Gabriel

The bar was still in the future, but the degree was nearly out of the way. Once he had that piece of paper, things started looking up.

Sam felt his lips curl slightly at the mention of Michael. "What the hell did Michael want?" he asks, mostly because there's no way Michael would have come anywhere near the bakery without reason. That he did it while Sam was still away is, in its own way, even a little worse to Sam's opinion.

But the rest of it makes him glad he'd sat down. Sam opens his mouth, closing it again before he manages to say anything. "Pregnant?" he asks, then, "But...did the implant malfunction? I mean, you got it out as soon as the doctor confirmed it, right? I don't think it can cause any complications, but..." He blows out a breath, slumping back against his seat. "I thought male Omegas could only get pregnant during heat?"

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He could study for the bar in their house, peaceful and undisturbed while Gabriel took care of everything else. It would be a stressful time, but they’d manage. They’d made it this far, hadn’t they?

Michael had come because Gabriel was alone. Vulnerable. His mate was away and he wasn’t on pack territory. So what better time to corner an Omega?

“He knew I was alone. I guess running off and getting mated didn’t sit well with him, especially since I didn’t say anything first.” And when he’d caught the change in his brother? The subtle shift in his scent that told him he was pregnant with the Winchester’s cub had sparked a quiet and cold fury in his brother. Thankfully Dean had been close by and kept Michael from killing him outright. Even he wouldn’t risk a pack war.

Gabriel chewed on his lower lip, glancing down at his hands. “It must have. Even implants aren’t a hundred percent guarantee against surprises and the Doc was just as surprised as I was when he took it out. Male Omegas don’t get pregnant easily to begin with.” Worry number one. Conception and carrying a cub to term was always harder for the male Omegas than the females. Not impossible, but it was difficult. He rubbed at the bandage on his arm where the implant had been. “I’ll have to go back in about two weeks – he wants to make sure it’s not a false read.”

It’s not a false read. There’s been a marked change in his scent. Going back is just a formality.

“I’m sorry Sammy. I know this isn’t how we planned it. But.. I know I don’t need to go back.”

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"Well, no, you do need to go back to make sure the baby's growing all right." That's his first thought, to make sure the baby and his mate are safe. "And to make sure that your body is able to handle it. That's what you need to worry about, Gabriel. I'm...there's nothing to be sorry about, baby. As for plans, I'm pretty sure my dad has already regaled you with the fact that of his sons, only Dean ever managed anything close to 'plan'. Adam and I were both surprises."

He takes a breath, then laughs. It's not hysterical. It's a lot surprised, but it's definitely a joyful sound. "Do you want me to call Dean, ask him to drive you up? Anna and Cas can handle the shop for a few days, right? You can come and help me pack, drive back down with me after the graduation ceremony." Which Gabriel had been coming to, anyway. So he was only coming up a few days early.

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His hand dropped to the flat of his stomach. A baby. Smiling, he nodded. "All right. I'll make my first follow up. Deanna's already bought a bottle of prenatals, you know." The next seven or so months were going to involve extensive hovering by pretty much everyone in the pack. She and Ellen were looking in on him and John hugged him so hard Gabriel is pretty sure he heard a rib creak.

"I'd like that, Sam." Because the pack is wonderful, but news like this should be celebrated in person with his mate. "They can keep an eye on the place for a couple of days longer than we initially planned."

A male voice can be heard just out of range of the phone muttering and Gabriel laughed in reply. "Dean's sort of already packing. If you hadn't suggested it, he was going to drive up anway, I think."

"Way to go Sammy!"

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"I'm pretty sure she's had that bottle standing by since Dean came of age. You might want to check the 'use before' date." And yes, Sam was totally going to give his grandmother shit over that. Because it was fun.

He grinned into the phone, sitting back in his chair. "Yeah, I'm not actually that surprised about that. I'm glad, though. It makes things a lot easier." Because his brother knew him pretty well and could probably have guessed that Sam would want Gabriel close. "Speaking of your cousins and my brother in almost the same sentence, though, we really do need to get Dean and Cas in the same room together."

