Protector of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Eleven __________________________________________
And so, Vincent looked at Catherine, and with great emotion admitted, "It is difficult for me Catherine..."
Thoughtfully, Vincent continued, "...and I know you are right...a person must be able to receive, as well as give to be whole...and because of this inability...I do not feel complete."
As Vincent lowered his gaze, before looking back into Catherine's misted eyes, he beseechingly asked, "Will you help me Catherine..."
And though Catherine could not answer, for fear she would start to weep, she nodded yes...
Softly, Vincent said, "I brought you here because in my heart, I knew the time had come that you needed me to share more of myself with you."
As Vincent then took her hand, he tenderly said, "Catherine, come lay at my side."
As Catherine nestled in beside him, she laid her head on his shoulder, and protectively brought her arm up over his middle to hug and hold him tightly.
Lovingly he held her, and as he expelled a contented breath, he sweetly said, "...you have become everything to me Catherine..."
As Catherine brought her hand up to dress his tangled tresses, she smoothed his hair away, to whisper in reply, how she had felt the same.
The breathlessness of her voice moved, and deeply struck him, causing him to softly say her name, and as the passion of the moment dictated Vincent's desires, he expressed how much he loved and needed her.
After sharing secrets of their hearts, and their private dreams, Vincent fell asleep holding Catherine in his arms, and she lovingly watched him, as he slept.
She smiled as she looked at him, and thought of how his bottom lip, stopped just short of having a pouting appearance to it, and noticed and loved his chin, which owned such an interesting trail of dimples.
His eyelashes were lightly touching his cheeks, and she thought of how this sleeping man, sometimes seemed like a boy in his heart.
And she thought of how his tenderness, was from his heart, and his love for her was absolute.
Just as Catherine was thinking these things, it was then Vincent woke, and huskily said, "You are awake..."
To which Catherine smiled, as she whispered, "Yes, I have been."
Vincent then simply acknowledged with a nod, and closed his eyes, swiftly falling back to sleep once more.
Wondering if he could have really fallen back to sleep so quickly, Catherine looked unbelievably at him, impressed that he actually had.
As she smiled to herself, she loved the fact he was so relaxed with her, that he could, and as she placed her head over his heart, she drifted off to sleep too.
So contentedly, they stayed together in their lone chamber beneath the city, which was so far away from the rest of the world.
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Meanwhile, Peter walked ahead of Charles and Jacob, as they approached the boarding area, he turned his head, to irritatingly say, "All right...quit gloating you two...and I don't want to hear about how YOUR team, creamed mine, all the way down to Florida!"
Peter then stopped in his tracks, and with astonishment, looked back at Jacob and said, "And you...I didn't know you even liked Football! Now all of a sudden you are a big fan of Charles' team, and now I have to hear about this luck-sack win, from both of you!"
As Jacob replied, he flayed his hands, and said, "I never knew how invigorating Football was! However, I promise from this point on...not another word!"
And then Charles agreed as well, and stifled an arrogant chuckle, as he said, "Or from me Peter...you will not hear another word about how badly your team played today!"
And because Charles slipped in one more dig, Peter huffed a frustrated sigh, and said, "Oh brother!"
As the three amigos settled into their seats, Peter chose to sit by the window, Jacob picked the center seat, and Charles contentedly sat on the aisle. And so with all the good-natured teasing of the game behind them, they sat back, and talked pleasantly from then on, for the rest of the flight.
After a time, the flight attendant approached them, and asked, "May I serve you gentlemen a cocktail?"
As she presented the tray, Peter said, "I'll take a bourbon and coke, Charles chose a Whiskey and water, and Jacob hesitated for a moment before he asked, "Have you any freshly brewed Green Tea?"
Upon hearing Jacob's request, Peter advisedly joshed, "Come on Jacob its ok to live a little, have a cocktail, it won't hurt you, I promise. In fact, its Doctors orders!"
