Memories and Hope

Chapter 11

By: Montez

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

It was late afternoon before the doctors were satisfied and released Sammy, who had been nicknamed by the hospital staff as 'miracle child'. It had gotten around the hospital about the youngsters miraculous recovery for his near drown, then life-threatening pneumonia. As Sammy's release papers were being readied, John had convinced Mac he was okay to drive and for the Doctor to go ahead and take Jim and Caleb back to the farm. The three, reluctantly headed out, John assuring them he wouldn't be far behind. Mac planned on having something to eat ready when the Winchesters reached the farm, figuring it would be an early night for everyone; especially Jim and John, who had gotten little or no sleep in the last two days.

Once everyone was safely back at the farm, Mac and Caleb prepared a quick meal. Caleb made sure he had those apples and peanut butter ready for Sammy when he came home. Caleb kept a close eye on Dean and Sammy, while John took a quick shower before dinner. The meal was unusually quiet, as exhaustion seemed the overruling factor, even for the normally energetic boys. Mac assured Jim and John that Caleb and he would clean up, then get Sammy and Dean off to bed.

Before heading upstairs, John spent some time just holding his children. His exhausted body screaming for rest, but he was reluctant to let his boys go. "You boys need me, you wake me up, okay?"

John told the boys, grinning tiredly when twin, 'yes,sir's' were heard from them. Again, John pulled the boys to him, kissing the tops of their heads, then making his way to bed. Jim had retired a short time before.

Dean and Sammy sat on the couch, Atticus on the floor next to them, as Dean read Sammy a book, while Mac and Caleb finished in the kitchen. Soon after Mac ushered the boys upstairs to get ready for bed, knowing everyone would sleep easier tonight knowing Sammy was home safe and well.

As Dean climbed into his bed, Sammy crawled in next to him, dragging WooBee with him. "Can I sleep with you, Deanie?" After the last couple of days, Dean wouldn't deny his baby brother anything, so he scooted over. "Sure."

Mac and Caleb came in short time later, to tuck in the boys. Caleb sat on Sammy's empty bed as Mac sat on the edge of Dean's. "You boys, okay?" Mac asked as he adjusted the covers over the siblings.

"Yes, sir." again the twin response. Sammy's small voice spoke next. "Is Caleb gonna stay in here?" Big brown eyes looked hopefully at the teen as did Dean's.

Mac looked at his son. He noticed that some of the weight the boy had been carrying around the last several days, had lifted from his son's shoulders, once it was known Sammy was better and now home. "Son?"

Sammy watched the older boy, then slipped from bed, coming to stand in front of the teen. Caleb looked into the puppy-dog eyes that seemed to be looking through him. A serious tone came from the small child as he looked up at Caleb, "The angel said you saved me, that you did good." Caleb was stunned at the comment and by the vice grip hug he received from the three-year old. "Thank you." the toddler mumbled. This was the first real contact Caleb had with Sammy since he had pulled him from the pond. The teen found himself wrapping his arms around the tiny child, picking him up, Sammy moving his little arms up to Caleb's neck.

The older boy looked over at Mac, who had tears in his eyes; Caleb was at a lose as to what to say. He swallowed hard, trying not to cry in front of the boys, as he spoke, "You're welcome, Kido. I'll always have your back." Sammy released his hold as Caleb sat him down.

The small boy then crawled back into Dean's bed. Mac readjusted the covers as he noticed his son had moved up on the other bed, leaning against the headboard. The Doctor knew his son would stay with the Winchester children tonight. As Mac went to stand, the small voice they had all been afraid would be silenced forever spoke again, "Mac?"

"Yes, Sammy." Mac sat back down looking at the small boy.

"Can you tell me a story?" Mac looked into the deep brown eyes that could melt the heart of the most hardened hunter. He then looked at Caleb and Dean, who each nodded.

Mac cleared his throat, "What kind of story?"

"Bout the Dragons and Prince Samuel. Like Pastor Jim tells."

