We Wish You a Merry Christmas
As they walked onto Vincent's chamber, Mouse asked Vincent, “Why is Father always mad at me?”
Looking over at Mouse, Vincent kindly explained, “Its not that Father is mad at you, however, I believe his wish, is for you to better contain Arthur during community gatherings. And I have noticed Father's patience seems to have grown thin of late, however, if you recall, it always does around Christmas time. He takes it upon himself to oversee all the preparations to ensure a memorable, meaningful Christmas for all of us, and...Father has his own private sentimental memories of Christmases past as well…it is an emotional time for him. So Mouse, we must try and be more understanding...”
Agreeably Mouse said, “Guess so.”
As they entered Vincent’s chamber, Mouse looked around, and Vincent’s broken snow globe immediately caught his attention, to which Vincent unhappily replied, “The water has dissipated since last Christmas.”
As Mouse inspected the globe, he disappointedly offered, “That's sad.”
To which Vincent shared, "Yes, and unfortunately, I am not sure if there is a way to repair it; however if you wind it, you will see the music box still functions.”
Mouse then wound it and as the music played, he happily replied, “Still good!”
Warmly, Vincent smiled downward; pleased for the fact Mouse wasn’t totally disappointed, and repeated, “Yes still good.”
After Mouse put the globe back in its place of honor, Vincent then picked up the garland, and said, “Take this end and attach it over there in your corner, and I will take my end to the opposing angle.”
With Arthur on his shoulder, Mouse did his part as he attached his end, and then he inquisitively asked, “Do Father’s chamber next, then mine?”
Matter-of-factly, Vincent replied, “Yes, as per tradition, we shall do Father’s, then yours.”
Loving the Christmas rituals he had inherited once he became a tunnel resident, Mouse speculated, “Hmm wonder if Mary and the girls will remember their tradition too.”
Smiling at his friend, Vincent answered, “I suppose time will tell uh?”
Just then they heard a gaggle of carolers outside the threshold, and Mouse noted excitedly, “Guess they remembered!”
As Mary and her troupe waltzed in with a kettle of hot cider and warm sweet Gingerbread, they finished singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Boisterously, Vincent welcomed them, saying, “Ah sweet angels of mercy.”
Cheerfully, Brooke poured the two some cider, Mary served the Ginger bread, and Jamie pulled a banana from her pocket that she had saved from her Breakfast, and gave it to Arthur.
To which Mary looked aghast as she scolded, "Jamie, William would flip if he knew you were giving Arthur fresh produce!"
In reply, Jamie said, "I know, but its Christmas-time, and I am offering my portion...awe just this once...and William doesn't have to know...does he Mary?"
With hope in his heart, Mouse looked at Mary and too asked her not to tell, noting, "William already mad at Arthur about the walnuts...will get more mad if he knows about the banana..."
With all eyes on Mary, she simmered down a bit as she came around, and humbly said, "I won't say anything, BUT...just this once!"
Jamie crossed her heart as she promised, and then everyone, including Mary, got a chuckle or two as they watched Arthur thoroughly enjoy his treat!
Focus back onto the task at hand, the girls looked all around, and critiqued the motif within Vincent’s chamber.
Excitedly, Laura signed she liked the new way Vincent and Mouse hung the garland this year, along with the red bows right over the threshold!
To which Rebecca replied, “Yes…that does look festive!”
Meantime, Brooke went over to look at the little snowman, and said, "Awe you picked out the cute little snowman! I almost did, but saw he was missing an arm...but I see you fashioned him a new one."
Walking over to her side, Vincent concurred, saying, "Yes...I used a twig I had found in passing."
With a huge smile, Brooke said, "Well it looks just perfect and kinda wish I would have thought to fix him up instead of passing the little guy up."
To which Vincent replied, "Yes...he is complete again..."
And then Vincent offered, "Since you like him so much, you must take him and have him decorate your chamber."
Excitedly, Brooke said, "Oh thank you Vincent, I would love to take him! I will be back and pick him up later after we make our rounds."
To which Vincent replied, "Splendid!"
After witnessing their exchange, Mary approvingly sighed, “Splendid indeed! Well, enjoy your refreshments boys."
