Sydney's POV
Sydney Reynolds wiped her hands on her apron before returning her attention to the stew bubbling on the stovetop. Outside, she could hear the sounds of her children playing in the yard. The kids were growing up fast. Chris was already 9 followed by Isabel at 10, Aaron at 13 and Bridget now 18. My husband James, a hunter, spent much of his time on the road. It was the lifestyle we both lived until our children were born and I decided to retire training instead to be an RN; it allowed us to supplement our income in a legal manner and gave me a chance to get outside the house. Aaron and Bridget kept busy on the road with their father leaving the younger ones home so they could attend school regularly and have a somewhat normal childhood.
The doorbell rang and I went to answer it. Inside the doorway stood the Winchester's looking particularly exhausted and bearing various scratches, scrapes and bruises. "Come in," I greeted. "It's so good to see you!" I led them into the house giving various orders along the way. "Boys, you can bunk with Chris and Aaron, John, take the spare, and Madison, you will be sleeping with Isabel. You all look exhausted. We've got an hour until dinner, why don't you all go get cleaned up and rest a bit. There's clean towels in the linen closet. I'll send one of the kids to get you in a bit."
John motioned me into the kitchen while the kids pounded up the stairs. Once we were safely behind closed doors, I put a kettle on to boil, set two mugs on the counter, and lifted my eyes to observe John's sad eyes. Our families were close, always had been, always would be probably because they understood as only hunters could. They were good people and I was grateful to call them family.
"John, I know when something's not right. Now what's going on?" I asked, softly.
The sigh that escaped his lips was long and agonizing, but then he began, "I need your help. You know I wouldn't ask if I didn't truly need it."
"Of course," I reached over to allow my hand to rest upon his. "Tell me what I can do."
"You offered once to take Maddy," his voice cracked with emotion. "I just need to know she's safe. This is no life for a little girl. I can't take her with me when I'm hunting, and I can't keep her safe when she's left behind. I need to know she's ok. Worrying about her…it's too distracting. It's making me crazy. The nightmares have gotten worse. She wakes with these high fevers and horrible headaches. I know it's asking a lot, but you offered and I don't see another way. I want her to have a childhood with friends and a backyard. I know she'll be safe here. She loves you guys and without a mother, I honestly can't think of a better place for her. Please, does the offer still stand?"
"Oh, John…" I walked around the island and pulled him into my arms. I'd grown up with Mary. Our dads were hunters when we were young and we trained together. Later when James and I met, John and Mary were dating and we always dreamed of raising our families together. "You know I love her like my own. Of course she can stay here for as long as you need. The kids will love having her around, and it'll be fun having a little one again."
"I'm not sure my children will take it as well, but the boys will have to understand and given time, I'm sure Maddy will settle in as though she's always been here. I plan to tell them tonight," he paused to brush a tear from his eye.
"James should be returning late tonight. Can you stay a few days to help her get settled?" The sound of the tea kettle filled the small space drawing our attention away from the discussion at hand. I set to work pouring our drinks, allowing my thoughts to get lost in the steam rising from the mugs. John cradled his and turned to stare out the window. I'd only seen him this upset once and that was when he arrived at our house after Mary's tragic death. He'd hunkered down with us for several months before getting back on his feet. He didn't have the first idea what to do with at 6 month old. Slowly over time, he began to take her along with him and the boys for a few days at a time. He liked having her close by, said it helped him remember who he was. It seemed he needed something to ground him. Madison was his savior. He poured his whole life into putting an end to all this craziness so he could live a normal life with his children. It broke my heart to see him as he stood before me now. I only hoped the transition wouldn't be too difficult on the family.
Madison's POV
"Daddy! Dad! Daaaadeeeeeee!" I shrieked. The nightmare had come again and I awoke in a strange room reaching for my brother only to find he wasn't in his normal space beside me.
Someone climbed over onto my bed and I recognized my cousin's voice when she spoke. "You're OK," she repeated several times, but the pain in my head demanding my attention. I grabbed hold of it with both hands and rocked back and forth. The door opened pouring light into the room. I closed my eyes tight against the piercing brightness and leaned forward with my ears covered to block out any sound.
"Maddy?" Dean was at my side first. He reached for me, but Dad was quicker to act, pulling me up into strong arms, tucking my throbbing head beneath his chin and walking down the hall.
"Is she ok, Dad?" Isabel's whispers faded as we walked down the stairs.
"You're safe, darling," Dad's voice was gruff when he spoke. He made me feel safe despite the pain. When we reached the kitchen, he set me down on the counter and turned to wet a cloth which made its way to the back of my neck. His hand rested on my thigh keeping me steady as though I might fall off the counter at any time.
Uncle James turned the corner followed by Dean and Aunt Sydney. She immediately came over to check on me, her fingers gentle as they brushed the curls from my forehead.
"Is this a normal night for her?" Uncle James stood leaning against the counter watching me carefully with his arms crossed. A look of concern rested upon his lips.
"Yeah," Dean nodded quickly before turning to grab a soda from the fridge. He cracked it open and took a long sip. The room was momentarily silent except for my unsteady breaths. "More nights than not." He returned his attention to me, "How the head, anklebiter?"
"Hurts," I tried to be brave, fought to put on a strong suit, but my resolve crumpled and I broke down into bubbling sobs.
"Babygirl, it's all right," Dad leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead, taking my face in his hands and looking at me with sadness.
"It hurts, daddy," I wiped my nose pathetically on my sleeve.
"I know, baby. I know," he lifted me up and began to pace the room. His eyes diverted to my brother. "Dean, go get my bag. I've got a vile of morphine in the front pocket. I've been keeping it in reserve. I think now would be the appropriate time."
