Chapter 78 - I do... but I don't

Present 

Sam stared is silent horror at his older brother. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. So not only had Dean been back for over six months, but he'd also been with Allegra — really been with her — and had frigging proposed! The joy he'd felt before was completely gone. Anger and jealousy were running wild inside of him. How dare Dean do this to him? 

"You," Sam licked his lips, straining to keep his calm, "you proposed to Allegra in a ruse? What, cheating on her wasn't enough?"

Dean's jaw clenched. "Not that it's any of your business, but she forgave me for that. And it wasn't just a ruse. I had that ring for a couple of weeks already, but was waiting for the right time."

"In what universe was that the right time? You're such a dick, Dean! Why would you break her heart a second time?"

"I didn't break her heart."

"Oh, so she was smart enough to see through your game and say no?"

"No."

"What do you mean, no? She... Oh God, she said yes?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what, Dean? Come on, man, you're telling me asked her to marry you, but clearly something bad happened, 'cause she's not with you, and we both know you wouldn't have called me if everything was rainbows and unicorns!"

"Well, if you'd shut up for two seconds, I could continue with the rest of my story!"

The two brothers glared at each other, their tense bodies vibrating with repressed rage. Sam leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head, wanting nothing more than to get up and leave. But where was he supposed to go? Amelia didn't need him anymore. Dean was the only family he had left, and Allegra... Despite how things ended between them, he didn't want her to get hurt. He still cared. More than he should, probably. 

"Just... tell me you didn't put her in danger," he said. "Tell me you were at least honest with her about your plan with the demon tablet."

At the mention of that damn thing, Dean's body language changed completely. He put the half-empty beer bottle on the table, pushing it away as if he were disgusted by it. Then he lowered his eyes and hung his head in defeat. Sam's blood chilled at his brother's forlorn form. 

"Dean, what happened?" he insisted. 

"What usually happens," said Dean. "Everything went to hell."

***

Two months ago

"Get away from me, Dean!"

"Alley! Dammit, stop running and talk to me, for God's sake!"

Dean hurriedly blocked Allegra's path by jumping down the last steps of the stairs and throwing his body against the front door. She huffed and look about ready to punch him. Her cheeks were flustered. Usually, the blush looked adorable on her. Right now, though, Allegra was beyond scary.

"Move," she ordered. 

"No," said Dean resolutely.

"I said, move!"

"And I said, no! Now will you calm down and tell me why're having such a meltdown over this?"

"Are you frickin' kidding me? You proposed, Dean!"

"I'm well aware. So what?"

"So wh—ugh, I don't believe you right now!"

Allegra whirled round and stomped to the kitchen. Dean chased after her, fully prepared to tackle her if that's what it took to get her to talk to him. He nearly collided with her when she spun back to him and demanded, "Why?"

"Huh?" Dean frowned at her. "What do you mean?"

"Why did you ask me to marry you?"

"Oh gee, lemme think, maybe because I want to marry you?"

Allegra scoffed. "Don't give me that crap, Winchester. In all the years I've known you, and in all the months we've been dating, you haven't even said something remotely relating to marriage. We both know you're not the marrying type, so don't stand there and pretend that you are."

She had him there. Everyone who'd ever come into contact with the Winchesters and knew them well enough to call them their friends knew Sam was the family man while Dean was the happy-go-lucky whose only commitments were to one-night stands with zero emotional attachment. Or at least, that's how it used to be. And that's what Dean had to convince Allegra of. 

"You're right," he said with a sigh. "I'm not the marrying type. Or I wasn't, anyway. Had you asked me five years ago if I wanted to tie the knot, I would've run for the hills. Hunters aren't meant to have families, because sooner or later, the monsters will come. Losing someone like my dad lost my mom... I swore I'd protect myself from that pain. But then you came along. I never thought I could fall for anyone this hard. Being in love with you, living with you, waking up every morning beside you... I want that for the rest of my life, however long that may still be. Because you are worth that pain."

Dean stepped up to Allegra and took her face in his hands. He looked deep into her golden eyes, hoping she would find the love and truth in his. Yes, he was painfully aware the timing for his proposal was completely off and partly a distraction from his plan with Amore and Naomi, but it was still a hundred percent genuine. She had to see that.

"You are the only woman I've ever admitted to loving," he said. "I was with Lisa for a year, and she never heard those words. That's how much you've changed me, Alley. And I'll go down on one knee again right here in the kitchen, if that'll —"

"No, don't," interrupted Allegra. "Please, just... stop talking for a minute."

