As Catherine made her way toward the parking garage, she needed to make one more stop, and as she waited for Bruno to finish signing for a package, he turned and did a double take, and warmly said, "Catie! Good to see you!"
After Catherine gave Bruno a hug, she said, "Good to see you too Bruno! And thanks for letting Jenny smuggle Noodles through."
Waving his hand, he said, "Ah, rules are made to be broken...no problemo!"
With concern Bruno then asked, "Leaving the party already?"
To which Catherine replied, "Yes, well I have to go to work yet, but the party is still in full swing, and in fact they are looking for you."
Bruno then glanced at this watch, and said, "I am heading up in about seven minutes, that's when I am getting relieved for my break."
Just then he went to adjust his well worn ear muffs, so he could hear better, when one of the fuzzy muff covers fell off!
And because he was used to this happenstance, he picked it up, and slipped it back onto the pad, and in a fatherly tone, Bruno then asked, "So how is it over there at the D.A.? They treating you good?"
With a sigh, Catherine answered, "Yes they are, but I would be lying if I didn't admit to missing everyone here though..."
As Bruno then teasingly posed a question, obviously hoping for a yes answer, he asked, "Hope I am on that list..."
Teasing back, Catherine said, "Yes you are...in fact, I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to give you something as a token of my appreciation for all you do for us throughout the year..."
As Catherine handed Bruno his gift, she asked, "Now wait until I leave to open it..."
Thanking her profusely, Bruno said, he would wait, and then he reached behind the desk, and gifted Catherine with a wee box, which was filled with some homemade candy his wife had made.
And because it was an annual ritual, Catherine asked, "Is this what I hope it is?"
With a boisterous chuckle, Bruno replied, "It is! The little lady says it isn't Christmas if she doesn't make her family's traditional Peppermint Bark recipe! Enjoy!"
With emotion, Catherine thanked Bruno, and with a fond embrace they each wished the other a Very Merry Christmas.
Excited to see what Catherine would have given him, Bruno opened his gift as soon as she was out of sight, and with utter delight he opened a box, which hosted a warm pair of insulated gloves, along with a matching scarf and a new pair of ear muffs which had a battery powered adjustable warmer! And then on top, was a gift card to his, and his wife Carla's favorite restaurant, Rocco's SteakHouse!
With a shaking of his head, Bruno thought, "Ah that Catie...she must have remembered how much we enjoyed our anniversary dinner there...what a sweet hearted girl."
And as he slipped on his new pair of ear muffs, adjusted the temp, he chuckled to himself, thinking, "Boy, I sure needed these!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, its the morning of Christmas Eve, and below the city, the tunnel community awakened. And as they each emerged from their chambers to migrate to the Dining Hall, the wondrous news of Devin’s homecoming had spread, and it was all everyone could talk about!
And yes, the two brothers were on the move as well, and as per Vincent's usual routine, they were making a stop at Jacob's chamber to escort him to breakfast.
Recalling this old ritual, Devin fondly noted, "So you still walk with Father every morning? Gees, I remember we would as kids."
Vincent tipped his head as he replied, "I never stopped."
Devin looked at Vincent and with a smile, reminisced, "We had some of our best times during those morning walks. I suppose it was because I hadn't had the chance to get on his nerves yet."
With aplomb, agreeably Vincent said, "Yes...those were some of the best moments the three of us shared…”
As the brothers stepped through their father's threshold, Jacob was just slipping on his last boot to ready himself for the day, when upon hearing their greeting, he looked up and gratefully said, “Ahh, so it wasn’t a dream! I dare say, that I awoke feeling in such high spirits, I feared Devin's homecoming was only a dream!”
With a soft laughter Jacob then added, “At my age one can not be too sure of anything you know.”
Devin kindly laughed at his Father’s “age comment” and though it was said light-heartedly, Devin couldn’t help but think that in his absence, his father had grown old. And he could not shake the guilt knowing all the worry their estrangement must have caused him.
And so thoughtfully, Devin approached his Father and said, “When I think of the years that have past, lost years, I am sorry I waited so long to come home.”
Jacob hoping to give his son a reprieve of the past, just as Devin had done for him, cleared his voice of emotion, as he said, “Your pardon over my past mistakes as your father, has given me a great peace, and now with that end, it is there, if you agree, I wish to begin. No more looking back...except on the good times which after all is said and done, have bound us to one another.”
Vincent was so very proud of his Father as he listened to him break the final chains of regret from Devin’s heart. And reflectively he thought, what long personal journeys they each have traveled, and finally, now that their paths are merging, perhaps given time, they can find a way to be a Father and a Son to one another.
