| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Forty-Eight |
Vincent turned to Catherine and told her, "You know...I still want to give your
gift to you tonight, and it is getting late..."
Thinking the very same thing, she answered, "Yes, I still have a gift to give to
you too...but it seems as if everyone is still having so much fun. I imagine they
will stay until very, very late."
Vincent brought Catherine's hand up to tenderly kiss, and said, "Yes...much
later than I am willing to wait...I long to be alone with you Catherine."
Sensually she whispered, "Me too..."
Coyly she playfully asked, "How do we manage our escape Mr. Wells?"
In turn, Vincent looked slyly as he gazed back at Catherine, about to reply,
when Mary came dashing up saying, "We have all been wondering where you
two were! Then Rebecca told us you were over here! Some thought you
secretly took off...can you imagine that? But I knew better! I knew you
wouldn't want to miss out on any of the fun!"
Mary then informed them, "Jennifer just requested a song for you, so come
along now, the mistrals are tuning up!"
As the Chicken Dance song echoed through the hall, Catherine looked around to
locate her dear friend! Once she spotted her, she shot Jennifer an annoyed look
from where she stood across the dance floor, and Jennifer started laughing!
Ronald who was standing beside Jennifer, asked, "What's so funny Jenny?"
After gaining her composure, she told him, "See the look Catherine is giving
me? Well, its because I asked the minstrels to play the Chicken Dance."
She then continued to explain, "Through the years, at all the weddings Catherine
and I have been to, they have played this song! Well, she always swore it would
not be played at her wedding, and mentioned last night, she was sure she
dodged the bullet being married here in the tunnels. She could not imagine such
a song would be known here below. However...I talked to the mandolin player,
and luckily they DO know this song!"
Ronald shook his head and laughed in wonderment at Jennifer, loving the
mischievous practical joker side that erupts from time to time, admitting to her
she makes him laugh when she shows out in this way.
Meanwhile, the bridal couple looked to one another with amusement, thinking
they should have "GOT" while the "GETTING" was good! But as obedient
children, they followed Mary to the dance floor.
Jennifer and Ronald saddled up next to Vincent and Catherine, to dance beside
them. Jennifer teasingly scoffed, "Hey Cath, did you really think you were in
the clear!"
As they were going through the Chicken Dance motions, Catherine confessed,
"Yes I did, but you know Jen...somehow this completes the whole ceremony!
Now I feel like I am officially married."
The two friends could not stop laughing as they looked around at all these
wonderful new friends, in this magical hidden world, doing the Chicken Dance!
It truly was a riot to see this traditional silly wedding reception song, being
danced to by one and all, even here below in the tunnels.
Catherine glanced over at her husband as he danced along unencumbered,
seemingly having a wonderful time too, hamming it up for the children who
danced near by.
At the ending of the song, everyone momentarily dispersed to catch their breath
from laughing so hard, either to stand at the side, or have their glasses refilled
with cider or ginger wine.
Mary came up to the foursome, and gasped, "Thank you for requesting that
song Jennifer!"
Shrugging her shoulders, Jennifer smiled, replying, "Hey, I just do what I can."
Mary then added, "You know...I had forgotten how fun it was to dance to that
old Austrian folk song."
To which Vincent informatively said, "Yes, The "Chicken Dance" song was
actually composed by a Swiss accordion player Werner Thomas from Davos,
Switzerland in 1950s, and was not as many think...an Austrian folk song. In
fact, the name of the original song was Der Ententanz rather, The Duck Dance.
Since then the song has become known under numerous other "birdie" names,
including "Vogeltanz" (Bird Dance), "Danse des Canards", "Chicken Dance"
and "Dance Little Bird".
To which Mary exclaimed, "I had no idea! Simply amazing and very, very
fascinating."
Catherine stood there agape! She could not believe that her husband...brilliant
though he may be, would know all this information about the CHICKEN
DANCE!
But it was a spellbound Mary, who said she found this information very
intriguing!
She then asked Catherine, and Jennifer, "Did you girls know the Chicken Dance
was first called the Duck Dance? I certainly didn't!"
Vincent did a double-take, as he became aware of the astounded look on
Catherine's face!
Worriedly he asked, "Have I overwhelmed you with the data about the Chicken
Dance Catherine?"
In a tone of amazement, Catherine replied, "Basically, I am overwhelmed
because you knew ANY facts about this song at all!"
Jennifer inserted she was impressed too, then asked Vincent why, and how he
DID know so much about it.
Reflectively, he recalled, "As a boy, I read the biography about the composer,
Werner Thomas, and it listed all the songs he had written. Including information
about the Chicken Dance Song's history."
Catherine smiled broadly, and in complete admiration said, "Well there, you see,
that is the difference between you and me...I may have read something like that
many years ago...but would not have remembered the details like you do."
Vincent nodded in gratitude to his wife for such a sweet compliment, who's
words warmed his heart in ways she didn't realize she had...mainly...for the fact
she felt his retention level, was their only difference. A simple comment from
Catherine, that was beautifully amazing to him.
The next song selection, was a drastic mood change, as they began to play:
Music of the Night.
It was for this song that Jacob decided to ask his new Daughter-in-law to dance,
and prior to dancing, give her his gift.
Approaching Catherine and Vincent, Jacob reached into his pocket. He spoke a
moment about the lovely reception, before presenting his gift to her.
Click here to see the Broach
Vincent watched on, as Catherine lifted the lid to the tiny box. As the
aquamarine gem, caught the light of the neighboring torches and candle flames,
Catherine was bedazzled, and sighed, "Father...its your Mother's..."
Warmly, Jacob nodded, saying, "Its yours now my Dear...I want you to have it."
Tearfully, Catherine was truly speechless, as she said, "I don't know what to
say?"
Graciously, Jacob said, she needn't say anything, but said to wear it in good
health...he then amusedly asked, "Do you recall what you told me about this
stone's hue the day I showed it to you?"
With a tearful smile, Catherine said, "Of course..."
Now looking up at Vincent she answered Jacob, "I told you this stone, matched
the color of Vincent's blue eyes..."
To which Jacob softly replied, "Yes..."
Sounding a little apologetic, Jacob then admitted, "It was then...the way you
spoke about Vincent that day... I finally believed you truly loved my son."
Looking once more at the heirloom that has been passed down to her, she
asked, "I will treasure it always...shall I wear it now Father?"
Politely, Jacob said, "Yes, yes...please allow me."
As he pinned the broach onto Catherine's dress, Jacob shared, "My Mother
would wear this often to social events. Oh she had a few other favorite pieces of
jewelry of course, however it was this broach, that I recall her wearing the
most. In fact, she chose it to wear for a portrait Father had commissioned of
her, directly after they were newly wed. As I recall, the artist managed to
capture my Mother's likeness to the "T". It was beautifully done."
To which Vincent inquired, "What ever became of your Mother's portrait
Father?"
Pondering, Jacob replied, "I don't know! You realize I had not thought of it in
years! Now, with the passing on of this broach, well, thoughts of the portrait are
now flooding back, hmmm, perhaps, Mr. Child's, the family lawyer may know
its where-abouts. However...I...err...I..."
Having trouble with the clasp, he irritatingly said, "Oh these fingers don't work
as they used to. I cannot seem to close this clasp! Vincent, come over here and
help me!"
Stepping up to assist his Father, Vincent shared a discreet smile with Catherine
as he was able to nimbly fastened the clasp on the back of the antique piece of
jewelry.
With the broach now securely in place, Jacob gazed at the formerly reclusive
pin, which now glistened over Catherine's heart, and said, "Oh my...yes... I
knew it would look perfect on you Catherine..."
He then looked up at his grateful son and said, "It is now where it was meant to
be."
Catherine sincerely thanked her Father-in-law, and then he asked her to dance.
It was a sweet moment for them, and for the observing bystanders, who could
see Catherine and Jacob, had finally reached the end of a very long winding
road.
