Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any of it's characters-- they all own me. :P
Author's Note: Hi everyone! Well, 'tis part 1 of the wedding epilogue, finally. Part two will be up in a week or so. I hope you all enjoy it!
Big, big thanks to Lembas7 who was sweet enough to beta this for me. Any remaining errors are all mine.
He could breathe again.
The guys had just slipped into their places around him, smiling and mouthing the words "He's here." A quick glance at his watch told him they were only a few minutes behind schedule – ten minutes; that wasn't bad – and Dean was here.
So Sam could breathe again.
He was going kill Dean, though; kill him dead for putting Sam through the last day and a half. Christ on crutches. Michigan. Michigan. Dean had gone to fuckin' MICHIGAN the week of his wedding. And he'd gotten hurt.
Sam didn't know what pissed him off more – that his brother had gone to Michigan the week of his wedding, or the fact that Dean hadn't told him he was going to Michigan the week of his wedding.
Either way-- not knowing if Dean was going to make it had aged him ten years in the past day. And Dean was going to PAY for that. He was going to paint the apartment or wallpaper the study or take Jill to a scientific lecture or endure Jess's coddling over the surefirearray of injuries he had... or better yet, endure his coddling... and he would coddle his brother...
Oh yeah, Dean was going to pay for this.
Mike nudged him in the ribs suddenly, motioning towards the priest who was looking at him pointedly. Sam motioned for just one more minute – which was what he'd done the last four times the priest had sent him that look.
He sighed, making eye contact with Mike then Doug and finally Jake. All of whom shrugged.
Jake and Doug came closer and in hushed tones confirmed that they'd met Dean outside. They swore he was here, that he'd been dropped off-- which, if it was true, didn't bode well at all. They moved back to their places, still insisting that Dean had been heading towards the back room to change when they'd last seen him.
But that had been at least five minutes ago-- and he didn't doubt for one second the guys would lie so he'd calm down-- and to buy Dean more time, of course.
He'd told the organist to wait for his signal, but the priest was on a schedule and the guests were twitching. He glanced at the guys again. They gave him the same motion he'd given the priest-- one more minute.
But Christ, theguests were murmuring in the pews. He could practically hear them wondering if the bride had run off or something. Jess's family was starting to look worried.
A smile touched his lips at the thought of Jess. He had to commend her really; she'd managed to keep it together much better than he had. She was practically calm about all this and he was NOT.
The priest cleared his throat again and Sam swallowed hard. It was time. He glanced at his watch; it was past 3:15. It was time.
DAMMIT.
Where was Dean?
He looked at Doug again, the other man shrugged and mouthed, "He's here," while giving a vigorous nod.
Yeah, sure.
Sam looked over at the organist and nodded slightly-- DAMMIT, DEAN.
The first cord struck and Sam felt one of the guys step closer to him, closing in the gap that was supposed to be filled by Dean. He didn't shift to see which one, it didn't matter-- it wasn't Dean.
It was supposed to be Dean.
He couldn't do this if it wasn't Dean.
It. Had. To. Be. Dean.
He would tell Jess when she got up here. She would understand. They'd announce it together.
It had to be Dean.
Sam managed a wink for the flower-girl, Jess's cousin's daughter-- Amy, he thought-- maybe. He watched the bridesmaids as they made their way down the aisle.
They were wearing a shade of lavender that they, along with Jess, had agonizedover. He'd never in his life seen so many hours devoted to the selection of a shade of a color. Jill met his glance with a surprisingly concerned one of her own. Kerrie shot him a questioning look. Lacey arched an eyebrow towards him.
And then Jess appeared at the end of the aisle; beautiful, radiant-- his. She smiled at him, her gaze on his for a long moment, then it slipped past him to study the scene at the altar. Her smile faltered, realization flashed in her eyes -- Dean wasn't here; her smile returned, softer, sympathetic, understanding.
They would announce it together.
The music changed to the Bride's Waltz, the guests stood, and Jess took her first step. Sam's eyes remained fastened on her, drinking her in.
He heard a sharp grunt and quick shuffling behind him and then a warm arm leaned against his side.
His breath caught.
Dean.
He didn't have to look away from Jess to know that Dean was suddenly at his side. Dean was here. He leaned back a bit and was rewarded with a teasing nudge in his ribs.
Dean was here.
Jess was a little closer now and he watched as she visibly brightened; her smile wider, her steps firmer.
