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Devin & Catherine search for and find Vincent's roots and discover a family he never knew existed.
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Chapter Twenty Standing on her balcony some time later, Vincent looked out over the city lights. New York looked so beautiful from up on the eighteenth floor, like a jewel bedecked velvet of the richest blue, it seemed impossible to think of the fear that crawled along the streets night after night, as the evil ones set about their business and the innocent ones fell victim to them. He remembered how that had happened to Catherine on the night he had saved her life. If someone so beautiful could be injured so badly, what hope was there for the vagrants, the prostitutes, the children with no homes to go to? Vincent shuddered. What would life be like but for Father’s world, the world he had created for those with nowhere to go? Oh, to be able to go to the poor street people and take them Below to give them a home and love with a family that would welcome them. So engrossed was he in his thinking, that he visibly jumped when the apartment was suddenly flooded with light, and turning he saw Catherine kick the door shut, to pull off her shoes and flop wearily down onto the sofa.
He stood there a moment, not knowing what to do, then found himself tapping quietly on the door, almost as if he hoped she did not hear him, but she did. Turning her head she was surprised, for she had not expected to find him there waiting for her, and she found it took great effort to get up and open the door for him, unsure as to what to expect, now the moment was here, she hurried back to stand behind the security of the sofa.
Stepping into the room, Catherine found that his very presence seemed to fill it, and as her eyes met his, she found herself immobilised, her feet rooted to the spot. Catherine held her breath, he was more than she remembered, his very being inflamed her. She swallowed hard.
Oh! to cross the room and hold him to her, to lay her head upon his shoulder, it would be bliss, but she just could not shorten the distance between them. His eyes took in her appearance, drank in her emotions as he sensed them tumbling within her, yet he too found it difficult to move forwards and crush her into his arms, to love her, to match her desire with his own.
Breathily she spoke at last, a mere whisper, “When we were just friends Vincent..we desired that our relationship would go beyond the boundaries of that friendship...”
“And now that it has?” he spoke so quietly.
Oh! the sound of that voice. Catherine licked her lips shyly as a shudder ran through her body, “And now that we are...”
“Lovers.” he finished for her in his deliciously velvety voice.
She smiled weakly at him, “Yes now that we are lovers, I long for the safety of friendship only. To feel your arms around me, to lean upon your strength alone.”
His eyes smouldered with desire. “ I will always be your friend Catherine.”
“I know Vincent, but my desire for you, it holds me captive like a slave. Its intensity frightens me, and though there are only yards between us Vincent, I feel incapable of crossing them to come to you.”
“Then I shall come to you.” Swiftly he moved towards her, and she melted as his arms came around her crushing her to the long hard length of him. His lips kissed her hair, her neck, her throat, as she drowned in her love for him, tangling her hands in his mane of hair, pulling his face around to meet her own, and drawing his hungry searching mouth down to hers. “Vincent”, she moaned softly, beneath the onslaught of his lips, “I love you so much.” Shamelessly she arched her body towards his, feeling the hardness of him that thrilled her so, and no matter what she thought before, she found herself dragging him down towards the floor, begging him, “Vincent, love me, love me, please now.”
Vincent drew back from her, hearing her whimper, her eyes closed, he wanted her so desperately, and he felt tormented as he held her at arms length, “Catherine you will think that I am trying to pay you back, yet every part of me wants to make love to you, here, now, but one of us has to be strong, and I can see it isn’t going to be you.”
Breathless and a little ashamed of her behaviour, she searched his face. His eyes dark with longing filled her soul and she reached for him again, almost as if she had not heard what he told her. Holding her arms down by her sides, he held her firmly away from him. His breath was ragged, and she offered him everything, without a doubt without question. Her longing pained him, yet he had to do what was right, what she wanted more than anything.
“Catherine...I love you so much...I cannot bear the thought of us ever being apart again or that you should live Above and I Below... Catherine...I am asking you, no, begging you... will you please be my wife?”
The melting feeling washed over and threatened to drown her as Catherine freed her arms and flung them around his neck, “Oh yes Vincent, I will, I will” and then with an impish
afterthought added, “but can we consummate our marriage now?”
The tension eased as they laughed together, “No, my love” he spoke firmly to her, “We will wait, and then when we are married, then ...” his eyes spoke volumes.
Catherine sighed, she had never wanted to love someone so much in all her life, “Vincent...if you promise me that we can be married tomorrow then I will wait, otherwise...” she smiled playfully as she reached up and kissed him. They clung to one another, two bodies entwined as kisses of fire consumed them, and Vincent found it took all the strength he could muster to pull away from her reluctantly.
“Catherine do that again, and I will not be able to stop another time.” his voice was strained.
“Good”, she told him gaily, advancing on him again.
“Catherine!” he said sternly, the laughter reaching his eyes, “Come sit down, no Catherine you on that sofa and me on this one, I can see we need the safety of space between us until we are married, and though it won’t be tomorrow, I can promise you my love, it will not be too many days after that.”
Catherine sat where he had put her down reluctantly, even the few feet apart from him pained her dreadfully.
“Vincent”, was all she could say, “I love you.”
“And I love you Catherine.”
Unperturbed, Catherine could not stop thinking about him, wanting him, her body ached to love him, her eyes were filled with sorrow at being forced to sit away from him. Vincent felt her need, his body responded in like manner, and they sat there looking at one another as a current of desire passed from one to the other of them. Vincent mentally shook himself, he had to try to put out the fire, if only temporarily. And just as he thought he was calming himself, her next words flung him back into the throes of desire.
“Vincent...do you know how beautiful you are. What the sight of you here does to me. I want to make love to you my darling so much it hurts. I know how that pains you Vincent, I can see as much, and I can see how being practical and waiting will be good for us, but Vincent, I have just flown three and a half thousand miles desiring you for every inch of the way, and it is difficult for me now, to have to wait to put out the fire until we are married.” her jocular tone, humoured him, and he relaxed.
“I too know this difficulty, look at me Catherine, how will I get down eighteen floors in this state worries me greatly, my body has never burned so much for you, so if you could bear to sit and allow me to recover first I would greatly appreciate this. Perhaps we could talk about something else?”
“Perhaps we could Vincent, and then again there are other ways of easing your discomfort.” she laughed out loud at the expression on his face, “Oh Vincent, I’m sorry, look no hands, I promise to be good...well for a few more days anyway. So tell me what should we speak about?”
“Tell me how you achieved this marvel of finding my mother.”
Catherine’s face softened, “You owe everything to Devin, Vincent. If not for him, none of this would be.”
”None of this Catherine?”, his eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Vincent! You know what I mean. Finding your family was so important to Devin, I only happened to be around when he needed me. Funny that, if I had never of left you, none of this may be happening now.” At that thought she groaned, “I am so sorry that I left you Vincent, I only hope that you can forgive me and forget that I ever caused you such pain, it was a horrible thing to do. And it was Devin that made me realise my mistake.”
“Catherine don’t trouble yourself so, all that is in the past, having you here now, I could not wish for more...well perhaps a little more.”
The humorous undercurrents of their passion rekindled and continued throughout their conversation as Catherine related to him how she and Devin had found Marie and Geraldine.
“Your mother is so beautiful Vincent, you will love her, but she is so tiny. I am surprised that she produced you and your sister, for Gerry is your height too. Marie has a woman’s face but it was the claws that I noticed that made my heart somersault when I first met her, and then the fangs...” she paused, Vincent’s face lit up, he could just picture it. “They have this marvellous greeting method,”
she smiled at the memory “Both of them drape themselves around someone they trust and purr, I thought it was lovely.”
“I must remember that.” he told her his eyes twinkling softly.
Catherine laughed gaily, and went on, “Your mother and I have such affection for one another, from the moment we met there was some spark between us, some connection that surprised me, and you may also be surprised to know that Devin and Gerry fell instantly in love with one another, you’ll see Vincent, they can’t take their eyes off each other. You and I are not the only ones with hands held reluctantly by our sides.” Vincent laughed heartily, as Catherine went on, “And amazingly Gerry has the same Bond with Devin that you have with me, he cannot say or do a single thing and not have her know of it.”
Vincent chuckled softly, “For Devin that must be quite annoying.”
“No actually, I think he rather likes it.”
“This I must see.”
When Catherine finally finished speaking, telling him of his past, about the three scientists, Strasser, Reidel and Kogler, Vincent was thoughtful, there was such a lot to take in, and Catherine found that she could not share these feelings with him, they ran deep, deeper than even she who loved him, were able to comprehend.
“Would you come Below with me Catherine to meet them?” he asked her finally.
“Yes, if that is what you would like, however could you wait here for me while I have a quick shower and change. I will only be a few minutes.”
Vincent looked at her, his dark eyes filled again with fire, “Do you think that would be wise Catherine,” he spoke huskily, “To be here knowing that you are only a few feet away, naked and showering, I think it would be more than I could bear. No I will wait for you in the park instead, and then we can walk to the home chambers together. We have our own news to tell them, and there is a surprise for you too.”
“For me? Is it Jacob, is he walking now?”
“Yes he is, but that isn’t your surprise, now hurry go have your shower.”
“Forget the shower Vincent, let’s go shall we.”
Walking across the park together they gained some semblance of reality. The night was cool and crisp and it was only natural that they should walk close to keep warm.
Vincent wanted to bring something up, and after a while he found the way to do so, “Were there no shower cubicles where you last stayed Catherine?”
She stopped walking to turn and scan his face, “What do you mean?”
“One night, you were thinking about me in the bathtub?”
Catherine’s mouth dropped open, “You know about that?”
“Yes we held a conversation, don’t you remember?” he asked her gently.
“Well yes, but I thought I had dreamt that. You mean I actually reached through the Bond, and contacted you that well?”
“Yes.”
“But that has never happened before Vincent.”
“No. We must have both been very relaxed at the time, and in tune with one another, it didn’t last long.”
