**Nothing from Charmed or Supernatural belongs to me.**
Chapter Twenty-Three
*The Reception*
Dean held Melinda close to him, her head resting on his shoulder, as The Way You Look Tonight played softly through the speakers. His parents were across from them, John holding Mary close, her arms wrapped around his neck, their foreheads touching as they gently swayed. Piper laughed as Leo dipped her, making Melinda smile as she watched them. She felt Dean's lips against her forehead and she moved to look at him before going up on her toes, pressing her lips to his. She'd ditched her shoes a while back, laughing when Kate had tried them on. Kate was now in Sam's arms, because she liked to feel tall, with her head on his shoulder, and she was blinking slowly, her eyes drifting shut before opening wide.
"She's sinking, isn't she?"
Melinda smiled.
"Looks that way. Maybe we should go ahead and wrap this up? Before we lose her?"
Dean smiled back at her.
"I have no objections."
"Yeah, I know."
He laughed, following behind Melinda as she walked over to Paige, whispering in her ear. Paige smiled and nodded.
"Hey, you guys! Let's get some cake!"
Melinda let Dean cut the cake, letting out a sigh of relief when he fed her a small bite. She smiled at him, feeding him some, then taking a dab of icing and smearing it on his nose. He smiled and shook his head, and she moved to kiss him where she'd smeared it, making him fight back a moan. They didn't bother trying to feed each other a piece of pie, and Dean didn't even try to hide the smile of pure glee that crossed his face when he saw every kind of pie imaginable on his table.
"You're welcome, by the way."
He kissed Piper's cheek, and she waved him off, into the front hall and foyer. Melinda and Dean walked up the steps, while Phoebe gathered the single girls into a crowd. Jo rolled her eyes as Phoenix took her hand, pulling her onto the floor along with Paris, Peyton, Anna, Jenny, and Kate. Melinda looked at them, gave them a wide smile, then turned away, tossing her bouquet over her head …
Right into Peyton's arms. Everyone laughed, and Peyton just shook her head.
Dean helped Melinda sit on the step as he lifted up her skirt, gliding his hands up her leg, trying to find her garter. He smiled, watching Melinda as she watched him, as he deliberately "missed" the garter a few times. It took everything she had to keep a straight face, but in her mind, where Dean could hear her loud and clear, she was moaning and threatening him. Just you wait seemed to be one he … well, he just couldn't wait for.
He smiled, sliding the garter off her leg, holding it up as the single guys crowded the floor. Melinda put her elbows on her knees, watching as Wyatt, Chris, and Matt dragged Chuck with them. Bobby was explaining to Castiel what was going on, while Sam stood behind them with his hands in his pockets, laughing. Dean grinned as he looked over his shoulder, then winked at Melinda as he shot the garter …
Over everyone's heads, where Sam caught it just before it would have hit him in the face.
Melinda's mouth dropped open, immediately catching Peyton's eyes, while the room went silent. Chuck smiled and bit his lip, trying to stifle his laughter. He'd known exactly how that would pan out, and it was just as good as he'd seen. Dean leaned over to help Melinda up.
"Well, well. Would you look at that."
"Isn't that something?"
They spoke quietly, sharing a smile, and walked back downstairs. Kate blinked heavy eyes at them from Wyatt's shoulder, and Melinda smiled. She walked over and went up on her toes, pressing a kiss to Kate's cheek.
"You did wonderful today, princess."
"Thank you, Aunt Melinda. You looked really pretty."
Melinda smiled, and Dean came up beside her, kissing Kate's cheek, too.
"I love you, Uncle Dean."
Dean smiled.
"You too, Katie."
Wyatt winked at Melinda, leaning to kiss her cheek, shaking Dean's hand before he walked upstairs to put Kate to bed. Peyton stepped forward, smiling as she took Melinda's hands.
"So… Sam and I spent a long time trying to decide what we should get you as a present."
"Oh, Peyton. You didn't have to get us anything."
"We know. But we did anyway."
Sam walked up, holding out a key that he dropped into Dean's hand. Dean and Melinda looked at it, then back up to Sam. He smiled.
