I have survived my first week as a high school English teacher at Sioux Falls High and was looking forward to the following week. The kids actually seemed to be pretty interested in what I was teaching and liked the book we were reading. There were those reluctant kids but even they seemed a bit interested.

"So why are do we have to go back to school shopping again? School has already started," Dean asked as we skimmed the aisles of Target.

"Because now I actually know what I'll need. Oh come on, Dean. It's fun! I don't need that much anyways," I said, trying to coax Dean into the spirit of back to school shopping. My eyes widened as we finally hit the back to school section at Target.

"You're like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this stuff!" Dean exclaimed, laughing at my child-like nature when it came to school supplies.

"Back to school shopping was my favorite part about school. I mean, for some people it was the clothes but for me it's the college ruled composition books, the good pens that your parents never buy you, the smell of new books," I sighed in happiness.

"You're such a dork, you know that?" Dean chuckled.

I shrugged, "That's why you love me."

"It's true," Dean replied. I picked out a couple of composition books and flipped through them. "Hey, I'm just going to be over here."

"Okay," I nodded, then returning to my hunt for school supplies.

I put the composition notebooks in my little hand held basket along with a package of good pens, some mechanical pencils, and highlighters. The school had given me grade books and I already had folders that I could keep my students' work in along with material that I needed. I was ready to go. Well, that was quick. Now all I had to do was find Dean so I could check out and leave.

"Dean what're you doing?" I asked. I peered into the aisle he was in and he just happened to be in the toy section. "Of course."

"Hey, these GI Joes are pretty cool. You know, we should buy them," Dean grinned, his face lit up.

I chuckled, "And what exactly are you going to do with those GI Joes, Dean?" I gave him an amused look that said 'you're being ridiculous'.

He sighed, "Good question. Maybe next time." Dean put the bucket of GI Joes back on the shelf and met me. I kissed him slowly and romantically.

"I'm really good at convincing people to not buy stuff," I bragged, playfully.

"Yeah, especially if it ends like that," he smirked.

I giggled, "Alright, I'm ready to go if you are. Do you need anything else?" Dean and I began walking in stride as we walked towards the checkout counters.

"Nope, I don't think so," Dean said. "Oh hey! That's cool!" Dean exclaimed, breaking the path to go look at something else.

"Dean," I groaned, laughing a little. "Come on. I thought you said you were done."

"I never said that!" he defended.

"You're such a goofball," I teased.

"Hey, you're going to have to deal with my goofball-ness for the rest of your life when you're married to me," Dean smirked, wrapping his arms around my waist and whispered seductively in my ear.

"Dean!" I squealed. "Not in public." He began to tickle my sides and I laughed, trying to push his hands away from me. "Dean, quit it!"

"I'm sorry," a voice said, from another aisle over. Dean and I practically sprang apart as a woman carrying a baby strapped to her chest in one of those baby carrier-things walked into the aisle that we were in. "I don't mean to eavesdrop or anything but did I just hear you say that you were getting married soon?" She shot us a friendly smile.

"Uh, yeah, we will be. September eighteenth, actually," I responded. I was blushing like mad because of the fact that Dean had just been tickling me in public.

"Well congratulations. My husband and I just got married two years ago," the woman said back. "I'm Caree."

"Meredith."

"Dean."

"Wow, well good luck to you both. You seem very happy together. Marriage is such a great thing. You think that spending forever with someone will be hard but let me tell you, the first year of marriage flies by. Soon enough, you'll be having kids of your own, starting a family and before you know it, little William will be off to college. You have a lovely life ahead of the both of you. Congratulations," Caree said. Dean and I exchanged glances, shifting uncomfortably.

"Well, uh, thanks," Dean said.

"Sorry for barging in. I'll leave you two to your shopping," Caree said, smiling and then going her separate way.

There was an awkward silence between Dean and I after she had left. Most of the time we could forget about Dean's deal but both of us knew that we had to snap into reality. It wasn't fair. I couldn't help but feel jealous of the woman and her baby. I wanted all of those things with Dean that she was talking about but he only had a year left. I took a deep breath, even though my heart was breaking inside. Dean coughed.

"So uh, you want to go pay for the stuff?" Dean asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Sure, sounds great," I replied, smiling at him weakly. We were never going to be able to avoid this.

I paid for my school supplies and then we went back home and had a nice, relaxed dinner.

"Hey Dean, I kind of promised Ethan I'd go visit him at the hospital. Is that okay with you?" I asked. Why was I asking him permission? It's not like he owned me. But for some reason I wanted to ask him.

"Sure, yeah. I'll probably just hang around here for a bit," Dean said.

I nodded and leaned in, kissing him once, "See you later, babe."

"You too," he said.

