Okay, I know I said it would take a while before I updated, but it didn't take that long to write this. I have around two chapters after this one, and then, maybe, I'll bring Dean back. I mean, I can't just kill him and then not bring him back, right? But I have no idea on how yet. So if you have a suggestion, give it to me. Everything will help.
As always, let me know what you think.
MAY - SOPHIA
I walked into the house, taking a deep breath. There was a reason for why I didn't let Sam come with me. I hadn't even told him I was going. I wanted to do this alone. I wanted to take a first look at it myself. Without any other thoughts getting to me but mine.
I could ask my own questions, and make my own decisions.
And that's exactly what I was doing.
And I loved the place.
I mean, there wasn't even anything to fix. I had always thought that I would have to rebuild some parts, maybe renovate a little bit. But not here.
When you walked through the door, there was a big and open living area. There was large windows, showing a great view. It also held french doors, that led out onto a patio. And from there you could reach the rest of the lot.
You walked right into the kitchen from the living area, and it was almost perfect. It was rebuilt, and in my taste. It was big and open. There was a lot of windows, letting in the light. There was natural wood cabinets with black tile counter tops. The oven, refrigerator, freezer, and the dishwasher was all new. Adjacent to the kitchen was a big eating area with tile floor. There was an entrance near by, leading to the utility room that held a washer and dryer. It also held a backdoor, leading to the backside of the house.
The main bath downstairs held a new, big shower. There was a bedroom downstairs as well. It was, like the rest of the house, big and open.
Upstairs was a large family sitting area at the top of the stairs. There was french doors that led out on a deck. The deck held an amazing view over the Olympics Mountains, the Cascades and across Lopez Channel.
The master bedroom was huge, with big windows and it joined a second bathroom. This one held a big, oval bathtub. The railing of the stairs was beautifully carved in Mahogany, and the staircase itself was slightly rounded. There was another room upstairs, this one smaller than the rest, but big enough to be a bedroom. The entire house was appointed with great craftmanship throughout, and it was high to the ceiling everywhere.
That was only the main house. There was two more.
The office/study was a nice part of the home. Secluded from the main house, you could walk between the houses on a concrete walkway. The walkway was lighted at night with motion sensor lights. The lower rear area of the house was actually a garage that would easily fit two cars.
In the office there was a built-in desk with lots of room to spread out on while working. And the view from the desk area was... more than amazing. It would be hard concentrating on actually working while seeing the mountains and the channel. The living room of the office was about two feet from the entrance. It held room for a couch, a table, and some more furniture. There was even a built-in bench.
The third house was the smallest one. It was the center building. From the beginning it was built as a hobby area, but the last owners had made it into a sleeping area. It held its own water line, a small bathroom with a shower and a bedroom. That house held double doors.
The lot size was huge, as well. Too big for me, but who cared? With it's 1.30 Acres, there was a lot of room of walking. And I love walking. I knew that if I walked to the edge of the lot, I would reach Cattle Point and it's lighthouse and the Lopez Channel. That meant I could get probably spot some killer whales and seals. If I were lucky. But I would easily be able to spot eagles, deers, foxes and rabbits. They were around all year in these areas of the island.
I mean, this house – houses - ... I could easily turn it into my dream house. Houses.
I walked over to the estate agent again when I had looked at the entire main house two times.
His name was Robert. He was an older man, probably around his sixties.
"Are there any more viewers?" I wanted to know.
"Not yet, you're the first one," he answered me and I smiled.
"Check or cash?" I asked, smiling again. God, I wanted this house. Bad.
"Well, the down payment is 20 percent. Which means 112,000$. Then there is a monthly payment of about 3,000$. That's a lot of money, miss. Are you sure you want this house? It's big."
"I know it's big. But I want it. And I'm saying I can pay for the house now. Cash, if you want that. But then I have to go to the bank first."
"You're serious, aren't you?" he grinned and I nodded. Yes, I was sure. And I had the money. I still hadn't done anything with the money from the restaurant. Those money had grown, and since I placed it on my savings account, I had old money as well. I was planning on opening a new place months ago, but I didn't feel like it anymore. I felt like buying this house. And I had a lot more money than necessary in the bank.
