Hey guys, I'M BACK! :D I am so sorry that this update has taken so long... my computer was on the fritz and really hated me for a while. Luckily, it seems to be fixed now (keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way). Anyways, that's why I'm late with this one but with any luck, the next chapter will be up sometime next week.

Thanks for sticking with me! I hope you all enjoy the chapter and I would love to hear back from all of you! :)

Dean stood beside the newly decorated Christmas tree holding Abby in his arms and showing her the many decorations as they waited for dinner to be ready. Jim and Steven were in the kitchen cooking the Christmas meal as they were the ones who had actually celebrated Christmas enough in the recent years to be able to cook a decent meal. Dean smiled when the doorbell rang and walked with Abby to answer it. "Let's see who that is baby girl." He smiled as he cradled her in his arms. "Hey Josh," Dean said after he'd opened the front door to reveal the other hunter.

"Hey Dean," Josh gave Dean a tired smile. He'd been driving pretty much all night to be able to get to their house in time for Christmas.

"C'mon in man," He said stepping to the side to allow the other man entry.

"Thanks," Josh replied before he turned his attention to the little girl Dean was holding. Abby was dressed in a long sleeved red and white Christmas dress that had gingerbread men and Christmas trees around the bottom of it. The red bow in her hair matched her dress and Josh had to admit, she was darling. "Wow, she's really gotten big." He commented.

Dean smiled tenderly at his daughter and nodded. "Yeah she really has." Abby and Nick were now a little over a month old and both were growing like a weed.

Josh and Dean both laughed a little when Abby reached a chubby hand forward and grabbed Dean's nose. "What ya doing silly?" Dean asked, smiling proudly when Abby let out a small gurgle.

"Oh, I brought these." Josh stated suddenly as held up a bag that had two wrapped gifts in it.

"Thanks," Dean replied taking the bag from his friend and setting it underneath the tree with the rest of the presents; almost all of which were for Abby and Nick. Realizing that the hardened hunter had gone out shopping for baby items made Dean laugh silently to himself, oh how he would have loved to have seen that. "Can I get you anything? A beer?" Dean asked as he bent down to lay Abby on her blanket on the living room carpet.

"Beer sounds great, thanks." Josh replied before he turned to say hi to the rest of his friends.

Dean nodded and opened the fridge to take out a cold beer. "Here man," He said passing one to Josh and then opening one for himself. Moving to stand next to Caleb so he could keep an eye on his little girl, Dean watched as she played with the stuffed animal that Laura had handed her.

"Where's Sam?" Caleb asked noticing that the younger Winchester had been gone for an extended period of time.

"Ah, he's down the hall with Nick." Dean answered. "In fact, I'll be right back. You guys mind keeping an eye on her?" He asked, jutting his head in the direction of his little girl.

"Not at all." Caleb responded as he picked up his beer and walked over to where his niece was. "What ya playing with beautiful?"

Dean laughed and then headed for the twins nursery. "Sammy, it's me." He called quietly before he opened the door and stepped inside. Sam was sitting in the rocking chair with a worried look on his face as he held Nick against his chest. "How is he?" Dean asked as he walked over and kneeled beside the pair.

"He's still cranky and he doesn't want to eat." Sam explained as he rubbed a soothing hand over Nick's back. The little boy hadn't slept well the night before and his appetite was off.

"What's going on little man?" Dean asked as he leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to Nick's forehead.

"Should we take him to the hospital?" Sam wondered hoping to God that there wasn't anything wrong with his baby boy.

Dean bit his lip. He had wondered about that too but since Nick only had a slight fever, he was a little hesitant too. "If he's not better by tomorrow, then we will." He decided.

Sam nodded, smiling a little when he realized that Nick had finally fallen asleep. "That's it sweetheart, just rest." He cooed.

"Want me to put him in his crib?" Dean whispered.

Sam nodded not wanting to risk trying to stand and waking the little boy up again.

