Sam stared at his laptop, sifting through internet stories, as he sat by himself at a table, occasionally sipping from a bottle of beer. Unlike earlier in the morning, the dinner crowd hadn't quite filtered in yet, so the place was mostly empty, with only a few patrons in there. He glanced up as he saw Dean walk over, and Sam could see his brother had an odd expression on his face as he sat down.
"Hey," Dean said, trying to sound casual as he sat across the table from his brother.
"Hey," Sam replied slowly. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Dean answered almost too quickly. He sat there, bobbing his head, looking around, then he glanced at Sam's laptop. "So, whatcha working on?"
"Okay, what the hell's going on?" Sam asked as he shut the laptop.
"What?" Dean asked.
"You," Sam replied. "You come in here, looking like…I don't know, then you try to hide it, like everything's normal." He paused, then gave a frustrated sigh. "You and Alicia didn't have another fight, did you?"
"No," Dean replied, looking offended.
"Then what?" Sam asked, annoyed.
Dean opened his mouth, then he stopped before inhaling sharply. "Do you remember when we were younger, and you said that one time you wanted a little sister?"
Sam furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah," he said slowly.
"Well," Dean said, smiling, chuckling a bit, "it's been over ten years, but you're finally gonna get what you wanted."
Sam just stared at him, totally confused. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked after several moments.
"Allie and me," Dean replied, smiling, holding his hands out. "We're getting married."
Sam sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Dean, I'm not in the mood for jokes."
"It's not a joke, Sam?"
Sam scoffed. "Really? You, Mister 'I'm-Gonna-Hook-Up-With-A-Girl-In-Every-Town'?" He shook his head, then noticed Dean's expression. "You're serious."
"Yep," Dean replied.
Sam's expression faltered. "You and Alicia…really?" Dean nodded. "How? Why?"
"Does it matter?" Dean asked.
"Yes," Sam replied. He paused. "You sure you're not under anyone's influence or anything?"
"Positive," Dean answered. "Look, Sam, I get it. I'm the last person who'd even think about getting hitched, but…I mean, you've seen how Allie's changed everything."
Sam couldn't argue with that. "You're really serious about this?" Dean nodded. "Dean, do you know anything about what marriage is really like? It isn't one of your Casa Erotica DVDs or Busty Asian Beauties fantasies come to life." He saw a twinkle in Dean's eyes as they glazed over a bit, and Sam could almost hear his lewd thoughts; he quickly clearly his throat uncomfortably. "And you're gonna have to lay off the flirting, you know that, right?"
"Actually, Allie and I agreed to have an open marriage," Dean replied, smirking. Sam blanched a little, and the older Winchester's smirk morphed into slight annoyance. "Come on, Sam, give me some credit. I'm not an idiot." He sighed. "Look," he squirmed a bit, "you were right, okay? I care about Allie—really care about her—and I…don't want to lose her." Sam's expression softened. "Look, I know it's sudden, but it's not like we just met four days ago and decided to get hitched. We've already gotten a chance to live together—sort of—for over a month, plus we don't have to lie about what we do…Carpe diem and all that crap, right?"
Sam just stared at Dean, his expression clearly wanting Sam's support. For a moment, Sam felt a twinge of pain in his chest as he thought about what he had almost had with Jessica—and what he had lost—but he forced himself not to break down; his brother was genuinely happy, and Sam didn't want to rain on his moment. "Look, I've seen how you and Alicia are around each other," he said. "She's a nice person, and I think you two have been good for each other—when you're not fighting." Dean gave him a slightly annoyed expression. Sam looked around. "So, where is she?"
"She's talking with Jimmy," Dean replied. "I wanted to go to Vegas, but Allie wanted to see if we can get something arranged here, like her parents did."
Sam looked surprised. "So, you're not gonna wait a bit?"
"Hey, life's short," Dean replied, "especially with our lifestyle." He shrugged. "Why put it off?"
"What about Bobby?" Sam asked. "Don't you think you should at least call him?"
"To do what?" Dean asked.
"I don't know," Sam replied. "Get his blessing or permission or something?"
"I'm not marrying Bobby, Sam, and Allie's old enough to make her own decisions. Besides, it's not like we're gonna be seeing him any time soon with these demons on our ass, so why burden him with unnecessary information at the moment?"
