Sam stopped by Ramey's and got out.

Jess looked around and found some snacks. "What would Dean want from here?"

Sam chuckled. "Growing up, we never had the money for gifts. We'd find the money somehow and buy a pack of gum or something."

Jess smiled. "It is the thought that counts."

Sam saw lottery tickets and shrugged. "Can I get one of those?" He asked and pointed to one that caught his eye.

The cashier gave him the ticket and bagged the snacks. "Have a good day."

"You too." Sam said and walked with Jess to the car. "If I can get my law degree and get a good job, I can help pay for stuff."

Jess opened her drink. "Hunting doesn't pay well."

"No, it doesn't. Most of the money we have used has not been earned from honest work." Sam said and grimaced. "I love my family and respect the life but I wish we could operate legally."

"Superheros usually don't follow all of the laws." Jess said.

Sam snorted. "We are not superheroes though."

"You fight evil to protect people. That sounds like a superhero." Jess said and held his hand.

"You are hard to argue with." Sam said with a smile.

Jess smiled back and squeezed his hand.

### ###

Bobby parked outside of the Roadhouse and went inside. "Hey, Ellen."

"Hey, Bobby." Ellen said and walked around the bar.

Taylor found Jo and asked if she wanted him to take her bag.

Jo shook her head. "I can carry it. I hope your grandparents will be okay with me coming."

Taylor laughed. "I hope you're okay with being smothered. My nana has wanted to meet you since we found out about who my real dad was."

"I can bring one of the mats we have."

"No, they have beds and stuff. I'm telling you, she is excited about this." Taylor said.

Bobby sat down at a booth to talk to Ellen. "Have you heard anything else about those creatures?"

"Oh, there is a lot of talk but most don't know what they are talking about. For the most part, those that may have seen something weren't close enough to know what they were seeing, and those that got close enough aren't here to tell the tale."

"They are nasty. They may not be so bad if they weren't so fast. We figured out how to cure two people who got bit but the 'cure' isn't something we can dish out to every hunter out there." Bobby said.

"We can't go around telling everyone either." Ellen said.

Jo placed her bag in the back of Bobby's car and gasped. She stepped back and shut the door.

"Joanna Harvelle." A man said with a smirk.

"Drunk already?" Jo asked.

The man got closer. "Don't be that way."

"Ivan, go home." Jo said and walked away from him.

Ivan grabbed her arm. "I'm just trying to talk."

Taylor stepped around the car. "She told you to go home."

Ivan laughed. "Who is this?"

Jo pulled her arm away. "My brother."

Ivan chuckled. "Your sister and I are just having a little talk."

Taylor stood beside Jo. "Do you want to talk to him?"

"No." Jo said.

"So, go home." Taylor said.

Ivan bristled. "Look, kid. This is none of your business. Every time I come in here, Jo acts like a stuck up bitch. I just want to know why."

"Go or I'll call the cops, Ivan." Jo said. It was far from the first time that she had run into him.

Ivan reached and grabbed her arm, spinning her so he could put his arm around her neck. He moved her hair back. "Why ruin the fun?"

Taylor saw red and flicked his hand, sending Ivan flying into the car behind him.

He hit his head on the window and slid to the ground. He sprung to his feet and charged at Taylor.

Taylor punched him in the face and moved back so that his fall wasn't broken.

Jo went inside. "Ivan's passed out outside."

Taylor stepped inside too. He was sheepish.

Ellen walked outside and took a look at him. She looked at Taylor who was rubbing his fist against his jeans.

"He grabbed me and wouldn't leave when I told him to." Jo said.

Ellen made sure Ivan was still breathing and huffed. "Taylor, help me move him."

Taylor grabbed his arms and helped Ellen move him to the wall. "Are you going to call an ambulance?"

Ellen shook her head. "He touched my daughter. If he does it again I'll shoot him."

Taylor followed them inside. He met eyes with Bobby and grimaced.

"Ivan, out there, is a regular that won't leave Jo alone." Ellen explained. "Taylor knocked him out."

Bobby nodded. "Serves him right."

Taylor relaxed.