"Okay," Dean gently took Nick from Sam and carried him over to his crib carefully laying him down on his back. "Sleep tight little man, papa loves you." He smiled sweetly and then he and Sam walked out of the nursery hoping that a decent night's sleep was all that their baby needed.

~DW/SW~

"Man guys, this looks awesome!" Dean smiled as he sat down at the table that was set for nine. Abby was asleep in the portable playpen in the living room. Sam and Dean had decided to put her down for a nap out there instead of in the nursery because they didn't want her to wake Nick. There was a large honey-baked ham in the center of the table that was just waiting to be carved. Other dishes full of mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, casserole, stuffing, and warm bread also lined the table.

"Thanks Dean," Steven and Jim said in unison.

Jim led them in saying thanks and then the hungry group dove into the Christmas Eve meal.

~DW/SW~

Sam was helping to clear the dishes after everyone had gotten their fill of Jim's apple pie when he heard Dean shout from down the hall. Hearing the worried tone to Dean's voice, Sam dropped the plate he was holding and raced towards the nursery, his dad hot on his heels. "Dean, what is it?" Sam asked before he felt his heart drop. Nick was lying in his crib on his side… seizing. "No, no, no," Sam muttered, fear making his chest clench. What the hell was he supposed to do?

In the background Sam and Dean heard their dad dialing 911 but all of their attention was focused on their son who thankfully had stopped seizing. "That's it little man, we're taking you to the hospital." Dean said as he scooped his son up, the unfortunate experience he'd gained from watching Sam have seizures coming in handy now. "How soon until that ambulance gets here?" He asked, his heart hammering but knowing that he couldn't panic right now.

"They're just a few minutes out." John reassured hoping to hell that they would get there soon. Even with the relief of having the seizure over, everyone was still on edge.

Luckily it was only a few minutes later when flashing red lights could be seen coming up the driveway and John hurried to let them inside. Once the paramedics had looked Nick over and deemed him stable enough for transport, they loaded the small one-month-old baby into the back of the ambulance. "Which one of you is coming with us?" The older paramedic asked.

Sam and Dean traded looks for a minute before Sam nodded at his brother. "We'll meet you there."

Dean nodded before the paramedics closed the doors and sped towards the hospital, the rest of the band of hunters racing behind them.

~DW/SW~

Sam sat in the waiting room of the hospital, holding Abby close to his chest afraid to let her go for fear that something would happen to her as well. "Why haven't they told us anything?" He asked as he turned to face his brother. They had brought Nick to the Emergency Room by ambulance almost forty-five minutes ago and still no one had come out to talk to them.

"I don't know." Dean answered as he kept his arm around the back of Sam's chair trying to reassure himself that Abby and Sam were safe. It was breaking his heart that he didn't know how his little boy was doing and that Nick had suffered from something that Dean hadn't been able to protect him from. Dean had gone into the nursery when he'd heard Nick begin to cry over the baby monitor. It had only been a few moments after he'd changed his son's diaper when he'd been forced to watch Nick's body go rigid and seize. Dragging a shaking hand through his hair, Dean breathed out a nervous breath. Looking around the room, he was grateful that they had the support of their entire family right now.

Their dad was sitting on Sam's opposite side, staring worriedly at the swinging doors in front of them. Caleb was currently doing a coffee run while Jim, Bobby, Josh, Steven, and Laura sat around the room silently offering support as they all waited for news.

"That's it!" John stated with irritation in his voice as he stood, determined to find out some information on his grandson. Just as he stood, the door opened and a woman walked into the room. She was dressed in long black slacks, a woman's dress shirt and the customary white overcoat. Her hair was pulled back into a perfectly neat bun and everyone in the room sensed the air of superiority she carried.

"Family of Nicholas Winchester?" She asked, holding her clipboard to her chest.

"Yes, that's us." Dean answered as everyone stood, eager for some news and hoping that Nick was okay.

"Maybe we should talk privately?" She suggested, focusing on Dean as he seemed to be the one in charge amongst the group.

"No, they're family. We can talk in front of them." Dean argued.

The woman nodded. "I'm Dr. Sharon Mitchell. I tended to Nick after he was brought in and I'm relieved to be able to say that he is stable right now and there hasn't been any reoccurrence of seizure activity. There appears to be no lasting damage from the episode either." She explained, causing everyone in the room to let out a relieved breath.

"Oh, thank God." Dean sighed as he felt Sam sag against him in relief. Having the doctor tell them Nick was alright helped to calm both of their racing hearts.

"Can we see him?" Sam asked as he rubbed a gentle hand over the sleeping baby's back.

"Family only, I'm afraid." The woman stated, her expression clearly showing that she didn't buy their story that everyone present was blood related.

"He is family." Dean ground out knowing that they couldn't reveal the truth and at the same time, knowing how upset Sam would be, and rightfully so if he was prevented from seeing their son.

"Dean," Sam said quietly as he softly laid a hand on his brother's arm. "Go see him. I'll wait here." It killed Sam to know that he would have to wait to see Nick but he figured that at least if Dean was back there, then he wouldn't be alone.

Seeing the resigned look on Sam's face, Dean nodded. "He'll be fine." Dean reassured before he bent his head to give Abby a kiss. "Be good for daddy okay princess? Papa'll be back soon." He whispered so the only ones who heard him were Abby and Nick. Straightening up, he turned to face the pompous doctor. "Let's go." He ordered.

~DW/SW~

Dean stood beside Nick's bedside in the pediatric unit watching as his youngest slept, thankfully unharmed. "Hey little man," He said with a loving tone as he reached down and gently ran his fingers over Nick's soft hair. "You scared me buddy, don't ever do that again. Your daddy wanted to come see you but the mean old lady wouldn't let him. Your papa's here though and I'm not going anywhere, okay? Daddy and I love you and once they say we can spring you from this place, we'll go home and open presents with your sister, alright? Night kiddo." Dean adjusted the blanket that Nick was sleeping under, kissed his forehead, and then took a seat in the provided rocking chair, content to just watch over his child.

~DW/SW~

"How is he?" Sam asked as soon as Dean had walked out of the hall of the pediatric unit and over to where he was waiting.

Dean smiled. "He's fine. The doc says that he can probably go home later this afternoon." He explained.

Sam sniffled. "Did they find any reason why he had the seizure?" Sam asked nervously since he wasn't sure what answer he wanted. In one sense, he did want them to find out why so that way they would have some answers and yet at the same time, he didn't want to hear anything that might suggest that there could be a repeat performance.

Dean shook his head no. "No, they ran some tests but said that nothing popped up. They did say that it could have been from a quick change in his body temperature."

"Oh," Sam noted before both brothers were quiet for a few minutes.

"Sam, I think we should tell them." Dean announced somewhat hesitantly.

"What?" Sam asked surprised and a bit unsure of what exactly his brother was talking about.

Dean bit his lip as he wasn't totally sure what Sam's reaction would be. If you don't know how he's going to react then good luck with the rest of them Dean silently told himself. Watching how Sam had been refused access to their son the previous night, Dean had come to a conclusion. Abby and Nick were both of theirs and God forbid they ever have a repeat of last night, Dean wanted both of them to be completely involved in their care. And besides, what if something ever happened to him? He doubted that their father or their rather protective band of friends would ever let Abby and Nick go to a stranger but he wanted to keep the chances of that happening to a minimum. Neither one of those things could be accomplished really if one of them always had to play uncle.

"But… but Dean…" Sam stuttered, drifting off and feeling unsure of just how they would ever be able to pull it off.

"We're a family Sam. You, me and the kids and it's about damned time we admitted that." Dean reasoned.

Sam swallowed thickly… he was scared of how their family and friends would react to the news. Caleb was alright he thought, trying to reassure himself.

"It'll be okay," Dean comforted as he wrapped an arm around Sam's shoulders hoping that he was right. "Now, let's go get our boy."