Mary then turned to the glee club she had assembled, and said, "Come along now girls, we better keep moving, as we have many more stops to make. Let's see, we shall go to Kanin, Olivia, and Lukey's chamber next, then ONTO Father’s."
To which Mary shared, “I cannot wait to see where Olivia has put the wreath I had made out of those re-furbished branches from an artificial Christmas tree! It came out splendidly, and truth be told, I nearly kept it for myself! Anywho, I am most eager to see where she has hung it! Hopefully it is in a place which does it justice!”
And then Mary asked, "Vincent, will you and Mouse be assisting your Father? I believe he may need some help."
With a nod, Vincent replied, "As I told Mouse, as per tradition, we are going there next. Father is expecting us."
Then purposely, so the ladies could overhear, Vincent told Mouse, "And if we time this right, we should be there in time for another serving of this fine gingerbread.”
Thinking this sounded like a great plan, excitedly, Mouse replied, "OK Fine with me."
The girls giggled as Mary responded, "We can hear you Vincent!"
And out the threshold they all went, except for Mary who held back, so she could set a broken piece of gingerbread down on the table for Arthur, and with her finger to her lips, she sternly told Vincent and Mouse, "Not a word you two!"
With the biggest grin, he could grin, Mouse replied, "Don't worry Mary, won't tell William."
Giving Mouse a second glance, Mary regretfully realized, she was now counting on Mouse not to snitch on her! Yes, Mouse who could be a bit of a rogue at times!
And so with a roll of her eyes, she looked at Vincent, and begged, "Make sure of that will you?"
With a sincere nod, Vincent assured Mary he would.
With trepidation, Mary ventured out into the tunnels to re-join the girls, and they resumed their choral catalog, as they trekked onto their next destination.
With a few more tasks, Vincent handed Mouse a sprig of mistletoe, motioning toward the threshold, and as Mouse hung the mistletoe, he teasingly said, "Oh, I know what this is for!"
To which Vincent who was hanging some garland in another area, soundly answered, "No commentary, just hang the mistletoe Mouse!"
And then Mouse asked, “Will Catherine come tomorrow night?”
To which Vincent answered, “I very much hope so, and not only because I believe she would enjoy hearing the story, but because it gives us an added occasion to see one another.”
Mouse then thoughtfully made a statement more than asking a question, softly said, “Cuz you love each other..."
To which Vincent tipped his head, and carefully answered, "Well yes Mouse...we do..."
Staying quiet for a moment longer, Mouse then asked, "People in love get married right?”
Noting the seriousness in his little friend's tone, Vincent agreed, saying, “Yes, I suppose most times they do…”
Wondering what was on his mind, Vincent clarified, “…why do you ask?”
In reply, Mouse answered, “Just wondering if Catherine will like living in the tunnels after you get married...”
And as a dreaded thought crossed his mind, Mouse worriedly asked, "...or would you go above to live with Catherine!?"
For just a moment Vincent was surprised by his question. Weren’t his differences obvious? How could Mouse think living above was an option for him?
But then Vincent reasoned, it was quite heart-warming that his differences between he, and the rest of the world, were NOT that apparent to his dear friend.
And so with care, Vincent informatively replied, “No Mouse, I would never leave the tunnels, this is my home, and marriage, well marriage is not a possibility for Catherine and me.”
In a confused manner, Mouse asked, “But you said you and Catherine are in love.”
As the frustrating reality of his plight once again came crashing down on his heart, sadly Vincent tried to explain, “What we have…how we feel goes beyond love…I am not sure anyone else can understand…”
Nodding, Mouse clarified, “So, won’t get married like Kanin and Olivia, and Catherine won’t live here?”
Looking over at Mouse who was at the other end of a string of cranberries, Vincent answered, “No Mouse.”
Tipping his head, Mouse asked, “And that is okay?”
Solemnly, Vincent explained, “Sometimes you have to accept things as they are…and just live moment to moment…”
Searching for an example to help Mouse understand, Vincent told him, “As Brigit taught us in her book “300 Days”, if you love someone…you must take chances in life, and maybe a moment of happiness is all you can have, but Brigit promises us…the journey is worth all you risk. And yes...being together when we can is Okay.”
