A Safe Mistake (Part 3)
Summary: The reader gets some good news at the hospital but has a slight falling out with Dean...
Masterlist
Pairing: Nanny!Dean x Single parent!reader
Word Count: 4,700ish
Warnings: language
The drive to the hospital was the longest of your life despite being only five minutes from work. You found the ER quickly and ran up to the nurses station, getting in the elevator once you knew which floor to head to. You barely stepped outside of it before you saw a few people standing outside a room and you rushed over.
“Y/N-”
“Quiet,” you snapped at Dean, Dean shrinking away from the doctor and nurse he’d been with, quickly moving away to a bench further down the hall. “I’m Ethan’s mom. Is he-”
“He’s okay, a few bumps and bruises. X-ray just finished with him and he came back clean. Another nurse is with him in the playroom,” said the doctor. “Sara, would you go get Ethan for me? He won’t need to be admitted.”
“Thank you,” you said, the nurse leaving.
“We’re hoping that possibly you could convince Mr. Winchester to allow us to look at him,” said the doctor. You turned your head, noticing the ruffled clothes and scrapes all over. He was holding his shoulder but kept his eyes on the ground. “He claims he’s alright but he’s showing signs of a dislocated shoulder and other possible injuries, possibly bruised or fractured ribs.”
“The hospital said it was an accident on the phone,” you said.
“Yes. Mr. Winchester said he and Ethan were playing hide and seek. Ethan appeared to lean up against the second floor railing as Mr. Winchester was coming up the stairs and the railing broke away. Mr. Winchester caught Ethan and the two fell down the stairs together, Mr. Winchester taking the brunt of the impact,” he said.
“The railing?” you said.
“Mr. Winchester has spoken to an officer and protection services. An officer was sent to your home and you may end up speaking to one yourself but the story seems to check out,” he said.
“Thank you,” you said, spotting Ethan down the hall. He looked fine, like he’d had a day of rough playing maybe but he was a kid and those happened. You picked him up in a big hug, sighing as he gave one back. “Want to go home, buddy?”
“Is Dean okay?” he asked.
“Can I take him?” you asked the doctor, getting a nod. “Let’s go home.”
Ethan asked again as you headed down the hall, walking past Dean as Ethan tried to get his attention.
“Dean,” you said, his head lifting up. You had to pause for a moment, his whole face so heartbroken, barely able to look you in the eye. “Get checked out by the doctor.”
“Yes, mam.”
When you got home you had to speak to an officer who turned out to have been a construction worker previously, showing you where the railing in the home had not been installed properly and it was likely that it was only a matter of time and any person could have gone over. He gave you the number of a guy that would come out and put in a new one for you and he could guarantee it’d be done right. You thanked him and tried to pick up the area as best you could, banning Ethan from going upstairs without you for the time being.
After a quick dinner and a change, you called up Heather a few streets over and asked if she’d watch Ethan for a few hours. You needed to speak to Dean and Ethan didn’t need to be around for that.
Back at the hospital, you found out Dean was admitted for the night, getting a room number and heading off to see him. He was picking at the IV in his arm when you rattled your knuckles on his door, face blank for a second as he recognized you, swallowing hard.
“Is Ethan okay? They wouldn’t tell me anything,” said Dean quietly. You stepped inside and walked over beside his bed, pulling his hand away from the needle he was poking at.
“He’s fine,” you said, Dean giving a small nod.
“I can come get my car tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s okay,” you said.
“I think I left my lunch pail in the house. You can just chuck it in the car,” said Dean. You raised an eyebrow, Dean looking away. “I know I’m fired.”
“Wow,” you said, grabbing a chair and taking a seat, giving him a sad smile. “I came here to apologize to you and you’re the one acting like you did something wrong.”
“He got hurt because of me,” said Dean.
“He got a few bruises, ones the kid doesn’t even care about and that he gets every day he plays. If you hadn’t been there and caught him, he could have broken bones, hit his head...the point is you got hurt so he didn’t. Again. No one had any idea that was going to happen and I don’t blame you for it. I’m sorry I snapped and assumed it was something you did. That was so horribly wrong of me to do and the first question you asked wasn’t about you, it was if he was alright and I will never assume you would ever put him in danger again. I’m so sorry I did that to you. You’ve been nothing but kind and gentle with him and with me. I guess I really am the rich bitch you probably think I am,” you said, looking down at your lap.
