Missed You

She'd been home for less than... You know, it didn't matter. This wasn't even really home It wasn't even where she'd been born, though it was where she had been conceived. That didn't make it home. Home was where her dad was, where Dean was. For more or less all of her life until the past year, home had been the city called Hub.

Now she was expected to forget her home and come back here like this was where she was supposed to be. But it wasn’t, was it? Sera tried to make her original universe her home, to fit in and make it work. For her dad. For Dean. But she just couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t where she was really supposed to be.

Thinking about it, Sera sort of wondered if her dad knew something. He was always understanding, but lately, he’d been...

Sometimes when things clicked for Sera it was nearly prophetic. This happened to be one of those times. She could almost see how it had happened, how it would happen, how all of the puzzle pieces fit together she had to go back. Not just back to the city she knew and loved, but back to just before her own birth.

Making the decision took less than a moment; history needed to be preserved. The world here hadn't known of her birth, and that would be dangerous to change. Besides, given a choice, Sera would rather grow up with her dad than parent-less. Not to mention that she could remember herself being there as a child.

There was no noise, nothing to give away the fact that a Nephilim had reappeared in Hub. Nothing to draw the attention of the angel just ahead of her. "You are the angel Castiel." It wasn't a question, it was a statement spoken with the easy confidence of someone who knew they were right. It was also followed immediately by a heartfelt hug, "I've missed you."

@alex

The Cas of the future had been uncertain of his decision right up until the end. If Sera was alone, how could he guarantee that she would do what she was supposed to- go back and guarantee her past? But he trusted his daughter- and as distinctly aware of her as he was- he knew the instant she left their time. He wasn't surprised that she had caught on- she had always been incredibly smart.

Of course the Cas of now was quietly reading a book when he was addressed. When he did glance up, the certainty in her voice made him uncomfortably aware that she had not missed her mark. A nephilim who had sought him out in particular- he was quite certain that he hasn't done anything good to draw her attention.

He wondered idly if she was here to kill him for what he did to Jane. It seemed the most plausible explanation- right until she hugged him. For a moment he bristled, thinking it was some sort of attack, but this young woman seemed quite affectionate, which he doubted she would be were she there to kill him.

Patting her on the back awkwardly, Cas waited for her to offer more information for a moment. She- missed him? With a furrow of his brow, he carefully pried her away.

"I'm sorry- but do I know you?" He offered, even as his mind connected to her being and he was intimately aware of how he knew her.

He knew Nephilim could conceal their nature's, and in doing so block the connection that their angelic parent had- but this one was not doing that. Even if all he had to go on was the quick feel of her grace- he would still be able to recognize this woman he had never met. His brows furrowed further as he spoke.

"You are my daughter." His voice filled with the same confidence that hers had been just a moment prior, albeit mixed with a kind of confused awe. "How? Who is your mother?"

@eve

Sera was set on making sure everything happened right; that things fell into place the way they were supposed to. It might not be the neatest way to put the puzzle together, but she wasn’t going to let it fall apart. She wanted to grow up with her dad, she wanted to have her family, and she wanted so much to be home again.

Finding her father in time was easier than most people would ever believe. They were connected, their grace was connected, threaded together if only loosely, and so, following that connection, Serafina was able to track her father, in space as well as in time. Her dad had taught her how to use and control her powers as best as he could; nephilim were different than angels, but he had done a superb job thus far, and Sera was in control. Most of the time.

Appearing not far from her father, Sera grinned when she saw him, moving directly to him without hesitation or concern. Castiel was her father, she loved him, he loved her, and that knowledge was secure in her mind, as much a part of her as her grace was. She felt him tense, ready for an attack, she felt him bristle when she first hugged him, felt the awkwardness in the embrace, and that was, perhaps, the primary reason she let him go.

Did he know her? Sera blinked, she had been certain that Castiel would recognize her, even if he had never met her before. “Yes, I’m…” She smiled as he spoke again, brightening at his surety. “I am. How? Well, when a man and woman love each other very much…” She paused to giggle, eyes alight with mischief and gladness, that faded slightly as she spoke again, the sadness of loss stealing just a touch of her happiness away, “Your wife.”

