Chapter Nine

Sorry for the delay. Finals approaching. Been busy. And the next Winchester is...........

"Congratulations," said Dr. Kimmel. "It's a boy."

Sam smiled. "That's great."

"Okay, we're done," said the doctor as she gave a towel to Sam to clean up. Sam walked out into the living room. Dean and Stephanie jumped up.

"Well?" said Stephanie.

"Perfectly healthy baby boy," said Sam, waiting for them to catch on.

Stephanie sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God. A perfectly healthy…boy?"

Sam smiled. "Yep. It's a boy."

Stephanie squealed in delight and wrapped her arms around Sam's neck as best as she could. Sam hugged her back, smiling. Dean clapped a hand on Sam's shoulder.

"At least we won't screw it up," said Dean. "Boys, we can do. Girls, not so much."

Stephanie released Dean. "Oh, I'm sure you two will raise him just fine."

"He better," said Sam. "After all, he had plenty of practice with me."

"Have you thought of any names?" Dean asked her.

"Actually…I want you to name him."

"No, Stephanie," said Sam. "I couldn't. He's your son—"

"Who you are carrying, delivering and raising. It should be you."

"Stephanie—"

"Please, Sam. It means a lot to me."

Sam hesitated. "How about this: I run some names by you and you pick one."

Stephanie held her hand out in front of her. "You got a deal." Sam grasped her hand, shaking on it.


One month later…

Sam was five months along and was starting to show. Dean had had to run to the store to buy him sweatpants and bigger shirts. Sam's weird cravings had hit and so had the hormones. And what set them off most of the time…his brother.

Stephanie was beginning to grow pale and tired. All three of them knew it couldn't be that long before she passed on. The brothers had taken to spending as much time as possible with Stephanie. She was especially clinging to Sam.

They sat on the couch together with Stephanie in the middle, watching Poltergeist. Stephanie looked down at Sam's stomach and placed a hand on it. Sam looked down and placed a hand over hers. Stephanie smiled, tears forming in her eyes.

"Thank you," she told him.

"For what?" asked Sam.

"For keeping him," said Stephanie. "For not leaving him. You could've had him killed, but you chose to take him in."

"I could never have killed him," said Sam.

Stephanie looked up at him, tears falling down her face. "I'll tell my husband what wonderful parents our son has. How they protect him…care for him…love him…"

Sam looked up at Dean, asking for permission. Dean nodded and smiled. Sam looked back down at Stephanie. "Tell your husband that your son's name is John Michael Collins."

Stephanie smiled. "John…such a good name…strong. What's it mean?"

"It was our father's name," Sam explained. "He…died saving our lives."

"I love it," said Stephanie. "Thank you for giving him Michael's name also."

"And guess what?" said Dean. "It's my middle name, too."

"Really?" said Stephanie as she looked at Dean. "That's wonderful." She smiled as she leaned back against the couch.

"How 'bout some ice cream?" suggested Dean.

Stephanie smiled. "Perfect."

Dean stood up, facing them. "Chocolate? Whip cream?"

"Please," said Stephanie.

"Sam?"

"Applesauce and pickles," Sam told him.

"Oh, gross. I am not fixing that."

Sam and Stephanie smiled at each other and looked back at Dean. Irked by the silence, Dean turned back around to see the two of them giving the puppy-dog look.

Dean growled in annoyance. "Fine! I'll do it! You've been teaching her that, haven't you?"

"And you fell right into it," said Sam.

"Yeah, yeah," said Dean.

Dean headed for the kitchen, pulling the gallon of ice cream from the freezer. He scooped three generous portions into three bowls. He covered his and Stephanie's helpings with chocolate syrup and some whip cream. He then reluctantly dumped some applesauce on Sam's helping, topping it with several sliced pickles. He headed back to the living room, balancing the third bowl on his arm against his chest. Stephanie grabbed the balanced bowl before it could fall, settling it on her lap. Dean handed the disgusting bowl to Sam, who proceeded to dig his spoon into it and shoving a spoonful of ice cream, applesauce and pickle into his mouth.

"You and your cravings," Dean muttered as he sat next to Stephanie.

"You're just jealous," Sam teased as he dipped a pickle in the ice cream, sticking it in his mouth and closing his eyes in pleasure.

