With an urgency, Catherine continued as she urged, "So please...just try and focus on Anna right now Vincent, not on the evilness of Paracelsus."
Catherine, softened her voice, as she reminded Vincent, "Mother's Day is only days away. With the discovery of Anna's journal, and of the lovely photograph of you both together...well Vincent, you really have something now you can cherish from your Mother."
Vincent, nodded knowing what Catherine had said, was true. An enlightening discovery such as these pictures and passages from Anna's journal...would have made all the difference for him as a young boy.
They would have aided him in finding his true sense of self-worth early on, and provided him the roots to a Mother, which he so badly needed.
Vincent with hovering emotions asked, "Catherine may I ask you to obtain Anna's journal, and the pictures from her desk?"
Catherine said, she would do that for him, and as she got up to leave, she heard Rebecca call from the threshold. "Hello, I am back!"
Catherine swept the curtain aside, and smiled as she saw Rebecca had returned with both the soup, and fresh candles for Vincent's chamber, and so happily, she noted, "Oh good, provisions!"
Rebecca replied, "Yes, and the soup smells delicious!"
She then excitedly relayed to both Catherine and Vincent, "Oh you wouldn't believe the reception Father just received in the Dining Hall! The children all gathered around him, and they all had questions."
Vincent laughed silently as he said, "And knowing the children... they will have many."
Rebecca surely answered, "They do! In addition, of course they were asking about you and Catherine! They want to see you both so badly."
Vincent attempted to get up and then painfully said, "I should go then..."
Rebecca rushed to his side and said, "Don't you even think about it Vincent!"
Catherine too urged him to stay put and said, "Maybe by tomorrow..."
Rebecca then expounded, "Father explained to them, and they seem to understand...though still they are concerned, and so very inquisitive."
Catherine tenderly smiled as she fondly said, "Children...so full of wonder and awe..."
Vincent looked at Catherine as she reflected on the children, and thought many things. However the main thought that deeply struck him, was of what a great Mother she would be.
Vincent tipped his head slightly as this thought, surprisingly...did not seem as impossible to him, as it once had...
As Rebecca chatted away, her words penetrated Catherine's thoughts, and she then remembered her mission to get Anna's things for Vincent.
Catherine then checked with Rebecca, "So, you will be here with Vincent, until I return?"
Rebecca happily replied, "Yes I will be here, I'll watch over him."
Rebecca then added, "Just take your time, I know Mary is coming back to check on Vincent later as well, and knowing Father...need I say more?"
Vincent smiled at the two, and marveled, "How can one man be so fortunate?"
Rebecca teased him, "You must be living right Vincent!"
Thinking about the children worrying, Catherine then suggested, "I could stop at the Dining Hall for a moment and see the children..."
Vincent nodded and said, "Yes Catherine...they would like that."
Catherine nodded, and held Vincent's gaze as she lovingly said, "All right then, I'll be back soon."
Rebecca waited until Catherine left as not to interrupt their moment, and then sat on the edge of Vincent's bed, to spoon him his soup.
Astonishingly, she said, "Vincent, the relationship between you two...seems so strong, it is an amazing thing to witness!"
Vincent tipped his head in wonder and said, "I was not aware to the extent until..."
He then lowered his eyes, as he solemnly requested, "May I confide in you Rebecca?"
Rebecca felt humbled and so honored he would want to entrust her with a confidence, and so without reserve, softly she said, "Of course Vincent..."
Vincent wearily said, "As I tried to fight off the drug Paracelsus gave me, I lost myself."
A faraway look then fell over Vincent's face, and shamefully he began to reveal, "Paracelsus had locked Catherine and I into a cage together, and for a moment, I forgot who I was...and who Catherine was as well."
With tears in his eyes, Vincent looked up at Rebecca and speculated, "What if I...would have succumbed...what if I would have harmed Catherine?"
Rebecca encouragingly said, "But you didn't Vincent! You didn't! You fought it and won. Your reserve is too strong...your heart...too good to be overshadowed."
