Dean said "I know and they are getting their own personalities as well, Cole is like Will and Aidan is a lot like Toni. Cole is much more expressive about what he wants and Aidan is much more thoughtful. It's going to be interesting watching them grow up."
Two months passed since the boys christening and Bobby was back in South Dakota. He had returned a week after the christening to oversee the building work at the salvage yard. In the intervening months the library had been completed and the new apartments were part of the way there. Dean and Sam had moved into the house in Stafford a week after Bobby left not wanting everyone to leave at the same time. Over the last six weeks, the barn on the property had been converted into five apartments, and an extension added that included a library, and the medical centre. The structure of the extension was completed, and all that was left was to kit it out with the right equipment. Dean and Sam had also added some touches of their own to the property, around the perimeter were scattered devil traps and repellents.
It took a while after Dean and Sam left the house but eventually Will, the boys and I settled into a new routine. Will would get up and shower and I would go make coffee, put the milk on for the boys and meet Will in the nursery to feed the boys. Will and I would feed the boys continuing to take turns to feed Aidan and Cole on alternating morning and evening feeds. Sam would arrive shortly before 8am and top up his coffee and then travel into the office with Will. On occasion I would bundle the boys up, put them into the SVU and drive out to the 'Winchester Farm', taking with me the items that we had picked up to stock the safe houses and library. Sam had spoken to one of the tech guys in the office and told him the best computers and security to get to set up the network of computers that we aimed to have installed here and at the other compounds around the country.
Dean and Sam were coming to the house every Sunday for dinner. I loved this time, as it gives me the opportunity to catch up with what my nephews are up to. Sam is excited about the work he is doing at the NCIS legal department and Dean is energized that the work on the property is coming together as he able to see how this will help the fight against evil. As Dean and Sam are now working from a base, hunting is becoming harder unless it is within driving distance. In order to help I offered them the use of one of the company jets, Dean was hesitant at first due to his fear of flying. I recommended that this might be one way to overcome his fear. Learning how to fly the jet as it would mean that he was in control, and the basis of his fear was probably his feeling that he had lack of control over the situation. Dean wasn't sure at first but Sam said it sounded like a great idea and that he was interested in learning as well so Dean signed up for lessons. He is now 5 hours away from passing his pilot licence. This meant that they would be able to use the jet to get to hunts further away or to go and visit Bobby more often.
Three weeks later and Dean was due to start his first day at VCU. The night before and we had them over for a meal and to catch up. I was sensing that although Dean had made the decision to go back to school he was still apprehensive about what to expect. He thought that he was going to be the oldest student in the class and that put him on edge. After the meal, Dean and I went upstairs to check on the twins and I told him "I know that you're nervous about starting school tomorrow but don't be there is nothing to worry about. Even if you are the oldest student in the class think about the advantages that brings, and what you will know that the other students have yet to learn. You have the ability to fit into any situation, just think about all the people that you have pretended to be over the years." Dean looked back at me and said "I know, it's just a little nerve racking, making the decision is one thing following through on it is another. Is it alright if I sit here with Aidan and Cole for a while, being out on the farm I've missed just sitting with them." I turned to him and said "No problem, you know where we'll be when you're ready to talk or want some adult time." Dean smiled at me and I left three of boys together.
I walked back into the living room and Sam and Will were sitting talking about a case that had crossed Will's desk. He thought that they may be something 'supernatural' going on and wanted Sam's opinion. When I walked through the door they stopped talking looked up at me and when he realised that Dean wasn't with me Sam said "Is everything ok?" I said "its fine. Dean wanted to spend some time with Aidan and Cole, I don't know what but I think he finds it soothing." Will looked at me and said "I know why, Toni, I'm surprised you hadn't picked up on it. Its Aidan when he's sleeping he's empathy is on full calm mode and anyone around him is instantly calm. Dean probably doesn't realise that is what is going on just knows that is how he feels." At that moment Dean walked through the door and said "I don't realise what is going on?" Sam smiled at his brother and said "you're picking up good vibrations, Aidan's giving off a calm vibe and you've been picking up on it." Dean looked at me guiltily and said "I'm sorry Toni, Will. You know I would never do anything to hurt the twins." I walked up to him, gave him a hug and said "I know and I'm sorry to. It's not your fault, the twins are too young to control their powers and Aidan's empathy is broadcasting tranquillity at anyone when he's asleep. Will, Sam and I are probably immune to the effects because of our powers." Dean said "okay then, what we you all talking about before our brief detour into the calming powers of my cousin."
Sam looked at Dean and said "Will and I were discussing how much things have changed over the last 6 months. You and I've met family we didn't know anything about, and Toni and Will have added to that with the twins. We got you out of your contract and finished Lilith off at the same time. We've brought a house and settled down, something I never thought that we would do growing up. I'm going back to school and after 4 years I have to admit I'm a little nervous." Dean looked at Sam and said "I know every now and then I pinch myself. If you had told me a year ago that I would have sold my soul to a demon, got out of the deal and killed one of the worst demons known to man I would have laughed. Now I'm about to do something I never thought I would do and I know that it would knock the stuffing out of Dad and make Mum so proud. I'm nervous but excited and can't wait to attend my first lecture and find out if there is anything we can use in our other lives or to assist other hunters."
"Dean" I asked "do you know what classes you have tomorrow and which professor you have?" Dean replied, "Yes, I've got CHEM101 - General Chemistry followed by Chemistry Lab. I think that the professor is Carl Wolff II." "I know him" Will and I said at the same time, looking at each other and grinning. Dean looked at me and said "Really, do you have a good relationship; he's not going to see Winchester on the roster and give me a hard time is he." I laughed and said "No, I know Carl professionally he has testified on some of the cases that I've worked on and as far as I know there is no animosity there. You should be fine, I've got his number if you want I could give him a call and feel him out." Dean glared at me and said "Don't you dare, it's bad enough being the oldest in the class, and I don't need the professor to single me out for special treatment because of my Aunt." I said "Ok, I won't embarrass you in front of your fellow students" Dean looked at the clock and turned to Sam and said "Sam, we need to get going we both have to be away early in the morning. I've got class and you've got the last week of work." With that the boys left for the night, promising that they would be back at the weekend as usual and fill us in on their week.
Next chapter – Dean's first week at University and Sam's last week at NCIS and a possible case...