It was just a hunch. Sam couldn't have explained it if he had to, but it was a feeling he'd had since the first moment he'd met Cas. It just so happened that getting the two in the same spot was frustrating.

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"And send her shopping? An excited grandma-to-be on a shopping mission?" Amusement colored his voice as he watched Dean throw a few things into a suitcase for him. He was a good Alpha too, friendly and easygoing and completely okay with an Omega teasing him and giving him hell from time to time.

"You know I think we do." Cas was a good guy, someone who'd make an excellent mate to a strong Alpha. "He's going to be at the graduation party. I think that's entirely possible." He's just going to ignore that vaguely suspicious look being shot in his direction.

"We should be up there by morning, maybe sooner the way Dean drives." The sooner the better. He wanted to spend time with his mate, to celebrate his very unexpected pregnancy.

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"You think she isn't already going shopping? Or at least planning it out?" Sam laughed and shook his head. "If I were you, I'd go ahead and pick out the nursery set that you want and leave a picture of it somewhere she can find it. Because otherwise, she'll just go with whatever she thinks we might like." And while his grandmother had excellent taste, Sam wasn't sure it was Gabriel's taste.

The Campbell pack was old and the heads of the pack had had time to amass a fair fortune. Deanna had always loved to dote on her grandchildren and Sam knew from his cousins that the great-grandchildren would be doted on just as much.

He hummed and nodded. "Gabriel, do me a favor and put Dean on the phone for a moment?"

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"Sure. I'll dig a few things out before we head out."

Another quiet exchange just off the phone and when Dean comes on, a grin evident in his voice. He hasn't left Gabriel's side since chasing Michael off. The clinic, back to the main house to rest and break the news to the pack and finally shuttling him off to his apartment to pack so he can get him up to Sammy.

His voice is bright with a grin that hasn't really faded since they got the news. "Hey Sammy. Almost packed up and ready to hit the road, man."

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It's something that Sam can't help but smile about. Dean's going to be a great uncle, Sam already knows that. Hell, he has fewer worries about Dean with kids than he has about himself. But he's confident they can sort it out.

His own smile fades a bit, though. "Dean. I know I don't have to tell you this, but you guys should stay alert. I'm not so worried about Michael. He's bright enough not to start all out war." Not that he knew what Michael had DONE and Gabriel would probably want to keep it that way. "Lucifer, on the other hand, just might. And he's been obsessed with me since before I showed." Sam stood, walking over to the window of his apartment to look out. "I know you guys can take care of yourselves, but I'm really not sure what he'd do right now."

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Dean took a long breath, moving into the living room while Gabriel finished up. Not that he didn’t think Gabriel couldn’t hear him from there, but he was a pregnant Omega with family issues a mile wide that happened to be mated to his little brother. “Yeah Sammy. I’ve already talked to Dad about it. Everything’s getting tightened up around here. The house, the cottage, even the bakery. We’re watching everything a hell of a lot closer.”

He’d nearly killed Michael for what he’d done, the state of the shop and of his brother’s mate. Something he was never going to share with Sam, and he could bet Gabriel was going to do the same. Michael was the cooler headed brother. When Lucifer got wind of this? Things were going to get bad. It was just a matter of when.

“Once I get Gabriel up to you, me and Dad and Bobby are going to get things handled down here. You just take care of him and take care of that little one.” His little brother. Mated, graduating from law school and now a father to be. Dean really didn’t think he could get any prouder of him. “We got this, Sammy.”

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That Sam was part of the reason for those family issues was what worried him. Though, really, a shit load of those family issues existed long before Sam had ever come into the picture. He knew that. But he still felt a little bad about the whole thing.

"I'll let my building security know, too," he said, looking over the parking lot. "I know it's probably not likely that he'd come all the way up here, but..." There was no telling with Lucifer. And Sam wasn't taking any chances with his mate.

Still, he smiled at Dean's insistence and chuckled. "I know you do. I just...Yeah, I'm worried. I didn't entirely expect that when I ended up mated." He paused, then, "If he comes after Gabriel here, you know I'll kill him." Because Sam was not going to stand for that. And there were laws that would protect him.

