WHEN WINTERFEST DREAMS COME TRUE By Dawn Yzaguirre
SND - In this story Vincent and the entire community are once again living. Catherine has been "dead" for three years. Devin is now married to Diana and they are living below. Then Joe contacts Devin to help him with a witness that could make the dreams of winterfest come true for everyone.
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Vincent was sitting in his chamber reading to Jacob a week before winterfest. He had slowly recovered from the heartache of losing Catherine. Jacob had grown into a very cute little boy. He looked very much like his mother. This was both a comfort and heartache for everyone. He was truly loved by the entire community. Everyone considered him the true miracle child. The only thing that could have made it better was if Catherine had not died.
Vincent was so deep in his attention to the child that he did not hear the commotion in the entrance of the chamber. When he finally did hear it he lifted his head to see Diana and Devin entering. He stood and embraced both his brother and his new sister-in-law."Hello little brother just wanted to let you know that we were back home." Devin told Vincent as he sat down.Diana took a seat beside him. "How was your trip?" Vincent asked. Devin shook his head."I never knew that being a private investigator for the District Attorney could be so tiring and frustrating." Devin told him.
Vincent smiled at his brother and nodded. "I guess that is why both you and Diana love the job so much." Vincent told them. Diana smiled and agreed. "I know that I love the work." She nudged her husband playfully. Vincent watched the two of them and was truly happy that they had found one another.
"Well I guess we will let you get back to reading." Devin told Vincent as they all rose. Vincent embraced them once again and watched as the happy couple left to go find father. I wish that Catherine could see this. Vincent thought as he looked at the happy couple leaving. Vincent knew that she would have loved seeing Devin this happy. And he also just wished that he could have his Catherine with him once again. Vincent took his seat on the bed once again and began reading again.
Later that night father, Vincent, Devin and Diana were all sitting together talking about Devin and Diana's latest job. "We really enjoyed traveling for this case but it was exhausting." Devin told them. Father smiled and winked at Vincent. "I guess the two of you did not have much personal time." He said slyly. "Dad we have not decided to start a family yet." Devin told him as Vincent laughed. "Devin try not to be hard on father he desperately wants another grandchild that he can spoil." Vincent told him. Devin grinned and nodded. "Well I guess he will just have to continue spoiling Jacob a while longer." Devin told him as he ruffled Jacob's hair. The little boy looked up at his uncle and frowned at his actions. "Uncle Devin!" Jacob exclaimed. With that everyone laughed.
In a hospital room in Maine, Catherine was sitting looking out the window. She was crying once again due to her immense loneliness. She missed the man that her heart ached for. She wished that she could see Vincent just once. She loved him more now than she ever did. And she also wanted to find out where her baby was. As she was thinking the door came open and Joe and Peter walked in. "Hey honey how are you today?" Peter asked as he bent down to kiss her. He noticed that she was crying and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Cathy you will be going home soon I promise." Peter told her. Joe was standing back watching this. He cared about this woman and he hated to see her hurting. "Hey Radcliffe, I thought I would come see you." He told her as he approached. Catherine looked up and smiled. "Hello Joe I am so glad to see you." She told him as she hugged him. They talked for a while. "So what brings you here?" Catherine asked Joe. "I have some good news for you Cathy." Joe told her. Catherine's heart jumped in her heart. She hoped that this meant she could go home soon.
Catherine sat there for a few minutes and stared at Joe. When she could no longer stand it she smiled and told him. "Joe Maxwell you better tell me or I will throw something at you." Joe and Peter smiled at each other. "Well honey Joe just put the rest of Gabriel's men away." Peter told her happily. Catherine squealed in delight. Then she rose and jumped up and down. "Oh Joe I can go home to Vincent." She screeched as she leapt into both Joe and Peter's arms. When she composed herself she sat back down. "When will everything be arranged?" Catherine asked. "I just have to get two of my investigators to come with me day after tomorrow and you will be going back home." Peter looked at his watch and rose. "Joe if you want to talk to those two investigators we better be heading back." With that they hugged Catherine and left.
