my_sam_dean (my_sam_dean) wrote in wincest_is_best, @ 2008-04-19 23:24:00 |
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TITLE: Ballad of the Winchesters, Parts 71-75
AUTHOR: my_sam_dean
PAIRING: Sam/Dean, John/Bobby, Caleb, Emma, Jefferson, Joshua, Zane
RATING: R
SUMMARY: Bobby gets John to sleep. Emma goes into labor and gives birth. Sam, Dean, John and Bobby talk to the NICU staff. Rayna is born and Sam, Dean, Bobby and John get in to see her. Jefferson and Joshua exorcise Zane. Rayna is baptized.
NOTES: I have based my knowledge of premature labor based on my own experience when I had my son 10 years ago. I realize that there have hopefully been improvements since then, but you won't find them here. Although this is a spoiler, Emma's baby will make it. I don't want any of the committed readers of this story to worry about that.
WARNINGS: Slash, Incest
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the boys, they own me!
"Umph."
"I told you that you needed a backrub," Bobby kept moving his hands across John's skin. "You should listen to me more. I know what I'm talking about."
"I--" John started but Bobby cut him short.
"You're a stubborn man, John. I don't mind it most of the time. But, you need to quit being stubborn with me. You should know by now that I have your best interests at heart. You can trust my judgment."
"It's hard to quit being stubborn."
"I don't expect you to totally quit. Then you wouldn't be John Winchester. You just need to tone it down with me."
"If I lighten up on being stubborn, do I get more backrubs?" Bobby could hear John's smile in his voice.
"Backrubs, possibly more," Bobby said softly, close to John's ear.
"Then why are we wasting time on a backrub?"
"Easy, John. The plan for today is rest, not a roll in the hay."
"Hmm. Roll in the hay. I've never actually done that." John's wheels were turning.
"Me either and I don't ever want to," Bobby replied.
"I'll take that as a challenge. We'll just have to see what situations I can get you into."
"It's nice to see you have your sense of humor," Bobby moved and pulled the covers over both of them.
John turned and laid his head on Bobby's shoulder. "I've missed this," John sighed.
"At the end of the day, no matter what's happened, we always have this," Bobby ran his fingers through John's hair as John snuggled closer. "I love you, Johnny."
"Why do you put up with me?"
"Because I know you love me back. That's good enough for me.
***
Caleb found Joshua and Jefferson who said they'd make the trip immediately. Caleb gave them all the information they had about Zane. The guys promised to call when they were done. Already being near the East Coast, they didn't have far to go.
Caleb hung up the phone, relieved. He knew Joshua and Jefferson would do anything John asked them to. He'd helped them out of jams and hunters remembered things like that.
Caleb phoned back a hunter he'd called the day before. Victor thought he had a ritual to close openings for possession somewhere in his library. Caleb thought he'd check in to see if he'd found it yet.
***
Emma was hurting. "John," she called out with her eyes shut when the pains woke her up.
"It's Dean," he was wide awake. He saw the look on her face. "Emma, should I call the nurse?"
"I hurt," was all she said as tears squeezed through her eyes that were closed tight.
Dean pressed the button and made sure to check that the light was on.
Sam and Drew moved from their chairs and were by Emma's bed.
"Get the nurse," Dean told them before he quickly went back to Emma.
"The nurse is coming," Dean kept his voice calm. "Sam and Drew are here with me. We'll get you taken care of, honey." Dean smoothed her hair back. He fell into comforting mode, using the words he'd memorized when Sam was little. He noticed her grabbing her stomach. He put his hand on the bulge and just moved his hand slowly over it, wishing the pain away.
Sam and Drew ran back into the room. "The nurse is coming."
Sam went to Emma's other side and tried to help Dean comfort her. Drew, sick at seeing his sister in so much pain, couldn't make himself approach the bed. Instead he went into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face.
The nurse came in and looked at the monitors. "Your contractions are stronger and more frequent now. I'll go get the doctor."
Dean closed his eyes and shook his head. He knew the nurse was nice. She just wasn't much help at times like this. Sam saw Dean's response and said, "She's just doing her job. The doctor should be here soon."
Drew came out of the bathroom and was suddenly ashamed that he wasn't helping his little sister like Sam and Dean. He walked up by Sam and laid his hand on her arm. "I'm here, Emma," Drew said. "Dean and Sam seem to have it all under control, but I want you to know that I'm here."
