A Hard Road Ch. 19
Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable in this story. Nor am I making a profit from it.
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John had just finished another successful hunt with Joshua and was taking a hot shower to wash the grime off his tired body. As the hot water sluiced over his body, he thought about the past couple of years and how much he had learned and the friends that he had made along the way. Bobby had been invaluable with the help that he had given him, but John felt the time had come to leave. He had imposed on Bobby much too long and it was finally time to strike out on his own with his sons. He couldn't rely on Bobby's hospitality forever and he needed to know if his little family could make it on their own. He knew it would be tough trying to balance hunting while raising his boys, but he would learn to do it somehow. Now he just had to break the news to the man who had become his best friend and to his boys. Bobby had become like a beloved uncle to them and he hoped the boys wouldn't be too traumatized by his decision.
Stepping from the shower, he grabbed a soft cottony towel and dried himself off before wrapping it around his hips. He opened the door and felt goose bumps on his skin as the steam billowed out of the bathroom and allowed the cooler air to rush in. He walked quickly to the room he had been sharing with his boys and rifled through his duffle bag until he found a clean pair of boxers, and jeans to pull on. He then put on his favorite USMC tee shirt and headed downstairs to break the news. As he walked down the stairs, he could hear Bobby and Joshua discussing the hunt and cartoons playing on the TV in the background. He decided that it would be best if he put his boys to bed before he talked with Bobby about his decision since he didn't know how Bobby would react and he wanted to break the news gently to the boys in the morning so that they could get a good night's sleep tonight.
Entering the living room, he saw Sammy asleep on a blanket on the floor with his thumb tucked firmly into his mouth. He had been trying to break his thumb sucking habit for the past month but nothing seemed to work. Bobby had even mentioned that is was something he shouldn't worry about since Sammy would grow out of it eventually, but it still concerned him anyway. Could Sammy have been unknowingly traumatized at six months by suddenly being forced to suckle from a bottle after Mary had been killed. Mary had been a firm believer in breast feeding saying that it would bring her and her babies closer as well as give them the essential nutrients to start them off healthy. He bent down and gently picked Sammy up and cradled him in his arms. Looking over at his oldest who was thoroughly engrossed in watching the Thundercats, he walked over and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Time for bed kiddo" he whispered as he rubbed a hand up and down a squirming Sammy's back.
"Kay" Dean replied as he stood up and rubbed his sleepy eyes, he was tired anyway. He followed his dad back up to their room and changed into his pajamas as his daddy took a groggy Sammy to the bathroom. He had already climbed into the bed by the time his daddy brought Sammy into the room. John quickly changed his youngest into his pajamas and then placed him between Dean and the bedroom wall since Sammy preferred to sleep with his big brother now. "Goodnight boys" John whispered as he bent down to kiss both Dean and Sammy on the forehead.
"Night Daddy" Dean whispered before rolling onto his side and throwing a protective arm over Sammy. It didn't take long before both boys emitted deep even breaths signifying that they were both asleep. John placed a blanket over both of his boys and then turned on the nightlight before leaving the room since Sammy felt more secure with it on. Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen, he poured himself a cup of coffee before joining Bobby and Joshua in the living room.
"Are the boys asleep?" Bobby asked as he watched John walk into the room. He could tell that John was a little tense even after his shower and wondered what was running through the man's mind. He decided not to push John on it though knowing that he would open up in his own time. He knew that too much pushing would just shut the man down from previous experience.
"Yeah, they are" John said as he rubbed his hand through the beard he had started growing since Mary's death. He wasn't sure how to get the conversation started so he said the first thing that came to mind. "Uh, there's something I need to talk to you about Bobby."
"Something wrong John?" Bobby inquired trying to make thing easier on the man.
"No. It's just that I think you should know that I've decided that it's time to move on. Me and the boys have imposed on you for too long and we'll be leaving this weekend."
Bobby's heart dropped as he heard the words that John had said. He had really grown attached to the little family and didn't relish the idea of them leaving. The house would be empty and lonely once again without those little two boys to liven up the place. "Are you sure you wanna do that John? I mean I enjoy having you and the boys here. It's not an imposition at all. Why don't you take some time and think it over before you tell the boys."
"I'm sorry Bobby, but I have though about it. I need to know that I can survive the life of a hunter while raising the boys as a single father. Please understand that it's something that I have to do. I promise we'll stop in every so often to visit. The boys love you and I'll make sure they still get to see their "Uncle Bobby."
