After Ian and Andy had their turn with the boat, Caleb brought them back to the tables. Food was on the grill and smelled amazing. Ian was on the verge of needing a nap and Caleb was hungry.

Marie made a plate for each of the little boys and offered to take Ian so he could eat.

Caleb briefly returned to the boat with the promise of just going for a quick ride. They'd pull Sam and Dean around and then go back to eat. He just was not going to miss out on the opportunity to watch them being dumbasses.

Kate ran after him. "I'm taking pictures."

Marie handed another camera to Jo. "I'm sure they'll need video as well."

Ian scarfed down everything on his plate and looked back to the water.

Marie tried to distract him but that didn't work.

April took him and tried to get him to lay down but he fought against that as well. He was too tired to settle down and had worked himself up.

Bobby took over, being the one that could always get Ian to sleep. He walked around for a few minutes and felt Ian go limp.

None of them wanted to lay him down outside because he could easily sneak by them if he woke up. The cabin was cooler than it was outside as it was deep in the shade.

April and Bobby took Ian inside and Bobby put him on the couch. April sat in a chair beside the couch and propped her feet on a crate.

Bobby brought her a drink and a plate. "If you need anything, let us know. If you want to sit out there and chat, I wouldn't mind staying in here."

April smiled. "I'm okay. I was getting a little warm out there. I'll just rest."

Twenty minutes later the boat returned and Kate and Jo sprinted up the bank with footage that they wanted to show everyone.

John and Pamela watched it and Pamela grimaced. John laughed and then cleared his throat. "Is he okay?"

Dean wasn't far behind them. "Yes, I'm okay." He had a bruise across his back that was a perfect impression of the ripples in the water.

Kate watched it again and laughed. "Sam hit Dean's tube right as two wakes crossed. How does flying feel, Dean?"

Dean rubbed his back. "Flying is fun. It's the landing that sucks." He took the camera from Kate and watched the video and looked at the photo of his back. He smirked.

Kate offered to heal him.

"Hell no, this is the coolest bruise I've had in my life." Dean said. He elbowed Sam in the stomach when he got close enough. "Bitch."

Sam put a hand to his stomach and stepped around Dean. "That caused me to wipe out too."

Kate grinned. "You didn't fly into the air though. You just skipped like a rock."

Dean grabbed Kate in a headlock. "Just remember you'll have your turn."

"I'll go with Jo so you can't be mean." Kate said.

Dean scoffed. "You think Jo is a deterrent?" He locked eyes with Ellen. "Not that I would intend for her to copy what I did."

Ellen cracked a smile. "Son, she's old enough to make those kinds of decisions."

Dean tried to turn his head enough to look at his back. It was a mess of reds and blues as it had bruised as soon as he hit the water.

Kate poked him. "That would make a cool tattoo."

Dean rolled the shoulder blade that she poked. "I've already told you that you can't tattoo me."

Kate shrugged. "Fine, be that way."

Caleb checked on Ian and April before returning to sit down with Andy. "Are you having fun?"

Andy nodded. "Can I go on the boat again?"

Caleb put an arm around him. "Yep but you have to let other people have a turn first."

Andy had eaten so much that he didn't feel like being on a boat would go well. "Maybe after my tummy settles."

Marie carried a cake over. "Hopefully you left enough space for cake."

Andy perked up. "Uh, I think I have just enough room for that."

Bobby had managed to go years without them knowing when his birthday was. After Karen died, he didn't have a reason to celebrate it. His streak came to an end when Taylor grabbed him and insisted that he join him at the table.

After the birthday song was sung and the candles extinguished, Karen kissed Bobby's cheek. "They asked, so I told them."

Taylor didn't mind sharing a party with Bobby. He thought a lot of him. "August is a good month for birthdays."

Bobby's was just a few days after Taylor's but an early celebration would work. He didn't want attention drawn to himself so he was thankful that the focus was turned back to Taylor.

Caleb filled a plate with food and carried it down to the boat. His coworker, the owner of the boat, insisted that he not intrude. Caleb told him it wouldn't be intruding but he also figured that he liked his peace and quiet.