“I forgive you,” said Dean softly. “I’ve never thought you were a rich bitch either. You got scared and it’s okay. I was scared too and he’s not even mine. I can’t imagine what was going through your head.”
“It’s not an excuse,” you said. Dean shrugged and winced, leaning his head back against the pillow. “Probably shouldn’t do that.”
“Yeah. Thankfully it’s not broken,” said Dean. “Listen, I don’t think they’re letting me out of here until the morning so you probably have to get Ethan to daycare but I can pick him up.”
“No, you’re taking tomorrow off,” you said.
“No, I’m not,” said Dean.
“Yeah, you are,” you said. “I got Ethan. You take care of yourself.”
“I’m not taking a day off my third week,” he said.
“Dean. Take it off. I’ll manage,” you said. “Or I’ll kick your ass.”
“Fine but I will be there Monday.”
“Yeah, we’ll see, Dean.”
Friday Night
“Mommy,” said Ethan from the backseat of the car. “Where’s Dean’s house again?”
“He lives in an apartment on the other side of town, kiddo. We lived in one when you were a baby,” you said, turning down a street and finding his complex, driving around until you found the right numbered building. You pulled into an empty parking space, grabbing the bag from the passenger seat. Ethan had undone his seatbelt and climbed out by the time you got around the car, holding his own little bag. He shut his door and walked up to the sidewalk, waiting for you. “He’s in number 2 so this one right here.”
Ethan walked down the second path to a door, reaching his hand up and ringing the doorbell a few times. A light flicked on above you, the door cracking open, Dean answering with messed up hair and in a pair of sweats.
“Y/N?” asked Dean, glancing down when Ethan held up his bag. “Well hey dude. How’re you feeling?”
“Good. Mommy said you got hurt so we made you a get better bag,” he said. Dean smiled and took the bag from him, awwing when he pulled out a picture Ethan drew at daycare and one of his stuffed animals. “You can keep him.”
“Thanks, Ethan,” said Dean, kneeling down slowly, letting Ethan give him a careful hug. “I’ll be feeling better in no time now.”
“We made dinner too if you’re in the mood,” you said, Dean getting up with your help, nodding. You handed the bag over, Dean opening his door more, raising an eyebrow. “What?”
“Well you guys drove all the way over, might as well have some company while I eat. If you aren’t busy that is,” he said. You shook your head, Dean moving aside, showing Ethan and you where you could leave your shoes and coats, walking through a small family room and setting the bag down on a kitchen table. You looked around, spotting a dark empty bathroom and bedroom but not much else. “I know. It’s small.”
“It’s nice,” you said.
“It’s an old dump,” said Dean with a smile. “But it’s clean.”
You ushered Ethan to the kitchen and a chair, Dean stepping into the small galley kitchen and pulling out three plates from a cupboard, carrying them to the table as you started to dish up some food. You didn’t say much as you ate, Ethan and Dean chatting away like they always did, Dean making sure Ethan had been listening to you about staying away from the stairs until they were fixed.
“I think I got some ice cream if you want,” said Dean when you’d finished. You helped put some leftovers away in his fridge, finding it full of microwave dinners. You let Ethan have a small bowl, Dean struggling to empty his garbage in the meantime. You stepped over and helped him pull it out, Dean sighing when you put in a fresh bag. “Thanks.”
“S’no problem,” you said, setting the bag near the front door, stopping to look at a few pictures on the wall. “Is that your little brother?”
“Sammy? Yeah,” said Dean, Sam in graduation robes, Dean with a big smile and arm around him. “He used to live here on and off until about last year. He moved in with his fiance.”
“Both of you lived here?” you asked, Dean nodding.
“Yeah. It’s been us for awhile. A few different places. This one was pretty good,” said Dean. You nodded, not wanting to ask any questions, Dean chuckling as he sat down on the couch. “It’s okay. I know I grew up a little funny.”
“I’m just surprised it fell on you to help your brother out. Are your parents strict with money?” you asked, Dean smirking. “Sorry. I knew I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. My mom died in a house fire when I was really little. Sam doesn’t even remember her, he was just a baby,” said Dean.
“I’m so sorry,” you said.
