After a hot shower Dean felt much better since launching his dinner all over the dance floor. The bag of fast food waiting for him on the nightstand was the cherry on the sundae. He sat up in bed next to Cas gobbling down one of three cheeseburgers he ordered saving the fries for last.

The Alpha watched with a brow raised, "After throwing up I can't see how you have an appetite. Are you sure this is wise?"

Dean licked ketchup off a finger and took a sip of his malt, "Sure it's wise." Without missing a beat he asked, "So what are you hiding from me?"

The booze mellowed Alpha blinked a few times opened his mouth and then shut it again.

"Spill it. You've been acting weird since you took time off from work. I know that's bull. Teachers can't just announce they're taking time off especially with Christmas vacation coming up."

Defenses lowered Castiel came out with it, "I was suspended a week for being a smartass." He sat there plucking fuzzies off his well-worn sweat pants waiting for Dean to say something.

"It was more than that Cas, you aren't a smartass by nature." Dean set the food aside and snuggled against him, "It was about me right?"

"Yes…no…sort of. Pendergrass hates me for some reason. She's jealous of Omegas or maybe she just thinks I'm a pervert. She could be right you know…Dean you're only fourteen and I do feel a measure of guilt about that. I never wanted to be one of those Alphas that lust after fresh Omegas."

Dean felt an immediate flare of jealousy, "Why, do you lust after other Omegas?"

"No, but I do know beauty when I see it. I can sense the pleasant aroma of an Omegas want and need it's titillating. If I said I didn't that would be a lie."

Dean tensed up in Cas' arms and sat up again. He stuffed cold, limp fries into his mouth before he said something he might regret.

Castiel reached over and held his hand, "I've told you before Dean, if you hadn't walked into my classroom that first day I would still be alone. I've never wanted anyone else this way. I looked past the fact you are my student along with our age difference because I just knew we belonged together."

Dean hated his age thrown in his face as if there was a magical goal ahead that he needed to reach order to make choices and not be thought of as the poor little Omega.

"First off I'll be fifteen in three weeks, besides I haven't been a kid in a long time. I'm not some fluffy headed Omega. I can drive like a pro, fix a car, use a gun and a knife, win a fight, I raised Sammy and hunt the supernatural so if you can tell me where the "kid" part of me comes in just let me know 'cause I don't see it. Second, you aren't a pervert. We have that profound bond thing going on."

Cas said in a slurred voice still heavy with alcohol, "I took your virginity Dean, I got you pregnant and…"

"…and saved me."

"I don't want you to be with me out of gratitude or fear of the outside world. I would still love and care for you and the baby even if you didn't want to have sexual relations with me. I still wouldn't want anyone else…ever."

"Jesus, you say a lot of stupid stuff when you drink Cas. You keep forgetting you're only twenty five and I got all the way until July tenth to wish you a happy birthday. It's not like you're some creepy old chicken hawk sniffing around for Omega cherry to pop and found me."

The Alpha hummed in agreement seeing Dean's view on the subject.

Dean felt guilt setting in, "So this is gonna be on your permanent record then?"

"Yes. When I look for another job my resume will be a bit compromised."

"Whoa, who said anything about you looking for another job?!"

Cas shrugged, "It's a matter of time before Pendergrass finds more things to lay on me. Remember my motto Dean, prepare for the worst while you hope for the best."

He looked up from his fuzz picking, "Dean our paperwork won't come through until after the new year. You will need to attend classes again until I can officially make the decisions for your education and where it will take place."

Feeling like utter crap Dean couldn't look at his Alpha as he internalized the problem, a bad habit that would carry on the rest of his life. "What else aren't you telling me?"

"I've used up all my leave and then some. Except for your prenatal exams can't take any time off until after the baby comes and then I'll get an automatic leave."

"How long?"

"A month, don't worry though it seems Sam is already falling into his pre- Alpha nature and wants to dote on you. Also while I'm at work and Sam is in school Scotty will help you."

"Yeah but I want Sammy to have a regular life, I don't want him worrying about me and the baby, plus Scotty's going to have his own baby to take care of."

Even after the heavy, confession filled conversation Castiel managed a smile, "Dean you can't stop Sam from helping. It's a part of being a good Alpha to protect and care for our Omegas whether it be a brother, mate or a friend. Also Sam has a naturally giving and nurturing soul. If you turn him away it will only hurt his feelings. Don't expect his help but accept it gracefully when offered."

The Omega chuckled to himself, "Sam is pretty stubborn. I guess I can't stop Scotty either."

"Nope, he's already planning on getting the babies matching strollers. Speaking of babies how about we get some sleep and tomorrow I'll take you shopping for some of the basics our little one will need."

