105Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
AN- Okay, nobody have a stroke. I finally have a new chapter for you. Hopefully, it'll be the first of many.(crosses fingers) And hopefully, you guys are still interested.
Previously on Supernatural- Sam grinned from ear to ear as his dad carried him through the living room and into the kitchen. He had been held and comforted by his mom, eaten a homemade cookie that she had made just for him, and now he was actually about to play ball with his dad. It was a dream come true!
SPN
Mary hummed as she bustled around the kitchen, gathering the items she would need for lunch. She pulled a large metal pot out of the cupboard by the sink and filled it half way with water. Setting the pot on the front burner, she turned the knob to medium high before going over to the fridge and taking out a package of hot dogs. The young blond took several out, put the pack back in the fridge, and went back to the stove. She dropped the hot dogs into the pot of rapidly heating water and hurried over to the island in the middle of the kitchen. Kneeling down, Mary grabbed three plates out of the cabinet and set them on the counter. Snagging the family size bag of potato chips, she poured some on all the plates before adding hot dog buns to two of the dishes. It might not be the best lunch for a toddler but it would have to do. With nothing left to do but wait, the young woman made her way over to the sink and peered out the big, bay window above it. She smiled as she watched John and Sammy playing ball. He looked so relaxed with the toddler; like he'd been taking care of the boy for years instead of minutes. She knew he'd been around a lot of little kids growing up so he was used to dealing with children. But to tell the truth, she was a little envious of the ease with which he was handling this babysitting job. Because she was just the opposite: she was a nervous wreck. Growing up in the hunter lifestyle, Mary hadn't had the opportunity to be around other children or their families that much. For the most part, she would only see the few friends she managed to make at school or if she was really lucky, a mall or another teenage hangout. She didn't know anything about babies or little kids. Contrary to what she'd told John, she'd never babysat before in her life. Her father had forbid it saying it was too dangerous. She knew little to nothing about taking care of a small child, not that she was about to tell her husband that. John thought she'd had a normal upbringing and she was determined to keep it that way. She could do this. She'd just have to wing it. After all, how hard could taking care of a baby be?
The sound of water boiling drew Mary out of her thoughts. Going over to the stove, the retired hunter watched the rolling water for a couple of minutes before turning off the burner. She grabbed a fork and took the hot dogs out of the pot, placing them on a waiting paper towel to cool a little. She then got all the condiments out of the fridge and set them on the table along with their drinks. Once the table was set, Mary placed two hot dogs in the buns on the plates before cutting up a third and setting the tiny pieces on Sammy's plate. She carried them all to the table and then walked over to the back door. "John, lunch is ready!" she hollered.
"Coming, Mare!" John called back. Kneeling down, he picked up the ball and held out his hands. "Come on kiddo! It's hot dog time!"
Sam raced over to his dad and leaped into his waiting arms. "Yea! Hot doggies!" he shouted, clapping his hands.
"Yeah, hot doggies" John replied, tossing the youngster into the air a couple of times before settling him on his hip and heading for the house. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
"Sammy tawving, too" Sam announced, patting his stomach. Hearing his dad laugh had Sam grinning from ear to ear. He hadn't seen his dad this relaxed since he was a toddler the first time and that had most likely been just a show for his benefit. Sam was getting his first glimpse of the dad John had been before he became the hardened hunter his youngest knew and the boy was floored by the difference. He couldn't wait to tell Dean…the smile dropped off his face at the thought of his brother. He wondered if Dean had noticed he was missing yet. Was his big brother searching for him or was he happy to be…Sam cut that thought off. Dean may be angry at him but he still loved him. Sam knew that much for sure. Zachariah's twisted little "This is Your Life" trip couldn't change…
"Sammy? You okay, kiddo?" John questioned, derailing the boy's train of thought.
'Busted' Sam thought. Thinking quickly, the tiny hunter poked out his bottom lip and peered up at his dad. "Papa and Sammy no pay ball no more?" he tearfully asked.
