Many, many years later

Gabriel Novak sat in his hospital bed, smiling happily despite the many machines that surrounded him. His family, larger than ever, sat around him. They were all happy to help him celebrate his 80th birthday. 

Gabriel himself had never married, he had never had the chance to kids. Whenever someone asked him why this was, he simply said he had no time for it. The look in his eye said differently. 

One thing he did have, however, was nieces, nephews and their many children - oh, and of course his many brothers and sisters. So, on that day, Gabriel was content with life, after all it was only right that he should live it to its fullest after surviving something as dreadful as the Titanic's sinking.

To many, that disastrous event was now no more than a mere memory, to others it was something they learned in history class. To him, it remained in his brain clear as day, haunting his dreams. 

He looks over at his side-table as Lucifer told everyone an embarrassing story from Gabriel's childhood. The now old and very creased photo of Sam sat there, in a new frame that Balthazar had brought him only a year ago.  

Sam, Gabriel couldn't wait to see him again. He longed to have those strong, warm arms wrapped around him, to kiss his moose like man again. It wouldn't be long now.

"Gabriel was a little shit as a kid." Lucifer grinned.

"And you weren't?" Gabriel wheezes, winking playfully at the children. 

Lucifer wasn't in a much better state than Gabriel, but somehow he had made it to an impressive 84 years of age and was still kicking. Lucky fellow.

Unfortunately, Balthazar had passed only three months ago, his death still hurt Gabriel whenever he thought of it. Well, he guessed it wouldn't be long until he saw him either. This cheered him up to an extent. 

There was a long pause before his next breath, he panicked. It felt like he was being smothered. 

"Gabey?" His younger brother, Castiel grabbed his hand. 

Lucifer and Samandriel usher the young ones out of the room. They couldn't see this.

So Gabriel sat there, surrounded by his loving brothers who all held onto him as he took one last breath. The last conscious thought he has is that of Sam as he looks over at the photo.

And then Gabriel Novak was gone.

~~~~~~

Gabriel woke to a warm pair of arms being thrown around him.

"Gabey!" It was Batlhazar, looking as he had decades ago. "I feared it wouldn't be long."

Gabriel smiles, hugging his brother back. "I missed you Balthy." His voice sounded deeper, younger.

"Gabe?" 

Gabriel looks up. Was that? 

Sam stood not far behind Balthazar, a loving smile on his face as he looked at Gabriel. 

"Sammy..." Gabriel ran over, throwing himself into the tall man's arms once more.

"You told my brothers, thank you."

Gabriel chuckles. "That was years ago."

"And yet, you would still visit them every anniversary," Sam kissed his forehead.

"I love you," Gabriel whispers, smiling up at Sam.

"I love you too." And finally, after far too many years of waiting, Gabriel is able to kiss Sam.

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And just like that, this short fic comes to an end. I had a lot of fun writing this and am so grateful to everyone that has been reading it, despite the angst 😂 
Now I suppose I should get to work on my other fics but then again I could also go re-watch some supernatural episodes 

Ah the choices.

Anyway, for the last time in this fic,

- Peace out, Wayward readers