As Charles heard Vincent's gallant salutation on the other end of the phone, he stammered perhaps a little, as he was suddenly without words!
This whole unconventional romance of his daughter's, has really tested his professed ethics, like nothing else he had ever encountered before.
So being the open-minded liberal man he was, he managed to stifle himself, and tried to sound nonchalant as he said, "I just wanted to say hi, and express my appreciation to you, for looking after Cathy for me."
To which Vincent soundly said, "Of course Charles..."
Vincent then tried to create a little small talk, by lightly mentioning, "I told Father, that Catherine had prepared a delicious Lasagna meal this evening, I enjoyed it very much."
Upon hearing Vincent say, Catherine prepared the Lasagna, Charles suspiciously corrected him, as he inserted, "You mean to say, ordered in carry out, or baked a frozen, don't ya?"
To which Vincent replied, "Not carry out or frozen Charles, Catherine said she followed her favorite recipe."
As Catherine heard this line of conversation, she raised her eyes, thinking, "Oh my, I hope Dad is not telling Vincent about my previous culinary catastrophe!"
Meantime, on the other end of the line, Charles started to chuckle, as he relayed to Peter, "Cathy is at it again, this time Vincent was treated to her Lasagna!"
To which Peter yelled from the background, "Oh no...get the fire extinguisher ready!"
This brought a roar of laughter from Jacob, as Peter continued on, and on, about the time Catherine had over-baked the Lasagna for he and Charles!
It was then, Vincent also started to silently laugh, as he over-heard Peter telling his story, and could hear the amusement this brought to his chuckling Father.
Now that Vincent was smiling, Catherine quickly ran up to him, and asked, "What's so funny? Vincent? What is Dad saying? Why are you smiling? Is Dad making fun of my cooking?"
As Charles could over-hear Catherine's frantic inquiry, he then heard a muffling of the receiver, and could hear Vincent telling Catherine, "Nothing for you to be self conscious about Catherine...I am only smiling because of the levity I hear from our Fathers and from Peter...that's all...it sounds like they are getting along quite famously...and this delights me."
Upon over hearing Vincent sugar coat the conversation, this brought a smile to Charles' heart, as he was treated to a sampling of Vincent's tenderness, with his dear sweet daughter.
Vincent then turned his attention back to Charles, and noted, "From what I can hear, if laughter truly is the best medicine, then my Father should be well on his way..."
To which Charles assured Vincent he was, and before the two men said goodbye, a knowing silence filtered through the phone line, both men loving Catherine more than anything else on this earth, and a realization that befell Charles, that because he and Vincent had this in common...there born, was trust.
And so this night, Charles had come to terms with several issues of the heart.
He realized Catherine was not his little girl anymore, and Charles knew he had to give his daughter the latitude to make her own decisions. But in his heart of course, he felt differently. Catherine was his little girl...and always would be.
Another realization also came over Charles, which brought a bitter-sweet melancholy as well, and that was somehow he knew, the baton had been passed. He was no longer Number One in his daughter's heart, or at the very least, he was now sharing this coveted spot with Vincent.
And so thoughtfully, Charles then reverted his attention back to Vincent, as he said, "Well, I better let you go...goodnight Vincent."
In polite reply, Vincent in turn said goodnight as well, and then light-heartedly added, "And please tell Father and Peter goodnight for me as well."
As Vincent hung up the phone, he smoothed Catherine's stubborn little bangs away from her eyes, and told her, "Your Father said good night..."
And then thinking about the time, Vincent added, "Speaking of saying good night, you need your sleep..."
In response, Catherine brought her hand to his cheek, and with a tremble to her voice, she said, "Don't leave just yet, I'm not tired."
As Vincent looked down at Catherine, the look in her eyes tugged at his heart, and as he took Catherine in his arms, he said, "I will stay...a while longer..."
Pleased he was staying, Catherine then took his hand, and as they settled in on the couch together, they both knew and understood, their bond was something magical, and unique. A connection that was perhaps like no other couples. And so as she smoothed his tangles, she contentedly, rested her head, on his billowing hair.
As Vincent thought back to his father's conversation, he considerately said, "It sounds as if Father is enjoying his stay."
And then he asked, "Is Mother Alcott's home near the ocean?"
To which Catherine excitedly, replied, "Oh yes Vincent...it is right on the beach...such beautiful white sand...it is really a beautiful view."
As Vincent heard Catherine's description, he curiously noted, "Funny Father never mentioned it."
Curious herself, Catherine asked, "Why do you suppose that is?"
To which Vincent thoughtfully said, "I have my suspicions..."
In an effort to prod Vincent along, Catherine asked, "Such as?"
As Vincent tipped his head, he kindly surmised, "I don't believe he wanted to boast about his adventure too much, as not to sound like he missed his life above, or press in the details of all we had missed out on..."
