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“Dad!”
Dean groaned as an intense whisper hissed at him from the doorway. The lump next to him didn’t stir, the lucky bastard.
“It better be past seven.” He grumbled out. Silence answered him. That’s what he thought.
“But when are Ellen and Jo coming? What about Bobby? Shouldn’t we start on the food?” Emma whispered.
“I’ve got it all planned out. Go back to bed.”
“Okay.” Little feet shuffled away.
Dean sighed. He was already awake, and even in his thirties the excitement of Christmas was buzzing inside of him too. “Em, go wake your uncle.”
“Yes!” Emma cheered quietly and Dean heard the footsteps reroute to Sam’s room.
“Come on angel.” Dean pressed a kiss his husband’s nose. “Our daughter says it’s time to get up.”
“Why?” Cas grumbled and scrunched his nose as Dean kissed it again.
“Because it’s Christmas.” Dean trailed his lips to Cas’ cheeks and neck.
“Christmas can wait.” Cas rolled so his face was smushed into his pillow.
“Christmas can not wait.” Dean continued his kisses on the knobs of Cas’ spine. “Neither can our daughter.”
“Just our daughter can’t wait?”
“Sue me, I like Christmas.” Dean grumbled and got out of bed.
Two strong arms wrapped around his waist as he pulled up his underwear, warm body pressed at his back, and a pair of lips kissing his neck. “I like Christmas too.”
Dean turned around in the loose hold and kissed his husband. It was sweet and lazy, absolutely perfect.
“Merry Christmas, Cas.”
Cas hummed and pressed their lips together again. “Merry Christmas, Dean.”
Cas went to shower while Dean finished dressing in dark jeans and a plain black t shirt. He would throw on his Scooby Doo Christmas sweater after all the food was prepped. He’d learned the hard way last year that wearing a Christmas sweater while cooking was a bad idea.
When Dean made it downstairs Emma was digging in the kitchen cabinets while a half asleep Sam was drooping over a cup of coffee.
“Your daughter is a Christmas monster.” Sam glared at him like it was Dean’s fault he was up at six on Christmas morning.
“Like Krampus?” Emma asked, head in the cabinet next to the fridge.
“No, more like a little elf.” Dean teased and grabbed his daughter, lifting her up and out of the cabinet. “Merry Christmas, babygirl.”
“Merry Christmas, Dad.” Emma squirmed. “Now put me down, I’m looking for the big pot.”
“For the mashed potatoes?” Dean put her down.
“Yes.”
“The big pot that’s holding already cut potatoes?”
“You already cut them?” Emma pouted.
“Sorry, Em, I did a lot of the prep last night.”
“Oh.” Emma slumped. “What do we need to do?”
“How about we start with Christmas pancakes for breakfast?”
“Yeah!” Emma jumped up and down.
Together, Emma and Dean mixed up a pancake batter with green food die and red sprinkles. Emma wanted them to be extra Christmasy. Dean thought they looked a little like vomit, but kept his mouth closed. He didn’t want to be the grinch.
Cas joined them not too much later. No man had any right to look that sexy in an oversized Christmas sweater. The bumblebee wearing a Santa hat stitched on to the front of the sweater seemed to be judging him.
Dean quickly looked away and flipped the pancake.
They all finished multiple stacks of pancakes. The green-brown color had no effect on the taste, thankfully. Sam and Emma did bicker over if food was healthy or not. Dean was quick to put a stop to it.
“Should we see what Santa left?” At those words Emma’s eyes lit up and she quickly took her empty plate to the kitchen before running to the living room where the stockings hung.
When Emma had first started living with Dean, he had attempted to do the whole opening presents and stocking gifts before breakfast. It hadn’t gone well, Emma, especially when she first came, was very emotional, specifically when she was hungry. The first Christmas they had spent together the little four year old had had a melt down from being overwhelmed. Emma hadn’t ever gotten gifts before, so she was confused about the wrapping and why Bobby and Dean had been so excited. On an empty stomach she couldn’t handle it.
Now that Emma was older, she was used to gifts, but Dean still kept the tradition of breakfast before gifts. Everyone was happier with food in their stomachs.
Dean, Cas, and Sam followed the little girl in her red tutu and sparkly green sweater.
