Lady of the Balcony

by Clairisant

FEEDBACK: Would love to hear both good and bad feedback but pleasetry to be kind and constructive.

CREDITS: A special thank you to my beta readers Qupeydoll andPricilla

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes place before "The Watcher."

To the lady of the balcony,

My name is Elizabeth Faber. Although you do not know me, I feel that I have come to know you and your love. I live in an apartment across the way from you and have spent the last two years watching you and your love meet. The relationship that the two of you have is very special and I have felt very privileged to share it with you even though you did not know it. Please do not be alarmed about getting this letter, I do not wish either you or your love… oh, how I wish I knew his name. I know your name, my dear Catherine, because you have been in the newspaper so often with your job, but I have wandered from my story.

What I had started to say was that I wish neither you nor your love…oh, I can't keep calling him that even though I know that he is your love. So, if you don't mind, for this letter I will call him Vince. You see he reminds me very much of my husband who has been gone from this world for thirty years now. Vince was kind and gentle as I am sure your love is and my Vince was very handsome just as your love is also. So if you don't mind I will refer to him as Vince from here on. And again I have wandered…old minds tend to do that, my children…but I mean you and Vince no harm, Catherine, just the contrary, in fact; I wish to be of help. I know that there must be a special place that Vince lives because he could not live in this world of suspicion and hate and I would like to help the people of his world.

When you read this letter I will already have left this earthly world to rejoin my Vince. How I wish that I could have met the two of you and spent time getting to know you. I think I would have enjoyed the conversations that we could have had and I have to tell you, dear Catherine, that I find your Vince very handsome! If I had been fifty years younger I might have tried to turn his head, but no, the two of you are so in love that he would never look at another. I remember the night that you lit the balcony with candle light and both of you were dressed in your finest clothes. You gave each other gifts. I only saw that his gift to you was a necklace and yours to him was something to wear around his neck also. How I would have loved to have seen what you had given each other, I am sure both gifts were very beautiful and given with so much love! How I envy you the love that you share! How rare it is to see a love like yours! I am glad that you two have each other.

Again my mind has wandered from what I had to say to you. This letter should have been delivered to you by my lawyer and you should be reading it together. I still wish I knew his name! My entire estate, such as it is, will be given into your hands, Catherine, to help the people that Vince lives with. They must be good and generous and caring people, because he is, is he not, my dear? Please use this meager amount to help them in anyway you can. The two of you and your love for each other have given me so much joy over the last two years! This is just a small way to thank you for showing me that there is still love in this world, like the love my Vince and I had so many years ago. A love like that can conquer all odds just to exist! I wish the two of you all the best and many happy years to come. I only wish that I could be around to share them with you as I have during the past two years.

With all my love,

Elizabeth Faber

Catherine looked up from the letter she had just read aloud toVincent and into his amazed eyes. "I don't know what to feel first!"she said as she looked uponher love and smiled.

"I know what you mean, Catherine. Shock that she knew about me anddid not report it to any kind of authorities. Invaded that shewatched us for two years without our knowing about it. Amazed thatshe saw the love that we share from even that distance, wonder thather she called me Vince after her husband, amusement that she wouldhave tried to take me from you, gratitude that she thought to helppeople that she did not even know, and love for someone who couldaccept and bless us with such kindness," Vincent said to her.

"Why do I continue to be surprised that you know exactly what I'mthinking and feeling?" Catherine laughed, cuddling into Vincent'sarms on the balcony where they had met to read the letter from thewonderful stranger. "There is another letter here from her lawyer,let me read that to you too."

Dear Ms. Chandler,

Enclosed is a letter from our client, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Faber. She left instructions with us to deliver it to you upon her death, which occurred three weeks ago. Her will named you sole beneficiary and you have only to come into our office at your convenience to collect. The contents of her apartment have been sold and included in the amount of the settlement that has been left to you. She did ask us to enclose this photo taken of her and her husband Vincent Faber on their wedding day. Once taxes and other fees have been taken out of the estate, the amount that will be passed to you is $3,472,093. She told us that you had instructions as to what to do with this money in the sealed letter she had left with us to deliver to you.

Condolences at your loss,

Gruber and Sons Attorneys at Law

Catherine looked up into Vincent's stunned face, knowing just whathe was feeling at that moment. "How in the world could anyone callthree million a meager sum?! Think of all the good this can do forthose Below!"

"No, Catherine, think of the harm it will do! Remember when thegold was found on the ship?"

"But much of that strife was over who found it! This time themoney is a gift and will be used only to help."

Vincent quietly pondered her words before he spoke. "What can thismoney give us that we do not already have? We have enough food toeat, and clothes to wear, we have books to teach the children with,and the love and companionship of a close-knit community."

"What you say is true, Vincent, but many of those things would notbe possible without your Helpers in the world Above. Think how themoney might help them, and with it they could give even more aid toyour world. Father is always short on supplies for the hospitalchamber even though I know Peter does all he can to help. This moneycould buy penicillin and other needed drugs."

"You are correct, of course," he replied after a pause, thencontinued, "Even so, there is so much more money there than any ofthe things you mentioned would take."

"Yes, but what about setting up a college fund for the childrenthat want to go to university? Think of Geoffrey learning to be adoctor, Samantha a writer or poet, and Eric a…well, whatever hewants to be."

"A lawyer like you, Catherine. That is his desire," Vincentinformed her.

Blushing slightly, she dropped her head at the compliment.Speaking to try and cover her embarrassment, she said, "There arealso many here Above that could be helped. Why not open free medicaland legal clinics for those who cannot afford to pay for such things?It would also be a future source of employment for the children whenthey graduate with their degrees."

