"Family isn't something that's supposed to be static, or set. People marry in, divorce out. They're born, they die. It's always evolving, turning into something else." — Sarah Dessen

Cora walked into the dark apartment and found Erica in the dark, smiling at her laptop. She looked up at Cora and grinned.

"It's Boyd!" Cora walked over to the laptop and was greeted by the sight of one of her oldest friends.

His eyes shined brightly but Stiles had installed a webcam that let them see Boyd's eyes clearly despite his werewolf form.

"How's Beacon Hills?" Boyd asked.

"Less dangerous now that Deaton and Stiles have closed off the Nemeton." Cora responded, sitting down besides Erica.

"What about you, Verny? How's it up there in Vermont?"

"Cold. But that's nothing new. I did hire a new shop assistant. The kid can barely recite the alphabet."

"Why would you hire someone like that to work in a bookshop?"

Boyd shrugged. "I felt bad for him."

He paused and then looked at Cora. "Oh dude, can you stop by Derek's loft and make sure he hasn't touched my gym bag. I want to grab it when I come back to visit."

"Yeah sure but it's not Derek's loft anymore. It's just sort of sitting there."

"Where is he now?"

"With Braeden in Argentina. On an assignment with some hunters or something."

Erica leaned in closer to the screen. "Boyd, you said you were coming back to visit? When, where, and why the fuck didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

Boyd laughed. "You know I'm coming back for Christmas."

"Come back now. I miss you, baby."

Cora smacked her arm. "Dude, I'm still right here. Keep your hormones in check."

Erica smacked her arm back. "Don't listen to her, Boyd. It just so happens that our little Cora has also found love in this wicked town. She's been dating none other than-"

Cora jumped on top of Erica and covered her mouth. She turned to the webcam. "Boyd, Erica will call you later."

"Um…okay, bye Erica! I love you."

"She says she loves you too."

Cora slammed the laptop shut and watched as Erica tried to wriggle free.

"What's wrong with you?" Erica said.

"Who told you?"

"I got the text from Kira."

"Kira?" Cora yelped. "She's all the way in Los Angeles!"

"I know! It really hurt my feelings that she would find out before your own roommate."

Cora got off Erica, running her hands through her hair.

"It was probably Stiles. That kid's mouth is bigger than his body."

"How long has this been going on?"

Cora looked at her watch. "About four hours now."

Erica gave her a blank look and Cora sighed, flopping down on the couch. She put her feet up in Erica's lap and though Erica wrinkled her nose, she didn't move away.

"She doesn't want her mom to worry about her in MIT so she lied and told her she's dating someone."

"And her mom thought that someone was you?"

"More or less."

"And you went along with it cause she's a hot redhead?" Cora snorted.

"Please. She's pale, too freckly, and thinks she better than everyone else because she can afford to go to M.I.T."

"Didn't she win a scholarship?"

"That's not the point. The point is: I agreed to go along with it because in return, she's buying me a plane ticket to Switzerland."

Erica looked at Cora. "What's there in Switzerland?"

Cora shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe not Switzerland. Maybe France. Just away from here."

Erica sighed. "She must be pretty desperate if she's willing to shell out money for tickets to Switzerland."

Cora nodded. "I don't get why she doesn't have a boyfriend. M.I.T must be crawling with nerds that would want to date her."

Erica pouted her lips. "As opposed to here, where there's only one nerd who wants to date her?"

Cora rolled her eyes. "I'm not a nerd."

When Erica opened her mouth to say something Cora continued. "And I don't want to date her!"

Café Nuray was slow as usual when Cora walked in, thankfully finding shelter from the rain.

She took off her beanie and crossed the room to the bookshelf that was always kept well stocked. The books were free to take but most people bought copies of their own back to the bookshelf.

She ordered a coffee from the server and headed to her empty table in the corner. With a pile of books on her table, a warm coffee in her hand, and the soundtrack of rain at the window, she was prepared to be in the café for the next few hours.

It had been an hour when the sound of loud heels and a child's babbling caught her attention. She looked up and watched as four women, one holding a child, walked in. It was Lydia who noticed Cora first and if Cora could define panic, it would be the look on the redhead's face.

Natalie followed Lydia's eyes and beamed at Lydia.

"Is that Cora?" Natalie asked as Lydia rapidly shook her head.

Natalie ignored her daughter and the group made their way towards Cora.

Cora was used to fleeing from situations that meant danger. She had escaped fires that killed her family, packs of wolves that wanted to kill her uncle's crimes, supernatural creatures that spit poison. Despite this, Cora seemed stuck to her chair.

