A CHILD FOR WINTERFEST
By Dawn Yzaguirre
A SND story. Catherine and Vincent are now married and living below. She is no longer working above in the District Attorney's office. They are truly happy. Now they make the most important decision of their lives: to conceive a child.
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Catherine sat on the bed that she shared with Vincent. She looked around this beautiful chamber that she loved so much. They had been married for two months and were happier than they ever thought possible. She was reading one of the many poetry books that she and Vincent loved. She sighed happily and thought about how wonderful and fulfilling her life had become since she had moved below and married Vincent. Being a full-fledged tunnel woman was everything that Catherine could have ever hoped it would be. She believed that there was no better life for her in the world.
Suddenly she became aware that someone was standing in the chamber entrance. She raised her head and smiled when she saw Jamie standing there watching her. "Jamie how long have you been there?" Catherine asked as she put her book aside. The young woman walked into the chamber and sat down on the bed. "Oh not very long." She told Catherine. "I did not want to disturb you if you were busy." Jamie told her. "Nonsense I am never too busy to visit with you." Catherine told her. Jamie smiled lovingly at her. She truly thought of Catherine as the older sister that she never had. "So how are you doing?" Jamie asked. Catherine smiled at her when she figured out what Jamie was getting at. "Jamie I am fine." Catherine told her. "Cathy you have only been married a couple of months and now Vincent has had to go to the lower tunnels for two weeks." Jamie commented. "You must be truly miserable." She continued.
Catherine smiled and shook her head. "Jamie we have been separated like this before." Catherine told her. Jamie smiled and nodded. "Yes but before you were living above and you were not married to Vincent." Jamie told her dumbfounded. "Are you telling me that you do not miss him?" Jamie teased. Catherine laughed and shook her head. "You know better than that." She commented. "I miss him more than I ever thought was possible." Catherine told her. "But I have to get used to the fact that there will be times when we are forced to be apart like this." She continued. Jamie smiled then laughed. "You are a very understanding woman Catherine Wells." She commented. Catherine smiled brightly at the sound of her married name. She truly loved being Mrs. Vincent Wells. Then Jamie rose. She was about to leave when dinner was announced over the pipes. "Come on Jamie have dinner with me." Catherine told her as she rose. "I have to help Mary with the children later." Jamie smiled and nodded. Then they both left the chamber.
Down in the lower tunnels Vincent sat on the tunnel floor eating his dinner. "Hey Vincent are you okay?" Kanin asked as he sat down beside him. Vincent looked over at him and nodded. "Yes I am just fine." He commented. "Vincent you cannot hide the fact that you miss Cathy." Kanin told him. Vincent looked back at him again and slightly nodded. "I have never missed her more than I do at this moment." He commented. "Listen to me Vincent the two of you have only been married for a couple of months it is understandable that you miss her." Kanin reasoned. Vincent nodded. "Yes I know that." He commented. "Hey we have had a hard day why don't you get some sleep?" he stated. Vincent smiled and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Thank you Kanin." He told his friend. Then he fell asleep dreaming of Catherine.
A week and a half-later Catherine was helping Mary with the children as usual. Catherine found that being around the children helped to ease the ache of missing Vincent. She had found that as the time of his absence grew so did her loneliness. She tried not to show it but everyone knew that she was miserable without him. "Cathy why don't you go back to your chamber and relax?" Mary asked. Catherine looked up at her somewhat confused. "Mary I thought you needed my help with the children." Catherine commented. Mary smiled and placed a gentle hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Dear I know that the work crew is due back in a couple of hours." The older woman told her. Catherine smiled and slightly nodded. "Yes they will but I can still help you with the children." She told Mary.
Mary realized that Catherine was determined to help so she dropped the subject. "Catherine will you read us another story?" Bobby the newest tunnel child asked as he was tucked in bed. "Bobby you already had your story from Father." Mary told him. He smiled shyly and nodded. "I know but I love to hear Catherine read." Catherine smiled as she bent and kissed him on the forehead. "Maybe I will read to you tomorrow." She told him. "Now all of you go to sleep." Mary told them. Then they left the children in Brooke's care for the night as they walked out of the chamber.
As they left the chamber Mary and Catherine decided to go see Father. They walked toward his chamber. He was looking over a ledger when they entered the chamber. "Jacob we have finished putting the children to bed." Mary told him. He looked up and smiled. "Very good." He commented as he smiled up at them. "Were they any trouble?" Father asked as they sat down and poured themselves some tea. "No they were no trouble." Catherine told him.. "You love helping with the children don't you?" Father asked his beloved daughter-in-law. She smiled up at him and nodded. "Yes I do." She answered. "Well maybe it will not be too long before you and Vincent start your own family." He commented.
