As the party-goers traveled together down through the tunnels, they exchanged
stories of the parties they each attended.
As Jacob noticed the huge bags the girls were carrying, he asked what was in
them.
And so they excitedly shared, Jennifer gave them each a dress to wear to the
wedding.
To which Brooke said, "Wait until you see them Father! They are all so
beautiful!"
Thinking Jennifer's generosity knew no bounds, Jacob commented to Catherine,
"What joy Jennifer has brought to all of us."
Smiling a warm smile, Catherine put her arm though Jacob's and said, "She feels
you, and everyone here has brought her a lot of joy too. But you are right
Father. She does have a giving heart."
Jacob then directly said, "Of course I am not surprised you would have a friend
as good and kind as you are...as they say, birds of a feather..."
Wanting Jacob to finish his sentence, Mouse impatiently asked, "Well, what do they say 'bout birds of a feather?"
Upon hearing Mouse's question, Jacob realized not everyone has heard
these old adages before. And so he completed his sentence, explaining, "Well the saying goes, birds of a feather, flock together, which means you are usually friends with someone who
has a heart like your own."
Liking this pun very much, Mouse nodded, and said, "I get it!"
Approaching his and Mary's turnoff, Jacob asked, "Peter were you going to stop
by for the book you wanted?"
Saying he was, so he, Jacob and Mary all said goodnight to everyone, and it was
after Jacob, Peter and Mary peeled off, the girls then shared some of the other
stories, and even the one tale in particular, they didn't want Jacob to know
about!
Most of the guys laughed, finding the story about the dancing cop, hilarious, however Vincent wasn't
laughing, and so he asked for more details, clarifying, "So Joe hired a felon to
come to your party?"
Realizing Vincent didn't find humor in the story like the others did, Catherine
carefully explained, "I guess when you put it that way, it doesn't sound very
safe, but you see Joe has known Tiger for ages! In fact Joe has
booked him at least 20 times or more through the years for an assortment of petty crimes."
Vincent's eyes grew wide, as he asked, "Excuse me for my confusion Catherine,
but was that supposed to be a character reference?"
Seeing Catherine needed help, both Rebecca and Jamie took turns speaking up
saying he was harmless, and seemed like a very nice person. Just maybe had
some bad breaks.
As Vincent calmed down a little, Ronald changed the subject, as he asked, "So
Jenny put on a nice party then? It sounds like you had some great eats and had
fun with the dresses and stuff."
As the girls all chimed in saying they had the best time, and that Jennifer was a
wonderful hostess!
Beaming, Ronald said, "Well I know she was looking forward to having you all
over, and she hoped you would have a good time."
As Jamie looked closer at Mouse, who was kind of being supported by Ronald,
she asked, "Hey, you don't look very good!"
Looking back at her, he confessed to drinking some of the brew at the party,
and then added, "Father said maybe more than I could hold. I still don't feel so
good."
Laura looked at Arthur in Pascal's arms, and signed, asking, "And what's wrong
with Arthur?
As Pascal petted his little head, he quoted Jacob, saying, "As father said earlier,
birds of a feather..."
Everyone began laughing, except for Mouse of course, and as they neared
Mouse's turnoff, both Pascal and Ronald volunteered to see him safely home.
As everyone peeled off, dissipating into their perspective chambers, alone at
last, Vincent walked with Catherine, and said, "The girls do seem elated with
their garments."
To which Catherine went into more detail, as she told Vincent, "I wish you
could have seen how excited the girls were Vincent! Mary too! They all had fun
picking out a dress from Jennifer's closet. In fact she even had some small sized
dresses we can give to Natalie, Samantha and Heather. I am positive they
should fit them. I can't wait until tomorrow to have them try them on."
Thinking how kind Jennifer was, Vincent replied, "Father was right, her
kindness is bountiful like yours, and she never hesitated becoming a friend to
us."
In reply, Catherine said, "Jenny loves being included here in your...in OUR
world."
Vincent stayed silent for a moment, and then asked Catherine to take a walk
with him to the Chamber of the Falls.
Happily she looked at him before taking his guiding hand in hers, and silently
they walked toward their desolate, isolated destination.
