As Soft Wings Unfold Chapter Seven “Everything is ready Vincent.” Mary bustled into Vincent’s chamber several weeks after their return from the crystal cavern. It seemed to have taken an age for it all to come together and Vincent had despaired that it ever would. Catherine, he knew wondered why he was taking so long about making up his mind to love her. After their frank discussion about contraception, he knew she waited only for him to work something out before going back to her about it, and Catherine was more than a little perturbed at what was taking him so long. After his confession that day on the journey to the crystal cavern about wanting her she had assumed that on their return things would speed up between them but now almost a month later nothing had been said, and the occasion was almost as if it had never happened. So it was with great relief and surprise for her when Vincent suggested that they might walk above in the park that night for he had something that he wanted to ask her. All that day Catherine had been in a state of suppressed excitement and did not seem to notice that people were unusually excited themselves. Had it not of been for Vincent’s invitation to go above to the park maybe Catherine would have noticed the way that people smiled knowingly as they passed her in the tunnels, or the hushed whispering that ceased the moment she came close to groups of people talking together. If her mind had been on normal everyday things and not upon the expectation of something that Vincent wanted to ask her she may have noticed the absence of a good deal of vital people from the world Below. For example William, who had never been known to leave the tunnels come hell or high water, but today was nowhere to be seen neither the fact that he had been absent throughout most of last evening’s meal, or that other people were serving dinner that day. And Mary who had left early that morning and had not returned until well into the evening, or the children that seemed to be glowing whenever they passed her by with secret smiles upon their faces. Catherine noticed none of this, but she did notice the change in Rachel. Suddenly Rachel was blossoming all in the space of a day. Oh she had come on considerably since the day she had found Vincent and Rachel together bound in some secret that still hadn’t been told her. And then since the trip to the crystal cavern where Vincent had helped Rachel select the most stunning crystals to fill a cloth bag and take back with her. These things Catherine noticed with fondness and love, but today Rachel positively glowed. Looking over her shoulder to where Rachel had spilled the contents of that same cloth bag upon her bed, Catherine watched not for the first time as Rachel lovingly explored the very many facets of her beloved treasure. “Where is the one I chose?” Catherine noticed its absence. It had outshone the rest even through their brilliance. Rachel smiled a secret smile reminiscent of the ones adorning the faces of the other tunnel children this day. “It’s here somewhere.” She told Catherine, “Don’t worry, it’s not lost.” Before Catherine had a chance to look closer Rachel gathered up the stones and had them replaced into the bag, and had very cleverly changed the subject. “Can I go to see Mouse?” Catherine nodded, “Alone, or do you want me to come?” For the past three weeks now Rachel had been making tiny inroads in her exploration of the tunnels and a time or two had gone alone. The trip to Mouse’s chamber had been one of those trips, but being further than most it had taken all of Rachel’s courage to achieve it. Rachel really wanted to say that she would go by herself. She sensed Catherine’s excitement at hearing her say so, but Rachel also knew that a great deal of people depended on Catherine’s absence away from the main hub this day. Hoping Catherine wouldn’t be too disappointed she told her, “Could you come with me please?” Catherine, Rachel felt, did a marvellous job of hiding that disappointment, but Rachel felt regret nonetheless, so tampered that hurt with a request. “Mouse is making my necklace. Would you like to see it?” A smile lit Catherine’s features and her earlier disappointment evaporated, knowing that Rachel’s previous visit to Mouse had been to take some gemstones to him to shape into a pendant like the one Vincent had given to her. “Of course.” Catherine smiled warmly, “Perhaps he has got it finished by now.” Rachel smiled a secret smile. Mouse had finished the necklace days ago, but she wasn’t about to tell Catherine that, as hand in hand they left their chamber and walked down endless tunnels away from the main hub where all manner of activity was taking place. *** *** *** “We’ve a lot to do if we don’t want to be up all night.” Father told the happy revellers as he passed endless streams of ribbons to be pinned along the tunnels leading to the great hall to welcome Catherine and Vincent home the next day. “Mary is bringing some more boxes of ribbons Father, and Rachel has taken Catherine off to see Mouse as we suggested. Providing someone encounters them on their return to divert them we can ensure that Catherine has no need to pass this way and discover the decorations before tomorrow. Vincent folded his arms upon his chest, leaning against a wall, and sighed, “I only hope it doesn’t all backfire on you.” He told them. “Ever the pessimist Vincent.” Father joked though somewhat seriously. “When are you going to get it into that thick scull of yours that Catherine can’t fail to say yes. She loves you my boy and to spend her life with you, married to you will bring forth all her dreams wrapped into one. Believe it Vincent.” He hesitated caught by his son’s sudden apprehension; “You aren’t having second thoughts are you?” Heaven forbid. “No.” Vincent whispered, “It’s that I don’t share your enthusiasm of the possibility of Catherine’s acceptance.” He looked away sadly. He wanted to believe, oh how he wanted to believe. Father passed a handful of pins to Jamie and Brook waiting at his side, and went over to where Vincent stood, putting his arm affectionately around his son's shoulders quite a feat for a father several inches shorter than his son. “Do you want to talk about this Vincent? I admit you have been rathe r bulldozed into the situation, perhaps we have misjudged the moment?” “No Father. If Catherine agrees to marry me, then I know that this engagement party has to be the biggest event any of us have ever seen Below, but I still find it incomprehensible that someone as beautiful as Catherine would agree to marry someone