“It was a long time ago. Our dad did his best but we ended up moving around a lot, never had much money. He got sick when I was 17. We didn’t have anyone else and we wound up in the system for a few months until I turned 18 and I got kicked out. I got custody of Sam as fast as I could, a job, a place for us to stay. I was raising him most of my life anyways. It wasn’t that hard,” said Dean.
“Sounds incredibly hard,” you said.
“It’s really hard to be a dad to your little brother when you don’t know what the hell you’re doing,” said Dean with a sad laugh. “We fought a lot when he was a teenager. Things got easier once he went to college and came back, realized I was just doing the best I could for us. We’re pretty close.”
“I thought I had a sob story being the single young mom over here but you got me beat,” you said, Dean laughing. “This isn’t my place to say this so tell me screw myself if you want but...Sam’s what, 24? You don’t have to live so paycheck to paycheck so he doesn’t have loans, Dean. I’m sure Sam will survive if you take a little of your extra income for yourself.”
“I know. We actually-” said Dean, cutting himself off when the door opened, a tall man walking inside, looking at you and Dean, glancing over to see Ethan eating the last of his ice cream in the kitchen. “I thought you had to get back to study.”
“Figured I’d drive back Sunday night since you needed help,” said Sam, giving you a smile. “I didn’t know Dean had a girlfriend.”
“No!” said Dean, instantly standing up, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. “This is my boss and her son. They made me dinner.”
“Oh,” said Sam. “That’s very sweet of you.”
“Well it’s the least I could do,” you said, Sam tilting his head, Dean shaking his own. “Dean does so much for us and he did stop Ethan from getting hurt.”
“At the garage?” asked Sam.
“No, as my nanny,” you said, Sam’s face dropping as he stared at Dean.
“A what?” said Sam. “You’re a nanny? You said you got a promotion at the garage!”
“...I got a new job, so what?” said Dean.
“You lied to me about where the extra money for school came from for starters,” said Sam. “You take care of a kid all day now?”
“Yeah,” said Dean with a shrug, closing his eyes and hissing. “I like it. I really do Sam.”
“Excuse us for just a minute,” said Sam, grabbing Dean’s good arm and dragging him into the bedroom. You went over to Ethan and cleaned up his bowl, knowing you were about to get kicked out any second. You were slipping on your shoes and coats when the door opened, Sam exiting and Dean behind.
“Everything all good?” you asked.
“Mhm,” said Sam, heading past you and out the front door, Dean sighing as he left.
“Thanks for letting us join you for dinner,” you said.
“Thanks for making it. You didn’t have to do that,” said Dean.
“It was no problem,” you said, glancing at the door. “You really okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, Y/N. You guys better head home. It’s getting close to little dude’s bedtime,” said Dean.
“Give us a call if you need something,” you said.
“Sure. I’ll do that.”
Dean came back to work bright and early Monday morning. He was moving more at a regular speed again and Ethan understood he had to be careful with Dean for a few more weeks. Your railing was installed that day, nice and secure now. Dean seemed withdrawn though, the conversation not flowing as easily as normal between the two of you. You let it slide until that Friday night and Dean was slipping on his boots to head home.
“If there’s anything you want to talk to me about, Dean, you can,” you said, Dean picking up his jacket. “You seem different this week.”
“Just having a bad week,” said Dean quietly. “Nothing you did. It’s my fault.”
“I don’t really think it is,” you said.
“Ethan’s in bed. You don’t have to pretend to care, Y/N,” said Dean.
“Excuse me?” you shot back, Dean sighing.
“I’m sorry. I am. I’m just really tired,” said Dean.
“I know I’m your boss but I care about you too, Dean. Not just because Ethan likes you either,” you said. “Stick around for a minute so we can talk.”
“About what?” he asked.
“Whatever’s bothering you,” you said. Dean stared at you, debating it before he kicked off his boots and set his jacket down, following you down the hall to your family room. He sat down on the couch and you went to the kitchen, grabbing him a beer.
“Thanks,” he said when you gave it over, Dean tapping his fingers against the side as you sat down with your own. “I’m sorry.”
“God, I don’t think you know what that word is supposed to be used for you say it so much,” you said.
