Thanks for sticking with me everyone!

Quite a few months later…

Cassidy and Jayne had the advantage of not having to create their life again from scratch. They had lived together before and it was easy to make it work. Evan was understandably attached but after he realized that they weren't going anywhere he relaxed enough to actually spend time at neighbors homes and play with kids his own age.

Thankfully, the community they were involved with was very close and drew the new family in immediately. They made time to visit Jayne's family regularly since Cassidy made it a point that they would break Jayne's habit of visiting his family only once every year or so. Mrs. Cobb always knew that her son and Cassidy wouldn't be able to fight their natural attraction forever. She, like the rest of the family, was delighted to find out that Jayne had made their marriage real and valid…he of course left nothing out. Jayne's family wasn't untouched by the actions of the Divine Right and they both shared the atrocity of the night her family never lived past, Jayne's family knew that they needed each other and were happy for them.

They were nice visits but Cassidy had been suffering from a stomach flu this time around and as good as Mrs. Cobb's intentions were she caused Cassidy to dwell on the past for the first time since her second marriage to Jayne.

Cassidy had just finished apologizing to her mother-in-law for having to run off to throw up when she noticed the smile on the older woman's face.

"Oh there's no shame Cassidy, I would be delighted to welcome another grandchild into my life."

The shock and pain that crossed Cassidy's features weren't lost on her and she reached across the table to grab Cassidy's hand, "Cassidy?"

She spoke through the hesitation, "that isn't possible…me being pregnant. I'm sorry…it's just a stomach flu."

She saw the expression on Cassidy's face and knew where her memories where…and was suddenly contrite for her callous remark. "That's nothing to be sorry for Cassidy dear…" she paused trying to find words of comfort, but feared she would only make it worse so instead she asked, "Does Jayne know?" As his mother she was curious how Jayne would react to knowing that he would never have any children of his own.

Of course, she had no idea that any other comment couldn't have made Cassidy feel any worse than that one…she was sure Jayne had an idea but there was no way he could know for certain that she was barren…because she hadn't told him.

Cassidy turned to look out the window and watch her husband teach her son about the animals in their paddocks, "no" she said and it was left at that.

That conversation replayed in Cassidy's mind all day and at last when she and Jayne were settled in for the night, the feel of his arms wrapped around her gave her the courage to tell him the truth.

"I'm sorry I can't ever give you children Jayne" as she finished she felt the arms around her tighten to an almost uncomfortable level.

It was the first time she admitted the extent to her injuries and she knew her fault in that so she wanted to apologize and continued, "I know I should have told you before…" She trailed off hoping he would say something. She couldn't see his face and his thoughts were a complete mystery and the silent made her doubts grow.

Jayne knew that she had been seriously hurt…but that didn't mean he didn't leave room to hope. He was in the middle of his thoughts when Cassidy tried to pull out from his arms but he wouldn't let her and instead moved her on her back and laid over her using his weight to keep her in place. She wouldn't look him in the eyes.

"Look at me Cass," he whispered.

"I can't" she told his chest.

"Why?"

"I don't want to see the disappointment Jayne."

He softly grabbed her chin and turned her face so that she would be forced to look him in the eye, "don't go talking stupid Cass, I have a son. There's no point in wishing for something you can't have and well I have plenty."

Her smile was sad and full of her own regrets but she didn't turn away when he moved down for a kiss and she responded with the passion Jayne depended on when he moved for more. It was true, he thought, how could he have any right to ask for anything more?

In the morning Cassidy sat with her cup of tea contemplating the night before. Her confession couldn't have helped the state her husband was in. She knew Jayne and saw the look in his eyes when he watched the stars at night with Evan on his lap. Oh it was driving her crazy! He acted like he had everything he wanted right here, like he was perfectly happy being a workman around town. She knew he wouldn't last like this, he missed the adventures…the calm life he led now would never be for him. That wasn't what was driving Cassidy crazy though, no it was the fact that he wouldn't admit it!

Jayne pushed away his wandering thoughts to listen to his son's question.

"What's the end of the verse like Daddy?"

"It's dark and empty…and full of crazies"

"Like reavers?" Evan said with fearful wide eyes.

Jayne looked down at his son, "who told you about them?"

"I heard stories…" Evan trailed off protecting his source.

Jayne didn't want Evan having to fear one more thing but before he could offer some form of reassurance Evan asked another question, "what do you think they are doing?"