Dean bit into a burger and chewed slowly. He was essentially an expert when it came to burgers and that one was the best he had ever tasted.

Charlie didn't mind sitting on the sidelines and watching people but Kate made her sit at the table. She got pulled into conversation and found that she liked everyone. Even John and Ellen, whom Kate and Taylor swore were gruff, were very nice.

Ellen turned her attention to Charlie. "You work with Ash?"

Charlie sipped her drink. "Yes. He and I have done a few projects together."

"I've got to say, I was as shocked as Dean was realizing who you were," Ellen said.

"That is why I chose the name that I did. I didn't want people to dismiss me for being a girl." Charlie said.

Ellen smiled. "These guys know better than to do that."

Dean nodded. "Ellen here could knock anyone of us on our ass."

Kate snorted. "You're just scared of her."

Dean talked around a bite of burger. "You're not?"

Ellen looked at Dean. "The first time I met you, you were in a motel room with my daughter."

Dean's face turned red. "We established why that was."

Kate told Charlie about running into Jo and running from demons.

"You guys have fun stories," Charlie said.

"I like Dean stories. Sam and Caleb stories are fun too. My stories aren't as fun." Kate said, ruefully.

That spurred a rash of stories from several different people.

Charlie looked at John. "She threw a knife at you?"

"He still has the scar too," Kate said, proudly.

Bobby chuckled. "She is the only person who could do that and still live to tell the tale."

Kate waved her hands. "Enough stories about me, Taylor, it is your birthday."

Taylor froze, knowing exactly where Kate was headed. "It is my birthday which means I can ban you from telling anyone anything embarrassing about me today."

Kate sighed. "Ask me tomorrow."

Pamela could see auras around people and although she had known Bobby and Ellen, as well as John, for many years, she had never seen them glow so brightly. Truthfully, she didn't think Ellen and John could ever be in the same state without Ellen having a dark cloud around her. Kids changed things. She had gotten the ties straight in her head but it was still baffling. Taylor being Bill Harvelle's biological son could have made Ellen's anger worse but she took to him pretty quickly. John was a different man. Bobby had changed when Sam and Dean showed up, softening his false gruffness. Karen healed him though.

Taylor opened his gifts and thanked everyone. "Best birthday yet."

Jo, Taylor, and Kate walked down to the boat and decided how they were splitting rides. Sam went with them so he could hold a camera and possibly get back on a tube.

Dean feigned still being hungry so that his back could get a break. Hitting water at high speeds was a lot like hitting concrete. It was fun though. It was a new experience that he wanted to repeat... the tubing, not landing flat on his back. He'd take his time to rest and think of a way to repay Sam for the kick that flipped his tube.

Andy played with Riot in the shallow water. Riot tried to bite the miniature waves that lapped at the shore. Andy saw something move and grabbed it. It was a frog and he wanted to show Caleb. As soon as he got to the table and opened his hand to show off his catch, the frog jumped and landed on the table. Andy tried to catch it again but only served to chase it all the way down the table.

Jess didn't like anything creepy or crawly. She jumped up when the frog landed on her lap.

Charlie was smart and stepped away from the table, assuming whatever was in Andy's hand was alive.

The frog escaped the frightening experience and darted into some bushes.

Andy quickly turned around and looked at Caleb with a shocked expression. "I caught a frog."

Caleb laughed. "You let him go too."

Andy's face fell. He had cake all down one of his arms from trying to catch the frog and there was a drink spilled. "Uh, sorry."

Dean had fallen victim to the spilled drink and stood up, letting it roll off of his shorts.

Andy's eyes got wide when Dean walked around the table.

Dean picked him up and carried him to the water, tossing him in. He dove in too and dunked Andy once when he reached him.

Andy wiped his face. "I didn't mean to spill it."

Dean helped Andy wash some of the cake off of his arm. "I got you out of there just in case your dad got mad."

Andy looked up the hill to where the adults were sitting. "I didn't know the frog was gonna do that."

"Hop? Yeah, frogs do that." Dean said. He pulled Andy out of the water. "A piece of advice, if you find a snake, whatever you do, do not bring it into the house."