as ugly as me.” “Vincent!” Father’s voice rose to one of incredibility, “You might be different Vincent, but never ugly. To anyone that knows you, you are simply beautiful.” Vincent bowed his head. It had taken many years for him to believe her when Catherine had told him this. “I’m sorry Father. It’s just that seeing this…” He spread his hands encompassing all the streamers and ribbons adorning the tunnels, knowing that within the great hall the walls were already bedecked with balloons and thousands of ribbons. They had been placed in strategic positions so as not to cause a danger to the candles that would be lit there the following morning. “It is so hard to believe that’s all.” His voice trailed away. “Believe it Vincent. Catherine loves you and we all love the both of you, this is what the two of you deserve.” Vincent nodded, quietly accepting these things, but he remained silent, and Father was concerned. “Follow me to my chamber will you Vincent?” Father asked at length. Vincent fell into step alongside his parent, neither speaking, but Vincent’s mind raced with questions. There had been something in Father’s tone making it so. Inside his chamber Father walked across to a drawer, one of the few he kept locked, and extracting a key from a secret place unlocked it, and lifted from it a small box. “You remember several weeks ago Vincent, when all of this came up, you remember why you came to me?” Vincent did and he blushed, his eyes never leaving the box Father held firmly in his hand, his mouth whispering, “You got me some?” Father nodded. “I said you should wait, wait until Catherine became your wife, but I never took into consideration the finality of that…for you. I’m sorry I should have.” “Father?” Vincent didn’t quite understand, or maybe he didn’t want to do. “Vincent…tonight when you meet Catherine at the apartment… you must judge your future for yourself. If you feel making love to Catherine before you ask her to marry you would suit you better then so be it…don’t let my views persuade you differently.” Vincent released a breath he’d been unaware of holding. How like his father to understand the situation. Father knew him too well. “How did you know?” he felt compelled to ask. “Your nervousness spoke volumes Vincent. You believe that if Catherine is not tied to you in marriage and she is repulsed by the way that you look she can get out of it, whereas being married to you first would make that impossible.” Vincent nodded. It wasn’t his choice of words but the fact remained the same. Without first discovering if what they had between them was forever, how could he be certain that Catherine would marry him, or that he had a right to ask? Father held the box of condoms out to him; “You may need these tonight Vincent.” And watched as Vincent reached out for the box with hands that trembled violently. Father clasped them within his own, “Don’t be afraid Vincent, whatever comes, follow your instincts, and let Catherine guide you and allow her to love you. It is time.” Vincent swallowed convulsively, his eyes still fixed upon his and Father’s clasped hands, the box crushed between them, reluctant to let go. Father gathered his hands to encompass Vincent’s arms and drew his son into a firm and loving embrace, “Tonight I send my son out as a boy and tomorrow a man will return to me. Be happy Vincent, be happy.” Vincent returned his father’s embrace with so much warmth and gratification that his heart ached, the poignant words chosen to fill his son with hope and gloriously succeeding. “Thank you Father.” The use of more words were unnecessary, as both wiped away tears that signified the end of one chapter in their lives and opened another that both embraced with a little trepidation but with an overriding sense of release that cheered them both. *** *** *** Catherine had brought such light to his life, brightening every dismal corner of his soul and Vincent knew that he would be forever indebted to her for that. Analysing his emotions as he lay on his bed some hours later, he sought through the many reasons for his being who he was and for the reason he should embark upon a future he had only ever dreamed of. Long ago he had accepted his fate, as had his father when first he had forsaken the world and all its colours for a life amid various shades of grey beneath the city streets. If his father could turn his back upon a world filled with all the colours of the rainbow then who was he to desire such things? No amount of colour could bring him the wealth of love bestowed upon him without it. Yet knowing this there had been times when Vincent had yearned for the merest touch of sunlight upon his shoulders, or to look up into the face of a summer sky and drown in its splendour. But nothing had prepared him for the light he would feel from within just by having a beautiful woman love him. That light he carried from his core and with it his countenance shone for all to see and take delight in and it told the world that he loved, for the first time in his life, he truly loved and that love was returned in full measure. Yes he had accepted his fate long ago and dear sweet Catherine gave him the warmth from the sun every time she looked into his eyes. Reminiscing on these things brought a fulfilment Vincent never believed possible. He was ready to embark upon his future as he finally accepted the endless possibilities lying now just before him. With Catherine at his side forever more he would have no more need of dreams. Turning over the pages of his journal he chuckled as a page jumped out at him with stunning clarity. It was something that he had written long ago, but also something he had once believed for most of his life. He read those words now, they still held meaning for him, but as he read he found that they were no longer applicable; The daylight can never be mine For me night is all there is. Amongst those who would see me and fear? This must be – and I accept it, ,br> For what life would there be for me above? Would a rainbow be as beautiful Through prison bars? But always there is beauty in the night, In snow sparkling beneath the stars, In street lamps and towers of light, ,br> In the warm glow of sunrise And the beautiful face of the moon. The colours of day I shall never see, So many sights, so many sounds ,br> I can only imagine. But still the night is mine, And I am one with the darkness – In the still of a summer’s breeze, And the rage of a winter’s storm – I have the night And through the night I dream, Of one who will show me the daylight ,br> And walk with me in the sunshine. Yes