Chapter 3
(Don't own things or stuff)
Two years later…
"You'll do fine Bells."
"I don't want to daddy."
John gets down on one knee and takes Bella's hands into his own.
"You're going to be just fine. You're going to school just like Dean."
"Will D be there too?"
"No sweetheart he won't but he goes to a different school. But you'll see him when I pick you up from school."
"I want D!"
"You'll see him in just a few hours. You're going to make a lot of friends and have a lot of fun."
She clings on to John's jacket as he steps into the classroom. The teacher smiles warmly and crouches down Bella's level. John thought that Bella's teacher was attractive. She was young, blonde and shapely.
"John Winchester." He says introducing himself.
"Marcy Michaelson, and who do we have here?"
Bella hides her face into John's pant leg.
"Go on hun tell her your name."
"Daddy…" She whines.
"I wanna go home. I want D!"
"D's at school and now you gotta be at school too."
The teacher offers her hand to Bella.
"How about you draw this D person for me so I can meet him." The teacher offers.
"That's her older brother." John explains.
"Oh is that so. I bet he misses you too. Will you draw me a picture of D and tell me all about him."
Bella nods and takes the Ms. Michaelson's hand.
"Thank you." John mouths and makes his escape before Bella has time to notice.
Bella grabs the black crayon knowing that's Dean's favorite color.
"That's such a pretty picture Bella."
She nods and continues to color it. Once she's finished she tugs on the teacher's dress.
"See!"
"Oh that's wonderful. Such a good job!"
"That's D! And that's my Daddy."
"And who's that?" The teacher asks pointing to red evil looking face.
"The bad guy that my daddy kills."
The teacher narrows her eyes.
"What bad guy hun?"
Bella shrugs.
"My daddy is a hunter."
"Oh so he likes to go hunting?"
Bella smiles and nods.
"Yep!"
"Ah I see."
She turns around.
"Where's my daddy?"
"He went on to work dear. He'll pick you up when schools over."
She looks as though she's about to cry. A boy in her class walks up to her.
"I'm Joey wanna see my picture?"
"Ummm." She looks back to the teacher and she smiles.
"You can go."
"Ok." Bella says and the boy takes her hand and shows her the blue dragon he drew.
"My favorite color is blue too."
The red headed freckled boy smiled.
"What's your favorite animal?"
"Ummm I like bunnies."
"You want me to draw you a blue bunny?"
Bella giggles.
"Bunnies aren't blue."
"No but I can draw you a blue bunny."
"Ok."
"D look I drew you a picture!" Bella says as soon as John gets her in the truck.
Dean doesn't even look back.
"That's cool."
"D! Look!"
John snaps her seatbelt and shuts the door. He gets in and starts the engine.
"D…" Bella says sadly.
"Boy quit ignoring her and grab the damn picture."
Dean sighs and reaches back.
"See!"
"See what it's just a bunch of black lines."
"Noooo! D that's you me and daddy!"
"Sure doesn't look like it."
John lightly smacks Dean in the back of the head.
"Knock it off Dean it's not her fault you had a bad day at school."
Dean rolls his eyes.
"I like the picture Bells thank you."
"You hang it up?"
"Sure Bells I'll hang it up."
She claps her hands and squeals. Even in his bad mood Dean breaks into a smile.
"So how was your day?" Dean ask.
"Very good D. The whole class is my new friend!"
"That's good Bells real good."
"We're glad to hear that sweetheart." John agrees.
"And Joey is my bestest friend he drew me a bunny!"
"There's no such thing as a bestest Bells."
John cuts his son a look. Dean shrugs.
"What?" He says looking to his father.
"Just be nice."
Once they got home it was time for homework. John would give them a glass of milk and a snack. Later he fixed some spaghetti for supper. He would then get the kids bathed and put to bed. He'd read them a book every night. John still had the usual case every now and then but never longer than a day or so. Things were normal for the Winchesters at least for those two years…
One week before Christmas.
"You both can pick out and ornament to put on the tree."
Bella jumps up and down squealing.
"I want this one this one daddy pllllllllleassee!"
It was a puppy inside a stocking. John smiles.
"Ok Bells put it in the basket. Your turn Dean."
Dean shrugs and picks out one with frosty the snowman on a Harley.
"Pretty cool son."
Dean nods and places it in the basket.
"So what color of lights do we want on our tree this year?"
"All the colors!" Bella says and takes off running towards the displayed trees.
"Like this one."
"No Bells the red."
"No D this one!" She points.
"That one's dumb Bells. Let's get the red."
"No red D!"
"Ok look here's the deal whoever picks out the lights the other one picks out the stockings."
Bella bites down on her lip looking towards the stockings. She'd had her eye on a stocking that had Rudolf on it.
"OK D can pick lights." She says and takes off again and picks out the stockings.
John winks at his son as he places the red string of lights in the basket. They get all the things they needed and head home.
