A/N: To get back on the right track with this story, I am posting this chapter early. I think it will still fit in okay even with the mix up of chapter 18 and 19. We are coming to the end of this journey, four more chapters to go. I hope you have enjoyed the ride. I do like reviews. NC

Chapter 20

Dean and Bobby stepped into the house and took a deep breath taking in all the enticing aromas drifting from the kitchen. Bobby veered off to go take a shower and Dean headed upstairs to do the same. He had come in once to check on Sam and found him making the apple pies. He at least was smart enough to get the premade crust instead of trying to make it from scratch. Everything was going smoothly, and Dean left Sam to finish cooking.

"Man Sammy, you've got my mouth watering," Dean praised him when he joined him thirty minutes later in the kitchen. "Did the bird get done?"

"Yes, the white thing popped like Jody said it would and I took it out. I'm cooking the pies, casserole and stuffing and have the rolls buttered and ready to go in."

"Sam, son, I think you've outdone yourself," Bobby told him when he joined the brothers in the kitchen. He looked around at the table already set, the turkey sitting by the oven, pots on the stove top, and rolls ready to be heated. "I don't think this kitchen has seen this much activity in years."

"I hope it's good."

"Well if the smell means anything, I think you nailed it," Dean said.

"Jody is on her way. Got a text from her when I was getting dressed."

"How 'bout Caleb, Dean? Is he going to make it?"

"He was going to try, but to start without him."

"Do you want to carve the turkey Dean?" Sam asked holding out a knife, large fork, and platter.

"Why not? How hard can it be?" Dean took the offered items and moved to the turkey. He sat the platter down and used the knife to slit the bag open across the top. He used two large forks to lift the turkey from the bag and sit it on the cutting board.

"Jody wanted the drippings saved for gravy."

"You can take the pan now Sammy and do whatever you need to do."

Dean studied the bird for a moment trying to decide the best way to carve it. He had seen it done on television but had never done it himself.

"Here, this shows you," Sam offered laying down a cookbook that showed how to carve a turkey.

Dean glanced at the cookbook for a moment before grasping a leg and cutting it off. He did the same on the other side and moved down to the thigh and removed the meat from the bone. He took the wings off and proceeded to cut slices from the breast until the platter was full. "I don't think we need the other half of the breast carved yet Sammy."

"Okay, cover it with foil to keep it moist."

Sam pulled the sweet potato casserole and stuffing out and slid the rolls in the oven. He opened a can of cranberry sauce and placed it in a bowl to take to the table. He began to take the bowls of food to the table when knocking sounded at the door. Bobby headed that way to see who it was. He opened the door to allow Jody to come in and looked toward the driveway when Caleb pulled up. He waited for him to get out of the car and head inside before closing the door back and following them.

"Hey Bobby, nice to see you again," Caleb greeted him. "Thanks for thinking of me."

"Good to see you too Caleb. Everyone's in the kitchen we're just getting ready to sit down and eat."

"Damn, something sure smells good!" Caleb exclaimed. "Oh sorry, ma'am didn't mean to cuss."

"It's fine, I'm Jody, you can drop the ma'am. Makes me feel old."

"Caleb, nice to meet you."

"Hey Jody, I saved the drippings and set the flour out so you can make the gravy," Sam told her when she joined them in the kitchen.

"Alright, won't take but a few minutes to get it made up," she replied turning on the burner under a frying pan. She added some oil and got the milk from the fridge.

By the time Jody had the gravy ready, Sam was putting the other food on the table. She poured it into a bowl and set it on the table near the turkey and dressing.

"Go ahead and grab a seat," Sam told them. "We have tea, beer, coffee, milk, water, or soda, to drink."

"Tea for me, I'm still on duty," Jody replied.

"A nice cold one would be great," Caleb answered.

"Beer's good Sammy," Dean told him.

"I'll have tea and coffee with my pie," Bobby said.

"I'll help, you get the rest of the food on the table," Dean offered pulling out a couple of beers and getting ice from the freezer. He filled two glasses with ice and poured tea over it before carrying them to the table. "Sammy, beer or tea?"

"Tea is fine."

Sam pulled the rolls from the oven and sat the pies on cooling racks. He filled a basket with rolls and snagged the butter from the fridge before taking them to the table. Everyone sat down and waited for Sam to take his seat.

