Angelus Grotto was home to a historic hand built Norse church aptly named Lille Kirken i Skogen or Little Church in the Woods. The church had been purchased and converted into a nondenominational wedding destination. The attached quarters included a fully functioning professional kitchen, elaborate bathing facilities and preparation suites. The buildings were tucked away in the maples. There was a natural spring, elaborate landscaping and an old imported fountain that stood in the courtyard all of which made the Grotto a sought after venue.

It was a perfect Valentine's Day. In the middle of a February thaw, patches of grass now dotted the grounds and the temperature was unusually warm. The union between Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak seemed to be Heaven blessed.

…..

Benny lowered the midnight blue silk shirt over his friend's head, smoothing the fabric with the flats of his hands as he went. Next Benny helped the groom with the forest green tunic done in fine worsted wool. It was quite long just brushing the tops of Castiel's chestnut suede boots.

Benny buckled a thick belt that sat loosely on Castiel's slim hips. A small suede bag containing ceremonial oil in a glass vial was attached to the belt. On the other hip rested a sheath and dagger.

He stepped back to admire Castiel, "You look just as if you stepped from the pages of a fairytale. I admire your commitment to the old ways. I wish Javi would have wanted a ceremony like this." Benny held up a stick of kohl liner, "Ready brother?"

The groom nodded. With a deft hand the best man carefully lined his friend's big blue eyes to emphasize their beauty.

Castiel noticed Benny was grinning the whole time, "What?"

"You are so gorgeous that if you weren't an Alpha I'd hit that."

"Shut up Benny."

The big man's merry blue eyes twinkled, "Better watch out, Dean might want to get all up in your dirty business looking so damn fine."

The groom snarled at Benny. The best man took a step back. Castiel looked as if he were about to literally snap and take off one of Benny's fingers with his bared teeth.

Knowing he overstepped Alpha boundaries by a mile, Benny lowered his eyes to avoid the steely glare from Castiel, "I submit my friend…I shouldn't have said that."

The groom sat heavily on the settee, "I am very touchy today Benny and teasing me is the worst idea possible. I'm sorry for growling."

There was a knock on the door and Sam poked his head inside, "Can I come in? I want to watch the groom preparation."

Castiel waved the boy inside. Benny and Castiel explained the ways of the old ceremony as Sam listened with rapt attention.

Castiel took Sam's hands in his, "This ceremony is exclusively done between an Omega and his mate. Are you leaning toward an Omega bride someday Sam?"

Sam gave a slight shrug, "I don't know…maybe. I haven't even dated anyone yet so I have years to figure it out."

Alfie didn't bother to knock, he walked right in maybe in hopes of catching someone in their underwear or perhaps because he missed Sam. Sam got up and took his hand. The best friends were in perfect sync without verbalizing intent. They walked out the door together with Sam shortening his stride so Alfie could keep up.

Benny and Castiel watched the quiet, very innocent and caring exchange between the boys.

Benny chuckled, "Ah, to be that young again."

Castiel was heartened by Sam and Alfie and the tender feelings between them. If all boys started out this way, valuing each other as friends first until the day came that each presented, there would be respect and a better equality between mates. He saw their generation as perhaps the one to make the most strides.

…

Once Scotty had Dean dressed he lined the bride's bottle green eyes with the same type of kohl used for Castiel to emphasize their beauty.

The final touch came when Scotty took his pinky and dipped it in a little bowl of boiled down cherry juice that had become thick as syrup. Carefully he dotted and blended it over Dean's lips mindful to follow and stay within the edges. He took a tissue dotting off the moisture which left behind a ruby stain emphasizing the young Omega's generous mouth.

Scotty ran his fingers through Dean's hair getting the locks just right, "I am so happy you're doing this ceremony. Over the decades the richness of our culture has faded and with it the reverence we are due."

Dean faced the full length mirror; he felt his maleness shining through his Omega beauty. "Maybe this is a step toward recapturing what Omegas used to have." He gestured to his reflection, "I feel ok like this."

There came a knock at the door, "Dean, can we come in?"

"Depends on who "we" is Sammy."

Sam and Alfie entered the bridal suite and shut the door behind them locking it just in case Castiel tried to sneak a peek.

Alfie was blown away by Dean's wedding garb and minimal enhancements. All the pre-Omega had never seen on TV and in magazines were Omegas in Beta female dresses in preparation for what Alfie called "girl weddings". Dean looked beautiful, strong and definitely male.

"Dean you look so cool!"

The Omega smiled at the wide eyed boy, "Thanks Alfie, I like your bowtie."

The little blonde stuck out his chin, pride beaming from him, "My mom let me choose either a suit, a dress or something in between…I picked the suit."

The pre-Omega reached out and gingerly fingered a sleeve on Dean's elaborate costume, "I want to wear something like this when I get married." He grinned at Sam.

Poor Sam's palms became sweaty, he let go and took a step away. For Sam the wedding brought out his natural curiosity of cultures, ceremony and tradition. For Alfie the wedding made him feel dreamy and hopeful though he still wasn't quite sure why.

Dean wanted badly to tease his little brother who looked as if he wanted to crawl under the nearest rock. Instead the bride kept his mind focused on the importance of the day. "Alright, both of you scram."

Sam escorted Alfie out then went back to his brother, "Dean I invited someone here and I'd like you to talk to him before the ceremony."

"Uh, say what now?"

"I invited Bobby Singer…you remember Bobby right? We stayed at his place with dad…."

