The next morning came with bright rays of sunshine streaming through the window. Sam opened his eyes and quickly shut them at the onslaught of light. He sat up and looked around, hoping to see a clock, but couldn't find one, so he went to the kitchen to look on the oven. It was six thirty in the morning. He had slept in and still felt exhausted. Ah the life of a hunter- so glamorous. Sam yawned and stretched, turning on the coffee maker before taking a seat at the kitchen table.
The sound of fluttering was almost too faint for him to hear, but the house was perfectly quiet- just enough for him to make out the sound. He looked up to see Castiel standing there. Thank goodness he was used to Cas appearing out of nowhere or else he would have had a heart attack. He wasn't very alert when he first woke in the morning.
"Hello Sam."
"Hey Cas."
"How did you sleep?"
"Fine. Just fine." Sam replied, feeling strange about making small talk with the Angel.
"Good. Dean will be waking up soon, and it's best if you aren't here- not yet at least. Just give me an hour and then you can come up to get him. Okay?"
Sam sighed, stress beginning to set in. "I don't know, Cas. We're already behind as it is."
"I know. But you know he can't see you like that." Cas had a point.
"I know that, I just think it's better if he could share this with me- I mean I know he's not chatty Kathy when it comes to personal stuff-"
"Which is why you need to give him time and wait until he's ready. I know you want to support your brother, Sam. But right now you're doing that by keeping your distance."
Sam was completely slack jawed at the little speech. That was possibly the most parental answer he'd ever heard come out of an angel's mouth. Correction: that was the only parental thing he'd ever heard come out of an angel's mouth. He wanted to say something- anything- but he was at a loss for words. So he simply nodded and left.
It was right then that Castiel sensed that Dean was awake. He got up from the table and walked to the nursery. Dean was laying in his crib, cooing happily. Castiel let down the side of the crib and picked up his child.
"Hey there, baby boy." He whispered.
"Morning Daddy." Dean said, snuggling into his father.
"Ready for breakfast?"
Dean nodded and was happy to be seated at the table. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. Castiel started cooking in the kitchen. As Dean's mind began the tedious process of waking up, he remembered bits and pieces of the night before. Gabriel had been here. Gabriel had seen him acting this way. His face flushed red with embarrassment. Castiel noticed the lack of noise and turned to see Dean looking beet red.
"What's the matter, baby?" He asked, cracking eggs into a hot skillet.
Dean didn't say anything, so Castiel brought him over to sit on the counter by him.
"Dean," he said in a more commanding voice, "what is it?" He could have peered into his mind, but felt better asking and getting an answer the polite way.
"Gabriel saw me."
Castiel didn't understand why that was such a big deal. "Yes, and?"
Dean blinked. "I don't want anyone to know."
"Dean, Gabriel doesn't care. Despite what you may think he loves you. He's always wanted a nephew. And now he has one because of you."
The words gave Dean comfort, and he smiled a little before he calmed down. Castiel served him eggs and fed them to him.
"Sam called. There's a hunt for you. He'll be here in an hour."
That roused Dean from his childlike mindset. "He's coming here?"
"Don't worry. He's just going to stop out front for you." Dean relaxed slightly at that.
When his plate was empty, Dean unexpectedly launched himself into his father's waiting arms.
"Thank you, Daddy."
"You're welcome."
With that, Dean went to take a shower. He preferred to have Cas bathe him, but if he wanted to get back into his adult mindset he had to do it alone. Once he got out he felt better. He remembered last night and smiled. His momma had come to see him. It made him feel safe and loved. He briefly wondered how long she had been trapped there. A twinge of sadness colored his thoughts. He missed her already, but was excited that he'd seen her. Maybe someday he could see her again. Hope sprung up in him and before he knew it he was smiling again. He got dressed and noticed how strange it felt to put on regular clothes and underwear. For a moment he seriously considered wearing a diaper, but then told himself that he was being ridiculous. He put his belt on and then looked at himself in the mirror. He looked good to go.
When he got out he went out to the living room he saw Castiel speaking with Gabriel. His face burned bright with embarrassment.
"It's okay, Dean-o. I don't care what you do. As long as you and Cassie are happy, I'm happy."
Dean raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Really. I've never had a nephew before." He said earnestly.
"So you'll be my Uncle now?" Gabriel nodded. "Uncle Gabe." He tested out the name. Dean smiled. "I like it."
Gabriel smiled. "Me too."
Dean glanced at the clock. Sam would be here any minute. "I gotta go. Bye Daddy! Bye Uncle Gabe!"
Gabriel smiled at the term of endearment. "See you later, Dean-o."
"Be careful!" Cas called after him.
"I will!" With that, Dean was out the door.