Author's note: Love the reviews! Do we like the flashbacks? I want to go back and show different scenes in their lives to make their 'current' state make more sense.

(September 2000)

April found out she was pregnant seven months ago. She got a stomach bug that wouldn't go away. Of course, that made Steven angry. Everything made him angry. Andy was almost five at the time and a lot to handle. She planned on leaving Steven but the pregnancy threw a wrench in her plans. She cried for days when she first found out. Steven wouldn't allow her to go to a doctor due to money. She witnessed Andy being born but didn't know much about birth. When she and Andy could leave the house, she stopped by book stores and read tidbits about babies and the birthing process. If she went into labor, she could walk into the ER and they'd have to help her. She didn't have to give them a name.

On the evening of September 7th, April felt a pain in her back that radiated down her legs. She held her stomach until it passed. Maybe it was just false labor. She tried a warm bath and prayed that the pains would go away. They just got worse. Steven wouldn't answer his phone. He was probably out drinking again. She had no car to go to the hospital and Andy was with her. As the night went on, the pains got worse. She was petrified because she knew she was in labor and didn't know what to do. Steven was nowhere to be found so she washed towels and gathered everything that the books said she needed. Well, everything except a support system.

Andy was scared. "Mommy, are you hurt?"

"The baby is going to come, okay? I'm just going to make sure it has somewhere safe to be born. It's okay." April soothed Andy although she was shaking. The pain was unbearable.

Andy stayed by April's side as she knelt beside the bathtub and rested her head on the side. He left briefly to get a pillow and pushed it under her head. He patted her back the way she did when he was upset. He was too little to understand what was happening but he didn't like seeing her feel pain.

April labored through the night and into the early hours of the next morning. Poor Andy fell asleep so she gave him the pillow and let him sleep in the hallway.

Andy woke up around 3 am to shrill cries and scrambled into the bathroom. He stared at his mom with wide eyes.

April had her back to Andy and told him to stay where he was. The cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. She quickly unwound it and wrapped the baby in a towel and used the end to dry her eyes. She laid the baby down and used a piece of string to tie off the umbilical cord. She did it.

Andy was allowed to get closer and could see the baby's face. "It is loud."

April chuckled through sobs. "That means the lungs are clear." That meant the cord had not done any damage. She realized she didn't know what the baby was. She picked him up and shifted so Andy could sit beside her. "You have a brother."

Andy was shocked. He didn't look like any baby he'd ever seen.

April moved the baby a bit farther away and asked Andy to gently clean his face. She had things she still needed to do and didn't need Andy to see any of it. She took a deep breath and let it out. "Today is the 8th." She leaned her head back and cried quietly. There were tears of joy mixed with tears of fear. She heard Andy talking to the baby.

Andy gently wiped the baby's face with a warm cloth. He was very careful because the baby was very squishy. "I'm gonna make you all better. I'm your brother. My name is Andy." With the baby's head clean, he bent to kiss his head. "I love you little baby."

(September 8, 2002)

April remembered the morning that Ian was born like it was yesterday. She heard a struggle in the bathroom and checked it out.

Andy had Ian in a headlock, roughly trying to wipe his face with a cold wash cloth. "Stop fighting me. I'm trying to help you."

Ian kicked at Andy and screamed.

Andy pulled his hand back. "You are sticky! Don't bite me!"

April was amused by the stark difference between their relationship that first day and their relationship after two years. Andy really was trying to help but Ian knew how to fight. "Thank you, Andy. I'll take over."

Andy let go of Ian and stomped out of the bathroom. He groaned and turned back around. "Happy birthday, Ian." Little brothers were the worst sometimes.

April got Ian cleaned up and dressed so that they could go to Marie's house. "Caleb, are you almost ready?"

Caleb pulled his jeans on. "Yes. Sorry about that. What happened in the bathroom?"

April stepped into his hug. "Andy was trying to wipe Ian's face."

Caleb nodded knowingly.

"It is a little funny. When Ian was first born, Andy wiped his face but was so incredibly gentle so he didn't hurt him." April said.

Caleb snorted. "I doubt Ian is hurt."

"Oh no. He just got mad." April said.

