Freedom Lights

Sick toddlers

Dean

I step up to Remi’s front door and prepare to knock. I look down at my hand that’s clutching a bag full of pedialyte, tons of children's medicine, snacks that are easy on a kid’s stomach, and chicken noodle soup. Did I go a bit overboard? Maybe. But I don’t do things half assed.

I knock on the door, and when Remi answers, the breath is knocked out of me. She looks tired, messy bun on the top of her head, old sweats with holes adorning them. A loose Aerosmith t shirt that’s hanging off of one shoulder. To most, she probably looks like a wreck, but to me? She looks stunning.

“Hi.” Is all my smooth ass can manage to say. Way to go dumbass.

“Hi, come on in. I do warn you this place looks like a battlefield. Jameson doesn’t do well when he’s sick.” Her smile is weak, and I can tell she’s exhausted.

“I’m sure I’ve seen worse.” I walk in the house, and sure enough, there's toys everywhere. Pillows and blankets. And toilet paper. Huh. That's a new one.

“Can I get you something to drink?” She heads for the kitchen, but is intercepted by the blonde haired cutie.

“Mommy, my tummy hurts.” he climbs in her arms and holds on like he might fall off the earth if he lets go.

“I know bub. You need to eat something.”

I step forward, “Hey big man. I brought noodles and crackers. Are you up for that?” He lifts his little face an inch off his mom’s shoulder to look at me. To my surprise, he reaches for me.

“Dean, I want noodles.” I take him and hand the bag to his mom, who is staring at me like I grew a third head.

“You wanna go watch a movie or something while your momma makes you some noodles?”

“I wanna see cars.”

I look to Remi to see what he means and she sighs, “I’ve been letting him watch youtube videos of car shows. He’s obsessed, let me grab my phone.”

“That’s alright, I can work youtube.” I look at James, “Come one big man, let's go watch some cars.”

Twenty mins later, James is snuggled up on my chest, phone in hand, completely mesmerized by the old car shows. He ate half his bowl of noodles and almost a whole sleeve of saltine crackers. Remi has been MIA for the last ten minutes, but I can’t exactly go look for her.

I take a minute to take all of the toddler in. He’s got straight blonde hair and some of the brightest gray eyes I’ve ever seen. He is a spitting image of his mom. I wonder what he got from his dad? Jameson’s nose, eyes and mouth are all Remi. He’s currently watching a show about old chevelles and I see his eyes flittering as if he’s fighting to keep them open.

“Hey big man. You wanna go lay in your bed?”

“Yeah, you come too?” He looks up at me, and how the hell do I say no to that?

“Of course, up we get.” I lift James up and ask him to show me where his room is. We head upstairs, to the left is two doors, behind one I hear a shower running. James points to the door on the right and I head that way.

His room is a baby boy blue color. Toys are everywhere but the walls are covered in baseball memorabilia and car posters. All chevy’s. That’s interesting.

I lay James down and tuck him in, he goes to protest, thinking I’m gonna leave him but instead I snuggle in right next to him. We talk about the cars on the phone and his room and he tells me how much he loves his mommy. Which is a lot by the way. And that’s the last thing I remember before we both slip off into sleep.

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Remi

After Dean and James curled up on the couch I decided to take a quick shower. I looked like hell turned over and even though I wasn’t trying to impress Dean, I didn’t exactly want to look like I was on my death bed in front of him.

I was caught off guard by his text earlier. When he had asked if James needed anything, I was a bit desperate. When Jameson is sick, it’s like toddler wrath takes on a whole new level. He’s whiny and clingy but can’t ever decide what he wants. So, I might've had a lapse in judgment when I agreed to let Dean help, but honestly his help has been amazing. He got James to eat, and occupied him so I could clean and shower. It’s been a real miracle.

I quickly and quietly climb out of the shower, drying off and pulling on some of my newer leggings and a newer band t-shirt. Braiding my blonde hair down my back so it stays out of my way, I slip out the door and go to find Dean.

I slip down the stairs, but my heart stops when I see the couch is empty.

“James?!” I run to the kitchen only to find that it was empty too. Trying to calm my racing heart and not think Dean ran off with my kid, I climbed the stairs again. That’s when I notice James' bedroom door is cracked. I slowly push it open, just in case he was able to get my son asleep.

“No f*****g way.” I whisper to myself as I take in the scene before me. James is curled up in Dean’s chest, phone laying limp in his hand, still playing whatever video they were watching while sleeping soundly. Dean has the arm that’s not wrapped around James tucked under the back of his head, still somehow showing off his muscular forearms. His legs crossed but his boots are off at the end of the bed. They both look so peaceful and comfortable. Should I wake them? James, certainly not. But if I wake Dean, I wake James. Who would’ve thought the big bad cop could become domestic? I silently laugh to myself and decide to snap a photo in case I ever need to make the case that Dean is in fact, a giant softie before quickly and quietly tiptoeing out of the room.