Sam just stared at him. "You're scared of him," he replied, almost smiling.
Dean scoffed. "No," he replied. Sam continued staring at him, and Dean sighed. "The man almost killed me when he just thought I'd slept with Allie, remember? I don't want to think what he'll do when he finds out we actually got married."
"Torture," Sam answered. "Lots of torture, then your death, then he'll probably find a way to resurrect you, then…wash, rinse, repeat."
"Thanks," Dean replied, unamused, grabbing the beer bottle and taking a long chug.
Sam refrained from grinning too much. "Look, Dean," he said, "all joking aside, like I said earlier I think Alicia's been good for you—and you for her." He shrugged slightly. "If you two are really serious about this, then I'll support you."
Dean's eyes flashed with emotion, but he simply smiled widely. "Okay," he said as he stood up, exhaling sharply. "Well, let's find the future Mrs. Winchester and get this show on the road." Still smiling, he headed off. Sam shook his head, smiling, as he grabbed his laptop and followed his brother.
Later that evening, in the bridal dressing room of the on-site chapel, Alicia stood in front of the full length mirror, staring at her reflection. She wore a simple white wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline that curved and dipped just enough skin to tempt the eyes; her brass ankh dangled right above the hem of her dress. The waist was high, with an airy skirt draped in chiffon that flowed all the way to the ground, hiding a pair of simple white heels. She wore very subdued makeup, and her hair was braided and twisted into a low, relaxed bun, showing off a pair of simple, teardrop pearl earrings. The dim light gave her an almost angelic appearance, and her mind drifted. A knock on the door shook her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she said.
The door opened, and Jimmy walked in, wearing his suit, minus his trench coat and tie; it gave him a bit of a relaxed but classy appearance. He carried a small gift bag in his hand. "I was just coming in to let you know everything's ready," he said. He stopped when the young woman turned to face him, a stunned expression on his face. "Wow."
"I look awful, don't I?" Alicia asked, her countenance faltering.
"No," Jimmy said as he walked over, smiling as he tried not to show any sadness. "On the contrary, you look just like your mother when she was here: absolutely beautiful."
Alicia's cheeks grew a little warm. "Thank you," she replied. "And I wanna thank you again for letting us do this on such short notice."
"It wasn't any problem," Jimmy replied. "I'm just sorry we couldn't arrange for more than some simple flower arrangements and lights…and the officiant, of course—and the dress and shoes, and pretty much everything but Dean and Sam's suits."
"I'm sure it'll be wonderful," Alicia replied. She indicated the bag. "What's in the bag?"
Jimmy reached in and pulled out four colored cords—one red, one green, one dark blue, and one light blue—in his hands; each cord had celtic pendants fastened at their ends. "These were your mother's," he said as he handed them to her. "Do you know what these are?"
"Her hand-fasting cords," Alicia replied softly, gently cradling the colored ropes she had only even seen in the wedding photograph of her parents. She looked up at Jimmy, stunned. "Where did you get these?"
"After your parents were married," Jimmy explained, "your mother asked me to keep them; they've remained with me ever since. I know she would want you to use them for your ceremony."
"Thank you," Alicia replied softly, her voice cracking slightly, forcing herself not to cry and ruin her makeup.
Jimmy tilted his head, staring at her with a slightly sad expression. "I'm sorry they couldn't be here," he said after a few moments. "I know they would have liked Dean, despite his…Dean-ness."
Alicia smiled sadly, then a thought came to her mind. "Since they're not here," she said slowly, "and you knew my mother so well," she exhaled slowly, "would you mind giving me away…in their honor?"
Jimmy smiled. "I would be honored," he said. Alicia appeared relieved, and Jimmy put the cords back in the bag, then held out his left arm. "Are you ready?"
Alicia grabbed a small, silk bouquet of purple lisianthus flowers, white roses, baby's breath, and purple lilacs off a nearby table. Gripping it in her right hand, she put her right arm through his, smiling, and the two headed out of the room together.
