As Vincent and Brigit stayed behind, they stepped off of the path, and waited for the scouts to come back and get them.
And so as they stood, Brigit looked up at Vincent and marveled, "Vincent, the night I met ye face to face fer the first time, is mixed with a bitter sweetness fer me. That night changed me life ferever in every way..."
With much emotion, Brigit continued, "...ye helped open me heart fer loove again, and sadly, it was also, the night me Father died."
Warmly, Brigit then added, "I am so thankful I had not destroyed our friendship along the way, and 'ave the chance at friendship with Catherine as well. Ye are in love with a remarkable woman."
Knowing this was so, Vincent sighed, and in agreement, said, "Yes, and so are you Brigit..."
Humbled, Brigit responded, "Thank ye for that Vincent..."
Just then Pascal and Catherine came running back to them, and while Catherine caught her breath, Pascal explained, "There's still some guy on a Zamboni scraping the ice! We have to wait until he is done before we can enter the rink."
And so Vincent pushed through into a little alcove beyond the shrubbery, he offered, "Shall we?"
So as the other three followed him into the secret setting, both Catherine and Brigit expressed, how enchanting this little spot was!
And so after spreading out his cloak for them to sit upon, Catherine opened up the box of cookies, and suggested, "We could have some hot chocolate, and cookies while we wait."
To which Brigit deliciously agreed, as she said, "Mmmm, sounds yummy, and I could use a spot of Hot cocoa aboot now. I am chilled to the bone"
Since they were all in agreement, Catherine separated the cups, while Brigit meantime, brought out a flask of Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, from her pocket and decadently asked, "Anyone care to add an Irish touch to their cocoa?"
To which Catherine replied, "Yes, I will try some."
And so Brigit poured a healthy shot into Catherine's cup, and then into her own, holding up her flask, waiting for Vincent and Pascal to tell her if they cared for some too.
But with a wave of his hand, Pascal declined, saying he would love some Hot chocolate, but no Bailey's, cuz booze makes him sleepy, and he had the responsibility to monitor the pipes, after they return to the tunnels later on.
And then Vincent declined Brigit's offer as well, saying he had to keep his wits about him, while he is in the city above.
And so graciously, Catherine passed around the cookies, as they all sat sipping their hot chocolate, cozily secluded from any possible passersby, making the most of this little waylay to their skating adventure.
So, as everyone munched on the cookies, Catherine happily accepted the compliments on her baking, telling them the recipe she followed, was her Mom's, and she was glad everyone liked them.
So as they sat enjoying this time, Catherine turned, to glance at Vincent, and smiled as she watched him casually talking to Pascal. He looked so striking with his arm resting on his bended knee, and adorable as he dunked his cookie into his hot chocolate.
Turning to look back at Catherine, he with a smile in his eyes, inquired, "Yes Catherine?"
And so because she was caught watching him, Catherine looked downward giggling, as she said, "I see you are a dunker, and so since you are enjoying this snack so much, it dawned on me, that maybe you would like a candy called Reese's Peanut Butter cup. It has a chocolate shell and it's filled with peanut butter...have you ever had one?"
Shaking his head no, he said, "The types of candy we enjoy in the tunnels, are limited, and are the sorts Peter had treated us to at Winterfest, lollipops, rock candy, licorice whips...but during the Christmas Season, due to the generosity of Peter or maybe other Helpers, we enjoy Candy Canes and Ribbon Candy as well."
After listening, Catherine filed this little bit of information away, thinking she could not wait to treat Vincent to the commercial confectionery Reese's cups, since Vincent seemed to enjoy this combo of peanut butter and chocolate!
As Catherine refilled everyone's cups, Brigit once again loaded their servings with another double shot of Bailey's, and enjoyably, their conversations spanned many subjects, and talk soon fell on last night's Winterfest.
And so Catherine with a dreamy look, said, "All the ladies AND girls looked so pretty in the dresses they had sewn."
In agreement Brigit said, "Aye, 'n the array of colors, were stunnin' indeed!"
And it was then, Brigit thought to ask, "May I ask, is somethin' goin' on betwix Mary and Jacob? I thought they both seemed a bit smitten."
With a nod, Vincent confirmed that her observation was indeed valid, and then added his opinion, saying, "Yes...I believe this years Winterfest, seemed to have brought something to light between them."
But then Vincent added, that because of Jacob's responsibilities to the tunnel community, his Father doesn't feel pursuing a relationship with anyone, save yet Jessica or Mary is possible for him.