As Catherine thought about it, she agreeably replied, "I suppose that could be the reason...yes, I could see that..."
Thoughtfully, Vincent then dreamily said, "Just being near the ocean...must be magnificent...to witness such a powerful force..."
To which Catherine agreed, and replied, "Yes it is...I love watching the tides, and just being near the ocean, is quite awesome...and inspiring."
As this talk of the ocean rekindled the passion Vincent had as a boy, Vincent told Catherine, of how he was so fascinated by the ocean currents, the rhythm, and the power of the tides, and of the moon's force, that created these natural phenomena's.
Vincent then went on to share, of how he used to sit and wonder what it would be like to run along a sandy beach, feeling the salty ocean air blowing through his hair. The hot baking sun on his skin, and having the luxury of finding reprieve, swimming in the cool ocean waters. He told Catherine, of how he envisioned himself skimming in and out of the waves, diving deeply beneath the water, and then being carried toward the sandy shore on the crested surf. Vincent said he wondered about it all, and through the stories he had read during his lifetime, he had done these things, and Vincent reconciled in his heart, those images and experiences written by such picturesque writers...would have to be good enough for him.
Sitting mesmerized listening to Vincent, Catherine then admitted, "The way you describe it all makes me feel ashamed for taking it all for granted. Swimming in the ocean is just as wonderful as you imagined it to be Vincent...and I don't think I will ever swim again, without thinking about the way you just spoke about it. Hmmm, Vincent, maybe one day together..."
And as they both dreamed of that one day, Vincent began to relax in Catherine's arms, she could sense the contentment that came over him, and she recognized this state of peace...would also bring sleep to her Vincent, and she started to feel guilty she had asked him to stay.
So lovingly she said, "Maybe before you get too sleepy, you should go..."
Vincent sat still for a moment, feeling a little confused! Does Catherine really want him to stay, or does she really think he should go this time?
His options were to either, stand steadfast, saying he wasn't tired, and make her happy, or get up to leave, upon her advice, and disappoint her.
As Vincent hesitated a moment to think this through, he made the decision to stay.
So as he began to contentedly snuggle in a little deeper, at the same time, Catherine made a motion to get up.
And so he then did a 360 degree turn about, and took a deep resigning breath as he stood, splaying his hands out at his side, he asked, "I am unsure of what you really want of me Catherine..."
As Catherine embraced him, she humorously said, "I know...I'm sorry, I do know I want you to stay, but I also know it is getting late..."
As Vincent tenderly embraced her back, he said, " I will go upon you suggestion..."
And as he saw the sorrowful look in Catherine's eyes, Vincent questioned his decision to leave!
And so Vincent, in a testosterone daze, was unsure if he made the right choice as he tried to second guess Catherine!
But since he was in motion...he bade her goodnight...and left.
Meantime, a few minutes or so, after Vincent left, Catherine sat, missing him already, and felt so disappointed, that Vincent opted to leave!
And Catherine couldn't help but think, "There was a time, he wouldn't have left till he absolutely had to! And that was only because of the dawning of the new day."
Just then, she felt a pull toward the balcony's window, and then she heard Vincent tap on the pane.
As Catherine turned to look, she saw Vincent standing there, with the snow falling all around him, and without looking away, he waited for Catherine to answer his knock.
Surprised, Catherine ran to the door, and felt so happy, he had returned to her, knowing he must have felt as she did, incomplete and lonely after he left.
As she opened the doors, Vincent looked deeply into Catherine's beautiful eyes, and as he lowered the hood on his cloak, he passionately said, "I could not leave here tonight with you feeling as you do, I need to explain, because of my responsibilities to the tunnel community, I must put my own desires aside for now during Father's absence."
In shameful reply, Catherine said, "Of course, I know you are right Vincent. You must view me as selfish."
In reply, Vincent softly said, "No Catherine, I feel as you do. I came back also because, I needed to hold you one last time."
And as he held her protectively, he then said, "Good night Catherine."
With one last embrace, she answered, "Good night Vincent. Be safe."
As Vincent left Catherine's balcony, they both knew this time, it had to be goodbye.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning came to the tunnels, along with all the usual routines needing to be performed.
And after Vincent held his literature class with the children, he answered all their questions concerning Jacob, and after they felt satisfied Father was going to be all right, Vincent also assured them, Father would be returning to them very soon!
They then in turn told Vincent, that Rolley was helping them prepare another song for Father's return, and if he wanted, he could hear it tomorrow morning, as they attended music class.
Vincent said he would do just that, and then told the children, "Get ready to go everyone, Brooke and Jamie are coming to help you wash up for lunch.
Just then Olivia, who was standing with Jamie at the threshold, cleared her throat, and then proceeded to correct Vincent, saying, "You mean Olivia and Jamie!"
