Chapter 3

Jenny

 

“Hi Jen.”

 

“Cathy, I can’t believe it’s you!  I was going to call you to get together; you wouldn’t believe the dreams I’ve been having about you.”

 

“I hope they’re not like the last one?” Catherine ask warily

 

“No, no these have been good.  I don’t understand them of course, but they have a good feeling to them.”

 

Brushing off the dream subject Catherine got to the point of her call. “I was calling to see if we could do dinner sometime soon.  I need to talk to you.”

 

“How about tonight?”  Jenny asked excitedly, she really wanted to discuss her latest dreams.  “I know! I’ll grab some Chinese on my way over.  How’s 7:30?  Yeah 7:30, that’ll be good.  Ok Cath, I’ll see you then.”

 

Catherine stared at the silent receiver in her hand; Jenny hadn’t let her get a word in edgewise.  She was thinking that maybe she should call her back to cancel since Vincent was coming tonight, but then again maybe it was just as well.  Jenny was going to have to meet him sooner or later if she was going to be involved in the wedding.  She hoped Vincent liked Chinese, knowing Jenny she’d bring enough to feed an army.

 

                                                            ***

 

Catherine felt Vincent’s presence before she heard the quiet tap that announced his arrival on the balcony.  Hurrying to the French doors, she pulled them open and let him in.  He embraced her, seeking her lips for a welcoming kiss, which she eagerly accepted.  He still marveled at his boldness in kissing this beautiful woman, but soon she would be his and she was entirely willing.  Reluctantly pulling away, Catherine took his cloak, draping it over a chair.  Taking his hand she led him to the sofa and pulled him down to sit beside her.  He felt there was something not quite right.

 

“Catherine what is it?”  He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, “tell me.”

 

Looking at him anxiously she began, “I called Jenny today to make plans for a get together and she sort of invited herself over for dinner tonight.  She’s picking up some Chinese on her way.”

 

He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “Good! I like Chinese.”

 

She brightened immediately. “Then you’ll stay, you’ll meet her?”

 

“Of course Catherine, if she is to be part of our wedding we will have to know each other.”

 

She sighed with relief, she knew they had discussed it and had asked Father, but she didn’t know if he was ready.  Ok she thought he’s ready, but is Jen?  With that the doorbell rang.  She looked at him as he rose.

 

“I think it would be best if I waited in the bedroom until you’re ready.”

 

She rose also, nodding in agreement, after a quick hug he went into the bedroom.  She waited until he had closed the door then went to let Jenny in.  Jenny had a huge brown grocery bag that smelled delicious.  Taking the bag from her Catherine led the way into the kitchen, deposited the bag on the table and gave Jenny a tight hug.  Jenny took off her coat and threw it over the sofa.

 

“Ok out with it!  What can’t you tell me over the phone?”

 

“I’m getting married, Jen.”  She grinned at the look on Jenny’s face.  “Would you be my maid of honor?”

 

“What are you kidding….oh my God no you’re not, you’re serious….oh Cathy I’m so happy for you!”  She enveloped Catherine in a crushing hug.  “Who is he?  Do I know him?  Of course I’ll be your maid of honor…..”

 

“Jen slow down, you’re going to get to meet him.”  She had moved to the cabinet to get plates and glasses and one fork.  Jenny noticed three plates.

 

“You mean he’s here…now?”

 

Catherine nodded, “he’s waiting in the bedroom.  Jen, sit!”  She pushed her into one of the kitchen chairs and sat down across from her.

 

“His name is Vincent.”  It didn’t escape Jen’s notice at the loving way Catherine said his name.  “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.  I met him almost three years ago the night I was attacked.  He found me in the park and took care of me.”

 

Jenny nodded remembering that awful time.  “Those ten days you were missing….”

 

“I was with him, healing, learning about myself.  I came out of that experience changed not only because of what happened but because of him.”

 

“Well obviously you think he’s the best thing since sliced bread.  So why is he in the bedroom?  Trot him out here.”

