Chapter Text
Dean stood alone in the darkened room.
At one time he had used it as his sanctuary. Another time it was Liane’s nursery. For a couple years they used it for storage, until they finally got pregnant again.
Cluttered around him were cans of paint and bags upon bags of baby decor. The only thing already put together was the crib that had once belonged to Liane – solely because Dean had never been able to bring himself to take it apart in the first place – and one of the glider rockers. The second rocker had been moved down to the infirmary and placed next to the incubator; and that’s where Dean spent most of his time.
“It’s so cold in here.” He had said to Cas, who offered him the blanket from their bed – which, as promised, now sat in the infirmary as well. “No. not me.” Dean clarified. “He’s freezing.”
And that was what led Dean to the incomplete nursery.
He searched through the boxes of Little Dean’s hand-me-downs, and through the very few items they had bought so far – they just thought they had so much more time – but everything he knew would be too big. He found a diaper that was easily twice the size of the ones they had gotten from the hospital, and held it in his hand. It would probably reach the preemie’s chest if they put it on him. Fighting back tears – wondering how he could even have more tears to cry – he returned the diaper to the box and continued searching for something that wouldn't swallow his son to wear.
“Hey Dean–” Charlie said as she came down the hall towards the nursery. “Cas said you were in–” She froze at the door, finding Dean in the remaining rocker, clinging to a stuffed bunny with long ears meant to monogram a name and birthdate on.
“W-We hadn’t even thought of names yet, Charlie.” He whispered. Truth be told – with the fear of the unknown and the stress of it all – Dean was too scared to think of a name. He was scared to even let himself get attached. He was losing hope.
“Oh Dean…” Charlie sighed.
Dean brought back the smallest sleeper he could find and carefully put it on his son, making sure to avoid the wires that covered his tiny body. It was — as expected— way too big, but it would at least keep him warm. He closed the incubator lid and pulled the rocker as close as he could, sitting down and slipping his hand through the hole. The baby weakly gripped Dean’s finger with his tiny hand, and made a soft cooing sound around the tube in his throat. Dean smiled for the first time in days, and he was instantly in love.
•••••¥•••••
Liane was heartbroken.
If only she had listened to everyone when they told her it was too early for her brother to come.
Now everyone was sad, and her baby brother was so small and so sick.
And it was all her fault.
She became quiet and secluded. Her papa was so lost in his own grief and worry he didn’t notice, and when her daddy did she refused to open up to him.
“Dinner’s ready kiddo!” Charlie called from the table. She smiled warmly at Liane as she sulked from the couch to a chair, and plopped herself in it. “I bet you’re excited to go see your brother soon?” Charlie said, handing the little girl a fork. Liane sighed and shook her head, moving the food around her plate, but not eating. “You should be. I bet he would be excited to see you.”
“No he wouldn’t”
Charlie looked up at Jo, surprised by the hostility in the four year olds voice. “Of course he would, Bee. You’re his big sister!”
“Not a very good one.” Liane said sadly.
“Bee… Why would you think that?” Jo asked, but Liane didn’t respond, just continued picking at her food; her head resting on her hand.
“Come on kiddo. We’re best buds, right. You can talk to us.” Charlie sat beside her and took her fork, picking up some of the food and airplaning it towards her mouth. Liane turned her head away and continued to pout. “Bee–”
“No!” Liane screamed out of nowhere, and jumped from her seat. Charlie and Jo looked at each other, shocked and confused, and hurried after her. “Why are you here?” They heard her screaming from her room. “You should not be here! You need to go away! ” They peeked through her door and saw her flailing her arms, striking at… nothing. There was no one in the room with her, but still she continued to scream and swing.
Charlie finally entered the room and grabbed Liane, turning the little girl to face her. “Bee, who are you talking to?”
“He can’t go away, aunt Charlie – He can’t!” Liane sobbed.
Charlie pulled her into her arms and rubbed her back. “Bee, don’t say that! He’s a Winchester, he’s strong! He isn’t going anywhere!”
“Then why is she here!?” Liane screamed, pointing to an empty corner of the room.
Jo looked from Liane and Charlie, to the corner, and gasped. “Oh no!” She ran to find MAry and John in their room, rushing inside, out of breath. “There’s a reaper here!”
•••••¥•••••
“I’m aware of her presence.” Castiel said quietly, looking back into the infirmary at his exhausted husband. “Dean is as well, I couldn’t keep that from him.”
“So he’s gonna–” Mary gasped, covering her mouth. “– He’s gonna die?”
“No orders have been given… yet.” the angel sighed. He hung his head, exhausted himself, but he kept up a strong facade for Dean. “ She is only here in case they do come.”
In an empty room Gabriel lectured the reaper.
“Betty, you had no right confronting Liane. And even less explaining your purpose here… especially when it isn’t official!” The archangel fumed, straying so far from his normal laid back self Betty couldn’t help but laugh. “Something funny to you… cousin?” He hissed.
