The Lies We Tell

A/N Okay people! There is a reason that Catherine is lying to Vincent. And...it will be revealed in this chapter. So...read on. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Catherine sat in the rocker in Ryan's room, watching as her son suckled from her breast. His hand kneaded her breast, and he gave contented little grunts and sighs. Catherine sighed, fully conscious that his father was sitting in the living room, angry at her.

"I'm so sorry baby boy, but I promised I wouldn't tell Vincent he was your father. I can't lose you..." Catherine told her son. She leaned her head back, and remembered...

Catherine had been feeling nauseous all day. She still felt terrible about not telling Vincent the truth. But, in the end, it was actually better that way. He had no feelings for her, and he could have a real family with the woman he loved.

As she watched Vincent and Alex dance their first dance as husband and wife, she envied them. Catherine couldn't help but be jealous. It should have been her. It would never be her.

"They look great together, don't they?" a male voice said beside her. Catherine turned her head, and saw Max Salter, Alex's father, standing beside her. She gave him a wain smile.

"Yeah, they do. They look perfect together," Catherine said, although she felt the opposite. His next words chilled to her bones.

"And you aren't going to do anything to ruin that, are you?" he said darkly. Catherine looked at him, shocked. "Oh, I know all about you and Vincent. My daughter came to me, crying her eyes out because Vincent had cheated on her with you."

"It wasn't like that," Catherine tried to defend herself. Max laughed.

"Oh really? So, you didn't run to Vincent and cry on his shoulder because your boyfriend was fucking his assistant in your bed? You didn't jump into bed with Vincent the first chance you could, fucking him to forget all about your boyfriend's betrayal?" he asked her sarcastically.

Catherine inhaled deeply, her stomach knotting painfully. "It wasn't like that..." she repeated quietly.

"Here is what is going to happen now. You are going to cut off all contact with Vincent. You are never to see him, talk to him, email him...nothing! And...if a little...something comes out of your betrayal, you are never to tell him about it. You are never to tell anyone about it. I am extremely influential, and I can slap you with an unfit parenting suit so fast, they will take that little something away from you. Are we understanding each other here? I will not have my daughter hurt because of a little whore like you!" he spat out.

Catherine swallowed hard, and unconsciously, her hand dropped to her stomach. Max catches the movement.

"You already know...don't you? You are pregnant! Have you told Vincent?"

"I tried...but I couldn't. I couldn't take away his chance at happiness," Catherine said quietly. Suddenly, her arm is grabbed, and Max pulls her away from the crowd of people. When they get to a quiet spot, he shook her roughly.

"You little tramp! You did it on purpose, didn't you? You deliberately got knocked up just so you could have him to yourself! You whore!" he spat in her face.

Catherine shook with fear. She covered her stomach, wanting to protect her baby at all cost. "It was an accident. I never meant for it to happen."

"Well, as far as Vincent is concerned, you're damn right it didn't! You are NEVER to tell him, ever! Or, I'll scream UNFIT MOTHER, and get that baby taken away from you. Do we understand each other?" Max screeched.

"YES! I'll never tell him! He'll never know..."Catherine screamed out.

Max chuckled evilly. "Now, you are going to go home, and never contact Vincent again. Eventually, he'll forget about you. And he'll have babies with my daughter who AREN'T bastards."

Catherine sniffled, and nodded her head. She walked back to the reception, and grabbed her coat and purse. As she turned to leave, a familiar hand grabbed her arm.

"Hey! How about a dance with your best friend?" Vincent said warmly. Catherine gazed up at his beloved face, memorizing it. Glancing to the side, she saw Max standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. He stared at her.

"I'd love to...but..um...I'm not feeling well. I'm gonna head home. I'm sorry," she told him. Vincent's brows knit together, and he felt her forehead.

"You aren't warm. Did you eat anything?" he asked, concern strong in his voice.

"Yeah, but...something isn't sitting right. I'm going to head home and lay down. Congratulations! I hope you and Alex have a wonderful future together."

