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“Do you have the gifts?” Dean asked as he pulled the green bean casserole from the fridge.
“Yes!” Cas shouted from the living room. “Do you have the food?”
“Got it!”
Dean and Cas brought everything to the Impala. Once the gifts were in the trunk and the casserole was safely on Cas’s lap, the alpha looked over at Dean. “Dean! You forgot your blockers!”
“Shit!” Dean flew out of the Impala and ran up the stairs.
They were going to Dean’s parents’ house for Christmas this year because Mary hosted Christmas every year. She always liked to start early, wanting to have a true Christmas morning. Sam would rag on him a bit, they would open presents, and then they would share a meal together. Dean always tried to rush to get there as early as he could because if he didn’t, Sam and Mary wouldn’t let him hear the end of it. His mom, Dean could get, but Sammy stayed in the guest room with Jess, so they were always going to be there on time. It was always a little chaotic, but it tended to turn out to be a good time.
This would be Cas’s second year spending Christmas with them and Dean was thankful the alpha still wanted to be with him after the first Christmas. It had been a rough one that year. Mary kept bringing up Lee, Dean’s ex, and saying how she wished the two of them could have made it work. Sam kept gawking, he couldn’t believe that someone like Cas would date someone like Dean. Sammy even had the nerve to say he doubted Cas would be around next year, right to Cas’s face. Then there was John, who had given Cas the talk about not hurting his only omega son. Put the fear of God into Cas, but… Well… At least John seemed to be respectful afterwards.
Yeah, Dean was damn lucky Cas didn’t break up with him then.
This year should have gone more smoothly, Cas had proposed to Dean at the end of November, on the day they met. Dean was the one who suggested they wait to tell his family. He wanted to tell everyone in person so he had to wait for Sam to come home from College for Christmas break. Then, a week after Cas had proposed, Dean found out he was pregnant, and yeah. He couldn’t let his family know he was pregnant. They wouldn’t believe Dean when he told them he was proposed to first before they found out. Everyone would think Cas was only mating Dean because he felt like he had to. So, for now, Dean was going to wear blockers and hopefully, the excuse he had would be believable. Today, they would tell everyone they were engaged and next month, when Dean’s heat didn’t hit, he could pretend to be shocked.
Dean had been able to hide his pregnancy from his parents so far, so he just had to do it a little bit longer.
🎄🎁❄️
“Hey guys!” Mary greeted when she opened the door. “I was wondering if you two were coming.”
Dean felt his eye twitch, it was only a few minutes after nine. “Merry Christmas to you too, Mom.”
“Merry Christmas! Please come on in.” Mary stepped aside so he and Cas could walk in.
Sam and Jess were on the couch and Dean was glad that Cas was willing to carry the box of gifts in so Dean could try to dash for the kitchen. No luck, Dean barely got a few steps in when Sam snorted. “What happened? Did you drink too much last night and then had trouble getting up this morning?”
“Sam, be nice.” Jess warned and bless her soul. Dean had no idea how the omega put up with Sam.
Dean chose to ignore the comment and walk into the kitchen. John was there, leaning on the counter with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, dad.” Dean replied as he put the casserole in the fridge.
“Grab a beer, you look like you need it.” Dean didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed one and stood next to his dad. “Sammy already given’ you a hard time?”
“Yup!” Dean sighed before pretending to take a long sip. God, he wished he could actually drink.
John shook his head. “Give it time, he’s just goin’ through a phase. Hopefully, once he’s out of that fancy college and back into the real world, he’ll straighten up.”
“I sure hope so.”
John chuckled. “Worked for you.”
Dean couldn’t argue with John there. When Dean was in high school, he ran with a rougher crowd. Always getting into trouble, either at school, with his folks, or messing with the wrong people. It had been fun then, but when Dean moved out and started working and going to college, well, the omega grew up real quick.
John sniffed, and his brows furrowed together. “Your birth control still messing with your scent?”
That was the lie Dean had been telling his folks. So far it had been working, but the way John was looking at Dean now, well, the omega was pressing his luck. “Yeah, still a little funky. I didn’t want to smell up the place.” Dean said, deciding to press his luck some more.
John hummed and silence fell over them. Dean’s engagement ring burned under his shirt. He decided whenever he was around his parents, he’d wear the band on a chain that he kept under his shirt. Dean wanted nothing more than to show it off to his dad right now, but he had a plan. After presents, Dean would pull it out, put it on his fingers, and show it off to everyone. He couldn’t hardly wait, Dean wanted to show off to the world that he was going to mate the most amazing alpha.
