**Nothing from Charmed or Supernatural belongs to me.**

Chapter Twelve

*One Day Until The Wedding*
The Rehearsal

Melinda stood in the mirror, a smile on her face. Peyton stood behind her, letting out a long breath.

"Well. I did a fantastic job, if I do say so myself."

Melinda's smile grew.

"Peyton, this …"
"That cosmetology thing really worked out for me, huh?"
"For real."

Melinda took a step back, sliding her hands over her dress. It was white and lacy, figure-hugging, with three-quarter length sleeves, and stopped just above her knees. She wore red high heels, because Dean, for some reason, liked seeing her in red. Her hair was pulled back from her face, her bangs pulled back in a braid that looped back to the messy bun that Peyton had artfully created. Melinda smiled again, and Peyton finished up her own lip gloss. Peyton's hair was loose around her face, and her dress was a sapphire blue. It was the same length as Melinda's, but strapless. Peyton's heels were silver, with straps that wove around her ankles.

"Peyton, that dress… Wow."
"Mel, your dress is incredible."

Melinda smiled, and a quiet knock sounded at the door. Melinda flicked her wrist and the door swung open to reveal a smiling Kate. She skipped inside the room, and Melinda bent to give her a hug.

"Aunt Melinda, you look so pretty!"
"Not as pretty as you, Miss Kate. I love your dress!"

Kate's smile widened, and she twirled, making her skirt float up around her.

"Thanks. It's Uncle Dean's favorite color."

Melinda glanced over at Peyton, and they shared a smile. Kate walked over between them, climbing up onto the bench seat of the vanity. Peyton and Melinda both put an arm around her, the three of them smiling into the mirror as Chris stepped into the room.

"Whoa. Do not move. Stay right there, just a second."

The girls did as he said, and half a second later, he walked back in, snapping a picture on his camera. He smiled, snapping another.

"I just couldn't pass it up. And wow."

Melinda, Peyton, and Kate all smiled, as Peyton lifted Kate off the seat, setting her back on the floor. Kate took Peyton's hand as they walked out of the room. Melinda turned to the mirror, checking her makeup and hair one more time, deciding she needed a little more lipstick. She looked down, rummaging through her—and Peyton's—makeup, faltering and dropping the tube of lipstick when she heard the voice come from behind her.

"You look exquisite."

Melinda gripped the edges of the vanity, closing her eyes. She'd know that voice anywhere. It was impossible, though. There was no way … Was it? She took a deep, shaky breath, her voice barely even a whisper.

"Cas?"
"Open your eyes, Melinda."

She was almost panting, but she lifted her head, opening her eyes and looking into the mirror. She gasped when she saw the breathtakingly blue eyes behind her, the dark hair and chapped lips, the suit with the crooked tie, covered by the trench coat. Her breath came out shaky, and the angel in the mirror smiled. She shook her head.

"Cas, you … We thought you were …"
"I know. I am sorry, but I couldn't come until now. One day I'll explain it to you."
"You're really here?"

He smiled, nodding. She couldn't take her eyes from the mirror. She was afraid he'd disappear.

"If I turn around, will you still be here?"

Castiel tilted his head to the side, speaking softly, and Melinda wanted to cry at the sound of his voice. She had missed that gravel-laced voice more than she'd realized.

"Yes, Melinda. I will."

She slowly turned, and her eyes filled with tears when she was looking up at the angel she'd missed so much, who was smiling down at her.

"Cas."

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him, and he hugged her back. It was a bit awkward, since Castiel wasn't exactly the best at regular human interactions. But for Melinda, it was absolutely perfect. She put her head on his shoulder, running her hand through the hair on the back of his head.

"I've missed you so much, Cas."
"I know. I have missed you, too."

She let out a laugh as tears fell from her eyes. She let him go after a minute, stepping back and turning to the mirror.

"Oh, Peyton will kill me if I mess up her makeup."

She grabbed a tissue and looked into the mirror, surprised that her face didn't have black tear tracks running down her cheeks. She glanced over, smiling as Castiel read the tube of mascara.

"Waterproof?"

Melinda laughed, taking the tube from him and dropping it.

"Come on. We've got somewhere to be."
"We do?"
"Yes. I've got so much to tell you, Cas. Have you ever been to a wedding?"
"No."

Melinda grinned as she slid her arm through his.

Dean took the glass of water from Piper, raising an eyebrow at her as he did. She let out a quiet laugh.