Ian ran into the room and jumped on the bed.

Caleb scooped him up. "Good morning, birthday boy."

Ian giggled. He was too young to know what a birthday was but he liked the attention.

Andy waited by the front door. "Come on already!"

Caleb carried Ian down the stairs. "Riot, let's go."

Riot ran to the door and sat patiently. That was a new trick that he had learned.

April locked the door behind them and got into the front seat of the truck. She felt Lauren moving and placed her palms on either side of her stomach. Remembering how Ian came into the world made her nervous for Lauren. No, she did that with no help, alone in the middle of the night. Lauren's birth would be much easier.

Ian dropped his beloved firetruck and Andy picked it up for him. Andy pointed to it. "Firetruck."

Caleb got onto the road and started driving.

Ian happily played with the firetruck as they drove. A few minutes later a real firetruck drove by, blaring its siren and flashing its lights. He gasped and watched it go by, followed by another.

Andy pointed. "Those are big firetrucks."

Ian pressed his face to the window. "Fuck!"

Caleb whipped his head around. "What did he just say?"

Ian kicked his legs and squealed when a smaller fire responder truck zoomed by. "Fuck!"

Caleb exchanged looks with April. "NO Ian. Fire... truck."

Ian repeated his new word with a huge grin.

Caleb touched his forehead to the steering wheel. "Fire... truck." He heard it again and couldn't help the laugh that came out. "Oh no."

April covered her face. She went through that phase with Andy. He couldn't pronounce ship for a long time. "Of course, it is right before we go to a crowded party." She slowly turned her head to look at Caleb. "I told Marie that he was really into firetrucks right now."

Caleb's shoulders shook with laughter. "There's going to be a lot of those trucks, I'm guessing."

April groaned. "This will be funny when he's older. This will be funny when he's older."

Caleb wiped his eyes. "Oh, it's funny as hell."

Another vehicle zipped by with sirens and lights. "Look, it's an ambulance."

Ian gasped and watched it continue down the road. He imitated the siren and ran his firetruck across his leg. He continued the siren noise until April gave him a pack of gummies to make him stop.

"I miss when he was into construction trucks," April said. She shoved Caleb. "Stop laughing."

He took a deep breath. "And so it begins."

(Kate)

John had things to do that didn't involve a toddler's birthday party. He wanted to get things situated with testing before Kate got too antsy.

"What did older me do to make you mad?" Kate asked.

"You were disrespectful and cocky." John said.

Kate sighed. "That sounds like me. You can't be mad at me for something I havent done yet."

"I'm not mad at you. I want to talk to you." He paused. "I want to speak to older you and find out what the hell is going on."

"You could talk to me now," Kate said.

John took a sheet of paper from her. "I am talking to you."

"Am I cool when I'm older?" Kate asked.

John studied her. "You are strong. Don't let that go to your head. 12 or 19, being a brat will land you in the same place."

Kate huffed. "As soon as I'm 18, I'm a legal adult."

John nodded. "And still my kid."

"I wrote down a lot of my ideas. I would really like to look into all of this." Kate said.

John slowly read the paper. "I can't make you any promises."

"I know. I'm just glad I'm not being shut down from the get-go."

John stopped reading. "There's the sass."

Dean ran down the stairs. "If you're riding with me, you best get going."

Kate stood up and pushed her chair back under the table. "Are you sure you don't want to be there to witness the toddler showdown?"

John smiled. "I'll just wait to hear about it."

Bobby and Karen planned to leave when Dean and the kids did. "Just lock up when you leave."

John nodded. "Will do."

"The twins are excited to meet you," Dean said as he cranked the car. "That being said, they'll copy anything you do. Don't do anything crazy."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Need I remind you that most of my bad habits come from you."

"Only the endearing ones," Dean said. "Taylor, do you want to weigh in?"

Taylor was looking at his phone. "No, I do not."

(Marie's house)

Caroline and Caitlyn helped set out a few emergency vehicle decorations.

Ben very much wanted to play with the trucks. He didn't understand why he couldn't.

Rod took him outside so that he didn't dwell on it.

Ben stepped off the porch and headed to the barn.

"Where are you going?" Rod asked.