I gathered my purse and my coat and headed out the door. I got into the comet, turned it on, and went to the hospital where Ethan worked. I rarely ever visited Ethan at the hospital but he was there a lot. He had the strangest hours too. I got out of my car, into the elevator, and up the third floor where he said he would meet me. I sat in the lobby and flipped through a magazine.

"Hey," I heard a voice say. I turned around and smiled as soon as I saw Ethan.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"Not much. I just got out of surgery. What have you been up to?" Ethan asked.

"Nothing. Just had dinner with Dean," I replied.

"How's that going for you? Jesus, I can't believe that you two are getting married in three weeks. It feels like just yesterday you were telling me that you finally kissed for the first time!" Ethan sighed.

"I know, right? I can't even believe we're getting married. But I'm happy about it. I can't wait to be Dean's wife… after all this time! Hah, I honestly didn't think this would ever happen," I admitted. I was still in shock that we were getting married but I was had been happier than ever.

"Mrs. Dean Winchester. It has a nice ring to it," Ethan nodded.

I chuckled, "I guess it does. Speaking of relationships, how are you and Molly? I think I'm still in shock that you two are dating. It's just weird because you were with other people during high school and now you're seeing each other."

"Quite the unlikely couple, huh?" Ethan asked. I nodded. "We're doing well. I guess I really never got to know her well enough in high school. She's a sweet girl… and funny."

"Yeah, Molly is hilarious!" I agreed. "But I'm glad you two are happy together. Before, it seemed like both of you were very focused on your careers. You go well together."

"Thanks. Speaking of careers, how was the first day of high school all over again?" Ethan asked.

I chuckled, "It really does feel like I'm back except for the fact that my old teachers are now my coworkers which still kind of weirds me out. The kids are great though! I'm actually kind of surprised. I mean, there are the good kids that want to learn, but even some of the football player thug-like guys pay attention sometimes!"

"Well… you know why, right?" Ethan asked.

"Because I'm a good teacher?" I guessed, hopefully.

"Because you're hot," Ethan replied.

"Ethan!" I exclaimed.

"What? It's true. Hey, if I had a hot English teacher I sure would've paid attention in that class," Ethan shrugged.

"Ugh, you're such a guy," I rolled my eyes, groaning. A nurse walked by with a baby in her arms on the way to the infant center. I sighed, looking at the baby in envy.

"I'm sure Dean's freaking out about all of those high school boys… he always was the jealous type," Ethan teased.

I knew exactly how to get him back for bring that up, "He jokes about it. Besides, jealous does great things for our sex life."

"Ohh," Ethan groaned. "See, I really didn't need to know that."

"That's what you get," I said, smugly, in an 'I told you so' tone.

"Look, I really don't want to know about how you two go all animal planet on each other twenty four seven," Ethan said, rolling his eyes.

"What? The man's great in bed and always horny! What am I supposed to do?" I exclaimed.

Ethan grabbed my shoulders, holding me square to him, "Just say no." he replied in a very serious, doctorly, don't do drugs kind of way. I laughed loudly and so did Ethan.

"Do you ever think about it though?" I asked.

"Dean's skills in the bedroom? Hell no," Ethan replied, exasperated.

I chuckled, "No. That nurse just walked by with a baby. And I'm not necessarily saying with Molly or anything but… just in general. Do you ever think about having a family? Having kids, being a dad?"

Ethan shrugged, "I don't know, maybe someday. I mean, I'm barely three years into my residency so maybe I'll have a family when later. Now? I don't know… What about you?"

"I'm a teacher!" I sighed. "I love kids. Of course I want a family… and I don't mean just with anyone. I want one with Dean! I just… happened to pick a guy with a time limit on him."

"I'm sorry, Mer," Ethan said.

"It's fine," I said, brushing it off. "So why exactly did you ask me to stop by anyways?"

"Well, between working, trying to see Molly, and stopping by at the café to help out and see Mom, I haven't really seen you lately," Ethan admitted. "I miss my best friend."

I chuckled, "I miss you too and I just realized something. The four M's in your life are Molly, Mom, medicine, and Meredith. That's funny."

"You are such a freak," Ethan laughed.

"Takes one to know one," I shot back. Ethan and I exchanged a small laugh. "Alright, well I'm going to head home to my wonderful fiancé. Enjoy the rest of your work."

"Alright, I'll see you later, Mer. Hey, why don't you stop by the café for breakfast or something. I'll probably be around," Ethan suggested.

"Sure, okay. I'll talk to Dean," I said back.

"Great, see you tomorrow," Ethan said, kissing my cheek. I hugged my best friend and then headed home.

As soon as I got home, I found Dean sitting on the couch watching TV. I put my purse on the floor and threw my keys into the bowl we kept keys in on the little table right next to the front door.

"Hey, what're you watching?" I asked, curiously. There were only a couple of lights on were on and the living room area was mainly lit by the TV.

"It's frickin' hilarious. Have you ever seen Whose Line is it Anyways?" Dean asked.

