The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It's the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.
- Napoleon Hill

…

All eyes were on the bride as he slowly passed by. Dean wore a deep scarlet robe that covered him from neck to feet. The garment was loosely tied down the front with ribbons. The choice of scarlet was in honor of the blood that Dean shed during his ordeal fulfilling his destiny as an Omega.

The fabric was embroidered with symbols represented the fierce mother spirit, fertility, family, mating, honor, duty, the Omega warrior within, faithfulness and the eternal bond between an Omega and his mate and many more, each one hand done in unique colors.

There would have been no way to create a robe such as this in time for the ceremony. Scotty had purchased it from the racks of ceremonial garments carefully preserved by Marcel because Dean was drawn to this particular robe. It had been so well crafted that age had no effect on the beauty of this rare piece of Omega history.

Today as Dean walked toward his destiny he felt a sense of pride and for the first time it wasn't directed toward someone else, he felt pride for himself. Representing the old ways, the strength of all the Omegas before him, Dean knew he belonged to a much larger family than he ever could have imagined.

…..

Sam took his brother the few steps up to Castiel then let go of Dean's arm. Sam felt so overcome with emotion it was all he could do to keep from crying.

He was letting go of the most important person in his life so that Dean could begin a new chapter in his own. Sam's budding Alpha feelings of over protectiveness were quite confusing. Dean had always been Sammy's protector when in fact Dean had been very vulnerable himself. Now all Sam wanted was to shelter his pregnant brother from the world and keep him safe. He would have to trust Castiel to care for Dean.

Sam turned to leave but Dean whirled him around and hugged his little brother. He whispered in Sam's ear, "I'll always be here for you Sammy, anytime, anywhere. I love you and that won't ever change. I need you."

Sam whispered back, "Same here." He wanted to melt into his brother's embrace but there was a church full of people watching them. The hug and words bolstered his confidence that they would always have each other's back. He kissed Dean on the cheek which old pre-Omega Dean would have rubbed off and then bitched about personal space but pregnant Omega Dean just smiled. He gave Sam a little push and the boy went to sit between Bobby and Alfie.

….

Castiel wore a cape bearing many of the same embroideries as Dean's robe. Some were exclusive to Alphas with phallic overtones. Before Dean had walked through the archway with Sam, Benny had placed a circlet on Castiels head. It was a mirror image of Dean's, twisted silver oak branches adorned with leaves and petite acorns. Only they knew the meaning behind the design. The mates had chosen the circlets from Marcel's collection. Castiel was a teacher, poet and lover of literature. He knew exactly what to chose.

Reverend Lucian raised his hands, "We are gathered today to bear witness to the union between Dean and Castiel. Each of you has been given a program to follow along as the ceremony will be performed in the way of our forbearers. The language might not be familiar to most of you."

Bobby was well versed in the ceremony. The man was a wellspring of information and needed no program to understand the strange blend of dead languages. The Hunter was proud to see Dean Winchester present himself as a strong, beautiful Omega that embraced the past.

…

After Reverend Lucian said his peace he gestured to Castiel. The groom said the brief words he had memorized for the ceremony as some of the guests followed along reading the translation quietly while others watched the bride and groom not wanting to miss a moment of this rare ceremony.

There were two versions of the words the groom would speak to the bride, one for an Omega that was either a virgin or not with child and the version for a bride with child. Many a pregnancy came about before mates made it to the altar. It wasn't looked down upon but rather celebrated. Omegas, for the most part, kept the earth populated.

Castiel cupped his mate's cheek and looked longingly into the mossy green depths of Dean's eyes, "I anoint your cherished and fertile vessel that carries our legacy." He pulled the ribbons loose just over the Omega's belly. The Alpha took the vial of oil from the pouch on his belt, opening the tiny stopper and placed a few drops in his palm.

He got down on one knee and slipped his hand inside the gap in the robe working the oil over the stretched flesh until it was absorbed. Castiel then stood and tied the robe shut again. The groom paid homage to the bride's womb.

Dean closed his eyes as his mate dabbed a bit on his neck. This wasn't just any oil; the carrier was combined with Castiel's perspiration and the scent of figs. A complete aphrodisiac made just for his Omega. Perhaps the church wasn't the best place to apply the heady mix as it caused Dean to release a bit of slick coating his inner thighs and his dick to swell. The bride was grateful for the complete coverage of his robe.

