✶ Here we are as in olden days; Happy golden days of yore ✶

[putuporshutup]

Who: The Winchester family! Castiel Clarence, Meg, Dean, Katniss, Danny, Mabel, and the beloved bouncing bundle of joy, baby Sammy! yes really
What: Domestic holiday bliss and ~quality time~ with visiting family!
When: Anytime during Stepford
Where: The Winchester family home
Rating: PG-13 tops for once

There were a few brief moments of confusion when Meg woke up in a lovely, yet completely foreign bedroom. She fingered the lace of her light blue nightgown fondly for a moment - not quite her usual taste, but it sure was pretty. The mid-century looking decor flooded her with a sense of nostalgia as she sat up in bed, careful not to disturb Cas as she did, and she smiled a little dreamily as she stretched.

As she looked down at Castiel, she immediately recognized the now-familiar surge of feelings that always accompanied any world change during which Paradisa saw fit to make her human. When she noticed that he seemed to be free of the lingering cuts and bruises and swelling and that his expression was peaceful rather than strained, her smile widened and she sighed with relief.

She pulled back the lovely floral print duvet and gasped, clapping her right hand over her mouth as she stared at her left, where there was a lovely, vintage looking diamond ring on a very important finger. Meg couldn't help the tears of joy that welled up when she peeked over cautiously and saw that there was, indeed, a simple gold band on Cas. Well then.

Whatever the castle was up to this time was a mystery, but at the moment, she was frankly too happy to give a damn.

Comments

Waking up in their lovely 5 bedroom Colonial

[putuporshutup]

[ofthursday]

Castiel had fallen asleep beside Meg in his bed in his room, having had a difficult day and generally not feeling particularly well. The pain medication he had been taking had been wearing off quicker than usual, and so he'd taken some extra and then curled up next to the demon to sleep.

When he awoke, things were certainly different. This was not his bedroom and he shot upright, startled, before suddenly realizing Meg was there with him. At least he wasn't alone.

He gave her a confused, slightly alarmed look, but she didn't look upset despite some tears and so he calmed a little immediately. He was soon distracted anyway by the fact that the pain he'd been expecting to flare back up now that he was awake was gone, and when he reached up to touch his head and his shoulder and his ribs there was no soreness. It seemed he was healed, which was more than a little odd, but exceptionally welcome.

What's going on? He asked, signing much more easily than he had in a few weeks now.

[putuporshutup]

Meg casually removed the hand from her mouth and blinked away the tears - nope, definitely not crying at all. He didn't seem any different - quite like his normal self, really. Just more alert than he'd been in a while. She looked around briefly as well - just like the rest of the house, their room was decorated with pretty red and green garlands with big red bows and a few sprigs of holly and what she guessed was re-purposed kiss-mas mistletoe. When she turned back to him, she shrugged.

Here's hoping this whole world change thing was as fun and harmless as it seemed, because as much as she'd like to offer a cursory explanation, she's more compelled to lean over and kiss him much more passionately than she had been able to in almost two weeks. As she pressed in close, she took his hand in hers and brushed her thumb lightly over the wedding band there, indulging in the fantasy a little. When she pulled back, she grinned and answered with a mischievous wink.

"It's Christmastime, baby."

[ofthursday]

Castiel watched Meg look around, and her shrug, and the confused expression didn't leave his face until she suddenly kissed him. He responded as soon as the surprise faded a moment later, noticing the same as she did in that it was much easier to kiss back now, and he could be as enthusiastic as he wanted.

When they parted, the touch on his hand drew his attention, and the gold band caught his eye. He felt an odd twist in his stomach for so many reasons, good and bad. He'd been married once before, and despite having amnesia at the time, he had cared about Daphne and he often wondered what happened to her and if she was alright, but going back to her wasn't possible. He was happy with Meg, but again, he knew it wasn't something that was going to last.

Still, he could pretend while he was here, just as he had been doing. He offered a weak smile in return, half forced and half genuine, before giving a response to her comment.

I fail to see how that pertains to marriage.

[putuporshutup]

Meg sighed happily when they parted - she had missed that heat between them, more than she even realized. Lust had been put on the proverbial back burner during their recovery, but seeing that he was completely healed gave a girl all kinds of ideas for later.

She didn't know about Daphne, but she did know this was clearly a weird temporary castle thing. Still, it was cute as hell and did all kinds of things to her with this internal roller coaster of human emotions. She could tell he was a bit more conflicted than she was, but she was generally a lot more carefree, so that wasn't all that much of a surprise.

"Obviously it's the castle messing with things, but that doesn't mean it won't be kinda fun to play house for however long." She tried to sound nonchalant, but she couldn't really hide the excitement in her voice. She was too jaded to assume anything was permanent or that he wouldn't be ripped from her eventually, but that would never stop her from enjoying each moment with him to the fullest. The idea of being his doting wife really wasn't too much of a stretch for her at this point; even though marriage was a human construct that she didn't really care about, her loyalty to him probably rivaled that of most married women on earth, in her own way.

