Summary:  A family tragedy during a hunt redirects the lives of the Winchester's in a way they could have never predicted.
Warning:  AU.  WARNING MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH(S) IN LATE CHAPTER(S).
A/N:  I hope you enjoy this newest story. This story may different than what you’re used to reading from me. It’s not laden with tons and tons of angst, although there is angst for a few chapters here and there, especially the beginning. I just had an idea I wanted to run with and get out of my system, so here it is. Also, I already have several new stories begging to be written and when I can I will write them.
Happy reading, I hope!
Disclaimer:  The characters of Supernatural were created by Eric Kripke and are owned by the CW Network. No profit is being made.

Five Months Later, November 1995

Sam sat bundled in his winter clothes in the back of Jim’s four-door cobalt blue Suburu. Jim had offered to drive the family back to his house rather than John drive, so that they could visit with Sam. The young boy had been making this trip once or twice a week for the past month and half for day visits out of the rehab and care facility, but today was different … Sam was coming home to stay and it was in time for Thanksgiving.

“Dee look,” Sam chirped as he pushed a finger against the window. “Big green man,” he declared with a large dimpled smile. Dean and John both chuckled. Sam was pointing to the famous and rather quirky ‘welcome sign’ to Blue Earth. It was a large scale, full color version of the Jolly Green Giant and below his feet was the sign ‘Welcome to Blue Earth.’

“That’s the Jolly Green Giant Sammy,” Dean answered. “Can you say Jolly Green Giant,” Dean prompted. Sam scrunched his nose at the idea of trying to say so many syllables.

“J…” he started and stopped. He looked pensive. He had been through speech therapy and would continue to go for some time, but words sometimes felt trapped inside him.

“It’s okay Sammy,” John replied. “Try saying what you can.”

“J… J…” Sam grunted. “Green Giant,” he blurted and looked at his family for approval. Both Dean and John smiled.

“Good boy Sammy,” John’s voice was warm. Sam offered up another dimpled smile and clapped his hands in excitement.

“All white,” Sam stared out the window at the passing scenery as they neared Jim’s house.

“It’s snow, Sammy, remember I showed it to you yesterday?” Dean replied.

“Snow?” Sam looked perplexed.

“Yep.”

“Cold,” Sam replied as he remembered his brother letting him feel it the other day when he’d taken him outside at the rehab center. Dean smiled again.

“Yes, very cold,” Dean agreed. “Brrr…” he pretended to shiver and made a face at his little brother. Sam laughed at his big brother’s antics.

“Dee funny,” he chirped. John chuckled. John’s eyes settled on the road as part of him continued to listen to his two son’s talk in the backseat. There were moments still and John suspected there would always be moments when reality reared its horrible head and he realized that his baby boy would never again be the boy he was before the accident. But, when his mind went to the alternative of not having Sammy anymore his chest would clench and he knew that no matter what … it was better to have his son alive than not at all. If Sam hadn’t survived it would have destroyed their family and John was sure that neither he nor Dean would have come back from that loss, at least not completely.

“Daddy! Look!” Sam squealed in excitement from the backseat and pulled John from his thoughts. Sam was jamming his little index finger against the fogged car window at the park and the young children snow tubing down hills.

“Yes, Sammy,” John replied.

“What they doing?” Sam asked brokenly.

“Snow tubing Sammy,” John answered.

“Want to,” Sam replied.

“It’s for big boys Sammy,” John answered. “Maybe, next winter okay?”

“Want to try,” Sam repeated. “Dee tell Daddy I big boy.” Dean cast a sympathetic look at his father in the rear view mirror that seemed to convey a plea and an apology at the same time.

“Sammy, maybe Dad’s right. Next winter,” he offered.

“I big boy now!” Sam complained. “Please,” he turned on the wide puppy eyes and John ran a hand across his face as his will began to crumble.

“It couldn’t hurt him John,” Jim offered from the driver’s seat. “It’d be good exercise and Dean can ride with him. Maybe?” he looked at John briefly as he continued to drive. “I still have those one and two seat tubes they used a couple years ago.” He offered with a smile.

“See,” Sam bounced from his seat belted position. “Uncle Jim says … it good.” John sighed as a mild smile crept at the edges of his mouth.

