"This is it?" Emma looks around with a frown. "This literally feels like the middle of nowhere."

"There's nothing wrong with the middle of nowhere," Castiel says. It's calm and quiet. He could use more of that in his life.

"If you say so," Emma says skeptically.

"I'm going to take Hannah inside," Castiel says. "If you want to get dinner, I'll be back in probably about half an hour."

"What, we can't go in with you?" Emma asks.

"I would prefer that you didn't," Castiel says.

"Why not?" Emma asks. "What, are you embarrassed to be seen with us?" It sounds as though she's joking, but he's never been good with sensing humor.

"It would raise a lot of questions that I would rather not answer," Castiel says. "This would just be easier."

"We'll wait out here 'til you're out, then," James says, which Emma immediately protests.

"Oh hell no," she says. "It's fucking seven o'clock right, and if I don't get food soon —"

"Okay, I'll be here 'til you get out," James amends. "Emma may start a protest march to McDonald's by then."

Emma crosses her arms, pouting.

"You really don't have to stay," Castiel says.

"Maybe not," he says, "but I'd feel better knowing you're not walking into a trap, especially with a five-year-old. We don't wanna do that again."

Castiel gives him a half smile. "No, I suppose you're right." He looks to Hannah, who fell asleep a few minutes into the drive and hasn't woken up since. "Should I wake her up to say goodbye?"

James shrugs. "It's up to you."

"If it helps," Emma adds, "I don't think she really likes me and James. You're the one she's gonna miss."

"I guess so," Castiel agrees. "I'll just carry her inside and see if she wakes up on her own. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"We'll —" James pauses and glances at Emma, then begins again. "I'll be here."

Castiel chuckles. "Thanks."

He climbs out of the car and walks around to the other side, where Hannah is still fast asleep. He opens her door and reaches over her to unbuckle her seatbelt, and she moans quietly in protest. Castiel can't help but smile at that. He's going to make sure he comes back to visit her every chance he gets, because she's adorable. He can't wait to watch her grow up.

"C'mere," Castiel says quietly, wrapping his arms around her and picking her up gently. He holds her like a baby, her head against his chest and legs dangling over his arms.

"You would make such a good dad," Emma says, smiling fondly at them.

"Oh, I doubt that very much," he replies.

Castiel carries her to the door and pounds against it with his foot. It doesn't take more than a few seconds for it to open, and he's greeted by a smiling Alex in her hospital scrubs.

"Oh, she's so cute," she whispers, looking down at Hannah. "Jody said you were bringing a kid, but I didn't think she meant an actual child."

"Well, she is definitely an actual child," Castiel says.

"Cas?" Jody pokes her head out. "Come on in! I'm just finishing up dinner right now."

Castiel does as he's told with a small smile. He doesn't feel compelled to point out that as an angel, he doesn't eat. It's the thought that counts, after all, and if Hannah wakes up, she'll probably appreciate it.

"And who's this?" Jody asks, eyeing the child in his arms with a smile.

"This is Hannah," Castiel says. "Her whole family was just killed by a demon, but I don't know if she really understands that yet."

"God, I'd hope not," Claire says, stepping into the hall with them. "That would fuck her up the rest of his life."

"Claire Novak, watch the language," Jody hisses. "There's a child!"

"She's asleep!" Claire says defensively. "She can't hear a word I'm saying!"

Alex shakes her head. "Wanna bring her upstairs? We've been working on cleaning the guest room all day for her."

"Sure," Castiel says.

Alex leads him upstairs while Jody gets back to making dinner and Claire gets back to... well, being Claire. Alex shows him where the room is, and he has to admit, they aren't bad at decorating. It's fairly plain, but the light pink bed set looks like something Hannah will adore when she wakes up. Castiel puts her down gently and covers her up.

"If I had known you were bringing an actual child, I would have run to the store and gotten her some stuffed animals," Alex says.

"Well, she did bring a few things," Castiel says. "But I only have two hands, so I'll bring them in before I leave."

"I'm glad she has something left," Alex says. "Do you know what she brought?"

Castiel shrugs. "I don't know. A few pictures, a blanket, some clothes and toys. Child stuff."

"What about things from her parents?" Alex asks. "Family heirlooms and things like that?"

"She didn't seem to think that was important."

Alex scoffs. "Well, no, at five years old, I don't think it would register as important. But when she grows up, she's going to want them."

"I can stop by her house and mail them if you want," Castiel says. Emma and James probably won't be fond of that idea, but for Hannah's sake, he's sure they'll agree.

"You don't send priceless family heirlooms in the mail!" Alex says as though Castiel should have a lot of experience with newly orphaned children's family heirlooms. "Pick them up and drop them off next time you're in the area."

"Okay," Castiel concedes. "I'll see what I can do." He'll have to work it out with Emma and James, but he's sure they won't mind.

"Now let's go eat," Alex says. "I'm leaving for work in, like, ten minutes, and I'm starving."

Castiel hesitates. "I don't really want to leave Hannah up here alone."

"You don't have much of a choice," Alex says. "Unless you want to wake her up and let her listen to all the Winchester drama with us."

"Maybe we should leave her a note," he says.

"What world are you living in where a five-year-old would be able to read a note?"

"Can five-year-olds not read?" Castiel asks, confused.

"Unless she's secretly a child prodigy, no, Cas, she probably can't read," Alex says. "She might be able to sound out, like, 15 very basic words, but that's about it."

"Oh," Castiel says. "Then maybe we shouldn't leave her a note."

Alex shakes her head, amused. "Come on, let's go eat."