Supernatural Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons: A Supernatural Fanfic ❯ The Surprise ( Chapter 20 )

20. The Surprise

“How could we have been so careless? Honestly, I thought we had all just caught a bug or something. It's a good thing you brought up how you'd been feeling Ruby, or we might not be here right now.” Grace murmured softly as she sat on the lid of the toilet.

“Well yeah, I mean I'm no doctor, but after a good week of the same symptoms I thought it was weird, and the fact that all three of us were experiencing the same thing was odd and worth looking into.” Ruby said, sitting on the edge of the bathtub. She smiled over at a nervous looking Rachel, who was leaning against the bathroom door. “You look a little edgy angel girl. Are you okay?”

Rachel gave her a small smile but it didn't reach her eyes, which were filled with nervous excitement. She bit her lip, an anxious look on her face. “I'll be okay once this is over. I'm just a little edgy about it. I mean after six months of being human and everything going normally, I just didn't think this was possible. Can you imagine how freaky it would be if this was true for all three of us?”

“I know right? Poor Bobby, not to mention Castiel, Dean, and Sam. I wish I knew how they would handle this beforehand, if it's actually true I mean.” Ruby murmured.

“How much time do we have left Grace?” Rachel asked. Grace pulled out her phone and her eyes widened. “Enough time has passed. Let's all take a deep breath and get this over with.” She handed the two their designated cups and grabbed her own.

Pulling the simple, slim stick out, she gasped, her blue eyes growing wide, her face alight with a mixture of happiness and shock. Ruby's mouth gaped open, sporting a similar expression. Their eyes met and they looked toward Rachel, whose lips were trembling, her face a combination of disbelief and contentment. They all three exchanged glances, having gotten an answer.

“I can't believe this is happening.” Grace said.

“I know. I'm shocked too. I never thought I would have to plan for this.” Ruby responded.

“ This……this changes everything. How are we going to tell them?” Rachel muttered, speaking of their husbands who were currently in the living room watching TV. For the last few days the gang had taken a break from hunting and had been lounging about in the house.

“Simple, we'll tell them together. There's no better way that I can think of to do this.” Grace said enthusiastically, giving Rachel a reassuring smile. Rachel managed to feebly return it before slumping against the door and sliding down to the ground, her eyes widening as a look of apprehension crossed her face. Grace and Ruby exchanged perplexed glances. “Hey, what's wrong? You should be happy about this, not looking like someone just died. I can see that something is up, so you might as well spit it out.” Grace murmured, wondering what could have so quickly disconcerted her friend.

“I know I should be happy about it, but what if I get excited too soon? What if something happens again?” Rachel responded, sounding worried and uncertain. Ruby gave her a sympathetic smile and Grace walked over to her and sat down beside her against the bathroom door, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “Don't worry, this won't be like the first time. Everything will be fine. No one is going to hurt you or take this away from you. You'll be safe.”

“Yeah, I guess you're right. I just worry, you know?” Rachel murmured, taking a shaky breath. Grace nodded in understanding and gave Rachel a helping hand up. All three of them paused for a moment, sharing glances of nervous excitement before opening up the bathroom door and walking down the stairs into the living room.

Scenes from an old horror movie flashed on the screen and for a moment nobody noticed the girls standing there. They were all too absorbed in the movie and eating their pie to notice anything else. Grace rolled her eyes and loudly cleared her throat. Thankfully, even though all of them jumped, once they had regained their composure, they turned to listen. Seeing that it was important, at least judging by the intense, serious looks on the girl's faces, Bobby muted the TV.

For a moment no one said anything. Dean and Sam exchanged glances, wondering why their wives were standing in the middle of the living room floor. Bobby looked at the girls intently, wondering why they all looked nervous, and Castiel just looked inquisitively at Rachel, who was the most nervous of the three. “I take it there is something you need to tell us?” he murmured.

Grace nodded, taking a breath to speak but suddenly finding her mouth dry, the words she had chosen in her head quickly forgotten. Looking over at Ruby Grace noticed that she too, looked completely speechless. None of this went unnoticed by Rachel, who said nothing.

Dean sighed and looked at them, giving them an encouraging smile, noting their sudden wordlessness. “Okay, come on girls, just spit it out. We won't laugh at you or anything.”

“Yeah, come on, just tell us.” Sam said. Seeing as neither Grace nor Ruby seemed too keen on speaking, Rachel sighed and gathered up some courage before blurting out, “You idiots knocked us up.”

Complete and utter silence enveloped the room, their husband's faces becoming masks of shock and disbelief. “Nice going you igits.” Bobby murmured, looking at Sam, Dean and Cas. He gave the girls a happy smile. “Congratulations. I would have been kind of surprised if this didn't happen sooner or later.”

