Author's Note:I'm so sorry. I am a horrible trickster. Just wait and see...
P.S. Listen to Everything'll Be Alright by Joshua Radin for this chapter.
Also, I lied. There will be TWO chapters left after this. I thought there'd only be one more but it turns out I had to split this one into two.
Thank you so much to Anacampana, Record 7, MissECharlotte, Deangirl93, and TiffaniKai for reviewing the previous chapter. Reviews make my update faster! That and I really do want to finish this story so I can get an update out for "The One That Got Away" AND work on the sequel. Words can't express how excited I am for the sequel.
"It should've been me," Dean finally blurted out.
"It should've been me. I mean, you're- you're the glue that holds us together, baby. You take care of the family. I swear. If anything threatens us, you're like those wild bears on the Animal Planet. Not that you're anything like a wild bear it's just- protective instinct, you know? But it should've been me. Baby, you've got to wake up because- because I'm only good at this because of you. Hell, if it hadn't been for you, I probably wouldn't have all of this. I'd be Sam's kid's crazy uncle."
He chuckled at himself, sniffling. "So that's why you've got to wake up. You've got to wake up because our kids cannot live on pasta and dino nuggets for the rest of their lives. Because they need their mother. And because I need you, Mer. I can do this without you. So just… just let me know you're here, okay, baby? God, I love you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Dean looked away, giving her hand a tight squeeze.
"You're wrong," he heard someone mumble. He looked up at Meredith, tears in his eyes and hopeful. He just stared at her, hoping he wasn't hallucinating. "You're a better cook than you think you are." By now, she was beginning to squint, her eyes flickering open and closed as her eyes adjusted to the florescent hospital lights.
"Dean?" Meredith asked, softly. He hadn't been saying anything. He just marveled at her. And wow, did her whole body hurt like hell.
"Baby?" Dean asked, his eyes wide as he heard his wife's voice, finally speaking up. Meredith coughed. "Oh my God. Oh my God!" He jumped up, pulling her into him and kissing her forehead. He placed eager, joyous kisses on her forehead, then to her temples, cheekbones, and finally her lips.
"Water. I need water," Meredith mumbled, noticing how dry her mouth was as she pulled away from Dean. She craned her neck to look at the blood and IV bags hooked up to her. "Oh, and help me up?"
"Of course," he said. Instead of leaving the room, he leaned over to her, ecstatic that she was awake.
Dean adjusted the bed with the automatic remote and helped her sit up a little, despite her soreness.
"Thanks," she said, weakly.
"Hey, and when we get you out of here, you are not leaving our bed," Dean smirked, lowering his voice, whispering sexily in Meredith's ear.
"You are so kinky," Meredith giggled.
"You love it," Dean shrugged. Meredith smiled, so happy to be with her husband. And she did love it. More than anything in the world. Instead of letting Dean's hand go, she held onto it, not permitting him to leave. "Page the nurse. I don't want you to leave me, yet."
Dean nodded, grinning from ear to ear, "I won't."
She smiled at him and the two just sat there, enjoying each other's company.
"I was so scared, babe. You don't-, you don't even know what thoughts went through my mind and-. God, I'm just happy that you're okay," he gasped out in relief.
"Me too. And yeah, that's what I told my mom: that you were a worrier," Meredith said. Dean shot her a quizzical look and she chuckled. "I saw her. When I was out, I guess. She was the one that sent me back to you."
"Well, God love her for that," Dean praised, causing Meredith to laugh.
"It's good to be home, baby," she said.
Dean nodded in agreement, "Damn good."
"Mrs. Winchester, you're awake!" the nurse cried, seeing Meredith sitting up straight and everything.
"Yeah," she said.
"Here's your water. I honestly thought it was for her. Well, your doctor will be pleased to hear about this. Should I call your children as well?" she asked.
"No, we'll do it," Dean answered. The nurse nodded before leaving them alone.
"Oh my God! What about the kids? And the First? Did we get him?!" Meredith asked, alert.
"Yeah, Jude and John ganked that son of a bitch," Dean said.
"Dean, language," she warned, teasingly. "This is a family facility."
"No one's listening," he shrugged. He handed her the water cup with the straw in it, and she drank greedily from it. Dean, so relieved, just watched her. He rubbed his thumb over her ring finger with the missing ring on it, causing Meredith to look down and frown. "What?"
"My ring… guess I lost in in the crash," Meredith said.