Shaking his shaggy head slowly back and forth, Vincent said,"Catherine, you never cease to amaze me! Those are goals not evenFather could argue against. With you overseeing these funds, we canbe sure they will be used wisely."

"Vincent, I don't want to be the sole administrator of this money!Many Below still view me as an outsider and wouldn't approve. I thinkthere should be a committee to oversee it. I would suggest somelong-time Helpers like Peter and Mr. Smythe, and members of theCouncil too. Father, of course, and maybe Mary or William."

"Catherine, no one Below considers you an outsider!" Vincentraised his hand when she started to protest. "Not even Father. Therewas a time he saw you as a threat to our world, then as someone whowould devastate his son emotionally. However, since the cave-in andyour help when Mouse was 'detained' by Burch's men, he has revisedhis view of you. In his eyes now, you are a valued Helper. Plus,since you helped give Margaret and him that final week together, hemight even be changing his opinion on his son's feelings of love fora wealthy socialite topsider."

"I pray that is true, Vincent, but the fact remains, I'm not apart of your world as I would be if I were living Below. I don't knoweverything needed and who would benefit most at any given time. Witha committee to oversee the funds, it would be much more wisely put touse."

"All right, Catherine, I can see your point there, but I neverwant you to feel that you aren't a part of my world. Becausetruthfully, since the night we met you are my world."

"And you are mine, Vincent. I wish I could make you see that!"

Vincent knew that conversation would only lead him to insist thatshe had a life Above waiting to be lived, but knew it would onlycause him pain and his Beloved stress. Instead, he led theconversation back to the money. "When would you be free to come andtalk to Father and the Council about this?"

She sighed, knowing that he was once again trying to avoid theawkward conversation of her place in his life. If there was only away to make him see that she would give up everything to be with him!But anytime that conversation got very far, he either ran to thelower levels of the tunnels to hide away for days on end, or he wouldsend her away from him. So to keep the peace or to keep him fromrunning away, she simply answered his question, "Since it's alreadyThursday, could we do it this weekend? I have a light caseload andcould come Below both days."

"If the Council meets Saturday morning after breakfast then therest of the time could be used planning what to do with thisgift."

"Yes you're right, Vincent, we mustn't lose sight of the fact thatthis money was a gift, a gift of love."

"Of love, Catherine?"

"Maybe I should have said 'for love,' but I think both are true inthis case. Mrs. Faber was a witness," Catherine giggled a bit andadded, "Some might even say a spy to our love, but she gave the moneyout of the love in her heart. She saw in us the same love she hadwith her Vince. I wonder if he was as handsome as you…"

"Catherine! I am not handsome! This face inspires fear inothers!"

"Yes, Vincent, that's why you're a favorite of all the childrenBelow. Why they love you so fiercely! They're afraid ofyou…"

Shaking his head in denial of her words, he argued, "The childrenhave gotten used to me."

"Of course, Vincent…just the way Eric did the first time hesaw you! I remember the wonder in his eyes as touched your face.Something I had never even had the courage to ask you."

Vincent actually blushed at her words and typically looked awayfrom her. She, however, didn't want to let yet another opportunitylike this pass her by. Placing a finger under his chin, she liftedhis head and turned him to face her. When their eyes met, she asked,"Vincent, may I touch you?"

He was stunned. Utterly speechless. Vincent truly didn't know whatto say. Her voice held such intensity. He had no idea what she wasasking for and therefore no idea what he would be allowing by sayingyes to her. She could have been asking for something as innocent asher hand touching his cheek, but he could feel the desire burningdeeply inside of her. Could she be asking for much more than whatEric had wanted? Was her true meaning to touch him in the mostintimate manner imaginable? And if the truth were known, he hadimagined Catherine touching him in such a way even if he knew itwould never happen…

His thoughts were interrupted when she took pity on the turmoilshe saw in his eyes. "May I touch your face, Vincent?"

With a sigh of relief at her clarification, he smiled sheepishlyfor what he had been thinking and said, "Yes, Catherine."

She approached him slowly as if not to scare him, but that was oddbecause he had given her permission. Another oddity he noticed wasthat even though she expressed her desire to touch him, her handswere clasped behind her back. The gleam in her eye was the last thinghe saw before she stopped almost nose to nose with him.

Vincent had bent his head down so she wouldn't have to reach up sofar; that made her true plan even easier to accomplish.

"Catherine, what are you doing? I thought you were going to touchme?" he inquired, sensing the nervousness within her.

"Yes, Vincent, I am, but I didn't mean with my hands…andremember, you gave me permission!" she said, as a kiss landed on hisforehead. It was quickly followed by two others placed above eacheye, the second of which almost landed on his eye since he was tryingto straighten up. Her hands quickly came from behind her back to linkbehind his neck, preventing his further escape. She proceeded toplace quick little kisses down his furred nose and, when he dreadedthat his mouth would be next, she switched to one cheek and then theother.

He was so stunned at this turn of events that he didn't think tooffer any protest. Just when he was sure his mouth would be her nexttarget, she placed a kiss just under his left ear and then trailed aline of kisses along his jaw, over his chin, and onto his otherear.

For the first time since this ritual began, she paused. Pullingback slightly, she still held him in place with her hands. Meetinghis unsure glance, she said, "Vincent, you must know that I want tokiss you. The last time I did was to thank you for caring for meafter my father died. This time, I'd like to really kiss you, but Idon't want to presume if that's not what you want."

"Catherine, I have dreamed of you kissing me, and even of mekissing you, but I always thought the reality was impossible.However, you seem intent on shattering every impossibility in my lifeand making them a reality."

"Does that mean I have your permission to continue?" shequestioned softly.

"You not only have my permission, but I might even find thecourage to respond."

"You're the bravest person I know, Vincent."

"Not in matters of the heart, Catherine."