"Can her system handle it?" he asked, his expression one of worry.
"In a low enough dose, she'll be fine," Aunt Sydney offered with a weak smile.
I shivered as an ice pack made it's way to the back of my neck over the cloth. Daddy held it in place and walked into the livingroom where he settled down in the big rocking chair. The rhythm of the chair soothed me some, but the pain didn't decrease any.
Dean's POV
My sister's coloring frightened me as I loaded the syringe with the amount prescribed by my father.
"Hold on, Mads. I'm going to make it better," I whispered. Dad shifted her forward and lowered the waistband of her pajama bottoms just enough for me to wipe the fleshy part of her upper bottom with an alcohol wipe. "Hold her still," my hand shook, but I tried to cover it. I didn't want my father thinking I couldn't handle this. "On 3…1," I stuck the needle in, "2," I squeezed the plunger, releasing the medication into her system, "3," I pulled it out, tossing it into the trashcan beside the chair. "All done, anklebiter." I took a deep breath, resting back on my knees as Dad rubbed the injection spot and rocked her.
"Close your eyes, babygirl," Dad whispered.
The effects on my sister were evident within seconds as her breathing slowed and eyes drooped. I just hoped sleep would take her soon, I couldn't stand to listen to her cries of pain. It tore at my heart.
I felt Aunt Syd's hand on my shoulder and looked up to see her standing over me with a look of concern.
Dad continued to rock her gently until slowly her body sank into unconsciousness. We all breathed a sigh of relief as silence filled the room.
"Thank God," I ran trembling fingers through my hair.
Dad deposited my sister's weak form onto the sofa, while Aunt Sydney covered her with a homemade afghan. Uncle James knelt down at the fireplace and set to work building a fire. He seemed to be focused though I believe he just needed a distraction.
"John, are you really sure you want to leave Maddy here?" My head popped up suddenly with the realization of why we'd come here in the first place. We'd spoken of this before, Dad and I through the years on the road leaving the kids behind at one hotel or another, but honestly, I never thought he'd do it.
"Dad, you can't be serious?!" Sam's voice filled the room and I saw his shadow standing on the staircase still in his pajamas.
"What the hell are you thinking?" I demanded, not recognizing my own voice.
"Dean, we've talked about this. We have to do what's best for your sister," his tone was no nonsense.
"But if she's here, we can't protect her. You don't leave family behind," Sam came to join us in the room. Tears of anger streaked his face and he wiped at them ashamed.
"Maybe not," Uncle James spoke up, "But we can."
"You're not even here half the time. You're on the road just like Dad," I couldn't believe my brother was continuing to argue.
"True, but you're forgetting I have more years of training, and when we built this place, we set it up to protect ourselves both from the natural and supernatural," Aunt Sydney offered a small smile. "Boys, I know you don't want to leave your sister, but she's so young and this is is no life for a child. She can go to school, make friends, and have a dresser of her own. I grew up like you both, and I've got to tell you I would have given anything to have some sort of stability. You can visit whenever you like, take her for a weekend, your relationship isn't going to change. She'll still be your sister. This is just temporary."
"But…" Sam's voice cracked. "But what if she decides she likes it here better?"
"Is that really what you're afraid of?" Dad began to pace the room. "You think she won't want to come back with us, that she's going to replace us?"
"I guess," Sam mumbled.
I watched as Dad pulled him into a tight embrace, patting his back as they cried together. It took a moment for me to feel the tears on my own cheeks. I felt Aunt Sydney wrap her arms around me and I allowed the tears to flow.
Sam's POV
The morning of our departure arrived too quickly. Dad had us loading up the truck while he said goodbye to Madison. "Now, you need to listen to Aunt Syd and Uncle James. While I'm away, they are responsible for you so I don't want to hear that you've given them any problems. Understand?"
"Yes, Daddy," she nodded, fighting back tears, her lips quivering to betray her emotion.
"Come'ere," Dad lifted her from the ground, peppering her cheeks with kisses. Tiny squeals of joy escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but laugh at the display. "You're going to be OK, princess. If you need you me, I'll only be a phonecall away." I watched as he slipped a cellphone into the pocket of her pink jumper.
"But what if the monster comes back?" she whispered.
"Then you'll just have to call your brothers so we can come and scare it away with our…." Dean reached out to attack. "Tickles!"
I watched as each of them said their goodbyes. When it was my turn, I knelt down to her level, "If that monster comes back, you give 'em hell, hmmm?"
Dad looked surprised but mostly amused by my advice. Dean snorted and started up the car. I could see his chin; he was fighting an inward struggle. I could understand; I was fighting a battle of my own.
"I love you, Maddy," I whispered before kissing her one last time.
"Love you," she sniffled. I looked up to see my father standing there.
"It's time," he said. Despite every instinct, I gave her once last squeeze and stepped back. She looked so small and lost. I wanted more than anything to gather her up and take her with us, keeping her by my side forever, but even I knew this was best. With one last glance, I turned and walked away. I heard the cry that followed even as I climbed into the vehicle.
My uncle's voice was gentle, "Madison, come here, baby."
Sydney's POV
My husband picked up the child and carried her sobbing into the house. "Hey," he tipped her chin upward, "What do you say you and me make an ice cream sundae?"
He positioned her on the countertop and set to work. Soon, he had her pressing the lever to release the whipped cream. A little squirted her in the face enough to bring a giggle followed by a smile. James wiped the tears from her cheek and offered her a choice between rainbow and chocolate jimmies.
"Both," she sniffled.
"Good plan, anklebiter," he ruffled her hair and in that moment, I saw her put on the face of a hunter and I knew she would be OK.
Growing up with Chris and his siblings was always an adventure, and where there was the opportunity for trouble, we found it.
