THOUGH IT WERE TEN THOUSAND MILES
By Joan Stephens

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Chapter 14

 

“Catherine, I’ve been thinking about Sophie and Alan.  Is there any way we can find out if they are safe?”  Vincent asked as he rolled over on his side after placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

 

She had certainly not expected this to be the first words out of his mouth after their last round of lovemaking.  The longest six weeks of her life had finally passed, and she had spent practically all of the night in the most rewarding lovemaking she could remember.  Oh, Vincent was an astonishingly adept lover.  She had never felt so fulfilled.  All the unhappy events of the past year or more faded into the background, never to trouble her again. 

 

The children must have been on his mind for quite awhile for him to be thinking of them at this time.  She shook her head at her husband: the most caring and wonderful man in the world.  Turning to face him, she said, “Give me a chance to catch my breath, Vincent.  You’ve thought of them often, haven’t you?”

 

Vincent shrugged apologetically.  “Forgive me, my heart, but they are the reason I am here, and I want to find out if they are all right.  With the birth of Jacob and our marriage, I’m afraid I might have put it off too long.  I hope they are all right.”  His eyes betrayed the fear he felt that the two children may have suffered for their complicity in his escape.

 

Oh, she loved him so much, and it was so hard to think of anything else right now, but she made a valiant effort and came up with the best person for the job.  “Why don’t we ask Diana?  She’s a very good investigator. We can ask her to find them.  If anyone can, she can.”  Snuggling into his body, she whispered seductively in his ear, “Now, where were we?” then gently bit the earlobe.

 

                                                               ************

 

The next morning Catherine sent a message to Diana asking her to come to the Common Room that evening.

 

Vincent was pacing the floor when Diana rushed in.  “I got here as soon as I could,” she said, breathlessly.  “What’s wrong?  Sorry it took me so long, but I couldn’t drop what I was doing until a little while ago.”

 

“That’s perfectly all right.  We don’t think it is life-threatening,” Vincent said, settling into a chair beside his wife.

 

Diana sank into a chair opposite the duo.  “Well, thank goodness for that.”  She let out a puff of relieved air.  “Let’s get the amenities out of the way and then you can tell me what’s so important.”  She grinned at the contented look on both faces.  “How are you two?  You look as happy as two kids  in a candy store.  And how is Jacob?  I was hoping to see him tonight.”

 

Leaning back in her chair, Catherine answered, “We’re as happy as we look and Jacob is fine.   We’ll go look in on him when we’re finished.”

 

An urgent look came over Vincent’s face, and he leaned forward on the table on his forearms.  “Diana,” he began, “I need your help.” 

 

“With what?” she asked.

 

“I wouldn’t be here today, Catherine would more than likely be dead, and Jacob would be lost to us if not for the courage of two young children who helped me escape: Sophie and Alan Schmidt.  Their father owns a private zoo where he keeps exotic and rare creatures.”  Vincent’s voice went flat and emotionless, and he shivered violently, remembering that terrible month he spent in the cage beneath the large stone house in Washington.  “He kept me in a cage in the basement of his house.”

 

Catherine leaned comfortingly into his shoulder, tears gathering in her eyes.  Diana could imagine what it was like for this free and unfettered spirit to be caged in darkness.  He may live in darkness but he was free to find his own light.

 

“The children took pity on me and helped me escape.  I’m afraid of what he would do if he found out that they had helped me.  He wasn’t kind to them at all as they were a burden to him.  He could very well take this excuse to get rid of them.”

 

Catherine squeezed his hand.  She felt his pain almost as much as he did. 

 

Diana had pulled out a small notebook and pen while he was relating his experience.  “Sophie and Alan Schmidt, is that right?”

 

Vincent nodded.  “They live in a small town outside of Seattle: Issaquah.”

 

“This shouldn’t be too hard.  It’s a piece of cake compared to some of the cases I’ve worked on.  If they’re alive, I’ll find them for you.  Do you just want to find out if they’re ok?”

