Hi everyone!
Really glad you've enjoyed the story so far.
I was debating between two versions of the ending. One that was short and more in canon. And another that's a LOT longer and more AU. I ended up going with the AU version. Hope you like it!
This is really inspired by just how desperately Dean wants that family life he didn't get to have. After watching the seasons 2 and 3 again recently it just hit me. And so I decided to find some convenient plot ways for him to get the best of both worlds :)
Reviews bring me joy :)
—
"We need to talk about where this is going," Sophie said. She sat in the middle of their bed, thumbing through one of Bobby's books on Japanese folklore. In the four days since John's surprise visit she'd healed up considerably, though Dean winced every time he saw the jagged line of stitches in her forehead.
Dean raked a hand through his hair and pulled up a chair to sit facing her.
"Because while I admit that things have actually been going substantially better than they have any right to," Sophie began, "I'm also not naive enough to think they're going to continue like this indefinitely."
"So you're leaving me?" Dean asked, tensing. He told himself he was ready. She'd kiss him on the porch and go back to Canada. It would rip his heart out. But he'd move on. He'd fill the void with beer and cheap hookups. He'd done it before and he could do it again. At least he hoped so. But this felt different. It felt like more. And he was increasingly unsure how he'd pick up the pieces when she inevitably kicked him to the curb.
"I'm staying with Bobby," Sophie said.
Dean was positive he'd misheard her.
"You're doing what?"
"I'm staying with Bobby," Sophie repeated, "I do have some stipulations. But I'd like to stay with Bobby."
"And stay with…" Dean trailed off.
"And stay with you," Sophie said, "Romantically, that is."
"You're not dumping me?" Dean was almost afraid to say the words, afraid that if he asked she'd say what he'd been dreading.
"No," Sophie replied, "Why would I do that?"
Dean didn't respond. He couldn't find words.
"I do have some stipulations," Sophie continued before he'd had a chance to form a coherent sentence, "I'm not going out with you and Sam on all your hunts. I'll stay here and research. Heck with my GRE scores and your skill in credit card fraud I can probably pick up a couple more advanced degrees in handy topics - comparative religion, geology, Native American studies, stuff like that…"
"And we'll…" Dean still couldn't find words. He'd always been bad about saying how he felt.
"You'll call me twice a day," Sophie said, "Every day. During predetermined time windows. And have real conversations with me that last more than three sentences whenever possible. And you'll come back here between hunts any time you can. And you'll take December tenth through January tenth off for Christmas. No research either. I mean it."
"That's…" Dean paused, "Perfect."
"And you'll promise me that some day you'll retire," Sophie said, taking his hand, "It doesn't need to be soon. And you don't have to pick a date today. But some day I need to know you'll stop. And you'll come back here and stay with me for good."
Dean didn't reply. Words weren't sufficient. So he just climbed onto the bed beside her and kissed her, relishing the feeling of her body in his arms and her lips against his. After a time he pulled away, placing a final kiss on her forehead.
"There is one slight problem," Sophie said.
"Let's hear it," Dean was undeterred.
"I have to go back to Canada in four months and sixteen days or I am technically an illegal migrant," Sophie said, "I can work on picking up a job with an H1-B visa if you think that might…"
"Marry me," Dean blurted out. For a moment he was shocked by his own words. But it felt right. It was right. He wanted her. No, he needed her. He needed her here, with him, for the long haul.
"Because of this visa or…" Sophie began, but Dean didn't let her finish.
"No…I mean yes…but," Dean took a deep breath, "Not just because of the visa. Because I can't imagine going on without you and if you go back to Canada in four months and sixteen days I'll have to follow you and I'll get arrested by border patrol for trying to smuggle weapons across the border and that will put a huge damper on things."
He couldn't help but smile.
"So you're really…"
"Proposing? Yes," Dean nodded earnestly, "So…will you?"
"Marry you?" Sophie asked, "Of course my love."
—
"She's gonna need a green card Dean," Sam reminded his brother for what felt like the tenth time that day.
"We're getting married," Dean finally snapped. They weren't planning on telling anybody yet. Not her parents, not even Sam and Bobby. Sophie had been panic planning in their bedroom for the last seven hours.
"You're getting married?" Sam asked in disbelief.
"Don't sound so surprised," Dean snapped.
"But you're getting married, Dean. That's surprising."
"Sammy I love this girl," Dean said, "And she's willing to put up with the lifestyle. So…"
"It just makes sense?" Sam offered.
"It just makes sense," Dean agreed.
"Hold on a second," Sam said and disappeared upstairs for a few minutes.
Dean drummed his fingers on the hot exterior of his coffee mug. Impatient.
Sam returned with a tiny wooden box.
"Give her this," he said, handing it to Dean.
"Is this?" Dean asked, opening it and observing the gently sparkling engagement ring inside.
"It was supposed to be Jessica's," Sam replied, "But it's okay. I promise. I want you to have it. For Sophie."