@alex

When Castiel had asked how a child of his stood before him- he couldn't explain what he had been expecting. Speaking truthfully, he thought perhaps that this child who greeted him formally before hugging him might understand his single word query. That she'd reply in a similar manner to how he himself might field such a question

But what she responded was all Dean. The giggle, the mischief, the dry tone- it painted a picture of the 'how' regardless. This young woman had to be from either the future, or an alternate earth where time was further forward. Because there was no Winchester DNA in her- yet that amount of Sam and Dean's humour could not be coincidental. She had clearly spent time with them- and Cas did not believe that either of them would keep it from him. Or perhaps he was making a mountain out of a molehill. He had heard that nephilim shared existences with their parents during gestation. Perhaps this woman knew the Winchesters through him.

But she spoke again, and this time he did see his self reflected in her. A straightforward answer that fulfilled more than one question and spoke of pain that she had carefully tucked away. It was a pain he understood. With a sigh he spoke to share his understanding. "Daphne." He said, voice still torn about that woman despite the time that had passed for him.

"When were you born? Or when will you be born?" He asked quietly, trying to distract himself from thoughts of the life he almost had.

@eve

To say that Sera had spent some time with the Winchester brothers would be a giant understatement. She loved them both dearly; they were her family along with her father. If Dean had influenced her personality amongst other things, then that was a testament to just how important the Winchester was to Sera and Castiel. She had grown up with the man, as much a parent as not, teaching her… so much. About everything. Hunting, peopling, music, food, clothes and technology… She had learned a lot from Dean Winchester. Castiel had taught her about her heritage, her powers, history and theology. She had a lot in common with her father, and a lot in common with the Winchesters.

Her sense of humor ranged from the dry wit that her father possessed to the snark and bite of the older Winchester brother. Here, Castiel was treated to a dose of that humor, but when it came to really answering his question, she did so with the quiet straightforwardness of her father. Nodding at his statement, she confirmed his not-guess as to who her mother had been. “I’m Serafina Allen.” The words were less an introduction of herself and more a vocal confirmation of what Castiel obviously already knew.

“Will.” She shrugged, “August 28, 2012.” She gave Castiel a shy smile, “I was born here, in Hub.” She looked at him, eyes filled with the trust of a daughter for her father, “With you.”

@alex

The word Serafina rolled off of Castiel's lips in a reverent whisper. With picture perfect clarity, he could remember sitting down with Daphne, looking over baby names. She had loved that name. He had thought it somehow incredibly suited- as he didn't understand what he was at the time. Daphne had snuggled into his arms and told him that the reason the name seemed so perfect, was because any daughter of theirs would be their little angel.

They had never really worried about boy's names. He already had strong feelings about that one, and Daphne had accepted that without question. In the silent wonderful way she had accepted so many things about him. As a girl she was Serafina Gabrielle most likely, Dean Samuel would have been her name had she been born a boy. Samuel had the same religious overtones that the names Daphne preferred had, and the name Dean meant something to Emmanuel that he hadn't understood until he was once again Castiel.

He supposed that he should be grateful that Daphne hadn't given birth to a son, it would have been incredibly uncomfortable for Castiel to date the man his son was named for.

When she answered his assumption with a confirmation- then elaborated her birth place, it made perfect sense to him. Nephilim births always attracted attention- as did their conception though he assumed that had gone under notice since his angelic nature had been hidden. Being born in the hub would protect his daughter from any who wished to hurt him through her.

Castiel was planning before he heard the final two words, and he stopped dead in his tracks. It fit with his expectations of how the event must come to pass, but it wasn't surprise for that that stopped him. It was the raw affection in her voice that struck a chord with him and really finally drove this truth home. She was his child, and she loved her father.

He stepped forward and pulled her tightly into a hug, wings wrapping around them both as he tucked her head under his chin. He may not know her yet, but he would in time, and he would be the father she deserved. This beautiful young woman, who had no mother because of him, likely had no permanent home because of him, who had to leave her own time because of him- he would learn to be a father for her.

Stepping back, he left his hands gripping her arms as he smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you Serafina Gabrielle Allen. I am so glad I get the chance to." He rumbled quietly, giving himself a moment just to appreciate the beauty that was his daughter. This incredible woman who, regardless of what she was, was strong enough to go back in time and guarantee her past, stood tall and proud, and could smile despite pain. It was hard for Cas to believe anything he did was so worth It- but as ridiculous as it may sound, his decisions seemed far more worthwhile knowing that this young woman came to be because of them.