"That is to a cottage on the beach of a very secluded island in the Bahamas."
Melinda's eyes grew wide and Peyton smiled.
"No one else on this island but you two, completely cut off from everything and everyone … Except us, you know. For an entire week."
"Wait a minute."
"Peyton, we can't just—"
Dean and Melinda started to speak at the same time, but Peyton held a hand up.
"You deserve this. Everyone deserves a honeymoon. And we are less than a phone call away, you know that. We'll be fine for a week."
Melinda shook her head, then let out a laugh. Peyton looked back and Anna nodded, whispering "suitcases," which orbed in right beside them. Sam and Peyton wore identical smiles.
"And you're all set. Just give us the word, and you can be there in no time."
Dean smiled, turning the key over in his hand. Melinda looked up at him, the same look of happy disbelief on her face. Dean leaned down to kiss her, then looked back to his brother.
"Sammy… You're the man!"
Everyone fell out laughing as Dean walked to wrap Sam in a hug. Peyton hugged Melinda, until Phoebe cleared her throat. They turned to look at her and she smiled, letting out a sigh.
"It's almost midnight."
Mary looked over to John, and he smiled softly, nodding. Mary nodded back to him, and Dean walked over to his parents. As the room cleared out, except for Melinda, Sam, and Peyton, Mary wrapped Dean in her arms.
"I love you, sweetheart. Take care of this girl, okay?"
"I will, Mom. I love you."
Tears rolled down Mary's cheeks, but she smiled through them. Dean turned to John, who smiled and wrapped his son in his arms.
"I'm so proud of you, Dean. Keep it up, okay?"
Dean nodded, and John sighed before speaking quietly.
"I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad. I miss you."
There were tears in both their eyes, and Melinda stepped over, right into Mary's embrace.
"You take care of my boy, okay?"
"I will."
"I know you will."
Mary smiled as she held Melinda's face in her hands for a moment. Melinda moved to John, who smiled.
"Thank you for saving me, all those years ago."
John looked down, then back to her.
"Thank you for saving my son."
Melinda smiled, going up on her toes to kiss John's cheek. Sam stepped over and John smiled, clapping a hand on Sam's shoulder. Melinda turned away, while Dean went back to Mary, resting his head on her shoulder, letting her run her hand across his hair, the other rubbing his back. John grabbed Sam up in a hug, and Sam shut his eyes, trying not to cry.
"Sam. Sammy, listen to me."
Sam nodded against John's shoulder, and John let out a breath.
"You know what to do. It's not going to be easy, but you have to do it, okay? Clean up your mess, son."
Sam nodded again.
"Yes, sir."
John nodded, squeezing Sam once more before letting him go. They locked eyes for a moment, and John smiled.
"You are my son, and no matter what happens, I … I love you, Sam."
Sam smiled as a tear slid down his cheek.
"I love you too, Dad."
Dean walked back over to John, and Sam turned to Mary, who had her head tilted to the side and was smiling at him. She opened her arms and he sighed as he walked into her embrace. Mary held a hand to the back of his head.
"My sweet boy. My Sammy."
"I miss you, Mom."
"I know, honey."
She leaned back, enough to look in his eyes, taking his face in her hands.
"You're a good man, Sam. I'm so proud of you."
"Mom, I—"
"Shh."
She took him in her arms again, letting out a sigh.
"You are a good man. You'll do the right thing. You are my son, and no matter what happens, I love you."
Sam squeezed his eyes shut. John had said the exact same thing, but Sam felt like he didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve anything. Behind him, Peyton let out a quiet gasp. Sam and Mary turned, looking over to her as her dark eyes filled with tears. She walked over, reaching up to lay a hand on Sam's face.
"Stop."
Sam smiled at her, reveling in the feeling of her soft hand on his face. She held it there for a moment, then gently patted him and walked away. He watched her go, then turned back to his mother, who had a big smile on her face.
"Mom, I—"
"She's good for you, Sammy."
He let out a breath and Mary laid a hand on his back.
"I messed up real bad, Mom."
She nodded.
"Then you know what you have to do, right?"
Sam let out a laugh.