"Reavers?"

"No, dad" Evan's exasperation was clear, "Captain Mal and and the pretty 'nara lady and Kaylee and"

"I don't know," Jayne interrupted before his son could finish his list. It was actually a question he found himself asking as well. He looked towards the house where his wife was making tea and wondered again…Every time Jayne woke in the morning and went to sleep at night Cassidy was by his side. He had time every evening to spend with Evan to teach and play with him…he had everything he wanted. He was happy…but sometimes something in him would rear its ugly head and he found himself wanting to be in the sky again, a form of wanderlust he repeatedly suppressed. Nothing was worth losing his family again. Which reminded him…they were going to visit the graves today.

He got up and Evan walked with him to the house where Cassidy immediately told them both they should change so they could leave. She was in the middle of getting out clothes for Evan when there was a beep coming from the kitchen announcing a wave. Jayne appeared with no shirt on and new pants and said he would finish helping Evan if she wanted to get the wave.

Once she saw who it was she realized the solution to their current problems…it was Serenity. Mal wanted to let them know that they would be in the area for the day getting supplies and would probably stop by to say hello. She kept their conversation quick so that it was over by the time Jayne and Evan emerged. She felt guilty keeping it from Jayne but she wanted time to explain the situation without his interference so she told her husband and son that she wasn't feeling well enough to go which was partly true since she still had an upset stomach every once in awhile…it just wasn't bothering her at that moment. She felt even worse when she saw Jayne's concerned face and shrugged off his questions insisting they both go on without her…it was, after all, for his own good.

Later that day…

"Ok, now can you hit the target over there on that tree?" It was a simple question Mal asked, sure one that required a demonstration but it wasn't like the target was that far away. Hell he had seen Jayne hit a spot four times the distance without a scope even. Yet person after person stepped up and only one person was able to hit it but they had to turn him away because he was such a small man he wouldn't be any help anyways. They needed muscle when the going got tough, they needed…

"We need Jayne," Zoe said, always to the point. "As much as I hate to admit it its true, we can't even find a good shot Sir and yet we need someone to not only be that but also be as good a tracker, and that doesn't look like its going to happen."

"Jayne is off being the doting husband and good father so we are going to have to deal with what we get."

"If we hire any of these men we're just asking to get shot. Jayne had his bad sides but I still didn't ever have to feel hesitant when he was guarding my back."

"I might have just what you need" a new voice chimed in.

Zoe and Mal both stood but Mal reached Cassidy first and grabbed her up for a hug, "Cassidy, you keeping that rough and tumble family of yours all right?"

"Course Mal," she answered before turning to hug Zoe, "How's the other family" she directed to them both.

"We're all good and well," Zoe answered, "what's this about you having just what we need? You have someone around here that can actually shoot?"

"Jayne, am I right? Please, please take him." Her sincerity was clear but it confused them nonetheless.

"Wait now I'm all sorts of confused, you don't want to have your husband home?"

"I want him to be happy," Cassidy implored, "but he isn't happy here, he needs to be in the sky. As much as I hate to say it…he needs to be shot at, I can tell he's going stir crazy and because of that he's making me crazy just looking at him."

"Well he has that effect on people, but we weren't really here to take him back."

"I know, but really I don't think that you are going to find anyone to take his spot…if that was your intentions," Cassidy said as she turned to look at the men waiting for their turn to prove their worth.

Zoe turned to Mal, "captain, I thought you were crazy for hiring Jayne in the first place but now that we have a second chance I won't raise a complaint."

Mal didn't ever think that they would be arguing with Cassidy about Jayne in this way. He knew she just wanted what was best for him but he also didn't want to break them up…

Cassidy sensed his hesitation, "well, I insist that you and the rest of the crew have dinner with us so you can make up your mind then…but please don't mention it to Jayne unless you really will take him back."

That was something Mal could agree to.

Much further away…

Jayne never like cemeteries but so many people he knew were buried here that it was almost like a reunion of sorts. He gave Evan some flowers to lay on the graves of his parents and then spread the others over the other graves.

"She was very pretty huh?" Evan said as he watched the image of his mother, Natalie, play over her grave.

"She was a beauty," he said as he knelt, "your father didn't stand a chance. When he first met her she dumped a bucket of water over his head…he completely deserved it and later she said it was his wet face looking up at her on the balcony that caused her to realize how much she loved him."