The two girls sipped from their cups, as they listened to Vincent, and after pouring a third piping hot serving of Cocoa with Bailey's, they were quite vocal, saying Jacob should go for it, and not let anything stand in his way of romance, with either one of these two loooooovely women.
Meantime, it was about then, they realized the humming of the Zamboni's motor had ceased, and so they prepared to head over to the skating rink.
And so, acting the gentlemen, Pascal firstly turned to help Brigit to her feet, and as she woozily stood, she let out a yelp, saying, "Whoops, hold steady Pascal!"
Meantime, as Catherine watched Brigit from her vantage, she could not stop laughing! But the tables were turned, when Vincent offered a helping hand to Catherine, and then Brigit thought it was hilarious, when Catherine swore, the earth was moving!
And so upon realizing the Bailey's may have been too liberally ingested, Vincent raised a brow, and looked helplessly at Pascal, wondering what to do!
Meantime, the two girls were both overcome, with an unbridled manner, tickled with the joviality of it all!
And so after assessing the situation, Vincent then worriedly said to the girls, "Perhaps the cocoa, warmed you too much! I think it may be for the best if we go on this excursion another time."
To which in reply, Brigit began to pout, and said, "Vincent, I 'ave to leave tomorrow, 'n I may not get another chance to skate at this famed Rink! 'n look, I bought these skates today 'n everythin' along with extra thick socks! Please, oh please let's go!"
Desperate to get one of the guys on her side, Brigit, then turned to Pascal, and pleaded, "Pascal? Please say we can go!"
To which Pascal resignedly explained, "But you guys are too loud! We have to be careful not to get caught!"
And so as Catherine brought her finger to her lips, she loudly shshsshshsushed Brigit, as she then drunkenly said, "Shshshsshush Brigit! Shshsshsshhush, Pascal is right, we must keep it down!"
To which Brigit nodded in an exaggerated manner and slurred a little as she said, "Ye are right Catty, ye are right! So mums the word!"
It was then, Catherine turned to Vincent, and tried to look stoic, as she loudly whispered, "See Vincent, we are fine, and we can be very, very, very, quiet, just like little mouse's. Mouse's? Is it mouse's, or is it mice's?"
Catherine then went on, to irritatingly note, that the rules surrounding plurals, were not consistent, and then drunkenly reasoned, "I know more than one goose, are geese, but what I have always wondered is why several mooses aren't called meese!"
As Catherine stood, wavering a little bit, she warily demanded, "Who makes up all these grammatical rules anyway? That's what I want to know!"
Defiantly, Brigit then spoke up, and in agreement, said, "Aye, who has the right to confuse us so?"
In response, Vincent looked down, as he tried to hide his amusement at the fact Brigit, and his dear Catherine were both snoockered!
And so discreetly Vincent turned his back to the girls, as he gingerly asked Pascal, "Well my friend, any recommendations?"
To which Pascal quintessentially said, "I don't know Vincent, if we get caught..."
Pascal then nodded in the direction of where the two girls were, and excitedly said, "Oh no! Too late, look they they go! They are already gone!"
As Vincent turned around, he saw Catherine and Brigit arm, in arm, laughing and singing the Holiday song, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, as they headed toward the rink!
Vincent then looked back to Pascal and said, "Already gone is correct my friend, in more ways than one I am afraid. Ah Pascal, this should be a time."
And so Vincent and Pascal followed Catherine and Brigit through the secret entrance they found, onto the ice.
After negotiating to a bench, Brigit, sat down to put on her skates, and asked Pascal to lend her a hand standing up. And so giddily she stood, prompting Pascal to caution her to be careful, and wait for him, till he put his skates on.
To which, as Brigit shakily skated off, she shouted, "Jist try 'n catch me!"
And as Brigit skated all about the ice, she loudly whispered, "Look at me Catty 'n Vincent! I loooove to skate!"
Loudly whipering/yelling back, Catherine said, "Wow! Looking good Brigit!"
And all the while, poor Pascal was tying his skates as quick as he could, so he could skate with Brigit!"
Meanwhile, feeling anxious to get out on the ice too, Catherine held out her hands, and sweetly asked, "Vincent..."
And as her amorous feelings toward him, were enhanced by her state of intemperance, she asked, "...will you hold on to me as we slide together?"
To which Vincent lovingly answered, "My pleasure..."
As Vincent put his arm around her waist, Catherine looked up and whispered, "I feel like there is no one else on this earth but us."
In agreement, Vincent replied, "When you look at me like that Catherine, I am certain no one else is..."
As Vincent protectively held Catherine tightly in his arms, he then granted her wish, and guided her along, as they slid on the ice together.