Mary walked into the kitchen, all smiley until she noticed the beer in Dean’s hand. She then frowned, looking disappointed. “Dean, sweetie, it’s morning. Do you have to start drinking so early?”
“Leave the boy alone, Mary.” John spoke up before Dean could come up with a good excuse. Thank goodness, he had nothing for his defense. “I asked him to drink with me.”
Mary didn’t look any happier, but she had never said anything about John could drink. “Well, how about you both join the rest of us in the living room?” Dean placed his beer down, not wanting to get scolded by Sammy. “Oh Dean, do you mind grabbing a couple of chairs?”
Dean grabbed one, but before he could try to get the other one, John grabbed it. They placed the chairs near the couch, making a half circle in front of the tree. Mary took a seat next to Sam and Jess, John tried to offer his armchair but Dean and Cas told him they didn’t mind taking the chairs.
“I’m so excited for this year.” Sam said with a big grin on his face. Dean thought it was odd, while Sam liked Christmas, he hadn’t been this excited since he was a pup.
Mary looked at the chairs and frowned. “Oh Dean, honey, do you mind grabbing one more?”
Dean’s brows drew together. “One more? Are you expecting anybody?”
“Yeah, are we expecting anyone else?” John asked Mary.
“Well—” Mary started when someone knocked on the door. “Coming!”
Mary jumped up and rushed over to the door, leaving everyone confused in her wake. The second she opened the door, Dean was hit with the scent of tobacco, whisky, and leather, and the omega’s heart stopped. Dean jumped up onto his feet and turned to his mom, whose back was turned to him, and Lee was grinning at him from outside the door. “Mother! What have you done?!”
“Mary!” John hissed.
“What?” Mary asked after closing the door behind them. She then threw her arm around Lee’s waist, pulling the alpha closer to him. “He’s like a third son to me. I think it’s only right he spends Christmas with his family.”
“He’s not family!” Dean growled.
“Ow, Dean! I didn’t realize you hated me so much.” Lee said with mock hurt.
“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Cas asked.
“Oh, he’s the alpha Dean dated before you.” Sam answered. “Honestly, Lee and Dean make more sense than you and Dean.” Both Dean and Cas cut their eyes at Sam who gave them the oh shit look. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with you, Cas! I’m just saying you got a well-paying job! You could have any omega you wanted!”
“Shut your d—” Dean started but John cut in.
“Sam, cut it out. Mary, you didn’t talk to me about this.”
“Why should I have to get your permission to invite my third son?” Mary asked.
“Because he’s not your son!” Dean snapped, feeling like a crazy person.
“Dean, be nice, It’s Christmas.” Mary smiled at Lee. “Go grab a chair from the kitchen.”
“Yes, mom.” Lee replied and it made Dean sick to his stomach.
Lee walked over to Dean, his arms outstretched, like the fucker wanted to hug him. Dean dropped back down onto his chair and Cas growled at Lee. Thankfully, Lee threw his hands up in the air, as if he didn’t mean any harm, and walked into the kitchen.
Dean shared a look with Cas, the alpha was just as unhappy about the situation as Dean was. Dean then looked to his dad who gave him an apologetic look as Mary sat down like nothing about this was messed up. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this. Cas, let’s leave.”
They started to stand up but Mary shot up and rushed over to them. “You can’t leave! It won’t be Christmas without you!”
Dean shook his head. “Sorry mom, this is too weird.”
“What’s too weird?” Lee asked once he returned.
“One moment Lee.” Mary told him before looking into Dean’s eyes, hers starting to water. “Please don’t leave. I accepted it didn’t work out between you, but I had grown close to Lee. You have Cas now, so things shouldn’t be weird.”
“I don’t know mom…” Dean sighed.
“Dean! You can’t leave!” Sam cried. “It’s Christmas!”
That made Dean cave, since Sam went off to college, it didn’t seem like his brother liked him very much. Hearing how badly Sam wanted him to be there, well, it made Dean feel loved. Despite Sam’s new Cali phase, his brother still loved him. So, Dean sat down with Cas doing the same. Because Dean was sitting closer to Jess, the alpha had no choice but to sit next to Cas.
Yup, this was hell, Dean was in hell.
“Whoa!” Lee suddenly said. “Dean? Are you wearing blockers?”
Sam started to sniff the air and his brows furrowed. “Wait, you are! Why are you wearing blockers?”
Dean gritted his teeth, he wanted to punch Lee in his stupid face. “Not like it’s anybody’s business, but I started on a new birth control and it’s messing with my scent.”
“I don’t think that’s how birth control works.” Sam said, like the stupid alpha would know.
Jess sighed, patting Sam’s leg. “Yes sweetie, sometimes birth control can mess with an omega’s scent.”
