(Picture of outfit and cuddling in bed above along with a cute pic of Dean and Amélie).

Chapter Nine, Home for Christmas

After a very long drive back home, the three Winchesters were back in New Orleans. As Dean was pulling up outside of his house he spotted Bobby and Cassie talking to Charles and Claudette.
"Baby we're home and there's some people waiting to see you." Dean said, gently waking up his daughter. Groggily Amélie moaned a little, rubbing her eyes and yawning, but as she looked out the windscreen she let out an excited squeal as her eyes became a bright indigo and things started floating around in the car.
"Calm down baby." Dean laughed, getting out of the car and waving to those on his doorstep as he went to get his daughter out of the car.

"Auntie Cassie! Gwandpa Bobby! Nana and Gwandpa!" Amélie shouted excitedly, running over to them with Coco in her hands, her blonde hair floating around her along with small pebbles along the path.
"Is that my little Amie?" Cassie gasped in exaggerated shock, which just made Amélie giggle as she flew into Cassie and wrapped her arms tightly around Cassie's legs.
"I missed you." Amélie said sadly.
"I missed you too sweetie. I'm sorry I haven't seen you, I've been helping my Dad." Cassie apologised.
"It's otay." Amélie beamed at her, before she went to hug Bobby who picked her up and put her on his hip.

"Hello pumpkin, have you been a good girl for your Daddy?" Bobby asked, kissing her cheek.
"Yes Gwandpa Bobby." Amélie beamed at him.
"That's my girl." Bobby praised.
"Is that my Princess?" Charles asked. "No. It can't be."
"Silly Gwandpa! It is!" Amélie admonished, her hand holding Coco placed on her hip. Reminding Charles and Claudette of her mother, Simone, at that age as they all laughed.
"He is silly isn't it?" Claudette agreed, causing Charles to gasp in mock hurt as Amélie giggled now cuddling with her Nana after finishing cuddling with Bobby.
"No one loves me!" Charles bemoaned dramatically.

"No! I love you Gwandpa!" Amélie shouted, reaching for Charles who happily took her into his arms and kissed her all over her face. "I know silly Grandpa. How is my little sunshine?" He asked.
"Otay." Amélie said with a happy smile, as she rested her head on his shoulder, the bright indigo disappearing from her eyes as she calmed down - and so did her magic.
"Let's head inside, shall we?" Dean asked, laughing at the pair.

***

After they had put their things away, Dean set up the large plastic Christmas tree he had stored in the attic and they spent the rest of the day decorating the apartment just like they had done every year.
"NO!" Dean shouted, when he saw Sam picking up the star. "You don't get to touch this. That is Simone's and only Amélie can put the star on top of the tree." Dean scowled at his brother and gently took the star from him and handed it to his daughter who had looked crushed when Sam went to put it on the tree. "Ready to put it on the tree, baby?" Dean asked, smiling as Amélie beamed and jumped up and down in place excitedly while clapping her hands.
"Yes Daddy." Amélie said happily, smiling as he handed her the star and picked her up. Lifting her up so she could place the golden star on top of the tree.

"Don't even say it Sam." Bobby reprimanded firmly, from where he was hanging stockings on the fireplace, just knowing Sam was opening his mouth to argue about the star.
Once all the apartment had been decorated and all the boxes and packaging had been put away back in the attic, ready for January when it all had to be put away, Cassie helped Claudette makes some hot chocolates with whipped cream and marshmallows for everyone, and they settled down to watch some Christmas movies together. All of them felt at peace, although Dean couldn't stop thinking about what Amélie had asked for Christmas and held his daughter closer to him from where she sat on his lap.

Once Amélie was in bed fast asleep later that night, Bobby called Dean out on what had been bothering him all day, despite trying to hide it from his daughter who was unusually perceptive on how her Daddy was feeling.
"You're not still thinking about what Amélie asked Santa at the zoo are you?" Sam asked.
"How can I not Sam!?" Dean snapped annoyed, running a hand through his hair and down his face.
"What did she ask for?" Cassie asked.
"She asked for... she asked for her Mummy back." Dean said tearfully, a few tears falling down his cheeks, stopping everyone in their tracks. "She said that she wants me to be happy. Am I doing something wrong, to make her feel that way? That I'm not happy!" He asked, his eyes begging for answers from Bobby, Charles and Claudette. While they and Cassie all blinked back their own tears.

