Rating: T (language). Thank you all for reading.

"Dad," both sons said at the same time? "What the hell," still in unison?

"Hi boys," John said with tears in his eyes. His boys – damn he was so proud!

"Hell has nothing to do with it," Castiel said. "Sam's wish before he said yes."

"To have our parents back," Sam said finally allowing himself to remember that night. There wasn't much he remembered after consuming massive quantities of demon blood like it was freaking water but he did remember making that request.

"Heaven is granting your request." Castiel said as he healed Dean's injuries.

The family reunion would have to come later. Right now they had to get the hell out of the nest. Sam and Dean piled into John's truck. Cas would take the angelic route back to the hotel after he made sure no vampires were left alive. The truck roared to life and they sped away from the farmhouse back toward town. Once on blacktop Dean went for is phone but it wasn't in his jacket pocket.

"Sam, got your phone on you?"

Sam felt for his but didn't have it either. "No, they must have taken them."

John came to the rescue. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a phone and tossed it to Dean. He immediately called Lisa.

"Dad!" Ben answered when he heard Dean's voice. "Dad mom's had the baby, vampires attacked."

Years of projecting calm, of rationalizing what to do several steps in advance, having a solution (crazy or not) for everything – all went out the window on hearing Ben's words. The worry in his son's voice alone made his heart skip.

"How are they?"

"Mom's doing ok, but little Katie isn't. Doctor says her organs aren't developed enough to support her so they have her on a machine to help her breath. "

"Ben, what about the vampires?"

"I shot one with the Colt. The other grabbed him and left. They didn't hurt us."

Finally something went his way. "That's good. Look I'm on my way back. Call Beth, have her come stay with you until I can get there."

"I'm fine dad. There's a nice lady with me. Her name is Mary, she can be trusted. Abigail and Nessa are on their way too."

With Cas' explanation Dean realized who Mary was. "Can I talk to Mary," he said?

John nearly wrecked his truck at hearing Dean's question. He had heard Castiel say that Dean and Sam's parents were brought back but he didn't let it sink in that Mary was back as well. He still couldn't allow himself to believe it…not until he saw her with his own eyes!

"Mom?"

"Dean, hey sweety. You ok? Sammy alright?" Her voice was just as calm and soothing as he remembered it.

"We're fine mom," his voice was choking up. It was actually his mom, alive, no angel tricks. "How's Lisa? The truth."

"She's in shock Dean. The emotional toll it has taken on her. She needs you here."

"I'm on my way as soon as I get back to the hotel. And Katie?" Though he dreaded to hear the news. He had taken classes with Lisa on infant first aid, and what to expect during labor and he knew that being born so early meant survival was slim.

"She's a fighter. 50-50 chance of survival."

His world was falling apart – again. At least this time he had two years of relative peace before the shit hit the fan. He would have a talk to Castiel before he left. He could fix this.

"Tell her I'm on my way and I love her. Love you too mom," those words were bittersweet right now. "Put Ben back on?"

Dean knew Ben would follow his instructions. Hell the boy already had and he was going to let his son know how proud of him he was.

"Ben, good job on taking out the vampire. Excellent job on getting your mom to the hospital. I'm so proud of you and I know your mom is too."

The exchange between father and son wasn't lost on John. He knew he never told his young sons how proud they made him. It was always drill sergeant mentality. He would give anything to have had a different life but that was in the past. Now it was time to change what he had neglected in the past. His sons had grown up, time for him as well.

They were at the hotel, Cas had of course beat them there. He knew what Dean wanted to ask and he knew how upset his friend would be at the answer. Dean was exhausted and grief-stricken and wouldn't be reasonable but with Sam and John there they might be able to calm him down.

"I can prevent depression from consuming Lisa, but I can't do anything for the child. She was not supposed to be born this early and anything I do, any touch from me or any angel would kill her instantly. I'm sorry Dean but you will have to put your faith in modern medicine."

Dean's reaction was not what Castiel had expected. He had expected an angry Dean but all he got was, "thanks Cas," as he walked into the hotel room.

Inside Sam was using dad's phone to call Abby. He only caught Sam's side of the conversation but it seemed that Abby and Nessa were in Indiana with Lisa. That gave him some comfort, but also caused worry because having the Winchester's women in the same place would only be asking for trouble. And Abigail was on strict doctor orders not to exert herself. He knew Sam was relieved she was in Indiana with Lisa and mom but he saw the tension building in his shoulders. His brother was going to have to take a chill pill or he was going to fucking loose his mind. Abigail was fine, would be fine. Sam not so much Dean thought.

John was looking over the files that the boys and Bobby had put together on what was happening in Ohio.

"I'm heading back to Indiana. Sam you and dad should stay with Bobby until he can get around."

Dean didn't want to drag his brother and father into the emotional struggle that he was going through. He wanted to be with Lisa and his children alone for a while. He needed to be with them.

Sam and John picked up on Dean's wishes. "Of course," John said as he hugged his eldest son. "I know you'll take good care of them. We'll see you soon. Be careful."

Sam helped Dean put his bag into the Impala and then gave his brother a manly hug. "Take care of yourself Dean. You have to be in fighting form for them. Tell mom I said hi, I love her and can't wait to see her."

