A Death in the Family
By Montez
Disclaimer: Don't own, never will. Kripke gets to keep the Winchester's, Ridley gets the rest.
A/N: This story developed after I read Ridley's story 'What is to Come' and it wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it. I've included back story information from Williamson Scott's 'Stranded' and Sensue's 'Suitcase of Memories' as well as references to some of Ridley and Tidia's previous stories. It's very sad and heartbreaking, but as I said, it grabbed a hold of my soul and wouldn't leave until it was written. Thank you-Montez
Chapter 1
As the mist cleared, the view was breathtaking. It was always an amazing sight the way the clouds would settle under and just over the bridge, covering the roadway. You could drive for miles without any obstruction of the road ahead, but once you rounded that little curve before you crossed the bridge a wall of white would suddenly block the view. With the valley over eight-hundred feet below it would take some time before the sun could burn off the clouds the covered the bridge like a thick, white, fluffy blanket. But once the mist cleared the view was awe inspiring.
The first time he had seen the bridge he had been thirteen-years old. It had been within days of the anniversary of his parent's death and for a fleeting moment he had contemplated taking his own life as he stood on the struts of one of the many bridges that crossed the waterways of New York City. He had arrived home late after skipping school to a very upset adoptive father.
It had been a nightmare life for him up until the moment Dr. Mackland Ames had entered his hospital room at the Children's Psychiatric Hospital he had been remanded to for attempting to take his life in a moment of blind terror, in front of police precinct full of officers, his social worker and a Juvenile Court Judge. Over the course of three days Mac had talked with him, read to him and in the moment that gave Caleb Reaves hope that there was someone in this world that gave a damn about him, had saved the then twelve-year old from the hands of the then Knight of the Brotherhood, Daniel Elkins, who thought the boy was possessed by a Demon.
With in days of that incident Mac had become his foster father and over the following months the process had been started that finally brought about the formal adoption of one Caleb Thomas Reaves by Dr. Mackland Ames, world renowned Neurosurgeon and the Scholar of the Brotherhood.
It was on the day before his first visit to the New River Gorge Bridge that he wanted his pain to stop. However there was something inside him that reminded him he would be missed by someone. So as he walked home late that night fear and anger filled him. He was angry with himself for the dark thoughts that had taken over his mind if only for mere seconds and he was scared that maybe he was wrong and no one would miss him at all. However, in the moment he walked in the door and Mac confronted him Caleb's jumbled and confused emotions caused him to lash out without thinking. It was a moment in time that defined how the relationship between the father and son would play out for years to come.
When Mac had stopped Caleb from walking away from him, Caleb turned with every intention of starting a physical confrontation with his adoptive father. Caleb had learned from years in the foster care system that most adults would fight back when hit even if it was by a kid. But Mac effectively blocked his attempt, then without striking back the older man pulled the hurting boy to him. Even now there were days Caleb could still feel his father's strong, caring arms around him as the then thirteen-year old continued to fight and curse the man he was afraid to let into his life, into his heart. As the struggle continued never once did Mac strike him, nor retaliate with unkind words. Quite the opposite, Mac held him close and whispered words of comfort once he realized where the emotions the boy was fighting had come from. It was in those strong arms, finally feeling safe after so many years of not allowing anyone in that Caleb had fallen asleep. The emotions of the day and adrenaline from his fight response had emotionally and physically drained him.
When he awoke the next morning his father and Grandfather, Cullen Ames, had arranged a 'family vacation' with Cullen picking the perfect place the boy who had expressed an interest in bridges and architecture would love. New River Gorge, West Virginia. It was on that trip Caleb finally released his fear of letting others into his life, into his heart and at last found a family that loved him as much as he wanted to be loved.
Mac had never been bothered by Caleb's want to retain his family's name of Reaves, but as the years passed and Caleb grew into a successful business man and hunter, then finally the Knight of the Brotherhood Caleb tried to find a way to honor his father. And the only way he could think of was to officially have his name legally changed to Caleb Ames. The day he had presented the papers to his father, they were at the Glade Springs Resort near the Bridge and it was the anniversary of their first meeting and Mac cried. At first Caleb feared he had done the wrong thing, but Mac soon explained it had been his own secret dream that his son would take his name and it meant more than words could say when he read the name 'Caleb Ames' on the official papers.