"No Dean." Claudette said, her voice breaking a little before she cleared her throat and tried again. "No. Children at Amélie's age will start to notice certain things now. She'll have noticed at the zoo or anywhere really, that children will generally have both of their parents and wonder about Simone despite you telling Amélie stories about her mother. It's nothing you've done I promise. That little girl thinks the world of you Dean. You're not only her Daddy who she loves so much, you're her hero, someone who she looks up to. When we call her you're all she talks about." Claudette assured, resting her hand over Dean's gently.
"When I call her too it's always about her Daddy. What you did that day, either if it was saving people, or just playing with her and making her laugh." Cassie told him.

"Same here. After she'd ask how I was and how Rufus was. When I ask her what she's been doing it all revolves around you. She even said when the 'bad things' took her she knew her Daddy would save her because he is a hero. She was scared obviously, but it was you Dean. You're the reason why she doesn't have nightmares anymore. It's because she feels safe with her Daddy." Bobby told him, getting a small smile from Dean as he knew Dean still beat himself up over the Wendigo and Peter Sweeny.

***

Christmas Eve had arrived. Dean and Amélie were dressed in matching pyjamas as they got things ready for Santa's arrival. Dean was wearing red tartan pyjama bottoms with a white top with black sleeves, a red bear on the front and just above it it said, 'Papa bear.' Amélie had a matching pair but it said, 'Little bear' and had the bear on top of the writing instead of beneath it.
"Let's get this magic glitter outside, Princess, so the reindeer's know where to land." Dean said, picking up the tube of glitter and a small packet of oats, slipping both into his coat pocket so he can help his daughter get her coat and shoes on. Despite them only going to be out there for a few minutes, it was freezing out and he didn't want her to get sick.

"Otay Daddy." Amélie said excitedly.
"Remember baby we have to put them on different sides of the path as we don't want the reindeers or any birds to get sick by eating glitter." Dean reminded, as he zipped up her coat. Once the glitter and oats had been poured on either sides of the path, Dean and Amélie headed inside to finish getting things ready so Amélie can go to bed, while Sam just watched. Bobby and was staying at Charles and Claudette's house while Cassie had gone home a few weeks ago; having stayed two days at Claudette's, and had now gone home to her parents for Christmas.
"Now, what else do we need to do, baby?" Dean asked.
"Say bye to Mr Sprinkles the Elf. Milk and a pie for Santa, Daddy." Amélie said.

"Well done, sweetheart." Dean praised, kissing her forehead. "Now, before we do that Daddy needs to talk to you, baby." Dean added, getting on his knees so he was eye level with her. "I know you have been a very good girl this year, Amie, but Santa might not be able to bring Mummy back no matter how much we both want her. I wish you could've met your Mummy, baby, she loved you so much. Just like Daddy does. But I don't want you to be sad because Daddy loves you so, so much. And Daddy will always be here."
"I love you too Daddy. But Daddy's sad." Amélie said sadly, tears filling her eyes.

"No, I'm not sad, baby. I have my little ball of sunshine in you, who always makes me happy." Dean assured her.
"Everyone at nursery has a Mummy and Billy is mean, Daddy. He laughs at me, as I don't have a Mummy." Amélie revealed, crying. As she finally revealed the root of the problem that made anger burn fiery hot inside Dean.
"Shh it's okay baby." Dean soothed, pulling his daughter into his arms, running a hand through her hair while she cried into his chest.

Dean hummed the song he always sings to her to get her off to sleep, it's always worked like a charm, especially when she was a baby or when she had a nightmare or calms her down when she's upset. It was a song that Simone used to sing while she was pregnant and Dean had made sure to learn it so he could sing it too, and in this moment he was so glad he had.  Sam looked at his brother in shock. He didn't know he could sing, what else didn't he know about his brother and niece?
"It's okay Princess calm down. Daddy's got you, you're safe." Dean said softly, pausing his singing for a moment as the room was almost vibrating with her magic and emotions, he dried her eyes and sat on the floor and held her close. Kissing her blonde hair he continued.

"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine

Little one, when you play
Pay no heed what they say
Let your eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew all about you
They'd end up loving you, too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for the right to hold you
From your head down to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But, you're so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine."