This statement took both Catherine and Mary by surprise. "Our own children?" Catherine asked him shocked. "Why not Catherine you want children don't you?" Father asked. "Of course I do." She answered. "But I thought that you would have tried to talk me out of becoming pregnant." She admitted. "Maybe I would have at one time but now that you are married it is different." He told her. "Now if you can convince that husband of yours." Mary commented. Catherine nodded. "Yes I have been considering speaking to him about it when they return." Father smiled. "Catherine do speak to him about it he might surprise you." He told her. "Father have you heard from the group?" Catherine asked. He was about to answer when a message came over the pipes.
As the message started the three of them stopped to listen. Catherine smiled very brightly as she heard the message--Work crew on their way home--P. Catherine looked up at them as her tears started to fall. Mary rose and walked toward her. She placed a loving arm around Catherine's shoulder. "What is it dear?" Mary asked. "Oh Mary I have missed him so much!" Catherine cried. "I know you have dear." Mary commented. "Catherine why don't you go back to your chamber and freshen up then go meet him with the rest of us." Father told her. Catherine smiled and nodded. Then she rose and ran from the chamber. Mary looked over at her husband and smiled. "She really loves him." Father smiled back at her and nodded. "Yes she does." He agreed. "But I wonder if he knows what is waiting for him when he returns." Father teased. Mary smiled and nodded. "Jacob I guarantee you that he knows." She told him. Then they both rose and left the chamber to meet the group.
When Catherine entered their chamber she noticed the mess on the floor. I better clean this up before he sees it. She thought to herself. She picked everything up and put them away. Then she looked down at the tunnel dress she wore. She walked over to the bureau and picked out Vincent's favorite of her tunnel outfits then she left to change.
When she returned a few moments later she ran into the chamber and put the dirty clothes away. Then turning toward the tunnel entrance she ran toward the lower tunnel entrance to meet her beloved husband and the others. As she approached the group other tunnel women waiting for their husbands met her. Catherine noticed that Olivia was standing by the tunnel wall. Catherine walked over to her. "Are you as ready to see them as I am?" Catherine asked. "Oh yes Cathy this has been one of the longest separations that Kanin and I have had in a long time." Olivia commented. "Yes it has been a very long separation." Catherine agreed. "I bet it has been especially hard for you." Olivia commented. "Well it has been very hard." Catherine admitted. "Cathy it is understandable that this would be hard for you when the accident occurred you and Vincent had only been married for a short time." Olivia commented. "Yes but I know has responsibilities." Catherine told her.
Olivia was about to speak again when the first group entered the hub. Olivia smiled as Kanin approached them. "Oh honey I have missed you!" Olivia cried as she and Kanin embraced. "And I have missed you and the children." He told her. Then he looked over at Catherine. He smiled and hugged her. "Hello Cathy how are you?" he asked. "I am fine Kanin welcome home." She responded. "Vincent is in the second group with Cullen." He told her. Then they walked away from her.
Catherine smiled as she watched them disappear around the corner. She thought of how happy they were. And how happy that she and Vincent were now that they were together and living their dream. Then Catherine leaned back against the tunnel wall and let her mind drift back to the raid on Gabriel's house that led to her and Vincent's happy reunion and their life together.
Gabriel had held Catherine for almost seven months. He had told her that Vincent and everyone else believed that she were dead. He had admitted that he had taken a picture of her while she was unconscious because of a morphine injection. And that he had the pictured doctored to make it look as if she were dead. After hearing this Catherine started to run out of hope. And she doubted that she would ever see Vincent again.
Then came the evening of the raid. Gabriel entered her room. "So Miss Chandler I guess you should know that the police are coming." He told her. "Good now you will get what is coming to you!" she screamed at him. "No Miss Chandler all they will find is you and your lover dead." He told her. Catherine looked at him confused. "Oh yes I forgot to tell you I have Vincent in a cage in my basement." He told her. Catherine gasped as she put her hand to her mouth. "Don't you hurt him!" She screamed. "Miss Chandler all I can do to him now is put him out of his misery." He told her. "After all I have convinced him that you are dead." Catherine was horrified. "He would not believe that!" she argued. "Yes Miss Chandler I have convinced him and all your friends that you are no longer living." He stated smiling. Catherine put her face in her hands and started to cry. "Well at least we will be together in death!" she sobbed. Gabriel smiled as he turned to leave the room. "Goodnight Miss Chandler." He told her as he closed the door.