They comforted Emma in their own ways until the doctor came in.
"Emma," the doctor said. "I'm going to need to examine you. Maybe the guys should leave."
"I'll leave," Drew did not want to be there. He headed out the door.
"Stay," Emma grasped Sam and Dean's hands.
Sam and Dean moved further toward the head of the bed to avoid seeing anything they didn't want to see and to give the doctor some room.
The doctor lifted the blankets at the foot of the bed and followed through with his examination. When he was done, he put the blankets back down and spoke to three nervous faces in a calm voice, "The contractions are stronger and closer together. There is no way to put it off now."
"How long does this usually take?" Sam asked.
"It varies from patient to patient."
"Are you sure there's nothing more you can do?" Dean questioned.
"There's nothing more," The doctor gave them a look like he was sorry he didn't have anything else to offer.
"Keeping her calm will make it easier on all of you. I'll send in someone from the NICU to talk to you. They can answer any questions that you will have."
Sam thanked the doctor. Dean was too busy with Emma.
"Does it help when I rub your tummy?" he asked her.
Emma nodded and let out a deep breath as she sank back into her pillows.
Dean gently rubbed Emma's belly and asked Sam to call home and tell Dad and Bobby to come.
Caleb talked to Sam and looked at the clock. John and Bobby had been sleeping for about eight hours. Hopefully they would have enough energy to handle what he was going to tell them.
Caleb knocked on their door. There was no answer so he walked in. Bobby and John were curled around each other. Caleb tried to gently wake them. All he told them was, "You're needed back at the hospital."
They flew getting ready to go. They grabbed the camera and a change of clothes for the boys. When they got to the door, Caleb was holding the keys.
"I'm driving," he said sternly. "Neither of you should be behind the wheel."
John and Bobby didn't argue. They just went
***
The nurse came in and told them that the NICU (Nursery Intensive Care Unit) doctor and staff was there to meet with them. Emma had told Sam and Dean that she didn't want to talk to the NICU people. She felt better being in the dark. Drew offered to stay with Emma while Sam and Dean went into another room for a meeting.
The nurse saw Bobby and John coming in and directed them to where Sam and Dean were. Caleb went to Emma after he'd parked the car.
The NICU staff told them that the baby might not cry after being born. The baby would be very tiny, most likely be on a respirator and require a lengthy NICU stay.
"Do we get to see the baby at all?" Sam asked through tears.
"I'll let you see the baby for just a couple moments before we rush them up to the NICU."
"Can we come with?" Dean asked as he held Sam.
"No. We need to get the baby settled in upstairs before you can come see them. We'll let you know when that is."
"Is there a waiting room up there for us? We'd like to come in as soon as possible," Dean continued, knowing that he was asking what Sam was unable to.
"Yes, there is. You can follow us if you'd like. We'll drop you off there."
John spoke up, "They have the adoption papers. Sam and Dean are the baby's parents. They'll be the ones to make the medical decisions regarding the baby."
"Is the mother's family here?" the NICU doctor asked.
"That's us," Bobby replied. "We've been Emma's support group along with her brother, Drew."
The doctor nodded. "We'll be down here when it is show time. Be prepared to hustle on the way up to the NICU."
"We will," Dean spoke for both of them.
"We can answer any other questions you have as they arise," the doctor said before shaking their hands and leaving."
Dean took Sam into his arms. He tried comforting Sam but found tears of fearing the unknown sliding down his face and choking him up. He gave up on talking. He and Sam clung to each other, trying to find security in the storm that the NICU would be.
Bobby hugged John and waited until John sniffled and wiped his eyes before saying, "We should go to the boys."
The older men came over and spoke words of comfort and encouragement. Huddled together, the older men tried to shelter the younger ones from the unknown that their future held. Their hearts were breaking, but they tried not to let Sam and Dean see that. They'd had more practice at hiding feelings. That fact was the only reason that Bobby and John weren't just puddles on the floor. They had to be strong for the boys and the baby. When they were alone later, in the privacy of their room, they could cry their tears and find comfort in each other. Just not around Sam and Dean.
***
John gave Emma a hug as soon as he walked in. Emma started to cry.
"Oh, honey," John rubbed her back. "What's wrong?"
"I goofed up somehow. I made the baby come early."