"I know. But we're trying to save the alcohol until after the rehearsal."
"Wonderful."

Piper laughed, walking over to Sam. Dean downed his little glass in one gulp, completely missing the way Leo and Coop, who were talking and watching him, began to laugh. Dean set the glass aside and looked down at his hands, checking his sleeves, which were already rolled up to nearly his elbows. Sam stepped up behind him and spoke where only Dean could hear.

"Chill out, man."
"That's easy for you to say!"

Sam laughed, sipping his little glass of water, looking up at the stairs. Down came Peyton and Kate, hand-in-hand, wearing gorgeous jewel-toned dresses. Dean smiled as he took the glass that Sam absently handed to him, shrugging his shoulders as he downed the rest of it. Sam swallowed, stepping over to the stairs. He was staring at Peyton, who was staring right back at him. Piper glanced over, catching Phoebe's eye, before they both looked back to Sam and Peyton. And Phoebe rushed over to intercept her husband, who was going for Sam. At the stairs, Sam swallowed again.

"Peyton, you … You look stunning."
"Thank you, Sam."

A blush crept into her cheeks, making Sam smile. Kate was watching them, and when she cleared her little throat, Sam laughed and knelt down.

"And Miss Kate. You are absolutely gorgeous."
"Thank you. Green is my Uncle Dean's favorite color."

Sam smiled, mainly at the possessive tone Kate had taken.

"I know."
"'Cause you're his little brother."
"That's right."

Kate nodded, then stepped off the stairs, going over to Leo and Coop, who, just as expected, fawned over her. Sam stood back to his feet, looking back to Peyton. He lifted a hand and she took it, stepping the rest of the way off the stairs. She smiled.

"Nice shirt, Sam."

He looked down, just then realizing that his button-up was almost the exact same color as Peyton's dress. He smiled, reaching to run a hand through his hair, realizing that Peyton was still holding his other one.

"Great minds think alike?"

Peyton just laughed, stepping over to her sisters. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, making Sam's breath catch in his throat, and spoke to Dean.

"Hey, Dean. Wait until you see her. If tonight is just a little taste of tomorrow…"

Peyton shook her head, and Dean shot Piper a look. She laughed, shaking her head. Dean felt a thump on his back, and he turned around, seeing Melinda's uncle Henry.

"Don't tell Piper."

Dean looked down, seeing the glass with the amber-colored liquid in it, and let out a sigh.

"Henry, you're a lifesaver."

Dean downed the whiskey, wincing at the burn, but welcoming it. And just that little bit took a bit of the edge off of his nerves. Phoebe stepped over to the stairs.

"Mel, sweetie, we need to get started. Prue should be here very soon."
"I'm coming, Aunt Phoebe."

The crowd that had gathered stepped closer, where they all had a view of the stairs. And Peyton covered her mouth, and Sam and Dean stepped forward when they saw who was escorting Melinda down the stairs. Dean met them at the bottom step.

"Cas?"
"Hello, Dean."

Dean stared for a moment, before reaching out and clenching Castiel's shoulder, while Melinda closed her eyes, the smile on her face wide. Sam and Peyton stepped up behind them. Peyton shook her head.

"Cas, how…?"

The angel smiled at her.

"It's a long story that I will tell one day. But today is about Melinda and Dean, isn't it?"

Peyton nodded, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Castiel looked down, then over, meeting Leo's eyes. They nodded at each other, before Leo went back to talking to Coop. Castiel patted Dean's shoulder before turning to talk to Bobby. Dean stepped over to Melinda, catching her in a corner, away from everyone else.

"Mel, what—"
"I don't know. I was just getting some lipstick, and he was there. I didn't hear him, didn't see it. I didn't think he was real at first, but …"

Dean shook his head, and Melinda squeezed his hand. He looked back over to her, then looked her up and down.

"God, Mel. You look …"

She smiled.

"You're not so bad yourself, cowboy."

Dean smiled. He was wearing a white button down shirt, open at the throat with the sleeves rolled up. Melinda ran her hand down his bicep, and he grinned. She met his eyes, knowing exactly what he was thinking, even if she hadn't been able to read his mind. A blush filled her cheeks, and he let out a quiet laugh. She stepped forward, looking behind him as she whispered in his ear.

"Two can play at that game, you know."

She slowly ran her foot up his leg, making his breath stutter. She pulled back, smiling.