Back in New York in the tunnels the children were putting on a concert. The entire community was present and happily listening. Vincent sat with Jacob on his knee beside father. And Devin sat a few feet away beside Diana. The music was sweet and beautiful. It made Vincent smile at the memory of concerts that Catherine attended with him. He truly missed her. But felt that she was now at peace.
As the concert came to an end there was a message on the pipes that Joe and Peter were in the park entrance. Vincent rose and deposited a sleepy Jacob in his grandfather's arms. Then he looked at Devin and Diana who were standing. The three of them then left to meet their friends. When they reached the tunnel entrance Vincent opened the secret door. "Hello Vincent, Devin, Diana." Peter greeted them smiling. Vincent approached him and shook his hand. "Hello Peter how are you?" He asked. Peter smiled and nodded. "I cannot complain I have been busy with my other patients." As they were talking Vincent noticed Joe. He moved toward Joe and embraced him. "Hello Vincent." Joe commented as he stepped back. "I have missed you my friend." Vincent told him. "I have intended to visit but the job has me jumping." Vincent shot a glance toward Diana and Devin. "That is what your two main investigators tell me."
They spent the next hour talking and laughing. Vincent took great comfort in his friendship with Joe. He just wished that he could have known him before losing Catherine. "I hope that you both are still coming to winterfest on Friday." Vincent told Joe and Peter. "I have never missed one." Peter told him. Joe got a strange smile on his face. Of course bring her back for winterfest. He thought. "Joe did you hear me?" Vincent asked. Joe snapped back to the present and smiled. "Sorry my mind just wandered." Vincent nodded in understanding. "Are you coming to winterfest?" Vincent asked again. Joe smiled and replied, "I would not miss it for the world."
Vincent realized that is was Jacob's bedtime. "I hate to cut our visit short but my son will not sleep unless I put him down." He embraced both his friends and headed for the home tunnels. Just as Devin and Diana were about to open the secret door again and follow Joe stopped them. "Can we speak to the two of you?" Devin looked at Diana and shrugged his shoulders. They moved away from the door and back toward Joe and Peter.
"What is on your mind?" Devin asked. Peter looked at Joe and then back to the couple. "We have a job that I need you to go on with me tomorrow." Devin and Diana were confused. "Why all the secrecy?" Diana asked confused. "The job is to bring Catherine Chandler home to Vincent." Joe told them suddenly. Devin and Diana were stunned. "What are you talking about Joe?" Devin asked dumbfounded. "Catherine cannot be alive." He continued. Peter knew that he needed to help convince them. He reached into his pocket and took out the crystal that she wore around her neck. "I got this from Catherine to prove to you that she is alive." Devin was stunned he took the necklace into his hand and stared at it. "Oh my God!" He exclaimed as he fell into Diana's arms sobbing. "Catherine is alive!" he yelled. He was so elated that he could not control his emotions any longer.
When Devin had regained his composure he and Diana were still unsure of what this had to do with them. "What do you want us to do Joe?" Diana asked. Joe smiled a mischievous smile. "I would like to get her home by winterfest." Joe told them. Devin and Diana looked at one another then smiled. "So you intend to get her reunited with Vincent for winterfest." Devin commented. Joe and Peter smiled and nodded in unison. Then the four made their travel plans and agreed to leave the following morning.
When Devin and Diana had returned to their chamber they could not help but be excited. "Diana I am fighting the urge to run to Vincent right now and blurt out everything." Devin told his wife. "I know darling, but we have to get her back here so that he can see her for himself." Diana told him. "But it is going to be the great winterfest for him and Jacob." She continued. That evening the two of them slept with the knowledge that Catherine was coming home to Vincent and Jacob.
