Warnings: Some angst, some fluff
Summary: After Sam meets with Anna to discuss specifics about getting to know his daughter. A few complications arise.
Being as quiet as possible to avoid waking up his brother Sam shut the door to the old motel slowly, while his thoughts raced with images of his long-lost daughter. A big grin reaching from ear to ear, making his cheeks ache. Of course, it wasn’t just Grace that drew him like a magnet, Anna was a compass pointing him north. They had hit it off so well, so naturally, it was the type of connection that was instant. Hoping that the next day would go as well as this one. Perhaps one day he could put the hunting business behind him.
A soft rustle of sheets moved in the dark motel room, followed by the blinding light of a bedside table lamp. Blinking to readjust his vision he took in the small room no different from any other they had stayed in in the past. Two beds, a Tv, a dresser, and closet. Bathroom at the back and mini fridge and microwave next to the TV. This room had sunset photos around the room with matching curtains.
“What time is it?” Dean rubbed his face turning to look at his phone. “Damn man I thought you said you were headed right back.”
Walking past Dean, Sam collapses on the bed. He had a few drinks before returning to the motel. “I couldn’t I need some time to think by myself. I got some interesting news today.” Trying to ease into telling his brother about Grace, and Anna. Sitting up on the edge of the bed across from Dean he rubbed his hands nervously. Dean waited, knowing that if he interrupted at this point he may never hear what his brother had to say. “Turns out Anna went to Stanford the same time I did.”
“Okay. Well, that’s great glad you could catch up with her.” It wasn’t that Dean didn’t care about Anna or was not interested in her. She was very attractive, kind too, what was there not to like. But at this point, there were still children getting hurt, so unless it had to do with solving the case and ganking a monster Dean wasn’t in the mood to talk.
“It turns out we have more in common than that though.” Sam paused again looking at the ground.
“Huh, Dude if you're going to play 50 questions I’m going to bed.” Dean stated Exhaustion present in his voice.
“I’ve got a kid Dean.” Sam released the words turning the moment into a running of the bulls. He could stand his ground risking getting gored by the bull or run away avoiding the fight. “And I’m going to meet her tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry what?” Anger mixed with fear of uncertainty, as Dean began to take in the information he’d been handed.
“I’m a dad!” Saying the word brought so much energy to Sam he stood waving his hands he went over the whole story of how he and Anna met once in college. That she only remembered him after they had talked at the school. He told Dean about Grace, taking out a photo that Anna had given him. “Tomorrow I’m going to meet her. I know we’ve got the case and I am still working on it. While I’m with Anna and Grace I’ll just ask a few questions about. Who knows maybe Grace knows something that we missed. She’s a kid but Anna says she’s sharp as a tack. And… Why are you laughing?” Sam paused mid-rant.
Dean giving into a full body laugh, throwing back his head, then slowly gaining his bearings, wiping away a tear. “It’s just so funny, out of the two of us who would have thought you would be the one to knock up some chick!”
Dropping his arms, Sam spoke cautiously. “You’re not mad?”
“No, man this is great! I’m an uncle. And don’t worry about the case tomorrow. I’ve got a few leads I want to check out. Get to know her. Any idea as to what you're going to do after when we leave?” Dean doing his best to sound encouraging. Walking over to the fridge he handed Sam a beer. “Congrats man.”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.” But it wasn’t that he had forgotten it was that he didn’t want to think about leaving. It was difficult enough to leave tonight. Leaving after he really got to know Grace sounded impossible already.
“Well one step at a time right?” Dean said.
The brothers spent the next morning doing research, making calls and for the most part following the same routine that they did with most of the cases. When the clock turned over to show 1130 Sam closed out his laptop and began to organize his work. A feeling of belonging already washing over him. It didn’t take long for Dean to catch on as Sam rushed to find his phone and wallet.
“I’ll drive!” Dean rushed out the door after Sam.
“What are you doing?” Sam asked.
“I’m tagging along to meet my niece.” Dean glowed with pride at the word.
“No your not. Anna told me not to tell Grace I was her father, there’s no way she’d be ok with you showing up.” Sam protested.
