As the months went on Catherine began to grow larger. Their physical relationship had to change but neither Catherine nor Vincent seemed to mind. One afternoon in Catherine's fourth month of pregnancy she and Vincent were snuggled up together on their bed. Suddenly there was an emergency call to Vincent on the pipes. He listened intently then rose from the bed. "I have to go below to the lower tunnels and help with some repairs due to the rains." He told her sadly. She smiled then moved over toward the edge of the bed. She smiled and held out her hands. "Will you please help me up?" she asked with a giggle in her voice. Vincent smiled and nodded. Then he gently pulled her up and into his arms. "I love you Catherine." He whispered into her ear as he held her. "And I love you." She told him. "I will walk you to the lower opening of the tunnels." She told him. Vincent looked at her unsure. "Catherine is that a good idea?" he asked. She smiled and nodded. "Yes Mary and Father both told me that walking is good for me." She responded. Vincent was still not sure but he relented. "All right love." He told her. Then he took her by the hand and they left the chamber.
Once they reached the lower tunnel opening they found the others waiting for them. "Vincent I am sorry that you have to go." Father told him. Vincent smiled and shook his head. "I know that Father but Catherine will be fine with you." He responded. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes we will be fine." She responded as she stroked her tummy. "Catherine will you join Father and me in his study?" Mary asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes I will." She told her.
Then Vincent took his arm from around her. "I have to go now." He told her. Catherine smiled and nodded. "I know love." She told him. "I will be back by dinner time." Vincent told her. She smiled and nodded again. "I will either be with Father or in our chamber." She responded. Then he bent forward and gently wrapped his arms around her as much as he could. "I have not been able to hug you very close these last months." He told her smiling. She smiled up at him and nodded. "Yes I guess I am just too fat." She teased. Vincent shook his head. "No you are just perfect." He told her. Then he gently kissed her. "I love you and I will see you tonight." She told him. He then released her and the work crew left for the lower tunnels.
After they had left Catherine walked toward Father's study. When she arrived she found him there with Mary. "Oh Cathy dear come in." Mary told her as she rose from her chair. Catherine walked down the steps and sat down in a chair next to Father. "So I suppose they have left." Father commented. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes even though I do not think that Vincent wanted to leave too much." She commented smiling. "Cathy that is only normal you are four months pregnant with your first child after all." Mary commented. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes but really Vincent has been absolutely wonderful." She told him. "He is forever doting on me and spoiling me." Mary smiled over at Father. "Cathy that is what an expectant father is supposed to do." Father commented. "And my son is very excited about becoming a father." He added. "Even though I was truly surprised that he agreed so easily." Father chuckled. "So was I Father I thought that I would have to talk him into it." She commented. "But he surprised me and agreed." They spent the next couple of hours visiting.
About four o'clock Vincent and the crew entered the hub. They had finished early and decided to come on home. "Vincent are you going to speak to Father now?" Kanin asked. Vincent smiled and shook his head. "No I will speak to him later." He commented. "I am sure that you want to go see about the expectant mother." Cullen stated smiling. "Yes in fact I do." Vincent told him. "Well then my friend go on." Kanin told him. "I remember what it was like to be an expectant father." Vincent handed his tools to Kanin. "I will come get these things later." Vincent told him. Kanin smiled and shook his head. "Vincent do not worry about that now go find Cathy." Vincent smiled then ran down the tunnel toward his and Catherine's chamber.
When he arrived at the chamber he stopped in the entrance. There in front of him was Catherine sitting in the rocking chair that Cullen had made for her. She was stroking her belly and smiling. "Well little one we are looking forward to your arrival." She said in a whisper. "Then you are going to find out what a wonderfully special man your daddy is. He loves you so much and he is very excited about you." Vincent silently walked into the chamber and knelt down beside the rocking chair. "And you have a beautiful wonderful mommy." He said as he touched her belly.
Catherine smiled and looked over at him. "Hello my darling." She told him. He smiled and leaned up. He gently kissed her lips. "Hello to you my angel." He commented. "What have you been doing today?" Vincent asked. "Well most of it I spent with Father and Mary." She commented. "Then Jamie and I went for a short walk." She added. Vincent looked at her concerned. She noticed this and smiled. "Father said that it would be all right." She assured him. He smiled and nodded. "Well that is good." He told her. "How did the repairs go?" She asked. Vincent sighed frustratingly. "We were only able to repair some of the pipes." He commented. "Does that mean you have to go again?" Catherine asked. Vincent nodded. "Yes I have to leave for a couple of days tomorrow." He told her. "I will have Father keep an eye on you." He added. "Vincent I will be fine." She told him. "Now let's go to dinner." He told her as he gently pulled her to her feet. Then they left the chamber.
