The Forgotten Daughter
~Chapter Two: Fare The Well Brother ~
Eight Months Later: June 4th, 2008
*Nicole's POV*
Sitting in the shower I began counting the days.. Nine days.. It had been nine days since we buried my brother Dean. It all seemed to happen to fast and no matter what we tried to do in order to break his deal, didn't work.
Sam had managed to track down the crossroads demon that made the deal with Dean. Unfortunately, the demon who made the deal was just a worker for the demon who held his contract. Right before Dean died, we found out just who the demon happened to be. Bella, Bella Talbet a trader from England, had made a deal as well with the same demon. A few days before Dean died, she gave us the Demons name... Her name was Lilith.
The night Dean died, is a night I will never forget..
*Flash Back*
I watched as the pendulum began to move in a circular motion as Bobby chanted. I prayed this would work so we could pen point Lilith. Looking at my brothers my heart began to sink, there was less than twenty four hours now before Dean's time was up. The thought of waking up tomorrow without Dean here, brought tears to my eyes. Silently I cried and thanked God my brothers weren't looking at me, but the pendulum in front of us. My breathing seized completely as the pendulum stopped. Wiping my eyes, I looked up to Bobby as I heard him speak.
"New Harmony, Indiana, " he said to My brothers and I.
"Alright," Sam said aloud breaking the silence as he picked up his duffle bag, " Lets go. ""Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on. Let's all shut up there, Tex, " Dean said to Sam, as moved past me and blocked the door before Sam could leave.
"What's the problem?" Sam yelled looking at Dean angrily.
"What's the problem? Come on, where do I begin?" Dean chuckled hysterically before stopping and screaming at Sammy, " I mean, first of all, we don't even know if Lilith holds my deal. Second, even if we could get to Lilith, we have no way to gank her. And third, isn't this the same Lilith that wants your giant head on a pike? ...Just 'cause I gotta die doesn't mean you have to, okay. Either we go in smart or we don't go in at all. "
"If that's the case I have the answer, " Sam began but I interrupted knowing what he was going to say.
"You are not listening to that bitch! " I screamed earning a stunned expression from all three men, " You are not going to try and Jedi mind trick a fucking demon Sam!! "
"What else is there Nicole! It's our only option!" my brother yelled back at me, walking towards me angrily.
"No!! Damn it Sam, no! ," Dean said stopping him, " We are not going down that road, there is too much at stake. "
I watched as my brothers argued, My body now shaking in anger. I needed a break from everything and just a few minutes of peace on my own. The room around me was spinning constantly and I had to get out as soon as possible. Wheeling past my brothers, I made my way out the door and across the gravel driveway to the dock. I could hear Dean shouting my name in the distance, but at the moment I didn't care. My life was soon going to change and it was not for the better. I couldn't and didn't want to imagine a life without Dean, after all he was the back bone of us three. Sitting on the dock, I let my mind wander and think about all of our memories. So much had happened the last couple years, but throughout it all we still had many good moments. A hand on my shoulder brought me out of my thoughts. Looking up, I saw a teary faced Dean staring down at me. He squatted down in front of me, his lip quivering as he brushed a stray curl from my face. Reaching up, I grabbed his hand softly and kissed his palm attempting too calm him.
"We got Ruby's knife," he began looking a at me sadly, " I want you to listen to me sissy, ok? I'm serious.. It's important you listen to me. "
"What is it bubba?"
" Sam and I are leaving soon along with Bobby... I want you to stay here nickel. It's not safe for you to be there with us, if anything happened to you.. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.. I know you don't like it sissy, but if we were trapped by them.. "
"I would be the easiest target.. I know Dean," I replied finishing his sentence.
"I wish I had more time with you," he sniffled with tears falling from his eyes, " I wish I would have stayed behind with Bobby and cared for you sissy... We abandoned you.. "
"No you didn't bubba, you did what you thought was best.. I'll admit at first it felt that way. I was so angry I couldn't walk and hunt anymore. The moment you both first left, for a while I resented you both, but only because I was mad at myself.. After a while however, I began to understand Dean. Bobby became like a father to me, in many ways John never could. He made sure I lived my life right and got my priorities straight Dean, and above all made me feel like life was still worth living after it all."
