After a few weeks Catherine was back to normal. They had discovered that Lisa had left town with the help of one of the helpers. At first Vincent was very angry that the woman had assisted her. But he soon learned that Lisa had lied to the woman to get her help. Catherine was doing better and happily anticipating the birth of their child. "Vincent don't you have to go meet with the council?" Catherine asked the morning of Winterfest. Vincent looked up from his book and smiled. "Yes we are meeting in a few minutes." He stated. "Are you trying to get rid of me for some reason?" He asked teasingly. Catherine put down her book and smiled. "Of course not love I was just wondering." She stated. Vincent closed his journal and rose from his chair. He walked over and sat down on the bed beside her. "Good because I am not going anywhere." He remarked as he gathered her in his arms. "Is that a promise?" She asked lovingly. "Of course my darling angel." He told her as he kissed the top of her head. "Vincent I cannot wait until the baby is here." She commented. Vincent smiled down at her. "Neither can I." he told her. "I was hoping that the baby would be born before winterfest." She stated sadly. "Well Peter and Father told us that the baby could come anytime in the couple of weeks." He reminded her. "I know I am just anxious." She remarked. "So am I." he admitted.
A few moments later a message on the pipes announced the council was ready to meet. Vincent kissed Catherine gently and rose. "I will return after the meeting." He told her. Catherine smiled lovingly. "All right Jamie is coming to keep me company." She told him. "She wants to be here with me while you are gone." She continued. "She was very frightened when you were attacked." He remarked. "I know she was." She commented. "So was I." he whispered. Catherine held out her hand. He took it and came back to sit beside her. "Love that is over now." She assured him. "The baby and I are fine." She promised. "I know I just get very angry with Lisa when I remember the incident." He remarked. "So do I that is why I try not to think of it at all." She stated. Vincent smiled and embraced her again. "Catherine Wells you are wonderful." He crooned.
She was about to comment when they heard a sound in the entrance of the chamber. "May I come in?" A voice asked. Catherine and Vincent turned and saw Jamie standing there. Vincent rose from the bed and smiled at her. "Of course Jamie I was just leaving." He stated. Jamie smiled slyly. "Does not look like you were leaving when I came in." She teased. Catherine giggled behind them. Vincent turned and looked at her trying to look put out. But she could see the chuckle in his eyes. "Well Jamie I was in fact leaving." He retorted. Then he strolled out of the chamber.
Catherine and Jamie looked at one another and laughed happily. "He seems happier." Jamie remarked sitting down. "Yes when the mix up with Linda was settled he seemed to relax." Catherine told her. "I cannot believe that Lisa lied to her so she would help her." Jamie stated. "She was desperate." Catherine commented. "She would have done anything to get out of the city." She added. "She knew that she had no where to go here." Jamie stated. Catherine nodded quietly. "Yes she burned her bridges with the tunnels when she attacked me and ran." Catherine commented. "Yes she most certainly did I don't believe Father or Vincent will ever forgive her." Catherine shook her head. "They might in time." She remarked. "What about you?" Jamie asked curiously. "I don't know Jamie I could have lost the baby because of her attack." Jamie silently nodded. "Thank God you didn't." She finally commented. Catherine smiled and stroked her belly. "I thank God for that every day." She whispered.
About a half an hour later Vincent entered the chamber. "I am back." He announced. Catherine and Jamie looked up from the book they were looking at. "Hello darling." Catherine commented as Vincent approached and kissed her. "So what are the two of you doing?" He asked as he sat down beside Catherine. "I was showing Jamie the book of baby names that Jenny gave us." Catherine remarked. Vincent smiled and nodded. "I will have to thank her for that gift tonight." He commented teasingly. Jamie caught on to his tone and looked at Catherine. She smiled and spoke again. "Since we got the book we have had some debates over names." She commented. Jamie smiled and nodded in understanding. "Well I better go help with Winterfest preparations." She stated as she rose. "Cathy are you going to Winterfest?" She asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes both Father and Peter told me that I would be able to attend as long as I do not overexert myself." She stated. "And I will be there to make sure that you do not do that." Vincent told her. Jamie smiled. "Well I will see you both tonight." She commented. She then turned and left the chamber.
