DEATH SHALL HAVE NO DOMINION
Chapter 5 - Chambering
By Cindy Miller

 Catherine and Vincent arrived back in their chamber a moment later, and after maneuvering around Catherine’s piled belongings, they tucked the sleeping infant into his cradle.

 Catherine whispered, “He looks so peaceful; I wish I could join him,” and couldn’t prevent a yawn.  The sleepless night previous had finally caught up with her.

 Vincent turned toward her.  “You must join him now, Catherine,” he tenderly insisted.  “You need to rest.  Look, Mary has left something for you to sleep in.”  He pointed to where a pale pink flannel nightgown lay draped over a chair.

 “You need to rest too,” she suggested gently.

 “I will,” he promised and turning his back, stood watching Jacob sleep as she changed for bed behind some boxes.  “Catherine, if I should be gone when you wake in the morning, don’t worry…there are some arrangements I must make…for our journey.”

 She climbed into his lounge bed, smoothing the covers as he came and sat on the edge.  “I understand…I have some things to arrange myself,” she said smiling wryly, and glancing around at her piles of things.  “I’ll be okay, Vincent.”

 “Catherine, whatever changes you want to make in this chamber…are long overdue.  They will make this place ours,” he assured her.  “But please don’t overtire yourself.”

 Catherine loved him so much; his spirit was so generous to think of her wishes over his own.  She laid her hand caressingly on his velvety cheek.  “Don’t worry, I believe our friends will be along in the morning to help.  Vincent, we’ve waited for this time for so long, been through so much together, I can hardly believe that tomorrow will be the fulfillment of all our dreams.”

 “I know.  When I lost you…I felt as if I was dying inside, that I would never be able to feel or to dream again, that my life had no purpose.  Then, somehow…you came to me in my grief and showed me the need to find our son; you gave me purpose again.  Now, to have you here, alive and safe with me again…I feel as if this is all only a sweet dream from which I will awaken.”

 She leaned forward, planting a soft, warm, sweet kiss on his mouth; then lay down with a sleepy smile.  “No, it’s even better than a dream.  I love you, Vincent.  Good night.”

 Vincent could barely breathe; his skin felt on fire from her touch.  Speechless, he gathered her dainty hand in his strong one, lifting it briefly to his lips to kiss its smooth, soft back, the texture and scent of her filling his senses.  He sat for some time holding her hand and gazing upon her while she fell asleep, a contented smile still on her lips.

 ‘Words could never describe her beauty,’ he thought, ‘or how she makes me feel’.  Carefully, he eased off the bed and moved to his writing table.  Taking his personal journal, he opened it to make a last entry in this chapter of his life; tomorrow would begin a new chapter.

 ‘TOMORROW’ he wrote, then paused to think what that meant to him; hope fulfilled; dreams he had never dared to dream, a reality; longings deep within, unvoiced even to himself; things unknown to him before, wife, mother, lover, all these embodied in Catherine; and things he hoped he would never know again, aloneness, fear for her safety, emptiness, and please, not that dark rage that once consumed him until he lost who he was.  In the end, he wrote nothing more on the journal page, just underscoring the word, ‘TOMORROW!!!’ with exclamations following.  That one word said all that he felt, and he closed the book and rose to go to bed.

 He lay next to Catherine’s sleeping form awhile, watching her sleep.  Look at her!  He loved just to look at her; her honey-gold hair cascaded over the pillow, her pointed chin and heart-shaped face relaxed in peaceful slumber, her lips…the sweet memory of those lips on his…once again he felt her love wash through him.  With amazing restraint, he forced himself not to disturb her slumber with his desire to hold and touch her.  For all of his tomorrows, she would be lying beside him!  The wonder of that thought filled him until his eyes finally closed to glorious dreams.

*****

 When Catherine awoke the next morning, Vincent was gone on his self-appointed errands.  She quickly squelched a pang of disappointment.  It was no doubt easier on him this way.  Her love for him rose within her.  Today, she would begin to love him in ways he never knew before.  She wanted to remove all his old self-doubts and hurts.  He need never be afraid of loving her, or of hurting her, or of losing her again.  Their time together would no longer be measured, a patchwork of shared moments, but would become a tapestry of days woven through a lifetime.  They would finally be able to love freely; no more holding back, no dawn partings, no aloneness, just the two of them.

 She smiled wryly as Jacob awoke with a lusty cry for food and attention.  ‘Make that the three of us, Chandler,’ she thought as she jumped up and scooped him into her arms.