Peter broke in after seeing Jacob was tiring, and asked if he could dance with
the bride. Jacob put up a fuss for show, of course, before he ultimately retreated
to refresh himself.
Catherine smiled up at Peter, telling him she was taking notice of Peter's dance
card tonight. Teasingly asking, "Did I see you and Rosa dancing a couple of
times?"
To which he declared, "You did! And if she is an adventurous woman, you
might see us dancing again!"
With a soft giggle, Catherine replied, "Well I hope so, she is a very pretty and
talented lady, and you two look very nice together."
Peter then mentioned, "You know she enjoys traveling. And has been to a few
interesting places. Oh and she likes bird watching too."
With a raised brow, Catherine replied, "Sounds like you have a few things in
common. Think you may ask her out on a date?"
To which Peter replied, "Thinkin' about it."
Catherine then changed the subject, telling Peter how happy she was he would
be moving to the tunnels permanently one day. He concurred relaying that with
her living here now, it made the decision very, very easy.
She then mentioned how delicious the Roast Beef was and thanked him for
providing that and everything else he had done for them today.
In reply, and with much emotion, he told her, "It was my pleasure kiddo, Su
happiness es mi happiness, and just remember...God willing, I will always be
here for you."
Kissing him on his cheek, she tearfully said, "You always have...always through
it all, you have been there for me...and now...when I needed you to give me
away today, you were here for me..."
Sweetly, Peter said, "Its because I love you Kiddo."
Catherine felt the tears trail down her cheeks, as she said, "I love you too Peter,
and I am thinking maybe I haven't told you that enough through the years, but I
do."
To which Peter said, "Are you kidding me? You show me in so many
ways...you needn't worry about that."
As the first bars of "The First time I loved Forever" sounded, Catherine gasped,
"This is Vincent's and my song."
Peter tried to look astonished as he brought his hand to his heart and asked,
"Are you telling me, you kids still have signature songs for couples?"
Catherine laughed at Peter's corny antics, and answered, "We do Sir."
Obligingly he then teased, "I guess I must relinquish my moment in the sun
then, in fact none too soon either...here comes Vincent. Well this is a good
sign...he knows its your song too."
He then looked over at Vincent, and said, "I believe your lady is waiting to
dance to your song with you Vincent. And congratulations...you passed
Romance Class 101!"
Vincent stepped up to take Catherine's hand, and with a puzzled polite nod to a
departing Peter, he asked Catherine what Peter meant by that.
Catherine amusingly explained, "Peter was very impressed that you knew this
was our song, and just wanted to tease you about it."
"Ahhh I see. All I can say about that is how fortunate we can identify with such
a beguiling melody."
He then held out his arm for her to grasp, and asked, "Shall we?"
Catherine gave Vincent, a most enchanting smile before nodding yes to his
request. He then gallantly lead her back onto the dance floor, and as he swept
her elegantly around, their gracefulness was spellbinding, causing everyone else
to stop, just wanting to watch them. It was a parfaite end to this beautiful day.
As Catherine danced within Vincent's embrace, they knew this was the last
dance of the night...at least for them. So after the song ended, they spoke a few
personal good nights. Then hand in hand, they trailed up the winding stone
steps, and stopped at the top of the stairs, and shouted downward, "Good night
everybody!"
Before they turned away, Mary urgently yelled, "Wait! You have to throw your
bouquet yet Catherine!"
Apologetically, she replied, "That's right! OK...Get ready!"
All the single girl's came forward, and as Catherine threw her bouquet, down
from the two story staircase landing, they all leapt to catch it! Everyone was in
suspense, wondering who had caught it, when finally, Lisa raised the bouquet
for all to see, that she was the victor!
Catherine clapped for her, and gave her congratulations, and Vincent nodded to
her showing his approval and happiness for her as well.
Lisa then threw a kiss up to the wedding couple, to which they both
reciprocated in kind to her, and to everyone else there as well.
With a fond adieu, they slipped away alone into the night.
