Chapter 26 – a father-child talk, marriage, and when Serene uses her powers of Bitch for Good.
The early morning air smelled crisp and clear. A few birds sang in the park behind the neighborhood, presenting an idyllic version of small town America. John sat outside with a steaming mug of coffee waiting on Dean. Their anniversary dinner ran late last night, which was probably a good thing if Sam wasn't exaggerating about Frank being two hours late. Either way, he and Dean needed a little time to talk before he left. There were some demon signs around Norfolk he wanted to check out, before it was too late.
"Hey, Dad." Dean came outside, the coffee mug with the bright red heart and Dean's name on it in his good hand. Dean had to squat to sit, balancing on the edge of the chair before he sidled back into a fully seated position. "What's up?"
"I'm going to need to hit the road soon, son," John said a little regretfully. Dean nodded, his face a placid mask hiding his real emotions. "And I might invite Sam to go with me."
The mask shattered, leaving Dean staring in utter disbelief. "What?" his voice roared in the still morning air. "After all that 'don't follow me' and 'it isn't safe' crap? Now you're going to invite Sam to go with you?"
John heard the implied 'so I wasn't good enough' in Dean's outrage and couldn't blame the kid for thinking that way. Those pregnancy hormones probably weren't helping him out either.
"I just thought I'd get him out of your hair for a little while. I'm not expecting this to take more than a few weeks." He shrugged. "Besides, by the time we get to Virginia the demon should have already come and gone. It's more recon than anything. I'm still trying to figure out what this bastard is up to."
He watched a muscle in Dean's jaw jump a couple of times before Dean nodded once, eyes focused on some distant point. "You'll call?" It was more of a demand than a request, like Dean wasn't going to allow it without certain provisions. And actually, knowing Dean, he could stop it if he wanted.
"We'll call," John promised.
Dean fixed him with a hard look. "Sam isn't in my hair," he said slowly, an undercurrent of anger in his words.
"You and Frank deserve a little time for just the two of you," John told him. "After the baby comes, everything changes. Your whole world will change." He offered his oldest a smile. "And it's worth it. The first time you see those bright eyes look up at you, it's all worth it."
The stern look faded from Dean's face. "Really?" His voice was guarded, cautious. John couldn't blame him for that, either.
John nodded earnestly at him. "You don't just love your kids, Dean. You fall in love with them, from the first time you hold 'em. I can't really explain it, but I would have done anything for you and Sammy, to keep you safe."
Dean nodded slowly. "I know, Dad," he said softly. "And you did."
John knew better. He had tried, but it was Dean who kept his boys safe most of the time and he still couldn't bring himself to voice it. Admitting it out loud would be to admit his many failures, the things he could never take back. So he sipped his coffee instead, retreating to the safety of dark, hot caffeine.
"Come up with any good names yet?" John asked.
"Maybe," Dean replied and there was a twinkle in his eye John had missed seeing in the past four years. "But you'll have to show up in about five months to find out."
John returned the smile. "I'll be sure to be here," he promised, though he knew it was a promise he might not be able to keep. Dean grinned as if he believed John, but John knew better than that too. Dean was merely playing along, also hoping he could be here.
Dean sat nervously in the passenger seat as they drove to the courthouse. It should be farther away, Dean thought as they pulled up less than ten minutes after leaving the house. Frankie's smile was so sweet and encouraging Dean didn't have the heart to say he'd changed his mind. They climbed the marble steps to the front door slowly, Dean taking his time and Frankie keeping pace with him.
It seemed they had an appointment, so maybe Frankie had this planned all along and it wasn't just to get out of the deep, dark hole of doghouse-dom. The thought had Dean's cheeks burning and he hoped they didn't look as red as they felt. They were taken to a small cubicle where an older woman with a bright smile and hair in the early stages of graying waited for them.
"Good morning!" she said brightly. "I see you're here about a common-law marriage certificate?"