" I'm so sorry baby girl.. I wish I could have been there more, " he whispered sadly.
" Don't.. If you had stayed, who would have killed yellow eyes. "
"I guess so, but now look where it got me. It got Sam killed and me about to die in less than seven hours Nickel."
I placed my hand upon his cheek and wiped away the few stray tears from his eyes, " Bubba don't worry, ok? We will be ok, I'll watch over Sammy. "
He looked up to me and smiled faintly before kissing my forehead, " I know baby girl, I know. "
I watched as he looked down to his neck and began to undo his necklace. Once he took it off, he removed mom's wedding ring from his finger and looked to me eagerly.
"If I don't come back, I want you to have these," he began as he placed the necklace on my neck , " It's to remember me by, and no matter what, even in Hell, I will always be with you both.. This however, " he continued holding up mom's wedding band, " She would want you to have this. "
Holding out My right hand, I let him slip the small gold band upon my hand. I began to cry as I looked at the ring and necklace.. Looking up at my brother, I could tell he was crying too.
"Oh baby girl," he said as tears fell hard from my face. He wrapped his arms around me, and held me as I cried with him.
" I Don't want you to go bubba," I cried out .
" I know sissy, I don't want to go, " he whispered back. "
He held me until Sam walked up to us both. Looking at my other brother, I could tell he had in fact been crying as well..
"Dean we need to get going if we want to have any chance at ganking her before midnight," Sam said aloud sadly.
Dean pulled back from me and brushed my hair from my face, " Look at me baby girl, ok?.. Remember what we talked about please... I love you so much Nickel, " he said as he hugged me tightly once more.
"I love you too bubba ."
He smiled one last smile at me as he stood, " That's my girl , " he replied as he kissed my head.
I turned to watch as he walked away, tears falling down my freckled face.
"Sissy," Sammy said as I looked at him.
" Bubba, " I whispered really reaching for his large hand.
He squatted down in front of me and looked to me sadly. He carefully removed my glasses and cleaned them, before placing them gently on my face once more.
"I don't want you both to go," I said barely above a whisper.
" I know Nickel, I know.. I'm going to do everything I can to save him, ok? " Sammy said as he held the side of my face, " I'm going to protect him even if it kills me, Nick.. "
"Don't you say that, I can't lose you both Sam ."
" You won't Sissy, ok? I promise.. If for some reason I can't save him, and I make it back.. I want you to know, I'll be there ok? I'm gonna stay with you sissy, I promise, " he said sincerely. "I love you bubba."
" I love you too sissy, " he replied as he pulled me in for a hug.I hugged him back tight and as he stood breaking the hug, and watched as him and Dean left.
I sat at the end of the driveway, watching the impala fade away slowly in the distance..
Present Day*
Turning the water off, I reached the best I could for my bath towel outside of the bath tub. Wrapping it around me, I scooted to the edge of the shower seat and pulled back the curtain. One by one, I lifted my legs outside the shower and using the strength in my arms, I stood holding onto the bathroom bars, slowly making my way into my wheelchair chair.
When my brothers first told me I was paralyzed, we visited several doctors to find treatments. We found out, with my paralysis that it may not be permanent. It was rare for someone with the injury I had to recover completely. Within a couple weeks of being in a wheelchair, I could feel some feeling around my hips and over time, I could feel more all over my legs. The odds of walking went from a twenty percent chance to over a fifty percent chance. The problem however was My leg muscles, they were not strong. The muscles in my legs were so weak that it made moving them almost impossible. Over the years I had learned how to bathe myself along with other things without assistance. I hated being dependent on people before the accident, and being in my chair now, didn't change that feeling.
Wheeling myself out of the bathroom and into my room, I smiled when I saw the clothes on the bed for me. Sam, had been great since Dean had past. True to his word, he stayed around and didn't leave. He was hurting just as much as me, and often at night, I would find him reading books on bringing back the dead. I could tell he missed hunting, and I could tell he had no intentions of leaving Dean dead.