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His hand drifted to the gun underneath his jacket, secured in a shoulder rig. Their packs had been at odds for years, this might be what finally sets everything off. Gabriel and Sam having a kid. "I know Sammy. I'd expect nothing less than for you to tear that son of a bitch apart."

Dean didn't know everything about Gabriel's life with his pack and he didn't have to. He could read enough in Gabriel's body language. "He's gonna need an Alpha close by until we get this shit settled. One way or another." Omegas are strong in their own right, but no match for a determined Alpha.

"Adam's talking about taking a semester off. Sticking close to home." And hadn't that sparked one hell of an argument at home. "Be glad you missed the fireworks on that one, Sammy. Went over just about as good as you telling Dad about law school."

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Even Sam didn't know everything yet, though what he did know was enough that he'd wish Dean HAD killed Michael when he'd had the provocation.

"Yeah, I know. I'll stick close to him. If we all have to go out, leaving him with Ellen and Jo might be best. Maybe call Anna over." Ellen and Jo might be Omegas themselves, but they could both handle a gun like nobody's business. "With luck, though, maybe we won't have to worry about it."

He wasn't sure he believed that could happen at the moment, but he could hope.

"And if he keeps that up, he's going to have an argument with me, too." Sam had been the first one to convince Adam to follow his dream of becoming a doctor, after all. And had, in his way, eased things enough that John was better about the idea of one of his sons going to school so far away. Sam was pretty certain now that John wouldn't have fought him nearly as hard if he'd decided to go to school in Kansas. "Anyway, it's not going to go on that long. And as much as he may not want to hear it, if this isn't resolved by the end of the summer? One more Alpha in the house isn't going to make much of a difference."

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"We're resolving this before that cub is born, Sammy. One way or the other." Because no way was he letting a kid get caught in the crossfire. By truce or by blood, he was going to make damned sure that his brother's family stayed safe.

"Dad pretty much said the same thing. We've got this handled for the moment. Gabriel's heading up to you, where he's staying until you're ready to come home. After that, we'll figure out the details." Keys in hand, bags by the door. They were getting the hell out of dodge before both Michael and Lucifer showed up. One Alpha he could handle. Two? That might be stretching things.

"'sides, might not be bad having a doctor-to-be around when we get ready to meet that new cub of yours."

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Sam rolled his shoulders and sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Believe me, I'm grateful." He really was. He wanted it taken care of. He didn't want his children to grow up in a world where they had to be concerned all the time.

He grinned slightly at that reminder, though. "I'm sure that Adam will love that." He looked at the clock and sighed. "I had better let you go. You're probably getting ready to head out the door, right?"

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"He's just as thrilled as the rest of us, believe me."

Dean took another quick glance around the apartment with a nod. "Yeah, think we're about ready to hit the road here. We'll call you as you get close."

"Keep an eye out Sammy. We're on our way."

And just outside, a wolf howled.

"Crap. Gabriel, let's move."

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"I'll keep my cell close." And if they were moving, there probably wasn't time to say good-bye to Gabriel. "Tell Gabriel I'm looking forward to seeing him. Now get going."

He hung up because Dean needed to concentrate. He'd heard that howl in the background, after all. It might not mean anything, but there was really no telling. Sam looked down at the phone in his hand and cursed under his breath before he pulled out his wallet and double-checked he had his concealed carry permit on him. Only then did he go to check the gun he kept in a safe in the bedside table (different drawer from the lube and condoms). He pulled on his own shoulder rig, grabbing a light jacket to go over it before he pocketed his cell phone and went out the door to inform the people who needed to know about what was happening and who to keep a look out for.

And maybe go to the gym because he had a lot of anger to work off, suddenly.

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The drive out of town was quick, Dean sticking to the back roads that he knew before finally turning on the highway. While no wolves had stopped them on the way out, the howling had him on guard and not breathing easily until they'd crossed the state line. Werewolves were fast runners, but even they couldn't keep up with his Baby.

Once the car was on the highway, the rumble of the engine was enough to lull Gabriel almost immediately to sleep. Pregnancies were quick, usually seven months or so, which meant his body was working overtime even at such an early stage. He barely stirred when Dean pulled off for gas and a refill on coffee before continuing on. Sam's apartment was still a few hours away and he had every intention of being there at first light.

