In Over His Head

Chapter 3

"Are you Y/N?" You nodded as you cursed yourself for staring. Potential employer, Y/N! Potential employer! He opened the door and you slipped passed him into the brightly lit house. "Thank you for coming in on such short notice. Classes start up again soon and I'm desperate," he told you. You smiled at him before sticking your hand out. He eyed it for a moment then took it in his. His hand was oddly warm, not sweaty but pleasantly warm.

"It's nice to meet you, Professor Novak." Castiel's eyes left yours for a brief moment to take in your body language. He tended to miss social cues sometimes, but he could read body language with no trouble. He could tell you were nervous, but still you exuded confidence. It took him a moment to realize he still had a hold of your hand. "Um...here are my references." Castiel muttered an apology as he finally let go of your hand and took the paper from your hands.

He barely glanced at it before looking back up at your face. As he opened his mouth to speak, Claire came running back through the house in her stocking feet. Claire slipped on the floor and barreled right into you, nearly knocking you down. "Claire!" Castiel's voice was laced with worry. "I'm okay!" she cried, getting up and smiling at you. You laughed softly and said, "I'm glad you're alright, but you probably shouldn't run in the house. Might not be so lucky next time."

Claire's brows drew together, as if she were contemplating the meaning of the universe. "Oh. Okay. I just wanted to see if you can play with me?" she asked you, her eyes wide with hope. "Um sure, but can I talk to your uncle for a bit first? He has some questions for me." She nodded happily before turning and going into the living room. You turned back to Castiel and smiled. "She's sweet. So it's just her?" Castiel nodded.

"I don't have any children of my own and Jimmy, my...my brother recently passed away." He watched as your face fell. "I'm so sorry." He smiled at you. "Thank you. I want to do what's best for Claire, and I cannot do that if I'm not working. But, I cannot work if I don't have anyone here for Claire when she is not in school." You nodded in understanding. "Alright. So, what responsibilities would I have?"

The rest of the interview went well and before you knew it, you were shaking Castiel's hand and saying goodbye to Claire. You had to get back to Jo and Ellen's for dinner and to start packing. Castiel had given you the job and you were going to be moving in the day before school started. "Bye, Y/N!" Claire called from the front porch as she waved with the hand that wasn't clutching a doll.

As soon as your car was out of sight, Claire turned to Castiel. "Is Y/N gonna take care of me?" Castiel nodded. "Yes. While I am working, Y/N is going to take you to school and then get you at the end of the day. She'll help you with your homework and cook dinner for you." Claire's eyes lit up with understanding. "Like Mommy and Daddy used to?" Castiel felt his heart clench at the mention of his brother. "Y-yes, Claire. Just like your mom and dad used to." He ran his hand through his hair as he followed the little girl back inside.

A little while later, you pulled into the driveway outside of Ellen and Jo's. "There she is!" Ellen called when you opened the door. She was grinning more than usual and at first, you couldn't understand why. Until you saw the back of a familiar head. "Uncle Bobby!" Your uncle stood up and wrapped his arms around you. "Hey, kid." You held him close and breathed in his scent. Beer and motor oil.

You understood probably better than anyone what Claire was going through. You'd lost your parents when you were younger and Bobby had taken you in. That was how you met Jo and Ellen. "I missed you, Uncle Bobby," you whispered, fighting back tears. "Don't ya start that. When Ellen called me and told me you were staying here, I had to come see ya. Don't know why you didn't call me yourself, ya idjit."

Youcouldn't help but laugh. For Bobby "idjit" was a term of endearment."Now, what's this I hear about movin' again?" You sat down and explainedeverything to Bobby. He listened intently, ready to strangle your ex for histreatment of you. "I got a shotgun in the truck. I can always go getit." You chuckled again. "That's okay, Uncle Bobby. Jo and I mayhave, uh, already taken care of it." Bobby and Ellen looked at you, browsquirked. You exchanged a glance with Jo. "We may have bribed Charlie intogiving him the wrong specialty shampoo from the salon. He should be going baldright about now." The four of you burst into giggles. As you gazed aroundat your little family, you came to the conclusion that it was your job to givethe exact same thing to little Claire. A family, even if it isn't blood.e�ףxg