Twelve

Dean felt as though the future was soon coming to an end, or rather his inside his mind. There was a part of him that didn't want to it to end. There was a part of him that wanted it to stay as it was. He could be perfectly content wandering through the tendrils of his mind forever, but he knew beyond his mind was the waking world. He needed to be there. He needed to see his family again. He needed to wake up.

"You brother's life still intertwines with yours," Holly explained as they landed. "It is important you see some of his future as well, to show that you are still family."

"I guess me and Sammy had to grow apart at some time." Dean sighed, he didn't know if he could imagine his life without Sam in it every day, but he supposed that was what this event was supposed to prove to him.

Holly motioned to the house once again and now there were two cars in front of it. Dean's iconic Impala and another old car from the Men of Letters bunker. Sam must've driven it all the way there. The car was filled to the brim with a few suitcases and small pieces of furniture and was running. Six human figures and one dog stood on the front steps of the house.

"Gonna miss yah Sammy," Future Dean hugged his younger brother and held him tight for a moment. "We gotta stop splitting up like this man."

"Hey," Sam joked. "At least this time one of us isn't dead."

"Very true," Future Dean laughed. "Hey do these tacos taste funny to you?"

"Stop," Sam replied. "No more talk of that infernal Tuesday."

Dean's daughter looked very confused. She held her brother's hand as he watched the fallen leaves blow down the sidewalk and into the street. He seemed less sad than anyone about his uncle's departure, but he was also young. Castiel stood by his brother Gabriel and nodded in response to Gabriel's goodbye. Even after being with Future Dean for so long, he still hadn't learned many human gestures down to a tee.

"Inside joke." Future Dean quickly clarified.

"I'm gonna miss you…" Dean's daughter hugged Sam around his middle and Sam returned the hug more gently than he had Future Dean's.

"You'll see me at Christmas," Sam replied. "I promise."

Sam swung his old duffel bag he used for hunting over his shoulder and begun to walk towards the car. Gabriel followed by his side. Dean watched his brother, walking with the archangel. He seemed to have no destination in mind, yet he seemed to know where he was going in that car. Dean had never seen this amount of determination or happiness in Sam before, not positive determination that is and certainly never true happiness. Dean saw the way Sam smiled over at Gabriel and Gabriel's playful but sincere smirk back at his brother. Dean remembered his time with Cassie. Thought it had been short, he remembered looking at her like that. Smiling with her like that. Loving her like that.

"It was like you with Castiel," Holly explained to Dean, coming up beside him. "The emotional attraction was there first, the physical came after. Sexuality is fluid. We can't help who we love; all we can help is why we love them."

Gabriel opened the passenger door and Sam begun to walk around to the driver's side, but he suddenly felt pressure on his leg. Daniel had broken free from his sister's grip and ran all the way over to Sam. He hugged him around the leg and looked saddened suddenly. His sister looked at him, slightly shocked. Sam smiled down at the young boy.

"Hey champ," Sam knelt down, so he was at his level. "I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back for Christmas and every other holiday or occasion. Ok?"

"I don't want you to leave," Daniel's bottom lip quivered. "I love you too much."

Dean could almost physically feel his heartstrings aching.

"I'll always be with you," Sam explained to Daniel. "I promise I'm not gonna leave forever."

"Take me with you!" Daniel exclaimed, making it sound like the best idea in the world to him.

"Now if I took you with me," Sam replied playfully. "Then who would take care of your daddy? See that used to be my job."

Future Dean smiled, Dean did as well, pride radiated through each of theirs.

"Really?" Daniel asked.

"Really," Sam nodded with a smile. "We used to have to take care of each other, but now I need someone to take over that very special job. I think you could do it?"

"I wanna do it!" Daniel replied, a smile returning to his face.

"Ok then," Sam smiled. "Can you watch over your daddy for me while I'm gone? Make sure he's ok?"

"Yes," Daniel nodded. "Daddy I'm s'posed to watch over you!"

"Ok kiddo," Future Dean chuckled and gently patted Titan's back, signaling him it was time to go collect Daniel. "Why don't you come on inside so Uncle Sammy can get going? It's getting cold anyway."

Daniel nodded frantically, hugging Sam and giving him a kiss on the cheek, before running inside of the house with Titan by his side the whole time, the hound even gave a paternal bump on the boy's back to ensure he was headed in the right direction. Dean smiled fondly at the Angelhound he was yet to own. He liked him already; he enjoyed seeing such a parental nature coming from such an unlikely source. Titan's appearance made for a rather interesting discussion as to whether he was friendly or not to the average neighbor. To the average eye he appeared to be a wolf.

"He watches over Daniel for your son's lifetime," Holly explained. "The entirety of your family as well. Even Sam while he's away."

