**Nothing from Charmed or Supernatural belongs to me.**
Chapter Eighteen
*Wedding Day*
Across the room, Mary had her eyes closed, holding Dean close to her. She had a smile on her pretty face, even though tears were sliding down her cheeks. Dean was still holding her tightly, his face in her hair, tears slipping down his face unnoticed.
"Happy wedding day, Dean."
He pulled back, looking Mary in the eye and she smiled, reaching up to run her fingers through his hair, the way she'd done when he was a child. She smiled at him, holding onto his hands.
"My little angel's all grown up."
"Mom, I …"
He took a deep breath, and she tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. Dean let out his breath, speaking low and shakily.
"I'm so glad you're here."
Mary smiled, pulling her son back into her arms.
"Me too, honey."
"I love you, Mom."
Mary smiled, a tear sliding down her face.
"I love you too, Dean. My little angel."
After a long embrace, Mary gently stepped back, cradling Dean's face in her hands and kissing his cheek. She walked over by John, who turned and wrapped Dean in his arms. Mary stepped over to Sam, tears glistening in her eyes as she smiled at him.
"Sammy."
"Mom."
He bent down, taking her in his arms, and she went up on her tiptoes. Sam closed his eyes, turning his face in towards her hair and breathing in. Mary felt a piece of her heart break as she realized what he was doing. She'd missed out on Sam's whole life, and he was grasping for anything, any semblance of a memory of her. She let her hand run through his shaggy hair before stepping back. She shook her head, a smile on her face.
"Oh, Sammy. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be there for you."
Sam shook his head, holding onto her hands. He was staring at the ground, and Mary moved a hand to his face, lifting it, seeing the tears in his hazel eyes. He started to speak, and ended up just shaking his head again. Mary pulled him to her again, holding him close. After a moment, Sam spoke, his voice thick with his tears.
"I love you, Mom."
Mary smiled, a tear sliding down her face.
"I love you, my Sammy."
Across the room, Dean and John watched, keeping an arm around each other. John finally turned to Dean, laying his hands on Dean's shoulders.
"You nervous, son?"
Dean nodded.
"Scared to death, sir."
John smiled.
"Good. That's how it's supposed to be."
Dean let out a breath, looking back over to Sam and their mother.
"Were you scared when you married Mom?"
John smiled, looking over to Mary.
"Terrified out of my mind. I didn't know how to be a husband. My dad hadn't been there, so I had no clue what I was supposed to do. All I knew was that I had to have her. I couldn't see my life without her. Yeah, it would be hard, and we'd fight, but we'd figure it out together. I knew as long as I had her by my side, all the rest would work itself out."
John looked over to Dean, who let out a breath. John smiled.
"That how you feel?"
Dean chuckled.
"You hit the nail on the head, sir."
John nodded, laying a hand on Dean's back.
"Then why the hell are you nervous? Calm down, take a breath. Everything's fine. You marry this girl and you'll see what I mean."
"There."
Piper stepped back, the veil in just the right place, and Melinda turned to face her. Piper covered her mouth with her hand as Melinda smiled.
"Well? What do you think?"
Piper smiled, shaking her head as tears fell from her eyes.
"My baby… You're gorgeous."
Melinda smiled, picking up her skirt and turning to look in the mirror. The ivory dress had a sweetheart neckline, covered in beads that made it sparkle, the fitted top tapering down to Melinda's waist, then flaring into what Kate had deemed a "princess" skirt. Layers of the skirt were gathered in specific places, billowing out around Melinda's feet. Peyton had done a wonderful job on her hair, and was coming back to do some last-minute adjustments soon. The veil fit perfectly, coming down around Melinda's shoulders, lying nearly to her elbows. Melinda truly did look like a princess.
"All righty, let's do some … Oh my God."
Melinda turned to see Peyton, who had stopped at the door, laying a hand over her mouth. Tears leapt to her eyes, and she smiled when she dropped her hand.
"Honey, you look gorgeous!"
Melinda smiled, holding out a hand and Peyton walked in the room to take it. Melinda shook her head, looking Peyton up and down.
"Peyton, just … Wow. That dress…"
"We did good, Mel."
Melinda laughed. The dress they had chosen for Peyton was a deep purple. It had the same sweetheart neckline as Melinda's dress, but Peyton's had two thin straps over her shoulders. It followed the line of Peyton's body, clinging just enough, all the way down to the floor. She wore the same silver heels as she had at the rehearsal. Her hair was up, twisted into a classic style, straight for once. Her makeup was exquisite, flawless, just like Melinda's. And she had taken extra care to make everything she could waterproof, since they were known to be criers. A knock sounded at the door, and Piper walked over to it.
"Yes?"
"Nana, it's me!"
"What's the password?"
Peyton giggled at Melinda, but they heard Kate whisper something to Piper. Piper opened the door, letting out a gasp.
