AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi all! I hope you are staying safe and healthy during this stressful time. I'm a high-risk patient so I've been in self-quarantine for a few weeks now. I'm used to being in my house a lot because of my chronic health issues so that part is not a big deal, but worrying about my health and my family and friends- and the state of the world- has taken a big toll, and my anxiety has been through the roof. I have a lot of partially written short stories and unfinished chapters, and my plan is to work on finishing them and publishing, but my mood has been all over the place and there are days when I am too anxious or depressed to concentrate on writing.

I know that most people think that writers "shouldn't ask for reviews" but I am asking you-please leave me a comment or review, especially if you never have before. Tell me your favorite chapter or story arc. Tell me your favorite time that Charlie was sassy. Tell me a time when you felt annoyed by something a character did. Tell me your headcanons about this fic. Just like you get happy when you see a new chapter, I get excited to see reviews, and right now I need all the positivity I can get.

Tamilyn313, EmilyAnnMcGarrett-Winchester, Ashazara, wandamarie, fanclaire, AshtynnAlba, CharlieSaphira, Carlton1, sueturpen, MariaKata, Claire, Lexie Lou, WomanofFantasy, Jenifer, TwighHeart, Thank You, Merci Beaucoup, and Danke Schon for leaving reviews of the last chapter, I appreciate each of you!

Content Warning for fluff and feels in this chapter- read with a tissue handy!

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"Oh!" I startled awake as I heard Imani cry out.

Daddy set me on my feet and hurried to the kitchen, Grandpa John close behind him and me following along.

"Can you stop just appearing, ya dang idjit?" Uncle Bobby snapped.

Castiel stood in the middle of the kitchen, Uncle Bobby facing him with his gun out. Uncle Sam and Imani were standing at the counter, and some herbs had spilled across it and onto the floor.

"My apologies...it is still difficult for me to remember all the rules that humans have regarding etiquette and such." Castiel said.

"Well, sorry…" Uncle Bobby tucked the gun into his waistband. "Didn't mean to call an angel of the Lord an idjit."

Castiel bowed. "I accept your apology." He turned to Imani. "I am sorry that I startled you. I wanted to introduce myself to you in the flesh, as it were, since we met in the ether."

Imani walked over to him and held her hands up with the palms pressed together, and bowed her head for a moment. She looked up at him with reverence. "I've never met an angel in real life, so I'm a bit awed right now."

Castiel tilted his head. "I suppose the proper response would be 'thank you'." He looked over at me. "Charlotte Anne, how are you feeling? Are you having any ill effects?"

The blanket had fallen off of me when Daddy stood me up. "I'm a little cold still." I shivered.

He walked over to me and held his hands over my head, closing his eyes and murmuring something in the guttural language he had spoken before. I felt like a line of warmth start at my head and move down my body. He lowered his hands and opened his eyes. "The chill is just from traveling through the ether, your soul will warm up soon."

Daddy stepped closer to me. "What did you just do?" He demanded.

Castiel looked at him. "I scanned Charlotte Anne to make sure that nothing was left behind. Sometimes that can be the cause of a chill."

"What are you saying?" Daddy frowned.

"Sometimes when a person travels to the ether, a portion of their soul can be left behind if they are not careful." Castiel explained.

"Jesus Christ!" Daddy exploded. "And you let my daughter do this, knowing that could happen?" He thundered at Imani.

Uncle Sam stepped forward. "HEY! We've heard about that kind of thing happening, Pamela told us about it once, remember?"

Imani drew herself up straight and tall. "You have to let go of the illusion that you have control over Charlie and her abilities." She said frostily. "You are her father but that is where your control of her ends. You have to learn to trust others who have the knowledge about psychic abilities, and know that they will guide and protect her with good intentions."

Uncle Sam put his arm around Imani's shoulders protectively. "And I don't appreciate you yelling at my girlfriend." He said coldly to Daddy.

Daddy rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "Sorry," He muttered. "I just- I didn't mean to yell like that."

"We know you've been tense about this, Dean, but it's over now, and you can let go." Grandpa John said.

"And I came to assure you that I made sure the veil was closed so that nothing could follow you out, after Charlotte Anne's outburst." Castiel added.

Daddy looked down at me. "Outburst?"

"Her mother's voice came through the ether and spoke to her, and Charlotte Anne wanted to go to her. We would not allow it, and I stopped her from moving and speaking. Her agitation was sending ripples of energy out." Castiel reported.

Daddy folded his arms and raised his eyebrows. "Oh really? Did you listen to Imani and do everything she told you to do?"