The next morning Devin and Diana walked into the kitchen chamber with their bags. Father and Vincent both looked up and were shocked to see the suitcases. "So where are you two off to now?" father asked. Devin looked at Diana and then back to Father and Vincent. "Last night before he left Joe told us about a former witness that needs to be brought home to New York." Devin told them vaguely. He was usually more forthcoming about his and Diana's work. "Being very vague aren't you Devin?" Vincent asked sarcastically. Devin only nodded. He had to fight the urge to tell his brother everything. "Does this mean that the two of you will miss winterfest?" Father asked. Diana shook her head. "No Father we will return by then." She nudged Devin's arm. "Well we better be off." He told Father and Vincent. Vincent stood and walked over to his brother and sister-in-law. "We will miss the two of you until you return please be safe." With those words Vincent embraced them both. Then they left for the airport.
When they reached the airport Devin and Diana were met by Joe and Peter. They boarded the plane to Maine and prepared to take off. "So Devin are you prepared to see Catherine again?" Peter asked smiling. Devin smiled brightly and nodded. "Yes Peter I cannot wait to see Chandler." Joe cleared his throat and spoke. "I think that you should know that she could not walk for a while." Joe told Devin and Diana. "She suffered from some physical damage as a result of the coma and the injection." He continued. "What is her condition now, Joe?" Diana asked. Joe smiled and answered her question. "It took a lot of therapy but she is back at 100%." Devin settled back in his seat and slept. Dreaming of the upcoming reunion of Vincent and Catherine.
Back in the tunnels Vincent was still confused by the vagueness of Devin's words. He was sitting in his chamber when Father entered. "Oh Vincent I need to talk to you about the winterfest preparations." Father noticed that Vincent was not moving. "Vincent!" he declared. This brought Vincent out of his daydream. "Oh Father I am sorry I was thinking of Devin." Vincent told him as he rose to help Father sit down. Father was confused. "Are you worried about Devin and Diana?" Father asked. Vincent shook his head. "No Father I was just wondering why Devin was so vague about this assignment." Father nodded his head. "Yes I noticed it to." He admitted. "But Vincent there must be a valid explanation." Father reasoned. Vincent nodded. "You are right now what did you want to ask me?" Father thought for a moment. "Oh yes I was wondering how the preparations for winterfest were coming along." Vincent placed a hand on Father's shoulder. "Everything is coming along fine, Father." Vincent assured him. Then Vincent became very quiet. "What is it my son?" Father asked as he prepared to leave. "I was just wishing something impossible." Vincent remarked. Father smiled and placed a kiss on Vincent's forehead. "I wish Catherine could be here for winterfest to Vincent." Father told him then he left.
When the plane landed in Maine the Devin, Diana, Peter and Joe disembarked from the plane. "Are we going to see Cathy now?" Devin asked excitedly. Joe smiled at Peter then shook his head. "No first we will check into the hotel." Diana patted her husband's shoulder. "Whoa! Honey we will see her soon enough." Devin was slightly embarrassed. "Sorry I just want to see my friend soon." The other three smiled and nodded. They understood and agreed.
When they had checked in at the hotel it had been decided that the first ones to visit would be Peter and Devin. "We can only go in by pairs." Peter told them as they entered the hospital. "Cathy is in a protected area that is for government witnesses." He told them. Devin looked suddenly concerned. "Do not worry Devin all her depositions have been taken she is completely free." Joe told him. Devin smiled and then nodded. He then took Diana by the hand and walked toward the elevator.
When they reached the 17th floor Joe and Diana took a seat in the waiting room. "We will be out in about an hour." Peter told them. Then he and Devin walked slowly toward room 2380. On the way, Devin had to ask about Catherine's memory. "Peter did she suffer any brain damage or memory loss?" Devin had read up on morphine after he returned for Catherine's funeral. He wanted to know exactly what the effects were. Peter shook his head. "No, Devin thankfully there wasn't any type of brain or memory damage." Peter smiled. "She is still the same wonderful Cathy."
When they reached her room Catherine was sitting on her bed. She was lost in thought when they entered the room. "Cathy, honey, Are you okay?" Peter asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder. When she came back to reality she smiled up at Peter. "Oh yes I was just thinking of Vincent." She told him. The sound of her voice was music to Devin's ears. Peter smiled and moved to the side. "Honey I have brought someone to see you." He told her as Devin came into sight. Catherine could not believe her eyes. She was sure that she was dreaming. "Devin is that you?" she asked excitedly. Devin came up to her and took her into his strong arms. "Oh Cathy yes it is." He cried. She was crying along with him now. "Devin I have missed you so much." She cried.
