Sam led his group of hunters into town where they found three dead humans and two very much alive, blood covered lamia and no amount of shifting was going to save the monsters. He was with Bobby at that hunt long ago where he watched his uncle swiftly dispatch a lamia so he knew what he was up against. The group hunted down and surrounded each one and when it was all over, there was nothing left but smoldering bodies. One of the hunters pulled out their wicked, monster claws with the intention of giving each hunter one as a trophy. It reminded Sam of Jamie who dealt in monster parts.

"I wish he was here…"

Worried about his own family, Sam left the group to go back but not before patting his jacket to make sure the tiny box was safe and sound. All he wanted now was to propose to Dean and get his little family back home.

…

Dean watched from the window as Bobby mounted a horse with relative ease. He didn't know his uncle had ever seen a horse much less know how to ride one. Bobby never failed to surprise and amaze him. On the horse next to him sat Rowan's twin, Cayden. Later, Sam would explain the difference between identical and fraternal but right now, all Dean could think of was his brother out there hunting without his help. He felt useless, hunting was in his blood but he didn't argue with Sam or Bobby when they told him to stay back. With less than two months before their little beanie arrived, Dean had slowed down.

He kept the not so merry at the moment group of Alfie's friends busy by sharping old pieces of silverware as weapons. Alfie fussed over Dean, bringing him tea and watching over the hunter who didn't need watching or protecting from Alfie. He humored the attentive little omega and thanked him for taking such good care of him for Sam.

When the baby got active, Dean called them all over and let each one touch his belly. It instantly lightened the mood in the room and made them happy. Dean had to admit, Alfie's new pals were mood lifters themselves and even though he didn't believe in new age crap, they did give off a positivity that had been in short supply lately.

…..

While others searched the grounds and buildings for the creature, Bobby and Cayden's group searched the surrounding woods on horseback and on foot. The two rode ahead from the others and came upon a creek surrounded by moss covered stones and fat cattails and under a willow on the bank stood what looked like Rowan. It was a cruel trick the creature played upon the grieving brother who gasped at the sight of his brother whole and happy. With tears streaming down his face, Cayden called out to the creature.

"That thing ain't your brother, it's the shifter who killed him."

It called out to Cayden, "Come over here and give me a hug, dear brother. I have missed you."

Drawn in, Cayden could not help himself and despite Bobby's warning, rode across the creek toward it. Bobby rode past the desperate, grief-stricken omega, determined to save this brother.

Sensing danger, it shifted back into its true form, a part serpent monster with huge claws like that of a bird of prey and it lunged at the horse the human was riding. It reared up, tossing the rider off and onto the slippery rocks. Bobby felt nothing, he was only focused on the kill, he drew the silver blade from its sheath then charged toward it. The lamia sunk its claws through the heavy canvas coat the human was wearing and hit the flesh, yanking its prey close. The hunter raised his knife and stabbed it in the neck. A spray of blood decorated the moss covered stones around them. The lamia let out an otherworldly scream and released its grip on its prey, monster and hunter staggered back, both injured.

Suddenly Cayden appeared, launching himself onto the creature and fueled by vengeance, the omega sat on it and took his small silver hatchet, he hacked through flesh and bone until he found its black heart. Cayden gripped the still beating organ and ripped it from its chest.

He let out a warrior's cry, and holding the gruesome trophy up to the sky yelled, Duitse a dheartháir!

Bobby fell to his knees and with one hand, dislodged the claws from Cayden's leg. The omega slumped to the side and the hunter caught him. Concerned, Bobby lifted Cayden onto the buff color horse and lead them back to the compound.

…

They all watched as Bobby emerged from the trees on horseback, leading the other horse. Omegas rushed over to remove Cayden and assess his condition. Bobby dismounted, one arm hanging at his side and when offered help, he took it.

….

The nurse from town assessed and cleaned the wounds of the omega, gave him one of her precious bottles of antibiotics and a shot of something to help him relax. Bobby appeared in the door holding a hot mug of herbal tea and set it on the nightstand next to Cayden.

"I thought this would help you sleep, its catnip. You must be feelin'…I don't really know how your feelin'. I'm not good at that that."

For the first time since he got there, Cayden gave a hint of a smile, "You're not good at feelings?"

