By now you must know me so well. I have the set up chaps, the action chaps, the sex ones and also the nothing ones. This is the post-hunt family breather where the Winchesters get to chill out with their nearest and dearest. I love these ones cos they're easy to write and even easier to read.

There's a huge amount you loved about the last couple of chaps but obviously it's all about the boys. I love the Cheaper by the Dozen comparison as I never thought of it but this is like the gothic version. Dylan's coming into this big time and Cole is just amazing. I read all the reviews and listen to what you pick out as your favourite scenes and try to work them back in so here's hoping you enjoy it!
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The old house had plenty of rooms but Brooke had been reluctant to leave Dylan alone after so much time spent sharing with his parents and Cole was now acting as his new roommate. Dean's son was a good kid and he didn't mind sharing with the little boy who looked up to him so much. Cole's insomnia was still an issue and on their first night in the new home he lay awake listening to the creaks and groans of the settling timbers. Turning his head he looked over and saw that Dylan's bed was empty and Nitro was also gone. Sitting up with a frown Cole rose and pulled on some sweatpants to go in search of his cousin, more for something to do rather than out of any real concern.

Cole didn't scare easily but he had to admit that the house was like something out of an old movie and suited their family perfectly. Full of creaky plumbing and dark corners, all it was missing was a suit of armour and it would be a cliché. Cole walked quietly but confidently down the corridor past the other rooms hearing the reassuring sound of his grandfather's snores coming from behind one door.
His hearing picked up something else and he paused, it was a whirring sound he would recognize anywhere and it was coming from the attic. Cole shivered slightly as he looked up the dark stairwell into the roof space and started to climb the steps. A scratching sound joined the whirring and had he not known that Nitro was on the loose he might have thought they had rats.

"Dylan?" He whispered as he squinted into the dusty gloom. "Is that you?" There was no answer as Cole moved around the old boxes and random furniture.

Turning a corner he jumped when Dylan emerged and bumped into him. The little boy screamed loudly and Cole smiled at the high pitched yell. "You're gonna have to be a little more stealthy than that if you want to be a hunter. What are you doing?"

Dylan caught his breath. "Looking for the ghost."

"Who's EMF is that?"

"Mine." He answered defensively.

Cole hid his smile. "Well, good job there little dude but even I don't hunt solo."

"I have Nitro."

"Nice try." He smirked. "Did you see the ghost?"

"No, but I can feel it."

"Even so, there's a protocol you have to follow."

"What's that mean?" He frowned up at his tall cousin.

Cole grabbed him and slung him over his shoulder heading back to the stairs. "It means no one does anything without speaking to Dad."

Dylan lolled uncomfortably against him as Nitro skipped behind them. "Yours or mine, cos I'm thinking yours would be way cooler about this."

Cole laughed. "Smartass, let's go back to bed and discuss this over breakfast."

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There were some real inconveniences to Sam having his room on the ground floor but one main benefit was the fact that his room was large enough for them all to eat in if they wanted to. It was a weird concept with everyone perched in armchairs or on the floor around the huge bed but they weren't big on formal dining and at least he didn't miss out on anything. Most of their talks and discussions took place at mealtimes and they often lingered for a long time with people coming and going as they pleased.

Dean was lounging on the bed next to his brother eating toast and finishing his second mug of coffee when Brooke walked in carrying more food.

"Why didn't I get bacon?"

"Maybe because you're too impatient to wait for it." She told Dean as she passed Sam the plate.

"You have it, I'm not hungry."

Dean rolled his eyes. "If you act like a child Sammy, I'll feed you like one."

"I just don't want to eat."

"Sure you do."

"Dean, I know what I want to do."

"You two are like Bert and Ernie." Bobby chuckled.

Dean made a face and put his dirty plate down leaning over to put some pillows under Sam so that his head was elevated and he could actually swallow. "That better?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Here." Dean passed him the plate and then held out some juice for him in a glass with a straw and waited while he drank. "Bert and Ernie are gay."

