Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
Previously on Supernatural- Smiling, Mary wrapped an arm around both boys, opened the book, and began to read.
SPN
Sammy sat elbows on knees on the bottom step of the porch watching the Winchester family pack their vehicle. With his head propped on fisted hands he stared at Dean as the older boy helped his mom and dad. Dean…his friend, his one and only friend was leaving him and he didn't know what to do. The heartbroken little boy didn't want to lose his friend and constant companion.
In the week and a half the Winchesters had been there, Sammy and Dean had done almost everything together. They'd played, talked, and even slept together. He loved Dean and he didn't want him to go. He didn't want Mary to leave either. Dean's mother had been more than nice to him. She had treated him just like she did her son. Sammy sighed. With the exception of John, who still scared him, the Winchesters had become almost like family to him and he didn't want to lose them. Unfortunately, he didn't have a choice. They were leaving whether he wanted them to or not. They were going to…
"What's with the sad face, Short Stuff?" Dean asked as he sat down beside his friend and threw an arm around the boy's shoulders.
Sammy wrapped his arms around the older boy's waist and buried his face in Dean's chest. "Don't leave me!" he cried. "Please, I'll be good!"
"Awww Sammy" Dean whispered. He pulled the youngster into his side and planted a kiss on the top of his head. "It's okay. You're going to be alright. Promise."
"But, but who's going to protect me?" Sammy wailed.
"Uncle Bobby will." Dean confidently replied. Getting a head shake, he sighed. "Come on Sammy, we talked about this. Remember? Uncle Bobby is one of the good guys. He's not going to hurt you."
"But, but…"
"But nothing Shrimp, Uncle Bobby will never hurt you." Dean assured the crying boy. "He loves you, dude…Yes he does. You may have only been here a little while but you've already got him wrapped around your little finger."
"Dean's telling the truth, Sweetie." Mary said. She sat down on the step and pulled both boys onto her lap. "Bobby looks at you the same way John and I look at Dean. You are his son now…his little boy and he will never ever hurt you or let anyone else hurt you."
"You're safe here, Champ." John added, ruffling the boy's hair. He ignored the flinch his action caused.
Sammy snuggled closer to Mary and Dean. "But I need you!" he protested. "Who's going to read me a story and rock me and kiss me goodnight and, and…"
"Sammy, Bobby would love to do all that for you. You just have to give him a chance." Mary told the frightened boy.
Sammy gazed skeptically up at his comforter. "I'm, I'm scared." He admitted.
"I know." Mary answered, carding a hand through the boy's long locks. "But Bobby is not going to hurt you no matter what you do or don't do. I can promise you that."
"Mom's right little dude." Dean seconded.
Sammy turned wide eyes on his friend. "Do you really have to go?"
"I'm afraid so." John answered, squatting down in front of the boys. "Mary and I have a job waiting for us in Texas. But we'll come back to visit."
"Promise?" Sammy asked, staring the man in the face for the first time.
"I promise." John stated, smiling at the little boy. He reached over and palmed Sammy's cheek before standing. "We have to be going now, bud. You be good for Bobby and we'll see you soon. Okay?"
Sammy nodded even as his hold on Mary and Dean tightened.
Sighing, Mary gently set both boys on their feet and stood. She leaned down and hugged the little boy who had stolen her heart. "You and Bobby are going to be just fine, Sammy. I promise you that." She kissed his forehead and then stood once more. "Bye Sweetie"
Dean hugged his friend tightly for a moment and then let go. "See ya later, kiddo" he said before walking over to his parents. Once there he turned and smiled at Sammy. "And do me a favor. Take care of Uncle Bobby for me. He's not so good at taking care of himself."
Sammy merely nodded.
Knowing the time had come for the Winchesters to leave, Bobby who had been silently sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, strode across the wooden porch and descended the creaking staircase to stand by his charge. "Don't you worry none, Dean. Sammy and I will be just fine." He confidently announced. "Right buddy?"
He wasn't surprised at the lack of response. He hadn't expected one. The ball capped hunter managed to keep the smile on his face though as he watched the Winchester clan climb into their car and drive away. He waved until the vehicle was out of sight and then dropped onto the step beside his upset charge. Glancing at the boy out of the corner of his eye, Bobby winced. The kid was holding onto Max so tight he was almost choking the poor thing. He needed to get Sammy's attention on something fast before he harmed the pup.
Thankfully, Rumsfield chose that moment to come padding over with a tennis ball in his mouth.
