They'd just finished chopping the last of the logs, or in Sam's case stacking, when they heard a car pulling up. Recognising it wasn't Toby's truck they looked at each other, apprehensively.
Dean was the first to move.
"Come on. No point us hiding out here like idiots." he said, walking over to the shed to put the axe back and locking it behind him.
He brushed his hands on his jeans and straightened his shirt, feeling slightly relieved and amused when he caught Sam doing the same. Taking a deep breath he strode towards the back door, putting on his usual air of confidence.
He opened it just as Jean entered the kitchen from the opposite side, followed by a brown haired woman and a guy who was slightly blonder. Both of them looked up at Dean and Sam with smiles.
"Ah, there you are – the boys were just helping your Dad by chopping the last of that wood. This is our son, Chris, and his wife Andrea" Jean said.
Chris stepped forward, holding out his hand.
"Hey, nice to meet you. Mom's told us a lot about you." he said, his manner open and friendly.
"Likewise." said Dean, shaking his hand then Andrea's, and watching Sam do the same.
"So you're Dean, right?" said Chris and Dean nodded.
"That your car out there? Cos she's a beauty."
Dean decided he liked the guy already.
"Yeah, she is, isn't she?" he said and Sam held up his hands.
"Please don't get him started or we'll be here till Christmas." he said and Chris laughed.
"You sound like my brother. He doesn't know anything about cars other than how to drive one."
Dean shook his head.
"Sounds like someone else I know." he said.
"Annoying, isn't it?" said Chris, with a grin.
Sam looked at Jean.
"Nathan is coming too, right?" he said and Jean laughed, putting her hand on his arm.
"Oh yes, he'll be here soon."
"Don't tell me you're planning on comparing stories about how hard done by you are? It's not our fault if we can't get you to appreciate fine mechanics, right?" Dean said and Chris nodded.
"Absolutely."
Andrea chuckled at the banter, easily able to see why her in-laws had taken so quickly to these two young men.
"I'd hide the breakables, Jean, I can see war breaking out if we're not careful." she said and Jean put on a stern expression.
"There'll be no fighting in this house, not on Thanksgiving." she said, the twinkle in her eye giving away her amusement.
Just then they heard the sound of Toby's truck arriving back. They was the sound of giggling then the back door opened and two young boys ran in, shrieking, followed by Toby who was doing an impression of a monster.
Both boys stopped short when they saw the two strangers and stared, wide eyed, the youngest automatically hiding behind his brother. Dean fought the urge to smile, remembering a time when Sam used to do the exact same thing.
Toby also straightened up, looking innocent as Jean looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I swear I wonder sometimes exactly who's the child." she said and Toby coughed, pretending not to know what she meant.
Dean meanwhile crouched down so he was eye level with the kids, giving them his most friendly smile.
"Hey, there. Christopher and Thomas, right?" he said and the oldest boy nodded, still looking wary.
"I'm Dean, and this is my brother Sam." he said, pointing behind him at Sam who gave them a wave. "We're friends of your Grandparents."
The boys seemed to consider this and looked past them to their parents who both nodded and smiled. Seeming to come to a decision the oldest boy stood up straighter, pulling his brother round so he was standing next to him.
"You're tall." he said to Sam, gravely, and Sam smiled at him.
"I'm sure you will be too, one day. And so will Dean." he said and was rewarded with a dirty look from his brother.
Thomas didn't get the joke of course, but he'd obviously decided they were no threat and turned his attention to his Grandma.
"Dad said you'd have cookies." he said and Jean looked over at her eldest.
"Oh he did, did he?"
Chris looked nonchalant.
"I might have mentioned it."
"Yes, about a million times." said Andrea.
Shaking her head Jean went over to the side and brought over a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She bent down to Thomas, who spent a long time choosing just the right one, then she gave one to Christopher, who was still watching Dean and Sam with wide eyes.
Straightening, she offered the plate to Dean, then Sam and finally Chris.
