Oblivion 1 parts index

Chapter Ten

Standing on her balcony some time later, Vincent looked out over the city lights. New York looked so beautiful from up on the eighteenth floor, like a jewel bedecked velvet of the richest blue, it seemed impossible to think of the fear that crawled along the streets night after night, as the evil ones set about their business and the innocent ones fell victim to them.

He remembered how that had happened to Catherine on the night he had saved her life. If someone so beautiful could be injured so badly, what hope was there for the vagrants, the prostitutes, the children with no homes to go to? Vincent shuddered. What would life be like but for Father's world, the world he had created for those with nowhere to go? Oh, to be able to go to the poor street people and take them Below to give them a home and love with a family that would welcome them.

So engrossed was he in his thinking, that he visibly jumped when the apartment was suddenly flooded with light, and turning he saw Catherine kick the door shut, to pull off her shoes and flop wearily down onto the sofa. He stood there a moment, not knowing what to do, then found himself tapping quietly on the door, almost as if he hoped she did not hear him, but she did.

Turning her head she was surprised, for she had not expected to find him there waiting for her, and she found it took great effort to get up and open the door for him, unsure as to what to expect, now the moment was here, she hurried back to stand behind the security of the sofa.

Stepping into the room, Catherine found that his very presence seemed to fill it, and as her eyes met his, she found herself immobilised, her feet rooted to the spot. Catherine held her breath, he was more than she remembered, his very being inflamed her. She swallowed hard. Oh! to cross the room and hold him to her, to lay her head upon his shoulder, it would be bliss, but she just could not shorten the distance between them.

His eyes took in her appearance, drank in her emotions as he sensed them tumbling within her, yet he too found it difficult to move forwards and crush her into his arms, to love her, to match her desire with his own.

Breathily she spoke at last, a mere whisper, "When we were just friends Vincent..we desired that our relationship would go beyond the boundaries of that friendship...."

"And now that it has?" he spoke so quietly. Oh! the sound of that voice.

Catherine licked her lips shyly as a shudder ran through her body, "And now that we are....."

"Lovers." he finished for her in his deliciously velvety voice.

She smiled weakly at him, "Yes now that we are lovers, I long for the safety of friendship only. To feel your arms around me, to lean upon your strength alone."

His eyes smouldered with desire. " I will always be your friend Catherine."

"I know Vincent, but my desire for you, it holds me captive like a slave. Its intensity frightens me, and though there are only yards between us Vincent, I feel incapable of crossing them to come to you."

"Then I shall come to you." Swiftly he moved towards her, and she melted as his arms came around her crushing her to the long hard length of him. His lips kissed her hair, her neck, her throat, as she drowned in her love for him, tangling her hands in his mane of hair, pulling his face around to meet her own, and drawing his hungry searching mouth down to hers.

"Vincent", she moaned softly, beneath the onslaught of his lips, "I love you so much." Shamelessly she arched her body towards his, feeling the hardness of him that thrilled her so, and no matter what she thought before, she found herself dragging him down towards the floor, begging him, "Vincent, love me, love me, please now."

Vincent drew back from her, hearing her whimper, her eyes closed, he wanted her so desperately, and he felt tormented as he held her at arms length, "Catherine you will think that I am trying to pay you back, yet every part of me wants to make love to you, here, now, but one of us has to be strong, and I can see it isn't going to be you."

Breathless and a little ashamed of her behaviour, she searched his face. His eyes dark with longing filled her soul and she reached for him again, almost as if she had not heard what he told her. Holding her arms down by her sides, he held her firmly away from him. His breath was ragged, and she offered him everything, without a doubt without question.

Her longing pained him, yet he had to do what was right, what she wanted more than anything. "Catherine....I love you so much...I cannot bear the thought of us ever being apart again or that you should live Above and I Below... Catherine...I am asking you, no, begging you... will you please be my wife?"

The melting feeling washed over and threatened to drown her as Catherine freed her arms and flung them around his neck, "Oh yes Vincent, I will, I will" and then with an impish afterthought added, "but can we consummate our marriage now?"

The tension eased as they laughed together, "No, my love" he spoke firmly to her, "We will wait, and then when we are married, then ..." his eyes spoke volumes.

Catherine sighed, she had never wanted to love someone so much in all her life, "Vincent...if you promise me that we can be married tomorrow then I will wait, otherwise..." she smiled playfully as she reached up and kissed him.