“The water turned chilly, and I got out, after that I couldn’t seem to reach you.”
“This is something special Catherine, we must try to apply it more often, it could be a life saver amongst having other benefits.”
“Yes, Vincent.” she shook her head, “I still can’t believe it, its amazing.”
She snuggled up against him, and in silence they began to walk onwards again.
Hearty laughter greeted Catherine and Vincent as they approached Father’s chamber, and Vincent recognising Devin’s voice stopped outside to listen. Devin was relating to his captive audience some delightful tale of their childhood and Vincent smiled at the memory.
Catherine watched his face. Expressions of joy crossed his leonine features, and she put her arms around him with her face tilted up to his. Instinctively his arms circled and gathered her to him, so that she could rest her head against his chest and listen to the steady beat of his heart. Vincent planted a kiss on the top of her head, and Catherine had a deep feeling of satisfaction at being so close to him. All the uncertainties of the past few months slipped away, and she really felt as if she had come home. He had asked her to marry him, the fairy tale had come true and she loved him more than life itself. She contemplated life beneath the city, in his world and knew that she would not mind leaving hers behind, and would not yearn for the things she had forsaken now that she had grasped hold of the dream.
Looking up at him, she found his eyes upon her, his hands lifted her silken hair, and let it trail and fall between his fingers, and Catherine snuggled closer to him, loving the feel of him.
“Catherine”, he whispered huskily, “Do we go in, or go someplace to be by ourselves?”
Startled, she raised her eyes to his, only to find he was teasing her, “And what would you say, if I said we should be by ourselves Vincent?” she answered him lightly with laughter in her voice.
“I would not say a thing. Do not actions speak louder than words my Catherine.” he spoke softly, his voice trembling slightly, with desire.
Catherine laughed softly, “Then we had best stay.” she smiled impishly, but couldn’t resist reaching up and kissing him passionately.
He groaned, “Come on Catherine, let’s go in there, before this gets out of control again, I don’t think I can hold back much more while being alone with you my love.”
Catherine giggled, and they waited for Devin to finish speaking before stepping through the entranceway, into Father’s chamber.
Devin’s eyes lit up, “Arh there you are Vincent, we have been waiting for you, come over here there is someone you must meet.” Devin reached across for Vincent’s arm, and pulled him across the room, to where Marie was sat holding Jacob upon her knee.
Vincent looked down at Marie for a long time. Marie studied his face, and then held out her arms to him. Bending he scooped her into his own, almost crushing Jacob in the middle, as Marie told him tearfully, “So long I have waited.”
Tears streamed down her face as she hugged him like she would never let him go. Stepping forward Catherine retrieved Jacob, pressing her lips to his downy head her own eyes filling with tears at the pleasure of holding his chubby little body at last. Father was having difficulty holding back the tears and noticed the same was true of Devin, and neither dared speak for fear of breaking up the love and affection passing between Marie and Vincent, but Geraldine always one to change situations, suddenly cried, “Hey Vincent, have you got a hug for me too?”
Vincent straightened, looking across with tear filled eyes, to Geraldine, and found she was exactly as Catherine had told him, simply stunning. He took in her looks, with her beautiful hair and simply grinned at her. Rising to her feet she crossed the room to stand before him, he was surprised at how tall she was, and they hugged one another tightly.
“I feel as though I am dreaming.” Vincent said at last, his throat tight with emotion, “This is too much to take in. All I have ever dreamed coming true at once.”
“It is wonderful isn’t it Vincent?”, Father beamed, “And its not over yet, we have all our dear friends waiting to meet you both in the Great Hall, this is going to be a celebration to outshine all celebrations.”
“Not only that”, Vincent held out a hand for Catherine who came to his side taking his hand willingly, “Catherine and I have our own announcement to make.”
“Three guesses as to what that will be.” said Devin winking across at Catherine.
Marie had never known such joy. So many people who she could tell loved her son, had come to welcome her and Geraldine to their home. And as the party drew to an end, Father took his place on the platform to speak to everyone. “Friends, family, we have all had such a marvellous time here this evening, and I know that many of you are tired, especially the little ones, but before you leave there is just one very important announcement that I would love for you all to hear.” he turned directing his words to his son, “Vincent, Catherine, would you come up here please.”
A hushed silence settled around the Great Hall, as eager friends waited in anticipation, they had already had a wonderful time, could it be that something even more wonderful was to happen?
Catherine unwound the chubby arms of her son from around her neck, and laid him gently into Marie’s arms, he stirred in his sleep, he had worn himself out with his boundless energy. Catherine kissed his cheek, he was so beautiful that she found it hard to tear herself away from him, if only for a few moments, as she took Vincent’s hand and went with him to take their place beside a beaming Father.
Everyone waited, as Vincent put his arm around Catherine’s waist and held her close to him. They all loved them so much this fairy tale couple, and many of them had watched the dream unfold these past few years. Vincent looked down at Catherine, longing to take her face in his hands and kiss her, a look which did not go unnoticed as people let out a deep sigh of satisfaction. Taking Catherine’s other arm, Father began to speak again, “Our dear friends, our hearts are full this day. Devin, bless him, and Catherine have found Vincent’s mother and sister, and they have come to live in our community, and on your behalf I would like to wish them a very long and happy life here with us in our world, and Devin I can see is thoroughly smitten with Gerry already, and I am not quite sure what to say about that...the thought of having Devin living here Below with us...well...what can I say...you know Devin...” A rumble of laughter issued from the crowd of expectant faces, Vincent joining them heartily, as Father went on, “And here at my side are two of the dearest people among us today, and they have something wonderful to share with you.” He stepped aside, motioning Vincent to come forward, “Vincent?”
Vincent looked down at all the dear faces of friends from Above and Below, wishing he could hold the moment forever, all those faces waiting in eager expectation was a treasure to him, and seeing his own mother and sister there among them was more than he could have ever wished for at such a momentous occasion in his life. Looking into Catherine’s dancing eyes, as she shared the moment with him, time stood still, he loved her so much and she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him, married to him. It was beyond comprehension, unreal, perfect.
“Friends, family, I have some wonderful news for you. Catherine and I are to be married, and you are all invited.”
The silence was split by the sound of thunderous applause, and Catherine found herself swamped by a happy throng of people, hugging and kissing her from young to old. And as everyone swarmed around the happy couple, Devin stepped back into a quiet corner with Geraldine. Looking into her eyes he told her sincerely, “Gerry, how long have I known you? Is it one day or one lifetime? All I know is that my heart belongs to you, and whatever I do from this day forth I want to spend it with you. I think I love you Gerry, would you marry me?”
Gerry squealed with delight and flung her arms around Devin, “I take it that’s a yes”, he replied looking into her dancing eyes.
“Yes, yes, and yes.” she cried, loud enough for everyone to hear, and the reason for such an exclamation became clear as Devin stifled her words with their first kiss.
“Mmm,” said Father, “This looks ominous, are we to conclude that there will be two weddings now?”
“You know me Father,” Devin said laughing, “Always one to steal the limelight.”
“You and Vincent always were two of a kind, but to gain two daughters in one fell swoop, even I could not have suspected. This truly is a day to remember. Come everyone, let us raise our glasses once again.”
Although many of the arrangements had been done in the weeks that Catherine was away, there was still much to be done, and Devin had to leave. Despite wanting to be with Gerry, he simply had to return to Charles, he owed him that, feeling responsible to him, and wanting to make certain that he was well, but he didn’t plan to be gone long and promised to stay just long enough to see the wedding first. Despite his statement about stealing the limelight, Devin had no desire to share his wedding with that of Vincent and Catherine, for he knew with a certainty that their day was something sacred, and that nothing or nobody should infringe upon it.
And before the wedding he took the time to drag himself away from Gerry to spend some time sitting with Vincent at the waterfall, where they had spent many a happy hour talking in the past.
“Just like old times Vincent, eh? You and me sitting here like this just talking.”
“Yes I can hardly believe that you will be coming to live with us Below again Devin, yet I am so happy about it. I have missed you, more than you know.”
“What! Missed me! The one that got you into all those escapades, and brought the wrath of Father down upon you. You actually missed all that?”
Vincent laughed, “And just as he thought he only had me to contend with in his old age, we both gang up on him with forces, and he doesn’t know which way to turn anymore. Yet its not the run around we gave him that I have missed, it is just having you here to talk to, there has been no-one I could share my innermost feelings with here since you left Devin, sometimes there have been so many questions, especially since I have loved Catherine...” his words trailed off.
“And you think that I, a man of the world could have answered them for you, eh, Vincent?” Devin laughed good humouredly.
“Seriously yes. You are from my childhood, we shared so much you and I, made our dreams together, shared our secrets, nothing can alter that, and I have missed you.”
Devin grew serious, “For once Vincent there is a burning question I feel I must ask you. Do you think Gerry and I can make it work?”
“I don’t know Gerry well, but I do know you. And I sense a commitment in you towards her, truly I am proud of you.”
“Of me why?”
“For how you cared for Charles, and for how you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on everything you have yearned for, to share your life with someone that looks like me. It won’t be easy Devin, you will forsake so much to be with her. Are you really prepared for that?”
Devin was thoughtful, “Yes I believe that I am. You know Vincent, this Empathic Bond you share with Catherine, Gerry has this too, and so has Marie, and from the moment I set eyes upon Gerry, she could feel my emotions, know my thoughts, sense how I felt. I truly believe that nothing will ever alter that, and no matter where we are we will be connected. I am convinced that we should be together, you must know what I mean?”
Vincent nodded, “Yes, and in time as your love for one another deepens, you will find that this Bond will deepen accordingly, so that you can come to know all her emotions too. With Catherine and I our hearts beat as one, and though we may be apart we are together in spirit, that too will come to the both of you.”
They sat in silence for a while, each with his own thoughts of the woman he loved, until Devin had something else he wanted to know the answer to.
“Vincent?”
“Yes?”
