The next morning he awoke to the sound of the rain still falling. He reached across the bed and found Catherine was not there. He suddenly rose and dressed in his jeans. Just then he smelled something that smelled wonderful. He made his way to the kitchen where he found her cooking breakfast. Catherine had her back to him but she smiled as she could feel him coming up behind her. "Good morning sweetheart." She whispered as he enfolded her in his arms. "How are you doing today my beautiful lady?" Vincent asked as he kissed her neck. "Are you hungry?" She asked him. He turned her quickly to face him and smiled seductively. "Yes my love I am very HUNGRY!" He growled as he kissed her lips. "Vincent I meant for food." Catherine said trying to sound agitated. It did not work though Vincent knew that she was only teasing. Soon they were once again lost to the passion that they had for one another. Food would have to wait a while longer.
Across the city in Joe Maxwell's office he was working very hard on a current case. Then there was a sudden knock on the door. He looked up and saw the face of Peter Alcott at his office door. "Come in!" Joe called as he motioned him inside. "Good morning Peter what can I do for you?" Joe asked. "I came to talk to you about Diana Bennett." Joe was suddenly stunned. He thought that she had left town for good. "What about Diana?" Joe asked. "She has been to see Vincent again." Joe was suddenly whisked back to the time right after Catherine "died." He remembered how she had become obsessed with taking Catherine's place in Vincent's life. Everyone was disturbed by the sudden attention that she was giving Vincent and his son. "Joe have you heard everything I said?" Peter asked. Joe was suddenly back in the present. "Sorry Peter just remembering something." Joe responded. "Joe can you make sure she stays away from them?" Peter asked. Joe shrugged his shoulders. "Peter we tried that before." Joe told him. Peter nodded remember their confrontation with her. "I tell you what I will talk to her." Joe told him. Peter thanked him then left.
When Diana arrived she went straight to Joe's office. "Hey Joe I am back." She chimed happily. Joe did not seem that happy to see her. "Diana I thought you were happy in Denver." He responded. She could see that she was going to get a fight from him. "You know that I came back to start a relationship with Vincent don't you? She asked. Joe was very concerned about this. He had to try to diffuse the situation before it got any worse for Catherine or Vincent. "Diana I know that you have seen Catherine and Vincent." Joe told her. Diana was stunned. "Joe I met the woman and we spoke about the situation." Joe looked at her confused. "Diana what are you talking about?" he asked. "Joe there is one thing that Catherine does not realize." Diana continued. "Vincent will become bitter about her leaving him and he will eventually cast her out of his life." Joe was now very angry. "Diana there is no way that Vincent will ever do that to Catherine he is to much in love with her!" Diana did not want to hear this anymore. "Joe I need some time to think I am going home." She rose and left she had to decide how to get rid of Catherine Chandler permanently. Joe wondered what Diana would do. He hoped that whatever she did it would not separate Vincent and Catherine permanently.
While this was going on the lovers were enjoying their time alone at the old apartment. "What are you staring at Vincent?" Catherine asked. She was packing away the things she wanted to keep. "I was just thinking about how much I love you." He told her as he continued to look at her. "Oh you better stop that because you will spoil me." Vincent sat down on the floor beside her and took her hand. "I intend to spoil you for the rest of your life."
That evening they arrived back at the tunnels. "Catherine, Vincent I am glad you are back." Father said as he handed Jacob to his mother. "Hello sweetie we missed you so much." Catherine cooed at her son as he stared at her. She kissed his forehead and began to rock him. "I think I am going to put this little boy to bed." She told Vincent and Father. As she was leaving Father handed her a piece of paper. "This message came for you from Joe." Father told her. "Thank you Father I will see you later."
She went to their chamber. Once inside she put the baby to bed and sat down to read the note.
<><><><><><><> Cathy, Please meet me for lunch tomorrow. I wanted to congratulate you on your wedding. Meet me at the restaurant we liked to have lunch at. See you tomorrow.
Joe <><><><><><><> Catherine was smiling when Vincent entered the chamber. "You certainly look happy." He said as he kissed her. "Joe wants to have lunch tomorrow." She told him. "That sounds wonderful I think you should go." She nodded her agreement and they prepared for bed.