Prominently, Mouse excitedly noted, “All I know is since Winterfest, you and Catherine are together a lot. She is here, or you going above.”
Letting go of a smile, Vincent thought to himself, it was true. Winterfest had been a decisive watermark in their time line together.
And so he merely said, “I pray that does not change Mouse.”
Understanding, that may always be the way of things between Vincent and Catherine, Mouse asked, “Then visiting is good enough?”
Looking downward before answering, Vincent whispered, “Yes…I am blessed by this bond with Catherine…in what ever shape or form it assumes. Visiting must be good enough, I dare not want for more, or I may lose what we have. Do you understand?”
Nodding, Mouse said, “Think so. Kinda like the snow globe, may not have water, but still plays music.”
Smiling, Vincent nodded as he took in a deep breath, loving Mouse’s pure straightforward way of looking at the world, and said, "Yes Mouse, that's a great way to put it."
Vincent then offered, “I believe we are done here…everything looks magnificent. Let’s finish our cider, and then go onto Father's.”
As Mouse went to sip from him cup, he spouted, "Hey...all gone!"
To which Vincent noted, "Hmmm, mine is too."
As they both glanced over on the other end of the table, they saw Arthur munching on the gingerbread crumbs, which prompted Vincent to say, "I have one guess on who may have drank our cider..."
With a resigned nod, Mouse said, "Better take Arthur home on our way to Father's."
With a pat on his friend's back, Vincent agreed saying, "I believe that would be wise."
The rest of the day in the tunnels was quite busy, filled with all the activities which make this time of year hairy, yet extremely joyous.
With a focus on Vincent and Mouse in particular; decorating was completed in both Father’s and Mouse’s chambers, second helpings were had, and there were a couple of emergencies of which the duo had to respond to, as well.
One of which was Rebecca, who needed help hanging her garlands, and popcorn strings, and the other was Kanin, who wanted to move a heavy chiffereau to better make room for his family’s Christmas tree.
Ah yes indeed, the pipes were a buzz with calls for help, and other such communications this day, and then later, after everyone was finished with their own dwellings, it was then customary to join up to decorate the Dining and the Great Hall.
Everyone dug in, implementing some new decorating ideas, and replicating some of last year’s. Of course there were some conflicts of ideas due to taste, but all had been resolved, and the end result were two beautifully decorated halls.
So as Vincent, Rebecca and Mouse were the last ones finishing up in the Dining Hall, Rebecca began to speculate, they were missing something...
And so she mentioned, "I know closer to Christmas we will all together decorate the Community Christmas Tree in The Great Hall as tradition dictates, but I was thinking, wouldn't an additional Christmas tree be a nice touch here in the Dining Hall for the festivities tomorrow night?"
Vincent nodded in agreement, but then cautioned, "Time is of the essence, who can we ask to provide a tree to us today?"
And because Mouse had confiscated a tree to have of his very own, Mouse reluctantly offered, "Guess we can use my Christmas Tree..."
Surprised to hear he had a tree of his own, Vincent asked, "You have a live tree Mouse? From above?"
To which Mouse answered, "Wanted my own tree like Kanin, and Mary do. So went up top after we helped Kanin..."
Setting aside the question for now, of WHERE he found it, Vincent proudly patted Mouse on the back, and said, "And you are willing to give it up?"
And because he could see Vincent was proud of what he was willing to do, Mouse beamed as he said, "Sure! I can get another one for myself later on...know where I can get more!"
To which Rebecca noted, "What a fine gesture Mouse! Would you retrieve it? And while you do that, Vincent and I will gather decorations for it."
And so as Mouse left to get the tree, Rebecca guiltily admitted, "Guess we should be asking Mouse who his Tree Provider is uh?"
With a nod, Vincent agreeably said, "We will before he confiscates his next acquisition...however...since this tree is already gotten, we cannot let a good tree go to waste...can we?"
In reply, Rebecca smiled as she said, "No we can't...and I guess shame on me, but I just keep thinking what a festive setting the Tree will add for Father's reading."
So upon Mouse's return, he declared, "Got it! Where to put it?"
Looking about, Rebecca scouted out a vacant corner, and said, "It will be perfect over there!"
And so the three stood the tree up in it's stand, and they used one of the wooden Angels which Cullen and carved for the top, and decorated the tree with the choice few ornaments that were left to pick from.