Dean was here... there was nothing to announce... they were getting married.
The song was suddenly clearer, the flowers suddenly looked fresher, the sunlight streaming in through the windows was suddenly brighter.
She reached him at the altar and placed her hands in his. He wrapped his fingers around hers, squeezing them gently, lifting her hands to his lips; the priest began to speak, but for a long moment all that existed was Jess's blue eyes and the knowledge that they were getting married.
Luckily, he came to in time to say his vows.
"So a truck hit you or what?" Jill snapped.
Dean grinned at her. "More like I got slapped with the good-looking stick," he murmured, adjusting his tie; then he eyed her up and down. "You did too, baby."
"Don't make me have to add to the collection of colors on your face," she hissed, grabbing his arm. "And thanks for making my sister's wedding pictures look like something out of Jerry Springer."
Dean hissed as she pulled him towards the limo; the wedding party was taking it to the hotel where the reception was being held.
"What?" she asked, slowing down.
"Easy on the merchandise, sugar," he murmured, carefully pulling out of her hold.
Her eyes narrowed. "You're actually hurt, aren't you?"
He frowned at her; for such a hottie, she was kinda slow, wasn't she? "Well, yea--"
"You're such an asshole," she hissed, before he could finish. "You did this so you don't have to dance."
Dean blinked at her in surprise, a slow smile starting on his face – the waltz. He'd forgotten about it; had pretty much refused to think about it. Not only had it hurt to lose a bet of all things to Jess, but it had nearly crippled him to have to have to take dance lessons.
He was a Winchester, goddammit.
A Winchester didn't take ballroom dancing... but a Winchester did hold up their end of a bargain and he'd made a deal-- a bet and he'd lost.
The price had been a waltz at the reception. Learning it hadn't been that hard, actually... if you could get past how fuckin' pansy-assed it was, that is; which he couldn'tbecause he was aWinchester and Winchesters didn't get past stuff like that.
As a Winchester he was perfectly aware of the fact that he was spinning around in a goddammed circle to fuckin' classical music.
But he was hurt...
So... he wasn't going to have to do the waltz...
Jess wouldn't make him and he wasn't going to offer – 'cause this was a gift from God.
He wasn't going to have to do the waltz.
His smile turned into a grin. He suddenly LOVED poltergeists. He LOVED them.
"You're such an ass." Jill hissed again.
"Don't be mad, baby, if I can't dance it, neither can you-- we're partners remember," he stated, purposefully leering at her when he said partnersand as if on cue, her face flushed and she scowled – she was so easy.
"Don't call me baby! And Jess will find someone for me to dance with! You know she will!!"
Dean chuckled. "Yeah, probably – sucks, huh?"
"Asshole," she snarled and stalked towards the limo without him.
He grinned at her back, then slowly walked off in the opposite direction she'd been pulling him in. 'Cause yeah, no way was he leaving his baby here.
His smile faded as he neared the Impala. Dad had parked her for him, around the block just like he'd said he would. The keys were inside, so he carefully picked the lock. It took him longer than usual. His hands were shaking – god, he needed a beer.
He slid into the driver's seat, leaned back, and closed his eyes for a minute.
Dad had left.
Dad had brought him all this way – and then he'd left. He hadn't talked to Sammy, hadn't even seen Sammy. He hadn't met Jess...
Dad had just left.
The thought swirled sadly in his mind for a long moment. Then he forced himself to sit up and start the Impala.
Dad had left.
That asshole thing must be genetic.
"What do you mean he didn't come with you?"
The members of the wedding party exchanged quick looks. They all knew where this was going. The same place it had been all day.
"Uh, he wasn't in the limo," Kerrie explained quietly, trying to resist the urge to take a step back as Sam's laser hot gaze fastened on her.
"He didn't come with us," Doug repeated carefully, reaching up to loosen his tie a little bit.
Sam took a deep breath, telling himself to calm down Committing a murder on his wedding day would not make Jess happy.
"Where is he?" he asked, for what felt like the seventh trillion time that day.
There was silence for a long moment, then Jill's irritated voice cut in, "How the heck are we supposed to know?" she hissed, "Are we done here?" she asked, arching an eyebrow, "I hear the place to be is inside with the guests," she drawled, motioning towards the hallway that led to the ballroom where the reception was being held.
