As Brigit stood tapping this letter in her hand, she contemplated what to do, knowing if Vincent read this letter now, she wouldn't stand a chance to sway his affections her way.
So as Brigit stood there, her scheming was cut short, because just then Pascal walked in, catching her so off guard! And since she had no time to think, she shoved the letter inside of her pocket, and greeted him saying, "Piscal!"
Joyfully, Pascal then said, "There you are! I looked every where, and then Mary suggested I check here! What ya doing here in Vincent's chamber?"
Stumbling a bit, Brigit replied, "Err I well I, so is that where I am?"
Just then both Mary and Rebecca popped in, and when they saw Brigit WAS there, Mary crossed her arms and knowingly said, "Aha! I see you found Brigit Pascal!"
To which he gleefully said, "Yeah, it looks like you were right Mary, Brigit was here!"
With an innocent look, Brigit suspecting these two meddlesome maidens were on to her, sweetly replied, "Yes, and thank Heavens Piscal has come to my aid! I seemed to 'ave gotten lost!"
As both Rebecca and Mary shared a look, Mary curtly responded, "Indeed!"
Unaware of the ladies interaction, Pascal excitedly said, "Well I found ya, you are all right now! Now come on Brigit! I want to take you to the pipe chamber and show you where "it" all happens,"
Looking back at the three, Brigit felt quite aggravated with her situation! Yes, she definitely had too many bad pennies popping up keeping her from her mission!
And so Brigit tried to conceal her agitation as she innocently asked, "Aye, 'n tell me agin what the pipe chamber is..."
To which Pascal replied, "The pipe chamber is where the hub is...the heart of all communication! Come on Brigit! Times a wasting!"
And so Brigit tried to sound cheerful, as she answered, "Aye, by all means...lead the way."
And as they passed in front of Mary and Rebecca, the looks on their faces could not have been clearer to Brigit...and she knew they were on to her, and Brigit knew, perhaps she had met her match!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meantime, as Catherine entered her apartment, she closed the door behind her, and now at last...Catherine could let her emotions go. Yes, today had been a defining one for her, she received all the answers she had been seeking. No more wondering, because today, she saw for herself, that Vincent and Brigit were together.
Yes, there Brigit was with Vincent, down in the tunnels, where he had once wanted to take her, and she couldn't help but replay the whole encounter over and over, remembering that first instant as the door opened, and seeing how happy Vincent looked...arms intertwined with Brigit's, playfully interacting...
What a horrible moment, and so yes...Catherine would unfortunately, be cursed to replay it over and over in her mind in the days to come.
As Catherine considered Vincent and Brigit's relationship, she knew their friendship started long ago, through their letters, and Vincent had told her how Brigit's writing had touched him in ways, which changed his life.
And Catherine knew too, how Vincent's letters helped Brigit through some rather tough times, so no...there is nothing about this outcome, that really is surprising...but Catherine had to admit that is was heartbreaking all the same.
And although she was broken-hearted over losing Vincent, there was something else which bothered Catherine, and it was concerning Brigit's character.
Catherine was certain Brigit purposely tried to make her feel uncomfortable during their encounter. Yes Brigit smiled so smugly as she hung onto Vincent. And because Catherine has coped with enough mean girls in her life to know one when she sees one, she had a deep seated feeling she was right to believe Brigit was one.
But anyway...now that she is out of the picture...Catherine could only hope Vincent would figure it out for himself, if Brigit was a sincerely kind-hearted person or not.
Meantime though, what Catherine couldn't know, was that none of what she believed about Vincent's feelings for Brigit were true! For Catherine did own Vincent's heart, and seeing her tonight, endeared her all the more to him, and restored his dream anew.
As the telephone rang, it brought her up, and out of her thoughts, and on the other end, was her Dad, letting her know the itinerary, saying he would be by for her within the half hour.
To which Catherine kindly said, "I'll be ready Dad."
And it was then Charles thought to ask, "Oh, were you able to deliver that letter for Peter?"
To which Catherine replied, "I did..."
In response her Dad said, "Good honey, well see ya in a short."
