About an hour later they decided to join the party. Father looked up from his chessboard and smiled as he saw them descending the steps. "I am so glad that he has Catherine back." Father commented as he looked across the board at Peter. Peter smiled brightly and nodded. "Yes now they can have the life together that they always dreamed about." He commented. Father smiled brightly as he watched them waltz by. "Yes they can." He agreed.
While they were dancing Jamie and Mouse approached the couple. "Cathy it is wonderful to have you back." Jamie told her as they embraced. "Thank you both I missed you both very much." Catherine told them. Then Mouse looked at Catherine and spoke. "Catherine stay with Vincent?" he asked innocently. Catherine looked at Mouse then she looked up at Vincent and smiled. "Yes Mouse I am staying with Vincent and Jacob forever." She commented. Mouse smiled happily. "Okay good okay fine." He commented. Then he and Jamie walked away. "They have truly missed you." Vincent told as they once again began dancing. "I have missed them also." She commented.
As they finished dancing Catherine noticed that Father was sitting alone. She turned and looked up at Vincent. "Sweetheart why don't you go and play a game of chess with Father." She suggested. "Catherine are you trying to get rid of me already?" He teased. She smiled and shook her head. "No love I just do not want you to neglect him." She commented. He smiled and gently kissed her. "I love you my darling Catherine." He whispered. She looked up at him and smiled. "And I love you." She answered.
Then Vincent moved away from her and walked toward Father. Catherine was standing watching him as Mary came up beside her. "Oh Mary I did not see you." Catherine commented. "That is alright my dear I thought you would like to spend some time alone with this little boy." She commented handing Jacob to his mother. Catherine took him into her arms and kissed him. "Thank you for everything Mary." Catherine told the older woman. Mary smiled and patted her shoulder. "Now baby how about you and I mingle?" Catherine asked Jacob as he looked up at her. With that they moved toward a group of their friends.
Later in the evening Vincent and Father were engrossed in their third chess game. Catherine was still walking around the room with Jacob talking to everyone of their friends. The band had taken a break and everyone was talking. Suddenly the music resumed. Catherine looked down at Jacob and smiled. "Shall we dance my baby?" She asked him as he looked happily at her. Catherine walked toward the dance floor and stepped out of the crowd. She held Jacob tightly against her as she slowly began to circle the floor. Everyone that was dancing stopped and watched this beautiful scene. They smiled as Catherine swayed back and forth with Jacob. Father noticed that everyone had stopped dancing. "What's going on?" Father asked Vincent as he looked around. Vincent looked up at him then noticed that everyone's attention was directed toward the dance floor. He stood to see what was going on.
A few seconds later a loving smiled crossed his face. "Vincent what is it?" Father asked when he saw the look on his face. "Well Father it looks as if Catherine and our son are dancing." Vincent stated. Father smiled brightly. Vincent turned and put the chess piece that he was holding back on the board. Then he addressed Father. "Would it be all right if we finish our game some other time?" he asked. Father smiled and nodded. "Yes of course my boy go be with your family now." Vincent smiled then walked toward the dance floor.
As Vincent approached Catherine he stopped and waited until she turned toward him. "May I join the two of you?" He asked as he bowed gallantly. Catherine smiled then she looked at Jacob. "What do you think baby can daddy dance with us?" Jacob laughed happily at the sight of his father. Catherine looked up at Vincent and smiled. "I will take that as a yes." He commented. Then he wrapped his arms around them and they started dancing. Everyone smiled happily as they watched the lovely scene in front of them. Vincent looked down at Catherine and smiled. "This is absolutely wonderful." He mused. She smiled up at him. "Yes it is Vincent." She commented as they circled the floor.
Soon Catherine noticed that Jacob was sleeping with his head against her shoulder. She looked up at Vincent and smiled. "I guess we should go and put this little boy to bed." She commented. Vincent smiled down at her and nodded. They walked off the dance floor and approached Father and Mary. "Father we are going to leave now." Vincent told them. "Jacob is sleeping soundly so we are going to put him to bed." He continued. Mary looked at him and Catherine. "Would the two of you like to leave him with us tonight?" She asked. "We will keep him so that the two of you can have time alone tonight." She continued. Vincent looked over at Catherine for her opinion. She smiled and nodded. "Yes Mary that would be wonderful." Vincent told her. Catherine gently handed Jacob to the older woman. "Come on Sweetheart." Mary cooed as she took him. "Goodnight my darling we will see you tomorrow." Catherine whispered as she kissed his cheek. Then she turned to Vincent. He took her hand and they left the great hall.
