previous chapter ٠࣪⭑ pt.1
chapter contents ٠࣪⭑ baby daddy!Dean x single mom!reader, age gap implied (5yrs), non-explicit, soft Dean, soft/sensitive reader implied, oblivious baby daddy Dean, mentions of loneliness, no major reader appearance descriptions, s8 Dean (vibes/age, not plot), multi part series, 3.2k word count
notes ٠࣪⭑ this is kinda dialogue heavy but I think it fits the story, I didn’t really know the direction to take after part one so I hope you like it! (and dw we’ll get out of the park soon lol)
You felt the wooden bench creak under someone's weight right beside you and your things, already about to move to make more space for the stranger or come up with an excuse to take over the whole bench if they seem creepy.
You turned your face to the coffee cup held out in front of you, then to the person attached to it.
“never got the chance to get you that coffee yesterday” Dean's voice murmured, almost shy, but it was hidden well under that trademark smirk of his.
Your stomach felt weird— whether it was from butterflies or guilt you didn’t know— but your lips pulled into a soft smile anyway.
“I didn’t know the offer still stood, y’know with the whole being a mother thing” you’d quipped, tone soft but you weren’t joking all that much. You took the cup anyway.
“of course it still stood,” he said, his tone oddly gentle, now offering more of a smile than a smirk.
You could feel a warmth bloom on your cheeks— traitors.
“thank you,” you murmured, trying not to meet his eyes too much, the same eyes that you see everyday on your little girl.
To say you were surprised to see him again was an understatement. You thought he’d be out of here by now, or at the least avoiding you since you're obviously not in the usual hookup territory, especially not now. You had a daughter to worry about. Even though you wanted him to stay away for obvious reasons, your soul still craved that attention and rare adult male human interaction, but you wished it wasn’t coming from the accidental father to your child.
Dean sat next to you, your brown and pink floral “mommy bag” as you call it, settled between. The bag that contains anything and everything a child or mama could need while away from home, ranging anywhere from snacks to pain killers to emergency plushies.
You took a sip of the coffee, eyes still primarily on Delaney while she played with her toy horses with another little girl she somehow already made friends with, and you smiled at the taste. Recognizing it was from your favorite cafe, coincidentally it was the one you used to work at. Reckon, there weren’t many coffee shops to choose from, it is a small town after all.
“is it alright? I didn't really know what you liked so I took a guess-” there was that shyness in his voice again.
“no, you’re okay— it’s perfect, thank you.” you murmured with a soft smile, catching his eyes for just a second before turning your attention back to your daughter.
He’d smiled to himself, taking a sip of his own coffee. He watched your gaze, landing on Delaney. He’s not around kids often but her youthful wonder made his chest feel uncharacteristically warm and fuzzy. It was nice to see there were kids that actually got to enjoy their childhood.
“how old is she?” He murmured, watching her pigtails bounce with every animated movement, “if you don’t mind me askin 'o course” he looked back at you.
A little wave of panic flared in you, but you ignored it. There’s no way he’d connect the dots… hopefully.
“she’ll be five in a few days,” you said with a little smile. This time of year was always so bittersweet. Delaney was growing (too fast in your opinion) and you’re always brought back to her first few days earth-side. Simultaneously, the most lonely and most beautiful days of your life.
Dean smiled, seeing that little flicker in your eye. Any eldest sibling has gotten a taste of that feeling.
“bittersweet, huh?” He murmured warmly, still looking at you, breaking your train of thought.
“yeah” you replied just above a whisper, looking away again, taking a sip of your coffee and letting the warmth and taste of the drink conquer over your sudden emotions.
A silence comfortable yet buzzing with tension fell over you two, the sounds of children’s laughter and the squeaky playground equipment filling the air. It was a nice early summer morning, not too hot or muggy, just enough cloud cover and shade that you didn’t need to lather Delaney in sunscreen.
“how’d you know where we were?” You’d inquired after a moment, head turning to look at Dean, now realizing he just might be a stalker.
