. Eventually, he cut off her path and scooped her up.
“I’m gonna miss you, Faith. You were always a lot of fun.” She frowned when she understood what was happening. “I’ll come to visit sometimes.”
“No!” She hugged him around his neck. “Kev Kev!”
He rubbed her back soothingly. “I’ll talk to you over the computer, okay? I won’t be gone forever.”
She started crying and refused to let Kevin go. Dean saw her fairy hovering above her shoulder as if to comfort her too. Cas moved over and took Faith from Kevin. She reached out and screamed for the prophet.
“Shh, he’ll be back, honey. Like he said, he won’t be gone forever.” Cas waved for them to go while he tried to calm her down. Dean came over and kissed her head and kissed Cas before taking Kevin out to the car.
Faith had stopped crying but was pouting as Cas sat beside her on the couch and read one of her favorite stories from the Grimm fairytale book. In her fit earlier, she had broken a couple cups and lights as she raged. After a couple lines, she made an irritated noise and slapped the book from Cas’s hands. It landed on the floor with a sharp thump.
“Faith!” Cas picked her up. “I understand that you’re upset, but you can’t do that.” She huffed and tried to push away from Cas.
He carried her to her room and put her in her crib. They had put angel binding in the room so there would be a place they could be sure they could hold her for punishment. She cried out in frustration and looked at Cas with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, honey. You’re gonna stay in here until you can behave. I know you’re mad and sad that Kevin’s gone but you need to not break or throw things when you’re mad.” He rubbed her head and she pushed his hands away. “I’ll check on you later. I love you.”
Tears fell down her cheeks as Cas left her alone in her room. A small golden light flickered around the rails of her crib. She watched in mild interest as her fairy settled on the top of them and watched her with sympathetic eyes. She flew down and wiped the tears from her face before settling on the bed across from her, tiny wings hanging limp behind her back. It wasn’t much, but Faith felt a little better as the fairy watched over her.
Dean helped Kevin with his last box for his dorm room. His roommate was helping him unpack, he had moved in the previous day, and seemed really nice.
“Last one, Kevin.” Dean set the box down with a pained huff. He pulled something carrying the box up the four flights of stairs. The elevators had been full with a line when they got there.
“Thanks.” He opened it and started unpacking the school supplies.
“So, you got everything you need?”
“I think so. As long as the car is empty, I should.” He looked up and saw Dean hesitantly move around the room. “Thanks, Dean. It means a lot that I have your support, all of you.”
Dean smiled shyly. “Just make us proud, kid.” He moved closer and hugged him briefly. “How about some lunch? Let me buy you your last free meal.”
Kevin smiled. “Okay.”
Dean texted Cas as he and Kevin waited for their food at a campus restaurant.
Kevin is in the process of moving in. We’re just grabbing some lunch then I’ll be on my way home. How’s Faith doin?
Not very well. She’s been breaking things and knocked a book out of my hands earlier. She can’t completely control it I’ve put her in her room for now.
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this would upset her so much. I should be back before dark.
Okay see you.
Bye cas.
It was close to six when Cas’s phone buzzed with a message from Dean to say he was back and to open the door. Cas let him in and took the take-out bag from his hand.
“That’s for you. I figured you hadn’t gone out or had much here so…” he smiled.
“Thanks.” Cas looked in the bag as he walked to the kitchen. Dean followed.
“Well, the campus looks nice and Kevin’s roommate seems like a good guy. I spilled a little holy water on him and handed him the silver lamp just in case and all checked out.”
“Good.” Cas unwrapped the burger, mouth salivating as he hadn’t eaten much today. “If he has any problems, we’re not far.”
“That’s what I told him. He said he’d call every once in a while to give us peace of mind. So, Faith’s in her room?” He pointed back in its general direction.
Cas nodded, his mouth full of food. “She’s been quiet.”
“I’ll check on her.” Dean found Faith lying on her side in her crib while her fairy hovered overhead. The small pixie looked at Dean suspiciously as he moved closer to the crib. Dean put a hand on Faith’s head.
“Hey, I heard you caused Poppa some trouble today.” She rubbed her eyes and hid her face in the bed. “Kevin is just off at school, sweetie. You’ll see him again. Do you want to come out and play with us?” She shook her head and curled up more. “You tired?” She nodded.
