| Beyond my Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Four |
Vincent took one of the torches from its mount, to look down the tunnel, and
just as he stepped out, he could see Narcissa slowly approaching their chamber's
threshold.
Happily, Vincent welcomed her, saying, "Narcissa...what a nice surprise."
Catherine joined Vincent at his side, kindly adding her personal greeting, along
with an invitation to come inside and eat with them.
Tired from her hike, she wiped her brow and replied, "Yes...I will rest...the
journey here was longer than I remembered. Or am I just growing old?"
Taking her by the arm, Vincent graciously discounted her claim, saying,
"Growing old? Everyone but you Narcissa..."
Laughing sharply, Narcissa stated, "Oh yes! Even I Vincent...despite all the
spirits and potions I ingest."
Sitting down in the seat Vincent offered her, she turned to Catherine and
demanded, "Come here child..."
Stepping up to her, Catherine smiled at Vincent, and taking the hand Narcissa
offered, she said, "Yes?"
As Narcissa smiled at, but through her, she stated, "Your time here agrees with
you...I can tell."
Unsure what Narcissa was implying, Catherine shyly answered, "Well yes....we
are having a lovely time."
Because of Narcissa's intuitiveness, she did not need to see the flush on
Catherine's cheeks, for she could feel the heat her shyness generated.
So giddily, Narcissa responded, "Ah...she is sweet Vincent...so rare to find a
blushing bride these days!"
Looking over at his Catherine, he totally discounted Narcissa's innuendos, but
warmly agreed by saying, "Yes...Catherine is indeed an exceptional woman."
In his usual elegant manner, he managed to smoothly change the subject by
asking, "Tell us, what DOES bring you so far from home? Are you in search of
some exotic ingredient for one of your brews perhaps?"
After taking a sip of the tea Catherine served her, Narcissa let go of a
contentedly refreshed sigh, and answered, "I wanted to visit, but am also
collecting some common elements for a tonic I am making."
Rising from her chair, in preparation for her exit, she added, "It is time for me to
leave, as the eggs I am in search of, must be gathered when the mother sleeps."
Catherine followed behind her, anxiously asking, "What type of bird sleeps
down here during the day Narcissa?"
Turning toward Catherine, Narcissa curtly made her own inquiry, asking, "Did I
say anything about birds?"
With a limited knowledge about animal life, Catherine defensively explained,
"Well you didn't say it was a bird, but what else lays eggs?"
Turning away for impact, Narcissa matter-of-factly replied, "Snakes do
child...snakes."
Catherine involuntarily jumped back! Looking up at Vincent, she asked,
"Snakes? I have never seen a snake down here!"
Before Vincent could comfort his wife with some soothing, assuring comment
about this subject, Narcissa shook a finger in the air, as she continued walking
and said, "That is because they see you first!"
With a gulp, Catherine nervously hugged herself for comfort as she
contemplated ALL the snakes she has never seen!
Even though Catherine was shocked, and unnerved, she was still able to recall
her manners, to politely express, "We wish you could stay longer Narcissa."
To which she replied, "I feel an increase of the lunar pull...it is time to go."
Vincent escorted Narcissa to the entrance, when she privately motioned for
Vincent to step with her for a ways, whispering, "Vincent... I am happy to see
for myself you are as happy as I sensed you were. Being here with you, I now
know you are in accord with your bride..."
Raising a finger, Narcissa knowingly added, "...and though my vision is limited,
I can see both of your aura's are burning brilliant layers of pink with the
appropriate spiking...equally around them both."
Questioning Narcissa's interpretive expertise, Vincent asked, "Is it good to have
spiking?"
Touching his cheek, Narcissa cackled and said, "Yes! Spiking indicates you are
content with one another..."
To which she added, "...and without any potions!"
In conclusion, Narcissa offered, "Remember Vincent...keep taking care of one
another, as you are doing during this early harmonious period, and you will live
out a happy earthly life."
Huskily, Vincent thanked Narcissa for her advice, and happily assured her, he
and Catherine had promised one another an eternal vigilance, and they intend to
keep their promises to each other for always.
With sadness, he watched Narcissa as she felt her way down the stony bricked
path alone, and he couldn't help but wonder...what kept her going? What was
her purpose to get up each day, and lastly, what would have happened to her if
she wouldn't have found these tunnels to live in?
Then humbly, as the thought occurred to him, he knew...the only difference
between this unique woman and himself, were the people who loved him. For
without them, he too would be wandering these vast tunnels alone, gathering
serpent eggs for his next concoction.
Returning to Catherine, he desperately embraced his treasure, knowing she was
a part of his salvation.
Catherine always loved Vincent's hugs, but because of the intensity she felt
from him now, she inquisitively looked up at him, to see if anything was wrong.
When she noticed his misty eyes, she asked, "Are you all right?"
He brought her hand to his lips and with the gentlest of kisses, he tenderly asked
her, "Have I told you lately, how lost I would be without you?"
With a joyful smile, Catherine answered, "I don't believe you have."
Lovingly she added, "But you don't have to because we both know...I would be
lost without you too."
Catherine held her Vincent, wondering what brought about his melancholy?
Decidedly, she determined not to ask. Sometimes delving too deeply, brings
about a sadness, that is difficult for Vincent to let go.
Resting his head upon Catherine's, he then shared, "Narcissa told me we should
always take care of each other just as we are now..."
Catherine slyly looked at Vincent as she asked, "Did you tell her, that's what we
intend to do all of our lives, for as long as we both shall live?"
Holding her in his loving embrace he told Catherine, "What I told Narcissa was,
we had vowed to take care of each other for longer still, even beyond this life..."
Feeling warmed by their loving commitment to one another, Catherine fought
her tearful emotions by saying, "Come along Vincent, your Ratatouille is getting
cold."
Cleaning up after their dinner, Vincent asked what Catherine would like to do
for the evening.
To which Catherine answered, "Hmm, weren't we going to continue reading,
The Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright?"
With a smile in his downcast eyes, he replied, "I realize there could be
something perhaps more romantic for us to read."
Enthusiastically, he had to add, "However...I am riveted by his work Catherine!
This book you gave me as a wedding gift...has everything...every work he ever
completed! I cannot tell you how much this extensive survey will be referenced."
Wiping her hands on a towel, Catherine expressed, "I am happy you like your
present so much! And seeing you this passionate about a subject IS romantic for
me."
She then added, "I will tell you, your knowledge on the subject, is astounding! I
am so proud of your diligence to still learn all you can, and more. And, don't ask
me why, or how, but I believe you will be renown in this area one day."
Humbly Vincent looked downward as he said, "You make me believe it could
be a possibility."
With a deep sincerity, she relayed, "It is...all things are possible."
She then embraced him adoringly, and suggested, "How about if we read on our
balcony tonight."
Pleased his wife was so willing to share in his passion, he picked up his book,
and a blanket for their comfort to rest upon.
As Vincent spotted Catherine gather the nutty zucchini bread, he asked, "Are we
taking a picnic?"
With a decadent smile, she told him, "I thought it might be fun to have our
dessert there."
Saying that sounded very nice, Vincent worriedly reminded her, "Remember to
bring the sweet whipping cream to top the bread Catherine."
Taking the container of cream from the cooling basin, Catherine giggled as she
said, "Don't worry, I am well aware of my husband's sweet tooth. I wouldn't
have forgotten it."
With an affectionate admiration, Vincent replied, "Ah, I should have known..."
And when Vincent saw his wife was ready, he reached for a fresh torch, for
their journey to their special place.
To be continued
Chapter Five
