Disclaimer: Sam, Dean, and Supernatural do not belong to me.

Coming Home - Epilogue

One month. That's how long Dean had been at his brother's house recovering in the room Sam had prepared just for him. One month of getting to know baby Hannah, his sweet little niece that had him wrapped all around her little finger without even trying. But now it was time to move on. Bobby had called him about a nest of vampires he needed help with and now Dean should get on the road, but he didn't want to. He didn't want to leave this safe little nest Sam had created, this cozy home where his brother had made a haven for their little family. A family Dean felt a part of, a place where he belonged. Dean stood in the doorway of baby Hannah's room and watched her sleep peacefully, oblivious to the evil in the world as she enjoyed her morning nap.

"You don't have to go, you know," Sam walked up behind him and leaned against the wall in the hallway.

Dean sighed. "Bobby needs me," he answered dutifully.

Sam shook his head. "Dean, you're just recovering from a serious injury. I don't think you need to jump back into things just yet. Bobby will understand. Give yourself a few more weeks. You're still sore and not up to your usual strength."

Dean shook his head. "I have to keep at it, Sam. People are dying." He could hear his father's words ringing in his head reminding him that every time they took a break innocent people died.

"You're going to die if you go out there and face the vamps before you're strong enough," Sam pointed out dryly, crossing his arms.

"Bobby needs me," Dean said gruffly once again, his tone telling Sam to drop it.

His younger brother pressed his lips together in irritation and ran a hand through his hair. "At least wait until Hannah wakes up so you can say goodbye."

Dean's gaze swung back to his niece. She shifted in her sleep and flung her arms above her head, restless in slumber just like her father. It would be much easier on his emotions to get in the car and drive away, but Dean knew Sam would be furious with him. "All right," he sighed reluctantly. "I'll stay until she wakes up."

Sam nodded, knowing his brother's word was a promise. "Want to do some laundry before you go? I'll help."

Sam had just started the dryer when he heard Hannah's cries over the baby monitor.

"I"ll get her," Dean told him, sliding off a barstool in the kitchen and heading to Hannah's room. He swallowed hard as he realized this would be the last time, possibly for months, that he'd greet his little niece after a nap.

Hannah sobbed, her lower lip trembling as Dean peered over the edge of her crib. "Hey, baby girl," he soothed. She whimpered as he reached down to pick her up. "None of that," he crooned as he carried her to the changing table. Her diaper and her onesie was soaked. "Let's get you all cleaned up," he told her as he began peeling off the damp clothing and the heavy diaper.

Hannah cried pitifully until she was in a fresh diaper and dry clothes. "You're a drama queen just like your dad," Dean quipped at her as he settled Hannah against his shoulder.

"I heard that!" Sam shouted down the hall.

Dean cursed under his breath; he hated the baby monitors his brother had around the house. "Come on, let's go get you something to eat."

Sam had Hannah's bottle ready when Dean entered the kitchen. "Here, thought I'd let you feed her and say goodbye. I need to take out the trash and do a few things in the garage."

Dean nodded, knowing that was Sam's way of giving him some time alone with Hannah. He carried the little girl into the living room and settled on the couch with Hannah in the crook of his arm. Her mouth opened like a baby bird's as the bottle approached and Dean chuckled. "Greedy."

Hannah suckled hungrily as she stared up at Dean. He drew a fingertip down her soft, round cheek. "I have to go away for a while," he told her when her eyes locked on his face. "I have to go help out Uncle Bobby; he needs me." Dean sighed and let Hannah grip his finger in her tiny fist. "I plan on coming back, though. I don't want you to forget who I am. Family is important. Always remember that."

Hannah squeezed his finger and Dean marveled at the tiny, perfectly formed fingernails. This little girl was so helpless. There was no way she could defend herself if anything happened. His belly tightened with nerves. He didn't want to leave her, yet he knew Sam would give his life to keep this little girl safe.

Dean burped her and allowed her to finish her bottle. The minutes slipped by all too quickly, so when Hannah finished her milk he snuggled her against his shoulder. "Don't you go growing up too much until I get back."

"You could just stay here and watch her grow," Sam pointed out as he came into the room. "Trash is out and I straightened up that mess I made in the garage yesterday."

Dean reluctantly stood up, but didn't let go of Hannah. "She was hungry; she ate it all."

Sam grinned. "That's my girl."

Dean moved to pass her off to her dad. "I need to load the car."

Shaking his head, Sam refused to take his daughter. "I'll pack the car. You hold her until you have to leave."

Dean sighed as Sam left the room to get his bags. He pressed his lips to Hannah's temple. "You be safe until Uncle Dean comes back, you hear me? No funny business." He looked down to see Hannah gumming on her fist and slobbering milky drool on his shirt.

Sam grimaced when he saw Dean's shirt a few minutes later. He handed his brother a paper towel in exchange for his daughter. "Want to go change?"

Dean shook his head. "No, it's fine." He wiped off the last of the slobber and tossed the paper towel. "Guess it's time for me to go. Bobby will be waiting for me." Sam followed him outside where the Impala waited, her black paint gleaming in the late morning sun.

"You be careful," Sam cautioned. "You tell Bobby you aren't ready to go full speed ahead yet, or I'll call him and tell him. Hannah needs her Uncle Dean in one piece. I want you to be around to care for her if something happens to me."

"Sammy," Dean began forcefully, "NOTHING is going to happen to you."

"You don't know that," Sam protested. "Promise me you will stop hunting and be there for her if I die. I don't want her in that life." His eyes caught and held Dean's green-eyed gaze.

"I promise," Dean told his little brother earnestly. "You have my word."

Sam nodded, his eyes suddenly a little too shiny. "Come here," he murmured, grabbing his brother roughly with the arm that wasn't holding Hannah. He pulled Dean close and slapped him a few times on the back. "You take care of yourself."

"I will," Dean assured him.

"And don't stay away too long. Babies grow up fast. Hannah will be dating before you know it."

Dean growled. "Over my dead body. I'll get out the grenade launcher and you can have the flame thrower. We'll be waiting for her date on the doorstep."

"I'm going to hold you to that," Sam nodded. "No guy is every going to be good enough for her."

Reluctantly, Dean moved toward the car. "Call me if she needs me, Sammy."

"I will," his brother promised.

Dean felt like he was ripping his own heart out as he got in the car and slammed the door. Sam stood in the driveway with Hannah held against him. He waved her tiny hand at Dean to help her say goodbye. Dean waved and then, swallowing hard around the lump in his throat, pulled out of his brother's driveway. He'd be back soon, he reassured himself. With a gentle tap on the horn and a final wave, he left his brother and niece behind and set off to kill a nest of vamps. Somehow the thought wasn't as exciting as it would have been in the past. Instead, he found himself wanting nothing more than to curl up in the recliner in "his" room with baby Hannah in his lap while they watched TV together.

Dean shoved that image from his head with a sigh. He'd be back soon enough and that would have to be ENOUGH for him.

End

*more short epilogue stories possible :)