"What?" Bobby was shocked.

"Two grown men who aren't related sharing a bedroom, totally gay."

"That's bull."

"Johnny'll be here later, ask him…they go dancin' together on a Saturday."

Sam sniggered.

"What are we talking about?" Hope asked as she stood with a bowl of cereal in the doorway.

"Your Dad's tryin' to convince me puppets can be gay."

"Only Bert and Ernie although I do have my suspicions about Big Bird too."

"He's bumpin' uglies with the Snuffleupagus." Dean nodded at her as he made a thrusting gesture.

"What's happened to Snuffleupagus?" Dylan asked as he ran in and jumped on the bed happy he could join in a conversation for once.

"Nothing!" Bobby and Sam answered at once.

"You never tell me anything." He sat back with a frown.

"Trust me, you don't wanna know." Bobby told him.

"Well this has been stimulating but what's the plan for the day?" Hope asked as her brother wandered in and collapsed into an armchair.

"I'm takin' your mom to the hospital and you two have to go get the groceries and run some errands for Sam."

"Ok." Cole said. "What do we need?"

"I need you to sign Dylan up at the library and bring some books back so he can start his lessons again." Dylan groaned but Sam wasn't wavering. "Then I want you to stop by one of the local Centers for the Deaf and pick up some brochures."

"No problem…" Cole glanced at his cousin and winked. "Actually I was thinking of his education too."

Dean's eyebrows shot up. "I think he's a bit young to be fencing weed don't you?"

Cole gave his Dad a look. "Dylan thinks there may be a ghost in the house and I figured it might be right for his first hunt."

"He's too young." Sam answered straight away.

"You saw a ghost?" Dean asked.

"Not exactly but there's something here I can feel it."

"That's called mould." Bobby muttered.

"I'm not gettin' any weird vibes."

"That's cos you're not attuned Uncle Dean."

"I been 'round the block a few times Haley Joel, I'd know in my gut."

"Dean, your gut tells you when there's meat within a thirty feet radius, nothing else." Sam said. "Dyl, I don't want you wandering around at night alone."

"I'll stay with him." Cole told Sam. "He made his own EMF meter it's pretty cool."

Dean smiled "It'll be like a class project, c'mon Sammy, let the kid do some huntin'."

"No Dean, you knock yourselves out…leave him out of it."

"It's just a ghost in a houseful of hunters, what could possibly happen?"

Sam stared at him. "Cast your mind back twenty years Dean to another old house and another ghost, we were pretty cocky about it back then too until it fell down on top of me."

Dean bit his lip and grimaced not knowing how to respond.

Bobby came to the rescue. "Either way if there is somethin' here one of us needs to find out what it is so he may as well watch and learn."

"There's a ton of stuff up in the attic, I bet there's papers in there." Cole told Sam. "You're the go to guy for research."

"Nice way to work in the flattery Cole." Sam sighed. "Ok, but if there is something here then I don't want either of the kids to be left alone, especially Lily."

"You have our word." Dean looked at his kids who both nodded confidently.

"You of all people had to move us into a haunted house."

"I got a good deal." Dean shrugged.

"Yeah, and I wonder why that is genius." Sam huffed.

Dean smirked. "What, you worried I'll go all Amityville on your ass and start shootin' you all in your sleep?"

"What's Amityville?" Dylan suddenly looked scared as he stared at his Uncle warily.

"Nice going Dean." Sam glared.

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Dr Vincent placed the foetal monitor on Bonnie's distended stomach. "I wish you would reconsider and admit yourself back in."

Dean didn't want to have this argument again but Bonnie stepped in. "I appreciate the concern but we're better off where we are."

"We have everything you need right here, if something happens we can be ready."

"Do you really want Dean to move in because he will."

