Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Obviously. ;D
"So, huh...wow," Dean remarks when Jack's gone. "Never thought that'd be in the cards."
"Guess we need to thank Amara for chiming in. A lot. Though we can't exactly send her - or Jack, for that matter - chocolates...Wait, can we?" Sam says.
Cas chuckles. "We'll have to consider that. Later. It looks like we have a few details to straighten out now, don't we?"
"Yeah. Okay. Huh...home first? Unless you want to say goodbye to your friends, again, or something...Sorry, I'm dumb, maybe coffee still hasn't kicked in." It's only half a lie. It was supposed to be an easy case, and it was. But everything else that happened? Dean knows how to handle vampires, werewolves and rawheads. Not things normal people do, parties and ceremonies and whatever. And the urge to be back home - to nest - in order to ground himself is powerful.
"I did say goodbye. They are probably already back in their respective universes, even though Sherlock reminded me again he's reachable, through Clara, if we wanted any sort of suggestions. John reminded him it's our wedding, and there is no right way in the first place," Cas replies.
"Though I'm not sure Sherlock believes that," Sam points out, smirking.
"Well, fuck him," Dean snaps.
"I'm pretty sure that's how most of his interactions go. I didn't think a human could possibly have less people skills than I do," his fiancé says.
Dean bursts into a laugh, of course. And he notices that Sam has started packing. His brother can be annoying - probably on purpose, little siblings are like that - but he is being helpful. Fingers crossed that he keeps that up, and Dean suddenly feels a little more secure. They've handled apocalypses, they can figure out whatever niceties British assholes might be thinking about.
Seven hours and a stop for lunch later, they're back at the bunker. The duffel bags are forgotten for the moment (nothing that won't keep in them) and they end up sitting at the war room table.
"So, what do we start with? The list for Jack?"
Sam nods, and whips out a notebook and pen from somewhere. Dean'd bet something (ok, something small) that the notebook belonged to the Men of Letters, too. Not quite what they'd use it on, probably...though, who knows. They kept the knowledge in the family. Families. Maybe they also got invited to each other's weddings, and christenings, and kids' plays, if no monster reared up.
Before he can get anymore distracted, he says, counting on his fingers, "Mom and dad."
Dutifully, Sam takes note.
"Oh, Henry - Winchester, I mean. I'm not sure how Jack is changing heaven, and even if we told dad, sort of, that he didn't bail on him on purpose. They should get to meet."
"Yeah, okay, but - doesn't that mean that you'd need to invite Samuel too?" Sam grimaces.
Dean laughs again, harshly. "You know, I'd almost do it. Just because he'd sold us to try and get mum back, and died a failure, and he'd have to see her and explain to her what he did. And know he could have had months with her if he'd just been decent and stuck by us. "
He makes himself take a deep breath. No use getting worked up all over again for old, old betrayals. "But I'd promised to kill him next time I saw him, and you beat me to the punch that time... I'm trying to avoid being too tempted to commit murder at my own wedding. Mom can deal with my having favorites. In fact, fuck all the Campbells. Sure, she wanted out, but if someone'd stuck around a little when dad had to become a hunter...well, things would have been different. Run when Samuel whistles, and don't even check in when Mary dies? I don't need them around."
"I'm definitely not arguing," Sammy replies. The confirmation that he didn't have too many fond memories of that period is actually a relief. "So, huh, moving on..."
"Bobby," they chorus. Of course. So long as they are listing family.
"And, huh, Ellen and Jo. Remember that parallel timeline?" Sam asks. As if he could forget it. It was the happiest they'd seen Bobby in...forever, basically. Is it a given that it will turn real, if they are all alive again? Nope. They'd definitely revive both girls anyway, but...it doesn't hurt to hope, does it?
"Speaking of that, Balthazar," Cas chimes in. "I wouldn't be surprised if he refused, if Jack gave him too many details, but I really need to apologize."
"Hey, I'm sure he'll understand. He seemed pretty decent for an angel," Dean says, patting his fiancé's hand in an attempt at comfort that ends up morphing into a caress.
"So, huh, family done, moving onto friends?" Sam asks. Dean doesn't think that he wants to actually stop him, or at least he hopes, because he's not going to.
"What about Adam?" Cas asks.
"Fuck, we forgot Adam." Not for the first time, at that... Dean still wouldn't change a thing, if he had to make the same choice. Which probably makes him bad, but he's never pretended otherwise. "Though, wait, he should be alive, shouldn't he? Michael said he died when Chuck murdered literally everyone, and Jack fixed that."
