"Family Affairs" — Part Seven

Emma woke up slowly within Dean's arms, seeing a gentle wave hit the shore before them.

"You were talking in your sleep," he quietly noted. "You kept saying 'William,' 'Lilli,' and 'Sarah.' "

Emma froze in surprise, feeling a little confused.

She turned and stared at the brown tree house. A sliver of light shined down on the building.

Had the births of their children simply been a dream — or were all of the kids huddled up in that home?

Emma thought about asking Dean for a second, and then decided she wanted to see for herself.

"Walk with me." She took Dean's hand. "I've got to have you with me for this." Emma smiled a little as their trip began. Her heart was filled with a newfound hope. If the kids were real, she couldn't wait to see them. And if they weren't born yet, she sensed she'd meet them one day.

Dean could feel her excitement rising. He followed her gaze to the house in the trees.

Emma searched the beach for any small footprints, but couldn't even manage to pinpoint her own. The sand was quite scattered and messy right now.

As the ladder to the tree house began to grow nearer, Emma took a slow breath, then let it out with a sigh. Every time she'd dreamed about having children, it felt like she'd traveled to another dimension. If it turned out that she wasn't a mother right now, those stories would still have a place in her heart.

She didn't know if the children were actually real, but her love for Dean was, and it always would be.

Her stare began drifting away from the building, and she found it settling on him again. She slowed a little as their gazes met.

"What happened to the big, meaningful stride?" He grinned at her, gently rubbing her hand.

Emma grinned back, then murmured shyly. "Before we go up there, I want to say something."

Dean nodded, watching her with affection.

"No matter what…" She tossed a glance at the tree house. "I'm never going to be unhappy or unsatisfied with what we've built together."

Dean definitely knew that he wouldn't either.

She pulled him close, and placed a kiss on his cheek. Moments afterward, she paused while gripping a rung on the ladder, then reached upward and began her ascent.