Andy gasped. "Why?"

"Parents don't like that very much," Dean said. He returned Andy to the table with a clean arm.

Andy apologized to Jess.

Caleb called him over and sat him on his lap with a towel around him. "Don't do that with a snake."

Bobby shot both Caleb and Dean a dirty look and grumbled under his breath.

John got up and asked to talk to Dean.

Dean followed him away from the tables. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing," John said. "I was just doing a lot of thinking and want to ask you about something before I do it." He saw the look on Dean's face and just knew Dean was about to make a smartass remark. "Keep your mouth shut for a minute. Just listen."

Dean clamped his mouth shut and gave John his full attention.

"Your brother is thinking about marrying Jess," John said.

"Well, I'd hope so. He isn't going to get that lucky a second time."

John gave him an unamused look. "He spoke to Bobby about it and they are young right now." He held his hand up to silence Dean. "No, I'm not against it. I think Jess fits in around here. She knows about the life and rolls with the punches. She reminds me a lot of your mom, actually. They don't need to get married right now but I was going to give Sam something but you are the oldest so I want to offer it to you first." He handed Dean something on a chain.

Dean held it in his palm. "It isn't really my style."

John cleared his throat.

Dean stood up straighter. "Is this mom's ring?"

"Yes. I got it after the fire. She had taken it off to give Sam a bath that night. She always did because she was so afraid that she would scratch one of you with it."

Dean ran a finger over the ring. He had no memory of her wearing it. "I don't plan on getting married."

John put it back into his pocket. "You may one day."

Dean didn't think so. "Even if I do, it will be different. Jess will understand how important that ring is. I think it would mean a lot to Sam since he'd expect it to go to me. It might mean more if you don't tell him that you asked me first."

"That will be the first question he asks," John said.

Dean knew he was right. "You thought of him first. You just ran it by me to make sure my feelings didn't get hurt."

John lightly clapped him on the back, remembering the massive bruise. "That looks rough."

"I think you mean cool. I need to leave it like it is so I can make Sam feel at least a little guilty." Dean said.

John didn't think for a second that Sam would feel an ounce of guilt. Dean's pride was just wounded because he hadn't managed to flip Sam first.

Marie thought that Charlie looked a little worn down. "I need to grab something from town, would you want to go with me?"

Charlie said yes. She was a social person but sometimes, her social battery ran out unexpectedly.

Marie patted Charlie's leg when they got in the car. "They can be a little overwhelming."

Charlie felt bad. "They are all so wonderful. I just miss my own family at times."

Marie drove slowly. "Do you want to tell me about them?"

Charlie told her about her mom. "She loved all of the same fantasy series that I do. She would read those books to me instead of normal bedtime stories. My dad would carry me around on his shoulders."

Marie could see the sadness in Charlie's eyes.

"I went to a sleepover and got scared. I asked them to come to get me and they wrecked. They both died." Charlie said.

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. Have you been alone since then?" Marie asked.

"Kind of. I was in a few foster homes but they weren't a good fit. I kind of ran away and never looked back." Charlie admitted.

"You are such a strong young lady," Marie said, kindly.

Charlie didn't feel strong. She hadn't faced down hellhounds or fought vampires. Although her parents were gone, they went quickly. They hadn't been taken by a demon. They hadn't suffered. It still hurt though.

Marie sensed that she needed silence so she gave Charlie time to think. She really was such a sweet girl and it hurt Marie that she had been through so much in her young life. That was true for so many of their family members. However, trauma did help forge bonds and she hoped that Charlie could feel that.

Ian woke from his nap with wild hair and pink cheeks. He tumbled to the floor and made a beeline for the door.

April did manage to grab him before he got the door open. She whistled for Caleb and asked him to take Ian. She had fallen asleep too and needed a minute to get back on her feet.

Caleb held a wiggly Ian and let April take his arm. "Did you stand up too fast?"

"Yes," April said.

Caleb got her to a chair and had her sit down. He gave her some water and fanned her. "Better?"

"Much." April said.

Ian saw the water again and renewed his efforts to break free.

