By now, everyone, one by one had all gathered around the children, in time to listen to them sing, their next song, "Let there be Peace on Earth".
As Vincent took his Catherine by the hand, they stood alone, in the back of the crowd to listen to the sweet concert, the children had planned.
As Vincent brought Catherine tightly to him, contentedly, she looked up at him, and together they listened to the children's dear precious voices.
It wasn't until the start of the next song, "Once upon a time", that Vincent spoke. He softly said, "I heard the children rehearse this song earlier today Catherine, and it broke my heart as the words burdened me so."
Catherine looked up at Vincent, and saw tears gathered in his eyes, and with concern she asked, "Why Vincent?"
Thoughtfully, Vincent held back his emotions, as he huskily whispered, "Because...it reminded me of you, and how I took away the trusting innocence our love once owned. When I think of the needless hurt I caused you, and all you had to endure while alone during that time. Your Father's illness, the decision of giving up Noodles, Catherine, it pains me to know I was not there for you...when you needed to know there was someone at your side."
Upon hearing Vincent voice this shared thought, Catherine looked downward, not wanting to reveal how deeply she had been hurt.
For she herself wondered if they could get back all they had lost because of Vincent's insecurities. Could she feel secure, safe, and certain Vincent would not withdraw his love from her again?
Thinking back of when she first met Vincent, all those warm feelings of being loved and cared for by someone, came flooding back to her...Catherine loved knowing there was someone, who was thinking of her, and could love her, because of what was inside of her heart...and she loved possessing that feeling again, being connected to another...with a bond so strong, it banishes all aloneness. Yes...it mirrored feelings of family, like when she was a little girl.
Sadly, Catherine had lost many of those feelings before...when her Mom died, drastically changing the life, she and her Dad had known...and so, when Vincent had sent her away, she felt like she had lost them all over again.
As Catherine reflected, Vincent wearily waited for a reply that was yet to come...and so he tenderly touched Catherine's chin, beseeching her to look up at him.
As he held her questioning gaze with his, he pleadingly asked, "Tell me Catherine, are we able to defy, and contradict the tragic lyrics of this song...can we have our "once upon a time" again?"
It was then, Catherine suddenly felt all the sorrow, of their last week, creep up and overwhelm her.
Up until this moment, Catherine was just so happy to be together with Vincent again. But the truth of their relationship still needed to be questioned and tested.
And so mournfully, Catherine shook her head, speechless, as she desperately searched her heart for an answer.
Finally she tearfully said, "All I can tell you is, I want to have those feelings back..."
But as Catherine, who was now bound to the new found strength she had discovered within herself, she told Vincent, "I am a stronger person now..."
And then Catherine carefully reminded Vincent, "...I told you I would not allow myself to crumble on that day, and I would continue to dream our dream...which I did...I never stopped. So, I need to know you are dreaming our dream too, and that you are here, and will not turn me away again..."
To which Vincent assuredly said, "Know it then Catherine...know it as our truth we can now...build upon."
Happy to hear Vincent declare his affection in such a way, Catherine looked back and for a moment the world stopped spinning, as their hearts bonded once more.
Upon hearing the clapping, and the bravos being shouted throughout the Hall, Vincent and Catherine, tearfully looked at each other, as they realized the Children's recital had concluded.
They had gotten so caught up in their conversation, they had unfortunately missed the ending.
And so they joined in, wanting to add their accolades for the children's wonderful performance as well!
Meantime, the children proudly bowed, and curtsied to the thunderous applause, and it wasn't but a moment later, they were back in the mix of the festivities again.
As the minstrels picked up their instruments, on the other side of the Hall, Jacob put down his plate, and turned to Mary and politely asked, "Mary, I would like to ask you a question that necessitates repeating...May I have this dance?"
To which Mary chuckled as she said, "Oh yes Jacob."
And they then walked out onto the dance area, and ironically, the next song was from Camelot! The play/movie Jacob loved so much, and so fittingly Jacob and Mary danced to "How to Handle a woman."
Mean while, Catherine and Vincent's walked through the crowd, and as they sauntered about, she noticed "The Tunnel's Hierarchy" were finally dancing, and excitedly said, "It looks like Mary has finally gotten her dance with Father!"
To which Vincent wryly inquired, "Or is it the other way around?"
Vincent's question, caused Catherine to smile, and as she watched the two, happily dancing together, she said, "I think we both may be right."
And it was then, Jamie, Laura and Brooke, walked up with Little Natalie, and Jamie said, "Hi Catherine and Vincent!"
And so as Vincent looked back to politely address the girls, he told them how lovely they all looked tonight.
After some humble giggles, and a few twirls in their dresses, the girls all joyfully thanked Vincent for his compliment!
And as Jamie looked at Brooke, she teasingly said, "Too bad Michael couldn't have seen you looking so beautiful tonight!"
To which Brooke maturely accepted his absence, as she replied, "There will be other occasions...but for now, Michael says it is so important to be focused! Eyes straight ahead!"
With a nod, Vincent agreed, but then added, "I only hope Michael doesn't become too single minded, and fail to visit us every now and again."
