43

STAY PUT

Being six and a half months pregnant was no picnic. Anna was plagued with the constant need to use the bathroom; she was also sentenced to blood sugar monitoring and medications. "Just my luck. At least I'm alive," she thought. Previous hunter experience told her to always be thankful she lived to see another sunrise. Waddling down the stairs, she began to cook breakfast. Hearing light footsteps she found Collin making his way into the kitchen.

"Good morning!" Anna said cheerfully. She knew it probably wasn't easy for a boy to be living with two women, away from his home, still processing his parents' death.

"Morning," he quietly replied. As she set a frying pan and omelet supplies on the counter, she turned to smile at him.

"How about some hot chocolate?" she asked.

"Okay," he gave her a half smile. Nodding in response, she set to work at making some morning hot cocoa. "What are you making for breakfast?" he asked with interest.

"Omelets. What kind do you like?"

"I've never had an omelet," he responded.

"What?! You've never had an omelet? That's crazy. Everyone's had an omelet," she over-exaggerated her reaction, but was still surprised he'd never eaten an omelet.

"That's a lie. You've had an omelet before, you just probably don't remember. Dad used to make them on the weekends he was home," Mandy interrupted from the hallway. Collin rolled his eyes at his sister's comment, and looked back at the egg carton on the counter.

"Well I just happen to be an excellent omelet maker," Anna winked at Mandy. "What do you want in yours?" Collin shrugged his shoulders in response.

"What does do Sam and Dean have?" the boy asked.

"Well," Anna began to drawl out as she thought about the Winchester's omelet orders. "Sam likes lots of peppers, onions, some cheese, spinach, and tomatoes. Dean likes bacon and sausage, lots of cheese, onions, peppers, and if I'm feeling creative he likes sausage gravy on top."

"I want Dean's order," Collin said after careful consideration. He wasn't much for vegetables.

"If you're willin' to make an extra order, I'll take what Sam eats. That sounds pretty good," Mandy commented as she put Collin's finished hot cocoa in front of him.

"No problem. If there's one positive thing about being pregnant, it's that I love making food. That's of course because I get to taste test." Collin and Mandy chuckled at her comment.

"You're getting special treatment around here aren't you? Gourmet breakfast, hot chocolate, and might I add that you're missing school right now? Break ended a few days ago," Many explained. Collin's face paled.

"I don't want to go back to that school." His voice was quiet and he avoided Anna's questioning gaze.

"Our parents' passing was not easy to deal with, especially at school. Boys," Mandy said in a knowing way. Anna connected the dots and realized that Collin probably experienced some bullying at his school. Add two dead parents on top of that; it's not something easy to process.

"So what about school?" Anna asked.

"Actually," Mandy turned to face Collin. "I have some news for you." She looked anxious and was unsure if her little brother would be accepting of them staying with the Winchesters or not. "Sam and I have been talking, and we decided that you and I could stay here for a while. How do you feel about that?" Mandy asked. She was wringing her hands nervously. Collin remained quiet for almost a full minute. The only sound was Anna chopping onions on the cutting board.

"Is this because you and Sam are together?" Collin blurted out.

"Uh," Mandy wasn't sure how to answer the question. "We're dating, yes, but that's not the only reason. You see, this place is very safe for us. We'd also be able to start over in a sense. That means a new school, new friends. That's exciting, right?"

"Sam said he would get my stuff for me on their way back from Arizona. He said he'd bring my Xbox."

"That's just fine. The guys can grab everything we need, and we can start over here. I think you'll like it," Mandy said hopefully.

"New school?" Collin questioned with a hopeful eyes.

"New school," Mandy answered.

"Good morning," Castiel's gruff voice sounded throughout the cabin.

"Good morning," Anna greeted as she began cooking Collin's omelet. "Mandy and Collin will be staying with us a while longer, did you hear?"

"You are staying because you are Sam's lover, correct?" the angel asked.

"Oh wow," Anna said with raised eyebrows.

"Yes Castiel. Sam and I are together," Mandy said with a blush. She was still mildly uncomfortable with the man who had come to the cabin coved in blood just days before.

"You do not need to be afraid. For I am an angel of the Lord. I am good, here to keep you safe," Cas proclaimed.

"Enough Cas, don't need to freak them out," Anna tried to diffuse the situation.

"You're an angel?" Collin questioned. Castiel nodded. "New school and living with an angel. Sounds way better than home." Anna laughed at Collin's attempt at humor, and Mandy just tousled his hair.

"You want breakfast Cas? It's omelet day."

"The unborn spawn of chickens with various meats and vegetables, right?" Cas answered.

"Yes Cas, yes," Anna said with a tired voice laced with humor.

"Sure. I'll have the Dean version please. Thank you Anna." The four of them ate their omelets, and Collin was in a significantly better mood after learning he and Mandy would be staying. Anna studied the young boy throughout breakfast, and wondered if her baby would be born a boy or girl. She knew the main concern was if it was healthy, and if she and Dean could escape Zachariah's crazy ass they would be able to have a real family.

After breakfast, Anna sat on her and Dean's bed folding laundry. Her cell phone rang, and seeing it was Dean she quickly answered.
"Hey you," her voice greeted him.

"Hey babe. You take your insulin and meds?"

"Yes Dean. I'm going to be a mother in a few months, I think I'm responsible enough to take my medications," she joked with him.

"I know, I know. I just like to make sure. It's the first time I've been away in a while."

"How's that going by the way? Who's Bobby's friend?"

"Her name is Molly. She's pretty nice. Kind of like a female version of Bobby, but less crabby. You'd like her."

"That's good. So she's down there to help with the Hell Gate? Any progress? You said Bobby and her figured out a way to close it.

"Yeah. We need Cas's blood. I'll pray for him when we're ready. It's good he's there to keep an eye on you guys until we need him. There are some things to set up first. How's baby?"

"Good. Kicking like a pre-professional soccer player. Mandy told Collin they're staying today at breakfast. I think he's actually happy about it. Sounds like things weren't going well at home, especially with school."

"He might like a change then. I miss you."

"I miss you too. Hey…any sign of Zachariah down there?"

"No. Not yet anyway. Anna, don't worry. We're going to seal this Hell Gate first. We don't need more than one psychopath after us. Once the gate is sealed, we can focus on how to exterminate that crazy-winged bastard after our baby. We'll make it through this," Dean encouraged.

"Together," she responded.

"Together."