Vincent looked downward, as he revealed, "I believe it was the goodness in Catherine's heart that saved me, not any goodness in mine. She urged I reach through our bond...the power I felt...Rebecca, it was a wondrous thing she did for me."
Rebecca nodded and said, "And it is a wondrous thing you did too Vincent. You defied him by listening to Catherine...you chose to hone into her love and not his hate! And now everyone is back home."
Feeling bolstered by Rebecca's assurances, Vincent still confessed, "I cannot deny, I am haunted knowing I was so lost. When I think I may have..."
Rebecca then softly scolded, "It does you no good to think about what might have happened..."
A tear fell as Rebecca then said, "You mustn't overlook your own rectitude Vincent."
Vincent, with a tired smile, thankfully said, "Ah Rebecca...always the optimistic one. You look for the good always."
Rebecca smiled and with a thoughtful look said, "Funny, all through my life I have been such a worrier, I somehow viewed myself as a pessimist."
Vincent shook his head, and said, "Not you Rebecca..."
Rebecca lightly laughed as she surmised, "Well perhaps we are both right Vincent, perhaps I am an optimistic pessimist. I am ALWAYS sure something WILL go wrong."
Vincent sleepily smiled, and said, "Ah Rebecca..."
Rebecca looked at Vincent with wonder, thinking of how her and Vincent's friendship has deepened since Lisa's return, since their heartfelt talk.
Rebecca took a deep breath and as she set the empty soup bowl down, she said, "Well, you rest now Vincent. I am just going to replace some of the candles around your chamber."
As Rebecca reached into her wicker basket, she pulled out an iridescent candle, a mellow shade of yellow and walked to Vincent's writing table.
Rebecca turned to Vincent, to see if his eyes were still open, and when she saw they were, she said efficiently, "I thought this special Bee's wax candle would give you a greater light as you read and write at your table...shall I light it and see Vincent?"
Vincent nodded, and said, "Yes Please Rebecca."
Rebecca stood back after lighting the candles wick, and admired the softest of glows that had illuminated from it.
As she turned to pleasingly smile at Vincent, she said, "Well I don't know about brighter, but it is a pretty flame...don't you think so too Vincent?"
Vincent in agreement said, "Yes, it provides a most soothing flame. It was thoughtful of you to bring it here for me."
Rebecca pleasantly commented, "Yes I wanted you to have it. I only had enough beehive wax to roll 2 candles...and I wanted to gift Father with one as well."
Vincent softly said, "So I am indeed fortunate to have received one then. Thank you Rebecca."
Rebecca, then dug into her basket, and responded, "Ah you are most welcome Vincent. Vincent?"
Rebecca looked over at him, to see why he did not reply with a pleasantry of his own.
She then smiled as she noticed he had fallen asleep!
Busily Rebecca quietly bustled about the chamber, interchanging the candles for Vincent as he rested his eyes.
Just then, Lisa burst into Vincent's chamber, exalting, "Vincent! Thank God you are alive!"
As she hugged him, she tearfully expressed, "I am so happy you are all right Vincent! It sounds horrendous what you have all been through!"
Upon hearing all the ruckus, Rebecca turned with a start, and though it was too late to keep Lisa from waking Vincent, she did cautiously warn, "Lisa, Vincent has bruised ribs!"
To which Lisa stood up and brought her hands to her mouth and apologetically said, "Oh, I am so sorry Vincent! Did I hurt you?"
Vincent tried not to wince as he recovered from the pain Lisa induced with her flailing embrace!
Assuredly, yet...carefully he said, "I am fine Lisa."
Lisa then tearfully said, "I came just as soon as I could Vincent. I crossed paths with Lou as he was on his way to contact Peter this afternoon."
Lisa then spoke in a clarifying angry tone, "So the legendary Paracelsus has come out of hiding!"
Lisa walked toward Vincent's writing table, and for a moment she watched the dancing flame, when suddenly she turned around and dreamily said, "But Father is back, and he is all right...I am so thankful you both are!"
Rebecca informatively added, "Did you know Catherine and Jennifer were abducted too Lisa?"