"Sam, everything looks good. I just wanna say that I'm happy we could get together today with family and friends," Bobby said raising his glass. "To family."

"Here, here," Dean agreed clinking his beer bottle with the others. "I'm starved, Sammy wouldn't let me sample anything while he was cooking, so let's dig in."

"Pass to the left Dean, that way everything gets around to everyone," Sam told him. He spooned green beans onto his plate and offered them to Caleb.

Plates were filled and the conversation was light as everyone began to eat, praising Sam on how good it was. Sam couldn't help but blush shyly from the attention but couldn't stop his eyes from looking to the empty seat beside Bobby. Sadness filled his heart as he wondered where their father was and if he was celebrating this day.

Dean felt it before looking at Sam and saw where he was staring. He butted his shoulder with his and whispered, "Don't worry about him, just be happy for what you have accomplished."

Sam hung his head slightly and gave Dean a small nod before turning back to the food on his plate. He forked a piece of turkey and put it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Dean was right, he couldn't let their father bring him down, he had family and friends around him and a great big brother who would lookout for him.

"Oh Sammy…" Dean moaned as he took his first bite of apple pie. "Now this is something you've got to make more often."

"Dean's right, this is a delicious apple pie," Bobby agreed.

"For the first time making a pie, you did do good Sam," Jody praised.

"What they said," Caleb mumbled with a mouth of pie.

Sam smiled and accepted the praise gracefully as he ate a small piece. They were right, it was good and using several different kinds of apples did made it better.

spn

"Why don't you guys go on into the living room while I clean up?" Dean suggested. "Since Sammy cooked, I'll do the dishes."

"I'll give you a hand," Caleb offered sitting back as he patted his stomach. "Sam I gotta say that was one awesome meal."

"You did good boy," Bobby agreed.

"I can help clean…" Sam started.

"Go on Sammy, relax, we've got this," Dean insisted giving him a little push that way. "Why don't you go see if there's a game on?"

"Pack some food for Jody to take with her," Sam told Dean before following the others into the living room.

"No problem bro, we can do that."

"I'll start the water for the dishes," Caleb commented sitting the dirty dishes by the sink. He rolled up his sleeves and put in the plug before turning on the hot water and squirting dish detergent into the sink.

"I'll start putting everything up and make a to go bag for Jody," Dean said. He sat the bowls on the counter and looked in the cabinet for plastic bowls. "Why don't you spend the night if you've not got anywhere to be?"

"You sure? I don't want to put anyone out."

"Naw, Bobby won't mind, and we've got plenty of food here for tomorrow."

"I'd like that. So, what have you guys been doing? Any interesting hunts lately?"

"Simple vamp case last week, but nothing interesting. Sammy and me took a little break for a while before that. How 'bout you?"

"About the same, vamps, ghouls, vengeful spirits; nothing new worth talking about," Caleb replied as he began to wash the dishes. "Did hear something weird though, some hunter I'm not that familiar with was talking some crap about a powerful demon going to use humans to start a war against humanity. Wanted all the hunters to be aware of the danger and to let him know if they ran across any humans that might have these powers. He was going 'to take care' of them. It all sounded really out there so I didn't really pay that much attention."

"Did you get the hunter's name?" Dean asked as he tensed up with the remark.

"Let me think…I think his last name was Walker, don't remember the first name."

"Did anyone else seemed interested in what he was saying?"

"Maybe one or two, but most didn't. You know him?"

"Nope, only by what I've heard from others." Dean finished putting the leftovers up and thought about what Caleb said. Bobby had relayed John's message to him but he didn't tell Sam so he wouldn't worry. He hadn't met Walker, but he already had a low opinion of him and definitely wanted to keep Sam away from him. "Do me a favor, if you hear anything else about the guy, let me know."

"Sure, no problem, anything I should know?"

"Only he's dangerous and I wouldn't hunt with him. It'd be a good idea to steer clear of him."

"Don't have to tell me twice. I'll keep you posted," Caleb nodded. He trusted Dean and knew there was something else he wasn't telling him but didn't pursue it. He knew Dean had his reasons and would help him if he could.

"Guys, it's been great, but duty calls," Jody told them when she stepped back into the kitchen.

"Here's a to go bag and your bowls," Dean told her sitting a bag on the counter. "Good to see you again and thanks again for helping Sammy out."