Dean felt suddenly sick to his stomach; he tore off his clothing and bolted for the bathroom. Even just the mention of their dad sent Dean over the edge, "How could he…how could Sam invite a friend of dad's…a Hunter…I'm an Omega! He's gonna treat me like garbage…"

…

Bobby paced outside the church in his ill fitting suit waiting for Sam. When the boy came out he looked grim.

"Well, can I see him?"

"Dean barfed; Scotty is cleaning him up. I think he thinks you are going to look down on him." Sam felt devastated he brought stress upon his brother especially today.

Bobby patted the boy on the shoulder, "Sam I'll go talk to him. I think we got all our wires crossed here."

…

Scotty had helped Dean brush his teeth, wash his face and then reapply the liner. Now Dean was resting on the bed provided for nervous brides as Scotty hummed to him.

There was a knock on the door and a stranger's gruff voice called out, "Dean, its Bobby Singer…I don't know if you remember me or not. You, Sam and your dad came to stay with me years ago. I have the salvage yard… you boys would play out there until sunset."

There was no response.

"You loved my chili because I make it spicy…I made apple pie and I let you and Sam have it for breakfast…Dean?"

A voice trying to sound deeper than it actually was answered, "Yeah, I remember."

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah."

Dean watched the elder Hunter step inside and close the door behind him. Scotty stood between the stranger and Dean. Normally Bobby wouldn't have felt threatened by an Omega but both Dean and Scotty were very different from ones he had encountered in the past.

The tall, blonde, pregnant Omega stared down at Bobby as if he were an ant to be squashed. "If you are here to upset or hurt him in any way…"

Bobby tried to sweet talk the Omega, "Are you the beautiful warrior Valkyrie that guards this place of worship?"

Scotty dropped his folded arms and cocked a brow, "You pull that line on all the Omegas?"

"Only the ones as strong and goddess-like as you."

Feeling sufficiently flattered and with no threats coming from this Bobby person Scotty stepped aside and took a chair.

Bobby noticed the teen was white knuckling a closed knife in his hand, "Mind putting that away son?"

Dean set the knife right beside him, "I'm not your son."

Sam entered and went right into his spiel, "Dean I invited Bobby because we don't have any family…you know, to walk you down the aisle. Plus I thought it would be good to get to know him." He added softly, "Bobby's place is one of the good memories I have. We had fun there and I felt like for at least a little while you and me had sort of a home."

"Don't look, don't look, don't look…" Dean couldn't stop himself. He faced his little brother who looked like a whipped but hopeful puppy. "Damn it Sammy…" He knew when he was beaten; Sam never did play fair with that sweet face of his.

Dean stood and stuck out his hand, "I'm glad you're here Bobby and if getting to know you is important to Sammy then it's important to me. Just so you know, Sam is still walking me down the aisle."

Bobby shook Dean's hand, "Fine by me, whatever makes you comfortable."

"Also tomorrow my mate is taking me to his…our cabin for the honeymoon. If you want to get to know Sam in the meantime you have to go through his legal guardians."

Scotty waggled his fingers at Bobby, "That would be me or my husband. You can meet with Sam at our house. I won't allow him anywhere with a stranger. Fair warning, I'll have Spencer do a background check on you."

Dean leaned in and sniffed around Bobby, "Beta."

The grizzled Hunter growled, "Yeah, so, you got a problem with Betas?"

Dean smiled, "Nope, you got a problem with Omegas?"

Bobby didn't smile all that much but the kids was infectious, "Nope, if I did my Omega mate would have something to say about that. He's no shrinking violet."

Dean liked this Beta Hunter with the grumpy disposition. As a child Dean hadn't picked up on Singer's place in the Alpha-Beta-Omega world. At that time Sam and Dean were too busy just trying to survive their lives with John Winchester.

Dean felt it might be interesting to know Bobby Singer better. He was curious about the man's Omega mate. Dean put that on his someday list.

…

The Beta performing the ceremony went over the notes the couple had given him for the wedding. He was over the moon they opted for a traditional wedding. Reverend Lucian thought back to a time when Beta males were treated with more respect. Whole generations of them vying for the hands of eligible Beta women and more importantly fertile Omegas right along with the Alphas instead of fighting for the scraps they left behind.

Through the years he had witnessed the slow decline of male Betas and their strengths. Society had forgotten that they were once the peacekeepers, nurses, clergy and counselors. It would be rewarding to perform a wedding the old way for a fresh young couple and send them into the world as shining examples of a fully functional bonded pair.

"Maybe things are changing for the better."

….

Castiel watched anxiously down the empty aisle for Dean. Benny kept a steady hand on his young friends shoulder in fear the teacher might faint from nerves. Cas whispered, "Do you have the ring? Where is he?!"

"Yes I have the ring and as soon as the music starts…"

Just then the pianist was cued and began to play Arioso by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Dean stepped through the archway on Sam's arm. Everyone turned; gasps and whispers drowned out by the music. For most everyone in attendance witnessing an Omega bride in traditional costume was a new and exciting experience.

Castiel held out his hand waiting for his mate to make the slow journey down the aisle. The groom willed himself to breath because the exquisite vision he beheld had caused him to forget even the most basic physical needs.

"I am blessed."

TBC

A/N- The next chapter will shed light on Dean's wedding attire, the ceremony and much more ;)

That pesky thing called real life had taken me away from writing for awhile but I'm back. The chapter is a bit short but I wanted to get this out there. Thanks for your patience. For those of you reading Starlight I'm going to get a chapter out soon.