the night may have once been all that he had but Catherine had shown him that even the darkest of nights held their own brilliance because while he was with her Catherine did not fear the darkness for the way was lit by his love for her. And as Vincent finally accepted this, he freed himself of the eternal darkness that had once been his only fate and stepped forth into the glorious light that only Catherine could bring to him. *** *** *** The night was perfect and it had been so long, too long since they had walked the park at night. Arm in arm they strolled, happy just to be together, so close. There was no need of words, and Catherine felt that whatever Vincent had a mind to ask her he would do so in his own good time. She had speculated all day on what it could be and was growing excited at the prospect of all manner of things so that that she almost didn’t notice when they suddenly encountered Father and Mary, of all people! walking through the park arm in arm. Catherine was left totally stunned, though Vincent did not seem to notice. In fact he acted as if Father and Mary walked through the park every night arm in arm! Looking from the two of them to Vincent in turn, she caught a ghost of a smile gracing Vincent’s mouth, and for a moment had the distinct impression that she was caught in the middle of some conspiracy, until Father spoke that was. “I hope you won’t mind my boy.” Father patted his son on the back, “But your suggestion of a midnight walk sounded so good in view of the stuffy tunnels we’ve encountered since the warmest spring on record arrived, that I talked Mary into joining me in following your example.” Mary nodded enthusiastically, “We should do this more often Jacob.” She looked into his eyes, then back at Vincent and Catherine standing at the side of her, “I can see why the two of you come up here so often, its magical.” “But you wouldn’t come up here alone promise me?” Vincent told them his voice showing his concern. Mary shook her head, “That was the beauty of coming tonight knowing you would be up here to protect us if we should need it. Don’t worry Vincent wild horses wouldn’t bring me up here if you weren’t here already.” “You know though…” Father spoke eager to get rid of the preliminaries and onto the matter at hand, “Mary has never been inside your apartment Catherine, is it far?” Still unsure of the three of them Catherine looked hard at Father to see if she could tell whether he was serious or not. He appeared to be so but Vincent had still not said anything. Still something told her they had planned this…but why? And if that were so then she would have to play along with whatever they had planned. Somehow she had a feeling that whatever Vincent wanted to ask her would come at the culmination of all their planning and outright devilment by the mischief she could see lurking in Father’s eyes. “No Father it isn’t far.” She hesitated. Would he ask, or should she offer? It was fun just watching him squirm as he struggled with his next question. “Would you like to go there?” The speed of his reply would forever after have her chuckling at the memory. “Yes!” his answer came out with great gusto. Inside Vincent chuckled, ‘Go easy Father, don’t over do it.’ Mary followed it up with her own delight, “Oh yes Catherine could we really?” Catherine nodded and smiling enigmatically turned Vincent around and asked, “Will you be joining us Vincent?” “I shall escort you to the park entrance Catherine and then see you later.” Beneath his breath he uttered, ‘sooner than you think my love.’ And though only Father caught his wink of merriment, Catherine had the strangest feeling that an unspoken message had passed between the two of them. Still a little perturbed at the state of affairs Catherine left Vincent at the park gates and led Father and Mary up to her apartment. It had been a while since she had been, and she apologised along the way for the fact that everywhere was probably covered in dust. Father and Mary smiled knowingly to one another, something Catherine missed, but she did not fail to notice the feeling of conspiracy once again lurking around their countenance. She smiled knowingly, wishing she could suss what was going on, but they gave nothing away, engaging only in idle chit chat as they made their way up to her floor in the elevator. Alighting from the car, they stepped out into the hallway, and Catherine stopped dead, “Oh.” She raised a hand to her lips, smiling impishly, “Guess I’ve forgotten to bring my keys.” She told them, feeling it necessary to explain, “I didn’t know I’d be coming here, so I left them Below.” She shrugged her shoulders, “I’m sorry, we will have to come another day.” But Father and Mary did not seem to mind, in fact both their faces wore the silliest of grins and promptly Father tapped on the door of her apartment. Catherine gasped feeling a little amused. Whatever was he doing? But to her surprise the door opened from the inside. For a split second Catherine was surprised but then she remembered the key upon the balcony. Vincent must have anticipated this and had come to let them in. Her words of thanks left her lips as who should step out of her apartment, was not Vincent but William of all people! Catherine had taken just about all she could take of this! She laughed, “Tell me. You’ve got to tell me? What is all of this?” William bowed, and for the first time Catherine noticed he was wearing a dinner suit and over his arm was draped a white napkin, “Would Madam please enter.” He spoke in a posh voice standing back a little so that Catherine could walk past him. Catherine turned intent on ushering Father and Mary in ahead of her, but they shook their heads both grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat. “I feel like I’ve been had.” Catherine told them, “And I don’t know what all this is about, but thank you anyway for I am sure it is going to be something delightful.” She stepped forward and hugged and kissed them both, “Are you sure you won’t come in?” “No, don’t worry about us Catherine, you just enjoy yourself.” Mary told her, “We’ll see you tomorrow, and don’t worry about Rachel, it’s all taken care of.” Mary noticed the look of concern on Catherine’s face. “Of course I am concerned for Rachel, but also for the two of you. Will Vincent be escorting you home, or is he…?” She couldn’t finish. What was all this if Vincent were not a party to it? “That’s all arranged too, don’t worry we have escorts to take us home, and as to your other question, yes my dear Vincent awaits you. Go now have fun.” Father felt a trifle