Knowingly, Jacob looked at Catherine intently, and observed, "Because of the closeness you share with your Father, believe me when I tell you, you will need his support."
Catherine in agreement, then said, "I have wanted to share the whole story with my Dad, but I had promised Vincent."
Patting Catherine's hand, Jacob lovingly said, "Vincent told me he could trust this Catherine he had met, and she was the kindest, the most beautiful woman he had ever known, with the purest of hearts, well, now that I have unwittingly met the woman he spoke of, I can attest to this fact as well."
Warmed by Jacob's compliment, Catherine then expressed, "Then Jacob...if I may, I will tell my Dad."
Just then Charles walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes, and curiously asked, "Tell me what?"
As Catherine pulled out the seat next to her, she hesitantly told Charles, "I have something to tell you Dad. Come sit down."
Sitting down next to Catherine, Charles prepared himself to listen, and so with his hands folded in front of him, he couldn't help but wonder why she would need Jacob's permission to tell him something. And so he said, "I am listening."
Catherine looked firstly to Jacob, and then toward her Dad, and carefully said, "I just found out Jacob is Vincent's Father."
Upon hearing Jacob was the father to the inconsiderate two-timer, Charles felt riled by this revelation, and tried to keep his reaction in check, as he asked, "Vincent's Father?"
As Catherine saw he was about to get really upset, she soothed her protective Dad, as she explained, "It's alright, there seems to have been a miscommunication between Vincent and I."
And so Jacob, in a calm fashion, added, "Cathy err Catherine, err Cathy is correct Charles, there has been a major misunderstanding between our two kids."
Jacob and Catherine then proceeded to take turns filling in the blanks, telling Charles the unfortunate circumstances which caused their problems.
Once Charles was satisfied the misunderstandings seemed plausible, they then had to drop the other major bomb, which was...Vincent WAS the man Charles had actually met, he had not been wearing a disguise.
Charles thinking back to Vincent's appearance, he recalled though he looked visceral-like, he remembered him to be striking.
Charles then concernedly asked, "How is all of this possible? How did this happen to him?"
With care, Jacob explained, "I have no answers as to why Vincent looks as he does. You see Charles; Vincent was an abandoned child, a newborn babe when he was found by someone within our realm. And...because he was near death, and because I am a doctor, he was brought to me. Well since Vincent was such an extraordinarily different looking child, I called upon Peter for consultation...and so we...together, took care of Vincent. Both Peter and I took care of Vincent's medical needs, and through our care, he survived..."
With a shake of his head, Charles asked, "Peter? You mean my friend Peter...err our friend Peter? And what do you mean by YOUR REALM? What realm is that? Are you all Aliens? I thought Peter was A New Yorker!"
Upon realizing this was another facet to the whole story, Catherine stayed quiet, thinking she would let Jacob tell all that was allowed to be known.
And so Jacob chuckled a bit as he revealed, "I assure you we are not aliens or anything like that..."
And then with confident assertion, Jacob continued his tale, by saying, "Peter is a helper to my realm, aka community, society, world, whatever way you wish to call it..."
Upon hearing that Peter was a helper...Charles didn't understand any of this! And so he expounded, "Helper to your realm? What in blazes does all this mean?"
To which Jacob carefully replied, "You see Charles, I developed a society, of which is off the grid, within the old subway system below the city. And we rely on others to help us. Peter is one of those people."
As Charles was trying to grasp all of this, he incredulously asked, "So to be clear, Peter knows Vincent too?"
To which Jacob nodded, saying, "All of his life..."
And after Jacob gave Charles a moment to digest, he continued, "Anywhoooo, Vincent survived, and Vincent became my son. In our realm or community, I was able to raise him, secretly and safely. And..."
It was then Charles had to again ask, "So...where is your realm, err community?? Beneath the city? Jacob...I am sorry, but this all sounds like a lot of cryptic hogwash! And you say Peter knows about all this?"
To which Jacob nodded, realizing this was a lot to absorb, and so he carefully added, "Yes...Peter knows everything...and has kept our existence below New York City private...even to his closest friends and family such as yourselves."
Charles then looked at his daughter and asked, "Did you know any of this about Peter? Or am I the only one in the dark?"
To which Catherine carefully replied, "Not until the night of the Masquerade Party...when Vincent and I saw Peter at the hospital, that was when they revealed their friendship to me, but I am learning everything else now, just like you Dad..."