"Yeah, talking about them or expressing them or figuring out feeling in other people. I got two ears if you want to talk or I can leave, whatever you want."

Cayden patted the bed, "Will you just sit with me awhile?"

Bobby removed his ballcap, "I can do that." He kicked off his boots, silently glad he washed his feet and put on clean socks, and sat on the bed. Between the shot the nurse gave him and the tea, the omega quickly got groggy and much to Bobby's surprise, Cayden leaned over, placed his head on Bobby's lap and fell asleep.

….

Sam and Dean went to the clinic in town for a checkup with the nurse. He'd been having what felt like labor pains but it was much too early. Dean was nearly in tears but he sucked it up for Sam who looked like he wanted to cry.

Sam helped him up on the table and held his hand tightly, "It's going to be ok."

"Sam, will you hold my junk up when she takes a look?"

"You know I like holding your junk."

The nurse entered and introduced herself to the two nervous and very young looking parents to be.

"Don't worry, I fired up the generator so we can do an ultrasound. Have you ever had one before?"

Sam answered for Dean, "Yes, at the vet's office. It was super early in the pregnancy so there wasn't much to see."

Dean snorted, "You weren't even there."

"I was getting supplies!"

"Excuse me, did you say you got it done by a vet as in animal doctor?"

"Hey, she was nice. She even offered me a puppy but I got enough stuff to worry about." Dean pointed to his belly. "Right now, I wanna know why I'm getting cramps, this kid can't come early."

She spoke with Dean in length, asking questions and then did a pelvic exam. Sam held up his omega's penis and testicles, something he enjoyed and Dean was enjoying a little too much.

The nurse noticed, "Erections happen so don't be embarrassed. Dean, you're having prodromal or false labor. It helps your uterine muscles and ligaments prepare for actual labor. Would you both like to see the baby?"

Sam said excitedly, "Yeah, please!"

When the image appeared on the screen, Dean's eyes shot open, "Wait…is that, are there…"

The nurse smiled and nodded, "Surprise! I guess you both didn't expect this."

"Sammy, are you seeing this?!"

Sam had his head cocked to the side, brows scrunched up and wide eyes locked on the screen.

…..

Sam held open Baby's door but before Dean could get in, his brother dropped to one knee and produced a tiny ring box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was the biggest diamond Dean ever laid eyes on.

"Marry me."

"Oh Sammy, wow this is turning out to be day of surprises. Are you asking or telling?"

"I'm telling. I want to do this right away." He took Dean's hand and slipped the ring on his finger then kissed the palm. "I'm serious."

Dean's emotions bubbled up and spilled all over the place. He gushed, "Yeah, babe, 100%, I fucking love you so much."

On the drive home Dean would hold his hand up to catch the diamond in the sunlight and Sam kept glancing over. It was good to see Dean like this, so happy, soft, and fuzzy with no walls up. Any bit of hardness had disappeared, Sam knew it would come back at some point but for now he was going to enjoy this. He loved Dean, soft and fuzzy, hard as flint and everything in between.

…..

Rowan's body was wrapped tightly and placed upon the pyre and as the body burned, you could hear sobbing and wailing from the crowd. The omegas did not hold back their grief and let it out like a chorus pain directed at the heavens. Rowan was loved, a special part of the community and someone others looked up to. No one's pain was deeper than Cayden's who let his tears flow freely. He was supported by both Bobby and a holy omega elder.

It took six hours of burning to reduce Rowan to ashes. Once cooled, Cal saved ashes for the brother. Everyone pitched in for the meal afterward and that night, people stayed and told stories of Rowen over cups of his favorite tea. Children were allowed to stay up past bedtime to listen to the folktales told by the storytellers. For the occasion, hard candies were handed out, one piece for each of them. Some sweet to tame the bitter.

Sam, Dean, Bobby, and Alfie had not been to a funeral like this, the funeral pyre was familiar but the ceremony and the interaction with the children were new to them. Also, the addition of Cayden seated next to Bobby was an interesting development. The omega was clearly broken, grieving and lonely and be damned if Bobby was going to leave him alone.

Death, battle, injury, grief, ceremony and the need for comfort, these moments had a way of bonding complete strangers.

TBC