In Over His Head

Chapter 4

"Thanks, Dean," you huffed as the last of your boxes was hauled into your room. It was finally moving day. You didn't have a lot, but it was enough that Dean and Bobby volunteered to help you move. "No problem. Besides, it was the only way I was gonna get to see Cas," Dean replied with a smile. You turned and saw Castiel standing in the doorway, surveying the new contents of the room with a soft smile. Dean cast a glance at him over his shoulder and said, "You work too much, man." Castiel simply chuckled.

"Y/N! Y/N! Can I help you unpack?" Claire's voice carried into the room before she pushed passed Castiel. She ran up to you, her pigtails swinging just enough to hit her chin. You bent down to her level and, with as serious a face as you could muster, you said, "I don't know, Claire. It's a really big job. Think you're up for it?" She looked at you and pursed her lips. "Yes. I set up all my toys all by myself," she said as if it were obvious. The sass was strong in that one. The three men in the room laughed and so did you. "Then you can help, but first, we have to get all these boys out of my room."

You stood up and waited. Claire turned on her little heel and glared up at the three men. "You heard her. No boys allowed....please." You had to bite your tongue to keep from cracking up at the guys' faces. Dean leaned closer to Castiel and whispered, "Do I know how to pick 'em or what? Careful, Cas or I might steal her from you." Castiel and Bobby both looked at Dean, not amused. "You're married, ya idjit." Dean rolled his eyes.

"I meant nannies! Geez. I know I'm married. Happily so and when Donna pops our kid out in a few months, she'll be happy to know that I know how to pick a good nanny. She's not gonna quit being a cop." Unbeknownst to Dean, Claire had been listening. "Miss Donna's gonna pop out a kid?!" Dean's eyes widened. "Kids hear everything, Dean," you whispered, concealing your laughter as you turned to Claire again. "Claire, it's not nice to listen in on adult conversations. And Dean, you should watch what you say around little ears."

For the rest of the day, Castiel watched you interact with Claire. He was pleased to see that Claire attached herself to you so easily. He was worried about going back to work the next day and leaving the two of you alone before and after school. When he left for the university the next morning, his stomach was in knots. He spent the entire day worrying. It wasn't until he got home late that night that he realized he didn't have to be so worried.

Castiel came in to a wonderful aroma wafting through the house. Whatever you had made for dinner smelled amazing. "Claire? Y/N?" Castiel called out. He waited for a response, his heart rate picking up when no one answered. He walked further into the house. No one in the kitchen or living room. "Y/N? Claire?" he called again, a bit louder. Finally, he heard footfalls on the stairs. "Claire's sleeping, Professor Novak. Fell asleep while I was reading her a story."

He visibly relaxed and you chuckled. "There's food in the kitchen," you told him before turning on your heel to go back upstairs to your own room. "Y/N? How was Claire's first day in the new school?" You stopped in your tracks and joined him in his trek to the kitchen. "She said it was good. She's already made a new friend. A girl named Krissy and she asked me if they could have a sleepover soon. I told her to ask you."

Castiel smiled as you talked. Already, he could see the passion you had for your new job and how determined you seemed to be when it came to exceeding his expectations. "I suppose we could do that, if you are willing. I admit that my experience with children is limited. I would have no idea how to handle two small girls in the house all night." You laughed. "No worries. I got it covered. Anyway, I'm going to let you eat. I'll check on Claire before I go to bed."

He watched you go, his head swimming. Everything had changed in such a short amount of time. First Jimmy and his wife left him custody of their daughter and then you. It had been a long time since he'd lived with a woman. Not since before his wife died and your effervescence already brought more light to the house than Castiel had intended. In just 24 hours, you'd managed to make your presence known in the house and he could tell you were going to be a permanent fixture in his life and Claire's, no matter what happened.

As you walked up the stairs to your new room, your mind kept wandering back to your employer in the kitchen. You'd seen the pictures of him and a dark haired woman throughout the house. You could tell there was a story to go with them and you'd desperately wanted to ask but you didn't want to overstep your bounds. You couldn't afford to lose this job already, but you needed to know more about the somewhat stoic professor. He was intriguing. It also didn't help that you found the man absolutely stunning. You closed the door to your room and flopped down on the bed. As you laid there, you began to wonder if maybe taking this job was a mistake. Only time would tell.

m۬Й