This story is written in a world where Jo was somehow brought back but Ellen is still dead.
Ellen meets her grandson for the first time.
Heaven
It was a sad thing to say but Ellen Harvell rather enjoyed being dead. There were no monsters in heaven; there were no spirits and certainly no demons. Ash, being the genius that he was, had somehow found a way to bring both her and Bill across into his heaven, which funnily enough looked like the roadhouse. Ash came and went as he pleased, sometimes bringing home other old friends who had passed away. Her and Bill spend their days together, just talking, mainly about their daughter Jo. Ellen caught Bill up on everything he had missed. She told him how Jo had grown into such a beautiful young lady, how she was smart but that she had left school because she wanted to be a hunter just like her daddy. Bill's face showed equal parts pride and worry upon hearing that particular piece of news.
The one thing Ellen hated about death was that they never heard any news from earth. It had been several years since her death and Ellen hadn't heard anything about her daughter Jo. Ash ensured her Jo was still alive, he would have heard about her death on his 'angle radio' he had said, but the thing was that Ash's angle radio had been almost silent since the Apocalypse had been averted.
It came as a shock then, when on one slow afternoon, an alarm started flashing on Ash's machine and a high pitched shriek filled the air. Ellen, Bill and Ash all covered their ears in a futile attempt to block out the noise.
"What's going on?" Ellen yelled, as loud as she could in Ash's direction.
Ash, who looked uncharacteristically serious, yelled back, "someone's coming!"
Almost as soon as it started the shrieking sound stopped and Ellen could have sworn she heard a fluttering of wings before there was a loud knock on the door. After a short, tense moment Bill made his way to the door and opened it.
Ellen breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised the trench coat wearing angle on the door step; he was holding hands with a young, terrified looking boy.
"Uh, hello," Bill said, not knowing the angel and clearly unsure of how to great him.
"Castiel!" Ellen smiled warmly. Castiel's face twitched in what Ellen assumed was his attempt at a smile.
"I was asked to bring the boy to you," Castiel said, straight to the point, as he ushered the boy inside.
Ellen's mouth dropped open, "wait, what?" she asked, but typically the angel was already gone.
The boy suddenly burst into tears, startling Bill, who had been staring slack-jawed at the place Castiel had vanished from. Bill shot Ellen a pleading glance; nothing scared him quite like crying children.
Rolling her eyes at her husband Ellen rushed forward pulling the small boy into a hug and gently patting his back.
"Where am I?," he asked. Ellen could feel his little bottom lip shaking against her skin as he tried to control his cries, "I… I want my mummy and daddy!"
Feeling a rush of maternal instinct come over her, Ellen picked up the little sobbing boy and hugged him tightly. "Hey, shush, it will be ok," she cooed, carrying him over to a booth and shooting looks at a reluctant Bill and Ash to follow. Ellen settled into the booth, pulling the boy into her lap. Bill and Ash sat opposite them. Ellen waited for the boy to quieten down before she spoke again.
Gently stoking his short blonde hair she said, "my name's Ellen, what's yours?"
"W…William," he said his voice still thick with tears, "some people call me Bill but mummy and daddy always say Will".
"Oh that's nice Will. My husband is called William too, but people call him Bill, and that idiot other there, that's Ashlee but will all call him Ash".
Will looked at Bill and Ash with interest, his tears stopping for the meantime. "That's my name too! My full name is William Ashlee, mummy named me after her family and daddy named my brother after his!"
"Really?" Bill asked seeming amused by Will's sudden change in attitude.
"Aha," Will nodded enthusiastically, "Mummy's family are all died but daddy sayed that they were super cool. He said uncle Ash, who I am named after, is super smart and could find all kind of thing on the computer, he also said he would tell me some funny stories about him but mummy said no. Daddy also sayed that mummy's mum is my granddaermaa and she is super scary but really cool, my sister middle name is named after her, her name was Ellen. Daddy never knew my grandda Bill but mummy said he was really brave and fought against monsters just like my mummy and daddy do".
Dead silence followed Will's speech and Ellen knew that they were all putting the facts together just like her. The boy obviously came from a family of hunters. There weren't that many hunters in the world, the chances of another family of hunters with the names Ash, Bill and Ellen were extremely slim, not to mention the familiar blonde hair and the fact that Castiel had brought Will here of all places.
