Hello again everyone! I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a million years please don't forget me! I know this is the last day of January, but my new year's resolution was to at least post once a month, no matter what. I'm going to see if I can do it for you guys. Without further ado. Chapter 4!
Disclaimer: I, with much sadness in my heart, do not own Supernatural.
After Sam and Gabe had left, (to the disappointment of Nova), the two of us began our nightly routine. Nova finished up the last of her homework, while I sat next to her to help. Once that was finished, Nova and I raced to see who could get ready for bed the fastest. Nova won this time around. I walked into her room to see her already tucked under the covers reading a book. When she saw me come in, she took care to mark her place, before setting it down on the nightstand by her bed.
She then carefully clasped her hands together, giving me a look with the kind of solemnity no eight-year-old should be able to exhibit, much less be allowed to. If I wasn't as strung out as I was, I probably would have had trouble preventing myself from grinning at how cute my daughter was. I reached the bed and sat down beside her, the bed squeaking in protest under my added weight.
"What story do you want to hear today Nova?" I asked as I made sure she was tucked in, pulling the covers up to her chin.
"I want to hear about your last day with Papa before he disappeared. You've never told me about it."
I was a little disconcerted by her request, but not necessarily surprised. I stared at her for a moment before I nodded.
"The day your father went missing started out like any other. I woke up to him right next to me, like always. He was already awake, which was typical. He'd," I corrected myself abruptly, "he's always been a morning person. Never could understand it, myself. Always said I could be a morning person… If morning happened around noon."
~flashback~
The light filtered in through the window. The sun, I decided in that moment, was the single rudest entity I'd ever encountered. I groaned and rolled over, hooking my arm across Cas' hips. I cracked open an eye to see his blue eyes already staring at me intently.
"Is it that interesting to watch me sleep, Cas?" I asked groggily as I shifted my leg between both of his, pressing my face into the crook of his neck. Though I imagine it probably wasn't half as intelligible as that. I heard him chuckle as I closed my eyes and nuzzled up into his chest. He wrapped his arm around my back and buried his nose in my hair.
"I can't help that you are so angelic when you sleep." Cas argued.
"Yeah, yeah." I replied, the little joke he'd cracked not lost on me as I once again began slowly drifting off.
"Nah uh. You're not going back to sleep. We have plans for today, remember? Nova will murder us if we don't go to the aquarium. We promised."
"I know, but it's still early."
"I bet you five dollars she's already awake and waiting for us to get up."
I contemplated this for a second before glancing at the doorway. From the bedroom, I could see all the way down the hall. Around the corner of the hallway I saw a pair of green-blue eyes peering at me. I sighed, though it came out more like a snort.
"I guess I owe you five dollars then. Nova! I know you're at the end of the hall, you can come in!"
The response was the thundering, yet tiny footsteps of the three- year old as she dashed into the room and leaped onto the bed, as gracefully as any three-year-old can.
I laughed with Cas as we watched our daughter climb in between us and plop down on the comforter.
"Hi Daddy, Papa!" She greeted cheerfully.
"Morning Baby girl!" I smiled and looked up at Cas through my eyelashes, Cas turning and looking me at the same time. He smiled back vibrantly and leaned in, bumping his forehead with mine.
"Good morning my little Supernova." Cas responded, looking down at his daughter, love evident on every feature of his face.
"Are you excited for today!?" exclaimed Nova sat up and hopped up and down to express her own excitement.
Cas looked up at the ceiling in thought, letting out an occasional 'hmmm' as he studied it. He then eyed Nova from the corner of his eye. "yes." he responded. Nova giggled, little nose scrunching up in delight.
"Come on Daddy, Papa! We need to hurry before all the fishy's get tired!" With that, Nova bolted down the hall to her bedroom.
Cas sighed and turned to me. "Duty calls."
"As always. I'll pack up stuff while you get her dressed?"