As the years passed and through all the trails and tribulations they had faced Caleb knew if it hadn't been for his father that he, himself, would not have survived to be the man he had grown into. He would have died in that basement at the hands of Daniel Elkins and no one would have missed one more troubled teen that would have been lost to this world. Mac had given him a life, had given him a family and most importantly had given him unconditional love and that had been so much more than Caleb could have ever hoped for back on that dark day when he was dragged into that hospital.
However, now as he stood on his favorite bridge he was trying to understand why his dreams had brought him back here, to the place his life had begun again. "Caleb." The sound of the voice behind him caused his breath to hitch and his heart to ache as he turned on the deserted road and saw his father standing a few feet behind him.
"Dad?"
Caleb stood still as his father approached and wrapped his arms around him. The warmth that radiated from the embrace filled Caleb's soul as it stayed with him even when Mac pulled back. "It's still one of the most beautiful views I think I've ever seen." Mac said softly as he turned to face the valley, the rising sun sweeping the blue sky with hints of pink as wisps of white clouds dissipated, the sun slowly burning them away.
Turning, standing shoulder to shoulder with his father Caleb nodded, "I always thought so. From that first sunset we watched here when I was a kid, this has always been my favorite place." Caleb looked toward his dad, "I know it's corny but I've always thought of it as our spot. It's the place I finally realized you loved me and that I finally had a family."
Mac's steel-grey eye's met his son's golden ones. "I don't think it's corny at all." the older man's gaze returned to the scenery before them. "From the moment I entered that hospital room I knew that I needed to protect you, no matter what. When I found you in the basement, fearing Daniel had killed you I couldn't imagine my life without you in it. I have never regretted one moment since that day."
Caleb chuckled a little, "Not even the goat incident?" It was a teenage prank that had gotten Caleb expelled from one of the most prestigious prep schools in New York and had Mac threatening to send him off to Military School.
Mac smiled, "Not even then. I had actually been secretly impressed with that incident. You never did tell me where the goat came from." The older man glanced at his son.
Figuring he had nothing to lose all this time later Caleb decided to tell his father, "I 'borrowed' it from the petting zoo in Central Park."
Mac clapped his son on the shoulder, "That's good, because I think that is where your principal sent it once he was able to get someone to come and get it out of his office." After another quiet chuckle, silence settled over the pair as the sun rose higher behind them, the shadow of the majestic bridge slowly moving across the valley floor.
Caleb turned to his father, worry in his voice. "Is something wrong Dad?"
The look of sadness that met his gaze tore at Caleb's soul. "I just want you to know I have always been so proud of you. You have always possessed such a great strength to have endured and overcome everything your life put you through. I've always admired you for that. When I would find myself doubting my own course you would always be there at just the right time, saying just the right thing." Looking out over the valley Mac's quiet words continued. "I now understand what people mean when they say that they can't remember their lives before their children were in them. I can honestly say I don't believe I started living until the moment you came into my life and I will always be grateful that you did." Turning back, Mac stepped toward his son, reaching his hands toward Caleb's face, gently placing his palms to his son's cheeks. "I want you to remember how proud I am of you and the man you've become, but most importantly I want you to always remember how much I love you. A father could never be more proud of his son then I am in you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. I love you Son."
Tears had filled both men's eyes, finally spilling over, a crushing weight settling over Caleb's heart as he pulled his father to him, holding him tight, "I love you too Dad. I love you too." With that the world faded around him and emptiness settled in his soul the likes of which he hadn't felt since his was six-years old.
With a start Caleb sat up in bed, the morning light just filtering through the blinds in his room. Trying to process the dream he'd had, he listened a moment, his house was quiet. That wasn't an unusual occurrence unless JT, Max and James were visiting, however as he sat he sensed the house was 'empty'. Panic and fear gripped his heart as he slung off the covers and ran down the hall toward the room his father now occupied. Mac had moved in with him nearly five years ago when Esme passed away. Caleb had wanted him closer as he got older and it gave Mac a chance to visit with Dean, Sam and Joshua more since Dean lived at what was Jim's old farm in New Haven with his family, Sam and Joshua in nearby Louisville with theirs.
But as he rushed toward the door he knew what he would find on the other side. The emptiness in the space that his father filled in his heart begged for what his mind was already processing to not be true. Throwing the door open without the usual knock Caleb's world came to a crashing halt. As he neared the bed, the peaceful look that filled his father's face confirmed what his dream had been trying to tell him. His father had been telling him goodbye. Dr. Mackland Ames, Neurosurgeon, former Scholar of the Brotherhood and Caleb's father was gone. Dropping heavily to the bed next to the older man, Caleb lay over his father's body and cried.