Caleb reminded him about the life jacket and chuckled when Ian frowned but held his arms out for the offending floatation device.

Jess offered to take him down to the lake.

Dean taped the buckles again and sent him on his way.

"Is that my tape?" Bobby asked.

"It was," Dean said. "Now it is for Ian's safety."

Andy was a little chilled so he threw a towel down and laid in the sun. He groaned when April insisted that he wear sunscreen but he didn't move when the cold spray hit him.

April felt something and tensed up. She shifted and sat forward, holding her stomach.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked.

"Yes," April said. "I just..."

Caleb was quickly frazzled thinking that she was in pain.

"No, I can feel her moving," April said with a smile. "It just feels bizarre at first."

Ellen could remember feeling Jo move and agreed that it was bizarre.

Caleb put his hand on April's stomach. He couldn't feel anything. "What does it feel like?"

April didn't know how to explain it.

Dean snapped his fingers. "Kate."

"What?" Caleb asked.

"She can transfer feelings," Dean said. He narrowed his eyes because of the way she found out that she could do that but shook the thought away. "I wonder if she can show you how that feels or if it is only things she feels."

John didn't know about that ability but decided to ask about it later.

As soon as Kate got back, Dean waved her over. "Is she still moving?"

April sat still. "Uh, let me try something fizzy." She drank a ginger ale and gave the baby a few minutes to move. She grinned. "Now she is."

Dean told Kate what he was wanting her to do and stepped out of her way.

Kate put her hands on April's stomach and focused on what she was feeling. She jerked back. "That is weird!" She shivered. "Holy crap."

Caleb got closer.

Kate blinked, "Are you sure about this?"

Caleb shrugged.

Kate tried to relay what was being felt but didn't know if it would work since Caleb didn't have all the necessary organs to feel a baby move.

Caleb felt his abdomen stir and snapped his eyes up to look at April. "Oh, that is weird."

After a few questions, April said that the feeling wasn't as strong for Caleb as it was for her. It was enough to give him an idea though.

Kate reached to grab Dean's hand and he jerked it back. "Nope."

Kate scoffed. "Pansy."

Dean moved to stand by John. "Some things just aren't natural."

"It was your idea," Kate said.

"For Caleb, not me." Dean shot back.

John raised an eyebrow at Dean.

Dean leaned to whisper the story in his ear.

John snorted and his eyes twinkled.

"I tried to pay her to do it to you and she won't," Dean said. He rubbed his head where John smacked him. "She always does the opposite of what I say anyway."

Pamela knew about John's plan so she turned him toward Sam.

John had it planned out in his head but conversations with Sam, although much more pleasant at that time, never went quite how he planned for them to go.

Kate looked around. "Where is Charlie?"

"With Marie. They went into town." Rod said.

Kate looked down the road.

Dean poked her. "She will bring your friend back. Don't cry."

Kate flicked one of the bruised places on his back. "Jerk." She screeched and ran, diving behind Rod before Dean could grab her.

Dean told her that payback was going to be rough.

Sam followed John down a small path, drying himself off with a towel as they walked away from the others. Although he hadn't done anything, he was an adult, and John didn't seem angry, any time his dad said that he wanted to talk sent him back to being a kid and wracking his brain for what he had done to upset him.

John stopped and sat down on a log, motioning for Sam to sit own on one across from him. "You are going back to Stanford soon. I wanted to have this conversation before we parted ways."

Sam toweled his hair. "If this is the birds and bees talk, I am good."

John snorted. "No." He studied Sam for a moment. He looked less like the gangly teenager he used to be and more like the man he was turning into. John underestimated Sam a lot as he was growing up. He was always the baby of the family that Dean had to protect. "Bobby told me about the question you asked him."

Sam tensed. "I just asked. I had a lot on my mind and I.."

John stopped him. "I'm not here to talk you out of it, Sam. I'm not mad that you asked Bobby."

Sam relaxed. "Then what?"

"You two are young right now. You are both mature though. You've got a whole life ahead of you. I just want to have a discussion." John said.

Sam draped the towel over his shoulders. "I'm listening."

