Author's Note:
You guys have been so lovely to me, I don't know what to say anymore. I'm really grateful for everything, your support means a lot to me even if I haven't responded to you directly. Thanks so much everyone. I hope you enjoy the new update :)
It was a little over a week before anyone heard back about the mansion. Jet hadn't wanted to move about a lot so he just paid for everyone to stay in the hotel rooms until it was all said and done. Sam worked hard to catch up and finish what was left of his high school work and officially graduate, Dean said he didn't think it'd matter too much one way or another. Sam would get his diploma, even if it wasn't with the rest of the class it was probably still worth more. Or maybe that was just the big brother in him talking, Cas wasn't really sure.
What he did know was that he enjoyed living in the hotel. It wasn't the biggest space but there was a swimming pool that had a water slide, which was all he really cared to know. The food service was good, and he enjoyed talking to the staff after their initial shock over his appearance. No one in their group was really used to that sort of treatment, either. Everyone tried to do things on their own or acted as though they were poor in a ritzy place. Cas didn't blame them, he still wasn't used to it either. Always expecting the dream to end and money to dry up.
Most of the team hung out in Sam and Jet's suite, it was the biggest one after Jet upgraded to it, even had a hot tub in the middle of the room. Cas liked to sit on the edge with his feet in the water right by the high-pressure jets; Desirae spent quite a bit of time in it too.
"Anyone get any calls yet?" Charlie asked as she walked into the suite to join the rest of them, a tray of fancily set up fruits in her hand.
"Nope," Jet stated as he stole one, "I think they'll get back to us once they actually find stuff."
"This whole thing is pretty much out of our hands," Sam said matter-of-factly, "We're not really entitled to much information anymore, as far as I see it."
"I think they'll let us know," Cas was confident though the others' reactions weren't quite as compelling.
"I dunno, I think Sam's right." Dean looked at Cas apologetically, "The police aren't known to share a lot of their info."
"But this is a case regarding me, I think they have to tell us something." Cas argued and though no one was quite on his side he didn't care, he had some faith left in humanity. "Even if they don't have to, I think they will."
"If it helps you sleep at night," Jet shrugged it off as he picked up his vibrating phone, "Hey, this is Jet."
Cas didn't think much of the call until he noticed Jet's expression change a little. He didn't like to use his heightened senses against anyone but eavesdropping was far too tempting.
"Hello, this is officer Donna callin', we got some news on your case."
"Alright, what is it?"
Cas didn't really think Jet's harsh approach was necessary, Donna sounded really nice.
"Well it's about the little one, Desirae-"
"What about her?" Jet's expression darkened and everyone was looking at him after that little outburst. Cas noticed Desirae's ears were up, he was sure she'd be listening too.
"I'm gettin' to that if you'd let me finish. The team assigned to your case uncovered some files regarding Desirae and we found where her original parents were from."
As Donna went on Cas watched Jet's face as it became more and more anxious. Desirae's parents were from a state over, Desirae had gone missing as a toddler and her full name was Desirae Teagen Stenberg.
"So…" Jet said after Donna paused, "What now?"
"Well that's where this gets a little… messy. Desirae's parents died in a car accident, she was abducted from an orphanage in Missouri called A Gift of Hope. There had been immediate family members on their way from out of the country to pick her up before she'd been taken. We've contacted them about the situation and they said they'd like to meet with you and her."
Jet glanced over at Cas first, it was meant to be an exchanged look but all Cas could think about was how he'd be caught eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Alright," Jet relented, "When?"
"They will be arriving this evening, we'll give you a call when you can come to precinct."
"Sure, thanks Donna." He sighed and moved his left arm a little, Cas imagined it would be an absent-minded gesture like putting his hand in his hair. That was a common one with Jet, anyway. Jet just looked down again and frowned like he tended to do whenever he forgot about it, "One more thing, any information on the investigation and the mansion?"
"There's a little but Captain Stevens would like to tell you when we have more information."
"So we're going to be told what's up?"
"As far as what I've been told, yeah. Don'tcha worry, we'll catch these guys."
Jet smirked and nodded, "Alright, thanks a lot, see you later." He hung up and shoved his phone in his pocket, Sam was at his side in a second.
"What is it?"
"Dean's officer called," Jet shrugged, "Turns out Desirae's relatives are gonna be in town tonight and they want to meet with us."
"My relatives?" Desirae peered at him from the hot tub, "My biological parents?"
"Not exactly," Jet walked over to the tub and sat on the edge of it next to her. He smiled gently and touched the side of her head, "I know you heard that," he whispered softly and she looked away. "What part did you want me to explain?"
Desirae climbed out of the water and into Jet's lap, "Nothing," she leaned against him and he put his arm around her comfortingly. "I'm okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She smiled up at Jet though Cas could see a hint a nervousness in her face. Jet didn't seem to fall for it much either, he raised his eyebrow at her and Desirae's smile faded slowly. "Okay… I'm a little worried."
"Me too," Jet kissed her cheek and hugged her as best he could despite not being used to his limb shortage.
"What if I have to go with them?" Rae asked quietly, Jet's hold tightened a little.
"I'll fight for you, don't worry."
Cas didn't doubt he would, hell, Jet would probably kidnap her and run if he was told he wasn't allowed to keep her. "Did you guys want more company?" Cas asked and Jet shook his head.