"Will," Ellen said tentatively, "what is your mummy's name?
Will seemed confused by the question, "umm.. Mummy?".
Ellen took a deep breath trying not to take her anxiety out on Will, "what I meant is what do other people, like your dad, call your mum?"
William giggled, "my dad call my mum a lots of names that always gets him in trouble, buts uncle Sammy calls her Jo".
Ellen was so overcome with emotion that she didn't even register the new name Will had mentioned or hear Ash's snort of laughter all she could think about was that she was meeting her grandson for the first time. Her eyes filled with tears as she tried to battle with the conflicting emotions within her. On one hand this little angle was her grandson and he was so beautiful and cute and so much like Jo that she couldn't help but love him already, but on the other hand she wasn't meeting her grandson for the first time at a hospital or the family home, she was meeting him in heaven which meant he was dead and her poor baby daughter had just lost her son. Ellen couldn't begin to know what Jo was going through, if she had lost Jo, and at such a young age- Will couldn't have been older than five, she didn't know what she would have done.
Ellen looked at her husband; he too seemed torn between overwhelming joy and sadness. Ash on the other hand was looking poor Will up and down with amusement.
"What is so funny?" she snapped at Ash fixing him with her best glare. To her, and Bill's, surprise Ash didn't seemed fazed by Ellen's mumma bear look, instead he threw her a smirk before turning towards Will.
"William Ashlee," he said, in what Ellen supposed was his best dramatic voice, "you got a last name buddy?"
Will giggled at Ash's words and the sound warmed Ellen's heart as she waited curiously for an answer. She hadn't paid much mind to the kid's father before, but those green eyes weren't Jo's, they had to have come from somewhere. Hadn't Will said that his dad had known her and he had said she was super scary but really cool?
"Of course I gots a last name," Will replied, "it's Winchester, William Ashlee Winchester".
Ellen and Bill's jaws almost hit the table in shock which only caused Ash to start laughing harder. Will watched the grownups with a bemused look on his face.
Bill was the first to recover, "what!" he yelled, causing Will to jump and cuddle into Ellen, "no!".
"Bill…" Ellen tried.
"No Ellen don't you Bill me, you've told me about those Winchester boys, they're trouble. You told me yourself that Jo almost died hunting with them and now she's married to one of them! Not to mention the fact that their father shot me!"
"Bill you're frighting him!" Ellen said motioning towards the boy in her lap, who was starting to tear up again. "And yes that's true, Jo did almost die hunting with the boys, but in the end they saved her. And besides Dean has grown up a lot since then and… wait your father is Dean isn't it?" She asked.
"He said Uncle Sammy before," Ash confirmed when Will didn't answer.
Bill looked as though he regretted frightening Will but still not entirely happy.
"Look Bill," Ellen tried again, "If someone had told me years ago that my daughter was going to marry Dean Winchester I may have shot him to keep it from happening, but I hunted with him a few times the year I died, he was more mature, he took responsibility for his actions and he seemed like he was ready to be done with hunting. Dean isn't his father; you can't blame him for what John did, but if there is one thing they have in common it's how far he'll go for his family. Jo could do much worse than having someone like that protecting her".
"Wait," Will said with wide eyes, "you know mummy and daddy?"
Ellen shifted in her seat, unsure of how to answer, she looked at Bill for advice but he just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really know how to say this sweetheart but I'm your mummy's mother, I'm your grandmother".
Will's brow frowned in confusion for a moment before his eyes widened with fright, he jumped out of the booth so quickly it startled the three adults.
"No, no, no," Will repeated, shaking his head stubbornly, "both my granddaermaa's are dead, you're a demon, you're a demon or a…"
"Shapeshifter?" Ash suggested, earning glares from both Ellen and Bill, "just trying to be helpful," he muttered.
Bill got up and took a few tentative steps towards Will, "ok buddy I know that this hard to understand but…" Bill didn't get a chance to finish his sentence; he was interrupted by Will swiftly kicking him in the shins, which caused Ash to explode in laughter.
