Catherine smiled as she watched Vincent eat the last of his lasagna, and as he noticed Catherine was not eating, he asked, "Catherine?"
To which Catherine sighed, and said, "I am full, and believe I am done."
Thinking it should not go to waste, Vincent offered, "Tis a shame to throw it away..."
To which Catherine surmised, "I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach..."
And the moment Catherine said this, she wondered how wasteful and extravagant such a statement must have sounded to Vincent.
And so she lowered her eyes, knowing this was another aspect of their differences, and of the varying perspectives from which they had viewed life.
She always had plenty...Vincent always had just enough. So leaving a little food on her plate was not a big deal, where as in Vincent's world, emptying one's plate, was a nutritional necessity.
Plus, in Vincent's world there was no waste, for they were grateful for all they had, because it had been provided to them by a caring helper. So to think of wasting food, was not even conceptual to Vincent.
As Catherine sat there, she recognized just being with Vincent caused her to look at everything with more thought and care.
And so softly, Catherine then asked, "If you have room, please help me finish my portion."
To which Vincent nodded in a thankful manner, and as Catherine poured them some more tea, she raised her eyes, allowing herself a small moment to privately look at Vincent. Catherine found him, sensual and sweet, all at the same time, and as she continued watching him, she thought that although he was this huge muscular man, there was something about Vincent, that brought out this need in her, to nurture him. And Catherine felt too, the way he allowed her to do so, that maybe...it fulfilled a need in him as well.
And so it was then that Catherine told Vincent about running into Lin earlier that day, and that they had made a luncheon date, for noon tomorrow at Pai's.
In reply, Vincent tried to act nonchalant, as he said, "How nice you and Lin have become friends...do tell her hello for me."
Just as Catherine said she would, the phone rang, and she said, "I better grab the phone in case it is Jenny! I don't want her leaving any more off-color messages."
To which Vincent quipped saying, "I do enjoy hearing your spirited friend's communiques, they give me some insight into her personality, and also into yours as well."
And so, Catherine gave Vincent one last smile in agreement, and then cheerfully answered the phone.
And for a moment, Catherine was taken aback, because on the other end, she heard, Jacob saying, "Hello! Hello? Catherine is that you?"
To which Catherine surprisingly questioned, "Yes this is she, is this Jacob?"
In response, Jacob chuckled, and replied, "Yes! Tis me! Surprised?"
Upon hearing Jacob's response, Catherine then looked at Vincent, and whispered, "It's your Father!"
With a smile, Catherine then spoke into the receiver, and replied, "Yes I am surprised!"
And then with concern, Catherine asked, "Is everything all right?"
To which Jacob gleefully said, "We are all fine, just fine my Dear. It would seem this southern air, is quite relaxing, and your Father and Peter are relaxing as well. Do tell me, have you seen Vincent, and if so, how is he?"
In reply, Catherine said, "Well, as a matter of fact, Vincent is fine and visiting with me now. Would you like to speak with him?"
To which Jacob happily said, "Yes...why yes indeed."
As Catherine handed the phone to Vincent, he hesitated a moment, before he said, "Hello Father?"
With astonishment, Jacob said, "Vincent hello, how is everything?"
And so it was upon hearing his Father's voice, that Vincent realized he missed him more than he knew, and so with a bitter sweet tone in his voice, he answered, "All is well Father. Everyone asks about you, and are concerned for your welfare. Are you getting any rest?"
To which Jacob scoffed and said, "Rest? Well not officially as yet Vincent, you see, we just came back from a dinner party up the beach...at Jessica's!"
In reply, Vincent questioned, "The beach?" And then shockingly asked, "Jessica's?"
And so Jacob gave affirmation to Vincent's inquiry, as he told him they had a nice re-union, and enjoyed her lovely dinner party, but Jessica was leaving in the morning for Georgia, and "THAT was THAT"! And there was nothing more to add.
Jacob then out of the blue chuckled, and said, "Correct me if I am wrong, however I believe this may be the first phone conversation we have ever had!"
To which Vincent smiled, and said, "Yes Father, I believe it is as well."
Jacob then light-heartedly explained, "Charles thought it would be a surprise, hopefully a pleasant one for Catherine, if I were the one who placed this call, rather than he."
Lightheartedly, Vincent concurred, saying, "I believe Charles was right, Catherine was delightfully surprised Father. And speaking of surprises, Catherine made a delicious dinner for me this evening."
Holding Catherine's gaze he continued, "She is a wonderful cook and puts so much care in to all that she does."
Catherine smiled self consciously, knowing Vincent was maybe overstating the quality of the meal they ate tonight...still she loved how he was looking at her, and continued watching him as he then changed the subject with his Father, asking, "How is Peter, and Charles?"
To which Jacob said they were fine, and things were going well. And then with concern, Jacob asked how everyone was in the tunnels.
Assuredly, Vincent replied, that all was well in their community, and Mary especially seemed to be missing him in his absence.
With a thoughtful reply, Jacob said, "Tell her I miss...well, that I miss everyone, and assure them all, I am doing fine."
Because he wanted Peter's opinion on his Father's health, Vincent then asked if he could speak with Peter for a moment.
To which Jacob said goodbye, and as he passed the phone to Peter, Jacob jokingly said, "Better put your Doctors' hat on!"
As Peter took the phone, he cheerfully said, "Hello Vincent. I take it you want a prognosis..."
With an embarrassed tone, Vincent in reply said, "Well yes Peter, and to say hello as well..."
As Peter chuckled, he replied, "Try not to worry. I am not seeing anything to be alarmed about. Nothing a little chilling won't take care of..."
Then with a sincere assurance, Peter added, "...Vincent...I'll take good care of your Father."
As Vincent was put as ease, he with emotion replied, "I know you will Peter...and my hope is you take time to relax a bit as well...you've been through much, and you DO know what you mean to us...to all of us..."
To which with an expressive tone, Peter replied, "Of course I do...and I shall fit in some fun...I promise!"
It was then Vincent noticed Catherine waving her hand, who then anxiously said, "OH Vincent, let me ask Peter something."
After Vincent bade Peter goodbye, he passed the phone to Catherine, who wanted to remind Peter to bring back the orange ball Noodles' liked so much.
To which Peter said he would and after some chitchat, and such, Catherine asked to talk to her Dad. And so Peter lovingly said goodnight, and then passed the phone to Charles.
It was now Catherine's turn to appease her Dad, with assuring words of how things were going in their world, by telling him all was going well in his absence, thanks to Rita, Marilyn, and Harvey, and the Chandler aspect of the firm, was running smoothly.
And then as they were saying goodbye, Catherine told her Dad she missed him, and to tell Jacob, and Peter good-bye for both she and Vincent too.
Well, Catherine nearly hung up the phone, when she could hear her Dad calling her back, "Cathy...Cathy..."
Curiously, Catherine put the phone back to her ear, and asked, "Did you say something more Dad?"
To which Charles modestly said, "Yes...well I, I would like to speak to Vincent for a moment if I could...you know, just to say hi."
And then Charles jokingly added, "After all, the other two got to talk to 'em!"
Thinking this was kinda interesting, Catherine still found humor in her Daddy's comment, and so she chuckled as she answered, "That's true, we don't want you to feel left out Dad..."
And then Catherine handed the phone to Vincent, and said, "Dad would like to speak with you."
And so Vincent confidently walked up to Catherine, and as he looked down at her, he assuredly said, "Hello Charles."