“Um……thanks?” Grace squeaked, looking over at Dean, noting that in his surprised state he hadn't even noticed that his pie had fallen into his lap. “You-you're pregnant?” he stuttered, looking at her. She smiled and nodded. “Yep, and it's completely your fault.”

“Wait a minute, all three of you?” Sam asked in a shaken voice, looking up at Ruby in obvious surprise. She nodded and couldn't help but grin, finding the dazed look in his eyes a little amusing.

Everyone turned their attention to Castiel, who hadn't said anything. Having eyes only for his nervous looking wife, he got up and walked over to her, wrapping her arms around Rachel in a hug. “You'll be fine. We both will. You should be happy, down right ecstatic in fact. We're getting a second chance at something that we never thought could happen in the first place. I'm definitely happy about this. Aren't you?”

Rachel looked up at him, her nervousness replaced with surprise and a glint of excitement shone in her eyes. “You mean, you're happy about this? I have to admit, you are taking it better than I thought. You're not shocked or scared?”

Castiel gave her a contented, heartwarming smile that managed to put her fears at ease and make her knees weak all at the same time. “Of course I'm not. I mean, the thought of having a child is a little daunting, and our lives will definitely have to change, but we'll be alright.”

He paused, giving her a sheepish smile, before continuing. “I have to confess however, I kind of picked up on it when you started getting sick. Along with that you seemed more fatigued and nauseous, and I kind of hoped this was what was causing those symptoms. I missed it the first time and I didn't want to make the same mistake again.”

“Hold on a minute, you knew before Rachel did?” Grace spluttered, looking over at Castiel in amazement.

“You're not psychic, are you?” Ruby murmured.

Castiel shook his head. “No, I'm not psychic, just observant.”

While Rachel and Castiel had been talking, Sam had gotten up and hugged Ruby, murmuring how happy he was that they were having kids. Dean had done the same, smiling at Grace and scooping her up in his arms, telling her how he'd always wanted a family. Everyone was happy and excited, thankfully taking the news well.

About a month later they all made appointments with obstetricians and received physical exams, went over their medical histories, and reviewed any potential pregnancy issues that the women might have. They also set up appointments for their first ultrasounds, which they, along with their husbands, attended a few weeks later.

“Calm down Dean. You look so nervous. It's just an ultrasound, not brain surgery.” Grace smiled, placing her hand over his in a reassuring gesture. He gave her a shaky smile back, trying to hide his nervousness. “I'll be fine Grace, don't worry. I've just never done this before. I don't know what to expect.”

“You're just going to see an embryo inside my uterus. It's not that spine chilling. You'll do just fine, I'm sure.” Grace murmured. Looking over at Sam and Ruby she could see that they both looked a little excited, in whispers chatting away about something or other. Castiel's gaze traveled around the waiting room, his hand holding Rachel's, nervous excitement glittering in her dark eyes.

After anxiously waiting for a few minutes, the couples were called back for their ultrasounds and to meet their doctors.

“Hello Grace, Dean, I'm Doctor Masterson. I'm sure you're both excited about today.” She murmured, smiling and shaking both their hands before instructing Grace to lie down on the table. She had red hair and green eyes. Her happy go lucky nature and good sense of humor helped to put them at ease. After making sure Grace was comfortable, Dr. Masterson began the ultrasound.

Grace and Dean looked at the screen along with the doctor, whose eyes widened as she gasped.

“What is it? Is something wrong?” Dean asked anxiously, a trickle of trepidation flowing down his spine. Grace's eyes widened as she looked at the fuzzy shape on the screen. “That's a big baby.” She murmured, looking at the doctor who was shaking her head. “Look, it's not one baby.” she replied, pointing out the edges of the dark shapes. “It looks like there's three in there, but let's use a Doppler to be sure.”

A few seconds later they were able to hear three distinct heartbeats. Even though Grace didn't mean to, her eyes filled with tears and she sniffed a bit. Smiling at her sympathetically, Dr. Masterson handed her a tissue. Dean couldn't help but get a little choked up too, hearing the heartbeats of his children for the first time. He knew deep down inside that he'd always wanted a family, but up until that moment he never realized how much.

“I hear three heartbeats. That means that there's triplets right? Oh my God. This is amazing!” Grace said happily, once she had managed to wipe away her tears. The doctor, looking just as excited as Grace felt, enthusiastically nodded. Her sympathetic smile faltered as she noticed Dean, who seemed a little pale. “Mr. Winchester, are you alright?”

Grace looked over at her husband, who was wobbling slightly in his chair. “Dean?”

And then, for the first time in his life, Dean Winchester fainted, hitting the floor before he even knew what had happened. The doctor reassured an alarmed Grace that fainting wasn't all that uncommon for first time fathers at the ultrasounds, and that if they gave Dean a few seconds that he should come around. After about a minute or so, Dean opened his eyes and Dr. Masterson gave him a helping hand up.

