A/N: Happy Hump Day. As a treat, I am posting another chapter to this story. Enjoy... NC

Chapter 7

Dean's eyes sprang open on Christmas morning, and he lay there for a moment to wake up before getting up to go to the bathroom. He went back to his bedroom to put on sweats and a T-shirt before heading into the main part of the house to see if anyone else was up. He found Beverly and George in the breakfast nook drinking coffee.

"I figured we'd be seeing you early young man," Beverly spoke to him in a warm voice. "How about some hot chocolate and pancakes for breakfast? I've already got some batter mixed and ready to cook."

Dean nodded his head and looked toward the living room where the tree had been turned on and the lights were blinking on and off.

"Then we'll do Christmas," she told him knowing what he was thinking.

Dean sighed and sat down at the table as Beverly got up to cook the pancakes and make Dean's hot chocolate. He had snuck wrapping paper and tape last week to wrap the gifts he had bought for George and Beverly and put them under the tree near the back. He couldn't sit still as the anticipation kept building to see what was under the tree. Dean had no idea what he would get, if anything, and that would not bother him either. He was used to doing without and just being here with the Patterson was a gift enough for him.

"Okay, think you can eat three Dean? I know you're a growing boy and seems you need more energy to help you shoot up there."

"Yes, please," Dean whispered sipping on the chocolate she sat in front of him. It was sweet and slightly bitter at the same time since Beverly made her own mix and added a little zing to it. It was better than any store-bought mix that he had ever had.

"Alright, here we go, you two go ahead and start eating while they're hot. Mine are cooking," Beverly told them as she sat two plates on the table. "Here's the syrup. Do you want anything else?"

"I think we're good Bev, fix yours so we can enjoy this Christmas breakfast together."

"It won't take but a couple minutes for them to finish cooking dear."

"You know I love you so much."

"I do."

Dean looked between the couple and smirked at their show of affection. He could see it in their eyes how much they loved each other. He cut a bite of pancake and began to eat, wondering if he would ever have what they have. He didn't really think about the future and what would happen to him. He was happy to live in the present, one day at a time.

They finished breakfast and Beverly checked the food she had cooking before they adjourned to the living room to open gifts. Beverly turned on some Christmas music to play softly in the background as Dean looked at the presents stacked around and under the tree.

"Now let me see," Beverly noted as she looked at the gifts. "I believe these here are yours Dean," she told him pulling gifts out and putting them at his feet.

Dean's eyes got wide with disbelief as he stared at the brightly wrapped presents that were supposed to be for him. He was afraid to open them for fear he was wrong.

"Go ahead Dean, open them," George encouraged when he saw his hesitation.

Dean picked up a package and carefully pulled the tape lose releasing the paper and exposing the box underneath. He opened the box to find a hoodie inside. Picking up another he did the same again. He got new pajamas, socks, briefs, T-shirts, a couple of his favorite books, a Lego building set for a motorcycle, a model car to build, and the last one was a small toolbox with basic tools in it. Dean was speechless as he looked at all the great gifts.

"I hope you like everything Dean. We tried to find things we thought you would like," Beverly offered when she saw Dean was starting to get emotional and turned away to wipe his eyes.

"I do like them," he whispered in his quiet voice.

Dean got up and found the gifts he had wrapped and handed them out.

"Why Dean thank you," Beverly thanked him. She opened her gifts and wrapped the scarf around her neck and put on her new socks. "I love them Dean and this scarf is so soft, it'll be warm on days like this."

"Thank you, Dean, my gloves were ripping and these fit perfectly. The watch cap is perfect to keep my head warm. I am getting a little thin on top," George told him laughing as he rubbed his head.

"Can I give you a hug?" Beverly asked him, holding out her arms.

Dean smiled shyly and stepped closer to allow her to hug him for a moment and did the same to George who gave him a warm hug. Dean looked over his gifts and didn't know where to start. He read the back cover of the books and looked at the Lego set. It had over a thousand pieces to put together and he thought that would take him a long time to do but that was fine with him. The model car looked interesting too, since he liked to put things together.

"I thought you should have your own tools if you're going to help me in the garage and you can add to them as you get older," George told Dean when he opened the toolbox and laid each tool out by him.

"Thanks for all of this," he told them as he looked at everything.

"You are most welcome dear. Well, I better go check on lunch. Dean do you want to help me make the pies?"

