Dean Winchester II Pov
*Back In The Past*
The morning air was decreasing.
The sound of birds chirping reminded me of all-nighters that I once pulled with Cassa.
In college we were the best of study buddies. One minute we were debating on historical knowledge, that led to day long radio silence, yet within a week we kissed and makeup- Literally, then back to studying monsters and the hunt.
Cassa and I always had an unbreakable and resilient-bond. We were only ever known as the cool-weird kids that always talk in hush-theoretical-tones. Though the over-doers came to us when they needed cheat notes, because they were out all night blowing-steam. We never complained, just completely understood in quiet judgmental nods.
You can say college flew by when our midnights turned into our afternoons. I'm amazed that we always made it on time to our classes and part time jobs. Freshman year of college I had a mechanic job and then my last two years I moonlighted in an underground poker rink. It was fun for a while.
Weeks before Cassa and I's final year of college we learned that she was carrying twins, I was nervous the entire time she was pregnant. It wasn't until I held their tiny bodies in my arms, that I knew that this life was for something.
I cannot recall the last time I sat and watched the twins sleep. It's something I once did every night when they were toddlers. Sometimes, lately I'll peek into their rooms to check on them, though I would not stay long.
For some odd reason I had become obsessed with finding the Baozhu, just for the simple fact that it took up my entire time and focus.
I spent my days fixing on the whereabouts of the Baozhu, casting my time with Cassa and the twins aside. Not a move of a great father or husband.. Is something my dad would say. He would tell me not to forget what's important, and to get my head right. In a sense, maybe I have been taking them for granted without realizing it.
Before my family all I had was my father. I was his only family just as he was mine. We cooked together, ate together, cleaned, and read books. That was our routine for years. Things were simple, easy. We only lived for each other, and once I started to grow and meet new people-little by little things began to change.
The day I reunited with Cassa and started to learn about her, it wasn't long until I knew I'd fallen in love with her.
I see now that I can never jeopardize my time with her.
Ever again.
Waiting outside the now not so invisible house, I knew the second Joseph stepped foot on the old rotten blueberries on the ground, which I noticed when we exited the cabin the night Samson found us.
It was clear that Naysa had put a spell on the house, just as she had cast one on Joseph somehow.
It puzzled me that the further he got from this place, the more he felt ill.
Whatever witchy-woo Naysa has him on, it cannot be good.
"Dean? Joseph calls out, stepping onto the porch.
"Yeah?" I say rushing towards him.
"Come. Naysa has agreed to help you home." He smiled happily.
In my mind all I could see was Cassa.
The image of Cassa, as beautiful as the day she agreed to marry me.
I was ready to go home.
I jogged up the wooden steps, and inside the quiet cabin.
Stunned with her now so down-to-earth look, her hair was down her shoulders, yet- baggy eyes of tiredness.
"Hi?" I spoke not wanting to be too eager.
I hope she is well enough to do magic, she seems completely drained.
"You wish to return home?" She asks.
"Yeah." I nodded. "Before I go… Naysa, You- Can you tell me why Joseph felt sick away from this place? After the Wendigo died he started feeling ill? Why was that?" I questioned.
"Spelled, for his health and care." She took a breath. "He searches for danger like a lion hunts for food." She then gives Joseph a knowing look.
Joseph bowed his head down bashfully.
"I put my trust in that once you return home you tell no one of this time here." Naysa says to me, and I frown at the thought of not being able to explain this time to Cassa.
"I understand." I nodded.
"Don't forget me, Dean." Joseph spoke quickly.
I smirked. "I certainly won't, Joe." I laid a hand on his shoulder.
He smiled with a nod. He is my family after all. I could never forget him.
"He's young, handsome and resilient. Without question- power-filled. He will become a great man." Naysa says of Joseph looking at me.
I nodded, already knowing so.
I looked at Joseph, my blood, my family.
"You helped me realize what I've been oblivious to since my father died. I've been fixating on the past and what I don't have- instead of cherishing what I already have. Cherishing what many spend their entire lives on finding. My family … My family is all that matters. My wife.. My twins. My crazy mother-in-law. Coming back to this time has shown that the best part of family business is learning from each other, loving one another no matter what. Because at the end of the day, blood is what keeps us whole. I've seen Samsons loyalty even when he disagreed with your choice. The second you passed out and he put his dislike of me for us to help you… Joe.. that's family. That's the love of family I have at home. My wife Cassa was willing to leave our twins with her crazy mother just to roadtrip with me to find Baozhu." I smiled at him.
