16 Unicorn Street, Friday morning

[bigdamnprincipal]

With the meet and greet in Barney's hopefully capable hands, Zoe had been content to spend the morning teaching Grace how to clean up her toys so that none of their guests would step on them and break them or hurt themselves. That might teach Mal a lesson in watching where he was going, but she didn't want anyone else who would be paying them a visit to get hurt.

[For visitors and guests and wheee PW!]

Comments

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

He hadn't actually been gone from the island all that long, but there was still something satisfying in a way he hadn't expected to coming back. Coming home.

Dean was smiling even before he opened the front door. "Anybody home?" he called out as he stepped inside.

[bigdamnprincipal]

There was a blur of movement and a high-pitched squeal of "Deeeeeeean!" as Grace literally dropped everything she was doing and ran over to him.

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean dropped his duffle bag and knelt down to her level so she could hug him properly instead of just his leg. "Hey Gracie," he said, grinning. "Miss me?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Grace nodded her head up and down, and it was after she'd wrapped her arms around Dean's neck and hugged him that she yelled, "Mommy! It's Dean!"

"I heard you before," Zoe said, coming over and smiling at the two of them. "Just like everyone in the neighborhood."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Good set of lungs," Dean quipped, tickling Gracie and making her shriek and giggle. "Excellent future as an opera singer. Or drill sargeant."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I think your father would prefer that second one," Zoe said, laughing. "It's good to see you, Dean. I'm so glad you're here this weekend."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Me too," Dean said, smiling and giving her a quick hug too. "I've missed everyone and this place."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"We've missed you too," Zoe said. "Your father's missed you terribly, but I didn't tell you that because it's not manly."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean snickered. God, he loved Zoe. "Where is he, anyway?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"He's at the shop," she said, "but he'll be home later."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean would have been more disappointed if he hadn't had a childhood of his father going off on hunts and leaving him and Sammy behind. He was in town this time which was a damned sight better than what happened back then. "What about you?" he asked instead. "Not up to your neck in being all principally?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Not today. Barney and the Student Council are handling the big things," Zoe said. "I've just got to be around during the weekend in case any angry parents want to talk to me. I'm having a peaceful day of preparation."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Shove Gracie at any angry parents," Dean suggested. "That should charm most of 'em. And if you can get her to scream, you can drown out the others."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I was thinking about bringing her with me. Parents are much less likely to yell and swear if there's a small child around," Zoe agreed. "As for the screaming, we're still working on the difference between inside voice and outside voice."

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"It's not so much learning the difference as learning to channel it appropriately," Dean suggested.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Very, very true," Zoe said. "So, have you been enjoying your time away?"

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Dean said, putting Gracie back down and watching her go back to her toys. "The hunts have all been pretty easy, and it's great having Alec around again. He sends his best, and I quote, 'to the hot principal.'"