"Chickies," Ben said.

Rod opened the gate to the garden. "Let's get them some food first."

Ben picked and carried a few different types of vegetables to the chicken pen. The chickens had been a big hit with him. He liked going with Rod to gather eggs and also liked to chase the chickens.

Rod used his pocket knife to cut up some of the vegetables. "Make sure to spread them out."

Ben took a piece of squash and hurled it across the pen and giggled when the chickens chased it. "More."

Rod was content letting Ben toss vegetables for the chickens. He knew that Marie would be sad when they left but he thought he might just be a little sad too.

Charlie decorated another room for the girls. It was hard to do so without them seeing anything. She liked how it was turning out and hoped that they did too. Marie made little cakes and other tea party snacks that were adorable and accurate. She was amazed by the woman's domestic skills. She, herself, was far from domestic.

Rod and Ben were walking back to the house when Caleb's truck turned onto the long driveway. He picked Ben up so he didn't dart out in front of the truck and waved. He pointed to the side of the yard so that Caleb would park in a spot that allowed others to also park.

Andy jumped out of the truck and got Riot out.

The other dogs sniffed Riot skeptically and Riot coward. After a minute, they all decided they were cool with each other and Riot followed the older dogs to play.

Caleb put Ian on the ground and pointed to Ben. "He is your size. Go say hi."

Ian was bashful. He dug his heels into the ground and shook his head.

Rod put Ben down.

The two boys stared at each other much like the dogs had. Ian wasn't used to being around someone that wasn't twice his size. He held onto his firetruck and looked up to Caleb for reassurance.

Ben gasped. "Firetruck."

"Fuck." Ian said in confirmation.

Caleb rubbed his face. "Oh, buddy."

Rod laughed. "That is quite the pronunciation."

"I know. It is a brand new word." Caleb said.

April watched Ian and Ben get more comfortable with each other. "I'm going inside."

Caleb looked at her. "Okay, I've got this one."

Ben pointed to the trampoline and did a jumping motion before running over to it.

Caleb helped Ian get on as well. Thankfully, there was a net or he would be certain that one of them would go flying.

Ben showed Ian how to jump and giggled when he fell down.

Ian bounced happily and ran around the outer edge until his feet slipped.

"That didn't take long," Caleb said.

"I think they will be good friends," Rod said.

Ben got a little too excited and tackled Ian onto his back.

Ian blinked a few times, unsure how to process being the one that got pushed instead of being the one pushing people. He got back onto his feet and did the same thing to Ben.

Caleb started to say something but both boys were laughing. One would stand up and the other would knock them down, making them bounce against the springy surface. He smiled. "As long as they don't try this on the floor." He cringed when Ian caused Ben to roll over his own head.

Ben loved it though.

Caleb grimaced. "Poor Lauren. Andy might be gentle but Ian isn't."

"The third baby is always tough," Rod said. "I doubt she will even notice."

Dean, the kids, Bobby, and Karen arrived an hour or so later.

Charlie put the finishing touches on the second party room and grabbed Kate to show her.

"Wow, this is really cool. Maybe they will leave it like this." Kate said, touching one of the strips of material on the wall.

Andy ran into the house and got a drink from Marie. He had been outside and hadn't stopped to really talk to either of the girls. "Hi, I'm Andy."

"I'm Caitlyn."

"I'm Caroline."

Andy started at them for a moment.

"Caroline has braids, I have a ponytail," Caitlyn said.

Andy nodded slowly. "Caitlyn, Caroline."

Marie called everyone inside. Although they ordered pizza, she had made a variety of sides and options for those that may not want the pizza. There were fire trucks and police cars everywhere. Both little boys were in heaven. "You all can help yourselves. Charlie and I are going to borrow the twins." She walked them to the other room and put her hand on the doorknob. "Your parents will be here by the time you have your birthday but Charlie wanted to do something special for you."

Caitlyn's eyes grew wide. "Whoa." She walked into the room and spun around. "It looks like a movie."

Charlie smiled. "I wasn't sure if you have read Alice in Wonderland."

Caitlyn hugged her. "Thank you!"

Caroline did the same. "This is amazing. Do we have to go back in there?"

