For two days, I rarely leave Cordy's side. The staff brings a cot for me, but I sleep with Cordy wrapped in my arms. On the second night, Dr. Marks insists I go home to get a decent night's sleep. 'You still have to take care of yourself, Ellie,' she tells me. I hesitate, Cordy's completely guilt-ridden, only sleeping for short bursts, and wakes up screaming for mom and dad. The only comfort she seems to feel is when I hum the same songs that I did when she was a toddler. I find it heartwarming knowing that somewhere, deep down in her subconscious, she must remember me doing this.

I reluctantly leave when Cordy's given some medication to help keep her asleep that night, it is something that we have been avoiding, but three days of no real sleep is only making the nightmares worse. I don't remember driving to my apartment, just waking up in my own bed early in the morning. I quickly shower, washing away the sterile smell of the hospital. I grab a bag from my closet and stuff it with a weeks' worth of clothes, not sure when I'll be able to bring Cordy home. I don't even know where we'll go, there's not much room here for the two of us, but I'm afraid taking her back home will only upset her more.

The drive back mom and dad's house seems to take longer than it has in the past. Curiosity gets the best of me when I drive past the motel near the town's limits, I slow down briefly, looking for the Impala. Memories come flooding back; the first night Sam and I spent together, the first time we exchanged 'I love you's.' Our first fight, which ended with us tangled in the sheets; it was also the night that he got me pregnant. I pull into the driveway, thankful that it's early enough that the neighborhood is still quiet. I can feel the tension that lingers in the house as I walk in, my argument with mom replaying over in my head. I grab a small bag from the hallway closet and make my way up to Cordy's room. It's right next to my old room; a bathroom is the only thing separating them. I set the bag on her bed, filling it with clothes before grabbing a plush teddy bear off of a shelf in her closet. A small laugh leaves me as I examine the tan-colored fur, rubbing my hand over the soft material; it was mine when I was Cordy's age, and it became hers after she was born.

I set the bag down at the bottom of the stairs. My eyes catch sight of a framed photo on the wall that I haven't seen displayed before. In the photo, I'm cradling Cordy in my arms, my eyes fixated on her, mom is beaming with pride, I can almost hear her cooing at Cordy. Dad must be the one behind the camera; he had a habit of taking pictures when no one was paying attention. Cordy couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. Tears press against my eyes as I run trembling fingers over the image of mom's face. She's gone. They both are.

I carefully remove the picture from the wall, opening the back as I take a seat on the couch. Mom had always been very meticulous about labeling pictures, something she instilled in me as well. 'Cordelia Mary, Lizzy, and Mom. November 2003' is written in mom's delicate handwriting on the back corner. Why would she put this picture on display? They had been extremely particular about what photos they framed from when Cordy was an infant—choosing to keep them tucked away in a large antique trunk in the attic as I was in most of them. Dad would've been infuriated if he had seen this photo displayed. It would have confirmed any suspicion that anyone had throughout those first few years. Was this mom's way of telling us that she thought it was time for Cordy to know the truth? Did she feel guilty for the role she played? She knew; they both did, that Sam had no intention of leaving me, they robbed Cordy of the chance to know Sam, for us to raise her, together. Tears slide down my cheek, landing on the glass of the frame with a soft plop before I even realize that they've formed.

I close the back of the frame, gingerly putting it back in its original place. I make my way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face and take a few deep breaths as I pull myself back together. I grab the bag I packed for Cordy, and make for my car in the driveway. Just as I close the trunk of the car after placing Cordy's bag inside, I'm surrounded by our neighbors. All of them offering sympathies and asking what the plan is after the funeral. I know they're not trying to be rude or insensitive, but it takes every ounce of my willpower not to tell them all to fuck off.

I accept their condolences and explain that I need to get back to Cordy in the hospital. I catch a side-glance between one couple and choose to ignore it. At this point, I don't care what they think. I wait for them to retreat to their homes before starting my car and leaving. It's nearly thirty minutes later when I pull into the hospital's parking lot.

