The Chaos Tree

Chapter 32 - Epilogue

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Dean paced the front porch, nervously waiting for Caleb and Onida to get to the farm. Juliet was inside, putting the finishing touches on the newly refurbished bedroom. There were two new baby kittens in there because Juliet said girls loved kittens. He wouldn't know; he'd raised boys. He'd grown up with boys surrounded by men. The only girls in their circle of family and friends were Sam's daughter Mary, Joshua's daughter Josie, and Ben's daughter Lisa Anne. None of those children had been raised by him. Girls were unknown territory, and he was terrified.

The screen door squeaked and Sam walked out onto the porch. Watching his brother a moment, he said, "Juliet's just as nervous."

"I don't think we're doing the right thing," Dean stated.

Knowing it was Dean's nerves talking, Sam said encouragingly, "You're going to do great."

"You should have taken her in. You know girls, you raised Mary and she's perfect."

Sam smiled. It hadn't been easy raising Mary on his own. But while there had been many challenges, he was proud of the fact that their history was littered with more successes than fails. "If the circumstances had been different, I would have loved taking her myself," Sam said, a note of regret in his voice. "But someone who's been through what she has… Well, she needs more than what a bachelor who works too much can do."

"You would have done amazing," Dean stated, defending his brother.

Sam smiled at his brother's vehement tone. "No, I wouldn't. Raising Mary was different. I had you and Caleb to help when necessary…"

"And we would still be around to help," Dean interjected.

"I know," Sam conceded. "But Lydia also helped, especially when Mary was older. I was able to hire a nanny to watch her until she got old enough to be on her own after school. With Clarissa," he shook his head. "She needs someone there all the time; she needs to realize she's loved, she's protected, she's wanted. With Juliet choosing to scale back her time at the clinic to be home when Clarissa gets out of school, with you being close by if Juliet gets stuck with an animal emergency, she's got two backups until she gets used to the rest of us. I just don't have those resources."

It was obvious to Dean that Sam had given this a lot of thought, and his heart ached that his brother had wanted to bring this child home. "Well, you're expected to step in a lot over here," he said.

Sam smiled and said it again. "You're going to do great."

"I don't know what I was thinking, saying yes," Dean sighed. "I'm going to suck at this."

"You're not going to suck at this," Sam declared. The very thought of Dean being lousy at parenting was laughable. "And you were thinking there was a little girl that needed a home."

"Jody wanted her to live at Bobby's."

"But here, she would be around other children who were kidnapped by the witches rather than in South Dakota on her own. She could go to school with them and get counseling."

"Joshua's building a small, one-room classroom on his property."

Sam nodded at the segue away from the child. "I know." Dean was letting his nerves run rampant. His brother would have been on firmer ground with a boy. But he had every confidence Dean would do just fine. He'd had no problems with Mary; he would do wonderfully with Clarissa.

Dean merely nodded. Suddenly he spun around. "Things are going to be different."

"Most changes are different."

Dean scowled. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah it's going to be different, just like you coming to live at the farm and me going to school in New York was different. Like you hooking up with Juliet was different, and me getting married was different. Just like you having JT and freaking out about this newborn life was different, and Ben coming to live with you was different, and me having Mary was different…"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Dean interrupted sourly.

"And like Caleb and Onida was different," Sam added. "Onida fits right in, though I know you were worried."

"I wasn't worried," Dean protested.

"You were, but Caleb didn't know."

"If you knew, he knew," Dean groused, then added, "Damn it."

Sam laughed. "My point, is that things are always different. Now we'll have three new little ones to raise and spoil. They deserve it." He dropped onto the porch swing. "I'm interested in seeing how Caleb and Onida deal with two young boys. It's harder, I think, when they're not toddlers and babies."

Dean looked around, frowning. "Joshua and Carolyn don't have any problems with Nicholas."

"Nicholas is a sweetheart. Tristan and Kaven might be stronger willed."

"Maybe. But then, Mac adopted Caleb when he was thirteen, and he was a handful. I think he'll be able to relate."

Sam nodded. "You're right. Every kid is different. The most important thing is giving them our love and support." He eyed his brother, hoping Dean would consider the words for himself as well.