Continued
Chapter Forty-Nine
gift to you tonight, and it is getting late..."
Thinking the very same thing, she answered, "Yes, I still have a gift to give to
you too...but it seems as if everyone is still having so much fun. I imagine they
will stay until very, very late."
Vincent brought Catherine's hand up to tenderly kiss, and said, "Yes...much
later than I am willing to wait...I long to be alone with you Catherine."
Sensually she whispered, "Me too..."
Coyly she playfully asked, "How do we manage our escape Mr. Wells?"
In turn, Vincent looked slyly as he gazed back at Catherine, about to reply,
when Mary came dashing up saying, "We have all been wondering where you
two were! Then Rebecca told us you were over here! Some thought you
secretly took off...can you imagine that? But I knew better! I knew you
wouldn't want to miss out on any of the fun!"
Mary then informed them, "Jennifer just requested a song for you, so come
along now, the mistrals are tuning up!"
As the Chicken Dance song echoed through the hall, Catherine looked around to
locate her dear friend! Once she spotted her, she shot Jennifer an annoyed look
from where she stood across the dance floor, and Jennifer started laughing!
Ronald who was standing beside Jennifer, asked, "What's so funny Jenny?"
After gaining her composure, she told him, "See the look Catherine is giving
me? Well, its because I asked the minstrels to play the Chicken Dance."
She then continued to explain, "Through the years, at all the weddings Catherine
and I have been to, they have played this song! Well, she always swore it would
not be played at her wedding, and mentioned last night, she was sure she
dodged the bullet being married here in the tunnels. She could not imagine such
a song would be known here below. However...I talked to the mandolin player,
and luckily they DO know this song!"
Ronald shook his head and laughed in wonderment at Jennifer, loving the
mischievous practical joker side that erupts from time to time, admitting to her
she makes him laugh when she shows out in this way.
Meanwhile, the bridal couple looked to one another with amusement, thinking
they should have "GOT" while the "GETTING" was good! But as obedient
children, they followed Mary to the dance floor.
Jennifer and Ronald saddled up next to Vincent and Catherine, to dance beside
them. Jennifer teasingly scoffed, "Hey Cath, did you really think you were in
the clear!"
As they were going through the Chicken Dance motions, Catherine confessed,
"Yes I did, but you know Jen...somehow this completes the whole ceremony!
Now I feel like I am officially married."
The two friends could not stop laughing as they looked around at all these
wonderful new friends, in this magical hidden world, doing the Chicken Dance!
It truly was a riot to see this traditional silly wedding reception song, being
danced to by one and all, even here below in the tunnels.
Catherine glanced over at her husband as he danced along unencumbered,
seemingly having a wonderful time too, hamming it up for the children who
danced near by.
At the ending of the song, everyone momentarily dispersed to catch their breath
from laughing so hard, either to stand at the side, or have their glasses refilled
with cider or ginger wine.
Mary came up to the foursome, and gasped, "Thank you for requesting that
song Jennifer!"
Shrugging her shoulders, Jennifer smiled, replying, "Hey, I just do what I can."
Mary then added, "You know...I had forgotten how fun it was to dance to that
old Austrian folk song."
To which Vincent informatively said, "Yes, The "Chicken Dance" song was
actually composed by a Swiss accordion player Werner Thomas from Davos,
Switzerland in 1950s, and was not as many think...an Austrian folk song. In
fact, the name of the original song was Der Ententanz rather, The Duck Dance.
Since then the song has become known under numerous other "birdie" names,
including "Vogeltanz" (Bird Dance), "Danse des Canards", "Chicken Dance"
and "Dance Little Bird".
To which Mary exclaimed, "I had no idea! Simply amazing and very, very
fascinating."
Catherine stood there agape! She could not believe that her husband...brilliant
though he may be, would know all this information about the CHICKEN
DANCE!
But it was a spellbound Mary, who said she found this information very
intriguing!
She then asked Catherine, and Jennifer, "Did you girls know the Chicken Dance
was first called the Duck Dance? I certainly didn't!"