Upon thinking the tree looked kinda bare, Rebecca questioned, "Mouse, did Arthur eat all the gingerbread decorations?"
To which Mouse spouted, "Arthur not a pig, only ate one, maybe five! But there are plenty left."
Happy to hear, Rebecca declared, "Wonderful! I think they would be so cute and festive on this special Dining Hall tree. Would you mind getting them from the Community Storage Chamber?"
Happily Mouse did, and after the last of the gingerbread men ornaments were hung, Vincent announced, "It is a great tree...and we have Mouse to thank...and so we do."
As Mouse stood in an awe shucks fashion, his glory was short lived, because he was then called away on a mission to help Jamie!
So meantime, as Vincent hung his last sprig of ivy, Rebecca came up behind him and excitedly observed, “Very nice, Vincent!”
Nodding in agreement, Vincent looked at his ivy placement and then all around, and proudly said, “Yes it does...it all does.”
With low ebb excitement, Rebecca noted, “Father made a request, saying he wanted the Dining Hall to look especially festive for the gathering tomorrow night. I think he will be happy with the outcome."
To which Vincent replied, "I do as well...and the Christmas tree was just the festive touch we needed...fine idea Rebecca."
With a smile, she then hugged herself, as she gushed, “This year really feels like Christmas doesn’t it? I mean there seems to be something extra special in the air this year…do you feel it too?”
Thoughtfully Vincent answered, “Yes…I believe I know what you mean.”
With a contemplative pose, Rebecca shared, "Last year, I never really got in the spirit…did you?”
Aloud Vincent questionably repeated as he tried to recall, asking, “Last Christmas?”
Privately, Vincent again repeated his last words to himself as he became reflective thinking on where his head and heart were a year ago. Never could he have imagined then, this Christmas…he would be sharing this blessed Holiday with someone as wonderful as Catherine.
“Vincent?” Rebecca giggled as she addressed him once more, and then teasingly asked, “Where were you just now?”
Vincent revealed with an embarrassed demeanor, “Thinking of how Catherine has changed my life.”
Smiling, Rebecca acknowledged, “I believe she has changed all of our lives Vincent. She has given us all something…”
Warmly she then tried to explain, “…when she arrived here for Winterfest…and her father too, I don’t know, it connected us to the rest of the world somehow. It took away our isolation. She made me feel…I don’t know…”
Vibrantly, Rebecca then inserted, “Accepted!! I think that is the word I want for how she made me feel! Accepted.”
Tipping his head thinking, perhaps acceptance was part of what he was feeling, but it was because of who HE was. After all…the tunnels really were his only option for existence. He then looked at Rebecca and thought but she…she could live above. Wasn’t the isolation, part of the appeal of the tunnels for the others, and why they chose to be there?
And so he asked, “Rebecca, have you ever considered leaving the tunnels? Making a life for yourself above?”
Surprised by his question, Rebecca fervently said, “No…this is my home Vincent, everyone here is my family. Why would you ask me that?”
Thoughtfully, he replied, “Because of the satisfaction you derived from feeling accepted. This is an unconventional life style after all, for those of you who choose it.”
Understanding Vincent’s point, Rebecca explained, “Perhaps so, but I grew up here like you, and I have never felt a restlessness like some of the others. I have never wanted to leave.”
Taking a moment to contemplate all that Rebecca's friendship has meant to him through the years, realizing life without her here would have left a void too large to measure, and so in reply, Vincent thoughtfully said, "For that I am most thankful."
As they shared a meaningful moment, knowing they were family by choice, not by obligation or lineage, Rebecca then finished up this line of conversation by saying, "Yes Vincent...life here suits me just fine."
Teasingly she then looked up at him, and sternly asked, “Now are you going to help me sweep up the last of these pine needles?”
With a smile in his heart, Vincent held the dust pan for Rebecca, and she swept the last little pile into the pan.
And so after they put the broom and dust pan away, Rebecca then looked all around...and Vincent did too, and so he asked, "Everything good?"
To which Rebecca put her arm around Vincent's middle, and with contented satisfaction said, “Better than good, everything is perfect!”
