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June 7

Rowena's nose wrinkled as small hands tapped against her face, drawing her out of the last of the sleep that she clung to. Sam's quiet caution made her smile, as he reminded the little girl to tap softly, which went out the window as soon as Rowena stretched out, a shriek of delight erupting from her.

"Good morning, my little dove." The redhead pulled the covers aside, letting the little girl snuggle in beside her, and she pressed a kiss to the top of the girl's head, brushing her darker curls from her face. Her head lifted to accept Sam's kiss, and she turned her hand over in his, linking their fingers together.

"We've got breakfast downstairs, and the water's nearly ready for some tea."

"Give me five minutes." Rowena hummed softly in thought, smiling at Maisie's giggles as her finger tapped against the girl's nose. "And then we can think of something to do today."

"Flowers!" The word had Rowena tilting her head slightly, tapping her nose again. "We can pick some."

"I took her on a walk yesterday, we didn't stop, but she wanted to bring back some flowers."

"Alright, you can show me these lovely flowers. After breakfast." Her heart swelled as her daughter snuggled in closer, and she rested her hand against the girl's back, letting her eyes close again for those precious few minutes. Their lives would be changing rapidly, and she needed to figure out how to prepare Maisie for it. Well, once she'd told Sam, anyway.

Rowena kissed her head again as Sam scooped her up, letting her get out of bed while he settled the little girl for breakfast. She opted for a floral-patterned tea dress, pinning her curls up, and a pale green shimmered across her eyes. She kissed Sam's cheek as she entered the kitchen, running a hand across his back as he encouraged Maisie to eat some of the cut-up egg he'd boiled.

Sam chuckled at her sigh as she wrapped her hands around her tea, inhaling the scent of the blend, one that she'd created: a lemon and ginger blend that she'd been having in the mornings for the past few months. A bonus of it now was that it helped alleviate her nausea. Sipping the tea, Rowena brought it over to the island, going back to the counter to collect the plate that Sam had left, adding some toast to it, and spreading raspberry jam over it.

"So, tell me more about these flowers." She sat across from Sam, taking over with the egg encouragement so he could eat some more of his breakfast. Quick whispers floated towards the girl, Rowena lighting up in delight as she spoke to her, laughing with their daughter as she tapped her nose again. It was the distraction she'd perfected, managing to get more of her breakfast into her, and he loved how lucky he was, having his two girls in his life.

"It's in the meadows. You remember where we did the picnic a few weeks ago?" Rowena hummed softly, confirming that she did remember. "I figured we could take another picnic out there and use the basket for the flowers when she's done."

"I'll clear a vase to put them in. Perhaps in the study, and this wee one can help me find the perfect spot for them." The spoon slid back into Sam's hand so Rowena could start her toast, and he got a little more breakfast into Maisie before she fussed, a clear showing that she was done. They'd have something in the picnic for her late morning snack, and the fact that she'd eaten more than what had ended up on the floor was always a win.

They continued talking a little more about the plan for the day, with Maisie sitting in Sam's lap as they finished their breakfast. After the picnic, Rowena had an errand to run in town and a book she wanted to try to find in the library. They had Dean and Castiel coming over that evening, planning Maisie's nap for when Rowena was out, which allowed Sam to start dinner while she slept. When he took her to get her changed and ready for the day, Rowena cleared up the kitchen before joining Sam. He watched diligently as she scooped and smoothed their daughter's curls into two pigtails, fixing each with the little bows that the girl pointed out.

"You both look perfect." Rowena's head dipped slightly as she lifted Maisie into her arms, twirling them both before him.

"You don't look half-bad either, Samuel." Her hand tugged him towards her, kissing him before she slipped away from him. "Let's see what we can pack in this picnic."

They took the gate out of the back of their garden to the meadows. Rowena's hand slipped into Sam's as Maisie ran ahead, pausing every so often to make sure she could still see her parents, then running back to them and ahead again. Sam tugged her closer, slipping an arm around her waist, their steps slowing just a little as they walked.

"Mom's been asking about having her stay over again. I was thinking over the weekend, we could go out to dinner, or stay in bed." Rowena chuckled, tipping her head up.

