"hello," Lorraine said as she pushed the speaker phone button, it had been a long day, most of it spent with her new client trying to work out, why the devil would want to move next door to him, finally coming to the conclusion that the neighbor, who was about to celebrate 92nd birthday, was planning to make an army of evil cats, and take over the world,

"Lorraine, I'm so glad I finally got you,"

"How'd you get this number," Lorraine said suddenly missing her new client,

"I rang the house, what's-his-name, gave me the number"

"you know his name, mum" Lorraine said abruptly, deciding which method of torture she would use on Dean, Lorraine and her mum had slowly started to talk again a few years ago, Just after Mary had turned four, her mum had played the deprived grandmother card and Lorraine couldn't help but feel guilty, Lorraine found out later that, her mother's social circle had started on the grandparent voyage of life, and Victoria was ready take up her role of the doting grandmother,

"I was just wondering when you were coming to see me again," her mother's voice filled the room, and Lorraine could already feel the slight thumping in her head, "Betty and Gerald are coming over this weekend-"

"look mum, I'm really busy at the moment, can you call back tonight when I'm home," Lorraine cut her off, she wasn't in the mood and she still had some paperwork to finish, she looked at the clock, damn it she thought to herself, she had 20 minutes to pick up Mary, "ok, bye mum," she disconnected the call before her mother could start another verse, annoyed that the 'doting grandmother' didn't even remember that it was her granddaughters birthday, the phone rang again instantly, Lorraine pressed the button, "look mum, I have to pick up Mary"

"Oh you poor thing," Joanne said, Lorraine sighed as she continued to scurry around the room, preparing to leave,

"Talk quick I gotta pick up Mary,"

"So I heard, Just wondering if I needed to bring anything tonight," Joanne asked

"No, it's alright; I got everything under control,"

"Ok, I'll see you tonight then,"

"Uh huh," Lorraine went to disconnect the call "shit, wait,"

"What!"

"Dean and Sam are back," there was silence, a few months after the boys moved in, Joanne had found her own place, she had wanted Sam to move with her, but he declined, they ended whatever relationship they had and since then, if she could help it, Joanne would only visit when they were away on a job, "you still there,"

"Yeah," her voice sounded distant,

"You gonna be ok tonight, your still coming over aren't you"

"Of course, how many times does my only niece turn 8" Lorraine could hear the apprehension in her voice,

"ok, then I'll see you tonight," she disconnected the call and looked at the clock cursing out loud, if she didn't leave now she would be late, she grabbed her bag and rushed out the door,

She made it to Mary's school in record time, parking the car in the first available place she could find, and then went to wait for Mary outside her classroom, the bell rang just as she reached the room, and the children filed out of the class room, each child running excitedly to their parents, Mary was the last one as she walked out, Lorraine could tell she had been crying,

"Baby what wrong," Lorraine crotched down, so she was eye level with her daughter,

"Billy's having a birthday party on the weekend, and he said I'm not allowed to come" she sniffed, it wasn't the first time she had picked a crying Mary up from school on a Friday, it wasn't the kids fault it was the parents,

"come on sweetie, let's go see daddy," Lorraine grabbed her daughters hand who had seemed to brighten a little, It wasn't long before the town gossipers where asking questions about the man that suddenly appeared in Lorraine's life, and unable to give a straight answer, needless to say it wasn't long before Lorraine and Mary were no longer invited to birthday parties, or morning tea, Soon after that there were whispers of the mysterious Winchester brothers, and Lorraine understood why it was important that Dean and Sam didn't stay in one town to long, the isolation fitted Lorraine perfectly but it broke her heart every time her daughter came home crying about another birthday party she wasn't invited to, she didn't want to keep uprooting Mary so she tried her best to ignore the rumors, which was also why Mary's birthdays only involved family, as Lorraine turned to leave she noticed a little boy sitting in the classroom, swinging his legs back and forth, and expression on his face that told any other 8 year old he was tough, but any other parent could see the hurt and rejection in his eyes, "Derek you wanna lift home," she said to the boy, he looked at her harshly, then as if he had no choice got up off the chair and stalked out of the room, the teacher gave Lorraine a smile of appreciation, Derek's father had turned into an alcoholic shortly after his wife Patricia had run off on him, Lorraine knew what had really happened, and on more than one occasion Derek had been left waiting for his father to pick him up, Derek's stepmother had no time within her busy high maintenance schedule to pick him up either, Lorraine had even called a social worker, but because he was feed and clothed and in no immediate physical danger there was nothing that they could do, as they walked back to the car Mary grabbed Lorraine's hand tightly, she was aware that Derek had been branded the class bully but she couldn't help take pity on the young child,

