Chapter Text
The roar of the engine was enough to announce Dean’s presence from three blocks away. He slowed down to swing into the driveway of the little house at the end of the block. A white house with blue shutters, a large, messy garden in the front yard humming with bees and chirping with birds.
Dean was older now, something he resented and often didn’t acknowledge. Laugh lines creased his eyes and there was a little softness around his stomach that, no matter how many sit ups he did, just didn’t seem to go away.
There were other changes too that came with age. Though he still preferred his layers, Dean wore a suit and tie most days. That came with the job, being a leading contractor. He couldn’t show up to interview clients in a Metallica t-shirt, flannel, and work boots. When he was working with the But the change he was most proud of was the gleaming gold wedding band on his left hand.
A face appeared in the window when the car pulled up, a little face framed with blonde curls. A wide smile broke over her little face and she waved. Dean grinned, showing off those laugh lines as he waved back.
Dean grabbed his briefcase, which would likely go unopened, but he had to at least say he tried. Jogging up the brick walkway and up the steps, he quickly opened the door. It was always unlocked.
“Daddy!” Someone called from the other room and Dean laughed, shrugging out of his stuffy blazer and hanging it on the hook by the door, dropping his briefcase to the floor.
What he was expecting was that little head of blonde curls to skip around the corner. He was not planning on her appearing seven feet in the air on his husband’s shoulders, giggling and clutching onto his head.
Castiel smiled, glancing up at her before picking her up over his head and passing her off to Dean.
“Hey baby girl.” He said with a wide smile, kissing her sloppily on the forehead and she giggled, squinting up at him. He glanced at Cas with an apologetic smile and Cas shook his head. It was alright that Dean spoke around Claire and he knew it, but he always apologized anways.
“Daddy, I los’ my firs’ tooth today!” Claire exclaimed, leaning back to point at the missing front tooth.
“You did!” Dean said in shock, making her nod frantically. “Look at you all grown up. Maybe the tooth fairy will visit tonight.”
“Leave me a present?” Her eyes widened in awe, a wide, toothy smile appearing on her face. Her breath whistled through her missing front tooth.
“We’ll see.” Dean said in mock uncertainty.
Later that night, as Dean tucked Claire into bed, pulling her bumble bee comforter up to her chin, she looked up at her with wide blue eyes. She may have been adopted, but her eyes looked just like her father’s.
“Daddy, will you tell me a story?” She asked as he turned off the light, switching on her night light which shined stars on the ceiling. Claire smiled up at them, squeezing her Grumpy Cat tight to her chest.
“A story?” Dean whined, making her giggle.
“Yes, Daddy, a story.”
“Ugh, fine!” He sighed, turning toward the little bookshelf beside her bed, ready to pull out one of the worn out children's books. Maybe they would read a chapter of Harry Potter tonight.
“No, no, not one of dose.” She scolded and he looked up with a frown just as Cas appeared in the doorway.
“Not one of those?”
“Nope. I want you to tell me a new story.” Claire said firmly and he watched her with narrowed eyes.
"A new story." He repeated and she nodded earnestly.
“Yes. I want you to tell me how you’n Papa met.”
Dean raised his eyebrows and glanced up at Cas, who was watching with a small smile. He raised his right hand and signed what she had said for him. Cas’s eyes brightened and he walked into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I think I’d like you to tell that story too.” Cas interjected and Claire clapped her hands together.
“Yay! Tell us, Daddy!”
“Fine.” Dean sighed, flopping down beside her on the bed and she shuffled closer, leaning her head on his arm.
“It was a long, long time ago. In a town far, far away.” Dean began dramatically and Claire giggle.
“At Gramma and Grandpa’s?”
“Yes, at Gramma and Grandpa’s.” He said and she smiled.
“And Papa...well he was the boy next door.”