And though Vincent tried to reconcile it was long ago, still, he could not over ride his blaring silence, as this information seemed to consume every rational thought he had.
As Catherine waited for Vincent to speak, she finally broke the silence by saying, "Maybe I was wrong to talk about the past..."
To which Vincent resignedly said, "You shared your past only because I had asked, perhaps it was I who shouldn't have asked such prying questions."
And because Catherine wanted to share everything with him, she replied "It's all right for you to ask me things Vincent...I want to be open with you."
Knowing his attempt to control his wariness was failing, Vincent softly said, "I...I should go."
But before he could gather his cloak, Catherine asked, "Please don't allow talk of an old relationship mean something."
To which in response, Vincent bent his head, and helplessly he stood trying to find the words.
Wanting to keep their communication open, Catherine asked, "Just tell me what you are thinking Vincent. Tell me so I can explain it away."
With a nod, Vincent stopped, and as he took a deep breath, he began, "Somehow...I always felt you were out there for me."
And then he expressed, "I suppose if I am saddened, it is because you had not felt me out there for you."
With an understanding nod, Catherine then approached Vincent and softly said, "I'm not gifted as you are. I'm only now learning to listen to my heart."
As Vincent turned to hide his enveloping anguish, Catherine continued, "If I knew then what I know now, I would have known right away he wasn't the one."
Vincent with his back to Catherine, listened as she asked him, "Can you forgive me for not knowing?"
Vincent stood silent and sorry, wanting to let go of the vision he had of Catherine being with another, this image that plagued him, caused the darkness to spread, and he struggled so to control it.
Helplessly Catherine looked at Vincent with his head bent so sorrowfully. What could she say? She then thought of a Sonnet by Shakespeare she hoped could reach him.
And so Catherine asked, "Vincent do you know Sonnet XXVI?"
To which Vincent said, "Of course I do Catherine..."
And so in reply, Catherine explained, "There are lines in this poem, which asks for acceptance, and approval..."
Upon hearing Catherine's emotion filled voice, Vincent felt tears well up in his eyes, feeling so guilty he made Catherine feel bad in any way. And so sadly, he said, "I don't deserve your reference of Sonnet XXVI. Not for anything you have done, or will ever do."
To which Catherine lovingly replied, "You do deserve it, and I want you to know you deserve it."
With a tear filled voice, Catherine continued, "I know what I feel for you is true with all of my heart, and its because of the past relationships in my life. So to tell you I regret them...I can't. They are a part of my past, and a part of my heart."
Catherine then said, "My heart has long healed from those old broken promises, and has grown stronger, and wiser, preparing me for you, and for us."
As she came up behind Vincent she said, "Look at me Vincent."
Vincent turned, and though he did not raise his eyes to meet hers, he tried to explain, "I don't judge you, or look down on you for giving your love in the past. All I know about you and your ability to love so completely, I am not surprised to learn this."
Vincent brought his hand up to his heart, and as he looked up at Catherine he continued, "It has to do with myself, and what happens to me when I love so deeply. A protective jealousy rises and takes something from my soul!"
Softly Vincent concluded, "I do not want to make you feel as if you must explain yourself to me. Forgive me for making you feel you must."
Catherine looked downward as she said, "I love you care for me so much. I care for you that way too."
Vincent walked to the fire, and as he looked into the dancing flames, he admitted something more. He softly said, "It isn't just the protectiveness that affects me so, it is regret as well."
Catherine looked at Vincent quizzically and softly asked, "Regret?"
Vincent turned, and Catherine could see the tears running down his cheek, as he tried to keep his voice steady and strong, in order to conceal the deep emotion he had within his heart.
Vincent raised his eyes as he said, "I regret the things you must give up in order to live your life along with mine."
Vincent stepped closer to Catherine as he said, "I regret I can never take you to the places you love going to. Sorry I may never escort you out to dinner, or take you out dancing, or do any of the things you are accustomed to."
Upon hearing this, Catherine in an awing manner, tried to explain the best she could, that none of those things mattered.
And so she lovingly said, "On the night we met, you took me everywhere, you showed me the most wonderful places about the city, and you have taken me to the most beautiful place I have ever seen! To the Chamber of the Falls, and in spite of finding the hairpin, I do hope you will take me there again."
Catherine smiled as she added, And as far as going out to dinner, well that is very over-rated. I would rather be here with you...eating nachos, pizza, or pie topped with whipping cream, than being in some crowded restaurant."
Catherine tipped her head to the side, as she flirtatiously continued, "And...you mentioned dancing...ah Vincent, now that is one thing I would miss doing, as I already know what a wonderful dancer you are, but we don't have to go anywhere to do that."
As Catherine walked over to her player and put on, "Even now" she turned and asked, "Dance with me Vincent..."
As Vincent reached for her hand, he brought her closely to him and they danced as the music played, warming his heart, expelling the wariness from his soul, realizing in spite of everything, Catherine cared so sweetly for him.