A/N: So, ever since I wrote Jess's mom into the last chapter, I had to write this one. I plan on making Leslie a pretty big part of the story moving forward. In this chapter, John babysits Kayla so Sam and Jess can have a date night.

"Thanks for doing this, Dad. We really appreciate it."

"No problem. Come on in."

When Jess came in behind Sam, diaper bag on her shoulder, eighteen-month-old Kayla gleefully extended her arms and started opening and closing her hands. "Ganpa!"

"Hello, sweetie pie." John said with a smile. "May I?"

"Please do." Jess said. "She is getting heavy."

"I think I can handle that." John said. When Kayla was safely deposited on John's waist, she started to giggle immediately.

"Grandpa gets giggles but mommy and daddy only get grumpies? What's up with that?"

"Is she okay?" John asked.

"Yeah. She's just had a bad cold this week." Jess said. "She won't fall asleep unless Sam is holding her, so you might have a bit of a fight at bedtime."

"We'll manage." John said. "Right, sweetheart?"

"Okay. We're gonna hit the road." Sam said. "Bye, sweetie. Daddy loves you."

"Bye, my baby." Jess said. "Mommy'll be back soon."

As Jess and Sam made their way to their car, Sam marveled at the difference in his father from a year earlier. Two days after he'd shown up unannounced at Leslie's door, Sam had gotten a half annoyed, half amazed call from Bobby saying that John had shown up and informed Bobby that he was moving in. After that, John had semi-retired from hunting, making sure to be home every other weekend when Sam brought Kayla around for a visit. Dean stayed between John and Bobby's and the various motel rooms he stayed in between his own hunts. Sam and Jess eventually found a small house for rent a few doors down from Leslie's, and the family settled into their own routine.

This weekend, Sam and Jess were going to a play in the nearby town of Edwardsville, then going out to dinner at a little restaurant they'd come to love called Parker's. Sam had proposed there, and Jess had announced her pregnancy there. It had unofficially become their special place, the place they went when they wanted to be a couple together.

A wrench had come into their plan a few days earlier when Sam asked Leslie to babysit.

"Oh, Sam, I'm sorry. I can't. I have plans that night, dear."

It didn't bother Sam that Leslie said no, though he was very curious what those plans actually were. He didn't ask, but he and Jess had spent all week wondering about it. Finally, they decided to put it aside. Leslie had every right to a social life that didn't include them. Sam had gotten the idea to get John to babysit after Dean also said no. He'd sensed that John was reluctant, but he eventually agreed. In truth, Sam was nervous too, but after John had worked so hard the last few months to gain Sam's trust back, Sam was more than willing to give him a chance if he wanted it.

The night went great. Sam and Jess both enjoyed the play, and they were pleasantly surprised to find that Parker's wasn't that busy. There was only one couple in front of them waiting for a table, so Sam passed the time in the lobby of the restaurant with his arms around Jess, whispering into her ear.

"I'm so glad we did this."

"Me too." Jess agreed. "I love Kay, but it feels good to not be mommy for a little while."

Sam started to say something else, until he spotted a familiar face at a table in the corner of the restaurant. "Isn't that your mom?"

Jess, startled, started to say no. What would her mother be doing here, nearly forty miles from home? But there was no doubt about it.

"What is she doing here? Is she on a date?"

Sam chuckled. "Now we know why she couldn't babysit."

"Come on." Jess said, picking up her handbag and walking over to the table.

"Jess…"

By the time Sam could say anything, Jess was halfway across the floor headed towards her mother. Sam didn't blame her-the curiosity was too much to not try and get an answer. Sam heard Jess start to greet her mom, before he heard a familiar sound.

"Mamamamama…."

Kayla? I must be hearing things, Sam thought. But when Leslie's mysterious date turned his head, Sam stopped in his tracks.

"Dad?"

A slightly guilty John smiled at Sam. "Hi, son."

"What…?"

"Look, you two, we're sorry we didn't tell you." Leslie started.

"How long?" Sam asked.

"Sam…" John mistook Sam's surprised tone for one of anger, and started to lecture him on it.

"Dad, I'm not mad. I'm just…surprised." Sam said honestly. "How long?"

"Just a couple weeks." Leslie answered. "We weren't sure how you two would feel about it, so we decided to keep it between us. At least for now. Are you sure you're not mad?"

"I'm really not." Sam said. "Actually, I feel kind of bad. Dad, is this why you didn't really want to babysit?"

"Yes." John answered honestly. "Leslie and I almost cancelled because I couldn't figure out how to say no to you too without you guys figuring out something was going on. But we decided not to cancel and just bring Kayla along."

"I think it's great." Jess said.

"Really?" Leslie asked, relieved. She had been nervous about what Jess would think; her father had been dead less than two years, and he and Jess had been close. "You mean that?"

Jess hugged her mother's neck and kissed her cheek. "Yes. I think it's wonderful."

"Me too." Sam said.

"Thank you, Sam." John said appreciatively.

Sam was, as Dean would put it, 'weirded out' by the whole thing, but he was happy that his father had a girlfriend. Despite his past with John, he wanted his dad to be happy. And, when he thought about it, John was a perfect fit for Leslie. It was a further sign that he was trying to change, and Sam would put aside his own worries if it helped him get along better with his dad.

"Look, you two are already here. Why don't you join us?"

"We don't want to impose…" Sam said.

"Dada sit." Kayla proclaimed from her high chair, pointing to an empty chair at the next table over. "Dada sit baby."

John chuckled. "You heard the lady. Sit down."

"Yes, ma'am." Sam grinned.

"Mama sit." Kayla said, pointing to the opposite side of her chair.

"You're kinda bossy sometimes, you know that?" Jess said.

"Mama sit baby?" Kayla said, her voice dropping and her bottom lip starting to wobble.

"Of course mama will sit with you. Come here."

Jess picked up the excited toddler and cuddled her, then spun her around gently, making her giggle. Two more chairs were pulled up to the table, and Kayla took full advantage of being the only baby at a table full of adults. When they were preparing to leave, John surprised Sam by asking if he could keep Kayla for the weekend, even offering to drive her home Sunday night. As they said goodbye to Leslie, who shrugged off Sam's offer to follow her home, and got into their own car, it was Jess who said it first.

"I meant it when I told them I was happy for them."

"Me too? But why do I sense a but coming?" Sam asked. "Are you worried about my dad?"

"No, no, no. I love your dad. I really do think it's great. But think about it."

After a long pause, Sam asked, "Think about…?"

"If they get any more serious, and end up getting married, that'll make you and me…"

A comical look of recognition crossed Sam's face, "Stepsiblings."

Jess giggled, sounding to Sam just like Kayla. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Let's go home, bro."

"Not funny." Sam said, though his mouth was twitching upwards. He shook his head and started the car. "Let's go home."