| All of My Life! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Two |
Jacob gently woke his son, saying, "Vincent, Vincent my boy wake up."
Sleepily, Vincent looked up at his Father, and said, "I am awake."
He then glanced about, and asked, "Where's Catherine?"
To which Jacob quickly answered as he explained, "She merely went to get some hot water for tea."
As he brought his hand to Vincent's forehead, Jacob happily relayed, "Good! Your temperature seems normal, however wait a moment while I officially get your temp. Open wide."
With a professional air, Jacob placed the thermometer under his tongue, and as he checked his pulse, he told him, "I believe Catherine was awake all night...She is very worried about you."
To which Vincent nodded and said, "Yech I fell hur cuncurn, nnn hur wiwwy."
Taking the thermometer from his mouth, Jacob asked, "What my boy, what did you say, I couldn't understand a word you said with this thermometer in place."
Good-naturedly, Vincent repeated, "What I said Father was... Yes I feel her concern, and her worry."
Jacob looked pleased as he read the thermometer, and relayed, "Your temperature is normal! Very good!"
With great intent, he looked at his son's wound, and was quite happy with how his arm was healing. Jacob then asked, "But how are you feeling Vincent? Do you have any pain?"
Vincent then sat up, in an effort to assure his worried Father he was feeling stronger, and then suggested, "The pain is manageable, however, perhaps I should try to get up, so I may better assess my over-all condition."
To which Jacob agreed, and carefully assisted him, cautioning, "All right but easy, it would do you no good, if you were to fall and injure something else!"
As the two men switched roles, with Jacob doing the assisting for a change, they slowly circled the room. Happily, Vincent noted, "I do feel my strength returning Father, and a bit hungry as well!"
Upon hearing Vincent's assessment, Jacob chuckled as he nodded, "Ah that is what I was waiting to hear. Your appetite is a better barometer, than anything else I could use to gauge your health. Very good my boy."
As they continued to walk, Jacob inquired, "I take it things are back on track with you and Catherine?"
Vincent nodded, as he pulled out the chair at his writing table, and confided, "Yes Father, Catherine and I have resolved many things, and she and I have come to an understanding."
With relief, Jacob responded, "So glad this is so."
Taking in a deep breath, Vincent continued, "Yes...and Father..."
Carefully, he then stated, "I hope you will approve of Catherine coming below to live."
Jacob began to contemplate what this move would mean! He could not deny he was hesitant, as he thought of every scenario. One of which was, what if one of Vincent's very rare dark side occurrences, resurfaced again with Catherine? And what about the morality, of them living together? They have the impressionable children to worry about too! Yes many conflicting thoughts raged through him all at once. And he felt he had Catherine's welfare at stake, as well as Vincent's now.
Thinking his Father's reply was long in coming, he asked, "Father?"
Jacob looked up at his son, and thoughtfully replied, "I suppose I do have a few reservations, you see Vincent, I am a bit old fashioned about some things, and well living together..."
Getting the gist of what Jacob was saying, Vincent quickly stopped him by assuring him, "Father, I am conventional as well, so Catherine's own chamber would be requested. I want Catherine to be able to adjust to life in our world, and know what day to day life is really like here, without any pressure...so before any final commitment is made between us...I want her to experience our simplicity, making sure it suits her first..."
So with a subtle nod, Jacob responded, "Understandable, and understood..."
Then Jacob gingerly sat down in the neighboring chair as he resignedly asked, "So it really has come to this? Catherine is coming below to live?"
Just then Catherine returned with breakfast trays for both the Wells men, and upon overhearing Jacob's words, she respectfully asked, "Please tell me you approve Father."
To which Jacob stood to assist taking a tray from Catherine, saying, "Allow me Dear..."
And then he sincerely answered, "As far as my approval Catherine, you know there was a time, when I felt your relationship with Vincent, was indeed a tragedy for both of you."
Smiling to himself, he admitted, "Heavens, that seems so long ago now. You two have been through so much, and yet...here you are. It would seem your bond has withstood everything."
Adjusting his stance, Jacob added, "I am not so old I cannot remember the power and optimism such feelings brings to ones heart. A belief all is possible, uh yes I will welcome you with open arms when you come below to live with us Catherine."
Feeling so relieved, and happy to hear Jacob's words, Catherine wanted to hug him or something! But somehow she just couldn't! So instead, she simply thanked him.
Turning her gaze toward Vincent, she beamed with delight, as she set Vincent's tray down in front of him, and happily noted, "You look wonderful."