Dean bit his lip, waiting with bated breath as he watched Allegra think. Her brow was knitted, and her eyes were shut. Her fingers closed around Dean's wrists, but she didn't pry his hands away from her face. Rather, she held them in place, as if she needed his touch to ground her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she opened her eyes and said, "I need to think about this."

That Dean hadn't expected. He blinked in confusion, taken aback by her words. "You... Um, okay..."

"Just a few days. Will you give me that? Please?"

The old Dean Winchester wouldn't have. The old Dean Winchester would've walked away then and there, which was exactly how their relationship had crumbled the first time around. But he wasn't that man anymore. He'd just given an entire speech about how Allegra had changed him, and this was his chance to prove it. So, even though his ego took a big hit and it felt like a dagger penetrated his chest, Dean said, "Take however long you need."

"Thank you."

"Do you, um... Would you like to wear the ring in the meantime?"

"No, I don't think that's a good idea."

The dagger went in a little deeper. Dean swallowed away his disappointment, ignoring the pins and needles jabbing in his throat, and nodded. This meant nothing. Allegra simply needed time to gather her thoughts. He wouldn't deny her that. Especially since having her distracted now gave Dean the chance to go through with the plan.
After tomorrow, they might never need to worry about Crowley or any other demons again. After tomorrow, the threat looming over them might go away and they'd be free. Free to stop hunting. Free to marry and have children. Free to live.

***

He waited until he was certain his girlfriend was fast asleep. Waited until he heard her breath coming out evenly and she lay motionless on her side against him. It was now or never. Soundlessly, Dean removed his arm from Allegra's waist, slipped out of bed, and tiptoed through the bedroom. He carefully closed the door behind him and crossed the corridor to Allegra's old room, where Kevin was sleeping. Something about the general ambiance in a teenager's bedroom apparently helped him find some measure of peace. At least a lot more than in the attic.

Dean hadn't appreciated the proximity until tonight. At first, he found having Kevin right across from his room with Allegra a hassle. In his opinion, they were at their best in the cover of night, when their sweating bodies glistened in the moonlight penetrating from the open window and Allegra screamed out his name as he drove her to orgasm.
But the longer Kevin remained with them, the lesser Dean and Allegra sought each other out. Kissing, touching, perhaps a quickie in the shower; that was the current extent of their sex life. Neither had made a remark about it, though. Some things were just more important. Stopping Crowley from getting his hands on the info from that demon tablet being one of them, for example.

Slowly, Dean opened the door, praying with all his might the door wouldn't creak on him. He went in, thankful the kid slept with the curtains open. The waxing moon shone unusually bright tonight, as if it knew of Dean's plan. Was it crazy to think he was actually getting some celestial help from the angels? Maybe it was, but he'd come at a point in life and Hunter-career where nothing would surprise him anymore. 
Dean moved as quiet as a mouse. He glanced at Kevin, who lay sprawled wide in the single person bed, his face turned to the wall. The soft snores were interrupted by incoherent mumbling. A wry smell crept up Dean's lips when he heard the name 'Pikachu'. He well recalled the first nights Kevin had spent in the house, shooting awake at the slightest disturbance in the dark. Now look at him. 

Just a while longer, kid. I'll make sure nobody ever comes after you again. I promise.

Dean squatted at the desk and grabbed the faded green backpack, grateful Kevin hadn't zipped it up. He slipped in the device Amore gave him, stuffing it to the very bottom of the pack beneath Kevin's numerous notebooks. Mission accomplished.
With a relieved sigh, Dean rose to his feet, the palm of his hand pushing against the desk for support. When he noticed a paper surface underneath his skin, he looked down. His eyes widened. Kevin's notes... they were right there for him to take. 

No, I can't, mused Dean. If Kevin can't find them in the morning, he'll go crazy. And I can't read and memorize them all now. But I gotta do something, dammit! This can give us the edge we need, especially if the kid hasn't passed this to Crowley yet. 

Suddenly, Dean saw the shining case of Kevin's phone. Of course! All he had to do was take pictures, sent them to himself and... 

Wait, what am I thinking hacking into a genius' phone? And a teen at that. He's probably got more protection on this thing than the government has on the entire Pentagon.

Dean groaned silently. He really had no choice. He had to go back to his room, take his phone, then come back in here to take pictures, all the while risking Allegra or Kevin could wake up at any time. Just his luck. 
Resolved in his new mission, Dean turned on his heels... and froze. Trixie stood on the threshold, her scruffy head cocked at him. Dean watched her with bated breath. If that dog made even the slightest noise, he'd be screwed. But to his surprise, Trixie just turned around and left. He exhaled. That was a close—oh, no. Oh, for the love of God, no!