silly adding the last in view of all he knew would soon take place, but he couldn’t give anything away, and could think of nothing else. Besides it was no worse than Mary’s ‘enjoy yourself’ was it? William still awaited her entry, and so with a final nod of acceptance Catherine entered her own apartment, with her heart very firmly in her mouth. *** *** *** She would remember it for all of her life. From the moment William closed the door behind her shutting off the light from the hall, the first thing that Catherine became aware of was the candles, dozens of them, and the scent of roses permeating the air amid the scent of burning wax. In the centre of her lounge stood her table upon which rested a tall candelabra filled with seven long white candles which illuminated the pale blue of the cloth and the white of the napkins placed in two tall glasses. To one side of the table stood a bucket filled with ice, and protruding from that bucket was a bottle. Catherine could not see with which it was filled but from its shape it looked decidedly like a champagne bottle. William she knew stood at her side, and though she did not look at him, she could feel him smiling. A click from her tape deck caught her attention, and she turned to the sound. There, silhouetted against the city lights shrouded by her net drapes she saw him, and her heart pounded in her ears. He looked magnificent. Her first thought was how on earth had Vincent managed to scale the eighteen floors of her tower block before her change into his stunning attire and still not be out of breath? For a fleeting moment she wondered if he might have a double, then the foolishness of that thought made her chuckle out loud. She was pleased at the sound, it brought her out of her reverie and she was able to distinguish the music that Vincent had selected with some incredibility. Almost on cue as the words of Unchained Melody filled the apartment she noticed William’s discreet absence. Where had he gone? It was almost as if he had vanished into thin air. That thought brought another delightful chuckle from Catherine as she visualised William’s over large frame disappearing through a mere crack. It soon became apparent however that William had not left the apartment, but had, in fact gone into the kitchen if the wafting scent of delicious food was anything to go by. But Catherine’s feet were rooted to the spot and it was only as she became aware that Vincent was now beside her that she doubted her own sanity, for she had not seen or heard him leave his spot from across the room. It would appear that everyone seemed to melt with the shadows this night. “Catherine.” Vincent’s voice husked at her side sending a delicious shiver through her veins, followed by another and another in quick succession as he trailed one long clawed finger gently down her cheek coming finally to rest upon her lips. He traced a line there, then followed the action with his mouth, leaving Catherine’s mind whirling into space. Her heart pounded and she had the uncanny feeling of being everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It was a dream. It had to be. She wasn’t here and Vincent hadn’t just trailed a line of delicious kisses down her cheekbone. And the warmth of his breath wasn’t now tantalising her mouth and his lips weren’t now fastening against hers. Surely it was a dream, but oh if it was, may she never wake up! Those hungry lips devoured her sanity, her reason and her mouth. She whimpered when his tongue pushed into her sweetness. And though for long moments she froze he did not seem to be put off by that fact. Instead somehow he knew that if she was in a state of shock it wasn’t because of his kisses, no but merely that he had taken the initiative to kiss her in such a way at all. It seemed to take an eternity for Catherine to remember that she was a human being with anything other than lips and she slowly became aware of a rush of liquid fire spreading through a body that had somehow malfunctioned and stood frozen in time. The liquid fire spread through her limbs bringing with it the ability to move again, and move Catherine did. In his arms she positively squirmed, her arms coming up and around him, burying her fingers into his hair just the way that she had always dreamed. Her body plied close to his, yearning, yearning. She felt his growing arousal, and revelled in it. Leaning into the kiss their tongues danced a rhapsody of love in tune to a beautiful song that filled the room, one that Catherine had always loved. It was perfect and she wanted the moment to last forever. But no! wait! For his kiss to last forever would mean that she would never encounter the possibility of his love making, and right now that became the only thing on Catherine’s mind and Vincent had something he wanted to ask her! This had to be it. The wining, the dining, the romantic setting for two. Catherine gasped, and thoughts of William being there went right out of her head. Vincent wanted her. He had brought her here to make love to her. In a trance Catherine pushed Vincent slowly in the direction of her bedroom, her happiness searing her soul. Vincent was in heaven. They had kissed before but never like this and never with such total abandonment. His mind whirled, and all he could feel was his Catherine in his arms, with their connection telling him no lies. She wanted him, and she wanted him now. They reached the doorframe of her bedroom both oblivious to any thing but each other; their lips still fastened, when a sudden cough broke them apart. Their chests heaving, both swung around to encounter William standing with tea towel in his hands and wearing a very bemused expression indeed. He pretended not to notice the significant embarrassment of the two people shuffling towards the table in front of him, and instead pulled out first Catherine’s chair and bade her sit down, before going around to Vincent’s and doing likewise. Catherine felt that food was the last thing she could partake of. “I’ve taken a long time over this meal Vincent, so do me the honour of eating it before you eat each other eh?” William whispered into Vincent’s ear, making Vincent blush beet red. Catherine could not hear what was said but Vincent’s acute embarrassment spoke volumes, and she giggled, stifling it with her hand as William glared across at her, but all pairs of eyes were filled with laughter and Catherine felt a warm glow spread through her. William certainly had outdone himself. First piping hot tomato soup with hot crusty rolls was brought to the table, which despite her earlier misgivings