 

“No, we want to bring them here to become part of our family,” Catherine said.

 

“Well, as a lawyer you know that will take a little time,” Diana commented.

 

“I know, but with Joe’s help and my training, I think I can bring them here.”

 

“Once she makes up her mind to do something, she is a bulldog until it’s done,” Vincent stated.

 

“Yep, look how I stuck in there until I got you,” Catherine quipped.  Vincent smiled foolishly and Diana found that this banter didn’t hurt her at all.  She was just glad that her two friends had finally reached the Nirvana that they were entitled to.

“Well, let me get started on this,” the young detective said and got to her feet.

 

Vincent came around the table to enfold her in a crushing bear hug.  “Thank you, my friend.”  He released her into another hug by Catherine.  Diana thought to herself, These are the huggingest darn people I’ve ever found.

 

“Now, let’s see Jacob,” she said.  After spending a few minutes playing with the proud parent’s offspring, she left humming to herself, and returned to her loft.  As she expected, it wasn’t difficult to trace the Schmidt children.  Working the search for  the children into her busy schedule, it took Diana a week to find them.   Their father had been murdered and since there were no close relatives they had been placed in a foster home.  The murder was unsolved, but Diana had a suspicion that the man had been killed on Gabriel’s orders; incompetence was summarily weeded out of his organization. 

 

Once she had located the foster home where they now lived, she told Catherine.  She used the influence of the Child Welfare Department to start the legal work of transferring custody of the children to an unknown third cousin who had recently found out that they were orphaned.

 

                                                                   ************

 

Shamelessly, Catherine used her name, Joe’s considerable influence, and the New York Department of Child Social Services to push the legalities swiftly through the Seattle courts.  While this was taking place, Catherine and Vincent were busy with their project to help the Nez Perce.  Catherine was working closely with Peter and they already had enough money for the new clinic.  Peter’s friends, who were also her friends, had been very generous with their money.  He had several candidates in mind to staff the clinic and felt confident that there would be one among the group of young doctors that would go in the spring.

 

They didn’t know whom to turn to for help on the school project until Father suggested Martha.  When asked, she promptly took over the project.  Enlisting the aid of Father, the two of them worked on it together.  Her friends generously donated time and money to help fund the new school and furnish it with the latest text books and necessary equipment.  Since it was easier for her to come to him than for him to go to her, Father brought her Below one evening and introduced her to his world.  She was amazed at what he and his companions had accomplished in thirty years.  Her reaction to his world pleased Father more than he wanted to admit, and he was glad that Catherine had inveigled him into accompanying her to visit--as he had found out-- his old college associate.  Martha’s visits to the Tunnels soon became something that he looked forward to with delight.  Even when the project was finalized, they would often be found together, heads closely bent over a book of poetry, discussing some fine point of a certain line in a certain poem. 

 

During one of his infrequent visits--it was still hard on him to see the two together--Elliot had barged into the library during one of Catherine and Father’s weekly meetings and heard them discussing finances and equipment.  When he heard about the project, he volunteered to build the clinic and school as his donation.  He could take it off his income taxes he said.  Father and Catherine exchanged wry glances: he wasn’t fooling them one bit.

 

The Nez Perce would be pleasantly surprised in the spring when contractors and construction workers descended on them.  Vincent was adamant that they be allowed to work on the building of their clinic and school.  He felt that it would insult them–being a proud people--if they were excluded from the work.  And also, as he told Elliot, they were excellent workers.  Everything was set for the spring, and Vincent was content that he had aided these new friends who had taken him in.  Catherine had plans of her own.  She knew that Elliot had a Lear jet at his disposal, and in the spring she would ask him if arrangements could somehow be made for him to fly Vincent, the baby, and her to Idaho.  She wanted her husband to be there to turn the first shovel of dirt.