@eve

Dipping her head at the echo of her name from her father’s lips, Sera gave Castiel the time, all the time he needed to consider, reflect, and mourn the information she had dropped on him, the woman he had known and loved. She hadn’t completely expected this reaction, she hadn’t considered that for Castiel these events were so much nearer to the present than they were for her; it was still a deep sadness, still a sharp point of pain, but Sera and the Castiel she knew now had had time to grieve Daphne Allen. This version of her father, she realized now, had not.

Serafina stood quietly as she gave the angel time to grieve his wife, to come to terms with what she had thrust upon him, and she used that time to take in the city around them. Hub had been her home for the vast majority of her life, she knew this place, loved it, and felt a burden lifted from her chest to have returned. Yes, she knew she would eventually want to return to her family in her home universe, but… She also knew she could return here. She had the ability to flit between both places and times, she could be a part of both places, both times.

Being born in Hub had afforded Sera the time and comfort to grow up, not hunted, not hated. It had allowed her birth to be less devastating than it would have been in her home universe; Hub repaired itself, the echoes of people returned. The sudden event, the surge of power, would be noticed, of course, but how many angels were there in Hub to be drawn to the birth of a nephilim? How many of those would come to murder a babe in her father’s arms, nephilim or not? It was the best place for her to be born for everyone, angel, human, herself.

The hug wasn’t exactly expected, but it was welcomed with the same warmth and love that had colored her words. She hugged him back as fiercely as any daughter hugged a beloved parent, her own wings reaching to envelope him. Neither the hug nor the way he grasped her arms after seemed to bother her, nor did it seem unfamiliar; he was her father, he might not know her, but she knew him well. “Well, I hope that it’s more than just the chance, dad.” The familiar name slipped from her lips before she had the chance to think better of it, and she blinked, watching him to see if it was too much, too soon, her voice softer as she murmured, “Sorry.” And then a small smile appeared on her face as she told him, “Love you.”

@alex

It sometimes surprised people how much emotion Castiel did actually possess- he had always wanted what was best for everyone. It was harder at times to express that. At the beginning it was simply difficult to break free of his role as a warrior angel. When he finally achieved that hurdle, it was to find himself thrust into a position of trust where his kin needed him to be strong, an altogether new obstacle.

In the time he had that power, he didn't truly understand how to be the person he was and the figure that he was required to be. But that came to an end, he failed them. Then he learned to express his emotions as an angel who thought they were human.Then as he sought redemption. Again and again his life was changed so drastically that it seemed the knowledge he had acquired was almost useless when it came to the next phase in his life.

Becoming a father was certainly a very new phase. He could only hope that he would be up to the task, able to amalgamate relevant knowledge and do right by Daphne and Seraphina. Because that was one of the many emotions he did have- he loved Daphne. Not in the exact same way as he loved Dean- Cas had never loved anyone as strongly as he loved Dean- but he had still loved Daphne fully and honestly.

He was confident he would love their daughter just as much. Even if she was foreign to him for now. It made him smile softly to feel her wings extend from underneath his and add to the cocoon.

He was momentarily put off when she called him by his- well. His title he supposed. But he wasn't offended. He shook his head at her apology. "Its alright. I am, after all, your 'dad'." He offered quietly before shuffling awkwardly on the spot and trying to word his follow up statement carefully. "I am quite certain that I love you as well. I just haven't had the time yet to know that." He mumbled slightly, feeling rather out of his depth.

Clearing his throat he straightened up. "But this is a conversation we can continue later. I need to make sure the you of this time is born in hub-" He paused. "Would you like to come with me- and meet your mother?"

@eve

Everyone possessed emotions, even angels. Humans did seem to have more freedom of expression when it came to their emotions, but everyone possessed them, even if they didn’t want to acknowledge it.

Serafina had been raised precisely how she had been meant to; an angelic father to teach her about her heavenly heritage and powers, and a human father to teach her about her humanity and soul. In the end, she had grown up rather balanced, or at least she thought so. Granted, most of the family she knew were human, but angels weren’t, she knew, going to be overly pleased with her existing, let alone as a relative. She knew what they would think of her, leaving her with her human family, her angelic father and a yearning for more.