“Really?” Sam asked, his eyebrows shooting up, and really, bless Jess’s soul for putting up with him.
“Really.” She gently replied.
“Oh.” Then Sam made a face. “I don’t wanna talk about Dean’s sex life anymore.”
Dean’s eye was twitching, it wasn’t like he wanted to talk about it either. Lee was the one who brought it up and Sam was the one to continue the conversation. Dean chose to keep his mouth shut so they could open up presents. It was awkward as hell with Lee being there. Mary had even had presents for the alpha that John didn’t know about. They took turns opening it and as much as Dean tried to get into the moment, he couldn’t when his ex was sitting right next to his fiancé.
But somehow, Dean made it through the gift exchange. Even when Lee gave Dean a “gift”. The alpha opened up his wallet, pulling out a gift card to Pizza Hut that Dean knew was used. Still, the omega grabbed it because Lee wouldn’t leave him alone until he did. Now it was time to let everyone know about him and Cas. Having Lee here wasn’t how he pictured it, but Dean wasn’t going to let Lee ruin this moment for him. Dean cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention. “Hey guys, um… There’s something that I wanna —”
“Actually, Dean, before you do that.” Sam interrupted. “The gift-giving isn’t over yet.”
“It’s not?” Mary asked and Sam shook his head.
Sam licked his lips. “I uh… I’ve waited for the perfect moment to do this and it’s now, with my family.”
No… Dean thought as he felt his blood run cold. No, he’s not actually… Is he?
Sure enough, Sam got up from the couch, turned to Jess, and got down to one knee. Jess gasped, covering her hands over her mouth as Sam pulled out a small black box. Mary made some squeaky noise and John sat up a little straighter. Dean glanced at Cas, who was staring at him with wide eyes. Fuck Dean’s life, he should have just gone ahead, told his parents, and Sam could have found out through Facebook.
“Jess, from the moment we met, I felt complete. I felt like everything just clicked into place when you came into it. You are the sweetest, kindest person I ever met and I’m lucky you chose to be with me. You make me a better alpha, a better person, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Jessica Lee Moore, will you marry me?” Sam asked.
“Yes!” Jess half shouted, half sobbed before joining Sam on the floor. Hugging him and kissing him.
The two smiled lovey-dovey at each other, and Sam smelled so damn happy as he slipped the ring onto Jess’s finger. Dean was happy for his brother and Jess, he really was, but Sam had the worst timing. There was no way Dean could swoop in and also announce his engagement now, Sam would never forgive him. If Dean announced it too soon after this, Sam would just think Cas proposed because he felt like he had to.
Cut it out Dean, you have pictures of the day. Dean was pretty sure he could go into details and show proof when the picture was taken. He just had to wait a week or so and then it would all be okay. Dean and Cas stepped aside so Mary could take pictures of the newly happy engaged couple.
“I’m happy for your brother and Jess.” Cas told him.
“Yeah, same here.” Dean replied, but he still felt guilty for making Cas wait so long before he could tell anyone.
“Whew! I was not expecting that!” Lee said, coming to stand next to them and Dean felt his head pounding. “Talk about a Christmas event!” Lee smiled and then his eyes landed on Cas. Lee stuck out his hand. “Hey, I’m Lee.”
Cas reluctantly shook the other alpha’s hand. “I’m Castiel.”
Lee’s hands landed on his side. “So, you’re the alpha who swooped in and took Dean from me?”
“Lee!” Dean snapped. “We were broken up for a year and a half before I met Cas!”
Lee chuckled. “I’m just jokin’. So, Cas, what ya do?”
“I’m an accountant.” Cas drily replied and Lee whistled.
“Oooh, Dean graded up, huh? I guess you could call me a business owner. I own Swayze’s Bar.”
“Shouldn’t you be hanging out with my mom? Since you two are apparently BFFs now?” Dean asked.
“What? We can’t be friends?” Lee asked. “‘Cause I think we could all hang out.”
“Oh hell no.” Dean snapped.
“Why not?” Lee asked with a frown.
“You cheated on me!” Dean snarled and Lee rolled his eyes.
“Dean, alphas are much different than omegas. It’s biology that makes us alphas have the urge to mate with omegas. Right Cas?” Lee looked towards Cas for support.
“You’re disgusting.” Cas answered.
That only made Lee laugh. “Yeah, Dean really upgraded.”
“I gotta put the casserole in the oven, come on, Cas.” Dean grabbed Cas’s hand and they tried to make their escape to the kitchen.
