Chapter 2 - 1987 and 1988
September 1987
Claudia Stilinski wasn't exactly sure how it had happened. But, Dean and Sam Winchester had become a part of their family slowly as time passed. When they left in August Dean had the idea to call the Stilinski's every once in a while. Which had turned into weekly phone calls. Dean and Sam would tell Claudia about their weeks. Sam and Stiles would eagerly chat about Sam's school. Well, Sam would talk and Stiles would be in awe. Then every so often Dean would read to both Sam and Stiles while on the phone. More times than not Stiles would fall asleep with the phone next to his ear as Dean read to them.
Turns out Dean quite liked the book series Claudia had shown him. He had even decided to do a book report on it for his English class. The notebooks and folders were being used and Dean had thanks her repeatedly once more for everything she had bought them.
October 1987
The weekly phone calls continued between the Winchester boys and the Stilinski's. When Halloween rolled around Stiles eagerly told them about his costume and that he was going to get candy. Dean listened attentively then did his best to explain to Sammy afterwards why they couldn't go trick or treating while staying in a motel. In the end, Dean had made Sam a ghost costume and taken his brother around a neighborhood to trick or treat for a bit while John was out on his hunt.
Dean had gotten into trouble when John returned and Sam spilled the beans. But, seeing the look on his little brother's face as he told Stiles all about it was worth the punishment he had gotten for defying his father.
December 1987
The boys visited the Stilinski's in December during their winter break from school. Claudia had taken them Christmas caroling despite Dean's protests. He did not sing as merrily as Sam and Stiles but he had hummed along. They had driven around the neighborhood looking at all the lights. The boys even got to make their own gingerbread houses, take pictures with them, then promptly ate their creations. The visit was the longest one yet, a whole week with the Stilinski's. Each day Claudia had something fun planned for them. Both the Winchester's had the time of their lives. The night before the boys had to leave they all decorated the Christmas tree then had a grand meal to celebrate Christmas even though it wasn't for another week and a half. They parted with Claudia handing the boys each a wrapped gift and making them promise not to open them until Christmas morning. Dean had promised and was thankful to have another toy to add to Sam's measly pile he had been working on creating the past few months.
Dean had to keep the gifts out of Sammy's reach until Christmas morning. Bright and early the boys opened their gifts then called Claudia and Tom to thank them. Sam and Stiles spent a good portion of their morning talking about their toys. It was the first year the boys had gifts from others besides each other, their father, and Bobby.
Early February 1988
Dean- 9 yrs old. ; Sam– 4 yrs old. ; Stiles – 3 yrs old.
The boys wouldn't be able to visit the Stilinski's until Spring Break from school. John seemed to relent in letting the boys finish their entire school year in Sioux Falls. Bobby was a hard ass who made sure they went every day and did their homework. Both Dean and Sam loved it. It wasn't until February during a weekly phone call that Claudia had found out Dean's birthday had been in January.
She'd asked what he had done and after some persistence Dean told her how the teacher in his class had brought cupcakes and everyone sang to him. Also that he, Sam, and Bobby had gone out to dinner and movie to celebrate. Turning nine was a big deal apparently. Well, except to John. The man had only graced him with a phone call to wish his eldest a happy birthday. Dean hadn't been used to the attention he had received from everyone else. So, when Claudia had asked him what he wanted as a gift he'd said nothing.
A week later a package arrived in the mail for him. It was more books from the Boxcar Children series from Claudia, a cassette tape of the band Dean he had mentioned he liked from Tom, and a hand drawn card from Stiles with his own shaky handwriting saying, "Happy Birthday Dean!" The card had several different things drawn on it that Dean couldn't quite make out but he appreciated the effort Stiles had put into it. Which was exactly what he had told the boy when Dean had called to thank them.
Dean couldn't keep the smile off his face for the rest of the day as he showed his little brother and Bobby the gifts he had received.
March 1988
Dean- 9 yrs old. ; Sam – 4 yrs old. ; Stiles – 3 yrs old.
Sam Winchester was upset. Beyond upset actually. He had been promised that he would get to go see Stiles, Claudia, and Tom over spring break. Instead, when had arrived back at Bobby's on the first day of break his dad was waiting for him and Dean. Turns out he wanted some quality time with his kids. Normally, Sam would have been beyond happy to spend some time with his dad. In fact, he tried to be happy when he climbed into the Impala and off they went to another state. Sam was thinking maybe it would be a fun spring break. John had taken them out to eat, even went to a movie. Then after that first day his father said he had a hunt and the boys needed to stay in the motel room.
So, yes, Sam Winchester was mad as he sulked in the motel room. He was supposed to be at the Stilinski's having fun. Stiles had all but cried when Sam and Dean had to tell him they wouldn't be coming to visit like they had planned. It made Sam sad he had hurt Stiles.