A few minutes later they entered Vincent's chamber. "Oh I have missed this chamber!" Catherine exclaimed as she sat down on the bed and removed her shoes. "Well my love you are home now." Vincent told her as he pulled off his cloak. After he hung it by the chamber entrance he walked toward Catherine. When he was directly in front of her he reached out and pulled her to her feet. "I love you so much Catherine." He told her as he held her tightly against him. "And I love you." She responded. Then Vincent leaned back slightly and smiled at her. He bent his head toward hers. Catherine gasped as he captured her lips in a rather passionate kiss. Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck in order to get closer to him.
When they parted both were breathless. "I have wanted to kiss you like that for a very long time." He told her as he looked into her eyes. "So have I." she whispered. Vincent then turned and led her toward his ornate desk chair. He sat down and pulled her down onto his lap. Catherine smiled at his newfound boldness. She snuggled down into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder. They held one another that way for a long time.
A while later they were still sitting there holding one another. "Catherine I know that you told me that you would tell me everything after the holidays but please tell me now." He requested. Catherine lifted her head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. She saw the pleading in his beautiful blue eyes and her heart broke. "All right my darling I will tell you." She responded. She shifted slightly and looked deep into his eyes. "When I was found in the apartment they took me to the coroner's office." She began. Vincent tightened his arms around her at the memories this evoked in him. "When the coroner was about to begin the autopsy he hooked me up to a heart monitor." She continued. "Catherine why would he do that if they believed that you were dead?" Vincent asked. "Well apparently they do that to make sure that there is no kind of heart activity." She responded. "He was about to start the autopsy when the heart monitor beeped once." She stated. "Apparently when he heard this he stopped as the monitor continued to beep." Catherine then looked down and gently stroked the tension lines out of Vincent's face.
Once she knew that he was calm again she began telling him more about her time away from him. "When he stopped the autopsy he decided to call the FBI since this was a mob related case." She told him. "They had me moved to the hospital in Washington when it was determined by a doctor that I was in fact in a deep coma." Vincent once again tightened his arms around her.
She looked down into his face and noticed that he was crying. "Love I will stop if you want me too." She told him lovingly. Vincent shook his head. "No Catherine please continue I need to hear everything." She smiled and nodded. "Well after a few months I awoke." She stated. "I had to undergo therapy to regain my strength and that took more time." She told him. "Then I met Charles." She told him smiling. "Yes he has been a real friend to us." Vincent commented. "Yes he has." Catherine commented. "How did you meet him?" Vincent asked. "Well he was put in charge of my protection when the other agent in charge of my protection was arrested." She commented. "Why was he arrested?" Vincent asked. Catherine knew that this would frighten him. "Vincent he was arrested for trying to kill me while I was still in the coma." She commented. "Apparently he was working for an associate of Gabriel." She stated. Suddenly Vincent pulled her to him. "Catherine please tell me that he did not harm you." He begged. She smiled gently. "No love he never got the chance they stopped him before he could harm me." Vincent smiled and sighed with great relief.
They talked for the next hour. "Catherine why did they wait so long to contact Peter?" Vincent asked. "Well apparently the first agent that tried to kill me told everyone that he had in fact contacted Peter." She responded. "At the time they had no reason to think that he was lying so they never checked it out." She told him. "But when he was arrested Charles decided to find out if he had in fact contacted anyone." She told him. "Charles asked him point blank if he had contacted anyone and he admitted that he had not." She told him.
Once Catherine was done speaking she smiled lovingly at Vincent. Then she bent forward and gently kissed him on the lips. When she moved back she noticed that he was smiling at her. "You Catherine are absolutely wonderful." He told her breathlessly. She smiled at him and replied. "Thank you my love." Then they began kissing once again.
A little later they were interrupted by the sound of someone approaching the chamber. They looked up to see Father entering the chamber. "I wanted to let you know that tonight's party is over." The tunnel elder commented. "So did the children have a good time?" Vincent asked. Father smiled and nodded. "Yes they did." Father stated. "But they were very disappointed that they did not get to spend more time with Catherine." He continued. She smiled down at Vincent and they both chuckled. "Well I will just have to see them tomorrow." She commented. Father smiled and nodded.