After dropping Derek off with his stepmother, interrupting her manicure, Lorraine and Mary entered the kitchen of their own house, and the first thing she noticed was the chair in front of the pantry door, and the line of salt that circled about three feet around it, the bags of groceries still sat on the bench,

"Dean, Sam" Lorraine yelled panic already rising in her throat, as she ran out of the room, she screamed as she smacked in to someone, "Shit Dean, what the hell is going on with the pantry," Dean smiled sheepishly, his head titled forward, Sam behind him trying not to fall over from laughing

"I swear, Lorraine, that was the biggest rat I have ever seen," Lorraine laughed relieved that it wasn't worse,

"your unbelievable you are," she replied as she grabbed a empty container, and a tea towel, and headed to the pantry, Dean rushed over to Mary and she started giggling as Dean picked her up and held her in front of him, Lorraine laughed again at the sight of the grown man, who hunted demons, hiding behind a 7 year old because of a rat, she opened the door and saw the culprit, and tried to catch it all the while Mary giggled, Sam laughed and Dean repeatedly yelled 'get it, get it,'

ڳ

With the rat taken care of, Lorraine started cooking dinner, Dean and Mary where in the lounge room watching 'Finding Nemo,' and Sam was in the shower, Missouri had arrived earlier and was getting settled into the spare room, She smiled as she could hear Dean and Mary laughing at the movie, It was Mary's favorite, and she was sure that Dean would never admit it was his too, she had just put the pasta on the stove when two strong arms encircled her waist, Dean kissed her on the check

"I think I miss these home cooked meals the most," he said

"The most," Lorraine asked mockingly

"We'll maybe not the most," he smiled that sexy grin that still had the same affect on Lorraine as it when she had first met him.

"Ahem," Sam cleared his throat as he walked into the kitchen, Lorraine pulled away, her face had already started to turn warm, and it wasn't just because of the stove, Dean shot his brother a look of annoyance, Sam smiled in response, "sorry," he said as he sat at the bench,

"Grandpa Bobby," Mary's ear piercing squeal was heard,

"I'll get it," Sam gave another knowing smile, as he walked out of the room, Mary was at the door

"come on, come on, come on," she jumped up and down, not quiet tall enough to reach the top latch, Bobby had been a wonderful substitute grandfather to Mary, doting on her as just as much as her father and uncle did, Sam unbolted the latch and Mary impatiently opened the door and leapt in to Bobby's arms, anyone would of thought that she had springs instead of legs,

"Happy birthday darling," he laughed, it was a strange sound for Sam, Bobby carried Mary into the kitchen Sam followed behind,

"Bobby, hey man, how's it going," Dean smiled, greeting him with a handshake,

"Thanks for coming Bobby," Lorraine kissed him on the cheek,

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied placing Mary on the ground,

"You wanna see what I got," Mary said excitedly, grabbing Bobby by the hand, and trying to pull him out of the room, Sam swept Mary off the floor and swung her around

"Settle down," he placed her back on her feet, "go back and watch Nemo,"

"You're no fun, uncle Sam," she pouted but did as she was told,

"So what's been happening," Dean asked, Lorraine had roped him into peeling potatoes,

"Oh, just you're usual," Bobby replied, "demon over in -"

"No, don't, we are having a demon free day" Lorraine cut him off

"Hello," Joanne sung, as she walked thought the door, Lorraine had know her long enough to know that she was masking how she really felt,

"You were saying" Dean teased, and Lorraine shoot him a be nice look

"Look what I brought," Joanne continued

"Uncle Mat," Mary squealed once again, Lorraine was amused by the fact that Mary had more adopted family than biological, along with uncle Nate and Grandma Missouri, she was one very adored little girl, "uncle Mat today's my birthday, guess what I got…" Mary's voice faded as she dragged Matt up to her room,