Dean hadn't considered any of that. He made do with Sam, working with the bare minimum and whatever he could beg, borrow or steal to take care of his little brother. Going inside a store full of baby items seemed a little overwhelming. Dean answered timidly (and hated the way he sounded) "Ok Cas."

Castiel started his fuzz picking again, "I'm sorry those men harassed you and Javi."

"It's not your fault Cas. At least the bouncers tossed them out on their asses after you guys came over and scared the piss out of them. There will always be jerks in the world and short of me sitting inside every day I'm bound to run into some. I was more worried for Javi, he has no survival skills and he's about the size of a squirrel."

Dean smiled softly, "Javier was really nice to me when I was sick. I mean who wants to clean up someone else's puke? He proved himself as a real friend."

Castiel was warmed by his words. Dean's happiness was all that mattered. "I'm glad Dean, friends are important."

Due to the Winchesters nomadic life bouncing from school to school Sam and Dean never got to make friends. Cas saw now why Alfie was so important to Sam and how Dean took to Javi even if they were opposites. Javier and Alfie offered true friendship accepting the brothers as they were only asking the same in return.

Dean wiggled his way onto Castiels lap and bounced a little breaking the Alpha's train of thought but he didn't mind a bit. The Omega said shyly, "I'm thinking about that cherry you ate at the club. I feel all slippery again…both holes."

Cas slipped a finger between his fiancée's cheeks and stroked the soaking wet pucker pressing lightly but not venturing farther. Dean let out a whimper of disappointment when the wandering digit stopped its teasing and left the Omega wanting more.

"I'm saving this for our honeymoon at the cabin" Castiel gently put the Omega flat on his back, "but in the meantime…"

Both snuggled under the comforter they did what came naturally, pheromones and full hearts driving them on.

…

The couple wandered around "New Omega Mommy" both in a bit of a daze. It was a massive store that also catered to Beta females but specialized in providing a comfortable shopping experience for expectant Omegas.

This was a place for the Omega that had a mate to foot the bill. Most unwed Omegas, and there were plenty of them, simply couldn't afford the luxury. Those were the Omegas that depended on charity or other means in order to provide for their children.

Dean was in a totally new world. There were Omegas everywhere, some on their very own which Dean found exciting. Then he'd see an Alpha with a collared Omega trailing behind, swollen belly leading the way and his excitement would wane.

Castiel saw the emotional rollercoaster bare on his fiancées face when watching Omegas milling around in various stages of freedom. He knew Dean was someone who would wither and die on the vine if he was stifled. Every day was a constant struggle for the Alpha to keep a balance between control and freedom. As Dean grew older and became a man Castiel felt it would become harder to find that middle ground outside of the bedroom. The young Alpha was also learning as he moved deeper into this relationship. He tried his hardest to do what he thought was right by Dean.

At the moment Cas was watching with amusement as Dean scowled at a row of breast pumps. Even the Omega's evident displeasure was adorable.

He held a box up, "I'm not getting tits am I? I mean tits are great to look at but that doesn't mean I want any myself."

The Alpha felt a pang of jealousy, "What do you mean tits are great to look at?"

"I dunno, they are sort of interesting with the cleavage and all." He saw that worried look on his mate's handsome face and back peddled, "Trust me, all I want is you. No girls allowed. My dad had a big porn stash and …"

The Alpha held up his hands, "Please, say no more I want to be able to eat lunch after this. As for the breast question we can ask the doctor when we go in on Monday. Scotty seems to be a wealth of information also."

Dean teased the expectant father, "Geez, I hoped you were going to start reading up on this stuff. You aren't going to neglect me and kid are you?"

"Never, I-I…" he looked around the aisle signs hanging from the ceiling, "I'll buy some books on it and we can read them together each night."

Dean put the breast pump back. "Guess I shot myself in the foot on that one. I didn't wanna do more homework."

….

After supper Spencer suffered in silence as Cas, Dean, Scotty and Sam went through the bags of baby items. Sam held up a onesie with little mint green blue eyed kittens all over it, "Wow this is super cute. Dean did you pick this out?"

Dean was on the couch putting together a mobile with little sparkly angels hanging from it. It was a mechanical and very male thing to do and it made him feel better amid the cuteness overload.

"Uh? Oh no Cas picked it out." He adjusted his dick just to be sure everyone remembered he still had one.

Sam rolled his eyes, "Dean picking out baby stuff doesn't mean you aren't a guy."

Spencer looked up from his phone where he was pretending to send business emails but was actually reading a smutty Omega romance novel, "What's wrong with being a little feminine? Look at my wife, over six feet of beauty and grace. Castiel you should buy your boy some lingerie or some earrings."

He leaned forward and smiled at his future son-in-law, "Would you like Santa to bring you a pair of pretty earrings or a selection of lipsticks?"