Lisa turned to Rebecca and said, "Yes, and I am thankful they are back safely too."
Lisa then broke down and knelt next to Vincent's bed and cried as she said, "Oh Vincent...Rebecca, you don't know how this has affected me! If I had found you, only to lose you all over again, I..."
Lisa laid her head down on Vincent's bed and as she heaved, her tears and wails came in waves.
Vincent re-assuredly said, "No need to cry Lisa." he then raised his eyes, and shared a knowing look with Rebecca.
A smile came to both of their eyes, as they both thought of how much...in an odd sort of way, they had missed Lisa's dramatics. And thought too, even though Lisa has made great strides correcting some character flaws, she still managed to turn a situation around, making it all about her.
Rebecca then approached Lisa too, to help comfort her and said, "Calm down Lisa, everyone is all right...no need to cry."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, after a thunderous welcome from the community, mainly the children, Catherine then sat with Jacob in the Dining Hall, and helped answer questions anyone had for them.
And because they didn't want to frighten the children any more than they were, they attempted to answer in such a way, that gave them an accurate account of their abduction, yet did not cause additional worry.
Kipper, who was so very impressed by Jacob's bravery asked Catherine, "So tell us again Catherine! Father told Paracelsus if he did not free you and Vincent, that he and Jamie, and Mouse and Jennifer and Ronald and Pascal would fight till their death?"
Catherine looked at Jacob, and with admiration in her eyes, she smiled and confirmed, "Yes he did Kipper. Father said neither he, nor the others would be leaving with out us! And it was then Pascal, Jamie, Ronald, Mouse, and my friend Jennifer, all stepped up to line up with Father!"
To which Jacob assertively added, "Yes! I believe our victory was based on the fact, we took a united stance, prompting Paracelsus to back down."
With a thoughtful nod, Catherine added, "And that may have been the pivotal moment...because it showed Paracelsus how strong everyone's love was for Vincent."
After hearing Catherine's view point, Jacob looked at Catherine, and boldly said, "I meant what I had said to Paracelsus Catherine, we were not going to leave without Vincent or YOU!"
Emotion softened Catherine's voice as she looked back at Jacob, and said, "Thank you Father."
After hearing all this intel, Samantha looked at Catherine and then to Jacob in amazement and said, "So you and Vincent owe Father and the others your life, uh Catherine?"
Catherine nodded, and discreetly wiped a tear away, as she attempted to lighten the moment, by cheerfully answering, "Yes Samantha. Thanks to Father leading the charge, I am sitting here with you right now, and Vincent is in his chamber getting better by the minute!"
And then Kipper noted, "So Father, let me get this straight...first you and Jennifer were prisoners and then turned into rescuers! And Vincent started out a rescuer and then turned into a prisoner! But Catherine was only a prisoner, no rescuer, right?"
With a tip of his head, Jacob argued, "Oh not so! Catherine came to my aid at the threshold, where it all transpired, before she herself was captured by the drones. And when Vincent and the others came to rescue us, she insisted on going last after Jennifer and I were raised up through the bars...but sadly, before Catherine could escape as well, the drones came back to fight and put an injured Vincent in the cage with her, so she tended to his wounds and I am not exaggerating when I say, saved his life."
Upon hearing all that Catherine did, Samantha with admiration said, "Wow, you were soooo brave to fight a drone, and I think it was pretty nice of you to go last too!"
And then Zak added, "Glad you don't faint at the sight of blood Catherine, or Vincent would be a goner right now!"
Catherine smiled at Father and explained to the gathering, "Well, we all did things today, that maybe we didn't think we could do. And thanks to everyone's bravery in one way or another, Jennifer is going back above...safely back to her home, and Jamie, Pascal, Ronald, Father, Vincent and I are all back here at home, where we can now feel safe."
And then Zach asked Jacob, "So is Paracelsus nice now? I mean cuz he gave you the key to unlock the cage Catherine and Vincent were in."