“I got in big fight with Sam last Friday after you guys left. He thinks I’m childish and that I think he can’t take care of himself,” said Dean. “He doesn’t understand I’m only trying to help him.”
“Okay, when Ethan breaks a rule, what do you do with him?” you asked.
“I sit him down, ask why he did it and then explain why the rule is there and how what he did breaks that rule and why it’s wrong,” said Dean.
“The first thing you do is ask for his perspective,” you said. “Did you get Sam’s perspective on this whole thing? Or even ask for it?”
“Sam’s not breaking rules though,” said Dean.
“Sam’s a grown man and I don’t know for sure what he’s thinking but it’s probably something along the lines of he thinks you still view him as a child that needs protecting,” you said.
“I’ll never apologize for protecting my baby brother,” said Dean.
“It’s okay that you want to protect him. I think what Sam has a problem with is he thinks you’re hurting yourself to help him and he’s an adult now. He doesn’t want you to do that for him anymore,” you said.
“Do you think I’m hurting myself?” asked Dean.
“I think you have a big heart and put other people before yourself,” you said.
“Exactly, Sam’s wrong,” said Dean.
“No, he isn’t. Neither of you are. You’re just...I think you had to act like a father to Sam and it’s hard for you to see that Sam doesn’t need that from you now. He just needs a big brother,” you said.
“You’re really wise for a chick that’s younger than me,” he said.
“I’m like a few months younger, dork,” you said, Dean smiling a little. “Oh? He smiles again? We missed those around here.”
“Well I’m still going to help him with tuition but I guess I don’t have to give him all the extra money. Maybe just most of it,” said Dean with a smirk.
“Hey, it’s a start,” you said, sipping on your drink, leaning back into the cushions. “Oh, that was a mistake.”
“Your couch is much comfier than mine,” he said, closing his as well. You were both quiet for a few long moments, your eyes eventually opening to see Dean slumped over, breathing slowly. You thought about waking him up but decided he’d probably lost a lot of sleep during the week over Sam and him crashing there wasn’t a big problem.
You woke up Saturday morning with a stretch and grabbed Ethan from his room, the both of you heading downstairs in your pajamas for cartoons and breakfast. Dean was still passed out on the couch where you left him, Ethan walking over and staring at him. You heard Dean jump when he woke up, Dean looking around.
“Ethan, you know that’s creepy, right?” said Dean, shaking his head.
“Try having it happen in the middle of the night,” you said, Ethan climbing up on the couch.
“Did you sleepover?” asked Ethan, Dean rubbing his eyes.
“I think so,” said Dean, looking back at you. Ethan grabbed the remote and turned on his show, Dean sitting up more, nodding his head. “You a batman guy or superman guy?”
“Batman, duh,” said Ethan.
“I knew there was a reason I liked you kid,” he said, ruffling Ethan’s hair. They talked about superheroes for a few minutes as you made up pancakes, delivering a few plates to them over the back of the couch. “I’m pretty sure it’s my job to make you food, not the other way around.”
“Just eat, Winchester,” you said, messing up both of their hair, bringing over your own plate after a minute, sitting on the other side of Ethan.
“Mommy,” said Ethan during a commercial. “Are you sure Dean’s not your boyfriend?”
“Ethan,” you said, his face dropping. “I told you the answer is no.”
“But in class-”
“I don’t care what your friend in daycare’s mom does with her boyfriend and her family. Dean is not my boyfriend, understand?” you said. Ethan nodded slowly, focusing back on the TV. “Hey. Just because Dean isn’t my boyfriend doesn’t mean he isn’t part of our family.”
You weren’t entirely sure why you said that, especially when Dean was literally sitting right on the other side of Ethan. He certainly wasn’t a stranger and he was as close as a friend but…
You stood up and grabbed the plates, ditching them in the kitchen before you jogged upstairs. Sure, Dean was a great employee but he was your employee still. He was great with Ethan and he was certainly the kind of male role model you’d always hoped for him to have. He was protective but sweet and he was a little bit flirty but that was his demeanor and-
“Y/N,” said Dean, knocking on your bedroom door. You pulled it open fast and he stood their fidgeting.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t...I mean...what I meant to say…” you kept starting, cutting yourself as you watched his face. He stared at you, eyes drifting down to your lips. He was moving before you really saw it happening, going almost all the way and somehow your body was moving without you, meeting him the rest of the way. The kiss lasted only a second before you broke apart, Dean blinking a few times.