Dean opened his eyes to find Castiel looked slightly dazed and his pupils blown with only a sliver of blue remaining. If they hadn't been in the middle of a ceremony Dean was sure he would have been ravaged on the spot.

Dean had to look away for a moment and then said his memorized peace, "My Alpha Castiel, I accept my roles freely as wife and mother and pledge my fidelity, loyalty and love for eternity."

His voice much huskier than usual, Castiel rumbled,"My Omega Dean, I accept my roles freely as husband and father and pledge my fidelity, loyalty and love for eternity."

Reverend Lucian nodded to the couple, "Now the exchange of rings."

Benny fumbled in his suit pocket for the rings then held them out in the palm of his hand.

Castiel took one of the gold bands then kissed the Omega's left hand. He slid the ring to sit atop the Kashmir sapphire. "Please accept this ring as a symbol of our eternal bond."

Dean quickly answered, "You bet your sweet ass, I do." He took Castiel's left hand, kissed the delicate ring tattoo and slipped the groom's gold band over top. "You better accept this ring as a symbol of our eternal bond."

Cas cocked his head and got what Dean called his constipated look, "Of course I do."

Reverend Lucian raised his hands, "I now pronounce you mates for life."

Castiel's libido was in overdrive and Dean was right behind him. Between the scent of slick and the pheromone laced oil it took all of a second for the groom to sweep his bride into his arms and kiss Dean as if no one else was there. For Dean's part he pressed his groin against the Alpha's to be sure Castiel felt how hard he was.

The Reverend nudged Benny, "Do something."

Benny tried to wedge an arm between them, "I have a mind to unleash a hose on you two."

Cas lifted Dean up bridal style before exiting the church, "Sorry Benny, two hoses are company but threes a crowd."

Dean waved to everyone as he was carried by, "Personal vows at the reception everyone, see you there!"

….

Bobby dabbed his eyes with a faded bandana produced from his suit coat. He grumbled, "Damn allergies." Sam grinned at him.

"What are you grinning about squirt?"

"You're a softie aren't you?"

Alfie cooed, "Oh cute, I think he misses his Omega or maybe this is so romantic it made him cry."

The Hunter snorted, "I said I've got allergies. You puppies shut your cake holes."

….

Castiel and Dean stood in the entrance of the natural cave as the photographer directed the bride and groom. Dean looked back at darkness behind them, "Bad things live in caves, its making me a little nervous."

Ivan the photographer laughed, "Are you scared of bats?"

Dean looked at Ivan as if he were dense, "No, I'm scared a Wendigo might come out of hibernation."

Castiel patted the dagger on his hip, "Don't worry my love, this is made of silver. No embodiment of insatiable hunger, gluttony and unbridled evil shall touch a hair on your gorgeous head."

"Holy fuck I love you Cas. It's so hot when you talk like that."

The couple had pictures taken at the cave, under the maples, on the foot bridge, and any other place they could think of. A videographer filmed everything as well.

In the Omegas only photo Dean, Javier and Scotty included Alfie even though he hadn't presented. Dean said it if walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's a duck.

The boy hugged Dean, "Really, you mean it?"

"Sure Alfie, think of it as joining an exclusive club and the membership dues will come later for you."

There was every possible combination of people photographed that they could think of. A family photo, Bobby and the boys, brothers only, Omega baby bellies all in a row, BFFs Benny and Cas, Cas and Spencer and so on.

There were plenty of candid photos of the newlyweds' tongue wrestling and groping each other everywhere, on the grounds and their bodies. Benny played chaperone to ensure they kept their clothes on.

Sam asked the photographer to take a nice picture of him and Alfie. The friends stood hand in hand in their nice pressed suits beneath a bower of primrose each with a smile.

Dean told Sam they were friggin' adorable. He was glad Sam had a best friend to share things with. Dean was already worried about not being with Sam for a whole week while on his honeymoon.

…..

Spencer yelled to married couple as they rushed toward their bedroom, "No loud fucking. Castiel have you thought about waiting until you both get to the cabin?"

His son stopped dead in his tracks and turned to stare daggers at his father, "Are you serious?"

Scotty interjected, "Maybe you should both shower then take a nap to rest up for the reception. I know that's what I'm going to do. Have you thought about showing restraint until you get Dean over the cabin threshold?" The blonde closed his eyes, a smile played over his lips, "Just think how intense the sex would be after waiting."

Spencer stood on tiptoe to nuzzle his Omega's slim neck, "How about that shower and a nap my beauty queen."

