They settled down to being together and over the days and weeks that followed life even begun to have meaning again. At first it was difficult picking up from the past, but with patience Vincent and Catherine learned to harmonise with one another until for the other tunnel dwellers it became normal not to speak about one without the other.

Eventually the question popped up, “So when are you two going to get married?” This was asked by so many that eventually Vincent asked Catherine what she thought, and together they began making plans.

“Devin’s original idea is still a good one.” Catherine told Vincent, “And I’d like to get married in the sunshine. I’m sure the sunlight will make you even more gorgeous than you are now.”

Vincent surprised Catherine when he laughed and she told him, “What no argument?”

“Catherine, “ Vincent came to stand behind her and with his arms draped around her neck, he whispered in her ear, “How can I argue when you only speak the truth?” He came to stand in front of her telling her sincerely, “When I first saw Jacob and Joseph I was reminded by what you’ve always told me. They were so beautiful Catherine, how could I never see what was right before your eyes all the time?”

Tears formed on Catherine’s lashes, “They were the image of their father. Oh Vincent not a day goes by without me wondering what they would have been like. It breaks my heart every time I think on what happened.”

“Mine too. I was careless. I wanted to hurt you as you had hurt me, had I of known…” He shook his head “I will never forgive myself…never!”

“We can’t go back my love, only forward, and we must never make the same mistakes over again. At least we will be together, which is one step nearer the right direction than our soul mates got.”

“Yes and at least we did have leonine babies, which should have proven something.”

“Do you think they are with us still? Our soul mates that is.”

Sadly, Vincent shook his head, “No, I think they abandoned us as careless counterparts. I can’t say I blame them.”

“I agree, I haven’t felt mine with me since the babies died.”

“Maybe they are grieving too.”

“Maybe.”

“Perhaps they will return when we are married, which brings us back to the matter in hand. Have you any dates you wish to be married on?”

“You choose.”

“Me?”

“Yes you.”

Vincent was thoughtful for a few minutes then he said, “You want it to be sunny, and I’m sure you will want to look beautiful as well as radiant, so it mustn’t be too cold. Neither too hot, so I think June would be appropriate, which leaves us five weeks to prepare.”

“Mid summer’s day.” Catherine told him, “That way every one will remember it.”

Vincent nodded, “Mid summer’s day it is, shall we say at twelve noon?”

“Yes, the middle of the middle.”

Vincent chuckled, “So it is. That’s settled then. Is five weeks enough time for you?”

Her eyes bright Catherine nodded, “In many respects it’s too long, but I’m sure it will fly by. Thank you, Vincent.”

Vincent inclined his head, “For what, Catherine?”

“For asking me to be your wife. I promise to make you happy.”

“You have always made me happy, my love.”

Catherine smiled, they both knew there was a time…but they passed up on it, they were learning to forget about the time she intended to terminate her pregnancy…Catherine was not of her right mind back then, and Vincent had been the cause. Neither wanted to dwell on that any more, and though deep down inside it rubbed at their conscience it was best left buried in the past. All they could do now was learn from the experience.

“Vincent…I have to ask.”

Vincent inclined his ear, his blue eyes penetrating and fearful of what she might impart. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, and Catherine seeming to guess placed her hand over the spot. “Don’t fret so, its nothing bad, so relax.” He smiled at her, an indulgent smile yet his anxiety didn’t diminish one iota.

“Vincent, we will never forget our sons I know that, and they will always be a part of our every day lives I know that too, but my arms ache for them my love, so much…I long to nurse your child, its like a pain so deep its almost unbearable at times. Vincent, please tell me…when…”

He placed a finger to her lips, to quieten whatever she had been about to ask, then he followed through with his lips and kissed her tenderly, “I’ve felt this pain in you my love…it reflected my own, so you have no need to fret Catherine, I too want to hold our child in my arms…soon Catherine, I promise you, soon.”

She melted against him holding him tight, had it been possible to unzip and step inside him she would have, so great was the need to be a part of him. Carrying his child was the next best thing, she’d lost out before, too much had happened at the time for her to enjoy the feeling.

“I love you, Vincent.”

