And so now as they sat by the warmth of the fire, together again...their contented silence shared more than any words could.

Then thoughtfully, Vincent expressed, "Your meeting my Father...and the way it all transpired, is still stunning to me...I do realize you were destined to meet at Peter's Mother's home...however because of your kindness, you met before this occurrence..."

And because she was quite stunned by the happenstance as well, Catherine smiled, and said, "Yes...we met and became acquainted all on our own."

Recalling, Catherine fondly continued, "There I was, about to fall asleep on the plane, when I heard your Father talking to the stewardess...and for some reason I cannot explain...I looked at him across the aisle, and I felt an instant fondness toward him.”

Catherine then spoke with wonderment, as she went on to describe their meeting, saying, “It was after our plane had landed, that I saw him searching for the baggage claim, and well…I suppose he tugged at my heartstrings a little bit.”

Vincent tipped his head as he thoughtfully voiced his concern, saying, “As I envisioned Father navigating in this world above, I petitioned for his safety, I am grateful you were there to help him.”

Catherine smiled, as she told him, “Me too...though I am sure he would have found his way.”

Believing his Father would have managed as well, Vincent still gratefully said, “Just the same, I thank you.”

Catherine looked down shyly and with wonder said, “When I think about the coincidence though, that this sweet man, turned out to be your Father...”

Pensively Vincent replied, “I believe Father meeting you, set him on a path, which has caught even himself off guard. It was Father's affection for you that enabled him to accept certain changes in my life. Accept I may have a different kind of a life other than the one I had always known...accept there may be someone...”

Understanding, Catherine said, "Change can be difficult sometimes..."

With a nod, Vincent responded, "Yes...the life we lead in the tunnels is sheltered and guarded, and so yes, change does come hard...I believe especially for Father."

And since they were on the subject, Catherine asked, "Ahem, since we are speaking of your Father, can we talk about mine?"

To which Vincent replied, "Of course Catherine."

And then Catherine hesitated a moment, as she searched for the right words!

Yes what Catherine wanted to say was, her Dad would like to meet Vincent and put him through “The Father’s Interrogation Act!” Which is a barbaric right of passage available and granted to all fathers, who must evaluate their daughter's prospective companion.

And so upon noting Catherine’s hesitancy and pensive brow, Vincent thoughtfully asked, “Catherine?”

Needing a bit of nerve, Catherine then asked, “I want to ask, how you would feel about meeting with my Dad? He knows about your differences, and has learned about your world from Jacob and Peter, however…”

Vincent looked downward as he nodded understandably, and clarified, "However, he would like to meet with me once again, but this time, on an elevated standing...”

To which Catherine, feeling relieved Vincent understood, said, "Yes.”

Upon rationalizing the reality of this request, Vincent himself turned sober, as he honestly pondered, “I wonder how he must feel about the fact I am not as any other man...”

Vincent then continued, as he warned, "...we must be prepared for the possibility of a turbulent passage. Your Father may not approve.”

With thoughtfulness, Catherine replied, “Knowing my Dad...as someone who has fought for social injustice, I cannot imagine that.”

Vincent tipped his troubled head, as he cautioned, “Still Catherine, in our scenario, he is The Father, and I would not blame him for any trepidation he may own. As I put myself in his place…I have to wonder…wonder if I would think any man would be good enough for you, save yet, a man as different as I.”

Catherine looked back at Vincent, this man whom she found so stunning, marveling at his graceful style, and beauty both inside and out, gently told him, “Don’t you know your being different is why I care about you so much...”

As Catherine continued, she touched his face and said, “Not because are different here….”  

Then without hesitation Catherine brought her hand to cover his beating heart, and said, “But because you are different here.”

She then shyly looked downward, as she started to take her hand away, when Vincent held her hand in place, and whispered, “My heart… since the day I met you…is different. It beats with a purpose now…with a reason.”

Catherine then sighed as she with emotion said, “Yes...mine too."

And because Vincent sensed a regret of sorts, he asked, "Catherine, what is it?"

And so because of the memory of the dreaded hopelessness which once plagued her heart, Catherine shared, "The days when we were apart…so much sadness.”

In reply, Vincent sorrowfully said, “Ah yes…those days now, looking back, seem like a torturous dream with no end...however Catherine...the bad dream did end.”

With misted eyes, Catherine smiled and said, "Yes...and now we are here..."

As she turned to look at the blaze burning within the fireplace, she leaned back against Vincent. He with his chin resting upon her hair, took in the scent he had remembered loving so much before.

As Catherine looked ahead, she brought back up the unfinished subject of her Dad, so Catherine mentioned, “…You know our Father’s have become friends too. Jacob invited my Dad to visit your world.”

Vincent nodded thoughtfully, “Yes…Father told me of their meeting and of his invitation. Perhaps I shall meet your Father soon then…”

Catherine nervously replied. “Yes...perhaps so...I hope you will like him, though Dad is fair minded, he can be quite well, I suppose doting would be the word.”

Vincent with a smile in his heart, reflected on Catherine’s last comment. To think she is worried if he would like her Dad, instead of the other way around! And so he kindly answered in reply, “Upon your Father's return, I will be honored to meet with him, as soon as it can be arranged.”

Catherine smiled as she cautiously concurred, “As soon as it can be arranged then...Peter and Dad are coming home on Wednesday, but I am thinking it will have to be sometime after the Thanksgiving Holiday."

Upon hearing Catherine's reply, Vincent asked, "Oh?"

To be continued.
Chapter Two
Catherine and Vincent had come to know how deeply they were in love with
one another in “Hero of my Heart!”
After resolving many misunderstandings they reconciled,
and are now feeling secure in their love,
completely cherishing each other.
They have so much to learn and discover about one another,
and the meshing of their two Families and duel worlds
can prove to be quite a challenge for them,
as well as for their loved ones around them!
Keeper of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter One

With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
William Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet”
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