Tried being the keyword, Lee followed them and grabbed a beer after Dean grabbed his casserole. Dean had to fight himself not to slam the dish on the counter before preheating the oven. A part of him was questioning why he was still here. Sam got to propose to Jess in front of everyone. Maybe Dean could heat the dish he brought and then he and Cas could make their exit.
Cas came and stood close to him, releasing calming pheromones and it worked. Dean felt himself relaxing. Dean gave Cas a grateful smile and the alpha smiled back, making Dean feel even better. Soon the rest of the party joined them in the kitchen.
“What’s on the menu?” Lee asked.
“We have the turkey in the oven—Oh Dean, let me grab that right fast.” Mary hurried to the stove and Dean and Cas got out of the way. “What did you bring Dean?”
“Green bean casserole,” Dean replied.
“Oh, I love that!” Mary said as she hauled the turkey out of the oven.
Sam snorted. “I’m surprised you actually threw something together. I figured you just bring take-out diner food.”
“Sam!” Jess scolded.
“What?! It’s all he ever eats.” Sam defended.
“I’ll have you know, Dean cooks wonderful meals.” Cas, a slight warning in the tone of his voice, and Sam was smart enough to look a little ashamed.
“I love green bean casserole,” Jess told Dean.
“Thank you!” He smiled at her.
“Don’t give your hopes up, it’s probably the cheap easy casserole.” Sam snarked and before Cas could say anything, Dean spoke up.
“It’s mom’s recipe.”
“You better not be talking smack about your mom’s cooking.” John warned and Dean grinned when Sam’s mouth twisted.
“So I uh…” Jess cleared her throat and walked over to the fridge. “I made something last night.”
“Oh yeah?” Dean asked, perking up.
Jess pulled out her dish from the fridge. “I hope you guys like deviled eggs!”
Dean didn’t have time to tell her not to open the lid. Even if he did, he wasn’t sure what he would say. Either way, it was too late, Jess opened the lid and the smell hit Dean’s nose. His stomach turned painfully and felt cold and dizzy. “I-I’ll be right back…”
Dean could feel Cas’s worried eyes on him. The alpha knew what was going on. The smell of eggs made Dean nauseous. That was actually how they started to suspect Dean was pregnant, the omega couldn’t handle the smell of eggs. Dean didn’t have time to assure Cas he would be fine, if Dean didn’t leave now, he would puke all over the kitchen. Once he was out of the kitchen, Dean rushed down the hall and made it to the bathroom just in time. His knees hit the floor and he vomited all of his breakfast.
Dean groaned, grabbing some toilet paper and wiping the corner of his mouth. “Seriously, little one? Why do you gonna do this to me?”
Dean flushed the toilet, sprayed an unhealthy amount of air freshener, and rinsed his mouth out with water. Dean was in the hall when he heard a commotion, serval voices screaming and shouting at one another. Dean ran down the hall, but stopped right before he reached the kitchen when he heard his dad’s booming voice.
“Damn it, Sam! Just shut up!” John yelled.
Dean could hear Mary trying to say something, but she was drowned out by Sam’s voice. “What?! I’m just saying it’s a good thing that Lee’s here! He and Dean make better sense! They wear the same ratty clothes, they like the same awful music, and they both didn’t go to a real college! Cas earns good money and when he figures out how much Dean loves to get into trouble, he’s gonna dump him and Dean will need Lee to help pick up the pieces!”
“How fuckin’ dare you! I’m not going to leave your brother you swallow piece of—” Cas was screaming at the same time John shouted.
“I’m getting real sick of your new attitude!”
Dean had enough of Sammy running his mouth. The omega stormed into the kitchen, his teeth bared and eyes golden. It was enough to shock everyone into silence but before Dean could get a word in, the smell of eggs hit his nose again. Dean didn’t have time to make a mad run to the bathroom. The omega spun on his heels and puked into the trashcan.
“Dean! Are you okay?!” Mary cried.
“Son?!” John called out to him.
“Ew.” Lee complained.
“It’s the eggs! Jess! Please cover the eggs!” Cas begged and Dean heard the lid snap shut.
“Holy shit! You’re pregnant!” Sam blurted and Dean glared at him.
Mary turned pale as she stared at him with big eyes. “Dean… Is it true?”
“Yeah…” Dean grumbled because there was no point in hiding it.
“Dean, I will step up and be the father to your—” Lee started but froze when Cas growled.
“Come any closer and you won’t live to see the New Year!” Cas yelled.
“Dude! I can’t believe you got pregnant before you were mated! Didn’t you learn anything in health class? Oh, that’s right, you would rather skip classes. Surprise this didn’t happen sooner.” Sam snarked and Dean felt something inside of him snap.