And after they said goodbye, Catherine then checked her messages, and there was one from Jennifer, saying, "Hi Cathy, Wanna go to Poppy's with me? Call me...I am starving!"
As Catherine stood there in all her despair, she couldn't help but smile, as Jennifer could always manage to make her smile!
Knowing she better call her back, Catherine thoughtfully said, "Hi Jen, unfortunately, I can't go to Poppy's tonight, I have some sad news to tell you, Mother Alcott died today, so Dad and I are flying out tonight to be with Peter and attend her funeral."
With sincerity, Jennifer expressed her sorrow for Dr. Peter, and asked to send her and her Mom's condolences. To which of course Catherine said she would.
And then with angst, Jennifer asked, "Oh what about Thanksgiving? Do you think you and your Dad will be back in time to go to the cabin?"
To which Catherine expressed, "I am thinking so Jen, but I am not sure about all the particulars yet. Not even sure what day Mother Alcott's funeral will be. But I will call you as soon as I know."
To which Jennifer replied, "I hope so, we always spend Thanksgiving together!"
And then Jennifer anxiously asked, "And oh, before we hang up, anything new on the "Vincent Front"?"
Hesitantly, Catherine held back, only because she didn't want to go into it right now. And because of the fact she took too long to answer, Jennifer demanded, "OK what's going on, what did he do, OR should I say, didn't he do now?"
Resignedly, Catherine ended up confiding in her dear friend, and said, "I saw Vincent today, and he was with Brigit."
Steaming, Jennifer spewed, "I can't believe it! That two-timing Rat! He turned out to be just like the rest of them!"
In an attempt to stop Jennifer, as she didn't want to hear anything more, Catherine broke in and said, "Jen, please, Vincent is not that way. And in spite of everything...well you know..."
Realizing her ranting wasn't helpful, Jennifer calmed down, and apologized, and then said, "Sure Cath...I know..."
Catherine then noticed the time, and said, "Oh Jen, I better go, I promised Dad I would be ready, so I'll call you when I can OK?"
To which Jennifer sweetly said, "OK. Call me, and Cath, Love ya."
Upon hearing her sweet friend's words, Catherine answered back, "Love you too Jen."
And so Catherine hurriedly packed up the last of her things, and then added one last item, which was her gift from Vincent. Yes...Wordsworth was flying to Florida too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, as Jacob stood at the north side entrance with satchel in hand, and Vincent at his side, he awaited Lou to take him to the airport.
And for one last time, Jacob went over the tasks Vincent was now in charge of, and for one last time, Vincent told his Father...that yes...he got it!
It was then when Lou pulled up, that Vincent with trepidation, reminded his Father to be vigilant during his travels, and to always use extreme caution.
Hosting a degree of trepidation him self, Jacob said he would do so, and with an emotional final embrace, they said goodbye, and then Jacob entered Lou's car...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Vincent watched the car pull away, he stepped back into the tunnel maze, to meet up with Brigit and Pascal in the Pipe chamber.
As Vincent came upon them, he humorously found Pascal showing off a bit, as he was twirling his anvil in the air and stealthily catching it from behind his back. And then he tapped out some fancy sounding codes, all in an effort to impress Brigit!
In wanting to make himself known, Vincent cleared his throat, greeted them both, and then asked, "Enjoying your tour of the Pipe chamber Brigit?"
To which Brigit breathlessly answered, "Enjoy, aye, now that is the question!"
Bending his head in an attempt to hide his smile, he said in reply, "I see."
It was then, Brigit looked pleadingly at Vincent, as she said, "I am ready to retire to me chamber Vincent, I've some writin' to do...would you mind walkin' with me?"
With an understanding nod, Vincent agreeing said, "Yes Brigit, of course. Thank you for looking after Brigit, Pascal."
Disappointedly Pascal said, "You are leaving? But we haven't gotten to the lower quadrant yet!"
As Brigit grabbed hold of Vincent's arm, she said, "Another time perhaps..."
So a dejected Pascal said goodnight to Brigit, and said he would see her at breakfast. And as Vincent escorted Brigit to her chamber, she said, "Thank ye fer rescuin' me Vincent, the clangin' in that chamber was deafenin'."