"True. I mixed up the guest list and the resurrections' list, I guess. It's certainly close enough," Cas says.
Dean snorts. "Sure it is. Anyway, assuming we can track him down... I mean, I have no problem with inviting him, even if I won't be surprised if he actually tells us to fuck off. Just wondering if it's going to make trouble for dad, in the unlikely case he agrees."
"You're worried about dad? He's six years my junior, Dean. Mom isn't crazy," Sam points out. "Though, if you're concerned, I have the perfect plan."
"Which?"
"We're inviting Ketch."
"Oh, come on! He wasn't entirely awful, but...blackmailing? Seriously? You're devious." Mom hadn't wallowed in permanent mourning with dad dead, either, and they'd have the evidence at the table. If Adam agreed to come (big if) there'd be either no drama or double.
"Someone needs to make sure the day will be as brilliant as you two deserve. By any means necessary." Sam has that stubborn look of his, which means he's serious. He will see Dean happy, no matter whiat schemes he might have to put in motion. It might be concerning.
Dean should retort something about no chick-flick moments, but he opts to move forward instead. They're planning a wedding. They're basically living a chick flick. Actually, he's still reeling from the sudden genre change. "Anyway, if we do get Ketch, shouldn't we get at least one more British idiot? Before people start wondering what's so special about him. I mean, yeah, he was kinda helpful later on, but still. Henry will definitely cozy up to him, and maybe if there's an extra, it'll look more like, I dunno, a professional relationship?"
"One more Hogwarts boy? I guess that Mick Davies wasn't as completely intolerable as most," Sam huffs.
"You remember his name?"
"He knew a lot of interesting things." Sam shrugs.
"Nerd." Some things have to stay, or Sam would get out the silver and holy water. "Anyway, don't people usually get a plus one? Basically the same thing."
"So, huh, are we letting people have a plus one? Including resurrections? Because if Adam ends up accepting, and brings his mom, I'm not sure Ketch and Mick, or even the entirety of the British Men of Letters, as unpleasant as they are, could stop the drama from unfolding," Sam huffs.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Cas rumbles. "If we make that a thing he's much more likely to bring Michael along, one way or another."
"Huh. Right. And our opinion on that is...?" Dean stares at his brother. He doesn't know what went down in the cage, exactly.
Michael must not have been too traumatizing, though, because Sam grins at him. "Actually, it might be a good thing. The new god tying you to another angel? That's sure going to make a point."
"Speaking of, we're so not done, but we've been hogging the list...so, Cas? Come on, who do you want to write in besides Balthazar?"
"I...hadn't considered, yet. And, well, I'll definitely need to suggest to Jack to bring back most of my brethren back, if he didn't already. Maybe I should just let him know the few that are best left in the Empty, that'd be easier and quicker. A handful or two. Anyway, concentrating on the ones we might consider actually inviting...Pretty much for the reason Sam just gave, Hannah."
"Are you trying to make me jealous?" Dean huffs.
"No, but she'll have to take god's word that you're the opposite of a bad influence on me, won't she?"
"She better," Dean grinds out. Sam dutifully pens her in.
"Then, well, mostly I need to make it up to him, and I want to explain, and a party doesn't even start to be a reparation, but – Samandriel."
"You mean Alfie? Sure."
"His name wasn't...never mind. Perhaps conditional on Michael, but if he comes, I feel we should have another archangel. The actually helpful one."
"Gabriel? If you think even Jack's presence can make him behave," Sam huffs.
"I don't think that's in the cards at all," Dean points out, "but so long as no one gets killed, that should be enough, shouldn't it? I mean, a joke or two...it might happen, and not even the most uptight Brit could complain."
"Frankly I might want to amend the list later, but the ones that come to mind right now.. They might be actually feasible if it turns out they are in a better mindset now than they used to be, and - well, if I can get them to make amends to other people that will undoubtedly come too. So, can we keep a few extra seats open?" Cas asks.
"Sure. Even if, with that introduction...should I be actually concerned? This is starting to sound less like wedding planning and more like an ONU reunion." Dean chuckles.
"I'm going to make sure that everyone is in the best disposition, Dean. I'm not going to let anyone ruin our day."
"I trust you, but just - do I get to know in advance, if not right now? I mean, Sam's already gone and invited perfect strangers, I'm trying to keep the unknown variables at a minimum" Dean says.
