Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry if this chapter is kind of tedious, I'm running low on ideas. If there's something you want to see, please let me know! Thank you!
The bible verses in here are Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
To Dude1231: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! I hope you like this chapter!
Castiel and Gabriel couldn't help but smile at the sight of their two boys both asleep in their father's lap. Chuck looked at both of his children, studying the expressions on their face. Castiel seemed protective and mistrustful despite his smile. Gabriel was nothing but amused.
"We should probably put them back to bed." Murmured Castiel. Gabriel scoffed quietly.
"Oh put a sock in it, Cassie. They're bonding."
Castiel looked at his brother quizzically upon hearing the expression. Gabriel just ignored him and turned his attention back to Chuck.
"I'm impressed, Dad." Chuck's eyebrows shot up.
"At what?"
"How quickly they took to you. The two of them are the most private people I've ever met. The fact that they let you see this side of them this soon is just... Unprecedented."
Chuck seemed flattered. "Is it really that hard to believe? I created them."
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Murmured Castiel.
Chuck nodded. "That's exactly right. I've known them for their entire life. I always have. It's just the first we've met in person."
Gabriel nodded a little. It made sense. He noticed that Castiel was staring at Dean protectively. He was about to call his brother out on his overprotectiveness when he recalled the days earlier events and was smart enough to shut his mouth. After everything that had happened today, his little brother had every right to be a little paranoid about his kid.
Gabriel continued conversing with his father, while Castiel sat quietly beside him. He didn't have to be a different person to realize he was being paranoid and overprotective of his son. He wanted to just pretend that today had never happened and put it behind him, but he couldn't do it. More so, he knew Dean couldn't do it. Not yet, at least. This wound was too fresh to start healing now for both of them.
Chuck could see the inner turmoil erupting inside of Castiel and a wave of compassion filled him. He reached out to put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Dean will recover from what happened here today." He promised. "So will you."
Castiel looked up at him. For a second he looked so lost that Chuck had the urge to get up and hug him, but by the way his expression hardened a nanosecond later, he got the impression that it wouldn't be appreciated. He almost took his hand away, but felt the Angel subconsciously sway into the touch before getting up from the couch.
"It's getting late. I think I'd better get dinner started."
Chuck nodded, while Gabriel looked at his brother intently. He got that this had been a terrible day, and he couldn't fault him for being a little protective or paranoid, but pushing the people who cared about him away was more of a Winchester move than one of his own. He felt concern well up inside of him and made a mental note to check on Cassie later.
Castiel took out a pot and filled it with water, turned on the stovetop, and started getting out pasta from the cabinets. He wasn't in a place mentally where he was prepared for interaction with anyone who wasn't Dean, so he channeled his energies into making dinner for his son and nephew.
Gabriel had no problem taking the reins of the conversation while Castiel prepared dinner, although he'd be lying if he said he could keep his focus on what was being said. Between his brother, father, son, nephew, and the days earlier events, his attention was strained to say the least. It was only divided further when Sam woke up not long after that. He looked up at his father and reached out to him sleepily. Gabriel happily pulled him into his lap.
"Hey there, Sammy. Did you have a nice nap?" Sam nodded, absently sticking his thumb in his mouth. Gabriel briefly wondered if he realized he was doing it before pushing the thought aside. "Uncle Cas is fixing dinner. Are you hungry?"
Sam nodded again, leaning his head on his father's shoulder. Gabriel smiled before wrapping his arms around his son. The house gradually began to get louder from there. The noise eventually roused Dean from his sleep. He whimpered quietly, and it only took a quarter of a second for Castiel to appear. He lifted Dean up and settled him on his hip.
"Hey there buddy. It's alright. Everything's okay." He soothed. Dean rested his head on his father's chest, arms locked around his neck. Castiel lifted Dean's chin up so that he was looking at him.
"Want to help Daddy in the kitchen?"
Dean rubbed his eyes tiredly, but nodded. Castiel set him on the counter and drained the water from the pasta before putting it into a large bowl. He unscrewed the top off of the jar of sauce and let Dean pour it over the pasta and mix it all together. Castiel praised Dean's good work before declaring that dinner was finally ready. Gabriel got up and made sure Sam was at the table before turning back and looking at Chuck.
"Come on, Dad. You can stay for dinner."
This would mark the first family dinner they'd had in a while. Chuck smiled and pulled up an extra chair to the table. This was what he'd always wanted. Time with his children and a chance to know his grand kids. For Chuck Shurley, life couldn't have gotten any better than this.