Olivia then smiled as she explained, "Brooke wanted to go up top to meet Michael, and since Lukey was napping, I told her I would fill in for her."
To which Vincent tipped his head, and questioned, "Visiting Michael again? This makes it twice so far this week."
In response, Jamie and Olivia shared a look, and then Olivia jested, "What can we say, young love!"
And then Olivia dreamily, and downheartedly thought to herself, "I think I remember what it was like..."
As Vincent noticed Olivia's demeanor, he hosted a concern for her, but because Olivia's introspection went unnoticed by Jamie, Jamie irritatedly added, "Brooke keeps denying they are boyfriend and girlfriend! She says they are just very close friends!"
With a nod, Vincent then inserted, "Then until Brooke tells us differently, perhaps we should accept how she defines their friendship...however...I myself have noticed...well suffice it to say, I have noticed."
And then Jamie added, "Brooke says because of Michael's hectic school and work schedule, she tries to see him when he is free, which isn't much really, in fact, Michael told Brooke because of his increased holiday hours at work, he may not make Winterfest!."
To which Vincent thoughtfully replied, "Michael missed Thanksgiving, and now possibly Winterfest? I hate for him to drift away from us."
With a carefree tone, Jamie replied, "What?! Never! Michael told me when he left for school, that he is one of us, and always will be! So don't worry about Michael forgetting us Vincent. That AIN'T ever going to happen!"
The three then shared an emotional smile, each hoping this was so.
It was then Jamie started to round up the children, and since Olivia was standing off to the side, picking out a book to read to Lukey, Vincent took a private moment to ask her, "Olivia, pardon my asking...however I could see you seemed a little...shall I say preoccupied a moment ago...is everything all right?"
And because she thought she was hiding her feelings pretty well, she was surprised by Vincent's question. So she heaved a relinquished sigh, and confided, "It's nothing serious Vincent...just settling in to married life I suppose you might say..."
With a nod and note of gratitude, Olivia added, "...but thank you for asking Vincent...I appreciate your concern, and I know where to go if I need to talk."
To which Vincent kindly replied, "Always Olivia..."
Meantime Jamie had the children ready to go, and as they began to file out of his chamber, Natalie suddenly stopped, and worriedly asked, "Vincent...where is your friendship charm?"
As Vincent looked down at his belt, and saw it was missing, he knew instantly that it was at Catherine's! Yes, he forgot to put it back on, after he and Catherine looked and talked about it.
And so, he apologetically looked at Natalie, and promised, "I neglected to put it back on, however, trust knowing it is in a safe place Natalie."
Disappointedly Natalie said, "I thought you said you would have it with you always Vincent."
Kneeling down to her level, Vincent groveled a bit as he said, "I know Natalie, and I meant it. It is just momentarily off of my belt. I promise you the charm you made is very special to me...please forgive me this one transgression."
In reply, Natalie looked suspiciously at Vincent and said, "Just this once Vincent...I will forgive you this transikression."
Warmly, Vincent smiled at her and gave her a loving hug, and said, "Thank you Natalie. You have much love in your heart to forgive me so readily."
To which Natalie then noted, "Well I don't think I have as much love in my heart as you do, in fact it sort of worries me when I think of how much love you have..."
Curious why Natalie would be worried, Vincent asked, " Worried..why so?"
To which in reply, Natalie said, "Well, cuz I heard Mary tell Becca, that you have so much love pent up inside of your heart, that one day you might burst."
Vincent widened his eyes and then pondered why Mary was talking about his pent up love, and he had to deduce, that she must have been speculating on his sex life!
And so Vincent then explained to Natalie, "Hmm, Mary said that uh? Well...no worries Natalie, I suppose she only meant I have much love to give away."
In concurrence, Natalie then said, "Yes Vincent like in that poem you taught us....The Love in our heart, wasn't put there to stay...love isn't love until you give it away!"
As Vincent thought back on that poem he had taught the children back in the summer, he rendered that it's truth, was in it's simplicity.
And so Vincent praised Natalie for sighting such a relevant example, to which she then proudly hugged Vincent, and then skipped off to join the other children.
With a smile in his eyes, he watched little Natalie, and though this sight brought him joy, he then shook his head in angst, at all Mary and Rebecca have been discussing on his behalf!
Now, with class over, it was time for Vincent to begin his search for the perfect gift to give to Catherine at lunch today.
He thought back on their time together, and he realized he would like to commemorate somehow, the closeness they have come to know. Something that would express his love for Catherine.
He then thought about their chamber, and remembered how she admired his miniature statue of Cupid and Psyche. He knew this statue, with the romantic passion it depicted, would perfectly demonstrate how he felt about Catherine, and would be the perfect gift.