"Why don't you all go through to the other room? I need to make a start on breakfast or we won't be done before it's lunchtime." she said.
"Can we help with anything?" said Dean and Jean shook her head.
"No, you go on. I have everything covered." she said.
They filed into the front room, spreading out on the various chairs and couches. Toby had brought down extra chairs from the loft the night before, since there was going to be so many of them, but the kids were happy to sit on the floor anyway.
"So, you two are private detectives, that right?" said Chris and Dean nodded.
"Yeah, that's right. Family business actually."
"Must be interesting." said Andrea and somehow they managed to keep straight faces.
"It has it's moments." said Sam.
Just then there was the sound of a second car pulling up. Toby stood and walked over to the front door, opening it wide.
"We thought you weren't coming." he said teasingly and they heard a woman's voice.
"Well you know what your son is like, we'd have been here an hour ago 'cept someone wasn't ready."
"Why is it always my fault?" said a man's voice, indignantly, and Chris laughed.
"He says that like he's not been late for everything his entire life. The only reason he was on time for their wedding was because we told him it was an hour earlier than it actually was."
Dean and Sam grinned.
They stood up as the new arrivals came in. A pretty woman with long blonde hair held her hand out as she saw them.
"You must be Dean and Sam – I'm Jenny." she said and they shook her hand politely. She moved past them to hug Andrea and Chris.
"You're looking well." said Andrea and Jenny gave her a rueful look.
"It's just good make up. Underneath this I look like a zombie, that little madam has yet to sleep through one whole night." she said, gesturing to the baby being held by her husband.
"She's right, you wouldn't think something so small could make so much noise." said Nathan, handing the baby carefully over to her doting Grandfather and turning to give Dean and Sam a welcoming smile.
"Sorry, we tend to cause chaos wherever we go right now. I'm Nate" he said and they went through the handshaking motions for the final time.
"Dean - this is my brother, Sam."
"Nice to meet you." said Nathan, turning his attention to Chris and Andrea and hugging them both.
Everyone sat down again, Toby taking Lori through to see her Grandma, followed by the two young boys.
"So you're finally understanding what I told you about kissing goodbye to sleep for the next two years?" said Chris to his brother and Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Yes, thank you – I thought you were exaggerating."
"Oh but you wouldn't change a thing, admit it." said Andrea and he shrugged.
"Actually I keep saying to Jen we should have just gone with a dog but she's having none of it."
Jenny shared an exasperated look with her sister in law and turned to Dean and Sam.
"You two don't have kids, do you?"
"No, definitely not." said Dean, ignoring the image of Ben that flashed into his mind momentarily. "Taking care of Sammy here is more than enough for me."
"Excuse my brother, he thinks he's funny." said Sam, elbowing Dean, and Nathan laughed.
"I know how you feel. Chris has the same affliction."
Chris looked at Dean.
"See? Now they're going to gang up on us."
"Yeah, but I don't reckon we've got anything to worry about." said Dean and Chris nodded.
"True."
"I think I'm gonna go join the adult conversation in the kitchen – how about you?" said Andrea, addressing her last comment to Jenny.
"Good idea."
They both tried not to grin as they left, all four men having the same indignant expressions on their faces at the comment.
Nathan shook his head.
"Well, it could have been worse." he said and Chris looked at him.
"How?"
"Nikki could have been here as well."
Chris winced and nodded.
"Good point." He glanced over at Dean and Sam. "You haven't got any sisters, have you?"
"No, just us two." said Dean and Chris grinned ruefully.
"Consider yourself lucky. Nikki tends to work on the assumption that we're both idiots and loves to point that out to, well, pretty much everyone. If she was here those three wouldn't give any of us a moment's peace."
"Sounds fun. At least I only have to put up with one person doing that." said Sam and Dean put on a wounded look.
"Now come on – I don't tell everyone you're an idiot. Some people are quick enough to work it out for themselves."