Bobby chuckled. "Looks like Rumsfield is looking for someone to play a game of fetch with." He muttered in a soft tone. Seeing the ball dropped at his feet, he leaned down and scooped it up. "Alright Rummy, I'm coming." He got to his feet and looked down at his son. "What about it Sammy? You and Max wanna play fetch for a while?"
Sammy gazed down at the squirming bundle in his arms before shyly nodding his head. He set Max on his feet and then stood and shakily took the hand his M-daddy was offering.
"Let's go in the back to play. There's more room for them to run there." Bobby suggested as the two started walking. Handing the ball to Sammy, the hunter smiled. This was going to be fun!
SPN
After an afternoon of playing with the dogs and raking leaves and a nearly silent evening meal, the two settled in to watch a few cartoons before bed. Bobby followed Sammy's lead letting him pick the show they watched and where they sat. He didn't say anything when the kid chose to sit on a throw pillow on the floor instead of beside him on the couch. The pillow beat the boy's corner any day. Mindful of Mary's words of wisdom, the newly crowned father merely sat back and watched his son watch television. It wasn't until he saw the five year old knuckling his eyes that he took a more active role.
Knowing the youngster wasn't ready to accept his help, Bobby crept out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom. There he busied himself with running a bubble bath for his little one. He checked the water temperature, ensured that all the bath toys were in reach, and put out the step stool and bathing supplies. Once everything was arranged to Dean's specifications, Bobby walked back to the living room. "Sammy, I've got your bath ready for ya." He announced.
Sammy startled. He'd forgotten his m-daddy was in the room. He spun around staring wide eyed at the man.
Bobby smiled at the frightened boy. "I set out the step stool and your pajamas for ya." He told the five year old. "You go ahead and get your bath. I'll be out here reading if you need anything. Okay, buddy?"
"Y-yes sir" Sammy stammered before darting out of the room and down the hall. Rushing into the safety of the bathroom, the little boy shut the door. He swiftly undressed and clambered into the tub. Keeping an eye on the closed door, Sammy began hurriedly washing himself.
SPN
After finishing his bath and throwing on his pj's in record time, a weary Sammy shuffled back down the hall and into the living room. Stopping in the doorway, he gazed forlornly at the well-worn rocking chair by the fireplace. He longed to sit on Aunt Mary's lap and listen to a story while she rocked. It was so peaceful and comforting and, and…he needed that comfort to fall asleep. Knowing his comforter was far away, the youngster peered over at his foster father. Dean and Mary had both promised him that m-daddy wouldn't hurt him and he wanted to believe them. He did. But he had been let down far too many times to simply take someone at their word. Still, the man hadn't hurt him yet. He'd been extremely nice to him, giving him things and allowing him to watch television and play. He hadn't forced him to work or yelled at him or…Sammy shivered at the memory of the punishments he'd endured at his former home. That torture chamber was nothing like this one and his masters were nothing like his new m-daddy. Besides, Dean had promised the man would never hurt him and Dean had never lied to him. Biting his lip, he stared at the bearded man. Finally, the need for comfort overrode his fear. Sammy padded over to his daddy and timidly patted the man's arm to get his attention. "You read a st-story to Sammy?" he asked.
A grin split Bobby's face. "Sure buddy!" he eagerly agreed. "Go pick a book and I'll meet you at the rocking chair."
Sammy scurried over to the bookshelf. He quickly grabbed his favorite book, the orange one with his name in it, and shuffled over to the rocking chair.
Bobby took the book from his son so the boy could climb up. He resisted the urge to help the five year old up knowing that the slightest wrong move from him could mean disaster.
Sammy climbed onto his daddy's lap and after a moment's hesitation, leaned back against his chest like he had done with Aunt Mary.
Bolstered by the boy's move, Bobby gently wrapped an arm around his son. Smiling as Sammy snuggled closer instead of moving away, he opened the book and began to read as he slowly rocked back and forth. He softly read until his little one's body went limp and his breathing evened out. Closing the book, Bobby gazed down at his sleeping son. Sammy was beginning to trust him and that had him over the moon. Ghosting a hand over the sleeping boy's cheek, Bobby made a promise to always protect the boy. He also made himself a promise; to adopt Sammy just as soon as he legally could. And make no mistake. He would adopt Sammy because if there was one thing Bobby was positive of it was that nobody and nothing was taking his boy away from him. Ever.