"Fix it."
"There's my boy. My smart Sammy."
He laughed again, reaching to take her in his arms, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"I love you, Mom."
Mary swallowed, trying and failing to blink away her tears.
"I love you, my Sammy."
The clock began to chime, and Mary glanced back to John. He smiled, holding out a hand, and she went to him. Dean was holding Melinda, and Sam walked up behind his brother. John and Mary smiled at them, and Mary let out a sigh.
"I love you. All of you. Don't ever give up, all right?"
They nodded, and as everyone walked back into the room, John wrapped his arms around Mary.
"Be good, boys."
They nodded, and John looked over, smiling at Bobby.
"Thank you for taking care of my boys, Bobby. Keep it up?"
Bobby swallowed, nodding his head.
"Always, John."
John nodded, smiling over at Piper, Phoebe, and Paige. They nodded back to him, and he looked back at his sons. His eldest, holding tightly to his new wife. And his youngest, staring back at him with the weight of the world on his shoulders. John gave Sam a nod, getting one in return.
"You know what to do. Do it."
Sam and Dean nodded at their father, who smiled. He looked down at Mary, who was looking up at him. They smiled, turning to their sons, speaking at the same time.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Sam and Dean spoke in the same voice, staring at their parents. Mary and John closed their eyes, and in a flash of light, they were gone. Melinda let out a sigh, turning around to hold Dean. Sam let his head fall, until he felt a hand on his back. He turned to look and Peyton was gently smiling up at him. He sighed, pulling her in his arms and she let him, running her hands through his hair.
After a while, when everyone else had demolished the cake and a couple of pies, Peyton stepped up, whispering in Melinda's ear. Melinda nodded, as Piper came walking back to the crowd. She had a bag in her hands that she set beside their suitcases.
"Okay, I've set you up with some food. Including most of the leftover pies."
Dean walked over, wrapping Piper in his arms, making her laugh.
"Okay, okay. You better get going."
Melinda smiled, walking to Piper, who smiled as she hugged her. Piper ran a hand over Melinda's hair, letting out a sigh. Leo stepped up then, bringing Melinda to him. He kissed her forehead, walking away as Melinda took Piper's hand. She whispered in her ear, and Piper smiled, nodding.
"Hey, Chris?"
Chris turned to look at his mother.
"Why don't you take Dean and the luggage to this island, show him around a bit?"
Chris smiled and nodded, he and Dean each taking a bag before Chris laid a hand on Dean's shoulder. In a swirl of blue, they were gone. Piper and Peyton followed Melinda up the stairs, to her bedroom, while the rest of the party stood around. Jenny clapped her hands together.
"Well, anyone want to dance?"
Matt let out a laugh.
"Forget dancing. We can't let all that booze go to waste. Who's with me?"
Cheers and laughter rang out as everyone moved back outside, to dance and drink a little bit more.
Upstairs, Piper gently lifted the veil from Melinda's head. She walked over, laying it out on the bed as Peyton stepped up, and Melinda let out a groan as Peyton took the pins from her hair. When they were all out, Peyton gently massaged Melinda's scalp.
"Oh, girl. Keep on and I won't make it past this bed."
Peyton and Piper laughed, then helped Melinda to her feet. Piper stepped back, undoing the buttons down the back of the dress, and with Peyton's help, they got it off. Melinda slumped over before shaking out her shoulders.
"Jesus, no one tells you how heavy the damn dress is. Or how good it feels to get it off."
"I think an even better feeling is coming up next. Oh!"
Peyton laughed as Piper leaned over and swatted her on the arm. Melinda laughed, slipping various undergarments off.
"Mama, you got the veil?"
Piper smiled.
"Right here. And the bracelet, too."
Melinda smiled and pulled her robe on. Piper smiled.
"Okay. This is my cue to exit."
Piper walked over to hug her daughter one last time.
"I love you, baby girl."
"I love you too, Mama. Thanks for everything."
Piper just smiled, resting her hands on Melinda's face. She kissed her forehead one more time, then left the room. Peyton smiled.
"Now, are we going with the white?"