The next afternoon Catherine was sitting in their chamber alone. "Cathy can I come in?" Jamie called from the entrance of the chamber. Catherine looked around and smiled. "Of course Jamie." She told the young girl. Jamie entered and sat down on the bed. "So how are you doing?" Jamie asked. "I am fine just a bit lonely." Catherine told her. "Well I thought you might be so I am staying here with you until Vincent returns." Jamie told her. Catherine smiled and shook her head. "You don't have to do that." Catherine told her. "I know but it will give us more time to gossip." Both women giggled. "Come on let's go to dinner." Jamie told her as she helped Catherine stand. "All right let's go." Catherine commented. Then they left the chamber to go to the dining chamber.
Later that night Catherine was lying in bed. She was wide-awake and thinking about Vincent. "Cathy are you all right?" Jamie asked from her cot a few feet away. "Yes Jamie I was just thinking of Vincent." Catherine told her. Jamie rose and walked toward the bed. She sat down on the bed facing Catherine. "I know that you miss him but they will be back tomorrow afternoon." Jamie told her. "And I happen to know that Father has decided that Vincent is to stay home with you unless it is absolutely necessary." Jamie told her. Catherine suddenly felt very guilty. "Jamie I do not want to interrupt his life that much." Catherine told her as she began to cry. Jamie saw the tears and embraced her friend. "Cathy you are not interrupting his life he wants to be close to you." Jamie told her. "But Jamie I don't know why." Catherine sobbed. "What in the world do you mean child?" Mary asked as she rushed into the chamber. "Mary I am so big now and I feel so unattractive to Vincent." Catherine said through her tears. Jamie looked at Mary who motioned for her to leave them alone. "I am going to get you some warm milk." Jamie told Catherine. Catherine sadly nodded.
Once Jamie was gone Mary moved over and sat beside Catherine. "Now tell me what is going on." Mary directed. "Oh Mary I feel so ugly now." Catherine told her. "Vincent has always told me that I was beautiful but how much longer will he be able to say that?" Catherine asked. "Cathy listen to me." Mary directed gently. "When I was pregnant with my son I felt the same way that you feel now. I thought that my husband found me very unattractive. I worried constantly that he would find someone that was more attractive than me." Mary told her. "Then one evening we were sitting at dinner and he took my hand and kissed it. I looked up at him shocked. Then he smiled at me and told me that he never saw me look more beautiful." Catherine dried her eyes and smiled. "I bet that made you feel wonderful." Catherine commented. Mary smiled and nodded. "Yes and very special."
Suddenly Father came through the entrance of the chamber with Jamie. "Catherine dear are you all right?" He asked. Catherine looked up at him and smiled. "Yes Father I was just feeling a bit depressed." She told him. "Are you going to be all right now?" Mary asked as she rose from the bed. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes I think that I can sleep now." Catherine told her. Mary smiled and nodded. "Cathy call us if you need us." Father told her. Catherine smiled. "I will." She responded. Then they left the chamber. That night Catherine slept soundly.
The next day Catherine slept late. When it was announced on the pipes that the crew was returning she was still sleeping. Vincent entered the chamber and saw her. He smiled lovingly and silently walked out of the chamber. When he arrived at Father's study he found him there with Mary. "Oh Vincent is everything fixed?" Father asked as Vincent sat down in his chair. "Yes Father everything is done." He commented. "Vincent have you seen Cathy?" Mary asked. Vincent smiled and nodded. "Yes Mary she is sleeping in our chamber." Father looked over at Mary. "Well she was up a bit late last night." Mary told him. "What happened Mary?" Vincent asked as he suddenly rose. "Nothing happened to the baby." Father told him. "Vincent we had a talk last night." Mary told him. "About what?" Vincent asked. "Well she feels unattractive to you because of the pregnancy." Mary told him. "Mary I have never seen Catherine more beautiful than she is now." He told her. Mary smiled and nodded. "I know that dear it is her hormones." Mary responded. "She feels fat and ugly." Then Vincent turned and walked up the steps. "Father please see that we are undisturbed." He requested. Father smiled and nodded. Then Vincent left the chamber.