 

“Jen I just wanted to prepare you… he’s different.”

 

“I hope he’s different!  Your track record with men isn’t exactly the greatest.  Sorry,” she added sheepishly.

 

“No you’re right; I haven’t had very good judgment when it came to men.  Until now, but I mean he’s different in appearance like no one you’ve ever seen before.”

 

“Ok already, you’ve warned me now get him out here so we can eat, I’m starving.”

 

Jenny watched as her friend went to the bedroom and opened the door beckoning to someone.  When he stepped out she caught her breath.  Here was someone she had only seen in her dreams.  He was tall, over six feet and powerfully built, but with a grace of movement that belied his size.  He clasped Catherine’s hand possessively and the look of adoration in her eyes was unmistakable.  As he approached she stood and smiled.

 

“What do you know; my dreams aren’t as cockeyed as I thought.”

 

Catherine let out the breath she’d been holding and made the introductions.

 

 “Jenny Aronson, this is my fiancé, Vincent Wells.”

 

Vincent took the hand that Jenny offered and shook it warmly.

 

“It’s nice to finally meet you.  I assume you’re the guy that stayed with her the night she practically threw me out of here?”

 

Catherine blushed, “Jen I didn’t throw you out.”

 

“No you very politely told me to scram.”

 

Vincent smiled at the exchange.  “It’s good to meet someone who has been so important to Catherine.”

 

Oh my God what a voice she thought No wonder Cathy fell in love with him.  She pulled him to the table.  “Come on let’s eat, I brought plenty.”

 

They seated themselves around the table and opening the multitude of containers they filled their plates.  Catherine and Vincent took the chopsticks that were included; Jenny took the fork Catherine had put out, knowing her friends distain for chopsticks.

 

“Sure you two show off, I need to get some food in my mouth,” she brandished the fork.

 

“So when is the wedding, have you set the date yet?”  She asked around a mouth full of food.

 

Catherine swallowed, “April 12^th.”

 

“What?”  She was shocked.  “That’s less than three months from now!  How are you going to pull that off?”  She began ticking items off on her fingers. “You’ve got the church, the hall, flowers…..” Realization finally hit her, glancing at Vincent then Catherine she softly murmured, “Sorry.”

 

“It’s alright Jen, we’re use to the restrictions Vincent’s appearance puts on us.  It doesn’t matter.”

 

“But Cath, all you ever talked about was getting married in a church, and having a big reception, and everything.”

 

Taking one of Vincent’s hands in hers, smiling at him she answered, “That was in the past Jen, a childish dream that’s no longer important.”

 

“We’ll be getting married Below where I live,” Vincent interjected. 

 

At Jenny’s quizzical look he explained about the tunnels and some of the people she would be meeting.  Then they discussed the ceremony, food and music.  They decided to consult with William on the menu and provide whatever supplies he might need.  The resident tunnel musicians would play the music with some augmentation from Catherine’s boom box, which Jenny would manage with strict instructions to keep Mouse from taking it apart.  A helper who owned a florist shop would provide flowers.  Catherine asked Vincent to inquire about getting white and red roses for her bouquet, which he said he would do.

 

They spent hours discussing plans and Catherine marveled at how comfortable Jenny and Vincent were with each other.  Then something Jenny had said early surfaced in her mind.

 

“Jen what did you mean about your dreams not being cockeyed?”

 

Jenny hesitated and then explained, “every time I’ve dreamt about you lately there was always a lion walking next to you; sometimes on all fours, sometimes on two legs.  You’d be walking in a cave or something with blocks of stones, or bricks, like being in a pyramid.  It never made sense so I never mentioned it, but I’ve been having the dreams more often so I wanted to tell you about them to see if they made any sense to you.  Now I’m thinking maybe I’ve got the gift and I should get a crystal ball and put out a shingle.  What do you think?”

 

Catherine laughed, “don’t quit your day job.”

 

All three laughed at that.

 

“So do Below weddings include wedding dresses?  I know some great shops; we had do a cover for a How to Plan a Wedding book and I got to go to some really neat places.”

