As they walked slowly toward Catherine's threshold, they came upon the pipe chamber, where they thought they heard Pascal and Brigit, but then rationalized, how could that be? Not at this late hour!

Gingerly they stepped closer to listen, and found indeed, it was them! And then they heard Brigit pleading, "Pascal take me to my chamber....please I 'ave seen enough of yer pipes!"

Upon hearing Brigit's pleas, Vincent with a look of dismay whispered to Catherine, "Hmm, it sounds as if Brigit has grown bored with the tour of Pascal's Pipe Chamber, a tour...of which he has given her before..."

And so after hearing Pascal was giving a repeat performance, Catherine widened her eyes, as she giggled softly, "You mean an unsolicited encore tour? Oh my, and at this late hour!"

To which Vincent nodded in agreement, and said, "Pascal can become a bit of a zealot, when he is talking about the communication system. And, well Pascal like me...sparsely sleeps, so this late hour is of no consequence to him."

And so with a hesitation, because of Brigit and Catherine's history, Vincent asked, "Shall we intervene on Brigit's behalf, or if you prefer, we could just continue on."

Thinking intervening would be the nice thing to do, Catherine answered, "I don't mind acting as a buffer for Brigit, and actually...I would like to have a tour of the Pipe Chamber myself!"

And so Vincent put out his escorting arm, and with admiration, he guided his noble Catherine inside the pipe chamber.

As Vincent and Catherine caught Pascal's and Brigit's eye, they both gleefully greeted the newcomers.

Pascal was gleeful, because he was genuinely happy to see them, and Brigit, because she saw them as a way out of her captivity.

And so over zealously, Brigit expounded, "Vincent n' Catherine! How delightful ye are here!"

To which Vincent bowed his head, to hide his amusement, as he said, "We were walking by, when Catherine expressed an interest in having a tour."

Thrilled beyond words to hear this, Pascal eagerly said, "It would be my honor to show you around Catherine. And, as a matter of fact, I was just going to take Brigit around again. So if you would all step over here, we shall begin."

Upon hearing of Pascal's plan, Brigit slipped off a shoe, and as she massaged her tired foot, she said, "If ye not be mindin' I should pass on yet another tour...in fact, I am ready
to retire."

Brigit then looked up at Vincent...but asked Catherine, "I hate to interfere with yer tour Catherine...so could I ask Vincent to escort me back to the guest chamber?"

To which Catherine affirmatively nodded, as she nonchalantly said, "Yes, of course Brigit."

After hearing Catherine's answer to Brigit, Vincent tipped his head, as he wondered, "Did Catherine really mean she did not mind? Or...does she really mind, and THEN would she be sullen upon my return?"

Yes, this was a delicate situation, and Vincent had to consider all possibilities, before he decided what to do.

And so Vincent stepped up to Catherine, and as he asked for clarification...he confirmed, "Are you certain?"

And so as Catherine looked up at Vincent, she assured him, "I will be fine, and happy to finally get my tour from Pascal."

However, because it was quite late, Catherine then added, "But if truth be told, I am tired too, so please hurry back."

And so after receiving the affirmation he needed from Catherine, Vincent turned to Brigit, and said, "Shall we go?"

And so Pascal with an awe shucks manner, said, "Too bad ya gotta go Brigit..."

But then with an excited tone, Pascal added, "But maybe it is a good thing to get a good nights rest, cuz remember, tomorrow night we are going skating up top in the park."

Upon hearing their plans, Catherine queried, "Skating? In Central Park? At Wollman Rink?"

To which Pascal assertively said, "Yep! Brigit skated a lot as a kid back home, and has been wanting to check out OUR famous rink. So, on this visit, I am going to take her."

In affirmation, Brigit added, "Oh yes! Wollman Rink, I'ave read how the developer, Donald Trump got things workin' again, It's been in the papers..."

With an excited tone, Catherine sighed, "Yes...and you will love skating there. I haven't skated myself there in quite a few years, but I used to go all the time after school, or after nights out with friends. And this time of year, they will be playing Christmas Carols, and there will be food venders lined up, delicious aromas fill the air,  and it is just so much fun."