I'm surprised when I walk by Cordy's room, hearing the small TV playing softly, I notice she's absent-mindedly drawing on a blank piece of paper. A sigh of relief leaves me when a nurse pulls me aside, informing me that Cordy had slept through the night. The faintest of smiles creeps across Cordy's lips when I enter her room, setting her bag down in the empty chair, but she doesn't say anything as I crawl back into the bed with her. She leans into me and tilts her head up, her hazel eyes scanning my face for a moment before turning her attention back to the page in front of her. Cordy has barely uttered a word since that first day. When I shared my concern with Dr. Marks during one of her daily check-ups, she explained that some children respond to traumatic incidents with voluntary muteness and that I should encourage, but not force Cordy to speak.

I watch Cordy thoughtfully as I keep playing scenarios in my head of how to tell her the truth. How do I explain that I'm not her sister, but her mom? Her whole world has been upended with the loss of mom and dad, and I don't know how telling her will make anything better right now. Lacey's card is still in the pocket of my jeans, and I make a mental note to call her once Cordy is discharged and well enough to know the truth.

My thoughts drift to Sam; I haven't seen him since I left him with Dean and Cas in the waiting room. Anger rises inside me as I recall everything he'd said the first day we arrived at the hospital, yet, he hasn't made any attempt to see Cordy or me. In the back of my mind, I know it's better this way; I can focus all my attention on Cordy, but it does little to lessen the sense of abandonment I feel. Cordy scrunches her face, attempting to put on a brave face and not cry when a nurse adjusts her ankle and arm.

"Ellie?" she whispers, and my heart stops, after nearly four days she was speaking. Tears fill her eyes as she looks up to meet mine. "What's gonna happen now?"

I knew this question was coming, but it still sends a jolt of fear through me. I have been trying to come up with some kind of answer that will put her at ease, and won't create more stress. It's a loaded question, which will only trigger many more that I am not prepared to answer yet. She looks down at her lap as I struggle to speak.

"Am I gonna have to go live with that weird cousin dad always talks about?" Her voice cracks as she continues looking down. "The one you lived with before I was born?"

"No," I answer quickly. "No way. Why would you even think that?"

"Because I- I-. Dad said if I'm ever really bad, I'd have to go live with her." Shock and anger fill me; if I'd known dad had ever said that to her, I would have put an end to all of this a long ago. I take a deep breath, calming myself; anger won't do Cordy or me any good right now. I watch her closely as she picks at her thumbnail, afraid of what she might say next. "It's- it's my fault," she sobs, "they're gone, and it's because of me."

I quickly sit up being mindful of her injuries, "Cordelia Mary, look at me." I gently grip her chin, making sure her focus is on me. "This was not your fault; you hear me? It was an accident."

"I was talking about Sammy and his brother, d-dad got really mad, he turned around-"

"Cordy, you didn't do anything wrong, okay? Sometimes bad things happen. Things out of our control, whatever happened," I had to put it in a way she would understand. "It wasn't your fault."

"You promise?"

"Promise." I wrap my arms around her, "We can talk about it as much as you want to, and no matter what you tell me, I'm never going to blame you. I love you so much, kid, and you have no idea how happy I am that you're okay. If mom and dad were here, they'd tell you the same thing."

Cordy nods hesitantly, she's carrying so much guilt, and there isn't much I can do to put her at ease. Her body relaxes against me, and she closes her eyes, drifting off as I gently stroke her hair. I don't know what's going to happen next. We could find a place for the two of us, and then I could tell her; we could start over. Just she and I, and maybe even Sam, if he wanted to. Sam. He had gotten out, gotten away from hunting; he had wanted to be a lawyer, live a safe life. Yet here he is, back with his brother, still hunting. My heart and brain are at war with each other; this is our chance to be a family, and I want to tell him to stay here with us. But I can't stand the idea of allowing him back into my life, Cordy's life, only for him to leave on a hunt and never come back. For her to have another father figure enter her life, only to lose him? I don't think she'd ever be able to get over it.