"Check is fine," he promised and I got my check book. I wrote the sum down, signed it, and handed it to him. He searched through his car and found the papers for me to sign. I did, and then shook his hand. I mean, there was still a few papers to sign, but I was now the owner of a house.
He handed me the keys, and then he left after leaving a sign that said 'SOLD'.
I walked back into the house, standing in the kitchen. I leaned against one of the counters, looking outside.
I wouldn't tell my family about this place just yet. I knew how they would react. They would ask if I was really making rational decisions right now. I mean, Dean died a month and a half ago, and I'm buying a house for the money I was planning on opening a new restaurant for. I, myself, wasn't sure if this was a rational decision.
So I wouldn't tell them until I told them about the baby. Then they would maybe understand. Yes, the house was more expensive then I had planned. I didn't even go here in the hopes of buying it. I went here for fun. I wanted to see as many houses as possible. The four houses I had seen under this passing week was nice, but they were nothing like this one. I could feel it in my bones that I would like it here. That Dean would have liked it. And that's what mattered, right? That I could find a place I liked? A place where I wanted to live? A home I would enjoy living in? And this was that place. I knew it was. This was my new home.
"Dean, I don't know if you would have liked this place or not. But I like to believe that you would have. It's big, and open, and a great place to raise our baby. The master bedroom is huge, and it will easily fit a crib. When the baby gets older, it can have it's own room next to my bedroom. With a baby monitor, I would hear everything that was going on," I said, placing my hand on my stomach. I was ten weeks pregnant, and I was the only one actually noticing the bump. With clothes on, no one saw it. But with a hand on it, I could feel a slight and small curve. It felt great, because this way I knew that the baby was growing.
"And if he wants it, Sam can take that third house. He would have his own place, but he wouldn't be far away. He told me yesterday that he really wants to be a part of my life. And help me with the baby, and everything. And he wants to be close. And living in his own house in my home would give us that, right? It would give us privacy when we want it, but we can still be a close family. He would have to come over and eat everyday, and I would see him everyday. He could help out a lot. But even with Sam here... I still want you. I'll always want you here. I already fear the day our baby asks me about you. Isn't that insane? But what am I supposed to say?"
I sighed, and walked out of the house. I locked it behind me, and then made sure the other houses were locked as well. Then I sat down in my Volvo, and started driving towards town.
I called Sam when I was outside, and told him to come down. I had something to show him. A few minutes later, he climbed into the car.
"So, what are you showing me?" he asked, and I started the car again.
"You'll see. But first, I'm starving," I said and he chuckled. I drove to the closest place, and ordered take out for both me and Sam. I handed it to him, and he held it as I drove to my new house.
"I thought about something... When I move, will you move with me?" I asked, and I felt him looking at me. I kept my eyes on the road, though.
"If there is room, and you'll have me, why not? You know I want to help with everything I can."
"I know. And good," I told him honestly. A moment later I parked the car.
"What's this? Where are we?" Sam asked as I stopped the car.
"This is my new house," I told him and almost laughed at his shocked expression.
"You bought a house?" he asked, not believing me.
"Yeah, c'mon," I said and took the food from him. I climbed outside, and walked inside. I could feel Sam following me.
"This is insane. And huge," he said as he walked inside.
"I know. You should see the rest. But first, let's eat."
I showed him to the kitchen where I jumped up on a counter and took out my food. Sam did the same.
Sam's eyes were everywhere as he ate. I tried to keep my laughter back. I mean, he tried to see the whole place just sitting in the kitchen.
"I can't believe you bought a house," he said, looking at me.
"I told you I was looking for a house."
"Yeah, a week ago. I didn't think you would find one this soon."
"I did," I said, smiling softly.
"So, how much did this cost you?"
"A lot more than I thought I would pay for a house, but less than what I have on my savings account."
"How much, Soph?" he urged, and I sighed. I would have to tell him, wouldn't I?
"The down payment was 20 percent, which was 112,000$. Then the monthly payment would have been around 3,000$. But I payed the whole sum with a check. I could have done it cash."