He froze just a little, scratching the back of his neck with an almost sheepish look.
“I uh— well I saw you the day before yesterday, you were sitting here reading a-and when I’d gotten the guts to say hi yesterday you were here at the same time, so I figured you’d be here today too” he said with a shy grin,
“...I am now realizing how creepy that sounds”
You couldn’t help but laugh at that, a chuckle bubbling up without your permission. You shook your head a little with a smile.
“I swear I’m not some stalker—” he said with a soft laugh alongside yours.
“It’s okay I believe you” you murmured with a smile, taking another sip of your coffee, your heart feeling lighter than it should.
“why did the offer still stand, anyway?” You’d asked gently after a moment, “The coffee I mean— I appreciate it of course, but I’m not really in the market for… spending nights with a guy, cause well—” your hand gestured to Delaney who was now galloping and skipping around as if she was riding a horse. You couldn’t help but blurt it out, a shyness in your words, you just needed to know why he’s still around.
Dean was almost caught off guard, not in a bad way but he didn't really know what the answer was himself. There was just something about you that drew him in, even more than years ago, like a moth to a flame. Sure, at first maybe he wanted to have a night like you’d shared before, after all he’s still Dean Winchester the man who can’t be tied down. But… he saw you and your little girl, and he knew he wanted to get to know you. He didn’t even know why he knew, this wasn’t something that happened often, or ever really; but he couldn’t help it or stop it even if he wanted to.
“no, yeah! O-of course— I uh I didn’t” a nervous chuckle left his lips, “I guess I just wanted to talk to you… I hope you don’t think I’m just some douche who just wants to get in your pants… again”
You couldn’t help but smile at his sudden nervousness, he almost sounded like you. Your hand inadvertently reached out and settled on his knee, giving a mindless squeeze for a sort of reassurance. You realized what you were doing and pulled your hand back.
“It’s okay Dean— sorry, I’m just not really used to the adult attention, I guess” you chuckled a little. Looking back at your daughter.
Dean kept looking at you though, a small (now less nervous) smile on his lips. He looked at the way the late morning sun illuminated your hair and made it look like you were almost glowing, his eyes trailed down the slope of your nose and over to the little crinkles by your eyes that appeared when you smiled at your daughter, his gaze lingering on your lips a little before starting all over again.
“I find that hard to believe” he murmured, softer than intended, no smirk or wink or cheesy pickup line attached either.
Your neck practically snapped to look at him again, catching his eyes that were still glued to you. His intense stare made your stomach flutter and your cheeks pink like some teenager— you’re 28 get ahold of yourself!
“mommy, mommy!” and just like that your trances were broken by a distressed preschooler running towards you.
“what's wrong, baby?” You cooed, reaching for Delaney to sooth whatever caused the frown on her little face.
“my horsie is broken!” her pout worsened with every syllable, she held up the broken pieces. Her mini black plastic stallion and its two severed legs on display.
“aw hunny, I’m sorry, I’m sure we can fix it when we get home” your words only seemed to worsen her anguish.
“hey kiddo— I think I have some superglue in my car, you want me to see if I can fix it for ya?” Dean's voice soothed over Delaney's soft wines.
Her face lit up with hope despite her pout still being intact. She nodded her head with a little “yes, please” and a sniffle, to which he just smiled and made his way to his car, even at a little jog as if it was a real emergency. You watched him open his trunk and search for the little bottle. He still had that same impala, the kinda car that was so sexy and sleek it could even make non-car people jealous.
Sure enough he came back with the glue in hand, crouching down to Delaney's level to assess the situation.
“alright let’s see—“ he took the pieces in his hands, examining them, “don’t worry sweetheart, this is an easy fix, she’ll be back to galloping in no time”
Delaney smiled at that, her big sad eyes looking at him intently as he performed his surgical skills on the toy.
