Thanks to brittpage21 for her help with this chapter.
Baths were out of the question nowadays. Since the accident at the lake about two months previous, Chrissie still was very timid and fearful around water. She had since got use to showers as means of getting washed since she couldn't't sit in a full bath tub.
It was late on Monday evening and the eldest of the Winchester siblings was busy with the nigh time routine with the youngest member of the small family.
"So, you wanna take a shower by yourself ?" asked the seventeen year old whilst helping his baby sister undress. "Or you want me to get in with you?"
The little girl shook her head at her big brother, her fluffy brown hair bounced with the movement.
"No," she replied in an adorably serious tone. "I'm a big girl. I can go in all by myself."
The eldest chuckled and held his hands up in defense after removing the child's t-shirt.
"Well, I'm so sorry your Majesty" he commented, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Chrissie was soon exposed, her abdomen looking huge in comparison to her pale skinny limbs. The five year old gazed up at the mirror above the bathroom sink whilst her brother adjusted the shower faucet to the right temperature. She wanted to see herself in the mirror but found it impossible since she was too small.
Dean craned his head around and smirked at the sight of Chrissie trying to peer up at the mirror on tip-toes, her tiny fists clasped at her bare chest. He sneaked up behind the child and lifted her into the air, allowing her to gaze at herself in the mirror.
"Oh," remarked the eldest, holding the little girl in his muscular arms. "What a beautiful girl I see."
Chrissie giggled before tucking her legs up to her chest and letting out a small squeak. The seventeen year old planted a kiss on the top of her head, a grin on his face.
"You're the most adorable baby girl anyone could ever imagine," commented the youth, smoothing her hair with one hand whilst the other held her in position in his embrace. "You could give a young Shirley Temple a run for her money."
Chrissie squealed again as she noticed her exposed form in the mirror, yet she had a beam on her freckled face.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed in theatrical horror. "I'm butt naked and I can see my belly button!"
"Yeah," replied Dean, bouncing her in his arms before poking her tummy with an index finger. "It's a very cute belly button though."
The eldest suddenly began blowing raspberries on her bare stomach, making the five year old shriek with laughter.
"No! Stop it!" she pleaded as she giggled hysterically, wriggling like a worm in order to break free. "Deanie, that tickles!"
"Who's the best big brother in the whole universe?" asked the teenager between each raspberry.
The giggles belonging to the little girl bounced off the tiles of the bathroom, and it was likely that Bobby could hear them from his study downstairs.
"You are, Deanie," answered the child. "You are the best big brother in the whole universe."
"That's right," returned the seventeen year old with a smile, finally stopping the raspberries. "Now, are you ready for that rain shower?"
He pecked her on the top of her brown waves to which the five year old gazed at him with adoration. Chrissie's smile soon vanished as they approached the bath tub, the shower faucet raining down water from above. She smothered her face into her big brother's collar bone, her arms winding tightly around his neck like a koala bear.
"It's okay, baby, it's not a bath," said Dean calmly. "It's just a shower and you know the shower here at Uncle Bobby's is in a tub. No need to panic. It's okay."
Chrissie timidly glanced at the shower head that loomed above the old bathtub, beads of water hitting the bottom with noisy splats and spits.
"I'll fall in," she whispered as she buried her face into her brother's neck, still clinging onto him. "I'm scared of water."
Dean nudged the child in his tight embrace. This was normal routine and it would take some time to break her out of this, yet it might not get rid of the phobia.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart," he said. "I'll be right here with you. You won't get hurt, I'm sure of it. I'll make the booboo all better, if you do fall or slip."
As usual, Dean ended up having to climb into the shower with her, or else the child would stubbornly refuse to go in because of her fear. Several minutes later, the freshly washed siblings ventured into Chrissie's room, both wrapped in individual towels.
Chrissie then squirmed her way into her Pjs before clambering into her bed. The child yawned as she wriggled under her bed sheets, sitting up against her pillow with her thumb in her mouth. Her big brother sat on the bed beside her.
"I see a certain little girl is getting sleepy," said Dean, noticing her droopy basset hound eyes. He then detected sadness coming from his younger sibling. The teenager stroked her damp hair, his eyes filled with concern and curiosity. "What's wrong, baby?"
Chrissie's bottom lip was stuck out in a small pout, making her look cute and innocent.
"I miss my Daddy," she mumbled sadly. "I want my Daddy."
That was the last person Dean wanted to see. Their father was responsible for Chrissie contracting a form of infant ghost sickness from the angry spirit of a former child molester. Chrissie had no memory of this event and was confused by her father's absence.
"I know, baby," replied the teenager, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "I know."
Goober the patchwork teddy bear was squashed into the five year old's stomach, his big black button eyes staring into space.
"Where did he go?" Chrissie asked her brother, her expression doleful and innocent. "Was I bad again?"
Dean then glanced down at his little sister, his own eyes glazed with sorrow. He wanted to tell her the truth about their father's absence but couldn't find it in his heart to tell her, she was too young to understand the situation.
"No, no, sweet baby. This was not your fault," said the seventeen year old, his tone gentle yet firm, cupping her chin with one hand. "You did nothing wrong, you hear me. This was Daddy's fault. He did something wrong and we had to get away from him for a little while."
Chrissie still failed to understand. In her mind, everybody was as innocent as herself.
"So, Daddy's all alone?" questioned Chrissie with a wobbling pout. "Poor Daddy."
"Shhh, please don't cry," pleaded Dean as he rubbed the five year old's damp hair. "Daddy's tough. I'm sure he's fine, wherever he is."
Chrissie's eyes remained dry and free of tears yet still expressed sorrow and confusion. She blinked as she cuddled her teddy bear with one arm whilst she sucked her thumb. The eldest tucked her in, making sure she was protected from the cold night air. He also propped her pillow in order to make it more comfortable for her.
"There we go, all safe and warm," he said with a small smile. A soft kiss was then planted on Chrissie's exposed forehead. "Time to get some sleep."
Chrissie gazed up at her adored hero, her bright green eyes wide with affection. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek in a mark of fondness and respect. The child then continued to suck her thumb in a baby like manner.
"Night, night," she mumbled sleepily from behind her thumb. "You, Sammy and Unca Bobby have a good sleep too. I loves you all very much."
Another kiss was planted on her forehead, making her smile slightly as she lay nestled underneath warm bed sheets.
"G'night, sweetheart," whispered the eldest whilst he stroked her hair, as Chrissie eyes began to close. "We love you too, so don't you forget that. Ever. Sweet dreams."
The seventeen year old simply watched the little girl give into sleep, and soon all his angst and frustrations dissolved. He even forgot that he only had a towel around his waist, complete with soaking wet boxer shorts. The teenager didn't care about those facts. He had to protect his baby sister from everything that threatened her safety, this included the shower. His gaze remained fixed on the sleeping child before him. Whenever Chrissie found serenity, so did he.
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