On their arrival, Vincent stepped forth, thoughtfully he looked outward, and
remained quiet as he stood small within this massive, majestic cavern. The
sound of the sinuous falls echoing throughout this place, from chamber wall to
chamber wall, was as comforting to Vincent, as the sound of a mother's
heartbeat is to a newborn babe.
Catherine stayed back for a moment, and watched Vincent from afar, before
she carefully asked, "Is everything all right Vincent?"
With a smile in his eyes, he turned slightly and said, "Yes..."
Re-assuredly he then added, "I just needed to be here..."
Tipping his head, he contemplatively asked, "Do you remember coming here
with me after your Father died?"
Nodding, Catherine sadly answered, "Of course I do..."
She then reflectively added, "...I found so much comfort here that day with
you. We talked and just sat for hours..."
Vincent said that yes they did, but then he reminded Catherine, she had also
asked to stay below in the tunnels permanently that day.
Her thoughts fell back to that time, and dreamily she repeated, "I remember. I
realized
you were my whole world that day, and I told you I wanted to stay because
there was nothing left for me in the city above anymore."
Vincent hesitated a moment before he continued, "Yes...however you had
changed your mind a day or so later..."
Stepping up to his side, she hugged him about the waist, and as she raised a
guilty brow, she admitted, "Hmmm, I did, didn't I?"
Regretfully, she added, "I came to realize I wasn't ready yet to totally let
go...and...there was still more for me to learn about the love between us."
Lovingly, she looked up at him, and said, "But, I am ready now..."
Because she had a change of heart during that time, she curiously asked, "Are
you worried I may change my mind again Vincent?"
Taking in the scent of her hair, he spoke as he expelled a weary breath, saying,
"Yes...I suppose I am, and or asking if you have any second thoughts...earlier, I
thought I had sensed something..."
Stepping back away from him, she smiled as she pulled him over to a smooth
portion of the rocky ledge, and sat first as she sweetly said, "Come, you look
tired...sit down with me, and I will tell you some things."
As he settled in next to her, he leaned his head against hers and listened to what
she wanted to tell him. He loved listening to her, always, the inflection and
timbre her voice owned, had the ability to both ease and sooth him.
Her vocalization alone was one of the traits that drew him to her, like all things
Catherine, he loved and needed her so. But there was a special something when
she took on a nurturing tone speaking to him. This tone, usually occurred when
she needed to explain, or assure him in some way. Maybe it was a throwback to
an unfulfilled childhood need, that was now being met, by his beautiful
Catherine.
Intently he waited, as she gathered her thoughts and told him, "Earlier tonight at
my party, Jamie, Laura and Brooke asked me about the choices I had
made...about moving below to the tunnels, and quitting my job at the D.A.
And...were genuinely curious about my decision to give up the luxuries of living
above in the city."
So carefully, Catherine continued, "There we were...in my old apartment, to
them it seemed so glamorous...and for a moment, I tried to view my old life
through their eyes. I have to admit it did seem exciting. The elegant apartment I
moved out of, the prestigious job I left behind...Vincent, I know what I gave up,
was a good life. But as I explained, and expressed why it was so easy to leave it
all behind, my explanation served to reaffirm my commitment to you in my own
heart. I have my eyes wide open, and have no regrets about my choice. I know
what I am gaining, is a far richer, more precious treasure...a life here with you. I
am not looking back Vincent. I am here...THIS is my place now, I love you and
this is where I want to be..."
In a troubled tone, she sadly noted, "I'm disappointed you only felt something
from me that momentarily mirrored regret, and not feel my happiness too."
Vincent brought Catherine's hand to his lips and with a soft tender kiss, he
confessed, "I did sense your contentment as well, however shamefully, I wanted
to hear you tell me, one more time before tomorrow you are content here."
He then leaned back, and closed his eyes as he contemplated the happy life
before them. Catherine too leaned back, but couldn't stop the tears that were
mixed with both sadness and joy.
Sad, because of the pain of aloneness that must still dwell somewhere within
Vincent's heart, requiring assurances from her...and tears of joy, for the
happiness she knows awaits him...awaits them both.