“Sorry about that. It's just when you said there were three, well, that just floored me. I would have been happy with just one, but triplets, I mean, that's a little overwhelming. We've never done this before.” He said, reassuring Grace that he was fine.

“Don't worry Mr. Winchester. You aren't the first man who's fainted. I can understand why you would be overwhelmed, being first time parents, but I can reassure you that I will guide you every step of the way and help you with anything I can. Congratulations on triplets. I don't come across a woman with multiples very often. You will receive the utmost care and attention and I'll make sure that your babies are safe, develop properly, and are healthy.” She murmured. After scheduling their next appointment they thanked the doctor for her time and walked out of the room.

“I can't believe you fainted. Are you sure you're alright?” Grace asked, a little concerned because never in all of his life had Dean ever fainted. “I'm fine Grace, really. I was just shocked. I mean one kid is fine, but three at the same time? You have to admit, that's a little crazy. I don't know if I'm up to raising three kids. Look at how Sam and I lived. Our childhoods really sucked in some ways.”

“I know it wasn't easy for you or Sam, but you're a better man than John was and you won't make the same mistakes, or you'll at least try not to anyway. After all, you'll be there for me and the kids when we need you, right?” she murmured, grabbing his hand and interlacing her fingers with his.

“Of course I will. I want to give them as much of a normal life as possible. Hunting all of the time works for me and you, but things are different now. It's not just you and me I have to worry about anymore. We don't need our kids to grow up and be moving around all the time.”

Grace's blue eyes widened. “But if you aren't hunting then what will you do? Surely you aren't going to stop hunting forever? I know you would be miserable if you did.”

“No, I won't give it up forever, but I'll have to provide for you and our family and neither one of you is cheap. I'll just get a job and save hunting for recreation. It'll be like vacation time. Family comes first. It's the most important thing in my life and that's the way it's going to stay.” Dean confidently replied, giving her hand a squeeze. Hearing Sam's voice as it came closer, he noticed his brother and Ruby looked a little excited and surprised. Once they reached Grace and Dean they shared their reason for looking so happy.

“You're probably not going to believe this, but we're having twins.” Ruby said, looking from Sam to Grace and smiling in pure delight. Grace squealed enthusiastically, giving her a hug and offering her congratulations.

“It's pretty unbelievable right? Who would have guessed that this could happen to us of all people?” Sam said, smiling as the two women started avidly chatting about baby attire.

“Congrats Sammy, I'm happy for you.” Dean said, clapping him on the back. “Thanks Dean. So, did everything go good with you guys?”

“Yep, all three of ours are good so far.” He said, grinning as Sam looked at him with a mixture of shock and happiness, his jaw dropping for a second before he smiled back at his older brother. “Oh my God, Dean, that-that's great. Congratulations.” he stammered.

“Dean fainted you know.” Grace said, giggling as Sam looked over at Dean in surprise and grinned. Dean rolled his eyes, sighing. Meeting Sam's astonished gaze he said, “Well how would you have reacted if you found out you were having triplets?”

Sam shrugged, fighting back a laugh as the mental image of Dean fainting rolled through his mind. “I probably would have fainted too.” he responded.

“Dean fainted?” a female voice coming up behind them inquired. Turning, they saw that it was Rachel and Castiel. She looked at Dean, concern flashing in her eyes. Castiel looked at Dean and smirked in amusement, imagining what Dean's fainting episode must have looked like.

“Yeah, he fainted, but if you found out you were having triplets, you probably would have too.” Sam said, answering for his brother who looked a little annoyed. Rachel's eyes widened and she looked over at Grace. “Triplets? Wow, I mean, that's amazing. You must be very happy.”

“I couldn't be more excited. I always wanted a big family. Ruby's having twins you know.” She said.

“You are?” Rachel said, gasping in astonishment. Ruby nodded, smiling. She offered Ruby her congratulations again and they asked how her appointment had gone.

“Well, I guess compared to you two, mine was normal. I'm only expecting one child, but that's all I ever really wanted anyway, so it's enough for me. I'm so glad for you two though. I can't imagine what it will be like, raising two and three kids at a time.” Rachel responded, unable to keep a happy smile off of her face.

“Congratulations Sam, Dean, I'm happy for you both. You must be excited, am I right?” Castiel murmured, seeing that Rachel was talking with Grace and Ruby about things they would need to buy in the coming months.

“Yeah, we're both pretty enthusiastic about being fathers. Everything is going to change now. For once, our lived will be somewhat normal. They'll have to be. I don't want my kids getting the kind of childhood Dean and I did growing up.” Sam said.

