A Hard Road Ch. 29
Disclaimer. Still don't own them and still not making a profit from my stories.
Warning: Language as usual
Author's Note: Sorry, I let this one slip by the wayside once again. Thanks to VickyLoka for reminding me that I needed to update. At this point in the story, Sammy is 4 and Dean is 8.
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Review of previous chapter The hunters had went to the circus for some fun with the boys where Sammy was later severely traumatized by a clown who pretended to stab his father. As the Winchester's went to bed, John knew that his youngest would be assaulted by nightmares of the incident.
Early the next morning, all of the hunters sat around the table looking bleary eyed as they sipped on cups of hot, black coffee while talking in hushed voices to keep from waking the boys after a stressful night. Sammy had finally gone to sleep around five in the morning and had slept for three consecutive hours now after having woke up screaming almost every hour for most of the night.
As he glanced around the table at Joshua, Caleb, and Bobby, John felt a little guilty looking at their sleep deprived faces. "I'm sorry you guys, I should have taken the boys and gotten a motel room last night since I knew Sammy was probably going to have nightmares after what happened.
"Don't be sorry John, it's not your fault or Sammy's either. The kid couldn't help having nightmares after what he witnessed. Besides, I probably wouldn't have got any sleep at all if you had left from wondering and worrying about the little tiger." Bobby stated as he rubbed a hand over his weary face.
He's right John, so you can just let go of the guilt. It's not yours to carry." Joshua stated matter of fact like as he clapped the hunter on the shoulder with his right hand. "Whether you realize it or not, you and the boys are family to us now and families stick together. Now we just have to figure out a way of making the little man forget about the clowns by giving him something else to focus on and I think I have the perfect thing. What do you all think about a camping trip to my cabin near the lake for some fishing? There's a nice playground right beside the lake where Dean and Sammy could play while we try to catch some fish." Josh informed the group hoping to persuade them to accept his idea.
"Damn Josh, you been holding out on me? Caleb inquired with a raised eye brow. "I never knew you owned a cabin, and by a lake no less."
"Yeah well, not many people do." Joshua stated with a shrug of his shoulders. Most people didn't have a clue about the fact that he came from an affluent family and didn't have to worry about money and he liked it that way.
"Sounds like a good idea to me, what do you think John? It could get Sammy's mind off of the clowns and give him something happy to focus on." Bobby explained.
"Yeah, I think you're right. Let's do it." John stated with a tired smile willing to try anything if it would get rid of the nightmares.
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Later that afternoon, the Winchesters set out in the Impala with Bobby riding shotgun as they followed Joshua and Caleb in Joshua's truck. John had packed up all of his gear figuring that once the weekend was over, that he and the boys would be moving on. He had finally gotten the cast off of his leg and figured they had intruded on Bobby way too much lately. He hadn't told the boys or Bobby yet not wanting to put a damper on the weekend. He just hoped they would take the news well when it came time to leave.
Glancing into the rearview mirror, he was happy to see that Dean was keeping Sammy occupied while they played with the Spiderman action figures that Joshua had bought them. It made his heart soar to hear the sounds of laughter coming from the backseat as Dean allowed Sammy to win the battle the action figures were waging. Looking over towards Bobby, he saw the older hunter sleeping with his head resting against the window. He couldn't begrudge him the rest after the sleepless night they had all had, he was thankful the hunter was actually getting some sleep finally.
Focusing on the road ahead, he saw Joshua pull off on the exit ramp heading towards Lake Metigoshe. He was somewhat impressed knowing the place had a reputation for being very peaceful and serene, just what they needed for the next few days. Winding their way down a gravel road, John whistled in appreciation of the cabin where Joshua had finally stopped, well actually the cabin looked more like a house because of the sheer size of it.
Parking the sleek, black Impala beside Joshua's truck, he shook Bobby to wake him up and then opened his own door so he could help Sammy out of his carseat. He heard squeals of delight the minute his youngest spotted the playground right beside the cabin and had trouble holding Sammy in his arms as his youngest began to wiggle and squirm, desperate to go play. Placing him down on the ground, John said, "Dean go watch out for your brother." as he watched his youngest run over to the slides.
