Catherine awoke to the sound of the pipes. They were busy passing messages to others below in the tunnels. Catherine turned over expecting to find Vincent beside her but she found herself alone. She rose and put on her tunnel dress. Then she looked around for her shoes. As she was searching for the elusive footwear she heard a chuckle in the entrance of the chamber. She stood up and caught her first sight of her beloved husband. "Good morning my darling." She told him as she smiled brightly at him. He entered the chamber and walked toward her. "Good morning to you my Catherine." He told her as he enfolded her in his strong arms. Catherine laid her cheek against his broad chest and listened to the pounding of his heart. She smiled as she felt his love for her through the bond.
"So do I get a good morning kiss?" Catherine asked as she backed up slightly and looked up at Vincent. He smiled down at his precious wife and nodded. Then he bent his head and captured her lips in a very warm kiss. Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him in place. They stayed there until a sound in the entrance of the chamber interrupted them. Catherine and Vincent turned to see Jacob standing there smiling at them. "Morning mommy and daddy." Jacob said brightly. Catherine stepped out of Vincent's embrace and held out her arms to her beloved son. He giggled and raced into her arms. "Good morning baby." Catherine told him as she held him tightly.
Then Jacob turned his head toward his father. "Daddy are you okay?" Jacob asked. Vincent smiled and took his son from Catherine. "Yes my son I just wanted to watch you with your mother." Vincent told him. "But why daddy?" Jacob asked somewhat confused. "I love you both so much that seeing you together makes me very happy." Vincent told him. Jacob giggled again then he held out his one free arm to his mother. The three of them embraced and held one another tightly.
"Now Jacob it is time for your breakfast." Catherine told him when she moved out of the hug. Jacob squirmed until his father placed him on the chamber floor. "Okay mommy I will go to the kitchen." He told them as he raced from the chamber. Catherine and Vincent once again hugged one another and laughed lovingly at their son. "He certainly has your energy." Vincent told Catherine. She chuckled then shook her head. "Maybe at one time but now I feel as if I am getting older." This comment concerned Vincent. "Catherine are you feeling alright maybe Father should examine you." Catherine smiled and shook her head. "No Vincent I am just tired after all we have been staying up rather late." She told him huskily. Vincent understood her meaning and smiled at her. "Yes I suppose that we have." He admitted. "But promise me that if you do not feel better in a few days that you will let Father look at you." Catherine smiled and nodded. "Of course I will I promise." Then Vincent slid one arm around her waist and they walked out of the chamber to look for Jacob.
A few weeks later Catherine was sitting in their chamber reading. She was so engrossed in her book that she did not hear Mary enter the chamber. "Catherine can I come in?" Mary asked. Catherine looked up and smiled. Then she started too stand up. Suddenly she felt very dizzy and lightheaded. She was grabbing for the arm of the chair when everything when totally black. "Catherine!" Mary screamed as she ran to her. She bent down and took her pulse. She found it and assessed that Catherine had apparently fainted.
Suddenly Father burst into the chamber. "Mary what in the world happened to Catherine?" Father asked. Mary turned to look at him. "She fainted." Mary told him. Father hobbled over to his beloved daughter-in-law and crouched down beside her. "Mary would you please place a message on the pipes for Vincent to return home immediately?" Father requested. "We need to move her to the hospital chamber." He continued. As Mary was about to leave to attend to her errand Vincent, Devin and Diana ran into the chamber. "Catherine what is wrong?" Vincent cried as he ran to her. He saw that she was finally coming around. "Vincent I thought that you and Devin were working below." She told him. "We were then I felt you lose consciousness." He told her.
Father placed a hand on Catherine's forehead. "Cathy we are moving you to the hospital chamber." Father told her. Catherine shook her head and attempted to sit up. Then she noticed that she was rather dizzy. She lay back down on the chamber floor. "My head is spinning." She told them. Vincent looked at Father. "Vincent please bring her along." Vincent nodded. Then he bent forward and scooped Catherine into his arms.
As they were leaving the chamber Jacob ran up to them. "Daddy what is wrong with mommy?" Jacob asked as he began to cry. Devin moved toward his nephew and picked him up. "Your mommy is not feeling very well right now but your daddy and grandfather are taking her to the hospital chamber." Devin told the child. "Can I go too?" Jacob asked through his tears. "Of course we will all go so that we can make sure that your mommy is alright." Diana told him. Since Diana and Devin had married Diana and Catherine had become the best of friends. They all walked toward the hospital chamber.
When they arrived at the hospital chamber father and Peter were busy examining Catherine. "Honey how are you feeling now?" Peter asked. "I am feeling better." She told him. Vincent was standing beside the cot holding her hand. She looked up and saw the fear in his eyes. "Vincent I will be alright." She told him. Vincent nodded because he could not talk due to the fear in his heart.