The Doctor smiled. "I know it's hard on you but it's for the best." She paused and turned up the volume on the machine and the baby's heartbeat thudded happily in the room making them smile. "Nice and regular…he's in perfect health and getting bigger by the day."

"See?" Dean said happily.

"I can see the treatment's working but you've only been out of hospital a day, I don't want to see you deteriorate."

"Dean?" Bonnie asked. "Do me a favour and leave the room for a second.

"Why?"

"Humor me."

Dean frowned and got up walking out through the door closing it behind him. Dr Vincent looked at her waiting for Bonnie to speak but she simply laid a finger on her lips. "SShh, listen."

Within seconds the baby's heartbeat started to quicken and the Doctor frowned. "What's going on?" She looked at the machine and adjusted it but the beeps got closer together until a red light came on. "What the hell?"

"Don't worry, the baby's ok…"

"He's distressed, we may have to deliver him." She frowned and moved the monitor. "Jesus!"

"No you don't. Trust me, he's fine."

"Bonnie this isn't normal I have to get that baby out right now!"

"It was just a little demonstration." She replied calmly.

Dr Vincent stared at her and then at the closed door. "You mean?"

"And you thought I needed him just because he's easy on the eyes? I'm not just being a lovesick wife; Dean is my medicine. Do you have any concept of just how much energy it takes to maintain a heartbeat like that?"

"It's not possible." She shook her head.

Bonnie took her hand and placed it on the thin skin of her stomach as an almighty kick distorted it. "When I almost lost the baby I needed blood and Dean gave me a transfusion and I'm figuring that's why this little one's so strong. Look, you probably think I'm crazy but I'm the weak link here and the baby somehow knows it, when we're alone he goes into panic mode but as soon as he knows someone's watching out for us he chills out. It was bad with our daughter but this kid's on fire the only problem is he doesn't like to be away from his Dad…the only chance I get to rest is when Dean's with me otherwise…" Her voice trailed off.

"I've never seen anything like this before, his heart's pumping blood so fast ...This is why you were sterilized isn't it?"

Bonnie shrugged.

"Why would you go through with this again, it's killing you?"

"We wouldn't have aborted a disabled child let alone a perfectly healthy one."

"Bonnie, who the hell is your husband?"

"Dean? He's the best Dad in the world and that's all you need to know." She smiled, "Honey you can come back in now." She called out.

As soon as he opened the door and walked back in the sound calmed and the heartbeat quickly returned to normal. Dr Vincent stared at Dean in shock as he sat back down.

"What?" He asked self-consciously as he laid a hand on his wife's belly and the two women exchanged a glance.

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Cole walked in carrying another dusty wooden crate and set it down on the floor with a sneeze.

"Another one?" Bobby asked.

"That attic is huge you wouldn't believe half the crap up there."

Sam frowned at the papers he was holding and rubbed his neck.

"Look Dad." Dylan got up from the floor and handed him a drawing. "I drew you a plan of the house so you can see where everything is."

"That's really sweet Dyl, thanks."

Cole looked at his little cousin. "Hey, why don't you ask your mom if I can get a beer and maybe some chips?"

"Ok." He said running happily from the room.

Cole went over to the bed. "I should turn you Sam, you're starting to cramp." He pointed at his right leg and Sam noticed for the first time.

"Right."

Bobby looked up at his grandson with a fond smile and watched as Cole put an arm under his Uncle moving all the pillows and the gun before gently rolling Sam onto his side and shifting him so that he was comfortable again. He even remembered to prop a cushion between his knees so they didn't rub.

"Better?"

Sam should have felt weird but Cole was too much like Dean for it to be strange. "Yeah it is. Thanks."

"No worries, I'm gonna go get the rest of the stuff." He said exiting the room.

"I can't believe I ever thought that Cole could be evil." Bobby said quietly.

Sam huffed. "He's about as evil as the Easter Bunny."

"You ok kid?"

