Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Ch 14 - Making Due & Finding the Good

Later that night once the little ones were in bed Catherine found Mary curled up on one of the chairs by the fire.

"Mary?"

Catherine approached her, trying to think of anything that might have provoked this.

She knew Mary had heard her as Catherine could see Mary's head move unconsciously on the knee where she rested her chin.

Deciding that some gentle comforting might help Catherine moved herself directly behind the chair and moved Mary's hair over one shoulder, and gently combed her fingers through the strands.

Eventually Mary turned to look at her through a side gaze, pursing her lips as her thoughts began to return to reality.

Drawing some stay hairs back into place Catherine decided to wait for her Mary to speak on her own.

Shortly thereafter Mary turned in her chair to face Catherine.

"What was it like to be married at fourteen?"

Taking in a breath quickly and then letting it out with a knowing sigh Catherine reached to bring another chair over next to Mary.

Catherine sat, trying to dispel the weight that she always felt when considering this.

Just because Henry turned out to be a wonderful husband, didn't mean that she did't carry the scars of having to grow up so fast.

The magic of slowly learning that Henry was a kind and gentle man was broken up more often than not with the necessities of life, never mind making a home in a place where she knew no one but the man she was married to.

The blacksmith and his wife were kind to them. The next evening they were invited to dinner which Catherine was grateful for as there was no where to even cook in Henry's one room. He had been eating at the local tavern each night, but with an extra person now that would soon become unsustainable.

Brigitte invited them both in with a motherly affection happily feeding both of them until they could eat no more…and then she found out all of the details of the new arrangement.

"Men!" she exclaimed. Turning about and grabbing some dishes as she marched back into the kitchen in a huff.

The three remaining occupants of the common area sat there stunned.

Feeling incredibly out of place Catherine decided to help to clear the table in an attempt to clear the air of whatever had upset her.

Brigitte reminded her of the maid her uncle had cooking and cleaning for them. Clearly taking her anger out on the dishes she was scrubbing Catherine brought the dishes next to her and turned to retrieve some more.

"Catherine."

She turned around and tried to keep a neutral expression on her face.

Brigitte's gaze softened as she turned to look at Catherine directly.

"Or would you prefer to be called Caterina my dear?"

Smiling at her thoughtfulness, she answered the older woman, "Catherine is fine. I will stand out here enough as is, I don't need one more reason for people to considerer me an outsider."

Collapsing slightly into herself, Catherine could see the pity in the woman's eyes.

"And where are you from Catherine?" she asked.

"I was born and raised in Italy, originally in the country, but I eventually moved to a larger city when I was give to my uncle as a charge."

Tutting Brigitte answered through Catherine wasn't entirely sure she was really talking to anyone but herself.

"So far away, and yet so young."

Feeling like she needed to defend both her uncle and her new husband Catherine answered, "No…no please. Henry did me a favor. My uncle would likely have married me to a man that would have thought little of me and cared even less."

Quirking a half smile, Brigitte appreciated the logic, but was still angry at her husband for not telling about their scheming sooner.

Over dinner the men had discussed all of their talks about how Henry had concocted his plan, to win the girls of his dreams and carry her away like a knight in shining armor.

Now here in the kitchen Brigitte explained the reasoning behind her outburst.

"Indeed, it must feel liberating," she stated voicing something that Catherine had been afraid to, "and Henry is a nice enough young man."

Waiting for a 'but' Catherine remained pensive.

"However last time I checked, Henry had not more than one room and nowhere to cook or to do anything else besides sleep."

Looking at Catherine sternly Brigitte inquired, "you two did sleep last night, did you not? I will whip the boy myself if he has been taking advantage of your size and stature."

Catherine could not say that she wasn't still a little sore, but Henry had only gone as far as her uncle demanded, and he had been careful with her.

"No, after we left the tavern he did not touch me in the way of a man and wife."

Huffing out some of the tension she had been holding, Brigitte put down her current work and wiped her hands on the apron she wore.

Walking briskly over, Catherine found herself wrapped in a firm and genuine hug.

She was released shortly, but Brigitte then placed her hands on either side of her face, trying to detect any hesitation in Catherine's eyes that she as not voicing.

"You are certainly a brave young woman to have taken this leap of faith."

After kissing her briefly on the forehead she grabbed Catherine's hand and walked briskly back out to the men.

As she approached the table Brigitte dropped Catherine's hand and stepped forward.

"Now for the two of you and your ill planning, this is how we will proceed from here." Looking back at Catherine she addressed her first.

"In the mornings after you two have broken your fast, Catherine will come here. She will help me around the house, including to make our meals and in the evening the two of you will eat dinner with us in exchange for her all of her work."

The men were stunned into silence, but Catherine felt the need to interject. She intended to be a burden to no one.

"Brigitte please there is no need…"

"Catherine, I will not have you preparing food in such close quarters, making and trying to cook over an open fire like a vagabond."

"No really I could…"

"Enough, just because these two were lacking in foresight does not mean I will allow you to begin your new life like this."

"It would give me peace of mind," she continued turning back to the men, "and it will provide a better option should you find yourself with child." Glaring at the men she continued, "another detail I'm sure escaped the two of you as well."

Then men looked dually chastised.

Life was not easy, but with the help of Brigitte and Thomas they managed to begin a decent life together…and do so without wanting or trying to kill each other.

Reaching out to grasp Mary's hand Catherine smiled.

"Mary there are no guarantees in life. It is likely that you will be married one, but marriage, much like life, is what you make of it."

Placing one hand along one side of Mary's face Catherine made sure she was focused directly on her.

"And much like Brigitte was there for me, I will be there for you. I always have been and I fully intend to keep it that way for as long as I am able."

Returning the smile, Mary reached across the space and hugged Catherine tightly. For what little choice Mary had been given in accepting Catherine and Henry as her adoptive parent, she was increasingly glad that they had come into her life.