As Vincent brought her into his embrace, he dried her tears, and said, "Let me
take you home."
The next day was very busy! There were people milling all around, dwellers and
helpers alike, and even Jennifer came below for the day, to help the girls with
the decorating too!
Neither Catherine or Vincent were allowed to help, so they spent the day,
moving both of their things into their new bedroom chamber.
It was fun and exciting for them to combine their things, however for Vincent, it
was a little melancholy too. Leaving his grand chamber was harder to do than he
realized it would be. This was his corner of the world for so long, that it really
was impossible to totally move out of it. So it was decided the chamber would
remain his for always, as a sort of a respite for them off the tunnel main.
As they cleared out a few of Vincent's drawers, Catherine found an old
forgotten treasure
he had saved from his boyhood. Lifting a broken Viking ship from a drawer, she
asked, "Was this a favorite toy Vincent?"
Looking over, he acknowledged, "Yes, it was. It was the vessel Devin and I
dreamed of sailing in. We named it the Empress. He was to be the captain, and
me, his first mate. He promised I would always be his co adjutant before
anyone else."
Noticing a sad faraway look in his eyes, Catherine asked, "Why does that make
you sad?"
In answer to her question, he then expounded, "There was a time, when I felt
our closeness had been diminished, by his newly found friendship with a boy
named Mitch Denton. They became fast friends soon after he moved down into
the tunnels."
Understanding the hurt of a broken camaraderie between pals, Catherine shared,
"I know how that feels when you are the odd person out."
She then put the focus back on Vincent and since she knew who Mitch was, as
a power hungry union man, Catherine asked, "What was Mitch like as a young
boy?"
To which Vincent answered, "Strong, defiant, adventurous. The perfect
companion for a boy such as Devin was back then."
He then admitted, "I was envious by the things they were able to do
together...things I could not."
Catherine inquisitively asked, "Like what Vincent?"
Dreamily, he replied, "They were able to go above to the city...when the sun
was shining, and the sky was blue. I would stay behind standing at the park
threshold, watching the iron door close between us. And although Devin never
knew, Mitch would secretly laugh at me, mockingly, so only I would see. I
believe he enjoyed the fact he was taking my brother away from me."
Angered by his cruelty, Catherine said, "That was mean!"
Agreeably, Vincent said, "Yes..."
Catherine then asked, "Why didn't you ever tell Devin about this cruel side to
Mitch and defeat his purpose."
Looking downward, Vincent said, "I didn't need to. Devin overheard Mitch
berating me one day, and put him in his place. From that day on, it was back to
as it once was between us again."
Happy for the satisfaction this sad story's end provided, Catherine said, "Well
good for you, and good for Devin...it sounds as if he was a protective older
brother."
In reply, Vincent said, "Yes...he was. And this toy ship symbolizes the many
dreams we once shared."
She then asked, "Well, I know this ship will go into the "Must Save" pile then."
To which Vincent agreed, and with thoughts of his brother laying heavy on his
mind, he continued packing. Catherine stood at his side, and refolded a few of
the garments Vincent had placed in his satchel, before asking, "Do you think
Devin knows you are getting married?"
Objectively, he stated, "I don't see how he could. He has not been in touch with
us for months."
Thinking that was too bad, Catherine stated, "If only there was a way..."
Vincent broke in saying, "There isn't! There just isn't Catherine. Since the day
he left the tunnels, we have come to accept communicating with Devin on his
terms. Believe me Catherine...nothing would please me more, but you, of all
people know how he is!"
Yes she did know how he was, after his stint of pretending to be a lawyer at the
D.A. Though, because of his and Jacob's reconciliation, she really thought he
was going to stay. And after saying this to Vincent, he replied, "Foolishly, I did
too, but his dreams of mountains, raging seas, and palaces shining golden in the
sun, were still alive in him. I am grateful though because of you, no matter
where he goes, he knows he has a place to come home to."
Feeling so proud she did help in mending their torn relations, she said no more,
as she sensed this was such a delicate subject for Vincent, and they then
continued with the emotional, yet pleasant task of moving day.