It felt funny being called that. "Fine just looking through all this stuff." He picked up a photograph and glanced at it. "Do you think Dean knew this place was haunted when he rented it?"

"Wouldn't put it past him but he wouldn't bring any of you guys somewhere dangerous, I figure he thought it'd keep you occupied."

"Yeah, that's all I need, a pity hunt."

"Hey, if you prefer I'll run into town and pick you up some needlepoint don't bother me none."

Sam grinned. "No, I'm good."

A car drove onto the gravel driveway and the horn beeped, they could both tell it wasn't the Impala and when they heard Hope scream they looked at one another. "Johnny."

As soon as he walked in it was like the life and soul had joined the party. "Where is he?" He shouted from the front door as he fended off Hope and Brooke.

They emerged a second later and Johnny paused in the doorway to look at Sam. "Be still my beating heart, an immobilized Winchester! Is it Christmas again already?"

"You're gonna kiss me aren't you?"

Johnny put a knee on the bed and leaned over. "It'd be rude not to Samuel." Sam humoured him as he planted a kiss on his cheek. "You ok?" He whispered seriously.

"I'm fine."

Johnny smiled and got up. "Bobby!" He went to hug the old man who slapped him away with a paper folder.

"Get off me ya big fruit."

"I should still be mad at you old man, Steven's not the same since his indoctrination into the world of the supernatural."

"Ya mean he grew some balls? Good."

"Did Steve come with you?" Sam asked.

"Nah, he has to work more's the pity but there's always cyber sex."

Bobby looked like he was about to have a heart attack and Brooke moved into action. "Hope, get Grandpa a beer…now!"

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Later on that night when Dean went up to his room he found all the girls, even Lily lying on his bed. "What are you lot up to?" He asked suspiciously.

"Just talking." Brooke answered.

"We're about to watch the game and Cole made food so you comin' or what?"

"Cole's game?" Brooke asked.

"Yep, our very own Panther." The pride was evident in his voice as all but Bonnie jumped off the bed.

"You should have seen him Grandma, he was amazing!" Hope said to Rita as they left.

Dean sat next to Bonnie and looked at her. "Our kid: the all-American superstar."

"The all-American superglue star."

Dean laughed "I know, he turned out great, Hope too."

"You wanna hear something scary?"

"I dunno, do I?"

Bonnie looked at her belly. "Call it a hunch but you ain't seen nothing yet Dean."

He smirked and lifted up her top placing his hand on her lower abdomen. "Hey, Wolverine, that right, are you a badass?!"

She moved his hand to just below her chest and he felt a kick. "See?"

Dean looked at her wide-eyed. "Wait, his head's down there…that means?"

"He's getting ready for his grand entrance."

"How long?"

"You'd have to ask him that, but I've certainly had more comfortable days."

"Maybe Dylan could tell us?"

Bonnie smiled happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I can't wait."

The smile left Dean's face as he hugged her and knew without a doubt that as soon as they welcomed one more Winchester into the world they would be losing another. He gripped her hair tightly and pressed his face into her neck trying to soak in every part of her while he still could.

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The entire family convened in Sam's room as it was now called and it was chaos with Nitro bounding around and people talking over one another shouting orders at Johnny as he attempted to set up the camcorder.

"Will you all just shut up and leave a genius to work?" He shouted over his shoulder.

Sam looked across at his brother who had Bonnie sat between his legs on the bed. "This was always your dream wasn't it?"

Dean looked at the mess of people all around him as he subconsciously played with Bonnie's hair. "Pretty much."

Sam was always taken aback by his brother, both of them could have led such different lives and for Sam's part he would have preferred the quiet life in the 'Burbs' but he had to admit there was method to Dean's madness. There was no way Sam could get depressed or lonely in this house and he appreciated every one of them.

Brooke climbed over Sam and sat between him and Dean. "You ok?" She looked down at her husband.

He shook his head. "Too low."

"Someone get an extra pillow from upstairs!" She shouted to no one in particular.