"Defiantly my grandbaby," Ellen said with a small smile.
Deciding it was best to act before Will could demonstrate what other moves his parents had taught him against her husband, Ellen stood with her hands up in a surrendering pose. "Will," she said calmly, trying to calm the terrified child, "if your mummy and daddy told you about demons and shapeshifters then you know that they can't touch silver?"
Will nodded meekly. Ellen took a few slow steps towards the bar. Before the Roadhouse had been burnt down Ellen had kept a silver knife hidden under the register. She wasn't entirely positive it would be there in Ash's heaven version of the road house and let out a sigh of relief when her fingered touched the cold handle.
Taking a deep breath Ellen slid the blade across her arm, leaving a trail of blood. "See Will, I'm real, I really am your grandmother".
Will scrunched his little face up in confusion. "But mummy and daddy said you is dead"
Ellen took a deep breath and glanced at her husband for strength. "Will, your parents were telling you the truth, I'm dead. Ash, your grandfather and I all live up here in heaven now… Will if you're here in heaven I think you might be dead too".
Will stared at Ellen for a long moment and then the confusion on his face morphed into sadness. "But… but… I can't be dead. I is four! Only old people die!"
Ellen was quick to scoop her grandbaby into a hug. "I'm sorry sweetie but sometimes young people die too. Do you remember what you were doing before you… before the angel came and got you?"
Will nodded. "It was Christmas but not this Christmas, it was last Christmas again. We were at Uncle Bobby's house and there not enough beds so me and Adam had to share. Then I roll over and Adam felled out. It was really funny."
Ellen smiled fondly. "I think that was one of your memories sweetie. What about before that, what were you doing?"
Will frowned trying to remember. "I was in bed and sad cause Adam and Mary were out with Uncle Sammy but mummy said I had to stay home cause I was sick. Then I start to feel worse so I went to find mummy and daddy. Then everything started to hurt real bad and I fell so I yelled for daddy. Then daddy came and he looked scared and he picked me up and kept saying my name then mummy came and she looked scared too, then I don't remember anything else." Will started to cry as he finished.
"Oww my poor baby!" Ellen hugged Will close to her chest and then carried him to sit with Bill and Ash who had been quite during the exchange.
Ellen rubbed Will's back as he continued to cry. She gently lent against Bill seeking comfort from her husband. When Will's tears started to subside, Ellen asked Will to tell her about his family in an effort to distract him.
"Well there is mummy and daddy and me and Adam and Mary. I'm four and so is Adam. Mary is four. Mum and dad are… old. I'm named after mummy family. Adam's middle name is Robert after uncle Bobby who is daddy'd family. Daddy says that even though I'm named after mummy's family he loves me just as much. Adam can be really annoying and mean but sometimes he is fun. We both play soccer. My little sister is Mary Ellen. Daddy says that me and Adam have to look after Mary cause that's what good big brothers do. Uncle Sammy and Uncle Bobby and Dean are our family too…"
"Wait," Ellen interrupted with a small frown, "Dean?"
"Dean is Uncle Bobby's dog," Will explained.
"Oh" Ellen smiled, there had to be a story behind that!
Ash laughed, "bet your dad loved that".
"Daddy said it is because he was so awe..awesome" Will explained seriously.
"Oh, of course, sorry for interrupting you Will".
"It ok grandma Ellen." Ellen almost burst with joy apron hearing her darling baby call her 'grandma'. Will continued with his speech. "We go to uncle Sammy's house lots. Uncle Sammy is good at soccer and he teached me and Adam lots. Sometimes we go and see Uncle Bobby. Uncle Bobby doesn't have grass so we can't play soccer but we play hide and go seek. Once me and mummy hid in one of uncle Bobby's cars and it took daddy and Adam hoooouuuurrrrs to find us.
Ellen smiled as she listened to her grandson talk about his family, yes Ellen Harvell defiantly liked being dead and she had a feeling she he after life was about to get a lot more interesting from now on.
