Sam POV

Pacing back and forth, I contemplate whether today will be the day I call Carol, the lady I met while buying diapers for Jessie. Running a hand through my hair, I sigh. To be honest, I do not want anyone outside of my inner circle to meet Jessie. At the same time, I know she needs to be a normal child. The last thing Jessie needs is to be isolated from the rest of the world. I don't want her to have a childhood like Dean and me, away from all other kids. We were freaks. Well, I was. Dialing the number, it rings several times before anyone picks up.

"Hello?" A kind voice says on the other line.

"Hi. This is Sam we met several months back."

"Sam?" There is a pause on the other line. "Oh! Sam, you were that guy in the store with two huge boxes of diapers."

I give a short laugh before confirming, "Yes. That was me."

In a chipper tone, Carol asks, "I suppose you're a father now?"

I nod; even though, she can not see me. "I am." Glancing at Jessie asleep in her crib, I say, "I have a daughter."

"Congratulations."

"Her name is Jessie. She just turned six weeks old."

"Jessie..." She pauses. "That is a nice name. Is it short for anything?"

I smile. "Jessica. Her full name is Jessica Amelia Winchester."

"Would you be willing to meet up, so Jessie and Kyle can meet?" Carol asks.

"Sure. Just pick a time and place."

"How about the park tomorrow at two? I will send you the address," She suggests.

"Ok. I will see you soon then."

"Bye. I am looking forward to seeing that daughter of yours."

After we get off the phone, I walk over to Jessie's crib. I rest my arms and my head atop of the railing gazing down at the sleeping princess. Jessie really has become my world since she was born. The next day, I drive about forty minutes to meet Carol and Kyle. I do not know what to expect coming here. I know there will be kids, but that is about all I know. After wandering around, Jessie in her carrier, I spot Carol at a picnic table with who I presume is Kyle.

Sitting across from Carol, I greet, "Nice to see you again."

"Same." Lifting her son up on the table, she says, "This is Kyle. He is a little over a year and a half now. Say, hi, Kyle." Kyle vaguely waves in my direction.

"Hi there little guy," I say in a childish tone. I take in the little boy's features. He has sandy hair and blue eyes.

Peering into the carrier, Carol says, "This must be Jessie."

Taking her out of the carrier, I inform, "Yes. This is my Jessie."

"Did everything go as planned with you getting full custody of Jessie?" There is a hint of concern in Carol's voice.

I nod. "Yes. I have full custody. Her mother..." My words stop with me not knowing how to explain.

As I am contemplating, Carol says, "You don't have to tell me."

I shake my head. "That is not it. I just have not had to explain my situation before. I have not contacted Jessie's mother since Jessie was handed over to me. Right now, I am a single dad. I have my brother and my mom to help out, but I have been doing an awfully lot of taking care of Jessie on my own. If Jessie wants to meet her mother when she is older, she can. Until then, she will be in my care."

"I don't know how Jessie's mother let that sweet face go. I would not let Kyle out of my sight for months." She smiles at her son.

Holding Jessie near my face, she puts her tiny hands on my face. My daughter rubs her hands against my stubble and giggles at the feel of it. I gaze into her hazel eyes. It is almost like looking in a mirror. Placing my nose against hers, I ask, "Do you like Daddy's stubble?" Jessie screeches with glee and a smile on her face.

Breaking me out of my trance, Carol asks, "How are you liking fatherhood? It seems that it suits you well."

"It's been great. There have been some nights where I don't get as much sleep, but that is what it takes to be a parent. Jessie is a fairly easy baby to take care of. She only wakes me up during the night if she is hungry or needs a diaper change. We also have a close bond now, especially since Jessie's mother is not in the picture." I play with my daughter as I continue my conversation with Carol.

Kyle starts babbling and saying random words. His mother says, "It is nice that your daughter has a father figure around. Kyle's dad tucked tail and ran when he heard that I was pregnant. He is just now saying that he wants to be a part of Kyle's life. He is saying that he wants our family to be together because of Kyle, but I think he has a hidden motive. He has never been very straightforward with me. I really don't know what to do. It is all so complicated."

Thinking of the mother figures Jessie could look up to, I explain, "I have a friend who works as a sheriff. She will probably be like a second grandmother to Jessie. She can teach Jessie all those girl things that I would have trouble explaining."

"It is probably for the best. Sometimes girls just need another girl to talk to."

I nod in agreement.

Reaching out to Jessie, Kyle says, "Baby."

Carol nods and tells her son, "That is Jessie. She is going to be your friend now."

"Tiny," Kyle comments.

His mother smiles. "Yes, she is tiny now, but one day she will be old enough to play with you."

Kyle claps his hands excitedly.

Starting up the conversation again, I continue, "I had not talked to my older brother for months, and typically we are all but inseparable. Anyway, I kind of surprised him with Jessie. He could not believe that I was a dad at first, but he and my mom have really warmed up to Jessie. They have not had a baby around since I was young."

"It is probably weird for them to see their baby with a baby of his own."

I laugh, "You are probably right. We talk for a good while until it starts to get dark. Carol is really nice, and it seems like we both want the same thing. We want our kids to have friends growing up, so they are not alone.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading this story, and a special thanks to all of you have favorited, followed, or left a review on Trade My Soul. I really do appreciate the feedback. I am sorry that I am a little late posting this chapter. I have not had much access to my computer, which is where I edit. I have not gotten a review in a while, so leave one if you like the story. Tell me what you would like to see Jessie do; I might just add it in the story. I do have some ideas for the future of this fanfic, but I am always willing to take in to account what you want to see happen.