 Just then, Mary called from the chamber entrance.  They had exchanged greetings, when Catherine noticed the tea tray in Mary’s hands, complete with Jacob’s breakfast bottle and tea and toast for two.   Soon they were talking like good friends.  Mary assisted Catherine in caring for the baby, unobtrusively guiding the inexperienced mother.  Catherine asked her many questions on childcare and about Vincent’s childhood as they shared the light repast.  One question occurred to her and she voiced it.

 “Mary, why do you think Jacob has none of Vincent’s physical characteristics?”

 Mary answered readily, “Father speculates that Vincent’s hybrid genes are not reproducible and that his human characteristics are dominant.  So, he is genuinely one of a kind.  And yet, look at him, Catherine; his deep-set, azure blue eyes, the reddish tint to his hair, and the texture of his skin is even softer than any baby I’ve ever felt.”

 “You’re right, he does resemble Vincent.  It will be interesting to see how much as he grows older.”

 As she dressed, Catherine solicited advice from the more experienced tunnel dweller on how to rearrange the cluttered chamber to accommodate their family of three, as well as add a woman’s touch.  So the morning hours slipped by.  Their young friends, Jamie, Mouse and many of the children, did come by to help after their respective morning chores were finished.  Using the ‘battle plan’ she had worked out with Mary, the debris-filled chamber was soon transformed into a more workable dwelling place.

 Mary removed the baby’s clothes and equipment to the community nursery for his weeklong stay.  Then she directed the children in running errands and deliveries for Catherine and the wedding.  She knew which Helpers and tunnel dwellers could best use Catherine’s gifts.  Some of the furniture pieces were given to others Below as gifts.  The more impractical items like summer clothes, dress shoes and pocketbooks, were sent Above to the Helpers.  Her meager kitchen utensils were delivered to William, the tunnel Chef.  Father received the few medical supplies she had kept in her apartment.  A few odd tools she had owned found their way down to Mouse or Cullen for their repair work.

 Jamie was helping Catherine unpack her clothes boxes, placing them in dresser drawers, or hanging them from hooks in the wall.  The seventeen-year-old tomboy was also packing hiking clothes in a canvas gym bag for Catherine and Vincent’s journey.

 As she was sorting out her clothes, Catherine came upon her evening gowns.  This was what she was looking for, something to wear for the ceremony.  She had in mind the clinging white calf-length cashmere dress she had worn for her first Winterfest, which had a generous matching shawl.  Or maybe the peach chiffon gown overset with a long-sleeved lace top that she had worn for their first anniversary.  NO!  This one!  She unwrapped the silver brocade kimono she had worn as bridesmaid for Lynn’s wedding.  Perfect!  Vincent had thought her beautiful in this.  Gingerly, she shook out the creases and held it up.

 Jamie nodded her approval.  “I remember that dress from Lynn’s wedding.  You looked very pretty in it.”

 Catherine poked around in some other boxes and found the matching silver, satin slippers, and a delicate, silver lace scarf.  From her jewelry box, she took a floral hair comb made from tiny seed pearls.  As she hunted for her teardrop pearl earrings, she noticed a solitary, open-ended gold hoop earring that had belonged to her mother.  She picked it up and studied it thoughtfully a moment.  It was wide and flat like a ring.  Down the center was a broad stripe of black enamel inlaid with gold roses.  Its mate was lost long ago, but she had never thrown the odd band away because it had too much sentimental and monetary value.  She had so little to remember her mother by; she had been only ten when she died.  She could still remember her mom wearing those earrings on special occasions.  Cathy removed the hanger from the earring; and judging from the hoop’s circumference, she thought it would double as a wedding ring.  It would unite her past with her future perfectly!.  She wondered what her mother would think of Vincent, of Jacob, and of her new life.  Since her own family life had been cut short so early, she felt sure her mother would approve of her little family, whatever the circumstances, because it would be full of love.

 Just then, Mary came back in with a pitcher of steaming water and a basin.  “Catherine, Jamie, it’s getting very late.  You’ll need to hurry if you want to be ready in time.”

 Jamie sidled up to Catherine with a shy smile and gave her a sisterly peck on her cheek.  “Best wishes, Catherine,” she stammered awkwardly.

 Catherine gave Jamie’s hands a friendly squeeze.  “Thanks for all your help, and your good wishes for us.  You know, I never had a sister, until now.  It’s so nice to have family near.”

 Jamie blushed.  “Me either; I’ve always wanted a big sister to look up to.  I’ve got to run now, but I’ll be right back to take you to the Hall.”  She darted out into the tunnel.