As they walked to their future chamber with Vincent's things, Catherine
reminded him, she would be leaving the tunnels with Jennifer right after supper,
to spend her last single night above as planned.
Disappointedly, Vincent relayed he would not be able to visit her, as they had
spoken about earlier. As it turned out, Jacob had planned a night of reflection
for just the two of them to partake and share.
Although Catherine was disappointed too, she told Vincent that sounded like a
very nice plan, and she was sure sharing such a time, would be so very
meaningful to them both.
As they put the last of Vincent's things away, Catherine mentioned, she wanted
to fit the younger girls in their new dresses. And so as she gathered the dresses
up from her bed, she asked, "Wanna come?"
To which he said, "I believe this would be a good time to check on Mouse. He
was still looking a little peaked at breakfast, and was going to lie back down."
With concern, Catherine said, "Tell him, I hope he is feeling better, and I have
heard taking a long walk, helps work out the kinks."
As Vincent stood thoughtful for a moment, he then said, "You have given me an
idea Catherine. Because of Mouse's toast to me last evening, I realize I may
need to be more attentive to our friendship. Perhaps I will suggest a hike to the
crystal caverns. I have been wanting to go...and perhaps this is just the situation
to prompt such a trip."
With a smile, Catherine told him that sounded like a great idea, and as she was
about to leave, she then said, "I will meet you back here at home then later this
afternoon."
Liking the sound of calling a single destination home for them both, Vincent
replied, "Yes...I will meet you here, at home."
As Catherine traveled through the tunnels, she heard giggling and laughing
coming from Rebecca's chamber, and above all the voices, she heard Jennifer's!
Laughing to herself, she thought my goodness, how Jennifer has managed to fit
right in!
She then wondered if she could at least say hi, and so she stopped at Rebecca's
threshold, and asked, "Am I allowed in?"
To which Rebecca good-naturedly welcomed her, saying, "Of course Catherine!"
Happy to join the girls, Catherine confessed, "Well I have been chased out of
two places today by Mary, and I am beginning to feel like I have the plague!"
With a hug, Jennifer said, "Mary wants everything to be just perfect, and as
much of a surprise as possible for you and Vincent. I will say that woman has
the heart of a true organizer! When I get married, she is the one I am putting in
charge!"
Everyone laughed, and then Olivia said, "Speaking of Mary, we better head
back to the Great Hall! We were only supposed to be gone long enough to get
the candles."
And so Catherine noted, "So you still have more to do then..."
Raising her arms full of dresses, Catherine disappointedly expressed to Jennifer,
"...I was hoping you could help me try the dresses on the younger girls. Since
they are a gift from you, I thought you would enjoy going too."
Jennifer wanting to go, but thought she better not, said, "Darn, I should report
back to the Sarge!"
Rebecca stepped up saying, "Go ahead Jennifer. Between us we can manage."
Happily complying, Jennifer said, "Thanks Becky! Looks like my schedule just
got freed up, I would love to go with you Cath!"
Just as they stepped out into the tunnel main, they stopped as they saw Vincent,
and Mouse coming toward them. They had their back packs on, along with
some provisions William prepared for them.
Pleased to see her suggestion to Vincent was in motion, she thought Mouse
already looked better just being with his hero. But not wanting to let on she
knew the reason behind this excursion, she nonchalantly asked, "Going
somewhere guys?"
To which Mouse beamed as he looked up at Vincent and declared, "Vincent and
me are headed for the Crystal Caverns. Sorry, but Vincent said only us two are
going."
Adding to this adventure, with a glint in his eye, Vincent then said, "Mouse and
I felt we would make this trip alone...as no one else knows the ways of the
preferred paths we take. We hope you both understand."
To which Jennifer asked, "Why is the way you go dangerous?"
Thinking this was a good question, Catherine listened intently, as Vincent said,
"Well uh no...not dangerous exactly..."
And so since Jennifer didn't know the whole story of Vincent spending time
with Mouse, Jennifer really thought the Crystal Cavern hike, sounded pretty
exciting, and so she declared, "Well, I love to hike, this sounds like fun!"
