The Witch and The Hunters

CHAPTER NINETY

Page count: 12

"Wife?"

Both women choked, coughing into their beers, eyes watering.

"Wife," Dean repeated easily, grin firmly in place as he dropped back into his chair.

Hermione reached for another seat, but Dean caught her wrist and tugged her straight onto his lap. She rolled her eyes but went willingly, looping an arm around his neck, fingers absently combing through the hair at his nape. Dean settled one arm around her waist, the other resting on her thigh, his fingers tapping an unconscious rhythm.

Jo stared.

"I don't understand," she said slowly, her gaze flicking between them. The ease. The closeness. The way neither of them seemed remotely aware they were being watched.

"What's to understand?" Dean shrugged. "She's my wife. I'm her husband. We're married."

"But you're Dean Winchester," Jo protested.

Dean turned to Hermione, eyes wide in mock shock. "Did you hear that, sweetheart? Apparently, I'm Dean Winchester. Thank God she said something—I nearly forgot."

Hermione snorted and smacked his chest. "Stop being a prat. From what I know, I don't blame her reaction."

Dean put on his most innocent look.

Hermione turned back to the stunned women. "Ignore him. He's an arsehole."

San snorted. Dean pinched her side. She narrowed her eyes and tugged his earlobe in retaliation.

"Children," Sam said dryly.

They froze instantly.

Sam smiled, deeply satisfied.

Ellen took a long pull from her beer, eyes never leaving Hermione. She was assessing now. Measuring.

"How long you kids been together?" she asked.

Hermione and Dean shared a glance—soft, private.

"A while," Dean said vaguely.

"We'll be married two years in March," Hermione answered.

"Two years?" Jo spluttered, spraying beer.

Hermione winced, fighting the reflex to reach for her wand.

"Yes," she said calmly. "Two."

Ellen leaned forward. "Where'd you marry? How'd you meet?"

"I was born and raised in England," Hermione explained. "After my parents died, I was taken in by my best friend's family. Dean and I were married on their land in Devon. Castiel married us."

"The Angel?" Jo blurted. "You know him?"

Sam laughed. "I should hope so. He's her Guardian Angel."

Both women froze.

"What?"

Hermione smiled faintly. "He's been with me since I was a child. Sixteen years. Protecting me."

"When he feels like it," Dean muttered.

She swatted his arm.

"I met the boys on a case," Hermione continued. "They offered to help. We didn't exactly get along at first."

"But I wised up," Dean cut in, nuzzling into her neck. "Eventually realised how incredible she is."

Ellen raised an eyebrow. "So you're a Hunter?"