And because Brigit picked up on how much Catherine loves going to the rink, she anxiously said, "Perhaps ye could be joinin' us too!"

And although she would love to go, but  because Catherine knew this would leave Vincent out, she began to shake her head no, when Vincent thoughtfully answered, "You should  plan this if you wish Catherine...I could watch from afar..."

Thinking back, Pascal shared, "Hey Vincent, remember that one spot, where we used to enter the rink after hours? And because the lights are dimmed down...gosh, we would skate undetected, for hours! So if we go late, then we could all go!"

Upon hearing Pascal talk of this secret entry point, reminded Catherine, after bar hopping, she and her friends would sneak into the rink too! And so excitedly, Catherine shrewdly admitted, "I know that place Pascal..."

Happy to hear there was a way for them all to go, Catherine looked up at Vincent, and with hope, she asked, "What do you think Vincent? Shall we?"

And so upon seeing the excitement in Catherine's eyes, Vincent affirmatively nodded, and said, "I believe we shall..."

Elated that Vincent and Catherine would be joining them, Brigit excitedly chimed in, saying, "Sounds like we are puttin' together a private skatin' party!"

To which Catherine eagerly offered, "Well if it's a party, we will need a bit of refreshment, so...I will bring the Hot Chocolate."

Vincent softly smiled, as he heard Catherine say she would bring some hot chocolate...something he had not tasted for a very long time, and so he reflectively said, "Nice..."            

Warmly, Pascal then excitedly added, "It will be just like old times, sneaking up to have a slide on the old ice!"

And then gleefully, Pascal expounded, "So, tomorrow night it is! Goodnight Brigit!"

To which Brigit said, "G'night to ye Pascal, and to ye too Catherine..."

With a smile, Catherine kindly replied, "Good night Brigit."

As Vincent walked Brigit to her chamber, Brigit thought of how Catherine was acting really quite nice to her, and so she expressed, "Tis so sweet how yer Catherine is tryin' to fergive me. I do sense her reservations still...though, I s'pose tis natural. Oh, 'n may I thank ye Vincent for aidin' in me escape! Pascal has endless energy when talkin' aboot the pipes! I couldn't 'ave endured another turn aboot that chamber!"

And because Vincent wanted to give Catherine the credit, he shared, "In truth, it was Catherine's ultimate choice to intercede on your behalf."

With a look of surprise, Brigit said, "Well what do ye know aboot that! Maybe one day, we truly can put the past behind us."

To which Vincent nodded in agreement, and said, "Forgiveness takes time, but it will come, as I have come to find out for myself, Catherine has a forgiving heart."

It was then Vincent changed the subject, and asked, "Did you enjoy yourself this evening Brigit?"

In response, Brigit gleefully shared, "AyeVincent...what a grand night it twas! 'n OH, that moment, when Catherine arrived...twas a moment fairy tales are written aboot."

To which Vincent nodded, and then looking over at Brigit, he expressed, "Yes...it is a moment, I shall relive the rest of my life..."

Brigit then confessed, "Ye know Vincent, since I am not the person who fills yer heart, 'n changed yer life like Catherine has, I have accepted this 'n am proud 'n honored to be considered yer friend."

In reply, Vincent said, "I am proud to be your friend as well Brigit. And I must tell you...you HAVE changed my life...it was because of the bravado you have written about in your books, that filled my heart which gave me the courage to go to the masquerade, the night I met Catherine."

Vincent then sincerely continued, "You have influenced me, in more ways, than you could ever know. and...I have so much to thank you for."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Brigit nodded, and then tearfully said, "If that is so, then that makes me happy."

Thoughtfully Brigit then confided, "Ye know...me eyes 'ave been opened tonight concernin' me agent Georgie...as I was talkin' to Catherine's Dad, aboot 'im, Charles spoke of how protectively Georgie oversees me career...in truth...Georgie...well Georgie has been there fer me, ever since my Ian died."

With a thoughtful tilt of her head, Brigit continued, "And though Georgie has made several attempts to deepen our relationship, I never took him seriously. Ye know...I don't think I ever realized, befer tonight, how much Georgie really does means to me. He is a good kind man, 'n I think there may be somethin'...somethin' there worth lookin' into."