The next morning about 11:45 Catherine left the tunnels to meet Joe. "Excuse me!" a female voice called from a car just inside the park. "Yes may I help you with something?" Catherine asked as she approached the car. "Get into the car Miss Chandler!" Diana ordered as she pointed her gun out the window at her. "What the hell is going on here?" Catherine asked angrily. "I am sorry but Joe will not be meeting you today." Diana told her. Catherine started to back up as Diana got out of the car. "Get into the car now!" Diana demanded. Catherine did not know what was going on but she obeyed the order. As Diana floored the car Catherine pleaded with her to let her go. "Miss Bennett I thought we had this settled." She told Diana. When they arrived at Diana's loft she tied Catherine up on the bed. "Miss Bennett you know that this is wrong." Catherine told her. "I need to get rid of you to get my family back." Diana scowled as she pointed the gun at Catherine. "Vincent and Jacob are not your family they are mine." Catherine cried. "Well after tonight they will not have you anymore." She told Catherine.
As the afternoon wore on Vincent began to get scared. "Vincent please calm down I am sure there is a logical explanation to why Catherine is not back yet." Father reasoned. "Father I felt for a moment that she was afraid." Vincent told him. "Vincent when Joe and Peter arrive they may have an explanation." Father tried to reassure him. Just as he finished Joe and Peter arrived. "Hello Jacob." Peter greeted his old friend. "Hello Peter and hello to you Joe." Joe took his hand in a firm handshake. Vincent was staring at him. Joe noticed this and approached him. "Hello Vincent the message said it was urgent." Joe said. "Joe when you left Catherine after lunch today do you know where she went?" Vincent asked. "Vincent I did not have lunch with her today." Joe told him. Vincent was suddenly ashen. He was also suddenly scared beyond reason. "Joe she got a note saying that you wanted to have lunch today." Father told him. Joe looked confused then he shot a look toward Peter. "Peter do you think that she would have done something to Catherine?" Joe asked. Peter was not sure so he shrugged his shoulders.
"What are you talking about?" Vincent growled. "Vincent I think that Diana may have done something to her." Joe responded. Vincent's head suddenly shot up. "What is it Vincent?" Father asked. "She is in danger." He said as he rose to leave. "Vincent it is still daylight you cannot go." Father told him. Vincent spun around and asked "What am I supposed to do let something happen to her?" He growled in frustration and fear. "She is the woman that I love and I have to protect her no matter the risks." Father looked into the scared eyes of his son. He understood and sympathized with him. "Vincent, Peter and I will go and find out if Diana has her." Joe told him. Vincent knew that he could not in reality go so he silently nodded. "Please bring her back to Jacob and me." Vincent pleaded as he sunk into a chair in tears. "Vincent I will bring her back to you." Joe promised.
"Now Catherine we have to clear the air about Vincent." Diana told her. She was standing over Catherine with the gun pointed at Catherine's head. "Diana I sympathize with you but Vincent and I are meant to be together." Catherine told her. Diana shook her head angrily. "No he and Jacob are mine you left them." Catherine began to sob as she realized that she might die today. "Diana please let me go I want to go home to my child he needs me." Diana began to soften her face at the thought of Jacob in need. "Diana he is my little boy you know how much time I missed with him." Catherine continued. "I really do understand your feelings Catherine but if you are allowed to live I will never have the life that I was meant to have." Diana told her. "Diana you must understand that I came back to live with my family again." Catherine now began to cry. "Miss Chandler I really hope that where ever you go you can forgive me and know that Vincent and Jacob are with me and that they are being loved and cared for." Just as she finished saying this Diana cocked the gun and raised it again to Catherine's head. "Say goodnight Miss Chandler." Diana told her. Diana was about to fire when she heard the elevator coming to her loft.
Then the elevator door opened and Joe and Peter emerged. "Drop the gun Diana!" Joe ordered as he raised his own gun. Diana spun around and was about to say something when all of a sudden Catherine kicked her. Diana fell to the floor and dropped her gun. Peter lunged at the gun and grabbed it first. Then as Peter held her at gunpoint Joe got her up and tied her to a chair. Then he untied Catherine and she hugged him and Peter. "Peter I will take care of this why don't you get Catherine down to the tunnels." Joe told him as he raised the phone to call the cops. Peter nodded and put his arm around Catherine and took her from the apartment. As Peter and Catherine reached the parking lot outside they heard a gunshot inside the building. Catherine turned and saw Joe running from the building chasing Diana. She was shooting at Joe as they ran. Soon she escaped from sight as Joe and the police took chase. Peter turned to Catherine and placed an arm around her waist.