"Calm yourself, Jillian," Lacey drawled, patting the girl's shoulder. Lacey usually took it upon herself to tone Jill's habitually brash attitude down a few notches.
"He looked beatto me," Jake offered as if this somehow would make up for the fact that Dean had been lateto Sam's wedding and was notat the hotel, notat the reception, nothere. Again.
"Looked kinda hot in the tux if you ask me," Kerrie added, trying to lighten the mood as she shot Doug a brilliant, teasing smile.
Doug scowled at her, but there was relief in his eyes. A thank you for giving him, and the others, something to focus on other than the Dean's not here drama that had been going on with Sam all day.
Lacey jumped in, "I think you all look rather gorgeous in your suit's," she added. "Very dapper!"
"But where is he?" Sam hissed, looking around at them as if one of them could pull Dean out of their pocket.
"Sam! Come on!" Jess cried, joining them in the lobby, the train to her dress wrapped around one arm, "We have a ballroom full of people waiting to watch us waltz!"
"Dean's not here- again." Jill spat at her sister.
Jess's step faltered, her eyes going round, "What? Where is he? What happened?"
"I don't know" Sam answered, his tone taking on the pitiful quality that made Jess want to start demolishing whatever put it there.
"You were the one who said you'd go get him," Mike pointed out calmly to Jill. "I saw you with him."
Sam whirled on the small girl. "What did you say?" he snapped accusingly, all traces of anything pitiful gone.
Jill's eyes widened, "Oh puh-lease! Are you seriously considering this is MY fault?"
"You do kinda pick on Dean a lot," Kerrie stated.
"He's the one who was late and you know he's not gonna do that stupid dance! He's acting all wounded and he's gonna pull some 'I'm injured' story on you--"
"He is injured!" Sam hissed.
"He told me he'd perform show tunes before he'd waltz in public and then he mysteriously gets hurt the day of -"
"It's not that mysterious," Lacey interjected. "His job is rather perilous, isn't it?"
"Dude gets to shoot stuff. I totally need a new job," Jake sighed.
"You just got your job."
"I hate it."
"You can't hate it. You've been there like a week."
"I hate it."
"What did you say to Dean?" Sam asked, his tone almost angry. He wasn't in the mood for this. He'd just gotten married, for fucks sake.
"Nothing!"
"You guys talked a bit," Mike insisted. "I saw you..."
Jill rolled her eyes, "If he ran off in a snit 'cause I called him an ass then -"
"You said what?!" Sam growled.
"Sam." Jess's quiet voice seemed to ripple in the air, she put a hand on his arm, looking up into his eyes, reminding him of their unspoken rule – no matter how annoying Jill got, she was off limits; Jess's baby sister.
He released a long breath and yanked his arm back from her touch. He didn't want to be touched. He wanted Dean to be here. Now.
"Why don't all of you head on into the ballroom." Jess suggested, her voice lined with steel, her eyes fastened on Jill.
The younger girl nodded slowly and moved to do her sister's bidding. A moment later the others followed suit.
Sam stared at Jess for a long moment after they left.
She'd been willing to post-pone the wedding. Even at the last minute she'd been ready. She'd stood at the end of that aisle and met his gaze and known that he couldn't do this if Dean wasn't there, if Dean wasn't at his side. She deserved better than this, than this attitude – today was her day.
Abruptly he reached out, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. His arms wrapped around her, holding her to him, tasting her, loving her...
Jess drew in a ragged breath when Sam finally released her. "Huh...? What...? Wow..." She took another deep breath. "What was that for?"
"You're my wife," Sam whispered, leaning his forehead down to hers.
Her lips quirked upwards a little. "I am," she affirmed softly.
They were silent for a moment, before Jess pulled back. "Sam... we... have guests... I mean..." she said softly, motioning vaguely in the direction they were supposed to be heading.
"I know," he interrupted, nodding.
She nodded, but didn't say anything.
He sighed. "Where is he?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.
Jess tsked at him, reaching up at swatting at his hand. "Don't do that!" she cried. "You'll make it messy!"
He eyed her incredulously. "My hair is not our biggest--"
"He looked exhausted and hurt, Sam," she interrupted him. "Maybe he went to get some rest somewhere."
He shook his head. "No, he would call... he would have told me or... something... he wouldn't just not--"
"He'll make it," she cut him off and that almost made him smile. The number times Jess had said that in the past day easily equaled the number of times Sam had asked "Where is he?"