“So that mean's we'll have to get jobs. Also, we won't be going on nearly as many hunting excursions as we used to.” Dean murmured. Castiel nodded in understanding, for once agreeing with Dean, having heard him say something surprisingly wise. After getting their wives' attention they went home.

Nausea, fatigue, morning sickness, bloating, and constipation continued to plague the women and they all anxiously awaited their next appointment at the end of the first trimester. Going back for another ultrasound, they were all immensely relieved to find that everything was normal.

True to his word, Dean started looking for a job, Sam and Castiel joining him on his search. The economy and job market wasn't really looking all that good though, and after a few weeks they hadn't been able to find anything. Luckily Grace and Rachel had a solution.

Because they had been alive and on Earth for so long, they had saved up quite a bit of money in various accounts under different names in many banks and credit unions, the sum totally something that made Dean's head hurt just thinking about it. After transferring a goodly sum in different accounts in the local bank, Grace told the guys that for now they didn't have to work because she and Rachel had saved up enough money over the years to sustain them for all of their mortal lives, if they stayed mortal anyway. It was a great relief to everyone and Dean brought up that with all of them expecting half a dozen kids that they either had to move out for more space or add on to the existing house. No one really wanted to leave, so the morning before the third ultrasound Dean proposed the idea of expansion to Bobby, surprised when he agreed. In fact, he seemed rather happy about it, giving Dean permission to do whatever he deemed necessary.

Having never built a house before and having no idea of how to do so or proceed, they hired someone to do the construction for them. They were hoping it wouldn't take long, as they only needed to add three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Thankfully after a couple of months it was complete.

“Ugh, I knew I was going to gain weight, but I didn't think it would be this much. I feel so fat.” Grace mumbled, propping her swollen feet up on the coffee table as she sat on the couch, watching the evening news, a bag of pretzels in her hand because she'd had the craving for something salty. Ruby and Rachel sat on either side of her, munching on the pretzels as well.

“Grace, you're carrying triplets. You're supposed to feel fat. It's part of the pregnancy experience.” Ruby said.

“Ruby's right. Typical weight gain in the second trimester is anywhere from 25-35 pounds. For you and Ruby it might vary a bit, considering you're having more than one baby.” Rachel murmured.

“Thank you Dr. Anderson. How many books have you read on pregnancy so far anyway?” Grace said teasingly, knowing that her best friend preferred to be well informed.

Rachel smiled and rolled her eyes.

“Oh, not many, about six or so.”

Bobby sat in his recliner, having been asked by Dean to watch the three pregnant women while he, Sam, and Castiel went across town to check a potential haunting out.

Surprisingly Bobby hadn't protested, as they all expected him to put up a fight or complain about being put on babysitting duty, but he hadn't said a cross word about it. During every commercial break he'd look over at them curiously, a gleam of subtle anxiousness in his eyes. “So, you're sure that you're alright? Do you need anything? Have any cravings for anything else?” he asked.

“Nope, I'm good right here.” Grace said, flipping through the channels because the news had gone off.

“I'm fine, thanks.” Ruby replied.

“I'm fine too. Thanks for asking Bobby. If we get another craving or anything, you'll be the first to know.” Rachel murmured, giving him a calming smile that helped to alleviate his nerves. He was a little anxious, considering they were in the last two weeks of the second trimester. He didn't know that much about pregnant women, hadn't been around hardly any at all, so having three of them sitting in his living room was just slightly disconcerting. It didn't help to calm him when Grace's cup suddenly dropped from her hand, her eyes widening.

“What is it Grace?” he asked. She looked from him, to Ruby, to Rachel. “I-I think I just felt a kick. Is that normal?” she asked, looking anxiously at Rachel who nodded. Placing her hand on her belly, Grace let out a small squeak of excitement as she felt another kick. Grabbing her friends' hands she placed them on her abdomen. Ruby softly gasped as she felt the kick and Rachel softly smiled. Looking over at Bobby, Grace asked if he wanted to feel it too.

He stammered and politely declined the offer, blushing the slightest bit but feeling a measure of warmth and happiness for the women all at the same time. He couldn't help but smile, seeing Grace's happy grin, wonder glimmering in Ruby's eyes, and the blissfully contented look on Rachel's face.

Sam, Dean, and Castiel walked in then, a little surprised at the scene before them but deciding to say nothing, knowing that Grace would explain. She didn't disappoint, telling them about feeling movement for the first time. They sat on the adjacent couch, listening to Grace's chatter. Castiel handed Rachel a brown paper bag, laughing softly as her face lit up. Unwrapping it, grinning happily from ear to ear, Rachel bit into a cheeseburger. “Thanks Cas, I've been craving these things all day.”

“Cheeseburgers? Really? That's odd.” Sam said, his eyes shining with amusement as Rachel finished the first and pulled out a second.