 

Catherine smiled at her enthusiasm.  “I want to wear my mother’s wedding dress which is up at the Connecticut house.”  A sudden thought struck her.  “Jen are you free for the weekend?  We could go up together and have a girl’s weekend out.” Turning to Vincent she added, “If that’s ok with you?”

 

“That would be fine, I have some things I have to attend to as well,” he answered.

 

Turning back to Jenny she asked again, “So are you free for the weekend?”

 

“I don’t have anything planned, sure! It’ll be fun.”

 

“Fine, I’ll pick you up around 6:00 on Friday.”

 

“Great, well I think I’ll get going now and get out of your hair.” all three got up.   “Vincent it’s been a pleasure, I’m glad I finally got to meet you.”

 

“The pleasure was mine Jenny, thank you for dinner.”  She had gone over to him giving him a hug.

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

“I’ll walk you to the door Jen.”

 

Jenny got her coat from the sofa and Catherine went to the door with her.  They both stepped out in the hallway, pulling the door closed.

 

“Cathy he’s dreamy, all he has to do is talk and he’s got me tingling.”

 

Laughing Catherine hugged her.  “Jen you’re terrific, thanks again for dinner and I’ll see you Friday night.”

 

Stepping back through the door she saw Vincent gathering his cloak.

 

“I should go too; you have work in a few hours.”

 

“Vincent I’m so glad the two of you have met; now we can talk about you.”  Her eyes held a mischievous glint.

 

He took her in his arms. “You may talk about me all you wish but I would think that would be a boring subject.”

 

“You could never be boring my love.”

 

She kissed him and when they came up for air, they were both breathing heavily.

 

“I’d better go.”  He panted huskily and he was through the door and over the balcony wall before she could catch her breath.

 

                                                            *****

 

Walking past Father’s chamber, Vincent noticed that a light was still on.  Upon entering he saw that Father was lying in bed reading. 

 

“Father you’re still awake?”

 

“Vincent you know I can’t sleep until you’re home.  Your trips Above give me nightmares.  I’d rather stay awake until I know you’re home safe and sound.”

 

“Father you worry too much.  In order to live life fully one must take risks.”  He smiled, thnking  Nothing ever changes no matter how old you get. 

 

Father patted the bed, indicating that Vincent should sit.  He could see something was on his son’s mind.  “Tell me how your evening went.”

 

“I met Catherine’s friend Jenny tonight, we had dinner together…. Chinese.”

 

“What was her reaction to you?”

 

“It was normal, as if I was just like anyone else.”

 

Father was taken aback. “How could that be?”

 

“She said she’s dreamt of me, of Catherine and I together; it’s almost as if she’s clairvoyant.  Anyway we spent a pleasant evening discussing wedding plans.  Jenny brought up the fact that Catherine had always wished for a church wedding.    I know she was raised a Catholic, but no longer goes to church; between her job and seeing me there doesn’t seem to be time to fit that in.  There’s not much I can offer her but myself.  I was wondering if you knew of any priests that know of our community that I could ask to perform the ceremony for us.  I would like to do that for her.”

 

“Vincent, marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic church, and you would have to have the sacraments of penance, communion and confirmation before you could enter the sacrament of marriage.”

 

“You forgot baptism,” he added, “I have read about the Catholic religion Father.”

 

“Actually, Vincent, you were baptized.”

 

Vincent looked at him startled.  Father went on to explain.

 

“I was also raised Catholic and when you came to us you were so very ill.  I had done everything I could, but I thought we were going to lose you, so I took you to a priest and had you baptized.”

 

“I must have been a shock to the man.”

 

“You were,” he chuckled remember the look on the priest’s face, “but, to his credit, he took you in stride and did his duty.  So you see you are baptized in the Catholic religion.”

 

Removing his glasses and running a hand through his hair he continued, “let me think about this Vincent, and I’ll see what I can do.”

 

“Thank you Father, it would mean a great deal to Catherine.”

 

He left the tunnel leader deep in thought.