Vincent arrived back at their chamber to find Catherine still asleep. He quietly removed his clothes and climbed into bed. Catherine turned over toward him and slowly opened her eyes. "When did you return?" she whispered. "A few minutes ago." He told her. Then he encircled her in his arms. "Catherine I love you more than anything in my life." He told her. "You spoke to Father and Mary didn't you?" Catherine asked as she looked down. Vincent would have none of it. He placed his hand under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. "Yes I did and they told me about last night." He commented. "Oh Vincent I am so sorry." Catherine told him as she began to cry. "Catherine please listen to me now." He requested. "You are the most precious thing in my life. You have always been beautiful to me but now that you are carrying our child you are even more beautiful." Catherine leaned back and smiled. "I love you so much Vincent." She told him. "And I absolutely adore you." He told her. They talked until the rose for dinner.
As time crawled by Catherine and Vincent were enjoying every moment. One day during her fifth month of pregnancy Catherine was standing in their chamber with Olivia and Lena. "Cathy we both brought you some of the baby clothes that we have." Lena told her. Catherine smiled as she looked through the clothes that lay on the bed. "Oh these are wonderful." She told them. She was looking at the clothes when she gasped and put her hand to her stomach. Both Lena and Olivia turned and looked at her. "Cathy what is it?" Lena asked as she moved the baby clothes so that Catherine could sit down.
Olivia turned and was about to run from the chamber to find Vincent when he and Father both appeared in the chamber entrance. "Catherine what is wrong?" Vincent asked as he came and knelt in front of her. She looked up at him and he noticed that she was crying and smiling at the same time. "Vincent the baby kicked for the first time." She told him happily. Everyone in the chamber smiled. "Are you sure that was all it was?" Vincent asked still concerned. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes love it just took me off guard." She assured him. "Well even so young lady I want to examine you." Father told her. She smiled and nodded.
Once the examination was complete Father packed his instruments. Then he turned and looked at the expectant parents. "Well I must tell you that I have never seen a more healthy mother to be in my life." He told them. Catherine smiled as Vincent sat down beside her. He took her into his arms and held her tightly. "Thank you so much Father." Vincent whispered. Father smiled and shook his head. "No problem my son." Then he turned and left the room.
"So what were you doing when you were alerted to this?" Catherine asked trying to bring things back to normal. Vincent smiled at the question. "I was about to beat Father soundly at a third game of chess." He told her proudly. She smiled and laughed lovingly. "And what may I ask is all this?" Vincent motioned toward the baby clothes behind them. "Oh these are baby clothes that Lena and Olivia gave us." She told him. "Aren't they beautiful?" she asked as she stroked one of the outfits. "Yes but not as beautiful as you are." He crooned lovingly. Catherine smiled up at him. "Why thank you." She told him. Then he gently kissed her again.
Suddenly she got a beautiful smile on her face. "Give me your hand." She directed. Vincent looked at her confused but did what she asked. She placed the hand on her belly. "Wait for a moment." She told him. Then suddenly he felt a small jerk from her stomach. Vincent looked up at her surprised. "What was that?" he asked. She smiled at him again. "That was the feel of our child kicking again." She told him. "Catherine that was wonderful." Vincent told her. "Yes and so are you." She told him lovingly. Then she leaned up and kissed him gently. Vincent wrapped his arms around her as far as they would go and returned her kiss.
One night as they lie in bed Catherine and Vincent was talking. "So what are we going to name this baby?" Catherine asked. "I was thinking if it were a girl that I would like to name her Melissa." She continued. Vincent thought for a moment then smiled. "I like that name." He told her. "I do to I have always liked it." She stated. "And what if it is a boy?" Vincent asked. Catherine rose onto one elbow and looked down at him. "Vincent if we have a son I want to name him Jacob." She told him. Vincent smiled at the sentiment. "I think that Father would be proud of that." He told her. "Well he has become a father to me and I love him." Catherine stated. "And I love you." Vincent told her as he pulled her back down into his arms. They fell asleep happily dreaming of their baby.
A few weeks later there was an intruder alert from the park entrance. Catherine looked up at Vincent as he rose and put on his cloak. "Catherine I will return as soon as I can." He told her as he helped her to her feet. "Love please be careful." She requested. Vincent smiled at her lovingly. "I will my darling." Then he ran from the chamber. Catherine retrieved her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. She then walked out of the chamber toward Father' study.