An hour later Peter returned with the results of the blood tests that he had run on Catherine. He entered the hospital chamber smiling very slyly. "Well Father it looks as if she is going to be fine." Peter announced. Catherine looked up from the bed where she was talking to Jacob. "Peter what made me faint?" she asked. Peter moved over to the bed and sat down beside her. "Well honey sometimes when a woman is in your condition they feel faint at times." He told her.
Everyone looked at Peter very confused. "What exactly is my condition?" Catherine asked. Peter put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. "Well honey it looks as if you and Vincent are going to give this little boy a brother or sister in about seven months." Peter told her. Catherine could not say anything for the longest time. Then she looked up at Vincent. He was smiling brightly and proudly. "Vincent isn't it wonderful?" Catherine cried as she held up her arms to him. Vincent knelt down beside the bed and embraced her very gently. "Yes my Catherine it is truly wonderful." Jacob looked at his parents and smiled proudly. "Mommy can I help take care of the baby?" he asked. Catherine moved out of Vincent's embrace and looked at her son. She laughed happily then hugged him. "Of course I will need your help." She told him.
As the months passed Catherine was becoming larger due to her pregnancy. She was truly happy and content. Vincent was very attentive to her and sometimes he seemed to be too attentive. Catherine had to fight the urge to ask him to leave her alone. She understood that he was nervous about her and the baby. He had not gone through this when she was carrying Jacob.
Catherine sat in their chamber reading to Jacob one afternoon. Vincent and Devin had gone below on a work crew. "Cathy can I come in?" Diana asked from the entrance of the chamber. Catherine looked up and smiled. "Of course Diana come in." Catherine stood and placed a quilt on Jacob who was sleeping peacefully. Then she moved over to the bigger bed to talk to Diana. "So how are you doing?" Diana asked. Catherine smiled and rubbed her still small but round stomach. "We are just fine." Catherine told her. "Father and Peter say that the pregnancy is developing normally. Diana smiled. "How is Vincent doing?" She asked. Catherine looked up and sighed while smiling. "I know he is worried about us." Catherine told her. "I just wish sometimes that he would take it easy." She commented. Diana smiled and chuckled. "Cathy take it easy on him this is all so new to him." Diana told her. Catherine laughed and nodded. "Really I think that he is quite adorable sometimes even though I would never tell him." Diana rose from the bed. "I have to go now because I promised to help Mary with the smaller children." Diana told her then she left the chamber.
Catherine lay down on the bed and relaxed. Soon she was sleeping happily and peacefully. This is how Vincent found her when he returned. He smiled when he saw her sleeping. He silently moved toward the bureau to retrieve clean clothes. Then he left the chamber to bathe and clean up. While he was gone Catherine awoke. She rose from the bed and walked toward the alcove where Jacob's bed was. She noticed that he was gone. Mary must have come for him. Catherine thought to herself. She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not hear Vincent return.
As Vincent entered the chamber he placed his dirty clothes in the basket and walked up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as much as he could. "Hello my love." He whispered softly. Catherine smiled and leaned back against his chest. "How long have you been home?" she asked. "We returned about a half an hour ago." He told her. Catherine then turned in his embrace to face him. "You should have woke me when you came in the first time." She told him. Vincent kissed her on the forehead. "You looked so comfortable and happy that I did not have the heart to wake you." He told her. "Well now that I am awake do I get a kiss?" she asked.
With those words, Vincent bent forward and kissed her gently. Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck. They stayed this way until dinner was announced on the pipes. Vincent broke the kiss and smiled down at her. "Shall we go find Jacob for dinner?" he asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. Then they left the chamber.
When they arrived at the dining chamber they found Jacob sitting with Devin and Diana. He was laughing at something that Devin was telling him. Catherine and Vincent got their food and made their way toward the group. "Can we join you?" Vincent asked. Devin and Diana turned and smiled at them. "Of course we were hoping that you would." Diana commented. Jacob looked up at them and smiled. "Mommy will you sit beside me?" he asked. Catherine smiled lovingly at her son. "Of course I will." Vincent helped her sit then he sat down on the other side of her. "Mommy how are you feeling?" Jacob asked. Since finding out about his new baby brother or sister he had been very concerned for his mother. "Baby I am just fine." She told him as she hugged him. Catherine could not get over how blessed she was too have this wonderful child in her life.
As they parted Jacob saw that his mother was crying. "Mommy what is wrong?" he asked suddenly frightened. Vincent rose from his seat and walked behind her. He put his arms around her until she was once again calm. "Jacob your mom is fine she just loves you so much that it makes her cry sometimes." Vincent told his son. "Catherine why don't we return to our chamber?" he asked her. Catherine looked up at him and smiled. "Diana will you keep Jacob for the night?" Vincent asked. Diana and Devin both smiled. "Of course we will." Devin told them. Then Catherine and Vincent kissed and embraced Jacob as they rose and left the dining chamber.
