They lay intertwined. The blanket was thrown lazily over their bare flesh. They rested in each others arms basking in the soft light of the fireplace.

"I want to have your baby" Chloe announced.

Brady sat up, leaning on his arm trying to understand where this was coming from. What possibly could have possessed her to want to have a child.

"Chloe, what are you talking about? Aren't we a little young to be parents?"

Chloe laughed meeting his gaze. "I don't mean now, but someday. I want to have tons of kids with you Brady Black. And they'll all be just as handsome and smart..."

"Chloe, wait...." Brady sighed deeply. He had to tell her something she would not want to hear. Something he did not want to face. He flinched when she looked at him. He thought he would have more time before he would have to tell her. One look at her angelic face and he knew this would be one of the hardest conversations of his life.

How was he supposed to tell her about what the doctors had said? At that moment he cursed himself for ever getting sick. For accepting the treatments that had saved his life but had threatened to prevent him from creating new life. The thing was he wanted children, and he wanted Chloe to be their mother, that's why this was going to be so hard.

Chloe watched his face, as the thoughts turned over in his head. She wondered what could be so serious. Had she scared him? Did he think that she was trying to trap him or something? No, Brady knew her better than that. They were both sensible and knew that they were not ready for that phase in their lives yet. Children were a huge responsibility, one they were not prepared for.

"What are you thinking?" Chloe finally stated, breaking the silence.

Brady looked into her eyes. Something he should not have done. Looking at her, knowing all her vulnerabilities and strengths just made him want her more. He wanted to share a life with her. To raise a family with her. But what if she found out the truth? Would she leave him?

"Chloe, I have to tell you something." Brady said, concern flashing in his eyes.

"You can tell me anything. What is it?" She kissed his cheek and took his hand in hers, urging him to continue.

He could not find the words. How was he supposed to tell the woman he loved that he could never have children. That the treatments that had saved him had also ruined him. He was damaged. The fear welled up inside him, resinating through his body. The greatest fear of his life would be to lose her. After he told her what if she would not want to be with him? His mind began playing tricks on him. He questioned himself and his motives.

Was it really fair of him to allow her to settle, knowing he could never truly make her happy? She wanted children and he may never be able to give them to her. As afraid as he was, he did not want to hide anymore. She needed to know that he may be sterile.

"Chloe, I...I...."

Chloe continued to stare into his dark blue eyes, she could see the panic and hesitation. She started to get worried.

"Chloe I can't have children with you." It came out harsher than he had intended. The truth was he sounded mad. And part of him was mad. He was angry, that something so precious, could be taken away from her, and there was nothing he could do.

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. She pulled her hand away from his and moved away from his close, warm body. "Why Brady? Because you don't love me, or because you don't want to be with me? Why? You don't think that I would make a good mother...." Chloe's eyes were so cloudy that she could barely make out his shape anymore. Her heart sank at the feelings she was experiencing.

Brady moved close cupping her face in his hands and wiping away her tears with his thumbs. Seeing her crying made his own heart sink and his own tears formed.

"Chloe, wait! That came out all wrong. It's nothing to do with you. I love you more than anything. And I think, no I know, you'll make a great mother but that's not why I can't have kids with you."

"Then why Brady? Why?" Chloe began to sob, pressing her body against his. She rested her head on his shoulder and preceded to allow her tears to soak his bare skin.

"I want to have children, I do. And I want to have them with you, but the thing is..." Chloe met his eyes then. "The thing is.... I don't know whether I can have children or not."

Chloe's eyes began to fill with tears again.

Brady tried to explain. "See the doctors told me that sometimes men and women aren't able to conceive children after going through those treatments that I went through. Because they wipe out so many good cells along with the bad. Chloe, you have to believe me. That this would be the only reason I wouldn't want to have children with you. And maybe it's not fair that we're together. Maybe we should break-up. I want you to be happy Chloe. I know that you won't be happy unless you have children. So maybe we need to let each other go"

"Brady, no!" She let out a shrill cry. "Why do you do this? Every time something gets just a little bit tough, you just give up. I won't let you this time Brady Black. I told you I'm never going to let you go. I don't need children. .....Or, we'll adopt. Yeah that's what we'll do..."

Brady studied her tear, stained face. He would give anything for her and it killed him that he could not give her this. The pain hit him deep in his stomach. He knew how devoted she was to him and the fact that he was causing her so much hurt, ate him up inside.

"Brady, you're wrong, we can make this work, I just need you, that's all... I just need you"

"I love you so much." Brady said, holding onto her just as needily. Her soft hair tickling his bare arms and chest.

"I love you too. Don't ever talk about leaving me again, understand?"

"Perfectly"

She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him tightly.

Brady knew what he had to do. For her sake. She meant the world to him and he would do anything to see to it that she was happy.

They had a long road ahead of them, but together they could get through anything.

THE END

There will be an epilogue, I just don't know when :) (soon though)