Return from a watery grave

I do not own the world of Supernatural or any of its inhabitants.

Chapter 3

"Emanuel, can you open this jar for me," Daphne asked, holding out the jar to her husband.

Taking it from her hand, Emanuel touched the lid, only to see it twist itself. He had to barely expend any energy at all. He handed the glass container back to Daphne, who kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, sweetheart," she said with a smile.

Saying nothing about what just happened with the jar, he grinned at her touch, and replied, "I'll be out front, mowing the lawn. Call me when lunch is ready."

Emanuel had no memory of any place nor people, who may have been a part of his past life. He'd never dreamt, since he never slept. But he enjoyed lying next to Daphne, feeling the warmth her body against him. It seemed foreign somehow, yet he was becoming more used to her daily presence. He cared for her very much, but he realized over time that he didn't love her. Romantic love was something Emanuel felt was beyond the range of his capabilities. Meeting Daphne's family and friends, and watching them, had only solidified the feeling that he wasn't normal, his emotional being stunted from having the full experience. But he was happy, that he could admit.

Pushing the electric mower around the front yard, he was enjoying the fragrance of the freshly cut grass. He hummed a tune that he didn't know the origin of. It seemed almost a hymn of sorts, but he had no idea where he had learned it.

Daphne was watching him though the window, feeling an unexplained apprehension. Every once in awhile, she experienced feelings of dread. She tried to will away the dark shadows that threatened to ruin the happiness she felt since Emanuel had come into her life.

Suddenly, the sound of screeching brakes interrupted her thoughts. Her heart stopped when she peered outside to see a neighbor boy lying on the ground next to his bike. He'd been hit by a car. Running out the front door, Daphne headed for the street, and saw that Emanuel had beat her to the boy, who was lying on the ground, crying in pain. It was Davie, a neighbor who lived a few houses down the street. He was in obvious pain.

As she knelt beside him, holding his hand and comforting him as best she could, she watched as her husband silently reached out to touch the boy's leg, which looked grossly askew.

"Don't touch my boy!" The child's father was running across the street. Seeing a neighbor with whom he rarely spoke about to do something to his son, the man approached, his face dark with anger.

Daphne intercepted him, physically placing herself between the frantic man and her husband. "He's going to help. Trust me. Emanuel has a gift. Let him help make your son better."

Whether it was the soothing sound of her voice, or the love that shone in her eyes, the man calmed down. "What...what's he going to do to my boy?"

Daphne said nothing, as she knelt beside the boy once more, taking his hand in hers. The driver of the car went to stand beside the boy's father.

"I'm...I'm so sorry. He rode out in front of me. I couldn't stop in time. I'm sorry," he said contritely. Both men watched as the man went to work.

Emanuel reached out to grasp the boys leg, moving it until it was straight. He ignored the cries of pain, which were silenced almost instantly as Emanuel let his hands sit on the damaged leg ever so briefly. He bowed his head, closing his eyes, before standing. "Your son should be fine now," he told the boy's father.

"Davie, how are you?" his father asked with worry in his tone. He was shocked to see his son smiling.

"Yeah, Dad, I'm ok. It doesn't hurt anymore." Pointing at Emanuel, the boy said, "He just touched me, and it stopped hurting."

The man turned to Emanuel and Daphne, who was now next to her husband, her arm in his. "Thank you for helping my son. You can heal, just by touching someone? That's amazing!"

Daphne spoke up in fear. "Please don't tell anyone. We don't want to be inundated with so many people, or do anything that might get Emanuel taken away from us."

It was at this moment, Daphne's husband spoke for himself. "If you know anyone who needs my help, please let me know. I will go to them."

"No, I understand. You have your privacy to protect. I'm just grateful you helped my son. Your...secret...is safe with us." He picked up his son's bike and led the boy home.

The driver was in awe of what he'd just seen. But he still felt to blame for almost killing someone.

Sensing this, Emanuel placed his hand on the man's arm. "You must forgive yourself. It's important. As the Lord forgives you, so you must do the same. Never let the darkness of blame or guilt touch your heart."

As if a huge weight had been lifted from the man's shoulders, he nodded. "Thank you." Blinking, as memories of past transgressions filled his mind and left as quickly, the man gave Emanuel a grateful smile. "Thank you!" Practically floating to his car, he turned back to the couple and waved, calling 'Thank you' once more, before driving off.

