"Uh...Sam, maybe we should come back another time." Dean stammered, fidgeting with his hands in front of him.
Sam sighed and shot his brother a sympathetic look. "Look man, I know you're nervous. I am too, but Laney even said she wanted us to meet Lily. Especially you, considering you're her fath-"
"I know what I am." Dean snapped, running a hand over his face and bouncing on his toes. "Sorry. I'm just-...I don't know."
"You can do this, man. Just relax."
The front door suddenly swung open and Laney appeared, a hesitant smile on her face. "Dean." She said, her smile growing as she turned to Sam. "And you must be Sam." She greeted.
"It's great to meet you, Laney." Sam responded warmly, sticking out his hand to shake.
"You too." Laney said, grasping his hand softly. "Well, come on inside." She offered, stepping aside so the brothers could enter. "I'm so happy you too could make it. It really means a lot to me...and Lily."
Dean opened his mouth to respond, but his words got tangled in his throat and no sound came out, so he settled for nodding his head. Sam, clearly sensing his brother's struggles, spoke up quickly. "Thank you so much for having us, Laney. Dean and I know how hard it must be for the both of you, especially Lily."
Dean nodded his head in agreement, shooting Sam a grateful look.
"I just hope everything works out." Laney sighed.
"Us too." Dean whispered under his breath in a hoarse voice.
Suddenly, something came bounding around the corner of the hallway before latching onto Laney's leg. "Whoa there buddy," Laney giggled with a smile, ruffling the dark, curly, locks of her sons' hair. "Guys, this is Logan."
"Hiya." Logan said shyly, hiding half his face behind Laney's leg.
"Hey buddy," Sam greeted warmly, kneeling down in front of the boy. "I'm Sam, and that's my brother, Dean." He continued, motioning towards his brother.
Logan flashed his eyes between the brothers before focusing on Sam. "You're tall." He stated matter-of-factly.
Dean snorted a laugh as Sam smiled. "Yeah." He laughed. "One day, I bet your gonna be as tall as me!"
"Really?" Logan gasped with big eyes. Sam nodded quickly, laughing under his breath as he stood up. "Come with me! I wanna show you something super cool!" He continued in an excited voice, jumping out behind Laney's leg and grabbing Sam's hand. "Come on!" He squealed, yanking Sam towards the hallways.
"Okay, okay." Sam said with a laugh, waving bye to his brother as he disappeared down the hall.
"Cute kid." Dean noted with a grin.
"Yeah, he's a good boy. So, can I get you a drink?" Laney offered, Dean nodding as they made their way into the kitchen. "I've got sodas, water, beer, iced tea and I could make a pot of coffee."
"Beer's good." Dean said.
A creek coming from behind the two drew their attention, as they spun around. Lily stood in the doorway, a nervous expression on her face and a dog at her heels. Dean's breath caught in his throat as familiar green eyes bored into his own. A heavy silence came over as Dean and Lily stared at each other.
"Uh, Lily...this is Dean." Laney introduced softly, walking in between the two.
Dean took a hesitant step forward and knelt down in front of his...well...his daughter. "Hi Lily." The girl didn't respond and instead, continued staring, so Dean tried again. "Uh, cute dog." He offered, reaching his hand out to touch the mutt. The dog began to viciously growl and Dean backed off.
"He doesn't like strangers." Lily spoke for the first time, not bothering to conceal the venom in her voice.
"Lily, I told you to put that dog outside." Laney scolded.
"But-"
"Now Lily." Laney said, offering no room for suggestions.
"He's not your dog Mom, he's mine." Lily huffed under her breath as she turned on her heels and headed to the back door.
"Now, Lillian." Laney said and Lily stood there a second, her eyes portraying the hate and anger she would have liked to say but she did storm to the backdoor, the dog at her heels.
"Lily!" Laney called after her, but was met of the slamming door. She let out a sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "I am so sorry Dean. She doesn't mean it...just give her some time."
"Don't worry about it Lane. I would act the same way." Dean said in an understanding voice, although the way Lily had acted still stung.
"Well, I'm gonna dinner's pretty much ready, so do you wanna get your brother and we can all eat?"
"Sure." Dean said, making his way down the hallway. He followed the sound of laughter, high pitched from the little boy and a lower laugh from his brother. He opened the door to where Sam and Logan were, and smiled at the sight. They were playing with little action figures, and Sam was showing Logan all the karate moves he could make the figures do.
"Dean, Dean!" Logan cheered, already having warmed up to both brothers. "Look what Captain Logan can do!" He squealed, showing off the figure doing a high jump and kick.
"Whoa! That's awesome!" Dean said in an excited voice. "Hey Sam, having fun there?" He teased jokingly, as Sam glared at him.
"Yes, I am actually." Sam responded as he got up from the ground.
"Well dinner's ready."
"Okay!" Logan cheered, grabbing Sam's hand and pulling him towards the door. "Let's go!"
"You're getting quite the workout there, Sammy." Dean whispered as Sam was yanked by him.
"Bite me." Sam growled, as Dean patted him on the shoulder.
Dean snorted a laugh as he shut the door behind him, following Sam and Logan back into the kitchen. He stopped short when he entered, seeing Lily already seated. He watched as Sam introduced himself, Lily giving him the same cold shoulder as she did to Dean. The older brother sat on the opposite end from Lily, wanting to give her space.
Logan chatted nonstop to Sam, who looked like he was growing more tired by the minute.
Lily and Dean caught eyes once again, before the girl moved her gaze elsewhere, pretending to be interested with the wall. Sam grabbed Deans attention, and the brothers had a silent conversation.
Just give her time.
She doesn't want me in her life Sam. And I don't blame her.
Bullshit Dean. Give her time.
Dean sighed and rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest at the exact same moment Lily did so. This didn't slip by either of them as they stared at each other once more.
Laney finally joined them at the table, setting down a plate of food. "So who's ready for some dinner?"