Chapter 2

There’s To Be a Wedding

Vincent stood transfixed as he watched Catherine turn from him to enter the column of light that would take her back to the world Above. He waited there until he felt her safely reach her apartment; a silent feeling of ‘I’m ok’ reaching him through their bond. He stood a moment longer, then stepped through the opening in the brick wall to make his way back to the home tunnels.

He walked slowly, going over the events of the day in his mind. This morning he knew who he was, but not what he was. Tonight he found out he had parents, he wasn’t the product of some strange experiment run by a mad scientist; he was the result of a union between two beings from different worlds. Of course having a father who was alien to this world would take some getting used to. He had never given any credence to the UFO sightings he had read about, but obviously he would have to radically change his thinking about that.

This morning he didn’t know who his mother was or even if he had one. Tonight he had met her, and seen a picture of his father. A being who looked just like him, and he now knew there was a whole planet full of people who looked just like him.

This morning he thought a physical relationship with Catherine would be impossible. He feared the beast in him would harm her. Tonight, armed with the knowledge that he was not a beast, he had asked her to marry him, and miraculously she had said yes.

His thoughts lingered on the kiss she had left him with. Not the sweet little thank you kiss he had received when her father had passed away, but a lover’s kiss, deep and passionate, the kind he had read about in books, and her parting glance held the promise of more to come.

Suddenly, he found himself outside of Father’s chamber; he had no conscious recollection of how he had gotten there. He saw that the crowd had left and that Father and Emily were alone. Descending the stairs he approached the two.

“Ah Vincent, there you are.” Father smiled up at him, “I’ve invited Emily to stay the weekend with us. Would you be good enough to guide her to the guest chamber?”

“Of course Father.” He turned to Emily, “Mother, are you ready?” He smiled at his use of the unaccustomed word, enjoying it.

She noted the term, and tears sprang to her eyes once again.

“Yes I’m quite ready.” She stood sighing, “it’s been a long, exciting day.”

Turning to Father she took his hand in hers “Jacob, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness. For taking care of my son all these years, for raising him as your own, and making him the wonderful man he is.” The tears threatened to fall.

“Emily please,” Father’s face reddened under the praise “it’s late and you must be tired. Go with Vincent now, I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast. Sleep well.”

“Thank you.” She murmured, squeezing his hands.

Vincent took her elbow, leading her out of the chamber. They walked arm in arm in a companionable silence, each with their own thoughts. Upon entering the guest chamber, Vincent took Emily’s hands in his, meeting her eyes

“Mother I can’t thank you enough for sharing you story with me. With us, you don’t know what you’ve done for me.” Tears were making his eyes bright.

“I still can’t believe we’re here together. That you’re alive and well and so very wonderful,” she exclaimed.

“Mother it’s been a miraculous day, but I’m not so very wonderful.” He shook his head, “you mustn’t think of me that way.”

“How can you not be, everyone here loves you. It’s almost as if you can reach out and touch it, it’s so tangible.”

He guided her to one of the chairs in the room, indicating she should sit, and knelt down on one knee beside her, his head bowed.

“I’ve tried to lead a good life, do what’s expected of me, help wherever I can, but sometimes, especially when Catherine’s in danger, I lose myself, and I’ve killed to protect her,” his voice caught.

Emily’s heart went out to him he looked so miserable. “But Vincent it’s part of your nature, of who and what you are.” She stroked his head.

He looked up at her hopefully she went on.

“Sher-Kan spoke to me about it once, he said it’s the warrior nature inherent in all Betazeds. When they or a loved one is in danger they go into what he called a blood rage; all thought leaves them and they fight like a berserker until the threat is eliminated, or they are.”

“Then it’s nothing I can control? I’ll have to live with this?” He moaned, lowering his head so that his mane covered his face.

“No,” she hastened to reassure him; “Sher-Kan said that they used to fight with their natural weapons, the claws on their hands and feet eviscerating each other and their enemies.” She shivered at the gruesome picture that rose up in her mind. “When they became enlightened they had to somehow overcome the blood rage that would set in at the merest inkling of a perceived danger, they decided to try weapons training. They start the children when they are very young so that the drills and the discipline they learn become second nature, providing them with the mental focus they need to negate the blood rage. He told me that they have tournaments on a regular basis to test their skills against one another in an assortment of weapons. He said he himself was very good with a sword, a weapon he brought back with him from one of his expeditions to here.” She smiled at the memory of the way he looked when he told her that.

“You must have loved him very much to still remember everything so clearly.”

“There’s never been anyone else Vincent, yes I loved him…love him still.”

“Do you think you’ll ever see him again?”

