Memories
Jess's laugh echoed loudly through the playground, sweet and kind and blending in with the children's laughter, only an octave higher.
Sam smiled happily. Even though he hadn't quite finished the report that was due tomorrow, he felt careless- in a good way.
As Jess moved back toward him, the chains on the swing creaking in time, he pushed her gently, watching her soar into the sky. The sunlight caught in her golden hair, making it shine dazzlingly. She looked like an angel.
His angel.
A little girl, with the same hair as Jess, walked up to them, where the rest of the children had shied away, sticking to the monkey bars.
Jess dragged her sandals in the woodchips, slowing her movement until she lurched to a stop. The little girl, still hovering uncertainly at the edge of the swings, smiled shyly at Jess.
Sam didn't say anything. He wasn't that great with kids.
Jess however, was another story. She loved the little munchkins. "Hey!" she greeted warmly, flashing the girl a white and toothy grin. "You wanna swing too?"
The girl, still a bit shy, nodded once, peeking up at Jess through her curls.
Jess laughed good-naturedly and without the girl's permission, picked her up by the waist and swung her onto a set.
Forgetting herself, the girl squealed with the sort of innocent laughter you can only find in a kid. "Push me!" she ordered, giggling.
"Hope you're ready!" Jess retorted. "My pushes make you fly!"
Sam chuckled, watching the scene unfold with growing love for his girlfriend.
His angel.
Jess grabbed the chains with her manicured fingernails and reared the swingset back as far as she could manage and let go, laughing in time with the girl as she gained and lost height, the swing joining in the chorus of voices with its own squeak.
"Mary?" An unfamiliar voice called, and the girl's head swung toward the source. Jess reached for the swing and stopped the girl.
Sam couldn't help but think of his mom, also named Mary. He hoped she was like this little girl, but he couldn't remember. He decided, with a proud son's confidence, that she almost definitely was.
A middle aged woman wearing a suit ran up to the swing set and hefted Mary up, smiling at Jess and Sam. "Thanks for playing with Mary," she said, "she can have a lot of… energy,"
Sam smiled in return. "It was a joy," he responded truthfully.
"A joy!" Jess echoed.
The woman and Mary both waved as they walked away, and Mary tracked them over her mother's shoulder until they were out of sight.
"Sam…" Jess said in a slightly teasing voice, and grabbed his wrist.
Confused, Sam looked down and met her pleading gaze. "What?"
"I like kids," she said cautiously, not sure if Sam was catching her drift.
He was. "Don't you think we should hit the chapel first?" It was his way of saying, yes, let's start a family together. Be happy.
Jess knew Sam well enough to hear the unspoken agreement. She kissed him on the cheek and they walked back to the car in a comfortable silence.
Later that night, while Jess was asleep, Sam bought the perfect ring, silver with a huge diamond in the center, a few little ones circling around it. He knew Jess would love it. He crept into the house silently, hiding the ring in his dresser. He smiled as he drifted off, arm wrapped around Jess. He imagined the ways he could propose.
The next night Dean would be the one sneaking in. He would ask for Sam's help, and Sam would agree.
A few nights later the ring would burn with the house, and Jess.