"No, we will keep the door open but a tea party sounds more fun than whatever those guys are up to." Marie said.

Kate and April got invited to the party but all boys were banned.

April didn't mind the break she would get from leaving Caleb to deal with Ian's antics. She would be with him for the cake and ice cream. Even if she stayed in the room, he wouldn't notice her with food in front of him.

Caitlyn and Caroline soaked up the attention and enjoyed their miniature party. They got to talk to Kate and April and decided they liked the whole family. They both wanted to see their mom and dad but didn't really want to leave.

Kate thought the girls were sweet. They were only 3 years younger but she felt so much older. She had more in common with Caitlyn than just the name. Caroline was similar to Ellie although her head wasn't as high in the clouds as Ellie's was. She was sweet and timid. Caitlyn was more bold. She liked having younger people look up to her. It was a huge confidence boost.

Ian and Ben were attached at the hip from the moment they got off of the trampoline.

Ben grabbed something off of Ian's plate before Rod could grab his hand.

Ian stared at him, nostrils flaring, teeth clamped together.

Caleb was quick though. He grabbed another berry from a bowl and gave it to Ian.

Ian slowly bit into the berry and moved his plate away from Ben.

Dean snorted. "Good move, Caleb."

"You don't mess with this boy's food, he will snap," Caleb said, handing him another berry.

Andy sat between Dean and Bobby. He held up his hand. "I tried to feed him a carrot and he bit my finger."

Dean pulled a face. "Probably because you tried to give him a nasty carrot."

"Ian likes vegetables," Andy said.

Dean shrugged. " Then he can have the ones I don't want."

"Kate says you eat like a picky little kid." Andy said.

Dean raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't say that."

Taylor got up to refill drinks. "That's why you're short."

Dean glared at him. "I'm not short."

"I'll let you believe that for a few more years," Taylor said, dodging a napkin that was thrown at him.

The girls could here chaos in the other room but ignored it. Tea parties were more civilized.

After the food was gone, Taylor and Dean helped clean up the table so that Marie wouldn't have to do so much work.

"Cake?" Andy asked.

"Yes, Ian will open gifts, and then we will do cake," Marie said. She winked at Dean. "I have pie, just for you."

Dean jokingly hugged her. "That is the best news I've gotten this year."

Charlie told the girls that they would have a few gifts too but they could open them without the boys around. "I think Ben and Ian would try to break something."

Ian wasn't sure what was going on at first. He got sat down on the floor in the living room and everyone gathered around him. As soon as he saw wrapping paper, he knew what was happening.

April bounced her leg nervously, knowing that at least one gift was a firetruck.

Ian opened a pickup truck that made a variety of sounds. He pressed buttons and ran it across the floor.

Caleb slid him another box. "Do this one."

Ian ripped the paper and gasped loudly. "Issa fuck."

April covered her face.

Dean inhaled the mouthful of soda that he had just taken and Caleb groaned.

The rest didn't seem to mind the comical word mixup.

Ben crawled over to Ian and started pressing buttons as well.

Ian opened each gift and played with it for a moment before opening the next. He was enamored with the variety of trucks and flashing lights.

April was amazed that he played so well with Ben. Had Andy tried to push one of the buttons, Ian would have smacked him or screamed.

Ian got through all of his gifts and handed the boxed ones to Caleb to finish opening. He gave Ben a truck and crawled across the floor with his own.

Rod cleared his throat. "A friend of mine has a special treat for the little boys. If you'd like to check it out, you can. If you'd prefer to stay here, that is okay too."

"Do you need help with them?" Dean asked.

"Might as well. Things can go from calm to chaos in a hurry." Caleb said.

"Can I have a piggyback ride?" Andy asked.

Dean popped his back. "Hop on."

Andy smacked the top of the doorway as they passed under it. "I want to be this tall one day."

Dean turned around to make eye contact with Taylor. "Any remarks from you will not be tolerated."

Taylor slipped his shoes on. "I didn't even say anything."

Bobby stayed at the house with Karen and the girls. Taylor and Dean were plenty of backup. He stepped into the other room and blinked. "Well, this is interesting."

"It's Wonderland!" Caitlyn said as she spun.