"Cora, what a surprise!" Natalie said, going around the table and giving her a strong hug.

All Cora could do was stand up and blink rapidly at Lydia.

It looked like she was doing her best impression of a deer.

"Well, Lydia, aren't you going to introduce us?" the taller girl told her.

Her hair was a dark brown that matched Natalie but unlike Natalie, her smile wasn't genuine. It seemed to be an almost painful process. The squirming little girl with the extremely curly hair grabbed a book of the table, her pudgy hands crinkling the pages.

"Yeah, sorry." Lydia said and Cora realized this was the first time she had ever heard Lydia apologize for anything.

"These are my cousins Louise and Robbi. The little one is Kaylie, Louise's daughter. This is Cora Hale, my..." Lydia paused and Cora raised her eyebrows.

"My girlfriend." Lydia finally spit out.

Cora's eyes flicked over to the women standing behind Louise. Robbi looked nothing like the other three. She had light brown skin, hazel eyes, curly blonde hair, and though she wasn't smiling, she seemed to regard Cora with something other than panic or curiosity. Cora would almost call it friendliness.

Louise was the first to sit down at the table which Cora only realized was entirely too small to fit all six of them. However, Robbi grabbed Kaylie's hand and they walked over to the bookshelf too peruse the books. Natalie noticed the tension between Cora and Lydia and convinced Louise to go with her to the bathroom.

"What then fuck are you doing to me?" Cora asked as soon as they were sitting down and were semi-alone.

"How was I supposed to know you were here? What are you even doing here?"

Cora shook her head, refusing to answer.

Lydia kept pushing. "What you just like the aesthetics' of this place? Have a crush on the barista?"

Cora took a deep breath. "It was the full moon last night."

Lydia looked chastised but still managed to say "So what?"

"Well, I can barely sleep as it is but it gets worse after a moon. All I want to do is run. My muscles are still jittery. That's what I was doing. Running."

"For how long?" "About three hours."

"Three hours! Do you hate your life?"

Cora nodded. "Most of the time."

Cora looked at the books. "I was headed home when the rain hit. This was the closest place. And then you and your flock had to show up."

"Oh please, like you and your pack of wolf buddies don't do everything together.

" "When have you ever seen me with a pack?" Cora argued, effectively silencing Lydia.

"Look, I'll just say I have to leave, it's not a big deal." Cora said, getting up.

Lydia leaned in close, hand over Cora's wrist. Cora smelled the strong apple cinnamon that clung to Lydia's skin and slowly sat back down.

She gazed at her wrist where Lydia's hand had been.

"You're making a scene." Cora said, even though no one was looking at them.

"Listen, you can't leave now. It'll look suspicious."

"Oh I'm sorry, are we international spies now?"

"Just bear with me for half hours, then you're free to leave."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll really make a scene. And we Martins, we're blabbers. Whatever happens in this café will travel all throughout Beacon Hills."

When Cora was silent Lydia tapped the table with her fingernails.

"Look, just half an hour, alright. Then you can go."

Cora's back straightened and she saluted Lydia. "Sir-yes-sir!"

A few minutes passed and Robbi and Kaylie came back. Robbi looked exhausted.

"Quite the book critic, this one." Robbi said, taking Kaylie into her lap. "She nearly spit up at The Scarlett Letter and wouldn't even touch any of Ginsberg's stuff."

"Feeling's mutual kid." Cora said.

"I'm afraid we didn't really meet properly. My name's Robbi, Lydia's cousin."

Cora shook her hand but Robbi didn't let go for a few seconds.

"I'm sorry," She said when the Cora's eyes flicked to their hands. "You look familiar."

"Do you work at the hospital?" Lydia asked. "Cora's a fan of dangerous situations."

"You said your last name was Hale right?" Robbi asked.

"Derek Hale?" Cora said, already dreading the conversation. "He's my brother."

Robbi snapped her fingers. "Yes, that's where I know you from! I've seen you and your friends around. I've actually gotten really close with Kira and Allison."

"Are you a nurse?" Cora asked.

"I'm doing my residency actually."

Cora raised her eyebrows. "Impressive. I'd say I'd love to see you again but in your line of work, I'm sure that's not a positive."

Robbi laughed along with Cora. Lydia joined in a little late, her laugh louder and out of place.

Natalie and Louise came back, along with a server who laid out there coffees and pastries.

Kaylie reached her arms out toward Natalie and she grabbed them, giggling.

"Lets go outside!" Kaylie shouted and Natalie grinned.

"You girls catch up. I'm gonna go see what wild adventure this one's taking me on." Natalie said as the two moved towards the door.