Thoughtfully, Jacob looked at each of the children and answered, "Nice? I am unsure if nice would be the word to use for a man such as he. However, I do believe maybe...he saw the error of his ways. And perhaps his heart has softened, and had done so in such a manner, it enabled him to remember the friendship we once shared. Well that is enough for tonight. It is getting late."
Taking a deep breath, Jacob then stood, and said, "And just so you know, there isn't any need for concern. For I have ordered many additional sentries to be on duty. And they are keeping an extra eye out, so we may feel safe and secure in our warm snuggly beds tonight."
The children all expressed their opinions on this, and it was Kipper who said, "Good thinkin' Father."
Smiling at the young man, Jacob expressed, "Glad you think so Kipper."
And then Jacob added, "Oh my, it is nearly time for bed, is it not?"
And after they all said it was, Joseph looked up at Catherine and asked, "Will you read to us tonight?"
To which Catherine sorrowfully said, "There is nothing I would love more, but I am supposed to be on an errand for Vincent, and I hate to keep him waiting too long. I promise I will tomorrow night."
As Joseph looked disappointed, Jacob put a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, "Now Joseph, no pouting. As Catherine promised, she shall read to you tomorrow. Now I am sure Brooke will be glad to read...in fact she and Laura are here for you now..."
And so Laura and Brooke gathered the children and as they departed, Jacob assuredly said, "Goodnight children, rest assured all is well in the tunnels tonight."
And after the they left Jacob discreetly asked several of the male population to follow Laura and Brooke's entourage making sure they traveled the tunnels safely.
And so Catherine remained with Jacob, and as they looked at one another, the two ex-captives expressed their joy at the days outcome, and privately admitted of how frightened they really were.
Catherine then said, "Well I am going to go get those things for Vincent, will I see you later on Father?"
To which Jacob replied, "Yes, I will be there directly. I thought I may check with William to see if there is a treat of some sort to take with me for us to nosh on. You must be hungry too Dear."
To which Catherine admitted, "You know...I think I am."
So a bit later, as Catherine headed for Vincent's chamber with the photos and journal in hand, a thought struck her, and she decided to take a detour instead.
To be continued
Chapter Fourteen
Catherine, softened her voice, as she reminded Vincent, "Mother's Day is only days away. With the discovery of Anna's journal, and of the lovely photograph of you both together...well Vincent, you really have something now you can cherish from your Mother."
Vincent, nodded knowing what Catherine had said, was true. An enlightening discovery such as these pictures and passages from Anna's journal...would have made all the difference for him as a young boy.
They would have aided him in finding his true sense of self-worth early on, and provided him the roots to a Mother, which he so badly needed.
Vincent with hovering emotions asked, "Catherine may I ask you to obtain Anna's journal, and the pictures from her desk?"
Catherine said, she would do that for him, and as she got up to leave, she heard Rebecca call from the threshold. "Hello, I am back!"
Catherine swept the curtain aside, and smiled as she saw Rebecca had returned with both the soup, and fresh candles for Vincent's chamber, and so happily, she noted, "Oh good, provisions!"
Rebecca replied, "Yes, and the soup smells delicious!"
She then excitedly relayed to both Catherine and Vincent, "Oh you wouldn't believe the reception Father just received in the Dining Hall! The children all gathered around him, and they all had questions."
Vincent laughed silently as he said, "And knowing the children... they will have many."
Rebecca surely answered, "They do! In addition, of course they were asking about you and Catherine! They want to see you both so badly."
Vincent attempted to get up and then painfully said, "I should go then..."
Rebecca rushed to his side and said, "Don't you even think about it Vincent!"
Catherine too urged him to stay put and said, "Maybe by tomorrow..."
Rebecca then expounded, "Father explained to them, and they seem to understand...though still they are concerned, and so very inquisitive."
Catherine tenderly smiled as she fondly said, "Children...so full of wonder and awe..."
Vincent looked at Catherine as she reflected on the children, and thought many things. However the main thought that deeply struck him, was of what a great Mother she would be.
Vincent tipped his head slightly as this thought, surprisingly...did not seem as impossible to him, as it once had...
