And so, Mary and Rebecca then carried on about Brigit, saying how they could not help but notice, how flirtatious Brigit was with William again this visit! And William with tea pot in hand, was on the ready for any needed refills!
To which Mary sited, "Oh yes indeedy! Brigit...in a stunning repeat performance, really poured out the charm..."
And then Rebecca humorously added, "And William, really poured out the Tea!"
Thinking Rebecca was really cutting loose lately, Mary gave her a glance, and artfully observed, "You know, you can be a very funny girl Rebecca!"
In reply, Rebecca humbly answered, "I guess you bring it out in me Mary!"
But then Rebecca compassionately inquired, "Oh I have to ask, did you see poor Pascal, all moony-eyed, watching Brigit's every move?"
With a nod, Mary said she saw, and then incredulously mentioned, "I was afraid the poor boy might get whiplash, since every part of Brigit was moving!"
This time Rebecca giggled, as she noted, "Now may I return the compliment Mary? You can be very funny!"
To which they both chuckled away, when Mary added, "Believe me when I say, I am this close to presenting Brigit with one of my proficient knitted binders!"
With surprise, Rebecca asked, "Oh Mary, you wouldn't?"
In reply, Mary raised a brow as she said, "I might...and hmmm, there is something else I noticed too, our Brigit is certainly a hands on type of girl! Very touchy-feely!"
In a questioning tone, Rebecca asked, "You must be referring to when she placed her hand on Vincent's muscular thigh? And oh yes...I noticed!"
And then Mary made note, by adding, "Or, when she wrapped her arms around his rippling biceps, laughing like a loon?"
Puzzled when this occurred, Rebecca asked, "I missed, when did she do that?"
To which Mary informatively relayed, "When she laughed at one of Kanin's dull jokes!"
Surprised that Rebecca didn't notice, Mary then asked, "You didn't see the look Olivia was giving Brigit? Oh my yes! And Olivia knew it was feigned laughter on Brigit's part, because the joke her lackluster husband told, wasn't the slight bit funny!"
And then with a knowing look, Mary concluded, "Oh yes, believe me when I say, Brigit's presence is not sitting too well with Olivia!"
And finally, Mary and Rebecca mentioned, they noticed how Brigit took Vincent's hand to help steady herself, with the pretense of losing her balance!
Oh my yes...Brigit was at it again, and Mary and Rebecca were noticing everything she did, and observing the tunnel male population's reactions to her beguiling deeds as well!
Proudly though, they both had to admit, Vincent...as he had claimed...seemed to rise above it all, and was indeed, unfettered and steady, able to take care of himself after all!
And Mary then added, "Well, let's look on the bright side of when Bouncy Brigit is the guest of these thar tunnels...shall we?"
With an inquisitive look, Rebecca asked, "Which is?"
In reply, Mary answered, "We can look forward to some flavorful meals, from our otherwise bland, one trick pony Chef!"
At first Mary's comment on William's culinary skills shocked Rebecca, worrying Mary could be overheard!
But realizing no one else was around, Rebecca did start to giggling over the thought of William stepping up his menu planning to impress Buxom Brigit!
Mary laughed too, but then checked her posture, and said, "Anyway, back to a more serious subject, I am still holding out hope that Vincent and Catherine, can patch things up before the Fest begins tonight."
To which Rebecca sighed, and realistically said, "Well it is getting late Mary, and it appears any reconciliation, can only be with Divine Intervention at this point!"
As Mary patted Rebecca's hand, she said, "Mustn't give up hope yet Dear."
With a nod, Rebecca then shared, "I did give Vincent Catherine's Winterfest Candle. I hoped maybe he would still deliver it to her..."
Upon saying she was pleased that Rebecca had done so, Mary then raised her eyes Heavenward, and prayed a Shakespeare inspired Prayer, and with much hope, she Prayed, "Oh Please...He that hath steerage of Vincent and Catherine's course, direct their sail toward one another again."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent and Brigit called on Jacob, for mid-afternoon tea.
And as they settled in, Brigit sincerely paid Jacob homage, telling him after getting to know him better today, she realized how cheated she was on her last visit to the tunnels, not having the opportunity to spend much time with him.
Pleasingly, Jacob smiled back at Brigit, graciously accepted the compliment from her, and reciprocated by saying, he now completely understood the high esteem, in which Vincent has held her up to for so long.