Jo shoved Taylor playfully. "Next time, just know that I can take up for myself."

Another hunter was sitting in his truck, about to go into the Roadhouse when the interaction took place. He was going to say something because the girl was clearly underage and didn't want anything to do with the drunk. He saw him fly back and hit the car in a way that wouldn't be possible without a lot of force. The kid with her was too small to do that kind of damage, although the punch he landed was good. Did the kid toss the guy? How was that possible?

Taylor said goodbye to Ellen and stayed by the door. He saw someone walking in and held the door open.

The man flicked Holy water on Taylor but there was no reaction. If he wasn't a demon, how did he throw a full grown man?

Jo got into the backseat. "Thanks for picking me up, Bobby."

Bobby let the car heat up. "You are welcome."

Taylor turned around. "They have horses"

Jo smiled. "You told me." She liked animals but hadn't gotten to be around them as much as she wanted. Her dad rode horses when he was a teenager. "Do you think they'd let me ride?"

"Of course. My grandpa would be more than happy to show you around."

Jo sat back. "And you are sure I won't be in the way?"

"When I called to ask if they would mind if you went, Marie sounded excited." Bobby said. "She said that I shouldn't have to ask and that you are always welcome."

"They wanted a bunch of kids and grandkids but as you know, my original family was crap. None of my brothers wanted to visit. She has been over the moon since I got with these guys. She will love you." Taylor said.

### ####

Andy buckled his seatbelt. "What kind of errands are we running?"

"Well, your mom gave me a list of things for the trip. Weather can change and roads can get icy. It is best to have some blankets and stuff in the truck in case something happens." Caleb said.

"Then we can go?" Andy asked.

"Yes but you have to stop bugging her about it. She is getting everything else ready and we can't leave until tomorrow." Caleb answered.

Andy rubbed the window with his glove to wipe away the condensation. "Do you like my mom?"

Caleb bit his cheek. "What do you mean?"

"Like.. like a girlfriend," Andy said.

Caleb chuckled. "Yeah, buddy. I do. I think it is safe to say that she is my girlfriend."

"How long after being girlfriend and boyfriend do you get married?" Andy asked.

Caleb's face warmed. "Uh, that is different for everyone."

"How about for you?" Andy asked.

Caleb rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know about that. We have plenty of time. What has you asking all of that?"

Andy drew a smiley face on the glass. "If you get married, you can't leave. That is what it says in the vows."

Caleb sighed. "I don't plan on leaving. It doesn't take vows for that."

Andy bit his lip and fidgeted with his hands. "Good because my mom would be really sad."

"I may have to go on hunting trips but I won't leave." Caleb said.

Andy let out a sigh of relief. "You should get one of those bath bomb things for her. She likes those."

Caleb reached back and patted his leg. "You're a good kid."

### ###

"Where did you get that bracelet for Ian?" Kate asked.

Dean stopped cleaning his gun. "Why?"

"It just came at a good time." Kate said.

Dean sighed. "I'm not supposed to tell you. It could mess things up."

Kate narrowed her eyes. "Well, now I have to know."

"You did." Dean said. He knew that telling her was better than trying to hide it. He could control what she knew if he told her. "An older version of you."

Kate's attention was peaked. "Really? Did I just show up and give it to you?"

"Pretty much. You talked for a few minutes and then left." Dean said.

"What am I like? Do you talk to me a lot?" Kate asked.

Dean sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. "You are you. I've only talked to you a few times. Dad has met you."

Kate smirked. "What did he think?"

"He wasn't that phased. Don't think that becoming an adult will make him any less likely to kick your ass." Dean said.

Kate furrowed her brows. "How is that fair?"

Dean chuckled. "I don't know. I'm just giving you a life tip."

"He doesn't kick yours," Kate said with a whine.

Dean snorted. "I also don't try to argue with him."

"Coward." Kate said with a smile.

Dean tossed the dirty rag he used to clean his gun at Kate. "Keep mouthing off. It is just entertainment for me."

Kate scrunched her nose. "I'm going to grab my stuff."