Over the last few months since finding out there were three children who needed homes, Dean and Juliet had talked in depth about bringing the children to the farm. They had plenty of room for kids to roam and play. And for school, Joshua had done an amazing job of having a teacher specializing in trauma victims teaching the children their lessons, as well as supplying a counselor and speech therapist, all of whom were members of the Brotherhood medical organization overseen by Ben Winchester. When Caleb announced he and Onida were taking the two boys, that had left Clarissa Sadler as the only child left without a forever home. Dean and Juliet knew they had to act. While Jody Mills had expressed interest in taking her, she and Dean had discussed the situation. In the end, Jody had agreed it would be better for Clarissa to live in Kentucky near the other children.

There had been over forty children rescued from the Tah-tah-kle'-ah, and most had been reunited with their families. Now after a year, many parents were struggling to deal with such acute trauma. Doctor Etsitty - with the aide of the Brotherhood medical arm in Washington - was trying to offer all the support she could in helping families deal with the special needs of their children. The goal was to keep the families together wherever possible. But while some were stabilizing through hard work and counseling, many were still in flux. She warned Dean that there may be more children in need of the special care that either families within the Yakama tribe or the Brotherhood could provide.

When Dean and Juliet had decided to take Clarissa, they'd spent several nights in conference with Doctor Etsitty discussing Clarissa's situation since her rescue, her school progress, and how well she could communicate.

"Fairly well," Doctor Etsitty had relayed. "She was four when she was taken, therefore her verbal skills were well under development. It's amazing how much vocabulary and language skills children learn between the ages of three and four. Since her liberation, Clarissa hasn't talked much, like most of the children, but she understands quite a bit."

"What about her connection to her parents?" Dean had asked.

"Tenuous," Doctor Etsitty said. "She doesn't really remember them, and since the parents have five additional children, any bonding between parent and child has been minimal. There just isn't enough time in the day."

"So, you think she could bond with us?" Juliet asked.

"It will be work, just as it would have been work for her parents, but yes. Bonding will happen. It's inevitable."

Those words had settled the decision for Dean and Juliet, and they'd said yes to bringing Clarissa home to Kentucky.

The screen door creaked again and Juliet stepped out. "What's taking so long?"

"I don't know," Dean said, his eyes on their long drive. "Maybe they broke down somewhere."

Sam snorted. "This is Caleb we're talking about. His cars don't break down."

"You wouldn't say that if you'd seen the Tourer," Dean remarked caustically.

"That was Adam, not Caleb."

"I've worked on all his cars for years. I know how he drives."

Ignoring that, Sam pointed down the driveway. "There they are."

"Can we do this?" Juliet asked Dean.

Seeing Juliet so nervous helped to calm Dean. Taking her hand, he gave it a comforting squeeze. "Yes, we can."

"But all we've raised is boys," Juliet fretted. "Ben, JT, Jimmy, Sam, Caleb…"

"Hey!" Sam protested. "You didn't raise me."

"I did," Dean countered.

"Yeah, well, that's true," Sam conceded. "But I was a grown man when you two got together."

"You should see you boys on football night," Juliet snorted. "Kids, all kids."

The SUV pulled up in front of the house, and Caleb opened the driver's door and climbed out. "We're here!"

"I noticed," Dean remarked, walking down the front steps.

Onida stepped out of the passenger door and turned, opening the side door. Inside were four children, all staring outside with wide eyes. Dean's dogs milled around the van, sniffing at the tires, jumping on Caleb, and sticking their noses inside the back, curious about the children.

"Come on, Bit," Dean said, grabbing the small greyhound around the middle as he attempted to scamper up into the van. The small dog lapped at Dean's face, dancing around his legs in excitement at the prospect of new playmates.

"All right, introductions are in order," Onida said. "This is Lomasi Ayala. Dean, you met her when you were in Washington."

Dean smiled. "Hi, Lomasi."

"Hi, Mr. Dean," said the thirteen year old girl. Lomasi had Onida's gifts, and had been kidnapped by the Tah-tah-kle'-ah for those abilities. Now she and Jacy, a young boy also exhibiting gifts, took lessons from Onida once a month. The rest of the time their studies were under the supervision of Joseph Whitetail, the tribe medicine man.

