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The sun was warm on Dean’s back as he closed the hood of the Impala, arms full of grocery bags. He made his way around back, hoisting one of the bags up to rest against the jut of his hip.
When he entered their backyard he smiled, Cas had really outdone himself this year. Rows of lavender lined the small path from the driveway to the porch, and their apple tree was blossoming. In the furthest corner tomato plants and cucumbers had started to sprout, along with vegetables Dean probably couldn’t identify.
But what really made him smile was seeing the table on the porch, covered in newspapers, pots and some of the potted plants from inside the house. Cas stood leaning over the table, softly explaining something to Jack, who listened seriously. Jack was dressed in his favorite striped shirt and his blue dungarees, and Dean could see that the kid already had soil all over him. Dean leant against the railing, not wanting to disturb their moment. Their four-year-old had more energy than Dean had ever seen, bouncing off the walls and talking a mile a minute. Sometimes it had Dean worried how Jack would handle getting a little sister just a few weeks from now. At the moment though, Jack was quiet and focused.
“So, it’s a baby plant?” Jack asked, studying the clipping in Castiel’s hand. Cas smiled warmly at Jack and nodded.
“That’s right Jack, so we have to be extra careful, okay? Baby plants are more vulnerable than big plants.” Jack nodded solemnly, as if the fate of the world rested on his small shoulders. “Could you please fill that pot with some soil?” Cas continued and pointed to a smaller pot in front of Jack.
Jack picked up his small gardening shovel, bees printed on the handle, and carefully began filling the pot. Not all soil made it in the pot, and it took a few tries, but soon enough it was filled almost all the way up. Dean smiled at his son’s knitted brows and caught his husband’s eye. He shook his head at Castiel, asking him to continue and not let Dean disturb. Castiel smiled wide at Dean and nodded.
“That’s perfect, Jack,” he said, inspecting the pot carefully, making Jack giggle.
“Dad,” Jack began hesitantly, “can this be my plant?”
“Of course, honey, but then you would have to take care of it and look after it, okay?” Cas said, brushing away a stray hair from Jack’s forehead. Jack nodded again, and Dean recognised that look anywhere. Jack had an idea; one he didn’t want to share just yet. Usually, it was him trying to cook breakfast, ending with a not so quiet pattering of feet asking Dean if he could open the refrigerator, or a very complicated game that took half an hour to explain and that made the four year old very exasperated when his parents didn’t understand.
“Okay Jack, now we have to make room for the plant like we did with the others,” Cas said and held up one finger, showing Jack what he meant. Jack held up his hand like Cas and carefully poked a hole in the top layer of the soil.
“Like this?”
“Exactly like that, you’re doing a great job Jack,” Cas complimented, and Jack beamed. Dean watched as they carefully planted the clipping, Jack’s small fingers pressing down on the soil. Sensing that they were done, he hoisted one of the paper bags up again, the rustling sound making Jack look around.
“Daddy!” he squealed and jumped down from the bench he had been standing on, running over to Dean. “Me and Dad fixed some plants and now I have one, and I planted it and Daddy come look!” Jack tugged at Dean’s leg, urging him on.
“Wow, really?” Dean gasped, dumping the grocery bags on the table. “That’s really cool kiddo!” Dean smiled at Cas over the babbling of their four-year-old, mouthing an I love you over Jack’s head.
“And then, when I’ve looked after it then-“ Jack continued before stopping himself. Dean bounced his knee, looking expectantly at Jack.
“Mhm, and then what?”
“And then,” Jack said nervously, “I can give it to Claire when she comes.”
Dean felt his eyes mist up and met Castiel’s eyes, where a look of wonder met his. Castiel shook his head slightly, as if to tell Dean he hadn’t put Jack up to this.
“Because she’s gonna be a baby and she needs a baby plant,” Jack clarified. “And I can take care of baby plants now.” He looked up at first Castiel and then Dean, who both looked back at him awestruck. Suddenly Dean wasn’t worried at all how Jack would handle a baby sister.
-
Five weeks later, Claire was sleeping in her crib, Jack’s plant standing proudly on the bedside table watching over her.