When they entered the chamber Vincent noticed that Catherine was extremely quiet. He placed the tapestry over the chamber entrance then walked over and sat down beside her on the bed. "Tell me what is wrong." He told her. Catherine did not answer at first. Then Vincent took one of her hands in his and brought it to his lips for a soft kiss. She felt shame for what she was thinking and feeling.
"Vincent I do not know how you can stand seeing me this way." She told him finally. Her comment left him speechless. He placed a hand under her chin and brought her face up to his. "Catherine I love you more than anything in my life. You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me. And the fact that you are carrying our second child makes you even more beautiful." He told her. She looked up at him and started to cry once again. "Catherine please tell me what is really the matter." Vincent pleaded. When Catherine was calm once again she began to speak. "I miss being able to love you the way we used to." She sobbed. Vincent embraced her and held her. "Catherine I also miss making love to you but we cannot do anything that will endanger you or our child." He told her. "I know that I just worry that you will grow to resent me." She told him. Vincent pulled back and looked down at her. "Catherine I could never resent you." He told her. "I love you so much." He reassured her. Then he bent forward and kissed her.
They spent the rest of the evening in one another's arms. "I love you so much." Catherine told Vincent as she drifted off to sleep in his arms. "And I love you." He told her as he kissed the top of her head. They slept happily that night in one another's arms.
As the weeks went on Catherine and Vincent spent much of their time together. They also spent most of their time with Jacob. They wanted to assure him that even though there was a new baby on the way that he would always be loved and wanted by his parents.
Then one day Devin and Diana entered Vincent and Catherine's chamber. They found the young family sitting and reading. "Hey you three can we come in?" Devin called out. Vincent and Catherine put their books away and stood up. Jacob was sitting on the bed. "Of course come in." Vincent told them. Devin and Diana walked into the chamber and sat down at Vincent's writing table. "We have something that we would like to talk to you about." Diana told them. Vincent and Catherine looked at one another then nodded. "We are planning to take some of the children on a day trip to the mountains day after tomorrow and we were wondering if we could take Jacob with us."
When they were done with their proposal Vincent turned to Catherine. "What do you think Catherine?" he asked. Catherine thought for a moment. Then she looked back at the excited face of her son. "May I go Mommy please?" Jacob pleaded. Catherine walked over to her son and sat down beside him. She hugged him tightly. Then she looked at Devin and Diana. "Of course you can take Jacob with you." She told them. "It will be wonderful for him." She continued. Jacob squealed with happiness. Then he hugged his mother tightly. "Thank you mommy!" he exclaimed. When he let go of her he jumped off the bed and ran to his father. Vincent scooped him up into a great bear hug. "Thank you Daddy!"
Diana and Devin rose and turned to leave the chamber. "We will come for Jacob tomorrow morning around 11a.m." Devin told them. Catherine and Vincent smiled and nodded. With that Devin and Diana left the chamber. Then Catherine turned and addressed Jacob. "Well baby we better get you ready for bed you have a big day tomorrow." Jacob smiled brightly. "Catherine I will go give Jacob his bath." Vincent told her.
Since she had become pregnant Vincent had taken over many of her duties. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Mommy since Luke is going with us may I go spend the night with him?" Jacob asked. Catherine smiled at her son. "While you are gone I will go and ask Olivia and Kanin if it is alright." Vincent looked at her with concern on his face. "Do not worry love they are in Father's chamber." She told him. Vincent nodded then he gathered Jacob in his arms and also took his bath items then he left they left the chamber.
When Catherine was alone she picked up a shawl and placed it around her shoulders. Then she left the chamber to go to Father's chamber. When she arrived she found Father talking to Kanin and Olivia. "Catherine is everything alright?" Father asked as he rose to assist her down the steps. "Of course Father I wanted to speak to Kanin and Olivia." She told him. "Jacob is going on the trip with Devin and Diana and the other children tomorrow." Catherine told them. "Oh he will love that." Father commented. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes he is very excited. He also told us that Luke was going." Catherine said addressing Kanin and Olivia. Kanin smiled at Olivia then began to speak. "Yes he is very excited about it also." Catherine smiled. "Well Jacob asked if it would be alright if he spent the night with Luke tonight."
Sometimes when Catherine and Vincent wanted to be alone they left Jacob with Kanin and Olivia. "Of course he can we love having Jacob spend the night with Luke." Olivia told Catherine. "Vincent is getting him ready for bed now." Catherine told them. "How about we come for him in about thirty minutes?" Kanin asked. "That will be just fine." Catherine told them. "Now I must return to my two men." She told them happily. Then she turned and left the chamber.
When Catherine returned to their chamber she found Vincent wrestling with Jacob. They were both laughing very happily. "Hey what is going on here?" Catherine asked as she began to laugh. "Your son is trying to tickle me." Vincent told her through his own laughter. "It looks as if he is succeeding." She told him. Then Catherine moved toward them. "Jacob, I talked to Kanin and Olivia and they said that you are welcome to spend the night with Luke." Catherine told her son as she picked him up. "Now we have to pack your bag for your trip tomorrow." She continued. Then they packed the bags.