"Hush," John whispered. "You did no such thing. You didn't smoke or drink. You ate healthy foods. You did everything the doctors told you to do. This is just something that happened for no reason."
"Do you think Sam and Dean will love this baby if they have difficulties? I know they said they would before, but now they've talked to the NICU people. Do you think anything has changed?"
"Those boys have loved that baby from the instant you said the baby was theirs. Nothing could ever make them not love the baby. That baby will have a good home, Emma. Don't worry about that."
"Will you stay with me?" Emma's voice was small. "When Sam and Dean go with the baby, will you stay with me?"
"Sure I will," John kissed her forehead. "We're still here for you, Emma. You will be able to go back to Sam and Dean's to recuperate because the baby will be in the hospital for awhile."
"Really?"
"Yes. And someone will always be there to help you. When you're ready to go out into the world on your own, we'll help you with that. But, we're not going to let you leave until you've healed."
"Isn't the house already full?"
John laughed a little, "We always make room for more."
Emma got another contraction.
"Breathe, honey," John put his face close to hers. "Just breathe."
"How did you learn that?" she asked him when the contraction was done.
"I've been through this before, remember?" the rumble of John's voice calmed Emma.
Emma nodded her head.
"I'll help you," John told her. "And you're going to be fine."
Emma smiled at him and closed her eyes, resting until the next contraction came.
Emma was breathing through contractions, squirming on the bed, trying to have the pain go away. John was her main focus. The other guys had moved across the room where they were talking quietly. Sam and Dean checked in on her but then left her alone when John had it under control.
After a particularly strong contraction, Emma grabbed John's hand even harder. He leaned in, seeing her distress.
"Wet," was all she got out, her eyes pleading him to help.
John felt under the covers and Emma's water had broken. He called to Sam and Dean and told them to get the nurse and the doctor.
Dean pushed the call button before they ran from the room.
"You're doing good, darlin'," Bobby came to the other side of the bed. "The boys will have help in no time."
Emma started to cry.
Both John and Bobby tried to comfort her while Caleb and Drew went outside. Drew looked very upset but
Caleb was reassuring him as they went to the waiting room.
"John and Bobby will take care of her," Caleb told Drew as he put his arm around his shoulders. "We'll be fine in the waiting room."
Drew and Caleb were just getting comfortable when they saw Sam and Dean racing back to Emma's room. A nurse and doctor weren't far behind.
"Looks like it's time to have this baby," the doctor gave Emma a smile. "We've had babies more premature than this one. You're doing great."
The nurse came back from calling the NICU team. "They're on their way," she announced.
"That's my cue to leave," Bobby gave Emma a kiss. "I'll be keeping your brother sane. We'll be back to see you, darlin'."
Bobby stepped out the door just as the NICU team was skidding to a halt at Emma's door. There were ten people in the group.
Sam and Dean held Emma’s hands and John helped her scrunch up to push.
“Just a couple more pushes and we’ll be there,” the doctor encouraged Emma.
“Did you hear that, Emma? You’re almost there,” Sam could hardly believe it himself.
“Hang in there,” Dean voiced his support.
“You’re doing great, honey,” John’s voice was near Emma’s ear.
“Stop pushing for a moment,” the doctor cut in through the encouraging words from the guys.
Emma stopped pushing and waited to hear the baby cry, but it didn’t.
“One gentle push, that’s all you have left,” the doctor told her.
Emma pushed and her eyes along with Sam’s, Dean’s and John’s, focused on the foot of the bed.
They weren’t even able to see the small body because it was whisked into the arms of the NICU doctor, and passed to the gaggle of people crowded around the baby.
“What’s wrong?” Dean was the first to find his voice.
“They are intubating her right now,” Emma’s doctor told them.
“Her? We have a girl?” Sam choked on the words.
“Yes,” the doctor replied.
“We have her ready to go,” the NICU doctor told them. “Are you coming?”
Sam and Dean said a hasty goodbye to Emma and John said he’d meet up with them later.
As promised, they had a couple moments in which they were able to see their little girl for the first time. Sam had put his hand on the incubator as he leaned over to see her better. When he saw how big his hand was compared to her whole body, he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Dean was in love--with his daughter, with Sam, with life. He knew there were going to be some struggles, but he was certain they could make it through.
"We need to get moving," someone said and the incubator was getting pushed down the hall at a speedy pace.
