DEATH SHALL HAVE NO DOMINION
Chapter 4 - Preparations
By Cindy Miller

After supper was consumed following the naming ceremony that evening, the whole of Catherine’s story was told to everyone’s mutual satisfaction, with each one telling his or her part.  When Vincent, who had not taken his eyes from Catherine’s face all day, noticed how tired she looked, he drew her away to his chamber.  He gently lay their sleeping infant on the bed.  Turning to Catherine, he let his gaze rest upon her.  The reality of her presence left him momentarily speechless.  He merely opened his arms and she stepped easily into them.

 “Alone, at last!” she smiled wryly, relaxing into his ready embrace, and sighing contentedly against his broad chest.  “Mmm…this is where I’ve longed to be.”

 “Oh, Catherine, how I’ve missed you.  My arms, my heart, my whole life has been so…empty without you.  I thought I would have only the comfort of precious memories…of the time we shared together…then you gave me Jacob and I had a living reminder of you, but…”  He left the thought of the lonely, empty future he had faced unvoiced.

 Catherine clung to him tighter; then looked up into his face.  “And now what are you feeling, Vincent?”

 “I am whole again,’ he stated simply, thrilling to the feel and scent of her close against him.

 “All those months before Jacob was born, I longed to hear your voice again…and to be in your arms like this.  It would haunt my dreams.  I waited, calling for you to come to me, hoping you were well.  I didn’t think about it then, but it must have been the pregnancy that interfered with our bond.  I knew you would find a way to come to me.”

 “It was Jacob I heard after all those months of quiet waiting, listening…his heartbeat that drew me…too late to save either of you,” he choked with remembered pain.

 “No, don’t think of it that way, Vincent.  You did come in time!  Your love did save me!  In that last moment together, you gave me the strength to hold on…and I was able to tell you about your son so you could save him.  It was you I heard calling me back from that darkness.  And later, it was the mention of your name that restored my memory.”

 “The price of our love was almost too high,” he said regretfully.  “I wish I could have spared you both much pain.  If only our bond had remained.”

 “You knew I was coming this morning, didn’t you?   We are connected again,” she stated.

 “Yes.  I have been aware of your feelings…distantly for a few weeks, when suddenly, I heard you call out my name, and our bond was there again.  I though I was losing my mind, that it was impossible.”

 “With love, all things are possible,” she promised.

 “You are here now, that is all that matters,” he murmured softly in her hair.

 “Yes, here,” she hugged him closer for emphasis, “for always.”

 Catherine and Vincent spent the night resting in each other’s arms with little Jacob tucked between them.  Now was not the time for much talking, but for holding comfortingly close.  It was too precious to be together again, and the loving words they spoke were with their eyes and hearts, and with soothing touch.  Later, they would be joined in a closer manner, but for tonight, it was enough to be reassuringly near.  Only baby Jacob felt the need for sleep; his world was now complete.

 In the morning, hunger announced the need for action.  After dressing the darling child and themselves, they strolled down to the dining chamber adjacent to the old fashioned, wood cook stove.  There, they took a seat at one of several trestle tables set up to serve the community meals.  William, the chef, cheerfully served their portion of the simple fare.  Other early risers, mostly the tunnel children, sat down to chat with Catherine and Vincent, having so much news to share with Catherine since she had been taken.  Vincent quietly observed Catherine, enjoying her presence and beauty as she chatted and laughed animatedly with the children.  Turning, she caught his adoring look and smiling up at him, drew him into the conversation.

 When their chores finally demanded their attention, the children darted away.  Vincent and Catherine rose to leave as well.  William shooed them away from washing their own dishes, as was the standard practice Below.  Thanking him as they left, they next approached Father in his library.

 “Good morning, Vincent, Catherine.”  He cooed at his grandson, as Catherine handed Jacob into his grandfather’s arms, “Is this my big boy?  Well now, sit down you two,” he nodded to the couple to join him.  “You don’t have to tell me how happy you are; a blind man could see it.”

 Catherine giggled and nestled against Vincent’s chest as they settled onto Father’s worn, leather sofa.

 Father hesitated, and then asked the question uppermost in his mind.  “Catherine, what do you intend to do about your life Above?”

 Vincent shifted unhappily in his seat, knowing the question had had to be asked.

 “That life is over, Father, dead and gone,” she answered with a level gaze.  “I no longer exist there; I have no family and I have no desire to go back to that life.”

 “What about Diana and those who restored your health, who know you are alive.  You cannot simply vanish now,” Father persisted.

 “Father, please,” Vincent pleaded, wanting this matter settled smoothly.

Catherine however was at her most persuasive.  “Only Diana knows for sure who I am,” she assured him. “As for the others, I kept my identity a secret, for their safety as well.”

Vincent kissed her hair.  “Will you miss your work, do you think?”

She turned in his embrace to face him.  “No, Vincent.  My being a lawyer was my father’s choice.  I never really gave much thought to what I wanted to be.  So, to please him, I became a corporate lawyer like him.  Then when you saved me, Vincent, you taught me how to give; and I used the skills I’d learned to help others.  But I didn’t always find the work fulfilling.  Much of it was frustrating, disappointing and exhausting, not to mention dangerous.”

Vincent persisted, “You made a difference Catherine!  You helped many in need.”

“It was all due to the gift you gave me, Vincent.  And I am glad I was able to do what I could during those few years.  Don’t you see, Father,” she said earnestly, glancing in his direction, “I have a rare gift…a chance to choose a new life.  Isn’t that what we’re all about Below?  Besides, all those connections to that old life were broken at my ‘death’.  Now I can have a new life, with a family to help, a son to raise, a home of my own…all the dreams I’ve ever longed for.”

Turning back, with love shining in her eyes, she continued.  “Most of all, I’ve wanted to be with you, Vincent, and now I’m free to make that choice.  From a world of possibilities, I choose to spend my life giving you happiness.”

Vincent, deeply moved and already eternally grateful to have her back in his life, could only drop onto his knees beside her and envelope her hand in his.  “Catherine, if you will honor me by becoming my wife, only then will I be able to humbly receive such a treasure.”  He bent over her hand, kissing it reverently.

It was so sincere and so noble a gesture, Catherine’s hazel eyes brimmed with tears.  “No bond could ever unite us more, Vincent; but I will join with you in every way that will add to our happiness,” she vowed solemnly, and found again the joy of his kiss gently sealing their vow.

A rapture shot through their being, united already in bonds of love.  In the reflection of their love, Vincent could forget what he was, for the beauty of the moment transformed them into something greater than themselves.

Father cleared his throat.  “Well, Jacob, my boy, it seems there is going to be a wedding.”  He glanced over to see the two grinning at him.  “Although no vows could be more beautiful than those I’ve just heard.”

Vincent’s mouth quirked in a smile and he rejoined Catherine on the couch.  “We cannot deny our Helpers and friends their celebration, Father.  We will be happy to say our vows again.  How soon can it be arranged?”

“I’d say not a moment longer than necessary.  I’ll speak to William about the food, and have Pascal get the message out on the pipes immediately.  Tomorrow, or the day after perhaps; yes, I believe we can do it.”

Catherine jumped up and ran to give him her biggest bear hug.  Father chuckled.  Her spontaneous expressions of love were a joy to receive, and he thought he could grow accustomed to them all too easily.

“Now go on with the three of you,” he said handing over his grandson, “I’ve arrangements to make.”

He shooed them out of his chamber.  Life Below was going to be different with Catherine here, better, happier, safer for them all.  Now she and Vincent would have their time together.  Vincent had found a love few men had ever experienced.  It was more than he had ever thought possible for his unique son.  For the moment, their world seemed complete.  Once he had thought the bond between his adopted son and the beautiful socialite was a tragic mistake, which could only end in sorrow; and so it had for a time.   He knew now, he had been wrong.  This kind of love could not be denied; it conquered everything, even death, and nothing could keep them apart.

***

“Shall we take a walk, Catherine?”  Vincent asked as they left Father’s chamber.

She smiled up at him.  “I’d love to.  As a matter of fact, I was just thinking that I should visit Peter.”  She referred to her old, family friend and physician, who also happened to be a Helper to those Below, and long time college friend of Father.  “Will you take me there?”

“Are you still ill, Catherine?”

She squeezed his arm reassuringly.  “I’m fine, Vincent.  I want Peter to look into the disposition of my estate.  If I write a Will naming Peter as Executor, he can gain access to my estate, and then we’ll be able to help all our family.”

Vincent paused, astounded.  “Catherine!  Your love knows no bounds!  You grace all our lives.”

“So do you!” she added emphatically.  “Because we love each other, I feel like a…bright light is shining inside us.”

“It is, and wherever we go…in all those whose lives we touch, the darkness must flee.”

Catherine laughed softly, “You make it sound like a crusade.”

“It will be,” he affirmed in his velvety voice.  “Love is a powerful weapon against unhappiness.”

Catherine, drawn into the depths of love in his tourmaline blue eyes, vowed fervently, “And you are my shining knight.”

Their love vibrated between them, as well as a longing to be even closer.  Shaking his head, Vincent tried to speak lightly to recover a shaky composure.

“Catherine, you are my inspiration, but…if we keep speaking this way, we will never arrive at Peter’s office.”  He turned away, retrieving a piece of pipe from his belt and began to tap a message on one of the tunnel pipes.  “I’ll send a message ahead for him to meet us below.”

 When he completed the message and turned back to her, he saw in her eyes an understanding of all that he held in check.  He could feel it within her as well.  The joy of their reunion, the thrill of being together, the promise of coming fulfillment of all their dreams, and a life together Below, was beginning to strain both their self-control.  Soon there would be no need for such restraint.  In the meanwhile, there were many preparations to make for this joyous occasion that would keep his mind occupied from too close contemplation of their future.

“Come, Peter will be waiting for us,” he said taking her hand.

As they traversed the stone passages, they discussed the safest plan to collect Catherine’s belongings, once located, and the exact wording of her will that would safeguard their world Below.  Peter expressed his joy again to see Catherine alive and well.  He had, of course, been present at the naming ceremony and had heard the explanation of her alleged death and reappearance.  Briefly, Catherine filled him in on the reason for their visit.

Peter gladly provided her with some stationery and she proceeded to write her Will naming him as Executor, which gave him the unquestioned right to disperse it to the needy as he had occasion and invest it as he saw fit for their benefit.  She particularly meant, of course, those who lived Below and their Helpers.  Her plan was to provide some security for her new family and others for a long time to come.

While she was occupied with this task, Peter placed a call to Joe Maxwell, her friend and employer.  He informed Joe that Catherine had left her Will in his care and that it had been forgotten in the back of his desk drawer until it had been rediscovered this morning.  He also inquired about the disposition of her personal effects.  Peter informed them upon his return that her belongings were being temporarily stored in the sub-basement of her former apartment building awaiting disposition while her Will was searched for, and that Joe had the key.  Peter was to bring the Will to Joe’s office that afternoon for verification, and he would then give Peter all the help he needed with her estate.

 Catherine handed him the completed Will, dated just prior to her disappearance, and carefully worded to protect Peter and her estate.“  “You’ll need to get it notarized for that date,” she instructed.  “Do you know anyone who will do that for you?”

 “Yes, I do.  Don’t worry, Catherine; I’ll take care of this for you.  After all,” he smiled fondly at her, “I helped you into this world.  I’ll help get you out of it.  It’s a wonderful thing you are doing!”

 Catherine chuckled at his old family joke, then shrugged sheepishly.  “Maybe now, all that money will finally be put to good use.  Besides,” she teased, “I know how much you’ll love playing ‘Santa Claus’.”

 He laughed at that.  “I’ll let you know what Joe says.  Now, I’ve got to get back to work,” he kissed her cheek in farewell, then returned to his busy practice.

Vincent and Catherine gathered up baby Jacob and began the journey home.

*****

 Later that day, in the office of the D. A., Joe Maxwell took the sealed envelope from Peter.  On the outside, Catherine had written:

In the event of my death, Peter, please hand deliver this sealed Last Will & Testament to Joe Maxwell, Assistant District Attorney.  He will know who can help you with these arrangements.

Cathy

She had footnoted the office building’s address.

 “So, how did you know Cathy?” Joe asked Peter conversationally as they shook hands and seated themselves comfortably.

 “I was the first man in Catherine’s life,” Peter smiled in remembrance.  “I brought her into this world.”

 “Now I remember,” Joe replied, “you two had sort of a reunion here in the office.”

 “Yes, that’s right!  I recall the occasion now.”

 “When did you say Cathy gave this to you?” Joe asked.

 “Let me see now; it was just a few days after the explosion that put you in the hospital.  I remember her mentioning it and how worried she was about you.  She dropped in to see me on her lunch break, asking me to check on you.  That’s when she handed me this envelope and laughed, saying ‘Just in case.’  Little did we dream that just a few days later…”  Peter trailed off into silence and Joe squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.

 “None of us did.  It’s all my fault.  I should never have given her that book.  What was I thinking? Sometimes I took her for granted, you know?  She seemed so indestructible”

 “Joe, don’t blame yourself.  The blame belongs to the guilty, and I’ve read in the papers how relentlessly you’ve prosecuted every one of them.”

 “Yeah, well, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction, but it won’t bring her back.”

 “I remember protesting the necessity of a Will at her age; never was I so wrong,” Peter reminisced.  “Anyway, I just shoved it in my desk drawer in embarrassment.  I just found in again this morning when I was rummaging for something.”

 “So, you have no idea of its’ contents?” Joe queried.

 “No, we didn’t discuss it.  She had to run and I had a patient waiting.  It crossed my mind once after she disappeared, but of course, I kept hoping for the best….such a tragedy.”

 Joe slit open the envelope, pulling out the carefully written sheets.  He read it through, taking note of the signature, notarized seal, date, and particulars.  After scrutinizing it for several moments, Joe gave a low whistle.  Picking up his phone, he punched in an extension number.

 “This is Joe Maxwell.  Send Dan to my office A. S. A. P. to review a document.  Have him bring one of Catherine Chandler’s case files with him.  Thanks.”

 Turning to Peter, her explained, “Dan Greene is our handwriting expert.  Of course, it looks like Cathy’s to me, but he’ll confirm it.”

 “That’s fine!” Peter replied.  “What does she say?”

 “If this pans out, Peter, you are the Executor of a small fortune.  I guess you would know that it’s not just her estate, but her father’s as well.  She name’s you as the Sole Executor, accountable only to yourself in distributing the funds to the homeless and needy of New York City, with a yearly allowance for yourself, if desired.  I would first advise you to keep this out of the papers at all costs, or you’ll have every crackpot and scam artist in the city hounding you.  I can recommend the names of a good estate lawyer, accountant, and investment broker, who can help you set up a foundation or give you whatever advise you need.”

 “Thank you, Joe!” Peter feigned surprise.  “This is really overwhelming and a great responsibility!  Cathy’s father, Charles, would have been so proud of her.  She was always so kind and generous to all those around her, and now, even in death, she goes on giving.”

 Just then, there was a tap on the door and Dan Greene came in.  He duly compared the handwriting on the Will to notes from Cathy’s files.  He concluded they were written by the same hand and wrote out an affidavit stating the same.  Joe handed Peter the storage room key, and gave his advice on what steps to take next concerning the Will and contacting his associates.  It would take some time, but Cathy’s legacy would soon be put to good use.

*****

 Contacting a runner to the world Below, usually one of the children, Peter sent Catherine the key that same evening.  She asked Vincent to arrange some help to bring her stored belongings Below.  Not long after dinner was over, Catherine’s things were piled helter skelter around Vincent’s chamber and out along the passageway walls.  They thanked all those who helped in moving, from the children, to Mouse, who smiled shyly and scooted off to other pursuits.  The tired pair then proceeded to Father’s chamber to retrieve little Jacob from his grandfather’s care.

 “What?  Done already?” Father protested.  “Jacob and I aren’t nearly finished our visit yet.”

 ‘Many hands make light work, Father,” Vincent quoted.  “You seem to have your hands full.”

 Baby Jacob was squirming and fussing at the sound of his father’s voice.  Father readily turned the wriggling child over to Vincent, who quickly calmed him.

 “Look at him, Vincent!”  Catherine exclaimed smiling.  “He can hardly take his eyes off you!”

 “Our bond is strong,” he stated simply.

 Catherine turned to Father.  “Thank you for watching him, Father,” she smiled warmly.

 “Dear Catherine, thank you for your love that made this precious little life possible,” Father replied sincerely, patting her hand.  “The joy you’ve brought to an old man…there are no words.”

 “Not so old,” she assured him with a firm squeeze on his shoulder.  “And thank you for making a world where people can live the way they ought to-in peace and safety, and with love.”

 Father’s eyes expressed his appreciation of that compliment from one who had had much of what life Above could offer, and yet gave it all up for the love of his son.

 “Well, I suppose you would like to hear what has been planned for tomorrow,” Father changed the subject abruptly.  “William is preparing a Feast Supreme; supplies are already pouring in to help.   And Pascal has just informed me he has received word that everyone will be here to celebrate.  Even now, Cullen has a work crew preparing the Great Hall.  And our friend of many years, Lo Chan, will be happy to perform the ceremony as he did for Lynn last year, or was it two years ago now?  That is, unless either of you have any objections?”

 “No, none at all.  Lynn’s ceremony was beautiful!” they readily agreed.

 “What are your plans, Vincent, for after the festivities?” Father asked.

 “Catherine and I have arranged for Mary to care for Jacob,” Vincent replied.  “I want to show Catherine the hot springs I told you about, Father.”

 “Hot springs/” Catherine piped in, her interest piqued.  “Vincent, I’m sure you’ve never mentioned this place before.  Is it beautiful?”

 “Yes, it is very beautiful, but…very far away.  I had forgotten it over the years, until recently, when I revisited it.  I had explored the area many years ago for living space, but there are no chambers near there.  We would have had no access to our Helpers.  Since the pipes end well before there, it was never considered further, but…the place is…magical.”

 “It sounds wonderful,” she enthused.

 Vincent’s gaze rested tenderly on her eager face,  “Catherine, I know you will appreciate this place.”

 Father interrupted, “It’s bound to be an uncomfortable journey, Vincent.  Are you up to such exertions, Catherine?”

 “I’m fine, Father,” she replied.  Looking lovingly into Vincent’s eyes she continued, “I’m sure I won’t experience any difficulty.”

 It was hard to keep his thoughts straight when she looked at him like that, but Vincent gave a slight nod of approval.  “Then we will leave the day after tomorrow.  If we take our time, and perhaps spend a few days there, we could be back within a week or so.”

 Scowling his concern, Father inhaled to protest the wisdom of this decision, but a dead level look from his son cut him off.  He shrugged inwardly and looked away.  Changing the subject, he said with an attempt at indifference, “Well then, safe journey.  Now, I’m sure we are all going to need some rest.  Tomorrow will be a busy day and there are still many things to see to before the ceremony at six o’clock, when all the Helpers will be able to attend.”

 “Good night, Father,” Vincent kissed him, followed by Catherine, as they left him for the night.