“As I love you.” They stood wrapped in one another’s arms, just enjoying the closeness of being together, knowing that things were becoming settled, they were moving toward their future happiness.

For once both felt secure and looked forward to a future of their making… neither knowing that there’d be one more task set before them…or that it would begin the very next day.

Woken early Vincent made his way to the guest chamber where Catherine lay awake staring up at the ceiling. She turned her head to him as he stood there in the entrance gazing at her, a haunted expression on his face.

“My love, what is it?” Catherine was up and out of bed in an instance.

“I had a nightmare. A vision, call it what you will.”

Catherine nodded, “I too. Tell me about yours.” Her heart was pounding with anticipation. As to her dream she’d never had one like it before.

“It was more of a message. Catherine, I believe my soul mate has returned, and I’m not happy with what he is suggesting.”

“He wants you to show your face to the world doesn’t he, my love?”

Vincent gasped, “You had the same dream?”

“If that’s what happened, then yes.”

“Catherine I don’t think I can do this. Too many things could go wrong.”

“I’ve lain awake pondering this Vincent, come, slide into bed beside me, its too cold for you to stand there, and too cold for me too.” That Vincent did no refuse to get into the bed with her brought home just how worried he was about the dream. She held him close to her and felt him tremble, whether from her nearness after so long apart or from the dream she couldn’t be certain, but it felt good to have him in her bed again.

“You have to go above and literally walk about up there. They set these goals before us Vincent, but they’re as much in the dark as we are as to how people will react. I think its unfair they should ask this of us.”

“Its my punishment, Catherine. I didn’t think I could escape any. Had the babies of lived it would have proven that the world was ready to receive them, but alas…”

“Since they died, you have to do it?”

“Yes.”

“And what if the world isn’t ready for you?”

“That’s what worries me. Catherine, I would be made a spectacle, there would be questions and no answers, and they must not know about these tunnels.”

“Lord no, if you need an escape they certainly must not. Look at it the other way though, supposing they do readily accept you. What a change it will make to your life.”

“And yours. I could accompany you above.”

“I might find I’ll have competition. Once the ladies see you, I may need an appointment in your little black book just to spend time with you.”

“That will never happen.”

Catherine refrained from getting into that one. It seemed to her in much the same way as Joe was sent to tempt her, their roles were now being reversed, and anyone might come along that would find Vincent desirous, and maybe vice versa.

Cuddling him close Vincent snuggled against her, he needed her surrounding him, what was more he seemed just to need her in the same way she had needed him of late. His hands caressed her body and Catherine bit back a moan afraid he would pull away and return to his chamber.

His words startled her, “I know what you’re thinking. I also apologise. You’ve needed me and I denied you believing the timing was wrong, thinking it best we do things in the correct order, marriage first, loving after. But Catherine, I’ve missed the point haven’t I? It’s already too late to do things in the correct order, and to be honest…” he grinned, “I have no regrets about that.”

They kissed then, a long sweet kiss that set both their hearts thumping and their bodies simmering with need and desire, “Catherine…”

“Love me Vincent, I’m yours for the taking.”

His hands covered her body, tenderly stroking, bringing her to fresh heights time after time, until she begged for mercy and more besides…so when his body covered hers, Catherine felt as though bliss personified surrounded her.

His kisses set her soul ablaze and Catherine wrapping her legs around his hips rode with him, taking him in deep, deeper still…she’d missed him so much, craved him so much…and at the point of ecstasy each looked into the eyes of the other, and neither needed telling what his climax would mean for them both.

“God I love you!” Catherine wrapped her arms around his neck holding him tight as he emptied his seed within her, he seemed to pump forever, back and forth and before he was done, hardened afresh and made love to her again. Strange how she had forgotten he could do that, not just once, but night long till he was too tired to move. All night he took her, over and over, his need raw and relentless, until finally he slumped his sweat drenched brow on to her shoulder and moved no more.

Catherine kissed his shoulder brushed the hair from his eyes and wiggled out from beneath him. She ached all over, but it was a good ache, one she cherished, and she lay at his side and with her hand on her abdomen she fell fast asleep and dreamed of walking beneath the New York City sunshine with her leonine children and their father at her side.

To be continued in chapter ten.