"My pleasure Dean, you guys take care and stay safe out there."

"Always," Dean said.

"Nice to meet you Jody," Caleb said giving her a wave.

Dean and Caleb finished cleaning the kitchen and joined Bobby and Sam in the living room. The television was on a football game and they were both dozing, Bobby in his recliner and Sam on the couch. Dean gently moved Sam to where he looked comfortable and his neck wasn't at a weird angle before sitting down beside him. Caleb grabbed a pillow and blanket off the couch and settled in the floor thinking a nap sounded good right now. It wasn't long before they were asleep too and none saw the game.

spn

Bobby was the first to wake with a snort and looked around to the others sacked out asleep. All three were snoring softly, almost in sync. He looked toward the screen and saw the game was over and something else was on.

"Time to wake up or you won't sleep tonight," Bobby said. He shook Dean and Sam's leg and kicked gently at Caleb's leg. "Anyone want something to eat?"

"Man, I'm still stuffed," Sam said, stretching and yawning widely. He looked around and saw it was getting dark outside and wondered how long he had slept.

"I could go for another slice of apple pie," Dean grunted as he shook himself awake.

"Can't believe I slept that long," Caleb moaned from the floor. "Aren't there some rolls left? I think I'll make me a turkey sandwich."

"Dude! Where are you putting all that food?" Dean asked.

"Hey, I don't get many homecooked meals so I'm making the most of it," Caleb relied. He got up from the floor and headed for the kitchen.

"Why don't I set the food out and everyone can help themselves," Sam suggested as he followed Caleb.

"Paper plates Caleb, that way we won't need to wash dishes again."

"Sound good to me, where are they?" he asked looking around.

"I'll get them," Sam said. He looked in the cabinet and found the paper plates setting them on the counter to be used.

"Want coffee Bobby?" Dean asked.

"I could go for a cup."

"Alright, I'll start a pot."

"Caleb's going to stay the night if that's okay with you."

"Fine by me, the bed in the spare room needs sheets."

"I can handle that. Thanks Bobby. I'll head out sometime tomorrow."

"Stay as long as you like. You know there's going to be more traffic tomorrow with it being Black Friday."

"Right, I forgot about that. Maybe I'll stay the weekend too."

"How 'bout a few hands of poker?" Dean asked.

"I'm game, I need to brush up on my skills," Caleb said.

"I'll leave you young ones to that. I need to do some research. I'll be in my office."

"What are we using to bet with?" Caleb asked.

"Didn't you buy some pretzels Dean?"

"Yeah, why?"

"We need betting material, give," Sam demanded.

"Bitch."

"Jerk. Where are they?"

"Cabinet by the sink."

"I'll get the cards," Caleb said. He left the brothers to hash it out and went to find the cards. This wasn't the first time he had seen them fight like brothers do, and really didn't think anything of it. He came back with the cards and took a seat at the table with his sandwich and a drink.

Sam found the pretzels and got three bowls to divide them up between the three of them. He made up a sandwich for himself and joined Caleb at the table. They waited on Dean to slice a piece of pie and pour a cup of coffee. Caleb shuffled the cards and began to deal them out in three stacks. The guys played for over an hour until Dean had won most of the pretzels from Sam and Caleb. At least what wasn't eating.

"Heading to bed boys, don't stay up too late," Bobby told them when he brought his coffee cup back to the kitchen and sat it in the sink.

"Nite Bobby, see ya in the morning," Dean told him.

"Nite Bobby," Sam and Caleb said together and laughed.

"Okay, one more hand and let's call it quits for the night. My bed is calling me," Dean told them.

"I agree," Sam nodded.

"Fine with me. It'll be nice to catch up on some sleep," Caleb said.

The three young hunters finished their game and put away the cards and Dean gathered his winnings into a zip lock bag before they headed upstairs for bed. Sam found sheets for Caleb in the linen closet and helped him make the bed. Dean used the bathroom first, followed by Sam and Caleb last. Dean was almost asleep by the time Sam came back into their bedroom. He stripped out of his clothes and pulled the covers back to crawl in, settling into the mattress with a satisfied sigh. It could not have been a more perfect day and one he wouldn't forget.

A/N: Thanksgiving with family and friends, thought one family member is missing. Just what the guys needed. I do like reviews. NC