"Yeah, go do that." Dean said as she walked away. "Hurry, we leave in ten minutes."

Kate stepped back into the room and raised an eyebrow. "I think I'm going to take my time."

Dean slid his chair back and raised an eyebrow back at her.

Kate crossed her arms.

Dean stood up and took a step toward her and laughed when she took off. "Now who is the coward?"

### ####

"Can we leave tonight?" Andy asked.

Caleb sighed. "I already told you that we will leave tomorrow."

"Dean and Kate are going to leave today. Bobby left already." Andy said.

"Bobby went to get Jo. Dean is going to help Taylor's grandpa ward the place. We will leave tomorrow morning." Caleb said and placed groceries on the front passenger's side of the truck.

Andy stood up and leaned over the seat. "Why can't we leave tonight.

Caleb shut the door and put the cart back. "Because we plan to leave tomorrow. We are going to spend two nights there. We don't need to spend three."

"Why not?" Andy asked.

Caleb opened the back door and made Andy sit on the edge of the seat. "Your mom and I talked about it and we decided to go tomorrow. That way, we will have plenty of daylight to drive. We want to take our time because those roads can get icy."

"Dean is going though." Andy whined.

Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can call them and tell them we aren't coming."

Andy gasped. "Why?"

"I have explained to you what is going on and you won't drop it. I know you are excited but we are sticking to the plan." Caleb explained.

Andy turned and buckled his seatbelt. He furrowed his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "Fine."

Caleb shut the door and let out a long breath. If that didn't remind him of himself as a kid, he didn't know what would. "Listen, Andy, today is a good day. Neither of us wants it to turn sour."

Andy huffed.

"When we get to the house, you can make cards for everyone. That should keep you busy. We will finish up getting stuff together and leave in the morning." Caleb said.

Andy sighed. "Okay."

Caleb hoped that ANdy took the olive branch. He didn't like having to crack down on him. He drove back to the apartment and handed Andy some light bags.

Andy carried them inside and dropped them on the kitchen floor.

April went to greet him but he stomped away to his room. She made eye contact with Caleb and grimaced.

"He wants to leave tonight and is upset that he has to wait until tomorrow." Caleb said.

April groaned. "I told him why we weren't going tonight."

"I did too but he's got his heart set." Caleb said.

"I'll go talk to him." April said.

Caleb continued to bring groceries in and put them away. He heard Andy raise his voice and started to go in there. April could handle it.

"Do not raise your voice at me, Andrew." April said.

Andy thought adults were horribly unfair.

"This is your warning. Lose the attitude. We will leave tomorrow morning. We have both explained this to you." April said.

Andy laid back on his bed and rolled so his back was to her.

April sighed and went to help Caleb.

Caleb handed Ian a snack. He stepped over him and sorted through the rest of the snacks. "How'd it go?"

"He is sulking. I don't think I helped the situation." She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed.

Caleb kissed her and rubbed her back. "He will be okay."

Ian shoved him self between them.

Caleb looked down. "Another snack already?"

Ian signed for 'more' and smiled.

"When did he learn sign language?" Caleb asked.

"My sister wanted Andy to know a few signs but he didn't talk until he was nearly three. I taught him signs so he could communicate. Then, when Ian was born, I decided to do the same. It helps cut down on the frustration they feel when they can't find the words they need." April said.

Caleb smiled. "You are an amazing mom, you know that?"

April smiled back. "Thank you."

Andy missed when he could tell people what to do and they'd do it. He couldn't compel people anymore. All he wanted was to go to Marie's house one day sooner. She said she'd have Christmas decorations. He wanted to see the horses and goats. He didn't understand why no one would listen. Everyone was happy that he didn't have abilities but he wasn't. Kate and Taylor could grow up and be hunters. They were already helpful. He was back to being a useless kid.

Caleb gave Andy a while before he went to check on him. He knocked on the door and walked in.

Andy frowned. "Leave me alone."

Caleb shut the door and sat on his bed. "Not going to do that."

"I don't want to talk and I haven't asked about leaving tonight. So, you can't be mad at me." Andy said.

