"I can't do this, Andy, I can't." Prue said pleadingly.

"I know." Andy replied. "I know it's hard, and it's the last thing I want to do, but we have to. For her sake."

Prue looked down at the baby girl she was cradling in her arms. Their daughter was less than five hours old, and already they were going to take her away. Prue couldn't stand it. "Andy, please. There has to be another way."

The tiny infant, having no idea what was going on around her, cooed innocently up at her mother. Prue started sobbing, holding the baby close to her. Andy sat down on the bed beside her, caressing her soft face gently.

"I wish there was, Prue." he said. "I wish that more than anything, you know that. But we've been racking our brains ever since we were sure you were pregnant, and you know as well as I do that there isn't. This is the best thing for her."

"We're her parents, Andy, we're the best thing for her." Prue said through a deluge of tears.

"If that were true, if there were some other chance, I take it in a heartbeat. But there isn't, damnit, there isn't." Andy's forcefullness surprised Prue, not to mention himself. "I'm sorry," he apologized quietly, looking down at their little girl and fighting back his own tears. "I'm so sorry."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, throwing themselves into caring for their daughter for those last few moments. Then, Julius appeared in the doorway.

"It's time." he announced, looking at them sympathetically. "You know what to do?"

They both nodded solemnly. They'd gone over this many times in the past few weeks. They would orb to the Church where, around twenty-five years ago, her mother had left Paige, and ask Sister Agnes to take care of the baby until Prue's sisters came for her. Julius would use his power to "suggest" to Paige that she go to the Church and talk to the Sister about the day she was found. Julius would also see that Piper and Phoebe went with them.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Prue asked anxiously. "I've been dead for one year, what makes us think they haven't already moved on? How do we know they'll want to take care of her?"

"Prue," Julius said gently. "You know they will. They miss you, you've seen that. Don't give me that surprised look. I know you've been using your power to check up on them."

Andy took Prue's hand, and kissed it. "Let's go."

Neither Prue nor Andy trusted themselves enough to orb, so Julius took Andy's hand, and rested his free hand firmly on Prue's shoulder. He'd become quite close to her in the past year, like a second father, and a mentor. He was the only Elder who had known Prue was pregnant. They hadn't dared to tell anyone else. Witches and Whitelighters were no longer expressly forbidden to be together, but it was still frowned upon, and as for two Whitelighters... Well, that went beyond simply being unprofessional.

Julius orbed them to the back of the Church. As he promised, Sister Agnes was there alone. After Julius orbed out, the nun turned around, and put her hand to her mouth in awe.

"Sister," Prue began, her voice full of pain. "Sister, do you remember back in 1977, when two people came to you just like we did, and asked you to care for their baby girl?"

Sister Agnes nodded. "Of course I do. But... If I may ask, why are you coming to me again? Oh!" she exclaimed upon seeing the baby in Prue's arms. "Oh, don't tell me... But, no, not again.."

Prue nodded, tears spilling down her face. Andy, standing behind her, put his arms on her shoulders and continued for her.

"Sister, that baby's name is Paige Matthews. She's now living on Prescott Street, with her sisters, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell. We need..." Andy paused, his heart heavy. With a sigh, he continued, reminding himself again that this for the best. "We need you to look after our baby, until Paige and her sisters come for her. Will you do it, please?"

"Yes, yes, I'll do it." Sister Agnes said immedeately. "I know this must be extremely hard for you, but please, just answer one question. Why is this happening? Why are such special children being orphaned at such young ages?"

"Because, Sister," Prue answered, "There aren't enough good people in the world. There are a lot, sure, people like you, and my-- Paige's sisters." she corrected herself. "But there's not enough."

With that, Prue handed the baby to the nun, kissing her child good-bye and turning back to Andy quickly, so as not to have to see this stranger holding her daughter. Andy handed the woman a piece of paper, folded over until it was very small. "Give this to Piper," he instructed. Then, satisfied that the nun would do as she was asked, he orbed out holding Prue, looking heartbrokenly at the baby he was leaving behind.

He orbed her to the apratment he kept for whenever business with a charge required him to appear human. Prue, needing to be alone, ran into the bedroom and lay down on the bed, crying uncontrollably. Andy tried to go and comfort her, be she shrugged him off and continued weeping, so he went back into the living room and flopped down onto the couch. The curtains were wide open, and he lay on his back, looking through the window up at the stars, praying for his daughter's safetly. They both stayed that way until morning.

********************

A/N: So, what do you think of the story thus far? Please review. It only takes a second to hit that sexy purple button down there, and it'll make you (well, me) feel very good.
Next chapter, you'll find out the baby's name. I'm not finished writing the chapter yet, so that's still open for suggestion. If you've got any ideas, put them in your review. The sexy purple button will love you for it! *g*