Chapter 68.

Dean had not intended to buy much in the gift shop, but they returned home with the back seat of the Impala stuffed with soft toys, a lion for Sam, an otter for Charlie, a monkey for Cas, an antelope for Eileen and a wolf for Jules. He had bought Anael a baseball cap and a snow leopard and she had insisted on getting him an eagle and using the penny crushing machine to press him a tiny souvenir that would fit in his wallet.

He was a little aggrieved to discover Bobby waiting in the library with the others because they had nothing for him, but Bobby, of course, expected nothing. The feeling was brief and quickly pushed aside by the realisation that Bobby was fully and truly alive.

"You're back?" he said, handing out his half of the toy haul, while Anael shared out hers. "The giraffe is for the baby." he said to Eileen.

"All the way back." said Bobby.

"Well, that's great. What made you take the plunge?"

Bobby shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe I just got tired of hanging out in Sioux Falls all the time and you boys don't come there nearly enough, so I figured I'd come to you."

"What about the unfinished business in Heaven?" said Dean, choosing not to mention Karen by name.

"Still unfinished, but no closer to a resolution. It'll keep until I'm dead again, which, hanging around with you two idjits, probably won't take long." Bobby turned to Anael, who had just handed the final toys to Cas, his monkey and Jack's owl. "I love the hat."

"Thanks," she said, "So do I."

"Looks like the zoo was a big success." said Bobby.

"It was great." said Dean, not missing the delighted reaction from Sam. "We had a good time, didn't we, Anael?"

"Best day ever!" she said.

"That's good to hear." Said bobby.

"You didn't come back just because ... " said Dean.

"Just because what? Because you got yourself a girlfriend?"

It was almost automatic to say, "She's not my girlfriend." but he didn't. He couldn't. "Well, did you?" he said. It was bad enough that the angel wanted to give up Heaven for him.

"Are you gonna be weird about this? Because I ain't apologising for caring about you and your brother and I ain't being told what I can and can't do by you or anyone else."

"So you did." said Dean.

"I did and I'd do it again."

"Because you think I can't handle a relationship?"

"I know you, boy. It's not you can't handle it, it's more that you could need a friend. Or maybe I'm wrong and you'd rather I kept out of the way?"

"I didn't say that." said Dean. To have Bobby back, really back, whatever his reason, was a good thing and maybe, for once in his life, he might need some friendly advice. "I'm glad you're here." he said, "But right now, things are going smoothly."

"That's good." said Sam and Dean could hear the effort in his voice as he forced himself not to ask any questions.

It seemed to be the best time to make a declaration, even if it was a smaller one than either of them would have liked. "Anael and I are now 'together' together." he said, "We don't know how long for, but I'm not gonna pretend anymore that this isn't what it is." He still couldn't say the words in front of all of them and he hoped she would forgive that.

"That's great." said Sam, "Can you two spare the time to have supper with us? Bobby's staying here tonight, then going back to Sioux Falls with Cas tomorrow."

"If you wanted to move in here permanently, we'd have no problem with that." said Dean.

"I know you wouldn't," said Bobby, "But I'm also needed in Sioux Falls. Have to share myself out a bit. Any time you need me, pray to Cas and he'll come zap me over."

"Gladly." said Cas.

Anael and Cas went to help Sam with the preparation of supper. Dean and Eileen both offered to help, but were told, "Stay with our guest." Dean wasn't offended. He knew that Sam hadn't wanted to make it too obvious that he didn't want Eileen doing anything that counted as work and he understood that, but he also found it funny. Eileen was unlikely to accept that for long. Despite the delicacy of her features, she did not do fragile.

"Great gal, you got there." said Bobby, when the gal in question had left the room.

"Yeah, I think I did okay." said Dean, "She's beautiful, she's clever and she's kinda into me."

"Seems that way," said Bobby, "But ... ?"

"But she's an angel. That's always gonna be the but."

"Until she isn't." said Bobby.

"That would bring up other issues."

"So what doesn't?" said Bobby, "But I would have thought that's kinda perfect. All the angel stuff out of the way, leaving the cute, funny, gorgeous woman."

"How's the great work going at Sioux Falls?" said Dean, making it very clear the topic was closed.

"The demons are driving me nuts." said Bobby, "But mostly, things are going okay."

"Have they tried to kill each other yet?" said Dean.

"They're mostly just all talk. Not saying they wouldn't try, if they thought they had a chance, but neither one wants to go back into the Empty."

"How do they feel about your resurrection?" said Dean.

"Mixed feelings. I think they liked me being tethered to my house. Gave them freedom and some power. Now, I can head here if I need a break from them and sometimes I really do."

It wasn't long before they were all sitting around the table in the library, eating a very good hunter's stew. Anael chose to sit beside him and Dean felt okay about that. He didn't talk much. He let her tell everyone about their day at the zoo.

As she spoke, he let his mind tread unfamiliar paths, imagining that this might be the pattern of their future, sitting with their family, sharing stories of their day. It seemed as if he could enjoy it all over again, hearing her telling the stories, expressing the joy he had felt privileged to witness. Better than that, in a few short years, he might be listening to Sam's kid, trying to fit all that excitement into the vocabulary of a child.

How had that happened? He never thought in terms of years ahead. Not, anyway, of a future that included him. The college fund, contingencies for after his death, sure, but not thoughts of peaceful future times with his loved ones around him. He smiled at Eileen and quietly signed, "You make things better, for all of us."

She grinned and signed back, "I didn't make you fall in love."

He signed again, "You didn't stop me." and he knew her smile was because he hadn't tried to deny that he had.

"I understand now, why Cas loves insects so much." said Anael, "The butterflies were beautiful and so friendly."

Cas smiled at her from across the table. "I'm so glad you had a good time."

"And just to be clear," said Dean, "You're okay with me and Anael now?"

Cas nodded. "I was utterly wrong, Dean. I have only ever wanted your happiness and I understand now that you make each other happy."

"Yes we do." said Dean.

"Just to be clear," said Bobby, "Everyone at this table just wants to see you both happy. Not only do we not want you to make another giant sacrifice for us, we're gonna go nuts if you screw this up. Got that?"

"That's Bobby, giving you his blessing." said Sam.

Anael raised her beer bottle to Bobby. "Thanks, Bobby."

"Thankyou, for giving this walking disaster a chance." said Bobby.

"Yeah, I'm glad you did." said Dean.