Daphne hugged her husband. He was special, she knew that, had seen him in action. His temperment, his power to heal, all that he was made up of, made her love him more each day. But she felt that he was holding back. She knew he cared for her, but his love was not the same as what she felt for him. And it never would be.

For the few weeks after she'd found Emanuel wandering the woods, naked, hurt, and without his memory, they had lived together but apart. He stayed in her guest room, helped around the house, and kept her company for the most part since he knew no one else. She grew closer to him than any man she'd ever met, and found that, despite her doubts and the unknowns involved, she was falling in love with him.

One day, she decided to confront him. "Emanuel, are you aware of how I feel about you?" They were in the garden, working together at something they both enjoyed.

"I know you have feelings for me, and I appreciate all that you've done for me, Da..."

"Emanuel, I love you," Daphne blurted out. She felt some disappointment when all he did was tilt his head and stare at her. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Daphne, I was only surprised. And curious. Why do you love me?"

She suppressed a giggle. He was such a child at times. Wise about some things, so innocent about others. "I love you because you're a good man. In the short time you've been here, I can see myself with no one else. Do you feel...anything for me?"

In response, Emanuel reached up to touch her cheek. "You're a good woman, Daphne Allen. Without you, I might have perished out there in the wilderness. I do care for you, and I don't think I have for anyone before. Not like this." He looked into her eyes, as if he could see right into her soul. Bending towards her, he pressed his lips tentatively against hers. Then he drew back. Emanuel drank in her features. He took in the color of her eyes, the long lashes that framed them, the pink now brightening her cheeks, the fullness of the lips he'd just kissed. He never felt this way, or at least, he didn't recall it.

Daphne looked up into Emanuel's eyes as he seemed to peruse her face. In confusion, she was about to say, "Emanuel...?" when he kissed her once more, harder this time. She couldn't help but part her lips to allow him in as he tasted her. Her arms slipped around him, holding him closer. Even as she reveled in the feel of him and what he was doing to her, she pulled away. "Please, stop. It's wrong."

He frowned as he felt her disengage herself from his arms. She was right, of course. He had no right to her body. She had only ever been kind to him, and he would not do this to her. He thought a moment. Why not just be with her, always. He cared about her, and she had said she loved him. It was God's will he had been found by her, so perhaps He had a purpose for their being together. She wasn't frightened by his powers, and although there were some things he would have to explain, like the fact he never slept, he was sure they could build a life, a good life, together. "Daphne, marry me. Be my wife."

Daphne perused Emanuel's face. Had he asked her to marry him only so he could get into her bed? That wasn't good enough for her. "Emanuel..."

"I know what you're thinking, Daphne, and no, that's not it at all. I want to be with you, for as long as we live. Together, we can help people. We can be happy. Do you believe that?"

She smiled in return and nodded. "Yes, I believe." They hugged each other, saying nothing more for a few minutes.

Finally, Daphne spoke. "You have no ID, Emanuel. You need a birth certificate to get married."

Emanuel looked at her. "What do we do then?"

"I have a friend who is a lawyer. He may be able to help. I'll call him." As she was about to go inside, he pulled on her hand. "Don't worry. He can be trusted."

When she had called her friend, who asked her a ton of questions, but believed her reason for immediacy, he had agreed to help. It was a simple thing and maybe not exactly legal, but if what she said was true, this Emanuel needed their protection. Also, being a reverent man didn't hurt. His ideals of holy service trumped that of Earthly law. He found a record of a birth certificate of a young man who had perished in an auto accident, and had no family to claim his body. No one in authority would even care about him. Emanuel would give the man life again.

Once a birth certificate was secured, Daphne had asked the priest of her church to marry the couple. Father Hennesey had met Emanuel the first time Daphne had brought him with her one Sunday. He felt awe in the presence of this man who exuded peace, and something else he couldn't put his finger on. He welcomed the young man to his flock eagerly. To marry him to one of his favorite parishioners gave him the utmost pleasure.

And so Daphne Allen married Emanuel Allen. Yes, he took her name, with the explanation that it was just an amazing coincidence, producing the accompanying jokes about keeping the same monogramed towels.

After the small but lavish reception given her by her family, Daphne and Emanuel went to spend their honeymoon at a local hotel. It had been the first time being with anyone for them both. And neither knew anything about the specifics.

A/N: I'm stopping here so that the next chapter can have an "M" alert. I know this may not seem the way some people may think it went, but Cas wouldn't have ID and would need a birth certificate to get ID and to get married. So this is my explanation. Next chapter, our fave virginal angel will be a virgin no longer.