Angels We Have Heard On High
Meanwhile, Vincent was at the basement threshold to meet Catherine, and graciously he greeted Charles and Peter too.
As Charles, in wonderment, looked up and all around at the broken brick entrance, he greeted Vincent in kind, before saying thanks for the invite tonight.
To which Vincent warmly replied, "I am pleased to see you were able to come Charles, and Father will be as well."
After happily greeting Peter too, Vincent then turned to welcome Catherine. And as he extended his arm to escort her, he said, "Hello Catherine."
With a slight engaging nod, Catherine took his guiding arm, and responded, "Hello Vincent!"
Peter then with an informative manner, mentioned to Vincent, "I like this portal to the tunnels Vincent, much safer for Cathy than through the park, or parking garage."
In response, Vincent agreeably said, "Indeed."
And so it was, at Vincent's side, Catherine helped lead the little entourage.
And as they ventured along the route, Catherine mentioned, "Oh Vincent, I hope it's all right, but I brought some marshmallows for William to top his hot coco."
With a nod, Vincent replied, "I am sure William will thank you, as well as all of the community will thank you. Sounds like a very pleasant treat which will make our gathering tonight even more festive! Thank you Catherine."
And it was then Peter mentioned, "Yeah I gotta say, speaking of such, I was kinda surprised to hear about this gathering tonight...the way Jacob acted, he said he had missed the chance of telling this story the other night when we had our dinner dates."
To which Vincent with a tip of his head, replied, "Unfortunately...or perhaps I should say fortunately, The Tunnel's First Christmas Story had not been told that night."
As Catherine listened to Vincent's explanation, she wondered how much he was going to share with Peter and her Dad about the purposeful omission, but since Vincent didn't offer anything more, she didn't either.
Meantime, they could hear some singing coming from some far off place.
To which Catherine quizzically asked, "Is that the children singing?"
In reply, Vincent said, "Yes...they are rehearsing a Christmas song they plan to sing after Father's recitation."
Vincent then in an amused tone, additionally mentioned, "It is supposed to be a secret, they wanted to surprise everyone...however...as you can hear..."
Catherine giggled at the sweetness of the children's plan, and also for a child's natural naiveté on the concept of the speed of sound. And then ultimately, they all agreed with Peter who said, "Hey, they sound pretty darn good!"
Peter then asked Vincent, "Any chance the hospital chamber is set up for the annual physicals?"
To which Vincent affirmatively nodded, and replied "Yes, Mary has everything ready for tomorrow."
"Great!" Said Peter, "Although I am not surprised, as efficient as Mary is, but I thought maybe this get together tonight may have diverted things a bit."
To which Vincent amusedly relayed, "No no, Mary had both Rebecca and Brooke assist her, and in addition, enlisted Mouse and my help as well. And may I say, she was quite adamant and decisive about the set up."
With a raised brow, Peter replied, "Yes, well Mary does know just how things need to be organized."
Vincent then added, "Oh, and as per your request, Mary compiled a list of items we are in need of."
With a nod, Peter replied, "Good, good to hear."
Taking note, Charles inquisitively asked, "Had Mary been a nurse when she lived above in the city?"
With a sincerity, Peter answered, "No, but she should have been. She is the kind of person the nursing profession needs up there. But hey, she does fulfill that role here in the tunnels, so I guess essentially Yes! She is a nurse."
Nodding in concurrence, Vincent replied, that yes, Mary does have a servant's heart.
Then as they continued to walk along, Peter took the liberty of explaining some of the goings on to Charles as they passed by certain landmarks. One such point of interest was the sentry's covert area, where they can observe the tunnels unnoticed through some removable bricks.
Waving hello to Mortimer as they passed by, the sentry on duty this night, who in turn said hi back, felt very honored to have been acknowledged. After all, being a sentry was on the whole, a lonely boring job, with only rare moments of excitement (thankfully for that) but like all chosen sentries, Mortimer knew someone had to do it, and so he gladly takes his turn.
They then passed by the turn off, leading to Elizabeth's Painted Tunnels, and Vincent informatively told Charles all about her.