To be continued
Chapter Three
As they walked onto Vincent's chamber, Mouse asked Vincent, “Why is Father always mad at me?”
Looking over at Mouse, Vincent kindly explained, “Its not that Father is mad at you, however, I believe his wish, is for you to better contain Arthur during community gatherings. And I have noticed Father's patience seems to have grown thin of late, however, if you recall, it always does around Christmas time. He takes it upon himself to oversee all the preparations to ensure a memorable, meaningful Christmas for all of us, and...Father has his own private sentimental memories of Christmases past as well…it is an emotional time for him. So Mouse, we must try and be more understanding...”
Agreeably Mouse said, “Guess so.”
As they entered Vincent’s chamber, Mouse looked around, and Vincent’s broken snow globe immediately caught his attention, to which Vincent unhappily replied, “The water has dissipated since last Christmas.”
As Mouse inspected the globe, he disappointedly offered, “That's sad.”
To which Vincent shared, "Yes, and unfortunately, I am not sure if there is a way to repair it; however if you wind it, you will see the music box still functions.”
Mouse then wound it and as the music played, he happily replied, “Still good!”
Warmly, Vincent smiled downward; pleased for the fact Mouse wasn’t totally disappointed, and repeated, “Yes still good.”
After Mouse put the globe back in its place of honor, Vincent then picked up the garland, and said, “Take this end and attach it over there in your corner, and I will take my end to the opposing angle.”
With Arthur on his shoulder, Mouse did his part as he attached his end, and then he inquisitively asked, “Do Father’s chamber next, then mine?”
Matter-of-factly, Vincent replied, “Yes, as per tradition, we shall do Father’s, then yours.”
Loving the Christmas rituals he had inherited once he became a tunnel resident, Mouse speculated, “Hmm wonder if Mary and the girls will remember their tradition too.”
Smiling at his friend, Vincent answered, “I suppose time will tell uh?”
Just then they heard a gaggle of carolers outside the threshold, and Mouse noted excitedly, “Guess they remembered!”
As Mary and her troupe waltzed in with a kettle of hot cider and warm sweet Gingerbread, they finished singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Boisterously, Vincent welcomed them, saying, “Ah sweet angels of mercy.”
Cheerfully, Brooke poured the two some cider, Mary served the Ginger bread, and Jamie pulled a banana from her pocket that she had saved from her Breakfast, and gave it to Arthur.
To which Mary looked aghast as she scolded, "Jamie, William would flip if he knew you were giving Arthur fresh produce!"
In reply, Jamie said, "I know, but its Christmas-time, and I am offering my portion...awe just this once...and William doesn't have to know...does he Mary?"
With hope in his heart, Mouse looked at Mary and too asked her not to tell, noting, "William already mad at Arthur about the walnuts...will get more mad if he knows about the banana..."
With all eyes on Mary, she simmered down a bit as she came around, and humbly said, "I won't say anything, BUT...just this once!"
Jamie crossed her heart as she promised, and then everyone, including Mary, got a chuckle or two as they watched Arthur thoroughly enjoy his treat!
Focus back onto the task at hand, the girls looked all around, and critiqued the motif within Vincent’s chamber.
Excitedly, Laura signed she liked the new way Vincent and Mouse hung the garland this year, along with the red bows right over the threshold!
To which Rebecca replied, “Yes…that does look festive!”
Meantime, Brooke went over to look at the little snowman, and said, "Awe you picked out the cute little snowman! I almost did, but saw he was missing an arm...but I see you fashioned him a new one."
Walking over to her side, Vincent concurred, saying, "Yes...I used a twig I had found in passing."
With a huge smile, Brooke said, "Well it looks just perfect and kinda wish I would have thought to fix him up instead of passing the little guy up."
To which Vincent replied, "Yes...he is complete again..."
And then Vincent offered, "Since you like him so much, you must take him and have him decorate your chamber."
Excitedly, Brooke said, "Oh thank you Vincent, I would love to take him! I will be back and pick him up later after we make our rounds."
To which Vincent replied, "Splendid!"
After witnessing their exchange, Mary approvingly sighed, “Splendid indeed! Well, enjoy your refreshments boys."