"Other than Sam, I think we're good. Thanks, though."
"No problem." Cas offered a thumb's up with one hand and took some of Charlie's fruit with the other. "So what do we do now?"
"Well," Bobby spoke up and they all looked at him, Cas was a little surprised by how much respect Bobby commanded just by being in the area. "Nikki and I were talkin', we think you should start looking for a new place to live."
Jet raised an eyebrow and looked at his mom, "Tired of the hotel?"
"You can't live out of a hotel forever," she replied with a similarly raised brow and Jet looked scolded for about a second. "We should start looking at decent places."
"I kind of agree," Sam admitted, "Sitting here is nice but we should look for our new home, don't you think?"
Cas looked at Dean who was smiling, "What are some things you think it absolutely has to have?" He was mostly asking Dean but he wanted to hear some ideas from the others too.
"It's gotta have an awesome bathroom," Dean didn't hesitate with that one, "And a good kitchen. Lots of counter space."
"I think customizable bedrooms is what I'm looking for," Sam added, "A space I can make my own."
"Good sitting area," Jet continued the list with a smirk, "We need to have room to throw parties."
"I like an open concept, something with high ceilings," Cas glanced back at his wings, "Not that I'd fly indoors, it'd just be nice."
"So big windows, maybe?" Dean looked at him curiously and he nodded.
"Yeah, that sounds nice."
"We need a lawn!" Desirae chimed in excitedly, "Lots of grass and space to run-"
"And someone to mow that shit," Jet ruffled her hair.
"Well there aren't any 'build your own house' things unless we literally want to build it," Charlie pointed out, "So maybe we should start shopping around and see what we can find."
"Yeah," the group agreed.
"I just wanted to hear what everyone else wanted," Cas smiled a little and Dean pulled him over, he practically fell into Dean's lap. With a giggle he started kissing Dean quickly and probably too many times by anyone else's count. They toppled over, laughing together while the others tried to continue conversations about housing. Cas didn't care where they ended up as long as Dean was with him; that was the biggest thing he expected from any home he had.
Not too long after that Jet, Desirae, and Sam dressed as nicely as they could and headed out to meet the other family. Cas wished them well but gave Desirae a strong hug just in case; he didn't know what would happen there but he'd never forgive himself if he didn't do it and then never saw her again.
"Whatever happens, you'll be okay." He told her as he let go, gently brushing some curls away from her face.
"Thanks Cas," she rubbed her eyes with a nervous smile on her face, "You too."
She went to Nikki next who coddled her and gave her a kiss or two. It was sweet but Cas was starting to feel a weight in his chest. It had to be anxiety or stress, but it still made him more nervous to know it was there at all.
Once everyone got to give Desirae their well wishes, she was off with her dads. Cas watched the door even after it had closed, listening to the distant footsteps in the hall until he finally couldn't hear them anymore.
"It's alright, Cas." Dean kissed his cheek, "I'm pretty sure she'll be back in no time."
"Yeah…" Cas said distantly and leaned against Dean again, "You're probably right. I just-"
"No," Dean kissed him again, "No doubts, she'll be back."
Cas smiled and nuzzled Dean affectionately, "Alright, alright."
With Charlie's laptop set up they started searching for possible homes, locations were discussed and debated over by others but Cas just listened. He mostly just wanted to see photos of it to know how open it was. Modern mansions were the goal that time around, no one wanted any reminders of the older structure of MacLeod's place. It was nice to look at but it was too uncomfortable to really live in. Cas nearly argued no basements, but he knew that he could just decide to not go down if they ended up getting one.
After just a little while of checking out modern rich housing the group realized that just about anything was super nice to them. Rich tastes were acquired and nobody had them yet, which meant that the only real argument was location. A question of what college would people be going to, whether it'd be in town, outside of town, or on the outskirts, things like that. Those options didn't get Castiel's interest either, aside from the idea of going to a musical college.
"You really don't care?" Dean looked at him and Cas just shrugged.
"Well I don't want to be in the middle of town, if that's what you mean?"
"Yeah, but also climate, what state you want to be in?"
"Something more… open minded would be nice."
"Alright, good point." Charlie was always supportive, Cas was so glad to have that back.
"What about LA?" Michael offered and there was a mixed reaction.
"We might see some celebrities," Dean grinned, a little sparkle in his eyes.
"There are so many people there," Charlie crinkled her nose, "Sooooo many people."
"I might make it big with singing," Cas was excited because Dean was excited, which resulted in him trying to defend the position despite not actually caring. Love was an odd paradox to him sometimes.
"That's kinda what I was thinking," Michael chuckled.
"Would be a bit of a trip to visit," Bobby mused and Cas watched Dean start to reconsider his previous disposition on the subject. "But you guys might have better university options."
"We can pay to fly you out," Charlie laughed at Bobby who lit up at the mention.
"Oh yeah…"
"I'm down for LA," Nikki stated prominently, "Jet and I used to live in New York, we can handle it."
"You did?" Cas looked up, a little surprised. "I thought he met Dean and Sam when he was little?"
"Yeah, but before that we lived in New York."
Charlie scoffed with a laugh, "So he's good with big cities based on his two-year-old experience? Yeah, that's dependable."
"He's flexible," Nikki brushed it off. "I can teach you guys some 'big city living tips.'"
Cas was looking forward to living with all those people more and more as he listened to them.