Archive of Our Own ^beta

“It’s a tale as old as time.”

Sam went home early since his wife had to go to the hospital. She was experiencing unusual pains and decided to get it looked at. Sam was left alone with the baby.

It was storming outside and cold. Sam locked the doors and windows tight before going over to the bassinet. Dean Jr. was sound asleep, swaddled snugly. Sam chuckled softly. The moment he did, the baby started wiggling before his eyes shot open, lip quivering. 

“Oh jeez-” Sam tried to shush the baby but to no avail. Dean Jr’s sniffles turned into crying. Sam undid the swaddle and scooped the baby up into his arms, and went into the kitchen to get the bottle ready. He found that the bottle warmer broke somehow, and he had to use the stove. He opened the fridge to grab the jar of breast milk. He took it out and gave it a good whiff before reeling back. He checked his phone and saw that his wife messaged him earlier, saying that the milk went bad and to use the stuff in the freezer. The baby cried louder, hungry, and very angry. Sam opened the freezer and took out one of the frozen milk packages. He got a pot and filled it with hot water from the tap before placing it on one of the burners. The water boiled for what seemed like hours, causing the baby to get angrier and angrier. Sam was already tired from a hunt that day, and the worst part was that it was January 24th, Dean's birthday. Even after Dean's death, he always made something small to put on Dean’s memorial above the small fireplace. He’d bring flowers, old bullets, coins, candy, or just small trinkets. Then he’d make cupcakes and share them with others to keep Dean’s memory alive. He’d light a large candle next to Dean’s urn for Castiel, a tea candle for Jack, and a scented candle from the mall for Gabriel. He specifically bought green apple and rose for Gabriel, lavender vanilla for Castiel, and Jacks had the scent of pine. 

Sam was down in the dumps already that day and was tired. The water was finally boiling, and he put the packet into the water. The frozen milk melted into its natural silky smooth form. Sam saw there were no clean bottles, so he had to put the baby down in his swing. Dean Jr. began wailing, his face red and hot with anger.

“S-Sorry buddy! It's coming! Give Daddy a sec, okay?” Sam stammered as he grabbed the bottle scrubber. He scrubbed out the bottle and rinsed it real good before putting it in the still boiling water to sterilize. 

“Sorry bud, can’t be too careful.” Sam let the bottle boil for three minutes, trying his best to entertain the baby. Dean Jr. cried and cried, not giving a shit about Sam or the stupid bottle and only wanting his mother. Sam took the bottle out of the water with a fork, dried it with a paper towel, and filled it with milk before setting it back into the water for just a moment before taking it out and drying the outside,

He tossed the paper towel away and scooped the baby up before walking into the living room and sitting on the couch placed in front of the fireplace. He began feeding the hungry baby, ceasing his cries. As Sam fed the baby, he stared at the framed photo of Dean next to the urn on the fireplace. He sighed softly. He then looked at the candles, eyes fixed on Castiels. 

“I miss you all more than anything. Dean, I hope I’ve made you proud. And Cas.. I just wish you were here. Jack, Gabriel, sorry for not lighting your candles. I’ve got a baby in my arms.”

Dean Jr. finished the milk. Sam put the bottle on the coffee table and burped the baby. Dean Jr soon fell asleep. Sam sighed in relief as the baby finally drifted off. He looked back at Castiel's candle. 

“Sorry for forgetting your candle as well, my lov-”

Suddenly, the candle erupted with flame, a strong blue flame emitted from the wick. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air, and Sam could feel a warm and friendly presence. He didn’t see him or hear him.. But he could definitely feel him. Dean Jr. woke up and began wailing loudly. Sam slumped over.

“Dean.. please..” Sam felt his eyes watering. He was exhausted and missed all those he loved. He was deeply worried for his wife and didn’t feel very happy with himself because he forgot to celebrate Dean's birthday. 

He spent two hours into the night trying to get the baby to sleep. He gave up and placed the baby in the bassinet. Dean Jr. wailed louder than ever. Sam slumped to his knees and began crying in front of the bassinet.

“I’m a horrible father..”  He sobbed, ears beginning to ring from all the crying. He grits his teeth, grabbing a small stuffed toy and throwing it across the living room out of exhaustion and anger. Once he realized he did, he cried even harder.

“Oh god, I really am like dad.. I really, really am.” Sam hated feeling like this. He knew Dean would’ve hated to see him like this. Bobby would’ve hated seeing him like this. Castiel would hate seeing him like this.

All the candles erupted with flame, Dean’s urn began rattling, and a high-pitched ringing could be heard. Sam immediately knew who it was.

He felt a hand on his head, and he blacked out.

He woke up a few minutes later, barely awake. He was on the couch in front of the fireplace, and the baby was silent. He could barely keep his eyes open as he looked over to the bassinet. 

What he saw shocked him.

It was Castiel, holding the baby and shushing it. He couldn’t see much, but he could hear.

“Am I holding him right, Brother?” He could tell it was Castiel for sure. He saw another figure that also had wings.

“Yes, but make sure to support the head. An infant this small cannot support its own head.” Sam almost immediately recognized that voice.. It was Gabriel. 

“I thought he was dead..” Sam thought to himself.

“Gimme that baby and go see your boyfriend. I haven’t gotten to hold a baby in forever.”

Castiel handed the baby over to Gabriel.

“Aw, He looks like you did as a baby, Cas.”

“Shut up.”

Gabriel shushed the baby by placing his finger just barely above the baby's upper lip. 

“I’m the reason humans have that groove above their lip. That's why you have one too, because you wouldn’t stop crying.”

“Once again, shut up.”

Castiel made his way to Sam.

“Get some sleep. We’ll take care of him.”

He put his hand on Sam’s head, using his powers to make him sleep. 

“When he wakes up in the morning, we must leave.” 

Throughout the night, the two angels watched over the baby. Sam woke up in the morning. 

He rushed to the baby to see him and found two large feathers in the bassinet. One was raven black, and the other was a bright, fiery orange fading into yellow. Dean Jr. was peacefully asleep, swaddled up. Sam picked up the two feathers and put them on the fireplace. He pulled the bassinet into the kitchen and baked a pie as a late birthday gift to his brother. He took a small slice and put it on the fireplace. His wife got home, and they ate the rest of the pie. Dean Jr. was happy to see his mother, Sam was happy to see his wife doing okay. 

There was a peaceful presence in the house, and Sam knew who it was. He kept finding black feathers near the bassinet every night and knew his son was in good hands.