"In the meantime – we have to... you know... go in there," she stated, motioning towards the hallway that led to the ballroom.
Sam groaned exaggeratedly, "Are you sure we have to do this stupid dance?"
She smiled. "Yes. My daddy will lead me out and then you're gonna cut in and then Dean and Jill will join -" she cut herself off, realization dawning. "That's what Jilly meant..."
Sam nodded. "I don't think Dean did it on purpose though," he defended.
Jess scowled. "I wouldn't be surprised! The two of you have done nothing but bitch about this," she complained.
Sam shrugged. "Waltzing isn't exactly something we... did growing up."
"Nobody waltzes growing up! But the two of you were acting like it was a death sentence!"
"You made us take ballroom dancing, Jess," Sam deadpanned. "Do you have any idea what would happen if that got back to--"
"Oh please, all the guys were taking lessons too! Jake even admitted he liked it."
Sam wasn't listening anymore, though, his mouth drawn into a tight line. He hadn't been about to mention his friends – the word about to slip from his lips was Dad. And that was a word, a thought, he hadn't allowed himself for a long time.
His Dad – who wasn't here.
For all he and Dean had shared since June, John Winchester was a taboo subject between them. They never actually spoke of him. They communicated about him sometimes. He was mentioned by Dean occasionally, in an I-have-to-meet-Dad sort of way. Sam occasionally asked if Dad had been on a certain hunt with him. Otherwise though, the topic of their father was one neither wanted to discuss.
John Winchester was shaky ground, and they liked the steadiness of the ground they'd found.
"It wasn't that bad," Jess continued, smiling. "For all your bitching, the two of you are kinda . . . graceful," she added, the smile turning into a smirk. Sam pulled his thoughts together, away from his Dad – and his Dad not being here, and focused on Jess's bright eyes.
He and Dean had lost a bet to her – she'd cheated,he knew that; he didn't know how and he couldn't prove it, but he knew it...
Still, they'd lost – and a Winchester never reneged on a bet.
"Great. I'll put that on my resume – is graceful," Sam griped, a smirk touching his own lips. "Are you sure you don't just want to dance with your Dad?"
Jess rolled her eyes. "I'm sure. It's symbolic for him to pass you on to me" she finished; a moment later the smile faded from her face. "We need to go in, Sam," she whispered. "We're you know... kind of the guests of honor here," she added wryly.
He returned her smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
She sighed and he felt like shit for making her sigh like that on her wedding day. "He'll get here, Sam. He will. He got to the ceremony, didn't he?"
"Yeah -"
"So he'll get here too; you know how he is... for all we know he might'a stopped to get the Impala washed or something... make sure she looked her best..."
Sam chuckled a little. "Yeah..."
"Right, so stop worrying – it'll be fine. The reception won't be over for hours still – he'll make it. We can hold off the formal photos until he gets here."
He actually laughed at that. "I completely forgot about the wedding pictures..."
Jess smiled and waved a hand towards Sam's head. "'Tis why you can't touch your hair."
Sam rolled his eyes, but smiled at her, taking a deep breath as they made their way towards the ballroom entrance. "You look gorgeous, did I tell you that?"
"Yep, but feel free to rinse and repeat as often as necessary..."
He grinned at her, pulling her towards him again.
She giggled, "Sam we're never gonna get inside!"
"Do we really have to do this?" he asked, grinning, "I mean we just got married, I can come up with something better to do--"
Jess laughed. "After, right now we have -"
"- A ballroom full of people, yeah, yeah," Sam muttered, but didn't release her. Instead he went to kiss her again.
"Nuh-uh-uh..." she teased, pulling away."Later..."she drawled, carefully walking backwards towards the door; leading him into the room where he had to waltz.
Sam sighed. Dean probably was on his way... and on the bright side-- if Dean wasn't here then he wouldn't be witness to The Dance. And therefore, Sam wouldn't be reminded for the rest of his natural life that he'd had to waltz at his wedding.
Yeah, that was a bright side.
Still, Dean was still gonna pay for this...
Everyone clapped and stood when they walked in. Everyone grinned and shouted their congratulations. Everyone wanted to come up and hug them, clap him on the back, kiss the bride...
Sam had a particular problem with the last one.
Everyone laughed when he unceremoniously yanked Jess away from her cousin's date who'd wanted to wish the bride well.
People were clamoring for their attention, gathering around them as they tried to make their way past the entrance.