With a kind edge in favor of his friend, Vincent explained, "Pascal is most proud of his work here Brigit, however...I can see it was a lot to take in."
And so as the two walked along, they shared a little heart to heart conversation, as Vincent with care, asked, "How are you, coping I mean..."
In reply, Brigit thoughtfully said, "Its been a time...but there isn't any need nor time fer self pity..."
Brigit then lightly touched Vincent's arm as they arrived at her chamber's threshold, and she said, "But bein' here with ye helps...when family is gone, tis good to have friends who care...but what 'bout ye? I know seein' Catherine agin affected ye."
To which Vincent looked downward, as he admitted, "Yes profoundly..."
Looking up at him with her big Irish eyes, she asked, "Would ye like to talk? I am a good listener."
Thoughtfully Vincent replied, "I have some tasks I must attend to, but I do thank you...I shall leave you to your coveted solitude."
In agreement, Brigit replied, "Aye...sometimes you are right, solitude is a blessin'."
However, because Brigit didn't really want to let Vincent get away yet, she asked, "Oh n Vincent?"
Turning around, as he halted his stride, he asked, "Yes Brigit?"
In a clarifying manner, she asked, "So ye say ye can hear me from yer chamber should I need...or want anythin'? Even if it is in the wee hours of the mornin'?"
Wanting to certify his earlier proclamation, Vincent replied, "Yes Brigit, I will hear you."
And then because Vincent wanted Brigit to feel secure, he informed her, "And Mary wanted me to tell you, she is a light sleeper, and she will keep an ear out for you as well."
To which Brigit with frustration, thought to herself, hmmm sounds like a cryptic message from Mary!
But politely though, she replied, "She is? Well 'tis good to know that tidbit!"
Vincent then added, "Also Brigit, you can use the pipe system if needed, and Pascal will hear."
Upon hearing all this, Brigit thought, between Mary and Pascal, she is up to here, with Tunnel Dweller Meddlers!
And then Vincent's voice broke through her thoughts, as he kindly said goodnight to her.
And so with a sigh, Brigit finally decided to give up for tonight, and sweetly replied, "Aye well goodnight Vincent."
As Vincent walked back to his chamber, feeling preoccupied with many thoughts, his Father traveling, and not to mention seeing Catherine tonight was quite heart wrenching for him.
And Vincent couldn't help but wonder...why was Catherine was so tearful? Was it because of Peter's Mom, or was it because things were not going well with the man she is seeing...
All Vincent knew was seeing her again, after all this time, his feelings had not changed. He felt connected to Catherine with all his heart and soul, and he couldn't help but sense there was something there for Catherine too.
And the more Vincent thought about Catherine, the more he felt compelled to see her. So, unable to stop himself, Vincent decided he would go check on her, making sure she made it home all right.
And besides, Vincent still wanted a chance to explain his actions from the other night.
And so Vincent ventured to the pipe chamber to let Pascal know what he was going to do.
Upon hearing Vincent call out his name, Pascal thought Brigit would be with him, and so he exclaimed, " Oh Good! You are back!"
And as he noticed Vincent was solo, Pascal lamented, "Ahh, no Brigit?"
With care, Vincent explained, "Brigit needs time alone Pascal, we must remember she has just been through a very stressful time, and is still grieving. We should give her time to herself."
To which Pascal replied, "You are right Vincent. But I sure like her! She is so different, isn't she? I mean so worldly and flamboyant! So...so out there! In more ways than one!"
Hearing Pascal refer to her womanly assets, Vincent blushed a bit as he scolded, "Pascal, she is a foreign top-sider, so Brigit's dress, and attitude, will be so much more diverse and liberal than we are here. So we mustn't look upon her in such a shallow manner."
Feeling a little ashamed, Pascal replied, "Once again you are right my friend. Thanks for reminding me..."
Vincent then went on to explain, "The reason I came to see you, is to let you know I am going above. I need to make sure Catherine has returned home safely."
Pascal of course gave a few words of caution to his dear friend, and said he would watch over things until he returned.