Dean noticed Sam starting to lag behind, which shouldn't happen with Sam's long legs. Dean saw Sam's face tearing up, put an arm around him, and pulled him along.
"We will talk more when we get to the waiting room," Dean promised him. "Just keep your legs moving and focus on the group of people that we're following. I think we might get to know them very well before her hospital stay is done."
Sam nodded and picked up the pace.
***
"You did great, Emma," John moved to holding Emma's hand as the boys hustled out of the room. Emma's eyes were on the incubator that was leaving the room.
"Where are they taking her?" Emma started to cry again.
"The NICU, where she needs to be. I'll get updates on her if you want me to."
"Maybe. I don't know. I don't want to keep her but I want her to be healthy and happy."
"How about I'll wait until you ask me questions and not bring it up until then? That way it's your call," John held her hand between two of his and was looking at her with soothing brown eyes.
Emma nodded, closed her eyes and tried to rest.
After the doctor was done, a nurse came to help Emma get cleaned up. John took that opportunity to go out to the waiting room to tell Bobby, Caleb and Drew that they'd had a little girl. There were hugs all around. Bobby went to ask about the NICU waiting room so he could be there for Sam and Dean. Drew went back into Emma's room with John after the nurse was done getting her settled into bed. Caleb excused himself and went home to get some sleep.
Sam and Dean stepped into the doorway of the NICU waiting room and watched their precious daughter disappear through the double doors at the end of the hall. Sam and Dean sank into a couch, huddled together.
"What time is it?" Sam asked. It seemed like they had been in the hospital forever and a day.
"One in the morning," Dean replied after digging his watch of his pocket.
"What day is it?"
Dean sat there for a moment. "Saturday? Sunday?"
"What about the date?" Sam kept asking questions.
"November second, I think," Dean turned on the television to double check. Their daughter had been born on November 2nd. Although they had bad memories of that date, now they had a more precious reason to be happy on that day.
“I wonder if Dad knows what day it is?”
“He’ll figure it out,” Dean replied. “What did you think of our little girl?”
“She’s too tiny, Dean.”
“Since she’s premature, she supposed to be tiny. She still has all the organs that she needs to survive, they’re just smaller.”
“It’s hard to picture how the organs could fit in that small body.”
“I know, but they do. We just have to believe that she’ll be fine and so will we,” Dean pulled Sam in a little closer. “So, now that she’s here, what do we name her?”
“I found the name Rayna, which means queen. That’s my favorite for a girl. How about you?”
“Rayna Mary Winchester,” Dean nodded. “I think that fits. She will be the queen of the house, you know.”
“I think she plans on that,” Sam smiled.
For a few minutes they sat in silence, listening to the squeaky shoes and rattling carts. Then, Dean started to get antsy. Sam tried ignoring him. Some part of him knew that Dean couldn’t help it. When Dean started pacing, which was one of the more normal things he did when he got tired of waiting, Sam watched him go back and forth across the waiting room.
“So we have a little girl in our family, huh? She’ll grow up to be one heck of a woman surrounded by us men.”
Bobby was in the doorway watching Dean pace and Sam’s eyes follow.
“Her name is Rayna Mary,” Sam went to Bobby for a hug.
“Yeah. It means ‘Queen’. Sammy picked it out,” Dean stopped pacing and looked at Bobby.
“That’s a mighty fine name, unique, too,” Bobby smiled. “Any news yet?”
They shook their heads.
“I’ll help ya pass the time then,” Bobby took a chair. “It sure moves at it’s own pace in hospitals.”
At some point they got into talking about hunting at time spent at the scrap yard as boys. Rayna was foremost in their minds, but it did no good to worry. They had to wait. It was killing them inside to be separated from their little angel but they knew they had to give the NICU folks room to work and decide what Rayna needed. No one mentioned the way the conversation stopped when they heard someone approaching, all eyes riveted to the door.
After what seemed like eternity, a doctor came in and sat down. Dean and Sam sat down on the couch, holding hands for support. Bobby sat on the other side of Sam. He wanted to hear what the doctor said so he could relay it to John and be there if either of the boys needed him.