A soft knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts, Sam is standing in the doorway, and my heart flutters when he gives me a small smile. He takes a step into the room but quickly stops when I shake my head. The thought of him being in the same room as Cordy and I is a little unsettling.

'Can we talk?' he whispers, eyes leaving me and landing on Cordy. I carefully remove my arms from around Cordy's frame and slip off the bed. I nearly make it out of the room before she stirs.

"Ellie?" Her eyes barely open, "you're not leaving, are you?"

"I'm just gonna be out in the hallway, okay? I'm not going anywhere" I thought about how Sam had said those exact words to me the night we met, and my chest tightens. "Go back to sleep, kid," I walk back to her, placing a kiss on her forehead. "One four three," I say softly into her ear and turn back towards Sam, I can see the pain in his eyes, he wants to come in, but he is still a stranger to Cordy.

"One four three?" Sam asks as he engulfs me into a hug. I can't help but melt into him, as much as I've tried to deny it to myself, I'm still in love with him. "You told that firefighter to tell her 'one four three.'" He pulls away and takes my hand, guiding us to a set of chairs a few feet away. I hesitate, not wanting to be too far away from Cordy's room. "You can still see her," he says as he sits.

"It means 'I love you.'" My eyes don't leave Cordy's room. "I started using it when she was younger. She liked it because it was a special thing between us." I look away when I'm satisfied that she's sleeping. "She likes hearing it when she's scared or hurt."

He brings his hand up, gently turning my face so that my focus is on him. He looks like he hasn't slept in days, dark circles under his eyes and rumpled clothes hanging from his frame. "I wanted to visit sooner, but I didn't want to intrude. When I realized that you weren't in the waiting room anymore, I almost chased you down; Dean had to stop me. He made me realize that you and Cordy needed some time alone together."

"Thank you," I breathe out. "But you didn't have to stay away, Sam. You could've just been here with me. We may not be together anymore, but I still need you."

Sam gives me a soft smile and intertwines his fingers with mine. "How is she?"

"She's doing okay, considering. She's harboring a lot of guilt." I peer back towards the room. "I guess she was talking about you and Dean, and dad lost control of the car. She thinks it's her fault, that if dad hadn't gotten mad-" I shake the thought from my head.

I can see the question forming on his lips, but he doesn't ask it. He sighs as I nestle myself into his side, his presence allowing me to relax for the first time in days.

"I haven't told her yet." I break the silence between us, tilting my head up to look at him. Sam looks at me disappointed but nods as if he understands before focusing his attention on Cordy's room. He may have only met her once, but I can see in his face that he loves her already. I understand the pain he must feel at almost losing her before he even got to know her. "It's just—it's too much for her right now."

"It's going to be difficult whenever you tell her, Ella." There's a bitterness in his tone that he's trying to cover. "There's no good way to tell her, and you said-"

"I know what I said, and I meant it, but Sam, it's only been a few days. She's still trying to understand that the people she believes to be her parents are gone." I can tell that he wants to resurrect our unfinished fight about telling Cordy and try to forestall another argument. "You haven't been here for the last few days, listening as she wakes up screaming. The last thing she needs right now is for me to alter her world again by telling her that I'm her mom."

"Ella, she should know where she comes from." He stares at me like he's daring me to say otherwise.

"I'm going to tell her." I suck in a breath, trying to remain calm. "I am. Let me take her home, where she'll be more comfortable. Let me break one thing to her at a time," I had thought this part over, and I knew it was going to be painful to say, "and if she asks, I'll tell her about you."

"Ella, that's not- She's my kid too." I know this isn't what he wanted to hear, but I have to think about what is best for her. "I want to know her. I want her to know me. And Dean. And Cas. She needs to know that you're not her only family."

I push away from him to stand and pace in front of the row of chairs."Sam, she's ten. She just lost mom and dad." I throw my hands up in the air. "Now I'm about to drop an even bigger bomb on her. She will need time to accept and process that information. If, or when, she decides that she wants to know more about her father," I stop pacing to lock eyes with him, "then, and only then will we tell her."

