Finding You

Finding You: Chapter Eight

New chapter is here! I'm sorry it's on the tail end of the month, I have no idea where time goes, I really have no excuse except maybe Driver's Ed but still. Thanks so much for your support, you guys are absolutely amazing. Now without further ado, chapter 8!

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Dean's POV

I took a deep breath before I got out of Baby, closing and locking her quickly before bolting for cover under the entryway of the house. Cas was beside me seconds later. I quickly unlocked the door and instantly a pair of arms was wrapped around my waist as far as little arms would permit. That was when I came to a realization heralded by the sighs of fathers everywhere. I'd forgotten the ice cream.

"Daddy what took you so long!?" Nova's voice worriedly asked as she clutched me tightly. "You said you'd be back a half hour ago!"

"I know baby girl, I'm sorry. Daddy got... distracted..." I trailed off, turning to Cas. I stared at the empty space by my side and looked even farther behind me, noticing his tall figure still standing on the porch under the entry way.

"Cas, won't you come in?" I asked. Cas looked startled at being addressed, eyes blinking up at me almost wonderingly, before hesitantly walking through the front door, closing it behind him. I turned back to Nova, who looked surprised at the sight of her father, to say the least. Her palms opened and closed, like she was grabbing the air in front of her, anchoring her attention on Cas. She left the room for a second before coming back with Stella the Starfish, a present from Gabe from when she was two, expression still open and searching, lingering on Cas.

Nova crossed her arms protectively over Stella in a tight hug. Her gaze then traveled with unnerving thoroughness to me, sharp tongue at the ready to condemn me in a few short word.

"You didn't get any ice cream, did you?"

Fuck. I hung my head in shame and shook my head no. I peeked my head up at her and saw the biggest pout I'd ever seen take over her face, lip trembling and all. I never stood a chance. Still, with the crumbling remains of my pride at stake, I owed it to myself to try.

"B-but daddy! I can't live without my nightly scoop of ice cream!" She exclaimed.

"Yes, yes you can. I've seen you do it." My fate was sealed. " But since I forgot I'll go back out and get you some, okay?" I gave in and her face instantly brightened. The fight was over, the smoke had cleared revealing the fuzzy galaxy footie pajama-clad victor.

"Yay, thank you daddy!" She hopped around a bit, Stella flailing around in her hand as she moved. I heard a small giggle beside me as Cas watched her happy dance, and against my better judgement I felt myself melt. Just a little bit, though.

"Okay, baby girl, if I'm going to get ice cream I need you to show Cas where the guest room is while I get him some dry clothes."

Nova gave me a look of uncertainty, further worrying me considering her initial reactions to Cas being there. I reached my hand out for her to take and walked her to the linen closet for towels, telling Cas to make himself comfortable in the living room.

Once we reached the closet, I crouched down till I was eye level with her.

"What's wrong, baby girl? I can tell something is bugging you."

"I can see that it's Papa, but he doesn't remember us. I can tell he's not the same, and I know you can, too. Why is he here?" She looked me in the eye. Her next sentence holding a small whine in it. "My instincts are telling me to hug him, but I can't, Daddy."

I hung my head low before turning away from her with the pretence of grabbing a towel from the closet, composing myself as best I could and closing it again. Turning to look at Nova, I knew I had to choose my next words carefully.

"He's here because it's too dangerous for him to drive home in the rain, especially in the distance he has to go." I lowered my voice for reasons I wasn't entirely sure of, " I'm sure that if you asked him you could give him a hug, Nova. he won't bite, I promise." I smiled sincerely at my daughter, whose eyes widened just that much more at my last comment. She quickly shook her head no, looking frightened and hopeful all at once.

"Okay baby girl, let's go back and get him settled."

Nova went down the hall, and I watched her go, mustering up my nerves before I followed her path, to where she was handing a thoroughly drenched Cas a towel.

"This way to the guest room!" She said cheerily before marching up the stairs like a soldier. Cas chuckled softly at his dau- Nova's actions before following her up the stairs. I trailed behind, going in the opposite direction to the master bedroom opening up the closet. I looked at the left side of the closet, still covered by the sliding doors. Out of habit I had opened my end of the closet. I sucked in a breath before sliding open the other side, revealing Cas' old clothes. I picked up a pair of pajamas off the slot inside the closet organizer and set them on the bed.

I took them to the guest room where I could hear Nova giggling loudly. I entered to see Cas telling a very animated story about a mighty dragon and the female knight that went to slay it. I listened unnoticed in the doorway as Nova watched Cas' hands as he made motions with them to help describe his story. He had gotten to the part of when the knight meets the dragon before noticing me.

"Hello Dean."

I tensed up at the achingly familiar use of my name but quickly recovered.

"Hey Cas," I responded. "I have some pajamas for you. Do you want me to wash your clothes or give you some new ones for tomorrow?"

"I think it's a little late to start some laundry, so I can borrow some clothes and wash mine at home." Cas responded as he got up to retrieve the pajamas.

"Okay. I'll bring you some when I get back. I need to leave before the store closes." I turned to Nova. "Take good care of Cas while I'm gone, 'kay baby girl?"

"Okie-Dokie artichokie!" She giggled before trying to salute me. I laughed at that before walking over and giving her a big bear hug.

"I'll be back in a bit, Nova."

"Okay Daddy."

With that I left the room and made my way to Baby. The sky coughed out great gouts of water that felt apt to take out everything in it's path. But somehow it wasn't until I got to the store and the cashier near the door, an older woman, was looking at me with such incredible worry, that I realized I was soaked to the bone.

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Thanks for reading! 

~Cinnamon