Castiel was an amazing father. He always had been a wonderful parent, had always been there for her, loved her, taught her what she needed to know, and protected her from what she needed protecting from. He let her grow, allowed her to decide who she wanted to be, taught her what she needed to know. Sera adored her father, adored both of them. She didn’t catch the slip until she’d already made it, and she winced, knowing it was too much, too soon. Shaking her head at Castiel’s words, she smiled at him, “You are, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to hear it like that, right? You don’t know me, for all that I know you, and you deserve the time to make your own decisions, just like you gave me the time to make mine.” She shrugged, “So don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time.”

A conversation to continue later. Yeah, they’d had lots of those as she was growing up, too. Things that weren’t appropriate in public, sure, but also things that Castiel wasn’t ready to talk about. So Sera nodded, “Sure, later is good,” she agreed easily, unworried.

Did…. Did she want to meet her mother? Serafina blinked, a moment of uncertainty nearly overwhelming her. Yes, she would very much like to meet her mother, but at the same time, she was terrified to do so. What if Daphne Allen disapproved of her? What if, worse, she hated her for killing her?? Sera blinked again, looking at her father with mixed emotions, with fear in her eyes at the prospect of her mother hating her, “I’m… I’m not sure I should.” That she was looking for guidance was clear, as was the fact that she would trust whatever he had to say.

@alex

Cas wished he could reassure his daughter. Wished he knew the words he needed to explain to her that the Winchesters were more his family than the angels had ever been. They had been his garrison. His brothers and sisters in arms. The moment he had turned against their cause, they had turned their backs on him.

He didn't blame them, but it didn't change the fact that even if they could get past what Sera was, they were likely to hate her for who her father was. Just another piece of the suffering he brought her.

He was so caught in the dreadful pull if his own thoughts that he almost didn't noticed her words- though once he did, a smile returned to his face. "It is really okay Serafina. I am your father, and while it is strange to hear for now- I imagine once I am used to It, I will be quite glad that you have not gotten into the habit of calling me by my given name. I will have to become accustomed to the term, we need not make it difficult for you as well."

The dread on his daughter's face told him plenty about what was going through her head. Well, that and a pulse of emotion that he felt through their bond.

He once again gripped her shoulder as a symbol of solidarity before he smiled. "The woman that I knew- she cared for me. Loved me despite how little I could offer in return. And when Dean came to the door, she made her peace and insisted I go with him, even if I never came back. She will want to meet you. To know that her daughter grows up to be a beautiful thoughtful young woman." His eyes wrinkled lightly in the corners. "Especially once she knows she will not have the opportunity to otherwise."

Dropping his grip, he offered her his hand instead, ready to fly off into their universe of origin and meet his daughter properly for the first time.

@eve

Dean Winchester had been as much a father to Serafina as Castiel had been; that there was no blood shared between Dean and her meant absolutely nothing to Sera, she adored the man regardless, and quietly venerated him as much as she did Castiel.

Angels… Angels were a different story. She wanted them to be her family, wanted to love them and be loved by them, but she had been raised to be practical as well as hopeful, and she knew that angels weren’t likely to accept her with open arms. And that was….okay. She had her parents, she had her family, with or without angels, and she was happy with that. As much as their acceptance might mean to her, she didn’t need it to live a fulfilling life. She didn’t feel as though she had suffered at all. Her life growing up had been a very good one, filled with love and happiness.

Screw the angels if they hated her. They were dicks anyway.

It was good to see him smile, even if it were at an apology. She had a moment of deep concern that her slip had hurt him, that it would make things difficult for her father. “I just… I’d understand if you needed time. But you’re…” She shrugged, gesturing toward him, “You. And you’ve always been just… Dad.” She spoke the words almost shyly, aware that she was speaking to a younger version of her father, one she knew and yet didn’t know, not yet.

Meeting Daphne Allen was both an exhilarating and frightening thought. Oh, she knew her mother was a good person, that she had loved Castiel, that he had loved her. She knew these things, but that didn’t entirely relieve the fear, either. Still, she gave her father a brave smile and a quick nod, “Okay.” You couldn’t be brave if you didn’t have any fear. That just made you careless. When he let her go and offered his hand, Sera reached out and took it.

When she flew, she kept pace with her father, of course. But there was always that yearning, that urge for more, to go faster. His grip on her helped assuage that desire, allowing her to easily pace him. This trip wasn’t her first to this universe. She had returned months ago with the older version of her parents, but it was still weird. Almost unfamiliar, but not quite.

