Chapter 7 - Cherished Blessings

The days were being collected and strung together, like polished pearls on a necklace of time.

Dean was running his hand through Sam's hair, as Sam's head rested in his lap, Sam gazing up at the boneless blue sky. Today was a special day, it was the day of the blessing ceremony and they were both looking so forward to it.

"Aww Sam, it's happening again, sorry you gotta move" Dean said urgently as Sam got up and Dean shifted to his hands and knees, heaving. Dean was feeling ill, yet again, as Sam held his forehead and rubbed his back until it had passed. As Dean stood up, he decided he wanted to go lay down for awhile, until it fully passed. Sam nodded in sympathy, following Dean up the path to the house.

As Dean made his way upstairs, Sam decided now was the time to run Dean the bath, using the bath ingredients that Unruh had left in a basket sometime overnight, in preparation for today's events. There had been assorted items in the basket with a note tucked in the side. "Darlings, please use the bath ball and shampoo sometime today and please keep the other items aside, down near the path at the back, so I may retrieve them when I come over. Please come for the ceremony tonight, as twilight begins."

As Sam set about getting things ready, he tossed the bath ball in the water and watched it dissolve, filling the tub as it did so, with tiny multi-coloured paper-like butterflies. Sam stood entranced as he watched them being swirled around the water. This was going to be a fun bath.

Dean was awake when he went in. Sam reached down and gently pulled him up. "Feeling any better?" Sam asked, as he helped Dean remove his clothes. "Starting too Sammy boy" Dean replied, eyes gleaming as he watched Sam start to strip down. "Umm hmm..." was all Sam said, as he felt Dean's eyes on him, causing him to squirm. Even now, after all this time, one smoldering look from Dean, could cause this in Sam. "Your blushing!" Dean observed delightedly. "I so do not blush" Sam stated, as he held out his hand for Dean, enjoying Dean's warmth, as he slipped his hand in to his.

"Whoa!" Dean said as he laid eyes on the bath and the butterflies. "Um Sam, what the...?" Dean asked. "It's all part of Unruh's instructions for today's event" Sam replied, as he got in and then helped Dean in. Both boys sat at opposite ends of the tub, Dean pulling Sam's legs on top of his, as he ran his hands over the muscular calves of his brother's legs.

"You sure about this decision Dean? You can change your mind you know" Sam was saying. "I'm sure Sam, I just can't see the breastfeeding, it's just not for me. I know Buttercup will be fine with the bottle. Now, as far as the other, I'm going to be sorry to see Little DW disappear even for a little while, but he'll be back in no time and I would like to experience birth the natural way" Dean said. "I'm sure going to miss Little DW too, but I'm sure we'll find ways around it" Sam replied good naturedly, happy to see his Deanie so happy.

The bath was so relaxing and comforting, as the brothers shifted positions, Dean extending his open arms to Sam, who moved into them, Dean, tangling their legs together. "Who would have thought we'd be where we are right now eh Sammy?" Dean asked, as he moved the butterflies across Sam's skin. "No place I'd rather be darl'in" Sam answered, stretching in his brother's arms.

As Dean reached over for the cup on the ledge, he filled it with the bath water and started to pour it over Sam's head, while taking some of the shampoo that Unruh had provided and gently began working it into Sam's scalp. It smelt pretty wonderful, some type of berry, Dean thought as he inhaled. Once he'd worked up a good lather he asked Sam to lean forward and close his eyes as he began the rinse off. "Shit, does that ever sting" Sam said as some of it got into his eyes. Dean grabbed the towel, asking Sam to shift face first towards him.

Now this was very familiar ground. Sam was never thrilled as a child when Dean would have to wash his hair, and hated getting shampoo in his eyes even worse. Dean would always grab the towel and help Sam get the shampoo out. Today was no different.

