So shamefully Vincent lowered his head, and said, "Catherine...to say I am sorry is not enough...”
Now since the initial panic and worry of Vincent's accident has subsided, Catherine took in a deep breath, and found Vincent’s words, put the focus back on their issues. And so to conceal her hurt, she brought her hands up to her face...
As Vincent lowered her hands, he pulled her close, and said, “It’s all right to cry Catherine. I know I hurt you, and that makes me very sad too.”
Catherine cried within Vincent’s gentle embrace, and she herself, held onto Vincent so tightly, that it warmed his heart. She trembled, as she then told him, “I was so afraid I might lose you.”
The sadness within Catherine’s voice, wounded Vincent, and her sorrow broke his heart. Vincent felt so helpless. How can he repair this sadness his irresolution had caused?
And so he softly told her, “You could never lose me, how could you when I am a part of you, and you are a part of me...”
Tenderly, they then held each other, knowing their lives, since the night they had first found each other, were meant to be spent together, and their hearts and souls, were destined to be intertwined here on earth, and throughout all of eternity.
As Vincent rested, he could feel the anguish ebbing from him, and in a soft velvet whisper, he thankfully told her, “The demons are gone. I have confronted them, and now...I no longer feel they exist. I have carried them with me for such a very long time, and now the fact I am clear of them, I owe to you. We have endured so much for this end...”
With wonderment, Vincent corrected himself, as he said, “...YOU have endured...and given so much for all of us.”
With a thoughtful pose, Catherine told him, “It wasn't just me...but because all of us, each conquered our own private quests, and now because we have..."
A smile came to her eyes, as she continued, "...look at what we have. We have obtained life’s greatest treasure, finding our other. Not everyone is lucky to attain that in their lifetime.”
Lovingly, Catherine revealed one last truth, as she took in a deep breath, she said, “And...I have come to a decision...sooooo...when you feel ready too, and...if I am still welcome...I want to make the tunnels my home...so what do you think Vincent? Is it time?"
With an emotional edge to his voice, Vincent, with loving devotion, softly declared, "Yes...I need and want you here with me. Catherine, it is time.”
With a thoughtful nod, Catherine with a sigh, agreed.
Time seemed to stand still, as they both laid silently within each other’s embrace, when Catherine realized Vincent felt a wee bit warm, so worriedly she explained, “Peter told me to keep you cool, and to watch for a fever...you do seem a little warm to me."
To which Vincent with aplomb suggested, “Perhaps it is because Mary insisted on swathing me with several quilts!”
So thinking three quilts was a bit much, Catherine peeled the top two back, and then offered, “I'll get you some water too.”
She then filled a glass with water from the pitcher, and then went over to the wash basin, and taking one of the cloths, she dipped it into the cool water for his forehead.
Sitting back down by Vincent, she offered him a drink, and then soothed his face.
With his eyes closed, he thought how wonderful it felt to have Catherine caring for him like this. And as a contentment washed over him, he could feel the storm that had been raging inside him all these years had quieted now, leaving him whole and worthy to love his Catherine, and worthy to have her here at his side.
As Vincent relaxed, a drowsiness seemed to overtake him. Thinking he had fallen asleep, Catherine quietly got up, to rinse the wash cloth in the basin.
Opening his eyes, he lovingly watched Catherine as she hung the rinsed out wash cloth out to dry.
And Vincent thought of how intent she seemed on doing everything just so. So as Catherine dried her hands, she looked over at Vincent, and it took her breath away as her eyes met his.
In breathless surprise, Catherine teased, “I thought you had fallen asleep.”
Dreamily Vincent shook his head no, and said, “Almost Catherine, but then I had to look upon you to make certain I hadn’t been dreaming. I wanted to be sure you were really here.”
Smiling, she assured him, “I am really here.”
Sleepily, Vincent relayed, “It seemed like a dream that you were here...”
Catherine looked back at Vincent, and as she raised a brow, she confirmed, “It wasn't a dream.”
In a drowsy voice, Vincent whispered, “Come to me so I may be certain.”
As she finished folding the towel, she raised her eyes once more to meet Vincent’s gaze, and sat down beside him, saying, “See I am just like you, real and with a beating heart.”
Moving over on his bed, Vincent sleepily told her, “Lie with me.”
Slowly, Catherine eased her self in beside Vincent, careful not to disturb his injured arm, and after she managed to do so, she brought her arm around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder. As a trembling breath left herself, she realized that finally, she was home at last.
Contentedly, Vincent looked downward at her, all curled up to him, and felt a freedom, like he had never known, and so sweetly, he promised, “Catherine, one day our day will come.”
Catherine nodded, and agreed, saying, “I believe it too.”
Catherine felt her face blush at Vincent’s promise, and stayed quiet, feeling contented and safe.
With a smile enclosed in his heart, he closed his eyes wondering about their future together, and where this road they chose to travel would lead them.
Feeling so very blessed, Vincent felt thankful for his beautiful Catherine, and thought only for a moment about all he had almost lost.