It was just after dawn when they pulled up in front of Sam's building. Dean was haggard, but alert, on guard for any sign of trouble as they got out of the car and headed upstairs.

The warm, familiar scent of his mate was a welcome one and Gabriel finally felt some of the tension of the past day and a half slip away. He could breathe again, now that he was close.

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It was a good thing that Sam had already finished his finals. There was no way that he would have been able to concentrate on them with all of this hanging over his head.

Concentration had, for the most part, gone out the window. Sam had managed to pack a little more, but it had been scattered and mostly in different boxes. Most of his apartment had already been packed, though, and that left him to watch TV at loose ends for the night. He'd dozed off on the couch at some point, weapon nearby. He came awake at the sound of somebody in the corridor, reaching for the gun as he got up and headed for the door. He did walk over to the window, looking out for a moment before he relaxed. The Impala was in the parking lot, so that could only be good news.

He crossed to the door, tucking the gun into a holster at the back of his jeans, opening the door when he heard them coming closer. Which was when he got the first whiff of Gabriel and how his scent had changed. And even though he'd been told, he stood in the doorway, eyes gone wide with wonder.

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That wide eyed look, the soft wonder in his smile as he stepped closer. God. It made it all worth it. Smiling, Gabriel raised up on his toes to kiss his mate. Their scents were mingled now, a clear sign of his pregnancy, however unexpected it had been. He dropped one hand to his waist to steady himself. Sam smelled warm and familiar, the sharp underlying tang of stress and gun oil weren't unexpected either.

"So, ah, hi."

Bag slung over one shoulder, both hands free, Dean tromped up the hall behind him. "Okay. Both of you inside. I've been living on coffee all night and if I don't eat something soon.."

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"Yeah, yeah. I stocked up yesterday." Sam wrapped his arm around Gabriel's shoulders, glancing down the hall behind Dean before pulling his mate into the apartment. Which was mostly organized chaos, but he hadn't packed up the kitchen yet. "You're at least getting a nap before you go anywhere, though, you realize that?"

Yes, Dean needed to get back home so that he and the rest of the family could handle what needed to be handled. Though, no doubt, Samuel was already doing his best to get Michael in for a mediated meeting with John. It wasn't Michael that was the main worry, though.

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Dean grunted, kicking the door closed behind him and tripping the lock. Really he didn't want to stay, didn't want to interfere with Sam and Gabriel celebrating the new arrival. But with Gabriel's pack acting up, he can't exactly afford to let his attention slip due to fatigue. "Just gimme a sandwich and a couple hours and I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."

A weary grin and he pulled his brother into his arms. The news was still amazing and even with the new tension between the Winchesters and Gabriel's pack, he's over the moon for his little brother. "Way to go Sammy. Gonna be an awesome Dad you know."

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Sam was less concerned about Gabriel's brothers and more concerned about his own brother driving off the damned road because he was tired. "I know. You need to get back home and all." And, yes, he wanted time alone with Gabriel.

He went into the hug, though, hugging Dean tight. "I don't know about that, but we'll definitely do our best." He pulled away before the hug could go too long, pulling Gabriel closer. "There's sandwich stuff in the fridge. We'll make sure you have a couple more before you head back out, too. And a flask of coffee." Because it would be a lot better than gas station stuff.

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There were plans that needed to be made and Dean needed to be there for them. Samuel might be overseeing negotiations with Michael, and really it was better for everyone if he was way the hell away from that, but there was also Lucifer to deal with. But they'd deal with it. Gabe was pack now, so they were going to close ranks around their own and keep him safe. A pregnant Omega couldn't shift, not without serious risk, so keeping his assbag brothers away was their top priority.

Toeing off his shoes, Dean dropped to the couch with a jaw cracking yawn. "Sounds good S'mmy. Sandwiches and coffee." One eye opened to look up at his brother. "No funny business until I've hit the road either."

Gabriel snorted out a laugh, heading for the kitchen. "Sandwiches all around then. I'm on it."

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