Rita was nearest the door and went to get up when Nitro came in dragging a pillow in his teeth.

"Woah!" Dean shouted. "How did that happen? Nitro…go fetch Pamela Anderson!"

Cole laughed and Dylan got up to take the pillow from the dog and propped it under his Dad. "I told him five minutes ago."

Sam lay stunned for a second. "That's my son." He whispered. "He's so cool."

Brooke leaned down and kissed him gently. "I told you he'd be ok."

"Woooooooooo!!!" Johnny suddenly squealed as Bobby covered his ears and Nitro fled. "It's working!!!! Thunderbirds are GO!"

Dean felt his stomach muscles clench with pride as he watched his daughter cheering at the pep rally and wrapped his arms tighter around his wife. They watched Hope kick ass with her tumbles and lifts before the coach got up and introduced Cole.

Cole looked uncomfortable and Johnny nudged him from where he sat at his feet. "You rocked."

When 'Born to be Wild' started up Dean raised his arms in the air. "Steppenwolf!!! No way?!"

"Oh God." Cole groaned as he covered his eyes.

"Watch this….watch this!!!!!" Johnny screamed pointing at the screen.

Dylan stood up and stared at the screen. "You took your top off and made your boobies dance?!!"

Sam laughed. "You'll be able to do that one day."

Dylan grabbed his chest and swayed with the music making them laugh more than QB one could.

"Cole, my God have you no mercy? Those poor girls." Rita sighed.

"Wasn't just the girls…check out Mr Limpsky!" Johnny pointed at a man taking off his tie and spinning it around over his head.

They were all still laughing when they heard the recorded scream which came out loud and clear. "I'll just stop it there." Johnny got up and went to switch it off as the mood in the room changed.

"Wait, what happened?" Rita sat forwards as they watched everyone in the gym start to scream and run.

"It's nothing." Johnny fumbled with the buttons. "How the hell do you turn this thing off?!"

Everyone was quiet as they looked at Dean. "It's about time she knew the truth, keep it running, I wanna see this."

Bonnie held his hand tightly as they watched the shaky image of Tyler hanging from the ceiling of the gym kicking and screaming. Rita gasped and Dean tensed as he watched his daughter on the tv. She ran across to her brother who lifted her up into the air without needing much prompt or effort. They saw Hope jump and grab a beam in one hand before swinging through the rafters with the knife in her mouth then hanging upside down cutting the girl free.

"Damn." Bobby whispered as Johnny captured the moment that Cole caught the girl in his arms after she'd fallen almost ten feet with Hope dropping safely from the rafters almost unnoticed soon after.

There was utter silence in the room as the film ended and everyone stared at the two kids.

Rita tried to move her mouth. "Save it mom." Bonnie told her.

It was Sam that spoke first. "That was unbelievable..." He huffed. "Guys, even on our best day…."

Hope frowned like it was no big deal and looked at Cole. "Really?"

Bobby took a swig of neat whiskey. "I never saw nothin' like that."

Cole and Hope instinctively looked at their father who just stared back silently. He opened his mouth and then closed it again taking a breath before finding his voice. "I mean, I asked for team work but you two are in a league of your own. I'm stunned and I don't think I've ever been so proud in my entire life."

"What did I tell you, and you haven't even seen them on the field yet." Johnny's chest puffed out. "Watch Cole bring in a touchdown."

"I just did." Dean answered as he moved Bonnie and got up. "Come here." He'd always promised himself he would praise his kids when they did well but he was overwhelmed as he hugged them both to him.

Pulling away he looked at the two of them. "The fact you saved that girls life is what makes you hunters but the fact you did it with such kickass style is what makes you Winchesters, just remember that."

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Words of wisdom from Obi Wan…LOVE IT! Can't wait to work on the haunted house and Dyl's first hunt especially with his over anxious father not being able to look out for him, what could possibly happen?