"Yes, ma'am," Frankie replied as he helped Dean sit. One good arm and a big belly were not a good combination, even if Frankie denied his stomach was as huge as it felt.
"Frank," the woman glared at him, "you graduated high school with my baby sister. I swear, if you call me ma'am again..."
Frankie grinned at her as he took his seat next to Dean. "Oh cool it, Kate," he said with a chuckle. "Just trying to be polite. You know how my mom is."
"Good point." She pulled out a stack of papers. "Let's see. Okay, Dean. May I see some legal ID please?"
Dean nodded as he dug out his wallet. Inside he had a driver's license with an Ohio address on it and his real name. It was at least as legal as any of the others. As he handed it over his cell phone went off. "Sorry," Dean mumbled as he pulled it out. He didn't recognize the number, so he forced it to roll over to voicemail.
"I'll have to speak with the judge. You can wait here," Kate told them with a smile.
"Really?" Sam's eyes bugged out. "You want me to go with you? What about all that crap about it not being safe to be around you?"
Dad rolled his eyes upward, as if he'd be getting any help from that direction. "Do you want to go or not?" he demanded.
"Yes. Definitely," Sam replied swiftly. "When do we leave?"
"First thing in the morning," Dad told him. "Dean asked us to stay the night. Said he had something to tell us."
"Yeah?" Sam grinned at his Dad. "Think they're finally caving on finding out if the baby's a boy or girl?"
"Nope." Dad stretched his arms straight up. "You do know Frank doesn't want a gender-specific baby? So pretty much no matter what, he's going to be disappointed."
"You're selling him short," Sam said before the filter between his brain and his mouth had time to kick in.
"Don't tell me you're starting to like Frank," Dad replied with a knowing grin.
Frank wasn't the only one with a big mouth around here. "Can I borrow the truck? I need to run an errand," Sam said with an outstretched hand.
"I hope this errand isn't related to peach pie," Dad said slapping the keys in his palm.
"Would I do that?" Sam asked innocently as he made for the door.
"You know you would!" Dad shouted as Sam allowed the front door to slam shut.
He was kind of banned from taking Frank's car without the keys. Dean had been nice enough about it, but the warning had been crystal clear. So Sam was reduced to begging for keys any time he wanted to go someplace. 'Borrowing' a car around town wasn't really an option since Dean freaking lived here. All big bro needed now was the dog he kept talking about, he already had the white picket fence and the rest of the accessories.
Sam headed straight for the diner, not really sure what he was going to say when he got there. It wasn't like he and Serene were dating. Not yet, anyway. Everyone kept telling him what a bitch she was but there was something about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. And that something was really intriguing. Sam loved a good mystery.
He sat at the counter and winked at Serene as he ordered a slice of her awesome pie.
"Hey yourself, Sam," she said as she delivered the pie and a cup of coffee he didn't ask for. "What's all this I hear about some transplant trying to interrupt a certain anniversary dinner?"
Sam grinned at her. "Have people been talking about me?"
Serene stopped in mid-wipe to glare at him. "You know I wasn't talking about you."
Sam shrugged as he sliced off a hunk of pie. "Oh, wow," he mumbled as it hit his tastebuds. "This pecan might be almost as good as your peach."
"Thanks." She beamed at him. "Trying out a new recipe. Might enter it in the next state fair." Serene swiped down the counter near him with her towel. "Last night?" She sounded casual, like she just wanted to catch up on the latest gossip.
"Frank was late," Sam told her between bites.
"And?" Serene prodded.
"And some gal started hitting on Dean." Her eyebrows shot up. Sam shrugged again. "He feels fat. Probably just liked the attention. Dean doesn't have great self-esteem." Sam paused in his eating. "If you repeat that, I'll deny it," he warned her, making dire threats with his eyes.
"Noted. Continue." Serene leaned on the counter closer to him.