Catherine ate with a relish. Next followed William’s speciality but something he rarely got the chance of cooking Below. Guard of Honour Lamb served with crispy vegetables, cooked to just the right consistency and before he brought desert he uncorked the champagne and filled both glasses. In all of this time he noticed with some humour that neither Vincent nor Catherine had spoken to each other, and save for the customary thank you when he had served the food, neither had they spoken to him either. The champagne however changed all that. As William returned to the kitchen he heard a clink of glass upon glass and Vincent’s soft voice announcing, “To us.” At that moment he would have gladly have given his right arm to be a fly on the wall to have witnessed the scene, but instead remained discreetly in the kitchen, just as he had promised Vincent he would. Catherine had echoed his words and was waiting for Vincent to speak again. She could tell that he was fighting with something on his mind, but let him set the pace, remaining silent although she surged a flow of love through their connection to strengthen him. Vincent looked up as her love hit him and smiled. Now the moment was almost upon him Vincent found it impossible to know which of the two options that lay open to him should be encountered first. In one pocket the box that contained the ring he intended to present Catherine with was burning a hole there, while in the other the box that contained the condoms was burning a hole there also. It seemed incredulous to him, that he was even here contemplating either. There was Catherine sitting opposite him, her beauty leaving him speechless, and there was he… a what? Half animal, half man, a man-beast expecting that this beautiful woman would either agree to spending her life with him as his wife or would even contemplate going to bed with him! Vincent shook his head trying to clear his jumbled mind. And he had thought this was going to be easy! Earlier he had had no such qualms, earlier caught up in the moment and led by the pulsating melody of a love song, he had known exactly what to do, and for split dizzying moments had known exactly from which pocket to extract a box. But now his fingers shook at just the mere thought of considering either. And then there was William. Catherine took pity on him. Whatever it was he wanted to tell her, he was obviously having second thoughts. That saddened her, but knew they could overcome it if it weren’t for the third party there in her apartment, as much as they owed him this night. Pushing back her seat Catherine rose, “Excuse me Vincent.” She whispered, hoping he would not follow her. He didn’t, but his eyes did. He watched her warily as she crossed to the kitchen and disappeared inside. “William thank you.” Catherine hugged her friend the moment she stepped into her kitchen, then before he gave the game away, hurried to prevent him speaking, “I don’t know yet what’s going on here, and I know you haven’t yet served desert but.” She bit her lip, not wanting to sound ungrateful, and not wanting to hurt his feelings. But William understood. “He’s got cold feet hasn’t he?” William’s joyous laughter boomed, “And I’m probably the fly in the ointment.” William chuckled to himself, oh well he’d gotten to be a fly in some place after all. “Don’t worry Cathy I wasn’t here to chaperone the two of you and you will probably enjoy desert all by yourselves anyway.” He winked at her causing a flush of embarrassment to creep up Catherine’s throat and infuse her cheeks. “Do you know anything of all this William?” Catherine surprised herself that she had asked. “I know it all lassie, and I’m sworn to secrecy.” He laughed, but could not prevent himself from giving her a clue, “It suffices to say that a lot is riding on the outcome of this lassie, so be a good girl and say yes, huh?” Catherine’s heart came up into her mouth, as its beats sounded erratically in her ears. Say yes to what? To sex? Surely William didn’t mean that? Surely Father and Mary hadn’t played the part to perfection of the grand conspirators for sex? No it had to be more than that, something that had caused all of them to act strangely this day, almost as if they were all on something. For now she remembered, as thought by thought her mind led her back over the unusual happenings she had witnessed but had not dwelt upon this day in the tunnels. Every body knew something but for her and whatever that something was it made every one happy, gloriously so. It could only be one thing then! Her heart soared as her eyes opened wide and William felt like putting his foot in his mouth for giving away a clue to a very clever lawyer. “You don’t know a thing – okay?” he mouthed a whisper as he brought the desert out from the oven, “I’ll leave it here for you to help yourselves to.” He told her preparing to leave. “William no. Serve it please. You’ve said nothing, and I’ve realised nothing, but serve the desert please, I feel the need to sit down.” She turned and walked back to her seat, her eyes refusing to meet Vincent’s, and with words stuck firmly in her throat. But she had to say something, though in the main Vincent didn’t seem to notice that she had returned, his mind was still firmly engrossed in whatever indecision he fought with, and again Catherine took pity on him. “Vincent?” He looked up enquiringly, his head cocked to one side, “Yes?” “Thank you.” She stopped as an unusual word had risen unwittingly to her lips, but she hesitated to utter it. Ordinarily in such a situation such an endearment would be easy, and she wanted to say it she really did, for she loved this man like no other, but the moment had passed, she had left it too long, and it would come out wrong now. He would know the struggle she had had in saying it, and he would wonder why she had doubted. She wondered why herself now. Looking at him, into those stunning blue eyes, she wanted nothing more than to lose herself in him, and it was then that she heard the word as it slipped from her lips, sending goosebumps trailing along her skin. “Darling, I love you.” Vincent shuddered, as memories of the lovers in the park rose to his mind. All those wonderful words that they uttered to one another, all those endearments that had thrilled him and made him yearn with an aching poignancy to have them uttered to him. How good the word sounded in his ears. Breathless he stared at her, and suddenly he knew. Father was right, there was a correct sequence to things. And Catherine loved him. She may never have seen him naked, but she had yearned for a union with