To which Vincent thanked him, and then thought about the Common Meeting he wanted to hold, and so he asked, Pascal, "Could you contact Daniel, and have any available runners and sentries meet me in my chamber later on...Father felt a session was necessary, in order to discuss our security. And of course you, along with the others, must be there."
With a nod, Pascal, said, "Sure, I'll get the word out...sounds important, is this about Catherine going undetected at the door?"
To which Vincent answered yes, and then shared some of the other breaches of late with Pascal too.
And then Vincent said, "I won't be long, and will inform you when I return my friend."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Charles was pleased his daughter was ready, and upon seeing only one suitcase, he asked, "Where's all your luggage?"
To which Catherine matter-of-factly replied, "This is it! Its all I have..."
Knowing this was not Catherine's typical mode of operandi, Charles teasingly asked, "OK funny joke...now really where's the rest?"
As Catherine reassured her Dad, this was everything, she then teasingly said, "I learned to pack from the best Dad."
Charles then picked up her bag, and said, "Well I gotta say, I'm impressed! Come on kiddo, the Taxi is waiting..."
As Catherine made another futile attempt to smile at her Dad, it was then he noticed his daughter's downhearted look, and warmly he said, "I know its been a tough day kiddo, tough time...are you up for this?"
To which Catherine said, "Yes Dad, I want to go to Mother Alcott's funeral, and be there for Peter, its just that...well tonight, I...well how about if we talk once we get settled in on the plane."
With a fatherly hug, Charles said he would hold her to it, and then he carried his daughter's suitcase, and loaded it in the back of the taxi, and off they went, destination...airport. And as the taxi buzzed through the city, Catherine looked up at the full moon, thinking back to another night, when she gazed upon it with Vincent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the meantime, it wasn't too much later after Catherine had left, when Vincent arrived, on to a darkened balcony, causing him to wonder where Catherine could be. Didn't she come home after their meeting? Perhaps she had plans...there was no way for him to know where she was, but one thing was for sure, she wasn't at home.
Thoughtfully, Vincent stepped to the balcony wall, and as he looked up at the moon, he contemplated the last time it was so full and bright. It was on All Hallows Eve, and he was looking at it with Catherine. And though the seasons were changing, his heart nor the moon had not, and he wondered if Catherine could also be looking up at it now too...
Looking back at the darkened apartment one last time, Vincent with a heavy heart, left Catherine's balcony.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Vincent returned, feeling unsettled, he stopped to see Pascal as promised.
And when Pascal saw him he asked, "Did ya get to see Catherine?"
To which Vincent replied, "Catherine was not home. I was unable to verify her wellbeing, and am left to assume she is fine, and living her life now...without me."
To which Pascal, who knew his friend so well, realized he had to remind him he was needed by the community! So in an effort to keep Vincent from plummeting into a downward spiral, he advised, "I know it hurts, but you have to set your own feelings aside for now. Father left you in charge, and we all need ya."
Realizing what Pascal was trying to do, Vincent with an appreciative pat to his back, said, "It looks like this time I must thank you...you have helped direct me onto the path I need to travel..."
And then Vincent, with efficiency asked, "Will everyone be in attendance later?"
Proud to see Vincent was able to rise to the occasion, Pascal relayed he had contacted everyone, and they would be meeting him in his chamber as requested.
With a grateful nod, Vincent thanked Pascal for his help.
And as Vincent turned to leave, Pascal cheerfully suggested, "Since the meeting isn't till later, why don't you hang out a while, I can offer you a cup of William's fermented cider...I stashed some away, for just such an occasion my friend."
To which Vincent said no, explaining, "Another time, I have the children's lesson plan to lay out, and if time permits, I may go to the Hot springs chamber before the meeting as well. I just need some time..."
With an understanding nod, Pascal replied, "Understood, I'll see you later."
As Vincent entered his chamber, he removed his cloak, laid it over the back of his chair, and noticed the gift from his Father on his writing table.
Opening the wrapping once again, Vincent lifted the book up from it, and as he felt the fine leather binding in his hands, he then flipped through the gold leafed pages, before he placed his new treasure on the shelf, beside his other beloved copy from Father.