“Fine, Sammy,” John relented. “Tomorrow, okay?”

“Love you Daddy,” Sam replied with an excited child-like voice.

“Love you, too, buddy,” John smiled. He met eyes with his eldest son in the rearview mirror and Dean smiled at his father. John returned the warm look and nodded.

Jim’s House, Ten Minutes Later

“Okay, kiddo,” John spoke. “We’re home.” Sam looked at Jim’s place and recognized it from his previous day trips from the rehab.

“How long I stay,” Sam asked as Dean unclipped his little brother’s seat belt.

“Sammy,” Dean started before his father could answer the question. “Remember what Dad and I told you? You’re staying for good now. No going back to the center except for your therapies.”

“I here now?” Sam smiled as he remembered what his father and brother had told him, but only now was it really making sense to him. “I home for always now?”

“Yes, Sammy for always,” Dean ruffled his kid brother’s hair.

“Come on buddy,” John leaned in and helped Sam out of the backseat.

“I walk,” Sam asserted.

“It’s tricky Sammy,” John spoke in a light, but parental tone. “It’s slippery out here.” Sam still had some problems walking and his face always looked very concentrated when he tried to walk. His coordination had him frequently tripping on his own feet, weaving or walking at an odd angle like a drunk, but he was improving with each therapy.

“Want try,” Sam spoke with a defiant tone.

“Take my hand so you don’t fall,” John watched his little boy gauge him for a second and took his father’s hand. The walk was slow and Sam weaved often bumping into his father’s leg. Dean followed behind with two bags that belonged to Sam. Jim hurried forward to get the door open.

“Make noise,” Sam said suddenly.

“What?” John asked as he looked down at his child.

“Snow,” Sam replied as if he made perfect sense.

“Snow?” John looked at his son with curious eyes. Sometimes it was a guessing game trying to figure out what Sam was processing in his brain. “You mean the snow is making noises?”

“When walk,” Sam replied. “What that noise?” John smiled. His son asked a lot of questions, but he was thrilled because that meant his cognitive functions were working and there was a time in his early prognosis that they weren’t even sure Sam would have that much progress.

“The snow’s crunching Sammy,” John answered. “That noise is a crunch sound.” Sam looked at his father with wide dark eyes and smiled. Sam stopped and put his foot down in a new area of snow and listened.

“Crr…crun…ch…” Sam sounded out slowly and looked to John for approval. He nodded.

“Good boy Sammy.”

“Hey Sammy good job,” Dean added after his father’s supportive answer. John and Sam finally reached the five stairs that led up to the front porch of Jim’s house and subsequently the front door. He eyed the stairs and looked at Sam.

“Here Sammy let me carry you up the stairs.” Sam lifted his arms up toward his father. He stood about the height of his father’s stomach and would soon be much taller. John smiled and swiveled around. “Here hop on and we’ll piggy back.” Sam didn’t resist. The short walk from the car to the stairs had been taxing. John and Dean could both see that the wind was quickly depleting from Sam’s sails, so to speak. “Come on kiddo, nap time.”

“Not tired,” Sam complained through a small yawn. John and Dean grinned.

“Sure you’re not Sammy,” John cooed as he felt his baby boy’s head drop heavily against the back of his neck and nestle into his leather jacket.

Two Hours Later

“Is your brother still sleeping?” John asked as Dean walked into the kitchen from the large parlor room in Jim’s house where Sam had curled up on the couch to nap.

“Yep, like a baby,” Dean replied. “Need help?” He eyed the two men moving about the kitchen preparing lunch. John was pulling plates down while Jim opened the stove to check on the lasagna.

“No we’re good,” John answered. “You mind keeping an eye on your brother? I don’t want him waking up and trying to navigate through the furniture,” John stated evenly. “The last thing we need is a trip to the ER for some stitches if he falls and clips himself on something.” Dean nodded leaving his father and Jim in the kitchen. He went back to watch his brother and some TV while he waited for Sammy to wake up.

“John you worry too much,” Jim chided softly. “Anyway, you’ve practically baby-proofed this place … it’s the Fort Knox of kid safety around here. Hell, this place is safer now than when you’d let Sammy crawl and walk around here when he was a baby.” John offered a soft smile.