After a nice visit, mostly discussing and explaining the Winterfest festivities, which would be celebrated in a few hours, Brigit and Vincent bade Jacob a good afternoon, so he could rest before readying himself for the event.
But just before Vincent turned to leave, Jacob discreetly asked. "Have you thought about what we had talked about earlier, concerning your relationship with Catherine...take time...meditate..."
As Vincent looked downward, he thoughtfully relayed, "I haven't had time to myself as yet Father..."
Just then, coincidentally, Pascal happened to meet them in the tunnel, and gleefully offered to take Brigit for a stroll!
An invitation, which Brigit was about to decline, but was thwarted by Jacob, who saw this as an opportunity for Vincent to be by himself.
And so thankfully Vincent nodded to his Father for speaking up, and turning toward Pascal, said, "That is most kind of you Pascal, thank you. I do have a few things to tend to."
After saying goodbye to Jacob, the three walked through the tunnels a short way together, when Brigit expressed, "Thank ye fer takin' me to tea Vincent...I very much enjoyed visitin' with yer Father."
To which Vincent replied, "You are most welcome, and I know Father enjoyed his time with you as well."
And then as they approached his chamber, Vincent tipped his head, as he gallantly said, "I shall see you both in a few short hours from now."
And so with one last nod of appreciation, Brigit was whisked away by Pascal.
As Vincent stopped at his threshold, he then slowly entered, taking his time lighting his candles, and as he did, Vincent thought of the advice his Father had given to him, earlier that day.
So sitting at his table, resting his chin in his hands, he began to contemplate, and consider all the forces which have been at play, steering them to where he and Catherine now stood. And everything seemed to point back to the same factors...Vincent's over-protective love and concern for Catherine.
And it was then, Lin appeared at his threshold, and with a tearful inquiry, she asked, "Vincent, may I come in?"
Standing to welcome Lin, Vincent with concern said, "Of course Lin..."
As Lin came in, she with emotion explained, "I am sorry to come here unexpectedly, but I am really worried, and I had no where else to turn! I have been to Catherine's apartment almost daily this week, and there is no answer! I have left her notes, and have received no replies! I have also called her on the phone leaving messages on her machine, but she has not returned my calls either! I am so afraid she is either really angry with me for interfering....or..."
To which Vincent in a calming voice, informed Lin, "I have heard Catherine is fine, and the reason she hasn't been home is because her Father became ill while in Florida, and she had to travel out of town to be with him. And I have learned, upon their return, Catherine has been staying at his home to care for him. So Lin, she may not even know you have tried to reach out to her yet."
Heaving a sigh of relief, Lin then said, "I suppose time will tell if we are still friends then...and what about you Vincent, are you angry with me for my part in all of this?"
Upon hearing Lin's concern, Vincent compassionately said, "No Lin, I know you only tried to help...I will never feel you did anything which contributed to my fatal error."
To which Lin urgently asked, "So you have had a change of heart?"
Vincent then resignedly nodded, as he said, "In truth, though I do see it now, my vision came into focus too late. And now it appears Catherine has moved on before I could see her, and tell her in person I was wrong. You see, last night Catherine was in the company of Steven, her ex-fiancé."
In disbelief, Lin replied, "That doesn't mean anything, it could be they are just friends now! Because after everything Catherine had told me about him being arrogant, and domineering when they were together...I don't believe she would ever go back with him. So all I can say, if she was out with him, there must be a very good reason why!"
With a thoughtfulness, Vincent said, "Perhaps, however, it indicates to me, even after my note of apology, Catherine is making an effort to live another kind of a life now."
To which Lin clarified, "So you apologized? In a NOTE?"
With a tragic resolve, Vincent said, "Yes, in a note, to which she never replied..."
Upon hearing Vincent's pitiful effort, Lin incredulously said, "Really Vincent! A note? That's not how you apologize when you ask for forgiveness! You must speak to her!"
With a frustrated tone, Vincent replied, "I have tried! I have repeatedly visited her apartment, however she hasn't been back home yet! And now it may be too late."
With hope Lin said, "May, is an operative word, the other side is that it may NOT be too late. You must try to talk to her, somehow."
As Lin took in a frustrated breath, she tearfully said, "Oh Vincent...I have to leave, so I can get ready for tonight, but I must tell you...seeing you so unhappy, I will not be in the mood for celebrating."
As Vincent slipped his cloak on, he then offered, "Come, dusk has descended upon us...I will walk you home."