"Ella-" His tone is gruff, but his eyes plead with me.

"No, Sam. I know what kind of life you and Dean lead, and I won't have you coming and going whenever you please. Cordy needs stability; now more than ever. You, Dean, Cas, whoever he is, you can't offer stability."

"But we can offer protection. The two of you, you'll be safe with us. There's a place in Kansas, it's become our home, our first real home, and it's one of the safest places in the world. I talked it over with Dean, and we want you to come with us, you and Cordy. Once Cordy is discharged, Cas can heal her. Then you can pack up whatever you'd like to bring, and we can head to the Bunker."

"Bunker? Yeah, that doesn't sound like a place that we'll get murdered in," I scoff. "And Cas, who I know nothing about by the way, how is he going to 'heal' Cordy? Why would I even let him touch her?"

"Because he's-" Sam runs a hand through his hair as he appears to struggle with what he wants to say. I arch my eyebrow and tap my foot impatiently until he finally huffs, "Cas is an angel."

"A what?" I choke out a laugh. Sam's face remains stoic as I wait for him to give some indication that he's joking. "Okay, obviously, I believe werewolves are real. And I know there's a lot of things out there that I don't know about. But, come on, an angel?"

"Ella, why would I make something like that up?" He has a point. "Cas can help her."

"So what, you're telling me you've got an angel at your beck and call?"

"He's family, Ella. Up until I saw you again and then found out about Cordy, he was the only family I had besides Dean. He can help"

I sigh, okay Cas, if you're an angel, prove it.

"My name is Castiel, and I am an Angel of the Lord," Cas appears out of nowhere, making me yelp. "I can heal your daughter, Eliza."

"What the hell?" My eyes shift between Sam and Cas. "You can't be serious," I scoff.

"I can also erase her memories if you'd like me to," Cas offers, taking a step towards me. "Replace them with something more pleasant."

"I-" Angels are real? Does that mean there's a God? A devil?

"Yes," Cas replies, did I say that out loud? "No, Eliza."

"Cas," Sam sighs. "We talked about you reading people's thoughts."

"Impolite, yes." Cas brings his attention back to me. I'm silent as I try to make sense of what's happening right now. "I apologize, Eliza. Please, consider my offer, all of it."

"You get used to him," he offers a weak smile. "Believe me, we couldn't wrap our heads around all of it at first either. But Cas, he's one of the good ones."

"There are bad angels?" I take a few steps back and slump into the chair against the wall. "This is the kind of craziness I was just talking about, Sam. We don't live in your world. Sure, Cordy happened to be right about the soul-eater, but honestly, we could have easily explained that away. What am I supposed to do? Go in there and tell her that a freaking angel is going to heal her? That we're gonna go live in some bunker in Kansas?"

"Please Ella," Sam stops me as I make my way back towards Cordy's room. "I just got you back into my life; I don't want to lose you again, lose her again."

"Sam, if you don't want to lose us, you won't." I bring my hand up, gently tucking his hair behind his ear. His cheeks pink at the gesture, dimples forming on both sides. "This isn't going to be like when we were kids; no one can keep us apart." I rise to my toes, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. "But, I can't just pack her up and go. I told you she needs time, we both do."

"Ella, please. Don't keep me away from her."

"Sam," I pull away from him. "You were supposed to get out of this life. That's what you told me when we first started dating. You wanted out, and yet, here you are, still hunting. Do you honestly want her to grow up like you did?"

Sam's face hardens for a moment, and the look of hurt that washes over his face makes me feel a little guilty about bringing up the way he and Dean were raised, but I know it's the only way to make him understand. His brow furrows, and he briefly closes his eyes. He inhales deeply, then opens his eyes and nods in understanding. "Can I at least see her?"

Before I can answer, a cry comes from Cordy's room. "Ellie!" I rush back in to find her face is covered in red blotches, and her eyes bloodshot as she calls out again. "Ellie!"