Each night since Dean past, I found myself praying even more than usual. I prayed for Dean, I prayed for Sammy, but most of all I prayed for the strength to get through each day. I had always believed in a high power and believed in God. My brothers however were very hesitant, with everything that had happened growing up. No matter what throughout all of the bad, I still believed in the good that surrounded us. We were lucky and in many ways blessed growing up, not just for cheating death many of times, but at least for having one another.
Drying myself off, I began to dress for the day, it unfortunately was a Tuesday. Tuesday's meant therapy, which I hated greatly..I finished pulling on my plaid shirt, when I heard footsteps outside the door.
"Sis, we need to leave soon your appointment is in forty-five minutes," I heard my brother say through the door .
Wheeling myself to the door, I pulled it open and looked aggravated at him, " Do I have to go?"
"Yes, you do. You haven't been in three weeks, and I want to hear what the therapist says about your legs Nick ," he replied shaking a finger at me.
"Sam you know what they are going to say, it's the same every time.. They tell me I'm doing so good and that I am progressing nicely being able to stand now, but the likely hood of walking without assistance is not likely Sam. "
"Well whether you do or not we will figure it out Nick, but you are still going," he said seriously and began to push me outside to the old dodge truck Bobby had fixed for us.
"You need help?" Bobby asked from behind as Sam opened the truck door for me.
"I can do it I think Bobby," I replied as I held onto Sam standing carefully .
I began to stumble as I stood and was caught by Sam, " I got you.. I got you sis, " he said reassuringly as he helped me in the truck.
"I put the chair in the back for you, " Bobby said to me as he closed the truck door, " You both just be careful, and Nick try at therapy ok? I know you hate going and don't see the point, but try please. If not for you, then for Sam and me. We want you to get better. "
"He's right sis, we want you to get better. Bobby and I talked it over this morning and we agreed that if the therapist saw no improvement, that after today you don't have to go back ok," My brother explained.
I looked them both and then back at Sam, " Pinky swear, " I said holding out my pinky.
He chuckled at me and wrapped his large pinky around mine, " Pinky swear, but you still have to try today ok?"
"Ok."
"Well good, now since we have had our little heart to heart, you two idjits better get going," Bobby said with a chuckle .
"Love you Bobby."
"Love you too Nick," he said with a smile and then hit the truck door, signalling Sam to go.
The ride to the hospital was short, and as we arrived I looked around to see all of the summer flowers in bloom already. The air was warm with a light breeze, and the sun shined bright upon the hospital gardens. I had become too familiar with the hospital and hoped after today I could escape it. It wasn't that I didn't want to get better, I just believed it would happen when it was meant to be, and if it didn't happen at all, then I had learned to accept it already that I was going to be stuck in this chair. I knew how to live life either way and at this point, I would be happy either way.
As Sam pulled in by the therapy center and parked, I removed my seat belt and opened my door. One by one I swung my legs to the side of the truck and waited as Sam lifted my wheelchair from the back. Placing it on the ground, he pushed it to the door and helped me to stand.
"Thank you bubba," I said smiling at him.
" You're welcome sis, " he replied as he pushed me into the clinic.
When the doors opened to the clinic, I smiled as I saw Rita waving at us. She had been my nurse since the accident and also a good friend of Bobby's. She knew what we did hunting and was only the only one at the hospital to know my real last name wasn't Singer.
"Well good morning Nick, how are we doing today?" Rita asked me as she leaned down to hug me.
"Ready to get this over with," I replied as she pulled away.
"Girl you have been coming here over two years, and every time you say the same thing," she said giggling and then looked to Sam.
" Hey Rita , " he said as he hugged the old woman.
"Well well..It's been a minute since I have seen you and that other brother of yours. How is Dean doing?" She asked sweetly .
"He, he uh passed away Ms. Rita, about nine days now, " I replied sadly.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry you two.. That stubborn old uncle Bobby of yours didn't tell me," she said solemnly , " Well shall we get to therapy then? You know Nick, the sooner you start.. "
"The quicker I get out," I replied with a slight smile.
"I'll wait here for you sis.. When your done, we will talk to your doctor ok?" Sam said squeezing my hand.