“Things are different now,” he conceded.

“How?” Jim pushed. “You’ve done more to insure that Sam doesn’t poke things into outlets or open cabinets in the kitchen that he can reach or not reach for that matter. Hell, you’ve even installed a safety lock for the basement door. And, you’ve even padded some of the corners on the furniture with those small safety child protective pads. Like I said, you’ve done more now than when he was a baby. Come on John,” Jim spoke. “He’s going to be fine.”

“Jim,” John’s voice was quiet, but stern. “You weren’t there the day they pulled him out of that lake. I was. He was dead Jim. Gone, my baby boy was gone. I wish I could forget what I saw when the diver brought him up, but I can’t. Sammy’s different now Jim. And, yeah, maybe I did more this time around than I ever did for him while he was a baby, but it’s just …” his voice trailed off. Jim studied his long time friend.

“It’s just what John?” He urged gently.

“I couldn’t keep him safe on that hunt,” John choked. “He nearly died and that’s my fault. It’s my job to keep my children safe and I’ve done a lousy job at it,” John lamented. “I should have never started them hunting. I should have given them a real childhood. Mary would be so disappointed.” Jim sighed.

“Johnny,” he began softly. “None of this is your fault. Sam went out on that ice and the Wraith weakened the ice and he fell through … it wasn’t your fault. Sam’s progress wouldn’t be nearly as good as it has been if it weren’t for you and Dean,” Jim encouraged. “John the way you’ve been there for Sammy and your patience with him, you’re doing a great job. Lesser men would have crumbled into dust over the last eleven months. You’re a good father and you love your boys.”

“Jim…”

“Don’t okay, there is no way you can manipulate me into thinking any different.”

“So,” John started. “You think I’m being too over protective of Sammy?”

“Nah,” Jim smiled. “I know we all have to look out for him now because he won’t look out for himself. I shouldn’t be too hard on you,” Jim began with a smile that betrayed he was guilty of something. John smiled in return.

“Why? What did you do?” Jim chuckled.

“I had a plumber install a scald protection device in the main bathroom that Sammy will be bathing in and I put down non-slip decals in the tub,” he smiled. “Blue trucks and yellow ducks.” John laughed out loud. “Well, the rehab said bright primary colors would stimulate his brain.” John smiled warmly at his long time friend, thankful for Jim’s presence in his family’s life.

“I hadn’t noticed,” he replied with a broad smile. The five-bedroom house was large and all of the bedrooms had their own bathrooms, but were all showers except for the main bathroom which was a tub/shower combo they intended to bathe Sam in. The main bathroom was the all-purpose one for guests that was in the hallway. Sam would share a room with his big brother.

“Yeah, well it was going to be a surprise. After all, the rectory has been offering to do renovations on the house for a while since I didn’t want the church housing at St. Mary’s. John nodded.

“Thanks,” John replied genuinely.

“Anything for family.” The men’s conversation was broken by a bleary eyed Sam standing in the doorway holding his big brother’s hand.

“Look who’s up from his nap,” John spoke gently. Sam rubbed sleepily at an eye with a balled up fist.

“Daddy … hungry,” Sam replied. Sam walked over to his father and hugged his arms around his waist. John wrapped his arms around his little boy and hugged him to himself for a moment.

“Well, kiddo,” he started. “Lunch will be ready in a little bit. Dean will you open him up a fruit juice box to tide him over until lunch is done.”

“Yeah, no problem. Come over here Sammy,” Dean extended his hand to his brother again. “I think Uncle Jim bought some, so what do you want ‘Great Gator Grape’ or ‘Super Shark Strawberry,’ which is it?” Sam’s eyes grew wide and he smiled.

“Shark!” He shouted as he eyed the juice box with the picture of the Great White circling a strawberry. Dean tousled his little brother’s unruly bangs.

“Sure thing little man,” he quipped.

Later that Evening

Sam lied on the couch with his big brother watching a Charlie Brown special. Sam was curled up on his side with his head resting in Dean’s lap. John could hear Sammy’s laugh filter up the hallway and he shared a smirk with Jim.