Sam throws him an apologetic look, and he feels immediately guilty for tossing that line in. It's not like it's a major issue, keeping a few extra seats available, just... angels. He's reasonably sure Cas is not going to want fucking Zachariah anywhere close to him in...ever. In fact, he'd be surprised if the fucker doesn't make the do not revive shortlist, but still. A lot of them are major dicks, and that without even having the anatomy for it, in their natural state. That's an accomplishment.
"Of course, Dean. And if you're not happy with them – in fact, if any of you isn't happy with them – they're not going to come. Obviously."
"Obviously?" Sam echoes, a little surprised. Like he didn't expect veto power, too.
"I might have spent too much time around Sherlock, but yes. Of course." Cas shrugs.
"Thanks, Cas," - and the smile that accompanies that is brilliant. See, that's why Dean needs to make sure Cas won't ever leave him. When he fucks up, his angel's there to fix things. A wedding sounds like a good way to convey that message.
"So, huh, moving on - we need to wrap this thing up," Dean huffs, before he can be tempted to be sappy. "We said Ellen and Jo, throw Ash in too. The Roadhouse wouldn't be the same without him."
"Yeah, sure. And, huh, likely she'll say no, but let's ask Pamela anyway," Sam mumbles. She was shockingly happy with her final lot, even with the old heaven, but - they got her killed. Sam probably thinks it's his fault, since he got sent back first. For a day that was supposed to be a success - seal saved and all - it sure felt anything but.
"Yeah, of course we will. Oh, and Kevin. Mrs. Tran would hunt us down otherwise."
"She'd be right," Sammy replies, wilting even more. Really, it's insane that they have a chance to fix all their past mistakes (Dean's this time, no matter what his brother thinks). So many bloody ends undone. He doesn't think he'll ever be able to repay the kid.
"Which, huh, means that Crowley's off the list," Sam adds.
"Why did you even think Crowley would be on it?" Dean snaps, because - I mean, sure. They'd had a...sort of weird relationship with him. Possibly spent more time collaborating than being enemies, actually. But it was embarrassing and awkward and the less both he and Cas see of him, the less they'll be reminded of their respective...arguably lowest points.
Sam shrugs. "He did technically sacrifice himself for us. Kinda feels like we owe him."
Fuck but his baby brother has a point. A bit. "Know what? Put him on. Even if he doesn't actually come to the reception or anything. Just to see his face when he finds out mommy dearest has his throne now. Unless you want to bring her back, too."
"Rowena would kill us for it, she's way too comfortable in her new role. But if you want to invite her, I bet she'd accept."
"She might give Gabriel something to focus on besides making mischief," Cas points out, with a slight grimace.
"Dude, you want your brother to hook up again at our wedding? Maybe in the bathroom?" Dean laughs.
"From Jimmy's memories, that would be...customary?" Cas tilts his head, and damn if he isn't adorable.
"Huh. For all their devotion, even the Novaks had a little wild side. Why I'm surprised, I don't know. Claire's just channeling hers into other things."
"Not just anymore, Dean. One word: Kaia."
"She has her girlfriend around all the time, so at least we can be reasonably sure nobody's gonna stumble on anything, unlike with Rowena. And... Charlie and we're done? Unless you want to add one of your girlfriends. Or all of them. Come on Sammy, now's your chance." Maybe that old djinn dream is going to come true, after all. Dean and his lover, Sam and Jess...That'd be so so nice, but it would also require a lot of explanations.
"Pass. I would wish them all back, but - not for me. For them. And getting a life back after however many years...you've seen mom. She had trouble adapting. Even if it's not decades, it would be weird. So, it just - doesn't feel like I would be doing anyone a favour, not when I wouldn't want to actually stay in their life." Sam shrugs.
That...makes sense. Sort of. Oh well. Sam will get his own happy ending, undoubtedly. He doesn't have to push him to it. (See? He can learn. He's slow, true, but not entirely hopeless.)
"Besides, you forgot someone. Benny. I know he didn't want to come back last time, but maybe seeing you and Cas get married will be the right motivation."
Oh. Right. It's not that he forgot, per se. But if he didn't ask he couldn't be disappointed. And frankly, he hadn't been so sure that Sam was honest when he approved that he'd left a door open for the vampire to come back. Benny got his baby brother's hackles up on sight for some reason. Not that Sam would kill him at the wedding, but...it seemed like inviting trouble. If his brother suggested him, though? "Sure. Add Benny. And then... well, Cas, hope you know how to address it."
"Don't worry, I'll get it to Jack," his angel rumbles.
Hey. This wedding planning thing is less terrifying than he expected.