And as they did so, because Catherine was so happy, she smiled up at Vincent, and began giggling softly, as she was having the time of her life!
Meanwhile, Pascal was running behind a laughing and quite agile Brigit, in an attempt to catch up to her, in case she would fall.
However, Brigit's playful mood, initiated a competitive notion to stay way ahead! And although Pascal would call out to her, Brigit just kept looking back, to gage the distance between them, causing her to laugh all the harder!
Until finally, Pascal caught up to her and scolded, "Brigit! Remember! Skate in the shadows!"
To which Brigit sweetly said, "Aye, I will. Skate with me, me friend..."
And so together as pals, Brigit and Pascal skated, and after about an hour or so, they all agreed they had their fun, and were ready to go warm up.
So one by one, they squeezed under the fence, and they then headed back through the park, toward the tunnels threshold.
While they walked, Pascal said, "I'm kinda hungry, any more of those delicious cookies left Catherine?"
To which Catherine looked into the box, and happily said, "I have tons left, here Pascal, this one has your name on it."
And so everyone indulged, and their only regret was the yummy hot chocolate was gone.
Meantime, as Pascal took a bite of his cookie, he impressively said, "Hmm, you are an excellent baker Catherine, and you Brigit...are an excellent skater!"
Pascal then added, "I was surprised you skated so well even though you were a bit inebriated! How are you feeling now?"
To which Brigit, questionably asked, "I am feelin' fine, 'n what do ye mean inebriated?"
In reply, Pascal adamantly said, "Ah come on, you have to admit both you and Catherine had too much spiked Hot Cocoa!"
And so with umbrage, Catherine in agreement with Brigit said, "It may have warmed us up, but I don't think we were lethal or anything!"
And then for affirmation, Catherine looked up at Vincent, but was surprised to see he was smiling one of his rare smiles! And so she widened her eyes, and asked, "And just what is so funny Vincent?"
And because he realized he was now on the Hot Seat, Vincent cleared his throat, and carefully replied, "I myself had the impression the both of you were affected by the alcohol laden cocoa."
To which Catherine, knowing it was of no use denying it, guiltily admitted, "Well maybe temporarily, but we are fine now."
Wanting to add her two cents worth, Brigit proudly complied by saying, "At least Catty knows how to 'ave a bit of fun. 'n let me tell ye two prudes, it takes more than a wee bit of Bailey's to get me drunk!"
And then Brigit pointed at both Vincent and Pascal as she playfully added, " 'n mark me words, the next time I come to visit ye, I am bringin' a pint, I am a thinkin' both of ye need to loosen up a bit!"
As Catherine started to giggle at the thought of Vincent, or Pascal in a tipsy state, she replied, "This I have got to see!"
In camaraderie, Brigit agreed, saying "Me too me Catty, me too!"
As they prepared to part company, Brigit turned to Catherine, and said, "I'll be seein' ye in the mornin' Catty, I'm comin' to the meetin' Georgie has with yer Father."
To which Catherine smiled, and said, "Oh good Brigit, then we don't have to say goodbye now, I will definitely peak into Dad's office, and say hello."
Catherine then turned to Pascal and warmly said, "Goodnight Pascal, it was so much fun scouting with you. You are quite stealthy around the Rink. I believe you know your way around better than I do!"
To which Pascal bashfully said, "I guess some things you just don't forget. And those adventurous times with my pals, well I should say brothers, well those were some of the best times of my life."
Reflectively, Vincent agreed, saying, "Yes Pascal, they were mine as well."
Brigit then said goodnight to them both, and told Vincent she would see him in the morning, and they then went there separate ways.
And so Pascal escorted Brigit back to her chamber, and Vincent escorted Catherine to her threshold.
And as they walked, Vincent noted, "Seems you and Brigit have as they say, mended fences this evening."
To which Catherine nodded, and happily said, "We did, and I thought it was kinda cute how she started calling me Catty as the night progressed along."
With a tip of his head, Vincent shared his thoughts as he said, "I believe it may have been because her Baileys progressed to diminish in her bottle."
After a playful, "Oh Vincent!" Catherine then agreed, saying, "Maybe so."
As they stepped to the broken bricked threshold, Catherine sadly said, "Well, I guess this is goodnight."
With care, Vincent said, "Good night Catherine, I will see you tomorrow night."
Repeating his promise, Catherine softly said, "Tomorrow night..."
And with a warm embrace, it was good bye.
And so Vincent stood vigilant as Catherine climbed the ladder up into her world, he was missing her company already.