Four colorful stockings hung from a two by four Ms. Mathews painted for them their first Christmas in the house. The stockings themselves were ugly, oversized things, Bobby had had lying around from another lifetime. Dean had taken the time to hand stitch the first letter of each of his family’s names into them. He had to say he was pretty damn proud of their stockings.
Emma handed out everyone’s stockings before plopping on the floor and seeing what Santa had left for her.
Dean ignored his stocking in favor of watching his daughter’s eyes light up even brighter as she opened her stocking. She gave a delighted squeal at the Harry Potter coloring book, Ravenclaw socks, and toothbrush. The toothbrush was a staple in the stockings. Dean had vague memories of getting a toothbrush in his stocking from Santa when he was younger.
“What did Santa get you guys?” Emma asked as she began flipping through her book.
The adults in the room opened their stockings and revealed their contents.
Dean, having personally stuffed each stocking, was more interested in watching his husband and brother open their gifts.
Sam snorted at his Bigfoot socks and shaving cream. Cas shot him a glare when he saw his Bee Movie socks.
They had watched it, and Cas had been so insulted by the cartoon where a bee was apparently in some sort of romantic relationship with a human. Dean had laughed as his husband had gone on and on about the inaccuracies and whatnot of the kid’s movie.
Dean snorted as his husband threw the socks at him. “Santa has a poor sense of humor.”
They cleaned up the little mess and began getting ready for the rest of the family. Dean and Emma went to the kitchen while he sent his strapping husband and brother who was useless in the kitchen out to shovel the driveway.
By the time the first of the family were arriving the only thing left to do was wait for the gravy to thicken.
Dean heard a car pull up a second before Emma screeched and ran to the look out the window.
“Grandma Ellen and Aunty Jo are here!” Emma scream and ran to the front door.
“Emma Mary, don’t you dare go outside without any shoes on!” Dean shouted.
Dean turned down the burner and wiped his hands before going to greet the new arrivals. Emma already had her entire body wrapped around Jo who was kicking off her boots.
“Merry Christmas.” Ellen smiled and pulled Dean into a hug.
“Yeah, Merry Christmas.” Dean took the bowl of sweet potatoes Ellen had and let her pass so she could hug Cas. “Jo, I’d hug you, but you’ve got a Christmas barnacle on you. Emma, let Aunt Jo go so she can take her coat off. Then you can go back to hugging her.”
Emma detached herself from Jo just long enough for her coat to be removed then the little girl was dragging the older one into the kitchen to look at the carrots she chopped. Dean chuckled and went to follow them into the kitchen.
He didn’t get far when a loud knock came a second before the door opened again with a blast of cold air.
“Shit, it’s colder than my dead mother in law out there. Bobby why don’t your boy live in someplace warm?”
“No one asked you to come, Rufus. You could have taken care of that chupacabra in Florida instead.”
Dean smiled it was always hit or miss if Rufus Turner came with Bobby or not, but when he did it was always entertaining-as long as he kept his bitching to Bobby.
“Hey, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.” Dean hugged Bobby, and patted Rufus’ shoulder.
“Would be merrier and happier if it weren’t so damn cold out.” Rufus grumbled and kicked off his boots.
“Watch your mouth, don’t need my granddaughter catching your foul mouth.” Bobby scowled, kicking off his own boots and stomping into the kitchen.
“Grandpa, come look at my carrots!”Emma ushered from where she and Jo stood by her bowl of carrots.
“Is that a drug reference?” Rufus muttered.
Ellen slapped the old man’s shoulder. “She’s eleven.”
“So?”
“Okay,” Cas stepped in quickly. “Let’s set the table.”
They all helped placing plates and bowls on to the extended table. Dean couldn’t help but smile. Across the room where Cas was setting down plates and silverware, blue eyes caught his and gave a warm smile on return.
Dean mouthed an I Love You and his husband’s smile got ever more fond and mouthed it back.
“Dean, where are the raisins?” Sam asked, eyeing the stuffing.
“In the garbage where they belong.” Dean said as he piled his plate with Ellen’s sweet potatoes.
“Stuffing is supposed to have raisins in it.” Sam pressed.
“They’re Wendigo food.”
“I hate to say it, but I’m with Dean on this one.” Rufus said. “Raisins are chupacabra droppings.”