"Aye aye, Captain." Cas replied, saluting me. I chuckled before leaning over to give him a much-needed peck on the lips.
"Be back in a dash"
~End of Flashback~
Nova started at me intently, urging me to go on. I sighed, knowing I wasn't permitted to leave until I'd finished my story.
"So, once we were all ready to go, we got in the car and traveled into the city to go to the aquarium. I remember you were happily singing along to my music as loudly as you could, and your father was holding my hand and softly singing along as he laughed at you."
'It truly was the perfect moment for us.' I thought.
"What happened at the Aquarium?" Nova asked softly.
~Flashback~
"Nova, slow down! We'll have enough time to see all of the fish!" Cas laughed as he sped walked after his daughter. Nova giggled loudly and ran up to the closest fish tank, awe-struck as she admired as a school of wonderfully coloured fish swimming past. Cas came up beside her and took her hand to prevent her mad dash to another tank. He calmly walked with her as I trailed beside them.
Nova stopped suddenly and turned to me.
"Daddy I have to use the restroom." She stated in a matter-of-fact tone. I sighed and turned to Cas. He shrugged and gave me a look that clearly said 'it's your turn.'
"Come on Nova, Papa will wait out here while we go."
Nova dropped Cas' hand in favor of mine so I could lead her to the bathrooms. Cas followed us and then sat on the bench outside the door to wait for us. He waved at Nova as we entered and mouthed 'Good Luck' to me. I chuckled softly before entering the bathroom.
*Several Minutes later*
Nova and I exited and I immediately turned to Cas only to find an empty seat. Puzzled, I scanned the room looking for him. I could feel a slight panic rising in my chest as I searched the immediate area from where I stood. Nova looked up at me curiously.
"Where's Papa?"
I swallowed. "I don't know, Nova. Let's go find him."
We walked around for hours, while I was trying to keep my rising panic down as I toured the fish, entertaining Nova as to not alert her of the situation. Soon enough, the sun started to set and the large aquarium was hit with twilight. That's when I decided it was time to call someone. I quickly walked to the front desk, holding a sleepy Nova in my arms.
"Hello sir, how may I help you?" The receptionist greeted when I approached the desk.
"Yes, hi. I can't find my husband anywhere. I've been looking for hours. Would you please call him on the intercom or something?" I replied quietly not to disturb the child in my arms, worry lacing my tone. The receptionist must have picked up on it and didn't ask questions as she reached for the phone.
"What's his name?" She asked as she held the receiver to her ear.
"Castiel. Castiel Winchester-Novak."
"Would Castiel Winchester-Novak please come to the front desk? Castiel Winchester-Novak? Thank you," The receptionist's voice rang through the large building. I thanked her before making my way to a nearby bench. I sat down, adjusting Nova onto my lap as I pulled out my phone to text Sam.
Me: Hey Sammy, I may need your help.
A few minutes later my phone chimed alerting me of a text. I looked down to read Sam's response.
Sam: What's up?
Me: I can't find Cas anywhere. We went to the aquarium with Nova and when Nova and I got back from the bathroom he wasn't where we left him, and I haven't seen him since."
Sam: He hasn't just disappeared like that in a long time. Do you need anything? I'm not far from the aquarium.
Me: Yeah, could you come get Nova? I don't want her with me while I search.
Sam: Yeah sure. I'll be there in 10.
I looked up from my phone, hoping to see Cas, but was instead greeted with guests slowly exiting. The receptionist from before walked up to me with a worried look on her face.
"No luck?" She asked. I shook my head no.
"Do I need to call the police?"
"No, not yet at least. My brother is coming to pick her up. Once she's gone, maybe." The receptionist nodded and retreated to her desk. The rest of the night went by in a blur. After Sam came to pick up Nova and left with her, I called the police. They opened an investigation that ended almost as quickly as it started. There was no trace of him.
He was gone.
Thank you! Be sure to check out the Tumblr blog! The links are on the profile.
~Cinnamon