"Be brave, my love, there's nothing to fear," she whispered as shebrought her lips within a breath's width of his.

He groaned at her pause and her lips curved in a triumphant smilejust before she placed them on his unique feline mouth.

The kiss seemed to go on forever once it started and,truthfully,Vincent hoped that it never would end even though he knewthat wasn't realistic. Nonetheless, this was an experience he wouldremember all of his life.

When Vincent didn't pull away from the kiss, as she had almostexpected him to do, Catherine took that as encouragement and snuggledcloser in his arms. At that action, Vincent finally took actionhimself. His arms came up around her and he pulled her into hisembrace. Her sigh of pleasure told him she approved and as if toprove it, she began to urge him to open his lips so she could deepenthe kiss.

Her tongue found the cleft of his upper lip and Vincent gasped atthe sensations that caused. Catherine backed away just far enough tosee his face and when she saw the wonder there, asked softly, "Didyou like that?"

"Oh, yes, Catherine! Do you think you might do it again?"

"Anywhere and anytime you'd like me to, my love," she answeredhim.

"Now?" he asked tentatively.

With a light giggle she quickly moved back into his strong arms.Her tongue immediately found the spot that had pleased him so and sheexplored it leisurely, much to Vincent's delight.

His groan of enjoyment allowed her access to his mouth and hereager tongue invaded! Her first thought was that he tasted so good,and then she wondered what it would be like to explore his canines.Even knowing that they were probably dangerously sharp, herinquisitive tongue reached out to caress one sharp point.

At that, Vincent did pull away. "Catherine! This isn't wise!" heprotested.

"Vincent, I'm not hurt, and even if I was, it would have been myown fault for not being careful."

"But I don't want to ever cause you any hurt, even if it isinvoluntary, Catherine!"

"Vincent, people suffer a dozen small hurts every day and don'tstop doing what they need to do. I don't think I've ever had a day atthe office that I didn't get a paper cut or bump into something thatwas left where it shouldn't have been. Every day I wear heels thatcause my feet to hurt by the end of the day, but I do it because theylook good. So if I happen to get a scratch or scrape when we areexploring each other, I will recover, I promise you!"

"Catherine, how did you get to be so brave?" he asked with arueful grin.

"I had a good teacher," she told him tenderly and then gave him atight hug.

"It's late and you have work in the morning. I should go,Catherine."

With a reluctant sigh because she knew he was right, she asked,"Could I have one more kiss before you go?"

Vincent groaned and answered with a shy smile, "Catherine, I wouldlove that also, but it will make it all the harder for me to leave ifwe do."

"I think you know by now that I would have no objection to youstaying, but even as far as we've come tonight, I don't think you'reready to go any farther yet…are you, Vincent?"

"My definition of impossible has been altered so many times sincethe night we met, that although I would normally say it wasimpossible for us to go beyond this new level in our relationship, Iam sure you will prove me wrong yet again."

"Vincent! I do want to make love to you, have a life with you,children with you, but only if that is your desire as well! I wouldnever force you into something you didn't want!"

"I know this, Catherine, and I have dreamed of those things too,but how can I ask you to live that kind of life with the restrictionsit would involve for you?"

"It's simple, Vincent, you ask me and let me be mature enough andwise enough to have considered all that before giving you myanswer."

The look that came over his face was priceless and if the subjecthadn't been so important to her, she would have laughed out loud.

Vincent had suddenly realized that it really was that simple. Hehad been treating Catherine like she was a child and he the parentthat knew what was best for her. Even though he admired and respectedthe talent she had to do the work she did, in their personal life hehadn't been affording her the same consideration. He dropped his headand said softly, "You have given me much to think about tonight,Catherine. I will see you Saturday morning at your threshold."Turning, he was over the edge of the balcony and heading home beforeeither of them realized he had forgotten his good-bye kiss.

Catherine smiled at the night sky. She would've liked that kiss,but loved that he had been so flustered by her words that he hadforgotten it.

The next day both Catherine and Vincent practically floatedthrough their day.

In the DA's office, her fellow workers noticed the smile Ms.Chandler was wearing, but only Joe and Edie had the boldness to sayanything about it, although both approached their inquiries indifferent ways. Edie simply demanded all the "juicy details," whileJoe teased her about taking "happy pills" and asked if she had anyleft over. To both of her none-too-subtle friends, Catherine justsmiled and went about her work.

On the other hand, in the tunnels Vincent's continual smile wascausing a sensation. Oh, sure, you could see him give a smile to thechildren when they had done something well, or hiding one behind hishair or hand when Mouse was once again caught doing mischief, but herarely ever smiled widely or laughed out loud because his fangs wouldshow. Today it was as if he'd forgotten that would happen. Everyonewas treated to a full toothy grin and they all knew that only oneperson could have caused this happiness in their friend. It had tohave something to do with Catherine.

All the tunnel residents were overjoyed to bask in the glow ofVincent's happiness. Everyone, that is, except Father. He was veryconcerned about what had put the smile on his son's face. He was surehe knew who had put it there, but Vincent and Catherine had beenseeing each other for almost two years now and he had never beensmiling like this before! Father tried all day to find a time to talkto Vincent alone, but everyone seemed to want to be close to Vincentwhile he was in this mood, so Father was thwarted in his plans.

Vincent did find time during his day for some quiet contemplationof the realization he had come to the night before. Catherine hadbeen right. He had been the one putting all the limitations on theirrelationship - those limitations ingrained in him by Father, nevertested but always believed. Yes, there had been a couple tests in hisyouth; Lisa and Devin sprang to mind. He hadn't let go of Lisa whenshe pulled away and had scratched her badly with his claws, and aneven younger self had struck out at Devin in anger, scarring hischeek forever.