 

Winterfest was fast approaching.  Walking back to this chamber from Rebecca’s chandlery, Vincent was attempting to discuss next month’s council meeting with a distracted Father when his father said, “I want to invited Martha to Winterfest, Vincent.  She has become a valued Helper.”

 

“I think you should.  You are right.  She has proven herself more than a valued Helper: a loyal friend.”

 

A smile lit up Father’s face, “I think I’ll personally take her a Winterfest candle.  I find I’m looking forward to that, and I think that she will be surprised with our Winterfest celebration.”  And he laughed softly.

 

                                                                   ************

 

Finally all the legalities had been met, every t crossed and i dotted, the third cousin had been given full custody of the Schmidt children.  Nothing remained to be done but to bring them to New York, and Diana offered to go herself and bring them to their new home.  Today was the day that they would arrive and Vincent was impatiently waiting for the evening to come.  It wasn’t until he had realized that Catherine had full custody of them that he realized how much he missed them.  At last, the time set for their arrival had come, and he was waiting just behind the sliding metal door for Diana’s signal.  He had asked her not to say anything to them about him until they were safely in New York.  

 

With his exceptional hearing, he could hear their confusion at being taken to a large drainage tube in Central Park.  When he opened the door and stepped through, there were squeals of joy and laughter as they hurtled into his arms.  “Vincent, Vincent,” they cried as he held them tightly against him.  “You made it home.”

 

“Sophie, Alan,” he greeted each child with a kiss.  Almost strangling him, they bounced with joy.  “Are you all right?  No one has hurt you?”

 

“We’re fine,” Sophie answered.

“Daddy was killed,” Alan informed his large friend.  “We was scared but some nice lady came and took us to a real nice place.  Boy, could Mrs. Olson cook.”

 

“I think you’ll find that our William is a very good cook, too.”  Ah, the resiliency of youth, he thought as he smiled at them.  He had missed them but now they were here, and he could give them a good but simple life.

 

“I’ve got to go,” Diana said.  “Kids, it’s been nice meeting you.  You have no idea what is in store for you, but I think you’ll like it.  Vincent, tell Catherine that I’ll see her later and kiss that baby for me.”

 

Vincent nodded, and with a wave, Diana returned to the city.

 

“Baby?” Sophie asked excitedly.  “Catherine had the baby?”

 

“Yes, she did, about two months ago.  A boy,” Vincent said proudly.

 

“Oh boy, when can we see Catherine and the baby?” Alan asked

 

Setting the children on their feet, Vincent activated the opening mechanism for the door.

 

“We’re going in there?”  Alan was wide-eyed with wonder.

 

“Yes, that is where I live.  Remember I told you I lived in a secret place?”  They nodded.  “Well, there’s a whole new world behind this door full of wonders you can’t imagine.”

 

Peering into the long, dim tunnel, Sophie said, “You live in a hole in the ground?”

 

“Well, it’s not really a hole.  My home is made up of tunnels and chambers.  It is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and there are places that I can show you that will take your breath away.”   Taking them by the hand, he stepped through the opening and into the tunnel.  Vincent tripped the lever that closed the massive door and led them into their new home.  Chattering like magpies, they bombarded him with questions, not letting him finish his answers in their eagerness to learn about their new world.  At last they arrived at the library and bounced down the metal stairs, staring at all the wonders in the chamber.  There was an eclectic mix of objects scattered around the room, souvenirs that had been collected for over thirty years, and books everywhere.  They had never seen so many in one place before.

 

“Goodness,” Catherine laughed, “we could hear you coming for a long time.”

 

Feeling that they had been rebuked for their noisy chatter, they shrank against Vincent’s sturdy legs and peeked at her from lowered eyes.  Dragging two reluctant youngsters, he came to stand in front of her.  “Sophie, Alan, this is my wife, Catherine.”

She knelt and held out her arms.  With a small shove, he said, “Go on; she won’t bite.”  Sophie sent him a you-gotta-be-kidding look.

 

Before Catherine could do anything, the little girl blurted out, “I’m sorry we were so noisy.  We won’t do it anymore.  Daddy always said we made too much noise.”