Later that evening Catherine entered the chamber. She smiled when she saw Vincent standing there adjusting his tunic. She truly loved how he looked in his special occasion clothing. Vincent sensing her return turned and smiled. "There you are." He commented. Catherine smiled once again. "Yes I guess I took longer than I expected." She replied. Vincent approached her and took her hand in his. "Well my love you look absolutely beautiful." He told her. She smiled lovingly at him. "I am not too fat for you?" She asked teasingly. Vincent pulled her into his arms and wrapped them around her as far as they would go. "Catherine I have never seen you look more beautiful." He whispered. He then gently kissed her.
When they parted Vincent released her. "Shall we go my love?" He asked. Catherine grabbed her shawl and smiled at him. "Of course darling." She crooned. Vincent took her hand and they left the chamber.
As they approached the group of tunnel dwellers and helpers everyone happily greeted them. "Hello there honey." Peter called. Catherine smiled as she kissed his cheek. "How are you feeling?" He asked. Catherine chuckled. "Always the doctor huh Peter." She commented. Peter smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Well you are very close to your due date." He commented. "Peter I am just fine." She assured him. "And I promise not to do too much tonight." She assured him. Peter smiled once again. "That will make both Jacob and me very happy." He told her. Then the group walked toward the chamber of the winds.
As they arrived at the chamber Vincent positioned himself beside Catherine. He wrapped his arm around her waist as far as it would go. "Are you alright?" He asked over the wind. Catherine looked up at him and smiled. "Yes love I am fine." She told him. "You will know through the bond if anything is wrong." She commented. Vincent nodded. "Yes but that will not stop me from worrying about you." He told her. She smiled lovingly at him. "And that is why I love you so much." She remarked.
Once they reached the big wooden doors leading to the great hall Vincent released her. He kissed her cheek them moved toward the door. She smiled with great love and pride as she watched her beloved husband remove the large wood plank over the doors. Then he gave a hefty push and the doors opened. He moved back toward Catherine and took her hand. "May I lead you through the dark?" He asked. (From Dead of Winter) Catherine smiled lovingly at him. "There is no darkness Vincent when you are with me." She told him. (From Dead of Winter). Vincent smiled and led her into the dark hall. As everyone filed in they sat down at the long table to perform the lighting ceremony.
After the ceremony was over the musicians began playing while everyone started to mingle. Vincent led Catherine to a table and they sat down. Soon little Cathy ran up to them. "Vincent you promised to dance with me tonight." She commented. Vincent smiled then looked at the child. "Well I better keep my promise." He told her. Then he looked over at Catherine. "Will you excuse me my love?" He asked. She smiled. "Yes of course you go and enjoy your dance." She commented. Vincent rose and kissed her cheek. As he did he whispered in her ear. "I love you my Catherine."
Then he gathered the child in his arms and walked toward the dance floor. Catherine smiled as she watched him circle the floor with the child. You will be a wonderful father. She thought to herself. Suddenly she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Mary beside her. "Hello Mary will you join me for a while?" She asked. Mary smiled and nodded. "Of course my dear are you doing alright?" Mary asked. Catherine smiled. "Yes I am just thinking about what a wonderful father Vincent is going to be." She stated. Mary smiled and nodded. "Yes and you will be a wonderful mother." Mary added. Catherine suddenly frowned and looked downward. "I hope I can be a good mother." She whispered.
Mary was about to respond when Vincent's voice broke in. "You will be a wonderful mother my love." He stated matter of factly. Mary seeing that they need privacy rose and excused herself. Vincent knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Catherine you may have lost your mother as a young girl but that will not affect what kind of mother you are." He told her. Catherine looked up at him. "I want to believe that Vincent but I am so afraid that I will do something wrong." She cried. Vincent gently gathered her in his arms. "No my love you will never do anything wrong when it comes to our child." He whispered. He held her until she was calm again.