John didn't like heart-to-heart talks. He didn't like to admit that there were times when he questioned himself. He scratched his chin. "When your mother and I were dating, or even before that, I wasn't as tactful as I could have been. God, she was beautiful. I stumbled over myself and looked like a fool at times. She didn't care though. Her father didn't like me much and I guess that is understandable. To him, I was just a jarhead, not good enough for his girl. I wasn't. No one could have ever been good enough for her but I played my cards just right. I didn't have anyone to talk to since my own father had disappeared when I was four. Do you want to know how I made the decision to ask her to marry me?"

Sam sat forward. "How?"

"Oh, I bought the ring and had it with me for months. I just couldn't work up the nerve to ask. One night, I looked over. I had a magic 8 ball on my dresser." John chuckled and covered his face. "I shook it and got my answer. Signs point to yes."

Sam couldn't believe his dad would do that. He never seemed the type to leave anything to chance. He never seemed the type to question himself. "So our family started because a magic 8 ball said yes?"

John smiled. "Had it said no, I would have kept shaking it."

Sam saw John in a new light. "So are you saying I should ask a children's toy to make my important life decisions?"

John sighed. "No. I'm saying that you questioned yourself. You were nervous because you didn't know what you should do about Jess. You already know your answer."

"We are still young," Sam said.

"You are. I'm not saying ask her now. I'm not going to tell you what to do there. You can decide that however, you want. But.." He pulled the ring and chain out of his pocket. "For when you do decide to ask her, I wanted you to have this."

Sam saw the ring and studied it. "Is this?"

"Yes. Your mom always took it off to bathe you because she didn't want to hurt you if her hand slipped. So, it was on her nightstand that night." John said.

Sam was overwhelmed with emotions. "You want me to have this? Not Dean?"

"I thought of you. I did ask him to be fair but we both agreed that Jess would understand how important it is. You don't have to take it. You may want to buy Jess one on your own. I just remembered how I felt before I asked your mom to marry me and to be honest, Jess is a lot like Mary. Your mom would have loved her."

Sam wrapped the chain around his hand and squeezed the ring. "I don't know what to say."

"I'm a fan of not saying anything," John said. "You can keep it or give it back. I can hold onto it until you are ready or put it back in the box. I'm going to support you in whatever decision you make."

Sam took a deep breath. "I'm going to keep it. I just won't ask today. I don't have an 8 ball on me."

John stood up and lightly smacked Sam's head. "If you say anything about that to anyone I will have something to say about it."

Sam grinned. "I'm an adult now so.." He jumped back. "So I still fully respect you and will keep my mouth shut."

John nodded. "That is what I thought."

(Charlie and Marie)

Charlie started to recharge her social battery with a bit of silence. She saw a sign while driving and gasped.

"What is it?" Marie asked.

Charlie hadn't gotten a chance to actually read it.

Marie turned around and pulled close to the sign.

Charlie looked at the sign. "My mom and dad took me to a renaissance faire every year before..."

Marie could see that Charlie was truly interested. "It isn't for another couple of weeks but we should go."

Charlie whipped her head around. "It is over here though, not where you live."

"I happen to have grandchildren here that I like to visit," Marie said with a warm smile.

Charlie had memories of her dad swinging her around as they danced to lively music. She always had the best dresses. She frowned slightly.

"What is wrong?" Marie asked.

"I don't have a costume and I really like to dress up." Charlie said.

Marie smiled. "Then we will make one."

Charlie was bubbling over with excitement.

"Kate will be all over this as well. Let me grab a flyer and you can think about what kind of dress you would like." Marie said.

Charlie hugged her without thinking. She stepped back. "Sorry."

Marie patted her arm. "Not at all, dear. This will be fun for all of us."

Charlie couldn't wait to tell Kate. She had so many ideas in her head and needed to share them. As soon as they got back, she ran up to Kate. "There is a Ren Faire being held here in a few weeks. We should go!"

Kate was automatically excited.

Dean cringed. "Count me out of that one. Although, if you go to Oktoberfest, let me know."

Kate feigned nativity. "Why?"