"She loved the park the last time your mum took her. This weekend will be nice." Her hand squeezed his where it rested against her hip, and her voice quietened as she spoke again. "We can use the time to celebrate."

Before Sam could get the words out to ask, Rowena called Maisie's name, holding a hand out to her to draw their daughter back to them. "This will be a nice spot to stop."

Sam let her go, spreading out the blanket that he'd put into the basket, watching as Maisie tugged Rowena over to a patch of nearby flowers. She kneeled with her, pulling the girl into her lap, and Sam assumed her whispers were little pieces about the flowers, watching as she carefully picked them. Maisie held them tight in her hand, pulling a couple more out as carefully as she could, trying to mimic the way her mother had done it. Rowena kissed the top of her head, moving with her to the next patch of flowers.

After about ten minutes, Rowena returned to Sam with a handful of flowers, offering them to him as she sat beside him. Maisie had sat herself by another patch, playing with the flowers in her hands, throwing them into the air one by one and giggling as they fell back onto her.

"So, you said something about celebrating?" Rowena slid her hands into Sam's, smiling as he drew one of them up to kiss her fingers.

"I'm pregnant." His eyes widened, their hands held in mid-air.

"You— when?"

"I found out about a week ago." Rowena kept her voice quiet, glancing across at their daughter, though she was too occupied with her playing. "I wanted to make sure it was true this time." He grinned as the news sank in, tugging Rowena towards him to kiss her. A few months before they'd thought she was pregnant, a test even confirming her nausea, but when her period came a few days later, it had stung. Maisie was perfect, and their efforts in trying for another baby were as much "letting it happen" as stealing moments when they could. They wanted it, wanted to grow their family, and to Sam, it felt right.

"So when—"

"You can book the appointment." Rowena nudged her nose against his, turning her head to press her forehead to his. "I did a spell; I am pregnant. But— just for us. For now." Sam hooked his fingers under her chin, tipping her head up with a softer kiss. With Maisie, the news had come out when Rowena was in her first trimester, after Sam had panicked when she'd been injured on a case and had asked about the baby in Dean's earshot.

"I want to plan how to tell her." Rowena sat back on her heels, sliding one hand out from Sam's as Maisie ran back to them, her hands empty of flowers, having lost them all, falling into Rowena's lap. Sam nodded, tabling the conversation for now. It'd be something they'd come back to over the weekend, figuring out how to word it to the young girl, and when to tell her. And everyone else.

_

August 19

"Hey, baby." Sam reached his hand out to Rowena as she joined him back at the table, squeezing it gently. They'd gone out for the day, taking Maisie to a funfair for her birthday. Dean and Castiel had joined them, and when Rowena's nausea had flared, they'd been grateful when the boys had offered to take her on a couple of rides. Sam had found them somewhere to sit, waiting with their bags when Rowena slipped away, and got her a cup of ice and a bottle of water from the nearby food stand.

He slid the cup of ice towards her as she nuzzled her head against his shoulder, a grateful gesture over kissing him, and Rowena picked the bottle of water up to rinse her mouth out.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to be pregnant for the day?" Sam chuckled, rubbing his hand over her back as he kissed her hair. She'd pulled it fully back from her face whilst she'd been gone, aside from a stray curl that had been missed out of her clip.

"It's just a bad day." Rowena frowned at that, the ice chip in her mouth keeping her quiet for the moment. Her nausea in this pregnancy felt worse than just a bad day, especially given how many days she'd call that. They were in her second trimester, and everything had seemed to heighten rather than start to ease. She was grateful for Sam, especially for keeping Maisie unaware, and in a few weeks, the little girl would be starting back at school. It's why today, and for the next few weeks, she was determined to enjoy the days, and spend time with Maisie, even if it was a bad day.

"Don't convince me to find a spell." An empathy spell, rather than swapping the pregnancy to him, to make him feel what she did. Though even as Rowena teased it, she wouldn't cast one — she loved the life she was growing, even with how she felt. Sam pressed another kiss to her hair, drawing his hands back so he could find the crackers he'd packed in the bag for her, leaving the packet by the water for her.

"She's going to have an amazing day anyway." Rowena nodded, crunching the last of the ice in her mouth.

"Maybe she'll wear that brother of yours out."