And it was then Jacob asked, "Where are you sitting Catherine...is this a good place for your tray?"
To which Catherine explained, "Oh no I already ate, I snitched a bite when I was talking with William. He prepared that tray for you Father!"
Catherine then added, "William said he doubted you would leave Vincent long enough to come to the dining hall to eat, and so he made a tray for you too."
To which Jacob said, "Oh that Dear man! I dare say, I am hungry!"
As the two men sat down, they happily enjoyed their breakfast of cornmeal biscuits with blackberry preserves, smoked cured ham, with scrambled eggs!
Catherine then noted, "Mouse is bringing the tea. He wanted to do something to help."
With concern, she looked at Vincent once more, and hopefully asked, "You really do look stronger, are feeling better Vincent?"
Upon wanting to reassure Catherine, Vincent assuredly answered, "Yes Catherine. I do feel better, my strength feels restored, and as of yet, no dizziness or other previous maladies have made themselves known, and according to Father, the best sign yet, is...my appetite has returned!"
To which Jacob chuckled as he expounded, "Ahhh, yes tis true, tis true! The best sign yet!"
After hearing all these good signs, Catherine happily said, "Well this is good news!
And then Jacob thoughtfully added, "However bare in mind Vincent, even though you are feeling better, you must rest until the wound has a day or two more to heal. Still, I dare say, even after quite a substantial amount of blood loss, you did seem to have rebounded quite quickly! I wish we could hone in on your secret!"
As Vincent looked toward his father, he thankfully replied, "Your and Peter's excellent medical care must be credited Father...and..."
Then shifting his gaze toward Catherine he continued, "...Catherine being nearby, has been the best possible medicine for me."
And because their vow of devotion was so new to each other, a nervousness was still an underlying current which effected them both! And Catherine could feel her face flush as she smiled, then humbly joked, "Oh my goodness, I guess my candy striping training has finally come in handy!"
Jacob chuckled aloud at Catherine sense of humor, and thankful for her taking the seriousness down a level as well!
Meantime, Jamie appeared at the threshold, and asked, "Are you ready to go Catherine?"
To which Catherine turned to Vincent and Jacob to say, "Oh I forgot to mention, Jamie invited me to go to the bathing chamber with her and the others...but maybe I shouldn't leave..."
Happy Jamie extended the invite to Catherine, Vincent replied, "Go with Jamie, then afterwards, I want you to get some REST."
Knowingly, Vincent then mentioned, "Father says he doubted you slept any last night?"
To which Catherine guiltily answered, "I confess I didn't."
Upon hearing Catherine's answer, Jacob too responded, "We don't want you to get run down Catherine!"
Resignedly, Catherine agreed, "All right then, I will go with Jamie, and then I will get some rest too."
Happy for her compliance, Jacob asked Jamie, "Please help Catherine get settled in the guest chamber afterwards, won't you?"
With a nod, Jamie agreeably said, "Will do Father! Come on Catherine!"
As Catherine prepared to exit, she looked back to say, "I will see you in a couple of hours. Enjoy your breakfast."
Vincent watched as Catherine exited, and looked down in an attempt to mask his affection for her. But the truth was, being so near Catherine, was intoxicating for him, and found it was hard to hide it.
However Jacob could see the change in his son, and knew for most of Vincent's life, because of Lisa, he had been frightened into believing, he could never have all of his dreams fulfilled. This fact broke Jacob's heart, since he was the one who fed this misconception to his son for so long.
Sooo, in trying to right his wrongs, Jacob warmly assured him, "Vincent, you deserve this dream with Catherine...and can openly share your feelings or inquiries...even with me..."
To which Vincent humbly nodded, sincerely appreciating his Father's overture, and so he thought for a moment, before he asked, "Inquiries Father? So...I can ask anything?"
And because Vincent seemed to be taking him up on his offer, Jacob felt a bit nervous, thinking his son would be asking "Relationship" advice! And so with angst, Jacob answered, "Ahem...well yes, I suppose most anything...ahem, perhaps I better hear the question first before I fully commit...ahem, so, what is your question Vincent?"
And because he enjoyed tweaking his Father from time to time, Vincent made quite a show of it, as he shifted in his chair, and tried to appear nervous as he gathered his thoughts. Then he finally motioned to Jacob's tray, and asked, "That ham there, are you going to eat all of it?"
Feeling quite relieved there were no "Relationship" questions, Jacob transferred the slab of ham onto Vincent's plate, and happily chuckled, as he answered, "More ham? I dare say, have at it my boy, have at it!"
To be continued
Chapter Three
