CHAPTER 8

A week after Castiel had arrived the first ball of the Summer was held. It happened to be at Evelyn's parent's house and they were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Castiel put on his best coat and nervously got in the carriage. He was looking forward to seeing Evelyn but also felt like this meeting would decide his future. He had decided to propose to Evelyn if he felt happy enoug to see her again and if she seemed to feel the same. He wouldn't ask her tonight, though. He wanted to make sure it was the right decision.

In the last week, Castiel had spent a lot of time with Harry and he felt sure he was on the right track. He was serious about his responsibilities and he seemed to take pride in them. Uncle George seemed a completely different man since his youngest son had finally started taking things seriously.

Castiel had also spent time with Dean. He was now working as a clerk at the Prime Minister's office and he seemed to like it. He wasn't sure it was the way he wanted to go, though, and Castiel felt like he was beginning to return to his old self. The one that didn't care about what people thought about him and if he caused a scandal. He had told Castiel about his short affair with the wife of a colleague and Castiel was appalled. Dean had decided he preferred to have his job than his colleague's wife so he had broken it off after a few weeks. It seemed the new and serious Dean that had emerged after the accident was quickly disappearing.

Castiel had decided he had the whole Summer to influence Dean and tonight he wanted to enjoy the ball. As the carriage drove up to the house they saw that many of the other guests had arrived already.

Once inside, Castiel said hello to the people he knew while looking for Evelyn. He found her in the drawing room talking to a few of her girlfriends. He went over and asked if she would dance the first dance with him and she happily said yes. They spent a while talking and she seemed just as happy to see him as he felt happy to see her.

The night went well and Castiel had time to talk to Evelyn's parent's. They were nice people and he felt more assured that he would get a positive reply if he proposed.

The next day Castiel went to find Dean. He found him walking in the long grass in the field next to the house. He walked over to him and asked him what he was doing.

"Oh, just thinking."

"About anything in particular?"

"Well, I'm not sure I'll have a job when I go back to school."

"Why not?"

Dean made a face as if he was reluctant to say.

"There are some rumours going around about me and that woman I had an affair with."

Castiel sighed. He wanted to say "I told you so" but he didn't. Instead he asked Dean what he intended to do about it.

"Well, If I lose my job I'll have to find another one."

"And what about the rumour?"

"I'll just ignore it. I'll stay away from the woman and if anyone asks I'll deny it."

Castiel doubted that would work.

"Are you going to marry Miss. Johnston?" Dean asked.

"If she'll have me," Castiel said, a little surprised at the question.

"She will."

Hannah called them to come and have tea and they didn't have a chance to talk further. Castiel felt a little relieved.

Two weeks later Castiel had made up his mind to propose to Evelyn. He hadn't said anything to his family and went to her house one afternoon to ask her.

He had thought a lot about how to do it and decided to just be himself. He had heard about other men taking their lady of choice on a picnic or boat trip but that sort of thing wasn't for him. Instead he asked Evelyn to go for a walk in the garden. It was a beautiful garden with roses and lavender and was actually a perfect setting.

When he started his question, Evelyn blushed as she realised what was about to happen and she gave him her yes with shining eyes and a happy smile.

They went to tell her parents and they were delighted. Castiel spent the rest of the day with them and then went home to tell his own family. They were equally delighted and they stayed up till late talking about the wedding. Castiel wasn't sure if they should wait until he had finished his studies. He didn't want to leave Evelyn alone at the esate while he went away for the cold months of the year. Aunt Phillippa said they could discuss that later with Evelyn and her parents.

Two days later, Dean went home. He still had a good relationship with his parents and they wanted to see him before he had to go back to school. They hadn't heard about his new escapades and he seemed a little uneasy at the thought of them finding out.

"Maybe you should stop having affairs with married women," Castiel said to him as they were saying goodbye in the library.

Dean smiled. "Maybe."

"I just think you have the potential to be something, to make something of yourself. If you would only take things a little more seriously."

"Do you think I could?" Dean looked like nobody had ever expressed that kind of faith in him.

"Yes, of course. You're a smart person. Just put a bit of effort in your studies and I'm sure you will have the chance of a great future."

Dean mulled it over for a moment.

"Alright," he said. "I promise you I will make an effort."

"You don't have to promise me anything-"

"I want to. I'll take my promise more serious if I have given it to you."

Castiel smiled and nodded.

Dean held out his hand. "Goodbye then. Gongratulations on your coming marriage."

Castiel grabbed his hand. "Thank you, Dean," he said. He felt a tingle as they touched.

Dean was standing close to him and he liftet Castiel's hand up and kissed it. A year ago Castiel would have pulled his hand back but he didn't now. That gave Dean the courage to kiss him. He had tried enough times and been rejected, but this time Castiel let himself be kissed. It was a soft kiss and Dean swiped his tongue against Castiel's just once, then he broke it off. He left and Castiel was left feeling strange.

He spent the rest of the day wondering why he had let it happen and why he didn't feel it had been wrong. When he went to bed he had decided not to worry about it. He didn't know when he would see Dean again and he was going to get married soon. Maybe. It depended on what Evelyn would think of being left alone at the estate.

10 years later

Castiel waited anxiously for the carriage to arrive. The room was ready and the children were in the nursery. They wouldn't join them for dinner. George was now almost five and little Evelyn had just learned to walk. They were the joy of Castiel's life. Since Evelyn died after her last child Castiel had felt very lonely at night after the children had been put to bed. During the day the estate and his clients occupied him but he couldn't always have company in the evening.

He had asked Dean to come and stay for a while. He had worked in London but he couldn't always keep the promise he had made Castiel all those years ago. He had started out intent on doing good and he had, but as soon as he left school he entered a would of women and men who weren't averse to a bit of flirting even though they were married.

Castiel didn't know all the details but Dean had had an affair with a politician and his wife had found out and had threatened to ruin them both unless Dean stayed away. Castiel's invitation had been more than welcome.

They had met almost every year since Castiel got engaged. The children knew him and were loking forward to seeing him and Dean loved the children so Castiel had a feeling something nice was finally about to happen. He had been happy in his marriage to Evelyn. She had decided she would rather wait until he had become a solicitor before they married and he had agreed to everything she said. They had managed to have two children before she died and he had been distraught. He had taken the children with him to Devon and had found some solace in being with his family. Evelyn's parents were also happy to see their grandchildren and he had stayed for a few months until he felt he could go back to the empty house. Of course, it wasn't as empty as before. The children were there and now Dean was coming.

Castiel thought back to the times they had spent together in the last few years. He had always been faithful to Evelyn but he couldn't escape the feeling that if he hadn't been married he might have explored something more with Dean. He was passed the thought of it being wrong. He didn't care anymore. He would keep it from his family, of course, and they didn't find it strange that Dean was coming to visit him. They had become good friends.

Finally Castiel saw the carriage coming up the long drive to the estate and he felt the butterflies in his stomach.

Dean opened the door, smiling at him and Castiel felt that a new chapter of his life was starting. A new chance at being happy. Maybe he could convince Dean to stay longer than they had initially planned.

-END-