"That's a comforting thought," Dean nodded in response and he watched as the car Sam had borrowed started to drive away from the curb and down the street, his brother at the wheel. "Speaking of Sam, where is he going?"

Future Dean and his family started off into the house just as Holly put a hand on Dean's shoulder and took him to the next event. Dean landed in the middle of an unfamiliar living room. He was in a small apartment, the ceilings were high enough so as not to cause claustrophobia and the flooring was solid wood. There was some furniture, but none of it was lavish or expensive looking. There was a small TV in the corner near a sliding glass door. Dean turned around and looked out to the backyard which was an expanse of nothing, but sand, dunes, and ocean. There was a small path through the dunes leading from the deck to the beach. There were separate doors leading to two other rooms, one of which Dean assumed was a bedroom and the other was visibly an office. There was a small kitchen near the front door where Dean saw a sight he didn't think he'd ever see.

His younger brother and Gabriel were both in the kitchen, there was music blasting, music Dean would never listen to, but he knew made his brother happy. Sam's head was thrown back in laughter as he and Gabriel danced. Gabriel's smile was beaming like it was made of sunshine itself as he looked up at Sam's outburst. Whatever they were cooking was still in the stove, it had some time left on it. The two of them were in sock feet and Sam in a t-shirt and his Stanford sweatpants. Gabriel was dressed in his usual attire, minus the green jacket he usually wore which was hung on a peg in the wall near the entrance. When Sam stopped laughing about whatever he'd been laughing about he looked back down to see Gabriel staring at him.

Dean observed the way they looked at each other. He could see one million titles: friends, companions, kindred spirits, and Dean could easily add one more: happy. Dean, who had been so opposed at first to Sam's relationship with the former Trickster in the beginning of his future, saw now what he'd been missing from the beginning. This was his future yes, but his brother wasn't ceasing to be a part of it either. Sam finally had what he and Dean had been fighting for from the beginning: happiness. Dean broke into an even bigger smile at his conclusion.

Gabriel's eyes seemingly sparkled and Sam's hazed over. The pair kissed, sweet and gently. There was nothing, but passion in it. Dean smiled again, turning away. He didn't want to invade on such a private moment. The light was shining through the sliding glass door and onto Holly. Her eyes shimmered, almost glass like. Or that glass was in them? Dean shook it off, a trick of his eyes maybe? Holly looked away and out the door. The clouds covered the sun, almost as thought she'd willed them to. Dean couldn't help, but stare.

"Your brother kept his promise," Holly explained, flying them back to Future Dean's house. "He comes for every Christmas and other occasion. It makes the kids happy."

The house was lit up with Christmas lights. Something Dean normally dreaded, but in this event they seemed to light up in such a way that it almost made him smile…almost. He typically hated Christmas. Sam did too. But as Dean was transported inside, he felt a whole new emotion take over. It was nothing, but joy and wonderful smells in the house. There was a turkey cooking in the oven from what he could smell. There was a rather big Christmas tree covered in ornaments and lights in the corner of the living room. There was already a load of presents underneath it. There were three very full stockings hanging above the fireplace. Dean's daughter sat on the couch, reading a book. Daniel hopped around in excitement and anticipation all while playing with a toy plane he was currently flying around the living room with his hand. The sound effects courtesy of his mouth. Castiel sat at the dining room table, going over some papers. Future Dean was in the kitchen, cooking everything that was producing the yummy smells. Dean felt like he was in a fairy tale.

"When's Uncle Sammy and Uncle Gabe gonna get here," Daniel whined impatiently from the living room, his body sliding down onto the floor from where he'd been seated on the footrest. "So we can open presents?"

"Presents," Future Dean came out of the kitchen, teasing his son with a smile on his face. "What are these presents you speak of? I don't see any presents at least not for you?"

"What," Daniel exclaimed. "The presents are right here! I saw my name on a bunch of em!"

"Oh those presents," Future Dean pretended to act clueless. "Duh! Some of those are for you yeah, but I bet Santa gave you coal in your stocking yah little stinker!"

Future Dean picked his son up upside down by the ankles and gave a zerbert to his belly. Daniel squealed in delight and squirmed, trying to get free of Future Dean's grasp. Titan entered the room and barked at all of the excitement.

"Titan," Future Dean exclaimed, laughing the whole time. "Get his face! Lick him!"

"No!" Daniel squealed. Future Dean's daughter was laughing harder than even Dean was.

Titan gladly obliged and proceeded to lick all of Daniel's face as he squealed even louder and tried hard to get away from Future Dean. Finally, after Daniel's face was thoroughly sticky from hound slobber, Future Dean swung his son back upwards and balanced him on his hip. Daniel rubbed at his face. The timer for their dinner went off at the same time as the sound of a car engine being cut off in front of the house. Titan barked.