Mac had to think a minute. It had been a while since he had heard the Pastor's tales of the Magical Dragons and the Young Prince Samuel they protected. Mac was never good at making up stories. This is why he would usually read a book, when the boys asked for stories. "The Dragons, huh?"

"Pleeeease?" The toddler pleaded. Mac already knowing he would cave.

"Okay, give me a minute to remember them all." Mac recalled the dragons well; he was trying to come up with a story. His mind focusing on the last few days and how close they had come to not only loosing Sammy, but Dean and Caleb as well. Mac got a chair, so he could sit between the beds, giving Sammy and Dean room to snuggle down under the blankets. He glanced at his son, who gave him a reassuring smile, then the older man cleared his throat.

"Once upon a time in a land far, far away there lived a young prince named Samuel." Mac watched as Sammy was riveted at the first line, Mac continued to speak as Jim's stories came back to him. "He lived in a very magical world, surrounded by amazing friends that protected him…"

"The Dragons." Sammy whispered.

Mac nodded, "The Dragons. These fearsome creatures protected young Samuel from the evil that existed in the world." Mac remembered that Jim would relay each Dragon, to set the mood. "There was the Great Silver Dragon; Astorim, who was the eldest and wisest of the Dragons. Next there was Cam; the Blue Dragon, who was known as a healer. Then came Balec; the Fire Dragon, who fearlessly protected not only Prince Samuel, but watched over the Green Dragon; Athewm, who was Samuel's personal guardian, as well. Finally, there was O'Nathan Jay; the Black Dragon, there fierce protector of the Prince's kingdom as well as Athewm and Prince Samuel, themselves."

"All was peaceful in the Kingdom until a dark day when a tragic accident threatened to snatch the Prince away form the Dragons forever." Mac paused, watching the boys for a moment, then he continued. "And although Belac and Athewm had rescued the Prince, he had been badly injured. Cam arrived at the castle just as the Prince was rescued, but even with his healing abilities, young Prince Samuel needed to be taken care of by his own kind. It was a hurt the Dragon's could not fix. Belac and Athewm were distraught that the Prince had been hurt, when they had been so nearby, thought it was accident, the two noble Dragon's carried a blame that was not theirs to carry." Mac looked at his son, trying again to reassure Caleb it was in now way his fault.

"When the Black Dragon; O'Nathan Jay arrived at the Prince's side, he was overwhelmed with grief. As the young Prince was one of the two precious beings the Queen had entrusted to him before her death. The other being the Prince's protector, Athewm. The Black Dragon saw how much the Prince's tragic accident had affected Athewm, that in a rare occurrence, O'Nathan Jay comforted the lost Green Dragon, while awaiting word on the Prince."

"As much as the Dragons hoped and even as the Great Astorim prayed, the young Prince became very ill and was very close to leaving the Dragons and the Magical Kingdom forever. However, on the second night, when all hoped seemed to be nearly lost, the Queen returned from her place among the angels. Making herself known first to Athewm, then appearing to O'Nathan Jay, who was holding vigil at the Prince's bedside. The Black Dragon watched in awe as the spirit of his beloved Queen touched her hand to young Samuel's head and with a brilliant flash of light, healed the young Prince, thus healing the Dragon's as well. Soon the Prince returned to his castle and was again surrounded and protected by his Magical Dragon's who dearly loved the Prince. And all was right with the Kingdom again." Mac finished, as he saw that both Dean and Sammy had fallen asleep.

Caleb had laid down as his father told the story, but remained awake till the end. Mac looked at his son, "Well, was it okay?" Mac asked.

The teen gave a little smirk, "Not as good as Jim's," a hint of mischief in his voice. Mac was silently happy for the return of Caleb's sarcasm. "Maybe you should stick to reading The Three Musketeers." Caleb smiled as Mac knew the book meant a lot to both of them, as it was the first thing Mac had ever given Caleb when he found the scared, troubled twelve-year old at the psychiatric hospital and affectively saved the boys life, in more ways than one.