Then Father turned and was about to leave the chamber when Catherine rose from Vincent's lap. "Father wait please." She requested. Father turned and he and Vincent both looked at her confused. Catherine then turned and knelt down in front of Vincent. "Love if you would be more comfortable I will have Father get me a guest chamber." She commented. Vincent shook his head and reached for her. "No Catherine you are home with me now and I will never be separated from you again." He told her. "You will stay here with Jacob and me in our chamber." He continued. She smiled and nodded. "All right love I just wanted you to be sure." She told him. Vincent pulled her down once again into his lap. "I am sure." He told her as she snuggled into his arms. She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. Father smiled at this sight. "Well my children in that case I will say goodnight." He commented. "Good night Father." They both said in unison. Then Father left the chamber.
Once they were alone again the two of them sat there silently holding one another. Catherine snuggled down even more into Vincent's lap and once again laid her head on his shoulder. She smiled and closed her eyes letting her mind wander. Soon she was happily sleeping. Vincent noticed this and smiled. He gently kissed her forehead then he slowly rose with her in his arms. He carried her toward the bed where he laid her down very gently trying not to wake her. He then backed off and slowly made his way around the chamber extinguishing the candles.
When the candles were out he walked toward the chamber entrance. He reached over and took the lantern off the hook beside the entrance then he left the chamber. He returned a short time later and pulled the tapestry down over the entrance. Then he turned and looked back at Catherine. He smiled lovingly when he saw that she was still sleeping peacefully. He quietly approached the bed where he undressed. Then he moved toward Catherine. He bent over her and gently began to undress her. Suddenly Catherine opened her eyes. She smiled sleepily at him. She noticed that he was naked. She ran a hand up his arm and smiled wickedly. "What is this?" She asked. Vincent smiled at her seductively. "I thought I would sleep more comfortably this way." He told her. She smiled once again and nodded. "Well that sounds wonderful." She told him. Then she lifted her hands to assist him. Vincent smiled and brushed them away. "No my darling I will do it for you." He commented. She smiled and lay back on the bed.
Once she was naked Catherine smiled and held out her arms. "Now come here to me my love." She told him. Vincent smiled down at her then he joined her on the bed. He leaned over her and gently kissed her. Catherine moaned as she felt him caress her. Then when she was fully aroused Vincent moved over top of her and joined their bodies. Afterward they both fell into a wonderfully peaceful sleep.
The next morning Catherine awoke to find him looking at her. "Hey how long have you been awake?" She asked as she smiled and stretched. She turned into his embrace. He gently kissed her forehead. "Not long." He answered. "I woke and could not believe that this was not a dream that you were truly lying beside me in our bed." He whispered. Catherine smiled as she kissed his cheek. "No my love this is not a dream." She promised. "I am here with you." She continued. Vincent smiled and nodded. "Yes you are and you are never going far away from me or our son again." He vowed. She smiled up at him teasingly. "Just remember I am going to hold you to that." She told him as she gently caressed his chest. He rose onto one elbow and smiled down at her. "Catherine that is one thing that you can be sure of." He whispered.
Then he bent down and kissed her. When they broke apart Catherine smiled again. "By the way what time is it?" She asked. "It is about 9:30." He responded. Catherine suddenly sat up. "We should get up and go see Jacob." She told him. Vincent smiled and sat up beside her. He encircled her in his arms once again. "Catherine this is the best Christmas of my life." He told her. She looked up at him and smiled lovingly. "Yes love it is for both of us." She stated.
After a few more minutes Vincent released her and rose. "I will go bathe and dress." He said. She smiled up at him as she rose from the bed. "All right love." She responded. "I will take a few minutes to put my things away." She told him pointing at her suitcases that someone had sat in the entrance of the chamber. He smiled and nodded. Then he leaned forward and kissed her again. She smiled as they broke apart. "You keep doing that and we will totally miss Christmas." Vincent smiled mischievously. Catherine giggled happily and shook her head. "No Vincent we have a baby that I want to see as soon as possible." Vincent smiled and nodded then took his clothes and left the chamber.