He had learned to control his anger and now only lashed out todefend himself or others. So why then wouldn't it stand to reasonthat with the mental disciplines he'd developed over the years, hecould learn to control his desires the same way so as not to hurtCatherine? The problem was the only way to test that theory was toput her in danger's path. What if he was wrong and couldn't controlhis desire? His greatest fear was hurting Catherine, but she believedthat he would never do that. His mind was awhirl with all thequestions that had no answers. Then he remembered his own words toCatherine, "one either moves towards or away from it, there is noother direction." Vincent resolved that with Catherine's help, fromthis day forward he would move towards love!

After the decision he had made,Vincent knew that he couldn't waituntil the next morning to see Catherine. Not only didn't he want towait, but he also knew that his well-meaning family and friends wouldwant to spend time with Catherine as well, and this neededprivacy.

Glad that the arrival of fall was shortening the days, Vincentlanded on Catherine's balcony less than an hour after she got homefrom work. He could tell by her emotions that she had already changedout of her work clothes and had eaten. Because she wasn't expectinghim, she was settling in for a cozy evening at home.

His tapping on the glass doors brought an immediate leap of joy toher heart and she hurried to fling open the doors. "Vincent! I wasn'texpecting you! Has something happened?" she questioned with a worriedfrown creasing her brow.

"Actually, something has come up…may I come inside to talkwith you about it?"

Catherine stood there stunned for a moment. This really must besomething big! Vincent never came in - she could only remember twotimes and neither of them had been because he wanted to. Realizingthat he was waiting for her answer, she backed up to allow him toenter. "Of course, you can come in, Vincent! Would you like to sitdown? Can I get you something to drink? Water? Tea? Coffee?"

He stopped her babbling with a gentle hand on her arm. It wasclear he was calmer than she was about having him in her apartment."Catherine, if having me inside makes you uncomfortable, we couldtalk on the balcony."

"No!" she exclaimed, and then with a nervous laugh continued,"It's just that I've wanted you to come in for so long and now you'rehere asking to come in and I have no idea why…"

"It is something important, but nothing for you to be nervousabout…or at least, I think not…"

"Now you have me even more curious."

He led her to one of the two couches that flanked her fireplaceand, after making sure she was comfortably seated, sat down close toher. Taking her hand in his large furred one, he started to speak."Last night you gave me quite a lot to think about, and throughoutthe day today that is what I've been doing. You were right in thefact that I've been the one who has not let our relationship goforward and that is wrong of me. We are in this together and weshould be making those decisions that way. I know that you believeour relationship should move forward and that I could never hurt you.After much thought I would like us to slowly and cautiously do that,as long as that is what you want too."

"Vincent, we have already started down that road together with thekisses that we shared last night. I do have the entire weekend free,so we can spend as much time together as you like."

"Could you stay Below the whole weekend?"

"I could, but your chamber hardly provides any privacy,Vincent."

"I know of a place we can go to be alone…" he admittedhesitantly.

"That sounds fine then. Shall I come down tonight, or wait untilmorning like we planned?"

"I would like some time to prepare the chamber. Could I stay for awhile here with you and then we could meet for breakfast, talk to theCouncil, and when that is all settled we could…bealone…"

"Vincent, the plan is fine, but I don't want you to feel that wehave to progress at any certain speed. We can go at whatever pacefeels comfortable to you."

"Thank you, Catherine. While I am not without theoreticalknowledge, I still must learn what pleases you."

"And I must learn what pleases you as well, Vincent. Remember,this is uncharted territory for both of us."

"But you have had other lovers, Catherine."

"Yes, two, but neither of them put together meant as much to me asyou do, Vincent. I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone, loveyou more than I have ever loved anyone. I want to spend the rest ofmy life with you!"

"Even not knowing what the future could bring, you really do meanthat, don't you?"

"Vincent, none of us know what the future might bring. No one ispromised a tomorrow, so we can only make the most of the todays thatwe are given."

He simply held open his arms and she went into them happily. Theywould have a future together, both of them were sure of it. They heldeach other for quite some time without saying a word, and thenVincent reluctantly withdrew, saying that it was getting late and heshould go. Catherine walked him to the balcony doors, promising tosee him for breakfast. With the briefest of kisses he was gone.

Catherine went inside to pack for her weekend Below. Seduction wasforemost on her mind.

The next morning Catherine was up early and, after making sure shehad everything she would need for the weekend, she headed for thebasement of her building. Moving the boxes that concealed her ownpersonal entrance to the tunnels out of the way, Catherine droppedher bag down and then carefully started to climb down the metalrungs. Before she reached the last one she felt Vincent's hands ather waist and he lifted her away from the ladder.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she turned in his arms andgave him a fierce hug. "Mmmm, you feel so good," she told him.

Trying to conceal his blush behind his curtain of hair, Vincentmurmured that she did as well.

Backing out of his arms slightly, Catherine wrapped her armsaround his neck and drew his head down to meet hers. "I want mymorning kiss, please," she insisted.

With a tender smile, Vincent gladly complied. As the kiss ended hesighed and said, "I don't know how I've lived without your kisses foras long as I have, Catherine. I was a fool!"

"No, Vincent, not a fool. You just didn't know what you weremissing. Believe me, before this weekend is over I hope to show yousome other things you've gone too long without."

Blushing once again, he replied, "I am looking forward to that, mydear Catherine. But right now we are expected for breakfast, and ifwe want William's vote on your ideas, we'd better not be late!"

"Then we should hurry!" she agreed with a laugh. Taking his handand reaching for her weekend case, she found that Vincent had alreadypicked it up with his other hand.

They arrived in the dining hall and were cheerfully greeted byeveryone but Father. He still hadn't had a chance to talk to Vincentabout the change he'd seen yesterday and now here was the person hewas sure was the cause of the problem at his side.