When they reached the tunnels Peter asked Catherine, "Honey are you sure you do not need me to come below with you?" Catherine turned and smiled at him, "No Peter I am going straight to Vincent." She told him as she kissed his cheek. When he had pulled away she began to run fast toward the tunnel. When she reached Father's chamber she found him there alone. "Where are my two men?" she asked as she ran into Father's arms. "Oh Catherine are you alright Vincent has been beside himself with worry." Father told her. She nodded and kissed his cheek. "I am fine Father I will see you after I see Vincent and Jacob." She bolted from the room toward their chamber.
"Vincent I know that this is useless to say but please sit down." Devin told his younger brother. Vincent turned and walked over to the bed. He drew his knees up to his chest and placed his head down on his knees. Suddenly Devin noticed that he was crying. Devin rose and walked over and sat down beside him. "Vincent I know that Catherine will be fine." Devin told him. "Devin she has to be alright I cannot lose her again." Vincent cried.
Just as Devin was about to speak they both heard a whimper from the entrance of the chamber. Vincent's head shot up and he saw the figure of the woman that he loved more than life. He was suddenly across the room gathering her into his arms. Devin felt that they needed privacy so he quietly left. "Oh Catherine my angel are you alright?" Vincent asked through his tears and in between kisses. "Yes darling I am fine now that I am here." Catherine cried. "What happened to you?" he asked. She looked into his eyes and began to tell him about what Diana did. "I am so sorry that you were placed in danger and I could not come to you." He cried. "Vincent I think that is the reason she did it in broad daylight she knew that you could not come for me." After she had told him what Diana wanted all Vincent could do was hold her and cry.
As time went on the memory of what happened faded. Vincent and Catherine were to busy being lovers and parents to let it interfere in their lives. Diana had been arrested later that same night. Then one day they heard that Diana had escaped from jail. Vincent was somewhat shaken by the news and went to the falls to be alone. Catherine found him there later that afternoon. "Vincent darling I have been looking for you all over." She told him as she took a seat beside him. He was staring out at the water not saying anything. "Vincent it is not your fault that Diana did the things that she did." Catherine told him. "Catherine maybe I led her on without knowing it." Vincent reasoned. "No Vincent I do not believe that you would not even do that unconsciously." She told him as she touched his shoulder. She felt him relax as he began to believe her. "I just do not understand what happened to her she was such a help when we found Jacob." Vincent told her. "Vincent listen to me when people fall in love they sometimes change drastically." Vincent looked up at her and nodded in agreement. "But darling I do not believe that she was truly in love with you." She continued. "Diana was more obsessed with you than in love with you she did not seem to know the difference." Vincent looked at her with a sudden look of fear. "Catherine if she is free she could try to come here." He told her. Catherine shook her head. "Vincent she would be very foolish to come here." Vincent took Catherine's hand and kissed it softly. Then rising to his feet he pulled her to her feet. "Well my love should we go see what our son is doing?" he asked as he embraced her.
A couple of days before the wedding Catherine went to Peter's. She had started feeling tired and irritable and wanted a check up. Vincent had become very worried about her. "Darling I am sure it is nothing but I am going to see Peter to make sure." She told Vincent as she left. Vincent could not help but worry. He loved her desperately and worried about losing her. When she arrived at Peter's house he greeted her. "Honey I did some tests on your blood sample that I took last night." Peter began. Catherine looked at him and could not understand what he was trying to tell her. "Peter is something wrong with me?" She asked. Peter saw the fear in her eyes and smiled. "No honey I should say not." He told her. "I would not call being pregnant something wrong." Catherine stood there stunned. Then she jumped up and down for joy. "Oh Peter I could not give Vincent a more precious wedding gift." She told him as she embraced him. "When are you telling him?" Peter asked. Catherine thought for a moment then smiled. "I believe that I will tell him on our wedding night." She said as she left. Peter smiled to himself he was truly happy for them.