~DW/SW~

Forty minutes later, Dean and Sam were loading Nick into the backseat of the Impala that Caleb had brought the previous night. Both brothers were very relieved to finally be on their way home. "Dean, are you sure about this? I mean, what if they're mad at us?" Tears formed in his eyes at the thought of their disappointment in him and the lack of their support.

Dean sighed as he sat, waiting for the light to turn green. "Then, we'll deal with it Sam and if they are, then that's their problem. We're doing what's best… for the four of us. I mean, you guys are now my number one priority and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that you three are taken care of for the rest of your lives."

Touched by Dean's words and comforted by his brother's faith in their decision, Sam let a small smile form on his face as he turned his head to watch Nick who was lying awake in his carrier, his tiny sock covered feet kicking out a little. "What do you think Nick, is your Papa crazy?" Sam asked, laughing a little when Nick gurgled back at him. "Let's go give you your first Christmas okay baby boy?"

~DW/SW~

Half an hour later, Sam and Dean pulled into the driveway to see a group of eager hunters standing on the front porch ready to welcome the three of them home. "We're home Nick," Sam said softly, unbuckling Nick from his car seat and carefully lifting his little son to his chest. Feeling very grateful that Nick had been deemed healthy enough to be able to come home after just one night in the hospital, he gently kissed the side of Nick's head and adjusted the little cap he was wearing.

Dean smiled as he watched Sam with Nick even as butterflies filled his stomach at the thought of coming clean to their family. "Yup, home sweet home," He muttered as he unlocked the trunk to grab the small bag that had Nick's change of clothes and other baby items before following Sam up the steps.

John opened the front door to allow his three boys into the warm house. "How is our little guy doing?" John asked.

"Good, doc says he should be fine but to bring him back if he develops another fever." Dean replied.

John nodded and feeling like a weight had been lifted off of his chest. Watching someone who you cared about suffer was always hard but it was ten times worse when it was a child. "Do you boys want to lay him down for a nap or open presents or…?" John asked, unsure of how his two children would want to proceed with the usual Christmas routine.

Dean looked at Sam who was shaking his head just the slightest and they silently agreed to wait until later to drop the proverbial bomb.

"Ah no, I think we can open presents." Dean decided as he took Abby from Laura. "Is that right sweetheart? Do you want to see what Santa brought you?"

"Alright," John smiled and all of the hunters headed into the living room where the Christmas tree had been set up. Underneath the tree were stacks of presents higher than either Sam or Dean had ever seen before though Dean guessed that that really didn't amount to much. Still though, looking at the pile before him Dean knew that Abby and Nick were going to be spoiled rotten and he was perfectly okay with that.

"Look at all these presents baby girl." Laura cooed as she stood beside Dean and Abby. "Santa must really love you."

"You too big guy," Sam added as he sat down on the couch with Nick in his lap. Still feeling scared and a bit overwhelmed from what had happened just a little while ago, he was keeping a very tight hold on his son.

Dean smiled as he lightly bounced Abby in his arms. "Santa's not the only one but you already know that hunh princess."

John smiled as he watched Dean with Abby before he leaned down and picked something red and fuzzy up off of the floor. "Ah, Dean I got something for ya." He said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Dean eyed his dad with suspicion. "What?" He asked with skepticism clear in his voice.

"This," John smirked as he handed Dean the red and white Santa hat.

Dean stared at it for a moment before he shrugged and put it on, laughing when Abby lightly tugged on it. "Abs, I don't think that's really going to work honey." He said before he handed her off to Laura, readjusting the rather itchy hat a moment later. "Serious dad?" He whined causing the room to erupt into laughter. It wasn't everyday that one saw Dean Winchester sporting the look of Old St. Nick.

"Hold up, this we gotta get on film." Bobby laughed as he hurried to grab the new camera he'd bought before coming over to the Winchester's house for Christmas. He figured that with Nick and Abby around, there would be lots for them to film.