To which Catherine asked, "Do we have time to take Dad on a quick tour?"
Tipping his head, Vincent thought they did, and so they entered Elizabeth's domain, just in time to observe her finishing up her newest mural.
After asking who was there, Elizabeth then greeted her guests, waving her hand toward the depiction of this year's Winterfest. And Charles was thrilled to see he and his daughter were gracing the art gallery, along with several other tunnel folk and helpers.
It was then, that Mouse came in, and irritatingly said, "Found you! Mary wants you to come to the Dining Hall Vincent."
To which Vincent asked, "Is something wrong?"
In reply Mouse matter-of-factly explained, "Natalie hurt her knee, doesn't look bad to me...just a scratch, but only wants you. So Mary told me to get you."
Upon hearing it wasn't serious, Vincent looked at Peter, and wittily noted, "Doesn't sound serious enough for your expertise Peter..."
To which Peter jested, "Oh nuts!"
And because Mouse thought Natalie was over re-acting, he inserted, "NOT serious at all, Natalie acting like a baby."
With a kind tone, Vincent explained to Mouse, "Though Natalie isn't a toddler anymore Mouse, she is quite young, and is a little girl who still needs nurturing."
Vincent then apologetically told Catherine, "Perhaps I should go on ahead."
With understanding, Catherine responded, "Oh, of course Vincent..."
And then upon thinking it would be good to send the marshmallows on ahead, Catherine asked Mouse, "Would you mind taking the marshmallows for the hot coco with you now?"
After hearing a confection was mentioned, Mouse perked up a bit, and so he happily offered, "Sure!"
And because of Mouse's helpful demeanor, Catherine covertly said, "Well thank you, and ahem, I think it would be all right if you wanted to snitch one or two before giving them to William."
Happy to hear this offer, Mouse said thanks and then Vincent said, "See you soon then."
With a nod, Peter said, "Yeah, we won't be long."
Vincent then excused himself, and departed with Mouse.
And it was then Charles asked, "Hmmm, Isn't Natalie the little one who gave Vincent the buddy charm on Thanksgiving?"
Nodding, Peter astonishingly said, "Yeah, good memory old chap."
To which Catherine, with a slight giggle, corrected her Dad, saying, "But Dad, its called a Friendship Charm, not a buddy charm!"
To which Charles said, "Same thing! But anywhoo, I thought that was pretty nice that little gal singled out Vincent to give that charm to and asked for him now because of her boo boo."
And then as Elizabeth entered the conversation, she noted, "Yes, there are times when only Vincent can help...and its true for all of us."
And as Elizabeth's cryptic comment left Charles and Catherine pondering, she moved on to the next painting, and then stopped in front of the mural of Vincent as a small boy, and tenderly said, "I always loved this one, but..."
And because Elizabeth abruptly stopped in mid sentence, with concern Peter asked, "But what Elizabeth?"
Hesitantly, she continued, "What I was going to say was, I have always loved this mural of Father and Vincent, but I have to question if it was because of this painting that Vincent became aware of his differences."
To which Peter seriously asked, "How do you mean?"
Thoughtfully Elizabeth clarified, "Well, I'll never forget...after this mural was completed, Vincent came up to it, and looked at it so intently...like he was looking into a mirror. Maybe it is my imagination, but it seems after that...he became more introspective, a little more quiet, no longer the talkative carefree little spark. I think I will always wonder if my work was responsible for taking away some of his unassuming casualness he had as a boy."
Sweetly Peter told her, "Ah, I don't disagree there was a defining moment when Vincent changed as you said, but I believe it was due to his expanding intelligence and coming of age more than anything else."
Meanwhile, Catherine and Charles listened as two people who have been close to Vincent all of his life, spoke about his character.
Caringly, Catherine seized this information and held it to her heart; and though she loved hearing about Vincent as a young boy, she found their conversation made her feel sad.
And so pensively she stepped closer to better look at the painting of Vincent's young face, and thought of how at times, life must have been so very difficult for him.