As they finished Kanin and Olivia arrived for Jacob. "Hey little man are you ready to go?" Kanin asked. Jacob smiled and started to run out of the chamber. "Hey before you leave give your mother and father a hug." Olivia told him. Jacob turned and ran to Vincent. "Night daddy I will see you when we get home." Jacob told him. Vincent kissed his cheek then handed him to Catherine. "Good night baby be good and have a good time." She told him. Jacob kissed her on the cheek. Then Catherine put him on the floor and he ran to Olivia. She scooped him up and they the three of them left the chamber.
Once they were gone Catherine put her arm around Vincent's waist. "Do not worry about him he will be with Devin and Diana." She told him. Vincent nodded. "I know it is just that if he gets in trouble I cannot go to him." Vincent told her. Catherine turned and faced her beloved husband. "Vincent we have to let him experience new things." She told him. Vincent nodded in agreement. "Yes you are right." He told her. "Have I told you in the last few moments how much I love you?" he asked as he embraced her gently. Catherine smiled slyly. "I do not think so." She told him. Vincent leaned forward and kissed her. "Well my Catherine I love you so much." Catherine smiled and kissed him again. "Will you read to me?" she asked. Vincent smiled down at her. "Do you even have to ask?" he responded. He took her by the hand and led her to the bed. She made herself comfortable and he picked up a book and began to read.
A while later Vincent stopped reading for a moment. He looked down beside him and noticed that Catherine was happily sleeping beside him. He placed the book on the table beside the bed. Then he stood up and walked to the bureau. He retrieved a towel and left the chamber to take his bath. He was gone for only a few minutes. When he returned he noticed that Catherine had not moved. He removed his clothes and slipped in beside her. He pulled her against him and draped his arm over her growing belly. Good night my beloved Catherine. He thought as he drifted off to sleep.
When they awoke in the morning they heard the intruder alarm in the park entrance sounding. Vincent quickly rose and dressed. Then he kissed Catherine. "Please be careful love." Catherine pleaded. "I will do not worry about me." Then he turned and ran from the chamber. Catherine rose and dressed. Then she left the chamber to go to Father's chamber to wait for Vincent to return.
When Vincent reached the park entrance he was shocked to see Lisa there. "Hello Vincent." She told him. "Hello Lisa how are you?" Vincent asked. "I am doing alright." She told him. "I came for a visit." She continued. Vincent was unsure of how Father and Catherine would respond to Lisa's presence. He turned and led her below.
When they reached Father's chamber Vincent entered before her. "Father I have returned." Vincent told his parent. Then he noticed Catherine. He walked over to her and embraced her. "Hello Father I have come home for a while." Lisa quipped as she entered the chamber. Vincent felt Catherine's body go stiff in his arms. He knew that she was not happy to see Lisa.
Lisa looked toward Vincent and saw Catherine. "Catherine is that you?" Lisa asked stunned. "Yes Lisa it is." Catherine told her. "I heard that you were dead." Lisa told her. Vincent quickly interrupted this line of conversation. "Catherine you should go rest." He told her. Then he turned to Father. "We will see you later." He told his parent. "Vincent will you be returning so that we can talk?" Lisa asked. Vincent shook his head. "No Lisa we will see you later at lunch." Then he turned with his arm around Catherine and they left the chamber.
When Vincent and Catherine reached their chamber they entered silently. Vincent noticed that Catherine had not said anything since they left Father's chamber. Catherine walked into the chamber and sat down on the bed. Vincent looked at her for a moment then he put a lantern in the corridor and let the tapestry fall across the entrance of the chamber. He walked quickly across the chamber and sat down beside his beloved wife. Vincent reached forward and took Catherine's hand in his.
"Catherine please talk to me I feel so many confused feelings in you." He pleaded. She looked at her lap for a moment then she looked up at Vincent. "Vincent it scares me that she has come back here." She told him. "I do not trust her." She continued. Vincent understood Catherine's feelings. "Sweetheart you are the love of my life and nothing or no one will ever come between us." He told her. "I am married to you because you are the woman that I want." He continued. "We have our son and in a few months we will have this child." He told her as he gently touched her stomach.
Later that afternoon the pipes sounded for lunch. "Catherine would you like to have lunch here so that you do not have to see Lisa?" Vincent asked as he sat up on the bed where they had been lying. Catherine looked up at him and smiled. "No darling she is not going to keep me from having my meals with our family." Then Vincent reached out a hand to her. "Then come we will have our lunch with Father and Mary." He told her as she stood up. Then they left the chamber.
When they arrived in the dining chamber both Vincent and Catherine noticed that Lisa was sitting with Father and Mary. Father looked up at them as they entered the room. Lisa looked up also and gasped when she saw the new signs of Catherine's pregnancy. Vincent and Catherine got their food. Then Vincent leaned forward to whisper into her ear. "Love we can sit somewhere else Father and Mary will understand." He told her. Catherine touched his cheek lovingly. "No Vincent they are my in-laws and I want to eat with them because I love them." Vincent smiled lovingly at her then he led her toward the table.