"Your baby girl is holding her own. She's on a respirator but the settings are low, which is good. She is under billiruben lights for her jaundice. She has protective eyewear on for the lights. Her skin is translucent, not fully developed. She has ointment all over her skin and she is covered in plastic to protect her skin so she doesn't lose fluids through it. She has and IV line in her bellybutton, that's the easiest place to get on preemies. Right now the concerns are her lungs, which we take frequent x-rays of, and her heart which has a hole in it like all newborns do. It usually closes right after birth, but if it doesn't, we do surgery. All though her stay, infection will always be a concern. Otherwise, she was 10 inches long and weighed two pounds four ounces."
"Her name is Rayna," Dean was the only one who could find his voice. "Can you make sure they know that?"
"Sure," the doctor took out a pad and pen. "How do you spell it?"
"R-A-Y-N-A," Sam choked out.
"That's pretty. You can come back and see her now."
"Can Bobby and my dad come in, too?" Sam asked.
"We'll make exceptions for today," the doctor replied. "Usually the limit is two people and one has to be a
parent. We have a chaplain available if you have any religious needs, or just need to talk."
"We'd like to have her baptized," John's voice came from the door. He'd arrived when the doctor was talking but waited until he spoke to move to where his boys were.
"I can arrange for that," the doctor said. "I'm guessing you two are Bobby and Dad."
"Yeah. I'm John."
"Okay, follow me. I'll show you what you need to do before entering the NICU."
They stood and followed the doctor down the hall.
Emma was resting while Drew looked out the window. He was grateful to John for staying behind with Emma until she was comfortable. Now that Emma had given birth, she just needed to heal before continuing with her life. Drew sighed and wondered how he could help her restart her life.
He worried about the little girl upstairs, knowing that he was helping by staying with Emma. The Winchesters were good at taking care of people, but Drew knew that all four men would feel helpless in the NICU. For all their strength and wisdom, no matter what they had been though and had risen above, they could not heal their tiny baby girl.
***
Joshua and Jefferson tracked Zane down in New York. They had found a seasonal cabin and set up for the exorcism there. As a backup plan, they had a devil's trap in the back of Joshua's truck. They'd done this before, but each demon was different. After a phone call to Caleb, they knew what this demon was after.
Joshua approached Zane on campus.
"Zane, I need you to come with me," he grabbed Zane's arm and led him away.
"What is it with you guys?" Zane panicked. "Are you with the trackers that were here before?"
"Sorta."
"Sorta? What the hell does that mean?"
"We have someone you'll want to see," Joshua looked around and no one was noticing them because Zane wasn't putting up a fight.
"Who?"
"Emma."
"Emma? I've tried calling her but she won't talk to me. Where is she?"
"We're taking you there," Joshua shoved Zane in the cab of the truck and Jefferson took off.
"Why wouldn't she come with you?"
"She's pregnant, idiot. You think she wants any more of a road trip than she's already had?" Jefferson spat out.
Zane sat there in silence. When he spoke, he asked, "You're not going to hurt me, right? Those other guys were really pissed and they didn't hurt me."
"We're not going to hurt you," Joshua sighed. "Think we want Emma mad at us?"
They pulled into the driveway that led to the cabin.
"Is this where Emma is?" Zane asked.
"Yeah. We told you we were bringing you to her," Jefferson sounded annoyed.
Zane's eyes turned back for a moment. It was gone too quick for Joshua or Jefferson to notice. They were taking necessary precautions anyway.
Jefferson opened the door and led Zane in.
"Where is she?" Zane asked as soon as he slipped in.
"Must be in the bathroom," Joshua replied. "You know women."
Zane chuckled and stepped further in.
Joshua pointed to a chair, "Have a seat. I'll go see if she's ready."
Zane sat down, watching Joshua. Jefferson moved quietly and knocked Zane out cold with the butt of his gun. Joshua heard the noise and came back to help Jefferson tie Zane up. The chair was already under the devil's trap.
"What should we do now?" Joshua asked as he looked at Zane.
"I'd say wake this sonofabitch up with holy water," Jefferson smiled as he took out the magic bottle.
***
The four men gathered around the surgical sinks located just outside the NICU doors. They had to start a timer and wash their hands until it went off. It was a four minute timer.
What they walked into, no man had been prepared for. Sam noticed all the machines surrounding tiny beds where the babies couldn't be seen. He grabbed Dean's arm and stopped walking.
Dean turned to look at Sam. "It looks like science experiments," Sam told him.
Dean looked around and couldn't disagree. "Let's just keep going, Sammy. Look at the floor if you have to. I'll lead you to Rayna."