“Well, it is Cas's kid she's carrying, so it's not that unusual, at least I think it's not.” Dean replied, smiling as Grace laughed at her best friend, seeing that Rachel had grabbed a third cheeseburger.

“Hey Sam, can you get me some pickles out of the fridge? It's another craving.” Ruby murmured.

“Yeah, sure babe.” He said, bolting up off the couch and into the kitchen.

“So, how was your day?” Dean asked Grace. She looked at him, feeling slightly annoyed and sighed. “Where do I begin? Let's see, first I puked this morning, for half the day I felt nauseous, I got some heartburn after lunch, my feet are swollen, my back hurts, and I kind of want to rip someone's throat out. Oh, and I have a craving for something sweet now, so make yourself useful and get me something.” She said, her tone being rather clipped. Dean's eyes widened as he got up. Rachel gave him a sympathetic glance as he walked by them and into the kitchen.

“Good God, why is she so moody today? I think it's getting worse.” Dean mumbled, rummaging through the cupboards for something sweet. He heard Sam laugh.

“I hate to be the one to break this to you, but until the end of the third trimester, she's going to get moodier and moodier. It's just the way pregnant ladies are. Can you blame her? She's not just carrying one of your children, it's three. I can see why she'd snap at you. She probably blames you for it happening in the first place.” Sam said teasingly, grabbing cream cheese out of the refrigerator along with the pickles, knowing from a previous craving that it was what Ruby wanted.

“Yeah, you're right. I guess I can't blame her. I wouldn't want to carry anything around for nine months. I don't even want to imagine what labor will be like. From what I've heard there's lots of painful screaming and the cursing of my name involved. It's not a pretty picture.” Dean said.

Sam smiled. “Not to worry Dean, there's a little thing called epidurals that really will help with that.”

Dean laughed. “You are such a nerd. It'll rub off on your kids no doubt, poor guys. Although who knows, maybe Ruby's attitude will fix some of that.”

“There's nothing wrong with her attitude. If she snaps at you then you probably deserve it. What about your kids? I feel sorry for them. If they don't all become mechanics then they'll probably be hunters. In fact, they'll probably know how to shoot a gun or make bullets out of rock salt before they ever get a date.” Sam said.

“And you see a problem with this because?” Dean asked. Sam shrugged. “Well look at how we turned out. Who's to say our kids will be any different?”

“Simple, we won't make dad's mistakes, not to mention our wives certainly won't.” Dean replied.

“Thank God for that.” Sam said.

“Can I help you two gentlemen with anything? Your moody pregnant wives are waiting.” Rachel murmured as she came up behind them, her voice alight with amusement. Castiel, never far away from Rachel when he was home, hovered in the doorway.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. We were just talking.” Sam said, grabbing the pickles and cream cheese. Rachel smiled in understanding, murmuring for Dean not to take Grace's moodiness to heart because it was just a symptom of pregnancy. Walking over to the far cupboard she pulled out a package of Oreo cookies and tossed them to him.

“Thanks Rachel. Speaking of moodiness, do you ever get moody?” Dean said. Rachel laughed and nodded. “Yes Dean, of course, I'm only human after all. I'm just better at hiding it than most. Just ask Cas, I have my moments.”

“She does?” Dean asked incredulously, looking at Castiel. He nodded and smiled, thinking of how cute his wife looked when she was angry. “Yes Dean, she does. Just this morning she was complaining because you ate the last bagel. She was almost infuriated over the matter.”

“Sorry.” Dean muttered, looking over sheepishly at Rachel, surprised to find her smiling. “Don't worry about it. The moodiness passes eventually. I'm not even mad about it anymore, although I suggest you go to the store soon to get some more.” She said winking at him.

“Yes ma'm. I'll put it at the top of my to-do list.” He said, giving her a mock salute, knowing she wasn't serious because he'd caught on to her sarcasm. It was good because she'd been using it a lot lately. In the beginning only Grace and Castiel knew when Rachel wasn't using sarcasm, but everyone was slowly learning, as the moodiness of pregnancy had loosened the hold that she normally kept on her emotions and herself.

Dean went back into the living room and gave Grace the cookies. She asked for milk too, and even though he inwardly sighed, Dean went back into the kitchen again, taking the milk carton and glass that Rachel handed to him. “She'll drink the whole carton, just you watch.” She murmured.

“If you know what she wants then why don't you take it to her?” Dean mumbled. Rachel rolled her eyes, as if the answer was obvious. “She asked you to do it, and in my condition there's no way she would ask me. I'm not married to her and you're her husband anyway. She should stop badgering you for things now, so be a good boy and go back in there. You don't want Grace to bite your head off over nothing. I'm helping you out here.” Rachel said.