Quality Family Time

[putuporshutup]

[schrodingersghost]

Quality family time? What quality family time?

Danny was sulking on the couch.

"Have I mentioned yet how much I hate Christmas?"

[putuporshutup]

Meg frowned and looked over at Danny on the couch. She knew objectively that he was just some kid, but at the moment, she was incredibly compelled to help her beloved son enjoy the holidays as much as she was. She walked over cautiously and gave him a little smile before sitting down next to him and smoothing back his hair.

"Why's that, sweetheart?"

[schrodingersghost]

"Getting more reasons by the minute. You do know you're not really my Mom, right?"

[putuporshutup]

Meg gave Danny a little wink and held a finger to her lips. Of course she knew. It didn't stop her from feeling compelled to help him enjoy Christmas.

"Come on. What's bothering you?"

Vistor Arrivals

[putuporshutup]

Re: Vistor Arrivals

[the_effect_she_has]

The bus back from University had been a delightfully uneventful one -- but Katniss was happy to be off of it, and heading back home. She sang happily as she swung her suitcase in front of her.

When she reached the door to the Winchester house, she walked right in, calling into the house. "Meggy! Clarence! I'm home!"

[putuporshutup]

When Katniss arrived, Meg was in the kitchen stirring supper and juggling a giggling and drooling ugh little Sammy - her attachment to whom she could not logically fathom, but was enjoying all the same. A slew of family photos around the house had clued her in on the fact that in this little world, the two of them were sisters. Meg felt a surge of overwhelming excitement at the sound of her greeting. It was odd, but she couldn't help smiling. Katniss had quickly become one of her closest friends in Paradisa; this wasn't going to be hard at all.

Normally, the castle playing with her emotions like this would have bothered the hell out of her, but she simply couldn't bring herself to be upset when everything was so completely wonderful and perfect. It had been so long since Meg had truly felt like part of a family, that she wanted nothing more than to go with the flow and soak it all in while she could.

She hastily set down the wooden spoon and licked a bit of cheese sauce off her thumb before grinning and cooing back at Sammy, leaning in and squishing her nose up against his for an eskimo kiss.

"Let's go say hi to Auntie Kat!"

There was an excited bounce in her step as she hurried to the front hall, practically running to throw her free arm around her apparently beloved little sister.

"Heya, stranger! How was the trip?"

Before actually giving Katniss a chance to answer and without letting go of her, she turned and yelled up the stairs.

"Danny! Mabel! Your Aunt is here! Come say hello!" Only then did she pull back, grinning.

"Well? How was it?"

[the_effect_she_has]

"Meggy!"

Katniss let out a happy squeal, which to anyone who knew her would make them blink with surprise and dismay. She was dressed as all the others would be - fifties clothing, her long dark hair pulled into two braids as opposed to the long and complicated one she preferred. She took off her hat, dropped her suitcase and let Meg embrace her in a hug.

"Oh, gosh, it was soooooo long. I think I counted every mile." She made a happy noise at Sammy, playing with his toes, grey eyes bright as she looked up at the stairs, then at her older sister.

"Well ... you'll be very proud of your little sister. All A's, my first semester. I got singled out in Music and in English!" She grinned bright, before her expression became troubled, "My professors want me to double my major ... but I'm not sure if that would be, I don't know, too ... brainy."

She cooed at Sammy, "I'll never get a husband later on if he thinks all I ever do is read and sing."

[putuporshutup]

"Oh Kitty Kat that's amazing! I'm so proud of you! And so is Sammy, yes he is, isn't he?" She reached out and cupped Katniss' cheek briefly before smoothing a hand down one of her braids and tilting her head to the side. Sammy kicked his feet, gurgled, and reached out for his aunt with his chubby little hands.

"And you hush. Any man would be lucky to have my little sister as a wife. You'll find a husband just as amazing as mine in no time!"

[lovemesomepie]

The rumble of a car on the street announced Dean's arrival. Cars weren't quiet things, but his baby purred. Besides, he wouldn't be Dean Winchester if he didn't raise a bit of a fuss. That was just his style.

Dean was glad to spend another holiday with his cousin and his kids, even if it meant that he had to put up with his cousin's witch of a wife (who he'd never admit wasn't really that bad). He'd be lying if he said he didn't have a soft spot for little baby Sammy, either.

He parked the black Chevy in the drive and pulled the keys from the ignition, slipping his hat on as he stepped out and shut the door. After a quick trip to the trunk, he had his suitcase and two large bags of presents, and it was with these in tow that he knocked solidly upon the door.

[schrodingersghost]

Danny was nice enough to open the door. He was being a good fake son.