“You know Gerry and Marie were prepared to fly thousands of miles with little fear of anyone seeing them, such was their desire to see you, but just in case we did encounter anyone, I worked out a plan in my mind which I hoped would suffice. As it happened we didn’t meet anyone mainly because we travelled on the ground through darkness, and even on the airstrip it was still night, and though I did not have to put my plan into action, the idea of it will not go from my mind. Vincent, if I give it more thought, and am absolutely convinced it would work, would you let me do something else for you?”
“What is that?”
“Will you let me fulfil your last dream?”
“And that is...?”
“To walk in the sunshine?”
Vincent drew in a sharp breath and looked into Devin’s face. He saw the sincerity there, the determination to accomplish this.
“It is all I have ever dreamed of. Having Catherine and Jacob were a bonus I never dared imagine, but walking in the sunshine, I always thought it would be possible, but for me it has proved the most elusive. Do you really believe you can do this?”
“Yes I do, and if the plan comes off then, Catherine and Gerry can share in it too. Hold on to that dream Vincent, and know that it will become a reality.”
“You will do this for me, already you have given me so much?”
“Vincent we are brothers, and I love you. Something as simple as walking in the sunshine should not be denied you. You give so much and ask for so little, how can I not try to make all your dreams come true?”
“You have already given me more than I could ever thank you for. But for you, Catherine would have left me, and you have given me my roots, what more could I ask of you?”
“That’s it Vincent, you never do ask, that’s the wonderful thing about you. You accept whatever comes and never expect more. Catherine would have come to her senses sooner or later, she already knew what it was she wanted when we met in Paris, she was just a little mixed up that was all.”
“I cannot believe that she loves me Devin, and will soon be my wife.”
“When we were away, I watched her intently. She came to life every time I spoke your name, though she had convinced herself she should forget you, deep down she knew that she never would, never could. Some people search their life for fairy tales Vincent, for a fantasy such as you two share. I used to envy the pair of you, and now I have found my own fairy tale princess. You and Gerry are special people, unique, and for me and Catherine, well we feel blessed to know you both.”
“Thank you Devin.”
Another silence lapsed between them as each were lost in their own thoughts, while languishing in the fellow feeling of just being together.
“Devin there is something I need to ask you. It is hard for me to say it. Catherine is so beautiful, and I desire her so much. Yet look at these hands of mine Devin, what if I should hurt her with these as I did Lisa, how far should I go to touch her?”
“Have you not touched her before?”
“Not in that way. The first time it was physical, and I so long to touch her skin, to feel her body, but I am so afraid that these claws will cut her.”
“Claws can be shortened Vincent, just the same as nails can, and claws can be detracted whereas nails can’t be. You would be surprised Vincent, that while my face bears the scars from your claws, my back also bears the scars of a passionate night with a woman with long fingernails, its not just your problem. You need to learn to use your fingertips and the palms of your hands, look let me show you. See I can caress your hand without my nails digging in, you practise this on yourself Vincent, and being aware of it will help you to avoid hurting Catherine in this way.”
“I feel nervous too Devin,” Vincent spoke quietly, almost a whisper, with his head bowed shamefully.
“That is understandable, but its not like Cathy doesn’t know what to expect is it?”
“No but it has been a long time, and we are both emotionally charged. When we touch it is like a lightening bolt. Like a fire that burns in my soul and only she can extinguish it. I am frightened by the drive of my passion for her, and I feel that I should try to make the moment last on that special night, but I don’t know how to slow it down.”
“Vincent you are putting too much on this first night thing. Whichever way you look at it, the first time for the two of you, has been and gone, and that was special too wasn’t it, although I understand that you didn’t remember for a long time, but now you have. I understand how you want to make this the second time last to re-capture the first, but Vincent, you have to remember to get to the best, one has to first quench the all consuming fire. I always think this, that the first time ever, or the first time in a long time, is a pain in the butt, woops sorry Vincent, bad choice of words...but the second time, and the third, forth and so on, now that’s when the beauty comes in, that’s the time for caresses, for exploration, for kisses of love, for taking your time, and revelling in the pleasure. That is the time for the memory of that special night Vincent. It is a time of sharing laughter, endearments, a coming together of minds as well as bodies. You’ll see Vincent, its a time of peace, of tranquillity, you really have to experience it to know.”
Vincent nodded, he had missed these frank open discussions with Devin, he was glad they could still converse in this way, already he felt more at ease.
“So have you decided when your wedding will be Vincent?”
“Yes, but before I tell you, I have to tell Catherine first!”
Catherine was finding joy with motherhood, spending time with Jacob. She had missed so much of his first tender year, and she hungered for knowledge of every moment she had been away. Mary, in turn was a wealth of information and Catherine found much joy in hearing from her all about her son.
Vincent felt her with Jacob holding onto her hand as she walked to the waterfall to find him with Devin, and her eyes lit up when she saw Vincent, and he in turn felt the pull of a magnetic force even though his back was turned to her. Rising he greeted her with a warm embrace, and then speaking to Devin he asked, “Would you take Jacob back to Father with you please Devin, I promised Catherine a surprise yesterday, and I haven’t yet shown her it, and I must do so?”
“Of course I will, come on little fellow, lets go and find Grandfather, eh?”
Vincent took Catherine’s hand, as Devin took Jacob’s and each went his separate way. Catherine had wondered what the surprise might be, which Vincent seemed to have forgotten about in the pleasure of meeting his family, and holding the party, and she had not liked to remind him.
Leading her to a part of the underground world she had rarely seen, she found that the walls were now well lit, where lanterns burned brightly on newly shaped ledges, and held in places with large steel pins, and from time to time crevices had been hollowed out in which were placed bowls of flowers, fresh and fragrant. Catherine took delight in all she saw.
Vincent felt her joy, and pulled her closer to him, “The best is yet to come Catherine”, he told her.
They reached a door! A huge oak door. Catherine could not hide her surprise! The frame had been shaped to fit the entranceway, and the huge door opened freely when Vincent lifted the latch. Ushering her inside into the chamber beyond, Catherine gasped at what she saw therein. Flowers, lots and lots of flowers bedecked the whole room and the heady perfume floated over her. Then she saw the furniture, beautiful tables and chairs, shelves along one wall, a place for books, a sofa and cupboards to put clothing in. And far across the chamber was yet another door.
“This is beautiful Vincent. Who lives here?”
“We do”, he replied hugging her close to him, “Do you really like it?”
“It is perfect Vincent. I love it. Thank you so much darling. What’s through there?” she asked pointing across to the far side door.
“The bedroom”, his eyes blazed and she laughed up at him, “Vincent are you going to take me in there?”
“Yes”, he said, bending his head to kiss her, “But not today.”
*** *** ***Chapter Twenty-One
The Great Hall was once again filled to capacity with friends from Above and Below. The walls bedecked with flowers and decorations, amid hundred of candles brightly burning.
Catherine stood with Mary, Marie and Devin sharing some delightful tale of Vincent’s past with them as usual, for she found she could never hear enough, she wanted to know everything about the life of this man she had just married. Vincent was being the dutiful host, refilling glasses, mingling with the guests, and enjoying the occasion to meet so many of his dear friends again so soon, while the music played gaily for those who wished to dance, when he heard the sound of Catherine’s happy laughter and stopped to watch her.
His ocean blue eyes burned into her back and Catherine stumbled as the lightening force of Vincent’s emotions sped through her, feeling his penetrating gaze upon her back. Turning she found his eyes fixed firmly on her, and at her sharp intake of breath, Devin stopped speaking in mid flow, and he, Mary and Marie fell silent as they watched the scene before them unfolding.
Quickly a hushed silence swept through the crowd as they stopped what they were doing to watch. Father stood up from teaching Geraldine how to play chess, to see what was happening as the crowd of friends that had stood between Catherine and Vincent stepped aside to make a clear pathway between the two. This was a moment in time for the two of them, oblivious to anyone in the room save themselves. Vincent would never forget the enchanted day, as he had watched his Catherine float towards him on the arm of Peter to join him at the alter. How they had made their own vows of love before the whole assembly, and how Father had pronounced them husband and wife, giving his own surname for his adoptive son to use to bestow upon his wife.
Everything had been perfect.
Now as Vincent stood looking at Catherine, the atmosphere in the Great Hall, became filled with a dynamic force that everyone in the room became aware of, to stand waiting in hushed anticipation.
Catherine put down her glass, her stomach knotted with a creeping excitement that brought about a fresh wave of desire with such an intensity that it frightened her.
“Catherine you are melting again.” whispered Devin. Catherine smiled at him, moistening her dry lips with the tip of her tongue, “I cannot help myself Devin”, she whispered back, “He is so gorgeous.”
Her knees felt weak, and her breath seemed to have been suspended long ago. Vincent continued to just look at her, as an interchange of emotions ran high between them. He swallowed with difficulty as he looked at her beauty, and his legs felt weakened. Then the realisation slowly came to him that she was at last his, and a low groan issued from his throat, which Father instantly recognised, and became afraid for Vincent, for Catherine. He had seen Vincent lost to the passion before, but never in public, and he wondered what Vincent might do next.
Savouring the moment, Vincent looked at his wife, while Catherine looked ready to collapse and held onto Mary’s arm for support. Mary whispered into her ear, “See how he looks at you my dear, why I can feel his love for you from over here. Go to him Catherine, he needs you.”
“I...I cannot...my feet are made of lead.”
Suddenly, knowingly, Vincent smiled at her, the moment passed and he was regaining himself once again. The smile encouraged Catherine and slowly they stepped towards one another.
Catherine could hear people holding their breath, and she smiled weakly at them, her eyes never leaving Vincent’s face, advancing slowly until they stood facing one another inches apart. Looking into his eyes, Catherine saw the passion rekindle, like deep liquid pools of love. Catherine whimpered and trembled as his hand came out to caress her cheek, sliding a finger delicately down to her throat, to rest on the accelerated pulse of her heartbeat.