Sam adjusted the tie of his suit as he glanced around the small chapel. It was small and simple, with cream-colored walls, polished wood flooring, and a few stained-glass windows; a set of open double doors at the back of the building led into a foyer. Five rows of white folding chairs flanked the aisle. The back corner of the aisle chairs were decorated with simple flowers that matched Alicia's bouquet, and strings of white fairy lights hung from the natural wood rafters of the cathedral style ceiling. Opposite the double doors was the altar, decorated simply with only a few matching flower arrangements as Dean, Sam, and the officiant—an older gentleman in a suit—stood waiting. Off to one side was an organ, with a middle-aged woman sitting at the bench, dressed nicely, ready to play.
Sam looked over at his Dean, who tried unsuccessfully to look calm as he stood like a statue, dressed in his suit with a purple lisianthus boutonniere pinned to his lapel. "You look like you're going to your execution," he whispered.
"I'm peachy," Dean replied curtly through clenched teeth. He actually felt like he was about to throw up, but he didn't want Sam knowing.
"Here," Sam replied as he adjusted his brother's tie and straightened the flower. "You look good. Just…smile. You're getting married—and you're doing it because you actually want to." Dean slowly gave a very toothy and stiff smile. Sam winced inwardly and exhaled. "That's uh…nice." The notes of Wagner's 'Bridal March' suddenly played from the organ, and the brothers looked toward the back and saw Alicia standing just outside the double doors, looking absolutely stunning in her wedding dress, her left arm through Jimmy's as he stood by her side, still holding the small gift bag in his left hand. Sam noticed she looked nervous, but covered it with a warm smile as she looked right at Dean. The youngest Winchester glanced at his brother, and saw him staring back at Alicia in awe, his entire body visibly relaxed. Alicia and Jimmy walked down the aisle as the music continued playing until the two reached the front, and Jimmy stood next to Dean as everyone faced the officiant.
"Hello," he said, nodding to everyone. "We are gathered here today to unite Dean and Alicia in the bonds of matrimony. I assume in this small gathering no one objects to this union?" Everyone glanced between everyone, but no one spoke. "Okay, then we'll continue. First, who gives this woman to this man?"
"In honor of her parents," Jimmy said, "I do." He looked at Alicia, who smiled and mouthed 'thank you'. Jimmy returned the smile before gently extracting his arm. Alicia handed him her bouquet, and the caretaker stepped further to the side as Dean and Alicia faced each other.
"In the month and a half they've been together," the officiant continued, "Dean and Alicia's love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you. A brief moment in time, and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting." He looked at Dean. "Dean, do you take Alicia to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others till death do you part?"
"Hell yeah," Dean replied, grinning a little as he looked right at Alicia.
The officiant looked to Alicia. "Alicia, do you take Dean to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others till death do you part?"
"I do," Alicia answered, smiling at Dean.
"The rings, please." Sam reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two plain silver bands, handing them to the officiant. The officiant handed one ring to Dean and one to Alicia. "Dean, take the ring for Alicia. As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: Alicia, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. I ask that you wear it as a sign to the world that you are my wife." Dean took the ring and gently placed it on Alicia's left ring finger, repeating the words from the officiant. "Alicia, take the ring for Dean. As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: Dean, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. I ask that you wear it as a sign to the world that you are my husband." Alicia took the ring given to her and placed it on Dean's left finger, reciting the same words, but they remained holding hands.
"Now, at this point," the officiant continued, "we would be closing the ceremony, but I was told there is one more thing the couple wishes to do in honor of the bride's parents: a hand-fasting." He looked at Jimmy, and the caretaker pulled the four cords from the bag. "The hand-fasting symbolizes the joining of two individual paths merging into one, and the start of a journey they will continue on together." Jimmy handed the dark blue cord to the officiant, who held it up. "Will you share yourselves freely and generously with each other, making time to be together?" The couple nodded. "The first binding is made with dark blue, symbolic of Water, that your love may flow and fill you to your depths." He draped the cord over the couple's hands, then Jimmy handed him the green cord. "Will you each seek to ease the other's pain and suffering, sharing laughter and joy?" The couple nodded. "The second binding is made with green, symbolic of Earth, that your love may be wise and nurturing, and your happiness abundant." He draped the green cord over the couple's hands, then was handed the red cord. "Will you strive to keep your romance alive through daily actions and words of encouragement?" The couple nodded. "The third binding is made with red, symbolic of Fire, that your love may be bright and passionate." He draped the red cord over their hands, then received the last cord from the caretaker. "Will you both help each other to grow in spirit and wisdom?" The couple nodded again. "The fourth binding is made with light blue, symbolic of Air, that your love may be as limitless as the sky, and filled with spirit." He draped the last cord over Dean and Alicia's hands, then tied all four cords together. "You are bound together, your two lives joined by love and trust into one life."