“Thanks.” Dean murmured, knowing she was right. “How do you put up with her?” he asked Castiel jokingly. The man looked from Dean to his wife and back again. “I don't really know. I'm probably able to put up with her because she's carrying my child, poor girl. I wouldn't wish that torture on anyone. It's terrible really, how often she craves cheeseburgers. I don't know how she can stand it.” He replied laughingly, being in a carefree enough mood to jokingly banter with Dean.

“How do you stand being married to a guy like that?” Dean teased, looking at Rachel. She smiled and sighed. “It's this crazy little thing called love, not to mention the fact that he knocked me up.”

“I never realized what a despicable man you were, knocking up your poor wife.” Dean teased.

“I know, I couldn't help myself. I'm such a sick man.” Castiel said, not being serious in the least. He and Rachel exchanged glances, bursting out laughing a few minutes later. Dean smiled and rolled his eyes, happy that his friends were happy. Walking back into the living room he handed Grace the cup and the milk. She thanked him and began eating her Oreo's.

Back in the kitchen Rachel's eyes were drooping and she yawned as a sudden wave of weariness washed over her.

“You're tired so let's get you to bed.” Castiel murmured gently, slipping an arm around her. Giving him a grateful smile, they wished everyone goodnight and went upstairs to their room. Rachel changed out of her baggy sweat pants and shirt, slipping on a long nightgown and Castiel changed out of his regular clothes into a faded t-shirt and loose lounging pants. He was about to climb into bed but the surprised look on Rachel's face and her hands splayed on her swelling stomach stopped him. “Is everything alright?' he murmured, walking over to her.

“Oh, um, yes. I just felt a kick though, the first one. Do you want to feel Cas?” Rachel said. Castiel nodded. Rachel took his hand, placing it where hers had been. For a few seconds nothing happened, but the instant she felt another kick she was delighted to see her husband's face light up. “I felt it!” he whispered happily. She nodded, feeling a measure of warmth and tenderness as he crouched down in front of her and pressed the side of his face up against her belly, listening to their child's strong heartbeat. For a moment Rachel didn't breathe, knowing that what was taking place would be ingrained in her memory forever. Rachel couldn't help all of the emotions that were swirling through her, love, excitement, peaceful contentment and happiness, knowing that they were all intensified due to the pregnancy. For a moment they momentarily overwhelmed Rachel and her throat constricted with emotion as her eyes misted, unable to say anything.

Castiel stood up, compassion etched in the lines of his face as he noticed her tears, gently wiping them away with his fingers. “What's wrong honey? Why are you crying?” he murmured softly, wrapping her in his arms and holding her against him the next instant, keeping his embrace loose so as not to accidentally hurt her.

“I'm sorry, it's just my stupid pregnancy hormones. I hate crying.” Rachel mumbled, pressing her head against his chest, tasting the salty wetness of her tears as they poured down her face.

“I know you hate crying and I thought it might be the hormones. I'm sorry you have to go through all these things and I wish there was something more I could do to help.” He replied, kissing the top of her head.

“You're doing all you can now, and I appreciate it. I'll be fine Cas, it's just the moodiness that goes with pregnancy. I brought it upon myself you know, saying I'd have your child and all.” She said.

“Well have I thanked you and told you how much I love you today?” he asked. He heard her laugh and smiled.

“Only about a million times.” She murmured, happiness and amusement coloring her voice.

“Well then, let me make it a million and one.” He responded, telling her how much he loved her and how much she meant to him, thanking her for everything she had done and was doing. Leading her over to the bed he made sure she was comfortable before slipping underneath the covers beside her. Rachel was asleep in minutes. Castiel slipped an arm around her and quickly succumbed to sleep as well.

During the last few weeks of the third trimester the women were definitely more moody. Grace nearly bit Dean's head off one morning for eating the last piece of pie. Needless to say, Dean managed to not royally piss her off anymore, making a few trips into town to get the right pie and the right flavor. Poor Grace was utterly miserable, carrying triplets, and Ruby and Rachel felt just as Grace did. The last month of pregnancy was the hardest, on the women as well as the men. Everyone was just ready for the pregnancies to be over with. Luckily, they didn't have to wait very long.

The morning of the nine month marker all three of the women woke up with backaches. This wasn't unusual for any of them though, so they just wrote it off. Over the next few hours and into the late evening however, it got worse, and when Grace's, Ruby's, and Rachel's water broke in the space of five minutes, they knew it was time to go to the hospital. Thankfully they had the foresight to pack overnight bags, and within a matter of minutes they were all on their way.

After getting everyone checked in they were put in rooms, right next to each other. Once their doctors arrived and a nurse checked the dilation of their cervixes, they were given epidurals. The labor continued into the late hours of the night and even though it seemed like forever, the various medical staff told them that the labor and pain would be over before they knew it. In the predawn hours the hard labor started and it proved to be worse than all the previous hours of pain.

