Maybe it was because I'd had so little time with Abigail after she was born, or maybe because I had Harvey with me every step of the way, but our first six months with Caelum seemed like a breeze. He slept well, fed well, and was one of the calmest babies I'd ever heard of. Abi had upgraded to a toddler bed, Caelum inherited her crib, and it wasn't rare to wake up to her tiny warm body squeezed between us.

Even when we both went back to work, my mom tried to convince me that Caelum was too little for daycare, and adding that Abi had only a year before she'd begin pre-school, the transition was smooth. Well, smoother than arguing with Mom about why our kids needed to socialize with other children, that is. Abi, having Caelum nearby during her time in daycare, became more of a social butterfly. And our son went with the flow of change so easily that I envied him.

Harvey had insisted on fewer assignments that required overnight travel, so he was home almost every night. Usually picking up the kids and waiting for me with dinner. My classes were as popular as they'd been before I died, and my students were constantly surprising me with their ability to work through the subject matter in new and exciting ways.

During all of this, Dean and Sam visited and called. Abi loved her Sammy, and she learned to roll her eyes from her De-De. Harvey accepted John's sons as easily as he fit into my own life.

I had more than enough on my plate with a new baby, a precocious toddler, and a man who could make my toes curl with a look or just his voice pitched low. I also had a wedding to plan.

Mom and I worked together on the weekends, Rowena piping in with her own take on how the wedding would look. I'd always wanted a fall wedding, and when I told Mom and Ro my ideas, they both looked impressed, which should have been insulting, but wasn't.

The dress was easier to find than I expected. As was Abi's, Mom's, and Ro's. A tiny suit for Caelum to match his daddy and, shockingly, Abi's brothers'. Harvey was a constant surprise to me, telling me that he thought having Dean and Sam stand up with us made sense. Crowley, Cas, and my Dad were involved and I jokingly said that there'd be no actual audience since everyone we loved had a part to play.

Invitations, because we had friends and coworkers to share our day with despite my joke, were sent, and the final touches came together. I didn't know that Harvey had one more surprise for me, and that was probably for the best, because having a blow up argument on my wedding day wouldn't have fit into my schedule.

I walked down the leafy path to the altar that was created by nature, two trees close enough to have their limbs entwine, my eyes focused on the man I was about to say "I do" to, again lucky since there were people in the audience that may have forced my ass to turn around and head back in our house. Fallen leaves, reds, oranges and yellows, added to the dark red of the roses and the burnt orange of the tiger lilies that constructed our bouquets. I barely heard the minister's words, watching Harvey's smile and mouthed "I love you" kept me occupied. It took less time than anyone could have expected, our rings in place, our vows said, and then cupping my face so gently that one would think he was afraid of breaking me, Harvey's lips met mine and I felt content to my toes.

We were presented to our guests as husband and wife and that's when I saw him. And her. And felt a flush of irritation try to force its way into my day, but I shook my head and fought it off. Today was about Harvey and me, nothing more nothing less, but boy oh boy was my husband going to get an earful when the glow wore off.

Our reception was a hit, mostly because our wedding was taking place so close to Halloween that the ambiance as the sun started to dip low was very playful. Bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving/painting, and other games that would be right at home during the holiday. Our cake was cut, finger foods that were strangely filling served, and then the dancing began. Harvey took me in his arms and I smiled into his suit jacket before my eyes landed on John Winchester by the dance floor.

"You know," I tilted my head back to stare up at my husband. "I'm trying very hard to not be pissed at you right now."

He bit his lip, but I could see that his eyes were still twinkling like a naughty child. "I wanted him to see that you were happy, and that she's happy," I followed his eyes to where Abi was being entertained by her brothers, all three of them. "Closure, Tali, a firmly shut door."

I stared up at him and knew he meant it, but I also knew John. He hadn't taken his eyes off me, off us, since I noticed him at the ceremony. "Yeah, that sounds great, babe, but not all Winchester men can take a hint."

As though to prove my point, John cut in on the third dance I was sharing with my new husband. Forced to behave while surrounded by an audience, I had to let myself be drawn into his arms. He didn't speak, and neither did I, for the few seconds. I was wondering if he felt as awkward holding me as I did letting him, but when he spoke I knew he didn't.

"You're a beautiful bride, Tali," I fought against hearing the longing in his voice. "This could have been our day."

I shook my head. "No, it couldn't have been, John." I looked up at him and saw the pain flash across his face. "This never would have been our day. Because I either wouldn't have had you because I let you stay dead, or I wouldn't have come back at all." I sighed, wishing he could understand. "Mary and you were the end game, John, before Azazel took her away. Before he tempted me with you. It was always supposed to be like this." The song was coming to a close, but I needed him to see what I meant. "Harvey is my hero, my final chapter. I think I would have met him no matter what, sooner maybe, if I'd let you go. Less angst definitely. But then I wouldn't have Abi." I saw his eyes find our daughter over my head. "And that's the only reason you're here now. Because Harvey wanted you to see it. Us, the four of us, we're the conclusion. And you? You were just a plot twist."

I moved away from him and walked purposely to where Abi, her three brothers, and my new husband were clustered around the pumpkin painting table. The past was the past, but this? This was my present and future.

We didn't go away for a honeymoon. We didn't need to, with Abi and Caelum to snuggle with after our weekend alone. Both Harvey and I wanted our children to know without a doubt how important they were to us. And so, when we had them back in our arms after two days and nights to play newlyweds, we took them off to the most magical place on earth. Disneyworld, and watched as our princess met the characters from her favorite movies. Caelum might not have gotten the full effect, but Harvey's whimsical enjoyment along with Abi's more than made the trip worth it.