When she returned to the tunnels she went to see Father first. "Oh Catherine you are back." Father said as he motioned for her to come in. She smiled and sat down. "Yes I just arrived from Peter's." she told him. "So are you alright?" Father asked somewhat concerned. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes Father I am fine and so is your second grandchild." Father dropped the ledger that he was holding and looked up at her. Catherine now saw tears coming from his eyes. "Oh Catherine I could not be happier about this." He told her as he approached and kissed her cheek. "Are you telling Vincent tonight?" Father asked. "No Father I was planning to tell him after our wedding day after tomorrow." Father looked concerned all of a sudden. "What are you going to tell him today?" Catherine smiled and replied.
"Father, Peter also found that I am slightly anemic also." Father smiled and nodded. Catherine rose and kissed his cheek. "I am going to our chamber now." She told him. When Catherine entered their chamber she found Mary there with Jacob. Mary handed him to Catherine and left. "Hello my darling." Catherine told her son as she hugged him.
As she was playing with him Vincent entered the chamber. "Hello to you my beloved." Catherine smiled as she and Jacob walked over to him. When they reached Vincent he enveloped them in his arms and hugged them tightly. "So what did Peter have to say?" he asked her. Catherine smiled to herself at the real news. But she knew that she wanted to wait until their wedding night. "He told me that I was slightly anemic." She told him. Vincent looked down at her for confirmation. He felt through the bond that she was telling the truth. "Catherine I was so scared that he would find something seriously wrong with you." Vincent told her. She was about to respond when their son's sudden gurgle brought their attention to him. "Well I guess our son wants his parent's attention now." Vincent told her as he took the baby into his arms. They spent the rest of the night playing with him and spending precious time together as a family.
The 12th of April arrived and the whole community was anticipating the wedding that would occur that night. Everyone had waited for this day for a long time. Catherine was whisked away by Jamie and Lena that morning. Father and Devin took Vincent to a secret location. Baby Jacob was left in the care of Mary. He seemed to understand what this day meant and was very happy. "Catherine do you and Vincent want more children?" Lena asked as they sat in a far off chamber preparing the surprise that Catherine had for Vincent. "Yes we have decided that it is time to give Jacob a brother or sister." She smiled. "In fact that is the wedding present that I have for him." Jamie and Lena squealed with delight and hugged Catherine. "Oh Cathy that will make Vincent so happy." Lena told her. As they talked the three women continued to work on the chamber. "Cathy this is truly beautiful." Jamie told her. "I thought that he would like to stay here for our wedding night." Catherine told them. "How did you ever find time to do it with Vincent staying so close to you all the time?" Lena asked.
Since the incident with Diana Vincent had rarely been away from Catherine or Jacob. He had even told father that unless there was an emergency he would not go on many work details. At first this alarmed father. "Vincent you may end up crowding the poor girl." Father told him. "If I do she will tell me but until then I am not letting her or Jacob out of my sight." Father nodded and asked the important question. "What if she wants to go above during the day?" Vincent was about to answer the question when Catherine answered for him. "Father my last experience above was one that I am never going through again." She said as she entered father's chamber. "My dear I just meant what if one of your friends above wants you to visit them." "Father my friends above that I would see are Nancy, Joe, Jenny, and Peter and the all know about this world." "They have assured me that they can always visit me if they are able to." Joe and Jenny had gone down shortly after Vincent and Catherine had reunited. They had spent the evening with the happy family. And Nancy had been introduced to Vincent just days before. She was very happy to meet her friend's love and had been accepted as a friend. "Father I am not afraid to return above I assure you but I only want to spend my time here with my family." Father smiled and nodded his approval of her explanation.
"I will tell you that when Vincent had to go on that big work detail I had to force him to go." Catherine told Lena as they walked to Lena's chamber to prepare to dress. "I remember hearing you tell Vincent that he should go." Jamie told her. "Yes he was almost adamant about not going." Catherine laughed remembering the day well.