"Ok Sammy," I smiled squeezing his and smiling.
Therapy as usual was frustrating for me, especially now since they put me at the walking bars with braces on my legs. Rita would stand behind me for support as I attempted to step forward. To my dismay, I made it only one step before falling backwards.
"It's no use Rita, I can't do it," I said angrily
"Hey don't you start young lady. Two years ago you couldn't even feel your legs when you started coming here for therapy. Now two years later, you are close to walking,. The last time you were here, you took two steps and today you are just getting started," Rita started and pointed to the window at Sam, " You see that man out there? He believes in you, and so does Bobby. Two years ago you wanted to give up on everything, and they wouldn't let you. You are strong Nicole and I know missy that you can do this. "
"But what if I can't Rita, what if this is all part of God's plan for me ya know."
"You can and you will Nick, have faith ok? Your doctor said ten steps and we can get you braces and out of that chair. Come on and let's try for five today at least ok? I believe in you baby girl, I believe you have an angel looking out for you. Only one out of eight people regain feeling, and out of those that do, three out of four can walk. Now tell me now girly, are you a one or a three, " Rita questioned eagerly trying to cheer me up.
Closing my eyes, I knew she was right. I had been stuck in this chair for two years now and compared to most, I had been lucky to do as well as I had. Slowly I began to stand again and opened my eyes. I looked to Sam out the window and saw him staring at me with his hand upon the window. Looking back at the bars, I looked to my feet, and willed myself to move.
"You got this Nick, four more and you are done," I heard her say from behind me.
Taking My time, I managed two more steps and slumped down onto my knees. I heard the door open and looked to see Sam walking towards me. He walked to the end of the bars and squatted down to me.
"Are you ok?" He asked me, to which I nodded in reply my breathing unsteady and arms hurting, " Two more and you are done today. Can you do it? "
I nodded my head and with help from Rita stood once more clinging into the rails. I looked to the sky and prayed for God to give me strength and help me to do this. When I was done, I looked to Sam as he stood.
"You can do this, walk to me sissy," he said seriously with his arms out , " You can do this and I know you can. You are strong Nick and you always have been. Com you quit, you never quit. Don't fail me now sis. "
My arms ached and my legs were growing weak, slowly I managed to make two more steps. I heard Sam cheering for me and felt Rita push the chair against the back of my legs for me to sit. I wasn't ready to stop yet, if I made it five, I felt as though I could do five more.
"Not yet," I said to Rita, my voice cracking as tears of pain left my eyes. I looked back to Sammy once more to see his eyes full of emotion, " Catch me, " I whispered.
He nodded knowing I wasn't giving up. Five more steps, I told myself and with all of my strength stepped forward three more steps.
"Damn it," I yelled in frustration and pain as I began to fall, barely catching myself.
"Nicole maybe you should stop," I heard Rita say from behind me .
"No!" I choked out in pain from my aching muscles, " Two more, two more and I can get out of that thing. You said ten remember!"
Screaming as I stepped forward, I managed to walk the final two steps. I fell in my brothers arms crying from the pain in my legs and arms. I sobbed against his shirt as he caught me and lifted me against him sideways.
"You did it," he said his voice cracking as he spoke, " I'm so proud of you, " he sobbed against my hair, " Dean would have been proud of you Nick. "
"It hurts Sam," I choked out against his chest.
"No more sissy, no more," he whispered as he held me.
"I'll go get Doctor Pope now," I heard Rita say and then disappear.
Finally I had walked, not just took a few steps, but after two years I finally had walked. I only wished in that moment, that Dean would have been here to see. Clutching the necklace in my hand, Sam held me as I cried tears of joy and pain. Looking up from Sam's shirt, I saw a man out of the corner of my eye. He was smiling and as I turned to Sam, the man disappeared. The man was like no other man I had seen before. As he disappeared, I could have sworn I saw wings flutter before me.
"Are you ok?" Sam asked as he set me in my chair once more, making me forget about the strange man.
"Yes, I'm so tired Sammy. "
"I know sissy, after the doctor fits your for your braces we will go home," he replied with a smile as he held the side of my face with his hand.