I squirmed. "Well, uh-I-I was upset!"

Daddy glared at me. "That's no excuse, little girl."

"It was a surprise to all of us." Imani said. "It threw all of us off guard for a moment, and Charlie is young. It was her first time, and she's not as in control of things as an adult. That's why I was with her, so I could guide her and protect her, and I did." She looked at me. "You understand now why you must remain calm when we are in the ether?"

Daddy clamped his hand on my shoulder. "Well, it ain't happening ever again, so it's a moot point."

"But Daddy-"

He turned me to face him. "You gonna start arguing with me now? I think maybe you and I need to have a talk about listening to other people and doing what you're told."

I gulped. "A- talk?"

Uncle Sam stepped forward. "Look, why don't we take a break. Emotions are running high, and going over things like this is just going to heighten everything. We need to make sure that Charlie and Imani are well-grounded and not stressed."

Uncle Bobby nodded. "The chicken soup in the slow cooker should be just about done, let's all sit down and eat."

"Sounds good." Grandpa John chimed in. "Dean, why don't you grab the bowls and silverware and start setting the table?"

Daddy grumbled something under his breath, but he walked over to the cabinets and began taking things out.

Grandpa John looked down at me, a soft smile on his face. "I'm real proud of you, darlin'. You're a really strong girl."

I smiled up at him. "Thanks."

He bent down to hug me, then he ran his hands down my arms and picked me up. "You're still cold. Let's get you wrapped up again." He carried me into the dining room again, where the blanket had fallen off, and then set me down and wrapped me in it. Then he led me back into the kitchen and sat me down at the table. "The soup should warm you up."

Castiel was standing near the table, looking awkward. "Hey, I prayed to you and asked for help, where have you been?" I asked.

Castiel looked embarrassed. "I was-I have been commanded to stay away from mortals unless they are in absolute peril. I was told that-well, I was not supposed to have interacted with you the way that I had, so I have been- retained to Heaven."

"You mean, you got into trouble for talking to me and stuff, and you got grounded?" I laughed.

Daddy chuckled. "I guess that's the heavenly version of 'Go to your room'?"

Castiel shifted. "I did not-it is difficult for me to understand the ways for humans and remember everything. Perhaps it is best that I stay away."

Imani spoke up. "No, it was very helpful that you were there with us. And I, for one, would love to talk to you and get to know you more." She smiled at him.

Uncle Bobby came over to the table carrying a large pot and set it down. "Soup's on." He looked at Castiel. "Don't suppose you want to join us?"

Castiel shook his head. "No thank you. But I would speak with you and the Winchesters in private." He inclined his head.

"All right, let's go to the library." Uncle Bobby said, and the angel followed him, with everyone else following after him.

Imani began to ladle the soup out into the bowls that Daddy had set out. "How are you feeling, Charlie?" She asked.

"M' okay. A little tired."

"We should both spend the next day or so resting."

"Will you tell Uncle Sam that, so I don't have to do my schoolwork?" I pleaded, and she laughed.

Then she got an uncomfortable look on her face. "I- excuse me-" She turned and ran from the room, her hand at her mouth.

I stirred my soup and blew on it to cool it down. The broth was thick and there were big chunks of vegetables in it along with the chicken.

The men came back into the kitchen, minus Castiel. Uncle Bobby went over to the counter and the fridge, and set out a platter with an oblong loaf of bread. "Someone want to do the honors?"

"I'll cut it." Grandpa John picked up the knife that was next to the loaf and began to cut thick slices of bread. He set one by my bowl. "Here you are, darlin'."

"Where's Imani?" Uncle Sam asked.

"I think she went to the bathroom." I told him.

Just then she appeared in the doorway, looking a little pale. As she came into the room, Uncle Sam rushed over to her. "Are you all right?"

She nodded. "You know my stomach has been-off- for a couple of days, I guess our 'field trip' didn't help."

He put his arm around her as they walked over to the table, and pulled out a chair for her.

Everyone sat down and began to eat. Imani took small spoonfuls of broth and sipped them slowly.

"Hey, did you guys know that we all have lights around us?" I said. "Imani said it's a energy field called- what did you say?"

"An aura." She said.

I nodded. "Yeah, that. How come ours were different colors?"

"Different colors mean different things. What colors did you see?"

"Umm…mine was purple with white around it."

She nodded. "Because of your psychic abilities and your pure heart. Your light is very bright because you are so young and innocent, which makes it like a beacon."

I spooned up some soup. "Yours was yellow, like a golden yellow and purple, and it was white around your head."

She nodded again. "Because I'm in touch with my intuition and abilities and have a strong sense of my spirituality."

