In Over His Head

Chapter 1

Castiel Novak stood in the lawyer's office, dumbfounded. He was waiting for the Child Services worker to return. "I do not understand what he was thinking. I am not equipped to do this," Castiel thought to himself. "Mr. Novak, I do realize this has come as a shock, but this was what your brother believed was best for his daughter. He wanted this for both of you." Before Castiel could open his mouth to argue, there was a knock on the door. It opened to reveal the Child Services worker holding the hand of a little blonde girl.

"Uncle Cas!" Castiel forced a smile for the child. After all, it wasn't her fault. "Claire, can you sit quietly in one of the chairs for a minute while I finish talking to your uncle?" the lawyer asked with a kind smile. Claire nodded, her blonde curls moving quickly with the action. "Now, Mr. Novak. Your brother' s will was clear, but, if for any reason you find yourself unable to care for your niece, she will be taken into the custody of the state and placed in the foster system."

Castiel took a moment to glance back at his niece and sighed. "Jimmy, what have you done? Why me?" he whispered sadly. The lawyer placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Jimmy knew you could handle this, Castiel. He knew that you would do what was best for Claire." Castiel sighed heavily. He had no idea how he was going to raise a little girl. He had no experience with children. However, this is what his brother and sister-in-law wanted and he was going to do his best to respect their wishes. So, Castiel turned to face Claire with a soft smile.

"Am I going to live with you, Uncle Cas?" Castiel nodded and Claire clapped her little hands. The three adults laughed and shook their heads. "Her suitcases are out in my car, Mr. Novak," the Child Services worker informed him as Castiel took Claire's hand in his own. Castiel and Claire followed the woman out of the lawyer's office to the cars where they transferred Claire's luggage. "Where are you bound?" the woman asked Castiel after Claire was safely belted in the back seat.

"Kansas. I teach Religious Studies at a college near Lebanon." Castiel looked sadly at Claire through the window of his old Lincoln. He had no idea how he was going to balance work and raising his niece. How did anyone do it? "Mr. Novak, if I may make a suggestion?" Castiel cocked his head to indicate he was paying attention. "You should consider hiring a nanny. Just someone who can help out with Claire when she isn't at school and while you're working. That's just my opinion."

With that, the woman turned on her heel and left. From inside the car, Claire called out, "Bye, Hannah!" Castiel went around to the driver's side and got in the car. "Are we going to Kansas?" Claire's small voice asked from the back seat. "Yes. That is where I live and work. And now, it's where you live." Claire was silent for several minutes as Castiel left the parking lot and began the trek back to Lebanon. Castiel turned on the radio, happy to listen to anything that wasn't silence. When it was quiet, he had too much time to think.

After about thirty minutes, Claire asked another question. "Uncle Cas? Are Mommy and Daddy in Heaven?" Castiel glanced at the little girl through the rearview mirror and answered, "I don't know, Claire. I hope they are." Castiel knew there would be many more questions like that as well as other issues that would arise as Claire grew. He also knew that some of these problems would not be easy for a man to deal with. The longer he thought about it, the more Castiel realized that maybe Hannah might be right. Maybe he would need help.

That was where you came in...

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