Dean smiled and covered her with her small blanket Sarah had bought for them. It was blue with clouds and tiny suns on it. He also picked up her tiger and laid it next to her. She hugged the toy close and closed her eyes. Dean leaned over the crib and kissed the side of her face.
“I love you, honey.” He was opening the door when he heard Faith’s soft voice.
“I love you too, Daddy.”
With a last look back, Dean shut the door and walked back to the kitchen. Cas had finished his food and was sipping at his drink. Dean hugged him from behind and rested his head on his shoulder.
“She didn’t want to come out?”
“No, she was tired.” Dean yawned and rubbed Cas’s stomach absently. “I’m tired too.”
“You did a lot of driving today.” He put his drink back in the to-go bag. “You should go to sleep.”
He groaned a no and stepped back. “There are a lot of movies here you haven’t seen.” He took Cas’s hand and led him to the projector room.
Dean barely made it thirty minutes in before falling asleep on Cas’s shoulder. Cas moved to lay flat and rested Dean’s head on his chest. He fell asleep sometime before the movie ended.
Four months later
The weather had cooled and snow fell as December dawned. Kevin was off for Christmas break. He had decided to spend the month off with his mom in Michigan. It had been a long time since he had seen her.
Dean and Cas had taken a few jobs recently and were sleeping after a successful hunt when Dean’s phone rang loudly. He woke with a groan and nudged Cas, who was laying over him. “Cas, the phone.”
Cas furrowed his brows and pushed back at Dean. “It’s your phone.”
“You’re closer.”
“No.” Cas rolled onto his stomach and closed his eyes.
“Dammit, Cas.” Dean rolled over with a heavy sigh. He pushed on Cas’s back as he leaned over him, getting an irritated grunt, and picked up his phone off the nightstand. Sam was calling. “Sam?”
“Dean, sorry for the hour.”
Dean checked the phone. It was three AM. “It’s fine.” His voice was low and gruff from sleep. “What’s up?”
“Uh, Sarah went into labor earlier today and we’re at the hospital now. It won’t be too long now.”
Dean could hear the radiant smile on Sam’s face. “Why didn’t you call earlier and tell us?”
“Because labor can last a long time, days even, but she’s close to pushing. You want to fly up here and meet the new Winchester?”
They still hadn’t told them if it was a boy or girl yet and Dean was itching to know. “Yeah, just give us a few minutes. Faith will take us up there.”
“Okay. Some of Sarah’s family is here too so try to be discrete.”
“Sure thing, Sammy.” He hung up and put his phone back down. Cas still had his eyes closed so Dean grabbed a pillow and swung it down on Cas’s head.
Cas protested loudly and grabbed the pillow. “Dean,” he whined and threw the pillow at him, “don’t.”
“Get up, Cas. Sarah is in labor. We need to go meet our niece or nephew.” He slapped Cas’s butt hard as he stood and went to dress. Cas cursed at him and burrowed under the covers.
Dean pulled on his jeans and went to Faith’s room. He found her sitting up and playing with her fairy. He picked her up with her tiger. “Hey, you want to go see Uncle Sammy?” She nodded vigorously. “Guess what?”
“What?” She smiled.
“Baby will be here today too.” She shrieked and clapped. “We have to go meet Baby in New York.” She bounced in his arms happily. “Let’s get dressed, okay?”
He set her down and helped her put on her favorite white dress with yellow flowers and pretty white shoes. She tugged at his pants when he finished with her shoes.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, honey?” He crouched to her level.
“Can you braid my hair? I wanna be pretty for Baby.” She clasped her hands behind her back and batted her lashes around her huge blue eyes, Cas’s eyes. How could he say no?
“Of course, honey. Just let me go check on Poppa, okay? Go wait in the other room for me.” He waited for her to run through the door before going back to his room. Cas was sitting on the bed and slowly pulling on some pants. His hair was sticking up in all directions and his eyelids were droopy in exhaustion.
“Couldn’t she have given birth at a more reasonable hour?” He scowled at his jeans when they didn’t pull up as easy as they were supposed to.
“Sorry for keeping you up so late. Faith is ready so anytime, slowpoke.” He winked at the glare Cas threw him and headed back to Faith. She was sitting on the couch they set up in the library, knocking her feet together in excitement.
