Bobby was smiling.
The day up until that moment hadn't been pleasant. He had helped Rufus with a rugaru, an odd little hunter named Garth with a persistent ghost, and his boys with a particularly nasty pagan god. Sam and Dean had said their usual thanks and had gotten back to work like the heroes they were.
Bobby was proud of them. He was as proud as a father could be, particularly for a man who had no kids of his own. He gave his all for them though. They made him feel needed, and for an old man, that was growing increasingly hard for him to find.
This didn't change that he was exhausted, and tired of wheeling around the house in his chair. He had reached for a drink earlier and it had broken all over his floor, and he had no idea how he was going to clean it without the use of his legs.
It didn't help his mood that is was his birthday. Most people looked forward to their birthdays, but Bobby had long since expected anyone to remember his. To so many he was just the redneck car dealer outside of town. Still, it didn't change that he was a bit remorseful at the idea no one cared to know.
Bobby was taken out of his thoughts by a door busting open. Dean strode into the room.
"Bobby, we need your help! Come on outside, we've got problems!"
Bobby was going to tell him that he was going to have a problem even getting outside, but Dean had already bolted out the door again. Struggling, Bobby wheeled himself to the door at a frantic pace, hoping and praying he would be useful in whatever struggle they had waiting for him. When he reached the door and saw the light pouring in, he looked up.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
There were Sam and Dean, Ellen and Joe, Rufus and even Garth standing there waiting to greet him. Each had a drink in hand, saluting him, a barbecue grilling behind them.
"Happy Birthday Bobby!" They all said in unison.
Bobby was smiling.
In the months and years that followed, when things seemed most dark in his life, it would always bring a tear to his eye, and every time, he smiled.