Catherine was speechless with this proposal from Vincent! She had no idea their getting married had been something he had been thinking about. They had talked about many things for their future together, but never once had they spoke of marriage.
In her own mind, she knew they would always be together, somehow, for some reason...that conventionality was never a necessity.
However...now that Vincent had proposed, she knew it was the right path for them to follow, and wanted to be married more than she had realized.
Tearfully Catherine answered, "Oh yes Vincent, I will marry you."
Vincent huskily replied, "You honor me Catherine."
Vincent then looked down at Catherine's small hand, and suavely slipped her Engagement Ring onto her finger.
As he looked at the ring he had crafted for her, now gracing Catherine's hand, he felt proud it looked so perfectly beautiful, representing his love and commitment to her.
Catherine touched his face, and with tears of joy in her eyes, she hugged her Vincent and said, "Vincent it is so beautiful...and you have made me so very happy asking me to be your wife."
As a quiet calm settled about them, Catherine rested her forehead against Vincent's, contentedly holding his loving gaze with her own.
Vincent then shyly lowered his eyes momentarily, as he passionately, invited Catherine, "Swim with me Catherine."
Catherine was spell bound as she nodded, and she tightly held Vincent's hand, as they walked to the pool.
He then lowered himself to the edge of the pool, and then dove in under the water, emerging from its surface, looking up at Catherine, and assuredly looked at her as he swam toward her.
Catherine thought Vincent looked so beautiful by the light of the torches burning near by, unsteadily, the flames flickered as they reflected over the surface of the water, finding and enhancing the blue of his eyes.
He then huskily asked, "Coming Catherine?"
She demurely smiled at him as she amorously said, "I love watching you swim."
As he held out his hand for her, Catherine then sat at the edge and she too then slipped into the water and into Vincent's arms.
As she entwined her arms about his neck, they floated together in this enraptured chamber's pool, far below the home chambers, lost in their own world that was even farther still below the inhabited city above.
Catherine closed her eyes and dreamily told Vincent, "I feel like I am lifted from reality, here I am floating in this magical cavernous chamber with you."
She then held Vincent tightly to her resting her cheek on his shoulder and said, "I love you Vincent."
Feeling so happy, she began to cry, to which Vincent asked, "Catherine?" In reply, she told him the tears were tears of joy, and of how happy she was their dream was coming true for them.
Vincent then cradled her head, and contentedly sighed, as he thought to himself, that what Catherine had said was true for him as well. He too never expected reality for him, could be so magical and this happy.
As they floated together, the only sounds to be heard around them, was the crackling flame on the torches that burned near by, the splashing of the falling water, and the cadence of both of their hearts beating together.
As they shared the blanket, they talked of their future plans, wedding and otherwise, and enjoyed being alone together at last. Really alone. And as they whiled away the night, they were unaware that love and affection have the ability to speed up time...propelling them into the early dawn hours.
As they left their haven hand in hand, to walk back toward the tunnel main, they heard activity in the kitchen! Looking at each other with surprise, they realized William was up already, preparing food to feed the community the first meal of the day!
Frantically, they ducked into a small enclave, to plan their discreet route back to Catherine's chamber!
Anxiously, Catherine asked, "Vincent! What are we to do?"
Vincent's eyes darted back and forth, as he tried to think of a way around to Catherine's chamber, to avoid running into any of the other early risers.
He then took her hand, and assuredly said, "I know a way Catherine."
Vincent then led Catherine on a route that wound beyond the home tunnels. Finally and successfully they entered Catherine's chamber's tunnel without passing anyone. As they finally reached Catherine's threshold they both sighed a relieved breath at the same time, causing Catherine to laugh as they did so.
Catherine then direly speculated, "Vincent, what if we would have ran into Pascal, or Mouse, or worse yet Father..."
Catherine suddenly halted her sentence as she saw a peculiar look come across Vincent's face. She then became concerned as he tipped his head as if he was listening to something.
Worriedly, she then asked, "Vincent what is it?"
Putting a finger to his lips he whispered, "Listen Catherine..."
As he continued to listen, he tried to fathom what this rising, rumbling noise could be!
Catherine then heard the clamoring too, and whispered, "Vincent...it sounds like thunder."
As they both looked to the tunnels crossroad, they could see the flickering of numerous torches getting brighter on the adjacent wall...
To be continued
Chapter 30 The Final Chapter
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Nine |