Charles then came up behind his daughter after sensing what she was thinking, thinking of what a unique being Vincent was, and because of all he had to overcome, that it was even more commendable that he became the man he was now.
Knowing her Dad was standing behind her, Catherine looked up, and sadly smiled, both standing together, not saying a word.
And so it was Peter stepped up too, and light-heartedly offered, "You know, Vincent really was quite a character as a small boy. Always smiling and running around with the rest. Yes yes, quite the character."
Turning to Elizabeth, Peter then asked, "Will you be going to the big event tonight?"
To which Elizabeth incredulously answered, "No no, I have too much to do! But you better get along hadn't you?"
Raising his brow, Peter agreed saying, "Yes you are right, thanks for the tour Elizabeth."
Catherine and Charles both thanked her too before heading off to the festive tunnel event.
And so as they entered the Hall, Catherine spanned the crowd looking for Vincent, and in the far corner, she finally spotted her prodigious liberator, who was still comforting Natalie.
There he was, this big hearted man, with a little girl on his lap, soothing her with a cookie and hot coco. It was so cute how Natalie was talking nonstop, with her eyes widening, as she expressively described what had happened to her. And then sweetly, Vincent periodically nodded, as if to say he understood.
And so Charles stepped up too and astonishingly said, "Well once again I feel as if I have stepped through the looking glass...Ahh, I see Vincent over there with Natalie."
To which Catherine explained, "I thought I would just stand back for a bit, so I didn't interrupt."
As Charles took in the scene, he guesstimated, "Well if I go by Natalie's smile, I would say it looks as if the crisis has been smoothed over."
In reply, Catherine said, "I think you may be right Dad."
Then Catherine thoughtfully pondered, "Isn't it wonderful of how a simple hug can make everything better when you are young?"
With a joking manner, Charles noted, "I bet the hot coco and cookie helped a bit too!"
But then Charles, thinking Catherine's comment may have something more behind it than just a casual observation, Charles searchingly asked, "Is everything all right kiddo?"
With a soft revealing laugh, Catherine replied, "I guess I am just feeling nostalgic...I was remembering how you would hold me on your lap when I was little...I was sure you could keep any harm at bay, and right any sorrow."
Looking at his daughter, Charles sadly responded, "And now you are grown up, and you realize your Daddy can't fix everything anymore."
As Catherine leaned her head on her Dad's shoulder she said, "I wouldn't say that Dad...you still can...more than you know..."
To which Charles replied, "Well I hope so..."
Charles then gave his daughter a hug, and with a tone of inspiration, he noted, "Hey, we are here to have fun...enough with all this serious stuff uh?"
To which Charles then spanned the crowd and expressed, "What a wonderful place for an orphaned or lost child to grow up! There are so many people here to care for them. It obviously takes more than blood ties to make a person a care-giver or a parent. Take Natalie over there for instance...any one of those people from this community are a parent to her in one way or another, providing what is needed."
Looking back at her Father, Catherine agreed, saying, "I believe it is a two-way street, the care-giver gets so much back as well."
With a nod, Charles with a dose of Fatherly pride, replied, "You are right about that. Being a parent is so rewarding, especially when you see your child develop into a kind and caring person..."
And though Charles was speaking for himself, he suddenly realized he could slip in a little advice to his daughter by adding, "...in what ever form parenting happens...whether the child is yours or otherwise. I mean adoption is a very noble way to go if one wants to parent."
Knowing her father was acknowledging their talk from the other day, and in his own way saying he would most certainly love an accept an adopted grandchild too.
Looking back at Natalie with her entourage, Catherine smiled, as she remained silent watching, along with her Dad.
Charles then broke the silence by saying, "I am sure glad to be privy to all of these goings ons down here."
In amazement he then marveled, "Right when you think you have seen, and know all there is to know about life..."
Catherine giggled as she finished her Dad's sentence by saying, "You travel below the city streets, and learn that you don't."
They both shared a chuckle, when just then Mary came up and said, "There you are! Come with me, I'd love to take you to your seats."