"I'm not mad at you. I want to know what has you in a twist." Caleb said.

Andy moved off his bed and sat down at his desk. "I'll make the cards."

Caleb pulled his chair back and turned him. "You can after you tell me." He sighed. He pulled Andy out of the chair and sat him on his knee. "Talk to me."

Andy frowned. "This is gonna be the best Christmas ever. Taylor said they have a big tree and lights and everything."

"We will get to see it. We are just asking you to wait a few hours."

"Why does Ian get to keep his abilities but I had to get rid of mine?" Andy blurted out.

"Ian has a bracelet that blocks his abilities." Caleb said.

"He gets to keep them though." Andy said.

"Not if we can find a way to fix it." Caleb replied.

"Kate and Taylor are awesome. They get to help you guys. Kate saved your life. I'm never going to be able to do that. I'm just a dumb kid." Andy said.

Caleb sighed. "You aren't a dumb kid. Kids shouldn't have abilities and I don't want you out there helping people like that."

"Why? When you hunt, who is going to help you?" Andy asked.

"I hunt with Dean. I don't plan on doing any more solo hunts." Caleb said.

"I'll get older and want to help."

"No. You deserve a normal life. Your mom doesn't need to sit up at night wondering if you are okay or if some monster has gotten you." Caleb said.

"I don't like it." Andy said.

"That is okay. You'll understand one day. Now, I want you to drop the attitude and we can watch a movie before bedtime. Your mom and I want to spend time with you and Ian. I don't and I know she doesn't want to have to correct you again." Caleb said.

Andy sighed. "Okay. I'm sorry I was grumpy."

Caleb patted his back. "It is okay." He put Andy on his feet. "I bet your mom could use some help picking which snacks to bring."

April smiled when Andy hugged her. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes." He looked in the snack box. "I think we should bring these in the yellow bag."

### ###

Marie stepped outside when she heard the impala. She wrapped both Dean and Kate in a hug and welcomed them. "It is so nice to see you two."

"Thanks for having us." Dean said.

"Rod got all of the stuff that Bobby told him to get. He just wants to make sure that the symbols are correct before relying on them." Marie said.

"Absolutely. Kate, can you handle the bags?" Dean asked.

Kate scoffed. "I don't know. They may be too heavy."

Dean snorted and messed up her hair. "Marie, watch her. She has been on a roll."

Kate grinned. "I'm slowly trying to drive him insane."

Dean tossed her the keys. "You already have." He found Rod in the barn. "Hey, I can get started on those symbols for you."

Rod pointed to two metal rods. "Do you mind checking those out?"

Dean picked one up. "A brand." He stamped it into the dirt and traced the symbol with his fingers. "You made these?"

"I had some extra time. I figured it would save you some time." Rod said.

Dean tried the other one. "Don't you need a fire for these?"

Rod pointed to a blow torch.

Dean grinned. "Awesome."

Rod walked with him into the woods. "We can ward up close today and then I can do the rest another day."

"How many acres are back here?" Dean asked.

Rod rubbed his face. "A couple hundred."

Dean choked. "A couple?"

"We have been here for a long time. When neighbors get tired of farming and move into the city, we buy the land. It is an investment."

Dean looked around. "For animals?"

"We raise and sell some of the animals. Most of the land is timber or fields for corn, wheat, and other kinds of grain." Rod said.

Dean made a sound in the back of his throat. "So you handle all of that yourself?"

Rod chuckled. "No. There are a few people that live on the land. They work it and keep part of the profits."

Dean heated one of the brands before sticking it to a tree.

"You're wondering how much money we get from it." Rod said. "Truthfully, Marie and I don't take much of it." He sighed. "Which I wanted to talk to you about."

Dean checked the tree. "These work well. Why do you want to talk to me?"

"The economy isn't always stable. We were careful with money and planned ahead. Taylor doesn't know but he has an account. The plan was to give him the information for it when he goes off to college." He heated up another brand. "It is something we planned to do for all of the grandkids but Craig's boys didn't want much to do with us. We have held onto everything."

"Wow, best grandparents ever." Dean said.