It looked like a spiraling mess to Bobby but he could see why the girls liked it.

Karen stood beside Bobby and held his hand, resting her head against his arm. "You missed the party."

"I suppose the fire trucks were more my speed," Bobby said.

"You two sit," Marie said. "Charlie and I will bring gifts in here."

The gifts for the twins were far more mature than the ones for Ian. They were just about to turn nine.

Kate turned nine at Bobby's house. Her dad had let her and she had been so sad. Sam and Dean made the birthday fun, though. Her heart hurt for the twins. John and Dean saved their mom. They'd get their birthday with their parents. They'd just get spoiled on Ian's day as well. She handed each of them a wrapped gift and sat down.

The twins opened their respective gifts and both gasped softly.

"One of my first gifts from this family was a journal. I've filled it several times and replaced the paper. Sometimes, I draw. Sometimes, I write. I thought you each needed one." Kate said.

Caitlyn ran her finger over her name which had been stamped into the leather. "I love the bee." Caroline's had a butterfly. "How did you know?"

Kate gave her a small smile. "Just a wild guess."

The girls got necklaces and stuffed animals along with nail paint and hair accessories. They had never gotten so many gifts and were amazed.

Caitlyn hugged Marie and then Charlie. "Thank you so much."

Charlie awkwardly pated Caitlyn's back. "I'm glad you liked it."

Caroline organized her new things in one of the bags. "Do we have to put this stuff away right away?"

"No. Charlie worked very hard in here. This can all stay up as long as you'd like." Marie said.

April enjoyed being around the girls. They did make her more excited to meet Lauren. She wanted tea parties and glitter.

Rod drove over to the volunteer fire department that was right down the road. He used to volunteer but hadn't since he got sick. He parked and got out, going into the building and returning to tell the boys to get out.

Caleb held Ian and had Taylor hold onto Ben. He knew what was going to come out of the garage and didn't want either of the toddlers to take off.

Andy stood in the back of Rod's truck with a hand on his dad's shoulder.

The garage door raised and a firetruck backed out slowly.

Ian bounced in Caleb's arms and pointed to the truck. He had a huge grin on his face and wanted down to go inspect the big truck.

One of the firefighters flicked the lights on but left the siren off. He got out and introduced himself. "You can look around inside the truck and outside if you'd like."

Andy bailed out of the back of Rod's truck and ran around the side of the fire truck. There were so many attachments and a second firefighter was happy to answer all of his questions.

Ian and Ben were like ping pong balls bouncing from one side of the truck to the other. Ian pushed buttons like his life depended on it.

Caleb had to prevent him from falling out of the cab a few times. "Slow down."

Dean helped Andy up on top of the truck and took a photo for April. He nudged Taylor. "Get up there. I'll hand you Ian and you can lay down so no one sees you. We will snap a picture for April."

Caleb heard him. "Do you want her to beat you?"

Dean smirked. "He will be safe."

Taylor got on top and waited for Dean to pass Ian up the ladder. He laid down on his stomach and held onto the back of Ian's pants so he didn't fall off.

Andy sat down and put an arm around Ian, smiling.

Dean got that photo and had Taylor let Ian stand up for another. "I should get paid for this."

"Oh sure. I'm doing all of the work and you're getting big-headed." Taylor said.

Rod chuckled. Things had changed a lot since the first time he met Dean. He was forever grateful that Taylor got adopted into such a wonderful family.

Ben wanted to be up where Ian was and started trying to Climb.

Dean groaned. "Hold on. Let me go too." It was higher than he expected. Once he got to the top he whispered to Taylor. "If one of them falls, you can stop them, right?"

Taylor scoffed. "And have them see me do that? No way, I'll shove you off so they have a soft place to land."

Dean fake laughed. "Very funny.

Once the guys got back to the house they cut the cakes and sang happy birthday.

Dean got a slice of pie and savored every bite. "Taylor, no matter how annoying you are, this makes up for it."

"You only like me because of my nana's food?" Taylor asked.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say like. I put up with you." Dean said with a smirk. He grabbed Taylor's wrist before he could zap him. "I will murder you."