With a nod, Charles felt a little saddened, finding out he was left in the dark, and so he said, "I see..."
And in an effort to apologize, Catherine explained, "Things happened so fast after the party. Peter had to leave town the next day...and when I didn't hear from Vincent, well, I just wasn't sure where anything was going...and I didn't want to betray any trusts...I hope you can understand Dad..."
As Charles thought back on the past turbulent weeks, he did understand, and so he said, "Of course kiddo..."
And so Charles took in a deep breath, looking over toward Jacob too, said, "So getting back to Vincent..."
With a nod, Jacob continued as if none of this was strange at all, and said, "Well you know, even with all of Vincent's tragic beginnings, and all the adversities he has had to endure, His heart has no bitterness in it. No bitterness at all! Not a speck! I truly admire this man I call my son. I know his look is startling, but once you know him as a man, he is no different from you or I. He is brilliant, and kind. Ah, Vincent has been a wonderful loving son. Well I suppose I sound a bit biased..."
With concern, Charles looked at Catherine and asked, "So I take it you knew all this about Vincent too?"
To which Catherine carefully explained, "Well not at the very first of course, but later at the party Vincent was forthcoming, he didn't want to deceive me, and wanted me to know."
With another shake of his head, all Charles could say was, "Wow...I don't know about all this...I mean Vincent hasn't really come through for you kiddo, maybe it's wise to just walk away now."
And because Catherine knew Vincent would have been there for her, if only she had read the note, she never found, said, "Well now I know, he isn't thoughtless or anything Dad...but because I never replied to his missing letter, well he just got the wrong idea about things."
And then Jacob added, "Charles, permit me to say, how committed Vincent is to Catherine..."
To which Charles replied, "Now it's my turn to sound biased, who wouldn't be committed to my beautiful daughter? But wait a minute...what about Brigit O'Donnell...aren't they a thing now, and does she know about Vincent's lineage too?"
With a tip of his head, Jacob explained, "How do these rumors start? However to answer your question Charles, NO they are not a thing, and YES, Brigit does know about Vincent..."
With angst, Charles exclaimed, "Everyone knows about Vincent, and no one seems the least bit alarmed!"
Turning to his daughter now, with fatherly concern, Charles took Catherine's hand in his own, and said, "I can't say, in all good consciousness, that I approve of this. You know I would really like to meet with Vincent again before I say anything more. I have questions, so many questions...I don't know him as you and Jacob do, and evidently Peter does!"
And then Charles added, "And Peter...I gotta talk to Peter...eegads my mind is spinning."
To which Catherine humbly accepted what her Dad had said, replying, "Of course Dad, I understand."
And then Charles turned to Jacob too and said, "I don't mean any offence..."
To which Jacob understandably said, "Of course Charles...I DO understand."
Well because Charles realized he may have come on pretty strong, he apologetically said, "Hey, I am sorry, I mean tonight I met you as another Dad who was dealing with a heartsick kid, and now I find out, you're the father to the guy who is responsible for my heartsick kid! I hope you understand all this has been a shocking development for me!"
Jacob nodded in an understanding manner, and said, "Of course Charles, I do understand. I suppose if I had a lovely daughter like Cathy...err Catherine...err Cathy, well I, well perhaps I wouldn't have been quite as kind as you!"
As the two men shared a nervous chuckle, they then looked on with a new found hope in their hearts, that their children will find their way.
Suddenly there was a commotion at the door, and Noodles started barking and jumping from excitement, alerting everyone, that Peter, and his sister Pauline had arrived!
And as they came in, juggling both Pauline's luggage, and a bag of groceries, the grocery bag split open, and fruit went rolling all about!
And because Noodles thought one of the oranges was a ball, he ran away with it, causing Pauline to yell, "Noodles, get back here! That Orange cost fifty cents!"
Chiming in too, Peter then excitedly yelled, "Grab Noodles will ya Cathy? What am I going to do with that little rascal?"
As Catherine scooped up Noodles, she lovingly tugged with him, and laughed as she said, "Give me that orange!"
They all ended up laughing at the chaos, when Peter then noted, "Welcome all! Hey, its pretty late! You guys didn't have to wait up for us!"
To which Jacob said, "If truth be known, we have all taken turns napping...and have quite by accident formed this impromptu welcoming committee."