Feeling a little downhearted too by his absence, Brooke tried to stay positive, as she said, "Well Michael says no matter what, he will not miss Christmas!"
It was then little Natalie fidgeted a bit, and then asked, "Vincent?"
To which Vincent bent down to ask, "Yes Natalie?"
And so Natalie took his hand, and said, "We hafta dance, member? You told me we would!"
Looking up at a charmed Catherine and around to the rest of the girls, he turned back to Natalie, and said, "Yes, I do remember, and it would be my honor."
Vincent then stood and asked Catherine, "Won't you pardon us? I have a promise to keep."
With a nod, and a bow, Catherine answered, "Most certainly kind sir!"
Just then, Rebecca stepped up and watched this sweet sight along with the other girls.
And as they stood watching, Rebecca whispered to Catherine, "I guess by now you have noticed how much Natalie loves Vincent..."
To which Catherine smiled back and said, "Yes..oh yes I have, they share one of the sweetest friendships I know..."
As the song ended, Vincent returned Natalie to the floor, and bowed as he thanked her for the dance.
To which Little Natalie said, "Thank you! That was fun! See ya later Vincent!"
Catherine looked up at Vincent and marveled, saying how sweet that was.
And in reply, Vincent simply humbly nodded, knowing this was so.
The couple then turned their attention to the girls, as Catherine asked them many questions about their dress making, and of how impressed she was by their beautiful designs.
By now Mouse had joined the group too, and they had fun watching and talking about how nice Father and Mary were dancing. And as the conversation turned to Mouse, they began to tease him, that he should learn to dance.
And so by the time Catherine and Vincent parted company with the giggling girls, Mouse was being tutored the box step!
And as they approached the Banquet table, Vincent asked, "Are you hungry Catherine?"
To which Catherine replied, "Yes...I am."
And so as they stepped up to the buffet, they came upon Peter and Charles, who had just told Jessica a humorous story about Jacob!
With curiosity, Catherine smiled as she asked her Dad, "What's so funny?"
As Charles turned to his daughter and Vincent, he explained, they had just filled Jessica in on what took place after she left Florida, saying, "Jessica's friend Blanche, swooped in on Jacob, the very day Jessica left town."
Shaking her head in wonderment, Jessica told Vincent and Catherine, "I knew Blanche had her eye on Jacob and I was right, the moment I was gone, she invited him to go on a picnic."
It was then Charles lead to the punch line, by saying, "Which was to be...at Stark Beach!"
With a chuckle, Peter clarified, "And Stark Beach is set aside for practicing nudists!"
Everyone laughed, and then gasped at the way this narrative could have gone!
And then Peter finalized the story by noting, "Needless to say, had Jacob gone? He would've had quite a surprise!"
To which Jessica said, "Well, thank Heaven's, Jacob did NOT go on that picnic!"
Everyone laughed, inagining if Jacob had gone to that pot lock!
Just then, Jacob and Mary joined the group at the conclusion of their dance.
And so, Jacob jovially noted, "It appears we are missing out on some levity! Do share!"
As Peter looked around the group, who were all at the moment, still laughing, he cautiously shared, "Trust me Jacob, I don't think you want me to."
Worriedly, Jacob then looked down, and at the back of his britches, and asked, "I am not exposed again, am I?"
Discounting that possibility, Mary assuredly said, "I don't see how! I reinforced the seams so that shan't happen again!"
It was then, Vincent humorously relayed to the others, "Father had an embarrassing happenstance while dancing with the children last Winterfest!"
And Mary couldn't help herself but to giggle, as she recalled, "It sure tickled the children, when your backside gave way, doing the Hokey Pokey."
Everyone laughed along, Jacob included, when just then, the Minstrels began playing the Chicken Dance!
Suddenly the children converged upon Jacob, to ask, "Come dance with us Father!"
Well, just as Jacob began to say no, Jessica teased, "Oh don't be an old stick in the mud Jacob! Come on...I will dance with you!"
As Jacob looked around the group, who were also cheering him on, he then settled upon Mary, who sincerely smiled back, and said, "Yes Father, you mustn't disappoint the children."
And so, Jacob gave in and said, "Very well children...I will have a go at it!"
Jacob then looked over at Jessica, and holding out his arm for her, he said, "Still game? I did promise you a dance after all."
To which Jessica argued, "Of course I am game, but don't you dare try and pawn the Chicken dance off, as MY Dance Jacob Wells! Oh no, just so you know, I am expecting a waltz out of you dear man!"
The two laughed as they walked off, flanked by the children, who were all gleefully laughing too!
As the group stood, totally enjoying watching Jacob and his dance troupe, Pascal and Brigit came walking up to the group to say hello.
To which, Vincent kindly asked Brigit, "Are you enjoying yourself Brigit?"
In reply, Brigit gleefully answered, "Aye! 'Tis more festive than I could ever have imagined!"
Vincent then turned to both Peter and Charles, and made the proper formal introductions to Brigit.
It was then, Catherine remembering that although her Father did some legal work for Brigit, they had never actually met.