They begin to decorate as soon as they get in the door. John knew Bella wouldn't sleep until the tree was up. Dean's stringing up the lights when the phone rings. Dean looks towards his father as he's on the phone. His heart sinks as he already knows. He looks to his sister who's hanging up the stockings and humming to herself. He looks once more to his father. He mouths the words "no dad." John shakes his head and takes the phone to another room.
"LOOK D!" She points the stockings out and Dean nods.
"That's really cool Bells."
She runs up to Dean and squeezes his legs in excitement. He pats her on the head. John steps out and has that same guilt expression he always has when he's got to go.
"Dad!" Dean snaps.
"I'm sorry son."
"But it's just a few days until Christmas!"
"I'll be back by Christmas Eve son I promise."
Dean shook his head.
"Back?" Bella says looking to John.
"Yes sweetheart I got to go to work. Dean will take care of things when I'm gone."
"Go? Why?"
John sighs.
"I just have to darlin'"
"No daddy!" Bella says stomping her foot.
"Yeah dad don't go can't someone else?"
"Dean you know that's not possible." He hints.
Dean rolls his eyes.
"You should know better." John scolds packing his things.
"And what if you don't come back?"
"You know I will son."
"But if you don't?"
"I will." He says but hands Dean a piece of paper that has the name Bobby Singer on it.
"What's this?"
"Just for emergency."
"Like if you don't come back?" Dean snaps.
"I'm coming back."
"Daddy!" Bella says as he heads towards the door.
"NO DADDY!" Bella screams and clings on to his leg.
"Knock it off Bells you know I got to go."
"Daddy!" She starts to cry.
"Dean get her off me will ya."
Dean shakes his head and walks away. He goes to his room and slams the door.
"DADDY!" Bella cries and John sighs.
He pries her off him and places her on the couch.
"Look sweetheart I will be back before Christmas. I need you to be a big girl and stop crying. Go play with Dean."
"I'll be good daddy I promise!" She pleads.
"Bells this has nothing to do with you sweetheart."
John hears Dean's door opens. Dean steps out but doesn't look at his father. He simply picks his sister up and starts to walk off.
"What son no goodbye?"
"You say you're coming back right?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll see you Christmas Eve dad."
Dean's words cut like a knife but John had expected this.
"I love you both. I'll see you soon."
As John exits the house Bella begins to cry.
"Hey now it's ok Dean's got ya…" He says and holds her close.
Christmas Eve…
"Come on Bells it's time for bed." Dean says as Bella's waiting by the door.
"Daddy…" She points to the door.
Dean sighs.
"It's 1 am now Bells he's not coming home."
"He is D! He says so!"
Bella doesn't move she stays by the door. Dean notices his sisters eyes starting to bat as she fought to stay awake. All he kept thinking about is how Bella should be waiting anxiously for Santa. That's what normal kids do right? But instead she waited for John. Dean told himself if his dad didn't show up for Christmas; if he broke his little sister's heart he'd never ever refer to John as his father again. He'd simply be John Winchester to him and nothing more.
Dean makes his sister a pallet by the door. He makes sure all salt is intact and that the gun is under his pillow.
"Goodnight Bells." He says handing her the giraffe.
"Joey!"
"Huh?"
"I named him Joey like my bestest friend."
Dean smiles.
"That's nice Bells. I like that name."
She reaches out for a hug. Dean gives her a hug.
"Daddy be home soon no worry D!"
Dean wasn't sure what to say. He just nodded and went to bed.
"D…"
"D…"
He rolls over feeling a tug at his pajamas.
"What is it Bells?"
Her bottom lip quivers.
"No daddy and no Santa no nothing D!"
Dean looked to his alarm clock and saw it was 9 am Christmas morning.
"Was bad girl."
Dean shakes his head at this and comes to his feet.
"Why would you think that?"
"If your bad D no Santa so no gifts and no daddy come home!"
"Bells you're not a bad girl."
He sighs and picks her up.
"I bad D!"
"No you're not! Now stop that."
Dean tries to think of something and fast.
"You know what I bet happened?" He puts on a fake smile.
"I bet Santa Claus got tired and was confused. I bet he went to the wrong address! Sometimes when things get lost they go to the lost and found. Why don't you stay here and I'll go get them real quick!"
She smiles.
"Daddy too?"
"No Bells just the gifts Santa brought."
"But I want daddy."
Dean nods but says nothing else. He sits her down to a bowl of cereal. Dean knew there was a lost and found to the apartment complex. He'd truly hoped to find something for Bella.
"I mean it Bells you stay right there. Santa will know if you don't listen and he will make your gift disappear."
She nods kicking her feet about as she eats her cereal.
"I'll be right back."
"I be good D!"
"I know you will."
Dean makes his way to the office area where the lost and found was. He managed find a purple jacket that looked to be about his sister's size, a pair of Barbie sunglasses that were pink. However he grinned once he saw the red hot wheel truck. He looked around making sure he wasn't being watched. Once he knew he was in the clear he hurriedly grabbed the items and took off.
He hid the items behind his back as he opened the door. Like she promised Bella was still seated at the table. Dean shuts the door with his foot and smiles.