Castiel watched as his dad chased laughing Scotty down the hall, "When we move out of here it will be nice not to have everyone in our sex life. I enjoy privacy and when we make love I have to be so quiet and careful."

Dean tenderly stroked his husband's stubbly cheek, "Why don't we jack each other off in the shower and then you can rub my feet and belly until I fall asleep. Maybe we could wait until we get to the cabin. You can cut loose at the reception and sleep on the drive up. I can't drink anyway. Sound like a plan?"

"That sounds like a very good plan Kitten even though it will leave me almost two days sex deprived, by sex I mean getting a good knot right inside you and bathing your cervix with my seed."

"Ooooh not helping Cas. Maybe we should take a cold shower."

….

Dean wore his lowest cut jeans to allow his baby belly to sit above waistband. His reception ensemble included an oversized evergreen dress shirt since Dean resisted anything that screamed knocked up Omega, and his comfortable sneakers. His face was scrubbed clean and he was refreshed and ready. The exotic bride was transformed back to Dean Winchester Novak.

Castiel wore dress shoes, tailored pants and shirt but Dean convinced him to go tieless.

The newlyweds pulled up to the Grand Mercado hotel and almost instantly an attractive young lady appeared at the driver's side. Dean rolled the window down half way, "Yeah?"

"I'm the valet Sir." She opened the door for Dean but he just sat there.

Castiel patted his mate on the thigh, "Sweetheart, give her the keys and she'll park the Impala for you." He saw his wife go through a series of motions that meant Dean was nervous or hesitant, pink tongue darting over his lips, a rub of the neck and knit brows. "Really, it will be alright."

Ten minutes later Cas was hustling Dean to the reception hall ignoring his warnings on what would happen if Baby got dinged or stolen.

They stepped through the doors and into the reception hall. One entire wall of the massive room were tables laden with wedding gifts. In the center was a bolted down steel box with a slot and a padlock for envelopes of money and cards. Castiel felt greedy but he hoped by the end of the night it would full. They needed the cash very badly.

The DJ was set up with his list of Dean and Castiel's favorite music. The open bar was now open and waiters and waitresses were making the final preparations. Dean had let Scotty go hog wild on the decorating because honestly neither he nor Castiel gave a flying fig about flowers and fairy lights.

Dean was happy to see the tasteful restraint his Omega mentor had. The room was transformed by the elegant touches of silver and gold and candelabras burning ivory candles in the large windows facing the snowy gardens. It was Valentine's Day after all so there were red roses mixed with winter greenery adorning the center of each dining table as well.

…

Bobby tapped Castiel on the shoulder, when the groom turned the Hunter handed him, Sam and Dean each a business card for Singer Salvage. "Turn them over." There was a phone number scrawled on each one, "That is worth its weight in gold. It's my private number and hardly anyone has it. If you boys ever need anything call me. If I can't fix the problem I'll find someone who will."

He shook Castiel's hand and clapped the blue eyed Alpha on the shoulder, "Welcome to the family son."

Castiel was warmed by the acceptance but didn't understand the family reference. Sam and Dean were not blood to Bobby and by all accounts had only stayed with him a short stretch as children. There had been no love lost between John Winchester and Bobby Sing but yet the man thought of Sam and Dean as family. He decided to question Bobby about it another time. Castiel would get a different insight into Sam and Dean from this man and find out why he was drawn to them.

Sam smiled shyly at Bobby wanting to hug him but afraid to ask. Even as a child Sam knew the Hunter was a good person and had wished during their stay that John would go off hunting and leave them with Bobby.

Bobby wasn't big on touchy feely moments but he knew when a kid needed a hug so he gave Sam a man hug with a light clap on the back then released him and did the same for Dean.

Dean was still wary of Bobby who was dumped on him in the middle of getting ready for his wedding. "Thanks Bobby this means a lot to know we got someone out there for us."

…..

At the head table sat Dean, Castiel, Sam, Alfie, Scotty, Spencer, Benny and Javier, Cas made sure Bobby had a place at the table nearest to them. The new husband looked out over the room full of guests; he reached for Dean's hand under the table. "Just think, they are all here to celebrate our union. We are legal now Dean and no one can ever take you away from me."

Dean rested his head on his husband's strong shoulder, "Never babe, never ever." He set a little gift bag on the table, "For you."

Castiel opened it up and peered inside, "Dean you are so passionate and romantic" his baby blues welled up with tears.

"Well it was one of the most important days of my life."

TBC