Word Count: 1309 words

Warnings: language, some family tension

AN: Here's part VI to this story. Hope you guys like it and be sure to check out the bottom AN for some news and whatnot

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.

To Be Admired

The reception was to be held in one of the best halls - if not the best hall - in the city of Chicago immediately after the wedding ceremony. Dean led her to the Impala, his hand on the small of her back guiding her to the passenger side. After making sure she was in, he quickly walked towards the driver's side, slid into the seat, and started the engine.

She almost forgot how bad the traffic was in Chicago - almost being the key term. It took the two what felt like forever to get the their final destination. She knew that Moira would have something to say about this, even though it was probably happening to most of the other guests attending the reception.

They got there just in time. As she walked through the doors of the floor where the reception was being held, the place was in full swing. Guests were making small talk with each other, drinking the free cocktails, and congratulating Amy and Peter on their marriage.

Might as well get the most painful part of tonight. She thought as she took Dean by the hand and strode over.

"It's great to see that you could make it, cousin." Amy sneered when she appeared in front of the newlyweds. She looked triumphant in her little dig. Peter leered at her like he had the night before.

Which really is unacceptable, considering - you know - he's a married man now.

Dean noticed this and put his arm around the hunter's waist, pulling her closer into his side. His smile seemed more forced that it had been all weekend, but it was still there.

"I'm glad that we could fit this weekend into our schedule. We've just been so busy lately." She looked up at Dean and he looked down at her. She smiled before reaching up and kissing him quickly on the corner of his mouth before looking back at Amy and continuing on, "It seems like you've gotten everything you've ever wanted in a wedding, Amy. And I'm happy that you're happy." She smiled at her cousin, trying to come across as sincere. But it was strained at best. She didn't want to hate Amy, but it was so hard when her cousin was like this - which was all the time since they were teenagers. They just grew apart, growing out of their matching Cinderella dresses and into their different roles.

There were more people waiting, so the two left the couple and found their seats - more placecards - and she kept asking herself why all this formal stuff was necessary.

Dinner was served. Heartfelt speeches full of one's milestones in life and funny speeches about reactions to the newlyweds getting engaged were made. The cake was soon cut and she made Dean get a slice.

"Fine. But why wedding cake? Why not a wedding pie?" Dean had asked her when she told him to get a slice for them.

"Because not everyone's like you, Dean." She supplied, smirking playfully at him.

"And don't you forget it, apple pie." He replied, kissing the top of her head before making his way to the table where the cake was being served.

"I still don't understand how a man like that could love someone like you, sweetie." She heard Moira say from her other side.

Okay, that was a little uncalled for. And by a little, she truly meant a lot. Like so uncalled for that not even Regina George would say something like that.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" She asked, not even trying to cover her suspicion.

She didn't really want to hear the reply, though.

"Dear, really. He seems like the type to go after girls like Amy. Prettier, skinnier, more proper." She looked at her aunt in disbelief. Was she really saying this to her right now? "I'm only saying. I hope that you can lead him from temptation."

"She won't have to." She started when she heard Dean's voice from right behind her. She looked towards Dean, a slice of chocolate cake in his hand and a hard expression on his face. "Seeing as I'm completely in love with your niece." She tried to find a tell of some sort, but she couldn't. He didn't seem to be lying - even to her.

"Now, if you'll excuse us. We have some cake to eat." Dean announced, sitting down next to her and grabbing a fork before eating a piece. Moira walked away with a hmph and she turned towards Dean in disbelief.

"If you keep staring, I'm gonna finish this cake and you won't get any." Dean announced, his mouth full of the chocolate food. She laughed before taking her own fork and putting a chunk in her mouth, savoring the taste of the frosting and how it complemented this cake perfectly.

"You know," Dean started as he placed the now empty plate off to the side. "She had no right to say that kind of stuff to you."

"That's just how she is." She heard herself tell him. It sounded as if she were defending her aunt.

"Why?" He asked and she had to look away from him.

She decided that a good distraction would be to play with the black bracelet that she had gotten for her sixteenth birthday from her father. She rotated the beads around instead of looking at Dean's face, because if she did look up at him, she knew that she would start to get more emotional than necessary.

"I don't know why, Dean." She said, closing her eyes.

It was the truth.

She had no idea why her aunt - hell, most of her family - was so judgemental of her. Always commenting on what she wore or how she acted in certain situations. What made her so different? Why did she deserve to be the one singled out at the family reunions that she was nagged into attending? Was it because of her parents? Or was it just that she was too messed up to be fixed by her family? Was she just not good enough for them?

"I honestly have no fucking clue." She whispered.

She felt Dean's larger hand slip over her smaller one. She opened her eyes and followed the sleeve up to his shoulder, and finally up to his face. His beautiful face.

God, Moira was right. She really didn't deserve Dean.

Or any guy like him for that matter.

Dean must have seen all the emotions crossing her face - how could he not? It wasn't like she was able to hide them very well at the moment. "Hey, apple pie. It's gonna be alright." His thumb started rubbing soft circles into her palm again. "Just one more day and we can go back home and never see your family ever again." She laughed at that.

He made it sound so simple. As if they could actually endure the rest of the weekend.

She really wanted to believe him.

AN: Dean came in and saved the day, like always - right ;) We've also got some inner turmoil of our lovely reader and more tension between our reader and her overbearing family. Oh my!

Please review and tell me how I'm doing - or even how you're doing in general. I would love that.

Comments, questions concerns? You know what to do!

Remember to Smile :)

~Becca