“I love you Catherine,” Vincent told her, “With all that I am.”
Catherine swallowed with difficulty, “And I, Vincent, I love you with all that I am.”
Catherine positively smouldered beneath his hands, and her own snaked their way around his neck to fasten into the thick mane of his hair, to pull his hungry lips down to her own. Then amid oohs and arhs from the delighted audience, Vincent swept Catherine up into his arms, swung her around, and took her out through the doorway.
Their friends remained silent, not wishing to break the spell, grasping it to themselves, absorbing the scene before them, each going over and over it within their own hearts. They had never seen two people so in love and it brought them much happiness.
Finally Father cleared his throat, “Friends, let us toast the happy couple in their absence. I fear we will not see them both for quite some time.” And amid peals of laughter, everyone re-filled their glasses.
Vincent carried Catherine through the tunnels, his footsteps quickened, and they were both silent. Catherine snuggled against him listening to his racing heartbeat and clasped her arms tightly around his neck. She felt a ripple of apprehension run through her which surprised her.
“Don’t be afraid Catherine”, Vincent said, sensing her feelings.
Catherine let her fingers wind their way tantalisingly slow through his hair, touching his cheek, sliding her fingertips just briefly to his lips, Vincent shuddered and strode purposefully onwards.
Hearing a latch slide up, Catherine knew that they had arrived at their own chamber, and she kept her eyes tightly shut as she felt him push open the door with his shoulder and step inside to kick it closed again with his foot. Her breath was coming faster, anticipating...that melting feeling washed over her like the waves of the sea, again and again, as she heard him open the bedroom door.
His breath was ragged now, as he gently put her down to stand with her hands still wound around his neck, her eyes open and burning into his. Vincent brought his lips down to capture her own, pressing his taut body against her softness. His hardness thrilled her, even that first time, it had not been like this.
Moaning beneath the devouring fire of his kisses, Catherine felt his hands unzip her dress and let it slide to the floor in a mountain of silk and lace at her feet, as her own hands travelled to his chest to ease away his clothing from off his shoulders, while their kisses of fire demanded more and more.
Lifting her, he carried her across to the bed and laid her gently down upon it. The satin drape covering the bed felt cool against her hot naked body, and she watched in fascination as Vincent shed the last of his clothing to stand naked before her, gazing down at her own beauty.
Catherine found she could not look into his eyes. He had never seen her naked before as she had never seen him. Unashamedly she reached for him, holding her arms open to him whispering, “Vincent...you are truly beautiful”
Lowering himself onto the bed beside her, he wanted her with every fibre of his being, he wanted to make love to her so desperately, yet he forced himself to slow it down, his will power was tremendous, for despite what Devin had said, Vincent wanted to make this first time since their marriage the one to remember, if only he could.
Caressing her skin, allowing his gliding hands the pleasure of her silkiness, the sight of her inflamed him, and as her own hands caressed his body, unusually smooth and hairless in places, Vincent groaned with longing. With her hands teasing his body, his breath quickened as she rolled over to trail burning kisses behind the path her cool fingers had trod. Her lips moved tantalisingly over his stomach down towards his groin and then back up again, and Vincent moaned softly, and then more deeply as her hands gently stroked the insides of his legs, up and ever closer to the throbbing of his desire, until her fingertips brushed against his burning flesh and Vincent groaned from deep within and knew he could take no more. He pulled her back up against the length of his body, which in itself thrilled him, and they looked into one another’seyes. “Catherine...” her name caught in his throat, “I can bear it no longer.”
Catherine smiled, bending her head to claim his lips once more and gently manoeuvred herself so that he could lie above her. Winding her legs around his hips, she pinned him against her body, and with her hands caressing his back, she whispered, “Vincent...love me.”
Their hips moved in harmony as he penetrated into her moistness and she gasped. And as he silenced her cries with his kisses, their bodies moved and exploded together.
Vincent thought he would never stop. Each time he began to feel the peace wash over him, he felt the familiar stirrings of desire mounting all over again. He did not know whether it was after the third or the fourth time when the mists finally cleared from his mind and he was able to think clearly once again. His voice was tight with emotion when he finally spoke to her.
“Catherine... forgive me. I just could not stop.”
Opening her eyes, he was stunned at the depth of love he saw within them, “You don’t need to apologise Vincent, my need was just as great as your own.”
“It was so beautiful Catherine, yet I do feel ashamed at using you so.”
“Vincent you could never use me, what you wanted, I wanted. I craved your love making Vincent and you have satisfied that craving. How do you feel my love?”
“Exhausted”, he replied and she laughed out loud. She loved him so much.
“I love you”, he said softly, and rolled from off her, to lay with his head propped on one hand to gaze down at her beauty. She closed her eyes as his fingers traced a path along her creamy softness, coming to rest upon her breast, and she murmured with delight as his lips followed the path his hands had taken with kisses of fire, burning, burning...
His desire soon rose again, like a tidal wave that flooded his senses, her presence filled him to capacity, and he was shocked to find that he wanted to love her again so soon, and dismayed at allowing the craving to rule him, but Catherine understood, “Its all right Vincent, don’t be ashamed. This is new to us, me and you together like this, and besides... I want you again too.” Their connection heightened the intensity of their love, enabling each to know the other’s needs and desires, and as they came together once again, this time it became one for the memory. They spent time caressing, touching, exploring, kissing, fuelled by their emphatic connection, to know what each required of the other, enjoying one another’s bodies, delighting in the sensations and talking about how it made them feel. They learned about one another, knowing which places to touch that thrilled each of them the most. They talked about their wedding, about her dress, the beautiful folds of white satin and lace studded with tiny pink pearls and rosebuds. The ribbons in her hair, the pink roses of her bouquet, how it had been Mary who had caught it when Catherine had thrown it behind her, and saw the adoring look that Mary cast in Father’s direction which unfortunately he had missed.
They talked about the moment when in full view of their friends Vincent had lifted her up and carried her off to consummate their marriage.
“One moment I was standing there talking to Peter,” said Vincent trailing his fingertip up and down her arm, giving her goose-bumps, “and the next I felt this magnetic pull and I could not take my eyes from off you.”
“And I felt your eyes burning into my back, and do you know Vincent, I felt nervous.”
He nodded, “I know, yet your passion swamped your nervousness, when you returned my gaze.”
“I felt that we were the only two in the room.”
“As did I, until I heard everyone start to shuffle backwards to make a pathway between us. I feel embarrassed now to think of it, whatever must they have thought?”
“They were loving every moment of it Vincent. Weddings are a time for memories, each and every one of them that know the joy of that first night, re-lived it over again at that moment.”
“What was it that Devin whispered to you. It seemed to be some secret that the two of you share?”
Catherine laughed, “Devin tells me that I melt every time I think of you, and he told me I was melting again.”
Vincent tightened his arms around her, “How about we melt together now?”
“What again!” she teased him.
“Again Catherine...” he replied his were eyes smouldering pools of hunger, “again, and again and again and again and...”
*** *** ***Chapter Twenty-Two
Devin was leaving. Holding Gerry in his arms she clung to him, “You will be back won’t you?” she wailed.
“Of course, don’t fret so honey, and when I do, we shall be married. I will not be gone long.”
“I wish that I could come with you.”
“It is too dangerous Gerry. Besides, Reidel and Kogler may be in New York by now, they will be looking for you and your mother.”
“But suppose they see you?”
“I am a master of disguises Gerry, don’t worry about me, they won’t find me.”
“Will you bring Charles back with you?”
“Perhaps, but really there is something I want to work on that doesn’t include Charles on this occasion.”
“What is it?”
“Its something I have to do for Vincent...and Catherine...and you and me.” he added, “Believe me Gerry, I have to do this thing, and it will be wonderful for all of us.”
Gerry nodded. She sensed the need in him, knew her brother meant the world to Devin, yet she loved him so much, she could hardly bear to be without him, if only for a short time, even with the arrangements to make for their own wedding. “When are you leaving Devin?”
“I had hoped to be gone by now, but I want to first say farewell to Vincent and Catherine, that is if they ever leave their chamber, its been two days already, if nothing else, they must be getting hungry.”
“They will be feasting on each other Devin.” she laughed at the thought of it.
“Yes but two whole days!”
“What’s two whole days?” Devin turned at the sound of Vincent’s voice, and saw him pick his way carefully down the steps into the guest chamber, smiling in the knowledge of the answer.
“Vincent at last! How was it...I mean...oh forget it?” he looked clearly embarrassed, he always seemed to say the wrong thing. Vincent came to put his arm around Devin’s shoulders, and they shared an expression that told Devin all he needed to know. Vincent seemed different, relaxed, more mature somehow. “Where’s Cathy?” Devin asked him.
“Sleeping.” Vincent replied softly.
“Oh poor Catherine, Vincent! Have you worn her out so?”
Vincent smiled, “Don’t feel sorry for her Devin, Catherine gives as good as she gets,” and Devin saw proof of that as Vincent lowered himself stiffly into a chair wincing with the pain, “ I don’t know which part of my body aches the most.” he said.
Gerry blushed at the interchange between the two brothers, and slipped away quietly, leaving them to talk alone.
“Seriously Vincent, did everything go well?” Devin asked him.
“Yes it was perfect. Though I am ashamed to say, that I thought the passion would never subside. I was driven by a desire so strong that it frightened me by its intensity, and though I am here with you now, still my body yearns for Catherine. I feel almost ashamed to be this way.”
“Why? I think from what you have said that those feelings are normal. You don’t want to let them spoil what you have shared, what you will continue to share. I only hope that my wedding night is just as...memorable.”
Vincent looked up at him as he spoke, it was good to speak like this with Devin, “Have you decided yet when that will be Devin?”
“Yes I am leaving today to go to see Charles in the Appalachian Mountains and I will return as soon as I have put my other plan into shape. That is what I want to talk to you about Vincent, when I return I plan to marry Gerry and take her along with yourself and Cathy to fulfil your dream. Believe me Vincent, you are going to love this, and we, all four of us are going to have a wonderful time.”