She shook her head ever so slightly. “No, I don’t think so, the Federation wouldn’t allow it.” Then she smiled looking into the eyes that were so like her own. “But then I never thought I’d see you again so I suppose anything is possible.”

Emily couldn’t help but stifle a yawn; she was getting very sleepy.

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have kept you up.” he apologized, getting up. “You should have everything you need here. I’ll come and collect you in the morning for breakfast. Goodnight Mother,” he kissed her on the cheek and left.

As he walked back towards his chamber, the enormity of the day finally struck him. He found himself standing in the entrance to Father’s chamber, his body trembling with delayed reaction. He stumbled down the stairs tears streaming down his face. Father had gotten out of his chair when he saw him; enclosing him in his embrace, stroking the golden head.

“It’s been a momentous day for you hasn’t it son?” He whispered gently, trying to calm the gentle being in his arms.

When he felt Vincent starting to relax, he led him to a chair.

“Here, sit I’ll get us some tea.” After pouring two cups he sat down, putting his hand on Vincent’s, “Tell me.”

“Father for all my life I’ve been tormented, not knowing who or what I am. I came to accept the fact I’d never know how I came to be, but I always believed I was part beast, and until Catherine came into my life I could almost live with that, but with her I grew to want more of what a man wants. I wouldn’t allow myself to go further, but she always had the strength, the courage, the faith in me to go forward while I always hung back. Now I know what I am and the fight with myself, the control I always maintained, was unnecessary. I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from me.”

“Vincent, I’m so happy for you,” he squeezed Vincent’s arm, “you’ve been given a great gift, some people never know their origins.” He sat back in his chair chuckling, “I’ve always wondered what you might be, but I must admit an extraterrestrial never crossed my mind.” He shook his head amused, “and I call myself learned.”

“It is hard to take in, isn’t it?” Vincent smiled. “There’s something else Father.” He hesitated, “I’ve asked Catherine to marry me and she’s accepted.”

“Vincent I’m happy for you of course, but have you thought it through?”

“We haven’t talked about how we will work everything out, but from now on we’ll be doing it together.” The gaze he turned on Father was resolute, brooking no argument.

Not wishing to voice his concerns at this point Father stood. “Well I think it’s time you got yourself to bed young man, you’ve had a big day, and some busy days ahead of you. Tomorrow we’ll talk.”

“Yes Father,” he replied getting up, kissing the old mans head fondly.

Entering his own chamber, Vincent pulled out his journal and began to record the day’s events, still not believing everything that had come to pass, even seeing it in the written word. After a time his eyes grew heavy and he prepared for bed. As he waited for sleep to take him he opened the bond wide; feeling Catherine’s contented excitement he smiled, surrendering at last to sleep.

*********

After leaving Vincent at the bottom of the ladder, Catherine practically flew up the rungs, hardly aware of the trip up to her apartment. She wanted to fling open the French doors and shout to the world from their balcony that he had asked, finally asked her to marry him. There would be obstacles, no doubt, but they would face them together, never more to be apart. She hugged herself, remembering the kiss she had bestowed on him at their parting. ‘Be prepared Vincent’ she thought ‘you are in for plenty more of that and then some. The poor man won’t know what hit him.’ She had bottled up her physical needs for him for much too long.

There were so many plans to make, so much to think about. But not tonight, her trip to St. Vincent’s seemed weeks ago instead of mere hours. It had been a long day and it was time to rest. She would have to question Vincent about how wedding ceremonies were conducted Below. Come, she chided herself,’ tomorrow is another day. She climbed into bed dreaming of him and their future together.

**********

After finishing his morning toilet, Vincent went to the guest chamber to collect Emily. He announced himself at the doorway, and she invited him in.

“Well what do you think, Mary lent me some clothes, will I do as a tunnel woman?” She spun around to give him the full effect.

“You’ll do fine Mother, you’re quite a striking woman,” he replied admiringly.

“Thank you son,” she dipped him a curtsey, “I am always receptive to compliments.”

She took his arm, and they went to the dining hall for breakfast. Seeing Father seated with Mary, they filled their plates from the sideboard, and went to sit with them.

“Vincent,” exclaimed Mary, “Father has just told me the wonderful news! Have you chosen a date yet?”

Emily looked questioningly at Vincent, “what have I missed?”

“I’m sorry Mother I forgot to tell you, I asked Catherine to marry me last night and she has accepted.”

“Son that’s wonderful news!” She hugged him, then reiterated Mary’s question. “When is it to be?”

“I don’t know, we haven’t had time to talk about it yet. She’ll be coming down this afternoon so we’ll have some time then. In the meantime I’d like to show you around after breakfast if that’s agreeable to you?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes that sounds like a wonderful idea, I’d like to see where you grew up.”

