Chapter 2 - Harmony

Harmony: "Accord or agreement in feeling, manner, or action."

"Are ya hav'in fun?" Sam checked in with Dean, who was sitting contentedly in the passenger seat of the Impala.

"Abso...Absol...what's the word Daddy?" Dean asked. "Absolutely" Sam replied smiling.

"Re-do" Dean wanted.

"Are ya hav'in fun?" Sam re-asked. "Absolutely!" Dean got the whole word out. "Positively" Sam added, chuckling, as he reached out to tickle Dean's ear.

Sam took Dean's hand as they began to manoeuver their way through the parking lot to the store. Upon entering, Dean pulled hard on Sam's hand, dragging him ever closer to the vicinity of the toy section. Now it must be said, that neither Dean nor Sam for that matter, had ever been in this store before, and yet, it was like Dean had a homing device for the exact location of the toy department. Sam, on their journey down the main aisle, was able to grab a cart and a few of the items they needed.

When they were growing up, Dean had often brought Sam home a surprise and he would either give it to him as soon as he got home, or Sam would wake up to it the next morning. Dean would watch Sam as he looked at his new surprise and then hold his arms open for a Sam hug.

Sam really wanted Dean to experience this too, so he walked with Dean up and down the toy aisles, gaging Dean's excitement or reaction or just plain disinterest to the toys. Good thing they'd done this too, as some of the toys Sam thought for sure Dean would want, he'd basically blown off. Racer cars, the finger paints and a green action figure topped the wanted list. Dean had really wanted the blue action figure too, but Sam explained that he thought they had enough for one day (the blue action figure, now residing under some other items, was to be the surprise for tomorrow).

Dean was down at the end of the aisle, sitting cross-legged on the floor, laughing at the dancing stuffed animals that were singing to him when he pressed the button on their hand. Sam was at the other end of the aisle, trying to hide some of the items he was buying for Dean's birthday in the cart, when he heard Dean's laughter stop.

Sam used to get so ticked off with Dean when he'd go into his over-protective big brother mode when he felt Sam was being threatened. Sam sure understood it now though, as he walked the short distance down the aisle to where Dean was being taunted by three snot nosed brats. He was pissed and it showed, as the kids scattered. "Yeah and keep running" Sam yelled after them.

"You okay Deanie?" Sam asked in concern, as he crouched down and tilted Dean's chin up to look at him. "Damn those kids" Sam cursed silently as he saw Dean's eyes well up and his lip quiver. Dean nodded his head up and down and leaned into Sam. Sam stroked his back in small circles, telling him how much he loved him and what a good boy he was. As he helped Dean to his feet, Sam began to press all the buttons on the dancing stuffed animals and was relieved to see Dean begin to laugh again.

After picking up a few more things in the store and exiting the cash, Dean said he was hungry. They stopped at a drive through and then pulled into the park, not far from their place and sat in the car, close by the water, so Dean could see the ducks swimming around. Sam unwrapped Dean's burger, took off the pickles and put on the extra ketchup, all under Dean's watchful eyes. "Did you enjoy that?" Sam asked, as he pitched the garbage into the bin and ruffled Dean's hair. "Yeah Daddy, it was good" Dean said as he took off running to get a closer look at the ducks. "You ready buddy?" Sam inquired later. A tired looking Dean said he was and they made their way back to the car, Dean taking Sam's hand and swinging their arms back and forth.

It was after supper and things were beginning to wind down for the evening. The green action figure, two of the racer cars and the assorted finger paints were all out of their packages and residing on the table, while Dean with his head on his arms, was deciding which to play with next. "He had the bestest Daddy in the whole world" Dean was thinking to himself as he rolled one of the racer cars across the table.

Okay, so bath time could be really awkward, or not. Sam chose to go with the not. Dean loved bubbles, so he was getting a bath loaded with them, the over-the-top and running down the sides kind. Sam poured what must have been half the box into the running water. He swirled them around a bit to get the process started and to ensure the water wasn't too hot.

"Dean, it's ready, let's go" Sam yelled out from the bathroom. He heard the chair being pushed back and feet running. "WOW - look at the lots of bubbles Daddy" Dean yelled in glee as he ran over to the tub, ready to jump in, clothes and all.