Two hours have come and gone since I found Dean and James asleep. I’ve never been more productive in those two hours than I have ever been in my life. Dishes done, meal prepped for tonight, laundry washed and put away and I’ve been watching tv for the past half hour.

I was just starting to wonder when they would wake up when I hear soft voices and the sound of heavy footfalls coming down the stairs. I get up from my spot on the couch and make my way to the bottom of the stairwell, meeting a disheveled Dean and a sleepy toddler.

“Good morning you two, did you have a good nap?” I smirk at Dean who just gives me a wide smile in return.

“I feel better mommy.” James hops out of Dean’s arms and heads straight to the bin of cars in the living room to start his races.

“I’m not gonna lie, that two hours was way better than most of the sleep I normally get.” Dean stretches his arms over his head, causing his shirt to ride up. A normal, controlled woman would have been able to resist the urge to stare. That woman is not me. I catch the glimpse of a small happy trail heading into his black boxer briefs that sit just a waistband higher on his hips than his jeans. Tanned waist, the start of an incredible display of a six pack. I think I might’ve just licked my lips.

“See something you like sweetheart?” I look up to see Dean smirking at me. Well s**t, guess I wasn’t sneaky with that.

“Not particularly” I take a deep, core settling breath, “Thanks for all your help. You pretty much saved me from certain doom.”

“It wasn’t a problem, I’m still on “bed rest” so I can’t be on duty, and I was about to go insane. So I think we were both saved from certain doom.”

“I’m willing to bet you could have found a much better way to spend your afternoon than spending it with a sick toddler and my messy house.” I quirk an eyebrow at him. No man in their right mind would call this a save from boredom.

Dean just shrugs, “It was either this or sit on my couch watching mindless tv. At least here, I was helpful.” He runs a hand through the back of his hair, looking a bit sheepish.

“Hmmm, well either way, I’m glad you decided to uphold your civil duties. You really saved me.” I flash a grin, making sure my sarcasm doesn’t go amiss.

“I’ll take that as a genuine thank you. And it was my pleasure, Remington.” Dean winks at me and chills hit me all over my body. There’s only one person who calls me by my full name, and dad only does it when I’m in trouble. But hearing Dean say it? It’s never sounded so appealing.

Ignoring my body and its desperate cries to let this man have his way with me, I head toward the kitchen, “Wanna beer? Also, I think the whole reason you were here in the first place was to tell me about the case. Did you get all four? Are they locked up? Did you kill them?”

Dean laughs softly and follows me into the kitchen and takes a seat at the table. James is still fully immersed in his car races like always.

“Slow down, killer. Yes, a beer sounds nice, thank you. Yes, we got all four, no they’re not dead. They were sent to South Dakota state prison while they await trial.” I roll my eyes at that. Those douchebags will be treated like kings once the prison finds out what they’re in for. But whatever, at least they’re put up and not out trying to kill cops.

“Well, good s**t. I don’t like the fact that they'll be treated well by other prisoners while locked up, but at least they’ll be locked up. How are you feeling?”

Dean sighs before answering, “Alright, ribs still hurt pretty good. Ankle and fingers feel fine though. Not my first set of broken bones.”

I purse my lips at him, “When do you get to go back to duty?”

“Doc says six weeks, but I’ll be back by next monday.”

I scoff at that, men and their macho bullshit. But Dean fully ignores me, “So, any plans for this evening?”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “No, I’ll be here with my sick toddler, watching the little mermaid on repeat and making sure he stays hydrated.”

Dean hums at that, “Why not come to dinner with me instead, so we can celebrate putting those jackasses in jail?” I nearly spit my beer on the table. I take my time to swallow, before looking back at Dean. His face holds no joking laughter on it.

“Are you nuts?”

“Probably. But honestly, I like our conversations, you’re fun to be around. I’d like to get to know you better if you’d allow me, just as friends of course. And putting those dipshits in jail, well it’s a win win.”

I roll my eyes just one more time to make sure I still can, “Well, as much as I’d LOVE to take you up on that, I told you I can’t.”

“What if I called my mom? She loves kids, she’d be over here in a heartbeat to hang out with him.”

My eyes widened. He is dead serious about that.

“No, absolutely not. I’m not leaving my son with someone he’s never met.Plus, he’s sick.”

“I’ll call her right now so she can come meet him.This is the same woman that took on not one, but two boys just like him when we were sick. Come on Remi, just think of it as adding another person to his village. Sam told me you’ve got Jody and her crew in it. Jody will vouch for my mom. Your dad and mine are best friends. It’s not like she's a random person off the street. Come with me and have some real adult time. You deserve it.”