Devin and Jacob then embraced, and with their emotions still raw from their reunion, smiled at one another, and with a pat on his back, Jacob finished up as he included Vincent, by saying, “It’s Christmas Eve, and my two sons are here to take me to breakky. I dare say, it doesn’t get any better than this. Shall we go?”
The three were all in accord, and with that said, they ventured forth continuing their trek to the Dining Hall.
As a comfort zone settled in upon them, they chit-chatted, filling Devin in about the people of the community and helpers he knew, when Jacob urgently inquired, “Oh Vincent, I was remiss last evening! I neglected to inquire if Lin, Henry and Dr. Wong are coming tonight?”
With a gracious nod, Vincent answered, “They are, and very excited to do so, since they missed the festivities the other night.”
To which Jacob replied, “Good…good. Lin is over her illness then?”
Wondering how to answer this question without lying, and yet not give their "BABY" news away, Vincent simply said, “She looked fine last evening…”
Vincent then turned to Devin, and said, “As you have gathered, happily you will be seeing Dr. Wong, and his granddaughter Lin tonight.”
To which Jacob anxiously added, “And Lin’s husband Henry.”
With a surprised tone, Devin asked, “Little Tiger Lilly is married?”
With a nod, Vincent said, “Little Tiger Lilly has grown up Devin.”
“And into a lovely woman…” Added Jacob.
As Jacob filled Devin in on the romantic drama of Lin and her husband’s romance, Vincent listened, and thought to himself, "Oh my! Not only is Little Tiger Lilly grown and married, but is expecting a child as well!"
So as the three approached the Dining Hall, they passed several dwellers who happily greeted them, some who knew Devin from before, and others who had only heard of this legendary character. But it was Rebecca who was totally beside herself with happiness as she met up with them, and with a hug, expounded, “It is true! You have come home for Christmas!”
Thrilled to be greeted by Rebecca so sweetly, Devin hugged her back, and laughed as he answered, “Hi ya Becca…and yes, I am home.”
Devin then stepped back, tipped his head, and said, “Let me look at you! Gorgeous is all I can say…Gorgeous!”
Feeling grateful she took extra care grooming this morning, Rebecca modestly looked up at Devin and teasingly accused, “Oh Devin, you always loved embarrassing me!”
With a gentle embrace to his childhood friend, Devin guiltily replied, “I can't help myself! Your blushing makes you such a fun target!”
And so as they walked onward, Rebecca who still had her arm around Devin's waist, asked Vincent and Jacob, “You must be so happy Devin is home...”
To which they said they were, and that his homecoming was the best gift they could have ever asked for.
And then Rebecca answered Devin's many questions, and all the while they chatted, Vincent and Jacob smiled as they listened to the two, enjoying the fact they were able to pick up where they had left off so many years ago.
And Vincent thought back on how Devin could always bring quiet shy Rebecca out of her shell as children, and now as adults, he still could!
Changing the topic from herself, Rebecca warmly inquired, “So tell me…how was your first night back home?”
Sincerely Devin replied, “It was like old times sharing space with my little brother here, and I don’t think I've slept that soundly in years..."
Meanwhile Mary joined the entourage as well, and after she and Devin exchanged embraces and hellos, Mary told Devin how nice it was to have him home again, to which he privately replied, "Thank you Mary...I appreciate everyone welcoming me so warmly, ya know, I'm not sure I deserve it."
To which Mary in a motherly tone, replied, "Of course you do Devin, don't doubt it...we all have our own personal journeys we must travel in this life...and not one of us has done everything one hundred percent right...not one of us...so be humble for your own sake, but be happy for Father's."
Appreciating Mary's sage advice, Devin with a nod, said, "Thank you Mary..."
And then Mary took Jacob’s arm, and she softly said, “Well what do you know…Devin's home, just in time for Christmas.”
As Jacob warmly looked at her, he said, "You were right when you said, I shouldn't give up hope Mary...seeing him at my threshold last night was like a miracle."
To which Mary tearfully added, “Yes...it is like a miracle, and I can see how happy his homecoming has made both you and Vincent.”
With a nod, Jacob said, “Indeed…indeed.”
As they entered the Dining Hall, welcomes were issued from everyone there, making Devin feel truly welcome by one and all.
And after everyone was settled, and word of thanks had been spoken by Jacob, William served his delicious breakfast, of which upon Jacob’s request…he pulled out all the stops in planning his menu.
William contemplatively watched on as Devin took his first bite of his Black Forest Ham Scramble, and then Devin contentedly said, “Now I know I'm really home, delicious William. Just as good as I remembered...”