As he tried to dodge yet another elbow Dean reminded himself that baiting Sam was definitely a sport enjoyed better from a distance.
"Hey, I don't suppose you'd feel like showing me that car of yours before we eat, would you? I'd love a closer look." said Chris and Dean nodded enthusiastically.
"Sure, no problem."
As they both stood up Sam exchanged a long suffering look with Nathan.
"Looks like we're gonna get most of the food then. They'll be out there till at least next Thanksgiving."
"More for us, right?" said Nathan, grinning.
As he and Chris reached the door Dean turned and pointed at Sam.
"Play nicely now, Sam." he said with a smirk, ducking out before his brother could throw anything at him.
Sam shook his head and gave Nathan an apologetic look.
"And you were probably hoping for a nice, quiet Thanksgiving, I bet."
Nathan laughed.
"With Chris here? Not a chance. You know, I may be the oldest but I think we must have the opposite relationship to you two. He loves nothing more than to try and embarrass me, even at our age. You'd think he'd grow out of it at some point."
Sam smiled.
"I don't think Dean will ever grow out of it." he said, the smile faltering only slightly as the thought flashed through his mind that he might not get the chance to find out.
"Still, they keep life interesting, don't they?" said Nathan and Sam's smile became fond.
"Yeah, there is that."
"Since those two are gonna be out there a while, you'll excuse me if I indulge my nosiness for a minute - Mom said you guys travel around a lot with your work, is that right?"
Sam nodded.
"Yeah, we usually go where the jobs are so it's easiest that way."
"So do you have a base you work out of? Like an office somewhere?"
"Actually, no. We sort of grew up moving around a lot when our Dad was working, so we're just used to it I guess."
Nathan nodded, looking impressed.
"Wow, you have my admiration, seriously. I mean don't get me wrong, I love my brother, but there's no way we'd last five minutes actually working together let alone living in the same place well. You two must really get along."
Sam smiled softly.
"Most of the time. We have our moments, but in all honesty it's not a problem for us. Maybe it's because we grew up like that, it just seems normal really. Not that Dean doesn't drive me crazy sometimes but I really wouldn't change it. Even if it took me a little while to realise that." he said, adding the last part almost to himself.
"That's really nice. I hope you don't mind me mentioning it, but Mom said that your Dad died a little while ago. That must be tough." said Nathan, sympathetically.
"Yeah, it is. Especially for Dean, the two of them were really close."
"More so than the two of you?"
Sam shrugged and gave a half smile.
"I guess so. Dad and I had different ways of looking at things. He was pretty single minded about the work we do and he wanted both of us to follow in his footsteps. I was never as keen and when I got into college, let's just say it didn't go down too well. We made up before he died though, which I'm glad about."
Nathan nodded.
"What were you studying at college?"
"Law."
"That's certainly a bit different to being a PI. What made you go back into the family business?"
Sam thought back to that night at Stanford.
"It's kinda complicated. Dean showed up needing my help on something, and then around the same time my girlfriend died. After that I needed to get away for a while so I went with him and that was it really."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You never considered going back?"
"At first, sometimes. But the more time went on and the more stuff happened – thing is, some of the jobs we do can be a bit dangerous and I just couldn't stand the idea of Dean being out there doing it alone. At least if I'm there I can watch his back. Besides, like I said before it's actually been kinda nice travelling round together again and the truth is I just don't want to go back now. Too much has changed."
Nathan nodded understandingly.
"Sounds like you've been through a lot."
Sam gave a rueful smile.
"You could say that."
Nathan looked embarrassed suddenly and chuckled.
"I'm sorry, I'm sitting here giving you the third degree and you were just looking for some peace and quiet during the holidays. I'm afraid I tend to be kinda nosey, Jenny's always telling me to lay off on the twenty questions."
Sam laughed.
"Don't worry about it. I'd be pretty curious too if I was in your place. Must be a little odd having two complete strangers turn up at your parents for Thanksgiving."