When Onida and Caleb had flown to Washington to bring back the children, Onida had thought it might be a good idea to have Lomasi come with Clarissa and stay with her for a couple weeks. Kaven and Tristan would have each other at Caleb's house, but Clarissa would be alone, kid-speaking. Since the girls were closer in age, Lomasi could help sooth Clarissa and ease her transition from Washington to Kentucky until Clarissa got used to the routine and to Juliet and Dean.

For the next couple days, all the children would have a sleepover at Dean's, while Caleb and Onida stayed in the guest room. Tonight, there would be plenty of burgers, popcorn, chips, candy and ice cream for all, and Dean had built a large living room fort for the children to sleep in. Tomorrow, Nicholas, Maisie and Lucas would be over for a picnic at the pond. Nicholas wanted to introduce Clarissa, Tristan and Kaven to the puppies. Juliet had thought they should wait a couple weeks before introducing Clarissa to JT, James, Ben and his children as well as their enormous extended family. She wanted to take things slow and not overwhelm the child.

Dean went to the rear of the SUV, popped the hatch and pulled out a medium-sized box with a large CS marked on top. He was heartbroken that this was all Clarissa had as far as worldly possessions.

When Clarissa had been found and identified, her family had been over the moon. But they weren't a wealthy family, and their modest, three-bedroom home wasn't large enough for them, their current five children and to have a separate room for Clarissa. Clarissa had found it difficult to share with the other children, whom she'd found too boisterous and loud. In addition, having her attend school on the reservation had been a challenge, as the family lived forty-five minutes away. In the end the family had to admit they weren't able to give their daughter what she needed and balance the needs of the other five children. In truth, as they were an average family, they didn't understand the full extent of her trauma. They didn't know that the children had been kidnapped by witches. Her parents had contacted Doctor Etsitty and asked for solutions that would be best for their current family and Clarissa. When Maska Etsitty suggested putting Clarissa with a family where other kidnapped children were living and receiving treatment, all they asked was that they be kept informed about Clarissa's progress, in the hope that someday they could have some contact with their daughter.

Pulling out the box, Dean walked around to where Juliet was talking to Clarissa and Lomasi. Kaven and Tristan were looking around the yard and playing with the dogs while Caleb pointing out the barn and the pond.

"We don't live here," Caleb was saying, "but we'll being coming over a lot."

"Come on," Juliet said nervously. "I'll take you to your room."

When Clarissa didn't move, Lomasi held out her hand and sent a slight wave of soothing energy her friend's way.

Clarissa relaxed slightly and followed.

Inside, they climbed the stairs to Ben's old room. Dean had originally suggested using JT and James' room, but Juliet thought it might be too big, especially since Clarissa would sleep there on her own. She wanted the room to be cozy. Opening the door, Juliet stepped away and allowed Clarissa and Lomasi to enter first.

"Oooh," Lomasi cooed, her eyes going everywhere at once.

Dean had knocked out the upstairs hall closet and reduced the size of the closet in JT and James' former room. Into that space he'd placed Clarissa's bed, and built an elaborately carved canopy of wood over the top. Inside the small enclave, Caleb had painted the ceiling in a trompe l'oeil fashion to make it look like the night sky, and Dean and Juliet had attached dozens of tiny LED lights attached to a small on/off switch to simulate stars. They didn't want Clarissa to ever feel like she was in a cave again. The bed covers were green, cream and pink, and there were three very large stuffed animals on top: a cat, a dog and a teddy.

The walls in the room had been painted a pale shell pink, and there was a bookshelf filled with picture books as well as a few dolls and some games. There was a desk for Clarissa to do her homework, a computer, a couple stacks of tablets and dozens of colored pencils and crayons, as Doctor Etsitty said Clarissa had a talent for drawing and painting. Dean planned on having Caleb given her art lessons. Covering the hardwood floor was a soft pink, green, cream and lavender area rug. Right next to the bed was a small rollaway bed where Lomasi would sleep while she was here. Dean and Juliet planned on letting Lomasi and Clarissa do everything together for the first couple of days, then slowly lengthen time away from one another so Clarissa could get used to Juliet first, then Dean.

But the pièce de résistance, was the basket in the corner where meowing could be heard.

Clarissa glanced back at Juliet, who smiled and nodded. Slowly she walked to the basket and looked inside. Two small kittens looked up at her and meowed loudly. One was a ginger and white kitten with amber eyes, the other was a mixed color kitten with dark eyes. Turning to Juliet with wet eyes, she dropped to her knees and picked up first one kitten, then the other, cradling them in her arms and crying.