They had been playing with Jacob when father came in and asked to speak to Vincent. "There has been a pipe breakage below that needs work immediately." He told his son. "Father who are you sending?" Vincent asked. "I wanted you to go with Kanin and Mouse." Father responded. "But father I asked not to be sent on many work detail that were away from my family." Vincent reminded him. Catherine heard the tone in his voice that sounded desperate and frightened. "Darling I am not going above so you do not have to stay if you are needed." She told him gently. Vincent looked at her pleadingly. "Vincent we cannot change what happened but please I do not want you to change your life because of it." He dropped his face and slowly nodded. "Catherine do you want me to go?" he asked quietly. She pulled his face around and told him. "Vincent I am sure that if it were not urgent father would have sent someone else so I believe that you must go." He smiled at her wisdom and rose. "Alright my love I will go." He reached for his cloak and headed toward the chamber entrance with father. "Will you be close when I return?" he asked moving back to kiss her. She smiled and kissed him. "I need to go visit Lena for a while but I plan to be back by about three." He nodded and they left.
Father, Vincent and Devin sat in the library. "Are you nervous yet?" asked Devin. He knew that Vincent was excited about this day's events. "No Devin but I wish the time would pass faster." Vincent remarked as he sat collecting his thoughts. "You and Catherine both have been through so much this last six months." Father remarked. Vincent nodded in response. "Well I was just glad that Peter and I could reunite the two of you." Devin told his brother. Vincent looked up at his brother and smiled. "That day is one that I will treasure for the rest of my life I got my life given back to me that night." Devin looked at the happiness in Vincent's face and smiled again. "When I first saw her I wanted to run down here and drag you up there but she was still unconscious and Peter wanted to wait until she was awake." He told Vincent. "I tell you that night was the hardest of my life." He continued. "When you asked me if anything was new I wanted to scream that Catherine was alive and take you to her." Vincent placed his hand on Devin's shoulder. "Devin I am so thankful that you helped me get her back that no words can ever convey my true gratitude." Devin patted his hand and nodded.
About fifteen minutes before the ceremony Catherine stood in front of the mirror in Lena's chamber. She wore the same wedding dress that her mother had years ago. "Oh Cathy you look beautiful." Mary remarked as they finished putting the small flowers in her hair. "Thank you Mary." Catherine smiled. "I am so sorry your friends could not make it here today." Lena told her. Jenny had been called away for a family emergency and Nancy was having some personal problems. "They both sent me their wishes." Catherine told her. "I was just honored that the three of you were here." She told Lena, Jamie and Mary. "Cathy we have been hoping for this day for a long time." Jamie told her. Catherine smiled as a tear ran down her cheek. "Me too Jamie." She told her.
"Well I think we better start for the Great Hall." Lena told her. They all rose and walked toward the chamber entrance. As they neared the entrance Catherine took Jacob from Mary and kissed him. "Daddy and I will see you later honey we love you very much." She told the giggling child as she handed him to Mary. A while later everyone was gathered in the great hall awaiting the start of the wedding. Vincent and Devin stood with father at the front of the room. He looked very handsome in his turquoise pants and vest with his best shirt. His long black boots finished his wedding ensemble. As the music started everyone turned toward the entrance and were taken away by the sight of Catherine. She was dressed in the loveliest long flowing wedding dress that anyone had ever seen. The veil hung on her hair and covered her face in a cover of lace. She was just as beautiful in the dress as when her mother had worn it. She came to Peter's side and he gently took her arm under his and began to walk forward. Catherine smiled so lovingly at Vincent that he felt he would faint from the love that she was projecting through their bond.
When they reached Vincent Peter handed Catherine over to the man of her dreams and backed into the crowd. Peter smiled with pride at the couple that he loved more than anything. As father started the ceremony everyone listened happily.
"Today Catherine and Vincent are here to join their lives. They have asked you all here today to witness this and to bless this union. They have fought many things to come to this day and they wish to express their love for one another through their own vows."
Looking at Vincent father nodded. "Thank you Father, Catherine I never thought that this day would ever occur. When I thought that I had lost you I had given up on any type of happiness. I only wanted to live in your memory and make sure that Jacob knew that his mother was the one and only woman that I would ever love. I could not ever envision myself with anyone other than you. You are the light of my soul. You have accepted me and loved me from the moment we met. I never thought before finding you that I could love a woman or let a woman love me. Then you gave me the love that I had denied myself. You have given me so many gifts that I only hope I can repay. From today on I vow that I will love you and protect you and that I will never turn away from you or let my fears overshadow my deep never ending love for you."