“Your excitement makes it sound almost believable, so enchanting that I can hardly wait to see it accomplished...yet I find it hard to believe that it will be so. It is all I have ever dreamed of.”
“This is for Catherine too Vincent, she needs to share this time with you. Catherine is very special to me too.” Devin hesitated, and Vincent looked up at him, could see he was having trouble saying what else was on his mind, he wondered about it as Devin went on, “Don’t take this the wrong way Vincent, but as much as I love Gerry, given another life, I could love Catherine too.”
“Yes I know.” Vincent’s quietly spoken words startled Devin, “I have felt that in you, and when the two of you were away together it tormented me dreadfully, but I hoped that I could trust you, even when I felt you kiss her.”
“You knew about that!” Devin shook his head in disbelief.
“Yes.” Vincent’s piercing blue eyes seemed to delve right into his soul, and Devin could not look away, “I’m sorry Vincent,” he told him sincerely.
“For what? If not for you Catherine may never have come home. I owe you my life. My happiness now.”
“Catherine loves you Vincent, she never responded to me.”
“I know.”
“It still hurt though, admit it?”
“Yes it hurt, it cut through me like a two edged sword, but I got over it, and its in the past now, it doesn’t matter anymore. I forgive you.”
“Forgive him for what, what has Devin done this time?” Catherine’s lilting voice came from behind the two of them, neither had heard her approach. She crossed the room to stand behind Vincent’s chair to drape her arms around his shoulders.
Devin shook his head, “Its nothing to worry about Cathy, just light-hearted banter between brothers.”
Vincent reached for Catherine, pulling her around to sit on his lap, “I thought you were sleeping my love.” he said.
“I was, then I awoke and found you gone. The bed seemed too big and lonely, so I came looking for you.”
He kissed her forehead, letting his hand stroke her hair. Devin watched them happily at this quiet interchange of affection between the two of them. Gone now was the desperate drive of passion, only a relaxed mood surrounded the pair of lovers.
“Well I had best get on my way,” Devin told them, “I’d better go and find the old man, will the two of you still be here when I come back with him, to say goodbye?”
Catherine looked into Vincent’s eyes. She loved the feel of him, holding him against her was such a joy, being able to have the right to touch him, for him to touch her. Devin watched mesmerised as they kissed passionately, forgetting he was there.
“Vincent?” Devin prompted again.
“Mmm?”
“Will you still be here then?” he asked, walking towards the entrance way to the tunnels.
“Maybe”, Vincent replied, between kisses, then to himself he added, ‘ Though more probably not,’ as he again felt the desire for his wife grow rapidly and sweep through him once more.
*** *** ***
Epilogue
The sound of running feet and the squeals of laughter woke Catherine. Vincent stirred beside her, and in sleep gathered her to him, as Catherine opened her eyes to see the sunshine streaming in through a chink in the curtains, and sat up to see what had disturbed her.
Gerry was chasing Devin around the boat holding a wet fish in her hands trying to smack him with it, as he dodged and ducked around her. Throwing the wet fish at him, it landed flat on the top of his head and peals of laughter broke from Catherine.
“Right I’ll get you for that”, she heard Devin shout and watched in glee as Gerry raced past the window with Devin in hot pursuit.
“Are they at it again?” Vincent yawned, waking beside her.
“Yes, just look at Devin with that stupid fish on his head, I hope it isn’t the same one as yesterday, it will stink by now.”
Vincent sat himself up, and plumped up the pillows, to lean back upon them and look out at the scene outside.
Gerry weaved deftly in and out of the chairs and tables on the deck as Devin made a grab for her, and the fish slid over his eyes. Gerry collapsed into fits of laughter at the sight of the wet fish slipping over his face to fall off his chin with a plop as it hit the deck.
“You can laugh, but you haven’t won yet. Your punishment is to kiss these fishy lips of mine.” Devin shouted over to her.
“No thanks,” Gerry raced off out of his reach once again, but as Devin lunged forward to grab her, he trod on the fish which slipped on the deck, and his legs went from under him. There was a loud thud, and then silence.
Catherine was concerned, “Do you think he is all right Vincent?”
“He’s probably play acting Catherine. You watch.”
Gerry retraced her steps cautiously. She was used to Devin pretending to be hurt so that when she came close enough he could grab her, but this time he had gone down so hard, that she was unsure.
“Devin?” she asked anxiously, “Are you hurt?”
There was no reply.
She could see the rise and fall of his chest and felt relieved, but his eyes were closed, and she felt certain he was unconscious, and there was no response via the Bond.
“Vincent! Come quick, Devin is hurt”, she cried, calling back towards the cabin.
Vincent remained where he was.
“Aren’t you going to go, Vincent?” Catherine asked anxiously, “Devin may really be injured this time.”
Vincent shook his head as his face creased with laughter, “No he isn’t.”
“Surely Gerry would know either way, don’t you think?”
Vincent shrugged, “Maybe, but he could be shutting her out. I still think he is play acting.”
Gerry knelt beside Devin, ‘Why didn’t Vincent come?’ Was Devin unconscious? Should she do something? Putting a tender hand beneath Devin’s head she brought her face down to give him resuscitation. Just as her lips met his, Devin’s arms came around her pinning her to him.
“You rat!” she screamed, “I really thought you were hurt.”
He grimaced as he spoke, “I am, feel the bump on my head, I think I was knocked out. One moment I was chasing you, and the next you were kissing me. What happened?”
“You slipped on that fish. Oh Devin, I’m so sorry.”
“That’s okay, but I think I ought to go and lie down, won’t you join me Mrs. Wells?”
Gerry thrilled at the sound of her new name, and helping him to stand, they started to make their way to their cabin when Devin said, “Of course you do know that makes me the winner don’t you?”
“Oh no...” Gerry began, “Please Devin NO!”, he picked her up and tossed her overboard, a huge splash signalling the winner.
“Who won today?” Vincent asked sleepily, as Catherine had remained watching the pair. “It was Devin, for a change, but he’s in for it now, you should see Gerry’s face, she looks furious.”
“And wet?” Vincent chuckled, his eyes still closed, as he leaned against the pillows.
“And wet.” Catherine derived immense pleasure at this daily chase of Devin and Gerry’s. It had all started the first morning they had anchored off from this quiet unspoilt bay. Devin had hooked up a rod to catch breakfast, and Gerry told him she had read of a better way. They made a bet, the one that caught a fish cooked breakfast, and the loser joined the fish of the sea. It was just a game, but when Gerry trailed her fingers in the ocean and the fish came up to nibble at them, she made a grab for one, caught it, and declared herself the winner.
“That’s not fair!” Devin had shouted, “You never used a rod.”
“Who said anything about rods, we were talking about fish.” Gerry shouted back at him.
“Fish and rods go together.” Devin called back.
“Not so.” Gerry called back with glee, “Fish and chips go together.”
Catherine could still hear Vincent’s deep rumble of laughter at the answer even now, and remembering she still found it immensely funny herself.
Since that day they had played their game every morning, whoever caught the fish was the expert fisherman, and the loser was tossed overboard, but first the winner had to catch the loser!
Now as Gerry came back on board dripping wet, she sprang at Devin and though he tried to evade her, her claws caught his arm scratching it badly, “You little wildcat...” he yelled after her.
Turning and seeing what she had done, Gerry was immediately remorseful, and came to him submissively, “Devin, I’m sorry,” she purred, “I really never meant to do that.” She slipped her arms around his waist and nibbled his ear, her lips brushing soft kisses down his throat to nibble his shoulder, trailing round to fasten onto his mouth. Devin’s eyes filled with hunger and just as he was about to return her kiss, he noticed the glint in her eyes as she whispered softly, “Of course, you know the best thing for a wound like that is... salt water!” and she pushed him backwards so that he began to topple overboard. Clinging to her, he took her with him.
An enormous splash startled Vincent, who had almost gone back to sleep, “What was that!” he sat bolt upright, to find Catherine doubled with laughter, shaking her head, “They have both gone overboard this time.” she managed to say. Catherine listened as the pair of them splashed about in the water, she didn’t worry about them further. They would either climb up on board, or they would swim to the beach. Either way the end result would be the same, they would fold into one another’s arms and make love.
Catherine snuggled down beneath the sheets to lie with Vincent. The love displays between Devin and Gerry always thrilled her. Vincent sensing her need, put his arm beneath her shoulders to let her lie with her head upon his chest. They lay there for some time, neither speaking, just dozing, blissfully aware of one another. Catherine traced her fingertips idly over the silken fur on his torso, her mind was far away.
“Catherine?” he asked, sensing something was on her mind.
“Vincent, I have something to tell you.”
“What is that my love?”
“I think I may be pregnant again.”
Vincent smiled, and increased his hold of her, “Well that was to be expected. How does it make you feel?”
“I don’t know. I should have taken something. Jacob is not quite a year old yet.”
“Does that matter Catherine?”
“No, not necessarily. Its just that when I remember the way I became afterwards. Vincent, I don’t ever want to feel that way again.”
Vincent nodded understanding, “This time will be different Catherine, before your life was unstable, you didn’t know where you belonged. Now you are secure, and it will be good for Jacob.”
“And you, Vincent, how do you feel about it?” she rose a little so that she could see his expression when he answered.
“Don’t be anxious Catherine. I will always take care of you, and all our children. It makes me feel elated, alive and... Catherine?”
“Yes Vincent?”
He tilted her face to his, the look of love she saw there thrilled her and she drowned in the blue ocean of his eyes.
“I love you Catherine.” he told her softly, gathering her close against him.
*** *** ***
“I wonder where they could have got to?” Catherine was worried. Usually by now Devin and Gerry were long back.