@alex

Cas would have been over the moon if be had known what Dean meant to his daughter. It was a more than slightly good sign of what was to come in his relationship- which he would have been incredibly relieved to know. This thing between Cas and Dean was still so new that there was no relaxation in it yet, they were both too wary of missteps.

Being honest, Cas would admit that being called Dad was incredibly strange. He had never thought of himself as a father, and even faced with his daughter, it still seemed so hard to believe. But that didn't mean that he was hurt by the accurate moniker.

"Of course." He replied quietly, not needing her to call him any thing else.

Her hand was warm in his. That was something he had assumed would be happening, but it was far more concrete than anything else at the moment. This beautiful young woman had lovely wings, hair the colour of her father's, she was warm, and he could feel the fear inside her. Everything about her was so real, it almost made him doubt her even more. Almost. Even Cas couldn't deny the reality of the young woman whose hand he held.

They flew efficiently, strong wings beating the air in their wake, until they came to a stop at a house that was unfamiliar and at the same time Cas knew it more than well enough. He took a deep breath before he knocked.

Within moments of that noise, the door was being unlocked by a beautiful and very pregnant woman. "Daphne." Cas started, suddenly unaware of how to use words, or why he hadn't practiced his greeting ahead of time. "I believe we need to talk."

@eve

Of course Dean Winchester was important to her! He was family, and that was so important there wasn’t even words for it. Of course, the importance of family might be so emphasized because of Dean Winchester and his concept of it, so maybe that didn’t just go without saying, but still!

If Castiel thought being called dad was strange, try having called him dad forever and suddenly it not being comfortable anymore. Seeing him react the way he did was… Weird. He was Dad, he’d always been Dad, and yet he had trouble with it. Sera got it, logically, sure, but that didn’t mean it didn’t tug at her heart just a little bit to see it, either.

Still, he asked her to come with him to collect her mother, to bring her to Hub where she and the baby Sera (Yep, that was totally weird) would be safe, and it was hard to say no to that. To meeting her mother for the first, and only, time. But it was scary, too, because she was the reason her mother was dead.

But her dad said it would be okay, that her mother would love her, and Sera believed him. When Castiel offered his hand to her, she took it, and they flew. It was easier than usual to let her father lead, but then, she wasn’t entirely certain about being there, even if she trusted him entirely, even if she knew that it would be okay. Faith didn’t make you fearless, it just gave you the strength to face your fears.

When Castiel knocked on the door, Sera stayed just a step behind, eyes straight ahead of her. Right up until the door opened, and then she stared at the threshold, seeing only her mother and father’s legs.

@alex

Castiel would be the first to deny that fear was wrong. It kept people safe- sometimes it went past the rational, but usually it was quite healthy. Being brave wasn't running into a situation without fear, it was choosing to do it despite your fear. And he was so so proud of this young woman for her ability to face her fear.

He was equally focused on that and on the woman carrying his child when Daphne threw her arms around him. "Emmanuel!" She cried, her smile brighter than the sun despite it all. This woman was so warm, and so happy to see him, even believing he had abandoned her when she was carrying their daughter. "I can't believe it's you!" She exclaimed, joy radiating from her.

Cas's heart broke slightly at that. He held her up carefully and walked her to a nearby couch. "There is so much I need to tell you Daphne, and there is so little time." With a sigh and a kiss to the back of her hand, he decided that he hadn't the time to dally, and let her know gently. "My name is Castiel. I am an angel of the lord- it is why I could heal as I did." Without warning, he extended his wings behind himself for emphasis.

"I am sorry that I did not come back to tell you the instant I remembered. The man who I left with... I owed him greatly. And I love him." He relayed quietly, ready for his wife's ire. Yet instead of feeling her palm as it struck him, she simply touched his cheek softly, encouraging him to meet her eyes once more.

He let out a shaky breath, tears welling up in his eyes, knowing this would be the only moment that this small family would have together. He kissed her hand even as he spoke again. "I am so sorry, Daphne. I did not want you to-" He broke, a tear rolling down his cheek, one that she swiftly wiped away. "The process of giving birth to an angel human hybrid is always fatal for the mother." He whispered, watching her pale at the thought. "I did not know you were carrying our child. I promise I would have told you the moment I knew."