"Kate, you look beautiful!"
Kate stepped in the room, her hair done up almost the same way as Peyton's. Her dress was the same deep purple as Peyton's, but with a fluffy skirt made from tulle. She had silver ballet slippers on her feet. Kate walked over to Melinda, her little mouth open.
"Aunt Melinda, you look so pretty."
Melinda smiled, bending down.
"You look pretty too, Miss Kate."
She tapped a finger on Kate's nose, making her smile. Peyton moved a chair over and lifted Kate onto it.
"Okay, just like we talked about, all right?"
Kate nodded, a big smile on her face. Peyton reached into her makeup bag, pulling out a tube of mascara and one of lipstick. Melinda smiled, glancing back at Piper. Kate looked back to Piper as well, a pleading look on her face. Piper smiled, shaking her head.
"Just don't tell your daddy."
Kate grinned, and Peyton and Melinda shared a laugh. Peyton ever so gently coated Kate's long lashes with mascara, while Kate made her blue eyes wide. She puckered her lips and Peyton slid the lipstick on, the same shade she'd used for Melinda. Kate turned back to the mirror, a smile spreading across her face.
"I look like a grown-up."
"Take it off, then. I need my Kate to be a little girl for a long, long time."
The girls laughed, as Piper stepped over, laying her hands on Kate's shoulders.
"You all look so beautiful."
Another knock sounded at the door and Phoebe poked her head in.
"I just wanted to see my girls before we get started."
She walked in, closing the door behind her, shaking her head at Peyton and Kate, a smile on her face.
"Absolutely beautiful."
"I have makeup on, Aunt Phoebe."
"And you look just stunning."
Kate smiled, walking over to Piper, who had her basket waiting. Peyton walked to her mother, laying a kiss on her cheek. Melinda turned around, fixing her veil, smoothing her skirt, then looking to Phoebe. A tear slid down Phoebe's smiling face.
"Oh my God, Mel. Honey, you … You're gorgeous."
Melinda smiled.
"Thank you, Aunt Phoebe."
Phoebe shook her head, letting more tears fall before she stepped over to Melinda, gently hugging her. She stepped back as another knock sounded at the door. Paige poked her head inside, smiling wide.
"It's almost time, girls. We need to take our places. But first…"
Paige walked over to Melinda, shaking her head.
"My God, sweetheart. Beautiful."
Melinda smiled, taking Paige's hands and leaning in to let her aunt kiss her cheek. Paige ran a hand over Melinda's face, smiling. Peyton knelt in front of Melinda, holding the garter up.
"Hike those skirts up, sister."
Melinda smiled, but did what Peyton said, holding onto Paige for support. Peyton secured the garter around Melinda's thigh then helped her into her shoes. Phoebe stepped up, fluffing the veil around Melinda's head. Piper stepped forward, taking Melinda's hand, sliding the bracelet on her arm.
"Oh! Aunt Melinda, this is for you."
Melinda looked down at Kate, who handed her a small package.
"Katie, what is this?"
Kate smiled.
"It's from Uncle Dean. He wanted me to give it to you."
Melinda smiled, undoing the plain brown paper, finding a velvet box beneath. She opened the box, her breath catching in her throat.
"Wow."
Peyton gently reached over, taking the necklace from the box. It was a small heart, made from diamonds. Melinda shook her head as Peyton fastened the necklace, and the heart fell over her throat, settling past her collarbones. Piper smiled, and Phoebe finished fastening the pearl earrings that Melinda had gotten from her parents for her 21st birthday, that matched her bracelet. Melinda reached up to touch the necklace, taking deep breaths. Piper stepped up, running a hand over Melinda's shoulder.
"You ready, honey?"
Melinda looked wide blue eyes to her mother, and Piper smiled.
"You've got your something old."
Piper touched the bracelet, then moved to run a hand over the dress.
"Something new."
She moved her hand to the veil.
"Something borrowed."
Melinda lifted her skirt, poking out her foot.
"And something blue."
"Oh, here. Lift your heel."
Melinda held onto Peyton as Phoebe bent down, slipping something into Melinda's shoe. Melinda looked back at her and Phoebe smiled.
"A sixpence. It's good luck."
Melinda smiled and nodded. Her aunts gave her hugs and kisses again, then walked out of the room. Peyton grabbed her bouquet, laying Melinda's on the dresser in front of her. Kate took her basket and Peyton's hand, and they walked out together. Melinda turned to the mirror, placing a hand on her stomach and her mother walked up behind her.
"Take a breath, darling."
Melinda nodded, closing her eyes. She took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to calm the bundle of nerves that had suddenly appeared in her stomach.
In the basement, Sam sat on the edge of a chair, looking up at the ceiling as his mother tied his tie. Mary smiled.
"There. Perfect."