Dean pointed at the man speaking truth. Emma giggled and Dean winked at his daughter who stuck her tongue out at him.
“I think I prefer stuffing with raisins.” Cas added.
“Cas!” Dean gawked, wounded. “You’re taking my brother’s side? How could you?”
“Well, when you’re speaking nonsense…” Cas shrugged.
“A year of marriage and this is how it is.” Dean huffed. “Chivalry is dead.”
“Sam, I don’t know how you live with these two.” Jo smiled around a spoonful of mashed potatoes.
“You have no idea. I deserve a medal or something.” Sam chuckled.
“Y’all just jealous.” Dean kissed Cas’ cheek.
Emma gagged and Jo snickered and gagged too.
The rest of the meal was filled with light bickering and laughter. The house was warm and brightly lit with Christmas lights. Dean just wanted to soak it all in like a sponge.
Cas gently nudged him, a slightly concerned look on his face. Dean hadn’t noticed he had spaced out a bit in his reminiscing. Dean smiled at his husband and hooked their ankles together under the table. Everything was alright.
“Alright, let’s clear the table and get to the good part.” Dean clapped his hands.
They all moved everything to the kitchen. Food was left on the counter for picking at later, and dishes were placed in the sink.
“Sam-“
A loud crash and shatter from the dining room cut Dean off.
He ran into the other room. Dean took stalk of his closest gun- in the living room. He should really move one into the kitchen.
The retired hunter burst into the next room to find the only threat was a bunch of broken glass on the floor.
Dean’s relief caught in his chest as he saw his daughter standing frozen in the epicenter of the glass, her green eyes locked on the mess around her. Emma’s chest rose in quick, stuttering breaths.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Emma began shaking. Her hands flew up to her head and she tugged at her hair.
“Emma, Emma.” Dean tried to get his daughter’s eyes away from the glass and on to him. “Look at me.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Emma went on.
“Emma!” Dean clapped his hands green eyes finally found his and they seemed clearer. “Don’t move, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m gonna grab my boots and-“
Cas nudged Dean’s side and handed him his boots. “Thanks, Cas.” Dean slipped them on, not bothering to tie the laces.
Dean stepped on to the glass and picked up his daughter. Emma burrowed her face into Dean shoulder and shook, her breathing coming in staccato like inhales. Dean went to the hall, and set her down.
“Em, come on babygirl.” Dean gently detached her from him. “Emma, breath with me, okay? We’re going to breath.”
Dean walked them both through their breathing exercise. It took about ten minutes, but eventually, Emma stopped hyperventilating. She still shook a little, and gasping, but she wasn’t in danger of passing out or going into a panic attack anymore.
“I’m sorry, Dad.” Emma mumbled out.
“I’m not mad, babygirl.” Dean smoothed out her long blonde hair. “It was an accident. Accidents happen, and that’s okay. Now, what do you need right now?”
“We should go in the living room, everyone’s waiting.” Emma tugged at her hair.
“Hey, hey. Everyone is just talking about boring stuff, and digesting. We’ve got all night. What do you need?”
“Can-“ Emma bit her lip and Dean rubbed a thumb over her shoulder. “Can we go for a walk?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.” Dean smiled.
He sent a quick text to Cas about where they were going before lacing up his boots and pulling on his coat, hat, and mittens. After Ema had done the same, they walked out into the winter night.
Emma took his hand and they followed the well worn paths that cut through the woods behind their house.
It was actually, fairly mild out. Their breath still fogged up in front of their faces, but the air didn’t hurt his face. The moon shined brightly above them and the stars twinkled next to it.
The only sound was the crunching of the snow underneath their boots. The snow had that affect. It made the whole world softer.
Emma was quiet next to him. She seemed to be soaking in the stillness of the night, letting it calm her anxieties.
Dean let his mind wander to Christmases past. If he could concentrate he could conjure an image of Christmas with his mom and dad a year before the fire.
There had been a big tree full of lights, and smiles. Baby Sammy had been wearing a little red and green onesie and he had laughed when Dean had jingled a bell over his little baby head. He remembered his dad’s stubble rubbing against his cheek and giggling about it. His mom’s bright smile rang clear in his head.
Those memories sat warm in his stomach, but Christmases of the present with his family were the best. Dean wouldn’t trade the more recent Christmases for anything.
