Protector of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Six ____________________________________
As Catherine turned off the TV, she pet Noodles, and said, "Well, its time for you and I to go to bed."
As she patted his spot on the bed, Noodles settled in, and then Catherine nestled into bed herself.
And just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she dreamt, Vincent was at her balcony door, and upon realizing that it wasn't a dream, she quickly slipped on her satin robe, and greeted him as she opened the doors.
Vincent in turn greeted her, admitting, "I didn't think you were home. I only wanted to leave you this..."
As he looked down upon the letter he had planned to leave, he then handed it to her.
Kindly accepting the letter, with hope, Catherine asked, "Well...since I am home, won't you stay..."
Hesitantly Vincent replied, "Your room was dark...you must have already retired."
Admittedly Catherine told him, "I did, but I would much rather visit with you."
And so, with a bit of a shy tone, Vincent responded, "I hadn't planned to stay."
Catherine's heart broke whenever Vincent's shy side erupted, and she marveled of how there were these two poling sides, of this uniquely sweet, and worldly man. And she pondered, at how his demeanor could be so cool and suave most times, but then witness a shy self-effacing man the next!
So warmly, Catherine smiled as she said, "Well if you can change your plans, I would love for you to stay."
As the wintry night air blew snow flurries around them, Vincent firstly raised his eyes, and in a passionate husky whisper, he said, "I will stay."
As they entered Catherine's apartment, she lit some candles, as she noted, "I just put the fire out in the fireplace, maybe it won't take much to rekindle the flame."
To which Vincent attentively said, "Allow me to try Catherine."
As Vincent proficiently rebuilt the fire, he then stood, feeling satisfied with the fire he rekindled, he looked downward, before he turned to look toward Catherine.
As Catherine felt a stirring within her heart, she looked back, and softly said, "Thank you Vincent...I can feel the warmth already."
It was then Catherine offered, "May I get you something Vincent? Something to eat, or maybe a cup of tea?"
In reply, Vincent thinking how stunning she looked by the light of the flickering fire, he then intimately answered, "No Catherine...no food, nor drink. I only need to be here with you."
As Catherine then picked up the envelope, she reverently, opened it, and could see it was a Sonnet by Shakespeare, and because she longed to hear Vincent read, she asked, "Read to me Vincent..."
Though Vincent took the letter from her hands, he looked at it only once before raising his eyes to look back at Catherine and he recited:
XlV11 Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, And each doth good turns now unto the other: When that mine eye is famish'd for a look, Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother, With my love's picture then my eye doth feast And to the painted banquet bids my heart; Another time mine eye is my heart's guest And in his thoughts of love doth share a part: So, either by thy picture or my love, Thyself away art resent still with me; For thou not farther than my thoughts canst move, And I am still with them and they with thee; Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight
As Catherine stood inches away, she sweetly told him, "Your recitation was lovely."
To which Vincent answered, "Though Shakespeare had written these sonnets centuries ago, somehow it seems his words, were inspired by you."
As he brought Catherine to him, he placed his hand at the small of her back, brushing his cheek against her hair, savoring this sweet moment...
Looking at their usual spot, Catherine softly asked, "Shall we sit to enjoy the fire?"
And so as they settled in, Catherine told him how happy she was their closeness has evolved into such sweet moments.
Vincent thoughtful for a moment, and then said, "Closeness such as this, is difficult for me Catherine...because of who I am."
Catherine stayed silent, and held her breath, as she questioned how to comment on this statement. She could not deny he was unlike any man she had ever known. His manner intrigued her, and the differences he owned were uniquely beautiful. His whole essence made him a very powerful and addictive individual to be near. She found something in every aspect of his entity to embrace, and she felt honored this intelligent man found her interesting enough to embrace as well.
Catherine then gathered her thoughts, and tenderly said, "When I am with you, I don't feel we are different, not in our hearts."
Vincent intently listened as Catherine expressed how she felt, as he needed to hear these affirmations like he needed food, air and water.
And he needed to be reassured that Catherine one day, wouldn't just love him, but would be in love with him, before there could ever be anything more. But for them, they were happy just being near one another.
And so the time had come for Vincent to leave, because the hour dictated it so. But before Vincent left, he invited Catherine to come below to the tunnels tomorrow, as Jacob would like to make good on his promise of showing his extensive library to her.
Catherine happily said she would love to come, and as their hands slipped from each other's grip, they said a final farewell.