Epilogue

It was very hard to put into words all that had happened in the year since John Winchester had been killed. Not only had Jim and Caleb been forced to help Sam and Dean through the shock of losing their only remaining parent, but they had also had to step into that role themselves. They would never replace the memory of John or their mother, but they would provide them with a family that adored them. A family that would thrive through the best (and worst) times imaginable. A family that would spoon out love in doses, and provide stability.

Sitting around a soaring bonfire in the back of the Harvelles property, the guys were pretty sure that this was as close to heaven as it got. Pulling Dean close, Caleb could not believe how much Dean had grown in the year or so since he lost his father. He still had occasional nightmares, but those had started to become few and far between the good nights he had. He still avoided directly talking about John, unless it was just him and Caleb, and he still acted out certain moments in play, but Caleb could see a huge change in his demeanor.

As for Sam? Caleb could not control the laugh that came from inside him when he noticed the child stuff an entire marshmellow into his face. Luckily for him, it was one of the few that had not been toasted to a fine crisp. Pulling Sam into his lap, Caleb allowed the young child to settle against him as they watched the flames burn. It had been a long day of playing, swimming, and finally getting to have this bonfire to top it off. Running his hand through Sam's hair, it was hard not to think about the leaps and bounds he had made in recent months. He was talking more, if only slightly, and seemed bound and determined to teach Dean a few things about playing.

Dean, for his part, tolerated it. He was just that way with him; always willing to be of service and let Sam control the show for a little while. Opening his mouth when Dean directed a piping hot marshmellow in his direction, he controlled the wince that was wanting to come out when the hot food burned his mouth. Shaking it off, he allowed Dean to lay his head on his shoulder. He was exhausted from the events of the day, and Caleb knew it would be an easy bedtime for both of them.

Looking around at the people who were situated around the fire, the feeling of peace was almost foreign to him. He would do anything for the people around him, and he knew they would do the same. Jim Murphy, arguably his best friend in the world, and the one who held custody of the boys, was chatting with Ellen about something to do with the baby she was expecting around the first of the year. It would be nice for Sam, especially, to have a little playmate. Meeting the gaze Jim gave him, Caleb knew they were bonded in a way that few others were. Caleb had gotten shared custody of the boys, but it was only in the legal sense of the word. In reality, he knew they both had it together one hundred percent.

Swiveling his gaze to Ellen and Bill, Caleb knew without a doubt that they had family for the rest of their lives. Family did not always end with blood. While he had always been a firm subscriber to that notion, it was engrained in his head for the rest of his life. Ellen was the type of person who he knew would become, at the very least, a surrogate aunt to the boys. And at best? A mother figure to them. Bill, without question, would be the goofy uncle that would do things that neither he or Jim would agree with. And more often that not, would spoil the boys rotten. Especially Dean, who he seemed to have taken a strong liking to in the few days the boys had stayed with them while their custody was being arranged.

The custody battle had (thankfully) been solved in a matter of days. The tipping point had come when a child psychologist testified that it would be "detrimental" to the health and wellbeing of the boys to be separated from the guys. While Caleb wholeheartedly agreed with her statement, it still surprised him when a judge immediately agreed. Anyone with eyes could see the love that surrounded Sam and Dean.

The bigger issue that caused a deep sigh to come from the young hunter, was the question of their home. After a demon had destroyed their sense of peace in Blue Earth, the guys had considered abandoning the way of life they had committed to raising the boys in, and going on the road. It had been an appalling idea, but one that seemed to be the most logical. That was, until, Bobby had reminded them that he could install the kinds of things that were seldom seen in most normal homes. A safeguard of sorts, something to make them feel better.

Caleb was banking on that. The boys had gone through enough in the last year and a half to last them forever, and the last thing he wanted was for them to have any other reason to have fear inside of them. Lounging back, he was glad he and Jim had this quality time with the boys while Bobby stayed back in Minnesota to work on their home. After he was done, he would join them for the last leg of their trip. It was the best of both worlds, and Caleb knew he was not alone in knowing the relief it would bring to have a stable place to go back to.

Staying in one place was risky, no matter which way he looked at it. If it wasn't the supernatural side of things that would almost certainly come knocking, it was the more human aspect of it that scared him. Hunting was not exactly a known job, and it brought with it the risk that he or Jim would be caught by police. For the most part, he had managed to fly under the radar, but he knew his luck could only go so far if he chose to stay in Minnesota. Sooner or later, something would happen.

"Are you okay?" Dean asked, his mouth full of hotdog.

No doubt, he had caught the contemplative look on his guardian's face. Even though Dean was nearly half asleep, he still had it in him to finish the hot dog that was on his plastic plate.

"Yeah, I'm good, bud." Caleb leaned down and kissed the top of his head, before gently taking the food away when his eyes finally closed.

And he was good. For that moment in time, everything was perfect. They had an amazing support system, and the promise of a good life once their house was finished with its special modifications. Caleb could not account for what might happen if his hunting life was detected by the police, but he knew they would cross that bridge if and when they came to it. For right then? He was determined to soak in as much of the good stuff as he could.

Through the years, he knew they would face challenges like none other, but as long as they stayed close to each other, it would be worth it in the end. Watching as the last dregs of sun slipped below the cover of trees, he was almost sad for this time to come to an end. However, he knew that come morning, they would be at it again with something else that was outlandish.

This time was precious, and in the coming months and years, they would face challenges of both the supernatural and legal kind that would threaten their sense of peace, and make them question everything they ever knew about the world and the way it conducted itself. For right then? That was the furthest thing from their minds, as this small family breathed in the bliss that came from their bond with one another.

AN:

This is the end of Missing ): It seemed right to end it here. I have also decided that I will not make this into one big story. Instead, I will take my time with the sequel, and whenever I can post it and have much of it written, that is what I will do. I adore this family, and I almost watch the show and imagine Sam and Dean having had that life because it's what they deserved all along. I hope that I will see old and new reviewers come along with me in the future installments of this story.

Also, this will also be posted on Archives of our Own. The link for my profile there will be on my profile soon :)