"Well, we have been fortunate. I grew up dirt poor. David has an account too but now we know he'd just use the money for drugs or something else. We'd like Kate to have his." Rod said.

Dean slowly turned to look at him. "That.. I.. you.. That is so kind of you."

"Marie and I talked about it for a while. Taylor is happy. He is well taken care of and we want her to have the same opportunity that he will have."

Dean rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you. I don't know what to say."

"Just keep taking care of them." Rod said and clapped him on the back. "I'll give you the papers before you leave."

Dean felt a little weight lifted off of his shoulders. They'd be okay financially. Both older Kate and older Taylor said that things were going to get bad. They cured Alana and Mary. They had a string of good days and were about to have the biggest Christmas any of them had ever had. Was this the calm before the storm? Were things going too well?

Kate looked around the house. "This is beautiful. It looks like a Hallmark movie."

Marie smiled warmly. "Christmas is my favorite holiday."

"Thank you for letting us come here."

"Don't thank me. I am thrilled that we will get to have a crowded house. It is too quiet out this way." Marie said. "Bring those bags upstairs."

"Where did you get the extra mattresses? Kate asked.

"Here and there," Marie said. "You can share a room with Jo and Taylor. April and Caleb will have their own room and Andy can stay in there unless he wants to be with the rest of the kids."

Kate looked into the other room. "So Dean and Bobby get this one?"

"That leaves the other for Sam and Jessica." Marie said.

Kate stepped back into Dean's room. She turned and looked at Marie. "Who is the third bed for?"

Marie smiled. She winked at Kate. "Just an extra bed."

If John showed up, it would be a Christmas miracle. "Does Dean know?"

Marie shook her head. "No, and you best keep that secret."

Kate smiled. "I'll keep my mouth shut."

### ###

"Jo, I'm going to let you drive while it is dry outside," Bobby said. He needed a cat nap to make it to Marie's house.

Jo swapped places with him. "Taylor, do you know the way?"

Taylor pointed to a printed sheet of paper with directions. "I can read."

Bobby got into the backseat and rested his head against his balled-up jacket. "If the driving conditions change, you let me know."

Jo got back onto the road and asked Taylor where to go.

"Get back on the interstate. The turn-off is a while from now. I'll keep an eye on the signs."

"So, how have you been?" Jo asked.

"Oh, you know, school and stuff." Taylor said.

"I'm about done with school. Everyone says high school is the best years of your life but it is a drag." Jo said.

"I guess I'll find out next year." Taylor said with a chuckle.

Jo waited for Bobby to fall asleep and cleared her throat. "What is going on with the creatures?"

"We are at a standstill. We can't do anything right now so we are avoiding them."

"Does John really have one in a cage?"

"Cas does. I haven't seen it. John won't let anyone near it." Taylor said.

"How are they going to figure out how to kill them if no one is allowed to look at it?" Jo asked.

Taylor shrugged. "I'm leaving that argument to Dean."

"Okay, well, I know how that goes." Jo said.

"Are you still arguing with Ellen?" Taylor asked.

Jo rolled her eyes. "What do you think?"

They settled in and talked for the better part of an hour, enjoying the time they had to talk without interruption.

Jo looked at the gas tank. "We should get gas. We have half a tank but the weather could get bad. Better to be safe than sorry." She turned off the road and stopped at a gas station.

Taylor got out and slid the approved credit card into the gas pump. He selected the fuel type and opened the tank. He pulled the hood of his jacket over his head and hunched his shoulders against the wind. He looked around because he felt something was off. He tapped on Jo's window. "I'm going to go inside. I feel like I'm being watched."

Jo nodded and woke Bobby up. She saw a man go inside immediately after Taylor did.

Bobby got out and followed them inside. He noted that the man acted off as well.

Jo heard the gas pump click, signaling that the tank was full. She started to get out to put it back but stopped. What if someone was waiting for her to be alone? She locked the doors and waited.

Taylor used the restroom and kept his head down.

Bobby walked back with him. "You think you are being watched?"

Taylor nodded. "That or something just feels off." He felt his fingers start to tingle and groaned.