Earlier that night…
"Castiel," the broken whisper of a voice that Castiel hadn't heard in a long time, but would still recognise anywhere, sounded in his head. Castiel knew what Dean wanted; he had just heard the terrible news and his heart went out to his oldest and best friend. As much as Castiel wanted to change what had happened he knew he couldn't, he expected Dean knew us much but still felt he had to at least try; either that or he simply needed someone to take his frustrations out on. Either way Castiel owed it to his old friend to at least give an explanation and his condolences.
Castiel had once described Dean as a broken shell of a man, but never before had the term suited him as much as it did now. Dean was pale, his eyes were red and puffy from crying, he looked lost.
"Dean," Castiel said in way of greeting as he materialised in front of his friend.
"Cas," Dean chocked, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
"I'm sorry," Castiel said. He noticed a flicker of anger in Dean's eyes but wasn't surprised, after spending so much time on earth Castiel was better at predicting the way Dean would react in difficult situations.
"You're sorry? Screw sorry! Can't you do something Cas? For God's sake he's only four!," Dean said his voice breaking on the last sentence.
"Dean, if I could do anything I would but the natural order…"
"Natural order! Are you freaking kidding me Cas?" Dean yelled. "Nothing about our family is natural. Jo was ripped apart by hellhounds, Sam was locked in a cage with the devil, Lucifer snapped Bobby's neck, you freaking exploded twice, I can't even remember how many times I've died and yet were all still here. When did natural order become so important?"
Castiel took a deep breath, "Dean, do you remember when Sam lost his soul and you made that bet with Death to win it back?"
Dean didn't answer but it was clear from the glare Castiel was receiving that he did remember.
"Do you remember that girl, the one you refused to kill? She disrupted the natural order, that nurse died and many others would have if you hadn't returned and took the girl. If I was to bring Will back death would follow him forever. You may be prepared to give your life for your sons, but what about Jo's or Adams' or Mary's, are you willing to sacrifice theirs?"
Dean's only reply was a small shake of the head. Cas could see tears starting to fall from his friend's eyes. Although he was still uncomfortable with human emotions Cas moved closer to Dean and wrapped his arms around him, trying to comfort in a way he had seen Dean do for Sam. He was surprised when Dean didn't pull away.
"Dean, if there was anything I could do…"
"There is," Dean interrupted the angel. He pulled himself away from Cas trying to inconspicuously dry his eyes, Cas pretended not to notice. "I remember, after Sam and I were shot, when we were in heaven. It was so confusing to begin with, I had no idea what was happening. Can you… can you help Will? Take him to Ellen, we told Ash that Ellen was dead so Ash probably found her and brought her to the roadhouse in his heaven. Ellen… she'll help Will."
Castiel considered this for a moment. "You don't want to give him the chance to relive his favourite memories?" he asked.
"No, I do," Dean said, his voice becoming choked again, "just, I want him to understand what's going on first". Cas nodded in understanding. "Cas, can you, can you do me one more thing?" Castiel hesitated before nodding. "Can you tell Will I love him, me and his mum, we love him… so much". Dean said breaking into sobs.
This time Cas didn't hesitate pulling Dean into a hug, "I will tell him, you have my word," he promised.
The pair stood in silence for a few minutes while Dean tried to control his sobs. Suddenly a thought accrued to Castiel and he pulled away from Dean with a serious look on his face. "Dean I need you to promise me something," he said.
Dean looked up wiping furiously at the tears running down his face, "what?"
"I need you to promise me you won't go off and find a demon to sell your soul to in exchange for Will's life," Castiel said.
Dean tensed, "Cas…"
"No Dean, give me your word"
"Ok"
"Ok?" Castiel said in confusion.
Dean sighed heavily "don't get me wrong when… when it happened, my first thought was to find the nearest crossroads and try to make a deal, but I couldn't".
Seeing Cas's confusion Dean continued, "I can't leave Jo to raise the kids alone and I can't let Adam and Mary grow up without a father, but more importantly if I end up downstairs again I'll never see Will again".
Castiel nodded in understanding, "you've become very mature Dean," he admitted.
Neither one of them said anything for a few moments until Dean broke the silence, "I should go find Jo" he said.
Castiel gave a brief nod. "I shall take care of your son Dean you have my word".
With a flag of his wings Cas was gone before Dean had a change to reply. "Thank you," Dean whispered to the empty sky.