A while later Vincent was once again dancing with one of the young children. Catherine was sitting at the table with Father and Mary. They were talking when Father looked up and gasped. Catherine and Mary followed his gaze. There approaching them was Devin. "Devin we did not know you were coming this year." Father commented as he rose. Devin smiled as both men embraced. "Well I thought I would come home for a visit." He commented. Then he kissed Mary on the cheek. "Hello Mary how are you?" He asked. She smiled lovingly. "I am wonderful." She stated.
Then Devin looked at Catherine. He had not been home since their wedding so he did not know that Catherine was expecting. Catherine smiled, as his eyes grew very wide. "Well you have been quite busy." He told his sister in law. She giggled happily. "Yes Devin I have." She told him. Devin then leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Where is Charles?" Mary asked. Devin grew very serious. "I lost him a couple of weeks ago." He stated sadly. "Oh Devin I am so sorry." Catherine told him. Devin sighed. "Well at least he is at peace now." He commented. Father, Catherine and Mary nodded. Then Devin looked at Catherine. "So when is the big day?" He asked. Catherine smiled. "In a couple of weeks." She commented. Devin was shocked. "And my brother agreed to have you come to winterfest?" He asked. Father smiled. "Well not until Peter and I told him that it would be alright." He stated. "And I promised to sit around like a lump." Catherine laughed.
As they were talking Vincent walked toward them. He smiled happily when he recognized Devin talking to Father, Mary and Catherine. When he was directly behind his brother Vincent laid his hand on his shoulder. "Hello Devin." He said happily. Devin turned around and smiled. "Hey there little brother." He said as they embraced. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" Vincent asked when they separated. Devin sighed. "Well as I was saying Charles died a couple of weeks ago so I decided to come home for a while." He stated sadly. Vincent nodded in understanding. "I am sorry about Charles I know how much he meant to you." Vincent told him. Devin nodded. "Yes well as I said earlier he is at peace now." Devin commented. Vincent nodded once again.
Suddenly their quiet moment was broken by a familiar voice. "So have the two of you chosen a name yet?" Everyone turned to see Jenny standing there smiling. Catherine smiled. "Jen I was hoping you were coming." She told her friend as Jenny hugged her. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world." Jenny told her. Then Jenny smiled at Vincent. "Hey there stranger." She teased. Vincent smiled and embraced her. "Hello Jenny and no we have not made an decisions on a name." He commented wryly. Jenny looked back at Catherine as both women laughed. Jenny turned and smiled at Devin. "Jenny this is Devin." Catherine introduced. Devin smiled and shook her hand. "I am glad to finally meet you." He told her. "Yes unfortunately I was not able to attend the wedding." Jenny stated somewhat angrily. Catherine smiled at her. "Oh Jen aren't you ever going to let your boss off the hook?" She asked. Jenny shook her head. "No he owes me for missing my best friend's wedding." She stated.
"Well at least you are here tonight." Father told her. Jenny smiled and nodded. "Yes I would have strangled him if I had missed winterfest." Jenny told him as they embraced. Then she hugged Mary. "How are you feeling?" Mary asked noticing Jenny's bulging stomach. "We are wonderful." She beamed. "Only a month to go." She added. "How many kids do you have?" Devin asked. Jenny smiled at him. "My husband and I have a son Joseph Vincent Maxwell." She commented. "He is a year and a half." Devin looked at Catherine. "Is this Joe's wife?" He asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes she is." She answered. "Devin worked for the DAs office for a while." Catherine told Jenny. "Well it is a small world." She commented. "Where is Joe by the way?" Vincent asked. "Joey got a bad cold and he stayed home with him." She told him. "He hated to miss it but we could not bring Joey." She added. "Is he alright?" Father asked. Jenny smiled and nodded. "Yes Peter said it is only a bad cold." She assured him. "Well tell them that we missed them." Catherine told her friend.
