A Little Big Surprise

Chapter 8 ~Part Two~

The car ride began as it usually did, the Impala being filled with whatever playlist Aria chose. Today it seemed she was fascinated with old Disney songs, and Dean couldn't help but sing along with her to her favorite Once Upon A December , but if you asked him why he would just say it was because he heard it so many times. In truth all three of them quite enjoyed hearing her little voice peal out the words and enjoyed the way she closed her eyes and pretended she was inside of the movie. But as they rode on Aria grew sleepier, and with a happy meal in her lap and the fading tune of Baby Mine playing softly she fell to sleep.

"Is she out?" Dean asked quietly, eyeing Castiel through the rear view mirror.

Seeing him nod he took that as a sign that they could now speak properly about the case they were on, since none of them liked to talk business in front of Aria if they could help it. Sam began, pulling out a map they had picked up a little ways behind,

"It seems they are in Boulder Colorado, and we've been driving for about three hours, so it should take us another four to get there if we include bathroom breaks." He said as he set the map down again.

Dean nodded, "Good. We'll set up shop at a motel and then we go investigate. Cas, you can stay with the baby."

At what he said all three of them froze simultaneously before trading shocked looks. Eager to cover up for himself Dean began to stutter and trip over his words

"I...ah...I mean, you'll stay with Aria." he cleared his throat and turned his face toward the window for half a second before focusing back on the road.

Still what he said clung to the air inside the Impala like smog, and Castiel spoke up in his usual somber voice, "You know, we should discuss this. She has been with us for a month, and she only ever calls us by our names, or rather a shortened version. It's comforting for us all, but I can tell she is missing something."

Sam turned to speak with Castiel but Dean cut in rather rudely and shook his head, "No, this is not happening. Things are fine how they are, end of discussion."

Both Castiel and Sam were now staring at him, and Sam finally began to say his piece, "I've been doing research-"

"Oh goodie."

"Shut up, I found out that little's crave stability and bonding. We have given her as much stability as we can, but we haven't really allowed the bond to form fully. Especially if she is calling us by our actual names."

Castiel nodded in agreement as Dean snorted and moved his arms in an agitated way. This whole conversation made him uncomfortable. Taking care of her, sure. But he wasn't sure if he was fully ready to immerse himself into this lifestyle especially if she wasn't going to be here in the long run. They all agreed, once she returned to her big self, they would explain everything to her and help her get her ducks in a row. After that, it was goodbye. They had done more than enough for her.

The silence was deafening until Aria gave a little whine in her sleep and turned her head before settling down again. Running a hand through her hair Castiel spoke again,

"She can call me Daddy if she needs to. If it makes her feel safer and more...here...then I don't mind."

He settled Dean with a patient and resolved look from the rear view mirror and Sam soon joined in,

"Same for me. Though we'll have to differentiate between us."

*****

One thing that they had all quickly realized about traveling long distances with Aria is that if she was kept cooped up for too long she would begin to get crabby. And not her average crabby which meant lots of pouting, but the type of crabby that mean she would scream until they stopped for ice cream or would kick the back of Dean's seat if he didn't 'Pway Awistacats now!!' When this happened they stopped the car and all four of them would get out, no matter where they were and play a game to calm her down until the next crabby fit. It took two fits this time before they finally got to the motel in Boulder, Aria feeling satiated after Sam had agreed to let her watch The Prince Of Egypt on his phone.

"Alright kiddo! Time to hit the covers for TV time. Sammy and I are going to go work." Dean said as they set all the bags down inside.

Aria frowned and looked down at her feet as Castiel laid down her favorite blanket and helped her take off her shoes, "Stay hewe," she mumbled kicking her legs a bit "Cuddle."

All three of them looked at each other before Sam kneeled down in front of Aria and took her little hands in his very large ones. What he had said earlier was not a lie, and he was willing to do and be whatever she needed. He knew Castiel felt the same, but Dean would need to be led in by example.

"Aria." Sam began, "You're going to be staying here with Daddy Cas. Dean and I are going to be out for only a little bit."

At the sound of 'Daddy Cas' Aria stiffened for half a second before looking up to Castiel for confirmation on this name, and once receiving a nod, she gave Sam a nod in return. Something changed as she was allowed to call Castiel daddy. Her posture relaxed and she reached back to take one of his hands before patting Sam's face with her other. Even her eyes seemed brighter as she spoke.

"Baba's gonna be back wit...Papa?" she asked tilting her head to the side.

Sam smiled at the name she gave him and nodded, touching her cheek and standing up again as Dean cut in rather quickly, "Not Papa. Dean."

Almost instantly her eyes clouded over again and she nodded, removing her hands from Castiel's and playing with her fingers nervously. Seeing the mood shift Sam gave Dean an exasperated look while Castiel gave him a blank stare before turning on the TV for Aria. Saying their goodbyes the two brothers left the motel room and headed for the Impala again.

"That was awful." Sam muttered after they were seated comfortably.

"I know." Dean replied as he started up the car, Once Upon A December starting back up again.