"Well, after Frank finally showed up, and he was really, really late, Dean didn't get rid of her right away. That's why they ordered three dinners instead of two," he explained.
"I was wondering about that," she said shaking her head.
"Well, before he and Frank even started eating, I guess Dean decided he'd punished Frank enough and told Beth I was going to drive her home." Sam sipped his coffee. Nice and hot. Perfect. "She was hammered."
"And?" Serene prodded.
"And Beth went off on Dean, then on the whole bar. It was like she expected everyone to jump up and run Dean and Frank out of town," he explained.
"Excuse me?" A flicker of emotion crossed her face, flashed momentarily from her eyes. "Why?"
"She thought they were gay." Sam shrugged as he cut off another hunk of pie.
"And no small town could tolerate that, right?" That emotion flashed again. Serene's lips pressed into a thin line. "Did you take her home?"
Sam chuckled at the memory. "Kicking and screaming, but yeah, I did. Wound up with an escort from about half the bar, too."
"That tears it." Serene marched to the door. "Winchester!" she barked. He glanced back over his shoulder at her. Serene stood in the open door motioning angrily at him. "Move!"
Sam moved. God, he didn't remember the last time he moved that fast without something vicious and nasty breathing down his neck. He bolted out the door after Serene, still not knowing what the hell was going on. Once they were in the truck, he made the mistake of asking. She looked at him like he was the dumbest person on the planet before ordering him to drive to Beth's house.
Oh. That really didn't explain it, though, but Sam was afraid to ask. He just drove. Serene gave him a nasty look after he parked on the street beside Beth's rental house. Sam held up both hands in surrender.
"I'll wait here?" he asked tentatively.
"You'd better," she snapped, fire glinting in her eyes.
Sam was glad he stayed in the truck. He was pretty sure his hearing would have been damaged if he'd been inside that house. The neighbors started gathering in the front yard, drawn by the commotion. One ventured over by the truck.
"Hey, mister. Don't know you. Name's Vern." The man stuck a hand in Sam's open window.
"Sam Winchester," he replied as he shook the proffered hand.
"Winchester?" Vern asked, his eyes widening a little. "Not as in, Dean Winchester?"
"I'm Dean's little brother," Sam replied carefully.
Vern smiled, his hand tightening and his handshake growing stronger. "Nice ta meet ya, Sam. I hear congrats are in order. You tell Frank Vern sends his best, all right?"
"Sure. No problem," Sam assured the man, wondering what it would take to extricate his hand.
"So who's in there giving our new transplant what for?" Vern asked, finally dropping Sam's hand.
Sam stretched his hand out, relishing it not being crushed any longer. "Serene."
"Serene?" Vern glanced at the house and back at Sam. "What the hell for? Don't tell me Beth was mixed up in that mess at The Bar last night?"
Sam nodded. "Actually, Beth was the mess in the bar last night. Well, it wasn't her fault Frank was kind of late, but the rest of it..."
"Holy shit," Vern breathed out. He turned away from Sam's window. "Hey, Paul! Go grab your brother! I got a feeling the transplant's moving!"
Sam watched in astonished disbelief as most of the people who lived nearby gathered to pack Beth's things and load them into two waiting pickups. Sam considered offering Dad's truck to help, but most of the bed contained weapons and he didn't think that would go over too well. He decided to just help load the other trucks instead. Serene directed all of the packing while Beth sat outside watching, arms crossed over her chest and fuming.
"Take her to Carlin," Serene directed the others. "The hotel in the middle of town has cheap rates and is next door to that storage place. Unload everything there and come right back."
One of the men threw her a salute while grinning broadly. "Yes, ma'am! You heard her, boys, let's haul!"
Serene stood in the yard until the two pickups with a four car escort, mainly filled people who looked like they wanted to gawk more than help, were out of sight.
With flushed cheeks and long wisps of hair dangling in her face, Serene marched back to Sam. She jumped into the passenger side of the side and slammed the door. Hard. "Damn transplant," she muttered as Sam rushed to sit behind the wheel.
