A Hard Road Ch. 10
Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable in this story.
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Previously: "Hi, the name's John Winchester and these are my boys Dean and Sammy he said as he motioned to each boy.
John could tell from the look on the hunter's face that he wasn't expecting him to show up with children. He wished Jim had mentioned that important fact when he talked to Bobby, but there was nothing he could do about that now. He immediately tensed a little as Bobby started walking towards him and his children not knowing what to expect from the man. He could feel Dean clutching tight to his pant leg and knew that his little boy was scared.
As Bobby approached the newbie hunter and his two young children, he could tell that John was tense just from reading his body language. The man took on a protective quality as he pulled the baby in just a little closer to his chest and adjusted his stance to protect the oldest. In a way he couldn't blame the man since he knew he must have looked kind of imposing the way he reacted when seeing the tots. Bobby pulled out the grease rag from his pocket and wiped his hands off before reaching out his right hand. "Hi there, the name's Bobby Singer" he said as he plastered a welcoming smile on his face. "I know you and your boys must be tired after such a long ride."
Bobby motioned for John to follow him to the house as he started walking towards the porch. As he climbed up the stairs, he motioned for his guard dog Rumsfeld to stand down so that he wouldn't attack the unknown family and scare the kids. Bobby held open the front door and allowed John and the boys to enter before walking into the house himself. "Just make yourself comfortable, I know it looks a little messy, but I do have a system to all this clutter.
As John glanced around the room, he scoffed at the idea of it being a little messy. Hell the place looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in months. There were books stacked into high piles everywhere around the room. He'd have to keep a close eye on Sammy to make sure his youngest didn't try to climb up them. He walked over towards the sofa and removed the old newspapers that were scattered on it before sitting down. Dean climbed up beside him and sat while he placed Sammy in his lap. When he heard the sound of footsteps, he glanced up to see Bobby walking towards them and carrying a couple bottles of beer and a glass of milk.
"I though you could probably use a cold beer after your long ride" Bobby stated as he handed the beer to John. The beer wasn't just one of the ordinary store bought ones, this one had a little extra ingredient of holy water added. He served the special beer to all of his visitors just in case. He watched intently as John opened the bottle and took a long sip. When nothing happened, he then asked Dean if he would like the milk. Dean looked up at his daddy with questioning eyes and when John nodded that it was okay, Dean accepted the milk.
Bobby sat down in the chair next to the sofa, opened his own beer and look a long swig before looking up at John. He wasn't sure how to start a conversation with the man since he really didn't know him. Jim had only given him the basic facts about the man wanting to learn to hunt and that he had lost his wife to a demon. He couldn't exactly bring it up in front of the boys since it could be a touchy subject for them. Bobby cleared his throat and said. "So John, Jim hasn't told me much about you other than you want to learn to hunt. Is there anything you think I need to know before training starts tomorrow?"
John glanced down at his feet thinking about the words that he needed to say. He had to make sure this man understood why it was important that he learned to become a hunter. "It's not that I want to learn, but I need to learn to hunt. My wife was killed in Sammy's nursery when he was only six months old. We can discuss the details later of what exactly happened, but for now, just know that I won't give up."
Bobby completely understood what the man was going through. Hell, he had lost his own wife because of a supernatural entity. "Believe me, I understand what you're going through and I'm here to help you anyway I can. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. It's going to be a long hard road with living the life of a hunter, especially with two young kids to raise."
"I've already thought about that, but it's what I have to do and if you won't help me, then I will find somebody who will" John informed the hunter truthfully.
"Now wait a cotton picking minute. I didn't day I wouldn't help you ya danged idjit. If Jim Murphy sent you here, then he felt it was pretty important that we work together" Bobby said as he took off his ball cap and scratched his head.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get so defensive with you. I just hate it when people question what I've chosen to do. I'll admit I've questioned myself sometimes about becoming a hunter, but I am doing it for my kids. I have to be able to protect them if that thing ever comes back" John stated trying to make Bobby understand.
"Well then, we better get started on your training tomorrow morning. Right now, I think you could use some rest and a decent meal."
"Yeah, I guess you're right" John said as he stood up and placed Sam on his hip. Me and my boys will get out of your way then and we'll be back tomorrow morning." John took Dean by the hand and started walking towards the door when he heard Bobby calling out to him.
"Why don't you and your boys just stay here. I've got plenty of room. There's no sense in having to spend the night in some motel" Bobby said knowing that the life of a hunter left little room for earning cash.