As Rebecca chatted away, her words penetrated Catherine's thoughts, and she then remembered her mission to get Anna's things for Vincent.
Catherine then checked with Rebecca, "So, you will be here with Vincent, until I return?"
Rebecca happily replied, "Yes I will be here, I'll watch over him."
Rebecca then added, "Just take your time, I know Mary is coming back to check on Vincent later as well, and knowing Father...need I say more?"
Vincent smiled at the two, and marveled, "How can one man be so fortunate?"
Rebecca teased him, "You must be living right Vincent!"
Thinking about the children worrying, Catherine then suggested, "I could stop at the Dining Hall for a moment and see the children..."
Vincent nodded and said, "Yes Catherine...they would like that."
Catherine nodded, and held Vincent's gaze as she lovingly said, "All right then, I'll be back soon."
Rebecca waited until Catherine left as not to interrupt their moment, and then sat on the edge of Vincent's bed, to spoon him his soup.
Astonishingly, she said, "Vincent, the relationship between you two...seems so strong, it is an amazing thing to witness!"
Vincent tipped his head in wonder and said, "I was not aware to the extent until..."
He then lowered his eyes, as he solemnly requested, "May I confide in you Rebecca?"
Rebecca felt humbled and so honored he would want to entrust her with a confidence, and so without reserve, softly she said, "Of course Vincent..."
Vincent wearily said, "As I tried to fight off the drug Paracelsus gave me, I lost myself."
A faraway look then fell over Vincent's face, and shamefully he began to reveal, "Paracelsus had locked Catherine and I into a cage together, and for a moment, I forgot who I was...and who Catherine was as well."
With tears in his eyes, Vincent looked up at Rebecca and speculated, "What if I...would have succumbed...what if I would have harmed Catherine?"
Rebecca encouragingly said, "But you didn't Vincent! You didn't! You fought it and won. Your reserve is too strong...your heart...too good to be overshadowed."
Vincent looked downward, as he revealed, "I believe it was the goodness in Catherine's heart that saved me, not any goodness in mine. She urged I reach through our bond...the power I felt...Rebecca, it was a wondrous thing she did for me."
Rebecca nodded and said, "And it is a wondrous thing you did too Vincent. You defied him by listening to Catherine...you chose to hone into her love and not his hate! And now everyone is back home."
Feeling bolstered by Rebecca's assurances, Vincent still confessed, "I cannot deny, I am haunted knowing I was so lost. When I think I may have..."
Rebecca then softly scolded, "It does you no good to think about what might have happened..."
A tear fell as Rebecca then said, "You mustn't overlook your own rectitude Vincent."
Vincent, with a tired smile, thankfully said, "Ah Rebecca...always the optimistic one. You look for the good always."
Rebecca smiled and with a thoughtful look said, "Funny, all through my life I have been such a worrier, I somehow viewed myself as a pessimist."
Vincent shook his head, and said, "Not you Rebecca..."
Rebecca lightly laughed as she surmised, "Well perhaps we are both right Vincent, perhaps I am an optimistic pessimist. I am ALWAYS sure something WILL go wrong."
Vincent sleepily smiled, and said, "Ah Rebecca..."
Rebecca looked at Vincent with wonder, thinking of how her and Vincent's friendship has deepened since Lisa's return, since their heartfelt talk.
Rebecca took a deep breath and as she set the empty soup bowl down, she said, "Well, you rest now Vincent. I am just going to replace some of the candles around your chamber."
As Rebecca reached into her wicker basket, she pulled out an iridescent candle, a mellow shade of yellow and walked to Vincent's writing table.
Rebecca turned to Vincent, to see if his eyes were still open, and when she saw they were, she said efficiently, "I thought this special Bee's wax candle would give you a greater light as you read and write at your table...shall I light it and see Vincent?"
Vincent nodded, and said, "Yes Please Rebecca."
Rebecca stood back after lighting the candles wick, and admired the softest of glows that had illuminated from it.
As she turned to pleasingly smile at Vincent, she said, "Well I don't know about brighter, but it is a pretty flame...don't you think so too Vincent?"
