Chapter Text
Act one: Castiel
It was the most incredible experience of his whole life, and Castiel witnessed the birth of stars. Nothing could compare to the birth of his daughter, of her coming into this world. He had been so worried about Dean, especially after how he had behaved last night, needing so much contact and affection and not having any qualms about asking for it. Castiel had feared Dean might relapse in his belief that their daughter shouldn't exist.
But he hadn’t.
He hadn’t, and he took it all so well, though Sadie herself helped things along so much. The clever little girl spread her little wings and transported herself into her daddy’s arms. She knew Dean would need that contact, that he would need to be the one to hold her first, but she didn’t skip Castiel, reaching out with her grace and poking him. He smiled and reached back, letting his own essence envelop them both. She was happy. She was loved. And so were they.
As he expected, just like Jack, Sadie didn’t need to eat. She would never refuse to, like her daddy, happily gulping down the formula when they got back to the bunker. She was as much of a regular baby as she was a Nephilim - sleeping and eating, though she didn’t need to. Castiel suspected it was more for Dean’s benefit. Even the very first burp.
Sam was so excited to show them the room he made for her, and he really should be proud of himself; he had done a beautiful job. It was so colorful, but not too much, light and warm and homey. He thanked him for making their daughter her own little corner while Dean remained speechless for a few minutes, staring at the walls, especially at the picture of their car. In his arms, Sadie murmured happily, approvingly. Castiel decided it would be an excellent time to give Dean a few moments alone with her, to give him some breathing room.
Sam and Eileen went to get some food and drinks to celebrate this day, while Castiel went to the kitchen to prepare what he could. Jack trailed behind him, clearly excited but holding himself back. He would make an amazing big brother, and Castiel couldn’t wait to see them together, see them play, or Jack teach her about something he liked.
There was a little whiff of smoke coming from the corner. As Castiel turned, the ground opened up, red tendrils of velvet climbing up, followed by more velvet in a dress, until it revealed Rowena. He really should have expected her.
“Hello, dearies.”
“Hello, Rowena.” Jack greeted her in his usual fashion, smiling at her, while Castiel simply nodded at her. He was as beautiful as ever, and it always unsettled Castiel when she looked at him, those piercing eyes of hers observing more than just his vessel.
“A little birdy told me you have a new member to your little family. Where is the wee one?” Strangely, she went straight to the point, not embellishing anything, not stalling, not working her way around whatever it was she wanted.
“Rowena-”
“I just wanted to give her my blessing so that all know she is protected by hell. But I don’t really need to be around her to do that. Please tell Dean it was my gift to her - she will be hidden from all demons, whether they follow me or not.”
“Thank you, Rowena,” Castiel said, feeling a little uncomfortable about his earlier tone.
“Any time, dearie. Jack, milord . Always a pleasure to see you.” She said with a wide smile and some flourished movements. Just as Jack waved back at her, she twirled and vanished into a cloud of red smoke. All Castiel could do was shake his head, amused but still happy that not only did they have the protection of Heaven, but of Hell too.
Sadie would be safe. His family would be safe.
Act two: Dean
Settling Sadie in her new crib, Dean couldn’t hold his smile. He never believed he could be this happy. Sam’s surprise room decoration was perfect, it felt so right, and he couldn’t help but lean in to touch the picture of the Impala on the wall. It was a small piece of their childhood that Dean will forever cherish, a little part of mom and dad, who were still watching over them even if they couldn’t be here.
He had never thought he would get to have this. It was still strange, the road that took them here and all the possible ways this all could go wrong, but Dean was confident that everything would be alright if they stuck together. They would be able to handle whatever life threw at them.
The little picture on the wall roared, and the car took off, making Dean laugh wholeheartedly. Glancing down at the previously sleeping little princes, he found her giggling and letting out all sorts of happy baby noises. She was so adorable.
“What are you two up to?” Cas asked, leaning on the doorframe and looking so amused. He stepped closer and hugged Dean from behind, hooking his chin over his shoulders.
“We’re just having some fun.” Sadie stopped making noises, looking up at her parents with her happy blue eyes. Dean just couldn’t get enough of her. When they returned to the bunker an hour ago, he thought he would have a problem separating himself from his little daughter. Still, it was immediately soothed by the pulsing connection he felt between them. By the look on his face, Cas felt it too.
It was as if every failsafe he could think of was already implemented. Every problem that could occur already had a set of solutions. He could understand in every moment precisely what Sadie felt, if she was hungry or if she needed a diaper change or simply to be held.
For the first time in his life, things seemed easy. Too easy.
“Rowena stopped by. She wanted to bless the child, but I gave her a firm ‘No.’” Cas said, and Dean huffed a laugh. Of course, she did, it was typical, but he didn’t worry. Rowena was an old player, and she knew better than even trying to look in Sadie’s direction.
He had no idea why he felt so at peace with it all; he just did. Maybe he did die, and this was his heaven, some elaborate dream to make him feel happy and content. But no, the feelings were too real, too strong. And he was finally free to just let himself feel.
Act three: Sadie
The little baby looked up at her Daddy and smiled, sending all the warmth she could. She could see he was on the verge of tears, and even if they were happy tears, she didn’t want to see him cry. She wanted to see him laugh. The image of Daddy’s car was right there, and she thought that if she could make it move, he would like that, and not cry, but smile, so she did, and he smiled. He laughed. So did Sadie.
Papa came in, and she wanted to squeal in delight and reach out and have him hold her but figured Daddy might be jealous. That was okay. They had time. She could always poke him with her gaga; it was something only he could feel; Daddy couldn’t. (She was pretty sure it wasn't called 'gaga,' but nobody told her the real name, so she just named it herself.)
She couldn't wait to grow enough to be able to play with them. Technically she knew she could have done that from the start, but Daddy needed her to be his little princess. Besides, she got to be carried around and snuggled against him or Papa, which was a win-win.
Sadie reached out to Jack too, and she felt the warmth of his returned touch as her big brother smiled at her. She sent him a picture of an apple.
She tried to communicate with Uncle Sammy too before she remembered he was human, and he couldn't sense her, not in the way Papa and Jack could. Guess he was going to have to wait for her to learn how to speak first.
All in all, her family seemed loving and caring, and she could already tell she was going to have so much fun growing up.