A/N There was no way I could end on such a sad note, so here, as promised, is a sort of epilogue...
Dean was woken by the sunlight. He bounced out of bed and ran to the nursery – hopefully Sammy was awake too. It was Sammy's birthday – he was a whole year old!
"Hey Dean"
Dean gazed up at his mother standing in the doorway, smiling indulgently at him.
"Are you going to help me decorate Sammy's cake today?"
"Sure mom!"
"Well okay then. But you know, it's really early and Daddy and Sammy are still asleep. How about you and I go read a story in your room?"
Dean cast an anxious look at his sleeping brother and then curled a hand into his mom's as she led him back to his bedroom.