Vincent did a double-take, as he became aware of the astounded look on
Catherine's face!
Worriedly he asked, "Have I overwhelmed you with the data about the Chicken
Dance Catherine?"
In a tone of amazement, Catherine replied, "Basically, I am overwhelmed
because you knew ANY facts about this song at all!"
Jennifer inserted she was impressed too, then asked Vincent why, and how he
DID know so much about it.
Reflectively, he recalled, "As a boy, I read the biography about the composer,
Werner Thomas, and it listed all the songs he had written. Including information
about the Chicken Dance Song's history."
Catherine smiled broadly, and in complete admiration said, "Well there, you see,
that is the difference between you and me...I may have read something like that
many years ago...but would not have remembered the details like you do."
Vincent nodded in gratitude to his wife for such a sweet compliment, who's
words warmed his heart in ways she didn't realize she had...mainly...for the fact
she felt his retention level, was their only difference. A simple comment from
Catherine, that was beautifully amazing to him.
The next song selection, was a drastic mood change, as they began to play:
Music of the Night.
It was for this song that Jacob decided to ask his new Daughter-in-law to dance,
and prior to dancing, give her his gift.
Approaching Catherine and Vincent, Jacob reached into his pocket. He spoke a
moment about the lovely reception, before presenting his gift to her.
Click here to see the Broach
Vincent watched on, as Catherine lifted the lid to the tiny box. As the
aquamarine gem, caught the light of the neighboring torches and candle flames,
Catherine was bedazzled, and sighed, "Father...its your Mother's..."
Warmly, Jacob nodded, saying, "Its yours now my Dear...I want you to have it."
Tearfully, Catherine was truly speechless, as she said, "I don't know what to
say?"
Graciously, Jacob said, she needn't say anything, but said to wear it in good
health...he then amusedly asked, "Do you recall what you told me about this
stone's hue the day I showed it to you?"
With a tearful smile, Catherine said, "Of course..."
Now looking up at Vincent she answered Jacob, "I told you this stone, matched
the color of Vincent's blue eyes..."
To which Jacob softly replied, "Yes..."
Sounding a little apologetic, Jacob then admitted, "It was then...the way you
spoke about Vincent that day... I finally believed you truly loved my son."
Looking once more at the heirloom that has been passed down to her, she
asked, "I will treasure it always...shall I wear it now Father?"
Politely, Jacob said, "Yes, yes...please allow me."
As he pinned the broach onto Catherine's dress, Jacob shared, "My Mother
would wear this often to social events. Oh she had a few other favorite pieces of
jewelry of course, however it was this broach, that I recall her wearing the
most. In fact, she chose it to wear for a portrait Father had commissioned of
her, directly after they were newly wed. As I recall, the artist managed to
capture my Mother's likeness to the "T". It was beautifully done."
To which Vincent inquired, "What ever became of your Mother's portrait
Father?"
Pondering, Jacob replied, "I don't know! You realize I had not thought of it in
years! Now, with the passing on of this broach, well, thoughts of the portrait are
now flooding back, hmmm, perhaps, Mr. Child's, the family lawyer may know
its where-abouts. However...I...err...I..."
Having trouble with the clasp, he irritatingly said, "Oh these fingers don't work
as they used to. I cannot seem to close this clasp! Vincent, come over here and
help me!"
Stepping up to assist his Father, Vincent shared a discreet smile with Catherine
as he was able to nimbly fastened the clasp on the back of the antique piece of
jewelry.
With the broach now securely in place, Jacob gazed at the formerly reclusive
pin, which now glistened over Catherine's heart, and said, "Oh my...yes... I
knew it would look perfect on you Catherine..."
He then looked up at his grateful son and said, "It is now where it was meant to
be."
Catherine sincerely thanked her Father-in-law, and then he asked her to dance.
It was a sweet moment for them, and for the observing bystanders, who could
see Catherine and Jacob, had finally reached the end of a very long winding
road.
