Summary: AU. Celebrating high school graduation leads to an unexpected surprise for Dean and his girlfriend. As they're thrown into the harsh realities of adulthood, they begin the struggle to make their new life work. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters. I only own Emma Novak.

A/N: I really hope you enjoy this story. The layout will become apparent from the next chapter. Please let me know what you think, and enjoy reading this opening chapter.

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Harsh Realities

Chapter One

Dean's fingers were numb and his mind was in pieces.

While trying to wrap his head around what was happening, he was trying to comfort and soothe the poor girl next to him, who despite her silence was clearly suffering beyond his comprehension.

"Dean, snap out of it."

His father's voice filled his ears, and his bleary, suddenly tearful eyes moved to make contact with the older man's. It was like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room and it almost killed him with every breath. He felt a dampness in his free hand and looked down to see a wash cloth there where moments ago there hadn't been anything.

"I'm gonna be outside...Your mother's coming in, okay? Keep it together, son."

He watched his father leave the room and then met the eyes of his mother as she walked in, strong and determined. The world suddenly felt a hell of a lot less scary than it had a few moments ago, and he realised how much he really needed her. He looked back to the cloth, closed his eyes and took three deep breaths before turning to the dark haired, blue eyed beauty beside him, taking in her pale face, forehead beginning to show the first sheen of sweat. He took the cloth and dabbed her face with it gently, pressing a kiss to her hand and then her head.

"Breathe..." He whispered into her ear, "Just breathe..."

He watched his mother move to hold his lover's other hand, and as the near nineteen year old got through another wave of horrendous pain, the whole room relaxed. Mary Winchester shot her eldest son a reassuring smile, everyone looking up as a familiar figure entered the room.

"Alright, Emma...Sorry about that, I've just had to call for a nurse. Missouri's gonna be here any second. We're gonna have to start without her..."

Emma turned her head tiredly, and those beautiful blue eyes met Dean's dark green ones, and before he realised what was happening she was reaching up and wiping something wet from under his eye. He understood then that he was starting to cry. He couldn't breathe as the reality of the situation began to set in. But he looked at the girl beside him...No...The woman beside him, and he pressed the tenderest of kisses to her hair, resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you, Emma Novak...I'm right here, and I ain't leaving you, okay?"

Emma nodded, too tired to whisper her returned sentiment. Dean understood that she was in too much pain to do much at that moment, and he couldn't do a damn thing about it. He felt like a useless waste, if he was honest. He couldn't take the pain away. He couldn't stop her hurting.

"Dean, you're wandering again, honey..." The midwife, Ellen said softly, "Stay focused or you're gonna miss this."

Dean nodded and took a deep breath, eyes widening as he saw Ellen move between his girlfriend's legs. Mary reached behind Emma's head and gently stroked her fingers over her boy's cheek to reassure him, then began to rub Emma's back while Dean went back to dabbing her face.

"Dean, you gotta stop that..." The teenager breathed, "Please..."

"Sorry." He said quietly, "I just wanna..."

"I know." Emma panted, "I know, don't be sorry..."

Dean had turned nineteen just two weeks previously. His son or daughter coming into the world would be the best late birthday present ever, and he was lucky enough to be there to watch it and to experience it.

"Okay...Emma, on the next contraction, I want you to push." Ellen said calmly, watching the girl begin to take breaths on the gas and air that she'd requested.

The door opened to reveal Missouri, and Dean felt the atmosphere in the room become calmer. Missouri had that gentle but firm way about her that made a person feel safe no matter what they had to do. He smiled at her, feeling the panic inside him fade away. It returned within seconds when Emma made her first sound of pain, and that was all it took to gut him completely. He winced as the expression of agony shot across her face, and he gently stroked her head, not caring how hard she was squeezing his hand.

"Come on, baby..." He whispered, voice steadily growing in volume, "Push..."

As Emma pushed as hard as she could, Dean found himself struggling to keep his head in gear because the reality of everything was hitting him. One thing after the other. He was becoming a father, his girlfriend was in agony, his baby was being born. He snapped back to reality when he heard Ellen talking again.

"Okay, the head's out..." She said, "Not far to go now, Emma...You're doing really good."

Mary looked at the baby and Dean saw something cross her face. Panic? Worry? Concern? He wasn't sure what, but he didn't like it. He would've outright asked her there and then what the problem was but Emma was as calm as she could be and Dean didn't want to panic her now they'd come so far.

The next twenty minutes were agonising. Dean needed to know what was bothering his mom. He needed to see his baby. And as Emma sobbed through her last push, Missouri and Ellen cut the umbilical cord and took the baby away without so much as showing him or her to her parents. That was when Dean grew scared. He stood up as they took the child over to a machine, catching the colour of his baby's skin. It was a mixture of grey and purple, and his heart leapt into his throat. Emma had seen this, and through her tiredness, she was sobbing as she lay feeling utterly helpless. Dean rested his head against hers, shuddering as tears began to fall from his eyes. They couldn't lose their baby...Not now they'd come so far.

A sudden cry caused the pair to break apart and look up, however, and they began to cry and laugh with relief as the colour of their baby's skin had returned to a healthier shade of pink, and as Ellen brought the child over to them. She lowered the baby into Emma's arms, speaking gently with eyes full of tears as she did so.

"Dean...Emma...This is your little girl."

-TBC-

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading so far!

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