Last night at dinner when Vincent had told them he and Catherinehad something they wanted to present to the Council, his worry hadgone into hyper drive. Then, to make matters worse, Vincent had leftright after dinner to go Above. Father had tried to wait up for him,but having had almost no sleep the night before and on top of a dayof worry, the stress had taken its toll and he'd fallen asleep in hischair somewhere around 2am. He awoke this morning stiff and sore, buthad no time for a soak in the hot springs if he had any hope oftalking to Vincent before the specially called Council meeting.

Unfortunately, when he'd arrived at Vincent's chamber he found hisson had already left to meet Catherine. So, there he sat watchingeveryone greet their favorite couple. Father could tell thatspeculation was running high as to what this meeting was about.

After going through the line for food, Vincent and Catherinejoined Father's table. He could see something about the two of themhad changed. They were more at ease with each other than he'd everseen them before and yet there was a new tension in the air as well.Father was afraid to speculate what it could all mean.

Thinking that he would have some time after the meal while Williamsupervised the clean-up to talk with Vincent and Catherine, Fatherwas once again thwarted when he heard William ask Olivia to take overfor him so he could leave for the meeting.

Because they were all so eager to learn what Vincent and Catherinehad to say, everyone gathered quickly in Father's study. Onceeveryone was seated, Father, who had remained standing, said, "SinceVincent and Catherine called this meeting and I have no more ideawhat it is about than any of you, I will turn the meeting over tothem now." He sat down and waited with dread for what was about tocome.

Vincent took the floor and announced, "Two days ago, Catherinereceived two letters that we want to share with all of you. When sheis done reading them we would like to tell you of a plan of actionthat we've come up with. Catherine…" He took his seat asCatherine stood with a file folder in her hands.

She read the letters aloud and then while they were still tryingto take in the news of the amazing windfall, Catherine started toexplain the plan she and Vincent had come up with for the money. "Soyou can see all the good this money could do for both our worlds.Even though Mrs. Faber had said the money should be used forVincent's world, he and I feel that there is more than enough tobenefit both Above and Below."

When Catherine stopped speaking and sat down there was a moment ofstunned silence, and then it was as if everyone started talking atonce.

William said, "It will be wonderful to be able to help ourHelpers!"

Cullen remarked, "The idea of a free medical and legal clinic willbe a great asset to the world Above."

Vincent replied to him, "And give our children a place ofemployment as well."

Mary observed, "The money will certainly be useful when we needmedical supplies. I know Peter does his best for us, but this wouldtake a lot of strain off of him."

Pascal added, "I am happy that Catherine wishes to share theresponsibility for the funds with all of us."

It seemed that everyone had something good to say about the newsexcept Father. When the room had fallen silent all eyes turned to himas the only one who hadn't commented. After a few moments ofcontinued silence, Vincent asked, "Father, is there a concern youdidn't see addressed?"

Jacob Wells sat there for another full minute before speaking. Hehad been as shocked as everyone else about the news and it hadactually taken some time for him to clear what he'd been expecting tohear from his mind. But now he wondered if an engagement announcementor Catherine's request to move Below might have been less disruptiveto his secure little world than what had really happened. Finally, hespoke. "While there is fear that this money could become like thetreasure ship Mouse discovered, it seems that Vincent and Catherinehave thought of safeguards to keep that from happening. The idea ofscholarships for our young people to go to university, if they sodesire, is a wonderful one. However, the more comings and goings wehave from the tunnels, the greater our risk of exposure."

Catherine spoke as Father paused to draw a breath. "Vincentbrought that up as a concern as we were discussing this, and ourproposed solution would be to look for a multi-story building for thefree clinics. The top floors could be used as apartments for thestudents and then we could create a private tunnel entrance in thebasement of the building. That way no one would see anyone coming orgoing."

Everyone waited for Father's reaction and didn't relax until hesaid, "Yes…well…I guess that could work if you could findthe right building."

The sigh of relief at this response was almost audible. Vincentshared a smile with Catherine that everyone but Father missed seeing.The rest of the group had already started speculating on how themoney could best be put to use. Father, however, had been keeping aneye on his son and Catherine. All the planning for this money couldhave been what had kept Vincent Above for so many hours over the lasttwo days, but it certainly did not explain the smile Vincent had beenwalking around with!

Talk turned to who would be on the committee to administer thefunds and once again Vincent explained that he and Catherine hadconsidered this subject. Since Catherine's name was known to the lawfirm dealing with Mrs. Faber's estate, it was only logical that shebe on the committee. They also wanted to suggest Peter Alcott. Addedto that, they felt that there should be three tunnel residents tofill out the group. With five there would be no ties if things neededto be put to a vote, and since the money had been designated forVincent's world they felt that the largest contingent be fromBelow.

It took very little discussion for the Council to decide thatalong with Father, Mary and Pascal should be the other two on thecommittee. Catherine and Vincent both suspected that this wasFather's way of giving the Pipemaster something other that hisbeloved pipes to focus on. William had been willing to serve, but atFather's suggestion of Pascal, he quickly decided that he would betoo busy with Winterfest coming up in just a few months to be able totake the time away from his kitchen.

Pascal looked a bit dazed to find himself on the committee, butwhen Mary and Vincent added their urgings that he was needed, heagreed. Catherine then laid out the plans and said that she wouldtake care of letting Peter know he would be on the committee too.

Father reminded Catherine that the tunnel group needed to seewhatever building was being considered for purchase for the clinics.She said she would remember and Pascal recommended that they takeMouse along when looking at any property to determine the best tunnelaccess.

