To which Catherine thoughtfully explained, "Yes, Jennifer, Dad, Peter and I will be travelling to Connecticut to spend Thanksgiving with family.”
And because this news took Vincent off guard, he reflectively said, “Connecticut...”
To which in reply, Catherine nodded as she expanded, "My Dad's brother and his family want us to meet them at the cabin this year for Thanksgiving. It's an old tradition we have lost track of for one reason or another, and this year they would like to reinstate it.”
And because of just newly reconciling, Vincent felt this separation will be difficult to bare, and so he voiced, "So far away..."
And though Catherine hated the thought of leaving too, she tried to lessen the angst, by saying, "It's less than two hours away Vincent...in Watertown."
But because any distance would be too far, Vincent tried to hide his feelings as he noted, "You must be close to your relatives..."
With a reflective smile, Catherine shared, "We are, I guess being an only child, my cousins were my world. We were as close as siblings, so I am looking forward to seeing them again. And Thanksgiving is the one Holiday we try to be together."
But wanting to set the topic of traveling aside for now, Catherine inquired about Thanksgiving in the tunnels, asking, “Is Thanksgiving celebrated in your world Vincent?”
To which Vincent nodded as he thoughtfully relayed, “Yes. It is a most coveted Holiday for us, as we have much to be thankful for.”
Vincent then went on to explain, “Many of the people who live in the tunnels, have come there, because there was nothing for them in this world above. They had lost their way, lost their families, lost their fortunes, and most sadly lost their fortitude and purpose."
Thoughtfully, Vincent continued to express, “Below in the Tunnels, they find themselves again. People rediscover their personal courage to continue in their lives which at one time seemed so hopeless. And because of this reawakening, in the tunnels, they are wealthy, and their fortune is simplicity. We have everything we need to live a good life, and because the Tunnels is our home, we all work, work very hard to make certain it shall exist to carry a legacy of love into the future. And because of what we do have, we are thankful.”
Catherine, sat astounded, thinking about this refuge for lost souls.
And so thoughtfully, Catherine said, “The world Jacob envisioned and then made into a reality, sounds like a safe and welcoming place.”
Vincent with a bit of a smile in his eyes, nodded as he related, “It is, and so on Thanksgiving Day, like you, we celebrate all of our Blessings, and…we partake in a glorious banquet. William who is the cook for our community, prepares a conventional Thanksgiving Feast, with provisions of which are provided to us by our helpers up top.”
And so upon hearing how instrumental helpers are to the tunnels, Catherine curiously asked, “Who are your helpers?”
To which Vincent explained, “There are many answers to that question. A helper may be someone who at one time lived in the tunnels, but found their way back into conventional society. Alternatively, perhaps it is someone who Father had been friends with before he created our underground world, as is the case with Peter. It also may be someone whom we had helped. We befriended many immigrants who had the most humblest of beginnings and needed a refuge from the city above. And when or if they are able, they want to reciprocate in what ever way they can."
Vincent then mentioned, "And as a way to thank our helpers, we have a separate celebration, in which we recognize them. It is called Winterfest. It is a special occasion, when we celebrate "our" world, and honor all of our Helper's."
To which Catherine inquired, “Does Peter go to Winterfest?"
With a nod, Vincent told her, "Yes, Peter has in all the years past."
With astonishment she expressed, "I find it so amazing Peter has kept this part of his life a secret from Dad and I."
Vincent nodded, "That is the difficult part of being a helper. Not only do we ask our Helpers for their assistance, but in addition, we require their complete confidentiality. It seems unfair to ask such a deed, as it involves a secret aspect to their aid they are unable to share, and it sets them apart from all the other people in their lives. Now you Catherine, will carry this burden."
To which Catherine thoughtfully said, "Maybe not a burden, but rather an honor you trusted me with."
Feeling warmed by Catherine's reply, Vincent then said, "And you would honor me, if you would say yes to coming to Winterfest this year."
Catherine smiled as she graciously accepted, saying, "I would like that, Vincent."
With a tip of his head, Vincent replied, "I shall look forward to presenting you with your invitation then...a Winterfest Candle...a token we bestow upon our Helpers, indicating they are welcome."
Excitedly, Catherine said she couldn't wait, and then added, "...and in truth, I cannot wait to see all the children again. Oh Vincent, they were so precious! Every single one of them, and it is clear they love you very much...and speaking of protective..."
With a nod, Vincent kindly acknowledged, "Father only briefly told me of your meeting the children. They can be precocious, and, so full of wonder..."
Upon which Catherine added, "...AND questions!"
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent tipped his head, as he responded, "Yes and questions...I do hope they didn't drill you too intensely."
With a raised brow, Catherine humorously replied, "I am still standing..."
It was then, they were interrupted by Noodles, who was crying on the other side of the closed louvered doors, of Catherine’s bedroom.
To which Catherine excitedly said, “Looks like you get to meet Noodles tonight…”
As she opened the door, she sweetly said, "Hey Buddy...”
As Catherine lifted him up into her arms, she approached Vincent, and because he immediately took to the little fella, Vincent petted his little head, and said, "So this is Noodles hmm?"
To which Catherine said, "Yep this is Noodles..."
And then remembering her story was interrupted earlier when talking about Jacob's dog, Catherine inserted, "...oh and I should finish telling you, Jacob told us about the champagne colored poodle he had too when he was a boy, who he had named Bubbles...which I thought was quite cute! But you probably know all about Bubbles."
Upon hearing a story he had not ever heard before, Vincent reflectively replied, "Actually...I do not. Father seems to keep memories of his previous life private...I have wondered if it is too painful for him to share...or perhaps he believes we will think he misses his old life up top if he does speak about those times."
Catherine found this very interesting about Jacob, since he was so open to her and her Dad when talking about things. And so she suggested, "When he spoke about Bubbles, I don't know, he was sweet, I think Noodles may have brought back some fond memories for him. Maybe if you asked him, he would like to talk to you about his childhood."
And so as Vincent thought about Catherine's suggestion, he responded, "Perhaps you are right Catherine...I have always been careful not to delve into Father's past, and have purposely not asked him questions about his life before...fearing they were not happy memories...however, now, because of what you have told me, perhaps I have been wrong..."
Pleased to share her viewpoint, Catherine thoughtfully added, "Memories, happy or sad, they are all apart of who we are...and well I think if you ask, your Father is tough enough to share even the sad times with you."
Admiring Catherine for how she viewed things, relationships and such, Vincent tipped his head contemplating, and with a look, implied he appreciated her suggestion.
As Noodles wanted down, he pranced to the balcony doors, which prompted Vincent to ask, "What is your plan for housebreaking?"
As Catherine opened the door for Noodles, she answered, “Well, during the times I can't take him for a walk, I have papers in the far corner of the balcony for him…”
To which, because of Vincent's mode of arrival was on the balcony, he jested, "I should take note...what corner would that be?"
Not realizing that Vincent was being humorous at first, Catherine started to point, when she got it! And so she laughed as she said, "I promise not to change it, his papers will always be over in the left corner Vincent."
With a raised brow, Vincent replied, "And for that, I will be grateful."
So together, Vincent and Catherine stood outside with Noodles, watching the falling snow. Instinctively he held out his arm, and she like-wise leaned into his embrace, as they silently stood relishing this blissful moment, while all was right in their world.