A million thoughts flashed through your mind but only one caught your attention.
What you thought were nerves over the whole nanny thing was so obviously clear now. You’d had a crush and it’d only been getting stronger over the past month.
“I…” said Dean, your hand resting on his arm. You pulled him into your bedroom and kicked the door shut, leaning up to get another kiss, Dean putting more confidence behind this one. Again he pulled away much too quickly and you felt your cheeks begin to burn.
“I’m sorry,” you said. Dean shook his head.
“Don’t be,” he said, a small smile on his face. “I did it first.”
“Um…” you said, shifting on your feet, staring at him. He put a hand on your shoulder that made you still, moving it up to cup your cheek, positive he could feel the heat in them.
“Whatever you want is okay with me,” he said.
“Kind of a cop out if you think about it,” you said.
“Well you are the one in charge,” he said.
“I’m not going to tell you how to feel, Dean,” you said.
“I think I made it pretty clear how I feel.”
“I think I did too.”
“So where does that leave us?”
“I don’t know,” you said, closing your eyes. “It feels like an abuse of power or some crap.”
“How about I go back downstairs and clean up and you get dressed and I’ll be gone by the time you’re done. Monday I’ll come to work like normal and I can go back to just being the nanny,” he said.
“Why did you kiss me?” you asked.
“I know how crappy I felt last night and you made it better. I never feel better when someone tries,” he said. “Then you and Ethan brought over a care package for me when you so didn’t have to and you feel like a friend that cares. Then my heart about stopped when Ethan fell and they wouldn’t tell me a damn thing and I was mortified not because I thought I’d get in trouble but because I thought he was hurt with like a head problem or something. I really care about him and you. I guess I was never good at that part of the job.”
“But why-”
“Because I like you. It feels like we come from different worlds almost but then it feels like you know the right thing to say or do better than anyone I’ve ever met. You’re not this workaholic mom I thought you’d be when I started. You just want to spend more time with your son and be a good mom and finding a good person like that is so incredibly hard. I spend most of my week with you guys and it’s getting harder to stop those feelings from growing,” said Dean. “Why did you-”
“I like you. My son likes you. You have changed our lives from takeout and my son asking every night if mommy’s okay to quality time together and I just feel happier and you do stuff you don’t have to like check the locks at night and I was actually really glad you stayed over last night and-”
“Y/N,” said Dean with a smile. “Don’t freak out on me.”
“Sorry,” you said, putting your hand over his still on your face, Dean staring at you. “I like you.”
“I like you,” he said. “I feel like there’s a but in there though.”
“I pay you. You’re my employee. I’m not...it feels wrong to...I’m gonna feel shitty either way when you leave this room,” you said.
“What if we figured out a way to make it work?” he asked. “I could always stop being a nanny, go back to my old job. Sam made it clear he doesn’t want money from me anymore.”
“Yeah but that’s not fair to Ethan or you,” you said.
“No offense but I took this job for the extra money for Sam. I don’t need it,” said Dean. “You’ve seen my place. I don’t need much to get by.”
“I still need to hire a nanny for Ethan and we don’t even know if this is going to work,” you said.
“I’d like to try,” said Dean.
“Me too,” you said.
“Okay then. I have a solution that might work out for all of us,” said Dean.
“How so?” you asked.
“Well, my old job, I used to go in early and I’d get out at 3. I know Ethan’s daycare has pickups open until 3:15 and it’s right by the garage. I could super easily pick him up and hang out like we do now until you get home,” he said. “You don’t need a nanny and all that extra money can go towards his college fund or retirement. A lot of stuff doesn’t have to change and I wouldn’t be your employee anymore.”
“No,” you said, shaking your head.
“It could-”
“I said no,” you said. “We’re...we’re acting like a pair of stupid lovestruck teenagers. We are adults and-”
“You just said you wanted to try,” said Dean.
“I’m not having you change your whole freaking life again for a possible chance at a relationship,” you said. “It’s reckless and-”
“Maybe you’re right,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “Kissing you was a mistake and I will not make it again.”
He flung open the bedroom door and was down the stairs and outside before you could even realize what you’d done.
A/N: Read Part 4 here!
