Stolen Memories
Chapter Four
By Dawn Yzaguirre


Stolen Memories Chapter 4 A couple of hours later the applause above their heads signaled that the concert had come to an end. Vincent looked over and noticed that Catherine’s eyes were closed but that she had a beautiful smile on her face. “Catherine, are you awake?”

Catherine sighed softly and opened her eyes. “Yes, I was just enjoying the music and the company.”

Vincent leaned over and kissed her hair. “Yes, they were both impeccable.”

After a moment Catherine sat up. “I wish our night didn’t have to end just yet.”

Vincent rose to his feet and held out his hand. “It doesn’t.”

Catherine looked up at him surprised. She took his hand and let him help her to her feet. “What do you have in mind?”

Reaching down Vincent picked up his cloak and dusted it off then he swung it around his broad shoulders. “I was thinking that we could take a walk in the tunnels for a while then we could go above to the park.”

Catherine looked at him slightly surprised. Both Father and Jacob had told her that Vincent hadn’t gone above in a very long time. “You want to go above?”

Vincent chuckled at the tone in her voice. “Yes, I want to walk in the park with you like we used to.”

Catherine squeezed his hand gently. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

They left their music chamber and started down the tunnels quietly talking and enjoying the time together.

A while later they exited the secret door leading into the drainage tunnel. Catherine looked back at Vincent as he closed the door once again. “You ready to go?” Vincent turned to her again. She immediately saw that he had something on his mind. “Vincent, is something wrong?”

Sighing he moved away from the secret door and started to pace. Catherine turned and watched him greatly concerned. “What’s the matter Vincent?”

He stopped pacing and turned toward her again. “We can’t go on like this Catherine.”

Her heart started to beat faster in her chest hearing his words. “What do you mean?”

Vincent shook his head. “There are things that we need to talk about.”

Catherine moved closer but didn’t touch him. “We can talk about anything you know that.”

Vincent turned and looked at her again. “Yes, I know we can.” He reached out and took her hand. “Come let’s sit.”

Catherine let him lead her over to the side tunnel where he took off his cloak and spread it out. Sitting down first Vincent reached for her hand. “Come sit with me.”

Catherine took his hand and let him help her down to the cloak. Once she was seated she snuggled close to his side. “What do you want to talk about?”

Vincent kissed the top of her head as he had a few minutes before then started speaking. “I need to know everything about the night that Jacob was conceived.”

Catherine lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes. “Are you sure you want to know about that?”

Vincent tightened his arm around her shoulders. “Yes, I need to know.”

Catherine moved slightly away from his side but kept hold of his hand. “All right, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

Vincent thought for a moment before speaking again. “Why did you come down to the tunnels again after I ran from our music chamber?”

Catherine looked down for a moment then looked at Vincent again. “Father wasn’t sure how to help you and he thought that I might be able to reach you through our bond.”

Vincent tensed at her words. “Father sent for you?”

Catherine nodded. “Yes, he didn’t know what else to do.”

Vincent shook his head. “He shouldn’t have done that I wouldn’t have wanted you to see me in that state.”

Catherine turned slightly so she could see him more clearly. “But you did want me here.”

Vincent looked up at her shocked. “I wanted you here?”

Catherine smiled. “Yes, Father told me that you asked that he bring me below before you went into the catacombs.”

Catherine watched as he pulled his hands from her and rose. He started pacing in the small area before her. After a few moments he stopped and turned to face her again. “Catherine, I could have killed you that night in the state of mind that I was in.”

She rose to her feet and stood in front of him. “No! Vincent you couldn’t have hurt me you proved that when we made love.”

Vincent stared at her for a moment not saying anything then he pulled her into his arms. “You are the bravest woman I’ve ever known.”

Vincent was surprised when he felt Catherine’s shoulders shaking. Pulling back he looked into her face and saw her tears for the first time. “Why are you crying?”

She looked down again as if she were ashamed. “I wasn’t brave that night Vincent, I was scared out of my mind that I was going to lose you.”

Pulling her close again Vincent rocked her. “Shh, everything’s all right now.”

When she was calm again he moved back and looked at her with all the love that he felt inside. He lifted his hand and tenderly cupped her cheek. “I want our relationship to move forward.”

Catherine’s heart started to beat faster in her chest. “How do you want it to move forward?”

Vincent smiled the rare smile that Catherine loved then he leaned forward making his intent clear. “Like this.” With that he covered her lips with his in a kiss that took Catherine’s breath away with its passion and intensity.

After a few minutes they parted. Catherine laid her head against his chest as they both tried to get their breathing back under control.

When her breathing had finally returned to normal, Catherine looked up at Vincent and smiled. “That was the most amazing kiss we’ve ever shared.”

Vincent chuckled and tightened his arms around her. “Yes, my angel it was.” He reached down and picked up his cloak once again dusting it off and putting it around his shoulders once again.

Catherine was about to speak again when he swung her up into his arms. She giggled as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “What are you doing?”

Vincent kissed her for a moment then moved to the secret lever and pushed it. He looked at Catherine once again and she gasped at the passion and desire she saw in his eyes. “I want to make love to you tonight as we did the night Jacob was conceived.”

Catherine stared at him for a moment then spoke. “Are you certain?”

Vincent stepped into the tunnel and closed the secret door again. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” With that he started to run down the tunnel toward his chamber and their destiny.

To be continued in chapter 5.