Emma

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟔

Emma frowned at her reflection in the mirror, running a hand through her hair again. When the invitation for her ten year high school reunion had come, she’d immediately tossed it in the trash. But James had surprised her and insisted that she go.

Come on sweetheart, you have to go! It’s important and we never get to do anything fun. Plus I never got to do anything like this. You know, high school dropouts and all. Please?” Emma was thrown off by how much James wanted to go, and that he’d said please. It was too weird. Why would he care about something like her high school reunion?

“So you’d come with me?” Emma asked, half considering the idea.

“Of course! I wanna meet all the douchebags you went to high school with.”

“James, I was… I was nobody in high school,” she admitted, sort of embarrassed. She hadn’t had very many friends, and she hadn’t kept in contact with anyone. No one had even tried.

“What? Come on. You were totally a prom queen.” James said. He wasn’t mocking hee, he was completely serious, which was part of the reason she loved him.

“James, I didn’t even have a prom date.” At that, he fell silent, frowning at her like he couldn’t believe it.

“Then we’re definitely going.”

“What? James-” she began, surprised at his response.

“Sweetheart, I don’t know what you were like in high school, but today you’re a knockout and you deserve to show that off. Besides, you’ve got me for eye candy.” Emma couldn’t help but giggle as James winked, but he had a point. Walking into her reunion on James' arm would be pretty satisfying. 

That was how she’d ended up in a hotel just outside her hometown, locked in the bathroom to get herself ready. She’d bought a form-fitting royal blue dress that showed off her curves and made her eyes pop. It didn’t even reach her knees, had a sweetheart neckline and little cap sleeves. A pair of nude heels gave her extra height and made her legs look miles long. She’d gone for simple makeup, and left her hair down to curl in soft waves. By anyone else’s standards Emma looked phenomenal, but all she could see in the mirror was a twenty-two-year-old with self-esteem issues, acne and off-brand clothes.

A soft knock on the door jerked her from her thoughts, and with a frown still on her face she pulled it open.

“Woah,” Dean breathed, eyes going wide as he looked her over. “What’s wrong?” He asked as he noticed her expression. Emma shrugged, but he guessed anyway. “Sweetheart, you are gorgeous. Just relax. The past is in the past, and you are going to blow everyone away. God I need to find more excuses to get you dressed up…”

Emma finally smiled as he pulled her against him. He didn’t look half bad himself. In fact, he looked so good he was making it hard to breathe. He’d let his scruff grow into just the hint of a beard, and had bought a real suit instead of the cheap ones he used when he worked cases. It was dark gray and fit him perfectly. She suspected he’d gotten Hunter’s help to have it tailored, and she’d found him a tie that went with her dress.

“Are you sure we have to go?” Emma asked, her lips brushing James' ear as he kissed her neck. He smiled against her skin and pulled back to look at her again.

“Yes. Plenty of time for that later. Are you ready?”

“I guess…”

James pulled up to the restaurant in the impala, the familiar rumble of the engine comforting Emma as panic flared up in her chest. He clapped the valet on the shoulder, who was gaping at the gorgeous car as James moved around to open her door. Emma took James' arm and pulled herself to her feet, glancing around uneasily at the people milling around the front of the building. James gave her a reassuring smile as heads began turning in her direction. Emma was sure they were looking at the car, but the whispers and gazes followed as she and James walked inside. James felt her grip tighten on his arm, and he leaned over to whisper without looking at her.