Vincent in agreement said, "Yes, it provides a most soothing flame. It was thoughtful of you to bring it here for me."
Rebecca pleasantly commented, "Yes I wanted you to have it. I only had enough beehive wax to roll 2 candles...and I wanted to gift Father with one as well."
Vincent softly said, "So I am indeed fortunate to have received one then. Thank you Rebecca."
Rebecca, then dug into her basket, and responded, "Ah you are most welcome Vincent. Vincent?"
Rebecca looked over at him, to see why he did not reply with a pleasantry of his own.
She then smiled as she noticed he had fallen asleep!
Busily Rebecca quietly bustled about the chamber, interchanging the candles for Vincent as he rested his eyes.
Just then, Lisa burst into Vincent's chamber, exalting, "Vincent! Thank God you are alive!"
As she hugged him, she tearfully expressed, "I am so happy you are all right Vincent! It sounds horrendous what you have all been through!"
Upon hearing all the ruckus, Rebecca turned with a start, and though it was too late to keep Lisa from waking Vincent, she did cautiously warn, "Lisa, Vincent has bruised ribs!"
To which Lisa stood up and brought her hands to her mouth and apologetically said, "Oh, I am so sorry Vincent! Did I hurt you?"
Vincent tried not to wince as he recovered from the pain Lisa induced with her flailing embrace!
Assuredly, yet...carefully he said, "I am fine Lisa."
Lisa then tearfully said, "I came just as soon as I could Vincent. I crossed paths with Lou as he was on his way to contact Peter this afternoon."
Lisa then spoke in a clarifying angry tone, "So the legendary Paracelsus has come out of hiding!"
Lisa walked toward Vincent's writing table, and for a moment she watched the dancing flame, when suddenly she turned around and dreamily said, "But Father is back, and he is all right...I am so thankful you both are!"
Rebecca informatively added, "Did you know Catherine and Jennifer were abducted too Lisa?"
Lisa turned to Rebecca and said, "Yes, and I am thankful they are back safely too."
Lisa then broke down and knelt next to Vincent's bed and cried as she said, "Oh Vincent...Rebecca, you don't know how this has affected me! If I had found you, only to lose you all over again, I..."
Lisa laid her head down on Vincent's bed and as she heaved, her tears and wails came in waves.
Vincent re-assuredly said, "No need to cry Lisa." he then raised his eyes, and shared a knowing look with Rebecca.
A smile came to both of their eyes, as they both thought of how much...in an odd sort of way, they had missed Lisa's dramatics. And thought too, even though Lisa has made great strides correcting some character flaws, she still managed to turn a situation around, making it all about her.
Rebecca then approached Lisa too, to help comfort her and said, "Calm down Lisa, everyone is all right...no need to cry."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, after a thunderous welcome from the community, mainly the children, Catherine then sat with Jacob in the Dining Hall, and helped answer questions anyone had for them.
And because they didn't want to frighten the children any more than they were, they attempted to answer in such a way, that gave them an accurate account of their abduction, yet did not cause additional worry.
Kipper, who was so very impressed by Jacob's bravery asked Catherine, "So tell us again Catherine! Father told Paracelsus if he did not free you and Vincent, that he and Jamie, and Mouse and Jennifer and Ronald and Pascal would fight till their death?"
Catherine looked at Jacob, and with admiration in her eyes, she smiled and confirmed, "Yes he did Kipper. Father said neither he, nor the others would be leaving with out us! And it was then Pascal, Jamie, Ronald, Mouse, and my friend Jennifer, all stepped up to line up with Father!"
To which Jacob assertively added, "Yes! I believe our victory was based on the fact, we took a united stance, prompting Paracelsus to back down."
With a thoughtful nod, Catherine added, "And that may have been the pivotal moment...because it showed Paracelsus how strong everyone's love was for Vincent."
After hearing Catherine's view point, Jacob looked at Catherine, and boldly said, "I meant what I had said to Paracelsus Catherine, we were not going to leave without Vincent or YOU!"
