The quilted coverlet, Mary had sewn was just beautiful, and Catherine said she
had a special place already in mind for it, which was on the back of the love
seat in her reading room alcove.
Lena gave Catherine a set of beautiful antique China Tea Cups, with saucers,
saying she hoped they would have many happy years drinking tea from them.
Catherine then opened an untagged gift, and as she opened it, she anxiously said
she hoped there would be card inside, indicating who the gift was from.
As she inspected the crudely sewn Tea Cozy, she cleared her throat, and then
politely noted she was certain it would be quite useful! She then held it up as
she asked who had given her this gift.
Everyone looked at one another, waiting for someone to own up, but no one did.
Finally it was Samantha who cracked the case as she said, "I remember Father
cutting off a square of that material after your last sewing class Mary."
Everyone looked at each other smiling, and then speculated if they really
thought Jacob could have been the giver of this mysterious gift.
Mary suspiciously inspected the Tea cozy, and after recognizing Jacob's tell tale
sewing techniques, she proclaimed, "Yes! I do believe Father sewed this Cozy!"
To which Brooke slyly noted, "Mary, apparently you inspired Father in the art
of sewing more than you realized, he is sewing in secret now!"
In reply Mary gasped, "Inspire Father indeed!"
As the thought of Father sewing a Tea Cozy for Catherine's shower resonated
with everyone, initially, they all began to giggle, and Jamie started laughing so
hard, she nearly fell off of her chair, saying, "Wait until everyone hears about
this!"
Mary clapped her hands to silence everyone and said, "Evidently Father didn't
want us to know he had sewn this for Catherine, so we shall respect his wishes
and not say anything to anyone about it. He wanted to give Catherine and
Vincent a gift, and we shouldn't laugh about that intention."
Mary's words had a sobering affect on everyone, and instead of finding Jacob's
gift funny, they began to realize how thoughtful it was.
And so as Rebecca's giggle died away, she shared, "Father's sewing a Tea Cozy
for Catherine and Vincent really IS such a sweet notion."
Feeling guilty for laughing, Jamie then too said, "Yeah it is pretty nice of Father.
I feel badly for laughing about it now!"
To which Mary said, "I understand Jamie. Father sewing a tea cozy took us all
by surprise."
By now Catherine was lost in her thoughts, as she was so personally warmed by
Jacob's gift. And so carefully she folded it back up, and softly said, "Well, all I
can say, is I will cherish this Tea Cozy, for all of my days."
Next, Catherine picked up a wooden box, that looked as if it was singed in a
fire. Carefully she opened it, when suddenly Narcissa stood up and loudly
cautioned her, "Beware of the gift!"
Catherine was startled by her outburst, and then recalled Narcissa's word of
warning yesterday, when she and Vincent visited her.
Everyone stayed stone still, while Catherine worriedly told Narcissa, "It appears
to be just a Feather pen and a bottle of ink with stationary. I don't see anything
that seems harmful."
Catherine then found a card inside the box, and said that it was signed by
Paracelsus! She read aloud:
This stationary once belonged
to my late wife Anna.
It survived the fire of which,
I lost my fortune.
With much pondering,
I have decided to give it to you,
as I have no use for it.
Paracelsus
As Narcissa pushed and felt her way forward through the crowd, she urgently
grabbed the box of stationary from Catherine, so she could examine it.
She said there didn't seem to be anything harmful within the box, but
rather...the danger was in the act itself, of giving this gift. She said Paracelsus
might be trying to throw a smoke screen, and catch them off guard, by feigning
kindness with his generosity.
Catherine put the soot covered lid back on the box, and said, "Despite the fact
this came from Paracelsus, I do believe Vincent will appreciate having stationary
that was once Anna's."
Narcissa nervously warned, "Do not be wooed by his gifts or let him win you
over too easily. We all know there are many facets to John Pater...or rather
Paracelsus!"
Worriedly Catherine said she wouldn't allow Paracelsus to fool her, and then
Mary spoke up and said, "We will tell Father about this, and...we shall all be
extremely cautious!"
Shakily Narcissa sat back down, and with one last warning said she too would
be watching for further signs from the evil one.
Taking a deep breath, Catherine smiled at everyone and said, "Well, between
my magical painting from Lisa, the mysterious Tea Cozy from Father, and now
this stationary from Paracelsus...my shower has certainly been filled with
mystery and intrigue!"
Everyone laughed, and added their comments, saying that indeed, Catherine's
shower has been an exciting one!