Down in the basement, Diana snuck into the room. She grabbed one of the guards from behind and knocked him out. Then picking up the key to the cage she ran and unlocked the door. "Come on Vincent I am here to get you out of here." She told him. "No Diana just leave me here." He told her sadly. "No way Vincent the police will be here any moment and Father is below waiting." She told him as she unlocked his shackles. Then she helped him to his feet. They climbed down into the tunnel a few moments later. There they found a very happy and emotional Father waiting for them. "Oh Vincent you are alright!" Father cried as he pulled Vincent into his arms. "No Father I am not alright." Vincent corrected told him sadly. "I doubt I will ever be alright again." He added.
"Vincent I have to go back to the house and meet Joe." Diana told him. Vincent turned to face her. "Diana thank you for everything you did and attempted to do." He told her. "I know that Catherine would have appreciated your efforts. "It was no problem Vincent I respected Catherine very much." Diana told him. "I will miss her." She continued. "So will I." Vincent sobbed as his tears started to fall. Then Diana turned and left the tunnels. "Come son let's get you home." Father told Vincent as he put his arm around him. "Alright Father." Vincent cried as he put his head down on Father's shoulder. Father wondered how his son would come through this terrible loss.
When Diana returned to Gabriel's house Joe met her. "Bennett what are you doing here?" He asked. "Just doing my job." She told him. Then Greg yelled down to Joe. "Joe we found Gabriel dead in one of the bedrooms." Joe was shocked. "I wonder how that happened?" he asked aloud. "Joe I killed him." Diana commented. He turned and looked at her. "What?" he asked. "Joe he was about to shoot me it was self defense." Diana told Joe. "Well he got what he deserved for murdering Cathy." Joe spat angrily. Joe had also received one of the doctored photos in the mail.
Just as they were about to look around the house for any other men. A cop yelled down to Joe. "Mr. Maxwell there is a woman up here in one of the bedrooms." Joe and Diana looked at one another then they ran upstairs. "Who is it?" Joe asked as they reached the hallway outside the bedroom. The officer was about to answer when his partner brought Catherine into the hallway. "Oh God Cathy!" Joe cried as he moved toward her and embraced her. "Cathy we thought you were dead." Diana told her. "I know but the picture was doctored." Catherine commented. "He had given me an injection of morphine that knocked me out." She told them. "Well at least you are safe now." Joe commented. Catherine looked back at him and shook her head. "No Joe I am not safe." She told him. "Joe I am leaving the city." She told him. Joe was shocked. "Do you have to do that?" he asked. She smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes Joe I do." Then Joe smiled at her. "Are you going to that special place of yours?" he asked. She smiled again and nodded. "Yes Joe I am." She told him. "To that mystery guy Vincent?" Joe asked. Catherine only nodded her head. "Well I will miss you Cathy." He told her as they embraced again. "I will miss you too Joe." She told him. "Now Cathy come on I will get you out of here." Diana told her. "Yes let's get out of here now." Catherine told her. Then with one last hug for Joe they left.
As they entered the tunnels below Gabriel's house Catherine suddenly stopped. "Cathy are you okay?" Diana asked her. "No Diana what will this do to him?" Catherine asked her. "Cathy your 'death' has been very hard on him." Diana commented. "Those pictures were very convincing." Diana continued. Everyone who saw them believed that you were dead." Catherine nodded sadly. "I know." She commented. "Gabriel really got his kicks when he told me that everyone that I loved believed that I was dead." Catherine continued. "Come on Cathy let's get you home." Diana told her. Then they began to walk once again.
As they reached the hub Jamie came walking out of Father's chamber. She stopped suddenly when she saw Catherine walking beside Diana. "Cathy is it really you?" The young girl asked hopefully. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes Jamie it is." She told her friend as they embraced.
When they separated he looked over at Diana. "Thank you for bringing her home." Jamie told her. Diana smiled. "It was my pleasure." She commented. Catherine then addressed Jamie again. "Where is Vincent I need to see him." She stated. Jamie hesitated in answering.
Then they heard the sobbing coming from the direction of Vincent's chamber. "Oh God where is he?" Catherine asked. "Father and Mary are with him in his chamber." Jamie told her. "I have to go to him." Catherine told them. "Yes Cathy go to him he needs you now." Jamie told her. With that Catherine ran down the tunnel. Jamie and Diana smiled at one another as they watched her go.
