The enticing aroma of food wafted through the bunker, enveloping the air, replacing the stale air. Heidi, like anyone else, was not immune to the allure of a good meal. It was so heavenly that even her stomach made a gentle growl of agreement. Despite her celestial nature, Heidi had a genuine fondness for eating – a perk she attributed to her status as an archangel. While she could survive without it, she had grown to love the pleasures of indulging in a good meal, especially sweets.
Amidst the ambiance, a muffled tune hummed in the background, emanating from an unknown source. If Heidi had to guess, it was probably an 80s or 90s pop song, a familiar tune from her best friend's playlist. As the music quietly filled the space, she couldn't help but think, "Her playlist needs a major overhaul," before making her way past the war room and heading toward the library.
The room appeared immaculate, devoid of any trace of dust or disorder. Shelves were neatly aligned against the walls, showcasing an array of books waiting to be explored. The long table, which had previously been cluttered with desk lamps, was now adorned with a deep red tablecloth, elegantly arranged plates, and polished cutlery. Gracing the center of the table was a captivating centerpiece – a woven basket brimming with pumpkins of varying sizes, accompanied by delicate dried maple leaves, adding a touch of autumn.
Heidi could sense the meticulous planning and thought that her best friend had put into arranging the Thanksgiving dinner. As she admired the beautifully set table, a thought crossed her mind – "She must have a lot to be thankful for." Heidi couldn't help but feel a sense of love for the effort and care that had gone into creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Gold pine cones, each card carefully graced with cursive lettering, were used as name holders for the guests. As Heidi perused the names, she read them aloud in a hushed tone, "Bobby, Ellen, Dean," her voice carried a mixture of recognition and tension. The last name slightly causing her blood to simmer with a touch of anger. Her attention was soon drawn to another name - "Mary Rae?" She announced, her expression contorting as if she had encountered an unpleasant scent.
However, the next name she saw prompted an involuntary reaction within her. "Garth," she spat out the name, her tone revealing a mix of disdain and annoyance. A very unique individual that was Garth, and the inexplicable connection he seemed to have with Rae. Heidi couldn't shake the memory of the ring fiasco that had unfolded just days before she left, a situation that had undoubtedly contributed to the bond between them and the reason why Rae was still in the bunker.
"Hello, anybody home?" Heidi's voice rang out as she followed the savory scent that guided her to the heart of the bunker – the kitchen. A magnificent spread of food all over the counter and table, a sight that made her softly gasp in awe. From corn to candied yams, creamed spinach to sweet potato casserole topped with slightly toasted marshmallows, green bean casserole (though partially hidden beneath its golden crust), dinner rolls, mac and cheese (a personal favorite), stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a mouthwatering assortment of pies – three of them being apple, with the remaining array showcasing blueberry, strawberry, pumpkin, chocolate (likely of the dark variety, given Rae's taste), and even a unique potato pie.
The sight was almost pulled from a cooking show, and it showed that Rae had gone above and beyond to create a feast fit for a Thanksgiving celebration.
Her eyebrows slightly raised, her stomach growling to the food before her. It was a feast fit for royalty. "Are you two feeding an army?" She couldn't help but exclaim, her voice echoing through the kitchen. The suddenness of her entrance startled Rae and Garth, both of whom turned to look at her with surprise.
As soon as Rae saw her best friend, she rushed to her and gave her the biggest hug she could muster, being careful of her baby bump. Her friend returned the embrace warmly. "Honey, I missed you!" She exclaimed with genuine joy, holding onto her tightly. "Look at you!"
At 17 weeks, Rae couldn't hide her pregnancy anymore. Her baby bump was starting to show compared to a month ago, which was the last time Heidi saw her. That and she had the glow. She never understood what it meant until now. Emotions surged within her as she saw Heidi, and it seemed that her friend was experiencing a similar wave of feelings. The two of them shared a heartfelt moment, their emotions speaking volumes even without words.
"Don't start, Gabby," she pleaded, but she was also doing the same. From Heidi to Dean, they were different ends of the spectrum. Rae's appearance was casual yet stylish, wearing a beige tunic-length sweater paired with black leggings and leopard-print booties. Her long black hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she had applied a touch of makeup, enhancing her natural beauty without going overboard.