As soon as Dean had stopped singing Amélie had stopped crying and the living room had returned to normal as she was almost asleep in his arms but was fighting it as they still had to get things ready for Santa.
"Don't worry baby that boy will get coal from Santa and Daddy will speak to your teachers after the Holidays." Dean assured, kissing his daughter again while keeping his anger at bay.
"Love you Daddy." Amélie said, snuggling tiredly into Dean.
"Love you too, Princess. How about we finish setting up and get you to bed. It's getting late and we don't want to miss Santa." Dean said, tickling her causing Amélie to laugh.
"No Daddy!" Amélie shouted in laughter. "Can I sleep with you Daddy?" She asked, once they'd calmed down from their tickle fight.

"Amélie I don't think -" Sam started, but Dean cut him off.
"Of course Princess. We do every Christmas don't we? Come on, let's say bye to your Elf." Dean said, getting to his feet and picking Amélie up so she could see her Elf that sat on the fireplaces' shelf.
"Bye Mr Sprinkles." Amélie said, waving to the Elf. She squirmed to get down and ran into the kitchen with Dean right behind her as they got the plate ready with a mince pie for Santa, an apple for the reindeer's on the special plate that Amélie carefully carried while deliberately walking slowly to the living room making Dean laugh as he carried a glass of milk.
"All done." Amélie said happily, grabbing Coco off of the sofa once the plate was on the coffee table.

"Good girl Princess." Dean praised, setting the glass next to the plate. "Say goodnight to Sammy then go grab a book from your room and get into Daddy's bed and I'll meet you there." Dean said, smiling at her as she's already had a bath and done her teeth.
"Night Sammy." Amélie said shyly, before she skipped off to her room chattering away to Coco.
"Dean, do you really think she should sleep with you? I know she does in motels but that's different and she has her own bed here." Sam argued.
"Don't tell me how to raise my daughter, Sam!" Dean snapped quietly. "It's a tradition we do every Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. All the things we've done tonight you could've joined in and helped but you chose not to. So don't come moaning to anyone that she still hasn't warmed up to you when you make no effort to be involved." Dean glared at his brother once more, before heading to his bedroom to get his daughter off to sleep. 

***

Christmas morning Amélie woke Dean up by bouncing on the bed excitedly.
"Daddy wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Santa's been!" Amélie shouted excitedly. Dean groaned in half exaggeration making Amélie giggle.
"Come here my litter bear." Dean said, grabbing Amélie down on to the bed and tickling her. "Are you sure you want to get up? It's only six and normally my little Princess doesn't get up so early." Dean said, as he tickled her.
"But Daddy, it's Christmas." Amélie said in between her laughs.
"That is very true. Happy Christmas, Amie." Dean said, kissing her forehead.
"Happy Christmas Daddy." Amélie said, wrapping her arms around his neck in a big hug and kissed his cheek.

"How about we go have some breakfast and open our presents. We don't have to wait for Uncle Sammy and later we'll be going to Nana and Grandpa's house to have Christmas dinner with them and Grandpa Bobby. Uncle Sammy is also invited." Dean explained, smiling when Amélie cheered loudly and quickly clambered off the bed only for the door to fling open suddenly startling both Dean and Amélie. Amélie screamed and ran back to the bed, unintentionally flinging the assailant out of the room with her magic, while Dean reached for the baseball bat by the side of his bed.

He didn't keep guns lying around his house with his three year old daughter around. That was just asking for trouble. And he'd never ever put her life at risk in such a way. It was something he and Sam had argued about, continuously for a few days, the first time he'd stayed here. Only stopping when Dean threatened to kick Sam out on his arse if he didn't accept how he lived and how he raised his daughter.
"What the hell?" Sam's voice shouted from the hallway.
"What the hell Sam!? Why would you barge into my room like that?" Dean snapped, picking up Amélie and holding her on his hip, as always making sure she had Coco.

"I was coming to ask you to keep it down as it's six in the morning." Sam complained.
"Well Happy Christmas to you too." Dean said sarcastically. "It's Christmas Day. Amélie always gets up at this time, she's excited so no I won't tell her to keep it down. Come on, Princess, let's go see what Santa brought." Dean said, walking past his brother and into the living room. Smiling at Amélie as she gasped in wonder at the presents beneath the tree.
"Wow. Look Daddy! Santa got you a present from me!" Amélie said, her voice full of wonder which couldn't help bring a smile to Dean's face.
"So he did. Thank you sweetheart." Dean said, kissing her forehead. "Let's go have some coco pops." He added, leaving the living room for the kitchen where poured them both a bowl of coco pops, Amélie a cup of milk and a coffee for himself.