Vincent then looked down at Catherine's Winterfest Candle, and without any definitive intent, he safely tucked it inside his cloak.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So as Catherine entered the entrance to the tunnels, she was met by Mac, the rude sentry on duty.
Flirtatiously, Mac asked, "Well hello Beeeutiful Catherine! How can I be at your service?"
With a hesitant nod hello, Catherine replied, "I would like to deliver a personal message to Jacob."
As Mac goggled Catherine, he bawdily replied, "Well, as long as it wasn't Vincent you wanted ta see, cuz, like a guardian, he's walkin' with that China Doll back home to China Town...lucky dog."
After hearing Vincent was not there, Catherine's heart sank, but then realized even though she would not be seeing him, she would still love to see Jacob again.
And so Catherine clarified, "Well it is Jacob I came to see..."
Catherine then pointed to a particular tunnel, and asked, "...and I take this tunnel to Jacob's? Right?"
To which Mac tipped his hat, and said, "Yeppers! It will take ya straight to the Governor."
As Catherine traveled through the tunnels, feeling disappointed knowing she would not be seeing Vincent, she continued to walk onward with her mission.
Meanwhile, after Pascal left her, Brigit decided to do a little sight seeing on her own. And so as she approached a crux of the tunnels, she saw Catherine! And so she called out, "Catherine, is that ye? So it is! Ah, we meet again!"
When Catherine heard Brigit's voice, she stopped in her tracks! And after gathering her resolve, Catherine kindly answered, "Hello Brigit."
So in an attempt to get on Catherine's good side, Brigit then said, "Ye know, yer fergivin' nature sets a fine example fer me. I surely appreciate yer tryin'."
To which Catherine reservedly replied, "I just need time to move past everything..."
Humbled, Brigit in reply said, "That's all I ask fer...and a chance to prove I can be a friend...Vincent too, is givin' me a second chance as well..."
Hearing Vincent and Brigit are friends again, Catherine had to assume Brigit knows the whole story of what transpired between she and Vincent now. And though Catherine wondered what Vincent might have said about it all, she decided not to trust this new alliance with Brigit quite yet in this matter.
So meanwhile, because Brigit knew Catherine and Vincent hadn't reconciled, she wondered why Catherine was there! Was she here to patch things up with him? And so she asked, "What brings ye by? Ye here to see Vincent?"
Though Catherine felt resentful she needed to seemingly answer to Brigit, she ended up saying, "Mac just told me Vincent is escorting Lin back home, but actually, I am here to deliver a message to Jacob from Peter, a mutual friend."
To which Brigit offered, "Oh if ye hurry, Jacob may still be awake. When I left him jist a bit ago, he was aboot to lay down to rest before the big doin's tonight."
Upon hearing Jacob was resting, Catherine didn't want to risk waking him, and so she said, "I really hate disturbing him..."
Wondering if Catherine would like her to pass on the message, Brigit offered, "I could give it to him if ye like."
With just a moment of hesitation, Catherine consented, saying, "Well, if you would...the note tells Jacob, due to his nephew's recovery, Peter will be coming to Winterfest after-all."
To which Brigit then said, "That should please him, I have been hearin' how Winterfest won't be the same withoot this man named Peter..."
And then Brigit hesitantly added, "...and withoot yew 'n yer father as well..."
Surprised Brigit would share this with her, Catherine lowered her eyes, and silently stood, not sure really how to respond.
And it was then Brigit, thinking Vincent would want to know if Catherine was coming, she asked, "Will ye both be comin' with Peter then as well?"
But because not only hasn't Vincent had a change of heart, but Catherine never received a Winterfest Candle inviting her either. So softly, Catherine answered, "My Dad may...but I wouldn't be attending..."
With a tone of disappointment, Brigit then said, "'Tis a pity..."
And just as Brigit thought she may ask some more questions on Vincent's behalf, Mac strolled along and asked, "Ah, two fine ladies! How doooooo you do!"
And because Brigit didn't seem to be too fond of Mac either, she retorted, "We be fine, and we dinny ask fer any help from yer!"
Catherine then took this cue as a good time to leave, and so she said, "Thank you for your help Brigit...goodnight."
And as Brigit tried to push Mac along, she replied, "Aye Catherine, goodnight to ye as well."
Catherine nodded a thank you, and with immense disappointment, she turned to exit the tunnels. She had not gotten to see Vincent after all...and now it looked like her most dreaded fear had occurred as well, Brigit was there, and she would be attending Winterfest...