Mary then turned to the glee club she had assembled, and said, "Come along now girls, we better keep moving, as we have many more stops to make. Let's see, we shall go to Kanin, Olivia, and Lukey's chamber next, then ONTO Father’s."
To which Mary shared, “I cannot wait to see where Olivia has put the wreath I had made out of those re-furbished branches from an artificial Christmas tree! It came out splendidly, and truth be told, I nearly kept it for myself! Anywho, I am most eager to see where she has hung it! Hopefully it is in a place which does it justice!”
And then Mary asked, "Vincent, will you and Mouse be assisting your Father? I believe he may need some help."
With a nod, Vincent replied, "As I told Mouse, as per tradition, we are going there next. Father is expecting us."
Then purposely, so the ladies could overhear, Vincent told Mouse, "And if we time this right, we should be there in time for another serving of this fine gingerbread.”
Thinking this sounded like a great plan, excitedly, Mouse replied, "OK Fine with me."
The girls giggled as Mary responded, "We can hear you Vincent!"
And out the threshold they all went, except for Mary who held back, so she could set a broken piece of gingerbread down on the table for Arthur, and with her finger to her lips, she sternly told Vincent and Mouse, "Not a word you two!"
With the biggest grin, he could grin, Mouse replied, "Don't worry Mary, won't tell William."
Giving Mouse a second glance, Mary regretfully realized, she was now counting on Mouse not to snitch on her! Yes, Mouse who could be a bit of a rogue at times!
And so with a roll of her eyes, she looked at Vincent, and begged, "Make sure of that will you?"
With a sincere nod, Vincent assured Mary he would.
With trepidation, Mary ventured out into the tunnels to re-join the girls, and they resumed their choral catalog, as they trekked onto their next destination.
With a few more tasks, Vincent handed Mouse a sprig of mistletoe, motioning toward the threshold, and as Mouse hung the mistletoe, he teasingly said, "Oh, I know what this is for!"
To which Vincent who was hanging some garland in another area, soundly answered, "No commentary, just hang the mistletoe Mouse!"
And then Mouse asked, “Will Catherine come tomorrow night?”
To which Vincent answered, “I very much hope so, and not only because I believe she would enjoy hearing the story, but because it gives us an added occasion to see one another.”
Mouse then thoughtfully made a statement more than asking a question, softly said, “Cuz you love each other..."
To which Vincent tipped his head, and carefully answered, "Well yes Mouse...we do..."
Staying quiet for a moment longer, Mouse then asked, "People in love get married right?”
Noting the seriousness in his little friend's tone, Vincent agreed, saying, “Yes, I suppose most times they do…”
Wondering what was on his mind, Vincent clarified, “…why do you ask?”
In reply, Mouse answered, “Just wondering if Catherine will like living in the tunnels after you get married...”
And as a dreaded thought crossed his mind, Mouse worriedly asked, "...or would you go above to live with Catherine!?"
For just a moment Vincent was surprised by his question. Weren’t his differences obvious? How could Mouse think living above was an option for him?
But then Vincent reasoned, it was quite heart-warming that his differences between he, and the rest of the world, were NOT that apparent to his dear friend.
And so with care, Vincent informatively replied, “No Mouse, I would never leave the tunnels, this is my home, and marriage, well marriage is not a possibility for Catherine and me.”
In a confused manner, Mouse asked, “But you said you and Catherine are in love.”
As the frustrating reality of his plight once again came crashing down on his heart, sadly Vincent tried to explain, “What we have…how we feel goes beyond love…I am not sure anyone else can understand…”
Nodding, Mouse clarified, “So, won’t get married like Kanin and Olivia, and Catherine won’t live here?”
Looking over at Mouse who was at the other end of a string of cranberries, Vincent answered, “No Mouse.”
Tipping his head, Mouse asked, “And that is okay?”
Solemnly, Vincent explained, “Sometimes you have to accept things as they are…and just live moment to moment…”
Searching for an example to help Mouse understand, Vincent told him, “As Brigit taught us in her book “300 Days”, if you love someone…you must take chances in life, and maybe a moment of happiness is all you can have, but Brigit promises us…the journey is worth all you risk. And yes...being together when we can is Okay.”
Prominently, Mouse excitedly noted, “All I know is since Winterfest, you and Catherine are together a lot. She is here, or you going above.”