Your heart clenched watching the scene. Grateful Dean helped you avoid a breakdown, but watching the way Delaney looked up at him like he’s a hero just stung. Putting salt in wounds you’d thought had healed. What were the odds they’d ever meet? And what are the odds he’s actually turning out to be a good guy? This has to be a joke. It can’t be real— because if it is then you actually have a reason to mourn the father she could’ve had. It was a lot easier when you chalked him up to being some playboy with a girl in every area code, but he’s proven you wrong this morning alone—
No, stop it. Don’t do that to yourself.
“there ya go, princess, good as new” he said with a smile, handing the horse to Delaney. Her smile brightened, her pigtails bouncing along with her.
“thank youuuu!” She squealed, wrapping her little arms around Dean's neck before running off to resume her playing. Holding up the mended horse like it was a trophy. Dean chuckled a little as he watched her run off. His chest getting that warm feeling again.
You tried to ignore the sting, and it was almost easy because of how absolutely sweet their interaction was.
“thank you, Dean. You didn’t have to do that” you murmured, a grateful smile on your lips nonetheless.
“hey, can’t have a princess in distress now can we?”
You just looked at him, now that he was watching Delaney. He’s somehow even more handsome than the night you first saw him. The added ruggedness from time and experiences, his face covered with more stubble and freckles, his physique is more defined, his jaw stronger, less baby faced and more lines that added extra outside appeal. He’s a smoke show, no doubt about that. And the way he smiled at you daughter (technically his daughter too) warmed your heart to no end, but those fuzzy feelings were just the calm before the storm of guilt and longing clouded over, destroying everything in its wake.
Dean stayed with you the whole time you were sitting on that bench and watching your daughter. It’s a daily occurrence to visit the park, usually in the later morning after you and Delaney have had breakfast and gotten ready for the day, she always chooses to wear either her sparkly purple and brown cowgirl boots or her pink light up sneakers and always asks you to do her hair. Delaney loves the playground and it’s a good way for her to socialize and be rambunctious before your shift at the diner, that’s the main reason you go. You don’t want her to be too sheltered or lonely like you were are, and she makes friends so easily there’s just no way you could deprive her of that just for your own pity party.
You’d started working at Hal’s Diner shortly after you gave birth, leaving the cafe was hard but the diner offered a better pay and they’d let Delaney hang around if you couldn’t catch a sitter. The staff became like family, they’ve always been so supportive of you and your situation— offering flexible shifts, better pay options, so much loyalty over the years, and Delaney was practically diner royalty, everyone adored her. It was on the higher end, as far as diners go at least, still homey and familiar with retro styles and pancakes bigger than your face, but it wasn’t all grease and truckers that smell like cheap cigarettes and bad decisions.
“Delaney! Time to go, babe” your voice called out, her little head perked up before she gathered her toys and started saying goodbyes to her new friends.
“thank you again for the coffee and the toy horse surgery” you smiled to yourself, braving Deans steady eye contact skills, still shaking off the array of emotions he caused.
“s’my pleasure” he murmured, mirroring your smile. The way he looked at you made you want to melt, you got flashbacks from that night every time his gaze lingered on yours. You think he might be the only man to ever look at you like that. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, you didn’t know, nor did you want to.
You stood up, starting to pack your things into your bag, “this was nice… but I’ve gotta get to work— it was good seeing you, Dean” the way said it had a sort of finality to it, like this was it. In all reality it makes sense, you’d probably never see him again, or who knows, maybe all it takes is another five years for him to pop out of nowhere.
“you too,” he said your name with a softness you didn’t hear often. He was still looking at you despite your busy hands stealing your attention.
“my brother and I are actually gonna be here longer than we thought— maybe I’ll run into you again”
You looked at him again, but before you could say anything Delaney made her way to you.
“are you coming to my birthday party?” Delaney asked him, eyes bright and expecting, the kid lacks a filter and usually you admire her transparency but not at this moment.