To be continued
Chapter Seven
: }
Meanwhile, Vincent was at the basement threshold to meet Catherine, and graciously he greeted Charles and Peter too.
As Charles, in wonderment, looked up and all around at the broken brick entrance, he greeted Vincent in kind, before saying thanks for the invite tonight.
To which Vincent warmly replied, "I am pleased to see you were able to come Charles, and Father will be as well."
After happily greeting Peter too, Vincent then turned to welcome Catherine. And as he extended his arm to escort her, he said, "Hello Catherine."
With a slight engaging nod, Catherine took his guiding arm, and responded, "Hello Vincent!"
Peter then with an informative manner, mentioned to Vincent, "I like this portal to the tunnels Vincent, much safer for Cathy than through the park, or parking garage."
In response, Vincent agreeably said, "Indeed."
And so it was, at Vincent's side, Catherine helped lead the little entourage.
And as they ventured along the route, Catherine mentioned, "Oh Vincent, I hope it's all right, but I brought some marshmallows for William to top his hot coco."
With a nod, Vincent replied, "I am sure William will thank you, as well as all of the community will thank you. Sounds like a very pleasant treat which will make our gathering tonight even more festive! Thank you Catherine."
And it was then Peter mentioned, "Yeah I gotta say, speaking of such, I was kinda surprised to hear about this gathering tonight...the way Jacob acted, he said he had missed the chance of telling this story the other night when we had our dinner dates."
To which Vincent with a tip of his head, replied, "Unfortunately...or perhaps I should say fortunately, The Tunnel's First Christmas Story had not been told that night."
As Catherine listened to Vincent's explanation, she wondered how much he was going to share with Peter and her Dad about the purposeful omission, but since Vincent didn't offer anything more, she didn't either.
Meantime, they could hear some singing coming from some far off place.
To which Catherine quizzically asked, "Is that the children singing?"
In reply, Vincent said, "Yes...they are rehearsing a Christmas song they plan to sing after Father's recitation."
Vincent then in an amused tone, additionally mentioned, "It is supposed to be a secret, they wanted to surprise everyone...however...as you can hear..."
Catherine giggled at the sweetness of the children's plan, and also for a child's natural naiveté on the concept of the speed of sound. And then ultimately, they all agreed with Peter who said, "Hey, they sound pretty darn good!"
Peter then asked Vincent, "Any chance the hospital chamber is set up for the annual physicals?"
To which Vincent affirmatively nodded, and replied "Yes, Mary has everything ready for tomorrow."
"Great!" Said Peter, "Although I am not surprised, as efficient as Mary is, but I thought maybe this get together tonight may have diverted things a bit."
To which Vincent amusedly relayed, "No no, Mary had both Rebecca and Brooke assist her, and in addition, enlisted Mouse and my help as well. And may I say, she was quite adamant and decisive about the set up."
With a raised brow, Peter replied, "Yes, well Mary does know just how things need to be organized."
Vincent then added, "Oh, and as per your request, Mary compiled a list of items we are in need of."
With a nod, Peter replied, "Good, good to hear."
Taking note, Charles inquisitively asked, "Had Mary been a nurse when she lived above in the city?"
With a sincerity, Peter answered, "No, but she should have been. She is the kind of person the nursing profession needs up there. But hey, she does fulfill that role here in the tunnels, so I guess essentially Yes! She is a nurse."
Nodding in concurrence, Vincent replied, that yes, Mary does have a servant's heart.
Then as they continued to walk along, Peter took the liberty of explaining some of the goings on to Charles as they passed by certain landmarks. One such point of interest was the sentry's covert area, where they can observe the tunnels unnoticed through some removable bricks.
Waving hello to Mortimer as they passed by, the sentry on duty this night, who in turn said hi back, felt very honored to have been acknowledged. After all, being a sentry was on the whole, a lonely boring job, with only rare moments of excitement (thankfully for that) but like all chosen sentries, Mortimer knew someone had to do it, and so he gladly takes his turn.
They then passed by the turn off, leading to Elizabeth's Painted Tunnels, and Vincent informatively told Charles all about her.
