Moving On
Ashley couldn't help but smile at the scene in front of her- Sam had Tara sitting on his shoulders while holding Justin's right hand and Ben held Justin's left. They were swinging him every couple steps forward. She was slowly bringing up the rear, but she felt better just watching her family be normal. The only thing missing now was pre-mark Dean and Castiel missing most references. Dean, maybe they should look for him. It wasn't normal for him to leave without Baby or to make sure Tara was pacified but not to say goodbye.
Ashley hadn't noticed she stopped walking until Sam was standing in her face, Tara now in Ben's arms. "Hey, you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I just think we should check up on Dean, make sure he's not dead in a ditch" she said, now fully back in the present.
Sam slipped an arm around Ashley's thin waist and pulled her closer to help support her. They both began walking slowly towards where Ben and Justin were waiting. "I already did" Sam admitted. "He answered, but as soon as I opened my mouth, Dean hung up on me."
Ashley remained silent for a few moments while she thought everything over. If Dean hung up only after he heard it was Sam, means he was super busy doing something big. "What the hell is he up to now?"
"We had that talk last night before you got in" Sam answered as he motioned for Ben to keep going with Justin. "He's got a deal laid out in front of him, a lot on his plate."
"I'd be worried if he didn't, might starve from small helpings of crazy" she chuckled as she slowly lowered herself to sit on the bench now in front of them.
"You going to tell me or am I gonna have to dig it out of you?" she smiled as she took Tara from Sam.
"Met up with five of the seven Princes of Hell, they offered to get rid of the mark once he gets rid of the remaining knights of Hell. They'll even supply the blade."
"Abaddon? But there hasn't been a sign of that bi- uh, witch in a while" Ashley rationalized. "Sounds like a one sided deal on their part- making Dean their bi- dang, I mean slave."
Sam smiled at the struggle Ashley had not to have a slip of the tongue in front of her young daughter. "Castiel is looking already, apparently this is another one of those 'written since the dawn of time' destiny things. Dean's also searching, but he has no idea its written this way" Sam announced.
"Of course he is" she sighed as she stood up to stand in front of Sam. "Guess it's you, me, and Ben on this Sin City case. I'll call Mom to see if she wants to babysit.
"One more thing Ash" Sam said standing up to face Ashley. "I gotta apologize for something."
"For what?" she replied with a cocked head.
"Not supporting your belief in there was something else to the stars" he answered with his puppy dog eyes.
"They are just stars" she smiled sadly as Tara wrapped her arms around Ashley's neck.
"No, no you're wrong! They are guards- Heavenly Sentinel's. They sit and watch everything in their towers."
Ashley couldn't help but laugh at how silly Sam looked and sounded right now. She believed that theory years ago, got ridiculed by both brothers, her father, and even Bobby for that thought. She was young and searching desperately for a good thought in the world. "I'm not falling for that again, Sammy" she admitted as she began her walk back home.
"Dammit, Ash! Listen to me, tonight when Castiel comes to sit with Tara, listen to the lullaby. Please?"
"Fine Sammy. Get the boys, we are going home. Tell Dean we're taking the Impala as well."
After Justin was packed and in bed for the night, Sam turned in early so he could do most of the drive back down to San Diego before needing a break. He felt weird leaving the bed closest to the door empty with both Ashley and Tara in the room, so he took that bed for the night. Ashley sat down on the bed next to the one Sam had spread out on. She promised Sam she would listen to Castiel's lullaby to Tara, so she stayed up just waiting to hear for the flutter of wings announcing he came for a visit. Finally the sound filled the room and Castiel was standing in the doorway across from Ashley. "Hey Cas," she whispered "how have you been?"
"Just fine, thank you Ashley" Castiel answered.
"How are you? Is your back alright?"
"No, it's not" she sniffled "can you help yet?"
"Yes" Castiel answered before placing two fingers on her forehead.
No matter how many times she was healed by an angel, Ashley couldn't get over the feeling and the dizzy sensation that followed. A soon as Castiel removed his fingers from her forehead, she laid back on a now completely pain free back. "We're going back to San Diego tomorrow; keep an eye on Dean for me?"
"Of course" Castiel smiled as he went over to where Tara was sleeping. As he bent over Tara, he began to sing the song she assumed Sam was talking about. My God, she thought to herself as she drifted off to sleep Sam was telling the truth. I was right those years ago, even when everyone laughed at me.
AN: Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Sorry it took a little longer to update this time around, but here it is! Tell me how it is and anything else you want to tell me!