And then Charles, though he had a lot he wanted to ask Peter about, he set it all aside, and kindly added, "Yeah, I'm not really sure what woke me from my nap, but..."
Charles then looked over at Catherine, and Jacob as he warmly said, "So glad I did though...we uh, we had a lot to talk about."
Although Peter didn't know the full extent of their conversation, he gave Charles a sideways glance, and then over to Jacob, falling steadfast to Catherine, and though he gathered things were revealed, he had to keep it to himself for now, as his sister, was not privy to Jacob's story.
And so Peter responded, "Well good, that's good, I figured the three of you would get on well together."
And then Pauline greeted everyone, and although Pauline knew Charles a bit better than she knew the illusive Jacob, she was happy to see both her brother's pals! And said, "So glad you are all here...and I hope your flight was better than mine! Oh boy, what a flight!"
As she plopped down in a chair she held out her arms for Catherine, and said, "Cathy come over here and give Aunt Pauline a hug. I don't think I can walk another step."
And so happily, Catherine, who was still juggling Noodles, walked over and tried to give Pauline a hug, without squeezing Noodles to bits!
And as Pauline returned Catherine's hug, she then petted Noodles little head and asked, "And how does Noodles seem to be doing Cathy?"
To which Catherine thoughtfully answered, "He's lonely I think."
With an understanding nod, Pauline replied, "No doubt...his little world is turned up side down with Mom's passing."
While Peter listened to his sister talking to Catherine, his voice showed his grieving emotions, as he said, "My Dear Friends, thank you for being here. Even though I knew this day was coming, still, it has been pretty rough."
And because of Peter's heartfelt words, both Charles and Jacob approached Peter at the same time, in order to give him a supportive embrace. However, it turned into a "Testosterone Group Hug" causing the three men to share a laugh, because of the genuine friendship between them.
As Peter sat down in the living area, he began to tell them of the plans. And so sadly he relayed, "All the arrangements were pre-planned, you know Mom, so efficient..."
Peter then broke down, causing Pauline to apologetically say, "Oh Peter I should have been here with you."
With understanding, Peter replied, "Oh Sis, how could you? With Petey in the hospital, you had to help Susan out with the other kids. Mom and I understood your place was with your daughter."
As Pauline collected herself, she tearfully said, "In my mind, I knew I had no choice, but still, it broke my heart not being here with both you and Mom..."
Upon the mention of Little Petey, Charles asked, "How is the little fella doing?"
To which Pauline with relief replied, "Petey is better and out of the hospital Thank the Lord. But, he cannot travel as yet, and so Susan feels terrible and torn, that she is not able to be here with us for the funeral. I swear Petey's episode, could not have happened at a worse time! When it rains it pours uh?"
Pauline then glanced around and with a melancholy tone, she said, "It will be so hard dispersing of all of Mom's things..."
In a comforting tone, Peter agreed, and said, "Yes, but together, we will get through it Sis."
Peter then took in a deep breath, as he turned to tell everyone, "The funeral service is tomorrow morning, and burial will be immediately following at Calvary Cemetery. I know you all need to get back with the Holiday being just days away. So arrangements can be made for flights out as early as tomorrow afternoon if you need."
To which Charles assured Peter, "Speaking for myself, I know I can stay on to help with any legal issues you may have for the estate..."
Nodding, Peter thankfully said, "Good...good, yeah, there's that to think about."
And then Charles glanced at Catherine, as he noted, "But you, well you are due in court this week for the Benjamin case."
To which Catherine nodded, and regretfully said, "Yes...I know."
And then Catherine asked, "What about Thanksgiving? Are you still planning to be home?"
To which Peter promised, "We will be kiddo, one way or another...we all want to be home for Thanksgiving. It'll just have to be alot of flying back and forth for a while."
Peter then addressed Jacob, saying, "I know it was difficult for you to get away, so don't think twice if you want to head home tomorrow."
To which Jacob replied, "Maybe so Peter...but please, don't concern yourself about any of that tonight."
With a nod, Peter then expressed, "You're right Jacob, I am always micro managing, just trying to get all the ducks in a row is all...but you all being here means so much...I just want you to know I appreciate it, and trying to keep the inconvenience down to a minimum."