"I guess I owe you a thank you."
He looked at me confused, " What for Nick? "
"For making me get my ass out of bed and come to therapy," I said with a slight smile.
"What big brothers for," he chuckled and kissed my forehead .
When Rita came back along with Dr. Pope, I smiled at the cart of braces he was pushing. One by one he fit the braces to my legs and once finding the right ones, showed Sam and me how to use them. He gave me forearm crutches to help with support me as I walked, so my arm muscles wouldn't hurt as much. Dr. Pope told me to start off slow and only to try walking if my body let up to it. He instructed me to practice standing for a few minutes at a time with the braces and for at least six hours a day wear them to help build back My leg muscles.
An hour later after scheduling my next appointment, we were on our way home. I was exhausted but also excited about today. As we rode home, I couldn't help but smile at the braces on my legs and crutches that sat in my lap. Looking at Sam, I saw him smiling at me as he drove.
"What is it?"
" You, " he replied, " I'm just so proud of you.. It's been so long since you have walked Nick and I wish Dean could have been here to see. "
"Me too Sammy, me too, " I whispered and pat his leg.
Looking back at the window, I closed my eyes. I let sleep claim me as I thought about today. I walked and today was only the beginning of what I hoped was yet to come. My mind wandered to the man from the window. I couldn't stop thinking about him. Who was he? Why was he smiling at ? But most of all, why did he have wings..
Normal POV*
The sound of a horn, alerted Bobby as he was finishing making lunch for him and the kids. It was almost two in the afternoon, when the old blue pickup pulled in. Wiping his hands on a kitchen towel, Bobby hurried to the front door and opened it with a smile as he saw Sam and Nicole. God did he love those kids.
As he walked out onto the rickety porch he watched as Sam stepped out of the truck smiling. Bobby could tell by the smile on his face, that today had been a good day for her. He leaned against the porch rail taking a swig of his beer, as Sam opened Nicole's side of the truck. Bobby looked to Sam confused when Sam hadn't lifted the wheel chair from the back. Stepping down from the porch, his heart clenched as he saw her.
Walking slowly with Sam behind her, Nicole stood before him with leg braces and crutches. Tears filled his eyes as he saw the young woman before him walking after two in a half years. He had learned to love her like his own daughter and now watching her, he had never been more proud in his life. Dropping his beer, he ran to her and pulled him into his arms crying.
"Oh kid I'm so proud of you," he said as he kissed her auburn hair and let go only to smack Sam on the arm, " Why the hell didn't you call me the moment she walked. "
Nicole chuckled at Bobby before answering him, "Because I wanted to surprise you Bobby."
Bobby smiled at her and rubbed her arm , " Well you sure know how to surprise someone, " he said chuckling.
"She still has to continue therapy, " Sam began looking at Bobby, " but only every two weeks. Dr. Pope said for her to use her chair still if she is tired, and above all, not to push herself too hard. "
"Well good, kid ," the old man said looking at Nicole , " Maybe soon we can teach you how to drive. "
"I would love that," she replied to Bobby and started to stumble.
"Whoa, whoa , whoa!! Easy Nick, you heard what the doctor said, " Sam said as he helped support his baby sis ter.
"I know Sammy, I know.. Will you carry me?" she asked weakly .
" Of course sissy, where to? " Sam replied as he picked her up.
"How about the table?" Bobby spoke aloud pointing , " I made lunch for us. You two go get settled in, I'll grab her chair.. The news said we have rain later tonight and tomorrow. "
"Thank you Bobby," Nicole said as her brother carried her up the steps.
"Anytime kiddo," he replied as he lifted the wheel chair from the truck bed, and pushed it up the stairs..
As Sam carried Nicole, she smiled a small smile that resembled more of a smirk. Today marked the end of almost three years of pain, and began the start of something new. She didn't know how well her legs would heal, but she had faith now, that what ever happened she could handle whatever life would throw at her. She fell asleep that night, praying and thanking God for today. But as she fell asleep, the vision of a man with deep blue eyes looking at her and smiling invaded her dreams once more that day..
TO BE CONTINUED...