Chapter Fourteen: Epilogue
Freedom. Or at least that's what this was supposed to be. Jared Padalecki pushed the duffel bag he was carrying up higher onto his shoulder and stepped off of the subway into the surging crowd. He allowed the crowd of people to carry him forward, their energy pushing at him as much as their bodies and their bags. Then he turned around, eyes landing on his husband, bent down on the ground.
He smiled, taking a few steps back to lean over his shoulder and watch him tie bright pink shoe-laces into a knot.
"See the bunny ears, Ashleigh?" He was saying softly, eyes flicking up to their daughter who was staring down at her shoes like they were going to come alive any second now.
"I'm not sure if the subway station is the best place for a lesson, babe." Jared laughed, leaning further down to press his lips into Jensen's hair. "Come on."
"Yeah, okay." Jensen nodded, trying up the laces before scooping Ashleigh into his arms, carrying her on his hip and moving with Jared through the crowd. "Are you sure the Lion exhibit is going to be open this time?"
"Lions! Rawr!" Ashleigh screamed out, raising her hands in faux-claws and growling at her father. "Daddy, I want to see the lions!"
"I know baby girl." Jensen smiled at her, kissing her forehead. "Papa and I are taking you to see the lions. Which better be open."
"I called." Jared looked over his shoulder, smirking at Jensen. "And I told them we would set our own lion on them if they were wrong again."
"I just don't want to listen to it again." Jared couldn't help but agree. Ever since they had gotten Ashleigh to watch The Lion King, she had been obsessed with the animals. Tigers and Bobcats were no exception when they tried to plead with her that they were so much like lions when the exhibit had been closed last time they went to the zoo.
A large stuffed lion that was bigger than her three year old self was just barely able to settle her for the subway ride back to their car. It had done nothing for the ride home.
Jensen handed over Ashleigh when they arrived at the park gates, moving forward to get their tickets while Jared took her over to the fountain to toss a few wishing pennies so Ashleigh wouldn't get restless standing in line.
"Ready, baby girl?" Jensen called out his arrival, opening his arms for Ashleigh to run into, a big grin on her face.
"Lions?!" She screamed, and Jared laughed at the wince Jensen made, raising his shoulder to press on his ear.
"Yes, Lions. But let's not scream at them, okay?"
"Okay, Daddy!" Ashleigh whispered, her hands clasped in front of her in excitement. She turned to look at Jared, her eyes dancing.
"Papa, are you 'cited to see the lions?"
"Yes, Leigh." Jared smiled, tickling her chin before reaching down to find Jensen's hand. "I might be more excited than you!"
"Nope! Never." She admonished, shaking her head wildly, bouncing in Jensen's arms. Jared just chuckled and steered his family past the sea lions that graced the front gates and made their way to the African plains.
Six hours later had gotten them three visits with the lions, two ice cream bars (one of which was mostly stuck to the front of his shirt) and Jensen starting to limp, rubbing his leg absentmindedly as they made their way to central park.
They found a clear spot in the grass, and smiled at the families that were starting to group up around them, setting out blankets and picnic baskets. Jared reached into the diaper bag he had been carrying and pulled out a juice box and some crackers for Ashley to nibble on while they waited.
"Is it going to be loud?" She asked nervously, looking between her two fathers.
"A little." Jensen said, smiling softly. "But it's a good loud. You can feel it through your whole body, like a good song. But the colors are the best part." Ashleigh cocked her head at his words, nodding after a moment and handing Jared her juice box to open.
They ended up getting two flag-colored pin wheels and more glow sticks then they ever needed before the fireworks actually started. Ashleigh jumped at the first few, shrinking into Jared's arm as she peeked up at the colors blossoming across the sky. Suddenly the sky lit up orange and yellow and she smiled, telling them it was "lion fireworks".
Jared leaned over, getting Jensen's attention. Ashleigh had curled up in the grass between them, arms wrapped around Jensen's leg, her head in his lap as she slept. Above them, fireworks were still exploding across the sky. Jared smiled at him, glad they could both sit here, completely comfortable with the sounds around them.
It felt like they were the only ones in the grass. The fireworks a muted color, blending into the background around them along with the people and the hustle of the city that never slept. It was only them, their small and perfect family, screaming in color that mattered.
"I love you." Jared whispered, finding Jensen's hand in the grass and twisting their fingers together. "I love this."
"Me too baby." Jensen replied, squeezing back and leaning closer to press their lips together. "Me too."
Notes: Oh my god. Where do I begin? Thank you, thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who has left comments and who has stuck with me through this story whether you came in from the beginning or from the last chapter. You guys are amazing! I have been so overwhelmed with the feedback I have gotten. I appreciate it so much. No matter how many stories you've written, its truly the feedback and the response that keeps you going. I set out with this story as a challenge tossed around the car with my best friend and I didn't think it would turn into be something so important to me. As my first Supernatural RPF fic, I was terrified to post this! I am so glad I did. I hope that everyone is happy with the ending. And I will be working on many other fics as well :)