"Yeah, sure," said Dean. "Whatever floats your boat."


Sam felt a jab to his shoulder and subtly clasped the knife under his pillow. As the jabbing continued, Sam grabbed the person by the wrist, slamming the knife to their throat and catching a look at a terrified face.

"Stephanie!" Sam exclaimed. He quickly set the knife on the night table and released her wrist. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"No…" Stephanie whispered weakly. "Sam…it's time…"

Sam looked up at her pale, exhausted face, and his eyes widened. "Come here."

Stephanie climbed into the bed next to Sam as he turned onto his side to face her. He put his right arm under her body, flattening his palm onto her head and holding her close. He draped his left arm over her stomach and put his head against hers.

"I'm right here," Sam whispered. "I'm not going anywhere." Sam lifted his head to look over Stephanie's body. "Dean." There was no response from the other bed. "Dean!" Still nothing. Sam looked down at Stephanie. "I swear, that guy could sleep through a nuclear bomb."

Stephanie gave a weak laugh. Sam reached his left arm to the night table and grabbed his cell phone, launching it towards Dean's head. Dean bolted up in bed, swinging his arm sleepily.

"Wha…" started Dean.

"Dean," said Sam.

Dean turned to see a weak Stephanie in Sam's arms. His eyes widened at Sam, and Sam gave a sad nod. Dean came over and sat down next to Stephanie, his back against the headboard. Sam settled his head next to Stephanie's again as Dean laid a hand on Stephanie's shoulder next to Sam's arm. They listened to Stephanie's labored breaths. Stephanie turned her head and laid a kiss on Dean's hand, smiling up at him. She then turned and laid a kiss on Sam's cheek, smiling at him also.

"My son…" Stephanie whispered. "My son…"

Sam opened his eyes, looking at Stephanie. After a moment of thinking, Sam lowered the blankets to his waist and lifted up his shirt, exposing his swollen belly. He took Stephanie's hand and placed it on his stomach, covering her hand with his. Stephanie smiled at him and Sam smiled back.

"Johnnie…" Stephanie whispered.

When they both felt a jolt, they looked at each other and began smiling and laughing.

"What?" asked Dean.

Sam looked up at him. "He kicked."

"Here…feel…" Stephanie said, reaching for Dean's hand, but too weak to reach it.

Sam looked up at Dean uncomfortably, but then nodded his head. Dean reached his hand out so Stephanie could reach it. Stephanie weakly grasped it and pulled it onto Sam's stomach. After a moment, Dean felt a sharp jab underneath his hand.

Dean smiled, stunned. "That's amazing…"

Stephanie looked up at Dean. "Take care of my boy…both of them..." She nodded in Sam's direction. Sam smiled as Dean stared at her.

"I promise," Dean told her. "With every breath in my body, I promise."

Stephanie turned to look at Sam. "Watch after my son…love him like he's never been..."

Sam sadly smiled, tears welling in the corners of his eyes. "I will."

Stephanie glanced between the two of them. "I love you…both of you…" She smiled serenely. "Michael and I will look in on you two from time to time…make sure you're doing right by our boy…" Sam and Dean laughed, and Stephanie joined in. She quickly cut off, coughing weakly. Sam stroked her face with his left hand to soothe her. "From all this hunting stuff you've told me about…I know that I can promise you that…when you visit my grave…" tears began creeping down Sam's face, "I'll be listening and watching…Promise me you'll bring Johnnie by sometime…"

"We will," Sam told her, crying. "Every day."

Stephanie smiled. "You don't have to…not that often…"

Dean spoke up. "Every year…on Johnnie's birthday."

"I'd like that…" Stephanie said. She placed her hand back on Sam's belly, desperate to be near her son. "I'll see you in a couple months, Johnnie…" She looked back up at the brothers. "Thank you both…so much…"

Stephanie closed her eyes as her hand slipped from Sam's belly and to the sheets. Sam clutched her head, pulling her body towards him as best he could. Sam cried into her hair as Dean placed his hand on Sam's head now. Sam laid Stephanie back down on the bed and looked up at Dean, surprised to see tears on his face. They looked at each other and then back down at Stephanie, realizing they were on their own now.