Lorraine caught the uncomfortable glances that was being transferred between Joanne and Sam, she could tell Missouri was studying them intently, "why don't you all go into the lounge room, me and Jo can finish in here," Dean jumped off the stool a little too quickly to be subtle, and ran out the room

"How you going," Lorraine asked, once they were alone, Joanne smiled, but Lorraine could see underneath the mask,

"I'm fine," she replied taking up Deans job peeling potatoes, Lorraine gave her a look of disbelief, Missouri also, "really I am, it's been 6 years, Lorraine, sure the guy broke my heart, but still it was just a fling, I'm moving on,"

"You understand why he did though don't you," Loraine and Sam had had many conversations over the years on the subject,

"Of course, but it doesn't make it any easier," Joanne replied, "now can we just drop it and enjoy the night, your daughter has survived 8 years living with you, now that is something to celebrate," Joanne smiled, Lorraine threw a wet cloth at her and they both laughed, it was a rare occasion for Lorraine to have a whole day of normality, and she was enjoying it.

ڳ

"Come on missy, time for bed," Lorraine said as Nemo finished for the second time that night, Matt and Nate had left hours ago, and then Joanne soon after,

"but I don't want to go to bed," Mary yawned, her eyes drooping,

"I'll get her," Dean stood up,

"don't worry I got her," Lorraine said picking her up, Mary's head rested on Lorraine's shoulder, as she carried her to her room,

Dean sat back down and turned to Sam once Lorraine had left the room,

"So you still having problems with Joanne," he asked

"Why would you say that?"

"Come on, dude, I saw the evil looks she was giving you all night, she was ready to exorcise your ass," Dean laughed, Sam didn't reply he preferred talking to Lorraine about this subject anyway, Sam scoffed and shook his head

"How long are you going to carry that box around in your pocket," Sam asked changing the subject, it was Deans turn to be silent, he wasn't aware Sam knew about it "I'm not stupid Dean, and either is Lorraine,"

"You think she knows," Dean asked with concern

"What that she's not stupid, yeah, I think so," Sam laughed at his brother's expense, "no, I don't think she knows about the box, but it won't take her long to figure it out,"

"Just figured it was time to make an honest woman out of her," Dean smirked, trying to hide his embarrassment, the whole idea of getting married still seemed weird for him because for so long he didn't think it would ever be possibility for him but they had been living together for 7 years now, and they had Mary, it seemed like it was the right thing to do, even if it was the only thing that he ever did right,

"Seriously, Dean I don't think she bothered about it," it was actually just the other day, Sam had found the box while he was looking for some silver bullets, and out of his own curiosity had brought the subject up with Lorraine, She had laughed at the idea of Dean ever proposing to her, and even though she didn't doubt Dean feelings for her she knew that if it wasn't for Mary he wouldn't even be here in the first place, so she was happy with the way things were, "just make sure you do it for the right reasons,"

"And what about you, when you gonna patch things up with Joanne," Dean teased,

"I'm going to bed," Sam announced rolling his eyes,

"Oh, come on man," Dean exclaimed,

"Goodnight Dean," Sam laughed quietly as he stood up

"Bitch" Dean laughed

"Jerk," Sam walked out of the room, he meet Lorraine at the top of the stairs,

"Off to bed then," she asked

"Yeah"

"You ok,"

"Yeah," Lorraine looked at him like he was a specimen in a jar, Sam laughed, "don't do that,"

"What," she exclaimed

"You're studying me again,"

"sorry, occupational hazard," she smiled sheepishly, "see you in the morning," Lorraine descended the stairs, she wished Sam would let go off the past and move on with his life, but it seemed it was easier for him, to keep blaming himself, Dean still sat on the lounge, she sat down next to him, and Dean placed an arm around her shoulders as she cuddled up to him, he kissed her on the forehead, thinking about what Sam had said,

"today was good, no ghosts no demons, and we had birthday cake," Lorraine said, Dean chuckled, Lorraine stayed contently in Deans arms, everything seemed perfect, and it had been a long time since she felt like she had a normal life.