As Father was about to protest at the young man's unsuitabilityfor such an important task, Vincent spoke up saying that this wouldbe a wonderful learning experience for Mouse, and that he would alsobe there to help with anything that was needed. Seeing Mary's smileof approval to this new duty for Mouse, Father remained quiet,reassuring himself that if Vincent was there to oversee things, itshould be okay.

Once everything had been finalized and William and Pascal haddrifted back to their duties, Father looked at his son and said,"Vincent, there was something that I've been meaning to talk to youabout. Could you please stay for a while?"

Sensing Catherine's disappointment to this further delay to theirtime alone together, Vincent still knew that if he didn't talk toFather now, the elder man might come looking for him later or havehim sent for. It would be worse to interrupt what might be going onthen than to delay it a bit longer now. "Catherine, if you will waitfor me in my chamber, I'll be along as quickly as I can."

"All right, Vincent," she said as both she and Mary rose to leavethe study.

"I'll walk with you, Catherine. I'm going that way as well."

The two women were well out of earshot before Father spoke."Vincent, I know you're in a hurry to leave, so I'll come right tothe point. What is going on between you and Catherine?"

"What do you mean, Father?"

"I've seen a change in you in the last few days, Vincent, and I'msure it has something to do with Catherine. Tell me."

"We are moving cautiously forward in our relationship,Father."

"And what exactly does that mean, Vincent?"

"Father, I am an adult! When and if I need advice, you can be surethat I will consult you."

"Vincent, if you are contemplating a…physicalrelationship…"

"Father! Whether Catherine and I have a physical relationship ornot is a personal matter! Now, if there was nothing else, Catherineis waiting for me."

Vincent got up and started out of the study when Father calledafter him, "I will see you for dinner, Vincent…"

His son paused at the top of the stairs and just turning his head,looked Father right in the eyes and said, "No, Father, you won't.Catherine and I are going to be away until tomorrow night. I will seeyou at breakfast on Monday."

"Vincent, that's not wise!" Father protested to his son'sretreating back. Vincent just kept on walking. Father knew this wasall Catherine's fault! Vincent had never been this defiant beforeCatherine entered his life. He would certainly have a good long talkwith Vincent on Monday…if it wasn't too late by then!

Vincent could feel Catherine's agitation as he approached hischamber. He could tell she was worried that Father would change hismind about their time together. He needed to reassure her thatnothing would get in the way of their love ever again. Vincent wasdetermined to do his best to fulfill all of Catherine's dreams.

"Are you ready to go, Catherine?" Vincent asked as he entered hischamber.

Catherine had been too worried about what was going on to sitquietly; she had been pacing when Vincent came in. Hurrying over tohim, she was enfolded into a comforting hug. "Oh, Vincent, I was soworried that Father was going to send you off on some emergency workdetail or have some project that only you could do that just had tobe done this weekend!"

"No, nothing like that. He was just concerned that I've beensmiling too much lately."

"Huh?" She lifted her head from his chest to ask the question.

"It seems that since Thursday night I've been smiling much morethan usual."

"Oh, you have, have you?"

"Yes, and Father wanted to know the cause. Well, actually, heassumed you were the cause, but he wanted to know what had changed tocause me to smile more."

Catherine giggled. "And what did you tell him?" she asked.

"I explained that our relationship was moving forward."

Wincing, she said, "I bet that didn't go over very well."

"He did seem concerned, but I told him when I needed advice that Iwould ask him for it."

"Ohhhh…I bet I'll get blamed for that one!"

"Blamed? I don't understand…"

"If you worded it to Father the way you just did to me, it soundedlike you were trying to tell him to basically 'butt out and mind yourown business'!"

"Ah…then my point did get across," he said with a smile.

"Vincent!" Catherine couldn't help it, she had to laugh at themischievous look on her beloved's face.

"What?" he tried to ask innocently, but the chuckle that went withthe question gave him away.

"Nothing…just that I'm proud of you for standing up to him!Now, hadn't we better get going before someone comes looking foryou?"

Just as she finished speaking, Mouse came into the chamber andsaid, "Okay fine, Vincent. Come and see now!"

The crestfallen look on Catherine's face told Vincent just howdisappointed she was that Mouse had come in. She knew that he was oneof Vincent's favorite people and that he wouldn't say no to whateverit was that Mouse wanted him to see. Sadly, she was right. She heardVincent say, "Thank you, Mouse, Catherine and I will come and seenow."

Taking Catherine's hand and picking up both her bag and his withthe other, Vincent said, "It's part of our getaway that Mouse washelping with, Catherine. Here Below we never go somewhere withoutletting someone know where we will be. You never know what emergencymight come up. I thought that having Mouse be the one to know wherewe will be would still give us the best chance of not beingdisturbed."

She smiled gently at him. "Thank you for the explanation, Vincent,I want to get used to your ways."

He smiled at her in return, hoping she was implying that thereason she wanted to learn the way things were done in his world wasbecause maybe, just maybe, she was thinking of living Belowherself.

They walked in silence for a time, until Vincent shifted the loadin the hand that wasn't holding hers. It was as if she noticed forthe first time that he was carrying both their bags. "Vincent, let mehelp you with those! There's no reason for you to carry all that byyourself."

"The weight is nothing, Catherine. I can manage it easily."

"I'm sure that you can, Vincent, but I don't want you to treat melike a helpless flower, I want to carry my own weight."

"Catherine, because of who I am, there is so very little that Ican do for you. Allow me to at least do what I can."

She stopped dead and faced him with just a bit of anger in hervoice; somehow she had to convince him of how wrong he was! "Vincent,you give me so much! Comfort when I'm sad, support when I'm weary, ashoulder to lean on when I'm weak, companionship when I'm happy. Youtake me to fantastic places like the whispering gallery, the mirrorpool, and the chamber of the winds. We attend concerts both under thepark and the ones that the children put on. We also go to theirplays, as well as sharing Elizabeth's art on the painted walls, andI've never been to a party Above that can come close to comparing toWinterfest! We share a love of poetry and literature, and above allthat, you've given me a gift far beyond anything anyone else has evergiven me!"