The four girls sat there and Robbi, Cora, and Lydia fell into an easy conversation.

"Louise, are you okay?" Lydia asked after a few minutes.

The girl hadn't touched her coffee or participated in the conversation. "Fine, there's no place on Earth I rather be." she said bitterly.

Cora grinned. "No offense, Louise, but when I say that I feel the exact opposite."

Lydia turned her head right towards Cora. "Yeah, she's not exactly the happiest of people."

"Except when I'm with you dear." Cora replied, putting on a simpering smile.

"When my aunt told me about you two I didn't believe it." Robbi said, looking back and forth between the two. "I mean I didn't even know you liked girls!"

"Neither did she." Cora said and felt a sharp kick to her shin.

She didn't grimace even as the table rattled.

"How long have you two been going out?"

"Two years-"

"A few months-" The two girls answered at the same time.

Robbi raised her eyebrows.

"Is it an on-and-off again thing?"

Lydia nodded, thankful for her cousin answering her own question.

"You could do better." Louise told Lydia, glaring at Cora.

Cora bobbed her head, taken aback.

"Excuse me?" Lydia said.

"I mean come on Lydia. Dating a leather wearing lay-about just to piss off your mom is juvenile, don't you think?"

"Hey, her mom loves me!" Cora said.

"The awful haircut, the piercings, it's just pathetic. I bet you have a few trashy tattoos as well."

"No, she doesn't." Lydia began even as Cora was taking off her jacket. She revealed her full sleeve to the girl and Robbi sipped her coffee but she was smiling.

Louise looked at her Lydia, sucking her cheeks in. "See. She might as well have another tattoo across her chest labeled: Liability."

"Wow, you're an asshole." Cora said, putting her jacket back on. "And I thought Lydia was a piece of work."

"Why did you even come here if you were going to be this rude?" Lydia asked Louise.

Louise shrugged. "I didn't know she was going to be here. And I didn't know that Aunt Natalie was telling the truth. Your mom shouldn't be worried about you being lonely. She should be worried about you being with her." She nodded her head at Cora.

"Hey!" Lydia said, leaning forward. "You can't talk to her like that, alright?"

Louise huffed and got up, heading to the restroom.

"What's her problem?" Lydia asked Robbi.

" Don't give her any attention." Robbi said, touching Cora's knee. "I really like tattoos." Lydia's eyes flicked over to where Robbi's hand had landed and pretended not to notice.

After another agonizing fifteen minutes, Natalie and Kaylie returned.

"Where did you two run off to?" Louise asked, taking her daughter into her hands.

"Nowhere." Natalie said, hiding a bag full of candy behind her hands. She winked at Lydia and Cora couldn't help but smile at the exchange between mother and daughter. "Alright, well, we need to get going." Louise said, standing up.

She held a hand out to Cora. "Nice to meet you." The two shook hands and it was only Lydia and Robbi that knew about the ice in their touch.

Robbi got up to walk them out and it was only then that Cora remembered.

"Oh wait, Kaylie." Kaylie turned around and Louise huffed.

Cora grabbed a book from the pile she had on the table and kneeled down in front of the little girl.

"You're six now, right?" Kaylie nodded, paying more attention to the book then to Cora.

"Well, this book is one of my favorite books. It has been for as long as I can remember. You can have it if you want." Robbi looked at Cora and then at the bookshelf.

"Are you allowed to take the books away?"

"Don't worry about it." Cora said with a grin. "That's my own copy."

"Where the Sidewalk Ends!" Kaylie delightfully exclaimed, the title.

Cora smiled. "That's right. 'Where the Sidewalk Ends.' I think you'll love it."

"What do you say?" Louise replied, even as her hand was one the door.

"Thank you." she said, leaning up on her tiptoes and wrapping her small arms around Cora's neck.

Though the brunette was surprised, she hugged the girl back. Robbi watched the two and a warm smile graced her face.

Natalie left with the cousins and Kaylie and Cora waved goodbye. She then stood up and turned around to see Lydia, who was very busy pretending not to notice what just happened.

It might have been Cora's werewolf vision but she could've sworn she saw a faint blush on Lydia's cheeks.

"Thanks for the ride back home." Cora said as they sat in the parking lot of her apartment building.

"I must say, you're cousins were lovely. Especially when I overheard Louise calling me a tramp to Robbi on their way out. Tell me, has she read an outdated slang book or is she a time traveler from the 1920s?"

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Why do you care?"

