Valentine's Day Surprise

by Kindra King

Mouse paced nervously back and forth close to the steep edge inthe Chamber of the Waterfalls. His patched boots shuffled on thedusty ground, stepping lightly around his raccoon Arthur. Thecreature delighted in darting in and out of his legs between eachstep before springing up and latching himself onto Mouse's vest. He'dthen climb up to Mouse's shoulder, scramble over the shaggy blondehair to the other shoulder, only to hop down and start the game overagain.

Mouse was used to the animal's rambunctious play and unconsciouslyavoided stepping on him. Indeed, Arthur's hyperactivity was areflection of Mouse's own nervousness. He was never good at keepingsecrets or hiding surprises, so having to wait to reveal one now wasa torment for the wily scavenger. And this was a good surprise.Better than good! Better than Better!

His head snapped around at the sound of approaching footsteps.Finally! He'd sent the message asking Vincent to bring Catherine tothis special chamber over an hour ago. Shaking his head and grinning,he realized that this was Valentine's Day after all, so he couldn'tblame Vincent for wanting to dawdle with his love.

Hand in hand, Vincent led Catherine into the chamber. Wearing abright red wool coat and a small wicker basket hanging from the crookof one arm, Catherine was a warm and welcome flash of color againstthe dark rock walls. They stood still for a long moment, taking inthe majestic view of the thunderous waterfalls. Catherine tightenedher grip on Vincent's hand, sighing, "Each time I see them is morebreathtaking than the last!"

Vincent nodded, captivated by the sparkle of the rushing water andghostly mist rising from below. "Yes. Though I come here often toreflect and sort out my thoughts, I cannot help but feel humbled nextto such a great work of nature."

Mouse could only stand still for a moment longer before rushing tothem, his face glowing and his feet shifting with anticipation.

Catherine smiled at his impatience and reached over to give him aquick hug, "Hello, Mouse!" Arthur, perched on Mouse's shoulder,reached out a tiny paw to bat at her hair. Laughing, she gave it alittle shake, "Hello to you, too, Arthur!"

Holding her basket in front of her, Catherine opened the lid froma latch at one end. "I think we were stopped by everyone on our wayhere! Rebecca gave out pink candles, William handed me a few dozenheart-shaped cookies, Mary and the children made dozens of Valentinesand, oh yes!" Digging around inside for a moment, she pulled out alarge white envelope and handed it to Mouse, "Jamie stopped us on ourway here and asked me to give you this."

Eyes wide, Mouse just stared at it for a while before taking itand stuffing it inside his vest, his face beet red.

Vincent smiled knowingly, but decided to take pity on the boy andput a furred hand on his shoulder, "Your message mentioned asurprise?"

Relieved, Mouse's grin widened and he nodded happily, "Bigsurprise! Gonna love it! Over here!"

Wrapping an arm around Vincent's, Catherine quietly chuckled asthey followed him. Walking along the wide path that hugged the rockwalls, they followed it as it curved and dipped closer to thethundering waters. One part of the wall jutted out very close to theedge, leaving only a space of about two feet wide to walk along.Mouse scampered easily around it and peered anxiously around at hisfriends, Arthur clinging to his head, "Over here Catherine!"

Vincent turned the corner first, helping Catherine carefully steparound the edge. As boys, Vincent and Devin had spent many an hourinvestigating this chamber, trying to discover all its secrets, so heknew about the small cave Mouse was evidently leading them to. Whatkind of surprise could be waiting for them in a small, dark cave? Theonly things he and Devin had ever found were scattered rocks, funguson the ceiling, and Swiss cheese-like holes that pocked the walls.What was the boy up to? Vincent grinned to himself. Well, it was oneof Mouse's surprises, so it would certainly be interesting, he wassure of that.

Vincent stopped short, halting Catherine beside him, when henoticed a faint glow coming from the cave entrance.

"What is it?" Catherine asked, looking ahead to where Mousedisappeared into a small cave. "Where is he taking us, Vincent?" shesmiled up at him.