Sam was quiet for a moment, calculating. When he had it figured out, his chin dropped.
"You have that much money? I mean, to pay a new expensive house, cash?"
"Sam, don't look at me like that," I said, and raised an eyebrow at him. When he looked at me with a less shocked expression, I continued.
"That's why I don't ever tell people how much money I have."
"How can you have that much money?" he asked, and I sighed again. It was easy.
"For every year I've owned the restaurant, I've put a sum of money in a savings account. Sometimes more than the other year. Last year, I could put a lot of money there. Almost the double sum of what I always put there. And I know how to handle money. I don't waste it, that often. I buy what I need. And then I have a sum that I can have fun for. It keeps me in a steady balance every year. I know all my expenses, and I put away that sum, too. I have some stocks, which gives me a couple of thousand every year. Mom taught us all how to handle money, but when I opened up my own place, mom taught me even more."
"So, how much money do you have?" he asked me, curious.
"I'm not telling you that. Not even Dean knew how much money I have. I have more than enough. If I closed the restaurant, I would be good for a few years."
"Hm, who knew? My sister-in-law is rich," Sam smiled, and I chuckled.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"So, are you going to show me around?"
I hopped off the counter, and did just that. I told him how I planned on maybe decorating it. He gave me some suggestions, and he liked the place. Then I showed him the office/study/garage. And then, thirdly, I showed him the smallest house.
"What are you using this for?" he asked as I locked the doors again.
"I was thinking that you could live there. It would give us some privacy, but you would still be close."
"Like, my own house in your house?"
"Yeah," I chuckled, handing him one of the keys. I still had the extra key to this place, in case, but Sam needed his own key. I also gave him the spare key to the main house.
I sat down in the cafe and waited. Tess and Rob should show up soon.
And they did. A few minutes later, they walked into the cafe. They ordered something, and then came to sit with me. I was going to tell them all about Trent. And if I did it in a public place, then they couldn't scream all too much.
"You wanted to talk to us about something?" Rob asked as they sat down with a cup of coffee in their hands.
"You don't want coffee?" Tess asked before I could answer Rob.
"I'm not thirsty," I answered simply. "The trials starts tomorrow, and I need to talk to you about that."
"What about them?" Tess asked. I took a deep breath before I said anything.
"This is hard for me to talk about, but I have to. Or else it will come as a shock, because it will probably come up tomorrow, or another day. It... I've..." God, how was I supposed to say this? "The last trials with Trent, when I was eighteen. I lied. They weren't closed. I just didn't want you there. I didn't want anyone there."
"Why not?" Rob asked, still calm.
"Because I didn't want you to know everything he had done to me."
"So you lied instead?" Tess asked, understanding. "How could you lie to us about that?"
"Because I couldn't stand it. I didn't want you too... I could barely stand the way you looked at me after just knowing half of it. If you would have know that he... How would you have looked at me?"
"Like you're our sister. We didn't look at you any differently," Rob argued with me.
"But you did. I could barely meet your eyes for weeks. You looked at me with pity, and... I couldn't stand it."
I could feel the tears coming, but I wouldn't let them. I didn't want to cry about this. Not now. After so long.
"Who knows about this?" Rob asked after a moment of silence.
"I told Sam about a month ago," I answered. Had it already been a month since I found out I was pregnant? It must have, because I was twelve weeks pregnant now. Dean had been gone for two months. It was getting easier, but it was still so hard. The only person I could truly talk to him about was Sam.
"Did... Dean know?" Tess asked, pausing for a second before she said his name.
"He's the only one who knew all along," I whispered. They had taken it better than I thought they would.
We stayed at the cafe for another hour, taking about a little bit of everything. Then Rob had to go, because he would pick up Linda from the airport.
"I was thinking about that spa thing..." I said after Rob left.
"What about it?"
"When the trails are over, maybe we could take it."
"You really want to?" she asked, drinking from her second cup of coffee. Did she have to drink coffee when I really wanted it, too? It still smelled wonderful, it just tasted like shit.