They made it just past the center of the ballroom arena before they had to stop moving. They were surrounded on all sides now.
He felt people patting his back and tugging his sleeves and the buzz of talking and laughter was disorienting him a little. The hunter in him was on edge-- too many people, too close, no weapons, no exit...
He blinked as Jess's father shook his hand, then her mother reached up for his face and pulled him down to give him a kiss on the cheek. A woman he thought might be an aunt patted his cheek with a weathered hand and wiped away what he assumed were traces of someone else's lipstick.
Men were thumping his back behind him, women were clustered in front of him wanting to hug him and god... had he known Jess had this much family?
He felt like he was being mobbed. His line of vision kept changing because he kept having to bend down to hug the women. It was hard to keep track of faces, even of Jess, who was hovering near him but not close enough for his liking.
... that guy had actually been about to kiss her.
He was being hugged by her cousin Beth, who wore enough perfume for him to taste it, when a collective gasp went up in the crowd near him.
He knew before he looked up.
Jess's laughter confirmed it.
He looked up and found Jess steadying herself against a grinning Dean who had the tail of her wedding gown wrapped around one of his arms. He'd used it to yank her out of the crowd and towards him.
A smile bloomed on Sam's face. Good idea-- he'd be using that later.
Their gazes met and Dean smirked, "My turn to congratulate the bride, little brother," Dean announced, a teasing lilt to his voice.
Sam's smile turned into a mock scowl. "Don't," he warned, over the sounds of the crowd talking.
Jess's family didn't really know much about Dean and even Sam had to concede that his brother looked a bit... scandalous at the moment.
He'd removed the tie, so the collar was up around his neck; he'd pulled-out his shirt so it was hanging out past the end of the vest. There was no jacket to speak of, and god alone knew what he'd done with the boutonnière. The bruises on his face stretched from the side of his jaw up towards his hairline in lovely shades of purple. His hair stuck out at odd angles and there was a cut just below his hairline – thankfully, it wasn't actually bleeding. It looked about a day old to him...
Dean looked like he'd gotten into a fistfight on the way to the wedding. Which was actually not as bad, as say – the truth, he thought wryly.
Dean was grinning at him as he wound the tail of the wedding dress a little tighter, pulling Jess a bit closer. She laughed.
"Don't worry, Sammy – she's stuck with ya now..." Dean comforted, then looked down at Jess. "Ya could'a had the good-lookin one, baby..."
She grinned, rolling her eyes at him.
Nervous laughter rang up around them. It amused Sam, did Jess's family didn't think Dean was being serious?
"Right..." Jess drawled, arching an eyebrow, "... 'cause you're lookin real good right now..."
Dean shrugged and winked at her. A moment later Sam watched as his brother bent forward towards Jess and then he hugged her.
He pulled her upwards a little and wrapped her up in a big bear hug that caught Sam, and probably Jess too, by complete surprise. Sam blinked at the sight and swallowed past the lump that had suddenly risen in his throat.
He took quick steps forward – he wanted one of those.
People had backed away, had gone back to their table to wait for the celebration to officially begin.
By the time Sam reached them Dean had released Jess and she was looking up at him with wide eyes.
She shifted to look at Sam quickly, then back at Dean. She reached up and pressed her hand to Dean's forehead. "I think he's sick," she told Sam, her tone amused.
Dean laughed and swatted her hand away. "I'm fine."
"Are not," she spat back, the amusement gone. "You're hurt," she argued, frowning as she studied him.
Sam glanced at her, then at Dean who was looking at him. They stared at each other a moment, before Sam frowned. "Where were you?"
Dean smirked a little, "Around, little brother, around-- had somethin' to take care of."
"On the way to my wedding reception?"
"Yep, it couldn't wait. Very important stuff."
Sam glared at him. Dean offered him a sunny smile. And Sam remembered – he wanted one of those...
He arched his eyebrows at his brother and then motioned towards Jess, "She's not the only one that got married you know."
Dean shrugged, smile fading, looking almost uncomfortable suddenly, "I know -" he said softly. "Congratulations..."
Sam grinned, all bad humor disappearing. "And?" he asked, cheekily.
Dean frowned. "And what?"
"She got a hug."
Dean blinked at him. "So?"
"So..."
"Dude. I'm not hugging you."
Sam tried to pout, but it was hard to manage around the grin; and he was grinning because he was totally going to win this one. "But it's my wedding day..."