When she arrived she found Father and Mary there waiting for Vincent to return. "Father do you know who is here?" Catherine asked as she entered the chamber. Father looked at Mary. "Jacob she has to know." Mary told him. "I have to know what?" Catherine asked suddenly frightened. "Catherine it looks as if Lisa is back in New York." Father told her. Catherine got a very strange look on her face. "Why is she back?" She asked. "Well dear she wants to come back to the tunnels." Mary stated. Then Catherine looked at Father. He noticed her expression and shook his head. "No Cathy she is not being allowed to come back." He assured her. "That is what Vincent is telling her now."
Then Catherine turned and walked toward the entrance of the chamber. "Where are you going dear?" Mary asked. "I have to go make sure he is all right." Catherine told them. "Is that a wise idea especially in your condition?" Father asked. "Father he is my husband and I will not let her hurt him in any way!" Catherine told her father in law. Then she walked out of the chamber.
As she reached the park entrance she could hear arguing. "But Vincent this is not fair!" Lisa told him angrily. "Lisa many things have changed." He told her trying to remain calm. "Name one thing that has changed!" She challenged. "Well Lisa the one major thing that has changed is that I am here now." Catherine told her as she stepped out of the tunnel. Vincent swiftly turned toward her. "Catherine you should be with Father." He told her. "No Vincent you are my husband and we will face this together." She told him.
When Lisa heard those words from Catherine she gasped. "You are married?" she asked shocked. Catherine smiled as she and Vincent faced her. "Yes and as you can see we are expecting our first child." Lisa was not about to let this woman win. She thought for a moment then smiled. "Vincent may I speak to Catherine for just a moment?" She asked sweetly. Vincent was about to refuse when Catherine put her hand on his shoulder. "I will be just fine love." She told him. "Are you sure about this?" he asked. She smiled and nodded. "Yes why don't you go and wait in Father's chamber." She suggested. Vincent nodded and smiled at her. "I will be waiting for you." Then he bent down and kissed her. Lisa saw this and it made her even more angry.
Once he was gone Catherine turned toward Lisa. "So what is it you wish to speak to me about?" She asked the dancer. "Catherine why are you having his child?" Lisa asked. Catherine was confused by the question. "What do you mean by that?" She asked. "Well you know that the child could turn out to look like him." Lisa stated. Catherine was now angry. "Lisa I will love this baby no matter what it looks like!" she shouted. "I love Vincent and he is beautiful to me." She continued. "Now I believe that this conversation is finished." Catherine told her as she turned to walk back into the tunnels. "Not yet Catherine!" Lisa yelled then she hit Catherine in the back of the head. Catherine suddenly felt the pain. She screamed as she fell to the floor of the tunnel. Lisa then dropped the rock then ran from the drainage tunnel.
A few moments later Vincent burst out of the tunnel. When he saw Catherine lying on the ground he ran to her. "Catherine please speak to me!" he cried as he held her. Father emerged from the tunnels and saw Vincent holding Catherine in his arms. "Vincent we must get her to the hospital chamber." Father told him. Vincent raised his tear stained face and looked at his parent. "Yes Father." He said quietly as he gently picked her up. He entered the tunnels and silently carried her down the tunnel. Father followed close behind them keeping onlookers away.
Once they reached the hospital chamber Vincent laid her down on the cot. He moved so that Father could examine her. Father opened his bag and took out his stethoscope. He gently placed it to her belly and listened. Suddenly he smiled. "Well it sounds as if the baby is unharmed." Father stated. Vincent smiled as his tears started once again. "Father what about Catherine?" Vincent asked.
Father was about to answer when Catherine moaned. "Vincent?" she moaned as her eyes started to open. Vincent knelt down next to the cot and took her hand. "I am right here my love." He told her as he kissed her hand. "What happened?" Catherine asked. "Catherine you do not remember?" Father asked. Catherine thought for a moment then gasped. "Oh God Vincent Lisa hit me with something." She stated.