Brigit then sadly said, "Now don't git me wrong...the loove I had with Ian comes around only once in a life time, but I know still, there are other kinds of loove which can be fulfillin' as well..."

But with a bit of optimism, Brigit added, "...and though I did not win ye over me friend, ye DID open me heart to loove again. And fer that...I am most grateful."

With warmth, Vincent told Brigit, she deserved to be happy again, and hoped Georgie could be the one, to heal her broken heart.

And then with concern, a newly borne compassionate Brigit asked, "Ye dinny think Pascal is expectin' too much from me do ye? Pascal is such a sweet soul and I dinny care to hurt 'im."

With a nod, Vincent replied, "Pascal and I have spoken, and though he is enamored with you Brigit, he has no expectations, and is content with the friendship you offer him..."

Happy to hear this was so, Brigit with a nod, took Vincent's arm and said for this she was thankful.

And so, as they finally reached the guest chamber, Vincent made sure the candles were lit within, and Brigit was comfortable before he left her.

Brigit then kindly thanked her hunky escort, and with a smile said she would be seeing Vincent tomorrow.

And so with pep to his step, Vincent walked back through the tunnels, to retrieve and rescue his Catherine now, from a possible tedious tour!

However, Vincent was pleasantly surprised, to see Pascal and Catherine were quite engrossed, going over some charting of the pipes Pascal had documented.

And so upon Vincent stepping up to them, Catherine turned to excitedly say, "Vincent look, this pipe here, this pipe would be the one near my apartment building! Pascal told me, if I wanted, I could communicate with you on my way to work!"

Catherine, then turned to smile at a bashful Pascal, and said, "Pascal even taught me a code I could use."

Grateful to his friend, for showing Catherine around the communication system, Vincent replied, "Pascal is an excellent teacher and now I know I will have him to thank for any communication I might receive from you Catherine."

Proudly Pascal stood, and tried to sound humble as he said, "Hey, Catherine is quick! It's fun showing people stuff who can get it!"

Feeling kinda proud too, Catherine said, "Well thanks Pascal! I appreciate that!"

Vincent then with a smile in his eyes, asked, "Are you ready Catherine? Or would you rather..."

Reluctantly Catherine butted in to say she was ready, and then with much gratitude, to Pascal she said, "Well, I cannot wait for you to show Dad all of this, he will be so intrigued."

To which Pascal proudly said, "I sure am glad you appreciate our system. Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow night, and don't forget the Hot Chocolate! I am holding you to it Catherine!"

In reply, Catherine smiled, and said, "I won't forget, and just between you and me, I may be bringing some cookies too! Well, goodnight Pascal."

To which Pascal good-naturedly, replied, "G'night!"

Finally, getting back on track, Vincent escorted Catherine to her threshold, and asked, "You have your candle?"

In reply, Catherine sweetly answered, "Yes...right here, and I will treasure it always."

To which Vincent simply replied, "This candle served as a beacon for us tonight..."

And then Vincent thought to say, "You must thank your friend Jennifer for me...had she not found your lost candle..."

Catherine held Vincent's gaze, as she contemplated of what their alternate outcome would have been if not for Jennifer finding her Winterfest Candle, and thoughtfully, she said, "Yes..."

And so, because he had promised Charles to see Catherine safely back home, Vincent with care, said, "I will be on your balcony Catherine. I want to be certain you travel safely at this late hour back inside your apartment."

Happy this was not yet goodnight, Catherine with a loving embrace, softly said, "I will see you shortly then."

To be continued
Chapter Two
Catherine and Vincent found their way back to each other again,
after Vincent's emotional evolution, in assessing his self worth.
They can now have the Happy life they spoke of in
" Master of Heart!" And as Catherine begins her new job,
Thanks to Vincent...she finds strengths
She never knew she had.        
Treasure of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter One

Juliet: "My Bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love is deep,
the more I give to thee,The more I have...for both are infinite..."
                     "Romeo and Juliet": William Shakespeare
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