Emotion softened Catherine's voice as she looked back at Jacob, and said, "Thank you Father."
After hearing all this intel, Samantha looked at Catherine and then to Jacob in amazement and said, "So you and Vincent owe Father and the others your life, uh Catherine?"
Catherine nodded, and discreetly wiped a tear away, as she attempted to lighten the moment, by cheerfully answering, "Yes Samantha. Thanks to Father leading the charge, I am sitting here with you right now, and Vincent is in his chamber getting better by the minute!"
And then Kipper noted, "So Father, let me get this straight...first you and Jennifer were prisoners and then turned into rescuers! And Vincent started out a rescuer and then turned into a prisoner! But Catherine was only a prisoner, no rescuer, right?"
With a tip of his head, Jacob argued, "Oh not so! Catherine came to my aid at the threshold, where it all transpired, before she herself was captured by the drones. And when Vincent and the others came to rescue us, she insisted on going last after Jennifer and I were raised up through the bars...but sadly, before Catherine could escape as well, the drones came back to fight and put an injured Vincent in the cage with her, so she tended to his wounds and I am not exaggerating when I say, saved his life."
Upon hearing all that Catherine did, Samantha with admiration said, "Wow, you were soooo brave to fight a drone, and I think it was pretty nice of you to go last too!"
And then Zak added, "Glad you don't faint at the sight of blood Catherine, or Vincent would be a goner right now!"
Catherine smiled at Father and explained to the gathering, "Well, we all did things today, that maybe we didn't think we could do. And thanks to everyone's bravery in one way or another, Jennifer is going back above...safely back to her home, and Jamie, Pascal, Ronald, Father, Vincent and I are all back here at home, where we can now feel safe."
And then Zach asked Jacob, "So is Paracelsus nice now? I mean cuz he gave you the key to unlock the cage Catherine and Vincent were in."
Thoughtfully, Jacob looked at each of the children and answered, "Nice? I am unsure if nice would be the word to use for a man such as he. However, I do believe maybe...he saw the error of his ways. And perhaps his heart has softened, and had done so in such a manner, it enabled him to remember the friendship we once shared. Well that is enough for tonight. It is getting late."
Taking a deep breath, Jacob then stood, and said, "And just so you know, there isn't any need for concern. For I have ordered many additional sentries to be on duty. And they are keeping an extra eye out, so we may feel safe and secure in our warm snuggly beds tonight."
The children all expressed their opinions on this, and it was Kipper who said, "Good thinkin' Father."
Smiling at the young man, Jacob expressed, "Glad you think so Kipper."
And then Jacob added, "Oh my, it is nearly time for bed, is it not?"
And after they all said it was, Joseph looked up at Catherine and asked, "Will you read to us tonight?"
To which Catherine sorrowfully said, "There is nothing I would love more, but I am supposed to be on an errand for Vincent, and I hate to keep him waiting too long. I promise I will tomorrow night."
As Joseph looked disappointed, Jacob put a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, "Now Joseph, no pouting. As Catherine promised, she shall read to you tomorrow. Now I am sure Brooke will be glad to read...in fact she and Laura are here for you now..."
And so Laura and Brooke gathered the children and as they departed, Jacob assuredly said, "Goodnight children, rest assured all is well in the tunnels tonight."
And after the they left Jacob discreetly asked several of the male population to follow Laura and Brooke's entourage making sure they traveled the tunnels safely.
And so Catherine remained with Jacob, and as they looked at one another, the two ex-captives expressed their joy at the days outcome, and privately admitted of how frightened they really were.
Catherine then said, "Well I am going to go get those things for Vincent, will I see you later on Father?"
To which Jacob replied, "Yes, I will be there directly. I thought I may check with William to see if there is a treat of some sort to take with me for us to nosh on. You must be hungry too Dear."
To which Catherine admitted, "You know...I think I am."
So a bit later, as Catherine headed for Vincent's chamber with the photos and journal in hand, a thought struck her, and she decided to take a detour instead.
To be continued
Chapter Fourteen
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Thirteen |
