Chapter Text
"Mr. Novak?"
Castiel gritted his teeth against the onslaught of a forming migraine.
"What?"
He heard his assistant gulp over the line and rolled his eyes.
"Ms. Milton is asking for you."
Castiel felt his heart jump. He switched the phone to his other ear. "Put her through."
Part of Castiel was concerned that something had happened. A much larger part was already cursing and swearing because of what was about to come.
"Ms. Milton?" Castiel asked, forcing his voice to sound light. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes." Anna Milton said, her tone aggressive. "I quit."
Castiel squeezed his eyes shut and forced back a tired sighed. He leaned back in his chair and reached a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"I'm very sorry to hear that." He said calmly. "What seems to be the issue?"
"Your daughter." Anna snapped. "She's an absolute menace. I am a highly qualified nanny! Not some teenage babysitter or behavioral correction counselor. I am certainly not going to spend my days looking after this brat, not while I have a degree in children's education!"
"If I recall correctly," Castiel growled, no longer in the mood to play nice, "the reason you are looking for work as a nanny is because you were fired from your position as an elementary teacher."
There was a moment of silence, and Castiel held his breath.
"I have never been so insulted in my life!" Castiel winced and pulled a little bit away from the phone. "I was going to be professionally courteous and stay for the remainder of the day, but I am leaving as soon as I get my things together! I don't care if there's no other arrangement to watch after Claire, I'm leaving!"
The line clicked off and began to hum mockingly in Castiel's ear. With an aggravated snarl, Castiel slammed the phone back down on the receiver and stood, his chair pushed violently back behind him.
"Daphne!" He yelled, waiting only a second for his beta assistant's head to peak through. "Reschedule my meetings!" He grabbed his coat and briefcase and stormed towards the door. Daphne jumped out of his way, her eyes wide.
"But, sir!" She said, following him. "You have a meeting with-"
"I don't give a fuck who I'm meeting with!" Castiel interrupted. "I'm leaving. I'm taking a fucking personal day. I don't care what it takes, reschedule my meetings!"
Daphne practically jumped at the alpha voice. She nodded once and scurried away. Castiel sneered in her general direction, then angrily punched the 'down' button for the elevator. He regretted losing his temper, just a bit, because it meant that he had to stand and wait for the elevator while his employees pretended they hadn't seen him yelling at Daphne.
Castiel grimaced. He'd buy Daphne some flowers to make it up to her.
The elevator arrived with a 'ding,' and Castiel did not hesitate to walk in. He pressed at the 'lobby' button with more force than strictly necessary. The doors closed and, ever-so-slowly, the elevator began its descent down.
It began to slow when Castiel was about halfway down, making him scowl. The elevator slowed to a stop. The door pulled open.
Another man entered the elevator. Castiel observed him briefly and saw he had dark blonde hair and green eyes. Castiel supposed he was conventionally attractive, but he didn't really care.
He did, however, care for the man's scent, which was enticing and seemed to fill up the small space. Castiel barely refrained himself from outwardly scenting the air.
Now intrigued, Castiel glanced once more in the direction of the man. He was looking down at his phone, oblivious to Castiel's interest. He wore a leather jacket and flannel with jeans. Castiel had assumed the man was an alpha at first, but he was starting to detect a hidden sweetness underneath the man's scent.
Castiel parted his lips a little, hoping to taste more of the scent.
Apple pie and whiskey. An odd combination for sure, but it was still delicious.
The man moved his head and Castiel snapped his mouth shut before he could see Castiel being creepy.
Castiel took another deep breath in through his nose, but he was unable to place the sweetness of the scent. It made the hairs on the back of Castiel's neck stand.
He must've exuded some frustrated pheromones, because the man glanced at him and cocked his head.
"You alright, dude?"
"Yes." Castiel answered in a rush. He hurriedly masked his scent in a neutral tone and stared ahead, embarrassed by the fact that he'd lost control.
"You sure, buddy?" The man pressed. "You seem a bit stressed."
"It's been a long day." Castiel admitted, still staring straight ahead.
"It's only 10." The man replied, his lips quirking. Castiel could not help the way his lips curved upwards as well. He ducked his head in acknowledgment.
"Yes, well." He shrugged. "There's a lot going on."
"I'm sorry to hear that." The man said, his voice sympathetic. "I know the feeling."
Castiel pursued his lips, wondering how far he should pursue this. He didn't think the man was an employee of his, but he wasn't completely sure. His clothing suggested that he didn't work here, but maybe he took the day off and he had forgotten something.
"What is your name?" Castiel asked, turning to face the man completely.
"Dean." The man replied. He stuck his hand out and shook Castiel's hand warmly.
"Nice to meet you, Dean." Castiel said. "I'm Castiel."
"Castiel?" Dean repeated slowly. "Bit of a mouthful."
"Yes, I suppose it is." Castiel said. "Do you work here?"
Dean laughed. "Nah. I'm just visiting a friend during her break. She didn't have a chance to buy coffee, so I brought her some."
"That's very sweet of you." Castiel said.
"It was nothing." Dean said with a wave of his hand. "She just can't function without coffee."