Instead of having fun he was in Washington bored and trapped in the motel room due to the rain. Dean wasn't even proving to be a distraction as the older boy worked on homework.
Sam had ended up calling the Stilinski's. Claudia had answered and upon Sam's request to talk to Stiles had informed him that Stiles and Tom were out at the park. It was all it took to trigger a fit for Sam as he cried to Claudia about it not being fair he hadn't been able to visit them in Beacon Hills and couldn't she come and get them for the rest of the week.
Dean had to intervene and Sam was only calmed down by the promise from Claudia that they would see Sam and Dean soon.
May 2, 1988
Dean- 9 yrs old. ; Sam – 5 yrs old. ; Stiles – 3 yrs old.
Sam had been woken up to Dean jumping on his bed. It was his fifth birthday. Excitement flooded Sam as Dean said there was a surprise for him down stairs. Sam had bolted down the stairs to see a pile of gifts for him on the living room coffee table. Before he was able to rip them open he was treated to a birthday breakfast. Which included bacon and Bobby's funny shaped pancakes because try as he might the man could not make circle pancakes.
A package from Claudia, Tom, and Stiles had arrived a few days ago with Sam's birthday gifts in it, all of them neatly wrapped with cards. Dean kept it hidden until this morning. He was beyond joyful at the fact that the Stilinski's had remembered Sam's birthday.
The trio had just sat down to for Sam to open his gifts when there was a knock on the front door. Always constantly on alert Bobby stood up and cautiously approached the door until he heard a muffle, "Bobby. It's John."
Bobby opened the front door and Sam smiled brightly at his father. Sam stood up and rushed to give the man a hug. John wrapped his arms around Sam and gave him a smile. Dean couldn't help the tug of jealousy that sprang up in him. His dad had given him a call saying happy birthday back in January but here he was in person for Sam's birthday. But, at seeing Sam's happy face he squashed the jealousy and was glad to see Sam so excited.
John joined them all in watching Sam open his birthday gifts. He had gotten book from Dean, a set of crayons and coloring books from Bobby, then John had given him a book that was a little to advanced for Sam but Dean promised to read it to him. Sam gave them each a hug and thanked them.
Then Sam moved onto the gifts from the Stilinski's. Claudia had given him an educational practice book for him to continue to practice his writing, spelling, and numbers, along with fun looking pencils. Tom had sent him a set of hot wheels cars for him and Dean to play with, then Stiles had sent him a handmade gift card. Just like Dean's it had random pictures and the words, "Happy Birthday Sam!" written in his handwriting which seemed to have improved since Dean's gift.
Sam couldn't stop gushing over all his gifts and happily ran to grab the phone to call the Stilinski's to thank them
That was the first day John let it be known he wasn't happy about these Stilinski's as he had said interacting with his kids. It had been out of ear shot of Sam but Dean had heard. Dean had stood outside of the kitchen as he listened to Bobby and his dad fight. Dean feared that John would decide he and Sam couldn't visit the Stilinski's anymore. At the moment that sounded like the worst thing ever, never being able to visit them again. Bobby had put the eldest Winchester in his place though and John barely tolerated that if he wanted to keep his kids with Bobby while he pursed vengeance for his wife they he would have to deal with his sons communications with the Stilinski's. The man had left before dinner however saying he had to run. He wouldn't be back until the start of summer.
Mid June 1988 – August 1988
Dean – 9 yrs old. ; Sam – 5 yrs old. ; Stiles – 4 yrs old.
The boys got to spend nearly the entire summer with Tom, Claudia, and Stiles. After having spent the first three weeks of summer break travelling with the dad the man had returned them to Bobby's. Sam's insistent whining about not wanting to travel around and instead be with Bobby or the Stilinski's. John had given them the ultimatum of staying with Bobby all summer or travelling with him. Much to John's shock and anger Sam had easily chosen to stay with Bobby. Dean, not wanting to leave Sammy alone decided to stay too. "Gotta keep an eye on Sammy" had been his excuse to his father. John and given them a stiff nod and driven away from the salvage yard. Dean couldn't help but feel torn by the fact that he was happy to be spending time with the Stilinski's and Bobby but not seeing his dad. He brushed it aside though and instead focused on having fun. Just like Bobby always told him to do when he was around.
The boys had arrived shortly after Stiles fourth birthday. They group automatically fell into a routine. The Winchester's were originally only supposed to stay for a week but as the week always came to an end the three boys would beg for just a little longer. Claudia was unable to resist three pairs of puppy dog eyes.
When it became warm enough Claudia had decided to teach the boys how to swim. Dean was like a fish, he caught on quickly and was soon helping teach both Sam and Stiles. Sam claimed Dean was only doing better because he was older. Stiles had eagerly agreed, already looking up to Sam and simply agreeing with him. Dean wasn't exactly sure how he felt about the two pairing up against him.