Dean, embarrassed and angry shot back, "Sure but only if Santa brings a big cork to stuff in your mouth."

Spencer snarled, "Don't you lip off to me in my own house you cocky little bitch. Pregnant or not you mind your mouth!" The Alpha had a point although harshly put. Dean dumped the mobile on the floor and ran to the bedroom slamming the door behind him.

Scotty went to do damage control.

…..

Spencer and Castiel did a lot of growling and posturing after the Omegas left the room. Sam finally stepped between them.

"Knock it off! I can't stand yelling, I listened to it all my life. You guys are dad and son and I know you love each other so just stop!" He added for good measure, "Set a good example for me because someday I'm going to pop a knot and then you guys better watch out. I have a feeling I'm gonna be pretty tall…taller than both of you."

The kid stood there with his arms folded and wearing a full bitch face. Spencer messed up Sam's mop of hair, "Sure Sam whatever you say." Tension broken the Alphas decided to figure out the mobile together.

….

By the time Scotty got to Dean's room which was just seconds behind him the younger Omega already had his music turned up full volume. He entered finding Dean standing on the bed doing his badass dance and singing along to "Paint it Black."

Scotty did what any rational twenty year old would do, he jumped on the bed with Dean almost rapping his head on the ceiling in the process. He yelled over Mick wailing, "Come on Dean talk to me!"

Instead Dean gyrated on the bed and then fell to his knees on the mattress with a hairbrush singing into it like a microphone. Scotty climbed down and shut off the ancient boom box. "I said talk to me."

The angel faced teen Omega growled. The older Omega growled right back looming over the petulant boy but Dean didn't budge an inch. Being outright threatening wasn't in Scotty's nature especially to family.

His broad shoulders slumped tired of posturing, "I won't apologize for Spencer. He didn't choose his words very well but the guy wasn't trying to be hurtful when he talked about the earrings and lipstick. In his world that is a compliment, pretty things for a pretty Omega."

Hands balled into fists a shaking Dean spat out, "I am not a bitch."

"Would asshole have been better?"

"I guess."

Scotty engulfed him with his long arms pressing Dean to his chest and Dean knew better not to struggle. When the guy wanted to hug there was no way around it. "I know you're just a baby…"

"Watch it…"

"As I was saying…I know you're just a baby Omega hardly wet behind the ears with only one partner under your belt…"

"I don't want anyone else."

"I also know you don't Dean. You put up a brave front with this pregnancy but I can tell inside you are a stewing pot of emotions. I see it in your pretty peepers. Guess what Dean, I'm only twenty and I don't know what kind of mom I'm going to be. I didn't get to keep my other kids, this will be the first one and I'm scared."

"Dean snapped to attention, "Other kids?"

"A long story for another day, I just wanted you to know I get how you feel. "Bitch" is a strong word to call an Omega, even well meaning Alphas use it sometimes without understanding the impact. Especially with you being pregnant it's extra hurtful."

Dean gave a solemn nod, "It is."

"I'm sure by now Spencer is over his mood. Despite what you might feel he likes you boys here it's just that this is a real adjustment for him. Maybe I could set up a bonding experience for both of you…the zoo…a mutual hobby…"

"Uh… no. I'm fine don't worry."

Relieved the conversation was over Scotty asked how it went at the club. Dean relayed the story about the Alpha assholes and how Benny and Dean took care of it and the bouncers tossed them out. Then he shared the puking tale and how embarrassing that was. The high point was dancing with Castiel and then seeing an awesome bathroom just for Omegas.

Scotty said next time he'd join them along with Spencer. The Omega wanted some fun before his bump turned into basketball. Dean joked that those Alphas would have crapped their pants to have a tall, athletic Omega looming over them.

Scotty smiled knowingly and agreed.

….

Sam punched his brother playfully on the shoulder before he headed into school, "Good luck jerk."

"Thanks bitch." Dean thought to himself how funny it was that he could call Sam a bitch and it had such a different meaning with no power behind it.

It was only three days before the stretch of holiday vacation started right through New Year's Eve. "You can do this…you killed a fucking Siren on your own Dean…you got a stab wound and stitched yourself up…its only three days."

Castiel held out his hand and smiled at his Omega, "Ready?"

Dean frowned down at the hand offered, "Not a good idea Cas, I'm not getting you in trouble." He waved toward the double doors, "You go in and do whatever it is teachers do before the bell rings."

The teacher sighed, "You're right. I'll see you last hour then."

…..

Cas sat on the edge of his desk, legs dangling in front of him and elbows on his knees. He listened as each student read aloud a review and thoughts on a song of their own choosing.