Lomasi looked up at Juliet, then moved outside the room into the hallway. Juliet walked over to the crying child and sat down on the floor at her side. Reaching out, she carefully touched the girl's back, rubbing it gently, and when she couldn't stand it any longer, she pulled Clarissa into her arms.

The child stiffened at first, then suddenly she dumped the kittens into Juliet's lap and threw her arms around her neck and cried like her world was ending, or maybe it was finally beginning.

Dean stood in the doorway watching. He wanted to go and comfort his new daughter too, but thought it best if Juliet undertook the initial bonding. He would have plenty of time in the weeks and months to come. However, before he could move away, Juliet looked up and motioned for him to come in.

Dean shook his head. She was doing fine.

But Juliet narrowed her eyes and he walked over. Quietly he lowered himself to the floor beside the two.

Clarissa lifted her head slightly from Juliet's shoulder and stared at Dean. He gave her a smile and winked. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

Juliet pulled away just a little, and said, "You're home. This is your room, these are your kittens. Those are your books," she pointed to the small green bookshelf, "and that's your bed." She touched Clarissa's face, running a hand over the soft, blond hair.

Clarissa stared all around the room, frowning. When she looked back at Juliet, she opened her mouth and said, "Mine?"

Juliet nodded. "Yours."

Suddenly there were steps on the stairs, and Sam stuck his head in the doorway, which resulted in Clarissa burying her head in Juliet's shoulder again. "We're ready downstairs," Sam said with a smile. Then he went back down.

Juliet leaned back again and said, "We're having a party downstairs. You, Lomasi, Kaven and Tristan are going to sleep in a fort! Won't that be fun?"

Clarissa's eyes went to Lomasi, who nodded and smiled. Then the young girl nodded to Juliet. Rising, Dean took Juliet's hand, then held out his for Clarissa to take. When she placed her hand shyly in his, he knew things would be all right.

"Ooh," Clarissa squeaked, looking down at the kittens, who were biting at her socks.

"Yeah," Dean said, "Let's take them too."

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A few hours later, all four children were asleep on the floor, tucked into sleeping bags with additional blankets on top. There were kernels of popcorn scattered all over the floor, empty candy wrappers and cups of melted ice cream.

"We have to clean up this mess," Caleb remarked, eyes roving over the debris.

"I elect you," Onida commented with a yawn.

Caleb gave her a smile. "I think we can wait till morning."

Dean warned softly, "Nothing's going on in the guest room where little ears can hear."

Snorting softly, Caleb remarked, "Like you and Juliet never did it with the boys around."

"I think this conversation is finished," Juliet interrupted. Rising, she picked up a couple bowls of leftover popcorn and walked into the kitchen.

"Now you stepped in it," Sam whispered. Smirking, he went and picked up several empty ice cream bowls and followed Juliet.

Groaning softly, Dean rose. Quietly sidestepping popcorn and empty plates, he retrieved several scattered cups and a large bowl of candy. Once in the kitchen, he saw Sam was alone loading the dishwasher. "Where's Juliet?"

"Upstairs," Sam murmured.

Nodding, Dean stepped to the far side of the dishwasher, he started loading utensils and glasses.

Sam glanced at his brother a moment, then said, "You're worried; I get it. But whenever doubts come up, just remember you're doing the right thing."

Nodding, Dean said, "I will."

"And maybe someday I'll be able to have a child too. Doctor Etsitty said there were other families she was afraid might have to give up children. Maybe there'll be another boy, and I can help with him."

Setting the dishes down, Dean said, "We want Clarissa, no doubt. But if you wanted her, why didn't you speak up?" He hated to think that Sam wanted her and felt like he couldn't handle her. Dean knew he could.

"Number one," Sam stated, "You and Juliet are perfect for her. Number two…" he broke off on a sigh.

"Yeah?"

"Maybe I need to get myself sorted out," Sam mumbled quickly.

Dean frowned for a moment, then a slow grin crossed his face. "You want to get hooked up again."

Sam blushed. "Yeah, maybe. Mary's grown and will graduate college next year. Caleb's been able to arrange his life around Onida. Maybe it's time I looked for someone to share my life with again."