A little while later Catherine was sitting with Jenny talking while Vincent and Devin had moved to the second level landing where they were catching up. "I was quite shocked when I saw Cathy." Devin commented. Vincent nodded and smiled. "Yes we tried to contact you but the letter came back." Vincent told him. "How are you dealing with the situation?" Devin asked. "I have learned so much since my marriage to Catherine that when I found out we were expecting our child I was elated." Devin smiled and shook his head. "I cannot get over the change in you." He stated. "You seem so much more alive." Vincent smiled and looked down toward Catherine. "Devin I have never been so happy or satisfied in my life." He chimed. Devin put his arm around Vincent's shoulder. "Well little brother no one deserves it more than you and Cathy." Vincent put his hand on top of Devin's. "That means a lot to us." He told his older brother.
As the night went on everyone was having a good time. Catherine was being waited on hand and foot by everyone. She was having a wonderful time even though she could not do anything but sit and watch the activities. Mary walked over when she noticed that Catherine was sitting alone. "Cathy are you alright?" Mary asked as she sat down. Catherine looked up and smiled. "Yes I am fine." She stated. "Just a bit tired." Mary then looked at her closer. "Would you like me to take you to your chamber?" Mary asked. Catherine shook her head. "No really I am feeling fine." She assured her mother in law. Mary smiled and nodded. "Alright but I am staying here until Vincent returns." She commented.
Catherine was about to protest when she grabbed her stomach. "Ooh!" She exclaimed. Mary was quickly on her feet. "Catherine what is it?" She asked. "I think I just went into labor." Catherine told her. Mary smiled and put her hand on Catherine's shoulder. "I will get Vincent." She stated. She whispered in Jamie's ear and Jamie moved over beside Catherine. Then Mary walked off to find Vincent. "Cathy are you sure you are alright?" Jamie asked. Catherine was about to answer when another pain hit. "OOH! That was a harder one." She told Jamie. The girl took her hand and held it tightly. "Mary will find Vincent." Jamie told her. Catherine smiled as she began her breathing.
Mary moved quickly through the throng of people. She had not found Vincent yet. Then suddenly she saw him standing with Peter, Father, and Devin. She breathlessly rushed toward them. "Vincent!" She called. When he heard his name Vincent spun around. "What is it Mary?" He asked. "Is something wrong with Catherine?" He asked. Then suddenly the bond opened once again and he felt the pain that Catherine was experiencing. He looked at Mary then at Father. "Catherine is in pain." He stated. "No she is in labor." Mary corrected. Vincent smiled then ran off in the direction that Mary had come.
As Vincent and the others approached they saw Jamie holding Catherine's hand. "Catherine I am here." Vincent told her as he knelt before her. Catherine smiled as another contraction passed. "It started a little while ago." She told them. "You closed the bond?" Vincent asked. Catherine looked down. "I did not want to alarm you." She whispered. Vincent smiled and put his hand under her chin. "Catherine look at me please." He requested. She slowly made eye contact with him. "Please never think you have to protect me from something this important." He told her. She smiled and nodded.
Then Father spoke up. "Vincent we need to get her back to your chamber." He directed. "Cathy can you walk?" He asked. She was about to answer when Vincent gently lifted her into his arms. "I will carry you." He told her. She smiled and put her head on his shoulder. "Alright my love." She whispered. With that they all left the great hall.
Once they reached their chamber Vincent gently laid Catherine on their bed. "Are you alright love?" He asked. Catherine breathed through a contraction then smiled. "Yes Vincent I am fine." She assured him. "Now Catherine we need to get you changed." Mary told her. Vincent moved over and took out her tunnel gown. He then handed it to Mary. "Vincent while we are doing this go and see if Father needs you." She directed. Vincent hesitated until Catherine smiled at him. "It is alright love you will be back shortly." She told him.