“We can turn back now.” Emma suddenly said.
“Alright.”
Sure enough, Emma had stopped shaking and her foggy breaths came out in even little puffs. Together, they turned back and followed the kitchen light that could be seen shining through the dense forest.
On the front porch, they stomped the snow off their boots and went inside to strip off their winter clothes. The house was just as warm as when they had left, and it felt good against Dean’s cool cheeks.
Emma ducked her head, as they walked into the living room and crawled up on the couch by Cas. She curled into his side like a little kitten. Dean watched with his heart growing three sizes too large as his husband wrapped an arm around his-their daughter and kissed her forehead.
“Ready for presents?” Dean took out the Santa hat from a shelf.
“You want to play Santa, honeybee?” Cas asked Emma.
She peaked her head out of Cas’ side and nodded. Rubbing at her eyes she stood, adjusting her tutu as she went and grabbed the Santa hat from Dean.
Dean stole Emma’s spot next to Cas. “Hi.” Dean kissed his husband’s cheek and placed his head Cas’ shoulder.
“Everything alright?” Cas mumbled into Dean hair.
“Yeah, just needed a minute.” Dean watched as Emma handed out presents to everyone.
Each person got a good pile of presents set in front of him or her. Rufus even got candy canes for everyone.
Dean smiled and cheered at his new set of kitchen knives from Ellen, gun oil from Jo, parts for Baby from Bobby, a Kurt Vonnegut book from Sam, and a pair soft pajama pants with Chewbacca and Han Solo on them from Cas and Emma. Dean was more invested in watching everyone else open their gifts. He was most proud of the bumblebee tie he found for Cas and the snowy owl stuffed animal for Emma that Dean figured looked like Hedwig from the Harry Potter books.
After a chorus of cheers and thank yous, Dean stuffed the wrapping paper into the garbage and they all went back to the table for dessert. Three types of pies and a frozen strawberry dessert sat on the table.
The rest of the night was just as bright and warm as the beginning. They all ate too much dessert and sat in the living room for hours after, talking and laughing some more.
Emma had been put to bed, having fallen asleep in Jo’s lap two hours past her bedtime. Not long after Bobby pulled out the good scotch. Everyone had one glass and Ellen was sober and going to drive Rufus, Bobby, and Jo to Bobby’s for the night before they left for home the next morning.
“Well, I suppose.” Ellen said, glancing at the clock that read midnight.
“Yeah.” Dean rubbed his eyes and laughed. “Get out of my house.”
Cas smacked his shoulder lightly.
“Boy’s right.” Bobby stood and stretched. “It’s late.”
“Yeah.” Rufus grumbled.
Jo was half asleep on her mom’s shoulder. Ellen gently shook her.
Dean, Sam, and Cas walked their guests to the front door.
“Merry Christmas.” Dean said Ellen wrapped him in a hug.
“You too. Love you boys. Be good.” Ellen tugged Cas into a hug next.
“Nah, you know us.” Sam smiled as Ellen pulled him into a hug.
“Make sure Emma keeps you boys in line.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dean smiled as he hugged Jo.
“Come on, let’s get goin’ before we’re all pushing up daisies.” Rufus grumbled.
“Oh hush, you old grump.” Bobby smacked Rufus’ arm.
“I’m only as old as you, old man.”
“Listen-“
“Alright!” Ellen said over the two. “Merry Christmas, bye.”
A chorus of Merry Christmases and Drive Safes followed them out the door leaving the house quiet.
“I’m beat.” Sam yawned.
“Getting old there, Sammy?” Dean smirked.
“Shut up, jerk.” San gave Dean a side hug. “Merry Christmas.”
“Yeah, yeah, Merry Christmas, bitch.” Dean patted his brother’s back.
Sam went upstairs and Cas and Dean migrated back to the couch.
The couple cuddled close and Dean threw the quilt Ellen got Cas over them. Dean’s head tucked under Cas chin, and their legs tangled together on the footrest. The Christmas tree twinkled in front of them. They could see the snow falling through the window just beyond the tree.
“Merry Christmas, angel.” Dean kissed the underside of Cas’ jaw.
“Merry Christmas, beloved.”
The snow fell in large puffy flakes around the little house nestled in the woods. The light to be seen was red and green lights from the window.