"Well you two we were not sure whether you would be joining us or eating in your chamber." Father told them. "Father it would have been rude of us to stay in our chamber when Lisa has come home for a visit." Catherine commented. She had decided to try and be as nice to Lisa as she could for Vincent. "Lisa how long will you be staying?" Catherine asked. Lisa looked up at her puzzled. "I am not sure how long I will be here." She commented. "Catherine I thought you lived above." Lisa commented. Catherine smiled brightly. "No Lisa I have lived here for the last year." Catherine told her. "Well forgive my ignorance but why are you living here?" Lisa asked.
Vincent decided to answer the question himself. He wanted Lisa to hear from him about the change in their relationship. "Lisa, Catherine is my wife." He told her. Lisa stared at him for a moment. "You are married?" she asked. Catherine reached over and took Vincent's hand. "Yes Lisa when we were reunited neither one of us could stand the thought of my living anywhere but here with Vincent."
Lisa decided to ask the next question on her mind. "Catherine I noticed a few moments ago that you are pregnant." Lisa commented. Catherine nodded happily. "Yes I am two months pregnant." She told Lisa. "Well forgive me but who is the father of your child?" Lisa asked. This question angered Vincent. "Lisa, Catherine is my wife so naturally the baby is mine as is our son Jacob!" He told her somewhat harshly. Catherine squeezed his hand in an effort to calm him down. "You have another child?" Lisa asked. Catherine smiled proudly. "Yes he is four years old." She told her. "You will meet him tomorrow when he returns with Devin and his wife Diana. Lisa smiled shyly. "I look forward to that you said that Devin was coming here." She commented. Lisa never truly liked Devin because he always seemed to want to stay around Vincent. "Yes Lisa, Devin moved back home last year then he met and married his wonderful wife." Father told her proudly. He was truly happy that his biological son was home once again.
Lisa was determined to keep asking her questions. "Catherine I know that you were kidnapped why would you move down here and risk everyone's safety if you are still being hunted by these people?" Lisa asked. Catherine was very shaken by the bluntness of this question. Vincent, Father and Mary all saw her reaction. Vincent decided that he had heard enough. "Lisa the people that took Catherine from me believe that she is dead!" He told her adamantly.
When he had finished speaking Vincent rose from his seat. He turned toward Catherine and reached for her hand. She stood up beside him. "My love why don't we go back to our chamber?" He asked her lovingly. Catherine smiled and nodded. As they turned to leave the dining chamber Vincent spoke to Father. "We wish not to be disturbed for the rest of the day unless it is necessary." Father understood and nodded. "Of course my children go and enjoy yourselves." He told them. Then Vincent and Catherine left the chamber.
When they were gone Father looked at Lisa very angrily. "How dare you upset my son and daughter-in-law!" He spat angrily. "Father, I was only wondering why she was living here." Lisa told him trying to act innocent. "Well from now on until you leave please stay away from Vincent and his family." With that Lisa rose and walked out of the dining chamber. As she left she thought to herself. Father I will have Vincent back. Then she walked back to her guest chamber.
Meanwhile Vincent and Catherine entered their chamber. He led her to the ornate chair beside the bed. She was still quite shaken and upset by Lisa's questions. Since her return the kidnapping had not been discussed very much. Vincent was very protective of Catherine and Jacob.
Once Vincent had placed the tapestry down he returned and knelt down beside her. "Vincent I am sorry that I reacted that way." Catherine told him. Vincent leaned forward and gently stroked her face. "Catherine my love you have nothing to be sorry about." He told her. "You have every right to be upset." He told her. "Lisa had no right to bring that up." He continued. Catherine looked into his beautiful blue eyes and noticed that his rage was building. She gently touched his back and began to circle her hand trying to calm him. They spent the rest of the day enjoying one another's company.
Later that evening as they were sitting in the chamber reading Devin and Diana walked into the chamber. "Mommy I am home!" Jacob announced happily as he ran into the chamber. Catherine and Vincent both rose to greet them. Jacob ran to his mother. She sat back down and hugged him tightly. "Oh baby I missed you!" she told him as her tears began to fall. Jacob heard her voice break. He leaned back and looked at her. "Mommy what is wrong?" he asked. Catherine dried her tears as Vincent knelt down beside them. "Son your mommy just missed you so much that she is very happy." He told the boy. Jacob once again hugged his mother. "I love you both." He told his parents. "And we love you." Vincent told him.
When they were done with the hugs Vincent and Catherine rose to address Devin and Diana. "Hello you two how was the trip?" Vincent asked. "It was great!" Diana told her. "We all had a great time." Diana told them. As they were talking Catherine felt a tug on her dress. She looked down at Jacob. "Mommy may I go see Grampy and Grammy?" he asked. Catherine smiled and nodded. "Yes of course they missed you very much." Then Jacob ran from the chamber.
