Catherine and Vincent took their time walking back to the main tunnels, and Catherine told Vincent she was worried he might discover his surprise early somehow. And then she told him about Jamie and Laura discovering the mural in production as they delivered Elizabeth her meal.
Vincent declared his innocence, and with a smile in his eyes, said he didn't have a clue such a wondrous gift was in store for him.
Catherine beamed with joy as she walked at his side, hugging his arm with both of hers, thrilled that she had managed to pull this off without a glitch for Vincent!
The two entered the Dining Hall, just in time to eat dinner with the others of the community.
Catherine and Vincent sat on the other side of the table from Jamie and Laura, and the two girls kept smiling smugly at Vincent.
They were beside themselves with gloating, since they were privy to the surprise Catherine had planned for him, and they could not wait to hear all about his reaction to the mural.
Jamie then slyly asked, "So Vincent where have you and Catherine been? Everyone else has been back for quite a while now from the Catacombs. And Pascal said Catherine wanted to take you somewhere!"
Because of Jamie's smugness from knowing about something he didn't, Vincent thought he would string her along a little, by matter-of-factly answering, "She did."
Laura too was becoming anxious to hear if they went to the Painted Tunnels, signed, "I wonder where?"
Jamie then too added, "Yeah...SO...WHERE DID SHE TAKE YOU?"
Having a little fun, he then teasingly said, "We received word of huge rodent near your chambers. So I had to set numerous traps all about the floor, so be careful when you enter tonight."
Jamie took a huge gulp of air, and said, "This is the first time I have heard anything about a huge Rodent!"
And then Laura signed, "How huge is huge?"
Catherine saw the girls were becoming more anxious by the minute, so she looked disapprovingly as she sized Vincent up, and irritatingly answered, "I would say about 6'2"!"
Catherine then soothingly told them, "Vincent is only teasing you..."
She then turned to Vincent and pleaded, "...tell them before they burst!"
Vincent looked downward smiling guiltily and said, "To answer your original question, well, as you both already know...Catherine had taken me to the Painted Tunnels."
To which Jamie asked, "What did you think Vincent? Were you surprised or what?"
But before he could answer, she boasted, "We've known about it waayyyyy before you did! And we kept it secret too!"
Rebecca sitting by Vincent, was clueless as to what was going on, and so she asked, "What was it Catherine wanted to show you at the Painted Tunnels?"
To which Vincent replied, "She wanted to show me the addition to my mural Elizabeth had painted. All I can say is, it is astounding. Having Anna included there now, beginning today of all days, on Mother's Day, is wonderful."
By now everyone in the Dining Hall heard about the mural, even Jacob and were all delighted by it! They all then listened as Vincent proceeded to tell the story, explaining when everyone had feared for Catherine's safety, well...she was actually with Elizabeth, showing her the pictures she wanted replicated of Anna and of himself as an infant, on the Painted Tunnels.
Everyone loved the story of how Catherine and Elizabeth were able to surprise Vincent, and excitedly said they would plan a visit to the Painted Tunnels soon, to see it for themselves.
After an enjoyable visit with everyone, Catherine and Vincent excused themselves early, as it had been a long day.
It had been a day with many emotional ups, and downs, and they were both most eager to just go back to Catherine's chamber to relax.
Cozily they sat together, and Vincent with great emotion tried to express his gratitude for all Catherine had done for him, in preparing for this special Mother's Day.
He had truly been able put to rest this day, the torment from the many questions that once plagued him about his Birth Mother. And by placing that stone at Anna's resting place, he was able to openly declare a son's devotion to a Mother who loved him by choice, not by obligation or because of genetics.
This thought alone, had lifted him above and beyond all the old hurt, and painful lifelong scars.
He tightened his embrace, and then huskily said, "Catherine, you inspired me to express what I was feeling for Anna. For that vision you owned, in foreseeing its value, I wonder...how can I truly thank you?"
Catherine thoughtfully said, "Vincent...the loss of our Mother's, is a pain we both share. No one else can begin to understand what we feel. And...well, I am just glad knowing I helped you. I love you, and I only want to see you happy and have peace in your heart."