Vincent tried not to let her know his concern, he didn’t want her worrying about unnecessary things, “They will be back soon, Devin wouldn’t take Gerry far, its too risky, he knows that. Come Catherine sit down here beside me, and let me tell you how much I love you.”
Taking his hand, Catherine lowered herself onto the deck, looking mischievous, “So tell me Vincent?”
He put his arm around her shoulders. Just her nearness inflamed him. Having her beside him with the hot sun blazing down upon them and seeing her tanned skin where the white bikini did not touch, was almost too much for him. She heard a slow rumble begin deep within his chest and recognised the signs, “Vincent!” she reprimanded him, “You said we would talk?”
He laughed at her, “And so we shall my love, afterwards.”
“Oh no, Vincent, not this time, there is more to life than sex.”
“Is there Catherine? Once I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you, but now...now I know this all consuming fire that can only be extinguished by our sharing this love...I’m afraid that I seem incapable of thinking about little else.”
Catherine lay her head on his shoulder and smiled, “I do love you Vincent, and every moment we have shared making love has been perfect beyond words, yet I miss our conversations, I miss your reading to me, listening to music, talking about life. Can we re-capture those things?”
“We never lost them my Catherine, They have just been filed away for a time. I have had so many new things come into my life that the things of my past have become unimportant to me, and having you here with me, knowing it is forever, is the best thing of all.”
“I find it hard to believe sometimes Vincent, that there was ever a time when I did not have you in my life. How I survived so long without you, I will never know. And to think that there were times when I was listening to the concert in the park, that you were just feet away beneath me, it seems incredulous. Its almost as if we were meant to be together, we just had to wait until the day when our paths crossed.”
He nodded, “Yes Catherine, I would listen to the people enjoying the music and sometimes I would feel so alone, having no-one to share it with me, yet now when I think back to those times, they aren’t so poignant anymore, because I now know that you were there, and I wasn’t alone after all.”
Catherine nodded, she felt the same way. “Once Vincent when I was there, I could only have been about nine or ten, and probably sat just inches from the grid, I was fiddling with a ring, that was too big as it had belonged to my grandmother, and it suddenly slipped off and fell down the grid, I was so upset to lose it, do you think anyone Below could have found it?”
“I have your ring Catherine.”
Catherine struggled to sit up to stare at him open mouthed, “You do! You found it?”
“It landed in my lap. I have it in a chest in my chamber. I used to sit and look into the diamonds, see their vibrant flashing colours and wonder who had looked at them before me. I cannot believe it was you.”
“Vincent this is marvellous. I can hardly believe it. You would not believe the days that I cried over losing it. I loved that ring, I too used to wonder about the people who had watched the colours sparkle before me, I used to watch my grandmother holding it up to the light, and it was a very old ring, her grandmother owned it before that.”
“There is something else too Catherine.”
“What?”
“The following day after you lost the ring, you came back to look for it didn’t you?”
“Yes, I hoped that the sunshine might pick out the diamonds and I could get a stick and retrieve the ring, but I could see no sign of it. Vincent...did you see me?”
“Yes I watched you from below, rummaging around on your hands and knees above the grid, I can see your face so clearly now. I marvelled at the colour of your hair beneath the sunlight, the anxiety in your eyes, I wanted so desperately to pass the ring back to you, but knew I could not. Its funny how I had forgotten, now knowing it was you seems too incredulous for words. Even more so as we were both only children then. We could have become such good friends.”
“Imagine Vincent, our paths were on the brink of crossing even at that time, do you still doubt that we were meant to be together?”
“Not anymore. Its sad isn’t it Catherine, to think of, we were both so young then, look what we missed. Our lives could have been so much fuller if we had met at that time.”
Catherine sadly nodded in agreement, words could not express the feeling of time lost.
The sound of approaching voices however, lifted Catherine’s spirits, and she got up to see Devin and Gerry swimming towards the boat.
“Where have you been? I have been so worried.” she scolded.
“Sorry mum”, Devin called back cheekily, “But look what we have found.”
He pulled his dripping body onto the deck, and put out a hand to Gerry to pass him their find. “Look Vincent, fresh coconuts, if you have never tasted fresh coconuts you have never lived.”
“Oh its years since I had one”, Catherine exclaimed, “Were they lying on the beach, they look so fresh?”
“Were they heck, I pointed them out to Gerry, and told her how I wished I could rock the tree and bring them down, when she suddenly scaled the tree like a squirrel, and was tossing them down to me.”
“I almost killed him, “Gerry giggled, “One just missed his head.”
“And I bet he got you back for that, didn’t he?” Vincent asked chuckling.
“But of course, though he had to get me out of the tree first.” Gerry laughed out loud as she thought of Devin’s futile efforts to climb the tree.
“In the end I threw a coconut back at her, and she lost her balance and fell to the ground. She landed on her feet.”
“How surprising,” Catherine remarked dryly.
Vincent threw a cushion at her, “If I didn’t know you so well Catherine, I’d say you were mocking the make up of my sister.”
The four of them laughed out loud.
“Come let’s eat,” said Devin, rubbing himself dry with a towel, “You would not believe how hungry I am.”
Gerry put her arms around his waist, and pulled him against her, “But darling, have you not feasted all day?” she purred.
“You will be the death of me Gerry”, and then turning to Vincent and Catherine he added, “I don’t know where she gets all her energy from. Catherine is Vincent anything like her?”
“No,” Catherine replied, winking at Vincent, “he’s worse.”
*** *** ***
“Hey Cathy”, Devin called across to her later that day, Catherine was helping to clear away the dinner plates, and take them to Vincent and Gerry whose turn it was to wash and dry, she looked up to see Devin standing with a tape recorder in his hands.
“I didn’t know you had brought anything to listen to music on Devin.” she answered walking over to him.
“I’d forgotten I had, I brought it to have some fun on our last night here. How long is it since you went to a party Cath?”
“What kind of party?”
“What kind is there? The best. One filled with music, dancing and wine, one to make your senses reel. One for romance”, he added mischievously.
“What kind of music did you bring?”
“Oh none of your conventional stuff, plenty of time for that back home. I thought that as we were making this a holiday to remember for Vincent, we could let him live a little. Do you dance Cathy?”
“What to pop music? Yes I do, its been quite a while, but yes I can do it.”
“Great, then we my dear, are going to show these two what it is really like to be alive!”
They set the scene, much to the amusement of Vincent and Gerry who were looking on. Clearing deck space, Devin hung balloons and lanterns high above the deck, to catch the atmosphere, and Catherine found the wine and left it in a bucket of cold water to chill, while Devin sorted out the tapes.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Vincent asked them.
“No, Vincent, you conserve your energy. Cathy and I are going to show you both what to do, and then we expect you and Gerry to join us.”
The sun had just started to set, before Devin and Catherine were satisfied with their work, “Now all that remains is to be dressed for the occasion,” Catherine said, “I am not dancing in my swim wear.”
Going to the cabin to change, Vincent followed her. His eyes lit up when she peeled the bikini from her skin, and grasping her from behind he flung her down onto the bunk with him.
His hands caressed her smooth satiny skin, and shivers coursed through her veins. After the humour they had shared all day, it felt good to be serious again. Catherine rolled to face him, and he brought his face down to her breast. Her breath caught in her throat as his tongue tantalised her nipple and traced a line of soft kisses across her skin. His nearness and the rising of his desire, made her throw her arms around him clinging to him, drawing him closer to her.
“Catherine”, he murmured, her name between kisses, his eyes had become pools of unleashed passion, and Catherine moaned. She felt the power of her love surging through her body, wave after wave that crashed against unseen rocks, and wound her legs around his back.
Suddenly a hammering on the door, startled them, “Cathy! Are you ready yet?”
“Go away!” Vincent roared, and heard Devin laugh, “Come on Vincent let her go, plenty of time for that later. The show must begin.”
Trembling against the pull to quench their desire, they both drew apart, though their eyes drank in one another’s passion, and reluctantly Catherine tore herself away from Vincent’s arms to dress.
The music was already blaring, long before Catherine and Vincent walked hand in hand back to the deck.
“You call that music?” Vincent shouted raising his hands to cover his ears.
“Yes, isn’t it fantastic?” Devin shouted back, “Cathy come show me your favourites, I’ll set them up to come on next.”
Going over to stand at his side, Catherine flipped through the box of tapes. Several caught her eye, then she noticed one that really made her smile. Nudging Devin she told him, “You have simply got to play this one.”
He took it from her, “Good choice Cathy, I’ll make sure it comes on when the stars come out, its one of my favourites too, it makes me think of my childhood, and he started to sing, “Starry, starry night,” the words of the song, Vincent by Don McLean, as he then selected a song that would really get the party underway.
Catherine was surprised at how the pull of the music stimulated her. It had been months since she had danced, the last time in London with Joanna, and while the tranquil music of Beethoven had a calming effect on her, pop music had the total opposite. Drinking the wine she felt the liquid set her pulses racing and combined with the beat of the music, the lanterns shining brightly overhead and the man she loved by her side, Catherine felt complete.
Devin grabbed her hand, “Time to let yourself go Cath”, he cried, pulling her onto the dance floor, “Too many wallflowers around here already. Start as you mean to go on, that’s what I say.”
Catherine found it easy to dance to the wild music. It took her back years, even further than the time in London, and closing her eyes, she let her body groove to the music. Vincent watched her in fascination as her body twisted and turned in time to the beat.
“Look what we have missed Vincent!” Gerry came to stand alongside him, “It looks fun doesn’t it?” she closed her eyes and let the music pull her. Vincent watched with humour as her hips started to move of their own accord, and she joined the two on the dance floor. He was amazed, that someone who had never danced this way before could take to it so naturally. Her cat-like grace stunned him, and he looked at Devin who was watching her keenly and saw the unmistakable rising of Devin’s desire for his wife.