Once he was gone the four adults sat down to talk. "I think you should know Devin that Lisa is here." Vincent told his older brother. Devin got a very angry look on his face. "What is she doing here?" he asked. Vincent shook his head. "I do not know but I want her to stay away from my family." Vincent told them. Devin looked at Diana confused. "What has happened?" Diana asked.
Then Catherine began to relay the conversation that had occurred at lunch. When she was done Devin was even angrier. "Cathy I am sorry she did that to you." He told his sister-in-law. Catherine smiled. "I am fine now." She told him. "But I do not want her near Jacob." Catherine stated. She looked over at Vincent who was nodding in agreement. "Neither do I she has changed so much that I do not know her anymore." He said. "I am sorry love." Catherine told him. Vincent put his arm around her. "Catherine it is your fault that she has become so shallow." He told her.
Diana and Devin saw that Vincent and Catherine needed to be alone. "Hey why don't we keep Jacob tonight?" Diana offered. Catherine looked at her good friend and smiled. "Thank you both that would be wonderful." Then Devin and Diana left the chamber to go get him. Vincent and Catherine spent the rest of the evening together. They read to one another and talked. Then they fell asleep in one another's arms.
A few days later Catherine was in their chamber playing with Jacob. She looked up when she heard a noise in the entryway of the chamber. Lisa was standing there watching her. Catherine stood up and addressed her. "What is it Lisa?" She asked. Then Catherine turned to address Jacob. "Darling will you please go to your father he is with your grandfather." Catherine told the boy. Jacob looked up at her. "Are you sure mommy?" he asked. Catherine smiled down at him. "Yes honey I have to talk to Lisa." Then he rose and kissed his mother and ran from the chamber. "Catherine can we talk woman to woman?" Lisa asked as she sat down at Vincent's writing desk.
Catherine was confused by this apparent change in Lisa. "Of course we can talk." Catherine responded. Lisa thought for a moment then began to speak. "Catherine I am sorry about this but I want Vincent." Lisa told her. Catherine was stunned. "Lisa I am his wife and nothing will change that." Catherine told her. Lisa rose from her chair and stood in front of her. "Vincent and I have a history that I want to renew." Lisa commented. Catherine was now angry. "Lisa the only past that you have with Vincent caused him great pain and suffering for many years!" She spat angrily. Lisa did not respond to the comment at first. She turned toward the chamber entrance. "Catherine I will be with Vincent once again so it would be very wise of you to take your son and leave before someone gets hurt." With those words she left the chamber. After she was gone Catherine sat down on the bed and began to cry.
Outside the chamber from his hiding place Jacob saw his mother crying. He had hidden so that Lisa would not find him. He wanted to see what Lisa would say to his mother. Jacob knew that his mother needed his father he turned and ran toward his grandfather's chamber. He was very frightened and he hoped that his Father would calm his mother down. He hated to see her sad.
When Jacob arrived at his Grandfather's chamber he entered to find his father speaking to Father, Devin and Diana. They were so enthralled in conversation that they did not notice him enter the chamber. "I do not trust Lisa." Father told them angrily. "She has been very cruel to Catherine since she has returned." Vincent rose and began to pace. He could not understand what had happened to Lisa to change her so much. "Father I want her kept away from my family." Vincent told his Father. Father was about to respond when Devin and Diana both noticed that Jacob was standing in the entrance of the chamber. He looked very upset and frightened. "Jacob, honey what is wrong?" Diana asked as she rose and approached her nephew. Jacob was so upset that he did not respond at first.
Diana rose and walked a bit closer to him then she opened her arms. Jacob took one step forward and fell into her arms sobbing. He buried his face into her neck. "Lisa wanted to talk to my mommy." He cried as he held onto Diana. Everyone looked at the child with great concern he was obviously very traumatized.
Vincent approached them and took his son from Diana. He sat down and placed the crying child on his lap. "What did Lisa want to talk to your mother about?" Vincent asked. He could sense that Jacob had been listening to the conversation. "Jacob did you listen to the conversation?" Father asked. Jacob looked up at his grandfather guiltily. He knew that he was not supposed to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. "Jacob you can tell us you will not get into trouble this time." He told the child. "Daddy she was so mean to mommy." Jacob told him. "What did she say to your mother?" Devin asked.
Jacob calmed down more and began to speak. "Lisa told her that daddy loved her and belonged only with her and that mommy and I should leave the tunnels." Vincent was very angry. He looked over at Diana and addressed her. "Diana will you please take care of Jacob while I go tend to Catherine?" Then he handed Jacob to her. "Vincent we will come with you." Father told him. Vincent looked at his father and shook his head. "No thank you Father we need to be alone right now." Then Vincent left the chamber.