 

“Oh honey, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to upset you.  We love the sound of children’s voices and laughter.  Don’t ever stop, and don’t worry about it.  We have noisier children than you.”  Catherine hugged them and continued, “I want to thank you for being so brave and helping Vincent to escape.”

 

“We didn’t really do nothin’,” Allan piped up.

 

“Well, thank you for doing nothing.”  She laughed happily and kissed them on the cheek much to Alan’s chagrin.

 

A voice came from behind them, “When do I get to meet these two small rescuers?”

 

Turning to his father, Vincent cleared his throat and said, “Ah yes, children, over here is my father, Jacob Wells, but everyone calls him Father.”

 

“And you may call me Father too,” he continued as he stepped from behind his large, ornate desk.  Solemnly, he shook hands with each child.  Then sitting in the great chair usually reserved for Vincent, he asked them a few simple questions.  Satisfied with their answers, his stern face softened into a smile of welcome and he informed them of the rules governing the community.

 

At this time, William stomped in with a tray loaded with milk and cookies.  “Does anyone here have the munchies?  I just took these out of the oven, I think they are the best I have ever made, but I need the comments of a few experts on chocolate chip cookies.  Are there any experts here?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.  Acting as if he had just spied the children, he asked, “What about you two?”  He held out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk to each child.

 

With glowing eyes, they took the plates and glasses to the council table to enjoy their snacks.  “Thank you,” they chorused.

 

“Introduce me later,” William said in an aside to Vincent.  “I thought cookies might pave the way.   And speaking cookies, I think I hear them calling.”  He left the chamber, running as only a heavy man can.

 

Fondly watching Sophie and Alan devour their cookies, Father said, “Mary should be here soon.  She should be finished putting the children to bed.  I had a new bed put in both the boys and girl’s sleeping chamber for them.”

 

“No, Father, we want Sophie and Alan to sleep in our chamber tonight.  It’s all so new for them and I am the only one that they really know.  I’ll get a cot for each of them.”

 

“Well, it looks like our family is growing with no help from us,” Catherine said, her eyes aglow with mischief.

 

“Hmmph,” was Father’s only comment.  He wasn’t going to be drawn into this conversation.

 

At first the two newcomers were a little stiff and uncomfortable around the other children--they had never been allowed to play with any other children--but the tunnel children welcomed them cheerfully and soon they were happily playing with the others.  They did their chores faithfully as if they were afraid that if they didn’t they would be sent back Above to some foster home.  In a matter of days, they could hardly believe they had ever lived anywhere else.

 

                                                                ************

 

On Winterfest Eve Father and Martha entered the Common Room closely followed by Diana, Joe, and Elliot.  “We met these three waiting at the threshold,” Father said.  Diana immediately headed for Jacob who was sitting in his mother’s lap absorbed in all the activity going on around him.  Catherine whispered something in the young woman’s ear when she handed Jacob to her.  Diana nodded in agreement then settled into the chair her friend has just vacated, playing goochy goo with Jacob’s tummy, setting the child into gales of laughter.

 

Bubbling over with enthusiasm, Martha was saying, “Winterfest sounds like such fun.  I can hardly wait for it to start.  Hello, you two,” she cried on spying Catherine and Vincent.

 

At Catherine’s nod, Diana got up and placed a happily gurgling Jacob in Martha’s arms.  “Oh my, how he’s grown since the first time I saw him.  Tunnel life seems to agree with him.”  She glanced over at Father who was looking at his grandson with a proud smile.  “And who is the proudest of this child, I wonder?”she said with a grin.  Trying to be oh so casual, Father merely shrugged his shoulders.

 

Catherine retrieved her exuberant offspring and settled him into the tummy sling ready for Winterfest to begin.  Rescuing her self-conscious father-in-law, Catherine said, “Happy Winterfest, Martha.  I certainly hope you have your dancing shoes on.”  The young woman was lovely in a simple, black sheath with a boat neckline that allowed her crystal to be displayed.  Drop pearl earrings were the final touches, and Vincent was elegant in his white leather trousers, ruffled shirt, and calf-high white suede boots.