With that said, William with a friendly embrace said, “Welcome home lad, welcome home.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Still aglow from all the camaraderie Catherine shared at her Dad’s Christmas Party, she entered the D.A. Office building.
And as Catherine walked past the receptionist, she exchanged a friendly nod, and then onto the elevator, where she rode up to her floor with a few familiar looking faces, who were also juggling gifts, cards, and goodies.
And as she stood amongst these like minded souls, Catherine thought how nice it felt to finally blend in, no longer feeling like the proverbial new guy in town who stood out like a sore thumb. Or, on the other hand, standing out and treated differently because she was the boss’s daughter!
Yes although the contrast from her Dad’s office and here was great, Catherine thought, perhaps that was part of its appeal, because there are times when anonymity, had its charm, and some days, it was definitely a welcoming state of being.
Once Catherine reached her floor, she glanced up at the clock, and was happy to see she was back at her estimated time!
And as she set everything down on her desk, Catherine said good morning to Paul, and glanced over at Joe, who was walking up to them.
Cheerfully Joe greeted Catherine by saying, “Hiya Radclif…err Cathy.
Catherine laughed as she chided, “Old habits die hard uh?”
Laughing at himself, Joe replied, “The bad ones anyway. So how was the shindig at your Dad’s?”
To which Catherine said, “It was very nice. It was great to see everyone. Sorry you two had to miss.”
Appreciatively, Joe replied, “Yeah, and hey, that was swell of your Dad to invite us, it's just too bad for Paul and me, that Moreno planned that darn last minute hearing.”
Meanwhile, because Paul knew what a great party he missed, complained, “Yeah dog gone it! How was the food? Did Nick's do the catering again this year?”
Catherine nodded, and with a cunning look, said, “Yes, Nick's Bistro did the catering, and yes, the food was delicious as usual, and…”
It was then Catherine pulled out a couple of to-go containers that were filled to the brim, and said, “…Marilyn and Rita prepared you both plates, with a sample of everything from the buffet.”
As both the bachelors eagerly took the boxes she offered them, Catherine smiled as Paul lifted the lid, took in the aroma, and decadently said, “That's what I am talking about! Heaven, pure Heaven.”
As Joe then checked out his mini buffet, with a crooked grin, he charmingly said, “I owe ya one Cathy!”
With a genuine show of gratitude, Catherine answered, “Giving me the time off is payback enough Joe.”
Catherine then teasingly instructed, “Now eat! Enjoy while its still hot!”
Discreetly, Joe told Paul, “Move over bud, I’m gonna eat this over here, cuz if I pass by Shultz, he is gonna want to dig in, and I aint sharing this with anybody!”
So after making room for his boss, Paul and Joe hunkered down to enjoy their meals. And while they ate, the three of them made some easy going conversation, while Catherine got her desk organized.
As Paul took a bite of his savory omelet, mixed with a scoop of his maple sweet pancake, inquisitively he asked Catherine, "So, how is everyone doing over there at the firm?"
As Catherine leafed through her stack of files, she let go a relieving sigh and said, “Good, really good...and of course your fan club wished you could have been there Paul, and Joe, you have a bit of a following there now too!"
And because both the guys felt amply flattered, they humbly accepted the compliment from a smiling Catherine.
And it was then, Paul mentioned, "Well, I'm ready for Christmas! How about you Cathy?"
In response, Catherine answered, "Just about, I still have one more item to pick up at the repair shop, and it will be ready today after twelve..."
And then addressing Joe, Catherine continued, "...I hate to ask Joe, but do I still get a lunch hour even though I came in late?"
To which Joe said, "Sure why not! Today is gonna be a wash anyhow...at least as far as any work gettin' done..."
And then Joe admitted, “...in fact, I'll be shopping on MY lunch hour too, running around trying to find gifts that'll suit my Ma and three aunts.”
Then as a thought struck him, Joe asked, “Hey, you’re a female, right?"
To which Catherine giggled as she answered, "Well, last I looked!"
And though Paul laughed at Catherine's quip, Joe was preoccupied with finding gifts, and so he continued, "Any suggestions?”
To which Catherine thoughtfully said, “Well, not off hand, but the repair shop I'm going to on my lunch is right next to a little gift shop, and they have the nicest things there. I guess if you trust me, I could pick out something for you. Could you steer me in any certain direction? Any thing in mind?”
In response, Joe scratched his chin, as he said, “I actually do...ahh but never mind, I doubt you could find what I'm wantin’. I don't know if they even make them anymore!”
But Catherine thinking she was up for the challenge, said, “Maybe. What is it you are looking for?”