him regardless of that fact. She would not turn from him with disgust he knew that now, rather she would accept him for what he was, because she loved him totally. “Catherine.” He spoke softly, the word filled with all the love he held for her, and her name upon his lips brought forth a flood of tears that stung at her eyelids threatening to overflow but for her determination to halt their course. William was just about to carry desert through when something stopped him. He was forever after pleased that something had. Maybe it was the air of expectancy surrounding the two people in the room before him, he didn’t know, and he never quite understood it, but that he was privileged to witness something very remarkable he would forever be indebted to. A hushed silence hung over the pair as they gazed with love at one another, then very gently Vincent eased back his chair, and came to stand before Catherine, their eyes locked firmly with each other. William held his breath as Vincent extracted a box from his pocket, and very slowly got down on one knee before Catherine, who had not uttered a sound before but now a small gasp escaped her. His gaze never leaving hers, Vincent fingered the box and for split seconds Catherine felt him panic. Then she calmed as he calmed, and he opened the box before her, and it was only then that her gaze left his to look down at the contents of the box he held in his hand. As her eyes rested upon the beautiful gemstone ring twinkling beneath the golden candlelight they rose instantly again in time to see Vincent smile. A little uncertain, a little timidly, and with a little trepidation his mouth formed words she had never thought to hear him utter, “Catherine, my love, my life, will you marry me?” William fought back the tears. He felt terrible at being a party to this, but wild horses couldn’t have spared him this night. He felt choked and had to turn away lest he disgraced himself by making some sound that would show he had witnessed this moving event. And so he missed Catherine’s incredulous smile, one that lit the dancing lights of her eyes, but he turned back just in time to see Catherine almost knock Vincent off of his feet as she threw her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear. “Yes, yes, yes, oh yes,” with great joy and happiness. William thought their kiss was endless, and he allowed the tears to flow, wiping them away every so often with the tea towel still in his hands. Peeping out from time to time to see if it was courteous yet to distract them, and each time deciding that it wasn’t. The kiss went on and on, and William was left feeling very privileged to have witnessed the occasion, but then he had played no small part in bringing the evening about. Finally he coughed again, and brought Vincent and Catherine slowly back down to earth, feeling that perhaps taking a breath for the both of them was long overdue anyway. What did they do draw breath from each other? He had never seen anyone hold onto a kiss for so long in his life! When he had coughed, he had anticipated following it up with the arrival of desert, but he realised with a pang that Vincent hadn’t finished. What a clot he had been, of course the ring! And so he waited and he watched once again spellbound, as Vincent extracted the ring from its box and very gently placed it upon Catherine’s finger, before once again fastening his lips to hers and kissing her very passionately. William watched while mentally counting, he couldn’t help it. When he reached thirty, from somewhere his mind recalled an article he’d read that reminded him that holding one’s breath for thirty seconds could be dangerous, but still the kiss went on. It would seem though that Catherine had thankfully read the same article at one time in her life for suddenly she came up for air, giggling as she did so, her eyes alight with joy. ‘Thank God for that’ William told himself as the thought of having to resuscitate either of them winged its way out of his mind where it had momentarily settled. “Vincent thank you for all of this.” Catherine found her manners at last, “Was it your idea?” “ In part though I have to confess to it being the idea of Father in the main part.” “Which main part?” Forgetting William was there, because he was being so quiet and because they were unused to having him there, Vincent continued, “You remember our discussion concerning our…” Vincent fidgeted unable to continue. “Union.” Catherine ventured. “Yes that.” He paused again unsure of how to tell her. “We had left it up to you.” Catherine reminded him. “Yes, and I did speak with Father and he promised to get me some.” Catherine smiled tenderly; she could just imagine that conversation over a game of chess! “And did he?” “Yes, he got some, but not before he had encouraged me to do things in the correct order. Only I was never certain, I kept having doubts.” “Even until moments before asking me?” Vincent stared at Catherine with surprise, “No Catherine. I never doubted once I had made the decision.” “But I felt your panic. It was gone in an instant but it was still there nonetheless.” Vincent smiled somewhat impishly, “Oh yes I remember now.” He grinned before a ripple of laughter escaped him. “Care to share the joke my love?” It was hard to admit to but Vincent felt he owed her this. “Father gave me the box of condoms this afternoon just in case I changed my mind and decided on…” he hesitated again, as unfamiliar words threatened to come up and bite him for uttering them. Catherine however had no such qualms, “Sex first?” she smiled impishly, how she loved him, he was such an innocent. “Yes.” Vincent whispered. In the kitchen William’s face coloured up. He should do something, make his presence known. Drop a plate, anything. He shouldn’t be a party to this! Perhaps he should close the door? No it might creak, and then they would know he’d overheard everything. He felt terrible standing there eves dropping like this. He tried bunging his fingers into his ears, and even though Vincent and Catherine were speaking softly to one another odd words filtered through to him that left him wondering. Oh to hell with it, he had witnessed most of their romantic interlude and he would only be wondering forever what he had missed if he missed it. So he took his hands away from either side of his head and as quiet as a mouse he continued to listen. “So why the panic my love?” Catherine was asking after Vincent’s silence had proved too much for her. A smile graced Vincent’s lips then his eyes lit up as he confessed, “I placed the ring in its box in my right