"Oh, did you like my shoes?"

He looked down, letting out a little groan when he saw the heels.

"You know how I feel about red, Mel."
"I know, baby. But just think. In, what, 24 or so hours?"

He let out a pained laugh and Melinda leaned in to kiss him. He held a hand on her jaw, until Paige walked by them, clearing her throat. Melinda laughed as Dean kissed her forehead, and Phoebe stepped up, clapping her hands.

"All right. It is almost five, so let's get in our places."

Melinda walked over, sitting in one of the chairs at the front of the sunroom. She and Dean had decided to get married there, where they could watch the sunset through the tall windows. Paris came to sit beside her, and Anna and Jenny sat behind them. Matt, Wyatt, and Bobby walked up, taking their seats, and Castiel sat beside them. Chris walked around, snapping pictures. Soft music began playing as Henry and Paige walked in, taking their seats near the front. Phoebe and Coop were next, followed by Piper and her father, Victor.

After a second, the music changed, and Prue appeared beneath the arch. Peyton appeared from the left, and after a moment, Sam came in from the right. They met in the middle, where the aisle had been set up. They just looked at each other for a few seconds, and Phoebe put a hand over her heart. She also reached down to take Coop's hand, which he had balled into a fist. Finally, Peyton stepped closer to Sam, and he turned, offering his arm. She linked her arm through his, and they slowly made their way down the aisle. Sam smiled, leaning over and barely whispering.

"You nervous?"
"Not really. What do I have to be nervous about?"

Sam laughed, and Peyton spoke again.

"Just don't let me fall."

They made it to the front, and Sam turned to her, taking her hands.

"I won't let you fall, Peyton. I promise."

Her heart was up in her throat, and she just stared at him until he let go of her hands, stepping over to take his place in front of the arch. Peyton let out a breath, putting a hand over her stomach as she stepped over to her spot. She met Melinda's eyes, and Melinda smiled softly. They looked back down the aisle, and waited. Melinda looked to Peyton, who shrugged her shoulders. She looked back down the aisle, and still, nothing. Melinda stood up.

"Excuse me."

She walked to the back of the room, stepping off to the left. She looked around, calling out softly.

"Kate? Sweetie, where are you?"

Kate peeked her little head around the doorway and Melinda smiled as she walked over.

"Honey, this is your cue."

Kate let out a sigh and Melinda knelt down.

"Hey, pretty girl. What? What is it?"

Kate looked to Melinda, her eyes wide.

"Aunt Melinda, I don't think I can do this. I'm scared."

Melinda's heart just melted.

"What are you scared of, sweetie?"

Kate just looked down, not meeting Melinda's eyes. Melinda smiled, gently moving her hand to lift Kate's chin.

"Katie, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I won't be mad, and neither will Uncle Dean. I promise."

Kate sighed, and Melinda leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"Tell you what, though. What if we got Dean to walk in with you?"

Kate looked up at Melinda then, with hope in her blue eyes.

"Do you think he would?"

How Melinda wasn't crying then, she didn't know. She smiled at Kate instead, standing up and offering a hand.

"Well, let's go ask him."

Melinda led Kate over to the right side of the room, which Kate had named the boys' side. And, a minute later, Melinda walked back to her seat. Phoebe and Piper gave her looks, and Melinda smiled.

"Little change of plans. Can we restart that music?"

Prue wiggled her fingers and the music restarted. Everyone looked back and smiled as Dean stepped out from the right side, waiting. Kate stepped out from the left, and took Dean's hand. He held her little basket between his fingers, and she pulled out petals, dropping them beside her as she walked. They got to the arch and Dean knelt down, handing Kate the basket. Kate looked down the aisle, and all the petals rose, converging together before sliding back into her basket. She smiled and looked back to Dean, leaning over to kiss his nose before she took her place beside Peyton. Dean smiled, looking down, before standing up and walking beside Sam, who slapped him on the back. Chris walked around, smiling to himself as he looked at the pictures on the camera.

The music changed again, and everyone stood up. Leo and Phoenix began walking down the aisle, because it was bad luck for the bride to play her role in her own rehearsal. Melinda smiled as Phoenix winked at her, before stopping just ahead of the arch. Prue smiled as Phoenix stepped up to take Dean's hands, and they laughed their way through the ceremony. They went through their lines twice, just to be sure, before breaking for dinner.