A/N First off let me say that I am adequately ashamed of how long it's been since I updated this. I had some family things (good) and some computer things (bad) that put together made it really hard for me to get a lot of writing done. Secondly, thank you for the reviews. A good review always makes me happy:) Thirdly, to my reveiwer AReader. Have no fear about me abandoning this story. As far as that goes, I know I'm not working in the most booming fandom on the web right now and while I love reviews, and they are always appreciated, I just can't bring myself to beg for them. As long as I know I have people who want to read this, even if it's only a couple, I'm going to keep writing. And one last thing, I've been thinking about your suggestion for the story following the seven and I really like it. Some ideas are already starting to come together.

Maude found that after she finally allowed herself to cry in front of Patrick things began to slowly improve, very, very slowly. The terrible ache was slow in passing and it was weeks before she could stand to be in the same room with Paul and Julia's children without wanting to dissolve into tears and she couldn't even think about trying to have another baby. Following the doctor's advice, Patrick had tried to broach the subject a few times but she always quickly put an end to it. She had wanted her baby, wanted him desperately, and losing him had been so hard. She had always assumed she would become a mother one day but she hadn't realized just how badly she wanted to be one until the opportunity had been taken from her. Now that she did know how much she wanted to have Patrick's child the thought was with her constantly, right with the memory of losing her baby. And the thought of having to go through the experience again was to much. She couldn't do it.

Maude knew Patrick was doing his best to be as supportive as possible, and she was grateful for that, but even though he had stayed right by her when she needed him the most, allowing her to cry whenever she wanted, she still couldn't quite shake her feelings of guilt and found it hard to seek him out for comfort. As for Patrick, after many failed attempts to draw Maude out of her melancholy mood he found that, once again, it was easier to retreat back to his clubs.

As the summer passed Maude became keenly aware of his absence and she knew her dismal attitude was to blame. She did her best to be as pleasant as possible when he was home but felt that there was still a wall between them, and if she were completely honest with herself she understood that as well. Their physical relationship had become nearly nonexistent and it was taking a toll on both of them. She hadn't been able to start anything in months and Patrick's attempts were so often rebuffed he hardly felt like trying anymore.

As September rolled by Patrick began to truly worry about Maude. While she often went through the motions of a normal day it was obvious her heart wasn't in it, and finally he had all he could stand. He had tried staying with her, he'd tried leaving her alone, he talked about children, he didn't talk about children; nothing really seemed to help her. He'd tried to be patient but to be very plan about it, he missed his wife. He missed the feisty, witty, independent blond he'd fallen in love with and he was determined, one way or another, to get her back.

One night he began dressing as usual but instead of the suit he was now fully accustomed to he donned the more simple clothes of a fighter he'd preferred just a short year ago. To his immense pleasure Maude noticed the change almost immediately; maybe her depression wasn't as bad as he'd feared.

"You weren't plannin' on wearin' that to the club, were you?" She asked hesitantly taking in his simple shirt and trousers.

"No. I'm not going to the club tonight." He saw her raise her eyebrows but he didn't say anything farther. Instead he went over to the closet and, much to Maude's surprise, pulled out the plainest dress she owned. "Would you put that on for me, please?" He asked laying the dress on the bed.

Maude's eyes went from Patrick to the dress and back. She hadn't worn that dress in over a year, not since Patrick had started getting a decent income. "Why?"

"I want to take you somewhere tonight and I think it would be more appropriate attire than what you're wearing now."

"Where?" She asked suspicion heavy in her voice. She was already in a day dress and she couldn't imagine any place she would want to be where she would need to be dressed any plainer.

He squatted down in front of her. "Would you just trust me? Please?" There was absolute sincerity in his voice and his eyes were pleading.

Maude sighed, Patrick wasn't being fair. He knew she couldn't say no to those dad gummed, beautiful green eyes of his. She gave the dress another wary glance. "Fine." She huffed.

Patrick grinned as she started to change. So far his plan was working.

"Patrick, where are we goin'?" Maude demanded as Patrick led her farther from town, not that she was expecting a reply. He had been strangely silent concerning their destination and although she had asked the same question at least five times since leaving she still hadn't got a straight answer. Patrick held true to form and replied with a simple. "You'll see."

They had been walking for twenty minutes or so when Patrick finally stopped. "We're here."

She moved up alongside of him and looked around. This is where Patrick wanted to come? They were in a stand of Cypress trees by the edge of the river and, as far as Maude could see, there was nothing there. "What are we doin' here?"

Patrick took a blanket she hadn't noticed he had spread it out. Setting down he offered her his hand. "Nothin'." Maude hesitated and Patrick grabbed her hand giving it a gentle tug. "Lord, your stubborn tonight." He said wrapping his arms around her when she finally complied.

"I am not stubborn." She protested. "I simply see no reason for us to be here."

"A while back you wouldn't have needed a reason."

"Patrick…" She trailed off not knowing what to say. He was right, only a few months ago she would have enjoyed something like this. Being with Patrick, nothing but the sounds of nature to keep them company, it would have been Maude's idea of a perfect night.

"Maude, listen. It's been hard, I know it has. It's different for you, I understand that, but it hurt me too." He stroked her cheek with his thumb. "As bad as it was we can't mourn forever. At some point we have to start livin' again."

"I know."

"Do you? You never want to go out anymore, you don't want to see, people, you won't talk about children…."

"I can't!" She cried whirling around to face him. "Don't you understand that I can't?"

"No, I don't." He replied calmly.

"I can't go through it again, Patrick."

"So you're never gonna let me touch you again because you're afraid somethin' might happen?" He asked a bit more irritably than he intended.

"Is that all you care about?" Her voice was tinged with anger.

"No!" This was not going the way he'd hoped it would. He took a calming breath and thought about his words carefully before he spoke. "I told you before it didn't matter if we ever had children, and it don't, but…we can't avoid each other because of something that may happen. Or may not. The doc said you shouldn't have any more trouble."

Maude wrapped her arms around herself. "What if I do? What if it happens over and over again?" Tears began to fill her eyes. That was the thought that had been haunting her since that horrible night. What if she got pregnant and just kept losing the babies and had to deal with that pain time and time again?

"Maude, you can't think like that. You can't go barrowin' trouble and worryin' yourself sick over somethin' that might not never happen."

"But it scares me, Patrick. I can't do it again."

"Maudie please, please, stop thinkin' like that." The truth was that while Maude may be afraid of what could happen Patrick was afraid of what was happening. He didn't know how much longer he could stand seeing his wife as depressed as she was now. "I want you to be happy again, Maude. I miss you."

"And I miss you." She wiped at the tears that had started to gather in her eyes. "But I can't…."

"Stop. Maude you are the strongest woman I know and it don't matter what kind of hand life deals you I know you'll find a way to play it out. But you have to stop expectin' the worse." He pulled her back against him. "You don't have to pretend it didn't happen, just try not to think so much about it. Think about those plans we had before the baby; try to learn how to live again. For me."

After a long pause Maude laid her head on his shoulder. "I'll do it for you, but I need you, Patrick. I need to know you're beside me."

Patrick smiled. "I like hearin' you say that and I looked forward to bein' there."

They set in silence for several minutes before Maude spoke up again. "What are we doin' here?"

Patrick kissed the top of her head. "Nothin', just enjoy it."

She set there with her husband, listening to the crickets and the gentle motion of the river, and soon Maude started to feel whole.

A/N: Part two will be coming soon. Promise. And reviews are always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading!