Chapter 13

Vincent and JV were coming at six for a family night, the first of what Catherine hoped would be many. She had ordered pizza for JV and made her special stuffed shells for all of them. The days were getting longer and it was not totally dark out so she pulled the curtains across her windows blocking any curious neighbors from seeing into her apartment.

Promptly at six there was a knock at her door. Vincent and JV each carried potted plants. "For your balcony," Vincent said. "One of our helpers is a florist." There were tulips, daffodils and lilies.

"How beautiful. Put them by the door until it gets dark, then I can put them on the balcony. They smell wonderful. Thank you both. I hope you like pizza and stuffed shells?"

"I love pizza, don't I father?" JV smiled.

"You do. I like it myself."

"I'm glad you asked us early, mom."

Catherine felt a tug at her heart every time JV called her mom.

"A bunch of us are hiding Easter eggs for the younger kids for an Easter egg hunt tomorrow. I can help them later," JV said.

"We would like to invite you to the Easter service, the egg hunt and lunch tomorrow," Vincent said.

"I'd love to come. Thank you. Dinner's ready." She served salad with dinner which only she and Vincent ate. They drank wine while JV enjoyed a soda.

After dinner JV sprawled on the living room floor with a dish of ice cream. Catherine joined Vincent on the couch.

He said, "I have this book set called The Chronicles of Narnia. Shall we read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?"

She was fascinated by the story of children going to another world through a wardrobe.

They all took a turn at reading. Catherine fell in love with the lion, Aslan, he reminded her of Vincent.

Vincent put his arm around her and she curled up next to him when it was his turn to read,"...they began to drag him toward the Stone Table. "Stop," said the witch. "Let him first be shaved. Another roar of mean laughter went up from her followers as an ogre with a pair of shears came forward and squatted down by Aslan's head. Snip-snip-snip went the shears and masses of curling gold began to fall to the ground." Vincent read.

"No, oh no," Catherine cried and buried her face in Vincent's chest as she pictured pieces of the lion's mane falling. "Vincent," tears burned the back of her eyes, forcing her to blink a lot. All she could think of was this happening to him.

"Muzzle him," said the Witch"....... Vincent was too good a reader. Catherine could picture everything that was happening to Aslan, even the final killing blow.

"It will be okay," Vincent tried to comfort her. Even JV put his arm around her.

"Mom."

They didn't realize she pictured Vincent in Aslan's place, being tortured and killed. She had to pull herself together. It was only a story. She took a deep breath, "I'm okay."

Vincent handed her some tissues from the end table and kissed her brow. His arm tightened around her and he continued to read. She barely heard the rest of the story, just bits and pieces. "...they could see the shape of the Lion lying dead in his bonds. And down they both knelt in the wet grass and kissed his cold face and stroked his beautiful fur... There, shining in the sunshine, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself ."

Aslan and the children’s armies were able to defeat the Witch, (Aslan killing her himself). The children became Kings and Queens and grew as the years passed. One day they found themselves back where they had entered Narnia, they all came tumbling out of the wardrobe no longer Kings and Queens but just Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. It was only the beginning of the adventures of Narnia.

"There are seven Chronicles," Vincent said. "We'll have to read the others sometime. I'd better get Jacob back to help hide eggs. Will you be all right?" He could tell she was still upset about the lion. Tears still glistened on her lashes.

"I'll be fine," she smiled. "What time do I come tomorrow?"

"The service is at nine followed by the egg hunt and then lunch. I’ll meet you here at eight thirty."

"I'll see you then."

Catherine could not get the vision of Aslan out of her head. She kept picturing Vincent. As soon as she fell asleep she dreamed of Aslan being tortured. The nightmare started when Aslan was rolled over and he was no longer a lion, he was Vincent. He was not being tortured by the witch, he was in a cage, like an animal, tranquilizer darts sticking out of his chest. The dream fuzzed; next she saw he was trapped in a room, some sort of powder dust falling on him from overhead. It was driving him mad. He was roaring and snarling, throwing himself against the walls. She threw herself into his arms.

There was a vision of her leaving a hotel, trying to hail a taxi. A man grabbed her, threw her into a van. He called her Carol, beat her up and slashed her face. She could taste the blood in her mouth when she was thrown from the van. Vincent picked her up and carried her to the tunnels. Two young men had her trapped in an old movie theater trying to kill her. Vincent jumped down from the balcony to rescue her and was shot before he killed them. Others attacked her, Vincent rescued her. Then some dark demon took over his mind, she followed him into the tunnels. About to attack her he fell unconscious into her arms. She thought he was dead.

She was in terrible pain, alone with strangers delivering her baby. She was only allowed a glimpse of his beautiful face. She was injected with something then found herself on the roof with Vincent where she collapsed in his arms.

She saw Vincent in another, bigger cage, every time he tried to get out he was given a severe shock.. She was locked in a room forced to watch him. A baby was placed at his feet. He cradled the baby in his arms, held him close. When the baby was taken from him he beat at the bars and was continually shocked.

Her own screams woke her. "Oh, my God, I remember. I remember." She covered her face with her hands and wept.

Vincent didn't like leaving Catherine alone. As soon as Jacob was finished hiding eggs with the other older children and settled for the night Vincent headed back to her. Father intercepted him with some questions about the Easter service. He sensed her nightmare, her fear. He raced back through the tunnels her screams echoing in his head. He ran up the dark stairs to hear her yell, "Oh, my God, I remember, I remember."

She was sitting up in bed, her head on her knees, her bedside lamp broken on the floor. A faint light shone through her window. He knelt on the floor beside her. "Catherine, what's the matter?" He took her ice cold hands in his.

"Vincent, I remember. I remember everything." She threw her arms around him, sobbing. "How did we survive everything that was done to us? How did you survive being electrocuted by Gabriel? How did you get out of that cage? He made me watch you all the time."

"You were at Gabriel's?"

"No, I think I was already in California. I was locked in a room, TV's were set up all around. I could see the constant bombardment of killings he threw at you trying to bring your anger to the surface. I saw you with Jacob. Vincent, he never let me hold our son."

Vincent stroked her hair back from her tear drenched face.

"Gabriel showed him to me then the doctor gave me an injection and they all left me on the delivery table. I thought I was dying. I don't know how I made it to the roof......and you were there. I had to stay awake long enough to tell you about the baby, our beautiful baby boy."

Vincent kissed her face, "I thought I had lost you, Catherine. I couldn't function for days. I had one final battle with my dark demon. Your voice came to me, telling me again about our son. I knew I had to find him. What happened to you?"

"I don't really know. I made it to you on the roof then everything is black until I woke up in some room full of TV monitors."

"You don't remember me carrying you to your apartment? The police?"

"No, nothing. I didn't know where I was. In my mind I tried to keep telling you about our baby."

" That must have been when your voice came to me when I was battling my demon."

"Gabriel would taunt me from the TV screens. He told me I was in California. He kept calling JV, Julian, his son. Kept telling me how big and strong the baby would be, like his natural father. Like you. But now the baby was his son. With his son he could rule the world. Then one day he told me the baby was dying, he was going to get you and use your blood. When I heard the doctor say your blood was not compatible I was so scared our baby would die. He showed me how mad and wild you were trying to break out of the cage, how many people you killed trying to get to me. You almost made it to me, Vincent. That was when Gabriel decided to let me live. He saw your power, your strength and wanted our child. He felt the child would be a duplicate of you. The doctor kept telling him how different from normal my pregnancy and the baby were. You surprised him when you didn't kill the doctor."

"The doctor was only Gabriel’s tool. He had no will, no choice but to do Gabriel’s bidding. He was terrified of Gabriel. I'm sorry Gabriel killed him."

"Vincent, how did you get out of the cage without being killed?"

"I was badly burned. I still have the scars. I couldn't let Gabriel have our son, Catherine. I blocked my mind to the pain and threw myself against the bars for hours until I broke out."

"You saved our son. Gabriel was going to kill him."

"I'm sorry I didn't kill Gabriel. Diana did, with the gun you had left in the tunnels with Father so long ago. Just punishment I think."

"I saw on the TV's. Then I was drugged for a time which is black to me, until I woke up in a hospital in San Francisco with no memory."

"Who held you prisoner?"

"I don't know. I saw the lawyer Pope and other men I had not seen before or since. Vincent, the nurse who was with me before JV was born...I saw her in the hospital. She must have continued to drug me, probably the doctor who treated me worked with them. He treated me for years with medications until I stopped seeing him."

"Do you remember the doctor’s name? Maybe Diana can find out if he is connected to Pope?"

"Yes, Dr. Ralph Peterson at Bay General Hospital in San Francisco."

"Why did you stop seeing him?"

"My memory was not returning so I told him I just wanted to go on with my life . I wouldn't try to remember any more. He even gave me special vitamins he felt I should continue to take. I’d call him when I needed refills, he’d send them to me in Carmel. Maybe they were not vitamins but some drug to keep me from remembering. I stopped taking them when I moved here."

"If they think your memory has returned you could be in danger."

"We have to keep them from knowing."

Vincent laid his head against her breast. "I don't know how you can forgive me Catherine. My love for you never faltered. I never knew where you were. I combed the city every night, but I couldn't find you. I loved you so much. You were my life and without you there was nothing. I missed you. I missed you so much."

She ran her hand over his hair. "Vincent, there is nothing to forgive. People, events, life maybe, plotted against us. There was nothing we could do. I don't blame you. I love you. We lost ten years, let's not lose more."

"You love me even though I couldn't save you?"

"Our love is worth everything."

"Everything."

"Life is too short to lose it now." She cradled his face with trembling hands, looked deep into his eyes. "Vincent, I remember the night we made love."

"So do I," he whispered. "If I didn't have Jacob as proof I would have thought that night was only a dream."

"Make love to me now."

"Catherine," he held out his clawed hands. "I'm not made for gentle loving. I'm not sure I could control myself. I don't want to hurt you."

She took his furred hands in hers, kissed each clawed finger. "You would never hurt me. You didn’t hurt me then. Our love was wonderful." She drew him from his knees to her, to the bed. "It's been ten years, Vincent. I've loved no one else."

"Nor I."

She saw a hunger, a hope, a fear slip into his eyes. "Do you remember what you said to me that night?"

"Yes," he whispered...... "Whatever happens....whatever comes.....know that I love you.........I still do Catherine."

His eyes had been so full of desperation, sorrow and pain ten years ago. He'd been so sick, so afraid of being taken over by his black demon. She put her arms around him and laid her cheek on his chest. "I love you too, Vincent."

"Catherine, I've only ever made love....to you.....that one night.....I don't...."

She untied the laces of his shirt, pushed the fabric aside exposing his throat. She kissed the pulse beating erratically in his neck, slid her hands under the shirt and pulled it over his head. Even in the dim light she cold see he was covered in scars from bullets, knife slashes and jagged red burn marks from Gabriel’s electrified cage.

"Oh God." Pain slammed into her. She traced her fingers across each scar lightly, remembering how and when each marked him fighting for her. She pressed warm, healing lips to each scar, lingering a moment before moving on to the next. She touched his newly bandaged arm and kissed it too. Her cheek brushed the mat of golden hair covering his chest, her lips found the hard nub of his nipple, she nipped gently.

He trembled, burned with each caress of her mouth, was barely capable of breathing. His blood raced through his veins, a burning river of fire. His mouth crushed hers. His hands gripped her waist. He didn't want to hurt her, couldn't hurt her, frighten her. He had to get control. A low growl rumbled in his throat, "Catherine."

She reached up, pressed her fingers to his lips. "Vincent, look at me."

His feverish blue eyes locked on hers.

"Remember," she whispered. "Remember...start with a touch."

A calmness came over him. She had taught him all those years ago. She had guided him, helped him keep control of the dangerous part of himself. Just by being herself. Showing him her deep love for him. They had gone to heights he'd only dreamed of reaching. He never thought he would experience that love, those feelings again. "I remember."

He pulled her gently to him, his mouth hungry for hers. She carefully pressed her tongue to his mouth, ran it just inside his lips and over his sharp teeth until it touched his, caressed it. His hands touched her, skimmed up and down her body with the gentlest of touches. She quivered against him. He stopped fearful he had frightened her.

"Don't stop. I'm not afraid, Vincent. Keep touching me." Her husky voice urged him on.

He brought his hands up to her shoulders. Nails that could rip flesh to shreds slid delicately under the lace straps of her silky gown, slipping them off her shoulders. The tip of his tongue, hot, moist, traced a pattern down her neck, gently touched the wound healing there. He continued on and stopped at the rounded swell of her breast. He brushed his lips over her soft skin.

Her heart beat heavily. A low moan escaped her lips. "Vincent."

He slid the gown off her, "You are a beautiful woman, Catherine." His eyes feasted on her creamy beauty, he touched her breast hesitantly. Her hand covered his holding it tight against her, her eyes an invitation. He lowered his mouth over a rosy peak, his teeth barely touching her, protecting her with his tongue, he drew the tip in tugging gently.

Heat shot right to the heart of her. He moved his mouth to her other breast sending more molten fire into her. She felt the worn denim of his pants against her skin, fumbled for his belt with unsteady fingers and helped him shed the rest of his clothes. She savored the striking size and strength of his body. He was beautiful, he was human, he was proudly male. She lay on top of him and threaded her fingers through his long golden mane of hair spread across her pillow. She kissed his eyes, his nose, his neck, brought her lips to his mouth. Her hands roamed the fine tuned steel muscles of his body, her nails lightly raked through the hair covering his back causing his body to shiver. He smelled of burning candles, citrus, spices, soap, the woods on a cold morning.

Her body lay smoothly against his heated flesh. He was not prepared for the onslaught of sensations that gripped him. Every nerve was on fire, if he lost himself. "Catherine, what's happening to me? I need you, all of you"

He eased his weight over her. She could feel the strength of him pulsing against her. He buried his face in her stomach. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you bore our son." His tears wet her skin.

She brought his face up to hers and kissed his tears. "Vincent, we survived, you, me, JV. That's what is important." Her arms went around him. She arched against his big, powerful body. Heart pounded against heart. Flesh burned against flesh.

"You are my life Catherine," he murmured. His tongue parted her lips, stroked the inside of her cheek. He could not get enough of the taste of her, his senses were full of her, the floral, the exotic, the subtle.

She fought for breath, her hands fisted in his hair holding his mouth fiercely to hers. She wanted him, on her, around her. Her fingers raced over his back, roamed lower over his hips, his thighs.

She ripped away his control. His mouth became wild and fevered, his palms slid up the silky skin of her thighs, pulled her against his hips. "Catherine....I can’t.. It’s been too long." There was no denying his hunger any longer.

She gave him all her strength, herself. She wrapped him tight in her arms and her warmth. A wild roar tore from his throat. She covered his mouth with her own and swallowed the sound.

Then everything inside him broke apart, shattered into pieces. He lost himself in his love. Her cry of release echoed his.

What she gave him was more than any of his dreams.

He knew he was heavy and rose on his elbows to move off her. Her arms still clasped him to her. She shuddered. "Don't move yet. I love the feel, the weight of you over me." With a sigh she raised her head and brought her mouth back to his.

There was a flick of desire and pleasure. He took a deep breath, "Catherine, you go to my heart." He rolled, pulling her on top of him, holding her close. "I don't want to crush you."

"Mmm, this is good." She nuzzled his neck, cuddled close and shut her eyes.

He kissed her brow, "Go to sleep."

That night they were truly together. No matter what the future held, they would always have tonight.

Chapter 14

In the morning he was gone. There was a red rose and a note on the pillow next to her. "I'll meet you at eight thirty at your basement door. Vincent."

She felt so happy and light hearted. Her memory had returned and she had spent the night making love to Vincent. She wanted to wear the Easter hat she had bought to go with her rose pink dress. Would everyone laugh at her for wearing it in the tunnels? She didn't care. It was Easter. Her dress had a matching jacket she hoped would be warm enough for the cool Below.

Vincent met her at the tunnel door, a white shawl draped over his arm and a white rose. He draped the shawl around her shoulders and handed her the rose. He put his arms around her and pulled her close, brushed her lips with his. "You look lovely this morning."

"Did I dream last night or did we really make love?"

"If it was a dream, I dreamed with you."

"Do we tell anyone I remember who I am?"

"It's up to you. Maybe JV and Father. Probably Diana."

She slipped her hand under his suede and leather clad arm. His cloak brushed her side. They reached a section of the underground Catherine was not familiar with. "Is this new?"

"Yes. It was finished last year along with the chapel."

There was a reflecting pool outside the entrance of a chamber made into a small chapel, candlelight glimmered off its smooth surface. People entering the chapel wished them a cheerful good morning. Catherine was happy to see she was not the only one wearing a hat.

"We'll sit with Father. Jacob is singing with the choir."

Father was sitting with Diana at the front of the chapel. Catherine felt self conscious walking past everyone on Vincent's arm. She nodded to Mary and Ruth Ann sitting right behind Father She held her head high and walked slowly beside Vincent with a smile on her face. She used to know many of these people. She smiled at Father and Diana. She'd tell them about her memory after talking to JV. Diana wore a simple lilac dress with an ivory wool jacket but no hat.

The service was spiritual, the children’s voices lovely. She offered thanks to God for the return of her memory, for Vincent and JV and prayed that the three of them would remain safe. Outside the chapel Diana handed her a sealed white envelope.

"Here are the results of the DNA."

"That was quick. Did you see them?"

"No."

Catherine tucked the envelope into her purse. "I'll read it later, after the egg hunt."

"You look different this morning, Catherine," Father said.

"Doesn't she look lovely?" Vincent took her arm. "Let's go wish Jacob a Happy Easter. We'll see you both at the egg hunt."

Children hunted gleefully for eggs, small baskets swinging on their arms. Most of the tunnel residents attended the buffet luncheon. Everyone was friendly towards her but none called her by name except Mouse and he said it softly when wishing her a Happy Easter. Father and Diana hounded her about the DNA results.

"Vincent and I need to speak to JV about something," Catherine said. "There he is now." She and Vincent left abruptly.

"Now what was that all about?" Diana asked Father.

"I don't know but Vincent has not looked so light hearted since we thought Catherine died.".

And he never takes his eyes off of her, Diana thought.

Vincent and Catherine took JV to the reflecting pool by the chapel. Catherine took his hands in hers. "JV, after you and your dad left last night I was still upset from the story."

"I'm sorry mom."

"No, I'm glad. I fell asleep and had a nightmare about Aslan, he turned into your father." She shivered at the memory. Vincent placed his hand on her shoulder and she pressed her cheek to it.

"Mom, how terrible." JV looked a little frightened.

"Everything is all right, son," Vincent squatted beside him.

"It was frightening JV, but something wonderful happened. My memory returned. I remember this place, giving birth to you, my time with your father." She pulled the envelope Diana had given her out of her purse. "Diana gave me the DNA test results. Shall we look at them together, even though I know the answer?"

There was a single piece of paper in the envelope. It said the match was positive. "We now have scientific proof," she said happily, hugging JV.

Vincent embraced them both. His family. All he had to do now was keep them safe.

"We better tell Father and Diana about my memory and the test results." They found them in Father's chamber. She showed them the DNA report. "Last night my memory returned." She did not tell them about reading the book and the nightmares.

"You remember everything?" Father asked, surprised.

"Yes. I remember being kidnapped, JV's birth, my time here, Vincent's illness."

"I have a lot of questions about your abduction, being held prisoner and the last ten years," Diana said.

"Can we talk during the week Diana? I still have so many things to get straight in my head. How about Tuesday at my shop, I don't reopen until Wednesday because of the holiday."

"Okay. I'll see what I can find out about you from the police records. I believe the case was closed."

"Be careful Diana. Catherine might be in danger if anyone knows she has regained her memory," Vincent said. "Father, if you'll excuse us we have some catching up to do."

Diana watched them leave, her face sad. I couldn't compete with a dead Catherine, I know I can't win against the living woman, she thought.

"I have not seen Vincent so happy since he found Jacob, Father said. " I know the boy brings him great joy but it's not the same. He and Catherine had something no one else had and we all rejoiced in them. He went through some dark periods when no one could reach him except Catherine. Now that she has her memory back I hope she doesn't go back to the DA's office. She attracted too much violence and Vincent got hurt too many times."

"She's the one in danger now Father. Whoever took her from Gabriel is not going to want her to remember them. She should stay down here."

"You'll soon find out Catherine has a mind of her own. She will not hide from danger Diana. I fear for them both."

Catherine, Vincent and JV went to Vincent's chamber.

"Mouse has an overnight camping party planned for many of the kids by the star pool," JV told Catherine.

Vincent could tell Jacob wanted to stay with them even though he had talked about the camp out all week. "Go to the camp out Jacob, your mother will be around for a long time. I'll make sure of it."

"Yes, go JV. It will be fun." She held out her arms and he hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks mom, father. Mouse's camp outs are always fun." He grabbed his camp bag and ran off, a big smile on his face.

"I have so much to learn about him," Catherine said.

"You have a lifetime now, Catherine. Come with me."

He dropped her shawl back over her shoulders, threw on his cloak and picked up a book. She took his hand. He led her to their special place across from the waterfalls. She settled down beside him, her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her.

"I've missed reading to you," he whispered in her hair. "Sometimes I come down here by myself to pretend I'm reading to you."

"What did you bring to read?" She tilted her head up and lightly kissed his jaw.

"This is the book of Shakespeare’s Sonnets I gave you. I was able to get it back." Softly, he read a familiar passage to her.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state

She curled into him listening to the steady beauty of his voice with the sounds of the waterfalls in the background. She could hear his heart beat under her cheek. She wanted to feel it. She inched her fingers slowly under his shirt as he continued to read to her.

For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

He felt the slow trail of her fingers up his chest. It took all his will power to keep reading steadily. What was she trying to do to him?

She could hear his heartbeat increase before she lifted her cheek and placed her hand on his bare flesh just over his heart, felt the wild beat. She looked up to see his eyes watching her closely. "Vincent, kiss me," she whispered.

He put the book down and framed her face with his hands. Her name a sigh on his breath as his lips skimmed hers. Her arms slid over his shoulders, her fingers tangled in his hair. His kiss deepened. The taste of him, the very essence of his being seeped into her.

He pulled back reluctantly. "Catherine, you go to my head." He took her hand, pressed his lips to her palm lingeringly, then laid her hand back over his heart. "Feel what I feel. Know how much I love you. My life has been so empty without you."

She took his other hand, rubbed her cheek against the soft hair, kissed his knuckles and placed it over her heart. "Vincent, know I feel the same. My heart is racing to you."

"Catherine, since last night, all I can think about is making love to you, again. The wanting of you never stops. I thought I remembered how wonderful loving you had been. I held that memory close in my heart all these years. After last night, the memory is but a shadow to what I felt. I want, I need to make love to you, now."

"I want you too."

"Come to my bed, Catherine." With easy, effortless strength he lifted her in his arms, carried her back to his chamber and laid her gently on the bed.

Her heart was full of love that poured through her. She knew many terrible things had happened to both of them and at some time they would have to talk about them. Today she would think only of their love.

Vincent stretched out beside her on the bed. "Catherine, last night I never thought about any kind of protection. I have it now. You could be pregnant again."

"No, I can't get pregnant. The doctors told me it's impossible. I had an infection in California when I was found on the beach. They said they were sorry. I'm sorry too. I would love to carry another child of yours." Tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks.

"Don't cry, Catherine," he pulled her into his arms. "We have each other, we have Jacob."

She buried her face in his neck, her lips against his skin. He brushed her hair back from her brow and kissed her tenderly. Candlelight danced off the walls touching them softly before he extinguished them. Slowly they undressed each other. Flesh brushed against flesh. Her hands roamed over him, marveling at all the power and strength under her touch. His body had changed little over the years. Would he ever let her look at his body in the light? She wanted to prove to him that no part of him disgusted her, she loved all of him.

"Keep touching me," he whispered, pulling her across his chest. Need was already burning, spreading throughout him.

She slid her fingers through his long tawny hair, laid them on his face, pressed her lips to his enjoying the taste of him. Her hands trailed down his chest, caught in the hair and tugged sensuously. Her tongue circled his hard flat nipple, brushed across the nub. He groaned her name as her mouth continued down his stomach taking little love bites alog the way. If she went any lower he'd shatter.

His fingers stroked her back, the soft skin of her thigh, her hip. A low sound of pleasure hummed in her throat. His lips found her breast, took the taut peak in his mouth, stroked it with his tongue. He rolled and tucked her under him, felt her tremble against him, his powerful body crushing her into the mattress His teeth fixed on her throat, the taste of her grew warmer. He wanted to savor every taste, every touch of the woman he loved more than life. She was warm soft silk under his body, the need for her continued to thunder in his blood.

He was heavy but she felt strong enough to hold the power of him. She loved him, her lion of a man.

Blue fire burned deep in his eyes, his teeth clenched at the hot wave of pleasure that shot through him. He wanted to love her with only tenderness and gentleness.

She gripped his hips, holding him to her. She shuddered in pleasure as he dragged her over the edge. His own release shook him apart.

"Catherine." He tried to clamp his teeth on the roar inside him struggling for release. He couldn’t stop, couldn’t hold back.

She gripped him tightly. "Vincent, let it out. You won't frighten me."

A roar of joy burst from his throat before his mouth covered hers in a deep soul wrenching kiss.

He lay on top of her, spent. He had to move before he crushed her with his weight. He forced himself up on his arms and looked on the face of his beloved. Her eyes were still glazed with passion, her skin flushed. Her body was so small next to him yet fitted against him perfectly. He'd waited a lifetime for her and her love then lost her. He would never lose her again. He eased off her and pulled her close.

She burrowed into him, her head under his chin, her breath a whispered, "I love you," on his neck before she fell asleep.

He left her asleep in his bed and went to see Father.

"Where is Catherine?" Father eyed him thoughtfully.

"Sleeping, in my bed."

"There is a lightness to your spirit I have not seen in a long time."

"Finding Catherine has brought me back to life, Father. I have been less than half a man without her. In these past few weeks, dreaming of her return and last night her remembering our love is wonderful. I always thought our dream could never be. After I thought she died I knew it. Last night and just now Catherine showed me again what it is to be loved by her. That even for me all things are possible."

"You two have made love," Father whispered. "Is that wise, Vincent?"

"Wise, Father? I'm finished with wise. I love her. Ten years ago she showed me I was a man, not an animal. She took me places I thought I could never go. She gave me the truth of her love. She is able to guide me, control me, so I do not hurt her in my passion. Last night, tonight, we remembered again. "

Father placed his hands on either side of Vincent's head, kissed his brow. "Then my son, love her as I see she was meant to be loved by you and let her love you in return."

Vincent returned to his chamber, his heart full of love at the sight of Catherine asleep in his bed. He removed his clothes, eased in beside her.