The fourth of July came quickly and along with it was the Beacon Hills Police Department barbeque. This year it was being held at the Stilinski household. Claudia had spent the past two days cleaning the house from top to bottom while Tom did the back yard. Dean had offered to help on several occasions but he'd been told keeping Stiles and Sam entertained was help enough.
When everyone began to arrive Dean had thought Stiles would have been nervous around all the adults. Instead, the four year was happily running around from one group of adults to the next in the backyard dragging both Sam and Dean along happily introducing everyone to his best friends.
"Tara!" Stiles exclaimed loudly as he launched himself at a woman who returned his hug.
"Well hello, Stiles. It's nice to see you." Tara, an ebony skinned woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties, greeted him. Everyone who had interacted with Stiles since he had met the Winchesters now knew to call him Stiles.
"You too. Tara this is my best friends Dean and Sam! Dean is the one who you picked the name Stiles." The four year old told the woman. Tara turned her gaze to Sam and Dean. Sam shuffled slightly and meekly waved his hand.
"Really this is Sam and Dean? Pleasure to meet you boys. Stiles talks about you often." Tara said to them warmly. "Good choice on the nickname, Dean. I must say Stiles' full name is quite a mouthful several of us have had trouble with."
Dean blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck at her compliment. "It was just something I thought of." He said with a shrug.
"Stiles talks about us?" Sam asked the woman curiously.
"Oh yes, he loves to tell us all about his best friends when he visits his dad at the station." Tara informed Sam. Sam smiled brightly and turned to Stiles who was grinning at both of the Winchesters. Sam gave Stiles a quick one armed hug before the youngest boy ran off towards another group of people leaving Sam and Dean to follow. Which they did without a second thought.
The rest of the barbeque went smoothly. Dean and Sam both beamed with pride when Claudia or Tom would introduce them as family friends. Claudia would slide in how well they were both doing school and of course each adult gave praise. Sam was ecstatic to be the center of attention. Dean was overwhelmed by the attention and everything else. Never had he had so many people give him praise and compliments. Especially for the simply things like getting an A on a book report. Once everyone had their food Dean sat on the steps of the back porch watching the adults chat. Sam and Stiles clambered up the steps and sat on either side of him, both having had Claudia make their plates.
"You having fun, Dean?" Sam asked his brother curiously.
"Yea, Sammy I am."
"You sure? You don't seem happy." Stiles added with an equally curious look and head tilt as he took a bite of one of the small cut up pieces of cheeseburger on his plate.
Dean smiled at the two younger boys, "I'm positive. It's just new to me. Barbecues and adults telling me I did a good job." Dean explained to them.
"Your daddy doesn't tell you good job?" Stiles asked. Dean cast a glance at Sam who picked up chip and munched on it.
"He does but not all the time like yours, Stiles." Sam told the younger boy.
"Oh." Stiles said and ate a chip. Once he swallowed he looked them both and said, "My mommy and daddy can tell you good job all the time, kay? And give you hugs and kiss boo boos when they hurt. I can share them with you." Stiles told them both with as serious of face a four year old could have.
Sam and Dean shared a look them smiled brightly at Stiles. "Thanks, Stiles!" Sam replied happily. Dean didn't know what to say exactly, it was hard to understand that a four year old grasped what he was saying enough to offer to share his parent's love. "Yea, thank you, Stiles." Was the reply he settled with. Dean set his plate in his lap and wrapped both his arms around the backs of Sam and Stiles. The all looked at each other with big grins. Unknown to them it was in that moment that Claudia snapped a picture of the trio then continued talking with Tara and Tom as they ate and waited for the sun to go down and the fireworks to start.
When summer came to a close all three of the boys considered it the best summer ever. For Dean, it truly had been. For the entire summer he had been able to enjoy living a life that was normal. He hoped that he and Sam would be able to stay with Bobby for the next school year.
The day Bobby came to pick them up there were several tears shed from Stiles, Sam, and Dean. Although years later Dean would deny it. Each Sam and Dean had their time hugging Stiles goodbye who was upset his best friends were leaving once more. While Sam said his goodbyes to Stiles, Dean moved to the adults. Dean was embraced in a hug from Tom then he turned to Claudia. She smiled at him with that warm smile Dean had grown used to seeing. Dean flung himself forward and hugged Claudia tightly while he thanked her for everything before he let go and quickly walked out of the front door.
Sam was sniffling as he said his farewells to the Stilinski's. He was rather insistent that Claudia and Tom promise that he could come back soon. After reassuring the youngest Winchester he too left the house and climbed into Bobby's car.
The Winchester's said goodbye to their summer as they watched the little town known as Beacon Hills disappear in the rear window that they looked out of until they got onto the freeway.