A Sweet Dream or A Beautiful Nightmare - 2/2
Summary: A year after saving Erin, Sam proposes again, will they make it down the aisle or will her nightmares of hell consume her?
Warnings: hurt/comfort, angst, fluff, mentions of hell, mentions of depression, Crowley being awesomely Crowley, Aunt Mimi deserves a warning for how wonderful she is, language.
Notes: Epilogue for The Secrets We Keep Series - don’t necessarily need to have read that but I recommend that you do, only because it’s a masterpiece (yes I said it) of angst.
Characters: Sam Winchester, OFC (Erin Best), Dean Winchester, Crowley, Aunt Mimi (she deserves a special mention). Small Parts/Mentions: Jody Mills, Donna Hasscum, Charlie Bradbury, Cas, OC’s.
Pairing: Sam Winchester x OFC (Erin).
Crowley popped up behind a moldy shed in the woods surrounding Jody Mills’ cabin. He had the decency to arrive relatively on time and not just appear in the middle of the ceremony. The path leading to the cabin had been decorated beautifully with candles, fairy lights, and white and blue flowers entwined around thick trunks. A midnight blue carpet led the way from where he assumed was the designated parking area to the large clearing behind the cabin. It was quaint and a bit rustic but tasteful, and Crowley approved. The nip in the air made the decision to have an outdoor wedding on the cusp of Autumn questionable, but he was at least relieved he wasn’t being made to spend the next hour or so sitting in a church pew.
Dean stood at the edge of the seating area, greeting guests and instructing them where to sit. Sam stood beside him, practically vibrating with nerves.
“It’s about time,” Dean growled as Crowley approached.
He wasn’t exactly late, though he seemed to be one of the last arrivals. Most of the seats had been taken. “I see manners have been reserved for the human guests,” said Crowley making no effort to lower his voice.
“We weren’t sure you’d show,” Sam explained, ushering him aside, far enough away that human ears wouldn’t overhear.
“Why ever not?” Crowley asked, bordering on offended. “I’d never miss the opportunity to see the final flourishment of the fruits of my labour. After all, I’m the reason this is all happening.”
“Oh, you’re the one!” a woman exclaimed with a surprised gasp. Crowley turned to the brunette behind him and knew without being told she was Erin’s mother. She grinned and leaned in to kiss his cheek, which elicited a delighted smile from the King of Hell. “It’s so very lovely to meet you. Erin told us all about you.”
“Let us hope not everything,” Crowley remarked with a mischievous wink. His new companion batted him playfully on the arm and tittered an, ‘oh, you,’ but Dean politely cut her off.
“Mrs. Best, you’d better take your seat,” he smiled. Dean offered his arm for her to take, “It’s almost time.”
“Oh, of course,” she agreed, linking her arm with his, “Just had to powder my nose.”
Dean quickly escorted her back toward the seating area, and Crowley lifted an eyebrow at Sam in inquiry. “We kept it as close to the truth as we could,” said Sam. “They think Erin worked for you, at a real estate firm, and that you introduced us. They…think you’re our Uncle.”
Crowley’s eyes grew wide, less in astonishment than in absolute mirth. “I’m touched,” Crowley said with insincere solemnity, his hand to his heart. Though, secretly he was. To be an honouree Winchester, if only for the day. He’d have burst into laughter if he hadn’t known it would be misunderstood and badly received. “I’d have preferred ‘eldest brother’, though,” he critiqued.
Sam’s jaw ticked, his patience running thin. “For the record, I didn’t want you here. You’re only here because Erin insisted on keeping her end of the deal.”
“So, let’s set some ground rules,” Dean interjected firmly, standing beside his brother once again.
Crowley had no ill intentions. Truth be told, he’d been looking forward to the day for a while. But he’d at least listen to their rules. After all, there were bound to be loopholes. “I wait with bated breath.”