"He's more likely to try and win her the largest bear in the arcade." She pulled a face at that, knowing it was true, though at least she could magically shrink the bear to an easier size and let Maisie snuggle with it as she slept. "You remember the bear I won for you?"

"I still haven't figured out where it's gone." The last time they'd been to a funfair was on one of the first sillier dates that Sam had taken her on, wanting to do something in the afternoon rather than having dinner. Rowena had rolled her eyes when he'd suggested it, but it had ended up as one of her favourite afternoons, and she'd treasured the little panda that Sam had insisted on winning for her on one of the games. It had gotten lost when they'd moved in together, and no spell had managed to find it.

"Maybe we can end the day finding you a new one." She brushed her fingers over his cheek, her smile softer.

"Win one for the baby instead; it can be their first bear." Her lips pressed against his, and Sam's hands slipped between them, lifting one of hers to lay against her stomach, his fingers brushing over the curve of her bump, still hidden beneath her dress. They were carefully counting the weeks until it popped, and it became a secret they couldn't hide anymore.

The cries of "Mommy, mommy—" pulled them apart, Rowena turning where she sat, reaching her hand down for Maisie to grasp once she'd stopped, letting her pull her up onto the seat beside her.

"Look what Uncle Dean won." Sam elbowed her gently, knowingly, and the redhead lifted her gaze, seeing the large dog being carried back by Cas, and the proud look on Dean's face.

"These games are nothing." Rowena rolled her eyes at him, not even bothering to fake being unimpressed.

"Aye, I'm sure you know all the tricks." Her head tipped down as Maisie tapped her leg, leaning down to her so the little girl could whisper to her. She nodded at her, taking the girl's hand in hers as she led her to the bathroom.

"Rowena doing okay?" Dean took her seat once she was out of earshot, taking one of the crackers absentmindedly before Sam moved them out of reach. Dean at least looked a little apologetic even as he finished it.

"It comes and goes. It's rough, but she's okay."

"I would have thought her magic would have a solution to that." They both looked at the angel, who hadn't stopped holding the stuffed toy.

"I guess there are some things where nature beats supernatural." At least her knowledge of various plants and remedies had helped to find things that settled her nausea, even if she couldn't stop it.

"She started asking questions yet?"

"While Rowena's not showing, not fully, she doesn't know. There's still months; it'll be a long time for her to wait." And they'd been reminded over the past week with Maisie's excitement about her birthday that even telling her how many days away it was was a hard thing for her. "Plus, if there's something for her to see and feel, she'll get it more." Sam pulled his phone out as it buzzed, seeing the lunch request from Rowena. He asked the question to Dean and Cas, sending it on when his brother offered to pick it up, wanting to check out the food stalls himself, leaving Sam with the giant dog.

_

September 25

"In here." Rowena's voice softly called to Sam as she heard the click of the front door. The worry in his face soothed slightly as he saw them snuggled up on the couch, their daughter asleep with her head lying in Rowena's lap, a blanket covering them. Rowena's fingers stroked over the girl's cheek, and she lifted her other hand to squeeze Sam's hand as he crouched in front of them.

"How is she?"

"She'll be okay." Her hand released his, working up his arm, trying to release some of the tension from him. "I got her to eat some crackers and drink some water when we got home. She's been asleep for about an hour." Sam nodded, letting out a heavy breath. When he'd gotten Rowena's call that she was picking her up from school, he'd panicked. It wasn't the first time that Maisie had been sick, but he worried every time, fussing over even the smallest of coughs and colds.

"What about you?" Her smile was fond at his concern, and her hand drew him closer to kiss him.

"If you can help me with getting her to bed, I wouldn't mind being able to move again."

His movements were slow and careful as he scooped Maisie into his arms, holding her secure against his chest, and kissing her head, relieved when she didn't wake. Rowena nodded for him to go, taking a moment to stretch out before getting up. She followed him up the stairs, smiling from the doorway as he whispered wishes for her to get better quickly, pulling the covers over Maisie as he tucked her in.

She curled her fingers around his when he stepped away, leaning against his chest so she could watch their daughter sleep for a minute, Sam's arm wrapping around her waist.

"I've already cancelled my appointment for tomorrow."