To which Catherine asked, "Do we have time to take Dad on a quick tour?"
Tipping his head, Vincent thought they did, and so they entered Elizabeth's domain, just in time to observe her finishing up her newest mural.
After asking who was there, Elizabeth then greeted her guests, waving her hand toward the depiction of this year's Winterfest. And Charles was thrilled to see he and his daughter were gracing the art gallery, along with several other tunnel folk and helpers.
It was then, that Mouse came in, and irritatingly said, "Found you! Mary wants you to come to the Dining Hall Vincent."
To which Vincent asked, "Is something wrong?"
In reply Mouse matter-of-factly explained, "Natalie hurt her knee, doesn't look bad to me...just a scratch, but only wants you. So Mary told me to get you."
Upon hearing it wasn't serious, Vincent looked at Peter, and wittily noted, "Doesn't sound serious enough for your expertise Peter..."
To which Peter jested, "Oh nuts!"
And because Mouse thought Natalie was over re-acting, he inserted, "NOT serious at all, Natalie acting like a baby."
With a kind tone, Vincent explained to Mouse, "Though Natalie isn't a toddler anymore Mouse, she is quite young, and is a little girl who still needs nurturing."
Vincent then apologetically told Catherine, "Perhaps I should go on ahead."
With understanding, Catherine responded, "Oh, of course Vincent..."
And then upon thinking it would be good to send the marshmallows on ahead, Catherine asked Mouse, "Would you mind taking the marshmallows for the hot coco with you now?"
After hearing a confection was mentioned, Mouse perked up a bit, and so he happily offered, "Sure!"
And because of Mouse's helpful demeanor, Catherine covertly said, "Well thank you, and ahem, I think it would be all right if you wanted to snitch one or two before giving them to William."
Happy to hear this offer, Mouse said thanks and then Vincent said, "See you soon then."
With a nod, Peter said, "Yeah, we won't be long."
Vincent then excused himself, and departed with Mouse.
And it was then Charles asked, "Hmmm, Isn't Natalie the little one who gave Vincent the buddy charm on Thanksgiving?"
Nodding, Peter astonishingly said, "Yeah, good memory old chap."
To which Catherine, with a slight giggle, corrected her Dad, saying, "But Dad, its called a Friendship Charm, not a buddy charm!"
To which Charles said, "Same thing! But anywhoo, I thought that was pretty nice that little gal singled out Vincent to give that charm to and asked for him now because of her boo boo."
And then as Elizabeth entered the conversation, she noted, "Yes, there are times when only Vincent can help...and its true for all of us."
And as Elizabeth's cryptic comment left Charles and Catherine pondering, she moved on to the next painting, and then stopped in front of the mural of Vincent as a small boy, and tenderly said, "I always loved this one, but..."
And because Elizabeth abruptly stopped in mid sentence, with concern Peter asked, "But what Elizabeth?"
Hesitantly, she continued, "What I was going to say was, I have always loved this mural of Father and Vincent, but I have to question if it was because of this painting that Vincent became aware of his differences."
To which Peter seriously asked, "How do you mean?"
Thoughtfully Elizabeth clarified, "Well, I'll never forget...after this mural was completed, Vincent came up to it, and looked at it so intently...like he was looking into a mirror. Maybe it is my imagination, but it seems after that...he became more introspective, a little more quiet, no longer the talkative carefree little spark. I think I will always wonder if my work was responsible for taking away some of his unassuming casualness he had as a boy."
Sweetly Peter told her, "Ah, I don't disagree there was a defining moment when Vincent changed as you said, but I believe it was due to his expanding intelligence and coming of age more than anything else."
Meanwhile, Catherine and Charles listened as two people who have been close to Vincent all of his life, spoke about his character.
Caringly, Catherine seized this information and held it to her heart; and though she loved hearing about Vincent as a young boy, she found their conversation made her feel sad.
And so pensively she stepped closer to better look at the painting of Vincent's young face, and thought of how at times, life must have been so very difficult for him.