Letting go of a smile, Vincent thought to himself, it was true. Winterfest had been a decisive watermark in their time line together.
And so he merely said, “I pray that does not change Mouse.”
Understanding, that may always be the way of things between Vincent and Catherine, Mouse asked, “Then visiting is good enough?”
Looking downward before answering, Vincent whispered, “Yes…I am blessed by this bond with Catherine…in what ever shape or form it assumes. Visiting must be good enough, I dare not want for more, or I may lose what we have. Do you understand?”
Nodding, Mouse said, “Think so. Kinda like the snow globe, may not have water, but still plays music.”
Smiling, Vincent nodded as he took in a deep breath, loving Mouse’s pure straightforward way of looking at the world, and said, "Yes Mouse, that's a great way to put it."
Vincent then offered, “I believe we are done here…everything looks magnificent. Let’s finish our cider, and then go onto Father's.”
As Mouse went to sip from him cup, he spouted, "Hey...all gone!"
To which Vincent noted, "Hmmm, mine is too."
As they both glanced over on the other end of the table, they saw Arthur munching on the gingerbread crumbs, which prompted Vincent to say, "I have one guess on who may have drank our cider..."
With a resigned nod, Mouse said, "Better take Arthur home on our way to Father's."
With a pat on his friend's back, Vincent agreed saying, "I believe that would be wise."
The rest of the day in the tunnels was quite busy, filled with all the activities which make this time of year hairy, yet extremely joyous.
With a focus on Vincent and Mouse in particular; decorating was completed in both Father’s and Mouse’s chambers, second helpings were had, and there were a couple of emergencies of which the duo had to respond to, as well.
One of which was Rebecca, who needed help hanging her garlands, and popcorn strings, and the other was Kanin, who wanted to move a heavy chiffereau to better make room for his family’s Christmas tree.
Ah yes indeed, the pipes were a buzz with calls for help, and other such communications this day, and then later, after everyone was finished with their own dwellings, it was then customary to join up to decorate the Dining and the Great Hall.
Everyone dug in, implementing some new decorating ideas, and replicating some of last year’s. Of course there were some conflicts of ideas due to taste, but all had been resolved, and the end result were two beautifully decorated halls.
So as Vincent, Rebecca and Mouse were the last ones finishing up in the Dining Hall, Rebecca began to speculate, they were missing something...
And so she mentioned, "I know closer to Christmas we will all together decorate the Community Christmas Tree in The Great Hall as tradition dictates, but I was thinking, wouldn't an additional Christmas tree be a nice touch here in the Dining Hall for the festivities tomorrow night?"
Vincent nodded in agreement, but then cautioned, "Time is of the essence, who can we ask to provide a tree to us today?"
And because Mouse had confiscated a tree to have of his very own, Mouse reluctantly offered, "Guess we can use my Christmas Tree..."
Surprised to hear he had a tree of his own, Vincent asked, "You have a live tree Mouse? From above?"
To which Mouse answered, "Wanted my own tree like Kanin, and Mary do. So went up top after we helped Kanin..."
Setting aside the question for now, of WHERE he found it, Vincent proudly patted Mouse on the back, and said, "And you are willing to give it up?"
And because he could see Vincent was proud of what he was willing to do, Mouse beamed as he said, "Sure! I can get another one for myself later on...know where I can get more!"
To which Rebecca noted, "What a fine gesture Mouse! Would you retrieve it? And while you do that, Vincent and I will gather decorations for it."
And so as Mouse left to get the tree, Rebecca guiltily admitted, "Guess we should be asking Mouse who his Tree Provider is uh?"
With a nod, Vincent agreeably said, "We will before he confiscates his next acquisition...however...since this tree is already gotten, we cannot let a good tree go to waste...can we?"
In reply, Rebecca smiled as she said, "No we can't...and I guess shame on me, but I just keep thinking what a festive setting the Tree will add for Father's reading."
So upon Mouse's return, he declared, "Got it! Where to put it?"
Looking about, Rebecca scouted out a vacant corner, and said, "It will be perfect over there!"
And so the three stood the tree up in it's stand, and they used one of the wooden Angels which Cullen and carved for the top, and decorated the tree with the choice few ornaments that were left to pick from.