"Yeah, I love that show. Damn, I used to watch it a lot but then I just stopped staying up for it," I replied. I went over to the couch and curled up next to him and started watching the show. I could feel Dean moving his arm around me. We laughed pretty much every other second because of the hilarity of the improv.

"This is so great," I laughed, trying to take deep breaths so that I could breathe again.

"I don't think I can breathe anymore," Dean said through laughter.

The two of us pressed our foreheads together, "I think we deserved a good laugh."

"Me too," Dean said, leaning in and kissing me once.

I sighed, pulling away from him as I returned to my former seated position. I put my head on Dean's shoulder and his arm was back around my shoulders.

"I really like this. Us. Laughing together… it's good," Dean admitted.

"Me too," I nodded in agreement. "Hey, any chance you want to go to the café tomorrow for breakfast? Ethan asked."

"Oh how was seeing Ethan anyways?" Dean asked.

"Good," I replied.

"Yeah, sure, sounds great. Can I invite Sammy?" he asked.

"Always," I said back.

"Hey, do you mind if I lay down? I'm exhausted," Dean asked.

"Nope, I don't mind. Here," I said. Dean lay down on the couch and I sat between his legs, my back pressed against his chest. He propped up his left leg up on the couch, bending his knee and I reached up with my right hand, running my fingers over the right side of his face.

"Can we just pretend that I'm not dying for… tonight at least?" Dean asked, resting his head on top of mine.

"I'd like that a lot actually," I replied, a little smile on my face.

Dean groaned, "Mmm, good."

"So if you weren't dying… what would you want to talk about?" I asked.

He shrugged, "I don't know. That lady was talking about marriage and everything… and she mentioned kids…"

"You want to talk about kids?" I asked, skeptically.

"Yeah," Dean replied, simply. I smiled and was glad that Dean couldn't really see my face because I was blushing. "Well first, I'd get us out of this little apartment – not that there's anything wrong with it! Buy a house. Fill it up with kids."

"Oh yeah? Tell me about these kids," I smiled, a mischievous tone in my voice.

"Well, our first kid will definitely be a boy," Dean started.

I giggled, "But what if it's a girl?"

"He won't be," Dean said. I smiled and let him continue.

"So what's his name?" I asked.

"Hm, let me think on that," Dean replied.

I smiled, "Hmm… what about Jude? After my favorite Beatles song."

"You know, my mom used to sing that to me when she was trying to get me to sleep. It was her favorite Beatles song too," Dean said.

I turned around, looking at him, "No, you never told me that."

"Well, Jude. I like it. Jude Robert Winchester," Dean smiled.

"After Bobby?" I asked.

"Mhm," Dean sounded.

"That makes sense. He's been such a huge part of both of our lives. He practically raised me and he's been a father to the both of us," I agreed. Dean sounded in agreement. "Okay, so tell me about our second kid."

"Our second kid is also a boy. We need a little brother for Jude to pick on," Dean said. I hit him playfully and he chuckled. "Come on, just like me and Sammy!"

"I'd love that. John… John Caleb Winchester. That's our second kid after yours and my dad," I said, happily. I was enjoying this more than ever. This was all that I wanted with Dean. At least we could dream about it.

"Yeah, John Caleb Winchester. And then… well we'd have a little girl," Dean smiled.

"You know, my mom's middle name was Victoria. She almost named me Victoria because she liked the name so much. So uh, our little girl, we'll name her Victoria Mary Winchester. How does that sound?" I asked, really getting into the spirit of this.

"Yeah, yeah I like that," Dean said, nodding.

"Dean Winchester wants kids… huh. I guess you really are the kind of guy that messes around in his twenties but by thirty, you're teaching your kids how to play catch in the yard," I teased.

Dean chuckled, "I'd love to teach my kids how to play catch in the yard. But I guess you're going to have to play daddy and mommy to our babies."

"Dean, remind me how we're going to make babies when… you're gone?" I asked.

"Well, I could always go Dr. Sexy on you and come back as a ghost and we could get it on all the time. I bet there's some way to get you knocked up anyways," Dean smirked.

"Dean!" I exclaimed, hitting him.

"Ow!" he said.

I rolled my eyes at him, "And you didn't see that coming?"

Dean smiled and I turned around and pecked him on the lips once. I turned back around and closed my eyes, lying against Dean. I wish I could stop time and that we could just stay like this. I wanted to freeze this moment and feel like this forever. I laughed.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just knew you watched Dr. Sexy. You are so busted," I smirked.

"Shut up," Dean mumbled.

At first I had never taken Dean as a cuddler but here we were. And hey, I wasn't complaining. This man made me feel the way no one else had. I could try and point out qualities but when it came down to it, I loved him and no one, not even whatever demon bitch held Dean's contract, could take that away from me; from us.