He takes one look at who was at the door and firmly shuts it again.

[lovemesomepie]

Dean's face lit up in a smile when he saw his nephew, memories of a ghost that looked similar to the kid totally gone, completely replaced by those of a happy Stepford family. But his face froze comically as Danny realized who was at the door and the thing was promptly slammed back in his face.

It took Dean a minute to recover from the shock, but instead of getting angry, he just laughed and set his suitcase down on the front step before reaching for the doorknob.

"Danny! Daniel, my boy! Don't treat your uncle that way! It's Christmas, look, I've even brought you all gifts!" He punctuated his shouts through the swinging door with a chuckle and a shake of his head. "Ah, teenagers, what can you do." The man peeked in from under his hat and held out one of the bags of presents. "C'mon, help me out with these," he implored his reluctant nephew.

[schrodingersghost]

Out of all the guys in the castle who could ave ended up as his fake Uncle, why did it have to be this guy? Danny opens the door a crack, just enough to scowl at him.

"Its Danny. Never Daniel. Go away."

[putuporshutup]

Meg heard the car, and she heard the scuffle at the front door, stifling laughter as she sipped a martini and smoked a cigarette in the kitchen. She largely shared Danny's sentiments, but it was beyond amusing that Dean seemed to be brainwashed with false memories and she couldn't wait to see this.

Somehow she doubted that even fake memories could make them get along, but that would remain to be seen. She sauntered into the entry way and stood waiting to greet her guest.

[lovemesomepie]

Dean's smile remained on his face but lost some of its luster when he saw his cousin-in-law waiting for him at the door. They weren't exactly friends, and Dean much preferred his actual cousin, but things were generally kept civil. Generally. "Meg. How lovely to see you, aren't you all dolled up," he said nonchalantly as he set his bags by the door and began removing his coat and hat.

"Be a dear and take my coat, would you? My hat, too. I'll go let my cousin know I'm here, where is he? And I should say hello to my youngest nephew, maybe he'll be a little happier to see me than your oldest."

The competition was yet to be seen - that would be when he had time to get in the kitchen. For now he was simply dismissive.

[putuporshutup]

Meg could hardly hide the smirk that crossed her face over how much Dean wasn't quite Dean. She tried to cover it up with a sweet smile as she leaned in to take his coat and hat, just as ladylike as she was compelled to be.

She laughed airily as she hung them on the coat rack that he damn well could have reached himself. "Don't mind Danny. Just one of those teenage moods they get in, I'm sure. Sammy will be much happier to see you. He's just finishing a nap, but I suppose we can wake him up a bit early. You haven't seen the nursery since I redecorated, have you?"

The domestic small talk that was flowing out of her in this whacked out world change was just too much, and Meg couldn't help rolling her eyes at herself as she turned to head up the stairs to the baby's room.

[the_effect_she_has]

Katniss came down the stairs well after Dean arrived, having freshened up finally from the long bus ride from the University. She'd heard someone arrive - had thought it might be Clarence? But she wasn't surprised when she realized it was Dean.

One corner of her mouth lifted, and she shook her head a little as she finished walking down the last of the steps and flouncing into the living room. "Hello Dean - making my sister do her lemon face again, I see?"

Her tone was amused, if not a little tart. "Did she get you a drink, or are you still waiting?"

[lovemesomepie]

By the time Katniss made her appearance, Dean had already had a chance to greet most of the other inhabitants of the house, including his baby nephew Sammy, whom he was currently entertaining. He looked up from the happily gurgling baby as she entered the living room.

"Katniss the college queen, lovely as ever, I see," he smiled, ignoring the small bite in her tone. His problem was with Meg, not the rest of her family; he liked the rest of them well enough, even if he knew he wasn't the most popular with them in return. "I keep telling your sister her face is going to get stuck like that if she keeps it up, and I don't think Clare would be too fond of that. Maybe you could give her a reminder. Ain't that right, Sammy?" He chuckled a bit at his own joke.

"No, I'm all set. She knows I'll have my cigar later. What about you?"

Dean had always had a strangeness to him that manifested in what were typically more feminine hobbies. Perhaps it was that similarity and competition with Meg that made them chafe.

[the_effect_she_has]

Katniss rolled her eyes good naturedly, but she did take a seat close to him. She really didn't have any problems with Dean - she loved Clarence after all and Dean was his closest family. But with the way Meg and Dean came at each other? She made sure that Meg knew she would never choose sides.

Case in point ... "You know, you say those things, and you wonder why she get so irritated with you? Come on, Dean." She knelt in front of her nephew and Dean, tickling Sam's chubby little feet.

"I'll probably have a glass of wine with dinner, but otherwise, I'm fine." She flopped down next to him, so she could have a proper chat with the closest thing she had to another brother in law. "How are things? I feel like we haven't talked in ... well ...forever."