As the conversations continued, with everyone talking about memories, plans and memorials, Catherine sat quietly hugging Noodles, taking in all the sorrow surrounding Mother Alcott's death, and she was taken back in time, to the sadness surrounding her own Mother's death.
It all came flooding back, as she heard the same kind of conversations going on between her parents friends and family, over twenty years ago.
As Catherine tried to hold back her emotions, Charles noticed her struggle, and went to sit beside her. As he put his arm around his daughter, he lent his strength during this tough time. Yes, Charles knew that though Cathy felt bad about Mother Alcott, her sorrow now...was for her own Mother.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile down below in the tunnels, Brigit upon hearing a noise in the corner of her chamber decided she would yell for Vincent.
And though Brigit was quite anxious about the noise, she was even more anxious to look appealing to Vincent!
Yes indeedy....she wanted to make sure she looked just right before Vincent came to her aid! So first Brigit took great care as she brushed her beautiful hair, swooshing it around to fall about her shoulders loose and free!
She then adjusted her pale peach Nightie, to modestly reveal as much as possible, and last but not least a shot of Binaca!
As she looked once more into her hand mirror, she then felt prepared, and ready to call out for her protector! "Vincent...Vincent!"
Within seconds, Vincent was there, and anxiously asked, "Yes Brigit? Are you all right?"
And so Brigit did her best to sound helpless, as she frighteningly said, "Vincent, I dinny think I am alone, I heard somethin' over in that corner."
So with candle in hand, Vincent walked over to the place Brigit pointed to, and investigated the noise.
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent bent down, and picked up Arthur, Mouse's pet raccoon!
Placing him on his shoulder, Vincent re-assuredly said, "It is only Arthur Brigit, nothing to be afraid of."
In a shocked manner, Brigit squealed, "A raccoon? Oh me God Vincent...A wild animal!"
Walking toward her, Vincent informatively said, "Not this one Brigit, Mouse has him trained. Here you can pet him."
As Brigit pulled up the quilt, she then shrieked, "Don't come near me with that bandit faced rat!"
To which Vincent informatively said, "Raccoons are not Rodents Brigit, they are a mammal, of the Procyonid family, and they are usually..."
As Vincent tried to put Brigit at ease, by giving her some information about the Raccoon, Brigit hysterically cut him off, and yelled, "I dinny care what he is! Just get that varmint out of here!"
Upon hearing herself, Brigit realized how mean she may have just sounded, and so she changed her tone, and sweetly added, "If ye please Vincent?"
Realizing Brigit was quite upset, Vincent compliantly said, "Of course Brigit I will send him on his way."
Putting Arthur down into the tunnel passage, Vincent scolded him, "Arthur you know Mouse doesn't like you wandering around, now head on home."
As Vincent stood back up at the doorway, he turned to Brigit, and asked, "Will you be all right now Brigit."
Scheming, Brigit thought to herself..."I got him here...he is not gettin' away that easy!"
And so worriedly Brigit pleaded, "Oh Vincent I dinny know if ye should leave me yet, me heart is still poundin'. Come sit with me til I calm down will ye?"
As Vincent stood at the foot of her bed, he compliantly said, "Of course I will stay Brigit."
So happy he was staying, Brigit then patted the bed next to her, and charmingly insisted, "Vincent, ye are wee comfort to me way over there...come sit by me."
As Vincent hesitated, Brigit said more insistently, "Oh come here Vincent, I won't bite ye!"
Though he felt uncomfortable, Vincent sat by her, in the hopes of calming her down. And as he sat down, he got an eyeful of her sheer Nightie, and all that it didn't cover!
And so Vincent began to get up, so he could get an extra blanket from the wardrobe, and warned, "Brigit, it is much too chilly down here for night-ware made out of such light material, perhaps you are in need of another quilt..."
But before Vincent could get away, Brigit grabbed his arm, and said, "Aye Vincent it is chilly, n' we both know it is not a blanket I be needin', as they say, two can keep warmer than one! I cannot pretend any longer. I am feelin' so very lonely, n' since things are over between ye n' yer Lady, I know ye are lonely too, what is so wrong with two friends comfortin' each other? I see no harm in that!"
But Vincent did! Because of his heart broken state...he had nothing to offer Brigit...nothing...
His life had two paths, and two paths only...either Vincent would live out his life with Catherine in it, or he would live out his life without her...there would be no in between...