Cora shrugged. "Trust me when I say this, Matchstick. I don't give two shits what your red haired, Louis Vuitton wearing kin think of me. I just feel sorry for the kid. She's too sweet to grow up around something as toxic as your cousin."

"Louise barely sees her. She spends most of her time with Robbi." Lydia said.

Cora smiled fondly and Lydia tried not to notice. She had been doing that a lot that morning.

"Speaking of Robbi, I guess I was wrong. Not all of you Martin's are horrible. In fact, I think Robbi is far more than just not-horrible. Definitely the best of your lot."

Lydia tried to smile back but an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.

"You say my 'lot' like you Hales are a bunch of diplomats and scholars."

"No, no, we're….what is it you said…ah, yes, leather-wearing lay-abouts."

Lydia was silent for a few seconds before she quietly said "I didn't say that."

Cora scoffed. "Oh come on Martin. Everyone knows what you think of me. You can barely stand Derek much less his younger, poorer sister"

"You think I don't like you because you don't have money? You really think I'm that shallow?"

"I don't have to think. I know you." Lydia opened her mouth to say something when her eyes locked on something outside and she let out a scream.

Cora automatically leaned towards Lydia, covering the smaller girl, from whatever scared her.

"What is it?"

"Your brother!"

Cora turned to see where Lydia was looking and found Derek and Erica standing by the driver's side of the car.

Derek seemed to be frowning so Cora knew that nothing was wrong. Erica on the other hand had a shit-eating grin that Cora had become very familiar with over the years.

Cora got out of the car and headed to her brother, a smile on her face.

"I thought you'd be in Argentina till December." Cora said. Her brother shook her head and wrapped a large arm around Cora. This was the closest he ever got to giving her a hug.

"We were but Braeden got called in on another assignment and Deaton didn't have anything for me so I thought I'd head back here for a while."

"When did you get back?" Lydia asked.

"Oh, hello Lydia." Derek said, momentarily forgetting she was there

. He looked back at Cora. "I got back two days ago. I didn't wanna see you till after the moon though."

Cora nodded, understanding.

Derek nudged Erica.

"Erica knew all about it but she wanted it to be a surprise."

Erica shrugged. "Well, Christmas is coming soon and I figured having Hulk here will be cheaper than an actual present."

Derek nodded and the four of them stood awkwardly.

But the grin on Erica's face widened. "You know, Derek, I bet you're wondering why Lydia's here at your sister's apartment."

"Is there something wrong?" Derek immediately asked, looking around.

"Will you calm down with the whole constant vigilance thing for once?" Erica chastised. "No one is in any immediate danger of decapitation or possession."

Erica looked at Cora who shook her head. "No, no, you see Lydia and Cora have recently-"

"Erica!" Cora and Lydia shouted at the same time.

Erica giggled but she didn't say anything else.

Derek just looked back and forth and scratched his beard. "Will anyone tell me what's going on?"

Cora looked at Lydia who shrugged. "He's your brother. Tell him what you want."

Cora took a deep breath and looked up at Derek. "Lydia's my girlfriend."

Lydia and Derek both said "what" at the same time.

Erica just looked like she was in the middle of watching a very exciting movie.

Cora looked at Lydia who stood still, surprised but silent.

"Yeah, we've been dating for a few months now."

"Long distance." Lydia hurriedly added.

Derek took a step back and let out a deep breath as if he was being deflated.

He shook his head and looked at Cora. "Wh-what? Are you sure?"

Cora tilted her headed, confused.

"What do you mean? Yes, of course I'm sure that I'm dating Lydia Martin."

"Um…wow, okay." Derek said, repeatedly nodding his head.

"There's no problem is there?" Cora said and Derek shook his head.

"No, no um…problem. It's just…Lydia, can I talk to you for a second?"

Lydia rolled her eyes but walked with him a ways away.

"You're going to give me the whole 'break her heart, I'll break your neck speech' right?"

Derek's straightened his jacket and did his best to look offended.

"I'm her big brother. I don't want her to get hurt."

Lydia smiled and patted his shoulder.

"And I'm her…" She paused, the silly word still sounding heavy on her tongue.

"And I'm her girlfriend. I don't want her to get hurt either. So stop with the speeches, alright. Now unless you have some other vague threat to make, I have other plans."

Lydia turned around sharply, aware of everyone's eyes on her. She walked towards Cora, planted a quick kiss on her cheek, and got in her car.

"You wanna come up for some coffee?" Erica asked Derek after Lydia left.

Derek nodded and the two began to walk to the apartment.

Cora followed in a daze, absentmindedly rubbing her cheek and trying to forget the scent of apple cinnamon.