A/N: Catherine and Vincent want a future together, without fear, without Muirfield. Eventually, talk of their future will have to include children and family. But for them, children and family are not a given and their future is uncertain. How will their love for each other bridge the chasm between their dreams and their reality. This will probably be a two-shot, maybe a three-shot, it will depend on how Chapter 2 goes. Enjoy. Disclaimer: I own nothing, no profit or gain.

Progeny

Chapter 1

Catherine let out a hard breath, the wind knocked out of her by the blond, pig-tailed, six year old tornado that had launched into her lap.

The little girl pulled her feet up and snuggled into Catherine's embrace. "Auntie Cat, do you really catch the bad people?"

"Jennifer, shush," her mother said, letting out a snort. "Don't bother Auntie Cat with that."

Catherine looked down at the wide, shiny, blue eyes staring up at her and felt her heart melt. Pulling the little girl closer Catherine hugged her tightly and buried her nose into the blond curls, inhaling the smell of soap and shampoo and fresh little girl clothes.

"It's okay, Annie," Cat said to her long-time friend and college roommate.

"Yeah, Jenny," Catherine explained, "I catch the bad people. So they won't be mean to others." She pulled her head back and smiled down at the little girl. "Hey, your mommy said you colored a picture yesterday. Can I see it?"

Jennifer broke into a huge grin and nodded enthusiastically. "I'll go get it," she said. "Wait here, Auntie Cat."

"I'll be right here sweetie," Catherine replied as Jennifer climbed down from her lap, ran across the deck and past the screen door into the house.

Catherine watched her leave and let out a long, slow sigh. After a moment she felt eyes on her and turned to see Annie smirking.

"What?" Catherine said, a defensive grin on her face.

"She adores you, you know," Annie said.

"And I adore her," Catherine said. "Jenny is …," she paused, trying to find the right words, "… a miracle."

Annie gave a wistful look toward the house where he daughter had disappeared. "She definitely is that," she said. "Before we had Jennifer I couldn't imagine taking on that kind of responsibility. But now, I can't imagine my life without her. She changed everything. She made everything clear; gave everything meaning and purpose. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is."

Catherine nodded, following her friend's gaze toward the little girl's wake.

"You know, girl," Annie said, her eyebrows cocked at her friend, "your biological clock is ticking. When are you going to graduate from auntie to mommy?"

Catherine's chest tightened, a deep sadness moved through her like slow, sticky molasses. She averted her eyes to the wooden deck and took in a shuddering breath, the grief and sadness inside her breaking through for just an instant before she pushed it back down.

But Annie had seen her turmoil. "Cat, I'm … I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"

Catherine looked up with a weak, half-smile and raised her hand slightly, cutting off her friend. "It's okay, Annie. I'm okay."

As the words left Catherine's mouth tears pooled in her eyes despite her struggle to push down the hopelessness welling up inside. She looked back down and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Oh, Catherine. I feel terrible," Annie said, stepping over to the porch swing where Catherine sat, settling down next to her. Annie gathered Catherine into her arms, much as Catherine had embraced the little girl. As her friend's protective arms wrapped around her Catherine felt her emotional walls collapse, her tears breaking through as she sobbed into Annie's shoulder.

Annie held her, rocked her, soothed her. Catherine's grief poured out, spilling onto and around her friend. She gave a silent prayer of thanks for Annie. Annie, who she trusted. Annie, who knew more than anyone Catherine's horrible history of choosing men who were bad for her, who were cruel to her, who were unfaithful to her. Annie, who had been her rock through so many of her bad decisions about men.

And now that she had finally made the right choice - had chosen Vincent - she couldn't share the joy of her love for him with her friend. Neither could she share the deep, piercing agony that she and Vincent could never conceive a child together. Their child would never be. To try would be selfish, irresponsible. Condemning the child to a lifetime of pain and suffering and being hunted like an animal by Muirfield. She would never hold their child in her lap. Never nuzzle her nose into her baby's soft hair. Never feel her infant's sleeping breath against her breast. The ache deadened her heart and she felt empty and hollow.

After a time Catherine's sobs lessened, her shaking body calmed. Taking in a deep breath she sat back and took Annie's hands in hers. "Thank you, Annie."

Annie gave her a guilty smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Cat -" she started to say, but Jennifer bounced through the patio door, drawing in hand - color crayon art of the most priceless variety.

Running over to Catherine she climbed up onto the porch swing and insinuated herself into Catherine's lap, holding up the picture. Catherine's sadness left as her joy and love for the miracle in her embrace filled her again. She smiled at Annie and both women gushed over the little girl's drawing, convinced it was the most beautiful piece of artwork in the world.

Catherine passed the rest of the afternoon with Jennifer in and out of her lap. She had come on her day off to visit an old friend, but instead, a little angel had given her a brief glimpse of heaven.

As the late afternoon sunlight faded Catherine said her goodbyes, promising to visit again. But as she drove back toward the city, tears streaming down her cheeks, she knew she wouldn't be able to go back anytime soon. Her heart needed time to mend before she tore it apart again.