"The what?" Naysa asked, confused.
I tilted my head. "It's a pearl that grants wishes."
She glanced at Joseph then back at me.
I shrugged. "Anyway, 'Thank you for everything. Joe." I gave his shoulder one last squeeze, then looked at Naysa. "Thank you, Naysa, for being kind enough to send me on my way. I'm not from this time, but if I were I know you and I would be allies."
Naysa exhaled a breath. "Perhaps, Traveler. Perhaps." She nods.
"I guess I am a time traveler, huh? My only wish is to never do this again." I smiled.
"Joseph, once I send Dean Winchester II home- you will as well be on your way from this town." Naysa commands. It was as if she knew something we hadn't. Clearly clairvoyant.
Joseph nodded.
A thought hit me, I narrowed my eyes on her. "How did you know my name?"
Naysa smiled, taking hold of my hands with hers. "Close your vision. Think of nothing except the last place you were before coming to this time." She says.
I sighed. Closing my eyes.
I was with Cassa.
"Take care, Travelier." Was her last words before the wind lifted me up towards the ceiling and…
...
"BABE?"
Her frantic-angelic voice called from across the sand.
"DEAN?" She started to run towards me.
Water rushed my entire body, wetting my clothes and I slowly stood from the sand.
"Wow! Naysa did it. Naysa really got me back home faster than a catnap before an alarm beep." I spoke to myself, stumbling to my feet.
"Oh my goodness, Dean! How- What in heaven's name happens?" She crashed hard into me.
"Oof." Both of us were breathless. "Hey?" Her thick curly honey blonde hair damped from the water.
"Jeez, Dean. I thought the worst. Running around outta my mind. I couldn't even call the police because I knew how they would look at me if I told them I watched you get sucked up into a vortex." She said frantically, just as happy-perplexed tears rolled down her face.
I exhaled. "Baby, I'm so sorry- I can't even begin to tell you what happened."
"To be honest I don't even really care to know everything. Your father's journals never foreshadowed or -witnessed anything like that. I was terrified. What would I even tell Samantha and Dante if something happened to you? I just want to go home now."
I smiled. "Me too, baby." I nod once. "Let's head home."
"Wait. What about the–"
"I don't -It honestly doesn't matter anymore. Cassa, realizing what I could have lost tonight. You, the twins, your mother…" I laughed. "My life- this right here- is all I ever needed. You are my only home. I don't care about the stupid pearl anymore."
"Yeah?" He smiled cautiously.
"Yes!" I clarified. "I've been thinking… Baby, let's have a fresh start."
"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
"I mean- Let's hunt for realtors. Go to Canada, stay there. We find a house, a big one with a built-in guest room or we can build one in- just so your mother has her own space. Have a fresh start. What do you think?"
"Really? You want to go? Move us all to Canada? Even my mother?" She questioned.
"She's our family. We are not a family without her. I love you, and I love her for everything she has done for us."
"Even when she got drunk and almost got Sammy kidnapped by those heel wearing fourth-graders at the park?" She mocked.
"Ahh- well -we all make mistakes. I'm sure AA-meetings happen in Canada, if your mother slips we haul her and her doll collection to rehab." I shrugged with a grin.
Cassa squalled. "Awe, Babe! Yes, thank you. I love you, too. I know mom will be over the moon to know that you care enough to have her with us, because we all know she can be a handful." She laughed and kissed me fast. "Though are you sure you want to give up the Baozhu? It's what we- you've been looking for for forever, Dean! Are you willing to let it all go? You're so close." She said and I instantly thought about Joseph Winchester.
Joseph, my young-ancestral-friend-fore-elder-father. He showed me that everything I'd been looking for has been here all along.
"You are what I've been yearning for all this time. Now and forever you have been everything to me, Cassa. I don't know why I assumed it was in the past or something I hadn't ever had. Though- yes, it's time to let it all go and move forward. You are my safe haven that keeps this world going around, Dorothy Gale may have been a fictional character… yet, she did have something right- There's damn sure no place like home."
Cassa smiled. "Then come on, let's get back on the road. We have two beautiful kiddo's waiting for us to return."