When Vincent arrived at their chamber he found Catherine sitting on the bed still crying. He quickly entered the chamber and made his way to the bed. "Catherine, my love it is alright." Vincent told her gently as he embraced her. She clung to him tightly. "Please Vincent don't ever let anyone come between us." She cried. Vincent tightened his grip on his beloved wife. "Catherine there could never be anyone else in my life but you and our children." He crooned. "I love you with ever fiber of my being." He continued. When Catherine had calmed down she moved back slightly to look into Vincent's face. "How did you know about what happened?" she asked. Vincent smiled very proudly. "Jacob overheard what happened and ran to find me." Vincent told her. Catherine smiled proudly. "Our son is a very amazing little boy." Catherine told him. Vincent smiled down at his loving wife and smiled. "Yes he is and I expect that his brother or sister will be also." He told her as he gently rubbed the small bump that signified their second child. They spent the rest of the day talking. Then they spent the evening with Jacob.
A few weeks later Diana was with Devin in their chamber. She rose from the chair she was sitting in and prepared to leave. "Sweetie where are you going?" Devin asked his wife. Diana looked over at him. "I am going to speak to Lisa." She told him. Devin rose from the bed and walked over to her. "Sweetheart it will do no good." He told her. Diana placed a hand on his cheek. "Devin, Cathy is not only my sister-in-law she is also my best friend." Diana told him. "I have to do something to help her." Diana continued. Devin kissed her and nodded. "I understand please just be very careful." Then Diana left the chamber.
When she reached the chamber she noticed that Lisa was quietly reading. "Lisa can I speak to you?" Diana asked from the entrance of the chamber. Lisa rose and smiled at her. "Of course Diana please come in." Diana entered and took a seat. "Lisa I came here to talk to you about Vincent and Catherine." Diana told her. Lisa sat down on the bed. "Diana I hope you understand that it is nothing personal against Catherine." Diana rose and began to pace. "How can you say that?" She asked Lisa angrily. "I love Vincent and Catherine very much and I will not let you hurt them!" Diana shouted. Lisa was angry now. She rose from the bed. "Diana I really do not think that this is any of your or Devin's business!" Lisa yelled. "I would suggest that you both stay out of my way." She continued. "I will not tolerate any interference from either of you." Lisa concluded. "Lisa we will not stay out of it because this is our family." Diana told her. Then Diana turned and left the chamber.
When she returned to their chamber Diana was still very angry. "That woman is impossible!" she yelled. Devin approached her and embraced her. "I told you that it would not work." He told her. "Devin she told me that you and I better stay out of this situation." This made Devin very angry. "That is it I want you to pack your bags we are leaving until she is gone!" he spat. "Devin this is our home." Diana told him sadly. "Sweetie we will return but I have to get out of here before I do something that I may regret." Diana nodded and they began to pack.
When they were done packing Devin took Diana by the hand and led her from the chamber. They walked toward Father's study. When they entered they found Father talking to Mary. "Devin I was not aware that you and Diana were going back to work." Father commented seeing their bags. Devin looked at his father sadly. "Dad we are not going on an assignment." He told the tunnel elder. Father looked at Mary confused. "Then where are you going?" Mary asked. Diana came up to her and placed an arm around her shoulder. "Mary we are leaving." Diana told her as she began to cry once again. Mary embraced her as she also began to cry. "Devin are you certain that this is what you want to do?" Father asked sadly. Devin approached his father and put his arm around him. "No Dad but I cannot stay here any longer with Lisa here." Devin told him.
While they were talking Vincent and Catherine entered the chamber. They noticed the sadness of everyone present. "What is going on?" Catherine asked. Diana turned toward her dear friend and approached her. "Cathy we are leaving the tunnels." Diana told her. Catherine and Vincent could not believe their ears. "Please do not leave!" Catherine begged as she also began to cry. She embraced Diana tighter. "We do not want to leave but with Lisa here we feel that it is for the best." Diana explained. Vincent had moved away from Catherine and approached his brother. "Devin please do not leave we need you." Vincent begged. Devin could hear the heartbreak in Vincent's voice. He embraced Vincent and held him tightly. "We do not want to leave but we cannot stay." Devin sobbed. "Please promise me that you will come back soon I cannot go another twenty years without you." Vincent told him. Devin released him and smiled. "Little brother we plan to be back in time to see this new baby come into the world." Devin told him.
Then Devin picked up their bags. "We better go now." He announced. Then he and Diana left the chamber and the tunnels. Vincent hung his head and cried as they left the chamber. Catherine came up beside him and held him. "Love they will come home soon." She soothed. But she knew that Vincent's heart was breaking. And she was very angry with Lisa for causing him this pain.
A month after Devin and Diana had left the tunnels Vincent was walking toward his chamber. He stopped short when he heard Lisa talking to Jacob. "Do you like living here in the tunnels?" She asked the child. "Yes it is great." He told her. "Well Jacob I am afraid that you're going to have to be a big boy now." She told him. Jacob looked up at her confused. "You see sweetie your mommy will be leaving the tunnels very soon and she has asked me to be your new mommy because she will not be coming back." Lisa told him. "No you are lying my mommy would never leave my daddy or me because she loves us!" he screamed as his tears began to fall.