They clung to one another, two bodies entwined as kisses of fire consumed them, and Vincent found it took all the strength he could muster to pull away from her reluctantly. "Catherine do that again, and I will not be able to stop another time." his voice was strained.

"Good", she told him gaily, advancing on him again.

"Catherine!" he said sternly, the laughter reaching his eyes, "Come sit down, no Catherine you on that sofa and me on this one, I can see we need the safety of space between us until we are married, and though it won't be tomorrow, I can promise you my love, it will not be too many days after that."

Catherine sat where he had put her down reluctantly, even the few feet apart from him pained her dreadfully. "Vincent", was all she could say, "I love you."

"And I love you Catherine."

Unperturbed, Catherine could not stop thinking about him, wanting him, her body ached to love him, her eyes were filled with sorrow at being forced to sit away from him.

Vincent felt her need, his body responded in like manner, and they sat there looking at one another as a current of desire passed from one to the other of them. Vincent mentally shook himself, he had to try to put out the fire, if only temporarily. And just as he thought he was calming himself, her next words flung him back into the throes of desire. "Vincent...do you know how beautiful you are. What the sight of you here does to me. I want to make love to you my darling so much it hurts. I know how that pains you Vincent, I can see as much, and I can see how being practical and waiting will be good for us, but Vincent, I have just flown three and a half thousand miles desiring you for every inch of the way, and it is difficult for me now, to have to wait to put out the fire until we are married." her jocular tone, humoured him, and he relaxed. "I too know this difficulty, look at me Catherine, how will I get down eighteen floors in this state worries me greatly, my body has never burned so much for you, so if you could bear to sit and allow me to recover first I would greatly appreciate this. Perhaps we could talk about something else?"

"Perhaps we could Vincent, and then again there are other ways of easing your discomfort." she laughed out loud at the expression on his face, "Oh Vincent, I'm sorry, look no hands, I promise to be good...well for a few more days anyway. So tell me what should we speak about?"

"Tell me how you achieved this marvel of finding my mother."

Catherine's face softened, "You owe everything to Devin, Vincent. If not for him, none of this would be."

"None of this Catherine?", his eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Vincent! You know what I mean. Finding your family was so important to Devin, I only happened to be around when he needed me. Funny that, if I had never of left you, none of this may be happening now." At that thought she groaned, "I am so sorry that I left you Vincent, I only hope that you can forgive me and forget that I ever caused you such pain, it was a horrible thing to do. And it was Devin that made me realise my mistake."

"Catherine don't trouble yourself so, all that is in the past, having you here now, I could not wish for more....well perhaps a little more."

The humorous undercurrents of their passion rekindled and continued throughout their conversation as Catherine related to him how she and Devin had found Marie and Geraldine. "Your mother is so beautiful Vincent, you will love her, but she is so tiny. I am surprised that she produced you and your sister, for Gerry is your height too. Marie has a woman's face but it was the claws that I noticed that made my heart somersault when I first met her, and then the fangs...." she paused, Vincent's face lit up, he could just picture it. "They have this marvellous greeting method," she smiled at the memory "Both of them drape themselves around someone they trust and purr, I thought it was lovely."

"I must remember that." he told her his eyes twinkling softly. Catherine laughed gaily, and went on, "Your mother and I have such affection for one another, from the moment we met there was some spark between us, some connection that surprised me, and you may also be surprised to know that Devin and Gerry fell instantly in love with one another, you'll see Vincent, they can't take their eyes off each other. You and I are not the only ones with hands held reluctantly by our sides."

Vincent laughed heartily, as Catherine went on, "And amazingly Gerry has the same Bond with Devin that you have with me, he cannot say or do a single thing and not have her know of it."

Vincent chuckled softly, "For Devin that must be quite annoying."

"No actually, I think he rather likes it."

"This I must see."

When Catherine finally finished speaking, telling him of his past, about the three scientists, Strasser, Reidel and Kogler, Vincent was thoughtful, there was such a lot to take in, and Catherine found that she could not share these feelings with him, they ran deep, deeper than even she who loved him, were able to comprehend. "Would you come Below with me Catherine to meet them?" he asked her finally.

"Yes, if that is what you would like, however could you wait here for me while I have a quick shower and change. I will only be a few minutes."

Vincent looked at her, his dark eyes filled again with fire, "Do you think that would be wise Catherine," he spoke huskily, "To be here knowing that you are only a few feet away, naked and showering, I think it would be more than I could bear. No I will wait for you in the park instead, and then we can walk to the home chambers together. We have our own news to tell them, and there is a surprise for you too."