Vincent explained about his experience with the cave as a boy, butwas at a loss to guess what Mouse had done to it now. Catherinetugged him forward, "Well, let's not keep him waiting."

Stepping inside, the couple was quite simply stunned at the sight.The interior, about the size of a small room, was awash in goldencandlelight. Inside each of the dozens of wall holes burned a pinkcandle. A scrubbed ceiling was lined with at least eight longstreamers of red and white carnations that had been tied together,each a foot apart. The ends clung to the sidewalls down to the floor.The floor was almost completely covered with red and white carnationpetals.

Mouse stood in the middle of the room next to an exquisite largeswing. The seat was a thick, two foot long piece of richly polishedwood. Large braided ropes with dozens of carnations woven throughwere attached to each side and stretched up to the ceiling, wherethey were secured into it with heavy, sturdy metal loops.

"Oh, Mouse..." Catherine whispered, amazed and touched at wondroussight. She hugged Vincent's arm to her and laid her head against hisshoulder, her throat tightening.

Vincent's senses were reeling. The colors were such a beautifulcontrast against the gray stone, gleaming in the soft candlelight.The delicate perfume of the flowers filled the small space, made evenmore fragrant by his heightened sense of smell. To share this momentwith the woman he loved and a cherished friend warmed his heartimmensely.

"Mouse..." Vincent breathed, indicating the flowers clinging tothe walls, "How did you--"

"Easy!" Mouse beamed proudly, setting Arthur on the ground andpractically jumping up and down. "Flowers from Mr. Wong's shop. Mary,Olivia, Jamie tied together. Strong, strong glue from Kanin. Swingfrom Colin. Rebecca made candles. Mouse put everything everywhere!Arthur helped, too!"

They stood there just staring around them. Such a gift from somany wonderful friends!

Catherine couldn't resist embracing Mouse again, her voice raspywith tears, "It's beautiful Mouse. Just beautiful!" She pulled backand kissed his cheek tenderly, "Thank you! There are so many to thankfor this!"

Mouse blushed and ducked his head, smiling, "Valentine's Day.Special for people in love. You and Vincent special to us!"

Before they could say anything more, Mouse scooped up Arthur, whowas climbing up one of the swing's ropes, shuffled quickly to thedoor and with a simple "Have fun!" darted out.

Vincent chuckled lightly at the boy's embarrassment and stood nextto Catherine, admiring the lovely swing. Catherine touched the softpetals of the carnations and gave the seat a nudge, watching it swayslowly. Smirking, she glanced up at Vincent, "It's been years sinceI've been on a swing. I remember my mother pushing me on one when Ihad my ninth birthday party in Central Park."

Vincent nodded, "It must have been an amazing sensation. Devinused to tell me about the swings they played on in the park. Slidesand jungle gyms, sandboxes and seesaws - it sounded like the greatestfun in the world!"

Catherine turned startled eyes on him, "You've never been on aswing?"

He shook his head, slightly amused at the shock on her face.

Catherine looked up at the large metal loops, smiling, "It lookssturdy enough. Why don't you try it out?" She took his hand andbrought him closer to the swing.

Vincent cocked his head and gave her a shy smile, but satcarefully on the wooden seat. The ropes creaked slightly, but heldstrong. A few carnation petals had shaken loose and flitted down ontohis hair. His unique hands gripped the ropes tightly and his bootedfeet rocked a little on the floor as he kept his balance. He pushedhis feet a tiny bit, making himself sway back and forth very slowly.His bright, laughing eyes met Catherine's, "I can see why Devin andthe others liked it so much."

Catherine laughed, "Yes, it's a lot of fun, but you're not reallyswinging, Vincent."

"No?" Vincent asked, raising one eyebrow.

She shook her head and moved to stand behind him, "No. Now hold ontight and I'll give you a push."