“Oh common! I’m not going to say anything to the kid.” He countered.
Sliding in the passenger's side of the car Sam continued to argue back and forth with Dean about meeting Grace. Dean mostly just trying to get him to relax and throwing jokes out, not really being serious about any of it. They were halfway to Anna’s when Sam instructed Dean to pull into a small toy store on the way. Rushing in then emerging only five minutes later holding a rather large German shepherd stuffie. Looking at Sam with a blank face Dean just stared.
“What? Anna Said she likes dogs.” Sam mumbled.
Pulling up in front of the little two-story log cabin the brothers eyed the place for a moment Sam’s leg bounced up and down, taking a deep breath he got out taking the stuffed animal with him. Dean calling after him telling him that it would be fine and not to be nervous. Kids smell fear. Sam felt his heart begin to pick up speed as he got closer to the door. He had faced vampires, werewolves, ghouls, Demons. But this moment was one of the most terrifying he had yet faced.
Fixing his shirt then, taking a deep breath, he pulled open the screen door knocking on the main door. He could hear giggling on the other side followed by little footsteps moving hurriedly across the floor. The door opened slowly, revealing a six-year-old with wide, curious, hazel eyes, and raven black hair. She was tall for her age but still seemed to shrink back clinging to her mother that stood just to the right. A warm welcoming smile that touched her eyes.
Grace had an unusual amount of energy this morning, running around chasing after this or that, bouncing off the walls as she made up a game to entertain herself. She built an army of barbies and plush toys, talked to herself in different voices going off into her own little world. Then rushing off to the next activity. Only settling momentarily to read a book for a few minutes while Anna cleaned getting ready for Sam. After cleaning the house and making sure the place looked as decent as it could with a six-year-old running around, Anna took a moment to explain to grace what was supposed to happen that day.
“Pumpkin can you listen to mummy for a moment?” Anna’s sweet voice calling her daughter’s attention back to the real world.
“What is mummy?” Grace could feel the tension in the air. She always had a sixth sense about what her mother was going through.
“Do you remember yesterday when that man stopped by?” Anna broke down the basic need to know information. Grace nodded, sitting criss-cross on the couch. “Well his name is Sam and he will be joining us today for a little while. Doesn’t that sound like fun!”
Grace ducked her head down “But he’s a giant! Aren’t they mean?”
“I already told you he isn’t a giant.” Anna rolled her eyes at her daughters need to insist with the giant shtick. “Sam is very nice and only wants to get to know you. I think you're really going to like him.”
Grace sighed dramatically. “Do I have too!”
“Yes. I promise you will have a lot of fun.” Anna did her best to sound confident.
Grace looked around the room wide eyes following something that her mother could not see. Suddenly taking her mother's hand squeezing it tight, snuggling in close. Anna knew this wasn't real sadness. This was a tactic that Grace had used hundreds of times before, she was trying to butter her up, to get her own way. And normally it might have worked however this wasn’t the occasion that could be solved with a hug.
“I know he scared you the other day. But like I said, he thought that we were hurt and was just trying to help. Promise you’ll give him a chance.” It wasn’t a question.
Nodding her heard Grace gave her mother a hug. A small grin returning to its proper place. They both laughed, as Grace ran off the couch grabbing her colored pencils and some paper. Declaring that she would draw a picture, and make a list of everything she wanted to do that way “this Sam person” wouldn’t get any ideas about trying to boss her around. Making a comment about how she hoped that Nick, her imaginary friend would like Sam.
A knock came to the door just as the clock turned 12. More excited this time Grace jumped leaving her pencils strewn across the coffee table. Anna emerged from the kitchen following close behind. Grace grabbing throwing the door open only to have her excitement dwindle. Anna stood behind her encouraging the young girl to be brave. This was a day that she thought she would never see, but was beyond elated to have the dream of seeing her daughter meet the father she never knew about. Even if it was under false pretenses.
“Hello, You must be Grace.” Sam leaned down trying to get on the child's level recalling how she called him a giant. “I have something for you.”
Graces distrust dissipated as she took the plush toy in her arms hugging it tight around its neck. “You’re a nice giant aren’t you! Like in BFG.”