Melinda smiled and nodded. Peyton handed Melinda the various components of the lingerie set, and when she was all dressed, Peyton stepped back.
"Holy shit, Mel."
"What?"
Peyton shook her head, moving so Melinda could look behind her, at the mirror. Blue eyes went wide when Melinda saw her reflection.
"Whoa."
Her honey-blonde hair curled around her face, falling over her shoulders. The white silk stood out against her skin tone, which she could only hope would tan at this beach. The silk hugged her curves, flowing out gently under her breasts and over her hips. Peyton smiled as she shook her head.
"Dean's not going to know what to do with himself."
"I hope you're wrong, because I've waited ten days for this."
Peyton laughed before she stepped over to Melinda. She helped Melinda slip the short silk robe on, then faced her.
"Ready, Mrs. Winchester?"
Melinda smiled, laying her hands in Peyton's.
"Ready."
Dean stood at the window, watching the white-capped waves roll onto the sand. Even though it was night, he could tell how beautiful everything around them seemed. He had one hand in his pocket, a glass of whiskey in the other. Chris had poured it for him before he left, and he was nursing it slowly. He had his jacket draped over a chair, and his sleeves were unbuttoned, rolled up nearly to his elbows. Candles were lit all around the room, lighting the way to the bedroom, where a king-sized bed waited. Dean took another sip, then heard a throat being cleared behind him. He smiled, setting the glass down before he turned around.
"Oh my God."
Melinda smiled, watching Dean as his eyes grew wide, then went dark. He swallowed, staring at her in the soft candlelight. She spoke quietly.
"Hi, honey."
"Melinda…"
He said her name almost reverently, and she felt her cheeks grow warm. Dean slowly made his way to her, walking on shaky legs, before he took her hand. He couldn't take his eyes from her. She smiled at him, and his lips slowly curved.
"You look incredible."
"What, this old thing?"
Dean laughed as he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her.
"So beautiful."
She let out a sigh as she relaxed against him, as she felt his hand drifting gently up and down her back.
"You good?"
Melinda smiled.
"I'm good. You?"
"Very good. Oh, here."
Dean stepped away, moving to grab a glass of champagne.
"Chris poured this for you before he left."
Melinda smiled as she took the glass from Dean, her fingers gently brushing his. She took a sip, walking over to look out the window at the waves. Dean stood behind her, caught up in just watching her. After a moment, he walked up behind her, sliding his hands over her hips. Her breath caught in her throat as he gently kissed her neck, and a nervous laugh bubbled out of her mouth.
"God."
"Mel, what is it?"
She laughed some more, shaking her head.
"I don't know why, but … I'm nervous. It's—it's not like this is the first time. I just…"
Dean pressed another kiss to her neck, taking the glass of champagne from her before it slid out of her hand. She let out a breath.
"Dean, I … Oh."
He smiled as he turned her around, covering her lips with his. Her arms drifted up around his neck and he pulled her close to him, his warm hands covering her back. Her fingers slid through his hair and Dean let out a groan. He gently slid the robe from Melinda's shoulders, and she slowly unbuttoned his shirt. She helped him push it down over his arms and Dean reached, pulling his undershirt over his head. Melinda smiled.
"Impatient."
"Ten days, Melinda. I've waited for this for ten whole days."
Melinda laughed quietly, moving her hands to his face. He felt her ring against his cheek, the new one he'd just slipped on her finger hours earlier. His eyes drifted shut.
"So have I."
"Mel."
He said her name softly, wrapping his arms around her as she went on her toes to kiss him again. Dean let his hands slide down, gripping her hips and, just as he'd hoped, her knees buckled. He swooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He heard her intake of breath as she saw the big bed.
"Oh my … That's for us?"
Dean smiled, kissing her forehead. He walked over, laying her down on the bed, and she let out a moan.
"Oh, it's so comfortable."
"You've got to stop making noises like that, babe."