When they parted Devin sat down beside her. He took her hand and they happily began to talk. "How is everyone?" Catherine asked. Devin smiled and replied, "Everyone is fine especially Vincent and your son." When Catherine heard these words a hand flew to her mouth. "Oh God Vincent has our son?" she asked. Devin smiled and nodded. "How is he Devin?" she asked excitedly. "Jacob is wonderful and he is the apple of Vincent's eye." Devin told her. "His name is Jacob?" She asked. "Yes Vincent named him after dad." Catherine smiled and hugged him again.
Then she suddenly got a sad look on her face. "What is it Catherine?" Devin asked. "Oh Devin will Vincent hate me?" she asked. Devin pulled her chin up to meet his eyes. "Catherine there is no way that he could hate you." Devin told her. "He misses you and has gone on only because of Jacob." She calmed down a bit and smiled. When they were finished visiting Devin rose and he and Peter prepared to leave. "When are we leaving?" Catherine asked. Peter placed a hand on her cheek and told her. "We will leave tomorrow for the hospital in New York." Catherine looked up at him startled. "Is something else wrong with me?" she asked. Peter shook his head and told her. "No honey I just want you to stay overnight for observation after the trip it is only a precaution." Catherine smiled and nodded. She knew that he was doing what he thought was best. When Devin prepared to leave he told her that she was about to meet his wife Diana. Catherine was pleasantly surprised at this news. She and Diana talked as if they had known one another for years. They truly became good friends.
The next afternoon Catherine was checked out of the hospital. "Alright Mrs. Wells we just need for you to sign your release forms." The nurse told her. When the nurse referred to Catherine as Mrs. Wells both Devin and Diana had looked at Joe. "She needed a different last name and when I asked her what she wanted to use she said Wells." Devin smiled at Diana. All the while he was thinking wait until Vincent hears that.
When Catherine was signed out they got into the limousine that Peter had rented and headed for the airport. "Just a few more hours and you will be back in New York." Peter told Catherine. She smiled and thought to herself. Yes then I will go home to Vincent and Jacob forever.
Back in the tunnels that Catherine loved her soul mate was playing with their son. "Daddy did mommy want to go away?" Jacob asked. Vincent pulled him into his lap and stroked his face. "No son she wanted to stay with us." He told the child. "Will she ever come home?" Jacob asked. Vincent was about to answer his question when he suddenly felt a distant flutter. He had not felt anything like this since the bond with Catherine was lost. "Daddy what is it?" Jacob asked sounding scared. Vincent looked down at his son and kissed his forehead. "Nothing Jacob your daddy is just fine." But deep inside Vincent wondered what he had felt minutes before.
After the private plane had taken off Devin and Diana spent the flight catching Catherine up on all tunnel happenings. "How is father?" Catherine asked. "He is fine he and Mary married last year." Catherine smiled after hearing this. "Oh that is wonderful but not surprising." Then Catherine looked down at her hands and prepared to ask the question that she was dreading. Devin saw the look on her face and knew what she was about to ask. "Cathy, Vincent could never replace you with anyone else." Catherine was relieved to hear this. She was so afraid that he had found another woman to love. "Cathy when I was working on your case I developed strong feelings for him; but he told me that you were the only one he would ever love." Diana reassured her. "I just do not want to disrupt his life if he is happy." Devin moved over beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. "Cathy he has not been truly happy since you were lost to him." He told her. She raised her face to look at him and he noticed she was crying. Diana moved over to the other side of her. "What is it Cathy?" She asked. "I just hope that we can get him to accept me again." She sobbed. Diana took her into her arms and soothed her. "Oh Cathy you will be the most wonderful present for him." Diana told her.