“It’s a nice sound isn’t it?” Jim replied.

“The best,” John answered.

“Here you pull that end,” Jim spoke casually. John nodded as they pulled the mattress cover over Sam’s bed. They were covering Sam’s mattress with a protective covering in case the young boy had an accident. “You think Sammy will need this?”

“Not sure,” John replied. “He’s been doing really well with not having accidents, but the kid’s a deep sleeper these days, so I just want to cover all the bases. But, the center suggested I put those Goodnight pants on Sammy. He hates them because they remind of diapers, but until he isn’t having accidents at all he’s still gonna need them at night.”

“It’s great having him back John.”

“Yeah, it is. I don’t even like thinking about the alternative.”

“So, is he excited for Monday and starting at the learning center?”

“Yeah, I just hope it goes well ya know?”

“I’m sure it will, John. Sam wraps everyone around his little pinky without trying and the other kids will accept him.” John nodded and glanced at his watch.

“That cartoon should almost be over and he needs a bath.” John and Jim finished preparing Sam’s bed next to his big brother’s and then they both walked down the hall to the large family parlor area where the boys and the TV were. “Hey boys,” John said as he entered the room.

“Hey Dad,” Dean replied from the couch.

“Daddy,” Sam’s voice chimed in. “S…S…Snoopy’s a doggie,” he lifted his head from his brother’s lap to sit up. “Duncan’s a doggie, too,” Sam seemed so excited that he had been able to identify Jim’s golden Labrador that slept curled up across the room on a tartan covered dog pillow bed.

“Yes, he is,” John agreed. “Good boy Sammy,” he congratulated. “Hey, kiddo it’s bath time.” John replied.

“I got him Dad,” Dean said quickly.

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” Dean said smiling as he looked over at his little brother. “So, what do you say Sammy, are you ready for bath time?” He reached over and playfully tickled Sam’s stomach. Sam giggled.

“I get piggy back?”

“Sure thing monkey boy,” Dean kidded.

“I not monkey,” Sam chided with a dimpled grin.

“You’re not?” Dean raised his eyebrows. “Hey, Dad did you know that Sammy isn’t a monkey boy?”

“He isn’t?” John played along.

“Daddy stop,” Sam wrinkled his brow and grunted. “I not monkey.”

“Okay, okay,” John raised his hands in submission. “Sammy isn’t a monkey boy.” Sam turned a satisfied look at his big brother.

“Come on kiddo,” Dean encouraged his little brother to hop on his back for a ride to the bathroom.

“Dean,” John called out.

“Yeah?” Dean stopped midway to the bathroom.

“I already put his pajamas and other things in the bathroom. You just need to run the water and stuff. The Mr. Bubble is under the sink in the vanity.”

“Thanks Dad.” John nodded.

“Dean stay with him okay?” John worried about Sam near water now. His young boy seemed to have a fascination with it and John had taken notice of that at the rehab when Sam was first started on his water therapy. He had also gone on a small outing on the rehab premises with his father and Dean and had gone straight for the duck pond. John shuddered at the memory of his little boy stumbling and almost falling in.

“I will Dad. It’s okay,” Dean gave an encouraging nod. “Come on kiddo.”

“Want my boat to play in water,” Sam squealed to his brother as Dean piggy backed his little brother toward the bathroom.

“Sure thing kiddo.”

Later the Next Day, Centennial Park

John and Jim sat and watched Dean and Sam ride the two person tube up and down the small hills in the park. The place was filled with other children and their families. John watched Sam struggle in the snow and Dean was always there to lend a helping hand and encouragement when it looked like Sam might have a tantrum out of frustration. He watched Dean lean in and say something to his little brother and Sam giggled. John smiled.

“Well, that’s a big change from last night’s little episode, huh?” Jim commented idly. John ran a tired hand over his eyes.

“Yeah,” his reply sounding more like a sigh than an actual response. “I never expected him to get so upset over the nighttime diapers, but what am I supposed to do?” John lamented. “Let him have an accident and wet the bed? Wouldn’t that embarrass him more than the diaper at night? I mean they pull on and off like underwear, I just thought …”

“You just thought he wouldn’t notice the difference between those and his Batman underwear?” Jim’s voice was incredulous. “Johnny, they used those on him in the rehab, he knows the difference.”