Vincent chuckled, he could understand Devin’s feelings, for the sensuous way that Catherine moved was making his own body react in the same way. Reaching for Vincent, as she passed breathlessly by, Catherine told him, “Vincent, come enjoy the music, let it wash over you. Close your eyes and let the beat guide you.”
“If I close my eyes Catherine, I might fall overboard.” he told her dryly.
Catherine giggled. He had never seen her quite like this. She smiled at him, pulling him onto the dance floor, “Its the wine darling,” she told him, “It has gone straight to my head.”
“And I thought it was my love that intoxicated you.”
She laughed gaily, and Vincent allowed her to lead him into the dance as the music changed to a sensuous song, and he closed his eyes and leaned against her, letting his body move in time to the music. He found that the sensations it brought him were magical, breathless and fun.
For hours they danced and drank and kissed. The wine made them sillier and sillier but they didn’t care, they were wrapped in one another, and Devin and Gerry had long retired to their cabin, leaving the two of them alone, lost in one another’s passion.
The moon had risen, and the stars blazed overhead, Vincent had never felt so happy, or so in love.
The music changed again, and through the mists in her mind, Catherine became aware of the sound and the lyrics of Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. It had been years since she had heard it, “Oh Vincent, I love this song. Listen to it with me, hold me tighter my love.”
Putting his arms tightly around her, they moved with the music, listening to the words, and Catherine lay her head on his shoulder and sighed. Listening to the song, the closeness of him, the beauty of the night, nothing could be better. It was sheer perfection.
“Catherine,” he said, as the song came to an end and there was silence as the tape recorder switched itself off, “There is just one last thing I would like to do.”
“What is that Vincent”, she asked dreamily.
“To swim beneath the stars in this glorious ocean with you.”
“Then let's do it.”
“But I have no swim wear on Catherine. And neither do you.”
“Then we can skinny-dip.”
She laughed at his expression.
“That’s go naked Vincent. Come on you will love it.”
His eyes widened, “Yes I think I shall.”
The water was as cool as silk upon their skin, and the salty freshness delighted them as they floated on their backs looking up at the stars. “This is wonderful Catherine. I shall remember this night all my life.”
“Yes Vincent, from now on when we walk beneath the moon in Central Park, we shall come back here in our minds. I love you so much Vincent, our relationship is like a fairy tale come true. You are my prince.”
He was thoughtful at her words and after a time, drew in a deep breath, “If only it were that Catherine. If only as in fairy tales you could kiss me and turn me into a real man. One that does not have to hide in the shadows, one that could walk at your side every day in the sunlight. That is what I wish for with all my heart.”
“Vincent do you think I would care for you more if you looked totally as a man. I find you overwhelmingly attractive as you are Vincent.”
she laughed gaily, “Especially when you wear those swimming trunks.” the thought stirred her.
But Vincent did not return her humour, he was serious, “That’s because you know me, you see what is inside and not what is outside. Others see me and shudder, I become their nightmares not their dreams.”
“Vincent what we have is beyond reality. You stop and think for a moment. If you were the man you wish to be, there is so much you would never have known. Vincent I have known these real men. Their cultural background is the same as yours, they too, have a family that love them, every which way I look I see similarities to you, but my world has made them ruthless. They think they love, they do not, they think they put others ahead of themselves, they do not. My world is full of selfish men Vincent, full of people trying to be better than the next man. In stark contrast Vincent, your world brings out the best in a man, makes him work for the good of others. Someone like you Vincent, would not have survived in my world, for your heart is too pure.”
“Then I would wish to be a real man in my world Catherine. To give you all you have ever known. Not expecting that you should give up your life Above to live Below with me, to spend it in secrecy, to give up your friends, not being able to take our children to the places that you went as a child, all the little things Catherine that mean so much. I have stolen them from you, because we dared to love.”
“Vincent can I never say anything to convince you? Where would I have been now, but for you, the night you found me in the park. If you were not one for the shadows Vincent, would you have been there when I needed you the most. But for you Vincent I could be dead, I owe you my life, and it is unthinkable that I dedicate it to anyone but you.”
Vincent sighed, “Catherine I can never thank you enough for loving me as you do, so unselfishly. Sometimes though with all that we have shared, I find myself believing it is all a dream. That I will wake up and you will not exist. How can one so beautiful as yourself look at me and see the handsome man you claim to see before you. I find it beyond comprehension that you can give yourself to me the way that you do. When I used to come to your balcony, I thought I would die from shame for you to see how I felt about you. When you touched me, I felt burned. I craved you incessantly, you do not know how often I wanted to love you, the desire drove me insane.”
“I do know these things Vincent. Do you think you were the only one that had those feelings? I knew how you felt by the savagery of your killings. Can you understand how it made me feel to know that you vented your frustration in that way? I wanted you so much Vincent, the way a woman wants the man she loves, yet I had to be patient and wait until you realised this was the only way forward for us.”
Vincent drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly, “She was right of course, he had seen the desire in her eyes, it had fuelled his own desire for her, on more than one occasion.
They drifted to the shore and got up out of the ocean, Catherine shivered and instinctively Vincent put his arms around her.
“I never realised we had floated so far from the boat,” she told him, “ I feel so tired, I don’t think I could swim back. Should we stay the night on the beach do you think?”
“I’d like nothing more Catherine.”
They walked hand in hand across the sand deep in thought, remembering the way things had once been, until they reached a canopy of palm trees, and lay down beneath them. The sand was still quite warm, even though the sun had long set, and Vincent revelled in its gritty softness against his skin, the warm night air upon his nakedness.
So much had happened to him these past ten days, so many first times to delight his senses.
Pulling Catherine into his arms, he felt her relax and knew she was sleeping, yet he did not want to close his eyes. Tomorrow was to be their last day in this paradise, and he wanted to take it with him, every sight, every sound, every lingering sensation.
Watching Catherine sleeping, he felt a warm glow spread through him, their child lay beneath her heart, a brother or a sister for Jacob, and a great rush of love and pride swept over him. His Catherine, his wife, the mother of his children, the answer to his dreams, he loved her so much.
Allowing his mind to drift back to the day when Devin had returned from his trip to his home in the Appalachian Mountains, Vincent smiled at the memory. He and his mother and sister had grown so close and had taken to spending time by the mirror pool where it was tranquil and quiet, and afforded them time to think and remember things from their pasts that each needed to hear, when suddenly Gerry sprang to her feet, “Devin!” she cried, “He’s back”, and she was gone in an instant, leaving Vincent and Marie stunned by her speed.
“That’s how I must have looked every time Catherine was near,” Vincent told his mother. She patted his arm, “Does me good, you and Catherine together.” and he had hugged her. “Catherine is a wonderful woman Mama, and so are you.”
Marie had blushed happily and took hold of his hand to help her to her feet, as they made to follow Gerry back towards the home chambers, just lost in one another, happy to be together at last.
And Devin had been beside himself, unable to contain his excitement the moment Vincent had walked through into Father’s chamber, “Vincent!, its all arranged, I’ve thought of everything.”
Catherine had frowned, what on earth was Devin talking about? Vincent seemed to know, and Father listening in, had grown anxious, “I’ve seen that look before my boy,” he’d told Devin, “What are you two up to this time?”
Vincent had crossed the room to stand beside Father and put an arm affectionately around the older man’s weary shoulder’s, “Don’t be cross Father, and try not to worry, but Devin has been working on a plan to let me see the sunshine.”
“Have you gone mad!” Father had exploded, “Of all the foolhardy things, Devin, you know it is impossible. If I thought there was ever the slightest chance I would encourage you wholeheartedly, but there isn’t, it just isn’t possible.”
“But it is Father, this time I have arranged it properly, it is foolproof.”
“Rubbish Devin, you are the only fool to believe this.”
“NO!” Devin would not be put off, not this time, “I have thought of everything, look Father, Cathy and I brought Gerry and Marie thousands of miles in an aeroplane, did you not think I wouldn’t feel afraid about that. If they were to be spotted, especially Gerry. We had to walk across the airstrip to the plane, had to walk up and down mountains before that, people were everywhere, but we always dodged them.”
“So, you think dodging crowds in New York city, will be as easy as a few mountain folk, do you?” Father snapped.
“No, I would not be so stupid, but I did have a plan incase anything went wrong, and now I have enlarged on it, I believe it will work.”
“Huh! you and your plans, they have almost got Vincent into trouble in the past, you think you have covered every avenue, but in your quest to satisfy you always leave out some important aspect.”
“Not this time Father, I truly have thought of everything.”
“Then run this great plan by me then Devin, and let me be the judge of that.”
Sitting down, everyone listened intently while Devin unravelled his plan, “I well know that people in the city would notice Vincent and Gerry if they were to go Above. So I had to think of something so that if they were seen, it would not matter, it could be explained, in terms they would accept.
The thought came to me, if I got a boat and had on board, costumes, makeup, masks, cameras, props, food, drink and three very special people, then I could make the people Above conclude that I was making a movie. And if we left at nightfall few would see us anyway. We could take the boat off to an uninhabited cove I have already chosen, and then Vincent, Cathy, Gerry and I could spend ten glorious sun filled days just swimming, sunbathing and enjoying ourselves. But most of all Vincent would get to feel the sunshine upon his skin, and Catherine, Gerry and I would get to share that joy with him.”
Father was thoughtful. Vincent watched the many expressions that etched his face while Devin had spoken. He himself liked the sound of it, it could work, and looking at Catherine he could tell she was impressed also, it was all she had ever wanted to be there when his dream came true, but Vincent knew that he would only agree, if Father was easy about it. He could not bear to go and have Father worry about him so. Finally Father nodded, “Okay, it might work. I’m sorry Devin, it would appear that for once I have underestimated you. When did you plan to go?”
“The day after tomorrow Father, that is if Gerry is ready to marry me tomorrow first.”
The wedding had been fabulous, and Vincent and Catherine renewed their own vows silently with their eyes as they listened to Devin and Gerry say theirs. And Father was so proud to welcome Gerry as his new daughter. “Now I have my life complete”, he had told everyone, his eyes be-dimming with tears, “To have a unique son like Vincent is one thing, but to have a unique daughter like Gerry too, well, what more could a man wish for?”