John laughed. "We're going to play ball again, buddy." He assured the youngster, rubbing the toddler's back. "We've just got to go inside and eat first, okay?"
"Pwomise?" Sam prodded, his puppy dog look at full force.
"Scout's honor" the senior Winchester replied, crossing his heart. Smiling as the boy's frown morphed into a dimpled grin, John tickled the toddler's tummy. "Come on, Short Stuff. Let's get inside and snag a couple of hot dogs before Aunt Mary gobbles them all up." Hoisting Sammy onto his shoulders, John dashed across the yard and into the house.
SPN
After a quick stop at the sink to wash their hands, John walked them over to the table. He placed Sammy in his booster seat before dropping into the chair next to him.
Sam licked his lips as he looked at his plate. Sure it was just hot dogs and potato chips but it was his first mother cooked meal. He waited impatiently for his mom to say the blessing and then dug into his food, remembering to use his fingers. Mimicking his older brother, he stuffed several pieces of hot dog in his mouth. He chewed with his mouth open, trying hard not to choke. Grabbing his sippy cup, the youngest Winchester quickly took a sip before stuffing his mouth once more.
"Slow down, kiddo. Your food's not going anywhere." John instructed, stifling a laugh as he caught sight of the look on his wife's face.
"Otay" Sam agreed, feeling relieved. He picked up a piece of hot dog and stuck it in his mouth before looking to John for approval.
"That's right, Sammy. One piece at a time." The Winchester patriarch coached, taking a small bite of his own hot dog and smiling as the boy followed his example. Winking at Mary, John turned back to his meal. He made sure to only eat small bites at a time to ensure the youngster beside him did the same. Finishing off his hot dog a few minutes later, he walked over to the counter and nabbed another one. He chuckled as he headed back to the table. "Hey Mare, I think someone's ready for their nap." He quietly said.
Glancing across the table, Mary saw Sammy's head slowly dropping to his chest. Seeing her husband put down his plate, she shook her head. "Finish eating. I'll get him." she offered. She stood and walked around the table. Leaning down, she carefully picked the toddler up and settled him on her hip like she'd seen John do earlier. The young blond then hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall to the room that would be Sammy's for the next week. She grabbed the supplies Heidi had left and went over to the bed. She laid the sleepy boy on the bed and placed the supplies next to him before taking a seat herself. 'Okay Mary, you can do this.' she told herself as she took the boy's shoes and pants off. Picking up the diaper, she eyed it carefully. 'Where's the front of this thing?' she thought, taking in the two identical sides. She thumbed the tab on one side up, manipulating it into position before smiling. 'Got it!' she mentally cheered as she quickly settled the diaper under the toddler, wrapped it around him, and fastened the tabs. Deciding to leave the boy's pants off for now, she gently scooped the toddler up and walked over to their old, wooden rocking chair. Sitting down, she settled back in the chair and slowly began to rock.
Sam fisted his eyes as he gazed up at his mom. He wasn't tired. He didn't need *yawn* a nap. Forcing his eyes back open, he fought to stay awake. He didn't want to waste his time with his parents sleeping.
Mary frowned as she took in the wide eyed toddler. Maybe she was doing something wrong. After all, she'd never rocked a baby to sleep in her life. Maybe there was a special way to do it; a certain way to sit or hold him that would have him drifting off to sleep. Mary shrugged. She had no clue. She'd just have to make it up as she went along. Remembering her mom saying music soothes the savage beast once when her dad was on a rampage, she decided it was worth a shot. She thought for a moment before settling on what she hoped was a soothing song. "Hey Jude, don't make it bad…"
Sam melted into his mother's embrace. He struggled to keep his eyes open but the rocking and the singing and his full stomach were all working against him. Blinking sleepily, the tiny hunter fought for all he was worth. He needed to stay awake. He only had a week and he didn't want to waste a minute of it. He, he…his thoughts ground to a halt as his eyes slid shut and he drifted off to sleep.