“Oh my God! Dean Winchester, once this is over I am going to kill you! This is all your fault! I hate you! Make the pain stop, for the love of God!” Grace shrieked, squeezing his hand so hard that he could have sworn he heard bones crack. He winced, hating the fact that his wife was in so much pain, listening as Dr. Masterson explained that it wasn't Grace talking but the pain. He knew it was true, Grace would never say anything to him like that on purpose, and the pain was clouding her head and making her say things she wouldn't. He closed his eyes for a few seconds as she screamed again.

“How much longer is this going to last? It's been almost two hours now.” Dean said, looking pleadingly at the doctor and praying Grace didn't snap his fingers in two or blow out his eardrums.

“Don't worry, she'll be pushing any minute now. It won't be long.” The doctor sympathetically reassured him.

Within a few minutes the time came. “Alright Grace, I want you to take a deep breath and push as hard as you can for as long as you can.” Dr. Masterson instructed. After a few minutes of pushing, screaming, cursing Dean's name, and squeezing the bones in his hand to the breaking point, one by one three loud cries were heard in the room. Immediately the anger and pain in Grace's face melded into an expression of tired happiness and she let go of Dean's hand.

While the nurses clamped and cut the cords and cleaned the blood and fluids off of the babies before wrapping them securely in blankets and handing them to the much relieved and very proud Grace and Dean Winchester.

“Congratulations.” Dr. Masterson murmured, all three babies are healthy. You have two boys and one girl.”

Grace held the boys in her arms, her eyes tearing up as she started to cry, marveling at their perfect faces and tiny fingers and toes, and noting how they had Dean's hair but her blue eyes.

For once Dean let the tears fall and didn't feel a single shred of embarrassment as he cradled his tiny, delicate daughter in his arms. She had his eyes and her mother's hair. Besides Grace, she was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on.

“So, what are we going to name them?” Dean murmured, momentarily tearing his eyes away from his newborn daughter to look at Grace, whose face was consumed in complete and utter happiness. “I'm not sure exactly, so how about this. You name our daughter and I'll name the boys. Fair enough?' she asked, smiling. Dean smiled back and they kissed until their daughter, squirming in her father's arms, let out an indignant howl, interrupting them.

“She has your voice.” Dean murmured, surprised when she stopped screaming and looked up at him curiously, her tiny hand reaching up towards his necklace. She had gotten it for him for his birthday a few months previous.

“I know, and apparently she has my taste too.” Grace said laughingly, smiling as Dean took off the necklace, murmuring that he had better not let her choke on it.

“So, what are we going to name the boys?” Dean asked. Grace thought hard for a few moments and her face lit up as she thought of an answer. Looking down at the boy in the crook of her right arm she said, “We'll name him John Mark Winchester.”

“You're naming him after my father.” Dean said, joy and surprise infused in his voice. Grace nodded happily and looked to the infant she held in her left arm. “We'll name his brother Micah James Winchester.”

“I like the names.” Dean said, looking over at his two sons in Grace's arms and feeling a measure of pride. Grace smiled and looked over from her sons to her daughter. “So, what will our daughter's name be?”

Dean looked down at his baby girl and thought for a moment. Then his face lit up and he smiled. “Our daughter's name will be Faith Isabelle Winchester. What do you think?”

Grace looked from her sons, to her daughter, to Dean, unable to keep the tears from rolling down her face as she smiled and whispered, “It's perfect.”

In the room next door Ruby was sweating from the intensity of the contractions, shouting a few curse words and clasping Sam's hand in an iron clad grip as she did so. Taking a breath in between the spurts of pain, she squeezed his hand harder, screaming again. Thankfully the horrible agonies of the final stages of labor were almost over. The doctor nodded to Ruby, telling her to push as hard as she could for as long as she could. After a few more trying minutes of shouting curses, shrieks of agony, and half a dozen pushes, their twin daughters were born. Once the cords were clamped and cut, the babies cleaned and wrapped in blankets, the two crying girls were handed to their relieved and happy parents.

A girl was each placed in the arms of Sam and Ruby and once they took a look at their beautiful baby girls, they both started crying, out of joy more than anything. “Oh Sam, they're beautiful.” Ruby said.

“I know, they're absolutely perfect.” He responded, his heart swelling with pride as he looked at his daughters.

“I'll name this one and you can name that one.” Ruby said smiling. Sam met her happy gaze and nodded. Taking time to think for a few moments they came up with the twins' names. Ruby, looking down at her daughter and noting she had Sam's hair and her eyes, murmured, “Her name will be Hope Elisabeth Winchester.” She looked over at Sam for reassurance and he gave her a blissfully happy smile. She smiled back, giving him an encouraging nod.