When Catherine reached Vincent's chamber she stopped suddenly. She took a deep breath then gathering her courage she walked toward the entrance of the chamber. She stopped short when she saw Vincent sitting on his bed in Father's arms. "Oh Father how will I survive without her?" Vincent asked as he sobbed. "We will help you Vincent." Mary told him. Vincent raised his head from Father's shoulder and looked at her. "No Mary nothing can help me now." He cried. "Without Catherine I do not want to live."
Father was about to respond when they heard a sob in the entrance of the chamber. Turning around all three caught their first glimpse of Catherine. "Vincent please do not say things like that." Catherine begged. Then she entered the chamber. Vincent rose from the bed. He slowly approached her. "Catherine is it truly you?" he asked her hopefully. She smiled as her tears began again. "Yes my love it is." She told him. Vincent stopped suddenly.
Then with a sob he opened his arms. "Catherine come to me." He cried. She smiled brightly then with a sob of pure joy she ran to him. "Hold me tightly Vincent!" she cried. "Yes my darling angel." He whispered against her ear.
Father and Mary smiled and rose from the bed. They knew that the couple needed time alone so the quietly left the chamber. "Catherine what happened?" Vincent asked as they separated. "I was given a morphine injection that sedated me then he took a picture of me and had it doctored to look like I was dead." She told him. "Oh Catherine I was so sure that I would have to live without you." He cried. "No my darling you never have to live without me again." She vowed. Vincent looked down at her shocked. She smiled at him and nodded. "My life above is over and I am here to stay if you will have me." She told him. Vincent was shocked. "If I will have you?" he asked. "Catherine yes please stay with me forever." He begged. She smiled and nodded. "Yes darling forever." Then he captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
Catherine was brought back to reality by a woman's voice speaking to her. "Cathy dear are you okay?" Mary asked as she put her arm around her. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes Mary I was just remembering when I came home to Vincent." Catherine told her. Mary smiled and nodded. "Yes that was a wonderful miracle for all of us." Mary told her. Then both women looked toward the hub entrance. "Here comes the last group." Mary whispered. Catherine smiled and nodded as her tears began to fall. Then the rest of the crew entered the hub. Catherine moved forward when she saw Cullen. "Where is he Mary?" Catherine asked when she did not see Vincent. Catherine looked back at the tunnel entrance. "There he is." She pointed out as he entered the hub. Catherine looked toward the direction Mary was pointing. Then she moved through the crowd toward him.
Vincent smiled as he and Father embraced. "Welcome home Vincent." The tunnel elder told him. "Thank you Father." Vincent told him. Then Vincent slowly began to move out of Father's arms. "Father where is Catherine?" Vincent asked. Father was about to answer when he saw Catherine approaching. "She is around here someplace." Father told him. Vincent could not understand why she was not there to greet him. "Hello my love." Catherine told him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Vincent turned around and came face to face with his beautiful bride. "Catherine I have missed you!" he cried as he embraced her. "And I have missed you darling." She told him.
Then Vincent turned and addressed Father. "We are going to our chamber we wish not to be disturbed." Father smiled and nodded mutely. Vincent turned and took Catherine by the hand. He led her down the tunnel away from the group. Father smiled at Mary as they watched Vincent wrap his arm around Catherine's waist as they walked down the tunnel.
When they entered their chamber Vincent stopped suddenly. He turned and pulled down the tapestry over the entrance. Then turning around he wordlessly pulled Catherine into his arms. "Oh I have missed holding you these last couple of weeks." He told her. "And I have missed holding you my love." Catherine told him as they held each other. She was about to speak once again when Vincent placed a finger to her lips. He smiled then bent forward and kissed her for the first time since his return. Catherine moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her off her feet. The kiss quickly became very passionate. Catherine moaned once again as she felt Vincent's lips move over her face and down her neck. "Catherine please let me love you." He begged breathlessly. Catherine smiled at him impishly. "Not until you clean up." She told him. Vincent sighed and set her back down on her feet. "Alright I will return shortly." He told her. She smiled and nodded. "You better." She told him as he walked swiftly from the chamber.
A few moments later Vincent entered the chamber once again. Catherine smiled brightly as she looked up from the book that she was reading. "Well hello you." She told him. He smiled at her as he put his bathing supplies away. Catherine smiled again as she rose and walked over to him. He opened his arms and she walked into his embrace. "I love you so much." Catherine told him. "I love you to my Catherine." He whispered huskily. Then he once again captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
When they parted this time Vincent was the first to speak. "Catherine I need you." He told her as he stroked her face with one of his claws. Catherine smiled as she leaned into his arms. "Yes Vincent love me please." She told him. Before he kissed her again he released her. "I will return in a moment." He whispered. She smiled up at him and nodded. He turned and walked toward the tunnel entrance. Taking an unlit lantern he then left the chamber. Catherine smiled impishly then she quickly undressed and slipped into bed.