"Mommy say's she was very happy when she found out she was going to have me."

"Both of your parents were happy."

"Do you think they can hear me if I talk to them?"

Jayne smiled, "they can hear you."

"Ok…well here goes. I can't remember you mama but they say you were nice and I hope you're in the heaven place." He turned to his fathers grave and continued, "daddy…I remember you sometimes," he paused as he sat and swirled his fingers in the grass, "I'm going to grow up big and strong like you…and Ill come back and talk to you more…" He turned to address his next comment to Jayne, "do you think he cares that I call you daddy?"

It was a serious question…one that reminded Jayne how fast his son was growing up, "No, Evan I think they wanted you to have a family even though they're gone."

"Ok then…well then I guess that's all for now, oh except," he paused as he rummaged in his pocket, "mama said you liked chocolate so I brought you this." The he revealed two cookies he had saved in his pocket, cookies that Jayne was amazed had made it the whole way without being devoured…Cassidy would be sorry she missed this. He watched with pride as Evan laid one cookie on his mothers grave and then moved to do the same to his fathers.

Jayne visited each grave as his son dug into their lunch. He paused at Bryant's grave and found insecurities mirroring Evans in himself. Bryant could have never meant for Cassidy to end up with Jayne…but Jayne couldn't apologize for his actions any more than he could walk away from her. Instead, he told his old friend that he was taking care of them both and that they would all be fine from then on.

After their lunch they began the long trip home.

Back at their home…

"You do realize Cassidy that we can't forcibly take Jayne back with us?"

"Does that mean you want him back?"

Mal frowned at the hope in her question, "why are you so eager to be rid of him?"

"I'm not…in fact every time I think of him in the danger from the things you do I want to scream but I don't want to see his soul waste away even more."

She left Mal to consider her words and found Simon tearing off some of her warm bread, "Simon, I hate to bother you but I can't seem to get over this stomach flu that's been bothering me."

Immediately in doctor mode Simon asked a series of questions that she didn't hesitate to answer. "You don't have a fever or any other signs of illness, I brought my med-kit just in case so lets run some tests to see just what we're working with."

Cassidy marveled at Simon always being prepared and followed all his instructions and let him ponder the results as she dished out dinner to the crew. She knew Jayne and Evan would be back any time and was going to wait outside for them when Simon pulled her aside and into a corner for privacy.

His face was pale, "Cassidy…as unlikely as it seems…you're pregnant."

Her scowl could kill, "don't tease me Simon."

"I assure you I am very serious," Simon spoke with concern, "your pregnancy will be as difficult as one possibly can be…I mean due to your internal damage there are many risks…it could even prove fatal…"

"Wait," Cassidy interrupted by lifting her hand, "are you honestly telling me I am pregnant?"

"Yes Cassidy."

Her hand dropped to lay over the lower part of her stomach…a baby. She didn't let herself hope…she felt tears come to her eyes and she threw her arms around Simon, "thank you Simon, I didn't allow myself to realize until you just said that how much I wanted a baby."

"I take it this means you want to risk it?" Simon asked as she pulled away wiping tears from her eyes.

"I will not kill my baby Simon."

With a deep sigh he had to concede defeat, "we are going to have to make sure that we give you and the baby the best chance to remain healthy."

Cassidy smiled and nodded just as she heard her husband's surprised voice as he greeted the crew that had met him outside. She made plans fast. Simon would tell the crew while she would wait until the night to tell Jayne. She was determined that her pregnancy changed nothing…in the morning they could all discuss Jayne leaving on Serenity.

It was late into the night when the crew left to spend the night on Serenity after promising to be back in time for breakfast. Cassidy couldn't wait to talk to her husband in privacy, Evan had already fallen fast asleep and had been taken to bed…all that was left was her husband.

He had been sitting on the porch nursing his drink for awhile. She quietly went to join him and slipped onto his lap as he pulled her tight against him. She took a few moments to just relish the feeling. Looking out across the wide stretch of land she wondered if she really could let Jayne go in the morning. Telling herself it would only be for a short while she finally decided to speck, "Jayne?" She frowned when he didn't reply…she had a sinking suspicion so she pinched his arm, hard, "are you awake?"

Rubbing his arm, "now I am Cass."

She moved his arms to rest over her lower stomach…right over his unborn child, "Jayne I don't have the stomach flu."