Bobby smiled at the uncle reference even though inwardly his heart was breaking. He would have to say goodbye to those precious little boys soon and he just didn't know if he was up to it. "You and the boys are always welcome anytime John, I hope you know that. I'm going to miss having those ruffians underfoot."
"Thanks Bobby. I could never repay you for everything you did for me and my boys. If you ever need us, we'll only be a phone call away." With those words, John left Bobby and Joshua to their conversation as he went back upstairs to join his boys. He was kind of tired himself.
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All to soon, Saturday had rolled around and John was packing up the car to leave. The boys were excited about the idea of taking a road trip even though Dean had been upset at first. He had actually cried at first when his dad told him of his plans to leave. He didn't want to leave Bobby and the room he had come to think of his own, but then John had explained how Bobby said they could always come back and that their room would be waiting on them. Dean felt much better after learning that they wouldn't be leaving for good.
After John placed their duffle bags in the trunk, he returned to the house to get the boys. "Dean, Sammy, it's time to…" he began to say before he saw Bobby cradling his children in his arms. Tears were streaming down the rugged hunter's face and John shed a tear of his own as he walked back outside to allow Bobby the privacy of saying goodbye.
"I sure am going to miss you sport and you too tiger" Bobby said as he nuzzled his nose into Sammy's hair. "You boys have brought so much fun and happiness into my life that I feel like I'm losing my own sons now. I just want you boys to know that you always have a home to come back to. Can you remember that for me Dean?"
"Uh huh, and I won't let Sammy forget either Uncle Bobby, I promise" Dean answered.
"Thanks kiddo" Bobby said as he placed a kiss on Dean's forehead. "I love you boys and I'll never forget you. You make sure your stubborn Daddy brings you by for a visit okay?"
"Yes sir" we will and we love you too" Dean said as he wrapped his arms around Bobby's neck. Bobby nodded his head unable to speak due to the large lump in his throat. He stood up to lead the boys out to their father when he felt a small tug on his pants. He looked down to see Sammy's expressive eyes looking back up at him.
"I wuv you Unca Bobby" Sammy said as he reached his arms up to Bobby.
"Oh God" Bobby whispered as tears fell quickly down his face. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve as he bent down to pick Sammy up and pulled him into a bear hug. He really wanted to shoot John Winchester right now for taking these boys away from him. His life would never be the same now.
Carrying Sammy and taking Dean by the hand, Bobby led the youngsters out to their waiting father. As he opened the door, he saw John leaning against the hood of the Impala as he looked around the salvage yard. As they walked out onto the porch and down the steps. John walked over to meet them. "I know how hard this is for you Bobby and I really am sorry. I hope that you'll be able to understand one day that I'm only doing what I have to do. I have to know if we can make it on our own."
"That's the thing John, you don't have to do this alone. We're all here for you and we want to help" Bobby stated in a last ditch effort to get the man to stay.
"I know you are Bobby And I know that you and the others will be there for me if I ever need you. But I have to do this on my own. I have to find the bastard that killed Mary and make him pay for ruining our lives."
"I understand how you feel John, I do, it's just that…aw hell, just please don't forget that I'm here and that I'll be happy to watch those boys for ya any time you need me to ya damned idjit" Bobby stated before drawing a surprised John Winchester into a quick hug. "Don't be a stranger, I expect to see you and those boys gracing my doorstep every so often."
"If nothing else, we'll see you around the holidays Bobby, you can count on it" John said as he reached out to take Sammy. John's eyes were shiny with tears as he placed Sammy in the car seat while Bobby made sure that Dean was strapped in with the seatbelt securely around him. Bobby reached into the car and cupped Dean and Sammy's cheek with the palm of his hand. "Goodbye boys" he choked out around the lump that seemed to have permanently settled in his throat.
"Bye Uncle Bobby" both boys chorused before the doors were closed behind him. They sat talking excitedly in the back seat as John reached out to shake Bobby's hand. "Well, I guess I'll see you around" John stated through a tight smile.
"Yeah, I reckon. You just make sure you take damned good care of those boys back there. If anything happens to them, I'll shoot you myself" Bobby intoned. He then watched as John climbed into the car and started the engine. He stood and watched until the big black muscle car drove out of sight.
TBC