"Let me look at you." Heidi pulled away slightly to get a better view of her friend, her eyes running over Rae's appearance. "Honey, did your tits and ass get bigger?!" She blurted out shamelessly, causing Rae to burst into laughter and playfully hit her with a wooden spatula from the kitchen counter. The playful banter between the two showed their strong friendship and their comfort level with each other.
"Hey, watch it!" Rae retorted with a grin, clearly taking Heidi's remark in stride. Heidi's candid comment had Rae both amused and embarrassed. "Garth's here!" she exclaimed, pointing out his presence. As if on cue, his hand popped up above the counter, waving in a friendly greeting. The unexpected interruption only added to the lighthearted atmosphere.
Heidi waved off the embarrassment, seemingly unfazed by his presence. "He doesn't care." Turning to Garth, "Right?!" she asked, to which he responded with a thumb's up.
"But I do," a familiar voice interrupted from the kitchen threshold. It was Dean, his presence immediately drawing attention. In one hand, he held an olive drab duffel bag, and in the other, his leather jacket. As Heidi rolled her eyes in response, Rae's face lit up with joy, though her smile appeared somewhat reserved.
Hey," Dean greeted, his voice carrying a hint of shyness. His attention was squarely on Rae, as if she was the only person in the room. The sight of her, still standing there and smiling at him, seemed to wash away any worries he might have had during his time on the road. In her presence, he found a sense of comfort that he hadn't realized he was missing.
His gaze softened, taking in the gentle curve of her abdomen, the symbol of the life they had created together. He hadn't anticipated that just a month apart could bring about such a noticeable change in her. His eyes, a deep shade of green, shimmered with unspoken emotions. There was pride, love, awe, and a touch of fear - a cocktail of feelings that came with impending fatherhood.
He took a moment, just standing there, letting his eyes roam over her figure. He didn't need to say anything; his eyes did all the talking. They told Rae of his admiration for her strength, his gratitude for this blessing, his promise to protect and cherish them, and his overwhelming love.
However, as he stood before her, he became acutely aware of his appearance – the unshaven face, the travel-worn expression – suddenly self-conscious of how he looked.
"How are you?" Dean's question came out a bit awkwardly, and rightfully so. The last time he had seen Rae before he left, they had a heated argument that was never fully resolved. Now, after four weeks of being apart, they were face to face again. The tension from that unresolved argument still lingered in the air between them.
Rae maintained her smile, though beneath the surface, she still held onto some resentment towards Dean for the hurtful things he had said during their argument. While her anger had subsided somewhat over the past month, the memory of that night still played in her mind, causing a strain between them.
The air was tense, as Dean's frustration and anger reached their peak. His voice carried an edge as he delivered a final ultimatum, his words like a heavy weight. "No means no, Rae!" His words cut through the room, leaving a piercing silence. Realizing that the argument was spiraling out of control, Dean turned abruptly and walked away, leaving Rae behind, her emotions still raw from the confrontation. But that did not stop her from following him.
"Excuse me? What right do you have?!" She demanded, anger in her voice. Her frustration bubbling.
Dean's abrupt turn stopped Rae in her tracks, and his words hit her like a ton of bricks. "I'm your husband," he stated furiously. The simple statement held layers of emotion, reflecting his claim over her.
Rae's voice grew stronger as she countered Dean's. The frustration and pent-up emotions she had been holding back came pouring out in her words. "No, you're not!" she retorted vehemently. "The paper that it is printed on is worthless. Ash made that happen because you said so. He hacked the registry because you said so. My name change, our marriage…all because of you." Her eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and hurt as she continued, her voice wavering with emotion. "The only thing that's real between us is this child I'm carrying."
The weight of her words wounded him, but he chose to ignore. It was a confrontation that had been a long time coming, and now the truth was laid bare between them, leaving a trail of raw emotions in its wake.
He sneered. "Is that baby even mine? 'Cause right now, for all we know...-" The words that tumbled out of Dean's mouth were like daggers, in turn. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her breath catching in her throat. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable as she took a step back, his words having struck hard. Her lips quivered, and while tears welled up in her eyes, she fought to hold them back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break down.
Dean's own realization hit him heavily. He saw the impact of his words on Rae, the hurt he had caused, and the truth behind his own cruelty. In that moment, Dean's face contorted with regret and self-loathing. It was clear that his words had gone too far, that he had crossed a line he could never truly take back. The truth was, he knew the baby was his. It was a low blow, and he knew it.