"I'm sure Dean would—" Sam paused as Rowena lifted her head to look at him, gently shaking it. He might be the one who outwardly worried, compared to Rowena's quieter concern, but she didn't like their little girl being sick either.

"I'll reschedule it when she's well. I'd rather be with her." Sam nodded, squeezing her waist gently. She hoped that one of her little remedies would help Maisie feel less sick, even if she still needed time to recover.

"Just make sure you're careful." He slid his hand down to the swell of her stomach, dropping his head to lean his forehead against hers. They both remembered the last time Maisie had been sick, and when Rowena had caught the bug from her. With her pregnancy, they didn't want to risk that happening again. She smiled, kissing him softly, a wordless promise that she'd be careful, and assumed he'd stay home with them too.

They spent the next few hours in Rowena's study, sitting on the couch she had, with his hands pressed against her stomach as she updated one of her journals. She listened as he told her what he'd been doing that morning, and the lunch he'd cut short with Jody to come back home. They made a loose plan for the weekend, provided Maisie was feeling better, with a walk to the park, agreeing that they'd have to have Jody and Donna over again at some point.

When Sam went to start dinner, Rowena popped back to Maisie's room, speaking in hushed tones when she saw that her daughter was awake again.

"Hello, my little dove." She laid a hand against her forehead, feeling her temperature before brushing her curls back. "How are you feeling?" A small noise of complaint was her answer, and Rowena lifted the edge of the covers, patting her lap.

"Shall we go see what your dad's doing?" Maisie gave her a reluctant nod, curling against her mother as her arms wrapped around her, and Rowena slid her to rest her on her hip as she carried her downstairs.

"Look who's awake." The little girl only turned her head slightly to look around the kitchen, a small whispered "Hi" to him as Sam's hand rubbed over her back. "She's still a little warm, but it's better than earlier."

Rowena slid onto one of the stools at the island, allowing her to hold Maisie more easily, and adjusted her so she was sitting in her lap, the little girl sucking her thumb. It was a habit she'd stopped a year ago, though it had popped up the last time she'd been sick, and the first few days of her going back to school. They'd asked her doctor when she'd been for a regular check-up, who'd reassured them that it wasn't something to worry about, that stress or anxiety could bring it back, which made sense with how infrequently they saw it.

When dinner was ready, Maisie wanted to stay in Rowena's lap, though she fed herself and ate enough for them to relax. They gave her cuddles and praise for her effort, especially when she felt sick, getting her to drink some juice before taking her to the living room.

Sam covered both of them with the blanket again as Maisie cuddled against Rowena, and the redhead tipped her head down as the little girl's hand stroked over her stomach. She laid her hand over her daughter's, smiling when she kissed her stomach.

"I'll be the best."

"What's that?" Sam tapped her gently, sharing a puzzled look with Rowena.

"Sarah told me." Maisie sat up a little, letting her rest both hands on her mother's belly. "She got a brother. Am I getting a brother?"

"My dove—" Rowena's words began cautiously. "Why does Sarah think this?"

"Her mama said there was a baby."

The look that Rowena gave Sam was sharper, and she muttered, "I'll hex her," quietly enough that only Sam could hear her words. He chuckled, stroking her leg before lifting Maisie to pull her into his lap. They'd been planning to tell her about the baby that week, especially now that her belly was big enough for some of the parents to notice, or apparently gossip about. Sarah's mother was not one of the parents that Rowena enjoyed seeing at school pick up, as much as their daughters were friends.

"You're not getting a brother." Rowena sat herself up a little straighter as Sam spoke, lifting her blouse above her stomach so that Maisie could properly see the curve of it.

"Her mother was right, I am having a baby, another little girl." The girl was quiet for a moment, looking up at both of them.

"I'll be a big sister. The best big sister." Though they could see the excitement in her, it was dimmed by her tiredness.

"Yes, you will be." Maisie reached back to her mother, and Sam let her go, taking Rowena's hand in his as their daughter gently touched her belly again, whispering, "I love you" to it.

December 25

Over the past few days, Sam and Rowena didn't know what Maisie was more excited for — Christmas or the baby. In her mind, both of those things were happening at the same time, even though the baby wasn't due for another few weeks.