 

“My, what a handsome pair you are,” Martha exclaimed.  Looking around, she noticed that everyone was in their finest clothes.  Winterfest must be a very important holiday for them, she thought.

 

“It’s time,” Father said.  “Vincent, please lead the way.”

 

                                                               ************

 

Carrying a large torch, Vincent led the way through the tunnels, down the stairs through the heavy wind to a massive set of wooden doors with a heavy wooden bar lying across them.  Handing the torch to Pascal, and with little effort, he easily lifted the beam and set it to the side.  Capturing his wife’s hand, he led her into the darkness.  A happy and cheerful crowd flowed in after them.

 

When everyone was seated around the large banquet tables, Father lit his candle from the torch which he then extinguished.  The only point of light in the darkness was Father’s solitary candle.  Lighting Mary’s candle and then Vincent’s, he began the ceremony.  “The world Above is cold and grey, summer a distant memory.  Our world, too, has known it’s winters.”

 

Vincent lit Catherine’s candle, while Mary lit Peter’s.  “So each year we begin this feast in darkness as our world began in darkness,” the tunnel patriarch continued.  As Vincent picked up the recital, candles were lit from one to the next.  Alternating with Father, Mary and Vincent would resume the thread of the ceremony until all candles were lit, even those in the great wagon wheel candelabra that several of the children hoisted to the ceiling with help from their elders.

 

Approaching the end of the ritual, Father said into the bright wash of candlelight, “We are all part of one another.  One family, one community.  Sometimes we forget this and so we meet here each year to give thanks to those who have helped us.”  Catherine squeezed Martha’s hand.  “And to remember even the greatest darkness is nothing so long as we share the light.”  Father stood and smiled at everyone seated at his table and then the other tables.  “Let the festivities begin,” he declared.

 

Immediately, Sarah appropriated Jacob from his mother’s lap where he had nestled comfortably during the ceremony and beat a hasty retreat to the nursery with several of the younger children.

 

Tables were quickly moved against the west wall and covered with snow-white linen tablecloths.  William appeared laden with a huge bowl of punch followed by Rebecca, Mary, Olivia, and Jamie carrying platters heaped with cake, candies, cookies, and all sort of good tasting things.

 

“There’s plenty here, folks.  Help yourself,” the rotund cook declared, ladling punch into cups.  Samantha and Kipper followed by Lana and Geoffrey were as usual the first in line.  Vincent was happy to see Sophie and Alan jockeying with the other children for a place in line.  They had slipped into community life with barely a ripple and now they could be found getting into their share of mischief.

 

The adults were standing around in small groups, chatting.  Vincent, Catherine, Joe, Diana, and Elliot were discussing the coming spring’s activities.  Elliot as usual couldn’t wait to get started.  He was looking forward to this project as if it was one of his towering skyscrapers that he was building.  Catherine sensed something going on between Joe and Diana and smiled delightedly when she saw the young woman’s hand enveloped in one of Joe’s.  Elliot was scanning the crowd and excused himself when he located Rebecca.  Catherine thought that she would have a talk with Elliot and warn him of Rebecca’s naivete.  Vincent had his arm around his wife, and she was leaning into him unconsciously sending the message, “We are one.”

 

“Where’s Jacob?” Diana asked.

 

“Sarah is caring for all the babies; she’s not much for parties.  That’s one thing we have a surplus of: babysitters,” Jacob’s mother replied.  Turning to Elliot who had returned with Rebecca, she asked, “How did you like the ceremony?”

 

“It’s quite impressive.  To go from darkness to blazing light,” he gestured around.

 

“Yeah, it was great,” Joe added.

 

“I thought it was beautiful,” Diana commented.  “Father is quite eloquent.”

