Just stop your crying
It's a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you're wearing your best clothes
You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain't really good

-Sign of the Times; by Harry Styles

JUNE 13, 1985

Leigh Braxton sat on the edge of her bed, her hands slowly rubbing her swollen belly. When she felt the kick of her unborn child, her hands stopped for a moment. Weren't most mothers-to-be excited to feel their babies move and kick? Weren't those ultrasound pictures supposed to fill them with glee? Weren't they supposed to love their child, even before it's born? Leigh didn't feel anything for her child. She wanted to, she really did, but she couldn't. Every second of every day she was reminded of who the child's father was; what it might turn out to be.

Her hands started rubbing her stomach again. She couldn't help it.

"The baby's looking healthy, Leigh." Her hands stopped. It was him. "I have to say, you humans were right about that 'pregnancy glow'. You're practically blinding, Leigh."

"What do you want?" Her voice was flat, monotone. "Haven't you caused me enough heartache?"

"I can't check the progress of my little princess?" There was a mocking undertone in his voice. "She's due any day now, Leigh. I need to make sure she's as healthy as possible."

"Go to Hell."

"How original," he replied, sounding rather sarcastic. "I've already been there, honey. I know that place inside and out. I can't wait to show my little princess once she's born. What do you think?"

No response. How was Leigh supposed to respond? He was planning on taking their child to Hell, to twist and corrupt her into being just like him. Leigh may not feel any emotional connection to her unborn child, but that shouldn't mean it should be damned to an Eternity in Hell.

"She'll make a great addition," he went on. Walking in front of Leigh, he knelt down and placed a hand on her swollen stomach. Leigh noticed right away he had a new vessel. "I'll make sure to take good care of her."

"What makes you think she'll want anything you have planned for her?" Leigh asked. "Who's to say she may want to stay here? With me and others like her?"

There was a long silence. His hand stayed on her stomach for a moment longer, but there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of Leigh's stomach. The baby started moving, kicking rapidly.

"I don't think she likes that idea," he whispered, leaning in just enough to make Leigh's breath catch in her throat. "She's my child, Leigh. I'll do with her what I please." Letting out an airy chuckle, he leaned back, a smirk on his face. "Well, what I've been assigned to do anyway. I have a good feeling about her."

Taking a deep breath, Leigh tried controlling herself. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, and she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that his words got to her. That they bothered her. She had to figure something out. She had to make sure her baby had a safe place to go to.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRESENT DAY: HALLOWEEN, 2005

"I don't understand why I can't go out tonight. Everyone else is."

"You know why you can't." A look of confusion. "How do you know what the other humans are doing?"

Fiddling with the gold ring on her finger, Lucinda let out a sigh and shrugged. "I'll be fine, Cas," she said. "I don't get why you can't just let me go. Other people my age are out partying and having fun. I'm stuck here reading books."

"You're under my charge," Cas explained, his tone even and calm, "which means whatever happens to you rests on my shoulders. And those aren't just books, Lucinda, those are books on lore. You need to know this."

Lucinda didn't respond. Instead, she glanced quickly as Cas before looking at the ring on her finger. It was a simple band, nothing too extravagant. There was a small carving on the inside of the ring, something that was supposed to keep Lucinda safe. Spinning it around on her finger, Lucinda felt her stomach knot up a little. Cas had given it to her for her fifteenth birthday. The ring itself was a little snug on her finger, and she considered putting the ring on a chain and wearing it as a necklace. She had it for five years, and whatever protection it provided seemed to be working, and if she wore it as a necklace, it would still be keeping her safe.

"Please, don't be upset," Cas sighed, he almost sounded defeated, but Lucinda had to remind herself that he probably wasn't. There were so many things he didn't understand; human emotions being one of them. "I just want what's best for you."

"I understand," she said softly. "You're doing your job."

For as long as Lucinda could remember, Cas had been taking care of her. Lucinda remembered him being around quite often when she was little, but as she got older and more independent, Cas wasn't around as often. He'd come in every now and again to check in on her, and on occasion he'd stay for a few days, even a few weeks, at a time to ensure she'd stay safe. For Lucinda, Cas served as a kind of father figure and close friend. Despite his lack of being human, she saw some good in him, she appreciated all he did for her.

Kneeling in front of Lucinda, who was sitting on her bed with her suitcase beside her, Cas looked at her, his usually stoic expression softening. "I'll let you go out tonight," he said, his tone sounding softer as well. "I don't want you staying out too late, though. If something happened..."

Before he could finish, Lucinda threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "I promise I won't be out long," she exclaimed. "Thank you, Cas!"

Kneeling there for a moment, stiff as a board, Cas hesitantly placed a hand on the small of her back; his way of returning the gesture. "If there's any trouble, call me," he said. "I'll be there."

"I know." Leaning back, Lucinda gave him her brightest smile. "I'll only be out for a few hours."

When Cas was gone, Lucinda decided to change into a different outfit. None of the clothes she had would serve as Halloween-costume material, but she felt it would be better than just lounging around in sweats all night. Grabbing some old jeans and a black tank top, Lucinda went into the bathroom of the motel room she was staying in and paused when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her copper brown hair was a bit messy, her skin seemed a bit too pale, and she looked a little exhausted. Sighing, Lucinda quickly washed up and threw on her new clothes; going back to her suitcase, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail and then dug around to find what little make up she had. Hurrying back to the bathroom, Lucinda put some foundation around the bottom of her eyes, hoping to hide the darkening circles; putting on some lipstick and a little bit of eyeliner, Lucinda took a minute to observe herself. She usually didn't wear make up, she didn't go out enough to really dress up for anyone. But seeing the way she looked in the mirror, she felt a little better. Grabbing a jacket after putting away her make up bag, Lucinda put on some tennis shoes and headed out the door.

(A/N):

I know this chapter isn't the best, but I hope you guys enjoy it anyway. If you've got any constructive criticism, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Do I own anything in SPN? No. No I don't.

If there's anything in this chapter that came off as confusing or uncertain, don't hesitate to PM me or leave a review. I'll try and clear up anything you guys have questions on as soon as possible.

Leave a thought on anything I should improve on.

Thank you,

Alek Haydn