Charles then came up behind his daughter after sensing what she was thinking, thinking of what a unique being Vincent was, and because of all he had to overcome, that it was even more commendable that he became the man he was now.
Knowing her Dad was standing behind her, Catherine looked up, and sadly smiled, both standing together, not saying a word.
And so it was Peter stepped up too, and light-heartedly offered, "You know, Vincent really was quite a character as a small boy. Always smiling and running around with the rest. Yes yes, quite the character."
Turning to Elizabeth, Peter then asked, "Will you be going to the big event tonight?"
To which Elizabeth incredulously answered, "No no, I have too much to do! But you better get along hadn't you?"
Raising his brow, Peter agreed saying, "Yes you are right, thanks for the tour Elizabeth."
Catherine and Charles both thanked her too before heading off to the festive tunnel event.
And so as they entered the Hall, Catherine spanned the crowd looking for Vincent, and in the far corner, she finally spotted her prodigious liberator, who was still comforting Natalie.
There he was, this big hearted man, with a little girl on his lap, soothing her with a cookie and hot coco. It was so cute how Natalie was talking nonstop, with her eyes widening, as she expressively described what had happened to her. And then sweetly, Vincent periodically nodded, as if to say he understood.
And so Charles stepped up too and astonishingly said, "Well once again I feel as if I have stepped through the looking glass...Ahh, I see Vincent over there with Natalie."
To which Catherine explained, "I thought I would just stand back for a bit, so I didn't interrupt."
As Charles took in the scene, he guesstimated, "Well if I go by Natalie's smile, I would say it looks as if the crisis has been smoothed over."
In reply, Catherine said, "I think you may be right Dad."
Then Catherine thoughtfully pondered, "Isn't it wonderful of how a simple hug can make everything better when you are young?"
With a joking manner, Charles noted, "I bet the hot coco and cookie helped a bit too!"
But then Charles, thinking Catherine's comment may have something more behind it than just a casual observation, Charles searchingly asked, "Is everything all right kiddo?"
With a soft revealing laugh, Catherine replied, "I guess I am just feeling nostalgic...I was remembering how you would hold me on your lap when I was little...I was sure you could keep any harm at bay, and right any sorrow."
Looking at his daughter, Charles sadly responded, "And now you are grown up, and you realize your Daddy can't fix everything anymore."
As Catherine leaned her head on her Dad's shoulder she said, "I wouldn't say that Dad...you still can...more than you know..."
To which Charles replied, "Well I hope so..."
Charles then gave his daughter a hug, and with a tone of inspiration, he noted, "Hey, we are here to have fun...enough with all this serious stuff uh?"
To which Charles then spanned the crowd and expressed, "What a wonderful place for an orphaned or lost child to grow up! There are so many people here to care for them. It obviously takes more than blood ties to make a person a care-giver or a parent. Take Natalie over there for instance...any one of those people from this community are a parent to her in one way or another, providing what is needed."
Looking back at her Father, Catherine agreed, saying, "I believe it is a two-way street, the care-giver gets so much back as well."
With a nod, Charles with a dose of Fatherly pride, replied, "You are right about that. Being a parent is so rewarding, especially when you see your child develop into a kind and caring person..."
And though Charles was speaking for himself, he suddenly realized he could slip in a little advice to his daughter by adding, "...in what ever form parenting happens...whether the child is yours or otherwise. I mean adoption is a very noble way to go if one wants to parent."
Knowing her father was acknowledging their talk from the other day, and in his own way saying he would most certainly love an accept an adopted grandchild too.
Looking back at Natalie with her entourage, Catherine smiled, as she remained silent watching, along with her Dad.
Charles then broke the silence by saying, "I am sure glad to be privy to all of these goings ons down here."
In amazement he then marveled, "Right when you think you have seen, and know all there is to know about life..."
Catherine giggled as she finished her Dad's sentence by saying, "You travel below the city streets, and learn that you don't."
They both shared a chuckle, when just then Mary came up and said, "There you are! Come with me, I'd love to take you to your seats."
To be continued
Chapter Seven
: }
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| Destiny of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Six _______________________________________ |