"Rae..." He wanted to take it all back, but his pride wouldn't let him. She stood before him, her emotions raw and tangled. He, instead, said, "Well, I know what I'm talking about. You don't. You know nothing about life, about what's out there! So until I figure this out, you're not working at Ellen's or anywhere, period."
She felt the sting of his words and it hurt deeply, not just because of the argument, but because she knew she was strong and capable in her own right. "So what are you saying? I should just be barefoot and pregnant, chained to a stove?! Newsflash, you got me halfway there!"
"If that's what it takes to keep you safe, then yes! A million times, yes!" Dean returned, eyes glued on her. He believed he was acting out of concern and protection, so why couldn't she see it? He tried reaching out for her, to hug her, but she shook her head, keeping her distance, the hurt and anger radiating off her.
"You don't get to decide what I do or don't do, Dean," she retorted, her voice shaking with the effort of holding back tears. "I've lived a life before I met you, life you know nothing about. Just because you're scared or uncertain doesn't mean you can control my choices.
"This is not the 50s. And I thought you were different." Just like that, she walked away, while he stood there the weight of her words sinking in. The next day, he left.
What she didn't know was that he buried his guilt and frustration in the chaos of the hunt. He had distanced himself from her, unable to face the hurt he had caused. But every night, as he lay in his motel room, his thoughts would drift back to her.
He missed her laughter, her warmth, and even her stubbornness. The memory of their argument still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the hurt he had caused. Standing in the kitchen now, Dean felt a mix of emotions. He knew he had to make things right, to find a way to compromise and show her that he valued her. The desire to protect her and their child was still strong, but he also understood that they needed to work together to make it work.
"Dean!" Garth greeted enthusiastically, momentarily replacing his thoughts.
"Garth," Dean responded with a nod and a half-smile. He had mixed feelings about the other hunter, appreciating his skills and loyalty but often finding himself annoyed by his quirky personality. However, in this moment, Dean was grateful for the distraction that Garth's presence provided.
Dean and Rae locked eyes, their unresolved tension still there. It was clear that there was much left unsaid between them, and the weight of those unspoken words threatening.
Rae shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering as she seemed to grapple with her own conflicting feelings. Dean's gaze remained steady, a mixture of regret, longing, and frustration. It was a silent standoff, two people unwilling to back down.
"All right. All right, okay. I'm happy to see you, too." The irritation was once again creeping, but he was happy to be home, to see his 'wacky more than others' brother. At his darkest, he was always there, blood or not. With that, he gave Garth a hug as brothers would. Out of nowhere, a voice echoed in his head, which that sounded familiar yet unfamiliar.
...Family don't end in blood. But it doesn't start there, either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them. Family's there through the good, the bad-all of it. They got your back, even when it hurts. That's family...
"Did you say something?" Dean asked, puzzled. It felt like something he said, it sure sounded like him, but he couldn't remember when he did. He slightly shook his head, trying to dismiss the odd feeling. Perhaps it was just fatigue catching up to him after the long drive.
"Nah, I didn't say a thing. You're hearing things?" he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. It wasn't uncommon for the brothers to experience strange and unexplainable occurrences, but it seemed like this was one of those moments that defied explanation. Garth, always the optimist, was quick to turn the situation into a bit of lighthearted banter.
"Might just be tired," Dean thought. After all, he drove eight hours straight without rest and won't be able to until way after dinner.
"Could be, man," Garth agreed, still wearing a friendly smile. "Long drives can mess with your head sometimes. But hey, the important thing is you're back safe and sound." He clapped Dean on the back in a supportive gesture. Before walking away, Garth whispered, "Though, you might want to shower."
Dean's eyebrow shot up at Garth's comment, a mixture of confusion and irritation crossing his face. "What's that supposed to mean?" he muttered to himself, watching as Garth walked away with a smirk.
Dean scrunched his face as he did a sniff test. "Dude, what do you-Oh!" And the stench hit him hard. His expression shifted from confusion to embarrassment. He chuckled awkwardly to himself and mumbled, "Guess I really do need that shower."
"Meet me in the garage..." Heidi softly said in passing, wrinkling her nose. "...AFTER you take a shower," she emphasized and headed elsewhere. Dean gave a slightly puzzled nod as he watched Heidi head off. He turned his attention back to Rae, who seemed focused on the food preparations.
"I'm not that bad," he whirled around, defending himself, but she was long gone. He sighed in resignation and headed for his room.