“That’s it, you son of a bitch!” Dean turned around, pulled out his chain, and showed everyone his engagement ring. “Cas proposed to me before we found out! That’s right! I was engaged first!”
Mary gasped, Lee looked heartbroken, and John looked like he was lost in a storm and didn’t know what to do. Sam, though, Sam’s face was turning red. “Dude! Seriously?! Did you just announce your engagement right after Jess and I got engaged?!”
“That’s right, Monica! I just stole your thunder!”
“God! That’s just like you! You have no class!” Sam cried and Dean couldn’t take it anymore.
He charged for his brother and Sam had the smarts to run. Sam ran around the table as Dean chased him around. Everyone got out of dodge as Dean chased his brother, swearing he was going to beat the snot out of him. Mary was begging them to stop, Jess was yelling at Sam to stop throwing insults at Dean, and Cas was trying to calm Dean down. The only thing that made everything come to a screeching halt was John’s roar. Dean and Sam stopped in their tracks and stared fearfully at him.
“Family meeting, living room, now!” John demanded and no one was stupid enough to argue with him. Everyone took the same seats they had been when they opened up gifts. Well, almost everyone. When Lee tried, John glared at him and pointed at the door. “You, get out!”
“Thanks for having me over!” Lee said as he quickly made his exit.
“Did you really have to kick him out?” Mary asked and then John’s glare was on her.
“Yes, because you knew inviting him over would upset Dean. You didn’t tell anyone you were going to do it because you knew it was wrong. I know that you were hoping Lee and Dean would mate, but he cheated on our son. You need to let it go.”
Mary looked defeated and Dean supposed she needed to change the subject because her attention was now on him. “Dean? How could you let this happen? How could you be pregnant before you’re mated?”
“Mary, please.” John sighed, sounding exhausted. “We weren’t exactly mated yet when you realized you were pregnant with Dean.”
“What?!” Sam yelped.
“Really?” Dean grinned. His mom had left that small detail out.
John then turned to Sam, and he looked nervous when those eyes were on him. “Sam, son, I love you with all my heart, but I’m real fuckin’ disappointed in you.”
“What-why?!” Sam asked, looking as if John just slapped him.
“I was real proud that you got into Standford, you did that on your own, but I don’t know what crowd you’ve been hanging out with, but it’s made you into an asshole.”
“John!” Mary gasped, but John held his finger up.
“No one interrupt me, because I’m going to speak my mind and I will be heard. Sam, I don’t know what’s crawled up your ass, but you’re no longer in reality. You can’t see how much Dean has changed, can’t see the fine man he has become and Dean isn’t lucky that he has Cas. Cas is lucky he has Dean. Now with that being said, I’ve tried to remind myself, just like Dean, you’re going through a phase, but I won’t have you putting my son down. Do you have a problem with Dean going to community college and working on cars? Well, guess what? I didn’t go to college at all. I graduated high school and went right into the military. I also work on cars, I’m the only one who had a job while you were growing up. So when you’re putting down Dean, what does that say to me? The father who provided for you?”
Sam didn’t have any answers, he just hung his head in shame. The room was silent while everyone tried to calm down their nerves. Dean wasn’t sure how many minutes passed before John turned to him and Cas.
“Dean, Cas, I’m real happy for the both of you. Cas, I’m glad that not only are you joining the family, but I’m thrilled about becoming a grandfather.”
“Thank you, sir.” Cas softly spoke.
John turned to Sam and Jess, and Sam still couldn’t look at him. “Sam, Jess, I’m also happy for the both of you. Just like Cas, I’m glad that you’re going to be part of the family. But Jess, if you could do me a favor?”
“Yes, Mr. Winchester?” Jess asked.
“Please help straighten out my boy.”
Jess barked out a laugh. “I’ll try.”
“Great, now let’s get into the kitchen and enjoy Christmas as a family.”
Everything was awkward as everyone pitched in to get the meal ready. Jess put the eggs back into the fridge and Dean gave her a thankful smile. With Dean, Cas, Mary, and Jess working together to help set everything up, it was ready quickly. Still, no one said a word, not even when they all sat down. They just stared at the food until eventually, Mary cleared her throat.
“Anyone want to say grace?”
“I will.” Dean offered. “Dear Lord, thank you for letting us get to this meal in one piece. May you give us all the strength to get through the rest of the day without tearing each other to shreds. Amen!”
“Amen.” They all echoed and began silently eating.
Dean grinned at Cas, apologizing for another rough Christmas with his family. Cas smiled back and Dean saw it in the alpha’s eyes. Nothing, absolutely nothing would chase Cas away. Dean reached out his hand and Cas grabbed it. At least this was almost over and they wouldn’t have to worry about it for another whole year.