After they had finished eating, Vincent took Emily to the pipe chamber to visit with Pascal. He gave her a rudimentary explanation of his beloved system of pipe messages. Then they took a walk to the Chamber of the Falls and the Chamber of the Winds. Vincent opened the Great Hall, explaining that this was where the wedding would take place. The Whispering Gallery captivated her with its cacophony of sounds and snippets conversations.

The morning flew by, and soon it was time to meet Catherine. He left Emily with Mary and went to the threshold to meet her. She didn’t even make it to the bottom of the ladder before she felt his hands around her waist. As he lifted her down she turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the lips. Startled at first he tried to pull back, but she only held him tighter. He finally relaxed, and when she deepened the kiss he responded in kind.

“Oh Vincent,” she said when she broke away to catch her breath. “I couldn’t wait to see you, but I thought the morning should be Emily’s”

Looking down at the woman he loved so much he grinned, “Emily kept me busy all morning conducting her from one place to another. Otherwise I would have been sitting at the bottom of the ladder waiting for you.”

She laughed at the picture his words brought to her mind.

“We have a lot of plans to make don’t we?” She took his hand. “Did you have a date in mind?”

“Actually yes,” he answered, “with your approval of course. I thought April 12th would be appropriate.”

“Vincent that’s perfect, our anniversary! Then I won’t have to remember two significant dates.” They started walking towards the central tunnels.

“Actually it is perfect,” she commented thoughtfully. “It will take one of the worst times of my life and eclipse it with one of the best times of my life. Of course that’s only three months away will that be enough time to prepare?”

“There really isn’t that much to do Catherine, our ceremonies are not elaborate. Father usually says a few words about commitment, and the couple might exchange a few words to each other. It’s usually only an announcement to the community of the couple’s intention to make a life together. There’s really nothing legal, and then there’s a celebration afterwards. Is that alright with you?” He added anxiously.

She sighed, “I always envisioned a big church wedding, you know…walking down the aisle on my father’s arm, in my mother’s wedding dress.” Her eyes misted, “obviously the church is out and my father…” her voice caught.

“Catherine,” he stopped walking, feeling her loss through the bond. “He’ll be with us in spirit.” He held her in a tight embrace, willing the sorrow away.

“I know he will.” She smiled up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. “The one thing I definitely can have,” she said resolutely, “is my mother’s wedding dress. It’s up at the Connecticut house. I’m sure it will need some alterations so I should get that as soon as possible. Maybe I’ll go up next weekend.” They began walking again.

“I’m sure Mary would be able to do the alterations, if you like we can ask her when we see her.”

“Vincent there is something I wanted to ask you about…..” he stopped walking when he heard the hesitation in her voice.

“What is it Catherine, you know you can ask me anything.”

“I was wondering if I could invite Jenny, she’s my best friend and completely trustworthy.” She looked at him hopefully.

He thought a moment then, “yes I think it’s time I meet someone that means so much to you. We’ll talk to Father I’m sure he’ll be agreeable.”

They began walking again. As they drew closer to the home tunnels they began bumping into people, getting congratulations from all of them.

“Does everyone down here know already?” Catherine inquired.

“News travels fast on the pipes, Catherine, I’m sure Pascal has been kept busy with the news all morning.”

Father stood up from his chair when they entered his chamber, giving Catherine a warm hug and offering her his congratulations. He still had reservations, but for now he would keep them to himself until his opinion was asked for. Maybe I’m finally learning to keep my nose out of my son’s business for a change, he thought wryly.

When they were seated around his desk they asked about Jenny. After giving it a few moments thought he agreed to invite her into the tunnel world. Catherine was elated, finally she would have someone Above to talk to about her dual life.

The couple then sought out Mary, finding her in her chamber with Emily. Mary gladly agreed to make any alterations Catherine’s dress might required, happy to have some part in the couple’s plans.

After changing into the clothes she had on yesterday, Emily left with Catherine to check out of her hotel. She would be staying in the tunnels again for the night and then she would have to leave in the morning to go home.

They returned in time for dinner and afterwards, it being Saturday, there was entertainment as usual in Father’s study. Some of the younger musician had wanted to showcase their hard work and they had planned a little concert. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

When it was over, and the musicians duly praised and fussed over all attention was centered on the newly engaged couple. Practically every male there thumped Vincent on the back in heartfelt congratulations and Catherine’s cheeks were left bruised by the numerous kisses she received.

Finally they were able to break away. They walked back to Catherine’s threshold, bidding each other goodnight with a deeply satisfying kiss.