Then turning to a very emotional Catherine father nodded. She turned toward Vincent and smiled and repeated the vows that she had prepared for him.
"Vincent you do not know how much I have dreamed of this day. I always knew that we were destined to follow this path. There were times in the past when you were unsure of my place here in your life but I was never unsure. I always knew that wherever you were I belonged also. Vincent I have been blessed to know you and to be loved by you. Even when the fates tried to separate us forever I knew that someway we would find our way back to one another. Then to find that you had our precious, beautiful son Jacob was one more blessing that I could only thank God for. You have given me so much in my life you taught me that I could be strong and that I could give to others. I could never have made it from that attack so many years ago. I would have just let myself die that night but you brought me here to get well and learn. I will always be indebted to you and I will always love and protect you until the end of time. This is my solemn vow and it is forever."
After Catherine had finished speaking they returned to face a rather emotional father. "With these vows Vincent and Catherine have promised each other a future." He looked toward Devin and nodded. "With this ring Vincent do you take Catherine as you wife?" Vincent took the ring and slid it on her finger. "I do!" he said matter-of-factly. And then he turned to Jamie and took the ring from her and handed it to Catherine. "Catherine do you take Vincent as your loving husband?" Taking the ring and placing it on Vincent's finger she looked into his deep blue eyes and exclaimed happily. "Oh yes I most certainly do!" Now her tears had started to fall unhaltingly down her face. She was so overcome that she cried a bit harder.
"Then my friends I wish to pronounce that Vincent and Catherine are now and forever joined as husband and wife." He looked at Vincent and smiling told his son "Vincent you can now kiss your wife." At hearing these words Vincent needed no further persuading. He lifted her into his strong arms and kissed her deeply and soundly as the crowd cheered. When they finally separated the couple smiled up at one another with all their love shining through their eyes.
After they separated everyone waited for their turn to congratulate this wonderful couple. "I could not be happier for the two of you." Peter told them as he embraced them. "Honey you looked just as beautiful in that dress as your mother did all those years ago. Vincent looked at Peter in stunned amazement. "You mean this dress is the same one that Catherine's mother wore on her wedding day?" he asked. Peter nodded as he moved away to let the couple have a moment alone. "Catherine you are the most beautiful bride that any man could ever ask for." Vincent told her as he bent to place a gentle kiss on her lips. She smiled up at her husband and laid her head on his arm. They sat taking in the happiness and emotions of the moment until William called everyone's attention by bringing in the wedding feast.
As everyone ate happily Catherine and Vincent were seated in a distant table that was designated especially for them. "I cannot believe that this has finally happened Vincent." Catherine told him as she smiled up at her dear husband. "Yes my beloved wife we are finally together and nothing will ever come between us again." She was not as hungry as she thought as she mainly picked at the food that was in front of her. "What are you thinking my beloved?" Vincent asked. "I was just remembering how I felt when I saw you standing in Peter's living room." She remembered fondly. "I was so in love with you that I just wanted to hold you and never let you go." She continued. "Catherine I will never forget that day either you were only a memory for me at that time." He suddenly looked somewhat sad. "I was resigned to the fact that I only had Jacob to love and that you were lost to me forever." She noticed the sadness in his eyes and stroked his face gently. "Vincent this is a day for us to celebrate what we have been given back." She told him. "We have been allowed the chance to make up for past mistakes and move on in the love that we have been given." With those words she gently kissed his lips and marveled in the fact that she was now Mrs. Vincent Wells.
A short time later father rose and called everyone to attention. "I just wanted to be the first to raise a glass in a toast to Vincent and Catherine." He lifted his glass and continued to speak. "I have seen the two of you grow in the love that you have for one another." "And I have seen that love result in the beautiful grandson that you have blessed me with." "I only pray that your life is one that is filled with love and family." With those he lifted his glass in the air and chimed "To Vincent and Catherine." Everyone chorused in after him with the same blessing.