She smiled, moving up on her elbows as Dean unbuckled his belt. He sat on the bed to untie his shoes and Melinda moved up behind him, peppering kisses along the back of his neck and shoulders. He stopped, closing his eyes and letting out a harsh breath as Melinda smiled. Somehow, and Dean wasn't exactly sure how, his shoes and socks were gone. Dean stood up, facing the bed, unbuttoning his pants, and Melinda sat up on her knees, lifting her short gown up and over her head. Dean's hands faltered, falling to his sides as Melinda reached behind her back to undo her bra.
"Wait."
She stopped, looking over to him, and Dean swallowed. He walked back to the bed.
"Let me."
She smiled, letting her hands grip his biceps as he reached behind her. He leaned in and kissed her, pulling the straps over her arms before he dropped the bra on the floor. He moved back, looking down, and Melinda felt her cheeks grow warm.
"Dean, I—"
"Shh."
He moved to kiss her neck, looping his arms around her waist, and she let her hands come up, one around his shoulder, the other gripping the back of his head. She let out a moan that turned into a gasp as Dean gently bit her neck. She writhed in his arms for a moment, and he pulled back with a smile.
"That's a new reaction."
"Ten damn days."
She grabbed his face as he laughed, pulling his mouth back to hers as he gently pushed her back, causing her to lay on the pillows, holding himself up on his arms as he looked down at her. She opened her eyes to stare into his, whimpering his name as he bent to press his lips to hers again. He kissed from her mouth down her neck, over her collarbone—where there is a very good chance he may have left an impressive mark on her skin—down to her breasts, over her stomach, across her hipbones—where he placed another impressive mark—before hooking his thumbs in her tiny lace panties.
"Oh my—Dean."
She tried to say more, wanted to say more, but she could no longer speak. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he used his mouth on her. She was hot. Damn, how did she get this hot? It was too much. Too much heat, too many feelings, too many sensations happening to her at once. She felt a kiss against her thigh and let out a strangled groan before she glanced down, seeing Dean smiling at her.
"Let go, baby. Just let go for me."
He ducked his head again and when she felt his mouth on her again, the world just exploded. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened her mouth, but not a sound came out. Dean helped her through it, moving his hands up to lock with hers, and she gripped him with all her strength. Her body bowed up on the bed, and after what seemed like forever, she let out a quiet moan as she sank back down.
She felt Dean's hand brushing through her hair, pressing little kisses around her eyes and down her cheeks. She opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her, and she kept her eyes open as he leaned down to kiss her again. After a minute, she was able to lift shaky arms to wrap around him. Dean settled, careful not to press his full weight on her, and when her fingers started moving through his hair, he let out a groan. Melinda moved to kiss his cheek, running the tip of her tongue through the shadow of stubble on his jaw.
"Mel."
"I'm right here, baby."
As Melinda kissed down his neck, her hand traveled down the ripple of muscle in his back. She kept trying to push him over, to lay him on the bed, but he wouldn't budge. She slid her hand around, fingers barely touching him and Dean shook his head and gasped out a breath.
"Mel, I—Wait."
He steeled himself above her, gritting his teeth together. Melinda lifted her hands back up, and Dean took them, locking one of his hands around her wrists, pinning them above her head. He shook his head, letting out a pained laugh.
"I—I can't, Mel.
"Baby."
"I need … God, Mel."
Dean lowered his head to fuse his mouth with Melinda's. She tried to move her hands, but Dean had them in an iron grip. He just assaulted her mouth, and she loved every second of it. After a moment, he let go of her wrists and she wrapped her arms around him, while he let his hands drift down, taking hold of her hips. She pulled back when he did, arching up off the bed, letting out a groan. Dean bit back a moan of his own, staying still until she opened her eyes again. He locked eyes with her, then slid into her. Their gasps were identical, and when he was buried inside her, he kissed her.
"I love you, Mel."
"Dean. My God—Dean, I love you."
Her breathing was speeding up, and when he rolled his hips, she gasped again. She gripped his shoulders as he continued to thrust. He hissed out a breath when he felt her nails digging into his shoulders, scoring up and down his back. She kept repeating his name as he moved, a sound he loved to hear. And then, almost without warning, she let out a scream. As her body tightened, Dean let out a hoarse groan. They both held onto the pleasure for as long as they could, and the other's name was the last thing they knew before everything went dark.