Yawning he replied, "that's good Cass, so you finally got over it?" He knew she lost sleep having to wake up and throw up, he would rub her back and help as best he could but knew it wasn't helping.

"I never had it to begin with."

Why was she talking in circles when he was this tired? "Why were you sick?" he asked.

"Jayne…I'm pregnant," as she spoke she moved back to look into his eyes so that he would know she spoke the truth.

"What?" To say he was stunned would be an understatement.

"We're going to have a baby." The slow smile overcame her as she saw the significance finally settle on Jayne.

His hands were shaking, "are you sure?"

"Simon is"

"But you said…"

"I know…it shouldn't be possible but it is." She wondered if he was even aware that he was now moving his hands very soothingly over her stomach.

His smile was huge and his grip crushing as he pulled her to him to kiss. When he stopped for breath he asked, "how?"

"I don't question miracles Jayne," she said as she caressed his stubble-covered cheeks and tried to keep her tears at bay since she knew how much he hated to see her cry.

Jayne stood with her in his arms and swept her in a circle, laughing, not able to keep his joy in check. He didn't know what on earth he had done in his life to deserve so much happiness but, like Cassidy said, he wasn't going to question it.

The next morning…

When Jayne woke to the good smell of bacon and eggs and he was thankful his wife had learned a bit of home cooking from his mother. His mood quickly soured when he moved to get off their bed and noticed bags packed by the bedroom door…his bags.

"Am I going somewhere I don't know about?" he spoke from the doorway to the kitchen as he pulled a shirt over his head.

"Morning Jayne, the others should be here soon." She tried to pretend she hadn't heard his question.

"Cassidy?" His voice had that tone that she recognized instantly…the 'I'm barely holding onto my patience' tone and turned to face him.

"Jayne…you have to go with them." Her eyes were tearing up as she spoke. She would have laughed at the look that came over her face, his jaw dropped and she knew he didn't believe what she just said, "they want you back Jayne."

"They can 'want' as much as gorram possible, it's not going to happen." Then the familiar rage.

"I told them to take you with them"

Then…hurt, "why…I don't understand, you don't want me around?"

Cassidy dropped the spoon in her hand and quickly walked over to her husband to grasp his hands in hers. She craned her head to look up at him, "Jayne, I want you with me more than anything. I love you, but I cannot see you live out the rest of your life here on solid ground…you belong in the sky."

"Cass, I know women are supposed to get all sorts of crazy when they're pregnant but you're pushing it."

She smiled, relieved that his ego wasn't permanently damaged, "It's not my hormones Jayne," at least she didn't want to blame her pregnancy for her decision.

"If you think I'm leaving you while you're pregnant you're out of you're…"

"Well that settles it" Mal interrupted from where he stood in the doorway, "Jayne refuses"

"He does not," Cassidy said with a glare at her stubborn husband who was answering with just as firm a stare.

"If I can say something?" Simon interjected, "I don't know whether the captain would allow it or if you would be willing Cassidy, but I would feel a lot better if you went with us so I could watch your pregnancy more carefully."

Cassidy stood silent for a moment before shaking her head, she hadn't considered the possibility of going with Jayne…of not having to stay and worry endlessly but she had to answer, "there's no room for a family on that ship."

"There's already a family on our ship" Inara spoke up, "right Mal?"

Mal didn't want to admit that there was an absence without Jayne on the ship and that everyone had become quickly attached to Cassidy and Evan as well…but he said the only thing he could say, "well we do have a whole shuttle empty."

"We can go with them Mommy?" Evan came out of his room rubbing his eyes and quickly ran to hug everyone and align himself clearly on the side of leaving on Serenity.

"Evan…" Cassidy implored.

"Looks like the boy has already made his decision Cassidy," Book added, "you can't deny him."

"A woman should be with her husband when she's pregnant anyways," Kaylee said hoping to make their family complete again.

"I'm not leaving her either way," Jayne answered.

It was Simon who finally convinced Cassidy when he began, "Cassidy, you really should have regular doctor supervision if you want this pregnancy…"

"Okay Simon…I get it," she interrupted before he could alarm Jayne.

"You'll come with us?" the excitement was apparent in Inara's voice as she moved to take Cassidy's hand.

"Do I have any choice? Jayne?"