"I think that's great," Dean said, the wheels already turning in his head. Were there any unattached women in the Brotherhood offices? It wasn't like they would trip over another Onida on a hunt. He thought that had been a once in a lifetime moment. But maybe there was someone in the offices who already knew about hunting, and…

"Oh, hang on there," Sam said, reading the expression on his brother's face like a book. "I'll take care of my own relationships, thank you. I don't need your help."

"You don't exactly bat a thousand in the relationship department, little brother," Dean said.

"What?" Sam exclaimed, outraged.

"Lydia hated all of us…"

"She did not," Sam argued.

Dean gave a small shrug. While he would concede that Lydia didn't outright hate them, she was definitely not fond of Sam's extended family save for Mac, Joshua and Carolyn, and none of them were even blood related. "And before her there was Andrea in New York..."

"I didn't know she was that into the New Age stuff."

"Before that, Meaghan…"

"You dated a lot of girls too," Sam protested.

"Then there was Meg…"

"Hey," Sam snapped in annoyance, cutting Dean off. "We are not going back to that time."

Dean shut up and nodded. "You're right, sorry."

Sam sighed and dropped into a chair at the kitchen table. "This is going to be impossible, isn't it? Finding someone who might accept the supernatural and what we do."

Pulling out a chair beside his brother, Dean sat. "It's not easy. I was resigned to never having a family before Juliet. And when she found out about what we do," he sighed.

Sam nodded. He remembered the despondency Dean had tried desperately to hide when Juliet discovered what they did and left. She'd thought they were all crazy.

"I count myself very lucky Juliet stayed. And after all these years, Caleb found Onida. Joshua found Carolyn, and she was inside the Brotherhood. Elijah has Jane and Ethan has Connie. Riley and Bradley have families. And you found Lydia. No, she didn't care for us, but she loved you," Dean said. "That was the most important thing."

"Yeah," Sam whispered. Maybe it wouldn't be so impossible.

"Have you kept tabs on Sarah?" Dean knew that for several years after he'd met Sarah Blake, she and Sam had kept in touch via email. Twice he'd even gone back for a visit.

"Not for the last ten years or so," Sam admitted. "She's married to a search and rescue worker, and had taken over her father's art gallery. She has a daughter named Beth."

"Maybe that's a relationship you can follow up on," Dean suggested. "You guys really had something, and she knows what we do."

"Maybe," Sam said. "The Brotherhood has grown a lot in the last twenty years, with more people involved, in the New York offices and Ben's medical pipeline. Maybe there's someone out there for me who already knows what we do."

Dean nodded, his mind running a mile a minute. He hadn't even thought of the medical field.

"There are a couple of professors at the University that have shown some interest in getting together," Sam added. Nodding, he got up and finished putting the bowls into the dishwasher. "I guess what I'm saying is that I'm ready to give a relationship another try."

"I'll help however I can," Dean said.

"No, you won't," Sam interjected. "I can do this on my own."

"What's the fun in that?" Dean commented.

Juliet heard a thwacking sound that could only be Sam hitting Dean with a dishtowel as she stepped back from the doorway. Silently she headed back upstairs, smiling. Sam wanted a relationship again. She was so excited. She planned on putting in a call to Carolyn at the first opportunity. They needed to put their heads together and find Sam a girl.

.

In the living room, Onida leaned into Caleb's side, smiling. She could hear Dean and Sam talking quietly in the kitchen, and knew she and Caleb should probably get up and help with the clean up. But she was enjoying watching their two boys sleep. "I'm so excited and scared at the same time," she whispered.

"Yeah, me too," Caleb murmured. "But I know we can do this."

"How?"

"Because we both know what loneliness is, what wanting feels like, we know the need to be loved." Caleb looked at Onida and felt such love, it was blinding. "They may act out, test us, worry that we don't really want them, but they'll come to realize that they're safe, they're wanted, and they're loved."

"And how do you know that?"

Caleb smiled and looked back at the two little heads of black and auburn hair. "Experience."

.