Sam nodded, clung to Dean's arm and watched the floor go by as they made their way.
"Here's Nancy, Rayna's nurse. She'll be able to answer your questions and tell you more about how Rayna is doing," the doctor gave them a smile. "There are always two doctors on duty. I'm sure I'll see you around."
Sam looked up at Nancy, who was giving them a sympathetic smile. "Rayna is a strong little girl. How are you doing?"
Sam looked down at Rayna and his first instinct was to pull the plastic off because it covered her face. Then, he remembered that she was on a respirator and the tears came. He watched her little chest move up and down. He couldn't see her face because the respirator and protective eyewear covered most of it. He could only see some light brown hair and his daughter who was too small to be a doll.
"Can we get a chair here?" Dean asked as Sam started to sway. "It's easier to sit him down than pick him up."
"I'm so sorry. I'll go grab some chairs," Nancy stepped away from Rayna.
"I can grab them," Bobby offered. "Point me in the right direction and you stay by Rayna."
"Down that way," Nancy pointed. "But you aren't supposed to look at the other babies in here. Patient confidentiality."
"Don't worry, I won't," Bobby started down the aisle. He'd seen Rayna. He didn't want to see any more babies like that.
John stepped closer and took Sam's other arm. "How you doing, Dean?" he asked around Sam.
"Just hanging onto Sammy and letting it sink in," Dean's voice was tired.
Bobby came back with chairs and the boys sat down. John and Bobby stood behind them, strong, silent towers of support. John had one hand on the shoulder of each of the boys. Bobby had his arm around John, unable to imagine what John was going through, just wanting to be there.
***
Jefferson threw holy water on Zane and the demon screamed and smoked.
They didn't ask Demon Zane any questions, Joshua just started reading the exorcism to get rid of him. No matter what the demon said or swore, Joshua kept reading aloud and Jefferson kept tossing the holy water. After Zane's body opened his mouth an spewed the demon out, he went slack against he ropes. Jefferson and Joshua watched him closely for a little while.
When Zane lifted his head, he asked where Emma was. Neither Joshua nor Jefferson answered him.
Zane claimed that he'd had an awful dream with Emma in. When he woke up and called Emma to check on her, she wouldn't come to the phone.
Jefferson and Joshua exchanged looks.
"Have you had blackouts lately?" Joshua asked. "Periods of lost time? Not knowing how you got places?"
"How did you know?" Zane was confused.
"Doesn't matter," Jefferson broke in. "Emma is fine, but she doesn't want to talk to you. And, if you try to contact her, we'll know about it."
"But-"
"Trust me," Jefferson cut Zane off. "It does not matter. The upside of this is that you won't have any more lost time. How are you feeling?"
"I'd like to get out of these ropes," Zane said. "What happened?"
"We just fixed a problem. We'll drop you back off on campus and as long as you're good, you won't see us again. Screw up, and we can find you anywhere you try to hide," Jefferson replied.
Zane was all too eager to get back in the truck and get home. Joshua and Jefferson were just glad that they were able to help John.
Joshua called Caleb and told him that they were done. They'd been successful and they'd scared Zane so that he would not try to contact Emma in the future.
"That's great news," Caleb's relief came through in his voice. "Emma had a premature baby girl today, so Sam and Dean have a daughter."
"Tell them how happy we are for them," Joshua told Caleb. "We'll keep in touch."
Joshua closed his phone and told Jefferson the good news.
"Sam and Dean?" Jefferson asked. "Aren't they brothers?"
"Just keep an open mind, Jefferson. They're a couple now whether you like it or not."
Jefferson just looked out at the scenery flying by.
"You can talk to her," Nurse Nancy told them. "You can even touch her, but you can't rub her skin. It's too fragile. If she gets overwhelmed, you might need to refrain from stimulating her in any way."
"Can we take some pictures?" Bobby asked.
"Sure. Did you want me to get one of all of you?"
Bobby handed her the camera, "Yes. ma'm."
Dean and Sam stood and the four of them bent down by the open bed that Rayna was on. They took ones of the boys and Rayna and one with their wedding rings on each side to show her size.
The chaplain came and baptized Rayna. He was unable to use water because of her skin. He offered what comfort he could to the men before he left.
"Why did you ask for the chaplain to baptize Rayna?" Dean asked John. "We don't really go to church unless you count going to see Pastor Jim."