Walking back to the trunk, he pulled out their duffle bags and followed Joshua and the others up the front steps and into the cabin. Turning around to glance at his boys once more, he scanned the surrounding area for any signs of possible danger before walking inside the cabin. "Josh, where do you want me to place our things?" John asked as he looked around the room they were now standing in.
The room had a very cozy look to it with a sofa and recliner off to his right and a fire place with a bear skin rug off to his left. He could see a rather large entertainment center that sat against one wall with a television in the middle of it and a gaming console on a shelf just below it. The side shelves were covered with movies and what he assumed were games.
Seeing John's surprised look at the games and movies, Joshua said "My sister and her family like to use the cabin for their summer vacation, so I made sure they had some things to keep the children occupied on rainy days. As far as where you and the boys will be staying, I figure you and the boys can stay in the room over there." Joshua nodded to the right with his head. "It has a set of bunk beds and a queen sized bed so there is plenty of room for you and the boys to sleep."
"Sounds good." John said as he took his and the boys things to their room and started putting them away while Joshua showed Caleb and Bobby where they would be staying. Hearing the sounds of laughter, John peaked out the window in the room to see Dean pushing his baby brother in the swing. He smiled as he stood there and watched the boys taking in the wonderful sight before him. "I wish I could give them the normal life they deserve." He thought wistfully as he watched them at play.
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After getting settled in, Joshua started dinner while John called his boys inside to take a bath. Stripping Sammy of his clothing, he placed him in the tub allowing him some time to play and then washed him as Sammy talked about everything that he had done outside. Seeing Sammy back to his little chatterbox self gave John the confidence to think that just maybe, his baby would have a peaceful night tonight. Finishing up with bathing him, John pulled Sammy out of the tub and carried him to the bedroom to dress him so Dean could take a shower.
Carrying Sammy into the kitchen, John noticed Joshua placing a hearty meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and a salad on the table for dinner. "You need any help Josh?" he asked as he placed Sammy on the booster seat that belonged to one of Joshua's nephews.
"Nah, I've got it covered." Josh stated as he placed a plate at each person's seat. Why don't you go ahead and fix a plate for you and Sammy and I'll get the others." While Joshua left to get Caleb and Bobby, John took care of fixing a plate for himself and both of his boys. Once the others were seated with plates of their own, the hunters began to discuss what they planned to do the next day.
"If it's okay with everybody, I was thinking maybe we could take the boat out into the middle of the lake and do some fishing." Josh said just before taking a bite of his chicken.
"What about the boys?" John asked in concern. "Dean knows how to swim but I haven't taught Sammy yet and I'm not so sure about taking him out into the middle of a lake."
"You don't have to worry about that John." Joshua stated with a smile. "I have a life jacket that will fit him and the boys can use my nephews fishing poles. Hell, with our luck, I bet those two will catch more fish than the rest of us combined."
"Please dad, can we go out in the boat too?" Dean pleaded with his father. "Sammy and I have never been on a boat ride before. I promise I'll keep a real close eye on him and make sure he doesn't fall out."
"I know you will sport." John said as he ruffled his oldest child's hair. "If you promise to wear a life jacket too just in case, then I guess it's okay with me."
"Yes sir, I promise." Dean said with a huge smile on his face. Looking excitedly at his baby brother, he said, "Guess what Sammy, we are going on a boat ride tomorrow.
"Yay." Sammy cheered as he raised his hand and brought them down right into the middle of his mashed potatoes, causing the spuds to fly everywhere.
"Sammy, be careful." Dean scolded as he grabbed a napkin and began cleaning his baby brother up. "You're supposed to eat the taters, not wear them."
"But I is eating them Deanie, see?" Sammy stated as he opened his mouth to show Dean the food inside.
"Ew Sammy, how many times do I have to tell you not to talk with your mouth full?" Dean questioned as he rolled his eyes at his little brothers antics causing the hunters around the table to laugh.
"Don't worry Dean, he'll learn table manners one day." John informed his oldest. He just needs to grow up a little first."
"Yeah I know dad." Dean answered with a smile secretly wishing that Sammy could stay little forever. He didn't want him to learn about the bad stuff out there in the dark.
Once they had finished their dinner, John allowed his boys to play the gaming console for a little while before announcing that it was time for bed. He just hoped that Sammy would have a good night tonight.
TBC