Humbled a bit, Jacob turned to the flight attendant, and in a secretive tone, explained, "You see, he is my physician."
To which the attendant smiled and said, "Well then Sir, it looks as if you should listen to him."
In reply, Jacob stuttered a bit, as he concurred, saying, "Yes, I suppose it does."
And so the attendant then offered, "If you don't see anything here, I would be glad to mix you something else. What would you like?"
Thoughtfully, Jacob brought his hand to his chin, and said, "Hmm, maybe something sweet, something with Vodka perhaps."
Because the attendant knew of a drink to fill the bill, she held up her finger and said, "I know just the drink. I will be right back."
Knowing a refreshment was on its way, Jacob settled deeper into his seat, feeling quite relaxed, and quite contented. Yes it was true, Jacob was definitely enjoying this extra attention, he was getting from this lovely young woman!
And so as Peter looked on, he shook his head as he asked Charles, "Boy oh boy, I never get this kind of attention! Do you Charles?"
To which Charles honestly admitted, "Can't say that I do."
Doing a double take, Jacob nonchalantly told the two, "Oh she is just being kind."
As the attendant returned with Jacob's drink, he thanked her, and he then asked, "If I may ask dear, what is your name?"
To which the attendant smiled as she said, "I am Sharon. And you are?"
Cordially Jacob answered, "I am Jacob, and my two traveling companions are Peter and Charles."
Sharon said she was happy to meet them all, and then suggested, "Why don't you sample your drink Jacob, I want to make sure that you like it."
To which Jacob giddily said, "Yes...yes of course!"
And as Jacob took a sip, he delightfully exclaimed, "Oh this is quite delightful. I dare say...what is it called so I may order it again...should the occasion arise that is!"
Sharon smiled, as she informed him, "The name of the drink is called "Sex on the Beach"!"
Upon hearing the name of the drink while he was sipping, Jacob, sprayed out his beverage as he coughed in shock!
So with a napkin, he patted his lips and said, "The names they give drinks these days!"
Sharon smiled at him, and as she walked away she said, "Enjoy your drink Jacob."
Peter started laughing as he teased his friend, "Well now you know what to order Jacob."
Jacob raised his eyebrows and laughed as he exclaimed, "Indeed! I had to ask."
Charles laughed, and asked, "So, Jacob...how is your flight so far?"
To which Jacob nodded, and as he took another sip, he said, "I cannot complain Charles."
Peter teasingly pondered, "I wonder what Mary will say if you tell her you had "Sex on the Beach!"
In reply, Jacob looked downward, and chuckled as he said, "Perhaps I needn't tell Mary every detail of our excursion Peter."
With a smile, Peter then leaned back, and closed his eyes as he said, "Ah there is hope for you after all my straight laced friend..." And then added, "...maybe those Valentine boxers will see the light of day yet!"
As Charles looked quizzically at Jacob, wondering what Peter meant, Jacob promised, "I will explain that comment to you later, when I can be certain I will not be overheard!"
To which Charles raised a brow, and replied, "Sounds intriguing, I will wait with abated-breath!"
As the two then looked over at Peter, they saw he had fallen asleep with his drink in his hand. And so Jacob gingerly took it, and placed it on the small table in front of him.
Surmising Peter was exhausted, they both hoped in a few days, he would be able to kick back and relax, after putting all of his Mother's legal matters of the estate behind him.
Jacob then cleared his throat, as he self consciously relayed to Charles, that Catherine had told him of the news clippings he had found, when his father, James represented him.
To which Charles nodded, and impressively spoke of his admiration for Jacob's resolve in standing up for his findings.
And then they both shared, and expressed kind words of James, and agreed on what a wonderful man he was, and then they finished this line of conversation by commenting, what a small world this really is!
Then their talk turned to the subject of their children, and each man expressed how glad they were that the heartbreak is now behind them, and can now somehow find their way together in this complex world.
However...little did they know, somewhere, deep below in the tunnels today, they had...