Taylor pulled his wrist back. He may have done it anyway if it wasn't for the twins and Ben. They didn't need to know he had abilities. He very briefly made Dean see worms in his pie and backed away.

Dean narrowed his eyes and took a bite of the pie. "Worms or not, it is delicious."

Andy followed Taylor outside with a baseball that he found. "Can you teach me to play?"

Taylor took the ball and tossed it in the air a few times. "Hold on. I'll ask if they saved something." He returned with a small mitt and bat. "These used to be mine but I outgrew them."

Andy excitedly slipped the glove on his hand but it felt funny.

"Left hand. You wear it on the hand that you don't use as often. That way, your right hand is free to throw." He stepped back a few feet and gently tossed the ball to Andy.

Andy got the hang of catching the ball pretty quickly. He dropped it a few times but didn't get discouraged.

Taylor had him move to an empty patch to practice throwing.

Caleb and Dean walked outside to see what Andy and Taylor were doing and watched from the porch.

Caleb felt a surge of pride watching Andy learn to catch and throw. Of course, he needed to help with that but Taylor was great for teaching him the basics."

"Your throw is weak!" Dean heckled from the porch.

Taylor looked at him. "I can't hurl it at him."

"I can split a tree in half so don't run your mouth too much." Taylor warned in jest.

Andy gasped. "I want to see that!"

Dean smirked. "Yeah, me too."

Taylor looked at the ball in his hand. "Uh, we had better find another ball." He found an old bucket of balls and carried it back. "Dean, let's see how far you can throw."

Dean snorted and walked down to where Taylor was standing. He threw the ball and was pleased with how far it went.

"Did you play baseball?" Taylor asked.

Dean shook his head.

Taylor smacked Dean's abdomen. "You should have. It would help with this pudge you've got going on."

Dean smacked the back of his head. "There is no pudge, dumbass."

Andy tried out his own throwing arm and threw the ball as far as he could.

"Good job," Taylor said. "That went pretty far."

"How accurate are you?" Dean asked.

Taylor gave him an incredulous look. "Are you seriously asking me that?"

"You haven't played in a while," Dean said. "That tree, can you hit it?"

"That is too easy. How about I throw this and you retrieve it?" Taylor said. "If you are unimpressed, I'll go get it."

Dean leaned against the fence. "Go for it."

Taylor found a gap between trees and got into his normal pitching stance. He took a deep breath and pulled his arm back before letting the ball go, swinging his arm to follow through. A few seconds later, a loud popping noise came from the trees.

Dean stood up straight. "That was a little impressive."

Taylor smirked. "Then go fetch."

Dean jabbed him but jumped over the fence to find the ball. It had hit a tree so it couldn't have gone too far. He walked into the tree line and looked around for the ball. He continued walking and saw a tree with a hole through it. He looked through it and could see light on the other side. "Damn." He walked around the tree and found the ball wedged deep into another tree. He whistled for Taylor.

Taylor and Andy showed up a few minutes later.

"I don't think you're getting your ball back." Dean said.

Taylor grimaced.

"Dad mentioned you could throw after that ghoul case. Damn."

Taylor rubbed the back of his head. "Just think, had I thrown it at your head, it might have left a knot."

Dean flicked his ear. "My head isn't harder than a tree."

Taylor looked at Andy. "What do you think, Andy?"

Andy smiled. "He woulda broke the ball."

Dean took a step toward him, causing him to take off running. He chased him out of the woods and right up to Caleb. "Your son is disrespectful to elders."

Caleb laughed. "Oh, is he?"

Andy shook his head. "We think Dean has a hard head."

Caleb nodded. "He does. A big head too."

Dean flared his nostrils. "I'll remember this next time you need my help."

Caleb chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder as he walked by. He crouched down to Andy's height. "Do you like throwing the ball?"

Andy nodded. "It is fun. Can I play this year?"

"When baseball season comes back around, yes you can. I'll play catch with you too sometimes." Caleb said.

Andy hugged him. "Thanks, dad."

Taylor picked up an empty can and held it for a moment to see if he could do something. He looked at Caleb. "Catch."

Caleb caught the can and felt a small shock, much like static electricity. "Did you charge it?"