He even allowed them to play the song beforehand if the student wanted. It was fluff work but there were only three days that week and it was the English teacher's gift to his students, soft ball assignments. Even the Alpha knuckle draggers in his classes were pretty damn pleased with Mr. Novak.

Castiel tried his best not to stare at Dean or show any favoritism whatsoever. It was bad enough Dean had a delightful mix of pregnancy laced pheromones rolling off him that had attracted everyone's attention. Despite the scent block and herbal scented shower gel it was just too difficult to mask.

Luckily it also brought out the best in most Alphas and Betas. Protect the species at all costs; make sure the Omega carries the precious cargo to full term. Not that it seemed to have the total affect on teenagers without the maturity to fully grasp those feelings and physical triggers.

The matching ring tattoos had the class in a note passing, whisper filled frenzy. Finally one of his ruder Alpha students raised his hand and Castiel nodded his consent.

Trent pointed to Dean, "You guys have matching ring tattoos."

"Very observant but my personal life is not anyone's concern here nor is Dean's."

A friend of Trent's leaned over and whispered in his ear and then they both snickered. "I didn't think Alphas got mating tattoos?" Someone added from the back row, "Unless they're pussy whipped."

Dean grabbed his backpack and bolted out the door. Castiel didn't follow not willing to leave the zoo without a keeper. He was sure Dean could handle himself until the bell rang.

The teacher stalked over to the asshole that made the "pussy whipped" comment and hauled him to his feet, "You are new to my class Andrew so I'll give you just a warning, I will have you on the ground crying for your mother then next time I get any lip."

Stormy blue eyes went from one young Alpha to another, "I believe the others can attest to that fact. We all know the rules regarding teen Alphas." Castiel shoved him back to his seat, "Now let's not get off to a bad start."

Andrew whined, "How come Trent can say something and I can't?"

"Because Trent posed a question and not a comment."

Andrew bowed his head no longer able to hold up under that intense blue gaze, "Ok, sorry Mr. Novak."

Every time Castiel smacked down an Alpha student either verbally or sometimes physically when there was a threat to him or a student the teacher earned more respect. He hated having to go there, to use his strength to keep them in place but some Alphas needed it and fortunately it seemed to work.

His rough voice softened after Andrew apologized, "Just don't let it happen again."

The side effect of his show of strength was the scent of arousal that came from the handful of Omegas and the Beta girls. The Alpha was starting to think Dean was right, he was a hot teacher.

Cas chuckled to himself, "It's my cross to bear I suppose." Then he pictured Dean's disapproving and jealous face and got back to the task of teaching.

….

Dean leaned on his locker staring at the clock at the end of the hall. Forty minutes to go before school let out. He was pissed at himself for not coming up with a snappy retort for Andrew. "Damn all these weird emotions," Dean poked gently at his belly, "Thanks a lot kid."

Desperate to get away from school Dean went out to the Fiesta and locked himself inside then texted Castiel from Scotty's phone.

"I'm in the clown car"

The response was immediate.

"Don't insult my car, she's quiet sensitive. Are you ok?"

"Yeah sorry I bolted"

"I took care of it Dean"

"Love u"

"Love you too."

"Lock the doors"

"Already locked"

"I miss you and the baby"

"Sap"

"See you in a few minutes" *hugs, smiley face, heart*

Dean was regretting Sam showing Castiel how to use emoticons.

"Dean?"

Dean rolled his eyes and sighed for absolutely no audience. *kissy, raspberry, barf, baby*

"Are you ill?"

"No"

"Good."

…..

Evelyn pulled her old Cadillac through the open cemetery gates. She brought a wreath for her sister's grave complete with plastic holly berries and a red ribbon.

The woman got out then opened the door and Misty her Labrador retriever bounded out into the snow immediately sniffing around. The dog enjoyed the cemetery more than the human visitors and inhabitants.

When Misty sniffed her way out the gates and over to a mound in the snow. Evelyn called her back but the dog ignored her.

She crouched down and placed the wreath saying a few words. When Evelyn stood she noticed a man standing silently at the cemetery gates.

Trying not to appear nervous Evelyn waved, "Don't worry my dog is a sweetie. I didn't know anyone else was here." Wanting to leave as soon as possible she marched purposefully toward the gates and the man still staring at her in silence.

As she neared the handsome but haunted looking man Evelyn realized there were no other footprints or vehicles, that this person didn't seem solid instead his image waivered and blurred like heat above a campfire. She stopped a few yards away, heart pounding in her chest. When he disappeared it was all Evelyn could do to stand on her own two feet.

"Misty, Misty come!"

The dog was busy with something she found under a layer of snow. Evelyn ran to grab her and screamed when she saw the frozen face of John Winchester staring sightlessly up at a bright blue cloudless sky.

TBC