#two timelines

“Would you like me to stay, bud?” Uncle Jimmy asks, quiet and soft. Besides him, Claire doesn't move a muscle.

Jack worries his lips and gives the question a minute, thinking it over. It’s not like he didn’t expect the question. He was even waiting for it. It’s been the same every year since forever. Uncle Jimmy was the one his mom assigned to the very important task, Uncle Jimmy’s words not Jack’s, of delivering the videos to Jack each year on his birthday for the last eight years of his life.

Last year Jack mastered enough bravery to begin the video alone but he soon cried out for his uncle who came tripping over his feet and Jack stayed cuddled to his side, the video frozen on the unmoving screen until Jack felt brave again.

Right now Jack doesn’t know if he’s sure.

Still, Jack looks up into his uncle’s patient eyes and nods once.

“Alright, kiddos. I’ll be in the garden out back finishing up a few things on the phone before Amelia comes back with half the store.” Uncle Jimmy says as he stands up, “If you need anything just give me a shout, ‘kay?”

After seeing their twin nods Uncle Jimmy ruffles their hair and drops a kiss on each of their heads before his out of the closed pinto door opening it before working outside and sliding the door back shut They both stare at his tail until they hear the lock clicking before either of them speaks.

“Want me to leave?” Claire offers.Without permission, Jack’s hand shoots out to grab her. “No stay. please.”

“Sure thing, jackie bean.” Claire says, smiling reassuringly at him.

Then she untangles his hand off of her wrist and just… holds on to it. Steady and strong.

Jack takes a deep breath and then releases it slowly, the way his dad taught him.

“‘Kay.” he says into the air.

Claire squeezes his hand once.

“Yeah?”

He nods.

She nudges him gently, “Okay, let’s do this.”

** On the screen, his mama’s eyes glint with mischief.

“So, I know that I can tell you what I'm about to tell you and be sure that you’ll get it.” she stops in what Jack knows must be to add a dramatic edge to what she would say next. He knows her like that. It’s only for a breath but it’s effective because when she continues it gets her captive audience at the edge of their seats. She says, “I'm going to tell you a story. A love story. Your daddy’s love story.” For two different reasons both Jack and Claire gasp.

Wide-eyed, their eyes lock with each other, then back at the screen before they lock eyes once again. Identical twin smiles grow, taking over their faces as they eagerly wait for what tale Kelly Kline will spine.

Whatever it is, they know it’s going to be good.

“But before that,” his mommy chuckles, shoulder-length hair flying around her face as she shakes her head. “I first need to tell you all about his very best friend in the whole wild world. I’m going to tell you about Dean Winchester.”