Hello everyone.
I can't believe it is already the end of November. It seems like just yesterday it was January. This year has blew by way to fast.
When I first wrote this story, this was to be the last chapter. But I found that there was just too many unanswered questions. So this is just the middle point. I already have most of the rest of the story written and if everything goes right should continue to post regularly.
So did the boys stay with Noelle for Thanksgiving? Silly question. But for how long will they stay after?
Much to Noelle's happiness Dean agreed to stay until after Thanksgiving. In those days Sam had the locks changed, the security system updated and the back door fixed. He also fixed her fence and two windows upstairs. Dean had the knives perfectly sharpened. He also fixed her toaster, and coffee machine. There were also small fixes of cabinets, minor plumbing, and squeaky hinges. By Thanksgiving morning, Noelle almost couldn't recognize her own home.
It had been years since she'd fixed a full Thanksgiving dinner. She always went to the Mayor's house, bringing only one or two dishes. But this year was different, she was different. Thanks to the Winchester brothers. Since it was only going to be the three of them Noelle was working on keeping the menu as small as possible. She had asked the brothers what their favorite dish was. That was when she found out that they usually just grabbed take out and was on the road. Noelle was now on a mission to try and make this Thanksgiving, make up for all their missed ones.
Thursday morning Noelle was up early. Pots and pans everywhere, ingredients spread all around. Two pies sat on the side counter ready for later. The familiar smells of home filled the air. Noelle was so deep in memories that she didn't notice Sam sitting at the counter. When she turned she jumped slightly.
"You two really should make more noise when you walk around." Noelle grumbled. "Yesterday I thought Dean was taking a nap and then there he was behind me."
Sam smiled, and as always Noelle's anger was instantly gone. "Sorry I scarred you. I was kind of enjoying watching you. You had such a happy peaceful look on your face."
Noelle smiled. "I was remembering all the Thanksgiving dinners I helped my Mom make. She loved any and all holidays. She would make one special thing for each holiday. It was the only day that Daddy and I would get that dish."
"So what was Thanksgiving's special dish?"
"Her very special cranberry sauce." Noelle answered. "She had two different recipes. The one I gave Dorothy yesterday is the any day one. But for you and Dean I'm going to make the Thanksgiving special."
"I'm honored. Now remember you promised to let us help you." Sam said. "So what can I do?"
"First breakfast." Dean said as he came around the corner and sat down next to Sam. "Coffee, and breakfast. Then helping."
Noelle laughed but sat two coffee cups in front of the brothers. As always Dean's black, Sam's with sugar and today French vanilla creamer. She then placed a basket of muffins, butter, and a plate of bacon. "My mother always fixed a small breakfast on holidays. Because, you snack the whole time you cook. So her favorite orange cranberry muffins, Daddy's favorite pumpkin muffins, and Dean's favorite bacon."
"What nothing special for Sam?" Dean asked as he grabbed a piece of bacon and took a big bite.
Noelle looked at Sam smiling. "Sam got my homemade French vanilla creamer, and that's honey butter."
"Yep, you're a keeper." Dean said grabbing one of the muffins.
Noelle turned her back to them, so they wouldn't see her blush.
The rest of the day was spent in the kitchen. Sam and Dean did all the cutting. They also took turns stirring, or lifting heavy pots. They pushed Noelle to tell them stories of holidays with her parents. She didn't need a lot of pushing. Noelle tried to get them to tell her some stories, but every time, Sam or Dean would change the subject, somehow getting it back on her.
By five dinner was on the table. Noelle knew it was way too much for just the three of them. But she didn't care. Even though they helped her, Sam and Dean raved about her cooking. They all ate until they thought they were going to burst. Noelle then insisted, they move to the living room and watch the game she had recorded. She could clean up later.
As they sat in the living room Noelle's mind wandered slightly. She glanced over at Dean who was now stretched out on what he lovingly called, his couch. He was moving around much better these days. He was still laying down midday, but only to rest, he rarely went to sleep. Noelle's eyes moved next to her were Sam sat. She could see the stress and strain was gone from his face. But she saw something, every time he glanced at Dean. Deep down, Noelle knew Sam still blamed himself, for Dean getting hurt.
Noelle knew something else. The brothers would be leaving soon. They promised Doc to stay in town a week, that was two weeks ago. They said they'd stay until Thanksgiving. That was today. There was now nothing keeping them here. Noelle suddenly stood.
"I better clean up." She held up her hands and shook her head. "And don't either of you even think of moving. We cleaned as we cooked, so I just need to put leftovers away and turn on the dishwasher. I'll be back before the half-time is over."
"If you're not, I'll send Sammy to save you." Dean said stretching.
Noelle hurried into the kitchen. She wouldn't cry. She couldn't. If either of them saw her crying, it would send them in a spin. Taking a few deep breaths, Noelle calmed down. It didn't take her long to put everything away. She was indeed walking back just as the second half started. Sam's arm was on the back of the couch, his legs stretched out on the coffee table. He looked so relaxed and at home. Noelle took another deep breath and decided to just enjoy whatever time she had left with them. Sitting back down next to Sam, she pulled her feet up and snuggled close to him. When his hand draped over her shoulder, Noelle couldn't help smiling a little. Glancing at the other couch, she saw Dean watching, he winked and smiled.
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"We could stay longer." Dean said as he tossed his bag into the trunk.
Sam tossed his in, shaking his head. "No Dean."
"Come on Sammy, I can see you like her. Hell a blind person could see that. You like her, she likes you."
"We need to get back to the bunker."
"The bunker was fine without anyone for years." Dean pointed out.
"No Dean." Sam said again. Noelle stepped out on the front step. "We need to leave. We've already stayed here way longer than we should have."
"Why?" Dean pushed. "We don't have a case to head to. The bunker is just sitting there doing nothing. Hell I'm even calm, I haven't thought of killing anything in days."
"You threatened me yesterday." Sam said looking at his brother.
"You don't count." Dean said closing the trunk. "If you died every time I've ever threatened you, you would have died a lot more than you already have."
Sam let out a weak laugh. "And that's why we have to leave."
"I'm not following Sam."
Sam looked back at Noelle. "Our lives are way too messed up, to bring someone so sweet into it."
Dean couldn't find an argument for that. The brother's walked back to the house.
"So you two are all packed?"
"Yep." They both answered.
Reaching in his pocket Dean pulled out a piece of paper. "I've been meaning to ask you about this. When I was signing out, Eve gave me my bill." Dean opened it and handed it to Noelle. "According to that, it was paid in full. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
Noelle looked over the paper and shrugged. "Strange things happen in small towns all the time." She folded the paper back up, and handed it to Dean. "Maybe because this town was nice to you two, you'll pass through again sometime."
"I think we might could do that." Dean hugged Noelle, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. For watching over my bratty little brother."
"You are very welcome." Noelle hoped she wasn't blushing too much. "You take it easy."
Dean just grinned, as he walked back to the car. Sam waited until he heard the door open and close. "I guess I better go before he disobeys Doc, and hotwires the car."
"Yeah."
Sam held out a card. "This is all of mine and Dean's phone numbers. Call if you need anything."
"Thank you." Noelle said. "For some reason, meeting you and Dean has, changed me."
"For the better I hope."
"For the stronger." Noelle said. She took Sam's hand and squeezed it. "This morning before you two got up I had three calls begging me to help with this or that. I said no and stuck with it. And you know what, I don't feel guilty in the least."
"Then I guess you're welcome." Sam smiled, Noelle was so going to miss seeing those smiles. He glanced back at the car before facing her again. "I'm not sure if, or when we'll ever be back this way."
Noelle smiled. "I know. All I ask, is that you keep me in the back of your mind."
Sam squeezed her hand before letting it go, and turning toward the car. He took two steps before turning and walking back to Noelle. Without saying a word, he slid his hand around her neck pulled her close, and kissed her. He inhaled the small moan that slipped out of her, as he deepened the kiss. When they finally parted, their foreheads still touching, Sam said.
"You will be the only thing on my mind." He kissed her lips gently, before letting her go. He almost ran to the car.
Noelle had to lean against the door to stay standing. The car roared to life, sending a little shiver down her. She watched as it backed out. Look at me just one more time. She begged. As the car stopped and was put into drive, Sam glanced at her and smiled. She stood there and watched as the black car disappeared down the road.