And so she politely added, "Brigit, my Father, Charles Chandler, is the lawyer who is helping your agent with your copyright contracts."
With an astonished tone, Brigit turned to Charles and said, "So ye are the Superman! Ah, how Georgie raves about ye! I am pleased we finally git to meet! I would like to thank ye personally for yer legal expertise."
Brigit then looked about the group, and soundly explained, "My agent Georgie says, if not for Charles here, I would have been stolen blind!"
To which, Charles humbly said, "It was your agent who suspected the fraudulent loopholes, and sought counsel. George has impressed me as quite the professional, who very much cares about your welfare."
Thoughtfully, Brigit pondered what Charles had said, and then agreed by saying, "Aye, Georgie does...truly does...I have known him for a very long time, and he is a valued friend."
And because of the time Charles had spent with George, he sensed George's feelings ran deeper than just wanting to be a friend to Brigit, and so he replied, "Yes, he is quite protective of you, and speaks very fondly of you too."
Upon realizing he should not be playing match maker, Charles cleared his throat, as he informatively mentioned, "In fact, I am meeting with him again, very soon. Just waiting for your people to call my people as they say..."
Flirtatiously, Brigit smiled, and said, "To be able to witness Georgie and ye in action would be quite interestin'! I believe that is one borin' legal session I will want to sit in on!"
Meantime, as the song ended, both Jacob and Jessica rejoined the group, and everyone stood around and chit-chatted with one another, when the musicians began playing one of Catherine's favorite songs, "The Last Time I felt like this".
Meantime, Vincent noticed how Catherine turned attentively toward the Minstrels, as she listened to the melody.
And so because Vincent sensed Catherine wanted to dance to this song, he elegantly asked, "Catherine may I have this dance?"
To which Catherine, sweetly nodded, and said, "Of course."
So as this enchanted couple took to the floor, there was not one person, in all of Winterfest, who could not help, but to look their way.
Seeing them together again, gave everyone hope, and as they danced to this song, it carried them to the edge of time, where they were looking forward to their time alone.
Upon hearing this romantic song, other couples joined them on the dance floor too! Lin and Henry, Olivia and Kanin, and Jessica finally received her dance with Jacob...
After the song ended, Peter looked at his watch, and said, "Charles I hate to be a party-pooper, but I have rounds to make in the morning, so I think it is time for me to call it a night."
With a nod, Charles replied whenever his chauffeur was ready, he was too, and so he turned to his Daughter, and asked, "What about you Cathy?"
To which Catherine answered, "I'd like to stay a while longer..."
And because of the route he and Peter had taken through the parks public garage area, Charles questioned the safety of her leaving alone. And so Charles asked, "Well gee honey, will you be safe? The parking garage is still a bit of a walk from your apartment..."
To which Catherine clarified, "Not to worry. I can re-enter my apartment building right from the tunnels."
Stunned by all he has been learning, Charles tipped his head, and looking at Peter, who was giving an approving nod, Charles said, "Okay then."
And then Vincent added, "I will see she returns home safely Charles."
In response, Charles then warmly looked at Vincent, and said, "I will leave my Daughter in your care."
Lovingly, Charles hugged his daughter, and he then waved a good night to all of his new found friends.
Peter too said his farewells, and as he turned to Jessica he humorously asked, "Care to hitch a ride with a couple of bums Jessica?"
To which, after realizing her hopeful expectations with Jacob, would not be fulfilled, Jessica thought for a moment, before she appreciatively accepted Peter's invitation, by saying, "I'd be happy to!"
And so Jessica turned to Mary and the others, and said good night too.
As Jacob walked with Jessica to the threshold, where Peter and Charles were waiting, the two made plans to get together tomorrow, so Jessica could show Jacob all the wonderful pictures she had taken of the Manatee.
And so Jacob, with a voice full of melancholy, said goodnight, to Jessica. And she sadly smiled as she touched his cheek, and said "Goodnight Jacob."
So, as Peter, Charles and Jessica waved a final farewell toward him, Jacob stood for a moment watching them leave...thinking there was a time when, he was living their life...well it was there Jacob stopped himself, because he was content, and had reconciled with the decisions he had made. Painful and conflicted as they may have been at times, he had made his choice...and he was home.
And so before Jacob turned, a contented smile graced his lips, and he returned to Mary's side, and back to the rest of the dwindling group that remained.
It was then the minstrels announced that this would be their final song, and they keyed up "The Last Waltz". To which Jacob asked, "Mary, may I have this last dance?"
With a gracious nod, Mary said, "Yes..."
Meanwhile, because Vincent sensed this to be a good time to slip away, he discreetly, piled a plate high with food, and grabbed a decanter of the cider, and with a motion, he with Catherine at his side, made their break!
Secretively, Vincent turned to Catherine, and instructed, "Follow me closely Catherine, along and inside, the darkened shadows."
And so Catherine did, and they made it back through the chamber of the Winds, and then continued onward, making their way, toward their private, little satellite chamber, that was nestled deeply within the winding tunnels, far from the rest of the world.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Three
| Master of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Two ___________________________________ |
