THE CAULBEARER
A caulbearer is a person who is born with a veil-like tissue that covers his or her face from the crown of his or her head. There are many beliefs that a person, born with this condition, brings good fortune to those around him or her, possess psychic abilities as well as being able to communicate with angels.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters who are from the Supernatural television show. Mary Elizabeth is a character that I made up.
A/N: I would like to thank my Betas 1967Impala and writterperson for their help and support!
THEN
"Where is your mom?" This time it was Ben that had made the inquiry.
Mary Elizabeth turned around to look up at him.
"She's in Heaven with Grandma," she answered with complete honesty.
Lisa could see the expression of grief sweeping across Dean's features.
NOW
"Dean, are you all right?" Lisa asked gently, as she made a protective movement towards him.
"What the hell," she berated herself, "of course, there would have been other women in his life besides me. I mean, look at him!"
Dean tried schooling his emotions by first inhaling deeply through his nostril, and then slowly exhaling through his mouth.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied.
Sam knew he was anything but fine. He had met Cassie once, and knew how Dean felt about her. Unfortunately, for her, that is, she was the one who had decided to close the door on their relationship.
"Why don't we go into the living room," Lisa suggested. "You and Mary Elizabeth can get acquainted while Ben helps me with dinner."
"But, Mom," Ben whined, "I want to stay, and find out more about her."
"Benjamin," she warned. It was the only thing, she needed to say.
"Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming," he said in exesperation, as he followed her in to the kitchen.
Sam watched as his brother gently to the little girl's, his bother's daughter's, hand, and guided her to the sofa. He found himself mesmerized, as he watched Dean pick up his daughter, and place her on the sofa with a whoosh, causing the skirted part of his niece's dress to balloon up a bit before deflating again. He could not help smiling to himself, as he listened to her giggles of delight.
He felt in awe, as he watched the scene unfolding before him. Yet, at the same time he felt like he was intruding.
"Maybe I should just go," he said to himself. "I don't want to be a fifth wheel."
As if reading his thoughts, Dean looked over at him, and said, "you're staying."
That was all Sam needed to hear before he went over to the large recliner, and stretched out his gangly limbs on it.
Dean smiled at his brother's awkward position before turning his focus on the little girl.
"I have a daughter," he said to himself. This was definitely something he had to get use to.
"So, Mary Elizabeth," he began, "how did your mommy... pass away?"
Mary Elizabeth appeared to be weighing out how she should answer the question.
"It's all right, Mary," Sam tried to reassure her, "you're with family here."
"My name's Mary Elizabeth!" She admonished him with a sharp glare.
"Hey, Mary Elizabeth," Dean spoke sternly, yet gently, "it's okay. Your uncle Sam didn't mean anything by it."
The little girl's eyes softened as she looked back at Sam.
"I'm sorry," she apologized sheepishly.
"That's okay," Sam smiled back at her.
Mary Elizabeth turned back to her father, and let out a deep sigh.
"I don't know how Mommy passed away," she explained, "on the count that I was really little when she went to Heaven."
"How do you know, she went to Heaven?" Sam could not help himself asking.
"On the count that Grandma and the angel told me," she informed him, as if that was obvious.
"So, your grandma took care of you?" Dean asked.
Mary Elizabeth slowly nodded her head.
"What happened to your grandmother?" was Dean's next question.
All of a sudden, the little girl clammed up, and lower her head allowing her curls to fall in front of her face.
It was when he started to hear small sniffles coming from her, that Dean, as though it was second nature to him, lifted her up, and placed her on his lap.
"It's okay, Sweetheart," he said smoothly, and he gently rubbed small circles on her back.
At first, he could feel her tiny fist tightly grabbing his shirt, and then nothing.
"Mary Elizabeth?" he whispered softly.
But, the only reply he got from her was the sounds of even breathing accompanied by slight snoring.
Looking over at his brother, he slowly mouthed the words, " I think, she's asleep."
TBC
A/N: Again, a little bit on the short side. I'll try to write more soon. I hope that you enjoy reading the story as much as I do writing it!