Sam didn’t even finch only nodding. “Just like in BFG. Your mother tells me you like to read.” Anna nodded as Sam walked in Grace now carefully playing with the ears of her new toy. “I like to read too. What’s your favorite book?”
“I like Charlotte's Web. But Alice in Wonderland is my favorite. Mommy and I read it almost every night!” She boasted. Forgetting her shyness she took Sam’s hand leading him over to the coffee table. “I made a list of all the things we around going to do today.”
Anna looked at Sam waiting for him to freak and run any second. But he only nodded going over the list that was mostly scribbles. “She worked very hard on that list, but I already warned her that we may not get to everything.” Already she found herself giving him excuses to leave or get out early.
“Nonsense.” Sam waved his hand, dismissing anything that may take him away from the little girl looking up at him. “I guarantee we will finish the list. So what’s first?”
Once more Anna was surprised how easily he seemed to fit into their world, she clung to the hope that he wouldn’t run off or disappear. Though he gave no indication of doing so. She saw how much fun Grace was already having, smiling from ear to ear going over everything she had written down. Sam was driving head first into a world he had never experienced before but doing so with gusto, not letting anything faze him.
The afternoon was spent running around playing board games, playing Barbies. Grace pulled out some bows and hair ties. Insisting that she fix his hair, calling her mother to help her braid it. Anna took a picture of the two smiling laughing as Sam’s hair jutted in every direction. It was a priceless moment, making them both laugh. Grace enjoying the time with the two more and more as each moment passed, taking it upon herself to invite Sam to stay for dinner.
“I’m sure Sam has dinner plans already.” Anna didn’t want to push him away but thought it best to end the day on a good note. Sam’s cheery disposition faltered just a little Anna could see it but grace was too busy pulling on her mother shirt. “Maybe Sam would like to come back another day?”
“Please Sam?” Grace turning her puppy dog eyes on her new friend.
“I can come back anytime you want.” Sam hosting her up in a big bear hug he could smell the artificial strawberry of her shampoo. Her arms wrapped around his neck was the most incredible feeling in the world. As if nothing could ever go wrong he never wanted this feeling to end. “Besides I have to wait for my ride.”
“Great! We can make a castle out of my blocks!” Grace ran off to collect the ones she’d forgotten to clean earlier. Leaving Anna and Sam to talk.
“I have to say I’m impressed for. Not too many can get on her good side that fast.” Moving around the kitchen Anna began to pull out some food to prep for dinner. “That and you did well for having never really worked with kids. Most men scrabble.”
“I’m not most men though, and she’s more to me than just some kid.” Sam was glowing happier than he’d ever been. “What time can I come by tomorrow?”
Trying to reach for a few plates placed a shelf too high Anna stood on her tiptoes only to have Sam come up behind her easily taking them down handing them to her. “Well, Grace has violin lessons in the afternoon so earlier might be better.”
“She plays the violin?” Sam couldn’t believe how incredible his little girl had turned out. How much more she would learn and this time around with any luck he would be around to see it. “You’ve done such an amazing job raising her.”
Grace came running around the corner hugging her dog close. “There’s a man at the door mommy!” Grace grabbed her mother’s hand returning to the shy child that she had been when Sam first arrived.
“Thank you for telling me baby girl.” A child in tow Anna walked to the door.
Sam also close at her heels slightly on edge worried about who was at the door. A million scenarios flashing through his mind, even with just having met them he felt the need to protect them at all costs. When Anna opened the door Grace let go of her taking Sams hand instead, holding it tight. Sam giving reassuring smiles taking her up into his arms again. The door opened standing on the other side was Dean smiling slyly his green eyes bright against the poorly lit porch.
“Hey, you must be Anna. I’m Dean.” Extending his hand out to Anna shook it smiling not skipping a beat.
“Thank you for loaning me your brother today we had so much fun. Didn’t we Grace.” Taking in the sight of Grace clinging to Sam as if he could protect her from anything it took Anna’s breath away. Making her heart stop for a moment. “Grace it’s ok this is the officer that stopped by mommies class yesterday remember?”