"Sam -"
"He's right, Dean. You should hug your brother. You're never again going to get the chance to hug him at his wedding."
Dean frowned at Jess. "I might -" he grinned suddenly and let his gaze travel the length of Jess's figure. "You could wizen up and run away with me... then he'd have to get remarried."
Jess laughed. "Don't hold your breath, Fonzi, I'm stupid for life."
Sam laughed, reaching out and pulling her back against him in a gesture that clearly screamed mine Dean sighed in mock sadness and carefully unwound the train of her dress from his arm.
"Well?" Sam stated when Dean was finished.
"Well what?"
Sam took a step forward, "It's my wedding, Dean... and you were late..."
Dean sighed.
"Go on, Dean..." Jess prodded.
"Fine." The older man stated glumly and took a step forward.
Sam grinned and came closer too, extending his arms.
Dean paused suddenly just as they were about to touch, shooting a dark look at Sam, "Don't get used to this," he warned. Sam grinned and reached forward, pulling Dean into a hug; his smile widening impossibly when he felt Dean hug him back. He heard Dean gasp when he squeezed him and he loosened his hold a little.
"Seriously Sammy," Dean's voice rumbled against his shoulder. "Congratulations – you – you did good."
Sam felt a sting of tears burn his eyes. His hold on Dean tightened even as he told himself not to, that Dean was hurt; but he just couldn't help it.
"Thanks," he murmured, "Thanks... for just... for..." He'd meant to say thank you for coming, for being here, for finding middle ground and not pretending he died like Dad had for the past four and a half years – but the sound of a camera shutter startled the words away.
Sam heard Dean hiss in pain as the brothers jumped apart, but they were too slow. The flashes had gone off and now that they weren't hugging they could see there was a semi-circle of camera's surrounding them.
They both stared at the professional photographer first; his had been the shutter they'd heard. He stared back at them, a look of it's-my-job-so-deal on his face and then he shrugged, moving off to photograph something or someone else.
Turning around they found Lacey, Kerrie, Jill and Jess all grinning at them-- all with cameras in their hands.
"That may have been the most adorable thing I've ever seen," Lacey drawled. "Small babies and newborn kittens included."
"You didn't..." Dean accused, shifting carefully to look at Jess.
She grinned wickedly. "Oh, I did. And I'm taking the best one and framing it and putting it on the mantle, and pointing it out to every one who ever comes through my front door – yep, I am," she stated, and then stuck her tongue out at him. "That's for being late."
"Sam!" Dean cried, watching Jess flounce away towards the bridal table.
Sam blinked. "What?"
"Do something!"
Sam grinned, "Like what? Take her camera and destroy it?"
"Yes!"
"Don't be such a baby," Jill drawled, coming up next to them. "It's just a picture."
"Shut up."
"Behave, guys," Sam warned. "You two have to sit next to each other and smile and pretend like you don't want to gouge each others' eyes out."
"Says who?" Jill asked.
"Says your sister..." Sam warned. Then looked at Dean, "You – come with me." He stated, firmly grasping his brother's arm.
Dean's eyes widened almost comically as he took in the suddenly stern expression on his brother's face.
"I can't... I have to... to go sit by Jill and... and... pretend like I don't wanna gouge her eyes out... 'cause Jess said--"
"Come on, Dean."
"Are you sure now is the right time for fratricide, Sam?" Jill asked, calmly. "I don't by any means want to deter you from the notion – or," she glanced at Dean, "... you from fighting back . . . . But, well, my parents are under the rather quaint illusion that this marriage is rather perfect, and they've spread the hallucination to the rest of my extended family... so yeah. No bloodshed at my sister's wedding. It's enough with Rocky here."
They stared at her.
"You're such a brat," they said in unison.
She grimaced. "You're doing that adorable thing that makes me nauseous, again."
"I hate to... you know, take the devil's spawn's side here... but uh, I don't think now's the best time to chat, Sammy." Dean commented.
Sam sighed, "Fine. Okay... it's just... are you... okay?"
"Oh gag," Jill cried, clamping a hand over her mouth, "Let me go before you two start embracing again."
They watched her flounce away in the same direction Jess had taken. Jess was talking with her father and the orchestra leader. Sam sighed, knowing his fate was sealed – he was dancing.
Then he shifted his look to Dean.
"Well?" he asked.