"I'm here, kid," I say, returning to the bed and climbing in. I run my hands through her hair, "you're okay." I hold her against me, letting her cry into me as I do my best to calm her down. A throat clearing brings my attention back to the doorway. Sam stands there silently, waiting for me to give him the okay to enter the room. Cordy turns her head, and Sam smiles warmly at her.

"It's Sammy," she says, barely above a whisper. "What's he doing here?"

"He-" I struggle to come up with an explanation as to why Sam would be visiting her.

"I just wanted to let you know that my brother and me, we got the soul-eater." He moves forward but doesn't enter the room. "We thought we should tell you since you had it figured out."

"I was right?" Her face lights up at Sam's statement. He nods, his eyes sparkling as she lets out a giggle. Cordy turns to me, eyes shining with excitement. "I was right, Ellie!"

"You sure were Cordy, if it weren't for you, it would probably have hurt another kid," his eyes meet mine, and he silently asks for permission to come in. My lips form a tight smile and I nod. He really isn't giving me much of an option at this point. He closes the space between us, taking a seat in the empty chair next to Cordy's bed. "You're a smart little girl."

We all sit there and talk for hours. Sam tells fantastical stories about his work, and Cordy loves every minute of it. Watching Cordy bond with Sam even though she doesn't know who he is, makes me want to tell her even more, but I know I can't, not yet. I bite my tongue, letting the three of us have this brief moment of bliss, knowing it can't last. She tells Sam all about her friends and school, happily chattering as he listens intently.

It's late in the afternoon when Dr. Marks brings in Cordy's discharge papers. I step out of the room with her to sign the papers and discuss Cordy's condition. As I stand just outside the doorway, I catch sight of Sam pulling out his phone and texting someone before focusing his attention back on Cordy, hanging on her every word. I sigh, knowing it's going to make it that much more difficult when we have to say goodbye.

"...about 6 weeks," Dr. Marks' voice pulls me out of my head. "She'll still probably need to wear a walking cast for a month after that, same with her arm. Your daughter is a strong little girl, Ellie."

"What about the nightmares?" My eyes drift back to Cordy and Sam, their muffled laughter escaping the room. "Every time she falls asleep, she wakes up thrashing and screaming."

"Nightmares are a normal response, if the nightmares don't lessen in the upcoming weeks, we may need to refer her to a child psychologist." I nod and turn myself to face her. "She's going to have good days and bad days, Ellie. Today seems like a good one."

I softly chuckle as she peers into the room. "She started talking a few hours ago, and now she doesn't want to stop."

"That's good, Ellie. Let her talk as much as she wants, about the accident, about your parents, let her know that everything she's feeling is normal. But you know what she really needs right now, Ellie? You. She needs her mom."

"I haven't- she doesn't know. And I know I need to tell her, I'm going to, but this doesn't seem like the right time…" I trail off, finally making eye contact with her. "I feel like all it will do is make things worse for her, and that's the last thing I want to do."

"You have your reasons for doing what you did. But Cordelia needs a steady support system right now, and that man, who's been in the waiting room for the last four days?" She glances back towards Cordy's room, "and the couple he was with," did she just refer to Dean and Cas as a couple? "They all seem to be very concerned for her well-being as well. Those are the kind of people she needs."

"They travel a lot, all over the country. Barely in one place for a week at a time," I say, not just trying to convince her, but myself as well. "I wouldn't exactly call that stable." I look and see Cordy gesturing wildly, and Sam's mouth agape. He's in love. I smile at the two of them as Dr. Marks pulls my attention back to her. "Thank you so much, Dr. Marks, for everything, I know it wasn't easy for the staff to keep my situation under wraps, but you don't know how much I appreciate it."

"Of course, Ellie. A nurse will be in shortly to go over home-care instructions, and you'll be able to take Cordelia home." Her eyes dart into Cordy's room. "Don't let the big guy get away." She pats my shoulder and then winks playfully before leaving.

I walk in as Sam slides a piece of paper over to Cordy. Both of them giggling. There are five or six symbols on it that I don't recognize as Cordy folds the paper in half, hiding it under the covers.