“oh I don’t think so honey, Deans got a lot going on I’m sure, he was just saying hi today” you said with a little slightly embarrassed chuckle, flashing a ah kids look towards Dean.
Delaney's face fell, she looked defeated that her own personal toy doctor was missing out on a bounce castle and pink birthday cake. She reached up and tugged on his shirt to get his attention,
“pretty pleaseeeeee” she pleaded, eyes big, brows furrowed, pout intact, hands folded together, she’s pulling out all the stops. You sighed mouthing “you can tell her no, it’s okay.”
“there’s going to be a big cake and a princess castle and all my preschool friends are coming! And mommy said she needed more grown up friends too—“
Dean couldn’t help but chuckle at that, you just dropped your head with a sigh of defeat.
“Delaney Josephine— what did I say about trying to bargain with people?”
Dean couldn’t hold in his laughter, his smile was so big that his cheeks started to ache. He shook his head with a little sigh, crouching down to her level.
“well princess— you’re lucky that I can never say no to cake, so you better tell your mom that another grown up will be there” he smiled
“Yayyyy!” She cheered hugging him for the second time today, Dean was still laughing under his breath. Rubbing his hand up and down her back a little in the embrace, who knew little kids hugs could feel so fulfilling?
“sorry— she’s a hugger” you sighed, “and you really don’t have to go, she can be very stubborn, and apparently overhears her mothers conversations”
Dean smiled, standing when Delaney unattached herself, going to your bag for her water bottle, bargaining must be tiring work for the almost five year old.
“It’s a small backyard party with a bunch of moms and preschoolers dressed up as princesses and knights— I’m sure you’d rather do just about anything else” you added, hiking your mommy bag on your shoulder after Laney put her water back.
“I’ll be there—“ he urged with a gentle finality, shrugging his shoulders “sounds fun,”
You couldn’t help but smile, this gruff and grown man is more than willing to attend a turning-five year olds princess themed birthday party and it warmed your mama heart. You decided you’ll freak out about the fact your oblivious baby daddy is going to his daughter's birthday, later.
“okay” you breathed. Hands now digging in your bag for your phone.
“uhm I guess I’ll give you my number, to send you details and whatnot, or if you decide not to come which is perfectly okay—“
He smiled at your rambling, still thought it was so cute, he could hear you ramble on about anything and everything all day long.
Dean took your phone and put his information in while you tried not to freak out about the whole situation. You still felt like people with cameras were going to jump out of the bushes at any moment and yell “gotcha!” like you’re in a new episode of Punk’d.
“well, I guess I’ll see you Saturday then” he smiled, handing your phone back, his fingertips brushing yours. You tried to ignore the slight shiver it sent down your spine.
“yeah, I’ll see you then” you murmured hoping your voice didn’t sound as brittle as it felt coming out.
“wait— you’re not one of those moms that makes people get your kid books instead of toys for their birthday, right?”
You huffed a laugh under your breath shanking your head, “no, toys are fine— she’s got enough books” you smiled, “but gifts aren’t mand-“
“before you tell me I don’t have to get her anything— what’s she like? Other than princesses…” he added, politely cutting you off.
You sighed with a smile, why can’t I stop smiling?!
“she actually really like cars, more classics than anything, uhm she loves little stuffed animals and puzzles, and her favorite shows are Strawberry Shortcake and Scooby-Doo— though I’m pretty sure they’re her favorite because they’re my favorites growing up and I indoctrinated her into liking them from day one”
Dean chuckled again, “hey, kids got taste, doesn’t matter how she got it—“ he shrugged making you laugh more under your breath, “cars and Scooby I can definitely do”
You both said your goodbyes before packing Delaney in the car and heading to the diner. You let out a deep breath, closing your eyes, silently praying for the strength and finesse to get through this whole situation, and that neither you or Delaney will get too attached to this man. So it won’t hurt as bad when he leaves, again.
series taglist ٠࣪⭑ @diorgirl444 @ticklish-leafy-plant @wiwciq