"For me? Is it Jacob, is he walking now?"

"Yes he is, but that isn't your surprise, now hurry go have your shower."

"Forget the shower Vincent, let's go shall we."

Walking across the park together they gained some semblance of reality. The night was cool and crisp and it was only natural that they should walk close to keep warm. Vincent wanted to bring something up, and after a while he found the way to do so, "Were there no shower cubicles where you last stayed Catherine?"

She stopped walking to turn and scan his face, "What do you mean?"

"One night, you were thinking about me in the bathtub?"

Catherine's mouth dropped open, "You know about that?"

"Yes we held a conversation, don't you remember?" he asked her gently.

"Well yes, but I thought I had dreamt that. You mean I actually reached through the Bond, and contacted you that well?"

"Yes." "But that has never happened before Vincent."

"No. We must have both been very relaxed at the time, and in tune with one another, it didn't last long."

"The water turned chilly, and I got out, after that I couldn't seem to reach you."

"This is something special Catherine, we must try to apply it more often, it could be a life saver amongst having other benefits."

"Yes, Vincent." she shook her head, "I still can't believe it, its amazing." She snuggled up against him, and in silence they began to walk onwards again.

Hearty laughter greeted Catherine and Vincent as they approached Father's chamber, and Vincent recognising Devin's voice stopped outside to listen. Devin was relating to his captive audience some delightful tale of their childhood and Vincent smiled at the memory. Catherine watched his face. Expressions of joy crossed his leonine features, and she put her arms around him with her face tilted up to his. Instinctively his arms circled and gathered her to him, so that she could rest her head against his chest and listen to the steady beat of his heart. Vincent planted a kiss on the top of her head, and Catherine had a deep feeling of satisfaction at being so close to him.

All the uncertainties of the past few months slipped away, and she really felt as if she had come home. He had asked her to marry him, the fairy tale had come true and she loved him more than life itself. She contemplated life beneath the city, in his world and knew that she would not mind leaving hers behind, and would not yearn for the things she had forsaken now that she had grasped hold of the dream.

Looking up at him, she found his eyes upon her, his hands lifted her silken hair, and let it trail and fall between his fingers, and Catherine snuggled closer to him, loving the feel of him. "Catherine", he whispered huskily, "Do we go in, or go someplace to be by ourselves?"

Startled, she raised her eyes to his, only to find he was teasing her, "And what would you say, if I said we should be by ourselves Vincent?" she answered him lightly with laughter in her voice.

"I would not say a thing. Do not actions speak louder than words my Catherine." he spoke softly, his voice trembling slightly, with desire.

Catherine laughed softly, "Then we had best stay." she smiled impishly, but couldn't resist reaching up and kissing him passionately.

He groaned, "Come on Catherine, let's go in there, before this gets out of control again, I don't think I can hold back much more while being alone with you my love."

Catherine giggled, and they waited for Devin to finish speaking before stepping through the entranceway, into Father's chamber.

Devin's eyes lit up, "Arh there you are Vincent, we have been waiting for you, come over here there is someone you must meet."

Devin reached across for Vincent's arm, and pulled him across the room, to where Marie was sat holding Jacob upon her knee. Vincent looked down at Marie for a long time. Marie studied his face, and then held out her arms to him.

Bending he scooped her into his own, almost crushing Jacob in the middle, as Marie told him tearfully, "So long I have waited." Tears streamed down her face as she hugged him like she would never let him go.

Stepping forward Catherine retrieved Jacob, pressing her lips to his downy head her own eyes filling with tears at the pleasure of holding his chubby little body at last. Father was having difficulty holding back the tears and noticed the same was true of Devin, and neither dared speak for fear of breaking up the love and affection passing between Marie and Vincent, but Geraldine always one to change situations, suddenly cried, "Hey Vincent, have you got a hug for me too?"

Vincent straightened, looking across with tear filled eyes, to Geraldine, and found she was exactly as Catherine had told him, simply stunning. He took in her looks, with her beautiful hair and simply grinned at her. Rising to her feet she crossed the room to stand before him, he was surprised at how tall she was, and they hugged one another tightly.

"I feel as though I am dreaming." Vincent said at last, his throat tight with emotion, "This is too much to take in. All I have ever dreamed coming true at once."