Upon thinking the tree looked kinda bare, Rebecca questioned, "Mouse, did Arthur eat all the gingerbread decorations?"
To which Mouse spouted, "Arthur not a pig, only ate one, maybe five! But there are plenty left."
Happy to hear, Rebecca declared, "Wonderful! I think they would be so cute and festive on this special Dining Hall tree. Would you mind getting them from the Community Storage Chamber?"
Happily Mouse did, and after the last of the gingerbread men ornaments were hung, Vincent announced, "It is a great tree...and we have Mouse to thank...and so we do."
As Mouse stood in an awe shucks fashion, his glory was short lived, because he was then called away on a mission to help Jamie!
So meantime, as Vincent hung his last sprig of ivy, Rebecca came up behind him and excitedly observed, “Very nice, Vincent!”
Nodding in agreement, Vincent looked at his ivy placement and then all around, and proudly said, “Yes it does...it all does.”
With low ebb excitement, Rebecca noted, “Father made a request, saying he wanted the Dining Hall to look especially festive for the gathering tomorrow night. I think he will be happy with the outcome."
To which Vincent replied, "I do as well...and the Christmas tree was just the festive touch we needed...fine idea Rebecca."
With a smile, she then hugged herself, as she gushed, “This year really feels like Christmas doesn’t it? I mean there seems to be something extra special in the air this year…do you feel it too?”
Thoughtfully Vincent answered, “Yes…I believe I know what you mean.”
With a contemplative pose, Rebecca shared, "Last year, I never really got in the spirit…did you?”
Aloud Vincent questionably repeated as he tried to recall, asking, “Last Christmas?”
Privately, Vincent again repeated his last words to himself as he became reflective thinking on where his head and heart were a year ago. Never could he have imagined then, this Christmas…he would be sharing this blessed Holiday with someone as wonderful as Catherine.
“Vincent?” Rebecca giggled as she addressed him once more, and then teasingly asked, “Where were you just now?”
Vincent revealed with an embarrassed demeanor, “Thinking of how Catherine has changed my life.”
Smiling, Rebecca acknowledged, “I believe she has changed all of our lives Vincent. She has given us all something…”
Warmly she then tried to explain, “…when she arrived here for Winterfest…and her father too, I don’t know, it connected us to the rest of the world somehow. It took away our isolation. She made me feel…I don’t know…”
Vibrantly, Rebecca then inserted, “Accepted!! I think that is the word I want for how she made me feel! Accepted.”
Tipping his head thinking, perhaps acceptance was part of what he was feeling, but it was because of who HE was. After all…the tunnels really were his only option for existence. He then looked at Rebecca and thought but she…she could live above. Wasn’t the isolation, part of the appeal of the tunnels for the others, and why they chose to be there?
And so he asked, “Rebecca, have you ever considered leaving the tunnels? Making a life for yourself above?”
Surprised by his question, Rebecca fervently said, “No…this is my home Vincent, everyone here is my family. Why would you ask me that?”
Thoughtfully, he replied, “Because of the satisfaction you derived from feeling accepted. This is an unconventional life style after all, for those of you who choose it.”
Understanding Vincent’s point, Rebecca explained, “Perhaps so, but I grew up here like you, and I have never felt a restlessness like some of the others. I have never wanted to leave.”
Taking a moment to contemplate all that Rebecca's friendship has meant to him through the years, realizing life without her here would have left a void too large to measure, and so in reply, Vincent thoughtfully said, "For that I am most thankful."
As they shared a meaningful moment, knowing they were family by choice, not by obligation or lineage, Rebecca then finished up this line of conversation by saying, "Yes Vincent...life here suits me just fine."
Teasingly she then looked up at him, and sternly asked, “Now are you going to help me sweep up the last of these pine needles?”
With a smile in his heart, Vincent held the dust pan for Rebecca, and she swept the last little pile into the pan.
And so after they put the broom and dust pan away, Rebecca then looked all around...and Vincent did too, and so he asked, "Everything good?"
To which Rebecca put her arm around Vincent's middle, and with contented satisfaction said, “Better than good, everything is perfect!”
To be continued
Chapter Three
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| Destiny of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Two _____________________________ |