"Not so fast mister, you need to get your clothes off first" Sam laughed, as he grabbed the back of Dean's t-shirt, just before the big jump-in. Dean was anxious to get to those bubbles and kept wiggling in and out of Sam's hands, as Sam finally got the last of his clothes off. "There, go, you're free" Sam smiled as Dean jumped in and sat down. Water ran over the sides and bubbles engulfed a delighted Dean, who was presently trying to eat them.

As Sam leaned against the side of the tub, face cloth in hand, he wondered if this was the way Dean had been as a little boy, carefree and innocent. He liked to think it was, before what happened, all those years ago, took place and altered their lives forever. Although he was concerned over this whole present matter, he wasn't fool enough to let it ruin the here and now moments with Dean, who at 4 and 3 and 4, was very happy, which in-turn made Sam happy. If the truth be told, he actually was loving the role as Dean's Daddy.

Sam re-positioned himself to a kneeling stance and was greeted by a smiling Dean. "Oh no Deanie, where did the rest of you go, I can only see your face" Sam joked. "Daddy, I's all here, see" Dean laughed as he produced two arms which he put around Sam and also added a kiss. Sam's heart constricted in his chest with these gentle and trusting gestures. "You's squishing me Daddy" Dean breathed. "Sorry fella" Sam apologized as he realized he must have been hugging Dean back a bit too hard. The feelings of protectiveness and love for this darling boy (Sam wasn't thinking in twenty-eight year old terms anymore) were overpowering.

"The tickle monster is going to get you" Sam pretended as he washed Dean's face and watched the freckles come out of hiding. Dean was giggling hysterically as Sam tickled him and blew a raspberry on his shoulder. "Look at all the wrinkles your fingers and toes have Dean" Sam laughed as he helped Dean towel off a short time later. Dean looked at his fingers and toes, but couldn't figure out why his Daddy was laughing, so he did what he knew his Daddy loved and he gave him a hug and his Daddy gave him a big hug back.

"Well, what could he say" Sam thought as he looked over at an all decked out Dean. Smiling happily in his new pjs, the ones he'd practically begged Sam to buy him. Sam would have lost the bet for sure if he'd been told they made cartoon pjs in adult sizes. Dean had gone absolutely mad for the green turtle ones he was now proudly wearing.

"Okay my big boy, time for bed" Sam told Dean. "Go brush your teeth and don't forget to pee" Sam reminded Dean.

As Dean exited the bathroom a few minutes later, he jumped onto the bed and was bouncing up and down on it. He came pretty close to almost reaching the ceiling and giving his head a good crack. They were both saved from this possibility however by Sam asking Dean which bedtime story he wanted. "You make one Daddy, you do the bestest" Dean said earnestly. As Sam glanced over at the bedtime story books he had purchased earlier, he had to laugh.

"Okay buddy, let me get this story started" Sam said as he positioned himself against the pillows and headboard. Dean was now lying beside him, but couldn't seem to get comfortable, until he laid his head on his Daddy's chest and Sam put his arm around him.

"Once upon a time, there were two brothers, a big brother and a little brother and they took..." Sam sensed a change in Dean's breathing and when he glanced down, he saw Dean was almost asleep, sucking on his thumb. "Should I say something, should I pull it out, is this what a 4 and 3/4 year old does?" Sam wondered. He had recalled reading something about thumb sucking and that it was a form of security, so he decided he better just leave it as it was. Dean's eyes flickered a few more times and he finally fell asleep. " It had been a big day for the both of them" Sam thought as he slowly got up and re-positioned Dean's head gently on the pillow and pulled the blankets up, tucking them in around him. "I love you Dean" Sam whispered. As he made his way to his own bed, his thoughts turned to the birthday party he was planning for the little guy. It was going to be just the two of them. Turning five was a big time event and Sam was going to make sure Dean had, using his own words "the bestest party ever, with his Daddy."

To be continued.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone for your kind feedback and your interest in this story, I sincerely appreciate it. My e-mail account through FF has been only accessible intermittently. If you have sent me an e-mail and I have not responded, this is the reason why. I hope they get this matter resolved shortly. Remember to enjoy the blessings of an ordinary day.