Looking up at Vincent, Mouse grew worried, he might cave letting the girls tag
along, and so he quickly inserted, "We only have enough water and food for
two! Sorry!"
Feigning disappointment, Catherine glanced at Jennifer, and then back at Mouse
and said, "Well of course we are disappointed, but WE DO understand. You
two be careful, and have fun."
To which Vincent said, "There is no doubt we will."
Mouse then held up his hour glass, and said, "Better go Vincent!"
Looking at his eager friend, Vincent said, "Alas, you are right my friend, as the
glass is loosing sand. Perhaps we could give it a flip, and begin our journey
anew."
Happily Mouse turned the hour glass over, and as they headed down the path,
Vincent looked back once more, and with a smile in his eyes, Vincent bade
them goodbye.
The girls both said goodbye in reply, and then Jennifer asked, "What was that
all about? Why did Mouse rub it in that we couldn't go?"
As they began their own trek to the children's chamber, Catherine explained
how Vincent felt Mouse was missing doing some of their escapades they used to
do all the time, and thought it might be nice to do something with him today."
To which Jennifer said, "Ah, that makes sense then why Vinny didn't ask us to
go. This trip is all about Mouse! Well I will say though, I would love to go see
the crystal Caverns one day. Maybe Ronny could take me."
And so Catherine asked, "Speaking of Ronny, have you had the chance to see
much of him today."
To which Jennifer relayed, "I sure did! We were working side by side in the
Great Hall all morning. The men had things to do, and of course we did too, and
we just had so much fun getting everything ready for your wedding Cath.
Everything looks beautiful...it really does, and everyone is sooo excited."
Jennifer then sincerely said, "It will be the wedding you dreamed of."
Catherine smiled at her friend, and then asked, "Jenny, are you crying?"
As Jennifer sniffled a bit, she admitted, "I guess a little...it's just that YOU ARE
GETTING MARRIED! I think even Peter was a little emotional today too, I
saw him off by himself just watching everyone, and he looked kind of misty
eyed."
Catherine then grew tearful too, and said, "Awee...sweet Peter."
She then continued, as she confided, "You know Peter feels responsible for me
since Dad died, and Jen, between you and me, I know Peter is wondering and
hoping my Dad would approve of his endorsing my marrying someone so
different from myself..."
To which Jennifer carefully asked, "Do you think your Dad would have
approved."
In reply, Catherine said, "I only know what I feel in my heart, and I know Dad
wanted me to be happy...and when Dad was in the hospital, late in the night,
Vincent had visited him with me, and he promised my Dad he would take care
of me, it wasn't long after that...Dad died. I think he was at peace knowing I
wasn't alone."
Tearfully, Jennifer said, "I never knew...maybe you should talk with Peter and
tell him."
Realizing Jennifer was right, Catherine said, "After we take the dresses to the
girls, I will."
On a more cheerful note, the girls approached the children's threshold, and all
they had to do was stand there, when Natalie gleefully skipped up to them
saying, "Hi Catherine and Jennifer!"
To which Catherine looked around the chamber, and asked, "What are you
three up to?"
In reply Samantha said, "I'm reading a story to them. Jamie said, I am getting
old enough to read stories to the little kids once in a while."
Catherine smiled at Jennifer, wanting her to present the dresses, and so Jennifer
began, "Well girls, we hate to interrupt, but you see I have these dresses, and I
wondered if any of them might fit you. If they do, then maybe you could have
them to wear to the wedding tomorrow."
Excitedly they said they would love to try them on, and so they each stood tall,
as the proportionate dress, was measured up to the appropriate girl.
Jennifer and Catherine had so much fun seeing the joy on their little faces trying
on a garment, the likes they had never owned before. And so as Catherine
picked out the smallest first, she said, "Let's slip this one on Natalie, I think it
should fit."
Samantha feeling very anxious to see if her dress fit, asked Jennifer and
Catherine, "Should I try mine on?"
Saying she should, Jennifer then offered, "Let me help slip it on over your head
Sam!"
Seeing it looked perfect on her, both Catherine and Jennifer said, she looked so
grown up!
Feeling grown up, Samantha said, "Thank you Jennifer! This dress is the
prettiest dress I have ever seen!"