Vincent heard this and became very angry. He quickly entered the chamber. "Lisa that is quite enough!" he spat angrily. "I will not have you saying anymore to my son!" Jacob rose from his seat on the floor and ran to his father. "Daddy tell her that mommy would never leave us again!" Jacob begged as he cried. Vincent picked his son up and held him tightly. "Shh Jacob it is alright." He crooned lovingly. "Your mommy is not going anywhere." He continued. "Lisa please leave now!" Vincent demanded. "You have upset my son enough." He continued. Lisa nodded then moved toward the entrance. "Alright I will leave but Vincent what I told Jacob is true." With those words Jacob began to cry harder. "No! my mommy loves us." He sobbed. Vincent looked at Lisa bitterly. "Leave us now!" he ordered. Lisa smiled and left the chamber.
As she left the chamber she met a very upset and frightened Catherine and Father. "What have you done to my little boy?" Catherine demanded. Father placed a hand on Catherine's shoulder. "Catherine dear everything will be alright." He assured her. "I only told him the truth." Lisa told them as she walked on. Catherine looked back at her and just stared. "I do not like that woman." She told Father. Father nodded in agreement. "Yes I know but now we must go in and see to Jacob." Catherine nodded and walked on toward the chamber.
When they entered the chamber they found Vincent rocking their crying son. "Vincent what has she done?" Catherine cried when she saw Jacob crying. Jacob lifted his head from Vincent's shoulder at the sound of his mother's voice. He jumped down from his father's lap and ran to her. "Mommy please do not leave us again!" Jacob begged. Catherine was horrified. She sat down in a chair and brought Jacob into her lap. "Oh my baby I am not ever leaving you or your daddy." Catherine cried. Vincent rose and came to his beloved family. He held them both as they cried.
When they were calm once again Vincent turned and addressed Father. "Father I need to speak to Catherine alone would you take Jacob to your chamber for a few minutes?" He asked. Father nodded his head. "Of course I will." He answered. "Jacob we will come to get you for dinner in a few minutes." Vincent told him. Jacob nodded sadly. Then he hugged his mother. "I love you mommy." Jacob told Catherine. "And I love you my baby." She told him. Jacob climbed down and took his grandfather's hand. Then they left the chamber.
Once Vincent and Catherine were alone she once again began to cry. Vincent took her into his arms. "It's alright my love we will come through this." He told her. "Vincent what are we going to do?" Catherine sobbed. Vincent tightened his embrace around her. "Catherine I want you to take Jacob and go stay above at the apartment." He told her. Catherine sat up out of his embrace. "No Vincent we need to be here with you." She told him. "Catherine it is getting far too dangerous for you to remain here." He told her. "Besides we must also think about our unborn child." He told her touching her round belly. "I fear that the stress of all this may not be good for either of you."
Catherine wanted to protest but she knew that he was right. "Alright we will go stay above." Then Catherine once again began to cry. "What is it my love?" Vincent asked. "Oh Vincent I hope all this is over before it is time for this child to be born." She cried. "I do not think I could stand having this child without you also." Vincent held her. "It will end very soon I promise you." They held one another and cried.
Later when they entered Father's chamber Vincent and Catherine explained to Father and little Jacob why they would be leaving the tunnels. "No mommy we have to stay with daddy!" Jacob cried. Catherine held her beloved son. "Baby we will be back very soon your daddy just wants to make sure that you, the new baby, and I are safe." Jacob looked up at her. "Mommy you promise that we will come home?" he asked. Vincent took the boy from his mother. "Nothing will keep you from coming home because you belong here with me and our family." He told the boy. Jacob was still upset and he began to cry once again.
The next morning Catherine and Jacob accompanied by a very sad Father and Vincent made their way toward the tunnel entrance in the park. Catherine held Jacob's hand very tightly. She turned and looked into her husband's eyes. She picked up Jacob and walked into his arms. "We love you." She told Vincent. "As I love you both." He told them. "Daddy are we coming home soon?" Jacob asked his father sadly. Vincent took his son into his arms. "Yes my son you will be home very soon." Vincent assured him.
Vincent placed his son back down on the sand of the tunnel. Jacob turned and moved into his grandfather's arms. "Jacob take care of your mother like a big boy." Father told his beloved Grandson. Then Father embraced Catherine. "Please take care of yourself and my unborn grandchild." He begged. Catherine smiled at him. "Of course I will. I will be seeing Peter while I am above." She told him.
Catherine backed out of his embrace and took Jacob by the hand. As they walked out of the drainage tunnel she looked back at Vincent. "I love you my beloved." She told him. "I love you my Catherine." Vincent told her as his tears began to fall. Then Catherine and Jacob were gone. Vincent turned into Father's arms and cried. "They will return soon." Father told him. "I hope so Father because without them I am lost." Vincent sobbed.