"Let's get out of here." Bobby said.

Jo frowned. "I can still drive."

Bobby raised an eyebrow. "Not if we have someone following us.

Jo sighed. She got into the backseat and looked through the back window.

"Thank you for driving and getting gas. We will stop in another town and eat and use the restroom. Once it is dark, I don't want to get out of the car." Bobby said.

"How far do you think those creatures go?" Jo asked.

"We don't know. We don't know for sure that it is localized. It is possible that someone, like a vampire, got bit and got away, only to infect their nest. Then, those vamps would run and it could spread like wildfire." Bobby said.

"Do you know how to kill them?" Jo asked.

"Not yet." Bobby said.

"Why is John not letting anyone at least try?" Jo asked.

Bobby looked in the rearview mirror and then at Taylor. "You or Kate have been sharing with the class."

"We only filled in bits and pieces." Taylor said.

Bobby looked back at the mirror to make eye contact with Jo. "Don't run with that information."

Jo scoffed. "I'm not going to."

"Your mama would have my head if I didn't at least warn you against it." Bobby said.

Jo laughed. "My mom isn't that scary. You all are hunters and act like your life is on the line every time she says something."

Taylor turned around. "Your mom is exactly that scary. She is like the female version of John."

Bobby smacked the back of Taylor's head. "Boy, you can't be saying stuff like that. You'll have both of them on your ass."

Taylor turned back around. "No one is scared of you, Bobby."

Bobby huffed. "Maybe you ought to be."

Taylor grinned. "Jo, you should see him with Ian. It is adorable."

Bobby grumbled.

"Bobby rocking babies to sleep. Can't say I saw that coming." Jo teased.

"I'm about to make you two walk the rest of the way." Bobby said.

"Kate could just zap us there." Taylor said.

"Yeah, we could have been there already." Jo said.

Bobby chuckled. "Then I'll call Ellen and tell her you're being a smartass and let her deal with both of you."

Taylor grimaced and then smiled. "Low blow, Bobby."

### ###

Andy laid in his bed for a little while. He was excited about the next day and couldn't sleep. Ian had fallen asleep right away and he was pretty cute. He got out of bed and covered Ian with his blanket. He moved his bear closer to him and sat back down on his bed. Maybe, he could watch some cartoons. He quietly exited his room and shut the door behind him. He tiptoed to the living room and looked around for the remote. He heard Caleb's voice and turned around.

"No, we are trying to figure out who the birth father is. March 13, 1995." Caleb said.

Andy gasped. That was his birthday. Why did he want to know who his birth dad was? He got closer to the kitchen and sat down on the floor.

April walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, not seeing Andy. "Did he find anything?"

"Not yet." Caleb said. "Silas, the birth mother was an Elizabeth Simmons."

Andy pulled a face. His mom wasn't named Elizabeth. He was confused.

"She named him Christopher Andrew." April said.

Caleb relayed the information and waited. He put the phone on his shoulder. "What is your real name?"

April chuckled. "Emily."

Caleb scrunched his nose. "You don't look like an Emily."

"I've been April Elizabeth for six years." April said.

Caleb squeezed her shoulder. "You used your sister's name."

"Andy got my dad's middle name." April said.

Caleb heard a voice on the phone and put it up to his ear. "Do you have anything?"

"Just a missing persons report for Elizabeth and her infant son."

"Well, the son isn't missing. We know what happened to her. We are trying to figure out if there is any information about who the birth father is."

Andy's heart was beating out of his chest. Was his mom not his mom? Why did they want to know who his dad was? If they found out, would he have to go with him? He didn't want to go with anyone. He thought Caleb liked him but maybe he wanted to have a normal family.

Caleb gave April the phone and headed to grab something from his duffle. He walked by Andy and then spun around. "Andy."

Andy's eyes grew wide.

Caleb hauled Andy up by his arm and walked him to the kitchen. He made him sit down in a chair and then got what he needed from the duffle.

April was shocked to see Andy. She gave Caleb a confused look when he returned.

"Eavesdropping?" Caleb asked.