"A push! Catherine, I don't think--"

Feeling delightfully mischievous, Catherine quickly put her handsagainst his lower back and gave him a small shove. He gasped andgripped the ropes as he went forward. When he came back, she pushedagain. Vincent couldn't speak as he sat on the seat, swinging backand forth, each time a little higher as Catherine pushed a littleharder. Soon she stood to the side of the swing and used one hand topush as he swung past her.

Looking at his amazed expression, she couldn't help but laugh, awonderful warmth filling her heart to see the man she loved so muchexperience such a simple pleasure for the first time. Vincent couldfeel it in her. It rested side by side with the exhilaration thatfilled him. Joyous laughter bubbled in his chest and, looking at thedelight on Catherine's face, he found he couldn't hold it inside.Smiling widely, a happy laugh burst from his lips.

The sound made Catherine's heart thump hard. Tears came to hereyes as she laughed with him, wrapping her arms around herself,hugging the joy she felt closer to her heart. When she felt she couldspeak, she advised him to pump his legs with each swing so he couldpropel himself higher.

He tried it and was lost in the exquisiteness of the moment. Itwas like flying! Soaring! Slicing through the air, his long goldenhair flowing behind him, he could now understand why young Devincouldn't wait to go to the park every day. Devin had always tried todescribe swinging on the swings, but couldn't and now Vincent knewwhy. There were no words. It was marvelous! Glorious!

Again, he felt the warmth of Catherine's love pouring over him andhe looked at her. He saw the tears drop from her eyes and immediatelystopped pumping his legs. He wasn't sure how to stop, but felthimself slowing down. When he felt it was safe, he touched his bootsto the floor and dragged to a stop.

"Catherine...?" he started to stand.

She quickly shook her head and held out a hand to prevent him fromgetting up, "No, Vincent, I'm all right." She laughed shakily andwiped the tears away stepping close to him, "It's just... the look onyour face, Vincent. The joy." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders,"I'm so happy to share this with you!"

Vincent took her hands in his and looked up into her smiling eyes.He realized he should probably feel embarrassed right now,embarrassed by the way he must have looked swinging and laughing likea child, but he didn't. All he could feel was happiness: happinessbeing with this woman and happiness in sharing this experience withher - this incredible woman who looked at him with such love.

Love. He felt that, too. His heart thumped fiercely with both hislove and hers. Would he ever not be so entirely thrilled and humbledto have her heart beating alongside his own? His hands gripped herstighter and he could not resist the sudden impulse to bring them tohis lips and softly kiss her fingers.

"Vincent?" Catherine looked at him in askance, feeling a change inhim. A heat leapt into his eyes and her heart jumped, an answeringheat flaming in her eyes. Her body leaned even closer to his and herfingers gripped his.

Vincent took a deep breath and broke eye contact for a moment.Catherine held her breath, hoping and praying he wouldn't withdrawfrom her once again. Not now, Vincent, she thought, Please don't denythis desire we both feel.

He looked back after a long moment and she was relieved to see theheat still there, but muted and controlled. He smiled, "you must takeyour turn, Catherine." He released her hands and gripped the ropes tostand, but she put her hands on his shoulders and stopped him.

Taking a chance, she gently sat on his lap and wrapped her armsaround his torso under his arms. Vincent stiffened for a moment andlooked down at her. The warmth in her eyes, her smile and the lovethat he felt from her made him relax and smile back. He rocked hisfeet against the floor, swinging slowly, rhythmically. Catherineclosed her eyes and snuggled closer, her forehead resting against thewarm skin of his throat.

Vincent could feel her contentment and sighed happily. Resting hischeek against her silky hair, he let go of the ropes and put his armsaround her. Time seemed to stand still for them as they held ontoeach other, swaying back and forth, floating in the sweetsensation.

"Will you be my Valentine, Vincent?" Catherine smiled, moving onehand to rest against his chest, right above his heart. She could feelit thumping strong against her palm.

Vincent chuckled softly and kissed her hair, "Always, Catherine.Always yours."

The End