"I will Sam. Take care of the old men," he smiled. "Yo Cas you ready?" Castiel would ride shotgun back to Indiana.

"Ready," he said from inside the car.

John and Sam were at the hospital early the next morning. Bobby was doing a lot better, shocked as hell to see John but once the shock wore off he was back to his normal self. The two men had a lot to work out so Sam left them alone. As he was getting coffee his phone rang. He smiled to see it was Abigail.

"Good morning love," she said as he answered. "How are things in Ohio? Dean made it back about 2 this morning. So far things are going well. How about you?"

"Well dad and Bobby are ironing out some differences," he said taking a sip of nasty tasting coffee. He sat it down quickly.

"I'm sure they have some to work out. Gabriel told me about your parents. Mary is absolutely amazing Sam. She's held us all together. I can't wait until you get to see her."

"I can't wait either. I'll probably be in Ohio a few more days. Bobby thinks we can restore peace back to the cemetery and surrounding woods but it's going to take a while."

"I know a local hunter in the area that can be trusted. Want me to call him or give him your number?"

"Yeah, that would be good. Not that dad and Bobby are shabby hunters but someone else would make me feel better since Dean's out of the picture."

"I'll have him contact you. His name is James Warman. He's been hunting about 12 years, and is good in a fight. Has a problem staying sober but when he does makes one hell of a hunter."

"Hey any help we can get. So you are alright? Resting?"

"I'm fine. Not exerting myself. Baby's doing well too. I was thinking about names last night. I like Mary Rose, your mom does too."

He couldn't help but laugh, even though he was constantly on edge that something bad might happen. Their biggest concern right now, at least from the unknowing doctor's viewpoint was miscarriage. That's why she was put on bed rest, but telling a Colt they have to sit on the sidelines doesn't go over too well so he had his hands full. Now add his mother into the mix and he was definitely going to have his hands full the next 6 months. Especially since her and Abby were getting along so well.

Two and a half years ago he would have never thought he would have happiness. He had always wanted it, and wanted Dean to have it but he had always thought it was unattainable. Now it was so easy, but sometimes he still waited for something to take his family away, destroy his happiness. It was something everyone lived with day after day but it seemed magnified being a Winchester. He finally collected his thoughts.

"I think that's a beautiful name. Take care of yourself ok. Don't get too tired."

"I'll be fine. You too. I'll have James get in touch with you. Love you."

"Love you too."

She hung up with Sam and called James only to get voice mail. She left Sam's contact number, along with a few things he should know about the Winchesters. Damn it was hard to condense the Winchester's life story so she just warned him about John being back and not to be surprised. It wasn't a bad thing and he was just going to have to trust her on that.

As she was on her way back upstairs to visit with Lisa an English gentleman stopped her in the hallway. He was kind of portly, but not in a bad way, and short.

"Excuse me," he said. "You're Abigail Colt."

It wasn't a question. "You are?"

"They call me Crowley. You've heard of me I believe."

Fuck! She was defenseless now but she still could recite an exorcism. As she started he put a finger on her lips and she was silent.

"No need for that now dear. I'm here to help. Contrary to popular belief not all demons are bad."

"So you'll give Bobby his soul back?" That was a sore point with everyone, the fact that Crowley refused to return Bobby's soul.

"Not yet. You see. I still have to have some leverage so that Sam and Dean won't whack me off. Plus at his age its good having a demon on his shoulder. Keeps him from bumping off early." He smiled a crooked smile at her.

"But I'm here for another reason."

"And that being?" She was getting nervous.

"You, and Mary Rose of course." He read the thoughts going through her mind. "No, not like that. Really I only come to help."

"And all it'll cost one of us is our soul, or perhaps Mary's soul?"

"No. I'm under a higher authority to protect you from all manner of ills. Judeo-Christian demons, other world demons, angels – every fucking dick type in Heaven and monsters."

"And this higher authority?"

"Can't say right now but I promise it is on the up and up. You won't see me again for a while but you need not fear things that go bump in the night, or day when Sam's away. You're protected by a demon and an archangel – what can go wrong?"

And with that he was gone leaving Abigail to ponder what the hell he meant. Whatever he meant it made her feel uneasy. Why would a demon protect her? The possibilities made her sick to her stomach.

James was in Bobby's room when Sam got back from the coffee run. To get a decent cup he had to go across the street to a proper coffee shop. He brought back both his dad and Bobby a cup. When he walked in John's eyes flashed at him with a look that confused him. It was a look of admiration, of pride. Maybe this time around things would be different. They would be as close to normal as hunters could be, as his mom's side of the family had been. They would work together instead of being each other's weaknesses. Brave new world for them and Sam was going to embrace it.

"Dad, Bobby." He handed them the cups then extended his hand to the newcomer in the room. "Sam."

"James Warman," the handshake was firm. "Abigail Colt called me in on a favor. I'll help anyway I can."

"We'll take the help." He looked at his dad who wasn't saying a word and had a blank expression on his face.

Bobby broke the silence. "Well what are we facing and how do we kill it?"

TBC