“But he’s sick Dean, and when he’s sick he’s like satan 2.0, no one besides me can calm him and keep him under control.”

“I did.” My arguments come to a screeching halt at that statement. Because he’s right. Dean was able to not only get James to eat, but to also get him to nap. James hasn’t got sick since he’s been awake and that’s a really good sign.

“I don’t know Dean, I would feel so uncomfortable the whole night.”

“Call your dad. Tell him about my proposition, and see what he says.”

“You’re really set on this aren’t you?”

“I don’t do things half assed, Remington. You’ll learn that first and foremost.” He said my god damn name again. Ugh, why is that so hot?

“Alright, I’ll call my dad.” Dean smiles in triumph. I huff and walk to the livingroom and dial the shop's number.

“Singer auto body and salvage.” My dad's deep and gruff voice comes from the other side of the line.

“Hey dad.”

“Hey girl. How's that little man?”

“He’s good, he ate chicken noodle soup and took a nap….thanks to Dean.”

“Dean?”

I tell my dad about Dean texting me and bringing the essentials, then getting James to eat and take a nap.

My dad is silent for a couple minutes. Just when I think he’s hung up he answers me, “Well, I didn’t think Winchester could work a miracle, but props to him. He must have a way with kids.”

“That’s what I thought too. Honestly, it was life saving. I was about to lose my shit.” My dad chuckles at that.

“But there is something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Well, shoot. I ain't got all day to be on this phone girl.”

“What do you know about Mary Winchester?”

I can practically hear my dad rubbing his beard, “She’s a sweetheart, but not sweet enough to let those Winchester men run all over her. She can be firm when needed, but in all honesty she's top notch stuff. Rivals Jody when it comes to hearts of gold.

“Well, here’s the deal…” I tell dad about Dean's proposition. I can feel his eyes on me from across the hall. Knowing he’s listening to every word I say, and watching my body language as I say it.

Another couple minutes of silence. I’m sure dad will tell me it’s a stupid idea and leaving James with a stranger is absurd.

“Do it.”

I almost choke on my own saliva, “What?!”

“Do it, Remi. Dean’s right. You deserve some real adult time. Friends or even if this is a date…”

“It’s absolutely not.”

Dad chuckles, “well, whatever. You could use the time away from the house. There’s not many opportunities for you to do that, so take this one. Mary is good people. She’ll do you right. I wouldn’t agree with this if I didn't think James would be in the best of hands.”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, “You’re really sure?”

“I love you girl and that boy. Tell Mary and Dean I said hello.” The line dies after that cute send off. I take a deep breath before heading back to the kitchen.

“Well?” Dean prompts me by waving his hands, signaling me to spit it out.

“Alright, but call her now and see if she’ll come hang out before we leave. I want to make sure James is comfortable with her before I even try to leave.”

Dean flashes me the biggest smile I’ve seen yet from him, “You got it sweetheart.”

An hour later, James and Mary are running around my house playing hide and seek. The sickness that hit him this morning magically gone. Kids bounce back so easily apparently.

I stand against the kitchen sinks, shifting my weight nervously. I’m so unsure about this. Mary is having a blast with James but…she’s still a stranger. And what if he starts throwing up again? I can’t ask her to handle that.

Just as my mental debate decides I’m staying home, Mary walks into the kitchen with James on her hip and Dean hot on their trail.

I smile at my son as he plays with Mary’s short golden curls. He’s always running his fingers through hair. He once pulled a whole knot out of Alex’s head once doing it.

“Are you having fun bud?”

“Yes! Mary is nice.”

I grin, “that she is.”

Dean steps forward, and almost like he can sense in about to put a stop to all of this he asked James, “Do you want to hang out with Mary for a bit? Me and your mom are gonna go get some dinner.”

“YES! Yayayayay!” Jameson exclaims and starts bouncing in Mary’s arms. Well, there goes me shooting this idea down.

I cast a hesitant glance at Mary, “you don’t have to do this. I can stay home.”

Mary pins me with a look I’m not so sure the meaning of, “I don’t get to get out of the house often. This is a pleasant surprise and I’m more than happy to hang out with him. Go celebrate. You both deserve it.”

“But what if he gets sick again? I can’t ask you to handle that.”

“Remi, I’ve handled far more than just some puke from a toddler. I was a nurse before John wanted me to be a stay at home mom. I’ve got this covered, and if anything happens I’ll keep you updated.” She reaches over and squeezes my arm lovingly. The action makes my chest hurt just a bit at the fact that my own mother isn’t here for this.

I take a deep breath before resigning, “Alright fine. Let me go get changed. But all of this is on you, Winchester. I’m not paying a damn dime.” I toss back at him as I walk up to my room to put on respectable clothes.