"Guess what?"
Bella smiles and jumps down from the chair.
"What D? What?"
"I found your presents."
"Let me see!" She tugs at his sleeve.
He backs up towards the tree and places them down.
"See Bells I was right he just got confused."
Bella tilts her head looking upon the items.
"They're not wrapped."
"Santa doesn't wrap his gifts silly."
"Oh…"
Bella picks up the jacket and looks at it.
"A new coat?!" She places it on showing it off to Dean.
"Wow you sure look pretty Bells."
She blushes and dances around.
"Hey look Bells!" He points at the sunglasses.
She gasps and reaches for them and puts them on.
"Now you look like a movie star."
She squeals but comes to a stop.
"That must be yours D." She points to the matchbox truck.
"Actually it's yours. Santa knows how you like those."
She smiles and grabs the car and spins it around the carpet.
"But where your gifts D?"
"I'm too old for such things silly." He says and pats her on the head.
She frowns.
"No D… You has it." She says handing him the matchbox truck.
"No Bells that's yours it came from Santa."
"Please? You has it!" She places the truck in his hand and kisses his cheek.
"From me to you D!"
Dean felt a knot form in his throat. He swallowed back and hard.
"Ok Bells thank you."
She smiles.
"Merry Christmas D!"
Dean forces a smile but once she's distracted he rushes to the bathroom. He cuts on the sink to mask his own feelings. He washes his face over and over to make it stop. He forces it away pushing it all back. He dries his face and looks in the mirror. Once he makes peace with himself he steps back out. He sees his sister dancing around the tree in her jacket and sunglasses.
Later that night once again Bella waits by the door. She's holding her giraffe, and the matchbox Impala he'd give her a couple years ago. He pulls the red truck from his pocket thinking of the irony. He places it back and goes and lays next to Bella.
"Daddy be home soon?"
"Just don't give your hopes up Bells."
The next morning the phone wakes Dean. He scrambles up from the floor and answers it.
"Hey son."
A fury grew within Dean.
"Hey you there?"
"Yep."
"Look I'm sorry I didn't call but I got caught up in something and…"
Dean sighs.
"I won't be home for a few more days."
"Yep."
"How's Bells?"
"She's asleep."
"Can you wake her so I can talk to her?"
"Why so you can make her cry again?"
"Dean I said I was sorry."
"You lied to us da.." Dean stops himself.
"I mean John."
"John?"
"I gotta go." Dean says and hangs up the phone.
"D! D!"
Dean runs into the bathroom in a panic.
"I lose a tooth D see!"
She shows him the bloody mess in the palm of her hand.
"Wow Bells and you didn't cry or nothin'!"
She smiles.
"I was brushing my teeth. It fall out D."
"I don't know Bells that's pretty brave of you. Most kids cry their first time."
"I not cry. I want to be big like you. You don't cry."
Dean nods and takes the tooth from her palm and cleans it.
"Look Bells this is what we're going to do. Ever heard of the tooth fairy?"
She shakes her head.
"Well if you put this under your pillow. You will get visited by the tooth fairy. She'll give you something in return."
"For this?" She points to the tooth in Dean's hand.
He nods.
"Yep and it's a nice one too. All white shows you take good care of your teeth."
Dean walks her to the bedroom and places the tooth under the pillow.
"Ok now go lay down. After you fall asleep the tooth fairy will come."
She hugs Dean and hops under the covers.
"I love you D!"
"I love you too Bells no go to sleep."
Dean closes the door. There was a good horror movie he wanted to watch tonight. So he popped himself some popcorn and plopped down in front of the TV. He'd kept in mind to put the quarters under her pillow once he knew she was asleep.
"D!"
Dean jumps up spilling the popcorn all over the place. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep.
"D!"
He heard Bella screaming in a way she'd never ever screamed before. He rushed to the bedroom only seeing a pair of white glittery wings. His eyes widen as the creature turns and he sees it's got Bella.
Dean rushes towards his bed and pulls out his dad's gun. Without another thought he fires. The being whips around. Dean narrows his eyes at the hideous looking fairy. It looked nothing like a fairy it looked more like a monster. It's eyes were glowing and it's skin like rugged leather. It pens Bella against the head board and forces her mouth open.
"NO!" Dean shouts and fires all the rounds he has. The fairy turns angrily and drops its hold on Bella and flies after Dean.
"D!" Bella screams.
Dean presses his lips together. The creature tries forcing Dean's mouth open as he has him penned to the wall. Dean starts doing anything he can think of he uses his feet to kick. He uses his fingers to dig into the creatures face.
"DEAN!"
Dean and Bella watch as their father bust in and stab the fairy. It starts to fade and a cloud of black smoke forms as it exits through Bella's window. John grabs his son checking him over. Once he sees he's ok he picks him up and hugs him kissing the top of his head. Bella runs towards John he scoops her up and John rushes towards the door. He takes once last glance at the apartment and that was it they never saw that place again.