Lifelong instincts took over, as Dean gently wiped the shampoo out of Sam's eyes and then began to towel his hair dry. Sam felt it too, as he watched Dean and the unguarded expressions being played out across his face. He felt the comfort of being under Dean's hands, hands that had been there his whole life - holding him, loving him, taking care of him and comforting him. Dean's heart tugged hard in his chest, when he looked at Sam under the towel, pieces of that adorable mop sticking up, memories flooding back. "Gimme a kiss" he asked, as Sam reached over and kissed him, before moving back to his previous position and placing his head on Dean's chest, both enjoying this tender moment in time. Sam eventually reached for the cup and moved behind Dean to wash his hair. Dean leaned heavily into Sam's touch, relaxing completely under the feel of his brother's strong hands on his head and gentle kisses on his neck.

"Did you enjoy the bath too Buttercup?' Sam asked sometime later, as he helped to dry Dean off, kneeling in front of him, applying the cream to Dean's belly. Dean's freckles had sure come out to play. The sprinkling across his cheeks and nose were very visible and adorable, Sam noticed as he stood up and kissed each one, much to Dean's delight. As Dean led Sam into the bedroom, pulling him down beside him, the phone began to ring, neither boy answered it, if it was important, they'd leave a message. As bath warmed skin heated up under tender caresses, moans of pleasure and promises of love filled the room, as bedding became tangled and hitched breathing gave way to peaceful sleep, the two lovers laying facing each other, cocooned together under the blankets.

In the gathering twilight, they made their way down the small path to a waiting Unruh, each carrying their wrapped gift for the other.

"Oh my sweetums, you both look divine, so why the worried faces?" Unruh inquired, as she looked back and forth between them.

"Bobby called, he wants to see us, says there's something up we need to have a look at" Dean said, worry in his voice, brow creased, as he looked at Sam. "He has reason to worry" Unruh was thinking to herself, as she looked at Sam, watching as he thumbed away the worry creases on Dean's forehead, smiling down at him. With supreme effort, Unruh pushed her concerns to the back of her mind. This was a joyous time, tomorrow would bring what it may, but this moment in time was precious and needed to be lived fully.

The view that greeted Sam and Dean was unique, as was Unruh herself. There were lite candles of varying sizes, casting warm glows and jars of various creams and ingredients set out on the ground.

"Come darlings, you both need to sit down here. Please hand me your gifts" Unruh asked, as each of them handed her their gift for the other, to be used in the last part of the ceremony, when they were both alone. "Cedar is used traditionally for power and for protection" Unruh said, indicating a circle of cedar bows, beneath a tree. "Sam, sit yourself down against the tree. Dean, you're going to be leaning against Sam, so his arms can encircle you and Buttercup during the ceremony" Unruh directed, as Sam braced himself against the tree and opened his arms for a waiting Dean. "Dean, you need to remove your top, we can have no cloth barriers during the ceremony" Unruh continued, as Dean leaned forward and lifted his arms, removing his top, with a little help from Sam. The boys explained their decision to Unruh.

Unruh then came and knelt beside the guys and undid one of the glass jars closet to her. Warming the heavy cream between her hands, she reached over and began to rub it over Dean's belly. "This is for energy clearing my loves" she said smiling at them, as she continued to rub the cream in circular motions, until Dean's stomach was completely covered.

She then reached over and took a sprig of rosemary from the second container, asking both Sam and Dean to inhale it's aromatic scent, before running it along and through the cream on Dean. "This is for remembrance my precious hearts" Unruh said as she placed the sprig on Dean's belly. She selected two other herbs, placing one in Sam's hand and taking the other and tracing a pattern in the cream, before laying it across Dean. "Sam, please place the one you are holding over the center of Dean's stomach. This herb is called melissa and it is for trust and assurance. Dean, the one I used to trace the pattern in the cream is called thyme and its properties contain long life, excitement as well as calmness. One of the last jars contained lavender honey and orange peel. As Unruh undid the jar and dipped a spoon into the blend, she first asked Dean to take a spoonful and then Sam. "This my angels are for joyful binding, house building, sweetness and tartness" she concluded.

"Dean, please place your hands on your tummy, Sam you then place your hands on Dean's" Unruh instructed as she then placed her hands on top of Sam's. Breathing deeply, Unruh began the blessing:

"I pray for your journey to be long little one, full of rich treasures, made up of summer mornings, joyful pleasures and star lite nights.

Do not hurry your journey, your destiny is in your arrival, may it last for many, many years. May your journey be full of meaning, adventures and awakenings.

Know how truly loved you are little one and may that knowledge be your light in the world.

We look forward to meeting you dearest sweetheart.

For Sam and Dean, Mommy and Daddy, may you always love each other as you do today. Trust is the foundation and cornerstone of your relationship, always keep it safe.

Buttercup is lucky to have found two souls who will give of their love and the very best of themselves so freely.

All is well, you are loved."

As Unruh finished, she kept her hands on Sam's for a moment, before leaning back. Dean turned slightly deeper into Sam's arms, as Sam leaned his head on top of Dean's, rocking his brother slightly in his arms. "Hey you, you okay?" Sam asked gently. "Just feeling a little emotional, that's all" Dean whispered. Unruh reached up her hand and stroked the side of Dean's face, her eyes meeting Sam's.

With the ceremony completed, Unruh began to gather her things together. "Remember Sam, the cream has to be applied within the next forty-eight hours for the transformation to take place" Unruh said, as she placed the jar beside Sam. "Gotta ya" Sam replied.

Before she stood up, Unruh reached over to kiss both boys goodbye. "That was so beautiful Unruh, thank you so much" Dean said, choking on his words, as he bit his lower lip. For a guy who'd been trying not to get involved in chick flick moments for most of his life, he seemed to be surrounded by them lately, not that he was complaining, after all, Sammy and Buttercup were so worth it! Sam pulled Dean tighter to him. "Unruh, that truly was beautiful, thank you for everything and for making all this happen" Sam said sincerely. "You're more than welcome my angels. Please, stay where you are, I'll see myself out and I'll see you both soon" Unruh said, as she departed, turning back halfway down the path, to wave at them.

Warmth and love were swirling in the air, enhanced by the spark light from the candles and the soothing smells from Unruh's ingredients.

Sam reached down and presented Dean with his homemade gift, that was one of Unruh's instructions, the gifts had to come from the heart, be made by hand and with love. Dean still in Sam's arms, undid the paper and let out a small gasp. Inside, was a beautiful homemade etched piece of glass work, of a single yellow Buttercup. Now Dean realized what Sam had been up to in that little shed for hours on end, no wonder he wouldn't tell him what he was doing, he didn't want to ruin the surprise. "I thought it would look really nice in the nursery, but if you want to put it someplace else, that's okay too" Sam said. Dean was twirling it around in the candle light, collecting his words before speaking. "Sam, this is magnificent, and it has to go in the nursery. You amaze me, you know that. Thank you Sam, it's so beautiful and I love it." Dean said as he leaned up to give Sam a deep kiss.

Now he got ready to give Sam his. Dean was nervous about this. A man not known for over-emotional moments, was about to deliver a knockout, as he gave Sam the envelope. Sam looked at it questioningly and then back at Dean, as he opened it. It was a love letter. "My God, Dean's written me a love letter" Sam thought in awe.

"You're all I see Sam,

Whatever life throws at me, no matter where I go,

It's you who makes me want to live,

You're my best friend, my baby brother, my one and only and my lover.

You've always stood by me, put up with me and protected me. You've allowed me to be me.

And now, with Buttercup, I know you're going to be the best Daddy and I just couldn't love you anymore than I do right now.

I'm so, so happy with our life together darl'in. Thank you."

It was Sam's turn to get all emotional as he read and re-read the words, through tear filled eyes. When his guy had something to say, he sure went for it. "Dean...I'm...Wow!" was all Sam could get out, as he tilted Dean's face up to look at his and kissed him again and again and again.

It had been such a wonderful time, both guys were reflecting to themselves, as the candles burned down and the night air took on a small chill.

As Sam continued to hold Dean, tenderly rubbing his tummy, he felt the movement, at the same time Dean did. Buttercup had brought a gift too, the gift of giving Mommy and Daddy the opportunity to feel the first movements of a growing life - together!

To be continued.

Author's Note: Thank you so much everyone for your continued support of this story and for your warm reviews, which are always sincerely appreciated.