Sam stood up, walking over to the mirror. He smiled, slipping his arms through the jacket Mary held out for him. She smoothed her hand over his shoulders.
"Looking good, Sammy."
He smiled, turning around to hug her again. He couldn't seem to stop hugging her, but she didn't seem to mind one bit. He pulled back, looking over and smiling.
"I think Dean could use your help, Mom."
She smiled up at Sam, winking at him before walking over to her eldest son. She ran a hand over the back of Dean's head and he looked up at her before smiling.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hi, honey. Need some help?"
She motioned to the tie he was holding in his lap and he nodded, holding it out to her. He stood to his feet and Mary smiled.
"Look up."
She buttoned the top button of his shirt and he let out a breath. Mary smiled as she looped the tie around his neck.
"You know, I remember when I married your dad. We just went to the courthouse. No real reason to have a big wedding, you know? But I remember … Oh god, I was so nervous. I kept wanting to just take off, get the hell away from there, you know? But as soon as John took my hand, I knew … I knew everything would be all right."
Dean looked down as Mary finished tying the tie. She reached over and picked up his jacket, holding it out while he slid his arms through it. She smoothed her hand over his shoulders, turning him towards the mirror. She straightened the tie once more.
"There."
Dean looked in the mirror, nodding his head. Bobby came down the stairs, brushing a hand down his jacket.
"Almost time, boys. You ready?"
He looked up, eyes wide as he saw Mary. From the corner, where he'd been talking with Sam, John stood to his feet.
"Hey, Bobby."
Bobby's eyes grew even wider as John walked over to him. Bobby swallowed hard, and John held out his hand. He sighed, looking Bobby in the eye.
"I know you said that the next time you saw me, you'd pump my ass full of buckshot, but… Do you think we might could let bygones be bygones?"
Dean and Sam exchanged a smile, while Mary stood in between them, a hand on each of them. Bobby let out a sigh, putting his hand in John's, then pulling him in for a hug.
"You son of a bitch."
John laughed, slapping Bobby on the back. Sam walked over, laying a hand on Bobby's back and smiling at his dad. Paige walked down the stairs, a smile on her face.
"Everyone ready? It's about that time."
Piper smiled, looking over her daughter once more.
"Don't forget your bouquet."
Melinda nodded, and Piper took her face in her hands. She leaned in, pressing a kiss to Melinda's forehead.
"You are absolutely beautiful. Dean is a lucky man."
Melinda smiled, taking Piper's hand as a knock sounded at the door.
"Everybody ready?"
Melinda and Piper exchanged a smile as Leo stepped inside. He stopped at the door, laying a hand over his heart when he saw Melinda.
"Hey, Daddy."
Tears came to Leo's eyes, and he shook his head, a smile on his face as he walked over to Melinda.
"Baby, this dress… You look incredible, sweetheart."
"Thank you."
Leo moved in, kissing her cheek, and Piper ran a hand over his back. Leo sniffed, and Piper pressed a kiss to his cheek. Knocks came at the door again, and Melinda opened the door with a flick of her wrist. Wyatt and Chris stepped in, smiles on their faces.
"They're ready to start, Mel. Aunt Prue just got here."
Melinda nodded and Chris walked over.
"Wow, little sister. You clean up nice."
Melinda laughed.
"You're not so bad yourself, big brother."
Chris hugged her, then Wyatt. As Wyatt held her, he whispered in her ear.
"Don't cry, Mel."
"I'm trying not to."
Wyatt nodded, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Chris slid his hands in his pockets.
"Mel, what you did for Dean… With his mom and dad…"
Chris shook his head, and Wyatt laid a hand to Chris' back.
"It was perfect, Mel."
Leo nodded.
"And I think it may have helped Sam more than it did Dean."
Melinda looked to him, blue eyes wide and hopeful. Leo nodded, and she smiled.
"Good. That's—that's just what I wanted."
Wyatt walked over to Piper, holding out his arm.
"Come on, Mom."
Piper nodded, turning to embrace Melinda once more.
"Just breathe, honey."
Melinda nodded as Piper kissed her cheek. Piper threaded her arm through Wyatt's, and Chris followed behind them with a camera. Melinda let out a breath, turning back to pick up her bouquet. She turned to face her father, and Leo laid his hands on her shoulders.
"Wait just a second."
She looked up at him and he smiled.
"Take a breath, sweetheart."
She did, laying the bouquet down and reaching up. Leo let her take his hands and she gripped them tightly. She took in another breath, letting it out shakily. Leo spoke quietly.
"Honey. Hey, Mel? What is it, sweetie?"
She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
"Daddy, I don't think I can do this."
Well... I'll admit, I didn't see this coming. I just started writing this chapter, and the plot bunny took off. Will their nerves get the best of them? Will they make it to the altar? Have no fear, a new chapter shall come soon!