pocket and the box containing the condoms in the left. Catherine you must believe me…” he implored her, “all through dinner I wasn’t certain which box to extract until the last moment and in that time I had got their positions muddled up. When I knelt at your feet and presented the box for split seconds it suddenly occurred to me that I may have brought out the wrong box until I realised that the box Father had given me was encased in a cellophane wrapper, and it was then that I relaxed.” William could not help himself, and it seemed that Catherine had equal trouble, as both burst into a loud fit of laughter, though Catherine’s stopped abruptly upon hearing his. Vincent was mortified. William! He had completely forgotten. Oh how he understood the expression, ‘if only the ground would open up and swallow me!” He felt terribly embarrassed and wanted to run and hide. Catherine however would have none of it, “It is funny Vincent, and Father will have a field day. I can just see it now…” her voice trailed away, as the delicious thought presented itself. “The first rule of married life Catherine, thou shall not split on thy husband.” Vincent told her solemnly. “We’re not married yet Vincent.” She smiled impishly at him; “there may still be time.” “You wouldn’t?” “Mmm let me see, I could be persuaded to keep silent Vincent…” she told him mischievously. “Or I could find a way to silence you.” Vincent picked up on her mischief. “And how would you do that my love?” “By seeing that your lips were forever sealed.” “With what?” she looked at him mystified and realised as Vincent leaned into kiss her, “With mine.” He husked as his lips claimed hers. Catherine’s body responded immediately, it had been way too long since last he’d kissed her. And they parted only reluctantly again to come up for air. But the one kiss wasn’t nearly enough and once again forgetting William’s existence they leaned into another kiss, just as William noticed that his previously well risen chocolate soufflé’ now had a decidedly big dent in it. He frowned, knowing that it would spoil if anymore time lapsed, so with another timely cough announcing his presence he marched straight into the room taking desert with him. He winked at Vincent as he approached; noticing that both Vincent and Catherine were looking a trifle stunned by his sudden appearance and had seemingly forgotten all about him again, if their acute embarrassment was anything to go by. Placing the soufflé’ upon the table William patted Vincent on the back, “May I be the first to congratulate you Vincent.” He beamed, then turned to Catherine, and taking her hand in his drew it to his lips, “Catherine, my sincere congratulations. I know you will be very happy together.” Catherine smiled at him impishly knowing that William had overhead everything, and Vincent feeling somewhat contrite about that didn’t know whether to be annoyed or not. He decided not, as Catherine’s laughter filled eyes told him how amusing she thought it all was until William looking coyly from one to the other as he served up the desert told them both quite innocently, “Don’t worry your secret is safe with me. On condition…” Vincent groaned, “Not you too, you wouldn’t?” “Now don’t try silencing me the same way as you silenced Catherine. I’m not into suffocation.” He laughed at the look on Vincent’s face and encouraged by Catherine’s snort of laughter went on, “There’s a certain satisfaction in being a cook, you know what I mean Vincent?” Vincent nodded, though he couldn’t really know. “And there is a certain satisfaction on seeing people consume with relish the things a cook produces, you know what I mean Vincent?” he patted Vincent firmly on the back and winking at Catherine continued. “And that certain satisfaction is somewhat marred when someone, not mentioning no names that is, comes along and pilfers that which has been produced with such satisfaction and robs others of a larger share. You know what I mean Vincent?” Catherine squealed with laughter, as Vincent’s midnight feasts in the kitchen had become uncovered. “And what are you laughing at?” William turned to her. “I have it from a reliable source that you have had your finger in more than one of my pies on occasion too young lady.” Catherine blushed, acutely aware of Vincent beginning to grin and the impressive description of a Cheshire cat rose swiftly to her mind before being dismissed as totally out of character to her mind of thinking. “So that is the forfeit?” Vincent whispered feeling somewhat like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “You’d better believe it Vincent.” “But supposing someone else takes from the kitchen and you blame me?” Vincent had the sudden thought and panicked. “Then you had better be on your guard and stop them hadn’t you.” William told him seriously. “But that’s unfair!” Vincent exclaimed. William relented and smiled so that Vincent realised he had been having him on, and sighed with relief. “But let me know it was you and I’ll tell all. Have we a deal?” Vincent nodded somewhat sheepishly, but William wanted blood. “Say it.” “What?” “Let me hear you say it. Both of you. Repeat after me. I Vincent and Catherine…go on say it.” Reluctantly two voices echoed his own, “I Vincent and I Catherine…” “Promise never…” “Promise never.” “To steal anything edible.” “To steal anything edible.” “From William’s kitchen ever again.” “From William’s kitchen ever again.” William gloated, how glad he was now to have been a witness to tonight’s events. Vincent had quite an appetite rivalled only by Catherine on occasion. A sudden thought crossed his mind, “There is only one loop hole and it’s extended only to Catherine, so you can take that glint out of your eye Vincent.” “What’s that?” Catherine asked laughing as she became caught up in the fun of all this. “If you should ever find yourself eating for two or more Catherine, you will have exclusive rights to my kitchen at any time night or day to partake of whatever you fancy.” He had meant it as a joke, but it brought their situation full circle, and it was William who was suddenly wishing for the ground to open up and swallow him by the look on their faces. So many varying emotions. Fear, regret, dismay, sadness. All of them were there, and William felt terrible all over again. “I’m sorry.” He mumbled his apologies, and decided it was long past time that he beat a hasty exit. “Look enjoy desert, enjoy each other. I’ll see you both Below tomorrow. I’ll see myself out.” He gathered up his coat, the washing up could wait, though most of it was already stacked in the dishwasher