"You took the choice away from me Cass," he said with no anger and a smile, "I go where you and Evan go."

The rest of the day was spent preparing and Cassidy was so busy that she completely forgot to tell Simon not to tell Jayne and by the time she remembered…it was too late.

Jayne was helping Mal get supplied for Serenity and was in the middle of hauling a crate onto the ship when he heard Simons voice behind him.

"Is prevention so hard Jayne?"

"What?" He turned to face the young doctor.

"In this day and age there are all sorts of ways to prevent pregnancy and yet you managed to avoid every single one of them," he wasn't really angry…just afraid that Cassidy's damage couldn't support a child to term and her hopes would be crushed and he wanted Jayne to understand.

"She's my wife…why would I bother?" Jayne didn't know where Simon was going but he looked serious so he decided to humor him with answers.

"She could die! I would think that's something worth 'bothering' about!"

Jayne didn't waste a second grabbing the front of Simons shirt and yanking him to him, "what did you just say?" his voice was deadly calm.

"Oh come on Jayne you had to know that this pregnancy isn't a conventional one, too many things could go wrong…complications that could be fatal for the baby and Cassidy."

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Jayne only had abstinence to turn to with this new information. He knew he sounded ridiculous but he didn't care…he wouldn't lose Cassidy and the thought of losing the baby that they had just celebrated…well he didn't want to think about it.

"You had everything to do with it, that's why she's in this condition" Simon added before he turned to walk away and leave Jayne to his thoughts…which was exactly what Jayne didn't need to be left to. It didn't take him long to find Cassidy and confront her.

"You didn't tell me how hard it was going to be Cassidy."

"Does it matter?" She knew that Simon must have explained the situation to him and decided that it was better that he was prepared after all.

"Doesn't it?"

"No…I don't think so," she continued as she saw he moved to speak, "Listen to me Jayne…I didn't tell you at first that I couldn't have children because I was scared that might push you from me and I kept telling myself that I really didn't care one way or another, but I was lying. When Simon said I was pregnant I didn't care about everything that could go wrong, I've spent too much time worrying about the bad…after this gift," she moved her hands over the slight bulge in her stomach, "I want to spend more time thinking about the good."

"I can't lose you…I wouldn't know what to do" it was a hard thing for Jayne to admit.

"You are a great father" she said as she moved her hands around him in a loose embrace that he hesitantly returned, "and it doesn't matter Jayne because I'm not going anywhere, you won't be free of me anytime soon."

"We can really do this?"

"Well after the list of things Simon said I can't do I'm not sure I can answer that," she teasingly answered, "which reminds me…you're going to have to keep your hands to yourself it seems."

With an exaggerated groan Jayne spoke to the top of her head, "How long will it be until you deliver again?" He felt her smile against his neck, "I'm sure we can find ways where I won't have to."

She couldn't help but laugh, "pretty confident in your persuasion abilities aren't you?"

"I got you to marry me didn't I?"

"Twice…"

Jayne leaned down and captured his wife's lips in a kiss that only meant to tease but quickly bordered on carnal…it would be a long few months…

Except that it wasn't

Life on Serenity was chaotic at first but it soon settled into a more mild form of chaos…which was all that could be hoped for on such a ship. After Jayne's first close call back he knew that Cassidy was right all along…he had missed this. Of course, he didn't tell Cassidy the details and she didn't want to know…unless she did in which case Jayne had to learn to recognize her mood swings out of necessity for protection of his life. It didn't matter though, Jayne would always have an audience for his adventure stories—all true—in Evan and his unborn child, he just had to brush away Cassidy's questions as to why he would talk to her stomach like the child could hear him. She tried to take it easy on Jayne but it became harder as she grew swollen with child but still she made a point to take each day as a miracle to be spent with her husband and Evan and the rest of her extended family, as well as the child yet to be born.

When Jayne finally got to hold his newborn baby girl he didn't immediately wipe at his eyes or even care who would tease him later over his emotions, those things didn't matter. What did matter were the people around him and the miracle he was holding in his hands currently gripping his finger… he knew he was hooked, so much for him being a one-woman man.

As in everyone's lifetimes there were ups and downs…there were little triumphs and big scares. Life wasn't perfect…but it is never meant to be…the point is that they were happy and were content to leave it at that.

Wow…took quite a lot of work but I'm glad I got this down, thanks for the support everyone and I hope it didn't disappoint!