With a knitted brow, Joe explained, “Well, it's one of those glass things ya shake and flakes float all over inside? Like uh, like in that movie Citizen Cane...you know where the guy says, "Rose bud, Rose bud" and then this round glass globe thing falls to the floor and breaks? Well it's one of those things.”
Catherine giggled at Joe’s horrible imitation of Orson Wells, and also at the irony of his idea, since she was picking up one of those "Round Glass Globe Things" herself on her lunch!
And so assuredly Catherine answered, “Yes, I know what a snow globe is...”
Joe feeling pleased Catherine knew what he was talking about, excitedly said, "Snow Globe! That's what they're called a Snow Globe!"
And then Joe turned thoughtful as he shared, "Well, my Grandma always had one sitting out on her coffee table at Christmastime, and when we were kids, we loved to shake that thing, and watch the snow swirl all around inside..."
Joe then went on to explain,"...so anyhow, at Thanksgiving, I heard my Ma and aunts talking about Grandma's snow globe, and they all wondered where it got off to! So I thought that might be a cool gift idea, ya know, if I could find four of those? What do ya think? Hopeless?”
To which Catherine happily told him, “Actually, the little gift shop does have snow globes, at least they did yesterday. They had several of them with a Nativity theme, and they were quite lovely, and with a turn of the key, it plays music too!"
With a nod, Joe excitedly said, “Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!"
And so since Catherine would be braving the crowds and elements, she offered, "If you 'd like, I could pick them up while I am out..."
With a tip of his head, Joe thinking this was his lucky day, said, "You wouldn't mind gettin' four of 'em?”
Matter-of-factly Catherine answered, “Not at all. Like I said the gift shop is next door to where I need to go anyway..."
And then Catherine cautioned, "...now Joe, just in case they are out of the Snow Globes, are you giving me creative license to pick out something else, or...”
Urgently, Joe said, “Absolutely, I mean I would love to get four matching globes, but hey, I'm at the end of the line! So if they are out of the snow globes, just pick out four of anything you think an older Italian lady would like! But the main thing is they gotta match! IDENTICALLY! I don't want anyone feeling slighted in any way!"
With a slight giggle, Catherine said, "All right then Joe...just leave it to me."
With relief, Joe replied, "Hey you just took a load off my mind, here’s the dough. Thanks a lot kid.”
While Catherine tucked his money in her purse, she mentioned to Paul, “Oh Paul, I ran into your Mom earlier, when I passed by Morty’s. She said she was getting a rib roast for Christmas Eve dinner, and she told me to tell her boy hi! So I guess it is needless to ask if you are going over...”
To which Paul sentimentally answered, “Mom's great cooking, singing carols around the old player piano, and Dad's special punch, yeah, I'll be there...I wouldn't miss it for the world. Christmas Eve is always the best.”
Thinking how nice Christmas Eve sounded for Paul, Catherine then asked Joe, “What about you Joe?”
As Joe shared his Holiday repertoire, Catherine noticed there was nary a sarcastic comment in sight! And she thought how nice it was to have an actual conversation with Joe. Not the usual sparring match they seemed to eventually engage in. And Catherine found herself smiling as Joe talked about his “Ma” and siblings who were to gather together both tonight and tomorrow to celebrate this Holy Day, along with his numerous relatives.
And while Joe talked of his plans, he was stirring his coffee, when he noticed Catherine's plate of cookies. And so interrupting his own story, Joe asked, “Hey, did you bake those?”
To which Catherine said, “Well, to rip off Paul’s favorite line, “Guilty as charged.”
Upon hearing this was his quote, Paul in denial asked, "What do you mean my favorite line, I don't say that do I?"
To which Catherine and Joe shared a look, because they both knew he said it alot! And so instead of calling him out, Catherine simply smiled as she offered, “You both wanna try one?”
With out missing a beat, the two admitted to being stuffed, but couldn't resist trying one.
As Catherine received a compliment from Paul on her baking, Joe then took a bite of his cookie, and said, “Not bad, not bad at all!”
Happy the two liked them, Catherine replied, “Well Thanks. I made them from my Mom's cookie recipe. I love baking them, the taste of them takes me right back to a simpler time.”
Both Paul and Joe knowing Catherine was referring to the time before she lost her Mother, both sat silent, and with a nod indicated they understood.
Sipping from his cup, Joe then said, “Well, everything was delicious. Thanks again, I better get busy, duty calls.”
Joe then turned to answer one of the many people who were vying for his attention, and as he walked away, Catherine smiled, thinking, “Who would have ever guessed, that this Joe and I might actually become friends.”
But the fact was, as Joe's fine character slowly revealed itself to Catherine; she thought there was something about him, and, Joe was beginning to grow on her.