anyway, and let himself out of the apartment to lean on the other side of the door with a big sigh of relief. He didn’t quite know what he had said, but it was so obviously the wrong thing and he regretted opening his big mouth. Inside the apartment things were no better. A miserable silence had settled over the couple, preventing the magic of moments earlier from seeping through and Catherine felt that she would never feel warm again. *** *** *** Without Catherine, Vincent, Father or Mary, Rachel would have been at a loss, if it hadn’t of been for Mouse. In the few months that she had lived below, she and Mouse had secured a firm friendship, each seeing the other as a means to have fun. Arthur played no small feat in such fun and in the absence of William also, Rachel set about seeing exactly how much mischief she and Arthur could actually get into. The result of which was the sight that met William’s out-on-stalks eyes the moment he entered his kitchen! Not only were there trails of flour everywhere, but if it hadn’t of been for the knowledge of Vincent’s recent blackmailed promise or the fact that he knew Vincent was above, he may have concluded that his kitchen had been ransacked by one very large person. It would appear that most of the lids belonging to the smaller jars had been taken off and the whole contents consumed with the exception of the crumbs leading from one jar to the next. The culprit was obvious, as through the trail of flour leading from the kitchen were two sets of very distinct footprints; at least it appeared so at any rate. On closer inspection the footprints he had assumed to belong to Mouse did in fact look a trifle too small. William rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Obviously Arthur was involved, but whether Arthur had been the instigator of all the mess was another thing, and without Vincent’s help it would be impossible to know who had raided the kitchen first. (With Vincent’s sense of smell being what it was he could usually suss out the real culprit in no time at all unless it was himself, whereupon he usually pretended his nose was blocked and that he couldn’t smell a thing). There was only one thing for it then, and that was to follow the pesky little bliters footprints and see where they led. The flour thinned to a mere trickle after some distance, and then only to the odd blotch here and there. William felt sure that they would lead to Mouse’s chamber anyway, so he was most confused when they came to an abrupt halt and veered off to the left slightly, and then stopped completely. William scratched his head. This was most unusual. He would stake his life on Arthur going straight home after such a disaster in the kitchen, and there had been some and more since the furry little thing’s arrival many years ago. Looking down the tunnel he knew that the only persons living in that vicinity at that precise moment in time was Catherine and Rachel. But Catherine too was above. But wait! That left Rachel and Rachel he knew was often these days glued to Mouse’s hip. Ah hah! William beamed, his big smile creasing his face and eyes that told of Bingo! He marched down the tunnel heading straight for the chamber Rachel shared with Catherine, slowing to a lesser pace as he approached when he heard sounds coming from within. Outside the chamber entrance he listened, a conversation was being held within. Well it wasn’t so much as a conversation, more of a lesson on the rights and wrongs of living Below and much to William’s delight it was Mouse that was laying down the law. Father would be impressed! So, much of the tickings off that Mouse had received over the years had actually entered the head of that thick sculled rodent. And William listened with absolute glee to the things Mouse and Rachel were saying from within. “This is bad, worse than bad, worse than worse. Father will be angry when he finds out.” “Then we won’t tell him.” Rachel stated simply. “Have to. He’ll know. He always knows. Mouse knows about these things.” “I’ve cleaned up Arthur, so he won’t know.” “I clean up Arthur, and he always knows. Shouldn’t take what doesn’t belong to you. Isn’t fair, others need it too, and Father always finds out. Vincent helps.” “Vincent isn’t here.” A sigh of relief followed. “But he’ll be back Rachel. And when he does he will be mad, real mad. You have never seen Vincent when he gets mad. He growls, and roars and he uses his claws to hurt you.” From outside the chamber William froze, now that was a bit near the mark and there was no need to frighten the child Mouse should know that. Almost on cue he heard the sound of sobbing, and each in-drawn breath between sobs quavered with fear. Mouse had told the truth but Vincent never got angry with the children, and never with any one over something like this, not when Vincent knew that he had very often been the culprit himself at times. No this time Mouse was totally out of order and as the sobs increased in momentum William knew that he had to do something. The first sight of William took Rachel’s breath away. She cowered into a corner, trying to hide behind a chair and her whole body shook with fear. William froze. He couldn’t approach her. He could see that she would not let him near her. A great deal of anger rose inside him for the people that had done this to her. And it wasn’t the first time a child from the world above had reacted this way. It made William feel sick inside, almost to the point of despising the fact that he was human and was by that linked to those others that caused innocent children such pain. Rachel’s lips trembled, “Want Catherine.” She whispered, her eyes bulging. William knew that there would be no other way. “Mouse!” he bellowed, regretting it at once as Rachel cowered away still further and covered her ears with her hands. William spoke softer, “Mouse, stay here with Rachel. Don’t touch her, just stay with her, and don’t say anything more to her about today’s incident in the kitchen, it’s all right, every things all right.” He would let whatever happened there be forgotten. One day Rachel would know that it was wrong, but not today. Today he had to bring Catherine home, or all the long months of gaining the child’s trust would be gone in an instance and they would be back to square one. “I’m going to get Catherine honey, stay put will you. I’ll bring her back with me, don’t worry.” And then he was gone, his heart hammering painfully, Lord he had all ready spoilt Catherine’s evening, and now he was going to have to do it all over again. *** *** *** To be continued in chapter eight.