Heir to Hell

The Memorial

Sam knew Adri was in a mood. If their interaction prior to the in-home memorial hadn't tipped him off to it, he certainly noticed by the sudden outfit change. She'd separated from them under the guise of showering at the motel, yet arrived at the same time as the boys. Dean tucked his keys into their usual jacket pocket before sauntering over to the driver's side of her car. He opened the door for her and offered an arm to help her out but she shrugged him off. Adri mumbled something about being a "grown-ass woman" who could "open her own damn door." Dean rolled his eyes and stepped to the side, allowing her more room to open the door and collect her things. She swung her legs out and went to stand. At this moment, her heel caught the end of her dress causing her to fall forward. A pair of arms wrapped around her waist and tugged her into a warm chest.

"You ok, princess?" For a split second, unimagined by both, Adri's eyes softened and her muscles relaxed. The two locked eyes and the moment was over. She nodded quickly and huffed, untangling herself from the tall hunter and marching off. Dean scoffed, shaking his head.

"Thanks for saving my face from concrete," He mumbled in a falsetto voice, moving his left index finger as though it spoke. "Why, you're most welcome princess. Just doing what any fine knight in shining denim would," Dean responded to himself in an unnaturally deep voice while wiggling his right index finger. "Oh but you're the best knight I could ask for, I'm sorry for-"

"Dean, stop playing with yourself and let's go." Adri snapped from the porch where Sam stifled a laugh at her choice of wording.

"Yeah Dean, stop playing-" Dean held his finger up to Sam's face sternly.

"Shut up."

Adri rolled her eyes at the brothers and walked into the house. It only took a quick glance to see that the Winchester brothers were the only two not ready for a funeral.

"Feel like we're underdressed," Dean mumbles. The three of them make their way towards the back. A kind pastor pointed the way to Lily and Donna, the Shoemaker heirs. Two friends sat around the girls, comforting them as they mourned the loss to their little family. "You must be Donna," Dean states, although he meant it to be a question.

"Yeah," She responds. Her eyes stay on the young girl needing comfort. Adri's heart melted at the sight of the young one who reminded her of her own past and pain. Ignoring Sam and Dean, she knelt down to level with Lily.

"Hi Lily, my name is Adri. I'm a distant friend of your Dad's. This is Sam and Dean. They work with him but they have kind of boring jobs. Where did you get this dress? It's beautiful." Lily sniffled as Donna turned back to a conversation with Dean who had just mentioned the reason for Mr. Shoemaker's death and asked if there were symptoms.

" My Dad, he'd go on these trips and come back with gifts. My mom used to sew and he thought he would get me a hand-sewn dress after she passed to remember her. Although, it's kind of old and there's a hole in the side of the skirt." She pulled it out from under her to show Adri.

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm very handy with a needle so if you'd like, I can stitch this back up?" Adri offered, watching Lily's eyes brighten.

"Really?"

"Mhm, and I can do it right now." The woman reached behind her back to grab at a purse Dean was sure he hadn't seen her carry in and pull out a miniature sewing kit. Adri began to work on sewing the skirt when Lily jumped into the conversation with Dean, Sam, and Donna.

"It wasn't a stroke. It happened because of me." She cried, leaning into her new friend who moved the needle away just in time.

"I'm sure it wasn't your fault."

"Sweetie, it didn't." Adri and Donna comforted simultaneously, both invested in the young girl's well-being. Sam, focused on the case, knelt to the floor and questioned, "Why would you say something like that?"

Lily peered over at him from Adri's arms. She felt very comfortable and warm. There was almost a soothing aura from the stranger that Lily could sense.

"Right before he died, I said it."

"Said what?" All four adults waited in anticipation.

"Bloody Mary."