The next morning, Bobby didn't look a bit surprised to see two bags sitting at the base of the stairs. He fixed a quick breakfast for the two and watched them through the living room window until the long black Chevy was out of sight.
Sam looked content sitting in the passenger seat, his eyes watching the road fly by. But Dean did not miss the slight crease in his brow.
Dean was just as happy to drive. Nothing could beat the feeling of black asphalt beneath his baby's tires and the framed view of the wide open road stretched out in front of him.
After a while of Sam not moving or talking, Dean decided to break the tension.
"Jeez, stop thinking so loud. You're giving me a headache!" Dean teased.
"That's cute Dean" Sam said.
"Yeah I am! But really, stop worrying." Sam nodded, but merely as an acknowledgement that Dean was heard. Dean shook his head and turned up Nirvana.
"Take a right there" Sam directed. Dean flicked on his turn signal. They had finally reached Kirwin, Kansas, a quaint little town near the border with a whopping population of 205.
"Dude, if I see one more cornfield, I'm gonna hurl."
After several more twists and turns, they finally reached a gravel driveway and turned in.
"Park right up there. See where that tree is? Yeah right there." Dean turned the key and pulled it from the ignition. Neither one moved.
"Um," Dean said, "shouldn't we.." he gestured toward the house.
"Right, just give me a second." Dean watched as Sam breathed in every detail, all of it so familiar. A minute later, he looked Dean square in the eye and got out of the car. Waves of determination, apprehension and excitement rolled off Sam. He walked straight up to the door and rapped the old fashion, rusted knocker twice.
"Coming! Just one moment!" Sam smiled slightly at the voice.
The door opened to reveal a woman that looked so much like Jessica, Dean practically blanched at the sight. She was older, taller, but she had the same long blonde wavy hair.
"Oh, Sam! I'm so happy you came!" She hugged Sam warmly. "And you brought a friend! Please come in both of you." She led them to the living room and sat them down in large ornate chairs. After refreshments and introductions were passed around, she joined them around the coffee table.
"How have you been Sam?" Dean glanced over at his brother, expecting to hear the proper cookie cutter response.
"Not so well, Mrs. Moore. It's… well it's been rough." Sam replied. "You had a wonderful daughter."
"I know my dear, I do know. I miss her very much." She rubbed at her knees, deep in thought. She took a picture from the table and handed it to Sam. "This was always my favorite picture of her."
Dean craned his neck to see. He saw a beautiful woman in a cheap t-shirt and cut off shorts on a swing with a smile lighting up her face. But what caught his attention was the sharp young man behind her. His hands rested on her shoulders, eyes bright and shining. He couldn't remember ever seeing Sam look so happy.
"This was taken on Spring Break. We went up to a friend's cabin at a lake. They had this swing tied onto that old oak. It's one of my favorite pictures too." He handed it back. Mrs. Moore took it and looked at it thoughtfully… or maybe just lovingly.
Sam reached up, scratched his nose and swiped at his eyes in one fluid movement, being as discreet as possible.
"Ma'am, did you say you had something for Sam?" Dean asked.
She nodded. "I would have given it to you much sooner, but I only just found it a few hours before I called you. I… I hadn't made it to this box yet. It's not easy going through your lost daughter's belongings."
Mrs. Moore moved out of her chair and ventured across the room and down a hallway.
"You okay?"
Dean saw the firm set of Sam's jaw. Through clenched teeth, Sam replied, "Fine".
Mrs. Moore shuffled back down the hallway carrying a shoebox. "Here you go. I thought Jessica would want you to hang on to these." She held it out to him.
Sam took it and slid it into his lap. Then he opened it every so carefully, as if it might spontaneously combust or fall to dust at any moment. He just barely had the lid off before he clamped it back on.
His eyes were filled with tears. He sniffed quietly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Moore."
"You are welcome my dear. I know this house must have been hard to walk back into, but I'm so glad you did. I've missed you too."
They all rose and Sam waltzed right up to Mrs. Moore and embraced her. Dean always knew Sam was a hugger, but the way he held onto Jessica's mom killed him. He held on for dear life.
She escorted them to the door and hugged Sam once more. "Please come back anytime. You too, Dean."
"Thank you ma'am."
"And Sam? I'm so sorry you never got the chance to marry my Jessica."