Dean sighed. "I'm fine, Sam," he offered quietly, suddenly aware that he and Sam were the only ones left on the ballroom floor. "We should--"
"Are you sure?" Sam asked, anxiously, "You don't look--"
"I'm sure."
"I don't believe you."
"Tough," Dean smirked and motioned towards Jess, "You got a bride to dance with."
Sam eyed Dean warily, "Come on, I'll show you where you're sitting," he murmured.
"Dude. I know where I'm sitting," Dean answered, amusement in his voice as he looked down to where Sam had grabbed his arm in a loose grip. "We stole the Bridal Binder together, remember?"
Sam grinned suddenly, as he led Dean towards the Bridal Table. "God, that was fun. I've never seen Jess get so hysterical."
Dean laughed and covered up his gasp of pain with a cough – which made it worse. He had to stop on their slow trek. Sam tensed.
"See," he murmured, "You're not okay."
Dean took a moment to catch his breath and then bestowed his baby brother with a wide grin, "Jess's got some pretty hot cousins... I might feel better later."
Sam glowered at him. "Dean," he began warningly.
"Cripes, Sam, it's your wedding –you hafta relax, you're too tense."
Sam glared at him as they reached the table. "Fine, but don't move around too much and don't drinkI'm sure you've taken some kind of painkiller and I don't want you to pass out or somethin' -"
"Can I breathe? Is that okay?" Dean drawled.
Sam sighed. "Just be careful, Dean. Don't make yourself... tired." Sam murmured, eyeing him with concern.
"I'm fine, dude."
"Be sure to send that memo to the side of your face that's dressed in black and blue."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Jess is waving you over," he told Sam.
Sam glanced over at her quickly, then back at Dean.
They stared at each other for a moment. Then Sam offered his brother a small smile, "Thanks man, for – coming."
Dean returned the small smile. "No problem, Sammy, no problem," he murmured.
Sam's smile widened. His brother was a goddamned liar--it had totally been a problem for him to get here.
It was one of those things they wouldn't talk about, though; like Sam waiting up all night for the call that Dean was finished with a hunt, or Dean driving 300 miles out of his way for a 20 minute visit.
"I'll be back," he stated.
Dean shrugged – only one shoulder. "I'll be here." He paused, then grinned at Sam. "Watching you – twinkle toes."
Sam frowned. "Shut up," he shot back, quickly; his eyes carefully watching Dean as the older man sat down.
"I'm fine," Dean growled, noticing Sam's scrutiny. "Go!"
"I'm going!"
"So go!"
"Okay!"
Dean laughed lightly. "You're such a girl."
Sam practically spun on his heel as he turned away and headed to where Jess was waiting.
"Come on!"
"Let go, Sammy," Dean ordered, glaring at his brother. "I said no."
"Dean, you don't get to say no, it's not one of those option things."
"I'm not doin' it. I'm injured!"
"Jess said she can fix that!"
"I'm not putting MAKE-UP on!!"
Sam released his arm, the uninjured one, thankfully, and frowned at him, "You were late; to my wedding."
Dean released a long sigh. "That is gonna get old fast,"he grumbled.
"The pictures are important, Dean. Usually people do formal pictures before the reception, but, well... since the best-man was late we couldn't do that."
"Sam..."
"So we put it off and the photographers went through a lot of trouble setting up all that stuff over there and we've had to inconvenience the guests by telling them to stay away from there and -"
"SAM."
"- and I need you to be in the pictures, because god knows that one day someone will doubt that you actually ever wore a tux and I will need the photographic evidence and plus you're my brother and I want you in them, not just 'cause you're the best man, but because... I mean... you have to be in the picture; you're -"
"Oh, christ Sammy. Okay, man, don't break out into tears or anything."
Sam grinned, "Okay, cool. Come on." He motioned towards the other side of the room. Jess and the rest of the wedding party were already over there. When they approached, Jess grinned.
"Okay, Dean, I'm all ready for you. Sit down right, here," she motioned towards a chair. On the table near the chair sat several little bags as well as brushes and little white pads.
Dean stared at it.
"Sit down, man," Sam urged, pushing him lightly.
He shook his head, "No way. I can't do this. I can't-- make-up... I--"
"Don't be a baby, Dean." Jill taunted, flitting in front of him and suddenly he realized that all the girls were watching him – standing almost at attention. Jess was still grinning.