Sam looked down at the delicate, fragile, beautiful baby girl in his arms, noticing she had Ruby's hair and his eyes. “Her name will be Mary Elise Winchester.” His eyes met Ruby's and they both smiled, love, warmth, and tenderness in their shared gaze. They kissed, knowing that nothing in the world felt more right than what they had in that moment.

“Not much of a screamer is she?” the doctor murmured, looking curiously at Rachel, who was grimacing and had grabbed a hold of Castiel's hand. “You'd be surprised.” He replied, looking at his wife sympathetically. The pain had been horribly intense, but not matter how strong the contractions got, Rachel didn't scream. It wasn't because she couldn't, it was just after all of the pain that Anya had inflicted that Rachel's pain tolerance had shot through the roof. Even though labor and childbirth weren't painful enough to scream about, they were pretty close.

All of the nurses regarded her curiously as well, surprised that she hadn't screamed at all, murmuring that her pain tolerance must be high. She nodded, the only sound coming from her mouth a soft groan of pain. She reluctantly squeezed Castiel's hand harder.

“Alright Rachel, take a deep breath, gather up some energy, and push as hard as you can.” The doctor said. Taking a breath, Rachel looked over at Castiel, who gave her a heartwarming smile while his hand squeezed hers encouragingly. “We can do this. Are you ready?”

She bit her lip and nodded. Gathering up some strength, she pushed as hard as she could for as long as she could, her breath hissing out of her along with a groan of pain, a grimace on her face. Giving her a chance to catch her breath, the doctor instructed her to push again. Sucking in a breath only to release it as a sob, she pushed harder, longer, stopping for the second time. She sucked in a ragged breath, hearing the doctor murmur that she could see that baby's head and that Rachel just needed one more strong push and it would be over.

“Come on honey, one more push, just one more. You can do this.” Castiel murmured encouragingly. Squeezing his hand one final time, Rachel collected all of the stored energy she had left and pushed hard, a scream being torn from her throat.

A second later she felt something slip from her body and a disgruntled cry filled the room. Letting out a sigh of relief, weariness and unparalleled joy washing over her, Rachel's tense body went limp and she sank into the bed. Her dark eyes found Castiel's grey ones and when their gazes met they were filled with happiness, relief, and love. “I knew you could do it. I love you Rachel.” He said, cupping her face and giving her a short kiss.

“I must look awful.” She murmured, feeling grimy and sticky because she had sweated. Her husband just shook his head. “Right now, I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world.” Rachel kissed him again. A second later the doctor handed them their child, wrapped in a blue blanket. “Congratulations,” She said happily, “it's a boy.”

He had Rachel's hair but Castiel's eyes. For a moment they were breathless, marveling in amazement and wonder at his tiny hands and feet, feeling like they were the proudest, most blessed pair of parents on the planet. Rachel sniffed, her dark eyes filling with tears of joy. Castiel held her hand and his son in his other arm, his throat constricting with emotion.

“Oh Rachel,” he murmured, his voice threaded with love and tenderness, “he's so beautiful, just like you.” Tears slid down her face at his words and she held his hand tighter. Their son squirmed in his father's arms, looking up at Castiel with a mixture of curiosity and wonder, his grey eyes shimmering like his father's would.

“And you.” Rachel said, smiling as Cas carefully, gently, almost reverently placed their newborn son in her arms. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and lightly kissed her temple. “What are we going to name him?”

Rachel thought for a moment and smiled as she thought of a potential name. “What do you think of Jadon Luke Anderson?” Castiel's eyes lit up and he smiled. “I like it. Jadon means “thankful” in Hebrew, so it seems to fit us.”

Rachel nodded and looked down at her son. “I thought you might like it. I'm so thankful we got another chance at having a kid.”

“As am I. You'll be a wonderful mother, I'll be a good father, and with uncles and aunts like Grace, Ruby, Sam, Dean, and Bobby, I know that Jadon will be just fine. After all, love and family are the two most important things.” Castiel said, smiling down at his son as he lay in his mother's arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of love, hope, and belonging.

He met Rachel's gaze, seeing the tremendous, vast, immeasurable amount of love that he felt for her in his heart reflected back in her own dark eyes. She laid her head on his shoulder, leaning into him, and he smiled, kissing her forehead, lightly brushing his son's rosy cheek with his thumb, wrapping his arms around Rachel and interlacing his fingers with hers as she held Jadon in her arms.

Rachel looked from the man she loved more than life itself to the perfect, beautiful, innocent face of her son, kissing her husband's cheek before pressing her lips lightly to her newborn son's forehead, thankful for everything she'd been given, unable to imagine how her life could become any more perfect.