She sighed and curled into him, "You're back."

"Yes. Go back to sleep." He kissed the top of her head.

"I was cold without you next to me." She pressed closer to his warmth.

"I love you, Catherine."

"I love you back, Vincent." She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep once more.

He closed his eyes, inhaled her soft sweet scent and slept with her enfolded in his arms.

The room was quite dark when she awoke. Even the light behind the stained glass was dim. His head lay on her breast, his hair spread over her shoulder. She lay still, she didn't want to wake him, but oh she wanted to touch him. Making love with him was beyond words, forever would never be enough time to be with him. She closed her eyes and slept, her lips against his hair, her fingers barely touching his cheek.

It was very early. Vincent wanted to watch Catherine's face when she woke up. He was able to light a few candles at the head of the bed without disturbing her while she slept in the crook of his arm, her naked back warm against his skin. He'd dreamed a dream and now she slept in his arms.

She turned toward him, opened her eyes slowly. Smiled, touched her lips to his, "What time is it?"

"Fourish."

"She nibbled on his ear. "What time do people start coming to you?"

"Too soon."

"We're not dressed for company."

He laughed, "I guess not, though you look pretty good to me." He sat up, reached into a drawer of the dresser next to the bed. He handed her one of his soft nightshirts and pulled another over his head. His fingers closed over a special box in the corner of the drawer, slipped it under his pillow.

His shirt was way too big on her. She tied the laces tight but it still draped off her shoulder leaving her neck and collarbones bare and vulnerable to his lips.

"Vincent, you said people visit you early."

"I know. I couldn't resist. We have some time yet, I want to talk to you about something important. First, I have to kiss you." One kiss led to another, deepened. Hands touched and caressed, lips burned trails along hotter skin. Then he was more than kissing her, time forgotten.

"You’re insatiable."

"Catherine, I feel that if I let you go I'll lose you, never to find you again."

"Then don't let me go, ever. Hold me tighter."

His arms were steel bands around her for many minutes. He gave her back his nightshirt. "Here, put this back on...Catherine."

"Why so serious, Vincent?"

No one knew him like she did. No one loved him like she did, not even Father. "Catherine," he tried again. "We always had a dream we'd be together."

"We are. Truly together."

He covered her lips with his fingers, reached for her hands. He turned each palm up and kissed it. "I want more Catherine." His eyes bore into hers, touching her soul.

"We've lost so much of our lives. Even before you were kidnapped we worried about you living and working Above or joining me here Below. I couldn't go Above. We never seemed to know what was right. I don't know what lies ahead. Definitely more danger once the people responsible for your memory loss know you have your memory back.

"I want you to know how deeply I love you. If we live or if we die Catherine, our love will live forever. Nothing will destroy it. If we have a moment, years, a lifetime, I want it to be together."

He knelt on the floor in front of her, her hands still clasped in his, eyes locked, he pulled her to the edge of the bed.

"Catherine......will you marry me?" he whispered. "You can live Above and live here with me. We can work something out. I don't want to ever be separated from you again."

He was everything to her, her life, her world, her love, her soul mate. In all her dreams she had never dared to dream a dream of marriage. Could they really have an undreamed dream. "Vincent...I... " All she had to do for a lifetime of happiness was say one three letter word.

"Yes," she slid into him, wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, I will marry you. I want to spend forever with you."

He held her close, his lips crushed hers. He reached under his pillow, withdrew a small velvet box, opened it. Nestled on a bed of royal blue velvet lay a square cut diamond ring set in gold. He took her left hand and slipped it on her finger, kissed the back of her hand.

"Vincent, it's beautiful," tears ran down her cheeks.

"It was Margaret's."

"Father's Margaret?"

"Yes. She gave it to me before she died. She hoped I would give it to you one day. She said it was her mother's." He rose, drawing her up with him. "Become my wife soon Catherine. Now is the time for our dreams. It is time to take the journey none have ever taken."

"I'm not afraid Vincent. My heart is yours."