"Yeah, you did. But the uh, police officer found it. He brought it back to me," Dean said back.
"Well, can I have it?" she asked.
"No," Dean replied, grinning widely. Nothing made him happier at this moment than what he was about to do.
Meredith shot him a skeptical look, "What? You want to put it on me?" Dean shrugged, not letting her know what he was up to just yet.
"Sort of. You see," Dean started. He stood up, dropping her hand as a confused look spread across Meredith's face. Meredith sat up, just staring at her husband out of confusion. "If I gave them back to you now, I couldn't do this." Dean put the wedding band into his pocket before getting down on one knee.
Meredith gasped, "Uh, Dean. You can't do this. We've- we've already done this!"
"Who says we can't?" Dean asked, carelessly. "Did someone make rules about how many times we can get married?"
"Uh… to the same person? I think so," Meredith replied.
"Come on, baby. Just play along for me, please?" he asked, playfully.
"Dean, what're you-," Meredith started, in shock and awe.
"Almost losing you twice scared the hell out of me, Mer. I don't even know what I'd do if things went that way. I was just, I was sitting here with you and you were still out and I just, I kept thinking about how much I loved you, what we've gone through. So marry me, Mer. Marry me again in front of all our friends and family just because. Because we can and because I can't stand the thought of losing you again," Dean asked.
Meredith's heart was soaring and she couldn't help but tear up, "I-, yes. Of course, yes."
Dean smiled before kissing her, "Oh good. I would've looked like an idiot if you had said no."
"Uh, we're already married, Dean. Nothing really would've changed," Meredith remind with a giggle.
"Yeah, but I went all out on the big, romantic gesture, babe, and you know I don't do that. I think the chaos of the past few days has turned me into Sammy," Dean groaned.
"Yeah," Meredith smiled. "But I still love you, baby."
"I love you," Dean said back, kissing her long and passionately.
Jude came back from his walk. He just needed to clear his head and get out of the house as he saw his three siblings scrambling into the Comet. What the hell was going on?
"Hurry up, Jude!" Flynn called out to him.
"What's going on?" Jude asked.
"Mom's awake. We're going to the hospital. Come on!" John informed, backing the car out of the driveway so that the passenger seat door was right at Jude. Jude practically ripped the door from its hinges and jumped into the car as they drove off to the hospital.
As they drove, Jude sighed, frustratedly. He crossed his arms over his chest, shooting John a look as John drove right at the speed limit.
"What?" John asked.
"You drive like somebody's grandmother," Jude grumbled, impatiently.
"Uh… somebody's hot grandmother!" John protested, causing Flynn and Victoria to both laugh.
"He is right. You're stopping at all the yellow lights," Victoria said, frustratedly. "Would you just let him drive, John?"
"I'm being a good driver!" John protested. "Is anyone paying attention to the fact that Mom's in the hospital partially because of a car accident?!"
"Pull over. I'm driving," Jude demanded.
"No, you're a maniac!" John argued.
"Yeah, I'm going to get us there a lot faster than we're going at this rate," Jude pointed out. "Do you want to see Mom or not?" John sighed, before pulling over and exchanging places with his brother. Jude got into the driver's seat, buckling his seat belt, putting the car into drive, and flooring. He was grateful that there were few people on the road today.
Once all of the Winchesters had convened in the little hospital room, and they all had a chance to say hi to their mother, Meredith and Dean made their big announcement.
"Well, we wanted to wait to tell you guys before you all go there, but since you came together, your dad and I are getting married again," Meredith announced.
"Renewing our vows," Dean clarified.
"Aw, that's so sweet!" Victoria exclaimed.
"Aw, Dad, you softy, you," Jude teased.
"So much for no chick flick moments, "John teased.
"Sweet! I'll be the photographer!" Flynn volunteered, eagerly.
"So when do you want to do it?" John asked. Meredith and Dean exchanged glances. They never expected their kids to be so eager about this.
"Uh… well, we were thinking the summer since we won't have much to do. We want it to be something small and low key," Dean said.
"Just the whole Winchester/Walsh bunch," Meredith replied.
"Gotcha," Victoria said.
"Alright, siblings, can I have a word?" John asked, almost as if it were an order.
"Uh, sure?" Flynn replied, as they all shuffled out of the hospital room, leaving Dean and Meredith alone.
"Dude, what's going on?" Jude asked, shooting his brother a funny look.