Grace ducked her head down not wanting to look up. Shaking it into Sam’s shoulder, mumbling something. Before reaching for her mother. Looking at Dean who was giving another little wave she flashed a quick grin. But wouldn’t answer.
“Well it was nice to meet you kiddo.” Dean gave a chuckle before turning his focus back to his brother. “We gotta go. Work thing came up.”
Catching the unspoken conversation that past between the two men, Anna did her best to put out any thoughts that may have indicated that there was more to it. Things were going well so far and she didn’t want to jeopardize her daughter's relationship with Sam. Confirming a time to meet the next day they left the house, which was now almost unsettlingly quiet. Grace scrabbling out of her mother's arms ran to the front window. Kneeling on the couch leaning forward she pressed her face against the window as the Impala raced off.
As Sam watched his little girl fade from view he was already looking forward to the next day. Determined to spend as much time with Grace and Anna as possible he was already forming a plan to focus on hunting in the immediate area, or perhaps only during the week when Anna was working and Grace was in school. He knew that it wasn’t the best plan seeing as nothing about hunting was that simple however it was a start. He didn’t want to let them down by running off so soon.
“You make any headway today?” Sam asked setting aside the topic for another day.
“Yeah I think I figured it out. Before the school was a public it was a reform school. A few of the students that attended were far from what we might call role models. At one point the students went nuts killed attacked a few kids, a teacher had to step in. It ended bloody.” Dean’s tone was dark.
“So we have a bunch of violent ghosts that like to pick on kids. You have the locations of the graves?” Completely focused now Sam was ready to work.
Tossing a map to his brother Dean was confident that he had resolved the case. “Right here.”
“Then what are we waiting? For let’s get this done.”
Burning the bodies was bittersweet moment for Sam. It meant that the case was over and there should be no more children in the line of danger. No more young kids begging put into the hospital, and of course he had more at stake now, those students were all in Graces class. So it was difficult not to picture Grace in their place. Thankfully it was over now. Of course, this also meant that it was time to move on to the next case, which meant moving to the next city when the time came. Till then He would stick around, Somehow he would have to break the news to Anna and Grace, He had lived his whole life not knowing they existed, but knew with certainty that to leave would now mean leaving his life behind.
When Sam showed up the next day to see Grace. Anna was waiting for him at the door, arms crossed, a scowl on her face. She looked like she was ready to throw punches. A physical barrier between him and the house. Something was very obviously wrong, Sam stopped just before the first step. He met her stone glare with one of confusion and submission. Not wanting to upset her anymore he waited for her to speak.
Uncrossing her arms she pointed at him opening her mouth then closing it again searching for the right words. “You had no right! I told you not to say anything, that it would be too much for her to understand! But no you thought why the hell not.” Bringing her fist to her side she wiped an angry tear from her cheek. “You selfish prick. If it were up to me I would tell you to never come back but it’s up to her now and she wants you to stay.”
“I’m sorry but I have no idea what you're talking about.” He went to take a step forward but stopped when the furry rose again within her.
“The hell you don’t! This morning she came to asking when her father was coming to visit. Thinking she made a mistake I asked what she was talking about. She told me that Nickel told her you were her father. You are going to break her heart.” Bearing holding it together she focused all her hated on him, wishing that she’d never taken the chance at letting him into their lives.
“Who’s Nickel? And I didn’t say anything. I would never tell her that without your Ok. Do you really think I would jeopardize the only good thing in my life?” Realizing he was in delicate position, Sam did his best to defend himself.
“I don’t know if you would or not. But all that matters that she knows, and she wants to see you.” Taking a breath than an exhaling slow to calm herself, Anna Stepped aside. “If you're going be in our lives, you need to know that the last time a man came into our lives she called father she got hurt. He left us both heartbroken, you can’t do that to her. Nickel is her imaginary friend. They do everything together. So if you leave her or break her heart, I will find you and I will hurt you to the point you wish you were dead.”
Swallowing a lump in his throat Sam nodded. Why did he scare her so much? He’d faced so many monsters but this human woman was somehow the most terrifying thing he’s ever encountered. Anna let him pass but not before giving he a few more daggered looks. He would have to choose his words carefully when he broke the news that he had to go back to work.