I leaned in, kissing her slowly. All I know is that I need more of her.
Caressing my hands into her hair, she moaned.
Music to my ears. "I love you." I breathed.
"You said that, you goof." She smiled against my jaw. I kissed her cheek, then nose.
"Yet, I feel I haven't said it in so long."
"Your great man, Dean Winchester II. Break my heart into a million beautiful love-sick- pieces -why-dontcha." She flirted.
I laughed. She only says my full name when she's serious or trying to get my attention.
"Cassa Ann Robinson-Winchester, I'll be nothing without you." I admitted. "Since those college days where I thought you were a classroom crush.-"
"Oh, where I had to remind you of who I was? Yes, my first childhood lover. In a strange world you'd be something of a doctor like your father secretly wanted..or… like an–"
"A man hunting for a purpose." I cut her words off. "I have many purposes in this life I guess, but I only want one and that's to be your husband, father of your children and partner. I don't want to lose anything anymore. I'm sorry for not opening my eyes sooner. I want to enjoy this. To enjoy you. Enjoy our family." I confessed.
"Me too. I want what you want." She agreed. "Speaking of our family… How would you feel if it was to expand?" She asked.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Like another infant or cat?" I questioned.
She laughed. "Like … I'm pregnant with your seed, babe." She smiled.
I could feel my month drop with excitement and confusion. "Preg- How? I mean why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have come searching for Baozhu. I-I could have–"
"Not gotten sucked through a vortex to a place that helped you understand what you truly needed to find? Come on, babe. I know you too well to see that this needed to happen. I don't need to know everything right now, and even though I'm damn curious- I want you to be happy. No matter what, because I love you and I need you to be ready to focus on our children."
I exhaled. "Cassa, I am happy. You have no idea. You make me happy. The twins are my happy place. Seeing the look on Dante's face when we watch 'the untouchables' remake with kevin costner, or the pure joy that Samatha's holds when we listen to 'Since I've Been Loving You' by Led Zeppelin and bake her favorite pie everything four days is the highlight of my life. I love all our traditions. It's what makes us- Us." I kissed her lips slowly. "A new baby will fit right in. He or she will be healthy and happy."
"Does this mean you still want to move to Canada?" She asked hopefully with a smile.
"Of course. Instead about a five bedroom home, with an outside guest room." I grinned.
"You have no idea how happy this makes me, even if we can't afford that." She wraps her arms around my neck.
"Trust me, it's all I live for. Just this life with you makes me the richest man alive." I say giving her a quick kiss.
"Aawe. You're such a flirt." She smiled jokingly.
"Have you thought of any names?" I asked about the baby.
Cassa laughed. "Not at all."
"No?"
"Nope, not yet. Any ideas?" She asked.
"If it's a boy, maybe Joseph." I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Okay, I like that- and if it's a girl -We could name her... Nevaeh." Cassa smiled and I nodded in agreement.
She then sighed. "You know, I've been worried about you. You, and the twins." She spoke ever so softly.
"You don't ever need to worry. Not anymore." I say in a low serious tone. "Things has changed."
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Yes. No more sad, lonely, unfocused Dean. He's gone. I'm ready to be the man you married. The man who walked into that hospital room scared outta his mind of becoming a new father to twins. Not chasing around ghosts or shadows. I want to get back to us." I confessed.
One single tear slid down and she nodded. "I want that too. Just a normal reset, yeah?"
I nod. "Yeah, as normal as can be. We can do that, right?"
"Yes. I'm ready for that." She smiled slowly, turning in the direction of the car, and I took her hand in mine to follow suit.
After my father died I felt alone.
I didn't want him to leave me, though I accepted that death is a part of life.
I was okay with his peace. So I thought. I didn't want to live in a world -alone without him because he was my everything, my everything until Cassa came back into my life.
I've come to the realization that I will never be alone. In the little bits of this life I feel them with me.
My fallen family members. Walking with me, talking to me, being with me every day.
Joseph, Samson, my grandfather John, my uncle Dean and certainly my father Sam.
This day and forward I promise them and myself that I will continue on with my family with the most devoted love and protection that I feel that all of their spirits are surrounding me with.
My children and my wife are my safe haven, just as I was once my fathers. Nothing will ever change that.
I've never been so ready to carry on with my life as I am right now, and to have my future hand in mine.
*End Of Back In The Past*