 

“He always has been,” Vincent said. 

 

The community orchestra began to play one of Vincent’s favorite waltzes.  Taking his wife by the hand, he led her onto the dance floor.  Elliot was soon gliding by with Rebecca in his arms.  That left Joe and Diana.  “I don’t know if I ever told you but I’m a terrible waltzer.  But if you’re game  . . . ,  shall we?”  Gallantly, he offered his arm.  With a slight nod of her head and a wide smile, Diana threaded her arm through his and let him lead her onto the dance floor.

 

There was a special feeling about this Winterfest.  Everyone seemed relaxed and happy now that there were no longer any dark shadows hanging over the community.  And the happy events of the last two months only added to the happiness.  Smiles were broader, laughter gayer, and the constant anxiety a thing of the past.  The dancing went on late into the night.  Even the children were allowed to stay up well past their bedtimes.  Their stumbling attempts to imitate their waltzing elders brought many a smile to older faces.

 

As the night wore on Catherine began to despair.  Would she ever be able to dance a complete dance with her husband?  Every time they started someone would cut in to claim her, and then one of the women would claim Vincent for a turn around the floor.  After one of the men had cut in, she would look over their shoulder at Vincent and shrug her shoulders.  He would nod, take a deep breath then turn to his new partner.  Finally, when they had begun to dance together, once again, Vincent resolved, “No one is going to cut in this time.  I’ve been patient long enough.”  His wife laughingly agreed.  He glared at Cullen who had every intention of cutting in but rapidly changed his mind when Vincent snarled at him. Holding his hands up, he backed away with a silly grin on his face. 

 

Catherine had a sudden inspiration.  “Vincent, I think this whole thing was planned,” she said, grinning.  “They’ve been teasing us.”

 

“Well, enough is enough,” he growled.

She glanced around to see that everyone had stopped dancing and was watching them, smiling.  Martha was seated between Peter and Father who was holding her hand and smiling indulgently at his children.  Misty eyed, Catherine remembered how hard she had fought to be accepted by him.  Julia and Mary were whispering together, no doubt planning something for the community children.  Elliot was still holding Rebecca’s slight body in his arms, and Joe and Diana were standing a little apart still not quite comfortable with the relationship they were starting.  Diana smiled wistfully.  Catherine caught her look and thought, I know; he’s mine, but love is just around the corner for you, my friend, if you’re willing to take the chance.    

 

The two lovers--for that is what they were and would always be–were the only couple on the floor, and Catherine had to bury her face in Vincent’s shoulder so that no one could see her laugh and cry at the same time.  To know that they were so loved and accepted as a couple by the community, Helpers, and friends was almost more than she could bear.  Her heart filled with love for all of them, and she could not imagine her life without them.  When they finished with a flourish, family and friends burst into applause.

 

Flustered and disconcerted, they bowed and hurried off the floor: Catherine laughing, Vincent smiling.

 

                                                         ************

 

Sarah returned with the children–it was important that all members take part in the opening and closing ceremonies of Winterfest--smiled briefly at Father and completed the circle when she slipped between Pascal and Cullen, taking a hand of each man.  Before entering the circle she had returned  Jacob to his fondly doting father. 

 

“Now that everyone is here, we can begin,” he said.  “We almost lost what was dearest and best this year.  The darkness almost won but our unity was our strength and with the aid of our Helpers and friends,” he looked pointedly at Joe, Diana, and Elliot, and then at Martha and Julia, “we found our way through that darkness.  Our shared light showed us the truth: that together we can conquer anything or anyone.  As we part for another year, let us remember: darkness is only the absence of light and all winters end.”

 

Everyone raised their clasped hands into the air.  Father glanced at all the dear faces and his gaze came to rest on the three most dear.  They were here; they were safe and riding on his father’s chest in a baby sling was the newest, most important member of the community: a little baby boy who proved more than anything that his father was a man.  May the rest of their lives be as blessed and happy as this night had been.