Dean and Bobby watched as Jess, blonde hair flailing back and forth as she fidgeted in front of the door, impatience clearly written across her face. His heart swelled as he watched his little girl, her tiny face scrunched up in displeasure at having to wait. He had never expected to have a kid, but he wouldn't trade her for anything. She was three now, and had been with Dean since she was 6 months old. She was so much like him sometime that it made his heart hurt. Grampa Bobby had commented several times that her expressions and her mannerisms were just like his as a child. She brought out a softer side in him, gave light to a previously dark life. While he knew that she loved her "Dada", her favorite person was –
"Uncy!"
Dean smiled at the excited squeal and matching smile that lit up Jess's face. He heard the rumble of the Impala's engine as it rolled up the drive, feeling a sense of peace as he realized that his brother was finally home. Sam had only been gone overnight, but it was the first time he'd left since Jess had come to them. Dean had been understandably panicked when his little girl was suddenly thrust into his life. Sam had been back from the Cage just under a year, but was still struggling with what had happened. He spoke very little, often staring off with haunted eyes. Dean was only a little better off than Sam, struggling to overcome the effects of the last few years. So, needless to say, the addition of a little girl sent him into a tailspin. Imagine his surprise when Sam, who had been largely unresponsive, suddenly came to life. Dean had gone out to the grocery one day to buy formula, leaving the little girl asleep under the haunted but watchful eye of his little brother. When he came back, he expected to find them in the same position; however, when he walked through the door, he found Sam leaning back against the head board, a tiny blonde bundle nestled snugly in his arms. He was further startled to discover that Sam was also singing. Tears sprung to his eyes when he realized it was "Hey Jude," the same song Mary had sung to Dean and Dean had sung to Sammy. He watched as blue eyes gazed intently, but sleepily at his little brother, slowly being lulled to sleep by a surprisingly pleasant voice.
That had been the beginning of one of the most beautiful relationships Dean had been able to witness. Sammy seemed to come to life in Jess's presence. The next morning, Sam, who hadn't spoken since the little girl's arrival, asked her name. Dean hesitated a moment before responding,
"Jessica."
He watched Sam swallow hard, his gaze locked on Dean. Dean was afraid that Jess's memory would be too much for Sam. However, to his surprise, Sam smiled wetly, a tear trickling down his cheek. At that moment, the little girl squealed, breaking the gaze between the two brothers. Dean moved to grab her, but paused when Sam asked,
"May I?"
Dean nodded immediately. Sam grinned, before moving over to the crib they'd acquired, reaching down and gathering the squealing child into his arms.
"Hey, Jess."
Her squirming stopped at the deep, rich tone, settling to stare at the man with the long hair. Sam stared back just as intently, a small, genuine smile on his face. Dean was glad that the attention was not on him, as it gave him the chance to collect himself from the onslaught of emotion that caught him by surprise when Sam called his little girl "Jess."
That had been two years ago. Since then, their relationship had only grown stronger. Sam bonded with Jess in a way that went beyond anything that Dean had seen before. And Dean loved it; at no point had he experienced any jealousy concerning the relationship between his little brother and his little girl. More often than not, it was Sammy she asked for when she was sad or sick. And Dean has watched his little brother blossom. Sam thrived as a caretaker. He kissed boo boos and read stories and, to everyone's surprise, was surprisingly skilled at braiding hair. (Dean had come downstairs at 3 am one morning to see Sam in front of his computer, practicing on his own hair. Dean hadn't had the heart to tease him, once he realized what it was his brother was doing.) Dean was the maker of breakfast and the giver of tickles. Dean, more than anyone, could make her laugh and was her protector when she was scared.
Anyways, Sam had been gone overnight for the first time since Jess had come to them and Jess was clearly impatient for his time away to be over. She had cried inconsolably for most of the evening, until Bobby had come in with his phone in hand, Sam's face showing on the screen. Though he wasn't there to give her kisses and cuddles, Sam told Jess her bedtime story, that he'd be back tomorrow, and that he loved her to the moon and back. After that, she had still refused to settle, begging for "'ess's 'ulby." Being well-versed in what that meant, Sam gently started to sing. Dean watched as Jess's lullaby, which had long since been dubbed a miracle by both Dean and Bobby, as it had never failed to calm or soothe the little girl, soothed the little girl to sleep.
He heard the familiar sound of the Impala's door closing and figured he'd better take Jess outside before she decided the door was simply an obstacle to be squirmed through. With a laugh, Dean pushed himself up and strode over to the door, scooping up his daughter, before stepping out the door and on to the porch. Once he reached the bottom of the steps, he set Jess down on the ground. He laughed as she began to run to Sam was fast as her little legs would carry her. Sam, having pulled his bag out of the trunk, allowed it to fall to the ground as he strode towards his tiny niece.
"Uncy!"
The deep laugh and bright grin that one simply word brought to Sam warmed Dean's heart in a way he had never believed possible. He smiled openly and blatantly as Sam scooped Jess up into his arms, holding her close as she wrapped her little arms around his neck, resting he little head on his shoulder. From where he stood, he could hear his little girl chattering away, telling Sammy everything that had gone down in the ages he'd been gone. Sam nodded and responded in all of the proper places, not allowing his attention to waver even as he walked over, stooped down, and scooped up his bag. He began to make his way back over towards Dean. Once Jess saw her daddy, she began to include him in the conversation as well. Dean nodded along as well, sharing a grin with his brother, clapping him on his free shoulder and grabbing his duffle bag.
Bobby leaned against his doorframe, a soft smile on his face as he watched his two boys, his little family.