Dean sat beside her and lifted her to sit on his lap. He hadn’t known how, or thought he needed to know how to braid hair until Faith had asked him to a couple months ago. He looked up videos on YouTube and eventually mastered it for his daughter.
He took a few strands of her sandy blonde hair. She squirmed on his lap as he tried to start the braid. “Sit still, sweetie.” By the time he was done, Cas had found his way out, not looking any happier.
“Poppa, we’ll meet Baby today.” She climbed off Dean and ran to hug Cas around his knees.
Cas laughed. “We will. Are you excited to have a cousin?”
“Yes.” She stayed attached to Cas. “Will Baby be able to fly too? Will Baby be a superhero like you and Daddy?”
Cas looked at Dean for help. Dean stood and loosened the nephilim’s strong grip. Cas then answered, “Everyone’s a superhero, Faith. With Sam and Sarah, how could Baby be normal or ordinary? Baby won’t be able to fly, but I’m sure there will be something else that will make Baby great.”
She considered that answer and smiled. “I’ll teach Baby to fly.”
“Maybe.” Dean stood and took Faith’s hand. Cas took her other hand. “Just find Sarah and take us outside the hospital. We don’t want to scare anyone.” She nodded obediently and focused.
With a gut-wrenching feeling of vertigo, they landed on the sidewalk outside a hospital. It was a lot colder here than Kansas and Dean regretted not putting on a coat, or putting one on Faith, although she seemed unaffected by the cold. He took out his phone and called Sam to find out where they were in the building.
The three of them walked hand-in-hand through the entrance and up the elevator to the fourth floor. Sam was waiting around the corner of the elevator. Faith called out immediately and ran to Sam.
Sam crouched to meet the running child. She knocked him back on his butt as she tackled him in a hug. He laughed as she held him tight. Dean and Cas helped Sam stand with Faith in his arms.
“Hey, guys.” Sam looked tired but was glowing like the sun. “Everyone’s waiting just down the hall.” He led them down a little and set down Faith.
“Uncle Sammy, do you like my hair? Daddy did it for me. I wanted to look nice for Baby.” Faith tugged on the end of her French braid, which reached just passed her shoulder.
“I do. You look very pretty, Faith.” He kissed her cheek with a loud smack, making her giggle.
“Why don’t you go sit by the others while we talk to Sam?” Faith nodded and ran over to Sarah’s parents and friends that were waiting. Dean looked at his brother and finally pulled him into a hug. “You scared yet?”
“I’ve been terrified since I found out she was pregnant.” Sam pulled back and clapped Cas’s shoulder. “You okay, Cas?”
“He’s just tired.” Dean answered when Cas just shrugged and yawned. “We just got back from a job.”
“I’m very happy though, Sam. You’re going to be a great father.” Cas smiled.
“I hope so.” Sam bit his lip nervously. “I should go check on her. She was getting ready to push when you got here and I really need to be there.”
“Yeah, you should. Go.” Dean patted his back. Sam smiled again and went down the hall to Sarah’s room. “Now we wait.”
Dean and Cas sat among the family and kept an eye on Faith. They had to pull her aside and tell her to mind her powers a couple times when she started moving things.
“But I forgot Tiger. I need Tiger.” She frowned at them and pulled on the edge of her dress.
“I’m sorry, babe. You’ll just have to find something else to do.” Dean rubbed her arm sympathetically.
“She’s beautiful.” One of Sarah’s friends leaned over as Faith looked at them. “How old is she?”
“She’ll be three in a couple weeks.” Dean and Cas had started thinking about party ideas.
“Aww, well she’s talking really well for her age.” The woman waved at her when she turned a curious look at her. “She looks just like you.” She looked at Dean. “Except her eyes.”
“Yeah, that’s what everyone says.” Dean took Cas’s hand.
It was a couple hours before a doctor arrived to update them. “Everything went very well and the baby is healthy and currently bonding with mom and dad.” The older man smiled as the family collectively sighed in relief. “They’ll start taking visitors within the hour.”
Faith ran over with her tiger under her arm. “Can we see Baby?”
“Not yet.” Dean frowned.