"Sammy! You want a coffee!?" Dean shouted.
"NO! It's too early! Don't come and wake me up until at least nine!" Sam ordered.
"Grinch." Amélie said, making Dean burst out laughing and Sam to scowl and stomp off to the spare room he was using, not even wishing them a Happy Christmas. Dean laughed so hard at his daughter's comeback, that he had tears in his eyes; he was just thankful he hadn't taken a sip of coffee at that moment. Dean wondered for a second if he should let Amélie watch The Grinch so much, but then disregarded it as it was one of their favourite films to watch and not just at Christmas.
"Here you are, baby." Dean said, placing her breakfast in front of her and sitting beside her.

"Tank you Daddy." Amélie said, beaming at him and resting her head on his shoulder for a moment before they both tucked in.
Once they had both finished their breakfasts, they headed back into the living room and sat on the floor facing the pile of presents. They took it in turns to open their presents, Amélie not wanting her Daddy to feel left out, which made Dean's heart melt. He couldn't believe how kind and considerate his baby girl was and he was so proud. He hoped that Bobby, Charles and Claudette liked the presents that he and Amélie got for them. For Bobby; they got him a glass ornament that said, 'World's Best Grandad. Thank you Grandad, for all that you do, you're so kind and funny, and we love you too! Love Dean and Amélie xxx'

For Charles and Claudette; they got them a cushion each with photos of Dean and Simone when they first got together, a few when they got engaged and expecting Amélie but most of them had Amélie in them from the last three years either with Dean, Claudette or Charles. And in between the pictures was a little message. On Charles's cushion it said, 'Grandad Hugs and kisses.' With little blue and green hearts surrounding it. On Claudette's cushion it had the same pictures as her husbands and it said inside a big red heart , 'Nana I love you, love Amélie xx'. Dean was sure they would like it, well he hoped they would.

When he got to his present or rather presents he was stumped. It seemed Charles and Claudette had the same idea he had, as he had a cushion with pictures of him and Simone throughout the course of the four years they were together including pictures of a tiny Amélie, which said little girl didn't understand how that was her which made Dean laugh and kiss her head. But from Amélie (brought by either of her grandparents) was a new brown leather wallet with a pressed picture of him and Amélie on the front and him and Simone on the back, now he'd always have both girls with him. And just like Bobby's present from them, he had gotten a glass ornament from his daughter. It was a picture of them inside a heart smiling happily with the words 'Dad' engraved at the bottom.
"Thank you sweetheart. I love them." Dean said happily, carefully placing both in the middle of the coffee table for the moment.

"You're welcome Daddy." Amélie said happily, kissing his cheek and hugging him tightly.
"Let's open more of your presents now, baby. You've got an interactive puppy from Rufus and a picnic basket set from Sammy. We'll have to phone Rufus and say thank you and wish him a Happy Christmas." Dean told her firmly, not negotiating on this but he knew she wouldn't argue anyway.
"Otay Daddy. I love Unca Wufus." Amélie reminded her silly Daddy.
"I know you do, baby. Silly Daddy." Dean said, kissing her forehead.

From Charles and Claudette; they had gotten Amélie a blue and red kids trampoline and a Frozen my first scooter with matching helmet, knee and elbow pads which she loved and was so excited.
From Cassie and her parents; they had gotten Amélie a box of hair bows, hair clips and hair bands, and they had also gotten her a pretend makeup set.
From Bobby; he had gotten her a pink V-Tech camera and a unicorn cuddly toy. Amélie gave it a big squeeze and set it next to Coco on the sofa where they could watch them and immediately took a picture of her Daddy and then her two cuddly toys on the sofa. As she went to open the big present from her Daddy, Dean stopped her.

"Hold on baby. We need to take a picture together." Dean said, picking up the camera. "Say cheese."
"Cheese." Amélie exclaimed, grinning widely as she hugged her Daddy. Chuckling Dean set the camera down and pulled the present back over to his daughter so she could open it.
"Tank you Daddy. Tank you." Amélie hollered happily. Inside the wrapping paper from Dean was a pink jumper which on the back said 'Princess Amélie' in white with a crown above it, a big book on the Disney Princesses and a personalised Princess book that proclaimed Amélie as the Princess in the story.
"You're welcome pumpkin. Do you want Daddy to read it?" Dean asked, picking up the personalised story.

"Yes pwease Daddy." Amélie said, grabbing her cuddly toys off of the sofa as she snuggled into Dean settling in for the story. "Love you Daddy. Happy Christmas."
"I love you too Amélie, so much and Merry Christmas, baby." Dean said, as he opened the book.