Then she looked up at Father. "Is the baby all right?" She asked. Father smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "Yes dear Catherine the baby is apparently just fine." He assured her. "But I will contact Peter so that we can run some tests." Then he left the chamber. "Oh Vincent why would she do such a thing?" Catherine asked as she hugged him close. "Because she wanted you to leave." He told her. "But that would never happen I am your wife." Catherine commented. "Yes but she probably figured that if you lost the baby our relationship would fall apart." He told her. "That is ridiculous!" she cried as she held him tightly. "Yes but Lisa did not realize that." Vincent commented. "Now you should rest." He told her. She smiled and lay back down. Soon she was fast asleep.
About an hour later Catherine awoke when she heard voices. "Jacob I am worried about the baby." Peter told Father. "When Cathy fell it could have done some damage." He continued. "Peter please help my baby!" Catherine suddenly cried. Vincent and Father both moved toward her. "Love everything will be fine." Vincent told her. "Our child will be fine." He told her. Then he looked up at Peter. "Do your tests Peter." Vincent told him. Peter nodded then went to work. "We are going to perform a sonogram." Peter told Catherine. She smiled and nodded. "Vincent why don't you and Father wait outside?" Peter suggested. Vincent was about to protest when Father nodded. "All right we will be right outside." He told Catherine as he bent and kissed her forehead. "All right my love please do not worry." She told him. Then Vincent and Father left the chamber. "Honey this gel is going to be cold." He told her as he put it on the microphone. She smiled slightly and nodded. Then Peter placed the microphone on her belly. Catherine flinched when it touched her. "Cathy are you okay?" Peter asked. Catherine smiled shyly. "That was cold and it tickled." She told him. Peter looked at her and chuckled. "All right let's do this test." He told her.
A while later he removed the microphone then wiped the gel off her stomach. "Peter how is the baby?" She asked. "Cathy let's get Father and Vincent in here so I do not have to repeat this." He commented. She smiled and nodded then Peter rose from the cot. He walked over to the curtain and lifted it. "You can both come back in now." He told Father and Vincent. They entered the chamber and Vincent quickly crossed the room and sat down on the cot beside Catherine.
"So Peter how is the baby?" Catherine asked. Vincent put his arm around her and held her tightly. "Well honey it looks as if your child is fine." He told her. Catherine sobbed for joy. "Oh thank you God!" She cried as Vincent took her in his arms again. "Cathy you must have instinctively braced yourself when you fell." Peter continued. "I do not remember doing that." She commented. "Well honey it goes with the natural motherly instincts that a pregnant woman has." He told her. "Well can I get up now?" Catherine asked. Peter shook his head. "No I want you to stay in bed for at least a week." He told her. "A week?" Catherine complained. "Yes young lady a week." He told her. "Peter can I move her back to our chamber?" Vincent asked. Peter thought a moment then smiled. "Yes that would be fine." He commented. "Well I have to run but I will see you tomorrow." He told Catherine as he kissed her. "Thank you Peter." She commented as he left.
A while later Vincent entered the hospital chamber once again. "So my love are you ready to go back to our chamber?" He asked. She smiled and nodded. Then she made to sit up. "Oh no you don't!" Vincent told her adamantly. "Vincent I can walk." She argued. "You heard Peter you are taking it easy this week." He commented. Then he picked her up in his arms and they left the chamber.
When they entered the chamber Catherine smiled at Vincent. "So this is why you wanted to come here before I did." She teased. He smiled and nodded. "Yes my darling one." He answered. He walked over and gently placed her on their bed. Catherine smiled as she looked around the chamber at the roses and candles that Vincent had brought for her. "This is beautiful." She commented. Vincent removed his cloak and sat down beside her he took her in his arms and held her tightly. "No my Catherine you are the beautiful one." He whispered. She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you Vincent." She whispered. "And I absolutely adore you." He told her. Then he bent forward and gently kissed her lips. Catherine moaned slightly at the feel of his lips against hers. Then he backed away. "No Vincent please!" She begged. He smiled and gently kissed her again. "Catherine remember you are pregnant." He reminded her. She smiled suddenly. "Yes of course." She told him. "Now my love you should rest." Vincent told her as he began to rise. "No Vincent please stay with me!" She implored. He smiled down at her and caressed her cheek. "I will be right back." He commented.
He rose and put a lantern out in the tunnel and pulled the tapestry down. He walked back over and removed his boots and socks. Then he removed his sweater. He sat down on the bed beside Catherine and enfolded her in his arms. "Now sleep my love." He commented. She smiled and closed her eyes. Soon she was sleeping peacefully.
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