Chapter Seven: December 24, 2011

Sam rolled out of bed, yawning, and stumbled down to the kitchen, where AC/DC's Highway to Hell was blaring and two voices were singing aloud. He paused at the doorway, watching his brother and his girlfriend rocking out. Dean sang into a metal spoon, and Zoey was playing air guitar, back to back with the older Winchester. The song ended and Zoey frowned at the radio. "Hey, don't hex it." Dean warned. "They've got the best classic rock on there."

She went back to mixing up the pancake batter. "Did you call John and invite him over tonight?"

"Yeah. He said he'd try to make it."

"What about Emily?"

"She'd already sent our gifts. She's not coming."

Sam crept up behind Zoey, about to scare her. "Sam Winchester, if you even think about it, I'll hex you into next year."

He laughed, spinning his girlfriend around and planting a chaste kiss on her lips. "I'll behave."

"You better or I'll take your present back."

"I have you. What else do I need?"

Dean fake gagged beside him. "Dude, not in the kitchen."

"So, there's going to be a family dinner and Em's not coming?" Sam asked, releasing Zoey.

"Nope. I accidentally let slip that Dad was coming."

"Nice going, Dean, although, if they were both here, it'd be hell."

"Connor and Nicole are coming, as well." Zoey informed them. "Which means, Dean, you're getting a whole pie to yourself but the others are for everyone else."

Dean grinned. "God, you're amazing. Can't you make a Zoey clone so I can have one, too?"

"There's only enough room in this world for one of me." She laughed. "Even if I did that, she'd probably like Sam better." Dean grunted in response. "Sam, please go set the table."

Sam obeyed, getting three of everything and placing them on the large table. After he did that, he went back to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, which Zoey handed to him. "Thanks, sweet thing."

After they ate breakfast, they listened to Christmas music while Zoey conjured a tree complete with all the decorations. The angel at the top of the tree looked suspiciously like Castiel, though neither brother pointed that out. Then, all the presents were brought out and placed under there while Zoey hung the stockings. "Jingle Bells, Sammy smells, Zoey's still a witch, I'll get my pie or I might die, Merry Christmas bitch!" Dean sang cheerfully, jingling his keys. "I'll be back, you two!"

Zoey fell onto the couch in a fit of laughter at his song and Sam joined her, pulling her onto him. When she finally stopped, she kissed him. "You don't smell."

"I hope I don't. I did take a shower last night."

She rolled off him, looking at the tiny wrapped box that had her name on it. "It's so little."

"Yeah." Sam wrapped his arms around her. "Think you might want to open it tonight, when the family gets here?"

"Duh! It was always a family tradition that we open one on Christmas Eve, although Dad wanted us to wait." She smiled at the happy memory.

Sam looked up to see mistletoe appear right above his head and snowflakes fall softly to the ground. "Zoe, you're making it snow."

She kissed him softly, tangling her fingers in his soft hair. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Maybe we should go back to bed." She suggested.

"Good idea." He murmured and they disappeared to his bedroom.

Sam's hair was hopelessly disheveled when Dean rapped on the door and announced that John, Kevin, and Garth were there. He kissed the witch beneath him and began the search for his boxers. Zoey started to do the same, looking for her bra and underwear that had mysteriously disappeared. When they were both dressed, Zoey giggled. "Sam, come here. Let me fix your hair."

He sat down on the messed-up bed beside her as she gently brushed his hair. "Better?" He asked, looking into her emerald green eyes.

"Yup." She brushed hers quickly and pulled it into a ponytail. "Let's go."

"Took you two long enough." Dean teased knowingly. "Come on and save me from Garth, please."

Sam rolled his eyes but followed Dean down the stairs. "SAM!" Garth yelled, giving him a bear hug. "It's so good to see you again."

"You too, Garth." He hugged him back.

Zoey giggled behind him and Garth glanced at her. "You must be Sam's girl. Come on in!" He held his arms open and she complied, giving him a hug. "I'm Garth."

"I'm Zoey."

John stared at her for a few minutes. "Good lord, you look just like your mother." He said softly.

Zoey flushed. "So I've been told."

"Wait. You knew her parents?" Sam asked, confused.

"Alice Abernathy grew up next door to me." John explained, but before he could go into further detail, everyone began to bring up their favorite Christmas memories.

Sam's mind kept straying to the little ring under the tree. He was getting nervous, but logically, he had nothing to worry about. As soon as Connor and Nicole arrived, Sam cleared his throat and held out the box to Zoey. "Open it, please."

She did without hesitation. "Sam!" She gasped when she opened it, her emerald eyes filling up with tears.

He took the ring out of the box. The black silver ring with a princess cut diamond on top looked so small in his palm. He then got down on one knee in front of her. "Zoey Lynn Bloodworth, I-" He choked on the words he wanted so badly to say. "Will you marry me?"

"Hells yes!" She tackled him to the floor and the ring flew out of his hand, kissing him hard.

"Zoe, baby, let me put the ring on." He chuckled, pushing her off him.

She sat back on her heels impatiently. Sam carefully slipped the ring on her finger, watching her eyes light up. And, as he noticed their family, with the exception of his sister, he knew that at her side was where he belonged.