"I had all the girls give me all the make-up they had because I don't know exactly how much you'll need."
"It looks like a lot to me," Jill added. "I mean that whole side of his face--"
"I'm not doing this," Dean hissed, getting up. "Forget it."
Sam glared at him. "You were late," he stated, practically pouting.
"Sam--"
"It's not a big deal." Lacey offered softly. "Men wear make-up for photographs all the time."
Kerrie nodded and patted Dean's arm lightly.
Lacey continued, in that soft, purely logical tone that Dean had learned to hate. "And it's a small sacrifice to make when you compare it against the longevity of these photos."
Kerrie nodded again, "I mean think about it-- when Sam and Jess have kids, their kids will look at these pictures-- your nieces and nephews..."
"And you don't want those children, Sam's children, to be wondering what happened to their Uncle instead of focusing on how happy their parents are... you don't want these beautiful pictures to be marred by something that can be so easily concealed..."
"I mean -"
"Okay! Stop it! I get it." He growled, he knew they could and would go on until he agreed. He sat back down. Sam chuckled, Dean shifted to send him a deadly glare, "One word," he threatened, "One word and I--"
"He's not going to say anything." Jess comforted. "Not ever," she added, shooting a warning look towards Sam.
Sam grinned and rocked back on his heels.
Jess rolled her eyes and gently took Dean's chin into her hands, the girls crowded around, "Okay, lets see... and be gentle guys—I bet all this hurts…" she murmured patting his cheek very lightly.
They all nodded, eyes studying Dean's face intently.
"His coloring is lighter than Sam's," Kerrie stated. "Mine too, maybe yours or Lacey's cover-up will work best," she offered to Jess.
"Yeah, mine won't work either," Jill commented. "Wrong tone. But yep, yours should work, Jess; and you're probably gonna need to use Lacey's too, there's a lot to cover..."
Jess nodded, "All along his cheekbone..."
"I really hate to see the freckles covered up," Lacey added.
"... really good cheekbones..."
"... yeah, the freckles are kind of adorable..."
"... gag me..."
"... the freckles on his nose we don't need to touch..."
"... we can blend around them..."
"Oh my god, could you not talk about it!" Dean hissed, jerking back when one of them brushed fingers over his nose. They all straightened a little and shot amused looks at each other.
He glared, but they ignored him as Jess bent over him again. "Hand me the applicator..." she murmured.
Nearly ten minutes later they were still blending and Dean was ready to scream.
"Okay, I think that looks good," Jess finished.
"... maybe a little more right there..." Lacey pointed.
Dean squirmed, "She said that's good." He contradicted, trying to pull away.
Jill giggled suddenly, "You know we should put some blush on him so he doesn't look so pale..."
"You're right--" Kerrie murmured, nodding.
"... and eyeliner-- to highlight the eyes... "Jill continued.
"He does have such nice eyes..."
"No way!" Dean growled, reaching up and pushing all the arms away. "I'm finished. No more." He stated adamantly, swatting at their hands with one arm, moving his right arm sent stabs of pain off in his shoulder. They all chuckled and he glared at them for good measure. They drew back, smirking, and started putting the cosmetics away.
"Do you want to see yourself?" Jess asked, cheekily, "... see how pretty you look?"
Sam chuckled, as he came up behind her, "It looks fine, Dean." He offered, "You can't even tell-- of course all of us will always know that you were wearing--"
Jess elbowed him in the ribs. "Leave him alone. Only the girls get to tease him." She warned.
Dean smirked at him, "Ha!" He cried.
Sam frowned, "But he's wearing..."
"Sam," Jess warned again, eyeing him sternly and Sam grinned suddenly - she was gonna be an awesome Mom.
"Okay, so let's get this show on the road!" Dean cried. "Sooner we get finished, sooner I can scrub this shit off."
The girls chuckled and Sam watched as Lacey lead Dean closer to where the tarp and lights had been set up. He grinned. as Doug eyed his brother's face; Jake coming up on the side to do the same.
"Stop it," Jess warned, looking up at him as she tugged him in the same direction.
Sam chuckled and looked away, his eyes met Jill's amused ones, and for a moment they were in perfect accord. No younger sibling could pass up an opportunity this golden. Of course, he'd have to save it until Jess wasn't around-- but he'd save it, oh yes he would.
Jill smirked at him and he smirked back.
'tis finished! Thank you for reading! Part 2 is on the way...