Andy shrunk in the chair.

Caleb held his hand out for the phone. "Thank you, Silas. Have a good holiday." He got off the phone and put it down. "Why were you sitting in the floor out there?"

Andy's lower lip quivered.

"Were you listening to our conversation? How long were you sitting there?" April asked.

Andy squirmed. "I was gonna watch cartoons but Caleb said my birthday and I didn't know why."

Caleb sighed. "That was before you came back in here."

"Were you sitting there and I didn't see you?" April asked.

Andy nodded.

"How much did you hear?" Caleb asked.

Andy shook his head. "I want to go to bed now."

"Answer him." April said.

"Everything." Andy said and hung his head.

Caleb rubbed his face and stepped away from Andy to speak with April. He groaned and went back to Andy. "When you listened in on the conversation at the bunker and ran, what did you learn?"

Andy bit his lip.

"Was it that eavesdropping is tricky because you don't always get the full understanding of a conversation and it is a breach of privacy?" Caleb asked.

Andy nodded. "I want to know what you meant though."

"There is a reason we waited until you were in bed to discuss it." April said.

Andy crossed his arms and furrowed his brows. "I want to know."

"It is complicated and we are waiting for answers." April said.

Andy got up and stomped his foot. "I want to know!"

April sat him back down. "Andy, not tonight. You came in on the wrong part of the conversation and we are waiting on Mr. Silas to see what he finds about your real dad."

"Tell me the rest then!"

"Andrew." April started to scold him.

Andy slid off the chair. "Fine, when I know things I just won't tell you either." He started to storm off but his progress was halted as his feet left the ground. "Put me down!"

Caleb tucked him against his hip and swatted him. "Stop yelling."

Andy tried his best to wiggle free but dangit, Caleb was strong. "No! Let me go!"

Caleb swatted him again. "You are too old to be throwing a tantrum. Stop yelling and calm down." He felt a small fist hit his leg and sighed. "Andy, I do not want to have to blister your butt tonight but if you hit me again I will do just that."

Andy was mad. They were talking about him and lying. "Then don't hit me!"

Caleb put Andy on his feet and looked into his eyes. "You will calm down." He pointed to the chair. "Sit."

Andy crossed his arms and didn't move.

April put her hand on his shoulder and turned him. "Andrew, sit."

Andy spun around, shoving April's hand off of him.

April grabbed the hand that had hit her. "Andrew Ethan, you know better."

Andy tried to pull his arm out of her grasp. He was too mad to see the chances he was given.

Caleb picked him up and sat down and put him over his left leg. He swatted him. "You do not hit your mother."

Andy registered what happened and yelped.

Caleb swatted him until he stopped putting up a fight. "What has gotten into you? You don't hit people. You especially don't hit your mom."

Andy started crying. "I'm sorry. I want to know what you were talking about. It was about me. I just want to know."

Caleb sighed. "We will discuss it. We will explain some of it."

Andy pushed against his leg. "Okay."

Caleb pulled his pajama pants down. "After that butt blistering, I promised you."

Andy squeaked. "I didn't hit you again."

Caleb gave April a look of exasperation. "You don't hit anyone."

Andy didn't know why Caleb pulled his pants down but he had a bad feeling about it.

Caleb readjusted Andy and started swatting again. He gave him ten hard swats before letting him up.

Andy stomped his feet and rubbed at his backside. He sniffled. He thought the first swats hurt over fuzzy pajama pants but didn't realize how much sting they took away.

Caleb pulled his pants back up and hugged him. "Are you done?"

Andy sniffled and nodded. "Why'd you do that?"

Caleb furrowed his brows. "I thought I made that clear."

Andy sniffled again and pulled on his pants leg.

Caleb swallowed a chuckle. "Too much padding."

Andy pulled back so he could look at Caleb. "It hurt with them on."

"Being disrespectful to your mom is a capital offense. That is what my dad used to say." Caleb said.

Andy frowned. "Did he do that?"

Caleb's cheeks turned pink. "Well, I remember getting my bare butt whacked with a wooden spoon because I told my mom to shut up."