Softly, Vincent inquired, "Your crystal?"

With a gentle smile Catherine told him, "While I cherish it aboveany other piece of jewelry I have, that's not what I was referringto."

"The only other things I have ever given you were books,Catherine."

"Not those either, Vincent. The gift that I was speaking of wasmore precious than any of those things combined…"

Both of them had forgotten Mouse's presence until he interruptedthe tender moment by saying, "I know what it is!"

They turned to face the eager young man and both asked at the sametime, "What is it, Mouse?"

"It's love! Right, Catherine?!"

Her smile told both males that Mouse was right even before herwords did. "Yes, Mouse, it is love."

"I knew that!" he exclaimed happily, then continued earnestly,"Asked Vincent once what love was…still remember what hesaid!"

"What was it, Mouse?" Catherine asked, eager to learn whatVincent's definition was.

"He said," Mouse took a deep breath and tried to lower his voiceto sound more like Vincent, "'For me, Mouse, it was the end of myaloneness.'"

A furred finger came out to capture the single tear that slid downCatherine's cheek as she reacted to what she'd just heard. "That wasbeautiful," she said, but it wasn't clear if she was speaking toVincent, or Mouse, or to both of them.

"We should continue on, Catherine, we still have a way to go,"Vincent told her.

She nodded her agreement and, with her hand once again tucked intohis, they continued on their way. After nearly an hour of walking,Vincent stepped into an open area from the passageway that they hadbeen traveling along. He watched as Catherine took in the sightbefore her and as she turned and hugged Mouse. "Thank you, Mouse!"She knew that it had to have been Mouse that had done this, becauseVincent had been with her since before breakfast, with the exceptionof the short time he had been with Father.

The blushing boy stuttered, "Wanted to help! Vincent myfriend…you my friend too, Catherine!"

Before them was a table set for two with candles just waiting tobe lit. Her normal thoughtfulness made her ask, "If this is for us?Where is Mouse going to eat?"

He grinned at her shyly and replied, "Have food with me. Knew youwould want to be alone. Mouse go now! Have fun!" Mouse scurried offjust as his namesake would have done.

"Oh, Vincent, are you sure we should let him go off on hisown?"

"Yes, Catherine. Mouse knows these tunnels as well as I do and hewill be fine."

"But shouldn't we have asked him to join us?"

"Catherine, he knew when I asked him to set the table for two thatI would want to be alone with you. Does that thought make youuneasy?"

"Not at all, Vincent! If you only knew how often I've wanted tohave time alone with you here Below!"

"I did know, Catherine. I'm afraid that it was my own unease thatwould not allow that to happen."

"I'm so glad that has changed! Do we really have until tomorrownight all to ourselves?"

"Yes, Catherine, and hopefully, if all goes well, we will havemany more such times."

"I hope so too, Vincent, but what do you mean 'if all goes well'?Is this some kind of test?"

Vincent took his time in answering. He held out her chair and litthe candles before taking his own seat, finally saying, "Not a testreally, but more of an experiment. I have something that I want toask you. If this time together proves I can…I mean if wecan…I…ummmm…need to know that I can…Catherine,I'm so afraid that I will hurt you!"

"Were you trying to say, if you can 'have sex,' or if we can 'makelove,' or that you can 'pleasure or satisfy me'?" At his nodCatherine went on. "Vincent, don't you know by now that I havecomplete faith in you? There are three reasons: first, I know thatyou would never hurt me; second, our Bond would tell you right awayif you did and you could stop; and third, I'm a grown woman, able tolet you know if anything is bothering me in the least little way. Asfor the other things, even if we aren't able to have sex in the'traditional' way, there are other ways to make love that are just aspleasurable and satisfying. Vincent, I want to share everything withyou! Sex is just a small part of it…don't get me wrong, it's avery nice, fun part of it, but I could live without it, if that iswhat we discover tonight. However, I can't live without you, nor do Iwant to, so please tell me what you wanted to ask me before things goany farther."

"But Catherine, I know you are a woman of strong desires. I canfeel that in you. How can I ask you to live without that aspect of arelationship?"

"Vincent, my strongest desire it to have a life with you! Even ifit turned out that we could have nothing more than we have right now,that would be enough! I just want us to explore every avenue to seewhere it will lead us. But ultimately, there are other ways to pleaseeach other than intercourse if that proves to be not an option forus. So won't you please trust in our love for each other and ask mewhat you were going to?"

"I do trust in our love, Catherine," he told her as he got up fromhis seat.

Catherine had been hoping that Vincent was going to ask her tomove Below. Hopefully, into his chamber, but at the very least intoone of her own so they could spend more time together. When he wentdown on one knee next to her and reached into his vest to pull out asmall jewelry box, she was stunned speechless.

Opening the box, he took her left hand into his and asked,"Catherine, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Inside the box was a ruby and diamond ring. Catherine could onlystare at it a moment before her gaze returned to his beautiful face."You bought a ring?" was all she could think to say.

"No, this was the ring Father gave to Margaret on their weddingday. When she was Below that last week of her life, she saw how wefelt about each other and she gave the ring to Father to give to me.She said it was for whenever I was ready to propose to you."

"Father knows you are asking me to marry you?!" she gasped.

"No, after Margaret's funeral he gave me the ring and told me whatshe had said. I kept it hidden away until last night."

"Oh, Vincent!"

"Catherine, you haven't answered my question!" He looked up ather, his hair for once completely away from his face - his dear sweetface that was full of anxiety.