"I thought I was a transplant?" Sam asked before starting the truck.
"You're different," she snapped as she turned to glare at him. "You're not trying to drive off people who've lived here their whole lives, our family and friends." Serene made a strangled noise deep in her throat.
"Hey, hey," Sam slid a hand up her thigh. "Deep breath."
Serene breathed in deeply and held it. She looked at him, eyes widening as she waited.
Sam grinned at the sight, shocked and pleased she was actually listening to him. "Let it out slow."
It came out in a long whoosh.
"Better?" Sam asked, still grinning at her.
She nodded. "Oh, god, I blew off my shift, didn't I?" Serene buried her face in her hands.
Sam chuckled as he started up the truck. "Like they'd dare fire you. Hungry? Let's go to lunch, I'm starved."
"Really?" Serene asked him as her hands dropped away. "Most guys find a reason not to go out with me after something like this."
Sam glanced over to see if she was serious. "Then they're idiots. Italian? Or pizza?"
"Pizza. What do you mean, they're idiots?" Serene demanded.
"I mean you just ran off the twit who tried to embarrass my brother last night, like he wasn't already nervous enough about being seen in public. The least I owe you is lunch," Sam explained. "That was awesome, by the way."
"Really? I mean, you don't find me intimidating?" she asked in a voice too soft for her.
Sam laughed over that one. "Have you met Dean?" He turned briefly to grin at her. "Or my dad? No offense, but you could take lessons from my family in intimidation." He headed for the pizza place he liked. "Speaking of which, Dad and I just got a call about a job, so I'm going to be out of town for a couple of weeks."
"Oh." Not only was her voice still soft but it sounded small. Weird.
"So I was kind of wondering..." Sam didn't quite know how to ask, or if he should. She just might bite his head off for daring to ask. He pulled out his cell and held it out. "Can I get your number?"
Her fingers lingered on his hand as she took his cell. Serene's touch sent warm thrills up his spine. Sam looked away, pretending to concentrate on traffic. Shit. Not even Jess made him feel quite like this. What was it? Sam glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as she frowned at his phone. He wasn't going to offer to tell her how to do it, she would have to ask, and he had the distinct feeling Serene preferred it this way.
Sam pulled up at the pizza place and parked the truck. He sat quietly as Serene entered her information. She handed his phone back with a triumphant smile. "There you go. Now call it so I'll have yours." She pulled her cell out of her purse.
"Okay." Sam shrugged as he scrolled through his phone list. At first he couldn't find her, because there was not a new entry under 'S'. "What's your last name again?" he asked.
"Stephenson."
Sam shot her a confused look. "But there's nothing under S."
"Keep looking," she said with a broad smile.
Then he spotted it. He now had an entry under 'Peaches.' "Seriously?" Sam asked as he called it. Serene's cell went off in her hand. He waited for her to pick it up, just to be sure.
"Satisfied?" she asked as she answered it.
"Yeah, I guess," Sam laughed and grinned at her. "Why Peaches?"
She rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? Are we going in or what?"
Sam's steps were light and brisk as he followed her inside.
Safe in the courthouse hallway by himself for a few minutes, Dean checked his voicemail. There was one new message.
"Dean, look, I-uh-I can't believe I'm doing this. My father was killed last month in a car wreck and right before, for about a week, he claimed he saw a black truck on the road behind him. Now I'm seeing a truck, but the cops can't find whoever it is. They claim there's no match for the truck and no one else has seen it. I don't we didn't exactly part on the best terms, but if you were telling me the truth, I think I need your help."
Dean saved the message before leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes. He wasn't exactly in the position to go after anything. Besides, Frankie would kill him if he lit out to help Cassie, even if he wasn't pregnant. But Dad and Sam were getting ready to leave anyway...
Dad owed him. Time to collect.