Dean jumped to the door to stop the dog, but he was already too late. Just as made it to the corridor, Allegra appeared in the open door of their room. She yawned and rubbed her eye with her palm. When she caught Dean's paralyzed figure before her, she was suddenly wide awake. Seeing the gold in her eyes flicker chilled Dean to the bone. The last time Allegra's eyes had gone from shining gold to the darkest brown was after she found out about his one-night stand with the Amazon. She couldn't suspect something already, right?

"Dean? What's going on?" she asked.

"Ah... nothing," he replied casually. "You okay? Why are you up?"

The dog then slipped past the pair, trotting back to the stairs. Dean cast her a glare, reminded of how much he actually hated animals. 

"Trixie woke me," said Allegra in response to his question. "What are you doing up?"

"I, um..."

"Wait a minute."

Allegra's gaze shifted to something behind him. Too late did Dean realize he left the door to Kevin's room open. He was so screwed! 

"Dean Winchester, what were you doing in Kevin's room?" hissed Allegra angrily.

"I... went to check on him," he answered.

His girlfriend's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?" 

"I woke up 'cause I had to take a leak. When I walked back to bed, I heard a noise, so I came to check on him. I thought he was having another nightmare."

Allegra's clenched jaw slackened a little. Okay, good. She was buying it. 

"He's sleeping soundly," he continued quickly. "Dreaming about Pokemon, I think. I didn't know Trixie was on this floor, so maybe I heard her. You know how she sometimes sniffles at Gabriel's door. I honestly didn't pay attention. Just came straight here to check on Kevin." 

The redhead huffed at this explanation. She slipped by to peer into Kevin's room. The kid was still snoring and mumbling about Pikachu, giving total credibility to Dean's words. After Allegra closed the door behind her, she glanced to the stairs. Dean followed her gaze, finding Trixie was actually lurking there like a creepy stalker or someone hoping to overhear a secret. He pinched his lips. If he was going down, he was damn well taking that little bitch with him.

"I'll check downstairs," said Allegra then. "See if something spooked her."

"Do you want me to go?" asked Dean.

"No, it's fine. You go back to bed. I won't be long."

"Oh... okay."

Dean waited for Allegra to disappear from the landing. Waited until he heard her footsteps receding on the stairs. Now or never. Dean raced into his room to snatch his phone and rushed into Kevin's again. The teen jerked in his sleep, but didn't wake. With trembling hands, Dean spread the notes on the desk and took pictures. He turned them around to repeat the action and then piled them all back together in the same manner in which he'd found them. He hurried across the corridor again just as the soft thudding of someone walking up the stairs reached his ears and practically dove into bed, shoving his phone underneath his pillow. 
Breathlessly, and with a drumming heart, Dean waited for Allegra. When she came in, she didn't look at him. She merely walked round the bed and got back under the covers, lying down on her side, turned away from him. Dean cringed at her action. This all reminded him too much of a time he didn't want to be reminded of. 

"Alley?" he whispered. 

She didn't answer. An anxious heaviness settled into Dean's heart. Hesitantly, he slipped his arm around Allegra's waist to pull her close. She still gave no reaction. She couldn't have fallen asleep again already, could she?
Dean pressed himself against her. He did his best to ignore how his body reacted to feeling her warmth. No matter how much he wanted to, now was not the time. Gingerly, he gave Allegra's shoulder a small kiss and then leaned in to say, "I love you."

He waited, listening to the silence. Listening for Allegra's voice to break it. But instead of speaking the words he desperately needed to hear, all she said was, "I know."

No more, no less. Dean had never understood how much he'd hurt Allegra by not voicing his love to her before until that moment. 

***

They drove back to town after dropping Kevin off at the abandoned industrial area twenty miles outside Linwood. Crowley had his demons patrolling the area, supposedly to keep Kevin safe, so lingering around was never an option. Normally, Dean and Allegra would go work a case, or go grocery shopping, or simply go home to do chores or to sit back and watch a movie. But the pregnant tension currently hanging in the car was too much for Dean to ignore and return to their routine. 

"How about brunch?" he asked airily. "We can go to that little diner you like."

"Hm..."

"Okay, how about Wonderland? It's been a while since we've seen Lorelai and Lucas. Maybe there's a trivia game today we can join."

"Hm..."

Dean's knuckles turned white as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. Fine. If that was how she wanted to do this, no problem. Better to rip off the bandaid, anyway. 

"Allegra, if you don't —"

"Stop the car," she interrupted suddenly. 

"What?"

"Right now, Dean! Stop the car!"