"Are you sure? I mean it was obvious you weren't expecting kids to be a part of the deal when we first arrived" John asked making sure that Bobby knew what he was getting himself into.
"Yeah, it will be nice to hear the sounds of children around the house" Bobby said with a melancholy tone to his voice. He and his wife had planned on starting a family of their own before he had been forced to take her life. They had even bought some baby items in hopes of her becoming pregnant soon. He thought about the hand carved baby crib that he had spent hours working on sitting out in the shed covered by some sheets. Maybe he should pull it out even though it was meant to be for one of his own children someday. He would need to bring it inside and clean it up some so the baby would have a decent place to sleep.
John could see that Bobby's mind had drifted off to something that left him with a forlorn look on his face so he sat back down quietly waiting for the man to work through his memories. He wondered what could have happened in the hunter's past that led him to traversing the path that he himself was about to undertake.
Withdrawing from his memories, Bobby looked over at the small family and knew that he had to help them no matter what. He had to make sure those little boys were safe and that their father could protect them. He would do whatever was necessary to make sure this small family unit was never shattered any more than what it already was. Smiling at John, Bobby said "Well, it looks like that old crib I have out in the shed will finally get some use out of it. I could use you're help in getting it in later if you don't mind."
John's eyebrows raised in surprise at hearing the man had a baby crib, he didn't really seem like the fatherly type, but then maybe there was a reason behind that. John wondered if he had lost a child of his own which caused him to become a hunter. "Sure, I'll be glad to help, if you're sure you don't mind Sammy using it."
"Nah, I don't mind at all. How about you and your boys get cleaned up while I go make us something to eat. Will hotdogs and chili be alright?' Bobby asked since he didn't know what the little ones liked.
"Yeah, that'll be fine" John replied knowing Dean liked hotdogs., they would have to see about the chili.
"Let me show you to your rooms" Bobby said as he started walking up the stairs. He led John to the first room on the right and said the boys could sleep in there, while John took the room across the hall.
"If it's okay with you, I think I'll just bunk with my boys" John stated knowing that he wasn't yet ready to allow them to sleep in a room away from him. He needed to have them close, to make sure they were safe.
"That's fine, whatever you want" Bobby said as he then showed John where the bathroom and linen closet was so they could get cleaned up for dinner. As John started running some bath water for the boys, Bobby went downstairs to get dinner started. Once he was sure the water temperature wasn't too hot, John stripped Sammy and put him into the tub while Dean took care of undressing himself. John could tell that Sammy was getting tired since he didn't splash around like his usual self, instead he sat still while John bathed him and washed his hair. While Dean finished his bath, John dried Sammy off and then dressed him in his pajamas. He had no doubt that Sammy would be going to sleep right after dinner. As soon as Dean finished, John took his boys downstairs and was surprised to see the highchair sitting beside the table. He placed Sammy into the chair while Bobby fixed them all a plate.
After they had finished eating, John placed a now sleeping Sammy in Dean's arms while he and Bobby went out to get the crib. "Keep an eye on your baby brother for me kiddo" he told Dean before ruffling his hair and walking out the door.
As Bobby pulled the sheets off of the baby crib, John was amazed at how well crafted the crib was. He could tell that somebody had obviously put some love into making it with the intricate designs that were carved into the wood. He got kind of wistful knowing how much Mary would have like it with all the little animals carved into the wood.
Knowing that this would be a good time to talk, Bobby spoke up. "John, I was wondering how much your oldest knows about the day his mother died. I'm not trying to pry into your business so don't be offended, but I don't want to accidentally overstep my bounds in conversation when the kid is around."
"As far as I know the only thing he knows right now is that his mother died in a fire, and I want it to stay that way as long as possible. He doesn't need to know that his mother was on the ceiling with her stomach slashed open. I would hate to think he saw that before I placed Sammy into his arms and told him to get him out of the house as fast as he could. I can't even imagine what that would have done to him, he's having enough nightmares as it is."
"I hate to say it John, but the boy is bound to see some things that will scare the shit out of him sooner or later, you won't be able to stop it with pursuing the demons and creatures that live out there in the dark" Bobby stated truthfully knowing that John needed to open his eyes to the simple fact that there was no way he would be able to protect him all the time.
"Well, I can do my damnedest to make sure it doesn't happen until the boys are older" John said meaning every word.
TBC I know there wasn't much interaction in this chapter between Bobby and the boys since they were just meeting the man. but you can count on them giving Bobby a time in the next chapter.