Dean groaned out loud. "Seriously?" He asked again.

Bobby nodded. "Yup boy, this is one for the books." He smiled at Dean's obvious discomfort.

"Fine, fine, fine…" Dean grumbled good-naturedly.

After Bobby had snapped several embarrassing pictures of the young hunter, Dean began to pass out presents, the majority of which were for Abby and Nick.

"Wow Nick look at that!" Dean exclaimed after Sam had unwrapped the activity center from Jim. He knew that that would come in quite handy once the twins were a little bit bigger. Nick made a small gurgling noise and reached one of his chubby hands out towards the large box shaped object.

"And what did you get sweet pea?" Dean asked as he cleared some of the wrapping paper away so he could kneel beside Laura, who had Abby resting comfortably in her lap. "Who is that from?" Dean picked up the musical "sight and sound" book that he had bought and wrapped the previous week.

"It's from Papa." Sam smiled and causing Dean's head to shoot up before he shot him a curious look.

"Sam," Dean paused. When he had suggested revealing to their family and friends that he and Sam were now an "us", he had pictured them sitting down and trying to have a calm and rational discussion… not springing it on them like they were talking about the weather. Though looking at how pale Sam was, Dean knew that his brother hadn't meant to call him that right then.

"When did you have time to go out and buy presents?" John asked since he didn't think Sam had really left the house all that much since the twins had been born.

Sam swallowed nervously. "Um no, I wasn't talking about me." He said quietly, his hand unconsciously snaking out to find Dean's.

Guess we're doing this now Dean thought to himself as he lightly clasped Sam's hand in his.

"Well then who the hell would "papa" be?" Josh asked causing the hair on the back of Dean's neck to stand up. He knew that this could very easily go south and knowing where his loyalty ultimately lied, Dean stood. "That would be me." He stated trying to show a good deal of confidence when really he was shaking in his boots.

John stared dumbfounded between his two sons with a flabbergasted look on his face. "What? But… but I thought that you two weren't gonna…" He drifted off, confusion and a bit of disgust in his voice.

Dean saw his father's reaction and slowly lifted his gaze to survey the rest of his family's reactions. Everyone looked stunned and when Dean heard Sam sniffle, his big brother instincts kicked into high gear. Shit Dean thought, realizing that there was no backing down now. He wasn't sure how this was going to end but he had to make his stand. "Well it's not like we planned on this… it just kind of happened." Dean said, trying to explain just how this situation had developed.

John scoffed. "Oh well that's just great!" He shouted as he raked a hand through his hair. "That's just… I don't fucking believe you Dean! I trusted you to look after him and this is what you do!"

Sam quirked a brow at his dad, trying to follow what his dad was saying. When it clicked what their dad was getting at, Sam felt a bit offended. "Wow, wow dad… it's not like Dean took advantage of me." Sam said, trying to defend his brother and knowing full well just how supportive Dean had really been. Hell, Sam was fairly certain Dean was the reason he had lasted when the other "patients" had all died. "We… we talked and we both agreed that this is our best option."

"Really? You both think that having an incestuous relationship is the way to go? Neither one of you boys are even gay!" John yelled with anger painted across his face. "Both of you need a serious reality check because this has got to be the dumbest thing you two have ever done!"

"Now wait just a God damned minute dad!" Dean shouted back just before both babies started wailing when they sensed the tension level in the room. "Shh baby girl, shh… it's alright." He soothed even as he glared daggers at his dad.

Jim stepped forward to try and help get rid of some of the tension between the two oldest Winchesters. "I think you both need to calm down before Abby and Nick get any more upset." He tried.

John swallowed and nodded before he stomped toward the door and stormed outside leaving everyone else standing around in awkward silence.

Hey! So, how was that? I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I would love to hear all of your responses to it! For those of you who are reading 'Family Matters', I have that next chapter written as well and as soon as I post this, I will get on that one. Thanks again! :)