Hearing the urgency in her tone, Dean swerved right to park. The driver behind him honked as he'd foregone the use of his indicator, but Dean couldn't have cared less. The moment the car stood still, Allegra freed herself from the seatbelt and climbed out of the vehicle. 

"What are you—Allegra! Son of a bitch!"

Dean angrily stepped out as well. He was determined to give Allegra a piece of his mind right there in the middle of a very public street, but fell silent before the words could even come out of his mouth, his hand still on the door of his car. The shop she made him stop at was no ordinary shop but a bridal boutique. 
A light strumming suddenly pierced Dean's head. Images and gentle piano tunes filled his mind. He and Allegra were dancing in a flurry of white and gold. Her one hand rested on his shoulder. A ring shimmered brilliantly on her finger, the little blue gemstone in the middle a perfect match with the necklace at her bosom. With a shock, Dean realized it was his ring — the ring. Was this...?

He shut the door and went to stand by Allegra. Her focus was entirely on the display in front of her. The cream-colored dress in the window was the same one she'd worn in the vision Dean just had. He gulped. She really had been thinking about their wedding then. Did that mean she was truly considering his proposal?
Dean glanced down at Allegra. She seemed completely transfixed, not at all realizing he was standing right there with her. Dean began to worry and slid his hand into hers. Yet as soon as he tried to entangle their fingers, Allegra pulled away and ran straight into a little alley. Dean immediately went after her. He found her retching the contents of breakfast behind a dumpster and quickly swept up her hair to keep it away from her face. 

"Hey, you okay?" Dean asked, concerned, as he rubbed the small of Allegra's back. 

"N-No," she said. 

"You getting sick?" A thought suddenly struck Dean. It'd been a while since they last slept together, but... "My God, Alley, are you pregnant?"

"No."

"Are you sure? Did you take a test or see a doctor?"

"Dean, I'm not pregnant. I just... I'm..."

"What? Alley, what?"

Allegra glanced up, her face flustered, her eyes glazed with tears. Her lips quivered, as if she was afraid to speak. But she didn't have to say anything. Dean had already connected the dots. He let go of her and stepped back, hands on his hips. He tried not to feel the anger currently rising in his chest, but he couldn't help it. Not when Allegra was actually physically sick at the thought of marrying him. 

"You could have just said no," he sneered. "What, did you think I would leave if you did?"

"No, of course not," said Allegra hurriedly. "I just... Dean, I'm scared."

"You're scared? Of what, marrying me?"

"Yes!"

Dean stared at his girlfriend, trying to make sense of what she was saying to him. Allegra gave a frustrated grunt and ran a hand through her hair. Finally, she drew closer and said, "Dean, I've lost everyone I ever loved. I've spent so long denying my heart, spent years avoiding getting close to anyone else. When I met you, I took a risk, and I again lost someone I loved. First to that Amazon, then to Purgatory. Now that I have you back, I..."

Her words turned into sobs. Dean's body moved on its own, propelled by the tugging of his heartstrings. He closed Allegra in his arms, allowing her to lean on him. 

"I want to marry you, Dean," she said. "I wanna wear that stupid white dress, and walk down an aisle, and have a first dance as husband and wife. But I'm just scared that the moment I say yes... I'll lose you forever."

"Alley," Dean took a firm grip on her arms and nudged her back far enough so he could look into her eyes, "you will never lose me. Never again, you hear me? God himself couldn't take me away from you. I love you so damn much, so you better believe I'm here to stay with you until we're both old and gray. We'll be like that couple from Up, only we'll die together, lying in bed as the sun goes down."

She chuckled and sniffled. "You promise?"

"I do."

"I think that's supposed to be my line."

"Pretty sure we're both meant to say it. Come here."

Dean kissed her temple and held Allegra close once again. She instantly melted into his embrace. Honestly, this woman... 

"Let's go," he said. "We'll go home, clean ourselves up, then come back to town and —"

"Afraid you two won't be going anywhere, except with me."

The Hunter and hybrid-archangel released each other at the demon's voice. Dean reached for his gun, while Allegra drew her knife. Both weapons were aimed at the King of Hell in less than a second. Crowley sighed and snapped his fingers. In a flash, the pair found themselves surrounded by demons.

"What's going on, Crowley?" demanded Allegra, golden eyes shining fiercely as she prepared for the fight. "What's with all the bodyguards?"

"We need to have a little chat in private," replied Crowley. 

"Yeah, don't think so. Say what you have to say, then leave us alone, before I summon the plagues on you."

"Very well. I'd like to know whose bloody idea it was to arm our little prophet with a goddamn bomb."

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top