They went out to a local diner as per Ruby's request.  Ruby put a new twist to her normal outfit. She had on a black tank top under a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. She wore her skinny jeans instead of shorts. Ruby put her long hair in braided pigtails; it was almost back to its normal color. She also had a grilled cheese and fries instead of something healthy.

"So, how did it happen?"  Mary asked. She was at the head of the table.

It wasn't that Ruby wanted to get married just to have sex with Sam. It was like he said, they both just figured that they'd stay together. They were always together, and they loved each other and they knew everything about each other.

Sam must have been thinking that too because he looked at her sideways. "It just kind of ... happened. Why not, you know?  We're with each other almost 24/7 and we love each other."  Sam looked at Ruby and squeezed her hand.

"When's the wedding?" Dean asked. "You guys are moving pretty fast," he noted.

"We haven't discussed that yet," Ruby said. She didn't even know if she was going to ask her mom and sister to come. "I have a feeling that we'll know when it's time."

Mary's phone rang then. "Sorry," she mouthed. "Hello? Yeah." She paused for a minute, listening. "On my way." She hung up. "That was Ellen. She needs a little help on a demon case."

Mary put money on the table for the bill and got up. Dean got up too. "Do you need help, Mom?"

"Sure, thanks, Dean. You coming, Cas?" He nodded. To Sam and Ruby, she said "You two stay here and have fun."

Sam got up and hugged Mary. "Stay safe, Mom." Then he hugged his brother, slapping him on the back. "You too, Dean."

"See you, Mary." Ruby hugged her tightly. She barely knew her, but she loved her.

She hugged Dean. He smelled like cheap whiskey and leather. She hugged him tightly too. "You okay, kiddo? I can stay if you want."

She pulled away. "That's okay. I just, I don't know. Stay safe."

"I will if you will." He gave her a meaningful look.

"I'll do my best." She could never make any promises.

"You have to do better than your best. We need you." It was his way of saying "I love you."

She nodded. She hugged Cas next, but very quickly so she wouldn't get too emotional.

• • •

It was quiet. They were laying on the bed, same as usual. Ruby's head was on his chest, his arm underneath her, his hand rubbing the top of her arm. She could lay there forever. She started humming "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol.

"What's that?" Sam asked.

"'Chasing Cars.'" She started singing. "'If I lay here, if I just lay her, would you lie with me and just forget the world?'" She loved that song. She first heard it on "Grey's Anatomy." It was beautiful and haunting.

"Huh. Look, I've got goosebumps." He held up his arm. "Sing more, Ruby." Every deep breath she took sent sharp pain through her ribs, but she ignored it and kept singing for Sam.

She sang her own version of "White Rabbit" that was slower and varied in pitch more. Her voice went up and down as she sang

"'One pill makes you larger,
and one pill makes you small.
And the ones that mother gives you
don't do anything at all.'"

It was one of the few songs that she knew all the lyrics to by heart.

"I think the only other song I know all the words to is 'Amazing Grace.'"  She laughed. She was having fun; it had been awhile since she'd  gotten to sing like this. "Oh, I know."  She cleared her throat and sang

"'Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
I'm getting older too
Oh I'm getting older too

Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring you down, down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills

Well maybe the landslide will bring you down
Well well, the landslide will bring you down'"

Ruby yawned. It had been a long day. She nuzzled closer to Sam. "I love you," he said.

"I know," she mumbled back before falling asleep.

• • •

She loved the way the books felt. The bumps of the spines as she ran her fingers over them. The smell of cigarettes and old paper. She loved the paper backs with a matte cover. She loved the pictures on the covers - sometimes a simple flower or even a group of teens huddled together by a fire.

She would see books that she'd read before, gasp quietly, and then grab them. She flipped through the pages, seeing another world in flashes. She could remember all the emotions she felt while reading them. She had no idea how many books she'd read in her life. Hundreds, probably.

Sam stayed back, watching her. He'd never seen anything like it. She was beautiful, so absorbed in her own world. Well, worlds.  A fight could have broken out somewhere in the store and she wouldn't even have noticed. He didn't know what moved her; she grabbed books at random. Sometimes, she would glance at the cover of a book then quickly flip it over and read the summary. He could never tell what made her keep the book or put it back.

Ruby came back to the real world after awhile. She looked around for Sam and met his slightly astonished gaze. "What?" she asked, her voice high, breathy.

"I've never seen that before. You were in your own world. I can't imagine what was going through your head. It was like you were alone with your stories for eternity."  He sounded awed.

"That about sums it up. Sorry I kind of forgot about you. This was supposed to be a date."  She set the books down and put her hands on her face and shook her head playfully.  Sam grabbed her hands and put them down at her side before kissing her.

She moaned, not being able to control herself and then burst out laughing. She covered her mouth, trying to quiet the laughter. She bent over, gasping. When she was done, she straightened and looked at Sam, clutching her side. The pain in her broken rib was worth it. She felt happy.

Seeing Sam's smiling face, she said spontaneously, "We should get married now. Just the two of us. We could get someone to film it though, for our families. Oh!  I'd love to get a vintage dress to wear." She was bouncing on the balls of her feet. She looked at Sam eagerly with her hands clasped beneath her chin.

Sam gave a low bow, one arm behind his back, the other extended towards her. He looked up, through the hair falling in front of his face. "Your wish is my command."

"Eee!" Ruby squealed and jumped up and down. Sam picked her up and spun in a circle in the small corner of the local bookstore.

He put her down and picked her books up off the floor. "You want these?" he asked. She nodded. "You ready?"

Biting her lip to keep from smiling, "Mmhm."