Her smile faltered for a second before the strength that he had always adored about her came back to the surface. "But our daughter will be healthy?"

@eve

Fear was normal. natural. Sure, it definitely sucked, but both of her parents had taught her those things. That courage wasn't about no being afraid, but dealing with your fear the right way, not letting it paralyze you. And Sera wanted very much to make both of them proud of her.

So she bit back against her fear, and braced herself as the door opened.

Her mother was so beautiful. Not just on the outside; Serafina could tell immediately why her father had loved this woman. Daphne Allen was kind, giving, and joyous. Sera couldn't help but to smile shyly as she watched her parents together.

When Castiel told Daphne that he hadn't wanted her to (die), Sera lower her eyes. Her fault. She wished so much that hadn't needed to be the case.

"But our daughter will be healthy?"

Sera bravely stepped forward to answer the question, "I... Yes. She will be healthy, and strong." Her eyes filled with quiet tears, "I'm so sorry."

@alex

The Castiel of now did not know his daughter well enough to make many judgements, but he could say with certainty that he was proud to have such a brave young woman as his child. No matter how many times the thought occurred to him, it still seemed so fragile. As though examining the topic too directly would cause it to shatter into spun sugar.

So instead he focused on the feel of his wife in his arms. Her once small body now grown with pregnancy, their daughter kicking at him through her mother. It seemed unreal. It wasn't something he had ever pictured for himself, and the idea of being a father was so much more concrete with each breath.

Hearing Sera speak, he was reminded that he was not alone with Daphne. Pressing a kiss to her palm once more, he offered their daughter his free hand. "Among powers such as healing, there is one other gift shared amongst angels of sufficient strength. The ability to move through time at will." He explained softly, knowing that the words he spoke were terribly outlandish, and hard for many to believe. Yet Daphne had so easily accepted so many things about Castiel, it seemed even more ridiculous not to try and tell her about her daughter.

"Daphne, this is our daughter, Serafina." He offered quietly, watching the way his wife's eyes widened and her hands automatically reached out for the young woman. Standing up, with only a modicum of difficulty, Daphne put her hands on Sera's shoulders, checking her features with a critical eye, even as Cas watched her mental checklist of figuring out what features came from who. Putting together the two of them to come to a conclusion that this girl was in fact their daughter.

Daphne lunged the final step with a speed that pushed the limits of human capability, wrapping her arms around the Nephilim girl. "It's so nice to meet you, Sera. I can't believe how beautiful you are."

@eve

Truth be told, Serafina didn’t really consider herself all that brave. Who did she think was brave? Human hunters. Those guys and gals went out to hunt down and defeat monsters that preyed on humans. These creatures fed on people just like them and yet those hunters continued to stand up and fight against them. That right there was bravery. Not going to meet your mother (whom you killed) and accepting whatever judgement she decided to place upon you.

It seemed inappropriate to bother her parents while they were embracing each other; she knew that her dad hadn’t seen her mother in a long time, especially for him, and that while it hadn’t been quite so long for Daphne, it had still be long enough to have missed Castiel. So Sera let her mother and father share a moment without interruption. At least, not the kind of interruption the seventeen year old could or would offer. As-yet unborn her… Well, she had no real control over that.

After a few moments, though, she knew she should say something. The question Daphne asked about their daughter, about her warranted a real, honest answer, and Serafina gave the best one she could, an affirmation that she, the baby, would be healthy, that Daphne’s struggle and ultimate sacrifice wouldn’t be for naught.

The moment that Daphne reached for her, Sera stepped forward, reaching for her mother in return, helping her, the nephilim’s power and grace washing over her mother, offering strength and comfort even as she hugged this woman, her mother whom she had never met before but loved so very much, ”I love you.” The words were spoken too thickly, filled with too much emotion to be anything the the simple, unadulterated truth. There was pain, but it wasn’t a bad sort of pain; Sera was wildly happy in this moment even while she grieved having her mother in her life. ”I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

@moon

Say what you will, but Castiel knew from intimate first hand experience that little took more bravery than facing someone you cared for and thought you had failed. Dean and himself were a more than sufficient example- the times that they had each caused each other such pain- and not known how to apologize. So Cas knew how much bravery it took for Sera to meet her mother, even if she didn't.