The following night was one Vincent would always remember, as the four of them had left Father, Mary, Marie and Jacob, and headed for the dock. And they never encountered a single soul, much to their relief and had sailed out to this beautiful isolated cove.
And Vincent would never forget that first morning. Lying on the bunk alongside Catherine, the first thing he became aware of before he opened his eyes was the bright sunlight upon his eyelids.
Knowing he was awake Catherine had spoken softly to him, “Vincent keep your eyes closed, and take my hand, I am going to lead you up onto the deck. Devin and Gerry are already outside waiting for us.”
Careful not to let him stumble, Catherine had led him to where Devin waited with a camera to capture Vincent’s first expression of the sun on his face, the sea breeze in his hair. And even with his eyes tightly closed, Vincent had felt that new experience. He had delighted in the feel of the breeze upon his skin, ruffling his hair, the tangy salty smell of the ocean, the warm sunlight upon his face.
Opening his eyes he was spellbound by the scenery around him. The colours so vibrant, so bright, the ocean so blue, so clear, the pretty little fish as they darted beneath the softly rippling water, the beach just yards away with its golden inviting sand, the towering palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, and the sunlight...the sunlight...more than he had imagined, blazing down upon him, upon Catherine, picking out the colour of her beautiful hair, magnifying everything in its brilliance, enhancing every colour, lighting up the shadows, lighting up Catherine’s eyes.
Devin had clicked the camera, again and again, using up two whole rolls, at Vincent’s changing awesome expressions. Devin had never known such satisfaction. At last here, he had given to his brother what he had always dreamed of, which most people took for granted, but to Vincent had been the most elusive, to stand beneath the sunlight with those that he loved. And as Father could not be there to share this momentous occasion, Devin had thought of the photographs to capture the moment for him.
From that day on the four of them had swum in the crystal water, had build sand castles like children, had collected sea-shells, sunbathed and enjoyed one another’s company. The fun they had, the silly things they had done, even Devin and Gerry’s daily chase around the boat, all these things had sent Vincent’s spirit soaring. He was free, for the first time in his life he was free, and he had loved every second of it.
Catherine stirred beside him, her eyes opened, “Vincent? Are you still awake?”
“Yes I was reminiscing on everything. It has been more than wonderful being here these last ten days, having you and Devin and Gerry to share everything with me, the best days of my life, and I don’t want it to end. Yet tomorrow we must start the journey home. So I don’t want to close my eyes, Catherine, I want to savour each last moment.”
“Vincent there is just one more thing we must do, to add to this treasure.”
“What is that my love?”
“To make love Vincent, here on the sand, beneath the stars with the sound of the breeze singing in the palm trees. I want to capture this night in my heart forever.”
Hours later, they awoke to the sunrise upon the aqua blue of the ocean, setting a golden trail across the rippling water. It reminded Catherine of molten gold drifting towards them.
“Vincent?” she rocked him gently to wake him, “You have just got to see this.”
Vincent opened his eyes and sat up to drink in the scene that lay before him, “It is beautiful, Catherine, I am glad that you showed this to me, I would not have wanted to have missed this for the world.”
“Let’s swim back to the boat shall we, Vincent, in that golden sea, it will be a perfect end to a perfect vacation.”
Vincent nodded, and helped Catherine to her feet. The whole beach looked like grains of refined gold, and as they stepped into the water the shimmering, sparkling water turned their limbs to gold as they sank beneath its depths, as the sun turned the whole ocean golden, enriching the colour of the droplets of water upon their faces. Vincent reminded Catherine of a golden god with his flowing hair and beautiful golden fur, and she felt like his goddess.
Reaching the side of the boat, they stilled to listen, treading water, before climbing aboard, they were grateful to hear that neither Devin or Gerry were up to see their nakedness.
Then gathering their clothing in silence, they dressed, and watched in silence with arms entwined as the sun left the horizon to flame in the blue of the sky.
*** *** ***
"Cathy?” Devin spoke just a little nervously, some hours later, as they secured everything down in preparation for embarking on the homeward journey, “I have an incy wincy confession to make to you.”
Catherine lifted her head from her chores and faced him, shielding her eyes from the sun, with one hand, as Vincent came alongside to listen too.
“Remember when I encountered you in Paris...?”
“Yes, Devin.” Catherine smiled, whatever was he going to say?
“Well, I wasn’t exactly truthful about that,” he spun her one of his most endearing smiles.
“Okay Devin spill it,” Catherine told him, with a hint of seriousness to her voice, and heard Vincent chuckle.
“Well, as you know Peter is my GP too, and while I was in England I had to see a doctor there, for a minor ailment, but he needed to refer to my notes, so he faxed Peter for them. Well the truth is, Peter then knew that I was in London, and when he was ringing around looking for you, he contacted me before he had spoken to your friend Joanna, and gave me a list of possible addresses that you might be at, and he said he would contact me again if he found out anything for certain, and I told him likewise, but that I was expecting to leave for Austria a couple of days later.”
“Go on Devin.”
“Well then I explained to him, that I was just on my way to a party, which was expected to be an all nighter, but I would take the addresses with me and check some of them out the following day. As it happens, your friend Joanna lived not many streets away from the place where the party was held, and so I thought I’d start there as I was in the neighbourhood, and I could not believe my eyes, when I got there I found you coming out of the door with your suitcase in the early hours. I’m afraid I got curious, and just kinda followed you.”
Vincent laughed.
“What all the way to Paris I suppose.” Catherine asked him.
Devin smiled sheepishly. “I followed you to the hotel, listened while you made the reservation, went back to my own hotel, packed my bags and checked out, then went back to stay where you were. The funny thing is, I did happen to have a seat booked on the same flight that you took to Paris anyway, so I still may have bumped into you, but this way was better, because I knew you were there, and kept an eye on you.”
Catherine’s mouth dropped open, no sound came out.
Devin went on, “When the plane landed I hurried to the car hire firm that I’d heard you ask directions for at the airport, and by threading my way through some familiar back alleys, I arrived there ahead of you. The rest they say, is history. I’m just surprised you never saw me at all before that.”
“But I did. You had got out of your car outside Joanna’s.”
“Yes, I did, but only to cross the road, when I saw the door open, I hurried back to the car, to hide I guess.”
“And then at the airport, I saw you going out through the swing doors, I thought I recognised you, but I couldn’t think who you were, and then once you had gone I forgot all about it.”
Vincent burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Devin wanted to know.
“You. Father and I spent hours wondering how the two of you had met just like that. Father said that the odds of meeting someone you knew like that would be five million to one, until Mary told us differently, nonetheless we thought it remarkable.”
Devin leaned his head to one side, beckoning a response from Catherine. She exhaled a deep sigh, and then with her eyes lighting up, she told him, “Okay I forgive you, that is what all this is about I take it, this great confession of yours?”
Devin laughed, “Yes I didn’t want to deceive you Cathy, but I didn’t think you would approve if I just blundered in, and after all it wasn’t pre-meditated, it just happened that way. I would never have thought of following you, had you not have been sneaking off in the early hours like you were. I was curious that’s all.”
“Devin, its okay really. As it happened I am pleased you did all that now, I owe you an awful lot, without your help look what I could have missed.” she said, slipping her arm around Vincent’s waist.
“And me too.” Devin replied thinking of Gerry, who was preparing some lunch.
“So whose hungry then? Its time we had something to eat before we pull up anchor and set off into the sunset?” Catherine attempted to help Devin feel at ease by changing the subject.
“I don’t want to leave,” Vincent stated flatly, “I could stay here forever. To think I will never come here again....” his voice trailed away sadly.
“Arh, well now that’s where you are wrong, I have one more plan to delight you with yet, but I am going to keep you waiting until after we have eaten.” Devin told him happily.
“Do you know about this Catherine?” Vincent asked her. She shook her head, “No, but you know Devin, I expect it is something wonderful”.
Vincent looked at his brother, saw the fun filled expression on his face, “Yes.” he agreed, “ I think it will be.”
*** *** ***
“......and so, I would like to initiate a new celebration,” spoke Devin after they had eaten a wonderful lunch, and he had brought out a bottle of chilled champagne that he had reserved for the occasion, “that we let all our sorrows, all our regrets, all things left unsaid, all our past mistakes, all our wishes that could never come true, and all our problems slip away into oblivion, and look forward to a glorious future. For from this day forth, I propose that once a year, every year for the rest of our lives that we come here to this secluded cove or some other, and have ten glorious fun-filled days of sunshine, of freedom and of love. So if you would all raise your glasses, let us drink to us and to forever.”
Devin and Gerry, Vincent and Catherine raised their glasses high above their heads and clinked the crystal together, sprinkling champagne over the sides. The sunlight dazzled their eyes as it sparkled and danced upon the crystal in a million flashes of vibrant colour and Vincent’s eyes lit up to the most amazing depth of ocean blue that Catherine had ever seen, such was his happiness, as he slid his arm around Catherine’s waist drawing her to him to tenderly kiss the top of her head.
“To us” cried Devin happily, drawing Gerry to his side.
“To us” Gerry echoed.
“Always and forever.” Vincent said joyfully.
“And to love.” added Catherine, as she rested her head on Vincent’s shoulder, safe in the security of his arms.
*** *** ***This story continues in Oblivion 2 - click on 'Next' below:
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The stories found within this website have been written by and for lovers of the American television series Beauty and the Beast and no infringement upon the rights held by Ron Koslow, CBS, Republic Entertainment, Witt-Thomas Productions or any other Copyright holder to Beauty and the Beast is intended.
Furthermore all the stories found on this website belong to Wendy Tunnard de-Veryard, are protected by copyright and none should be copied, added to or subtracted from or altered in any way, without the prior authorisation of the author.
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