"It is wonderful isn't it Vincent?", Father beamed, "And its not over yet, we have all our dear friends waiting to meet you both in the Great Hall, this is going to be a celebration to outshine all celebrations."

"Not only that", Vincent held out a hand for Catherine who came to his side taking his hand willingly, "Catherine and I have our own announcement to make."

"Three guesses as to what that will be." said Devin winking across at Catherine.

Marie had never known such joy. So many people who she could tell loved her son, had come to welcome her and Geraldine to their home. And as the party drew to an end, Father took his place on the platform to speak to everyone. "Friends, family, we have all had such a marvellous time here this evening, and I know that many of you are tired, especially the little ones, but before you leave there is just one very important announcement that I would love for you all to hear." he turned directing his words to his son, "Vincent, Catherine, would you come up here please."

A hushed silence settled around the Great Hall, as eager friends waited in anticipation, they had already had a wonderful time, could it be that something even more wonderful was to happen? Catherine unwound the chubby arms of her son from around her neck, and laid him gently into Marie's arms, he stirred in his sleep, he had worn himself out with his boundless energy. Catherine kissed his cheek, he was so beautiful that she found it hard to tear herself away from him, if only for a few moments, as she took Vincent's hand and went with him to take their place beside a beaming Father.

Everyone waited, as Vincent put his arm around Catherine's waist and held her close to him. They all loved them so much this fairy tale couple, and many of them had watched the dream unfold these past few years. Vincent looked down at Catherine, longing to take her face in his hands and kiss her, a look which did not go unnoticed as people let out a deep sigh of satisfaction.

Taking Catherine's other arm, Father began to speak again, "Our dear friends, our hearts are full this day. Devin, bless him, and Catherine have found Vincent's mother and sister, and they have come to live in our community, and on your behalf I would like to wish them a very long and happy life here with us in our world, and Devin I can see is thoroughly smitten with Gerry already, and I am not quite sure what to say about that...the thought of having Devin living here Below with us....well..what can I say...you know Devin...."

A rumble of laughter issued from the crowd of expectant faces, Vincent joining them heartily, as Father went on, "And here at my side are two of the dearest people among us today, and they have something wonderful to share with you." He stepped aside, motioning Vincent to come forward, "Vincent?"

Vincent looked down at all the dear faces of friends from Above and Below, wishing he could hold the moment forever, all those faces waiting in eager expectation was a treasure to him, and seeing his own mother and sister there among them was more than he could have ever wished for at such a momentous occasion in his life. Looking into Catherine's dancing eyes, as she shared the moment with him, time stood still, he loved her so much and she had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him, married to him. It was beyond comprehension, unreal, perfect. "Friends, family, I have some wonderful news for you. Catherine and I are to be married, and you are all invited."

The silence was split by the sound of thunderous applause, and Catherine found herself swamped by a happy throng of people, hugging and kissing her from young to old. And as everyone swarmed around the happy couple, Devin stepped back into a quiet corner with Geraldine. Looking into her eyes he told her sincerely, "Gerry, how long have I known you? Is it one day or one lifetime? All I know is that my heart belongs to you, and whatever I do from this day forth I want to spend it with you. I think I love you Gerry, would you marry me?"

Gerry squealed with delight and flung her arms around Devin, "I take it that's a yes", he replied looking into her dancing eyes. "Yes, yes, and yes." she cried, loud enough for everyone to hear, and the reason for such an exclamation became clear as Devin stifled her words with their first kiss.

"Mmm," said Father, "This looks ominous, are we to conclude that there will be two weddings now?"

"You know me Father," Devin said laughing, "Always one to steal the limelight."

"You and Vincent always were two of a kind, but to gain two daughters in one fell swoop, even I could not have suspected. This truly is a day to remember. Come everyone, let us raise our glasses once again."

Although many of the arrangements had been done in the weeks that Catherine was away, there was still much to be done, and Devin had to leave. Despite wanting to be with Gerry, he simply had to return to Charles, he owed him that, feeling responsible to him, and wanting to make certain that he was well, but he didn't plan to be gone long and promised to stay just long enough to see the wedding first. Despite his statement about stealing the limelight, Devin had no desire to share his wedding with that of Vincent and Catherine, for he knew with a certainty that their day was something sacred, and that nothing or nobody should infringe upon it. And before the wedding he took the time to drag himself away from Gerry to spend some time sitting with Vincent at the waterfall, where they had spent many a happy hour talking in the past.