It was then Mary suggested, as she handed her the gift, "Why don't you finish
opening your presents Dear, it looks like this is your last one."
Looking at the tag, she smiled up at her friend, and said, "This is from Jenny!"
Carefully lifting the item from the box, everyone oohed as she revealed the
decorative plaque from its tissue wrapping. With a tearful voice, Catherine then
read the verse aloud, "Sister's hold each other's hands for a little while...but they
hold each other's hearts forever."
Over to see Jennifer's Gift
As Catherine and Jennifer shared an embrace, Catherine told her she would
treasure this plate forever and ever.
Happily, Jennifer cried, and said, "I am so happy you like it."
Nodding, Catherine tearfully replied, "I do, I just love it."
And then Jennifer handed her an extra gift saying, "Since the sister plaque is
more of a personal gift just to you Cathy, I wanted to get you a shower gifty
type thing too. And since you had mentioned you liked my bowls so much, I got
you a set too!"
Over to see Jennifer's Fun Gift
Delightful giggles were shared, as Catherine opened up the whimsical popcorn
bowls, of which pleased Catherine so much! And so she thanked her friend
once again for her thoughtfulness!
And so after the gift opening was completed, pieces of the shower cake were
passed out, and everyone's tea was warmed and replenished, the gloomy
undertones caused by Paracelsus's gift, was replaced with a festive mood once
again, ending the shower on a lovely note.
Feeling more grateful, than she could express, Catherine stood at the threshold
as everyone departed, firstly telling Lin and Rosa, goodbye, and thanked them
for the lovely gifts they had given to her and Vincent.
With a sincere hug, she told them she hoped she would be seeing them next
week at the ceremony. Both Lin and Rosa said they would not miss this happy
occasion for anything, and they would most certainly be there.
Disappointedly, Catherine saw Lena preparing to leave as she gathered all of
little Catherine's things. From her vantage, she noticed the baby popped out her
pacifier, and so she quickly rinsed it off before offering it back to the infant.
Lena thanked Catherine for her help, and said she had a wonderful time seeing
everyone again.
Sadly Catherine then asked, "You have to go so soon? Without seeing Vincent?"
Taking in a trembling breath, she said, "Yes, I think it is best...I mean, the baby
is very tired, and it is way past her bedtime."
Nodding, Catherine sadly said, "I understand. Perhaps you two can come back
soon for a nice long visit with both Vincent and I."
With a shaky smile, Lena promised, "Yes...we will do that, and...we will be
back for your wedding, so..."
To which Catherine replied, "So...yes...we will see you then."
And then Catherine warmly added, "Remember if you ever need someone to
watch the baby...I would love to care for her."
Thoughtfully, Lena hesitated for a moment, and then confidentially spoke,
"Perhaps this isn't the time to ask..."
As Catherine urged her to go on, Lena decided to continue, "You know I am
closer to you than to anyone else...well...to you and Vincent..."
Warmed by Lena's comment, Catherine wondered why she seemed so serious!
And so curiously Catherine replied, "Yes..."
As Lena looked down at her baby, she softly asked, "Is it too much to ask that I
legally name you as her adoptive mother should anything happen to me?"
Catherine felt stunned by Lena's request...but took only a moment to comply
saying, of course she would love to be so legally named, adding she was
honored Lena would ask her.
And then a thought crossed Catherine's mind, and she asked, "Lena, there isn't
anything wrong? There isn't any cause for concern?"
To which Lena smiled and said, that no...she was not ill. But she simply wanted
to be a responsible parent, by having a Will prepared on baby Catherine's behalf.
Lena hugged Catherine, and thanked her from the bottom of her heart, saying,
"What a relief! Well, we better go."
Catherine tearfully replied, "Goodnight, and safe travels..."
And so Catherine continued to watch as they left, and as they walked away,
Catherine felt a piece of her heart had been stolen away by that sweet little
baby, and could not wait to see her again.
Lastly...Lisa approached Catherine, and with a slight hesitation, they both
reached out to hug one another. Before Lisa said goodbye, she elegantly said
she would be there next week for the wedding.
To which Catherine spoke her genuine feelings of joy that she would be present.
Only Jennifer, and Catherine remained, along with the "Shower Planners" and
they all began to clean up the Reading Chamber.
Then...just as planned, Vincent, and Ronald arrived to help haul the shower
gifts over to Catherine's chamber. They were enthusiastically greeted by all the
women, and served plates of food from the buffet table.