"Yeah. I think I need to get away from here for a few days."
"I'll talk to Linda about it," she promised, and I nodded. Good. I would tell them about the pregnancy then. Linda already knew of course, but I wanted to tell Tess somewhere nice. And going away from Friday harbor for a weekend would be nice. I really needed to get away from here for a moment. It just felt like I was stuck. Not stuck completely, but here in this town. Because I was moving. I had put my apartment for sale this morning, and it would go out in the paper next week. I had bought a house that I was moving into as soon as my place was sold. I was working three days instead of two now, and it felt good. Sam did a good job. I hadn't worked with him yet, but Steve said he was great and I believed him.
"I need to get to work," I said a moment later and rose from my chair. Tess walked with me to the restaurant, and then she was picking Jake and Anna up from daycare. Michael was turning six in about month, and he would start school this fall. It felt like only a year ago he was running around in diapers. He had grown so fast. And he was tall. And smart.
I walked down into the changing room, and made sure no one was there. It had never bothered me before, but I was starting to show. I couldn't wear tight shirts anymore, but since it was summer, I could get away with just wearing loose ones.
I changed quickly, and then got to work.
When I ate a few hours later, Sam and Lindsay sat down with me.
"How did it go?" Sam asked, and I told him it went better than I thought it would. We couldn't go into specifics though, since Lindsay was there.
"Are you nervous about tonight?" I asked, and Sam shook his head.
"No, not anymore. It's the third date, so..." he answered simply. Was he just as clueless as Dean was years ago?
"Are you serious? Three dates means sex," I told him and he looked at me with surprised eyes.
"No, it doesn't," he answered simply. Lindsay and I chuckled.
"Yes, it does. Sure you're not nervous?" Linds asked, and Sam looked at her and then at me again.
"Well, now I am," he confessed, and Linds and I laughed again. "Who told you this?"
"Everyone knows it," Lindsay stated, shrugging.
"Well, I had to tell Dean, as well. Seems like the Winchesters doesn't know."
"Dean didn't know either?" Sam asked.
"No, but he never dated," I replied, and Sam smiled.
"I guess he never did."
"Dean never dated?" Lindsay asked, and I looked at her.
"I forget you didn't know him that well," I said. I glanced at the clock, and suddenly I was stressed.
"Shit," I said, standing up. "Sam, where are the car keys?"
"Downstairs, why?" he asked, but before I had the time to answer he looked at the clock.
I didn't care to wait for Sam as I ran downstairs to change and fish up the car keys. I hurried up again, and called over my shoulder that I would see them tomorrow. As I walked outside, Sam was already waiting at the car.
"You don't have to do this, you know. And you could have changed," I told him as I sat down and started the car.
"I want to. And you're supposed to be there in five minutes. I didn't have the time to change."
"Thank you for doing this," I told him honestly as I parked outside the hospital three minutes later and climbed outside.
"No problem," he promised and followed me inside. I announced that I was there, and was called in immediately. Sam leaned against a wall as I sat down on the cot. I was nervous now.
A nurse came in a moment later, and told me to lay down. I did as I was told, and felt her lifting up my shirt. I bit my lip as I felt the cold gel on my stomach.
I had been with my sister as she did this, so I knew how it worked. You listened to the heartbeat, did an ultrasound... I knew exactly what was going to happen, but I was still nervous. I was going to see my baby. Hear it's heartbeats.
The nurse told me what she was doing, and I nodded. A few seconds later, the room was completely silent. I could feel the nurse moving the thing on my stomach, and it tickled a little bit.
A short moment later, I heard the heartbeats and I was taken into a world of my own. That was my baby. Alive and growing and...
"The heartbeat is perfectly normal, and strong. Which is good," the nurse said, and I felt myself nodding. I fought a tear back as she changed the machine, and put another one against my stomach.
She started a screen, which she told us to look at.
But I couldn't stop the tear from falling when I saw my baby on that screen. It was overwhelming. And beautiful. And I wanted Dean to see this. I wanted him with me now more than ever. I wanted him to stand beside me. I wanted us to look at our baby together.