“Actually, yes.” Betty laughed again. “It’s funny you assume I revealed myself to the child.” Gabriel stared at her confused, and she rolled her eyes. “The kid sensed me the moment I stepped into this place.” He continued to stare, now shocked. “She summoned me. Got me in her room and demanded I get out.” She smirked. “Not gonna lie, cousin , I was a little worried. I’ve heard of the strength nephilim possess. And this one? She’s different – special.”
•••••¥•••••
The baby angrily punched and kicked at the air, screaming so hard his whole body had turned red, but he was so weak no sound was coming out. Dean shushed him tirelessly, but couldn’t calm him down. “Come on, buddy. You’re wrecking your already wrecked lungs. Give ‘em a break… Give me a break… please?” Dean sighed and rested his head on the side of the incubator.
“You need some sleep, love.” Cas said from behind him, Running his hands soothingly over his shoulders and down his arms.
“I know, Cas. I – I just can’t.” Dean replied, rubbing his tired eyes. “Not until we know if…” He stopped and shook his head, unable to say it.
“You know, we should probably decide on a name.”
Dean sighed, and looked at the fussy baby. “I – I know, Cas. I just – I know.”
•••••¥•••••
Charlie suggested Cas take her place with Liane that night. She told him the little girl was shutting down more each day, and she and Jo were getting worried.
The angel bathed his daughter, trying to get at least a smile by playfully spraying her with water from one of her bath toys. She continued to stare blankly at the bubbles and Cas sighed. He lifted her from the water and carried her to her room wrapped in a soft pink towel. Once she was dressed he took her brush and began to brush out her tangles. She remained quiet, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. Cas wasn’t sure what to say. He knew exactly why she was upset, but how do you comfort someone who won’t let you in. Why did shutting people out have to be a big personality trait she inherited from Dean?
Once the last tangle was out, and the brush pulled through the dark curls easily, Cas began to count. “One, two, three…” Liane lifted her head, and Cas saw her chin tremble. “Four, Five, Six…”
“You don’t have to, Daddy. I’m not a real princess.” Liane whispered.
“Sweet girl.” Cas sighed, laying the brush on the bed and lifting Liane into his arms. “Of course you are.”
“A princess wouldn’t hurt her brother, and her family.”
“Liane you didn’t–”
“Yes I did, Daddy!” Liane cried. “Now my baby brother is gonna go away. And You and Papa are gonna hate me! And Papa won’t ever be bright again!” The little girl began to sob uncontrollably in Cas’ arms.
“Bee…” Dean called from the doorway. Liane lifted her head and looked back at him. He walked to the bed and opened his arms to her. Liane hesitated, she looked from Dean to Cas, and back. Finally she pushed out of Cas’ arms and ran to Dean’s. “Oh baby girl…” Dean cried, holding her as tight as he could.
Charlie had taken Cas’ place, sitting with him and the baby, and he felt it – felt Liane cry out, Mama.
“I’m sorry, Papa.” She whispered.
“No, Bee, I’m sorry for letting all my attention go to the new baby, and not realizing how upset you were, too.” Dean said, wiping her tears, and she reached up and wiped his away, too.
“Liane, none of this is your fault.” Cas said, pulling them both down to the bed with him.
“And no matter what happens, we will never hate you!” Dean added.
Liane sniffled, and hugged her parents. The three of them laid together in the small bed, and for the first night since the traumatic birth, they all got some sleep.
.
.
.
Gabriel. remained unseen by his brother and Dean; even Liane didn’t seem to notice him lingering. He sighed and left them to rest.
“Please.” He begged the reaper. “Wait one more night.”
Betty looked into the room, and nodded her head. “Alright. But only one more.”
•••••¥•••••
Liane crossed her arms tightly in front of her and shook her head. “I don’t want to, Papa!” She repeated for the upteenth time, simply refusing to enter the infirmary.
“Please Bee!” Dean said, his voice hoarse and shaky from a mix of crying all morning and closing himself in the dungeon to scream out his frustration. The little girl continued to shake her head, and Dean finally caved and began to cry.
You really should go, Liane.
Liane’s head turned towards the voice. “Huh?” She said softly.
“Dean…”
“Cas, wait. Please – just – please ask her to wait… just a few more minutes.” Dean cried.
Cas sighed, and looked up to Betty who rolled her eyes, leaning back impatiently against the wall.
“Hey Bee… Don’t you want to hold him?” Dean offered, hoping bribery would convince the child to go see her brother before she lost the chance to do so while he was still alive.
“I can?” Liane asked, almost excitedly.
“Of course you can!” Dean said, relieved.
Liane clung to Dean’s pants leg as they walked into the infirmary. The Tran’s, Uncle Sammy and Aunt Eileen were standing next to the incubator with Nana and Poppa John. Aunt Charlie was holding Little Dean. Aunt Jo and Uncle Gabriel were there too. Jack and Claire leaned on each other for support and had Grandma Jody and Grandpa Bobby on facetime. Liane was the last who needed to say her goodbyes.