 Catherine took the basin gratefully from Mary and dove behind a folding, dressing screen with her armful of treasures to begin washing up and changing into her gown.

 “Things have really taken shape,” Mary stated looking around her, “since I’ve been gone with Jacob’s things.”

 “Do you think Vincent will like it?” Catherine asked anxiously, and then laughed ruefully.  “He said I could change whatever I wished, but I’m afraid he won’t recognize his own room.”

 Mary scrutinized the spacious chamber as Catherine washed.  Yes, it was different.  Devon, Father’s natural son, and Vincent were boys in this place.  Over the years after Devon left the tunnels to live Above, Vincent had allowed the clutter to collect; books mostly, life Father.  It had been a very masculine room.  In order to rearrange the heavy pieces of furniture, the clutter had been boxed and placed out in the tunnel for future placement or storage.  Framing the chamber entrance, Colonial blue brocade drapes hung tied back, ready to close for privacy and warmth.  Catherine’s king-size bed, covered in a striking floral pattern spread, now filled the alcove to the right, beneath an apricot stain glass window that glowed from the light beyond-an old, forgotten and abandoned train station.  Catherine had swaged sheer white curtain panels from the sloping chamber roof to the four corners of the bed for drama.  In the far right corner of the chamber, her cheval mirror was discreetly placed behind the folding screen, which served as a dressing area and ‘closet’ for some of her dresses.  Vincent’s old armoire was just to the left of this area.  They would now share the cabinet space with Jacob’s baby things.  Vincent’s old storage trunk had been emptied and placed at the foot of the bed.  It now held blankets, linens and towels and could also double as a seat, since she had topped it off with cushions.  Perpendicular to the armoire and far chamber wall, was a wide, double-sided, waist-high bookcase that visually divided the room.  It would double as a changing table and storage shelf.  Jacob’s baby items were arranged on the bedroom side, and Vincent’s books lined the ‘living room’ side.  Jacob’s cradle was at the end of the bookcase opposite the trunk-seat.  On the living room side of the chamber, she placed Vincent’s old lounge-bed, which was scarcely recognizable under a plaid bedspread throw cover and large couch pillows.  This made a nice reading/conversation nook.  To the left of the entrance stood Cathy’s maple secretariat that displayed a few of their mementos.  A rectangular maple table and two chairs stood perpendicular to the left chamber wall and took up the remaining space between the reading area and the secretariat.  Vincent’s large ‘thinking’ chair had its back to the table facing the cradle and trunk seat.  A sturdy wooden crate doubled as a storage chest and coffee table.  Lamps or candles were hung or scattered around the room; a thick, white candle burned in a silk floral centerpiece on a lace doily on the dining table.  As a final touch, several standing silk floor plants decorated the front of the folding screen panels and blocked the entrance view of the bed.  Cathy had blended the two lifestyles nicely.

 “I’m sure Vincent will love this room, Catherine.  It’s very homey,” she pronounced as Catherine stepped around from behind the screen.  “I’d be happy to help you arrange your hair, if you like.”

 “Thank you, Mary.  I don’t think I could manage tonight…you know, nerves.”  She was struggling to slip her feet into the silver slippers.   She explained how she wanted her hair done and Mary arranged it in a smooth roll along each side of her face, and on around the nape of her neck.  Catherine, meanwhile, applied some light makeup she had found, adding just a touch of lipstick and blush.  Mary helped her drape the silver net scarf over her hair, fixed in place with the floral, seed pearl hairpiece. Finally, Catherine slipped the teardrop pearl earrings in her ears and she ready.

 When she stood up, Mary exclaimed breathlessly, “You just look radiant, Catherine.  You’ll be a shining bride.”

 “Thank you, Mary.  I really appreciate your support on this most special day of my life.”  Catherine hugged her warmly.

 “Best wishes, Catherine, for you both.  Here, I’ll take Jacob to the nursery.  Now don’t worry about him.  We’ll take good care of him until you and Vincent return from your journey.”

 “I hate to leave him so soon,” Catherine said picking up the sleeping baby and kissing his sweet cheek.  “I love you, sweetheart,” she whispered and handed him into Mary’s arms.

 “Thank you again for all your kindness, Mary.  When we come back, I hope you will help me find myself here.  There is so much I want to learn.”

 “Of course I will.  We’re all so happy you are well, and safe here with us now.  Vincent seems so happy, so much at peace with himself.  Your presence here means so much to all of us.”  Mary smiled at her warmly.  “Now, we must hurry.  Jamie will guide you to the Great Hall by a different path, the ‘back door’ as we call it,” she added as they left the refurbished chamber together.