Peter broke in after seeing Jacob was tiring, and asked if he could dance with
the bride. Jacob put up a fuss for show, of course, before he ultimately retreated
to refresh himself.
Catherine smiled up at Peter, telling him she was taking notice of Peter's dance
card tonight. Teasingly asking, "Did I see you and Rosa dancing a couple of
times?"
To which he declared, "You did! And if she is an adventurous woman, you
might see us dancing again!"
With a soft giggle, Catherine replied, "Well I hope so, she is a very pretty and
talented lady, and you two look very nice together."
Peter then mentioned, "You know she enjoys traveling. And has been to a few
interesting places. Oh and she likes bird watching too."
With a raised brow, Catherine replied, "Sounds like you have a few things in
common. Think you may ask her out on a date?"
To which Peter replied, "Thinkin' about it."
Catherine then changed the subject, telling Peter how happy she was he would
be moving to the tunnels permanently one day. He concurred relaying that with
her living here now, it made the decision very, very easy.
She then mentioned how delicious the Roast Beef was and thanked him for
providing that and everything else he had done for them today.
In reply, and with much emotion, he told her, "It was my pleasure kiddo, Su
happiness es mi happiness, and just remember...God willing, I will always be
here for you."
Kissing him on his cheek, she tearfully said, "You always have...always through
it all, you have been there for me...and now...when I needed you to give me
away today, you were here for me..."
Sweetly, Peter said, "Its because I love you Kiddo."
Catherine felt the tears trail down her cheeks, as she said, "I love you too Peter,
and I am thinking maybe I haven't told you that enough through the years, but I
do."
To which Peter said, "Are you kidding me? You show me in so many
ways...you needn't worry about that."
As the first bars of "The First time I loved Forever" sounded, Catherine gasped,
"This is Vincent's and my song."
Peter tried to look astonished as he brought his hand to his heart and asked,
"Are you telling me, you kids still have signature songs for couples?"
Catherine laughed at Peter's corny antics, and answered, "We do Sir."
Obligingly he then teased, "I guess I must relinquish my moment in the sun
then, in fact none too soon either...here comes Vincent. Well this is a good
sign...he knows its your song too."
He then looked over at Vincent, and said, "I believe your lady is waiting to
dance to your song with you Vincent. And congratulations...you passed
Romance Class 101!"
Vincent stepped up to take Catherine's hand, and with a puzzled polite nod to a
departing Peter, he asked Catherine what Peter meant by that.
Catherine amusingly explained, "Peter was very impressed that you knew this
was our song, and just wanted to tease you about it."
"Ahhh I see. All I can say about that is how fortunate we can identify with such
a beguiling melody."
He then held out his arm for her to grasp, and asked, "Shall we?"
Catherine gave Vincent, a most enchanting smile before nodding yes to his
request. He then gallantly lead her back onto the dance floor, and as he swept
her elegantly around, their gracefulness was spellbinding, causing everyone else
to stop, just wanting to watch them. It was a parfaite end to this beautiful day.
As Catherine danced within Vincent's embrace, they knew this was the last
dance of the night...at least for them. So after the song ended, they spoke a few
personal good nights. Then hand in hand, they trailed up the winding stone
steps, and stopped at the top of the stairs, and shouted downward, "Good night
everybody!"
Before they turned away, Mary urgently yelled, "Wait! You have to throw your
bouquet yet Catherine!"
Apologetically, she replied, "That's right! OK...Get ready!"
All the single girl's came forward, and as Catherine threw her bouquet, down
from the two story staircase landing, they all leapt to catch it! Everyone was in
suspense, wondering who had caught it, when finally, Lisa raised the bouquet
for all to see, that she was the victor!
Catherine clapped for her, and gave her congratulations, and Vincent nodded to
her showing his approval and happiness for her as well.
Lisa then threw a kiss up to the wedding couple, to which they both
reciprocated in kind to her, and to everyone else there as well.
With a fond adieu, they slipped away alone into the night.
Continued
Chapter Forty-Nine
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