| All of My Life! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Four |
Vincent bowed his head for a moment as he thought of how he wanted to break the news to Peter and Mary about Catherine's plans to move below.
Vincent felt Peter's displeasure with him the other night for allowing his past with Lisa, to come between himself and Catherine.
Peter felt Catherine, never should have had to suffer, as Vincent struggled to resolve his problems.
Of course, since those issues are resolved, and are now in the past, Vincent hoped to receive Peter's approval.
So slowly Vincent began, "I would like to share some news with the both of you, Catherine and I have come to an understanding last night."
Addressing Peter in particular, Vincent assured him by saying, "I want you to know, my care for Catherine exceeds all measure."
Peter nodded as he replied, "I know Vincent. I don't believe any of us ever doubted that for a minute."
Adamantly, Mary agreed, "Yes Vincent, we all know how you feel about her."
Vincent raised his eyes, and as he looked directly at Peter, he admitted, "Still I faltered, and I hurt Catherine. I felt your disappointment in me. I want you to know Lisa, Father, and I, have reconciled, and have resolved our past issues."
Vincent thoughtfully added, "The fact Catherine came to me last night, without knowing where we stood, meant more than I could possibly convey. She has forgiven me."
Vincent looked at them both, and carefully informed them, "I want to let you know, Catherine is planning to move here. She is now ready to make the tunnels her home. We can not live apart any longer, and Peter, I do plan to spend the rest of my life protecting and making Catherine happy. I pray she will find happiness at my side within these tunnels."
Meanwhile, as Vincent spoke, Peter stood with a concerned demeanor, which caused Vincent to add, "I know Catherine is like a daughter to you, and there is no one else who knows her better than you, so if you ultimately believe this is not right for her..."
Appreciating, Vincent's concern, Peter sincerely said, "You are right. I do love and care for Cathy as a daughter, and you Vincent, I look on you as a son. My goodness I have seen you both grow up in your separate worlds from infancy to the wonderful people you are today. I delivered Catherine into this world, and you Vincent, I doctored you along side Jacob, and watched you thrive, and helped you to survive! I love you both. I want to see you both happy."
To which Mary felt inclined to chime in, saying, "And we can see how happy you make one another."
Turning back to Peter, after Mary's comment, Vincent carefully questioned, "Though, what is it Peter? I sense your concern."
Peter lifted an agreeing brow, and admitted, "Yes, I am concerned, and it's mainly about keeping the secrecy of this world! Cathy's friend Jennifer, well they are very close, and when I called her about Cathy this morning well, she questioned me at length about her welfare, and it was very difficult for me to appease her about Cathy's where-abouts! She is a committed friend to, and ultimately, will not be denied."
Vincent's eyes twinkled as a smile slowly spread across his face, and so he revealed, "Catherine told me Jennifer suspects you are the secret man in Catherine's life."
To which Peter astonishingly gasped, "Me? How could she think such a thing for Heaven's sake!"
Mary started giggling a bit as she contemplated, "Well Peter that does make perfect sense. She has never seen Vincent. And you and Catherine often come here to the tunnels together for different occasions."
Peter took a huge swallow of air, and told them both, "What should I do? I can't have her thinking such a thing."
Vincent and Mary exchanged amused smiles, and Vincent assured him, "Catherine will find a way to make Jennifer understand some how."
In reply, Peter demanded, "I will count on that Vincent. On the other hand, you gotta admire the way Jennifer is looking out for her, but it makes me wonder, how much secrecy she will be willing to except. She may have to be confided in on some level about Cathy's new life here."
With concern, Mary asked, "How safe would that be?"
Assuredly, Peter replied, "Jennifer is a loyal friend Mary. There would be nothing to fear from her. I am sure of that."
Peter looked at his watch, and informed them, "Well I must go, or I will miss my flight. Give Cathy a hug for me, and I will see her when I get back. I have to pop into Lou's yet for a quick trim. Mary it is good to see you as always."
Looking downward, Mary softly replied, "OH for my as well Peter...say, I could use a stroll, I will walk out with you."
Mary then told Vincent she will be back to check on him later, and stepped out into the tunnels to await Peter. Vincent with his sling back in place, stood to bid Peter a safe journey.
As his doctor, and his friend, Peter told him, "Take it easy at least for 2 more days. Then, if your wound continues to heal, I don't see why you cannot dig back into your regular routine. Just let your pain be your guide. If it hurts, don't do it! But the sling...Vincent, THAT sling, you should wear for at least a week!"
Peter turned one last time just before he exited and chuckled as he said, "IT does look good on you!"
Vincent looked downward at his arm, and then back to Peter, and resignedly told him, "Thank you for your Medical opinion Peter, and for your Fashion insights as well!"
As Mary walked with Peter to his point of departure, they chatted about the exciting news of Catherine and Vincent finding their way through all of their obstacles. Peter looked to Mary, and said, "You know Mary, I really do hate leaving. I feel as if I am needed here! I find it harder to leave lately, more and more with each visit."
With affection, Mary touched Peter's arm, as she told him, "But Peter you are such a wonderful Doctor, and can help so many with your medical knowledge. Your kind of doctoring, is rare up in the world above, as a doctor you give something most valuable to your patients, compassion."
Appreciatively, Peter looked back at Mary, and said, "Thank you, but you know I am not a young man anymore. It is not too far into the future, when I will be leaving my practice to my partner. At times I look forward to retirement."
Mary smiled, as she replied, "I suppose this is true, but Peter, would you really consider moving here with us when you do retire?"
Stopping in his tracks, he looked down at Mary, as he seriously told her, "Yes, I really would."
To which Mary smiled as she said, "That would certainly be lovely."
To be continued
Chapter Five