Vincent considered Catherine's declaration, professing her love for him, and he could only tip his head in wonder as he looked down to behold his beautiful Catherine.
He held her gently, and tenderly, and he softly kissed her hair before leaning his head to hers. Contentedly, he let go a sigh within a yawn, and settled a little deeper into the sofa.
Catherine raised her eyes and smiled at her resting Vincent, as she suggested, before he became too comfortable, maybe he should go back to his chamber and get a good nights rest.
Wanting so badly to stay right where he was, arguing it wasn't even that late, he however...reluctantly, upon Catherine's insistence, agreed to retire to his chamber.
She stood at the threshold with him, and with care, she adjusted the ties on his shirt. She then looked up at him, and said, "Tomorrow I start my class with the children."
Vincent brushed the hair from her eyes, and said, "I heard Father inform the children after supper about you overseeing their reading instruction. They were very pleased to hear this Catherine."
She smiled and said, "Good, I am glad."
After one last embrace, he then began his lonesome stride back to his chamber.
As he lay alone in his huge bed, he realized this was useless! There was no way he could relax, or sleep!
He then sat up in his bed, wondering what he was waiting for? No longer was there any reason to put off a trek to the Falls and delay his proposal.
With a determined pace, he walked to his wardrobe, and he mindfully retrieved the engagement ring he was to give to Catherine.
So...he decided...that tonight...right now, he would go to her, invite her to the Chamber of the Falls, and it would be there, where he would ask her to marry him.
As he stood at Catherine's threshold, he could see she was already in bed. He softly whispered her name, and waited for her to answer, nervously he thought if she had fallen asleep, then his proposal would have to wait until tomorrow.
As he softly spoke her name once more, his heart sank, as there was no reply.
Just as he was about to turn away, he heard Catherine speak his name, in an inquiring tone. Softly she said, "Vincent?"
Vincent turned around and answered, "Yes Catherine...did I wake you?"
Catherine sat up in her bed, and smiled toward her threshold, and sensually said, "No Vincent, I was awake."
She then held her hand out to him, and said, "For a moment...as I heard your voice echo through the darkness, I thought I was dreaming."
Vincent walked into her chamber, and as he stood over her bed, he held out his hand to accept hers, and asked, "Will you come with me Catherine?"
Catherine slid from the bed, softly asking, "Where are you taking me Vincent?"
He commandingly told her, "I want to take you to the Chamber of the Falls."
He then sweetly said, "Say you will come with me Catherine?"
Catherine found it hard to speak, as she looked up into his beautiful blue eyes that were shining with such love and hope. Finally, as she recovered enough to retrieve her voice, she was able to whisper, "Yes Vincent, I will go."
As he felt the thinness of her gown, he raised his eyes to Catherine's and said, "Perhaps you better change, in case we cross paths with someone."
Saying she totally agreed, Catherine, dressed more appropriately for a trip to the Falls. Reappearing, she excitedly said, "I am ready."
Vincent compellingly looked down and huskily whispered, "Shall we?"
Catherine nodded, and as she reached for Vincent's hand, he unexpectedly stopped, and gently touched her cheek, and tipped his head with a hint of astonishment. He then stepped forward, leading them on their way.
Their walk to the Falls was contentedly quiet. Holding hands and sharing a glance now and then, that revealed the happiness in each of their hearts.
Traveling down the rocky path down to the pool near the Falls, Vincent safely guided Catherine, as she held tightly onto his strong hand to help steady her footing.
Vincent then laid the blanket down, and asked, "Is this all right here?"
As Catherine sat down on the blanket, she looked around and said, "It is perfect here."
Vincent lowered himself to his knee, and then nervously he stood back up, and he walked over to his cloak.
As he anxiously flipped his cloak over and over looking for the ring in its enclosure, he finally felt it through the material, and he brought it out of its hiding place.
Slowly he stood back up, and he looked downward at the object he held in his hand. Turning to Catherine, who sat totally perplexed, watched him as he walked back to her.
Once again he knelt in front of her on his bended knee.
As he looked into Catherine's eyes, he elegantly, and precisely asked her, "Catherine will you marry me?"
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-nine
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Eight |
