Chapter Thirty-Four

Kaitlyn zips her bag as she glances over to see Dean finishing his own packing. She's nervous, but she knows that Dean wouldn't allow them to go home if it weren't safe. Dean glances over and smiles.

"It's okay," he says. He walks over and pulls Kaitlyn into his arms. "And it's okay to be nervous. But I'm off for the next few days, so I'll be with you." He kisses her forehead. "I promise that nothing is going to happen."

"I know." She smiles when he kisses her forehead again. "I know I'm being ridiculous."

"No, you aren't. After everything we have been through you have a right to feel like this." He looks down at her. "Just know that I'm not going to let anything happen to you or to Kelsey. If I didn't think it was safe to go back, we wouldn't be."

"I know that." She nods. "And I am glad to be going back. I'm happy that we'll actually get to spend Christmas at home instead of in a hotel." She smiles up at him. "Thank you, Dean."

"For what?"

"Keeping us safe." She leans up and kisses him. "I never thought I could feel this safe with a man." She chews on her bottom lip. "And you keep surprising me."

He grins. "Well, I'm glad I can keep surprising you. And you don't have to thank me for keeping you safe. It's my job. As a cop, as a man, and as your boyfriend… fiancé." He reaches up and cups her face. "I would do anything and everything to keep you safe." He kisses her softly.

"Are you two done yet?" Kelsey asks.

Dean looks behind him. "How long have you been out?" he asks with a grin.

"Long enough." She smiles at them. "You're sappy."

"I'm sappy?"

"Uh-huh." She sits down to pull her shoes on. "Do we get to have a Christmas tree?"

Kaitlyn looks at Dean after the question. "Um… do you have one? I don't."

He nods. "I just have a short one though." He looks at Kelsey. "Tell you what, we'll go look for a new one."

"We can use the short one," Kelsey says. "I just want a tree."

"Okay." He smiles. "We'll have a new one next year. In our new house."

Kelsey beams at that. "Are we really getting a new house?"

He nods. "Hopefully soon. But I think we'll wait to start looking again until after the holidays."

"I think that's a good idea," Kaitlyn says. "I know our place is small, but I would like to have a Christmas party. Just us, Seth and Paige, and Roman and Eve."

Dean looks at her. "We can definitely do that. All right, let's get out of here and go home."

Kaitlyn smiles as Kelsey puts the last ornament on the tree. Dean steps up behind her, sliding his arms around her waist. She leans back into him as they watch Kelsey adjust the ornament. "Looks good," Kaitlyn says.

Kelsey looks over and smiles. "It's perfect," she says.

Dean kisses Kaitlyn's cheek before walking over and squatting down in front of Kelsey. "Have you ever had a Christmas tree?" he asks.

Kelsey shakes her head. "She always put one up in Ashley's room. I couldn't go in though."

He leans in and kisses Kelsey's forehead. "You have one now, sweetie."

"Can I get a new dress for the party?"

"Absolutely. I think that's something you and Kaitlyn can do when I'm at work. What do you think?"

Kelsey beams. "Yeah. I can surprise you then."

"Sounds like a perfect plan. Maybe you can talk her into getting a dress for herself too."

"I'll try!"

Kaitlyn smiles as she watches the two of them. "Dean, why don't you turn the lights on?"

"Yes, dear." Dean moves over and flips the power strip on. He moves back to stand with Kaitlyn and Kelsey. "Looks good. Better than I ever did."

"Did you ever really try?"

"No, I guess not." He smiles at Kaitlyn.

"Why did you even have a tree? You were always at our house."

"Your brother. Let's just leave it at that."

Kaitlyn laughs. "Enough said." She kisses Dean's cheek. She glances at the clock when there's a knock on the door. "Expecting anyone?"

"No, you?"

"Obviously not seen as I just asked you." Kaitlyn smiles at him. "I wonder about you sometimes." She walks over to the door and pulls it open. She's surprised to find her parents standing there.

"Hi, Kaitlyn," Shelly says with a small smile.

"Mom," Kaitlyn says. "Dad." She glances at Dean as she steps to the side. "Come on in."

Dean shrugs a little. He rests his hands on Kelsey's shoulders as Sean and Shelly walk in, not sure what to expect. It's not Sean he's worried about. Shelly, however, they have a history with.

"We've wanted to stop by for a while now," Sean says. "But after talking with Seth, we all agreed it would be best to wait until everything with your trial finished."

Dean nods. "Have a seat. Can we get you anything?"

"No, thank you."

Dean gestures for Kelsey to go over and sit with Kaitlyn on the love seat. He moves over to sit on the arm. "So what brings you here? Other than the obvious."

"That's an obvious reason."

He nods. "Well, I guess let's start there." He looks at Kelsey. "Kelsey, this is Kaitlyn's mom and stepdad, Shelly and Sean. Sean is Seth's dad." He looks back at Shelly and Sean. "This is my daughter… our daughter, Kelsey."

"Kelsey, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Sean says. "Seth speaks very highly of you."

"Hi," Kelsey says. "Why haven't I met you before now?"

Shelly smiles sadly. "Because I'm made some mistakes that hurt them," she answers. "And I can't take those things back, but I can certainly move forward. I'm hoping we can move on from all of this." She looks at Dean. "I never imagined Nick would do anything like that, Dean. And I am so sorry for not seeing him for who he was the way you always did."

Dean nods. "Thank you, Shelly. It's not up to me on the moving forward though." He looks at Kaitlyn. "Kaitlyn has to make that decision."

Kaitlyn lets out a soft breath. "It's going to be a while before I can actually forgive you, mom. But I'm willing to try if you are. And you definitely deserve to know your granddaughter." She slides her fingers through Kelsey's curls.

Shelly nods. "I'll do whatever it takes, Kaitlyn. I should have stopped and looked at what he had done to you. I'm sorry."

Kaitlyn nods. "One day at a time."

"Absolutely. Listen, I don't know if you have plans for Christmas afternoon. But you know we always have our get together then. We'd love it if you would join us."

"We'll talk about it." Kaitlyn looks up at Dean. "We're having a get together on Christmas Eve. Nothing big. Seth, Paige, Roman, and Eve are coming. If you two want to come, you can."

Shelly smiles. "I think we can arrange that."

"Good." Kaitlyn returns her mother's smile.

"Let me know if we can bring anything."

"We will. Once we figure everything out." Kaitlyn follows them to the door, with Dean right behind her. "I'm glad you stopped by." She gives Sean a quick hug before turning and hugging Shelly.

"Thank you for giving me another chance." Shelly pulls back. "I am so proud of the woman you have become."

"Thank you, Mom." She leans back into Dean as Shelly and Sean walk out. "That I didn't expect."

"Me neither. I think it's good though." He kisses the side of her head. "I know how close you were with her at one point in your life. I'd like to see that again. All right, you two find a movie to watch, I'm going to go make dinner."