The band started up and the couple took the dance floor for the traditional first dance. The dance floor finally filled with wedding guests. But Vincent and Catherine were lost in the feeling of being with one another and they were totally oblivious to anyone else around them. When the music finally stopped others wanted to dance with the bride and groom. Catherine was talking happily with father when she noticed that Vincent was staring at her. She smiled at him as he followed her with his eyes. She could feel through the bond that his desire to be alone with her was growing.
Later that evening as the reception was quieting down Vincent and Catherine took the opportunity to make a hasty and fast exit. As they ran from the room the crowd cheered and showered them with rice. The happy couple reached the outer tunnel where they fell back against the wall laughing and winded. "Oh Vincent I have never been so happy in my life." Catherine told her beloved husband. He looked down at her and smiled then kissed her soundly. He then took her hand to go toward their chamber. But she stopped him and smiling shook her head. "I have a special wedding present for you darling." She told him leading him toward the distant chamber.
A few feet from the lighted chamber Catherine told Vincent to close his eyes. He was smiling as she led him through the door. "Now honey open your eyes." She instructed. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked around the room. "Oh Catherine this is absolutely spectacular." He gasped. She walked to the other side of the room and lit the rest of the candles.
"Catherine I have never been this happy." He told her as he moved to her side. She looked up at her husband and smiled tenderly. "Darling our happiness is only beginning." She told him as she rose and embraced him. She was so excited about her other surprise that she could not wait to tell Vincent. "Vincent please sit down there is something wonderful that I must tell you." She told him. He sat down and looked into the deep green eyes of the woman he loved. "Darling you remember when I went to see Peter at his house a couple of days ago?" she asked. He suddenly began to get frightened. "Catherine what is it did you tell me everything or are you keeping something from me?" he asked. She smiled at him. "Vincent I found out that we are expecting our second child." Vincent sat there stunned for a moment. He could not move or speak. When he found his voice the tears began to flow. "Oh my love I could not be happier than I am at this moment." He encircled her in his arms and kissed her. Their brand new life had just begun.
<><><><><><><><><><><> EPILOGUE:
Catherine sat in her and Vincent's chamber. She was smiling lovingly down into the face of her and Vincent's new daughter. The child had been born a few hours earlier and Catherine was happier than she thought possible. She was brought out of her thoughts by a sound in the entrance of the chamber. She looked up and smiled brightly. "Hello darling I missed you." She told Vincent as he stood there smiling at her. He quickly moved over and sat down next to her on the bed. "And I missed my girls." He commented. Catherine smiled and gently handed their child to her father. "Catherine she is absolutely beautiful." Vincent told her with great emotion in his voice. "Yes love she is." Catherine agreed. "Where were you?" Catherine asked as they both looked down at their daughter. "I went to tell our son about his new sister." Vincent commented. Catherine smiled brightly. "What was his reaction?" She asked. "He wanted to come see her but I told him that you needed your rest." He added. "Was he disappointed?" Catherine asked. "Yes but I promised him that he could see the two of you tomorrow." Catherine smiled. "I cannot wait until Jacob sees her." She commented. "Neither can I." Vincent told her.
He gently rose and laid the child in her cradle. Then he moved back over to the bed and rejoined Catherine. He lay down next to her and embraced her lovingly. "How can I ever express my love and gratitude to you?" he asked. Catherine looked up at him. "Why your gratitude?" She asked confused. Vincent smiled and gently kissed her. "Catherine you loved me even when I was not sure that I deserved that love." He began. "Then when I finally truly accepted that love I was almost forced to live my life without you." He commented. "I only had Jacob to remember you by and that was truly painful." He told her. "Then by a miracle you were given back to me and we now have the life together that we dreamed of and the children that I never let myself wish for." He concluded.
When he was done speaking he looked down and noticed that Catherine was softly crying. "Love did I say something wrong?" he asked concerned. Catherine smiled through her tears and shook her head. "Oh no Vincent what you said was the most beautiful thing that I could have ever heard." She told him. "I love you so much and the thought of having to live without you still hurt me so." She cried. "Catherine we no longer have to worry about that." He told her. "We are together now and we have the family that we always dreamed of." He commented. With those words Vincent leaned down and gently kissed her again. Then they lay there watching their daughter and dreaming of the future for them and their children.
The End
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