Nathan shook his head.
"Nah, not at all. Mom and Dad have always been the kind to 'adopt' people. They've mentioned you guys before, since the first time they met you, and you sounded normal enough for us not to be worried."
Sam laughed outright at that.
"Oh man, I don't think anyone's ever actually called us normal before – Dean'll love that."
Outside meanwhile Chris was whistling appreciatively as Dean turned on the Impala's engine and they listened to her rumble.
"That is one sweet noise. She really is a beautiful car, you must put in a lot of work to keep her in this condition."
Dean smiled proudly.
"Yeah, but I don't mind. We had an accident a while back and I had to rebuild her, but she's actually better than ever now. You can't beat the classics."
"Absolutely. I had an old Camaro when I was younger, a 69. Not in as good a condition as this but I loved it. Course once I got married and the boys came along we needed something a little bigger and more practical. Broke my heart the day I had to sell her though."
Dean looked sympathetic.
"I hear you. I could never part with my baby. She'll probably end up in Sam's hands one day but I've already told him I'll haunt his ass if he doesn't treat her right."
Chris grinned.
"Least that won't be a problem for a while yet."
Dean gave a fake smile.
"Of course."
He wondered what the other man would think if he knew it was something they'd actually be facing in a few months time.
"So you said Sam's not as into cars as you?" said Chris, leaning over to get a better look under the hood.
"Yeah. Dad was a mechanic for a while before he set up the business and I kinda inherited the gene I guess. I tried to teach Sam the basics but past that it just goes straight in one ear and out the other side. He loves her really though, you just won't get him to admit it out loud."
Chris laughed.
"He sounds like Nathan. They're probably in there right now, comparing sob stories."
"Probably." said Dean with a grin.
"You must get along well enough mind you, working together. You travel a lot too, don't you?"
Dean nodded.
"Yeah, it's easier for the jobs that way. It can be tough sometimes but mostly we really don't find it a problem. It's been just the two of us since we were kids, what with our Dad working so much, so we're used to it. It's kinda nice actually, although don't tell Sam I said that."
"My lips are sealed, don't worry. I admire you, I really do. I love Nathan but no way could we spend that much time together. You guys are lucky."
Dean smiled softly.
"Yeah, in some ways we are."
He switched off the engine and shut the hood. As they headed back inside Chris looked amused.
"You know I guarantee by now Nathan has your entire life story."
"What do you mean?"
"My brother has something of an inquisitive nature. I think he gets it off Mom, although don't tell her I said that. Ever since he was little he's loved asking questions. Drove us mad sometimes. Jenny's told countless stories of how she's stood there, mortified, as he's grilled someone they've just met about their entire history. He'd probably be good in your job actually."
Dean grinned.
"Sounds like it." he said, hoping that Sam wasn't having too much trouble sticking to their cover story.
As they went in Nathan looked up, slightly guiltily, and Chris shook his head.
"You did, didn't you?"
"What?" said Nathan, looking innocent.
"You gave poor Sam the third degree."
Nathan blushed.
"I wouldn't go that far. Right, Sam?"
Sam nodded.
"Right."
Chris rolled his eyes.
"Uh-huh. Looks like there's some solidarity going on here. We'd best watch out."
Before Dean could answer the kitchen door swung open and Jean stuck her head through.
"If you boys want some breakfast you'd best get in here before it's all gone." she said, grinning.
She didn't have to ask them twice. Moments later all the adults were seated round the big kitchen table, the two children sitting at a smaller picnic table Toby had set up especially for them.
As Jean handed out the food to everyone Dean caught Sam's eye and gave him a questioning look. Sam gave a slight nod that everything was ok and further communication was interrupted as conversation started to fly back and forth.
Everyone started eating and Dean and Sam sat back, content to let the family do the talking for now. Dean made a note to ask Sam later how it gone with Nathan, given what Chris had said about his enquiring nature.
He really hoped they were going to make it through the day without any slip ups.