“I guess,” he conceded.

“John let him wear his Batman underwear like he wants to … the most that’s gonna happen is he wets the bed and we’re covered on that. We’ll just have to wash the sheets that’s all and maybe that’s what he needs to learn to wake up to go when he has to.”

“Jim his Goodnight pants were wet this morning …”

“John,” Jim began. “Rome wasn’t built in a day and considering where Sam was almost a year ago this isn’t a big deal.” John nodded. “Frankly, I’m surprised he even quieted down last night and kept them on.”

“Me too. But, he still cried himself to sleep and didn’t want a story.”

“Baby steps, Johnny, baby steps,” his friend encouraged.

“Go again!” Sam squealed at his big brother. “Dee!”

“Okay, Sammy, geez,” Dean panted “aren’t you tired yet?”

“No, I big boy,” Sam answered with a smile. “Big boy not get tired.”

“Sure buddy whatever you say,” Dean smiled with a glint. He was certain that the moment they got back to the car and headed home his little brother would probably pass out cold in the backseat. “One more time, okay? We’ll do the bigger hill and then we’re done.”

“No, want to stay,” Sam complained.

“Sammy, I’m tired kiddo. Maybe, we’ll come again next weekend.” Sam frowned. “Hey big boys don’t pout.”

“What p … p… pout?” Sam demanded. Dean grinned and demonstrated with his face.

“That’s a pout and you know something …” he started.

“What?” Sam asked.

“You do it too much and one day your face is gonna freeze like that,” he said seriously and watched his kid brother’s eyes go wide. “Just kidding Sammy,” he assured. He could see the pensive and scared look slowly coming over his brother and was quick to allay his young fears. Dean still hadn’t consummated his mind to the brother that remained after the lake accident. The old Sammy would have understood the jesting joke, the old Sammy would have laughed, but there was no point on looking back, he thought quietly to himself, that was then and this is now.

“Dee?” Sam asked quietly as he held his brother’s hand as they trudged through the snow up the larger hill for their last run.

“Yeah?”

“Do big boys p … p … pout?”

“Nope,” he answered casually. Sam stopped suddenly and gently tugged on his big brother’s hand and Dean knelt down when he saw Sam’s serious face. His little face drew near his brother’s and his voice was quiet. “Sammy what’s wrong?” he scanned his brother’s face.

“Dee?” he spoke quietly. “Do big boys … wet bed…” his young voice and speech were broken and Dean saw the silent pain in his sibling’s eyes. He looked at Sam and his chest ached. For the most part Sam didn’t realize the differences he was now faced with, although he had begun to recognize some of his limitations during rehab. He was thankful that Sam didn’t really remember the Sam that existed before the accident. He was thankful he remembered their lives for the most part and the young boy knew to keep quiet about demons and spirits, and to this day he still had no recollection of the accident. Dean was silently thankful for that one grace.

“Sammy,” Dean knelt on his knees in the snow. “Even big boys have accidents. You’ll learn, okay? Pretty soon, you watch you’ll be out of your Goodnight pants in no time.” Sam brightened at his brother’s words. “So, you ready for the last tube ride of the day?” Dean reached up and pulled down Sam’s hat to cover more of his little brother’s ears growing red from the cold air. Sam clapped his hands in excitement.

Two Days Later, Jim’s House

“Okay, Sammy,” John grunted as he fought to get his young son’s foot in his sock. Sam giggled as he dodged the white sock his father was trying to get on his foot. “Sammy, enough,” John chided. “We’ll be late for your rehab.”

“Daddy … no go. I here.”

“Sammy, you’ll be coming home later,” John assured. “Remember I told you that you still had to see the doctors and go to your rehab, and then you can come back to Uncle Jim’s.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” John reached up and ruffled his child’s hair. “Now, give me your foot.” Sam relented and stilled his dodging foot. John slid it into the sock easily. “Good boy. You know pretty soon you’ll be able to dress yourself Sammy if you keep trying at your therapy classes.” Sam smiled and then looked around the kitchen.

“Where Dee?”