"Just like old times Vincent, eh? You and me sitting here like this just talking."

"Yes I can hardly believe that you will be coming to live with us Below again Devin, yet I am so happy about it. I have missed you, more than you know."

"What! Missed me! The one that got you into all those escapades, and brought the wrath of Father down upon you. You actually missed all that?" Vincent laughed, "And just as he thought he only had me to contend with in his old age, we both gang up on him with forces, and he doesn't know which way to turn anymore. Yet its not the run around we gave him that I have missed, it is just having you here to talk to, there has been no-one I could share my innermost feelings with here since you left Devin, sometimes there have been so many questions, especially since I have loved Catherine...." his words trailed off.

"And you think that I, a man of the world could have answered them for you, eh, Vincent?" Devin laughed good humouredly. "Seriously yes. You are from my childhood, we shared so much you and I, made our dreams together, shared our secrets, nothing can alter that, and I have missed you." Devin grew serious, "For once Vincent there is a burning question I feel I must ask you. Do you think Gerry and I can make it work?"

"I don't know Gerry well, but I do know you. And I sense a commitment in you towards her, truly I am proud of you."

"Of me why?" "For how you cared for Charles, and for how you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice on everything you have yearned for, to share your life with someone that looks like me. It won't be easy Devin, you will forsake so much to be with her. Are you really prepared for that?"

Devin was thoughtful, "Yes I believe that I am. You know Vincent, this Empathic Bond you share with Catherine, Gerry has this too, and so has Marie, and from the moment I set eyes upon Gerry, she could feel my emotions, know my thoughts, sense how I felt. I truly believe that nothing will ever alter that, and no matter where we are we will be connected. I am convinced that we should be together, you must know what I mean?"

Vincent nodded, "Yes, and in time as your love for one another deepens, you will find that this Bond will deepen accordingly, so that you can come to know all her emotions too. With Catherine and I our hearts beat as one, and though we may be apart we are together in spirit, that too will come to the both of you."

They sat in silence for a while, each with his own thoughts of the woman he loved, until Devin had something else he wanted to know the answer to. "Vincent?"

"Yes?"

"You know Gerry and Marie were prepared to fly thousands of miles with little fear of anyone seeing them, such was their desire to see you, but just in case we did encounter anyone, I worked out a plan in my mind which I hoped would suffice. As it happened we didn't meet anyone mainly because we travelled on the ground through darkness, and even on the airstrip it was still night, and though I did not have to put my plan into action, the idea of it will not go from my mind. Vincent, if I give it more thought, and am absolutely convinced it would work, would you let me do something else for you?"

"What is that?" "Will you let me fulfil your last dream?"

"And that is...?"

"To walk in the sunshine?"

Vincent drew in a sharp breath and looked into Devin's face. He saw the sincerity there, the determination to accomplish this. "It is all I have ever dreamed of. Having Catherine and Jacob were a bonus I never dared imagine, but walking in the sunshine, I always thought it would be possible, but for me it has proved the most elusive. Do you really believe you can do this?"

"Yes I do, and if the plan comes off then, Catherine and Gerry can share in it too. Hold on to that dream Vincent, and know that it will become a reality."

"You will do this for me, already you have given me so much.?"

"Vincent we are brothers, and I love you. Something as simple as walking in the sunshine should not be denied you. You give so much and ask for so little, how can I not try to make all your dreams come true?"

"You have already given me more than I could ever thank you for. But for you, Catherine would have left me, and you have given me my roots, what more could I ask of you?"

"That's it Vincent, you never do ask, that's the wonderful thing about you. You accept whatever comes and never expect more. Catherine would have come to her senses sooner or later, she already knew what it was she wanted when we met in Paris, she was just a little mixed up that was all."

"I cannot believe that she loves me Devin, and will soon be my wife."

"When we were away, I watched her intently. She came to life every time I spoke your name, though she had convinced herself she should forget you, deep down she knew that she never would, never could. Some people search their life for fairy tales Vincent, for a fantasy such as you two share. I used to envy the pair of you, and now I have found my own fairy tale princess. You and Gerry are special people, unique, and for me and Catherine, well we feel blessed to know you both."

"Thank you Devin." Another silence lapsed between them as each were lost in their own thoughts, while languishing in the fellow feeling of just being together. "Devin there is something I need to ask you. It is hard for me to say it. Catherine is so beautiful, and I desire her so much. Yet look at these hands of mine Devin, what if I should hurt her with these as I did Lisa, how far should I go to touch her?"