The girls all sat around as the guys ate, and filled them in on all of the exciting
events of the evening.
They told them who had attended the shower, the story of the mysterious Tea
Cozy, and about Anna's stationary Paracelsus gave to Catherine.
It was then that Jacob arrived to help too, and anxiously Mary approached
Jacob with the singed stationary box!
They all remarked on the seriousness of the fact, the gift had been delivered
there, unbeknownst to anyone.
Vincent suggested, perhaps delivering the gift, was part of the Drone's mission
the other day, in addition to retrieving Pascal's medallion.
Decidedly, Jacob stated the enhanced security precautions, were implemented
none to soon!
Jacob seeing Vincent and Ronald with plates of food in hand, asked, "Who does
one have to know to be offered some refreshment around here?"
Catherine softly giggled, and said, "I think being the Father to the Groom should
have some merit...permit me to prepare you a dish Father."
With a smile, he said, "Very good dear child...uh...you could skip the Deviled
Eggs...oh and the Salad, well you might as well omit the Popovers as well will
you?"
Puzzled, Catherine informed Jacob, "All that leaves is the Cake Father!"
Rubbing his hands together, he replied, "Precisely!"
Everyone laughed because Jacob's sweet tooth is very well known and
affectionately talked about. As Catherine handed him his plate, he slyly asked,
"So other than the stationary...errr...what other gifts were you given Catherine?"
Excitedly Catherine then began to show Vincent, Jacob and Ronald, the several
gifts she had opened at the party. When she came to the Tea Cozy, she held it
up, but fell silent as not sure how to present the fact, they suspected Jacob as
the giver of this gift.
The other ladies' too remained silent, anticipating what Catherine would say,
and wondered if perhaps...Jacob might admit to giving the unmarked gift.
Vincent sensing the hesitation, eagerly asked who had given the Tea Cozy.
Sweetly Catherine shared a smile with Mary and the other "Shower Attendees"
as she finally answered, "I don't know, I wish I could thank the person who
gave it to us, but there wasn't any kind of a card or anything with it. But isn't it
a thoughtful gift Vincent? It will keep our tea so nice and hot as it steeps."
Jacob shifted a bit in his stance, as he warmly shared, "My Mother always had a
Tea Cozy in place over her Victorian Chintz Teapot. I can still see her, sitting in
the parlor, sipping her tea in such a gracious elegant manner which she so
regally owned. She oft said to her forgetful, Lady's Maid, Greta, that she must
remember to serve her tea with a Cozy covering the teapot. She would inform
her in a scolding tone, that any proper tea drinker worth their salt, uses a Tea
cozy!"
He then hesitated for a moment, and admitted, "Which is why...I...gave you this
Tea Cozy."
Feeling a little melancholy by the fond memories of his Mother, he softly added,
"It is after all...a Well's tradition my Mother's Mother began, and her mother
before her. It is a part of our lineage, that I hope you carry on."
Everyone listened and felt moved by this rare occurrence of Jacob revealing a
piece of his family history with them.
Catherine then stepped up to Jacob, and reverently said, "I will be honored to
do so Father. Thank you."
In wonderment, Vincent watched Catherine with his Father. The evolution of
their relationship had certainly gained a status of mutual love and respect.
Yes...how fortunate Vincent felt this night...
They loaded the gifts onto the rustic wooden cart, and Catherine then turned to
Mary, and all the others to thank them for such a lovely party.
Twisting a hankie in her hands, Mary tried not to cry as she replied it was her
absolute pleasure.
She then bucked up and said, "I cannot wait to start planning the actual
wedding!"
Looking around at her diligent crew, she told them, "Tomorrow morning...we
will begin!"
Rebecca, Jamie, Brooke and Olivia looked at one another in surprise, because
although they wanted to help, they really needed a bit of a reprieve from Mary!
Rebecca spoke up for the girls, by requesting, "Mary, couldn't we meet at a
later time...perhaps after we sup tomorrow night? I was planning on pouring the
candles for the wedding in the morning."
Furrowing her brow, she reluctantly consented, saying it seemed as is she had
no choice if Rebecca was pouring, and she supposed, tomorrow night...will
have to do!
The girl's heaved a sigh of relief and silently mouthed a thank you to Rebecca!
They all said goodnight, and Ronald and Jennifer accompanied Vincent and
Catherine to her chamber.
To be continued
Chapter Thirty-one
| 11 |
| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Thirty |
