Dean gradually resurfaced from a sound sleep. He wasn't sure what woke him but the first thing he sensed was the sound of a heartbeat. His eyes flew open as he remembered and felt three warm bodies next to him. He saw his handsome mate asleep at his hip then felt the slight movement of his pups.
Wow, he thought in amazement, I actually had puppies. Remembering the pain involved, he was very thankful for that as he had no idea how he could've gotten actual babies out. He still felt the soreness down there. His wolf was so cut off for a while.
He reached for one of his pups and got the freckled pup who was trying to make sounds but they were very soft. He petted it then checked to see if it was hungry. This time he was able to latch on and nurse. It felt really weird but also satisfying that he was able to provide for his pups.
He glanced down to where the other pup was but saw his mate had opened his eyes and was petting the other pup until it was his turn. His heart melted again at seeing his family together like this. He smiled at his mate then glanced toward the incubator.
"Deaton wanted to keep an eye, or ear rather, on our youngest pup's heartbeat so that we would know if it was in trouble again," Derek offered with a slight smile. He scooted closer to Dean's face and gave his mate a kiss. "Thank you. They are beautiful pups."
"You're welcome," Dean continued to smile and a slight blush rose on his face. "You're also cut off for an indefinite amount of time and if I get boobs, I'm kicking your ass." Derek let out a laugh then kissed him again. "Also, thank you for giving the pups to me."
"We probably need to start coming up with names instead of calling them according to their coat color," Derek advised, still smiling. He couldn't seem to stop now that he knew his family was going to be okay. "Any suggestions?"
Dean glanced at the little black pup in Derek's hands. "I was thinking about naming that one after your mom or your sister, maybe even Laura Talia Hale."
Derek's eyes glistened with tears and it took a moment to speak before he repeated it huskily, "Laura Talia Hale. I love that name. Thank you. I love you so much." He gave Dean another kiss then they switched pups so that Laura could nurse.
"Love you, too, even if you are such a girl," Dean answered sincerely then teased a bit to lighten the mood. "Do you have any suggestions for the other two?"
"Not sure," Derek answered honestly. "Do you?"
"I was thinking of naming one of them Henry after my grandfather on my dad's side," Dean answered thoughtfully. "He's one of the reasons I'm still here."
Derek nodded, then asked, "Which one?"
He thought for a moment then suggested, "Let's come up with the last name and figure out which one fits each pups better."
"Are there any other names on your mind?"
Dean thought for a long moment then stated, "Cas. We need to give him some of the joy since he made it all possible."
"What about Gabriel?" Derek wondered, trying to figure out what that name would be.
"Castiel Henry Hale," Dean tested slowly. "Gabriel Chance Hale?"
"What would we call them?"
"Not Cas or Gabriel since the angels might get the call instead. Henry and Chance?" Dean answered questionly. "You're holding Henry since he's first born. Chance is in the incubator because now he has a chance."
"Should we inform their namesakes?" Derek observed humorously.
"Hell, no!" Dean exclaimed with a smile. Derek chuffed lightly. "Speaking of, I need to get up and check in on my youngest then bathroom and food."
Derek took Laura and tried to help Dean up as well but Dean shook him off and sat up slowly. "Take care of the pups. I can make it."
Luckily Mary walked in and rushed to help Dean. He groaned deeply and slowly shuffled over to the incubator. He put his hands through the gloves and checked over the smallest pup, careful to not dislodge the wires. He really wished that he could hold this pup but he knew this was the best place for him. He could hold him a lot as soon as the pup was out of trouble. He petted his Chance until his bladder couldn't take anymore.
He was feeling a bit stronger than yesterday but still needed a lot of recovery. He reentered the exam room to Derek introducing the pups to his mom. She smiled brightly and admitted she liked them.
They all heard the front door being unlocked and the bell ring as the door was opened. Deaton appeared in the doorway to the room and held up bags of food while carrying drinks. He silently celebrated as his stomach growled loudly. He blushed while Derek put the pups in their pen to possibly do their business.
They all sat down to eat as Deaton checked over the pups again. Mary's phone rang and she put it on speaker. She answered easily, "How's the hunt going?"
"We're closing in on her," John answered, also on speaker. "How's Dean and the pups?"
"I'm fine, Dad," Dean replied easily. "The older pups are good. The youngest is in an incubator with a heart rate monitor on him. So far, so good."
"That's good to hear," John commented with a light voice.
"How much longer do you think you will be?" Mary wondered curiously.
"Hopefully in a couple of days," John advised.
"Make sure she's dead," Derek ordered firmly. "I don't want her to come after any of us again. She's had too many resurrections so chop off her head when you get her."
"I hear you," John acknowledged. "Just take care of my family and I'll take care of her. See you soon hopefully."
"Be careful, John," Mary told him. "I love you. Bye."
"Take care, Dad," Dean called out as his mom hung up.
Deaton walked over with the pups in his hands. He handed one to Dean and the other to Mary as Derek was still eating. He let them know, "They have done their business and I need to clean up the mess. You might want to clean them up as well."
Dean smiled, stating, "At least that worry is over. They are swallowing on their own as well." He checked over the pup in his hand and took it to the sink to wash it up. He handed Mary the pup to dry while he washed the other pup off. Then they switched pups again. He smiled as Mary talked baby talk to the pups.
He went to get some blankets to warm the pups up. He saw Deaton working in the incubator and had to ask, "How long will Chance be in there?"
Deaton smiled slightly and verified, "Chance?" Dean nodded, causing Deaton to observe, "Interesting name. As for how long, at least a week to make sure he can breathe on his own. His lungs are what worries me the most. As soon as we can verify that they are developed enough, he can be out on his own but we will still have to watch out for the swallowing and excretions. The fact that he hasn't gone into cardiac arrest in the last 24 hours is a very positive sign. If that continues over the next couple of days, I will start to wean him off the breathing apparatus."
Dean nodded and walked over to the cot to sit for a while. He got situated then hugged Laura close to him. He heard her soft snores and knew she was sleeping. He yawned widely and startled when Derek tried to take the pup.
"You need your rest," Derek explained gently. "We'll watch over the pups until you wake up. Go to sleep." As much as he wanted to resist, he ended up following his mate's orders. He fell asleep listening to the others talking.
What do you think should happen to Kate? And by who?