"What was that?" I ask, looking between the two.

"Nothing!" Cordy and Sam say together, laughing.

"I was just telling Corie how to keep the ghosts out." I raise my eyebrow at the use of Corie. "Remember, Corie, salt circle, and you'll be safe," he winks playfully at her.

"Ms. Jameson?" A nurse appears, and gestures for me to join her. I clear my throat, briefly gathering Sam's attention, and he keeps Cordy distracted with a story on how he once fought a ghost on a movie set. The nurse tells me that Cordy will need to use crutches until she's fitted for a walking boot, handing over a list of different places I can get them. Cordy's face lights up as Sam continues with his story. We talk for a few minutes as she confirms that I understand Cordy's limitations while her body heals. The nurse disappears briefly as I take the papers handed to me and make a mental note to read through them all more thoroughly once Cordy and I get home. The nurse returns with a wheelchair, helping Cordy into it as Sam tucks the papers into her bag. Sam wheels her out once she's safely seated, playfully stopping and starting down the hallway until we reach the elevator.

When we arrive in the lobby, Dean and Cas are bickering about something, and Sam rolls his eyes at the two before clearing his throat, grabbing their attention. I shoot Sam a questioning look, he shrugs his shoulders, and an embarrassed chuckle leaves him. It seems as though they've raided the hospital's gift shop, an overstuffed teddy bear with a heart attached in Cas' arms. Dean has a bouquet in one hand and a large basket in the other, filled with boxes of candy, junk food, and small toys.

"Corie," Sam says as Dean and Cas take a step closer to us. "This is my brother Dean. Do you remember him?" She nods her head hesitantly, Sam crouches down, meeting her eye level. "We'll all get to know each other better later." He glances up at me, and I can feel the heat rising in my face, did he not hear a single word I said before?

"Hey there, Princess," Dean says, a broad grin appearing on his face. "I hope you like jerky," he laughs, and it gives me the distraction I need to keep my composure. "I can't wait to get to know my n-"

"Dean," Cas places his hand on Dean's shoulder. "Hello, Cordelia, my name is Castiel. We are delighted to finally meet you."

"Hi." She turns her attention to Cas, softly laughing as he hands the teddy bear to her. "Sammy said you have the best hearing in the world, is that true?"

"It is, Cordelia," he states matter-of-factly. "No matter where you are if you say my name, I can hear you."

"Okay, I think that's enough new people for one day," I say, stepping between Cordy and the three men. "I think it's time to get you home."

I point Sam towards the parking lot, listening as Cordy chatters away. Dean and Cas keep a few steps behind, quietly talking between themselves.

"How about I drive you home?" Sam asks as we walk up to my car.

"Thanks, but my apartment is just off campus." He frowns slightly and looks at me with his large puppy dog eyes, blue and green swirls filled with disappointment. Damn it. "If you want, you can follow me? I might need some help getting Cordy upstairs."

Sam's face lights up as he excitedly nods. Sam picks her up as I open the door, sliding her into the back seat. Dean opens the passenger side door, and places the basket in the seat next to Cordy, then takes her bag from me and puts it in the trunk. Cas tucks the bear in next to her and whispers something in her ear, causing a broad grin to form as she nods. I climb into the front seat, waiting for Sam, Dean, and Cas, to walk back towards the Impala.

"Corie?" I ask, looking at her through the rearview mirror as we pull out of the parking space. I wait for the Impala to come into view before exiting the lot.

"Sammy asked if he could have a special name for me. He said that he had a special name for you too. Why did you ever break up with him?"

"That's a long story, kid. And it happened a really long time ago. What else did Sam say to you?"

"Nothin'," she laughs.

I arch an eyebrow; it's almost like she's back to her usual self. I spot the Impala a few cars behind us, and I dread what's coming in the next few days. Sam and Dean never stay anywhere long, and Cordy had already latched onto Sam. I'm afraid of what's gonna happen when they leave. If she's taken to him as a virtual stranger, how will she feel when she finds out he's her dad?

"All right then, keep your secrets."