"Can we keep these for the wedding night?" Dean asked Alicia under his breath, a twinkle in his eyes. Alicia bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"And now," the officiant continued, "by the authority vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now—" Dean leaned over and eagerly kissed Alicia full on the lips, and the officiant sighed patiently, "continue kissing the bride." Dean and Alicia pulled away after a few moments, both grinning. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Winchester." The organist started playing Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' as the officiant excused himself. Jimmy untied the cords from Dean and Alicia's wrist and put them back in the small bag, then excused himself after the organist finished, leaving the hunters to talk by themselves.
"So," Sam said, smiling, "congratulations." He and Dean shared a quick hug and pat on the back before he hugged Alicia. "Alicia, welcome to the family."
"Thank you, Sam," Alicia replied, looking almost giddy. She held up her left hand, staring at her ring. After a few moments, she furrowed her eyebrows, tilting her head. "Huh."
"What is it?" Dean asked.
Alicia closed her eyes and ran a finger over the band, like a blind person reading Braille. "There's something engraved on my ring. 'Semper…Amemus'."
"'Always Faithful'," Sam said.
"There's something else, too," Alicia continued, "but I can't figure out what it is." She took Dean's left hand and ran a finger along his ring. "'Amor…Vincit…Omnia'."
"'Love Conquers All'," Sam replied.
"And there's that same…something, too," Alicia replied.
"I was wondering when you'd sense them," Jimmy said as he came back in, this time with a tripod and camera.
"Sense what?" Dean asked.
"Protection sigils," Jimmy explained as he set up the tripod in the front of the altar, making sure it was centered. "I put them on when I chose the rings for the ceremony." The three looked at him curiously. "It's just a series of symbols; anyone can use them if they know how to draw them properly."
"Why did you?" Sam asked.
"They'll keep you hidden from demons," Jimmy answered, setting up the camera on the table. "That way, when you three are ready to leave, you don't have to worry about them finding you." He walked over, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a similar silver band. He held it out to Sam. "This one's for you." The trio looked at him oddly, and the caretaker rolled his eyes. "It's for his right hand. It also has an inscription— 'Specula'—and the same protective sigils etched on it." Sam didn't appear convinced. "Have you heard the expression 'a cord of three strands is not easily broken'?"
"Yeah," Sam replied.
"There's a reason for that," Jimmy replied. "When intertwined appropriately, three cords of rope are not easy to unravel. The same is true for people: three friends in unity are a powerful force, and it's the middle cord that binds the others together and keeps them from coming apart. Sam, you need to be the middle cord, for Dean and Alicia. They will need your strength and wisdom when the road gets dark and troubles come—and we know that there will be troubles." Sam felt a little surprised and touched by Jimmy's words, and he took the offered ring, slipping it on his right ring finger, pleasing the caretaker.
"Now," Jimmy continued as he walked back over and stood behind the camera, "all that's left is to take a picture, then you'll need to sign the marriage license." The trio positioned themselves at the altar, Alicia in the middle with Dean and Sam flanking her sides. Dean and Alicia turned slightly toward each other, Dean's arm around her waist; Sam put a hand on her shoulder. "Smile." The hunters smiled as the camera flashed, capturing the happy moment. "Okay, that's—"
"One more?" Alicia asked. Jimmy looked confused. "There was someone missing from the last one." She gave him a hopeful expression.
"Me?" Jimmy asked, surprised.
Alicia nodded. "You've done so much for us since we came here," she replied. "You also knew my parents—and you gave me away. It wouldn't be right otherwise." Jimmy appeared touched, but he hesitated. "Please?"
Jimmy exhaled and nodded, fiddling with the camera, setting the timer and hurrying over, standing on the other side of Dean. The group of four stared at the camera as the timer counted down, smiling before the flash went off once more.
(End of Chapter 14)