A little while later Vincent and Father entered the chamber. They found Catherine lying on the bed. Vincent walked over to her and sat down beside her. "How are you feeling?" He asked. She smiled and caressed his cheek. "I am doing fine." She assured him. "The pain is not that bad yet." She told him. Vincent took off his cloak. Father looked at him and spoke. "You can go change clothes if you like." He commented. Vincent looked down at his formal clothes then back at Catherine. She smiled. "Go on and make yourself comfortable we will be here a while." She whispered. Vincent gently kissed her then he rose. He collected his clothes and left the chamber.
"Father when will the baby be born?" Catherine asked. Father sat down beside her and took her hand. "You could be in labor until sometime tomorrow." He commented. Catherine smiled slightly. "I guess no one will get much sleep tonight." She told him. Father looked up at Peter who smiled. "No honey I guess not." Peter told her. Suddenly Jenny, Joe and Devin entered the chamber. "So this is what happens when I miss winterfest." Joe teased. Catherine smiled at him. "Yeah I guess so." She commented. "When did you arrive?" Catherine asked him. "Mom came to keep Joseph when I told her about you going into labor." Jenny told her. "She told me to tell you and Vincent that she would pray for you." Jenny told her. "Thank her for us." Vincent told her as he reentered the chamber. "Where were you little brother I would have thought you would be stationed here." Devin teased. "I went to change my clothes." Vincent told him. "But now I will station myself here." He stated. With that everyone laughed.
Later that night Catherine was really feeling the contractions. "Oh when will this be over?" She asked. Vincent kissed her forehead. "It will be over very soon my love." He whispered. She looked up at him. "Do you promise?" She asked. He smiled lovingly at her. "Yes my beloved I promise." He whispered. "Now honey I need you to push when I tell you." Peter instructed. Then he looked at Vincent. "Get behind her so that you can help her." Vincent nodded. He rose and helped Catherine into a sitting position. Then he slid in behind her. "Now Cathy you have to push very hard." Peter told her. She started to cry. "I am so tired I don't know if I have the strength." Vincent held her tightly. "You are one of the strongest women I have ever known you can do this." He told her. She looked up at him and saw the love for her shining in his eyes. "Alright I will do it for you." She told him.
A few minutes later a hard contraction hit. Catherine screamed out. "Now Catherine push as hard as you can!" Peter told her. Vincent leaned forward as she pushed. "That's it Cathy the head is almost out." Mary told her. Catherine screamed as the pain wracked her body. "It will be over very soon." Vincent whispered. When the contraction had passed Catherine lay back against Vincent's chest. He gently wiped her dry lips with a wet washcloth. "That feels good." She whispered. Vincent smiled and kissed her forehead. "Rest for a while." He told her. She smiled and closed her eyes. But soon another contraction came on. "Now Cathy this is the last one but you have to give a very hard push." Father instructed. Then he brought Devin forward. "Let her grip your hand." He told his oldest son. Devin nodded and took her hand. "Hey Cathy just a bit longer until we see this baby." He commented. She smiled and nodded. "Yes just a bit longer." She told him. "Oh here it comes!" Catherine cried out. She squeezed Devin's hand very hard. Then she bore down. "Now Cathy push!" Peter told her loudly. Vincent leaned forward with her and she screamed out. "That's it Cathy!" Mary cried happily. Then suddenly the baby slid into the world with a loud healthy cry. "Oh Vincent our baby!" Catherine cried as he held her tightly. Vincent smiled at her as his tears began to fall. "I love you more than anything in my life." He told her. She smiled. "I love you too." She responded.
Father smiled as he approached them. "May I present your son." He announced as he gently laid the baby in Catherine's waiting arms. "Oh Vincent look he is absolutely beautiful!" Catherine sobbed as she held him. Vincent smiled as he stroked the baby's soft cheeks. "And he looks just like you my beloved." He commented. Catherine could hear the relief in his tone. "But he has your beautiful eyes." She told him. Vincent smiled and kissed her cheek.