Andy gasped. "That's mean to do to a kid."

"Well, bud. I earned that one. She was a great mom and I was being a brat." Caleb explained.

Andy looked at April. "Sorry, mama."

April gave him a small smile. "Why don't we go to the couch and we can talk."

Andy nodded and hugged her. He grabbed Caleb's hand and pulled him with them.

Caleb sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside him.

April sat down on the other side and rubbed Andy's hand. "When I was a teenager, just a little older than Taylor, my sister got pregnant. She had a beautiful baby boy. One day she started to get scared. She asked me to take care of him. Something terrible was after her, and I had to run with the baby and hide. So I changed my name and your name."

Andy was puzzled. "I don't have a real mom?"

"I am your mom. I have been since you were tiny. Elizabeth was a wonderful mother to you and I swore that I'd do my best to give you everything you need." April said.

Andy chewed his lip and thought about it. "What was after her?"

"We think it was the same demon that got Kate and Dean's mom." April said.

"Cuz I had powers?" Andy asked.

"Yes, it makes sense." April said. "I'm so sorry. You are still so small and I was going to tell you when you got older. I had to keep everything a secret so no one took you away from me."

Andy looked at Caleb for a moment and then back at April. "Why are you looking for my real dad?"

We have questions." April said.

"If you find him, do I have to go live with him?" Andy asked.

April pulled him to her. "No, you are my son, no matter who gave birth to you. You are staying with me. We just want to know who your dad was so that we can understand things. Taylor found out his biological dad was a hunter. They also found out that they are related to Dean's family like distant cousins. I have questions about my own parents. Any lead we have may give us answers."

Andy sighed. "You could'a told me that without spankin' me." He looked at Caleb with puppy eyes.

Caleb chuckled. "You got that because you were disrespectful and yelling. We were going to explain some of this."

"Do you have any questions? I'm sorry you found out this way." April said.

Andy shrugged. "You are still my mom. Kate said it is extra special if you have a parent that adopted you 'cuz they chose you."

April smiled. "Kate has a really good point."

Andy turned to Caleb. "Can you be my dad?"

Caleb's face turned red.

April sputtered.

"I can tell Jimmy Moris at school you are my dad. He said bastard wasn't a bad word because it just meant a kid who didn't have a dad. Then he called me one. I'm gonna punch him in the face." Andy said and hit his palm with his fist.

Caleb ruffled his hair. "You can't punch other kids."

"Jimmy is mean." Andy said.

"Some kids are but you can't be mean back." Caleb said.

Andy sighed. "But can you be my dad? You love my mom, right?"

Caleb's mouth was dry. He traded looks with April and gave her a shy grin. "I do love your mom."

April smiled brightly and blushed.

"You help take care of me. You spend time with me and let me go shopping with you. You keep me safe and I've gotten a lot of swats from you. That is what your dad did, right?" Andy asked.

Caleb had to give the kid credit for tenacity. "Well, it is a little more complicated than that."

Andy thought about it. "You are still Caleb but you said you don't plan on leaving."

"I don't plan on leaving." Caleb confirmed.

"I'm still going to tell Jimmy I have a dad. If he calls me a liar I can't promise I won't punch him." Andy announced.

Caleb cracked a smile. "How about if he calls you a liar I just pick you up from school."

Andy hugged him. "Okay."

"You should probably get some sleep." Caleb said.

Andy yawned. "Can I have a new bedtime story?"

"Ian is sleeping." April said.

"I can bring it in here." Andy said.

April smiled. "Okay, bring a book in here."

Andy quietly grabbed a book and brought it back. He sat next to Caleb and pulled April's arm so that she'd scoot over. He leaned his head on Caleb and put a hand on April's arm.

April got halfway through the book before Andy's head dropped.

Caleb caught his head with his hand and shifted him into his arms. "I'll go put him to bed."

April put the book on the coffee table and shut off the lights. She double checked the door and slid into her own bed.

Caleb climbed in beside her and kissed her shoulder.

"Hey, Caleb?"

"Yes?" Caleb asked.

"Thanks for choosing us."