A while later they were walking arm in arm into the dining chamber. Everyone looked up and smiled when they entered. "Good morning Father." Vincent commented as he approached them. "Good morning you two." He stated smiling. "How are you both this glorious morning?" He asked. Catherine smiled at him. "We are wonderful!" she told him happily. Then Father noticed Catherine looking around the room. "Mary is bringing Jacob in a few moments." He told her. She smiled a bit embarrassed. "Am I that transparent?" She asked laughing. "Just a bit my dear but it is expected." Father told her. She moved away from Vincent and hugged the tunnel elder. "I love you Father." She whispered. "And I love you my dear." He answered. Vincent smiled as he watched the exchange between the two. "Well I better go and see that the great hall is ready." Father commented as he winked at them. "Alright Father." Vincent told him. "We are going to eat then we will be along." He added. "That is fine." Father stated. Then he left the chamber.
After they had gotten their food Vincent and Catherine moved toward a table slightly away from everyone else. They were sitting there when Mary entered the chamber with a still sleepy Jacob. She smiled as she approached them. "Good morning Mary." Catherine commented as she and Vincent both rose from their seats. "I thought that the two of you would like to eat with this little man." She commented. "Oh yes we would." Catherine chimed in as she took her son in her arms. "I will get his food from William." Vincent told Catherine as he moved away. "All right my love." She answered as she watched him walk away. "Well I better go and see to the other children." Mary commented. "We will see you later in the great hall." Catherine told her. "Yes." Mary answered then she turned and walked away from Catherine.
Once they were alone Catherine looked down into the deep blue eyes of her son. "How are you my baby?" She asked as she caressed his cheek. He looked up at her and smiled. "Mama!" he suddenly squealed. Catherine looked at him in shock for a moment. Then she noticed that everyone was looking in their direction. She held him tightly against her breast and silently began to cry. Vincent walked toward her smiling. "I heard him." he whispered as he sat down. "Oh Vincent what a wonderful Christmas present." She told him. "Yes my love hearing your child's first word is a wonderful gift." He answered. Then the three of them ate their breakfast.
An hour later they entered the great hall. Catherine smiled up at Vincent as they watched all the children around the tree in the middle of the room. "Shall we go see what Santa has brought for you?" Catherine asked Jacob. She turned toward Vincent and smiled. "I will be over there with Father." Vincent told her. She smiled and nodded. Then Vincent leaned down and gently kissed her. After the kiss she walked toward the tree. "Hello Catherine!" Zach chimed happily as she walked up beside him. "Hi Zach how are you?" She asked. "I am fine we are glad you are home." He told her. "Thank you." Catherine responded.
Then Kipper ran up to her. "Catherine this is for Jacob." He told her as he handed her a small wrapped gift. "Thank you Kipper." She called as he ran away. "Shall we sit down here and open this?" She asked Jacob as he smiled brightly. She sat down on the floor and helped him unwrap the gift. She opened the box and pulled out the small painted train. "Oh Jacob look!" she exclaimed like a child. He smiled as he took the train and looked at her. "Let's play with it." She told him. Soon they were moving the train around on the carpet.
As this was happening Vincent and Father were watching. "I see that Jacob liked his present from Cullen." Father commented. "Yes apparently his mother is having just as much fun as he is." Vincent responded smiling. "Vincent I thought you would like to know that Nancy and her family and Jenny and Joe are due here any moment." Father commented. Vincent smiled brightly. "I thought they could not come this year." He commented. "Well Peter called them and let them know about our Christmas miracle." He stated as he looked over at Catherine who was happily playing with Jacob and the other children.
Suddenly he looked up. "They are here." He commented. Vincent looked up and saw the four enter the chamber. "I will be back." He told Father. Then he rose and approached them. "Hello everyone." Vincent told them. "Where is she?" Nancy sobbed as her tears began to fall. Vincent smiled and embraced her. "Come I will take you all to her." he told them. They all walked toward the tree. "Catherine there is someone that wants to see you." Vincent commented behind her. She rose from the floor and turned toward him. She gasped and put her hand to her mouth when she saw Nancy and Jenny. "Oh God Cath!" They both cried in unison. Then they three friends embraced. When they parted Catherine noticed Nancy's family and Joe. She smiled and embraced Nancy's husband Paul. She then turned toward Joe. "Hey Joe." She commented happily. "Cathy I cannot believe this." He told her as they embraced. "Oh Joe you look wonderful!" she cried. "So do you." He told her as they separated.