“Daddy!” Grace practically jumped into his arms. “I’ve got so much to tell you! Nickel told me that you’re a superhero! He’s really cool I’m so happy Nickel likes you.”
The word daddy made his heart jump, his stomach flip. He couldn’t help but feel pride wanting so badly live up to the name. However Sam had had experience with imaginary friends before, Zena, they were relatively innocent creatures, could Nickel be one of them. “Hey kiddo. What else did Nickel tell you?”
“He likes to be called Nick. He told me you and uncle Dean helped his friends. He said you help people and that the reason you couldn’t find me was that you were working.” She chatted away as she drew pictures of what he could only assume was Nickel.
“Well I’m here now and we don’t have to talk about my work.” Sam was chipper but knew he needed to move on from the topic before he got in more trouble with Anna.
“Nick says that you have to go back to work again soon. But I’m not worried, I know you’ll come back and visit me.” Grace wrote her name in large letters across the top of the page. “This is me. This is Nick. Mommy is over here. And you and uncle Dean are over here. It’s for you! So you remember to come back.”
While he knew he had to leave that afternoon it would be all the more difficult now. Taking it he wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you. I’ll keep it with me. Now, how about we go and finish that castle from yesterday.”
Anna watched from a distant, they needed this time together without her. And she needed time alone to think about how she would deal with the aftermath. While Grace was excited now she knew the excitement would come crashing down sooner or later. It would give way to the reality, Sam would run off sooner or later Grace would be heartbroken and Anna would be left to pick up the pieces.
In the kitchen, she could hear the two laughing, Sam's full body deep honest chuckle, Grace’s giggle that could light up the world. Staying in the kitchen she began to wash the dishes turning on the hot water to the point of near intolerance. Scrubbing a dish her mind began to wander her vision wondering over the bubbles watching them pop one by one. The sunlight pouring in through the window over the sink, shimmering off the water reflecting creating a rainbow.
“I knew what I was getting into.” She mumbled to herself. Grace would have found out sooner or later. This wasn’t a cut and dry situation, it was like any other part of parenting, there were no guidelines here. One step at a time. Thinking back to the other day and how much fun they had all had. Not just Grace and Sam but Anna too. They had hit it off well for the amount of drama and baggage that was being tossed around. Despite everything else she had to hand it to Sam he was doing an amazing job with Grace. Having had some time to reflect it was unfair to blame Sam for Grace finding out when she did. It was just as likely that Anna had said something in her sleep or possibly overheard Anna talking on the phone with Em the other night.
“Mommy!” Grace came in wrapping her arms around Anna’s waist. “Can we go to the playground? I want to show Sa- Daddy how I can do a flip on the monkey bars!”
Anna looked up Sam smiling shyly in the doorway. He was being cautious not to step on Anna’s toes. This was her house, her rules. And more than anything he knew that while he had 50 percent genetic right to Grace that’s all it was, genetic. In the last six years of her life, he had only been part of the last 2 days. It was up to Anna weather he remained in their lives. Only she had the final say.
Biting her lip Anna thought about all the children that had been getting hurt lately on the playground but also considered how it would be unfair to Grace to keep her locked up when it was just a bunch of accidents. “Alright. I’ll pack a lunch and we can have a picnic. Go clean up your toys.”
“Yes!” Grace went running around the corner in a rush to get out and enjoy the sunshine.
Drying off her hands Anna looked to Sam, “I want to apologize for earlier. I realized that I can be a little bit of a momma bear. I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“It’s not a problem. You were just trying to protect her,” Rubbing the back of his neck contemplated a thought before gaining enough courage to speak up. “Listen, I don’t mean to sound like I am overstepping boundaries here, but I am her father. It’s my job to protect her too, to be there for her, and you are going to have to let me do that.”
To Anna’s surprise, she relaxed. In the past, she had her sister to rely on but it wasn’t the same thing as having someone completely committed to Grace. Sam was here putting himself on the line, he was doing the best that he could. “Alright. But I meant it when I said you hurt her your dead.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything different.” Sam smiled as they made their way out to the car.