Spring 1984

Mackland Ames' sudden nerves had him wondering if he'd been mad to take on the responsibility of a thirteen year old boy whom he'd recently helped liberate from a psychiatric asylum. It had been an emotional few months going through endless interviews with Social Services and Child Protective Services, having his home checked out for appropriate space for Caleb, putting his friends through interviews regarding his character. He had even fought Caleb's guardian Bird Isbell for custody, and she hadn't wanted to give him up. Finally, he'd been able to pick up the young man from Juvenile Detention and take him home. He was nervous, he couldn't deny it.

Unlocking the door, he swung it open to allow the thirteen year old to enter.

"Fancy," was all Caleb said. His insides were fluttering around like moths. He'd been so certain over the months that Mac would back out, and he'd be left in Juvie. That he was even here at all was surreal. He expected the man to say at any moment, This is only temporary.

"Come," Mac said, smiling down at the child. "Let me show you around."

Mac showed Caleb the living and dining rooms, his study, which he stressed was off limits. He then showed him the way to the kitchen. "Whenever you're hungry, there's food in the fridge, fruit on the counter. There are snacks in the cabinet, but I'll limit those if you eat them to the exclusion of fruit," Mac warned casually.

Caleb frowned, looking around the massive kitchen space. "I can get stuff myself?"

Mac nodded. "If you're hungry, yes."

"Whenever I want?" Caleb asked again, not understanding. In foster care, food had been off limits unless he'd asked permission. At the hospital food was brought, and in Juvie he ate only at meal times. He thought he'd eaten what he wanted at his grandmothers, but that was a long time ago, a memory cloaked in fog.

Mac put a hand on Caleb's shoulder. "This is your home, Caleb. Yes, there will be rules, and I'll insist on a balance of fresh food with the snacks, but if you're hungry, eat something."

Caleb merely nodded, still not fully accepting this new largess.

Then Mac had shown him the den and the entertainment equipment. "This is the remote for the television, and the VCR," he held up second remote. Waving a hand at some glass fronted wooden cabinets, he continued, "There are several movie choices inside. Watch whatever you like." Eyeing the young man, he said, "There are parental controls on the television so some channels will be off limits."

Caleb rolled his eyes.

Lastly, Mac led the way down a hallway, pointed out a guest bedroom, then his own room. Finally, he opened a door and stood back.

Glancing up with caution, Caleb had peeked inside, and saw the biggest most awesome bedroom he'd ever seen. "Is this your second bedroom?"

"No," Mac said softly. "This is your bedroom, Caleb."

Eyes wide in disbelief, Caleb walked slowly inside. His duffle hit the floor as he looked around. There was a large, four-poster bed piled with blankets and pillows. A book shelf stood beneath the window, holding several volumes of classic tombs as well as paperbacks. A large dresser stood opposite the bed, with a small television on top.

"That," Mac said, pointing to the TV, "goes off at eleven. It's timed."

Caleb smirked. There were a couple of leather chairs, and a desk piled with several tablets and some charcoal sticks.

"Bird said you liked to draw," Mac explained.

Caleb merely nodded and walked over to the closet. Opening it, he saw there were a few pairs of jeans, some shirts, tee shirts, a pair of boots and a few pairs of sneakers inside.

"We'll be getting you more clothes, since you'll be starting school next fall. We'll pick those out together."

"No school now?" Caleb asked.

"You'll have a tutor for now, since the spring session is already underway. But next fall you'll go to school."

Caleb turned and stared at Mac, scared to believe this was really his.

Mac only smiled. "Welcome home, Caleb."

Late that night after the house had long been quiet, Caleb climbed from his bed and picked up his frayed, ratty duffel. First he pulled an already-worn copy of The Three Musketeers from inside. Mackland had read this book to him in the asylum, and had given it to him as a gift. Next, he reached carefully into a hidden pocket and pulled out a playing card. This was the only piece of his former life that had remained after it had been destroyed. Holding the battered deuce of spades, he studied the card, remembering the joy it had represented. Slowly he placed it within the pages of the cherished book and lay both on his nightstand. As he climbed back in bed, he wondered what the future would hold. Maybe, just maybe he could have a second chance at everything that card and the book represented: a family.

Those early years with Mac had been a joyous liberation, a struggle with fear, a battle for control and a testing of Mac to make sure the man really wanted him there. In the end, Caleb was able to rest fully in the certainty that he was wanted, and that there was nothing he could do that would make Mac let him go.

.