Once they were calm again Joe got very serious. "Where in the world have you been?" He asked. Jenny walked over and put her arm around him. "Honey I am sure she will explain." She told him. Catherine looked at them shocked. "We married a couple of months ago." Jenny told her. "That is wonderful!" Catherine told her as they embraced. "And to answer your question I was in a hospital in Washington." She told Joe. "I thought everyone knew I was alive until the agent guarding me found out that it was not true." She commented. "Who is this agent?" Joe asked. Just as she was about to answer Chuck approached. "My name is Agent Charles Wright." He commented as he shook Joe's hand. "Cathy if you want I will tell him the story so that you can get back to Jacob." He offered. Catherine and Vincent smiled. "Thank you Chuck." Then she, Jenny and Nancy walked toward a distant table to talk.
Later in the afternoon after Nancy and her family had left the tunnels Catherine looked around the great hall for Vincent. She smiled when she saw him talking to Joe. She gently rose from her chair trying not to wake Jacob. She approached the men and stood almost directly behind them not wanting to interrupt their conversation. "So Vincent I bet you never thought that you would receive such a special Christmas gift this year." Joe commented smiling. "No Joe I was very happily surprised when Father and Devin brought Catherine home to me." Vincent told him. "This is truly the most miraculous Christmas of my life." He continued. "As it is for me love." Catherine interjected from behind them. Joe and Vincent both turned around toward her. "How long have you been there?" Joe asked. "Long enough." Catherine said smiling as she walked up beside Vincent. Vincent smiled at her and gently wrapped his arm around her waist drawing her closer toward him. "I missed you so I decided to come looking for you." Catherine told him. "Well I missed you and our son also." He told her looking down at their sleeping child.
As Joe was watching this interaction Jenny approached him. "Sweetie we need to be getting to my parent's house." She told him. "Yes I did not realize it was this late." He commented. "Do you really have to leave?" Catherine asked. Jenny and Joe smiled and nodded. "Yes you know how mom and dad can get when I am late." Jenny laughed. Catherine smiled and laughed. "Yes I remember." She commented. They hugged then Joe and Jenny started to leave the great hall. "I will return after I guide them out." Vincent told Catherine. She smiled and nodded. "Yes of course my love." She responded with a kiss to his cheek. Then Vincent, Joe and Jenny left the great hall.
A while later Vincent returned. He smiled as he walked up behind Catherine. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist. "I am back my darling." He whispered. She smiled and leaned back against his chest. "I missed you." She commented. "And I missed you." He answered. Then he noticed that Jacob was still asleep in her arms. "Catherine how about leaving Jacob with Mary?" He asked hopefully. Catherine moved forward slightly then turned around. She smiled up at him. "What did you have in mind?" She asked. Vincent smiled at her meaning. Then he leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Later." She smiled lovingly. "I thought we could go to our secret place." He commented. Catherine smiled brightly once again. "Oh yes Vincent I desperately want to see our place." She commented. Vincent smiled then took Jacob in his arms. He moved toward Mary and whispered in her ear. She smiled lovingly and took the child. Then Vincent returned to Catherine. "Come with me my angel." He requested as he took her hand in his. "I would follow you anywhere." She told him. He kissed her hand then led her from the great hall.
A few minutes later they entered the chamber of the falls. Catherine smiled as she inhaled the scent of the water. "I have missed it here." She told Vincent as he encircled her in his arms. Then he turned her around. "So my love are you ready to go to our secret place?" He asked smiling. She smiled back at him and nodded. "Yes just lead the way." She commented. Vincent smiled then took her hand and led her to the trail that led toward their cavern beyond the great waterfall.
When they arrived at the secret cavern behind the falls Catherine gasped. The cavern was fully lit with candles and there was a blanket with many pillows on the floor of the cavern. She turned and looked up at Vincent. "This is beautiful." She commented. Vincent smiled and put his arms around her. "Not as beautiful as you are my love." He whispered. He moved forward and took her hand. "Come with me my love." He prompted. Then without hesitation they walked into the cavern.
Vincent moved carefully around the blanket and gently helped Catherine sit down. Then he sat down behind her. He smiled as she looked back at him. Without any hesitation he opened his arms. Catherine smiled and moved back against Vincent's chest. He encircled his arms around her and held her tightly. "I have missed our cavern." She stated dreamily. Vincent kissed the top of her head then spoke. "I have not been here since you vanished." Catherine looked back at him. "Love why not?" She asked. Vincent tightened his arms around her. "Catherine this place means so much to us that I could not come here without you." He stated. "I would not have felt right." He added. "I am so sorry you went through that pain." She whispered sadly. "No Catherine we both went through that pain but now it is over and we only have the future to look forward to." He commented. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes." She answered.
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