Hearing the creaking of the floorboards in the hallway, Sam climbed out of bed, wanting to let Rowena sleep a little more before the excitement of the day began. They'd been up together for a few hours in the night, trying to ease her discomfort so she could sleep — her false contractions hadn't helped her tension, even if afterwards Rowena had joked that Maisie was a witch with how much she was wishing for the baby.

His fingers pressed to his lips as soon as he saw his daughter, closing the bedroom door behind him. Though she didn't make a sound, she couldn't stop the excited tapping of her feet as she saw him, reaching to grab his hand and pulling him back towards the window.

"It snowed!" Sam could tell that she was trying to keep her words quieter, even if her excitement bubbled out of her. He opened the curtains of the hallway, lifting Maisie so that she could look at the still-falling snow out of the window. It had flurried the day before, though it hadn't been enough to really be snow. Waking up to the few inches that were on the ground was almost like magic, and he could feel the delight thrumming through the girl.

"Let's put something warm on, we can walk through the garden before mom gets up." Her cheerful yay was not at all quiet. Sam placed her back down, going with her to help her find something suitably warm to wear before getting dressed and leaving a note for Rowena.

With their boots and coats on, Maisie ran out into their garden, the snow crunching delightfully under her feet. She jumped into a deeper pile, spinning until she fell over as the snow still fell around her. Her laughter was infectious, and Sam chuckled as he knelt in the snow beside her, pulling up the hood of her coat.

"Let's make some snow angels to show mom." Lying out, his arms and legs stretched out, Sam showed her what to do before Maisie flopped into a patch beside him, making her smaller angel, before getting up to lie near it to create another.

Nearly an hour had passed before Sam heard the door open, looking across the garden to see Rowena wrapped in a large cardigan, a mug in her hands as she watched them. Getting Maisie's attention, Sam took her back inside, brushing the snow from her before lifting her so Rowena could kiss her cheek, wishing her a happy Christmas.

"I made hot chocolate." Lifting her mug to try it, Sam hummed approval, wrapping his arm around her waist. She lay her head against his shoulder as Maisie tugged her boots off, rubbing at her stomach, a quiet hiss from her at a sharp kick.

"Let's get you sat down. We've got a few hours until anyone starts showing up." Thankfully, Jody had offered to cook and bring the food over to save some of the craziness in the house, even if it would be a very full party.

"I wouldn't mind if she wanted to show up today." Her words were whispered as Sam guided her to the living room, saving Maisie from mishearing. She'd been ready to have this baby for the past two weeks, even though that was too early for the baby. Rowena didn't remember being as uncomfortable in her pregnancy with Maisie, though when her doctor had confirmed how big the baby was, it wasn't a surprise; she didn't have much room to move anymore, and Rowena knew it would be a harder labour.

As Rowena settled on the couch, Maisie climbed up next to her for her morning cuddles, lying gently against her, until Sam brought her hot chocolate in. They let her know who was coming over during the day, and her daughter asked again if they'd be getting the baby today. Rowena laughed softly, reminding her that they still had a few weeks before the baby was due to be born.

The calm of the morning broke as lunch appeared. They'd opened a couple of presents with Maisie; she received some new pyjamas and a book that she'd asked Sam to start reading to her, as she cuddled a stuffed rabbit. Dean and Castiel had arrived first, bringing the volume up as Maisie excitedly greeted them, showing them the rabbit as she tugged Dean into the living room, babbling at him as she sat on his lap.

When Jody and Donna arrived, bringing the food into the kitchen, they found Rowena leaning over the island, with concern in their tones as they asked if she was alright.

"I'm not in labour." Her frustration was evident in her words, and as the contraction passed, she swayed her hips, trying to work the feeling out of her. It had been stronger than her previous false contractions, which made her hope that it might happen soon. They'd planned extensively for the day, for who would look after Maisie whilst she had the baby, and Rowena knew their friends were as on edge as they were.

"Why don't we get you sat back down?" Donna helpfully offered, stepped towards her as Jody unpacked the dishes they'd brought.

"I need to pace for a minute." She wanted to make sure it was done before she sat down again. "Tell me what you've got. How are you?" It had been a couple of months since she'd seen the ladies, the two of them taking a trip and then being busy at work — thankfully, just human cases.