"When you were praying, the light was coming out of your hands, it was really cool!" I said. "Can I do that too?"

Imani glanced over at Daddy. "I'm sure that if you practice with your abilities enough, you would be able to."

Daddy's mouth tightened and he looked at her and then at Uncle Sam. "We'll discuss that later."

"If I get better at stuff will my aura change to be like yours?" I asked Imani.

She smiled. "It may change over time depending on a lot of different factors- your health, your age, your spirituality, the growth of your abilities."

"Oh!" I remembered something else I had seen. "When you turned towards me you had light in your tummy too. Will I get that in mine when I get older?"

Imani got a shocked look on her face. She looked at me. "What did you say?"

I pointed at my stomach. "You had a bright white light in there."

She gasped a little, and her hand went to her mouth and then to her stomach. She looked over at Uncle Sam, her eyes widening. "Sam-"

Everyone was staring at her now. Uncle Sam frowned. "What is it?"

"Well, I said I thought I had picked up a bug-I haven't been feeling well, and my stomach's been upset-but-"

Uncle Sam dropped his spoon on the table, a stunned look on his face. "Do you mean-"

Imani glanced around at all of us. "I've been throwing up in the morning- sorry, everyone-and now the smell of food sometimes makes me nauseous. I hadn't thought about it but, putting two and two together-and Charlie just basically confirmed it-" Tears filled her eyes.

Uncle Sam gave a whoop as he stood up, pulling her out of her chair and lifting her by her waist, spinning them both around. He set her down and gave her a big kiss, and they murmured to each other.

I looked around at everyone- they were all watching them and smiling.

"Sam, do you mean-" Grandpa John said hesitantly.

Sam turned toward us, a huge grin on his face, and nodded, putting his hand on Imani's stomach.

"No shit!" Daddy said in amazement.

"Well, congratulations!" Uncle Bobby said heartily.

"What?" I demanded. "What is it?"

Everyone turned to look at me, chuckling.

Tears were on Imani's cheeks now, but she was smiling. "Well, Charlie, I-I'm pregnant! And you saw the energy of the baby, when we were in the ether!"

"I did?" I was dumbfounded. "But-how did that happen?"

Uncle Sam's face got red. "Uh-are you asking-"

"Uncle Sam is the father." Imani explained with a smile.

I frowned, trying to make sense of it. "So like, how my mom and dad got together and had a baby but they weren't, like, married or anything?"

Uncle Sam nodded, looking relieved, and everyone laughed.

Uncle Bobby clapped Grandpa John on the back. "Well old man, looks like you're about to become a gran-dad again!" He chuckled.

Grandpa John chuckled ruefully, rubbing his chin. "I guess so...I never would've thought…" He smiled at Uncle Sam and Imani, and his eyes got wet.

Uncle Bobby stood up. "I think this calls for a celebratory drink of the good stuff! I got a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue saved for special occasions!" He walked over to the pantry, getting out a tall thin box.

Daddy and Grandpa John got up and walked over to Uncle Sam and Imani and everyone started hugging.

"Wait…" I said, realizing something. "That means there's gonna be a baby here?"

Imani laughed. "Yes, that's exactly what it means. You're going to have a cousin!"

"A cousin? I've never had one!" All of a sudden, it hit me, and I felt happy tears come to my eyes. I got out of my chair and hurried over, hugging Uncle Sam.

He leaned down and picked me up, swinging me up in the air so that I shrieked, and then he hugged me tightly. "Thank you, Charlie." His voice was full of emotion.

I pulled back to look at him. "For what?"

"For being able to see it. You gave us a wonderful gift." He kissed my cheek, and Imani came over to put her arms around us. "Yes, thank you Charlie."

"Uh...you're welcome?"

Uncle Bobby came over, his hands full of short glasses that had a small amount of amber liquid in them. Uncle Sam set me down.

Grandpa John grabbed my glass of water off the table and handed it to me. He held his glass up. "Here's to new life and new beginnings." Everyone clinked glasses, and we all drank.

"Well, ain't that somethin'." Uncle Bobby said. "Y'all usher a soul off to the afterlife, and a new one comes to join us."

"That's how it goes...we should run out and get a pregnancy test, just to be certain." Imani said. "Although I'm feeling pretty certain about it."

"All right, you want to go now?" Uncle Sam asked.

"Did you get enough to eat?" Imani asked him.

He nodded. "Did you?"

She made a face. "No offense, Bobby, but my stomach-I just don't feel like I can handle food now."

Uncle Bobby waved his hand. "None taken. Y'all go do what ya need to."