A while later everyone left the young family alone. Catherine smiled happily as she held their infant son in her arms. Vincent still sat behind her as she leaned against his chest. "Vincent how can I ever thank you?" Catherine whispered. Vincent looked down at her shocked. "Catherine it is I who should thank you." He told her. "Catherine I never imagined that I could have the life that we have now." He began. "I was so lonely and isolated that I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life then I found you and my whole life was transformed into something that I will always treasure." Catherine smiled up at him as her tears silently fell. "Oh Vincent this is the most wonderful night of my life." She cried. Vincent smiled and leaned down to gently kiss her.
As they were kissing a voice interrupted. "Catherine may I show the baby to his waiting public?" Mary asked. Vincent and Catherine smiled as she took the baby from his mother. "Of course they need to see him." Catherine told her. Mary smiled and left the chamber. Vincent wrapped his arms around Catherine and held her. "I will never be able to tell you how much I truly love you." He whispered. "You have reached into my dark world and made all my hopes and dreams come true" Catherine turned around and smiled. "And you have always been the man of my dreams." She commented. Then Catherine settled into his arms once again and smiled. She was soon happily sleeping. Vincent smiled and held her tightly. He kissed the top of her head then slowly rose from behind her and laid her down. He covered her with the quilt then sat down in his desk chair. He smiled as he watched her sleep. She was truly the light of his life. And he was so blessed to have her.
His revelry was broken when Mary reentered the chamber. She smiled and handed the baby to him. "So what did everyone think?" Vincent asked quietly. Mary smiled lovingly. "I must say that he is a big hit." She whispered. She then kissed him on the forehead and left the chamber. Vincent smiled down at the baby in his arms. He shifted the child in his arms and began whispering to him. "You are so beautiful my son." He whispered. "I am so proud that you are here and that you are mine." He continued. "I promise you that I will never disappoint you in any manner. I will always be here for you and your beautiful mother." He vowed. "You are both truly the loves of my life." He continued.
Suddenly Vincent felt as if he were being watched. He looked up to see Catherine sitting on the bed smiling at him. "Hello my love." She whispered. Vincent smiled and rose. He carried the baby over to her and placed him once again in her arms. "What were you talking about?" Catherine asked. Vincent smiled at her. "That is between my son and myself." He commented. Then he gathered his family in his arms and held them. They spent the remainder of the night gazing at their son and dreaming of their future with their beautiful new child.
THE END
Epilogue:
A few weeks after the baby's birth everyone gathered in the main hall for his naming ceremony. Catherine stood beside Vincent as she held their son. She looked down at the child and smiled lovingly. Then she looked up into the blue eyes of her beloved husband. He smiled at her and kissed her hand that he held. Father smiled then began to speak. "We welcome the child with love so that he may learn to give love. We welcome the child with gifts so that he may learn the gift of generosity. And finally we welcome the child with a name." Then he turned to Catherine and Vincent. "I believe that Vincent and Catherine have chosen that name." He stated. Catherine smiled up at Vincent who nodded. Then looking out over all their friends and family she spoke up happily. "Vincent and I have chosen to name our son Jacob." She announced. Father smiled at Mary when he heard this. He was very touched by this gesture.
When Father had collected his thoughts he spoke once again. "Well in honor of this wonderful occasion William has prepared a feast." He stated. Everyone smiled and approached the proud parents. They accepted the congratulations and the gifts for their son. Then Father and Mary approached them. "I am truly honored that you chose to name him Jacob." Father told them. Catherine and Vincent smiled brightly. "We could not have chosen a better name for our son." Catherine told him as she kissed his cheek. Father blushed then smiled. "Well shall we all go to the great hall?" He asked. Mary smiled and took his arm. Vincent put his arm around Catherine's waist and they all left the chamber.
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