"Understandable." Castiel said. "I'm the same way with tea. I'm absolutely useless until I have a cup."
Dean chuckled, and Castiel's heart leapt in response.
He swallowed, unused to such a reaction. It had been a while since being around someone gave him butterflies in his stomach.
The elevator slowed to a stop and the doors opened.
"After you." Castiel said, gesturing. Dean grinned at him and stepped out of the elevator. Castiel followed close behind. He nodded at the desk workers and security guards as he and Dean exited the building.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Cas." Dean said. "See you around sometime."
"Yes." Castiel found himself smiling. "Goodbye."
Dean waved once, then turned and started down the crowded sidewalk. Castiel watched him go, something longing deep in his chest.
"Sir?"
Castiel glanced to the valet. "Yes?"
"Your car is here." The valet gestured to the car that was parked in along the curb. Castiel looked back towards the sidewalk again, but to his dismay, Dean was already gone.
Castiel shook his head and climbed into the back seat of the car.
"Where to?" His chauffeur, Balthazar, asked.
"Home, please." Castiel said.
"Not again." Balthazar said as they pulled away from the curb.
"Again." Castiel replied, sighing. "They just never seem to stick. Claire's a good child, I don't understand why she keeps acting up."
Balthazar glanced at him from the review mirror, his expression a mixture of pity and exasperation.
"What is it?" Castiel asked, curious. "You can tell me." He and Balthazar had been friends since they were young. Balthazar's father had been Castiel's father's chauffeur, and when Balthazar decided he wanted to be a chauffeur, it only made sense for Castiel to hire him.
"Amelia's been gone, what, two months?"
"Three." Castiel sullenly replied.
"Claire probably just misses her." Balthazar said. "Or you. She's probably trying to get attention."
Castiel stared glumly out the window as he thought it over. It was true that he hadn't spent much time with Claire lately, but he was very busy. If he could focus on his work for one full week, then he might be able to start getting home earlier. As it was, Castiel was constantly bombarded with calls from the various nannies he'd hired as they complained or quit (often both).
Despite Anna's threats, she was still there house when Castiel got home. She stood in the doorway with her bag, glaring at Castiel as he walked up to the house.
"Good luck getting someone to watch her. I'm posting a warning on the nanny blogs." Anna said. Then she spun on her feet and marched away.
Castiel sighed. He felt defeated and exhausted. He entered his home and closed the door behind him softly. He traveled through the entrance area to the living room and kitchen. It wasn't hard to tell that a tantrum of enormous proportions had taken place. There were a few toppled chairs and broken plates on the floor that made Castiel wince. Toys were thrown everywhere. A plant had been knocked over and it's soil spilled everywhere.
Castiel sighed.
He continued through the house and went upstairs to the bedrooms. Claire's bedroom door was open and Castiel peered inside.
Claire sat on her floor, two horse dolls in her hands as she played.
"Claire." Castiel softly called. Her little head bounced up as she looked up. A wide, gummy grin broke across her features and she jumped to her feet and ran to Castiel.
"Papa!" She squealed, tackling his leg. "Love you."
Castiel smiled somberly and reached down to touch her head with his hand. "I love you too."
She looked up at him and rested her chin on his head.
"Claire, sweetheart," Castiel carefully knelt down, "what happened?"
Claire pouted, her lip sticking out. "Nanny Milton told me to pick up my toys."
"Why did she say that, Claire?" Castiel asked.
"Because." Claire said.
"Were they out?"
"Yes." Claire nodded.
"Were you playing with them?"
"No, I was coloring."
"Okay, and what's our rule for when you're done using something?"
Claire bit her lip and looked away. "Put it away."
"That's right." Castiel said, nodding. "Why did you get upset when Nanny Milton asked you to do that?"
"Because I don't like her!" Claire cried, pulling away and plopping down.
Castiel sat back on his heels and quietly observed his daughter.
"Claire," he said, trying to keep his voice soft, "do you miss Mommy?"
Claire's bottom lip wobbled and she looked up at him with big, tear-filled eyes. Wordless she nodded. Castiel crawled over to her and pulled her onto his lap. She snuggled against him and wrapped her short arms around him.
"I miss her too." Castiel said. "But, honey, she's not going to come back. Would it help if we go to the zoo this weekend?"
Claire nodded against his chest.
"Okay." Castiel leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head. "We can do that. For now, though, will you stay in your room? I need to clean up downstairs, and I don't want you to get hurt or dirty."
"Okay, Papa." Claire said. She moved towards her horse toys. "I'm sorry."
"I know." Castiel said as he stood.
It took around an hour for Castiel to clean up downstairs. He was very thorough when he swept up the broken plates. They didn't wear shoes inside, and Castiel would hate if Claire stepped on a piece of glass.
When he finished, Castiel made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Claire and called her down. She happily ate it with carrot sticks and a glass of grape juice. She played for a bit, then Castiel tucked her in for her nap.
Castiel had absolutely no idea where to start looking for a new nanny. If Anna truly posted about Claire, it would be nearly impossible to get a qualified nanny. Perhaps Castiel should try a babysitter, but he felt that that nannies were a more permanent option.