"Yeah, did it hurt you?"

"Nah, felt like when you get static and touch something metal," Caleb said. He saw Taylor's face change and snorted as he walked toward Dean's car. "He's going to hurt you."

"How would he know if his door handle shocks him? That happens all the time without my doing." Taylor said.

Caleb raised an eyebrow. "I have a feeling that he'd know."

Taylor shrugged. "I can always ride home with Bobby."

Caleb shook his head and went inside. He found April and put his arms around her. "How are you feeling?"

"Great," April said. "I was just helping tidy up."

Marie walked in with a box of things. "These all used to be Taylor's but you may be able to use them."

Caleb looked into the box and saw cleats and other items used to play sports. "You kept all of this?"

"Of course. We held onto any little memory that we could. Plus, sometimes someone will call and say they need shoes or a bat." She smiled. "I figured another little boy would come along and be interested."

Ian grabbed the ball that Andy had dropped next to his shoes. He rolled it a few times and then picked it up to throw.

Dean grabbed his hand. "Not inside."

Ian melted to the floor, heartbroken.

Dean sighed. "Outside?"

Ian sat up and sniffled. He held his foot out so that Dean would put his shoe on and let Dean help him stand.

Ben slipped by Dean as he opened the door.

Dean cleared his throat. "Does somebody want to come outside with me?"

"Why? You can't handle toddlers?" Kate said.

Dean tossed her the ball. "Not these two. Thanks for volunteering to help."

Kate caught the ball. "You just told Ian not to throw the ball in the house. You're not setting a good example."

Dean threw his hands up. "Sue me."

Kate followed them outside. Dean was good with the little ones. Of course, he would be because he raised Sam. He imagined Dean with a few kids of his own. Dean didn't think he'd make a good parent but Kate knew better than that. She'd make an awesome aunt. She sighed. One day that dream may come true.

(John)

John didn't go to the party. He stayed at Bobby's house and waited. He had an important conversation that he needed to have and the other party needed to show up.

Older Kate walked through the front door of Bobby's house. It was practically the same as it was in her time.

John left the kitchen when he heard the door. "You showed up."

"You asked me to," Kate said.

"I need to talk to you and you... young you... is at Marie's so a paradox isn't a concern." John said.

"I'm a walking paradox," Kate said.

John tilted his head toward the kitchen. He laid out papers and opened his journal. "I want to know if we are on the right track."

Kate sighed. "Dad, you know I can't tell you that."

John nodded. "You were the one that said we needed to do this right." He studied her for a moment. "Who or what governs what you can and cannot say."

Kate rolled her eyes. "The bitchiest being I've ever met. Atropos."

"The fate?" John asked.

"There are bigger forces at play but she is like the annoying supervisor that flits around trying to find dirt to dig up," Kate said. "Everyone has an exact time to die. When someone messes with those times, the Fates get angry. You know, laws of the universe."

"Did they start following you due to time travel?" John asked.

"It is a long story," Kate said, looking away from him.

"What did I do to you that has you angry at me?" John asked.

Kate snapped her head up. "What?"

"Every time I run into you, you have an attitude. I'm not scolding you. I want to know what happened." John said, firmly.

Kate thought about it. She chewed her thumbnail and rocked back in her chair. She couldn't tell him everything. "We just butt heads."

"I guess that never changes," John said.

Kate gave him a small smile. "No, it doesn't. I'm not angry at you. I'm frustrated. I guess it is the same way that you are frustrated with me."

"You can't give me more than that?" John asked.

"You wouldn't listen if I did," Kate said with a smirk.

John narrowed his eyes.

"I need you to let me figure the freaks out. If that is done sooner, dominos fall in a different order." She got up to get a drink of water as her throat was tight.

John saw the mark on her arm from the freak bite. He also saw a large scar on her shoulder as she was wearing a tank top. "Why do you have those scars?"

"I've been through some crap," Kate said.

"Do you not heal?"

Kate sighed. "Not from everything." She wasn't going to tell him the full freak story. It was a dark spot in her life and she had no doubt he would rekick her ass.

"What happened, Kate?"

