Castiel was making hot chocolate for his grandkids. Anael didn't cook, she didn't care for it. She knew how, just didn't like the mess. But when it came for her grandchildren, she gladly baked the cookies. She gently scolded five year old Kennedy who came to sneak some gingerbread men.
"Ah ah. They need to cool first."
Aurora came walking in.
"Sorry mom. Kennedy was supposed to stay with her cousins."
"Granny, can I help decorate?"
"Of course. But let the cookies cool first."
"Grandpa! Come play the piano!" Thirteen year old Cameron begs. "I can't keep everyone away from opening the Christmas presents."
"Only if you help me carry those mugs. Aurora, can you help?"
"Okay Dad. Cameron where is your dad?" Thinking of her brother Slater.
"He is with uncle Caleb and Ashley. They went to finish their shopping." Thinking of his cousin Ashley. She was eighteen, she was home from college.
"Alrighty. Let's go. Anael while the cookies are cooling, let's sing carols."
Castiel was reading a magazine. He smiled at the necklace he was planning on giving Anael. It was real emeralds. His children helped pick it out. His wife was in her nineties, but was as beautiful as the day he saw her in that sundae shop. He loved her since that day.
He and Anael sold their home to their oldest, as a computer analyst, he made a fortune in the new dot com market. The market was booming, even though Castiel and Anael were well off, he and his siblings insisted on taking care of their parents. It was a senior rest home, but it was meant for the wealthy. Castiel didn't care, he would have been happy in a regular home. But Anael was choosy.
Anael was smiling as she held her youngest grandchild. Three grandkids, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Aurora's latest baby was a surprise, she didn't expect it. At forty two, she thought she was done.
Castiel was sitting down with tears down his cheeks as he said goodbye to his wife. Anael passed away in her sleep, just shy of her 99th birthday. He heard his family crying. He tuned out the minister. No one knew about God. But he kept his mouth shut. Jack told Cas the truth.
He allowed Cameron to hold him up as he placed roses on Anael's coffin.
"I'll see you later. I love you." He whispered.
Castiel was watching the sunset. He knew it was almost time. At 101 he knew his own time on Earth was finished. As much as always going to miss his family, he knew they would be okay. He did everything he ever wanted.
"Here is your peanut butter and jelly sandwich." Ashley tells him.
"And your nougat bar." Lindsey offers. His great grandchild opens the wrapper.
"Thanks honey. You too Ashley."
"Wonder what's Granny's doing in Heaven?" Twelve year old Lindsey muses.
"Heaven? There is no such thing." Ashley insisted. Castiel gave up years ago telling her that Heaven was real. She was always a skeptic. It would blow her mind she was born to two ex angels.
"Heaven exists! God told me."
"God? Lindsey what are you talking about?" Castiel turned his head around.
Lindsey smiles.
"He looked like you. Kinda. He said He was taking you Home soon. He said Sam and Dean are waiting. They are waiting at the Roadhouse."
Dean. It's been years since Castiel heard that name. The one man Castiel died to protect. The one Castiel secretly loved. His last words were his last.
"I love you." Castiel's final words. He died to protect Dean. Castiel wouldn't know what to say when he saw Dean again. He blushed.
"Grandpa. Why is your face red?" Ashley asked.
"Just thinking."
"I bet Great Grandma is bored without you."
Anael. Castiel realised he'll see her again as well. He loved Anael, but he loved Dean as well. It didn't matter anyways. He was going to see his family and friends soon.
Castiel was surrounded by his family. It was time. He saw his children and grandchildren crying. He could no longer talk, he was too weak. He smiled as everyone kissed him goodbye. Before he died he saw Jack waving with his hand.
"Cas. Dad. It's time to go."
Castiel was dancing as he held his beer. Kansas was playing on the jukebox. He was avoiding Dean. Seeing him after all those years embarrassed Castiel. He never regretted his words, but now they were reunited, Castiel kept giving Dean the slip.
He and Anael had a long passionate reunion. They lived together in their replica martial home. They were waiting for their family, since time moved differently, they knew it would be soon; and were spending as much private time as they could with one another.
Dean finally caught up to Cas.
"Yo Cas. Let's have a beer outside." Castiel's face was beet red as Dean dragged him outside.
He was shaking hands with Dean Jr and Samantha. They just arrived. Dean Jr, who preferred to go as DJ, and Samantha who liked her nickname Sammi. Sam's and Dean's kids. They were surprised to meet one another but were already close. They were watching Scooby Doo with Jack in the replica bunker.
Castiel heard their laughter from the hallway. Sammi was flirting with Jack, with Jack flirting back. Hmm. Maybe Castiel's love will be reborn to Jack and Sammi. He blushed at what Dean said. It was a secret. Castiel will never say what Dean said outside of the Roadhouse.
He and Anael were interrupted by the bunker door opening. They held out their arms as they introduced their kids to Sam and Dean.
Castiel finally found his true happiness. It wasn't goodbye this time. It was forever.