"Uncle Sammy and Uncle Gabe!" Daniel jumped out of Future Dean's arms and started to run for the door, but Castiel stopped him.

"Go wash your face," Castiel instructed him, Daniel pouted. "Sam and Gabriel will still be here when you're done. You can't greet them with a face full of dog slobber can you?"

"So I can't," Daniel pointed to Titan, who was next to him. "But Titan can?"

Future Dean's laughter erupted from the living room. Titan cocked his head.

"He's special," Castiel patted Daniel's bottom and hurried him along to the upstairs bathroom. "Now do as I said please."

Daniel scrambled off up the stairs to wash his face. Sam and Gabriel stepped through the front door, each wearing a matching Santa hat. Dean's daughter stood from her spot on the couch and walked over towards the door, taking the bags of gifts off of Sam and Gabriel's hands. Castiel greeted them each with a warm hug and Future Dean patted Sam on the back during his. Sam scratched behind Titan's ears and the Angelhound gave a content sigh. Daniel bolted down the stairs.

"Uncle Sammy! Uncle Gabe!" he yelled and about knocked Sam over when he hugged him. Sam laughed and patted his head.

"Hey there champ," Sam smiled. "You been good for your dad and your papa?"

"Well duh," Daniel laughed. Dean couldn't help, but notice how much Daniel looked like he did when he was younger, but with an even mix of Castiel in there too. His two different colored eyes were his distinct feature. A little unique trait from Annahita. "Whatcha bring me?!'

"Daniel," Castiel scolded. "That is not very polite. They just got here."

"Sorry…" Daniel sheepishly looked down.

"Hey," Gabriel smirked. "It's all good. It is Christmas isn't it? The kid's just excited is all! As for what we brought you, well you're gonna like it."

Daniel's face lit up and he jumped up and down excitedly. The radio was softly playing in the living room, set to a local station. Dean was shocked; it was so rare that Dean didn't play rock and roll.

"We are love, we are one. We are how we treat each other when the day is done. We are peace, we are war. We are how we treat each other and nothing more."

The voice coming out of the radio was smooth and happy. Dean, an avid rock and roll lover, determined he liked the song already. He watched as happy smiling faces joined together in the living room and the song seemed to last forever. There was a part of Dean, a part he'd tell nowhere, that wished it would.

Because he wished he could see the smiling faces of his family opening their gifts for hours. He could watch Daniel unwrap his Hot Wheels Tracks and army men all day. His daughter got mostly clothes and music. Castiel got a lot of books. Future Dean got some automotive stuff, but also a model car kit that he and Daniel could do together. Sam got ITunes money and new workout gear. Gabriel got a scarf. Titan proudly flaunted the bright red collar with angelic wing dog tags on it he'd received. Dean got a warm fuzzy feeling.

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Dean found that moments later he and Holly were walking. They were walking with the group known as Dean's future family. They were all donning their winter coats, scarves, gloves and hats. Daniel ran ahead of all of them, Titan fast on his trail as Castiel warned him to watch for cars. Future Dean's daughter strode by Castiel a smile on her face. She was beautiful; Dean could've guessed she was at least twenty now maybe a little older. Daniel looked at least eight. Dean wasn't trying to keep track of ages though, only moments. Future Dean walked next to Castiel; the pair was hand in hand. Sam and Gabriel trailed the pack, walking side by side. Dean and Holly were right beside them. Their conversation was the only one Dean heard.

"They're something aren't they?" Gabriel remarked on Future Dean and Castiel's children.

"Perfect angels," Sam laughed. "Quite literally."

"You ever think about it?" Gabriel asked. Dean knew what the archangel meant.

"Not yet Gabe," Sam smiled, looking over Daniel once again, running amuck and Future Dean's daughter who'd turned into a beautiful young woman overnight. "Not just yet."

"Ok Sammy," Gabriel took his hand and smiled up at him. "How about a dog first?"

"That sounds perfect." Sam replied and the pair kept walking, trying to catch up with the others. Dean saw the park where he'd met Holly and where this had all started. He sensed this was all starting to come full circle. Holly held back, stopping as Dean kept walking. He stopped moments later and turned around, confused.

Holly looked almost…scared.

"What is it?" Dean asked.

"Not yet," she muttered to herself, and then looked over at Dean. "I don't think you're going to like what comes next…"

Holly's eyes looked like they were made of glass again. Dean became increasingly more concerned. Holly looked as though she couldn't control what was happening next. They were being whisked away, not by her hand.

The next thing Dean knew he and her were standing in a median on a busy road. At least the road would've been busy during the day. It was night and Dean had an overwhelming feeling of what appeared to be dread.

Reviews are appreciated!

So? What happens next and why is Holly acting so darn strangely?

A lot of you have asked this and a lot of you shall receive your answers and in the next few chapters. Only a few more to go folks!