And so he sat at his writing desk, to prepare the children's lesson for the morning, Vincent considered since the children had read Brigit's "An Owl Woman", and loved it, he thought in honor of Brigit's visit, he would have them read from her other children's book. And so he chose a poem called, "The Tree Top Angel", which fit in perfectly with the impending Christmas season.
Vincent then entertained the thought, that perhaps, Brigit would even read it to the children herself!
And so upon completion of the children's lesson plan, Vincent realized, he did have time for a soaking before the meeting. Yes, he was anxious to go, as the hot swirling water seemed to be the only thing that brought him relief of the body and mind. Vincent always found the Hot Springs Chamber a very good place to think and clear his mind, and seeing Catherine tonight...gave him much to think about.
Meanwhile, Brigit lying on her bed twiddled her thumbs as she wondered about her next plan of attack, and so in the stillness of her chamber she could hear someone walking in the tunnels, and pass by her chamber!
As she looked out, she could see it was Vincent. Where could he be going? Our adventurous Brigit decided to follow...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Catherine let go of an anxiety laden breath, as she finally settled in next to her Dad on the plane.
As Charles looked over at his dear daughter, with a smile he said, "Ah, we made it kiddo."
Turning her head to smile back at her Dad, she softly answered, "Yes...kinda remarkable uh?"
As Charles looked a little deeper into his daughters eyes, he then reminded her, "You said you were going to fill me in on what was wrong...so what is it?"
Cautiously, as not to reveal anything connecting Vincent to Peter, Catherine told her Dad, "Well, I ran into Vincent tonight, and Brigit was with him."
With a Fatherly concern, Charles asked, "Well what did he have to say for himself? Any explanations?"
Shaking her head as she looked downward, Catherine answered, "No, since Brigit was there, we really didn't have a chance to talk about anything personal, but seeing him, brought all the pain to the surface again. I thought I could accept it was over once I knew he was with Brigit, but..."
As Charles cut in, he wisely told his daughter, "Give yourself time Cathy...it is still raw, and I know you are hurt, but you are not alone, remember that! You have me and Jennifer to talk to."
With a weak smile, Catherine looked at her Dad, and answered, "I know Dad...Jen's been great, and you...well needless to say, its you who has gotten me through all this so far."
As Catherine yawned, she then told her Dad, "I am a little tired, maybe I will close my eyes for a bit."
To which Charles replied, "Sure thing kiddo, I have a brief here I need to go over, anyway."
With concern, Catherine asked, "You brought work with you?"
Trying to diffuse his daughter's concern, with a raised brow, Charles humorously replied, "No rest for the wicked my Dear!"
Smiling lovingly at her father, Catherine scolded, "Well wicked is not how I, or anyone would ever describe you Dad...don't work too hard."
Kindly, Charles then reached over, and gave his daughter a peck on the forehead, and promised he wouldn't.
Catherine then adjusted her pillow, and closed her eyes, ready to trade the world around her, for a little rest.
As she began to drift off, she found the low spoken voices of the stewardess, and the older gentlemen on the other side of the aisle, was for some reason...soothing and very comforting.
Being in a dream-like state, their voices seemed so far off, but still, she loved especially the voice of the older man.
It was a rich voice with a touch of a British accent, and his words sounded like a bit of an "Old English" style. Maybe even, Shakespearean...much in the manner Vincent spoke.
And so because she wanted the satisfaction of putting a face to this man's enchanting voice, she slightly opened her eyes, and upon doing so, Catherine saw he was a graying man, who was really quite handsome.
And then she noted he had an interesting way about him, especially his mode of dress was quite different, so very Old Fashioned.
And so after quenching her curiosity about the looks of the older man, Catherine was going to mention the interesting man to her father, but as she looked over, she had to smile. And so she gently took the brief from her sleeping father's hands, and placed it back in his brief case.
So after covering her Dad, she once again laid her head down, and let sleep take over her worried mind.
And because she had fallen asleep, she missed hearing the stewardess ask the older gentleman, "Anything else Mr. Wells?"