"I didn't make things easy for him, but he never made me feel unwanted or unloved. He was the strong moor in my storms." Caleb felt his eyes moisten. Seeing Mac last month had been a gift. But it had also made the days that followed tough to navigate, he missed him so much.

Onida dropped her head to Caleb's shoulder and allowed some gentle white light to flitter into his body, easing his pain. "His legacy lives on in us, and we know he sees everything we do."

"Yeah," Caleb sniffed slightly. "And he'll have a good laugh at my expense, after what I put him through back then."

"Maybe," Onida said, "but he'll be cheering you on more. That's Mac."

"Yeah," Caleb whispered. "It is."

Dressed in her footed PJs, Juliet leaned against the wall leading into the living room. She had stayed away from Caleb and Onida's whispered conversation, giving them some privacy. Soon, they would go to bed, and she would climb onto the sofa, ready if Clarissa needed her on this first night in her new home. When Dean came up behind her, she smiled and glanced over her shoulder. "Where's Sam?"

"Upstairs in bed," Dean murmured. Leaning in, he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her in close.

"We're really doing this," she murmured, her eyes on Clarissa as the child's fingers touched the kittens, even in her sleep.

"Yes we are," Dean whispered. They'd taken the plunge and brought home a traumatized ten year old girl. He couldn't deny he'd felt worried and anxious, wondering if they'd made the right decision. After all, when you took a child into your home, it was forever. He'd definitely had his doubts. But it was the dream he'd had last night that had let him know they'd made the right decision.

Dean had found himself sitting at the kitchen table, a warm up of coffee in his hand. When a clacking had sounded off to his left, he looked around. "Pastor Jim!"

"My boy," Jim said, his eyes twinkling. He poured himself a cup, then picked up a plate of cookies and sat down right next to Dean.

Suddenly Dean asked, "Is there something wrong? Someone in trouble?"

"No, my boy, nothing's wrong. I'm here because someone needed a quick word."

Dean frowned. Then the backdoor opened, and his eyes widened as John came inside. Rising, he said, "Dad!"

John grinned and held Dean in his arms for a long moment before he released his son.

"What's going on?" Dean asked, watching John pour himself a cup of coffee. He loved the normalcy of it all.

After John was seated at the table and had taken a large gulp of the hot brew, he said, "I just wanted to tell you I'm excited about having another granddaughter."

Dean goggled. "I… How…"

"Words, son, use your words," John said with a wicked twinkle in his eye, one that reminded Dean so much of Sam. "We see much in heaven, and I'm so glad you're giving Clarissa a good home. You excel at being a father, much more than I ever did. I will enjoy watching her grown up."

Feeling his face grow warm even in the dream, Dean didn't protest John's declaration that he wasn't a good father. For a good portion of their lives, he hadn't been. But he'd been a good dad when it counted, and this was one of those times. His heart had eased and the worry about whether he and Juliet had made the right decision faded. Smiling, he said simply, "Thanks, Dad."

.

The End

Author's Notes: SPOILER! Sarah Blake was introduced in S1:E19 and was a fan favorite girl for Sam. I know in the series Sarah was killed in S8:E22. But since Ridley's Brotherhood AU diverts from the series at the end of S5, I didn't mind mentioning her here.

Thank you all for coming along on this adventure with me. I want to give out a special thanks to my friend Anna, who encouraged me to keep in the Merlin section, and read and advised me on this story every inch of the way.

To all those who took the time to review - Shazza19, Anna, summerb7l21, cyenthia 30, impala1979, bingos-gal, Dede, my guest reviewers, kathyrebhansar, hollylilly22, Iowa Kat, 10fandomsandcounting, SPNfan, and Tsweeny! - Thank you! Reading your thoughts on the chapters was wonderful and much appreciated.

Another Brotherhood Story: I have been thinking about a third Brotherhood: AU story. When I get something started, I'll post that information on my Fanfiction homepage so you guys know. And when it's completed, it'll be posted. Thank you all!

summerb7l21: You called it! Adam was offered a ring! And we know that Dean could never leave a child without a home. I only hope there was enough unpredictable in the tale that the predictable was forgivable! As for requests, the requests would be contingent on whether it suited the characters as they were presented on the show or in Ridley's AU, and I could work it into the story naturally. Since I've only a vague outline for a new story, now would be the time to make one! Can't wait to hear your thoughts.