Dean was lost in thought, mind drifting from one thing to the next like a meandering river. Long story short, Sam had been missing his soul. That explained so much. And it was not a pleasant experience, for any of them. But that had been a little while ago. They were recovering from that, more or less.

Sam came upon Dean sitting on the hood of the Impala. He sighed. Since getting his soul back, he had gotten some perspective on some matters. And one of them had been particularly itching in his mind.

"Dean, can I talk to you?" his brother grunted.

"When are you actually going to marry her?" That fully demanded Dean's attention.

"What?"

"Don't keep stringing her along. If you're going to marry her, make it happen sometime. At least give her a time frame."

"Shut up, Sammy."

"You know I am right." When Dean did not respond, Sam threw his hands in the air. "That's all I have to say about it."

But two months later, the Winchester family was having a wedding. Dean thought about it long and hard. He knew Abigail deserved better. And they were not guaranteed any more time than today, so why put it off for six months when it could be done sooner?

Abigail and Dean sat down and planned everything. They agreed on a quiet ceremony. If Abigail's mom had her way, it would be a monstrosity of an event. But they wanted it simple. Rufus would perform it; it was unsurprising that he had the license, since they had learned long ago to never be surprised by Rufus. The honeymoon would be a week-long stay in a beach house. The flowers would be red carnations and white iris, their two favorite flowers; Sam was inevitably selected as the best man; it had taken little deliberation to ask Jo to serve as maid of honor, to which she had enthusiastically accepted. But with her gone, Abby wanted to leave the spot vacant, in her best friend's honor. For the small reception, Dean wanted a cheeseburger buffet, to which Abigail put her foot down. They compromised with enchiladas and tacos (Dean would not do anything further than a burger or tacos).

Dean had faced literal evil, been toe-to-toe with the worst monsters. He had never backed down. But now, in the midst of people, standing outside the small chapel, he was scared. Not just scared. Dean was downright petrified. He paced nervously, hands wringing. "Sammy, I can't do this."

"Dude, you'll be fine."

"What was I thinking? I can't promise her the life she deserves."

Sam clapped a hand on his older brother's shoulder. "I have never known two people more suited for each other than you two. You will be a fantastic husband, Dean, and she loves you so much." His other hand braced on the other shoulder. "You've got this, man." Sam readjusted Dean's jacket. It was not clear who moved forward first, but they gripped one another in a ferocious hug. Sam still had a difficult time with the concept of his older brother getting married. He remembered the freckled-face tweenager who would steal snacks from a convenience store for him. That boy may be physically gone, but today he was standing before Sam, nervous and anxious as ever, much like how he used to wait impatiently for Dad's return after a hunt.

"Dad would be proud. I'm sorry he and Mom aren't here," Sam commented, "they would have loved Abigail." Dean grinned, imagining what conversations his mother and soon-to-be-wife might have had.

Minutes before they were to begin the procession, Bobby slapped Dean's back. "I am so proud of you, boy." Dean gripped his surrogate father tightly. When they pulled apart Bobby continued, "You take care of each other, you hear? And don't forget to check in on Sammy every once in a while."

"Bobby, we're still going to be together."

"I know. But you and that girl will be so googly-eyed in love that you might forget about somebody other than yourselves. Just feed Sam a salad every couple days and play with him." Dean snorted. Bobby patted his back once more before leaving. Sam took up his place beside his brother.

"You ready?" Dean swallowed hard and straightened his shoulders.

"Guess I have to be." The two brothers took their places at the altar, Sam to his brother's side, having his brother's back. Rufus had cleaned up, which was the most shocking. Bobby, Abby's family, Jody, Cas and some other friends were proudly present in the front rows. Abby's sister Marcela had been disappointed with there being no bridesmaids. She had wanted to cling to Sam down the aisle. The music shifted and everyone stood, turning for a first glimpse of the bride. The dress was simple: no sequins, no ruffles; lace wove down her arms and across the bust of the dress. It was tight in a way that exhibited her curves and long frame, but not excessively so. The modest v-neck framed the necklace she never took off. It had always been her dream to wear her mother's wedding gown on her special day. The veil was draped over her head but her smiling face was clearly visible. Little makeup had been applied, only a touch here and there to accentuate her features. And no-run mascara, for there would likely be tears at some juncture. She was breathtaking. Sam glanced sideways and saw Dean with an indescribable look of awe and joy, tears in his eyes. Dean's watery eyes spilled over and he turned away to wipe his face. The congregation awwed at the hardened Dean Winchester crying when he saw his bride for the first time. Her father kissed Abigail's cheek and offered her over. Straightening his shoulders, Dean took her hand and simply gazed at her, painting every detail into his permanent memory.

"You are beautiful."

She smiled sweetly. "You clean up nicely yourself," she teased. The light shone in her eyes, radiating through her features. She was so beautiful it almost hurt. She radiated an infectious cheerfulness. How did she always stay so upbeat with everything she had witnessed?

"Ladies and gentlemen," began Rufus, "we are gathered here to honor these two people and the commitment they want to make to one another. Believe me when I say that I didn't think it would work out-no offense. But they made it work this long, so I figure they can keep it up. Now, let's get these two married!" he clapped his hands. Then it was their turn.

Dean cleared his throat. His hands were beginning to become slightly clammy. "I'm not one for cheesy chick-flick moments." Those assembled chuckled, knowing Dean only too well. "Abigail, all my life I thought that a hunter was restrained; that the apple-pie life was impossible. But you showed me so many things and changed my perspective. Just by your actions you've proven to me there is more for a hunter. That there is more for me. I have no idea how you can stay so upbeat with everything we have been through, but I am incredibly grateful for your spirit; you gave me hope when all I felt was despair; you stayed with me even after seeing the absolute worst parts of me. And you taught me something I haven't had in a long time: hope. And I have hope that we can live a long and happy life together."

Abigail was ready to cry. But she took a deep breath, unfolded the paper Sam handed her. She wanted to recite the next part from memory, but knew she would miss something or forget it entirely.

"Dean, for a long time I always wondered what my prince would look like. Then when I never found him, I started to lose hope that there was somebody for me. Until I met you. I had heard stories but they did not nearly come close to describing who you are. After spending time with you and Sammy, I realized the perception I had of you was wrong. You are more than the rumors, because they can never capture how brilliant and selfless you are. When I wake up in the morning, I know there is no way I can do what you do but I try anyway. You push me to be the greatest version of myself, even at the expense of yourself. I don't remember how I lived without you, especially for those months after having met you when we were apart. I want you to be part of my life every day."

When the rings were called for, Sam brought them out, looking small in his massive palm. The two were fairly plain, both silver. He had long imagined the delight on her face when he would present it to Abigail. Unlike his proposal, this time when he showed her a ring, her reaction was how he had imagined. Dean was honored to present something so gorgeous to a deserving and beautiful woman. He genuinely smiled as the band slipped onto her finger, underneath the engagement ring, closer to her heart. In turn, she lifted a simple silver band onto his fourth finger.

The couple clasped hands and never broke eye contact while the vows were exchanged. "Dean Winchester, do you take Abigail Lucero to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love her, to hold her, to cherish her, in sickness and in health? For richer for poorer? For better for worse? Until death do you part?"

"I do."

"Do you, Abigail Lucero, take Dean Winchester to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love him, to hold him, to cherish him, in sickness and in health? For richer for poorer? For better for worse? Until death do you part?"

"I do."

"I pronounce you husband and wife." Dean and Abigail shared their first kiss of many as a married couple.