Cas pointed at the toy. “Where did he come from?” Faith’s face went a little red as she tried to hide him behind her back. “Faith, how did Tiger get here?” He looked to make sure no one else heard their conversation.
“I found him.” Her eyes shifted as she looked down.
“You’re as bad a liar as Poppa.” Dean tilted her head up with a finger. “Faith, did you teleport Tiger here?”
She frowned and looked down again. “Yes, Daddy.”
“You shouldn’t have done that, Faith. What if somebody saw you?”
“No one did,” she insisted quickly, “I made sure they weren’t looking.”
“Okay, but be more careful next time.” Dean looked around at the group as Faith sat in front of them and walked her tiger around, roaring and pouncing on imaginary predators.
It was close to seven when they were finally able to see the baby. They waited for everyone else to go first. Sam was holding the baby in a small bundle in his arms, smiling and talking to the newborn. Sarah was in the bed and smiling tiredly at her husband. Sam looked up when they came in.
“I was wondering when you would finally show up. I thought you would fight everyone to be first in the door.”
“Not quite.” Faith stood on tiptoes as Sam moved around the bed. Dean looked at Sarah. “How you holding up, mom?”
Sarah laughed softly. “I’ve felt better, but it’s all good now.”
“So, you want to meet the new Winchester?” Sam moved closer and tilted his arms. Dean and Cas turned to look. “Meet Henry Robert Winchester.”
Dean looked at Sam. “Henry Robert?” Sam nodded. “That’s a good name.” He looked down at the sleeping baby. He definitely had Sam’s nose but seemed to have Sarah’s full lips. A patch of dark hair was sticking up on top of his round head.
Cas put a hand on Dean’s shoulder as he looked at the baby. “He’s beautiful.” He looked at Sam and Sarah. They both smiled. He reached out a finger to the tiny hands. They gripped his finger on instinct. He was strong for a newborn, but he was nothing compared to the death grip Faith had always had.
“I wanna see!” Faith tugged insistently on Sam’s pants. Dean picked her up so she could see.
“His name is Henry. That’s your new cousin.” Dean smiled as she reached forward and rubbed his hair.
“He’s so tiny. Why is he sleeping? I wanna play with him.” Her eyes widened when he shifted in Sam’s arms and blew a few bubbles.
“You were that tiny once too. You’ll get to play with him all the time when he grows up a little.”
Faith tilted her head as Henry’s hands moved over his face, fingers opening and closing. She laughed. “He’s funny.” She looked over at Sarah and wiggled. Dean put her down and she rushed to the bed. “Are you okay, Sarah?”
“I’m okay, just tired.” She touched her arm gently. “That’s a nice dress, Faith.”
Faith tugged on the bottom of her skirt. “It’s my favorite.”
“It’s a good one.” Sarah smiled.
Faith tried to crawl up on the bed until Dean said her name. “Let Sarah rest. Come here.” She got down reluctantly and came back to Dean’s side.
“You want to hold him?” Sam looked at Dean, knowing the answer. Faith had made him soft when it came to babies and kids.
“Sure.” Sam handed Henry over slowly. The boy was tiny and lighter than Dean remembered Faith being, of course she was six months old when he first held her. Cas leaned over a little more and Dean felt his heart warm in love for the baby.
He pulled up the cloth he was swaddled in when his wiggling legs pulled it down. Tiny hands grabbed at his fingers and Dean couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. His eyes cracked open and stared at him.
“Hey, buddy.” Dean booped his nose. “What do you think of this place so far, huh?” He blew a few more bubbles. “That’s about it, yeah.”
“So Dean, you want another one now?” Sam smiled and crossed his arms.
Dean laughed. “No, one is plenty.” He looked at Faith, who was trying to look at Henry again. Dean knelt down for her to see.
They spent a little longer there. Cas held Henry for a while and Faith told Sarah and Sam about the movies they had watched and what Kevin was doing at college. They left when Sarah almost fell asleep.
Sam made them promise to visit more often and hugged Faith before waving them off. Dean and Cas were yawning as they walked Faith back to her room. She wanted to stay out, but they didn’t want to have to worry about where she was when they woke up.
Dean saw her fairy in her room and Faith began telling her everything as they shut the door and walked back to their room. They both slipped off their shoes and barely got their jeans off before collapsing into sleep together.
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