Dean, having no shame, smirked. "Beer and barmaids, Kate." He flicked her ear. "Don't you dare threaten to become one of those barmaids."

Kate rubbed her ear. She rolled her eyes to Charlie. "There is obviously a double standard here."

Charlie pulled Kate to the side to chat about dresses and stuff. She rarely wore them but she'd never turn down a costume.

Everyone was tired from a fun day at the lake so people started saying goodbye.

Marie and Rod had to drive a few hours and neither liked driving at night.

Kate turned to Bobby, "Can she spend the night. Please."

Bobby shrugged. "I don't think I have much of a say anymore."

Kate tugged on Charlie's arm. "You could stay with us for a few days and we could work on the database. Then, we could maybe go to the bunker before we have to go back to school."

Taylor was on the same page. "Just a few nights."

"How do you plan on getting to the bunker?" Dean asked.

Kate held her arms out and wrapped them around him. "Our favorite big brother can take us."

Dean peeled her arms off of him. "You only say that when you want something."

Kate batted her eyelashes at him for good measure.

Dean groaned. "I might consider going to the bunker."

John figured he could go as well. He wanted to refresh his ammo stash.

Marie and Rod both hugged Taylor and told him happy birthday again. They hated to leave but Bobby's house was going to be full.

Jo and Ellen were the next to leave. Ellen needed to get back to the roadhouse and Jo's school started earlier than Kate and Taylor's did. Jo gave Taylor a big hug and narrowed her eyes. She stood next to him. "You're freaking taller than me now?"

Taylor grinned. "I was barely shorter before."

Jo shoved him. "You aren't supposed to outgrow me until you are older."

Taylor stood up straighter. "Sucks to be you." He dodged a smack from her and wrapped her in a bear hug. "Don't run away again. It's annoying having to go find you."

Jo rolled her eyes. She looked at Kate. "Good luck with him."

Kate pursed her lips. "Yeah, I'll need it."

Andy wanted to go into the woods to collect a few items to remember the lake. He had a box in his room with sticks and rocks from everywhere that he went.

April felt woozy so she sat down with a glass of water. "No frogs, Andrew."

Andy gave her a sheepish look. "Yes, mama."

Caleb was barely managing to keep Ian contained and didn't have time to take Andy.

Dean said he'd go. He followed Andy and Riot down the path. He let Andy use his knife to carefully cut part of a stick that he thought looked neat.

"I have a pocket knife. Dad keeps it because I can't use it by myself yet." Andy said.

Dean nodded. He showed Andy a scar on his finger. "That happened when I was about your age."

Andy didn't want to get cut. "Were you being careful?"

Dean snorted. "No."

Andy shook his head. "My dad says I've got to be careful or it goes away."

"That is good advice." Dean said.

Riot ran ahead and returned with a stick that was larger than he was.

Dean grunted when it hit his shin. "I don't think you're taking that one back home."

Andy saw some rocks and stepped off the trail to choose one.

Dean enjoyed the shade and closed his eyes for a moment.

Riot heard something and took off through the woods. Andy went after him.

Dean opened his eyes. "Andy, don't go too far ahead."

Andy called Riot but Riot wouldn't stop. He did try to stay with Dean but Riot was just a puppy and it wasn't safe out there for him.

Dean picked up his pace, not wanting to let Andy out of his sight.

Riot saw something move and growled.

Andy grabbed his collar. "No, Riot. You can't chase stuff."

Dean heard Riot growl. He had yet to hear him growl like that. He stepped over a log and saw Andy and Riot 30 feet or so away from the path. "Andy."

Andy turned. "Riot found something."

Dean told him to come back. He whistled for Riot and took a step toward them.

Something moved and Riot darted after it.

Dean froze in horror. He frantically told Andy to get back but Andy's reaction time wasn't great. He couldn't make it to him in time and even if he could, he really didn't want to. He cringed and watched it all happen in slow motion. Riot yelped. Andy screamed. Dean cursed the wind that suddenly changed directions. Forget werewolves, vampires, or windigos. Nothing, absolutely nothing, was worse than a skunk.