"You be careful." Grandpa John said to Uncle Sam.

"We will be. Back soon." Uncle Sam and Imani walked over to grab their jackets off of the hooks on the wall by the door, and then left.

Grandpa John looked at Uncle Bobby. "Should we get started?"

Uncle Bobby drained his glass. "Sure thing." He set his glass on the counter. "Dean, you mind cleanin' up in here?"

"No, I've got my helper." Daddy put his hand on my head.

Uncle Bobby and Grandpa John left the room. I looked up at Daddy. "What did he mean? What are they doing?"

Daddy walked over to the table and sat down. "Castiel advised us that the warding on the house was weak in some spots. So he gave us some- information to strengthen things."

I sat down next to him. "What's that again?"

"Drawing protective symbols on things." Daddy buttered a slice of bread and started eating it.

"Oh, right, so that bad things can't come in." I nodded.

Daddy looked at me with a sad look in his eyes. "Charlie, I wish to God that you didn't know all this stuff…"

"It's okay, Daddy. I'd rather know about it than not." I fiddled with my spoon. "When I was little...I thought…" I looked down. "I thought that-that something- was wrong with me, that I was bad-" the shame I had felt when I'd get yelled at came flooding back to me. "'Cause all I did was say things without bein' able to help it and then I'd get in trouble an' everyone would be mad at me."

I looked up at him, tears suddenly coming to my eyes. "And now I know- it's not a bad thing, it's not that something's wrong with me, it's something- it doesn't always mean it's upsetting, it can help people. Y'know?"

His face softened. "Oh, geez, Charlie, I never thought of it that way." He scooted his chair back and beckoned me. "C'mere, baby."

I got out of my chair and walked over to him, and he pulled me onto his lap. "I'm so sorry I've given you grief about it, I wasn't thinking...I forget that this is something you've lived with all your life...and that it wasn't treated like a good thing when you were younger. I'm sorry that you had to go through that, and that you felt so bad about yourself."

I looked down at my hands, still feeling bad. "Mom never understood it, I tried talking to her about it but she'd always say 'Stop making up stories!' and she'd get this mad look on her face." I cringed slightly, remembering how scared I'd feel when she looked like that. "It was more than her just bein' mad at me, it was like...like she didn't believe me...like she didn't even like me." The tears spilled over then, and I pressed my face into his flannel chest.

"I'm sure she did, Charlie, she loved you. She was probably just confused about it and didn't know what to do." Daddy stroked the back of my head.

"I wanted it to stop, I tried to make it go away, I did, and sometimes it did, but then it would come back! An' if I tried to keep it in I'd get a tummy ache or a headache. An' she didn't understand why I felt yucky."

"I'm so sorry it was like that for you." He said again, tucking my head under his chin. "I can't say I always understand it, but I am proud of you."

My breath hitched in a sob. "You-you are? But I thought-you always get mad when I say I want to help people, and you don't want me in the life an' all. I thought-" I swallowed uneasily. "I thought you didn't like my abilities." My voice became quiet. I realized that I had always felt that deep inside me but I'd never been able to put it into words until now.

I felt Daddy stiffen for a moment, and then he sat up and took my chin in his hand, tilting my head back so he could look me in the face. "No, Charlie, no...I don't-it's not like that-" he sighed, his green eyes flicking back and forth between mine. "The hunting life is hard. It's hard and uncertain and it can be scary. I got involved in it way too early, and it's not something I would ever want for any kid. And I keep forgetting-like Missouri says, you've already got one foot in the life by way of your abilities, and I can't keep-" He pressed his lips together. "I can't keep denying that they're a part of your life. A part of our lives. And I'm sorry. I know I already said that, but I'm sorry that I made you feel bad about it, or think that I didn't like your powers, or-like you-I mean, they're a part of you, and I love you, baby, all of you-"

And then I was crying hard and he pulled me into his chest again, and I felt his chest hitch once as he held me. I slid my arms around his middle again and hugged him tightly, and we held each other.

Eventually my crying slowed down and he let me go. I sat back and he handed me a napkin from the table. "I do love you, kiddo, you're so strong, and brave, and resilient."

"What's that mean?"

"It means...it means you can recover from something quickly. You're able to bounce back from a bad time." He gave me a squeeze. "I like to think it's because you're a Winchester. We're all pretty resilient." He kissed the side of my head. "Are you finished eating?"

"Yeah."

"All right, let's get this show on the road and clean up."

"Okay. I love you too, Daddy." We hugged one more time, then I got off of his lap and helped him carry the dirty dishes to the sink.