Chapter 11

Reception

Vincent’s powerful strides took them to the Great Hall in no time; Catherine’s weight was as if nothing in his arms. Outside the door of the hall he noticed a little generator clanking away, and and he groaned. Mouse must be up to something. He tightened his grip on Catherine as he shouldered open one of the doors. He stood at the top of the stairs and gasped, Catherine turned to see what had prompted that response from him. The ceiling of the hall was alight with hundreds of tiny, clear Christmas lights. It looked like a brilliant, night sky. There were also candles everywhere, pushing back the darkness, red and white to mimic the roses that were on every table. There were all kinds of wedding decorations, bells, garlands, hearts anything and everything Jenny could find she brought down; the whole effect was dazzling.

The aroma of William’s cooking assaulted their noses making their mouths water, neither had eaten much during the day probably due to pre-wedding jitters. The tables were set up as for Winterfest; the food was laid out on the long trestle tables by the stairs. Vincent set Catherine down on her feet as people started filtering through; the vanguard had finally caught up with them. They greeted each well-wisher as they entered; Father and the Bishop were the last to arrive.

"Come on you two, time to go down and enjoy some of William’s delicious food." Father declared as he clapped Vincent on the shoulder.

After filling their plates they went to the seats that were reserved for them. The musicians had finished eating and were playing softly to accompany the meal. Catherine never knew a time when she was so happy and by the look on Vincent’s face and the feelings flowing through the bond he would say the same. Jenny had gotten up and was fiddling with the boom box, soon they heard the opening strains of the song they had chosen as "their" song. Vincent stood, holding out his hand to her, she smiled up at him putting her hand in his and let him lead her out to the dance floor. He took her in his arms as Anne Murray sang "Nobody loves me like you do"; and as one they glided along in perfect sync with the music lost in each other’s eyes as the words sang to their hearts.

Like a candle burning bright love is glowing in your eyes
A flame to light our way that burns brighter every day now I have you
Nobody loves me like you do

Like a leaf upon the wind I could find no place to land
I dream the hours away and wondered everyday do dreams come true
Nobody loves me like you do

What if I’d never met you, where would I be right now?
Funny how life just falls in place some how
You touched my heart in places that I never even knew
Nobody loves me like you do

I was words without a tune
I was a song still un-sung
A poem with no rhyme
A dancer out of time but now there’s you
And nobody loves me like you do

They had the floor to themselves; everyone else was watching this magical couple basking in the light of their love. As the song ended they slowed to a stand still. He bent over her and finding her lips kissing kissed her so deeply that her legs went weak, s. She wrapped her arms around his neck to keep herself up-right. The hall boomed with applause as they walked back to their seats, smiling sheepishly. Father rose, calling for silence.

"I know the toast is usually given by the best man and Devin," he looked over at his son, "you’ll forgive me if I take it from you. I would like to say that from the very beginning I was against this relationship; I saw nothing good coming from it. I am very happy that they have proved me wrong and I hope they forgive me my misgivings. They have been through many harrowing times that have quite literally turned my hair gray; but because of their courage and love for each other they have prevailed and they have enriched our community in many ways. I wish them nothing but happiness for the rest of their days."

He ended by lifting his glass in salute, the "‘here, here’s"’ were deafening as Father resumed his seat. William announced it was time to cut the cake and beckoned Vincent and Catherine over to make the first cut. Jenny hurried over with the digital camera she and Catherine had purchased; she had been taking pictures throughout the reception and wanted to make sure to get one of the cake. Together they made the cut into the magnificent cake William had created which was topped by a carving Cullen had made in the perfect likeness of the couple, it was something they could keep forever as a memento of the day.

William continued slicing while the couple went around to the tables chatting with their family and friends. The musicians were playing again and Catherine found herself being asked to dance by many of the male guests and noted that Vincent too was being kept busy by the female contingent. She had also noticed that Cullen had been paying particular attention to Jenny and she seemed to be enjoying it very much, there could be a budding romance there she thought. Devin cut a dashing figure in a suit he had purchased for his DA job but never gotten to wear, the women were falling all over themselves to dance with him. Little Cathy managed to stay awake long enough to smear cake all over her face and hair causing Lean to leave earlier than she wished, muttering in happy exasperation about kids needing to be constantly watched. She took Luke with her so Olivia and Kanin could stay longer. Emily had gotten a hold of Jenny making her promise to give her a set of the pictures she was taking. She was so happy to be a part of all this, it more than made up for the years of loneliness she had lived through for so long.

Devin caught up with Vincent at the beverage table getting a glass of punch for Catherine.

"Well little brother how does it feel to be an old married man?" he joked.

"It’s the best feeling in the world," Vincent returned, "you should try it."

"Oh no I like playing the field too much to be tied to one woman, besides Charles consumes a lot of my time. Don’t get me wrong I don’t begrudge him one little bit, he’s come such a long way, it’s been very rewarding for me." Looking to where Charles was standing.

"Yes Charles is looking much improved, the mountain air must agree with him." Vincent observed seeing Charles mingling comfortably with the guests with no apparent self-consciousness.

Vincent went back to his bride who was discussing Connecticut with Emily. The farm Emily had inherited from her parents was just outside of Torrington, northwest of Catherine’s summer home. Vincent handed her the glass of punch and continued strolling among the guests stopping here and there to join in a conversation. At one of the breaks in the live music Vincent gave a nod to Jenny who once again went to the boom box to play a recording that Vincent had heard once in his many night time excursions Above. He pulled Catherine away from a knot of people that she was speaking with and once again led her to the dance floor. She looked at him quizzically then heard Kenny Roger’s voice sing:

"Lady I’m your knight in shinning armor and I love you."*

She wrapped her arms around his neck and burrowed her face in his chest. He hugged her close, arms around her waist dancing the way he’d seen the younger generation dance Above. At the last line of the song he whispered in her ear "you’re the love of my life, you’re my lady." His voice choked with emotion, she looked at him her eyes misting and whispered, "Let’s go home." He nodded in mute consent, together they walked around bidding everyone good night finally making their exit. He again scooped her up and walked all the way to their new home with her in his arms precisely where she had always wanted to be.

 

*Lady

By Lionel Richie Jr. as sung by Kenny Rogers

Lady, I’m you knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I am yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?

Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear
In my eyes I see no one else but you
There’s no other live like our love
And yes, oh yes, I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long

Lady, your love’s the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
‘Cause, my love, there’s something I want you to know
You’re the love of my life
You’re my Lady