"I can't say," Kate said, gulping the water. "I will say that things change. People change. We all do things for those that we love. As much as you want me to sit back and stay safe, I have to protect those people."

"That is my job," John said.

"Well you aren't always around, are you?" Kate's eyes flashed. She calmed herself. "One day you will understand. I really can't explain."

John rubbed his face. He didn't want to argue with her. "Keeping you kids safe is my main priority. When you do unsafe things, that makes us all vulnerable because we will jump in to save you."

Kate could feel her window closing. "I don't know how to convince you. I don't know how to explain. I will say one thing and you cannot utter a word to another soul."

John sat forward. "What?"

"You would do anything for us, right? You'd kill anything that so much as looked at us wrong, right?" Kate asked.

"Of course," John said.

"We would all do the same," Kate said.

John clenched his jaw.

"I know, I know. You're the parent. You may think that you love each of us but one day that is going to change." Kate said.

John furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

Kate crossed her arms over her chest. "As soon as that first grandbaby comes along, Sam, Dean, Taylor, and I are chopped liver."

John sat back quickly, utter surprise etched on his face. "What?"

"Dean may joke about you going soft with Taylor and me. Grandpa John is pathetic." Kate said.

"I have a grandkid?" John asked.

"Now if I told you that, I'd be breaking Atropos's rules," Kate said. She gave him a sad smile. "I'll see you later."

John watched her fade away. His heart was beating out of his chest. Shit. Which one of them has a kid? Was it Dean? Was the kid planned? Probably not if it was Dean's. Sam probably had kids. When did that happen? If Kate was 19, was the kid a baby? Was it born years before? They had so much going on with the freaks and the kids getting their abilities. How was he going to protect a baby if he couldn't even protect his kids. What if something was after the baby? He rubbed his face. He was terrified of something that hadn't happened yet. He had a lump in his throat and a cold chill running up his back. He noticed a slip of paper on the table and picked it up. He hadn't gotten the information from Kate that he needed and figured that she was selective in what she said. The paper read 'I'm sorry, Dad. I love you.' That was ominous. Did she mean that she was sorry to drop a bomb like that? Did she mean she was going to do something? He rested his forehead on the table. She used the grandkid news to distract him. He was sure of that. He wanted to be angry that she dodged the questions but the pit in his stomach wouldn't let him. He was going to be a grandfather one day. One of his kids was going to have a kid. While it terrified him, it also softened his heart. He leaned back in his chair. What did she mean that Grandpa John was pathetic? He got up and started to put the papers back in their folder. He paused. Some of the words were underlined. How did she do that without him seeing? Did she freeze time?

Dean got a call from John and answered it. "How is it going?"

John took a deep breath. "Kate can freeze time."

Dean groaned. "Shit."

"Shit indeed," John said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He put the papers away. "What have I always told you about being with a woman?"

"Uh, wrap it up?" Dean asked.

"Good," John said.

"What does that mean?" Dean tried to ask but the line went dead. He could hear by John's tone that he was worried over something. He slowly put his phone back in his pocket and furrowed his brows.

"What's going on?" Taylor asked.

Dean blew air through his nose. "Dad called for a few seconds. He reminded me to wrap it up."

Caleb was nearby and snorted. "That was it?"

"Pretty much. He gave no context. I haven't even been with anyone." Dean said.

Caleb laughed. "Are you all getting a new sibling?"

A look of horror crossed Dean's face. "I'm sure as hell not asking him."

"He can't just say that and not tell you what is going on," Taylor said.

"You ask him," Dean said.

Taylor held out his hand to signal a round of rock paper scissors.

Caleb held his hand out too. Inquiring minds wanted to know.

Four rounds ended with Dean not only giddy because he never ever won rock paper scissors but also giddy because he wasn't the one in charge of asking John if he got Pamela pregnant.

Taylor's face fell. "You know, this is a stupid game anyway."

Caleb grinned. "Don't be a chicken."

Taylor crossed his arms. "I'm going to wait until we go home. That way, I can hide behind you."

Dean smirked. "Whimp."

Taylor looked at Andy who was running around with Riot "Hold on, I've got a better idea. He won't get mad at a little kid." He cleared his throat. "Hey, Andy, We've got a job for you."