"Yes," he said returning the tools to the box and sitting everything in a neat stack to take to his room later.

George settled in his recliner and listened to the Christmas music that was still playing. He thought everything went well and Dean seemed to have an enjoyable time and was pleased with his gifts. He could not have asked for a better response and was surprised that he bought them gifts too. It seemed Dean was accepting them, though he still remained quiet and only talked when it was appropriate or the right circumstances.

The rest of the day went by without a hitch, and they enjoyed a family meal together and watched the football game. Dean dozed off on the couch in the middle of the game and they all decided to go to bed early that night.

Dean lay in his room thinking this was a wonderful day, but something kept nagging in the back of his mind there was still something missing, but he could hold on to the thought long enough to grasp its meaning. He worried with it until he fell into a light doze, letting the thought drift away into the darkness.

spn

When Dean's seventh birthday came around at the end of January, Beverly asked him if he would like a party where he could invite some of his school friends to it. Dean thought about it but declined the offer. He had acquaintances at school, but he really didn't have what he would call friends yet. Maybe as the year moved on, that would change. For now, he just wanted them to celebrate it together.

Beverly decided they would go out to eat and have pie when they got back. She found Dean much preferred pie to any dessert and always tried to make one once a week for him. She was amazed at how mature and wise Dean was for one so young and to have been through the trauma he endured. She knew he had a brother out there somewhere and wondered why he never mentioned him but didn't want to upset him in doing so. Beverly figured Dean would talk about it in his own time and let it be.

Dean got more clothes for his birthday, a computer, and he got to choose an activity that he could enroll in. He chose karate thinking it might help him in the future. He could learn how to defend himself from bullies or anyone who wanted to hurt him. The classes were held twice a week at the YMCA in town. George or Beverly would drive him there and stay to watch him during the class. He was an intense and a hard worker. The instructor was impressed with his concentration and willingness to learn the moves, no matter how hard they were. Dean was learning discipline, patience, and self-control making him stronger, mentally and physically.

He was given another surprise right after his birthday when George and Beverly sat down with him and asked if he would like to join their family. They wanted to start the paperwork to adopt him, but only if he wanted it. They wanted him to have a say in the matter since it was about him and his life.

Even though Dean was young, they explained it to him where he could understand it and never tried to pressure him into deciding. It didn't take him much time to say yes, he would like that. Beverly and George were thrilled, and the next day contacted social services to start the paperwork to make it happen. They knew it wouldn't happen overnight and they would have to jump through hoops and make sure all the I's were dotted and Ts were crossed. It could take up to a year for the paperwork to be approved, but the process was started now.

spn

The next months passed by quickly for the couple and Dean, and summer was upon them. His karate training was going well, and he had moved up two belts to a yellow by summertime. Dean graduated with outstanding grades, and he was looking forward to the next school year. He had made a couple of friends and they were going to get together during the summer to hang out or go to the movies. Dean was still a bit standoffish and still wouldn't speak much, but the other kids took it all in stride and were used to it now.

Dean spent the summer helping George in the garage and with the planting and taking care of the garden for this year. He learned when and how to plant the seeds by the signs of the moon from Beverly. He visited the stream looking for a new batch of tadpoles and small fish. Beverly took Dean to the library in town and got him a library card so he could check books out to read during the summer.

Dean was reading well above his grade level and wasn't interested in the children's books. He found books on computers to learn more about his computer, and how to use it and on mechanics to learn more about engines and how to fix them. Dean found a series of mystery books that he devoured and had his name put on a list if any new ones came in, so he'd have first crack at them.

When school started back, Dean was more than ready, working well above his grade. The teacher tested him and called a parent teacher conference to discuss whether to have Dean skip a grade since he tested out of that grade. They talked to Dean about it, wanting him to have a say in the matter. He agreed, thinking it didn't matter the grade, the sooner he moved up, the quicker he would graduate from school. There was a feeling deep down inside of him that told him there was something he needed to do when he got older, and he wanted to be ready for it.

A/N: Dean's going to be adopted and have a new home and family. The memories of his real family are locked away inside of him. It is a coping mechanism for him, but he will remember them later. I know I haven't written anything about what happened to Sam, but it is coming, we will learn about his life. I guess the story is divided into three parts, Dean, Sam, and them together. You'll understand more as the story progresses. Hang in there. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC