25

Cas felt sick to his stomach the next morning. He tried to disguise his nervousness by keeping busy, organizing the shirts in his closet by type and color. Once that was accomplished, he moved on to Dean's.

"Cas, don't mess with my clothes." Dean said, watching him from the doorway.

Cas knew his voice sounded snippy when he replied, "Well I'm sorry, but not everyone wants their closet to look like a college dorm room."

The corners of Dean's mouth twitched, but smart man that he was, he managed to hold back his amusement. "You just don't know my system," he said, "It's organized chaos."

Cas continued to unfold and fold clothing, placing everything into neat stacks.

"It will be fine, Cas." He walked forward and slid his hands under the bottom of Cas's shirt, thumbs stroking under the waistband, grazing the hipbones lines of his hipbones. He kissed Cas once, firmly, before leaning back and looking into Cas's worried blue eyes. "I know Jo couldn't stand her, and after everything that happened no one else really has anything good to say either, but Lisa isn't a bad person."

"Dean, what happened was awful."

Dean shrugged and laced his fingers with Cas's. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I'm really happy now Cas. I am."

Cas's heart fluttered in his chest at the brilliant smile Dean directs towards him.

"I know what happened was really, really sucky. I spent a few years trying to block it out of my memory, but in the end, I ended up spending an amazing almost year with Ben. I really wouldn't trade that. And I don't see him as much as I like, but I do still get to spend some time with him. I'm not going to dwell on the bad parts of that time in my life anymore. I'm ready to move forward. With you."

Cas can't help the big dopey grin that slid across his face. "You are an amazing man, Dean Winchester."

Cas still changed his shirt twice before they leave to meet Lisa. When he walked into the coffee shop, he spotted her right away in a corner booth, tapping on her iPhone screen with a clear plastic cup in front of her half filled with ice, a coffee colored beverage and white cream. She looked up as they crossed the room and while a mild look of irritation flashed across her face, it was quickly replaced by a small smile and she waves them over.

"I take it you're Cas?" She asked before Dean could make the introduction.

Cas inclined his head and stretched his arm out across the table. She placed one tiny, delicate, perfectly manicured hand in his and shook it firmly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Lisa." Cas said in way of greeting.

Lisa looked across the table to where Dean was seated and frowns prettily, "I didn't realize you were bringing him."

Dean shrugged. "I wanted you two to meet. And, any decisions I make involve Cas from now on. So, anything you say to me he will hear about eventually anyway."

She twists her mouth as if she just tasted something sour. After poking the straw into her cup a few times and swishing the ice and drink together, mixing the whipped cream in a little more, she looked from Dean to Cas with a considering look on her face. Then, with a sigh, she leans back in her seat.

"I went back to my sister's last night and had a long talk with Mark. A long, long talk." She stretched the world out exaggeratedly. "I told him everything I said at the park and he pointed out that maybe what I said was a little harsh."

Cas stole a quick glance at Dean, taking in his calm expression as he waited for Lisa to continue.

"I want to … apologize, for what I said about you not being Ben's real father. That was a low blow and it was cruel. I'm sorry."

Cas quietly placed his hand on Dean's knee and squeezed it comfortingly under the table. Dean cleared his throat before saying, "It was a shitty thing to say."

Lisa folded her hands in front of her on the tabletop and continued, "But, I'm still not sure about introducing Cas and Ben yet."

Dean leaned forward to respond, but before he could speak, Lisa lifted a hand, halting him, "I just want what is best for Ben, Dean."

"So, this is what Mark and I decided." Dean leaned back in the chair. Cas could see his jaw clenching, probably from the effort of not interrupting Lisa. Lisa continued. "Mark and I are getting married next month, right before Christ mas. We decided to keep the ceremony small, just a few family members. Anyway, we are going on out honeymoon for the week between Christmas and New Year's. If you and Cas are still together then, you can introduce Ben to Cas."

Dean exchanged a look with Cas, sort of an 'Well, that's not really what I expected' sort of thing. Cas shrugged, "Seems fair to me, Dean."

Dean allowed a small smile to slip across his face, "Ok, Lisa, that sounds good."

Lisa watched the two of them for a moment, then she said, "One more thing. I was wondering if you would like to keep Ben while we are out of town. My sister offered, but Ben doesn't really like her and he loves you. I think it would be good for him to spend some time with you. It would be the day after Christmas until the day after New Years. Would that work for you?"

Dean wasn't able to suppress the shocked excitement that spread over his features, "That would be amazing, Lisa."

Dean gripped Cas's hand under the table, squeezing just for a moment, as if to relay his joy to Cas. Lisa, gave him a knowing look and smiled slightly.

"I really am sorry about what I said yesterday, Dean. I'm glad that Ben has you in his life."

The remainder of their time in the coffee shop was spent with Lisa drilling Cas for information. She asked questions covering from Cas's childhood through recent events. Cas drank rich coffee and patiently answered every question, willing to do whatever it took to make Lisa comfortable enough with him.

Eventually, Lisa looked at her phone, and realizing how much time had passed, quickly excused herself saying she would see them soon.

As he watched her walk out the front door of the shop, Dean looked at Cas and said, surprised, "That went a lot differently than I thought it was going to."

Cas grinned back, "I'm glad."

Dean returned the grin, "Me too."

That night, over Chinese takeout and a rerun of The 100 playing in the background, Charlie walked into the living room and tossed a folder at Dean and Cas.

"Meet our baby daddy."

Cas fought back a sudden laugh and almost choked on a steamed dumpling, while Dean opened the folder and perused the contents.

"Oh thank god," he muttered. "You didn't go with the redhead."

Charlie threw a pea pod at him, "I resent that."

"I was joking," he said with a laugh.

Dean looked over at Jo, who was trying to wind tiny noodles around the tines of her fork, "When are you guys going to start this little adventure?"
Jo looked to Charlie with a smile, "Soon. As soon as the tests say the time is right."

Cas smiles at Charlie and Jo. "You two will be excellent parents."

Charlie slouched down into the couch, "No kidding. I have some amazing cosplay ideas for the little squirt whenever it gets here."

Jo rolled her eyes, "Charlie, we've talked about this."

Charlie nudges Dean with the toes of one foot, "You don't have to go to the conventions, I already told you. Dean will go with me."

This time Cas rolled his eyes, before Dean answered back, leaning against Cas's side contentedly, "That would be awesome. Then, whenever Cas and I have a kid we can go together."

Cas dropped his fork with an surprised clatter, looking to Dean, blue eyes wide with surprise. "Kids, Dean?" He says, without thinking.

Dean caught himself, realized he might have just freaked Cas out with his admission. "I know we haven't talked about it yet, but I thought maybe down the road…" His voice broke off, all at once unsure.

Cas just stares at him intently for a moment, before he leaned in and kissed him probably more forcefully than he planned. Dean quickly reciprocates.

Jo and Charlie exchange a look before Charlie asks, "Any of the itty bitty spare ribs left?"