"Oh, you know how it is. Sometimes it's not the monsters being the worst of it."

"You'll have to let us know when you're ready for another night away," Jody added, pulling the foil off the dish of chicken. "Even if we don't break out the wine, it'd be nice to see you again."

Rowena nodded, agreeing, and the women turned as they heard Dean's steps falling into the kitchen.

"Hey, Ro, I thought I'd give you this away from little eyes." He held out a gift bag to her, and she was touched when she took it from him, the weight of it giving her an idea of its contents even before she looked inside it.

"You can be very sweet, Dean Winchester." She beckoned him closer, kissing his cheek, before directing him to the cabinet where he could store the whiskey for her. That would be a delightful thing to enjoy, and she'd probably share the first drink with him once she wasn't breastfeeding anymore.

Getting Maisie to bed had been easier than expected. Dean and Cas had stayed for a couple of hours after Jody, Donna, and the girls had left, with Maisie delighted in the stories he told her (Rowena less enthused by them), and the games he played with her. They'd expected her excitement to keep her buzzing past her bedtime, though the day had tired her out, letting Sam easily put the girl to bed after she'd fallen asleep lying against them.

They'd chatted to the boys for another hour before they left, giving Rowena and Sam some time to wind down before making their way to bed.

Sam checked on Maisie as Rowena began her nightly routine, unpinning her hair, removing her makeup, and changing into a simple pair of pyjamas. She was sitting in the middle of the bed when Sam joined her, pushing her fingers against her belly to try to manipulate the foot that was pressing against her. She leaned into Sam's hands as they rested against her lower back, turning her head to kiss him, and smiling as he kissed along her neck.

"Today was wonderful." She hummed as Sam's hands kneaded gently against her, being careful with how he pressed, softly rubbing her back.

"I'll send Jody something for her cooking. You think she'd be willing to do it again next year?" Rowena chuckled at the thought, though when they'd be wrangling two children, she didn't think Sam would be making dinner. Not yet, anyway, even if Dean was over early to help out.

"We can ask her then." Her eyes closed, and her voice quietened when she spoke again. "You want to put those hands a little lower?"

"Rowena—" His tone warned gently, knowing what she was getting at. When she'd grumbled earlier in the day, she'd mentioned a tea she knew to induce labour, though he knew she wasn't serious. As safe as her knowledge was, she was keeping this baby safely in her belly.

"Just a few more weeks, baby. You can do this." He kissed her cheek again, working his hands up to her shoulders, massaging them before encouraging her to lie down with him.

February 11

Lily had taken her time in being born, but when she'd finally arrived, she'd delighted everyone. Sam couldn't tell whether it was Rowena or Maisie who was more relieved by her arrival, but once they'd brought her home, she fit perfectly, even if there was a lot of adjustment.

She'd ended up being eight days late, and as each day had dragged on, Sam could tell that Rowena was becoming more serious about trying to induce her labour. He'd had to stop himself from laughing when her first contraction had started when she'd been brewing some tea, keeping the comment about their baby's sense of humour to himself.

Thankfully, when her due date had arrived, Dean had offered to look after Maisie, even as the week extended, allowing Sam to focus on Rowena as her labour progressed — as slowly as it progressed. She'd cursed him out enough that he was pretty certain that she'd come out with some swears he'd never heard before, had kicked him out for two hours in frustration before letting him back into the room, and he'd promised her that he'd tell no one when she'd cried.

It was all worth it to have their daughter with them.

She'd been home for two weeks. The first day that she'd been home, Maisie had insisted on watching her as she slept, quietly colouring a picture that she'd gotten her parents to pin up in her sister's room. It had been a family portrait, adorable, and as Sam had pinned it up, Rowena had cuddled her, telling her that she was a wonderful big sister.

They knew that not every day would be as smooth, but they could hope that many would be. Maisie was still thrilled about being a big sister and had told everyone at school about her. They hadn't yet taken her to a school pickup, with only Rowena or Sam going to meet her, even though Maisie had begged to show her off, proudly beaming about it. One day, they'd promised, when she was a little older.

They hoped that their future would stay like this, with the two girls close. Right now, it was blissful, and they were delighted with their family.