"Family of Dean Winchester?" The doctor asks gaining the attention of the small group in the waiting room. The air seemed to still as they prepare to hear what the doctor has to say.
The doctor didn't seem to have to look hard before his eyes were trained on the small group in the waiting room, and began to make his way towards them. Sam and Jess took a seat on the adjacent couch across from the one Carmen and John is sitting on. The doctor comes over and takes a seat on a chair that is near the end of the two couches.
"First of all, Dean is going to be fine. He's considerably luck considering the reports from the Paramedics on what happened. The second floor of the house he was doing a rescue in collapsed from underneath him. Fortunately Dean's protective equipment did its job; as he didn't receive any burns. Dean did; however, tear some cartilage in his right knee, which will need surgery to repair. Dean also cracked three of his lower ribs. He is also showing signs of a possible concussion that we need to monitor closely. But what our biggest concern at the moment is the smoke inhalation. Right now we've started oxygen therapy to replace his oxygen levels."
With that explanation, Carmen gives a knowing nod. "Can I see him?"
"Only for a few minutes; and one at a time for the now, as he is only semi-conscious right now. And the little girl can't go back in the emergency room." The doctor explains; indicating the little girl on Carmen's lap. Halfway through the Doctor's explanation of Dean's injuries, Audrey had woken up and is now sitting up on Carmen's lap. But instead of letting go of her monkey, Audrey seems to clutch in closer. Once again Carmen just gives a knowing nod.
"I thought Winchester protocol was for the kids to stay with someone instead of coming to the hospital?" Jess asks the question that had been in her mind since seeing Audrey with Carmen.
"It is. But this little monkey decided that she wanted to be clingy tonight. And she has Dean's stubbornness. I didn't want to leave her throwing a fit." Carmen explained, as she rubbed a hand up and down Audrey's back.
"Audrey, you want to stay with Uncle Sam and me? I think we can find a book to read." Jess asked; knowing the 18 month old doesn't often reject the offer of a book. Audrey looked to her mother for a moment as if to ask permission; before reaching her tiny arms to Jess to be picked up. Jess obliged the toddler and gracefully picks her up and holds Audrey on her hip. Audrey never letting go of her monkey during the transfer. Once Audrey is in Jess's arms Carmen stands up from the couch and subconsciously adjusts the flannel shirt that she is wearing, that Sam amazingly recognizes as one of Dean's favorite.
"I better call Mary and let her know how Dean is." John says as he gets up as well.
The realization that comes with his Dad's comment hits Sam like a speeding semi: His mother is still alive; they had never gone on a quest for a demon. In fact the only hunting that was done by the Winchesters was the occasional Deer and small game hunting trips his Dad took with Larry Porter and a few others.
Suddenly images of the life he could have had hit his brain so hard it was all Sam could do to keep from blacking out:
He saw flashes of holidays and birthdays that were so normal that Sam knew were not memories of his own. For the first time, Sam could remember what it was like to have a mom. His Mom would never get a store bought cake for his birthday; always insisting on making him a double chocolate cake for every birthday from the age of one to his eighteenth. Every sporting event and school function she was there; as was his Dad, cheering on their son and his accomplishments; as they had also done for his brothers.
Sam could remember growing up with his brothers, not just Dean, but Adam as well. He was four years old when his mom had Adam. He had grown up as the middle brother. Dean's little brother, Adam's big brother: the only brother with the dual role. For reasons Sam was unsure of, the thought of his younger brother had sent a feeling of unease through him. Before he could finish the thought however, the sound of Jess's voice drew Sam out of the memories.
Shaking his head to clear the images from his brain, Sam focused his attention on Jess and Audrey. He had always known Jess was good with kids as she had often talked about some of her babysitting jobs and of looking after her many younger cousins when she was a kid. Sam had experienced a normal childhood vicariously by listening to Jess talk about hers. But it was still a little surprising to see Jess perfectly at ease with Audrey snuggled on her lap as they worked their way through a copy of Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham which looked like it had survived World War II.
While watching Jess and Audrey, Sam realizes that Jess wasn't just reading the book; but she had turned the book into a spot the picture game that the toddler was enjoying immensely. And while Audrey does strongly resemble her mother; as Sam watched her with Jess, several of Audrey's expressions just screamed Dean. Looking at the little girl, it was weird to Sam that his older brother is a Dad in this reality. Sam had known that Dean had liked kids and had secretly wanted to be a dad; but the realization that not only does Dean have kids, but seems to be married to the children's mother is a hard fact to wrap his mind around.
As Jess is reading the book the baby must have kicked because Audrey shifted away from Jess's abdomen abruptly and looking to the baby bump with confusion. And the expression was so much pure Dean, that Sam couldn't help the laugh that escaped him.
"Did your cousin kick you, Audrey?" Jess asks, trying to hold back a laugh herself.
And then, there is the fact that in this reality, he is about to become a dad. That thought alone sent Sam's mind into a tailspin. Sam hadn't had much experience with kids in his old life; could he even handle it if he and Dean couldn't find their way back home.
When Dean came to again, the first thing he became aware of was the fact that someone was holding his hand. The hand was small and delicate and obviously female. That fact confuses him for a moment as he can't think of who the caring female could be.
The task of opening his eyes feels like trying to bench press a bulldozer. When he does manage to open his eyes, there is a blurry figure above him. So Dean concentrates on trying to bring the face into focus. When the face comes into focus, Dean is mildly surprised that it's Carmen.
Once Dean regains more awareness, he notices that something is on his face. Lifting his hand, Dean wanted to brush it away. But before he could do so, Carmen used her other hand to grab his wrist in a gentle, but firm grip.
"Leave the mask on, Dean. You need it to help you breathe." Carmen's voice, like her grip, was gentle but firm; but softened as they locked eyes. "Just rest. You're going to be ok, just relax."
Carmen suddenly leaned closer to him and to his surprise; she kissed his forehead, leaving her lips on him for a good few seconds. Adding to Dean's surprise, she gently ran her fingers through his hair while she gave him a sweet smile.
The way she smiles at him; the way his heart gets a funny beat and a flutter in his stomach when he looks at her. Dean had never experienced feelings like this in his old life; but he could identify the feelings easy enough. He, Dean Winchester: single ladies' man extraordinaire; is head over heels in love.
TBC
A/N: sorry about the long wait. It took forever for this chapter to be written; mostly I'm still battling writer's block on this. So reviews and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
