Ending #2
by Margaret Noel

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Vincent opened his eyes. It was a recurring dream, a memory really, but one that no longer made him sad. His life had changed dramatically in the three years that had passed since that night. He was no longer alone. Glancing across the pillow he could not help but smile. Catherine was asleep on her side, several strands of blond hair obscuring her face. Brushing it back he placed a light kiss on her cheek. There were moments like this when he still could not believe his good fortune. If someone had told him just three short years ago that he would be married to a beautiful woman and would have a son he would have accused that person of being incredibly cruel.

As if sensing his father’s thoughts Max began to whimper softly. Careful not to disturb Catherine, Vincent slipped out of bed.

Padding quietly to the cradle he smiled at his son. Bright blue eyes, the twin of his own, stared trustingly up at him. “Now what has awakened you at this hour?”

Reaching into the crib Vincent got the answer to his query as his hand came into contact with the damp sheets. Murmuring comfortingly to the still fretting child Vincent efficiently changed the offending diaper and sheets.

Scooping his son once more into his arms he sat in the rocking chair that Mary had thoughtfully added to the furnishings of his chamber. Content in his now dry bum wrapper Max showed no sign of immediately going back to sleep. Knowing Catherine was exhausted from Max’s late night feedings, and knowing he would want to be fed again soon enough, Vincent was unwilling to waken her before it was necessary.

“I guess it’s you and me kiddo.” Maxine, or Pascal’s Max as everyone else called her, had called him a musical snob. He had committed the song to memory partly to prove her wrong but mostly because the lyrics spoke to him. The first time he heard Marc Anthony’s “My Baby You” Vincent had been moved to tears. It seemed as if the songwriter had looked inside his soul and put into words everything Vincent felt about being a father. Placing the baby against his shoulder he began to sing.
 

My Baby You
 
Marc Anthony 

As I look into your eyes 
I see all the reasons why 
My life’s worth a thousand skies 
You’re the simplest love I’ve known 
And the purest one I’ll own 
Know you’ll never be alone 

Chorus: My baby you are the reason I could fly 
And ‘cause of you I don’t have to wonder why 
Baby, there’s no more just getting by 
You’re the reason I feel so alive 
Though these words I sing are true 
They still fail to capture you 
As mere words can only do 
How do I explain that smile 
And how it turns my world around 
Keeping my feet on the ground 

Repeat Chorus: I will soothe you if you fall 
I’ll be right there if you call 
You’re my greatest love of all 

Repeat Chorus: Arianna I feel so alive 

Engrossed in his son and carried away by the music, it was several moments before he noticed the pair of sea green eyes staring at him. Staring back he finished the song.

 Catherine smiled. “That was beautiful”

Placing the once more sleeping Max in his cradle Vincent sat on the bed. Gathering Catherine into his arms he kissed her. She was the keeper of his heart and the guardian of his dreams. She accepted everything he was without question and had from the very beginning. She was his life.

Realizing the lyrics spoke also to his love for the remarkable woman in his arms he began to sing again. His voice combined with his touch made Catherine sigh in contentment. “Pascal’s Max is right,” she managed to whisper “Marc Anthony is sublime.”

The End