Camille and Dean arrived in Long Branch nearly two hours later.
They were staying in a little place called Crystal Inn.
Dean grabbed the suitcases and Camille walked ahead, delighted by the sight of the little Inn. Lights filled the building and a warmth exuded from it.
Dean chuckled at the obviously happy Camille. She turned smiling at him and returned to his side.
They walked in together and Dean explained that they had already booked a room the previous day.
It was getting to be near evening, so they ordered a meal to be brought to their room and ate together before deciding to take a late night stroll on the beach.
….
The night air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of salt and the distant hum of waves crashing against the shore. It was the end of November after all.
Camille and Dean walked side by side, their bare feet sinking into the cool, damp sand as the ocean stretched endlessly before them.
The moon shone bright high up in the sky, casting silver streaks across the water. The distant lights from the boardwalk flickered.
Dean reached for Camille's hand, lacing his fingers through hers. "It's beautiful out here," he murmured, his voice almost lost to the constant draw of the tide.
Camille nodded, tilting her head up to take in the vast sky. "Yeah… it really is. Feels kind of surreal, doesn't it? We're finally here. Married. On our honeymoon."
Dean chuckled softly. "Yeah, it does. I feel like I've been dreaming, and any second now, I'm gonna wake up and it's all gonna be gone."
Camille looked at him for a moment. She saw sorrow flash through his eyes, but it was gone as fast as it had come. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Well you better snap out of it, cause I'm not going anywhere so long as you don't go anywhere."
He huffed a laugh. "Well you're in luck cause I don't plan on going anywhere."
She turned to face him, their hands still linked. "Look at us now," she echoed, her voice softer. "After everything."
Dean cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly along her skin. "I'd go through it all again if it meant I'd end up here—with you."
Camille's throat tightened with emotion, and she blinked against the sudden sting of tears. "Dean…"
He kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment before pulling back to meet her eyes. "We've been through so much, Camille. I know it hasn't been long, but for me..." He trailed off before speaking again. "I swear, no matter what happens next, I'm always going to choose you. Every time."
She exhaled shakily, gripping his hand tighter. "Me too. Always."
Later that night, back in their hotel room, Camille lay awake while Dean slept beside her. The peaceful quiet was broken by a soft, distressed murmur from him. His brows furrowed, his breathing uneven. She knew this—had seen it before. Another bad dream. Another restless night.
Dean jerked awake with a sharp inhale, his body tense. He sat up, rubbing his face as he caught his breath. Camille didn't say anything. She just sat up and looked at him, her expression showing concern. She remembered he told her he would tell her everything after the wedding. She took the liberty to ask him directly.
"Dean what is going on? It's been months of this now… don't you think I deserve to know." She said softly
Dean let out a long, shuddering breath, running a hand through his hair. "I know… I know, I promised I'd tell you after the wedding… I guess I just didn't think so soon."
Camille watched him. A grim expression on her face. "Can it really be so bad that you don't even want to tell me? What is it Dean?"
He looked over at her and gave a small smile. She could see he was holding back.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you… it's that I'm scared what you'll think of me… you won't believe me, you'll think I'm insane."
Dean shook his head turning away from her.
Camille got up and sat on his lap, grabbing his face and forcing him to look up at him.
"Baby, I would never. I didn't take those vows for no reason. I promised you I would stand by you… so I need you to let down this wall you have and you need to let me know… I'm ready to listen, regardless of whatever it may be."
Dean nodded his hands resting on her waist. She bent her head towards him and kissed him. Dean kissed her back before pulling away and sighing.
"What?" She asked.
He laughed a little. "Well if I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna need you to get off of me or I'm not gonna be able to focus."
Camille blushed, she hadn't even thought about it when she did it. "Oh sorry." She said shyly.
Dean chuckled. "Oh don't worry I'm not upset about it."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Now come on, don't try and distract me."
"Damn, you noticed?" He joked.
He laughed when Camille didn't look amused. "Alright, okay, I'm gonna tell you… but don't say I didn't warn you when you think I'm crazy."
He suddenly got serious as he thought about everything.
He hesitated before speaking.
"This isn't my first time here Camille."
"You've been here before? With who."
Dean smiled. "No not here at this Inn. I mean here in this life. I've been here before."
Camille looked at him with wide eyes. Suddenly taking in the gravity of what she was about to hear.
"How?" She whispered.
Dean looked away. His brows furrowed.
"Well… let's see… this all started a week before graduation… when you…" He didn't want to say it.
Camille looked at him. "What Dean, when what?" She said with a sense of urgency.
He looked over at her. A grim look on his face. She could see the pain in his eyes.
"When you committed suicide… when you died Cami."