"Have you not touched her before?"

"Not in that way. The first time it was physical, and I so long to touch her skin, to feel her body, but I am so afraid that these claws will cut her."

"Claws can be shortened Vincent, just the same as nails can, and claws can be detracted whereas nails can't be. You would be surprised Vincent, that while my face bears the scars from your claws, my back also bears the scars of a passionate night with a woman with long fingernails, its not just your problem. You need to learn to use your fingertips and the palms of your hands, look let me show you. See I can caress your hand without my nails digging in, you practise this on yourself Vincent, and being aware of it will help you to avoid hurting Catherine in this way."

"I feel nervous too Devin," Vincent spoke quietly, almost a whisper, with his head bowed shamefully.

"That is understandable, but its not like Cathy doesn't know what to expect is it?"

"No but it has been a long time, and we are both emotionally charged. When we touch it is like a lightening bolt. Like a fire that burns in my soul and only she can extinguish it. I am frightened by the drive of my passion for her, and I feel that I should try to make the moment last on that special night, but I don't know how to slow it down."

"Vincent you are putting too much on this first night thing. Whichever way you look at it, the first time for the two of you, has been and gone, and that was special too wasn't it, although I understand that you didn't remember for a long time, but now you have. I understand how you want to make this the second time last to re-capture the first, but Vincent, you have to remember to get to the best, one has to first quench the all consuming fire. I always think this, that the first time ever, or the first time in a long time, is a pain in the butt, woops sorry Vincent, bad choice of words....but the second time, and the third, forth and so on, now that's when the beauty comes in, that's the time for caresses, for exploration, for kisses of love, for taking your time, and revelling in the pleasure. That is the time for the memory of that special night Vincent. It is a time of sharing laughter, endearments, a coming together of minds as well as bodies. You'll see Vincent, its a time of peace, of tranquillity, you really have to experience it to know."

Vincent nodded, he had missed these frank open discussions with Devin, he was glad they could still converse in this way, already he felt more at ease.

"So have you decided when your wedding will be Vincent?"

"Yes, but before I tell you, I have to tell Catherine first!"

Catherine was finding joy with motherhood, spending time with Jacob. She had missed so much of his first tender year, and she hungered for knowledge of every moment she had been away. Mary, in turn was a wealth of information and Catherine found much joy in hearing from her all about her son. Vincent felt her with Jacob holding onto her hand as she walked to the waterfall to find him with Devin, and her eyes lit up when she saw Vincent, and he in turn felt the pull of a magnetic force even though his back was turned to her.

Rising he greeted her with a warm embrace, and then speaking to Devin he asked, "Would you take Jacob back to Father with you please Devin, I promised Catherine a surprise yesterday, and I haven't yet shown her it, and I must do so?"

"Of course I will, come on little fellow, lets go and find Grandfather, eh?" Vincent took Catherine's hand, as Devin took Jacob's and each went his separate way. Catherine had wondered what the surprise might be, which Vincent seemed to have forgotten about in the pleasure of meeting his family, and holding the party, and she had not liked to remind him.

Leading her to a part of the underground world she had rarely seen, she found that the walls were now well lit, where lanterns burned brightly on newly shaped ledges, and held in places with large steel pins, and from time to time crevices had been hollowed out in which were placed bowls of flowers, fresh and fragrant.

Catherine took delight in all she saw. Vincent felt her joy, and pulled her closer to him, "The best is yet to come Catherine", he told her.

They reached a door! A huge oak door. Catherine could not hide her surprise! The frame had been shaped to fit the entranceway, and the huge door opened freely when Vincent lifted the latch. Ushering her inside into the chamber beyond, Catherine gasped at what she saw therein. Flowers, lots and lots of flowers bedecked the whole room and the heady perfume floated over her. Then she saw the furniture, beautiful tables and chairs, shelves along one wall, a place for books, a sofa and cupboards to put clothing in. And far across the chamber was yet another door.

"This is beautiful Vincent. Who lives here?"

"We do", he replied hugging her close to him, "Do you really like it?"

"It is perfect Vincent. I love it. Thank you so much darling. What's through there?" she asked pointing across to the far side door.

"The bedroom", his eyes blazed and she laughed up at him, "Vincent are you going to take me in there?"

"Yes", he said, bending his head to kiss her, "But not today."

Continued in Chapter Eleven.