When Vincent once again entered the chamber he smiled as he saw his beautiful wife lying in bed waiting for him. She smiled back at him as she rose upon one elbow. Then stretching out a hand she spoke once again. "Come here to me my love." She told him. He smiled again and slowly stripped out of his clothes. Catherine smiled as she watched his boldness. When he was naked in front of her he slowly approached the bed. Catherine smiled as Vincent lay down beside her on the bed. He turned toward her and opened his arms. Catherine smiled lovingly as she moved into his arms. "Do you know how much I have missed you?" She asked as they held each other tightly. He looked down into her face and smiled. "Tell me." He requested. "I have felt so alone these last two weeks." She began.
Vincent tightened his arms around her as he felt her emotions. "Even though I was around our family I felt so isolated." She continued. "And sleeping alone in this bed was the worst." She told him. "I missed your arms holding me tightly at night as I slept and the feel of your lips on mine." Vincent smiled slyly then moved closer to her. "Well my beloved I am home now and I will make it all up to you." He told her as he started kissing her again. "Vincent I need you now!" she moaned. "Yes my love it is time for me to love you." He told her huskily. Then moving over her he joined their bodies. Catherine squirmed happily beneath him. "Oh Vincent you are my life!" she moaned. "As you are mine." He told her breathlessly.
Later Catherine awoke to see the beautiful face of her husband. He was looking at her with so much love in his eyes. "I thought that you would have needed more rest especially after our latest activity." She told him as she caressed his chest. He smiled down at her and once again embraced her. "I slept very well but I woke up a short time ago and just wanted to watch you sleep." He whispered. Catherine smiled and burrowed down deeper into his embrace.
"So how did the repairs go?" she asked. "Well I am glad to say that they should hold." He told her. "Good I do not think that I could stand another long separation." Catherine told him. "Neither could I." Vincent agreed as he kissed her forehead. "So what did you do while I was away?" he asked. "Well I helped Rebecca with the winterfest candles." She began. "I also helped Mary with the children." She added. "I know that you loved that." He told her. She smiled and nodded. "Yes I did." She answered. "And I went above a couple of days ago to see Joe and Jenny." She told him. Vincent hated it when she went above but he did not mind when she visited their friends and helpers. "So how are they doing?" Vincent asked. "Well it looks as if they are going to have a baby." Catherine told him. "That is wonderful." He responded.
Then Vincent noticed that Catherine was very quiet. "What is it Catherine?" he asked as he looked down at her. "Nothing don't worry." She told him. Vincent placed a hand under her chin and lifted her eyes to meet his. "Catherine please tell me." He told her. "I was just thinking about how wonderful a mother Jenny will make." She told him. "Catherine do you want to have a baby?" Vincent asked. Catherine was shocked. She rose onto one elbow and looked down at him. "I don't know." She told him. "Catherine yes you do." He chided lovingly. "Yes Vincent I do want to have a baby." She admitted.
Then she lay down again. "But we can talk about it some other time." She told him. "Catherine I would love to have a baby with you." He told her. Catherine smiled brightly. "I was afraid to bring up the subject." She told him. "Why love you can talk to me about anything." He told her. "I know but I did not want to rush you." She commented. "Catherine I have been thinking about it for the last two weeks while I was gone." He admitted. "I was worried that you were not ready." He told her. She smiled down at him impishly. "Yes love I am very ready." She told him as she leaned down and kissed him. "So am I." he breathed. Then they were once again lost in their passion.
Later that evening Vincent rose from the bed. Catherine was happily sleeping. He looked down at her beautiful face and smiled. He loved this beautiful woman so much that he could not believe it. He dressed and sat down at his writing table. He pulled out his journal and opened it. Taking his pen in hand he began to write.
Today I returned from a two-week absence. I never thought that it was possible to miss Catherine more than I did. She is the light of my life and the best part of my world. Now we have made the decision to try to have a child. I believe that this is the best decision that we could have made. Catherine will be a wonderful mother and I can no longer rob her of this. I can only hope that any child that comes will have the looks of his or her mother. Therefore not limiting it to the existence that I have led. But whatever comes I will accept.
