Disclaimer: The wonderful Winchester belong to Eric Kripke and the CW.

A/N: Sam is six years old in this story.

This had been one awful week for the Winchesters. John had caught the flu and was miserable for two days. Just when he was starting to feel better Dean came down with it. That was three days of torture watching his eldest boy suffer and now the baby had it. Sammy had not been able to keep anything down and even though there was nothing left in his stomach he had kept right on throwing up.

John was now sitting up with Sammy, while Dean got some much needed rest. The older boy had protested that he was fine and he could stay up with Sammy, but John insisted Dean go to bed. Less than five minutes after his head hit the pillow, Dean was in dreamland.

Sitting on a worn out green sofa, John was holding Sammy in his arms. Feeling absolutely miserable, the little boy rested his tear stained cheek on his father's chest. John rubbed soothing circles on his back while whispering words of comfort.

"Shhh, its okay Sammy. It's going to be all okay," whispered John.

"Daddy, I'm thirsty. Can I have some water?" asked Sammy.

"No water, Sammy. Its not good for your tummy. How about a little Coke?" offered John.

Sammy nodded his head against his dad's chest. John gently put Sammy on the couch and went to the kitchen emerging a minute later with a small glass of coke. He walked over to the sofa and handed the drink to Sammy.

"Take small sips Sammy. Don't drink too much," instructed John.

After taking a couple of small sips, Sammy handed the cup back to his father who set it down on the coffee table. John sat back on the sofa and put his arm around his youngest and pulled him close. John relished spending time with his kids, but there had been too little of that lately with all the hunting he had been doing. He hated that it took the flu to get him to spend time with his boys.

"Daddy," said Sam quietly.

"Yeah Sammy." John looked down at his son.

"Do you hate me?" Where the hell is that coming from John wondered.

"No Sammy. I don't hate you. I could never hate you. Where would you get a crazy idea like that?" asked John.

"Timmy Cooper," answered Sammy.

"Who is Timmy Cooper and why would he say I hate you?" John was going to have to make a phone call first thing in the morning to Timmy Cooper's parents.

"He's in my class and he didn't say that. His parents got divorced and he doesn't see his daddy anymore. He said that before his parents got divorced his daddy spent a lot of time away from home. His sister told him that their daddy must hate them and that's why they never see him anymore."

Oh God, Sammy thinks that because I been away a lot lately that I don't love him. John hadn't felt so low in a long time.

"Sammy, I want you to listen to me. I love you and your brother with all my heart. There is nothing and I mean nothing that could ever change that. Do you understand me Sammy? I will always love you." said John firmly.

Sammy looked up at his dad with a smile that lit up his whole face, even though he was still sick. John pulled his son close and held him tight.

Many years after that night when Sam was away at school and refusing to admit to himself that he missed his dad, he would think of that night and remember his father's words. I will always love you.

Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think.