They all look so sad… She thought.
Well sometimes death is sad.
Liane looked around the room. No one seemed to hear the oddly familiar voice.
Over here, Bee.
Liane looked over towards the voice. In the corner of the room was a man she remembered from when she was little. He smiled at her and waved, and she waved back, looking at her Daddy and Uncle Gabriel, who seemed to not hear or see the man. Grandfather? Liane thought, wondering if he would hear her again. He smiled wider and nodded.
Dean sat in the rocker and lifted Liane into his lap, while Cas and Kevin worked around the wires to lift the baby from the incubator. Dean situated Liane and wrapped his arms around her to help her hold him. The angel gently laid him into her arms and she looked down at his face, instantly captivated by him. CAs sat next to them and wrapped his arm around them, wondering how his little family would get through this. Each breath the tiny infant took was shallower than the last, and the whole room anticipated the moment they would stop.
Suddenly the room felt heavy. She looked up and saw Betty standing in front of them. Cas saw her too and stood up in front of his family protectively, and Dean pulled his children closer to him. “Betty, I beg you… just a–”
“I have given you enough time Castiel.” the reaper replied, flatly, stepping towards them. “I am sorry, but I have to take him now.”
“ No!” Liane said, staring at the reaper. She stopped, and smirked. I – I don’t want him to go away.
Well, perhaps he doesn’t have to.
Bee looked over to Chuck, confused. He doesn’t?
I think you can help him, Bee.
How?
The little girl blinked and Chuck was standing beside her. He reached out and took one of her hands, guiding it up towards the baby’s chest. Dean and CAs – and everyone else – watched in confusion as the child reached up and laid her hand on her brother’s tiny body. Liane looked up at Chuck and he began to shine bright. Brighter than any light she had ever seen before, even brighter than the sun. A warmth flowed from him and entered her, and her eyes lit up. She blinked and looked down at her brother as the warmth flowed down to her hand, and into him.
Cas gasped, looking to Gabriel for confirmation; his brother laughed and nodded.
Everyone waited, on edge and not knowing what was about to happen, then the baby suddenly took a deep breath, and opened his eyes, which were glowing like Liane’s. There were multiple gasps around the room, and some whispers, as the children continued to look at each other.
Hey Jude.
Liane blinked and Chuck was gone. Her eyes returned to normal, as did her brothers, which were now bright blue like Cas’. The angel looked up at Betty and she disappeared.
“Cas…” Dean said softly, staring at his children. “What just happened?”
Cas returned to his seat and took Dean’s hand. “A Miracle, my love.” He told him with tears in his eyes. “She has healed him.”
“W- What?!” Dean gasped.
“Dean look at him. Look at how well he is breathing now.”
Sure enough the baby’s chest was rising and falling the way it should; no more shallow or sharp gasping breaths. “Betty?”
“She's gone.”
“I – I can’t believe it!” Dean cried, finally, happy tears.
Liane smiled down at her brother and gently rocked him back and forth, and began to hum their song.
•••••¥•••••
Dean felt like he had been crying for hours – maybe he had – but as he laid his son into a crib and not an incubator, the waterworks turned back on. “Papa, are you crying, again ?” Liane asked, bouncing into the nursery. She maneuvered her way around people as they quickly rushed around trying to quickly finish the room; now that it was finally needed. She reached the crib and looked in at her brother. “Is Jude ok now?”
“Jude?” Dean repeated, looking down at Liane. She smiled up at him and nodded. “Jude.” He said again, trying the name out.
He looked at Cas and the angel shrugged. “Jude is a good name. It means praise.”
“He likes it.” Liane said, pushing her way between Dean and the crib to get closer to her brother. “Right, Jude?” The baby cooed and turned his head towards Liane, smiling.
“I guess it’s settled then.” Dean laughed, leaning on the crib railing and watching Liane play with Jude through the bars.
“Can I hold him again?” Liane asked – or more like begged – looking up at her parents with big puppy dog eyes. “Please!” She said, and Jude cooed in response.
Dean pretended to sigh. “Oh, Fine!” HE said. Liane cheered happily and ran over to the rocker. Dean brought Jude over to her and laid him in her arms. She smiled down at him, and he smiled up at her.
♫So let it out and let it in, Hey Jude, begin… You’re waiting for someone to perform with… and don’t you know that it’s you, hey Jude, you’ll do… the movement you need is on your shoulder…♫
Cas walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around his husband’s waist, laying his chin on Dean’s shoulder. They watched their children happily. “You know…”Cas said, turning his head to press his lips on Dean’s neck. “I should really start putting my foot down to you more often.” Dean turned and looked at Cas through narrowed eyes. “I mean it seems good things come from it.” Dean rolled his eyes, and Cas leaned in to kiss his lips.