After Natalie was fitted, Catherine then tried the middle sized dress on Katie,
and it was just the perfect fit for her too.
As the three did twirls and danced around in their new dresses, Jennifer and
Catherine had a hoot watching them, but then Catherine had to warn, "Maybe
we should slip them off for now, and save them for tomorrow. It's kind of
exciting we will all have new dresses to wear to the wedding uh?"
The girls gave thank you hugs to Catherine and Jennifer, and after all the
excitement, settled back down to finish the book Samantha was reading to them.
Catherine and Jennifer then ventured down through the tunnels toward
Catherine's chamber when they heard Mary, say, "Jennifer! There you are, we
could use your expertise please dear! Oh hello Catherine! How are you holding
up with all the excitement around here?"
A little nervously, she said, "I am doing good Mary, maybe just a little case of
the jitters, but nothing that is going to label me as a runaway bride!"
Jennifer started laughing at Catherine's little joke, and when the top-sider friends
didn't hear Mary laugh, they noticed her stone face turn white. Realizing the
thought of Catherine getting cold feet wasn't funny to the staunch Wedding
Planner, Jennifer cleared her throat, and said, "Well see ya Cath, duty calls!
Lead the way Mary."
Catherine watched as the two scooted off, and then Jennifer discreetly turned
back to share a look, which caused Catherine to silently laugh, and wave
goodbye to her good friend.
Since Vincent would be gone for some time, Catherine thought this may be a
good time to visit Peter.
As she stepped to his threshold, she asked, "Are you busy Peter?"
To which he stood up, and thoughtfully said, "Just organizing some things. I am
still arranging and rearranging all my stuff. Everything all right?"
As she stepped in, Catherine realized she didn't know what exactly she wanted
to say. And so she carefully began, "I was talking to Jenny today, and I told her
something I had never told her before, and I realized, I don't think I ever told
you either..."
She then continued, "...right before Dad died, in the hospital, Vincent spoke
with him. Did you know?"
Questionably, Peter shook his head no, and then said, "No, I didn't know..."
Explaining, Catherine said, "I suppose with everything I was dealing with, I
either thought I had told you, or forgot to. No excuses, I should have, and that
is why I am bringing it up now. You of all people should know."
Peter listened, as Catherine gathered her thoughts, and said, "After Dad fell ill, I
told Vincent of how much I wanted to tell my Dad, all the things I felt I
couldn't. And so, Vincent suggested, that it wasn't too late, and I could still tell
him the things I felt so bad about hiding from him. And so I did. I told him all
about Vincent, and of how he took care of me when I was injured, and I told
him he was with me still, and so I wouldn't be alone. It was then Vincent
stepped up and told him, he would watch over me, and keep me safe. And...it
wasn't long after, Dad died."
Tears came to Peter's eyes, as he thoughtfully whispered, "So your Dad knew
Vincent was in your life..."
To which Catherine verified, saying, "Yes...yes I believe with all my heart he
heard us that night Peter, and for some reason today, I thought maybe it was
important for you to know, because of what Vincent had said, Dad was able to
die at peace."
Peter took Catherine into his arms, and as he embraced her, he couldn't find the
words, which could express the concern he has had, wondering what Charles
would have wanted for his daughter.
He after all was Charles best friend, and he too made death bed promises to him
concerning Catherine, as he lied paralyzed in a pseudo coma.
And so he cleared his voice of emotion, and simply said, "I did need to hear this
today, today in particular. Knowing on some level, your Dad was able to give
you his Blessing means so much...it means more than you could know."
He then raised a brow, as he smiled and said, "You know I don't take being
your surrogate father lightly."
As she tearfully smiled up at him, she replied, "I know...and that's why I love
you so much."
Catherine then said, "Well, I am a little tired, I think I will lie down before
supper."
Peter in reply said, "Yes....that's a good idea, you do look a little tired, I'll see
you in a bit kiddo."
With a hug to this dear man, Catherine said, "If you stop by, we can walk
together. Vincent should be back by then."
Saying that was a great idea, Peter said he would.
To be continued
Chapter Forty
| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Thirty-Nine |