ڳ

The next morning Lorraine sat in her study finishing the reports she had failed to complete yesterday, she could hear Mary playing in her room, her mother hadn't called back last night and it hadn't surprised her in the least,

Sam, Bobby and Dean were still asleep, and she had herd Missouri down in the kitchen Lorraine froze at the words she just heard from her daughter, getting up from the chair she crept to Mary's room and stopped just outside her door,

"and then we had cake," Lorraine realized she wasn't playing with her toys anymore, she was talking to someone, from where she was standing, she could see in to her room and Dean still lay asleep, Sam's door was shut "that's what grandpa Bobby said," Lorraine could only hear one side of the conversation, "I know that, silly," another pause, "ok love you too, grandpa" Lorraine felt all the air escape from her lungs,

"Mary, who are you talking to," Lorraine said as she entered the room, her heart thudded loudly in her ears, Mary looked at her innocently,

"Grandpa John,"

"Can you see him?"

"Not anymore, Grandma needed him," Lorraine tried to sound calm, and mentally command her heart beat to slow down, "do you talk to grandma too,"

"She was here last night, she wished me happy birthday," the girl smiled excitedly "she told me that she is Daddy and Uncle Sam's mummy, is that why we have the same name,"

"That's right, sweetheart, it is" Lorraine sighed not entirely sure how to handle this situation "Mary," she sat down next to her daughter, "do they visit often,"

"Oh, they pop in every now and then," Mary replied as if she was talking about a friend from school, Lorraine didn't know if she was dealing with a 7 year olds imagination, or if Mary was really talking to her dead grandparents,

"Mary, have they ever tried to hurt you,"

"Mum," she exclaimed, "don't be silly they love me," Lorraine forced a smile at her daughter,

"Why didn't you tell me they visited before," Mary shrugged, as she brushed her doll's hair

"Can I go watch Nemo now," she asked, Lorraine smiled and nodded towards the door,

"off you go, I'll be down in a minute," Mary got up and ran out of the room, Lorraine sat trying to get her head around this new information, she couldn't rule out that she was actually talking to them, she knew too much to just put down to her imagination, But she defiantly needed to talk to someone, she heard Missouri rattling around in the kitchen, and headed down the stairs,

"Morning love," Missouri greeted her cheerily, "coffee," Lorraine smiled approvingly,

"Dean's gonna love you," she replied as she spotted the mass of bacon, eggs and sausages Missouri had laid on the bench ready to cook for breakfast, "but before you start luring the men out of bed, can we have a talk," Missouri either sensed the seriousness, or read the look on Lorraine's face, or her mind, which Lorraine wouldn't put past her

"Sure, love" Lorraine closed the door connecting to kitchen and lounge room, and accepted the coffee, Missouri handed to her,

"It's about Mary," Missouri nodded in understanding, "I caught her just before, she told me she was talking to John," Missouri didn't show any hint of surprise, "you know don't you" she nodded

"sorry, love, all children have psychic abilities some of them grow out of it, some just stop listening, and some are passed down by their parents, did you really think your could have a child and not pass on your gift," she told her,

"But I have visions. dreams, Missouri, I don't see dead people, unless there about to attack me" she added although it made sense that Mary would inherit some psychic ability from her, she had apparently inherited hers from her real father, who ever that may have been, and no doubt Mary will pass it on to her children

"It was just a pick of the draw, I guess" she explained,

"Huh, you guess, so what it's like that movie the sixth sense," Missouri gave her a look that told her she didn't know what she was talking about, "the little boy sees dead people,"

"I know I seen it, stupid movie if you ask me," she frowned, "but I don't think Mary quiet sees them like that, more as they were before they passed on"

"well that's a relief," Lorraine hated the thought of her daughter seeing things like she had seen in that movie, "so is it really john and Mary," Lorraine asked getting the next worrying question off her chest,

"the energies that I sensed are not evil, but I can't tell you for sure if there John and Mary," she got up from the table and walked over to the stove and started cooking the bacon, while Lorraine started cooking toast, "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, Lorraine, Mary will be just fine,"

"How do you think Dean will handle it," Lorraine remembered back to when the man she thought was her father found out about her abilities, she knew she had no reason to, but she couldn't get rid of the sick feeling in pit of her stomach, that Dean would react the same way

"He's nothing like him, Lorraine and you know that," Missouri placed an assuring hand on Lorraine's shoulder, Lorraine smiled

"I know," she sighed, but the feeling lingered, the woman had just finished cooking as three hungry men walked into the kitchen Missouri and Lorraine laughed at the pleasingly goofy grins on their faces.