The moment that Sera was so afraid of interrupting was torn enough with problems as it was. Castiel had Dean now. Finally, he finally had Dean, and the love he felt for Daphne had never been as strong as the love she had held for him. The guilt he felt for leaving her like this, for failing to give her everything she deserved, to take her life with his shallow affection- none of them made this moment easier. Sera was the result of Cas's choices- but they were hardly her fault.

But Cas understood the desire to leave the moment alone, as he watched his daughter and wife embrace. This was a moment that would only happen once, that there would be no chance to redo it without his interruption, and so long as they were safe, he could offer the two of them the chance to know each other properly before it was no longer an option.

Daphne's face was damp with the tears that rolled eagerly down her cheeks, though their path was twisted by the immense smile that graced her lips. "My beautiful baby girl." She laugh sobbed, stroking Sera's hair with a sadness- knowing that Sera would never have her mother truly- but also with joy- that her daughter would grow up so beautiful and healthy. "You don't need to apologize. I just wish I could have known you. I love you so much." Daphne murmured, doing her best to sooth the nephilim in her arms. Without thinking the pregnant woman began to rock from one foot to another. "Shh." She offered, humming slightly under her breath.

Cas didn't want to interrupt more than he had to, but he could feel the world starting to warp with the energy from Sera's oncoming birth. He sighed slightly before stepping up to the two of them, placing a hand on the center of his wife's back and smiling softly at his daughter. "I am sorry, but we do not have much time. Please Daphne, come with us, we will take you somewhere safe to give birth. Unfortunately, many of my sisters and brothers would do much to prevent the birth of a nephilim."

When Daphne nodded, Cas offered her a small smile, knowing not much else would manage on his face for the moment. "Sera, will you carry your mother?"

@eve

As grateful as Sera was for her very life, that Castiel and Daphne had met, that they had loved each other enough to create her, she also wished her mother hadn’t needed to die in the process. It was enough that there were moments, few as they might be, that she wondered if perhaps a life that required the sacrifice of another was worth it. If the resulting person would ever be able to live up to that most noble of sacrifices. She tried to. To be the sort of person that all of her parents could be proud of.

Truth be told, Sera had never thought to meet her mother. She could time travel, fly fast and far with strong, healthy wings, but she had accepted a life in which she would never get this chance. And the fact that she was now getting it filled her with determination to make sure her mother knew that she loved her. Sera hugged Daphne for all she was worth, invisible wings wrapping around the woman, keeping her close and safe and enveloped. Daphne might not be able to feel those wings such as they were, but she’d feel the fact that she was loved and protected. ”I love you. I always have and always will. I wish we could have more time.” of course she would; this was her mom.

So much of what Serafina did was to make her parents proud. Daphne, Castiel, Dean, all three of them were her family, her parents, the people she looked to for guidance, even when they weren’t there. Now, she finally had the chance to meet, hug her mother, to make her smile and happy just for a few moments. ”They all think we’re bad news.” She gave a small, sad smile at the statement, but it was true and couldn’t be helped.

She reached for her mother, ”Of course. Are you ready? It won’t hurt at all, I promise.”

@alex

Cas hadn't caused anyone's death in his creation. But so many had died to keep him alive. He would be lying if he said he never wondered if they could have offered more to the world than he was capable of. Here and now, knowing he had brought this beautiful woman into existence? Those thoughts were quiet for once. Everything seemed worth it when he was faced with this small family.

He stood quietly while the two woman held each other, Daphne continuing to laugh and sob in equal measures.

Her mother did take a moment to brush her daughter's hair back and press a kiss to her forehead. "Then they are all wrong. There is nothing on this earth more wonderful than you." She whispered, wiping away the small tears that had rolled down Sera's cheeks. Touching a necklace that dangled at her throat, she did pause for a second longer. "Do you have this?" She asked, having intended to one day pass it on to her daughter.

The moment was broken as she crumpled into her daughter's arms, a cry tearing itself from Daphne's lips, liquid splashing on to floor, her grip on her daughter's arms going white from force. It felt- to be light- as though her body were trying to rip into pieces.

She was supposed to breath, she recalled in some distant part of her mind, and somehow through the fog of pain, she managed to get her lungs working. "I think that might mean we need to go. Now." She managed to croak out.

@eve