"You and Sam were baptized when you were babies," John cleared his throat. "Your mother insisted on it. I thought it was appropriate to get Reyna baptized today."
Bobby took John's hand. "I'm sure Mary liked that," he knew John had to be close to breaking.
"Rayna's arrival was perfect timing except for her being so small," Sam replied. "I was wondering if you'd realized what day today was."
"I wouldn't forget," John whispered.
"I'm so tired," Sam sighed, "but I don't want to leave her alone."
"I'm on until 7AM and I'll be back at 7PM tonight. I can give you the number here, and you can call anytime for updates," Nurse Nancy was so nice.
"Can you make sure that Emma is able to get information if she calls?" John asked. "If she needs to know how Rayna is doing, please give her an update. She's not going to change her mind about the adoption, she just wants to make sure that Rayna is doing okay."
"That's not our usual way of handling calls for updates, but I'll write it down and make sure that the nurse that comes on after me knows about it, too."
"Can John and I come to sit with Rayna?" Bobby asked. "Sam is going to have to get back to college and Dean needs to return to work."
"That also isn't a request we usually grant," Nurse Nancy replied. "But, given your special circumstances, I'll try to okay it with the head nurse. Your being here will allow the family to avoid additional financial hardship?"
"Yeah," Dean replied. "I'm the only income. My boss has been great but I can't take advantage of his good will. Sam will be done will college in about six weeks."
"You know Rayna will probably be in here longer than six weeks, right?" Nancy hoped that she wasn't telling them something they didn't already know.
"That seems so long," an exhausted Sam started to shake and Dean led him to a chair. "How are we supposed to deal with this?"
"Call as often as you need to, you aren't bothering us when you call. Ask questions and write down information so you can look back at it if you forget. If you don't feel like coming up to see Rayna some days, don't. You don't need to burn out while she's in here. Make sure you take care of each other and your relationships. I know it seems like a far ways off, but Rayna wasn't supposed to be here yet."
Bobby said that he and John would stay with Rayna and Dean should bring Sam home.
"You'll call us?" Sam asked.
"Of course," John gave him a hug. "Get some rest."
Sam went to Rayna's bedside, "Goodnight, Rayna. I love you. Remember that angels are watching over you, especially Grandma Mary."
Dean said goodbye to his daughter for the first time and it was like leaving his right arm behind. It just felt so wrong to be leaving the hospital without her. Dean led Sam back to the NICU doors so that he didn't have to see the equipment that had upset him on the way in.
"We should stop and see Emma if she's awake," Sam told Dean in the elevator. "She doesn't even know Rayna's name."
"First we'll need to check at the nurses' station to see if she's been up or resting. I don't want to wake her up."
Sam nodded.
Emma's nurse said that Emma had been awake ten minutes earlier when she'd asked for more pain medication. So, Sam and Dean knocked softly on her door.
"Come in," Emma's voice was soft.
"It's just us," Sam told her. "We wanted to see how you're doing. You were amazing today."
"The pain pill is starting to kick in, so I'm feeling pretty good. How's the baby?"
Sam and Dean took Emma's hands.
"Her name is Rayna, which means 'queen'," Sam told her. "She's tiny, ten inches and two pounds four ounces. But, she's where she needs to be. She'll probably be in the NICU until her due date."
"Are you upset with me because I couldn't carry her to term?" Emma stared to cry.
Soft-hearted Sammy started to cry, too, so Dean answered her in a calm, sure voice, "We would never be upset with you. You gave us a baby that we could never have on our own. The rest was out of your control."
"You sure?" Emma asked. Dean nodded. She looked at Sam who had tears streaming down his face. "Sam?" she asked.
"You gave us a little angel for a daughter," Sam replied a little shaky. "I hope she'll be like you."
Emma gave him a sad smile and gave him a hug. "You will both be wonderful daddies. I feel better now that I talked to you."
"Call us anytime," Dean told her. "You'll be coming home to us, right?"
"If there's still room," Emma replied.
"Don't even joke about that," Dean smiled. "There will be room for you as long as you need it."
They gave her hugs before they walked out into the hall.
"I'm glad we stopped to see Emma," Dean told Sam on the way home.
"Me, too," Sam whispered. "She made us daddies today."
Dean smiled at the way Sam rested his head on Dean's shoulder the rest of the way home.