When they landed at Kennedy Airport an ambulance was waiting to take Catherine to the hospital. "I guess I will see you both later?" She asked Devin and Diana as she was loaded in the ambulance. Diana handed her suitcase to Devin then climbed into the ambulance. "No I am staying with you." She told Catherine. Devin patted Catherine on the foot then told her. "I am going home to take our luggage and I will join you at the hospital." He told them. "Are you going to tell anyone?" Diana asked. Devin smiled and nodded. "I thought that I should tell father." Catherine smiled and nodded. "Oh yes Devin tell father." With those words the ambulance doors closed and they headed for the hospital. Devin, Peter and Joe headed for the tunnels. "Peter why don't we tell Vincent and let him go see her for himself tonight?" Peter and Joe thought for a moment. "Oh I like that idea we will tell him today." Joe told them.
When the three men reached the main chamber they found Vincent and Father involved in a very deep conversation. "Father I have some strange sense of Catherine." Vincent told Father as he entered the chamber. Father looked up from his ledger stunned. "Vincent how is that possible she is dead?" Father asked. Vincent plopped down into the chair opposite Father and shrugged. "I do not know but our connection seems to be returning."
Just as father was about to answer Devin stepped forward. "Hello Dad we are back." Devin descended the steps and embraced both Vincent and Father. "Devin was your trip a success?" Vincent asked. Devin looked back at Peter and Joe who had entered behind him and smiled. Then he turned to Vincent and spoke. "Little brother it was more successful than you could have ever dreamed." Father and Vincent looked at one another and then at the three men in front of them.
"What do you mean by that Devin?" Father asked. Just then Joe spoke up. "Devin I think I should explain this after all it started with me." Devin nodded and moved aside. "When I found Catherine in her apartment the night after you left her there we were removing her when one of the ambulance crew screamed to me." Joe knew that this was going to be hard on Vincent. "I went over to him and he gave me the stethoscope." Joe looked up at Vincent and found him leaning forward listening intently. "I placed it on her chest and found a very faint heartbeat." Vincent was suddenly up on his feet pacing. Devin approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Vincent what is it?" Devin asked. Vincent turned and everyone saw the tears that were falling unchecked down his face. "Devin ever since yesterday I have felt a flutter inside of me as if our connection were returning." He commented. "Now I know it was because my Catherine is still alive!" he cried. Devin smiled and embraced him. "Yes little brother she is and she is coming home to you." Devin told him.
Joe waited for Vincent to calm down. "Vincent I am sorry that you could not be told about this before I just had to make sure she was safe and had the medical attention that she needed." Vincent approached his friend and embraced him. "I know why you did it Joe I am just thankful that my Catherine is alive." Vincent told him.
When Vincent regained his composure he was more excited than ever. "Where is she now?" He asked happily. Devin took his arm and led him to his seat. "Vincent she is on her way to St. Vincent's hospital by ambulance." Peter told him. Vincent all of a sudden looked up at Peter with fear in his eyes. "What is wrong with her?" Vincent asked almost panicking. Peter stepped forward and placed a hand on Vincent's shoulder. "Nothing is wrong I just wanted to keep her overnight for observation." Peter told him. "Peter is there any way that I could see her?" Vincent asked hopefully. Peter smiled and nodded. "Yes I am sure that can be arranged." Peter commented smiling. "Now we are going to the hospital to meet Diana." He commented. "She went with Catherine in the ambulance." Devin commented. Vincent looked at Father who had risen from his seat. "Can you wait I will change my clothes and go up top with you?" Father asked them. The three of them smiled and nodded. "Of course we can Jacob." Peter told him.
Then Peter turned and addressed Vincent once again. "I will send you a message about what room she is in." Peter told Vincent. Then Vincent rose and headed for the door. "Little brother where are you going?" Devin asked as Vincent climbed the steps. He turned around and smiled at him. "I have to go tell our son that his mother is coming home to us." And with that he bounded happily out of the room. "I have not seen him that happy in three years." Devin told Joe and Peter as they smiled. Once Father was ready the four of them headed for the hospital.
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