“He told you last night Sammy,” John began. “Remember what he said to you?” Sam looked pensive as he fought to gain access with his short term memory that still had problems since the drowning. John saw the lights go on in his son’s eyes for a moment as the memory came to him.

“Dee in school,” Sam said smiling.

“Yes, he is,” John answered.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?”

“When I go?”

“Go where?”

“Big boy school like Dee.”

“Well,” John crouched down in front of the chair that his little boy was sitting on. “You get to go to an extra special school where you can make lots of friends and learn all sorts of things. We’re going tomorrow, so you can meet all of your teachers and you get to start school next week.” Sam’s eyes went wide in excitement.

“I go school too? In week?”

“Yep.”

“At Dee school … big boy school?”

“No,” John supplied. “Your big brother is a lot older than you Sammy and his school is for children his age. You get your own special school. Isn’t that fun?” John tried to sound upbeat when silently a little piece of him still ached at the reality of what his, Dean’s and especially Sammy’s life had become, but he was happy his boy would be learning once again and hopefully the school would help him progress and increase his cognition.

“Daddy?”

“Yes?” John said as he pulled Sam up from the chair to put a jacket on his child to keep out the cold winter air.

“How long week? What is week?” John walked Sam over to a calendar and pointed to the days.

“This is today Sammy and this,” John pointed to the following week on a Monday. “This is when you get to go to your school. See,” John pointed. “Uncle Jim marks off the days with this marker, so each night before bed you can mark the calendar and you’ll know how close you are to starting school.” John grabbed a spare marker from a drawer. “Here we’ll circle your big day, so you know, okay”

“Okay, Daddy.” Sam’s voice sounded so young and innocent.

“What color is Daddy using to mark your big day Sammy?” John encouraged his son.

“Blue,” Sam answered excitedly. John smiled.

“Good boy, now let’s get going or we’ll be late.” John grabbed a small bag that held a change of clothes for Sammy therapies, plus some swim trunks for his water therapy.

The Blue Earth Pediatric Rehab Center

John walked in with Sam holding his hand. He walked to the registration desk and signed his son into the book. “You’re all set Mr. Winchester,” Karen the receptionist. “You can take Sam back and get him settled for his day.” She smiled and waved at Sam. “Hi Sam,” she replied with a smile. Sam smiled, but clung to his father’s side. “Oh, come now since when are you the shy one, huh?”

“What shy?” Sam asked suddenly.

“You’re hiding buddy,” John replied softly as he tried to extricate his young son from his side. “That’s what Karen means. She said hi and you tried to hide. That’s being shy.” John was becoming accustomed to his son acting like a young 5 or 6 and not like his 12 years he actually was. The doctors had said that his emotional and cognitive deficits could improve, but would never be normal.

“Not shy,” he stepped away from his father’s side. Karen smiled.

“Well, let’s go Sammy. I bet Katie is waiting for you.” Sam took his father’s hand once again.

“Katie,” John began as he released Sam into the playroom and watched his son make his unsteady way across the room to the toy bin. “I have to work today for a few hours. I know he has a full therapy day, so his brother will be picking him up when he gets out of school.”

“Okay, not a problem.”

“Thanks.” Katie nodded. John walked across the room. He crouched down in front of his child. “Well, Sammy Daddy has to go to work now, okay? You be a good boy and do all your therapies, okay?”

“Daddy stay,” Sam turned his soulful dark eyes to his father. John’s heart melted. He ruffled his boy’s hair and pulled him into a quick embrace.

“Daddy can’t little man. I have to work. But, Dean will be here to pick you up later when you’re all done and he gets out of school, okay?”

“’Kay,” Sam answered and dropped his eyes.

“Hey, none of that sport. I’ll see you tonight,” John spoke softly. “Hey, I’ll stop and get some ice cream and bring it home … how’s that sound?” Sam smiled and grabbed his father and hugged him.

“Cream yummy,” Sam replied. “See later,” he looked at his father for confirmation.

“Yes, I’ll see you later tonight kiddo,” John stood up. “You listen to Katie, okay? Be a good boy.” Sam smiled.

