I know, I know, I have been a terrible, terrible author for not updating until like...three weeks later or more but life has been hell lately so, yeah I try to do my best of my time...so here's the next installment...

...

Puzzled, I followed him up and found him at Sam's crib, arms around his brother as if he wanted to pull him out. But Dean was not strong enough yet so he simply remained that way, holding onto his little brother.

It was at that moment that it struck me. Two miracle things had happened today. One) I had laughed twice. Two) Dean spoke more than one word.

I stared at my son Dean in amazement, my whole body numb. I couldn't believe it. Lately, Dean would not say a word to anyone unless it was Missouri. He could talk to Missouri for hours on end. Yet, I always saw him up early in the morning, in the same position he was now, as if he were guarding Sam from something. Something that I always felt was watching us, hovering over us and mocking me for my futile attempts to figure out Mary's killer.

Dean turned his head to me and asked me quietly, "Daddy, are we going to see Missouri again?"

Shock numbed my body even further, if that's possible. Yet, I knew that Sam and Dean were practically attached to the woman. I forced a smile and nodded.

In return, Dean also flashed a smile. "Can we see her tomorrow?" he asked.

How could I refuse? Missouri was working a miracle with the kids. Damn, I wish my own sons enjoyed my company more than that woman's. No really, I am not jealous. "Sure, Dean. If that's what you want." I replied, continuing to smile down at him.

Dean grinned up at me. I could tell he was thrilled at the thought of seeing Missouri again. "Daddy, do you think I could bring my friend along?" he asked.

I frowned. "Dean, your friend has to stay home, understand?" I said firmly. Honestly, why did he always have to bring his friend along? Sure, I understand he's growing up and all but why did he have to have an imaginary friend? A friend by the name of Mrs. W.

"Please Daddy...she never leaves my side unless it's dark anyways." Dean explained.

I sighed in defeat. I had to give up some time didn't I? I mean, this imaginary friend was just going to be a childhood thing right?

Dean was turning back to his little brother Sammy and he smiled down at him. "Don't worry Sammy. I will always protect you." he vowed seriously and I would have felt an urge to laugh if Mary was here and our lives were normal. But Mary wasn't here. And our life wasn't normal.

...

Sunshine was seeping in through the blinds as Mary sang to a sleeping baby. She had dark circles under her eyes, yet her face was still lit up and joyous. She sang gently to the sleeping baby and enchanted Dean:

"Stars shining bright above you

Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"

Bird's singing in the sycamore trees

Dream a little dream of me."

As she ended that verse, she bent and kissed the baby on the forehead and continued to rock him gently. She looked up at Dean and beamed at him. "Make sure you don't forget that song. It'll be important to you one day." she said.

Dean laughed. "Of course mummy! I'll never forget it! You sing pretty mummy! Sing again! Sing again!" he said, clapping his hands together as if in applause. I laughed as Mary tipped her head slightly as if to bow.

"I'll sing another verse but first, we have to name this little baby!" Mary said, smiling at Dean. "And I want you to name him." she added quietly.

Surprised, Dean looked back at me and I smiled at him encouragingly. It had been agreed between Mary and I that Dean would get to name his little brother. Nervous and unsure, Dean got up and stepped towards Mary. "What will I call him?" Dean asked.

Mary leaned over and whispered, "I'll call him whatever you want to call him."

"Well..." began Dean, pausing to think. Then he leaned towards Mary and she turned her ear to him as he whispered, "What should I name him?"

"It's your choice." Mary whispered back.

Dean paused once more in thought. Then he leaned back towards Mary and whispered, "I know, but I don't know what to name him." he admitted honestly. Then he frowned. "Mummy, why is daddy laughing at me?"

I was laughing so hard, tears filled my eyes.

Mary pretended to frown at me. "Because, he's being silly." she said but even she couldn't keep a straight face.

"Mummy, what are we going to name him?" Dean said, raising his voice to be heard over our laughter.

"All right..." Mary leaned forwards and whispered something that even I could not hear yet I watched in amusement as Dean's face lit up at what she said.

He grinned and nodded his head when Mary had leaned back. Then, he turned serious and looked at the baby in Mary's arm and he came right up to his little brother's face and said loudly and firmly, "Your name is Sammy. Sammy Winchester."

In reply, Sammy wailed loudly causing Dean to stamp his foot angrily. "Mummy! Sammy doesn't like his name! He thinks it doesn't suit him! That's why he's crying." Dean complained, continuing to stamp his foot. "He doesn't like the name I gave him." Dean pouted at this and Mary and I laughed.

"Oh Dean, I'm sure he'll grow to love it...just like he'll grow to know you all well." smiled Mary, a muscle in her cheek twitching slightly.

I noticed how she said 'you all' and not 'us all' and I smiled and laughed, "Mary, don't forget he'll get to know you too!"

At that very moment, it was like everything had frozen. I could see the sadness and pain in Mary's eyes at my words and her smile slipped slightly. Yet it seemed like it could not be true for the next second Mary also joined in my laughter, agreeing, "Yes, pardon me!"

'I understand now...I understand...I-'

...

"Daddy! Daddy!"

I snapped out of my day dream and felt Dean tugging on my sleeve excitedly. Slowly, I realized the dream was slowly slipping away from me at that moment as I watched Missouri get out of her parked car. Immediately, she looked directly up at my window as if she sensed us watching. Dean waved down brightly at Missouri. She waved back. I didn't wave. The woman's power was trustworthy, but I can trust no one at this moment. Once you allowed someone to become close to you...you may lose them forever...

"D-daddy...daddy...why is the room going dark?" gasped little Dean.

My eyes were no longer misted with memory and now I could clearly see that the room was indeed darkening. From afar I heard Sam's wail and watched Dean's horrified expression and Missouri's rushing form from the window. The curtains suddenly pulled roughly closed and the room was engulfed in darkness, filled with baby Sam's screaming.

"Sammy!" shouted Dean, rushing blindly towards the sound of Sam's weeping. "Sammy!"

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. "Dean! Don't go anywhere without me! I'm going to go find the door to le Missouri in." It was the first thing that came to my head and as soon as it left my mouth I felt stupid. The words themselves sounded idiotic.

"No! Sammy! Where are you?" cried Dean, I could hear his voice slowly breaking as he continued to stumble forward in the darkness. Then, a door to Dean's left creaked open and Sammy's cries intensified. "Sammy!" Dean yelled, dashing into the room and rushing to Sam's crib.

"Dean! No, come back!" I shouted, sweat trickling down my neck. With what I could see, something or someone, was dragging themselves along the floor horizontally, their breathing harsh and ragged and long black hair cloaking the floor it covered. "Dean!" I yelped desperately, running to the door, knowing I would be too late but did not want to be.

Dean turned and noticed the 'thing' crawling towards him and his mouth fell open as if he were about to scream but nothing came out as if someone had pressed the mute button. I could no longer hear Dean's screaming, Sam's sobbing or the eerie figure's uneven breathing and the sound it's body made as it was dragged along the floor. Not because I had suddenly gone deaf, but the very door to the room was slammed closed in my face and I heard the click of the lock on the other side of the door.

"Dean! Sammy!" I yelled, pounding on the door with my closed fist, desperately kicking at it for it to open.

Then, I finally heard it.

Dean's ear-piercing scream.

"Daddy!"

And I felt helpless. I couldn't do a thing as Dean's screams continued.

As I said, if you allowed someone to get close to you...you may lose them forever...

And I feared that would now happen to my two sons...

...

Well you know the drill...review and tell me what you think and I'll try to update faster...