As he closed his journal he felt two arms come around his shoulders. "I missed you." Catherine whispered. "I woke a while ago and wanted to write some things in my journal." He told her. "That is all right but now come back to bed." She told him. Vincent smiled and rose. He picked Catherine up and walked back toward their bed.
A couple of weeks later Catherine was sitting in bed. She had woke up that morning feeling ill. Vincent was once again working in the lower tunnels. "Catherine dear how are you feeling now?" Mary asked as she entered the chamber. "I am still feeling quite nauseous." Catherine told her. "Cathy may I ask you something?" Catherine looked up at her and nodded. "Dear have you missed you period?" Catherine thought for a moment then smiled. "Yes Mary I did not realize it but I should have had it a week ago." Mary smiled brightly. "Catherine I believe that you are pregnant." She stated. "Mary do you think I could be?" Catherine asked happily. Mary smiled and nodded. "I will have Father contact Peter so that he can come below and give you a test." Then Mary left the chamber.
When she was gone Catherine sat there smiling. She prayed that she was in fact pregnant. Later that day Peter and Father entered the chamber. Catherine was dressed and sitting in her favorite chair. "So are you feeling better?" Peter asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes the nausea ended around mid morning." She stated. "Well let's get the test done." He told her. A while later Peter left the chamber. "I will be back later tonight with the results." He told her. "Fine maybe Vincent will be here when you get back." She told him. He smiled and nodded. "Father I hope I am pregnant." Catherine told her father in law. "So do I Catherine." He stated as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Now young lady get some rest." He said as he left the chamber. She smiled and nodded.
That evening Catherine joined Vincent and the others for a council meeting. They were busy discussing preparations for winterfest that would be held in December. When the meeting was about to adjourn Father looked up and saw that Peter was standing in the entrance of the chamber. "Peter please come in we were just adjourning." Father told him. Everyone rose to leave but Peter spoke up. "I would like to speak to Father, Vincent, and you Cathy." He stated. Peter smiled brightly at her. She felt a rush of excitement run through her. Vincent noticed her face and looked at her. "Catherine what is it?" he asked. "You haven't told him anything?" Peter asked. "No I did not want to tell him then get bad news." She responded. "Catherine please tell me what is going on." Vincent begged feeling very apprehensive. "Peter are you telling me that I am?" Catherine asked hopefully. Peter looked over at Father then smiled at Catherine. "Yes honey it looks as if you are two months pregnant." Peter told her. Catherine suddenly squealed with happiness. "Oh Vincent did you hear that?" she asked.
She looked up and saw Vincent standing beside her. He was smiling and crying at the same time. "Love are you all right?" Catherine asked him suddenly concerned. "Yes my beloved angel I am wonderful." He told her as they embraced. "Catherine this is wonderful." He whispered. "I am so happy." Catherine softly began to cry. Vincent saw this and wiped away her tears. "Oh my love don't cry." He begged. She smiled up at him. "I can't help it I am just so happy." She cried.
After they had calmed down Catherine turned and looked at Peter once again. "So when is the baby due?" she asked. Peter thought a moment then smiled. "Well sweetheart I would not make any plans for the week around winterfest." He told her. She smiled as her tears began to fall. "Oh that is wonderful!" She cried. Vincent embraced her and held her tightly. "Now little mother let's get you to our chamber so that you can rest." Vincent told her as he smiled. Catherine gasped happily at the use of the word mother. "Oh Vincent I have always wanted to be a mother." She told him. "I know my love." He responded. Then they turned to Father and Peter. They both embraced the older doctors and then left the chamber.
Once they reached their chamber Vincent led Catherine inside. He pulled down the tapestry and took her by the hand. "Come my love you should rest." He told her. Catherine smiled and giggled. "Vincent I am fine." She told him. "I know that you are but I am not going to let anything happen to you or our child." He promised. Catherine smiled and hugged him. "I know you won't I love you." She told him. "As I love you." He told her then they kissed passionately.
As they separated Vincent scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. Catherine smiled as he laid her down amongst the pillows. "Are you joining me?" she asked. He smiled and nodded his head. "Yes I am joining you." He told her. Then he backed away and went toward the entrance of the chamber. He took one of the unlit lanterns and left the chamber. A few seconds later he returned. He smiled when he saw that Catherine appeared to be sleeping. He undressed and slid into bed beside her. He encircled her in his arms noticing that she was naked. He smiled at the feel of her skin against him. "What are you smiling at?" Catherine suddenly asked smiling herself. "Nothing my love." He responded. Then they settled down and fell asleep.
