Chapter 65.
Sarah arrived like royalty, walking into the party area on Dean's arm. Sam went over to meet her, taking her hands in his and kissing her cheek. "I hope everything's as you wanted it." he said.
"Can you show me someplace where I can get changed?" she said.
"No problem." he said.
"Where's Cas?" said Dean.
"In his room, getting ready." said Sam, "Jules went to help."
"Oh. Sounds hopeful."
"I think he's losing confidence." said Sam, "But Jules seems to know what to do."
"Great. I'll get changed and see you all there. You should get ready."
"Yeah, I'll just show Sarah to Mom's room."
As he and Sarah walked, she said, "How are you, Sam?" His fraction of a second hesitation got her attention. "Something's on your mind." she said.
"Yeah, a few things." he said, "Nothing I can talk about."
"Usually, you and Jack are the most open with me. Are you sure you can't tell me?"
"I'm sure, but I'm fine."
Jack ran up to them, dressed in the light-coloured leather jacket that Sarah had given him. His white shirt had blue embroidery across the chest and the horse head belt buckle shone silver above navy blue jeans that were tucked into pale leather boots. "Sarah!" he said, "How do I look?"
She beamed her warm smile and said, "Jack, you look perfect! I hope you're ready to dance!"
"I am." he said, "You have to dance with me for the first dance, so I can learn a bit from you."
"I could have taught you a little." said Sam.
"I don't want to be too good." said Jack, "People like me when I'm not too good. I have to go. Mark said I can help with the meat."
Jack hurried off and Sarah turned to Sam. "That boy always makes me feel so excited about life. He's so young and so joyful."
"Yeah, he is." said Sam. He wanted to tell her that Jack was also helping him to keep Dean and Cas safe, but he couldn't justify putting her in a position where she had to lie to them all.
"Are you worried about Dean?" she said.
"Yes." he said, "You've spoken to him today. Do you think he means what he said about trying to deal with his problems?"
"Yes, Sam, I do. Dean has clearly given it a lot of thought and I do believe he's ready."
"Good. Last night, I thought so too. I just worry that he'll lose his nerve."
"He may well, but not, I think, for long. He understands now that the choice is not to stay as he is or change, but to change or deteriorate. Your brother is very strong. What he commits to, he will accomplish. But he may struggle sometimes, along the way. I'm counting on you and Castiel to support him."
"We will." said Sam, "We'll do anything to help him."
"Including addressing your own issues?" she said. She looked into his eyes.
He nodded. "I can't promise to do it quickly, but I know I need to do it, for him and for me."
"Yes."
They stopped at Mary's door. "Mom has already dressed and gone to help serve the food, so she said you can use her room." said Sam.
"Do you have something to wear?" she said.
"Don't worry. I'll be there in a few minutes, looking like a Texas Ranger."
"I think that look could be good for you. If there's any problem with Castiel, send a text and I'll fetch him. Sometimes, he is surprisingly shy for a high powered celestial being."
"I think Jules will get him to the party." said Sam.
He went to his room and got dressed. Last time he had worn those clothes, he had been hunting a phoenix in the past. A lot had happened since then, good and bad, but he and Dean and Cas were still alive, still fighting, still together. He took Cas's present and card from their hiding place and went to join the party.