"We're going to throw Mom and Dad a wedding," John answered.
"What?" Victoria asked.
"Yeah. Tomorrow. Look, Dad was talking to me earlier when I found him in the chapel. He had mom's ring and he was talking about how he wanted to remarry her in front of all our friends and family. After almost losing her, well, you never know what can happen. So let's throw them a wedding in the little chapel here in the hospital. I already talked to the priest there and he's game so there's nothing stopping us," John explained.
His three siblings al just stared at him. "What?"
"No, nothing," Jude replied, amused.
"Sounds good," Flynn said.
"Yeah, I just thought I was the only one with a vagina in this family," Victoria teased, causing John to glare at her.
"Alright, wedding boy, what does this entail?" Jude asked, jokingly.
"Would you two stop?!" he exclaimed.
"Fine. Truce," Jude said.
"Truce," Victoria added. Flynn just laughed at his siblings' teasing.
"Alright, Victoria, you're a girl so go home and get makeup and crap. Oh, and a dress. I don't care what it is. Doesn't have to be white because obviously, Mom's not a virgin-."
"Ew!" Flynn said. "Do we have to bring that up?"
"It's alright, dude. You get used to it," Jude said, slapping his brother on the back a couple of times.
"They're great at reminding us anyways," Victoria added.
"Guys, focus!" John exclaimed, grabbing their attention.
"Aye, aye, Captain," Flynn joked.
"Not you too," John groaned.
"Sorry," Flynn snickered.
"Alright, so Victoria get stuff for Mom. Jude, can you get stuff ready? Like decorations or flowers or whatever. And see if we can have some kind of reception, even if it's in the cafeteria! Flynn, do camera stuff. Whatever that entails. I'll call everyone," John ordered.
"Sounds good," Victoria said.
"Yeah. Now let's go back in there before they suspect anything," Flynn suggested.
"Sounds good. How are we going to get away though? She just woke up," Jude asked.
"Good question," John replied. The four Winchesters went back into the hospital room, faced with suspicious looks on their parents' faces.
"What're you four up to?" Meredith asked.
"Nothing," John shrugged.
"That didn't look like a nothing huddle," Dean pointed out.
"Yeah, well, we were just talking and thought maybe you guys would like some alone time," Victoria started.
"Uh huh. And… Mom, don't you want some of your stuff?" Jude asked.
"Yeah, we're going to run home and get some stuff for you. I'm sure that this place must be so depressing. We'll go get some of your stuff to make it feel more like home," John added.
"What do you four have up your sleeves?" Meredith asked, calling them out on it.
The four stood, frozen, not knowing what to say.
"You caught us!" Flynn exclaimed, causing the three of them to look over at him. "We were going to surprise you when you went to sleep or down to the cafeteria or something. We wanted to bring some stuff here and then surprise you by decorating the room. You know, a 'welcome back' kind of think with banners and photos and stuff."
"Yeah. But you guys know us too well," Victoria shrugged. John and Jude shot him a look that said 'nice save'.
"Oh, it's okay. You don't have to," Meredith started.
"No, we want to. Please," Jude said.
"Yeah, it sure as hell would make me not want to slit my wrists in this place. Seriously. It's extremely depressing. And everything's white. White walls, white lights. I feel like I'm in an insane asylum. All I need is a strait jacket," John said, his attitude hopefully throwing them off their trail.
"Well, alright. If you guys don't mind. I really wouldn't mind some pictures of you all here while they're keeping me," Meredith said.
"We don't," Victoria said back.
"How is everybody today? You must be overjoyed. Meredith, you're quite a trooper, pulling through all that like this," the doctor said, coming into the room.
"She really is," Dean smiled, exchanging glances with his wife.
"I'm just going to check everything. Make sure you're perfectly fine," the doctor said. He checked and noted her vitals, heartbeat, and everything else he needed to before scribbling some more notes on his chart. "Well, we'd like to keep you here overnight, but if everything goes well tonight, we should be able to release you tomorrow morning."
"Really?" she asked, hopefully.
"Yep. But that means bed rest. You've got to take it easy. No strenuous activities for at least a couple of weeks," the doctor replied, a chipper tone in his voice.
Jude smiled. This is what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a doctor for this moment – the moment where you got to tell the family that everything was going to be alright. And for one moment - something he hadn't felt in a long time - he knew that everything, was going to be alright.