Later that Night

“Bedtime Sammy,” John called out as he walked into the room from the kitchen. Sam was curled up on the couch with his head resting against Jim’s dog, Duncan. Dean sat at a desk and worked on his homework near his brother.

“No, Daddy not tired.”

“Sammy, it’s bedtime. You need to sleep.”

“Had nap.”

“Yes, but let’s go,” John walked over and scooped up his baby boy. “The plane needs to fly to the hanger now,” he made a puttering noise mimicking an old propeller plane.

“No, Daddy. I go to bed when Dee go.” Dean looked up and smiled.

“Sammy, I’ve got school work to do. I’ll be in later.”

“Then I want night kiss,” Sam looked at his big brother. Dean rolled his eyes.

“Sammy,” he implored. “How about a hug? You’re too old for kisses.” Sam pouted and looked devastated. Dean sighed. John put his child down and Sam hurried over to Dean almost stumbling when his left foot became hung up on the area rug. Both older Winchesters jerked in alarm both getting ready to catch the boy and break his fall, but Sam remained standing and made his way over to his older brother. Sam walked up to Dean and promptly put both hands on each side of his big brother’s face and pulled his head down and planted a kiss on his forehead.

“Swee … Dre… Dee,” he his young voice hurried along. Dean couldn’t help, but enjoy the simple feeling of joy and love that filled him when he looked at his little brother. Sam’s language skills still improving, but Dean knew what he was saying, Sweet Dreams Dean. Dean ran a hand through Sam’s hair and pushed his kid brother’s unruly bangs back. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on his forehead in return.

“Sweet Dreams Sammy,” he said softly and smiled. John scooped up his young son once again.

“Come on kiddo,” John was relieved that Sam had been trying to improve his bed wetting and had relented to wearing protective sleeping diapers until he could accomplish a dry night for an entire month. Sam saw Jim come out of the kitchen.

“Night, night … Uncle Jim,” he piped up as his father cradled him against his chest and in his arms. Sam’s gangly limbs hung over his arms. Jim smiled.

“Goodnight Sammy, sleep well.” Sam smiled and John turned toward the hallway with his little boy.

“Make mark for school,” Sam said quickly as he twisted in his father’s arms pointing to the kitchen. John chuckled. Sam had been religious about marking off the calendar on the refrigerator as the days grew closer for him to start school. The tour had gone well and Sam liked his main teacher Ms. Penny Renault. But, she encouraged all of her students to call her Ms. Penny. The school had a lot to offer Sam and John was looking forward to the potential his young son may be able to reach by going to the special school. He would attend from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday and then the school transports those children receiving some kind of rehab at the Pediatric Center by shuttle bus and that provided the children’s families a break in trying to manage everything. John was appreciative of that. Sam would rehab Monday – Friday once classes started from 12:30 to 3:30 pm and then need picked by either himself, Dean or Jim. It was a lot, but he knew the more stimulus Sammy received the better his chances were at gaining as much as he could in recovery.

“Okay, Sammy,” John turned and carried Sam to the kitchen. John handed him the fat marker and Sam struggled to hold it. His manual dexterity issues were still very apparent, but clearly improving with each new therapy day. He made a sloppy ‘X’ in the box marking Tuesday and handed the marker back to his father. “Good boy Sammy.” John scooped Sam back up and headed for his bedroom.

“Daddy,” Sam’s voice was soft.

“Yeah?”

“Read story,” he asked as John approached the bedroom.

“Alright,” John agreed as he put Sam into bed and pulled up the covers. He reached over and pulled up one side of the toddler safety bars he had installed on his son’s twin bed to keep Sam from falling out of bed at night. “What do you want?” Sam pointed at the nightstand and the book that sat on it.” John shook his head in disbelief. “Again? Aren’t you tired of it?”

“No,” Sam piped up.

“You sure? You’ve got some good ones here. How about the Thunder Cats and the Secret of the Golden Circle?”

“No, want,” Sam pointed with an index finger to the book John had been reading almost every night to his son either in part or whole depending on how fast he fell asleep for the better part of a week. John smiled softly and sighed.

“Okay, Goodnight Moon it is,” he sat down and let Sam nestle close to him as he opened the book. John looked down at Sam and in that moment he felt peace.