A/N: WARNING!
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

All was quiet in the cozy cottage. Cordelia sat on the purple velvet couch, reading the Sunday newspaper. She highlighted available jobs, thinking, If he doesn't get this job, he might try some others.

After that, she read the comic and giggled softly. Suddenly, the dark oak door flew open and a man yelled, "I got the job!"

The man was tall and handsome with neat, black hair and a fancy, dark grey suit. Cordelia jumped up.

"Good grief, Shadow. You scared the living daylights out of me," Cordelia said as she walked up to the man.

"Sorry, honey bun," Shadow replied as he embraced her in a big hug.

"It's ok," Cordelia replied as Shadow closed the door while still hugging Cordelia.

"You're looking at the new Santa Clause! This year, the kids can get whatever they want, since I'm getting paid three times as much. If there's something I can make, I'll be able to for free!" Shadow explained.

"That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! Maybe I should get a job, too, just to get a little extra money," Cordelia said.

"What about the baby?" Shadow asked.

"We can hire a nanny. Then, if the kids come home before us, they could take care of Flower," Cordelia replied.

"Whatever floats your boat," Shadow said in a sing-song tone, causing Cordelia to giggle.

Shadow gave Cordelia a kiss before he went to read the newspaper and she went into the kitchen. Shadow sat down in his old, worn, black and brown recliner while Cordelia started to make dinner. After a few minutes of peaceful silence, there was the sound of crying.

"I'll take care of Flower," Cordelia said as she went upstairs to attend to the crying baby.

As soon as Cordelia had disappeared upstairs, the front door opened.

"Mom, dad, we're back from school," the oldest, Joey, called.

"Hey, kids. Your mother is upstairs with little Flower. Lylac, why don't you go see if she needs help?" Shadow replied.

Lylac nodded, set down her stuff, and went upstairs.

"So, son. Any of the female species catch your eye yet?" Shadow asked.

"Huh? Oh, uh, no," Joey replied innocently.

Shadow put down the newspaper and crossed his arms.

"Ok, ok," Joey confessed, "I like this red-head named Charlette. She has blue-purple eyes and orange highlights."

"Have you asked her out?" Shadow questioned.

"No," Joey replied softly, "I don't know how. She's the first girl I have a crush on."

"Well, when you see her again, ask her if she wants to go eat at her favorite restraunt or see a movie," Shadow replied.

Joey nodded.

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"Hey, mom. How's little sis?" Lylac asked.

"Oh, hi sweetie. Flower was just hungry," Cordelia replied.

"If you want, I can feed her," Lylac offered.

"That would be great. Thanks," Cordelia said as she handed Lylac the child and went downstairs.

Lylac noticed Flower's new dress.

"Aw, you look so adorable!" Lylac said as she studied the blue dress that had yellow and pink flowers.

Flower started to cry.

"Shhhh, there, there. Here's your bottle," Lylac said as she gently put the bottle of warm milk in the child's mouth.

Flower stopped crying and accepted the milk. When she finished, Lylac burped her and went downstairs, the now full baby still in her arms.

"Look who's playing mommy," Joey teased.

"Just wait 'till you have to play daddy," Lylac shot back.

Joey's smile faded, only to reappear on Lylac's face.

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Months pass. Cordelia ended up staying at home while Shadow went to work and Joey and Lylac went to school. Everyone was content and happy...until Shadow lost his job again, but this time was different. Many employees at Tom's Toys were laid off. Businesses had to close and the unemployed filled the quiet streets.

The family in the cottage started hunting their own food. The kids no longer went to school as they had to stay and help at home. Sometimes, the family would go days without food. If it got close to being a week, Shadow would go into town and buy whatever food he could find. They managed ok for a few months, but soon they didn't have money.

Flower ended up getting sick, and there was no money to buy the right medicine. The small child got worse and worse until she no longer breathed. The family was devestated. Soon, other countries started sending help and money to aid Italy. Within weeks, jobs started opening, but were instantly filled.

Eventually, Shadow and Cordelia got jobs, along with the two teens. A year passes, and the family slowly recovers, but still torn by the loss of their youngest.