"The Three Musketeers, huh?' Mac grinned at his son.

Caleb looked at Mac, seriousness in his eyes. "Seriously Dad, it was a good story and I'm sorry for what I put you through. I wasn't thinking straight." Caleb rose up in the bed.

Mac moved to sit next to his son. Reaching up he touched his son's cheek. "I know Son, but you have to understand, I'll always worry about you. You try to carry so much around inside…I just hope you understand that I will always…always be on your side. I'll be here for you whenever you need me, no matter what." Mac looked intently into his son's gold-green eyes, making sure he had the boy's full attention, "And I will always love you, don't ever forget that." Mac pulled his son to him as Caleb returned the hug.

"I love you too, Dad." Caleb whispered.

Mac kissed the top of his son's head as he released the boy. "You get some sleep now. You know where I am if you need me."

Caleb nodded, "Night Dad."

"Goodnight, Son." Mac said as he exited the room. The Doctor leaned against the wall in the hallway for moment. A feeling of peace had settled over the house, as all their numbers were finally back where they should be; safe and sound inside the farm house that had become a real home to them all. Mac took a deep breath, releasing it, as he headed off to bed.

Outside, near the pond, a figure stood. A sad smile on her face, but her heart was light as she silently watched over her charges.

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Epilogue

A few days later, John was again standing on the back porch watching his boys playing with Atticus. He marveled at how quickly Sammy had recovered, which had helped them all heal. None more so than Dean, the older boy's infectious laughter echoed across the yard.

The screen door squeaked, John didn't turn to see who it was, but soon the familiar voice of his friend broke the silence of the porch. "I told you in a few days that the boys would again be laughing and playing." Jim's calm voice spoke.

"Yes you did, but it was close." John whispered. His mind replaying again, just how close that last night had been.

Just then the screen door slammed and the dark haired teen ran out into the yard, joining the younger boys. Jim nodded his head as he recalled how close they had also come to loosing Caleb. John was still unaware of the incident on the roof, "Yes, it was close indeed."

The two men watched for several minutes as the boys chased after Atticus and each other. Squeals of excitement sounding over the yard. Soon the screen door opened a third time, both men turned as Mac joined them. "Bobby just called. He was looking for some help on hunt near his place." Mac looked at Jim, then John. "He wanted to know if you were interested, John?" Mac silently hoped his friend wound not leave so soon, with Sammy only being out of the hospital for a few days, but if Mac knew one thing about John Winchester, it was nobody could tell the man what he should or shouldn't do.

Jim and Mac watched as John turned, watching the boys at play. After several minutes John spoke, "Mac, call Bobby back," The two older men shared a look, each praying John wasn't going to go so soon. "Tell him to call Joshua. I think I'm gonna spend some time with my boys." John shot both hunters a sincere look, "Thank you both, for everything." With that John headed down the stairs, joining the may lay in the yard as all three boys decided to wrestle the hunter to the ground. John's deep laughter soon was heard over the younger boys giggles.

Jim and Mac shared relieved looks. Though they knew John wouldn't stay away from the hunt for long. They were each happy to see that today, at least, he was being the father his boys needed.

The End

A/N: Many, many thanks to all my readers who stayed with me through this-I'm grateful.

To my wonderful Beta: Sensue, the Dragons were your idea. It was a wonderful idea to add them to the story, I hope you like how I worked them in.

To the amazing Ridley James; Thank you for creating the wonderful world of the Brotherhood and allowing me the privilege to play in your sandbox. Also for pointing me in the right direction in finding the information I needed about the Dragons. I hope I did them justice.

I hope my Brotherhood story lived up to the wonderful standard of the other Brotherhood stories. I enjoyed the ride. Again THANK YOU ALL for coming along on the journey-until next time.

p.s. the Dragon reference came from 'In the Company of Dragons' by Ridley James.

And where would we be without Mr. Eric Kripke for creating the wonderful Winchesters.