"Thank you, but...I'm going to see you before we leave," he said, confusion in his voice.

"No...um...I think you need to focus on Alex now. She is your wife after all," Catherine whispered. Vincent eyed her, and sighed.

"Drink plenty of fluids, and get some rest," he said, going into doctor mode. Catherine smiled briefly, fighting tears, hoping he wouldn't see them. Reaching up on her toes, she kissed him gently on his cheek.

"Good bye, Vincent..." she said softly. Turning around, she walked away as fast as she could. When she got into her car, she allowed the tears to fall. Her head rested against the wheel, as great sobs racked her body. She cried out all her feelings and emotions, cried for a future that she would never have, and cried for the loss of the father that her baby would never have.

"I love you, Vincent...always..."

"Always..." Catherine breathed out.

Vincent sat in the living room, listening for any little sound. For some reason, his mind drifted back to his wedding day. He had been watching Catherine all day, and he could tell that something was bothering her. The fact that she had shown up at his house just before his wedding bothered him as well. She was hiding something. He had known her for too long not to realize that. But what?

And then, she had taken off so abruptly from the reception. He had tried to call her later that night, but her phone had gone to voicemail. He had called her again the next day. Again, her phone had gone to voicemail. Vincent had growled in frustration.

Over the next several months, he had tried contacting her dozens of times. Each time, it went to voicemail. Eventually, Alex became frustrated. He could still remember that conversation...

He had gotten home late from the hospital, and just wanted to relax. When he walked in the door, however, he was confronted by Alex.

"I've had enough, Vince!" she had screeched at him. He really hated when she called him "Vince."

He had sighed deeply. "Enough of what?" he had asked, rubbing his fingers over his eyes.

"Enough of you calling Catherine at all hours of the day! Obviously, she doesn't want to talk to you anymore, and you can't even see it."

"She's my best friend!" Vincent had exclaimed. Alex scoffed.

"Really? Do best friends usually fuck each other?" she said, anger strong in her voice.

"You said you forgave that. You said you forgave us..."

"Hardly! That little whore tried to take what was mine! I wasn't going to lose you."

"So, you lied?" Vincent asked, confused.

"Of course! Vince, we were getting married. And that whore tried to take you away. I couldn't let that happen."

"Stop calling her a whore!" Vincent growled. Alex laughed bitterly.

"Have you ever loved me? Or were you so dazzled by Catherine Chandler that you couldn't see anyone else? I'm your WIFE!" she screeched, shaking her wedding ring in his face. Vincent snapped.

"And she's the woman I love!" he screamed in her face. Alex stumbled back, her hand clutched to her chest.

"Daddy was right. I never should have married you. I knew that you didn't love me. I knew..."Alex said, shaking her head.

"Alex, I'm sorry," he said, stepping closer. She retreated back.

"Get out, Vince. Go back to that bitch. If she'll still have you..."

I'm sorry..." he said again, before walking out the door.

So now, here he was, totally sideswiped by recent events. Catherine had a baby. His baby. He was sure of it. But, why hadn't she told him? And why was she lying about it?

Soft cooing reached his ears, and he looked up to see Catherine return with Ryan. He actually was a pretty cute kid. He resembled Catherine quite a bit. Vincent was actually disappointed. He could have proven his paternity if Ryan looked more like himself. Catherine sat beside him.

Vincent held out his arms. "May I...?" he asked her. Catherine clutched the baby closer. "I won't hurt him," he said angrily. Catherine nodded, and gently placed Ryan in his arms. The baby focused on Vincent, and Vincent melted. His son.

Catherine watched Vincent holding Ryan. He was a natural. Ryan watched Vincent with a raptness that seemed to fascinate Vincent. He played with his fingers, and stroked his fingers lightly through Ryan's downy hair. A ghost of a smile played across his face.

"He's beautiful, Catherine..." Vincent said quietly. She nodded.

"He is..."

Vincent faced her. "We need to talk..."

A/N Okay, does that make everyone a little happier now? Review!