While Claire napped, Castiel searched for nannies online and sent a few emails. He also posted an ad on some nanny website. Hopefully it would yield good results.
Once Claire woke up, Castiel made sure she had things to play with. Then he started doing whatever work he could do at home. He stayed in the living room to keep an eye on Claire, even though he would have preferred to be in his office.
Claire asked him to play with her a couple of times, but Castiel had to wave her away. It made him feel sad and guilty, but he was already behind on his work, and the meeting he'd been scheduled for was actually important so Castiel had to make up for it.
Castiel worked until dinner, then he ordered pizza for Claire and him. Usually he tried to avoid junk food during the middle of the week, but he thought this was probably a special case.
Castiel and Claire ate dinner at the counter in the kitchen. Castiel made a big deal of how gooey and stretchy the cheese was to make Claire giggle.
"Papa, can we watch a movie after dinner?" Claire asked, her feet swinging back and forth.
"Sure, you can watch a movie." Castiel said. "What do you want to watch?"
"No, Papa." Claire said. "I want to watch a movie with you."
"Oh." Castiel said. "I'm not sure if I can, Claire. I'm very busy with work."
"Please, Papa!" Claire begged. "I want to watch a movie with you!"
"Claire," Castiel sighed, "I want to watch a movie with you too, but I can't."
Claire deflated and looked despairingly at her plate of pizza.
"Maybe this weekend." Castiel tried. Claire only nodded.
Castiel cleaned up after them once they were finished and got back to work. He was in the room adjacent to where Claire was watching a movie so that he could keep and eye on her and still stay focused.
Sometime around seven, Castiel realized that even if he managed to get a nanny for next day, it wouldn't be enough for a true interview. Luckily, Castiel knew where he could find a good substitute. He took his phone and called a number. Castiel stood and looked through the doorway to the other room to check on Claire.
"Hey, Cassie, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Hello, Gabriel." Castiel said. "Are you busy tomorrow?"
"Well, I was planning on checking up on the second shop, but it's not crucial or anything. Why?"
"My nanny has quit." Castiel explained. "Would you be able to watch Claire? You could take her with you to check on your shop, as long as she doesn't eat too many treats."
"Sure, I can take her." Gabriel said. "I'd never pass on a chance to spend the day with my favorite niece."
Castiel rolled his eyes. "Thank you Gabriel. I have to be at work by nine, so could I drop her off around eight forty-five?"
"That works, bromingo. You know you can always ask me for help if you need it, right?"
"I know, Gabe." Castiel said, voice softening. "You've been an enormous help these past couple of months, thank you."
"Anything for you, Cassie."
"Alright, well, thank you again. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
"Goodbye."
Castiel ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Clair." He said. "Would you like to spend the day tomorrow with Uncle Gabriel?"
Claire's eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously, making Castiel smile.
"Okay," he said, "I'm going to take you to his house tomorrow."
Claire beamed at him and looked back at the television, so Castiel felt that he'd gotten at least one thing right.
Castiel got Claire ready for bed around seven-thirty. He washed her and dressed her in her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and tucked her in bed.
"What book tonight?" Castiel asked, moving towards the bookshelf.
"Enchanted." Claire decided. Castiel obediently picked out the childrens' picture-book version of the Enchanted film. He sat on her bed, careful not to crush her legs, and held the book open. Castiel had not been overly familiar with popular culture in the past, but with Amelia gone he'd received a sort of crash-course by caring for Claire. At least, Castiel knew much more on Disney and Dreamworks.
When Claire had drifted off, Castiel switched off her light and turned on the nightlight. He slipped out of the room and closed the door softly, not wanting to wake her. Then he made his way to his office to finish working.
Castiel worked until nearly midnight, then he pushed himself away from his computer and rubbed tiredly at his eyes before deciding to call it a night. He walked to his room and opened the door, only to be greeted with a figure in his bed.
Castiel squinted his eyes and could make out Claire's small form sleeping in the center of Castiel's bed. How she'd managed to get past Castiel's office without him realizing it was beyond him, but he thought that maybe it could be a wake up call to be more alert in the future. She was facing towards him. One arm was clutched tightly around the honeybee stuffed animal that she'd been in love with since she'd been a baby. The other arm was angled towards her head so she could suck her thumb.
Castiel shook his head and then quietly moved to the master bath to shower and get ready for bed. After, he shuffled towards his bed and stared down at Claire, wondering what he should do.
Finally, Castiel sighed. He moved towards his side of the bed and gently moved Claire to the opposite end, though not too close to the end. He covered her with a light blanket, then got under the duvet covers.
Claire was still deeply asleep, but she still shifted until she was cuddled up against his side with her little nose pressed against his neck. Castiel moved forward to kiss her forehead. He really should start insisting she sleep in her own bed. More often than not, she ended up in Castiel's bed. But Castiel couldn't bear to turn her away. He thought it probably comforted her in Amelia's absence. So, Castiel instead turned off the light and stared up at the ceiling, waiting to fall asleep and pointedly not thinking about how he was a pathetic excuse for a father.