Tenderly cupping his cheeks in her hands, she smiled tearily andsaid, "Vincent, I would love nothing more than to be your wife andsomeday hopefully the mother of your children!"

"Children?" he asked, startled at the very idea.

"Yes, Vincent, don't you want children?"

"Catherine, have you thought about what kind of children I couldhave?"

"First off, I think about our children, not yours or mine, andsecondly, yes, I have! I stood and stared at Elizabeth's painting ofFather holding you as a baby and dreamed of our child looking justlike you. I know that no matter how many times I tell you that I findyou beautiful, you don't believe me. But I defy you to look at ourchild, when he's born looking just like you, and tell me he's notbeautiful!"

Vincent could tell that Catherine wasn't seeing him right then,even though she was still facing him. Her eyes held a faraway lookand the tender smile on her lips told him that she was picturingtheir child in her mind. "You really have thought about this, haven'tyou?" he questioned in wonder.

"Yes," she said simply.

"Then if that is what you want, Catherine, I will try my best tofulfill your dream."

"Vincent, this has to be both of our dreams. A child shouldn't bebrought into the world with only one parent wanting him or her."

"Having you in my life was my dream, Catherine. Marriage and achild is so far beyond that dream as to almost beincomprehensible!"

"Then why don't we have our lunch so we can begin to make theincomprehensible come true?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Vincent nodded and opened the picnic basket by the table.

They finished the cold lunch William had packed for them ratherquickly. Both seemed eager and a bit nervous about the afternoon andevening ahead, if their lack of conversation was anything to go by.Vincent told her that Mouse would return when they had gone to takethe picnic things back.

He offered his hand to help her to her feet and threw her ateasing grin when he reached for her bag only to find she already hadpicked it up. "We have another hour walk, Catherine, are you sure youdon't want me to carry that?"

"I'm sure, Vincent, but thank you for the offer," she repliedpolitely.

They walked for a while in silence until Catherine thoughtconversation might ease their nerves a bit. "I was pleased at howwell the Council reacted to our plan this morning. I thought theremight have been more resistance to it all after what happened withthe treasure."

"I think that our forethought in what we presented was enough toshow everyone that would not happen again. Father seemed very pleasedwith the scholarship part of the plan."

"Yes, and I saw a twinkle in his eye when the free clinics werebrought up. He can envision the tunnel children working there longafter he is gone. Father has always been a visionary, it shows soclearly in this world that he created."

"He respects you as well, Catherine. I know it took him a while toadmit that, but he considers you one of us now."

"One of the community is one thing, but will he accept me as adaughter-in-law?"

Vincent stopped walking and turned to face her with a shy smile."I'm sure he will, Catherine. I think it is me that will take sometime to believe that this is real."

"It is real, Vincent, and we have a wonderful future togetherahead of us!" she told him, hugging him tightly.

Having had only hugs since the beginning of their relationship,Vincent was now ready to move beyond that safe place. Backing out ofher hug slightly, he placed a fur-covered finger under her chin andlifted her face. Lowering his head, he gently took possession of herlips. The kiss was brief and sweet, but it was the first one that hehad initiated on his own and Catherine was thrilled about it.

Her sigh of pleasure encouraged him to bend his head again andclaim a second kiss from…his fiancée! Would he ever getused to the thought that Catherine was going to become his wife? "Ilove you, Catherine," he whispered softly against her lips.

"I love you too, Vincent, but we'd better keep going unless thisis where we're stopping for the night."

"No. It's not much farther now, but this isn't it."

Taking his hand once again, she started off in the direction thatthey had been going. "Then we should keep moving," she urged.

"Yes, Catherine," he responded with a toothy grin at hereagerness.

They reached their destination less than twenty minutes later. Itwas actually a nice-sized chamber with a bed, dresser, table and twochairs. There were candles placed all around the room and Vincentbegan to light them so they could save their lantern for the returntrip.

Catherine placed her bag on the bed and then lifted Vincent'sthere as well. She was surprised at how heavy his was. When shementioned it, he explained that most of the weight was the food hehad brought. "You know how William insists that you can never havetoo much food on a journey."

"I didn't even think! And there I was going on about carrying myown weight when you had a pack that heavy!"

"Catherine, you have to know that our definitions of 'heavy' varygreatly!" he admonished as he approached and began to unpack thesupplies from his pack.

She sighed and rolled her eyes at him, saying, "You should have atleast told me to shut up!"

"Catherine! I would never do that!" he protested.

"I know! But there are times that you should!"

Whether he agreed and didn't want to say so, or he didn't agreeand just thought she wouldn't listen to any argument, Vincent insteadchanged the subject. He pointed out where the necessary facilitieswere and said that there was also a hot springs nearby if she wantedto take a bath later.

With a rueful grin at his successful change of topic, she placedher hand in the middle of his chest and with a seductive voice asked,"I hope it's big enough for two?"

Blushing slightly, he admitted that it was.

"Vincent as much as I want to make love with you, if you're notready we can wait. I mean, we've waited this long. Would you ratherwait until we are married?"

"While I was raised on Victorian literature and by a father withideals firmly planted in the last century, I know that couples nolonger wait for their wedding night to consummate their love for eachother."

"That may be what others do, but I'm asking what you would prefer,Vincent. I want this to be special for you!"

"Oh, Catherine, don't you know that nothing could be more specialto me than the mere thought that you could desire me?"

"Then let me show you just how much I do desire you," shesuggested, moving her bag and his, which now just contained hisclothes, to a nearby chair.

Turning back, she found that Vincent had already turned back thecovers on the bed. With a smile she stood before him and asked, "MayI undress you, Vincent? Or would you rather do that yourself?"

He looked her in the eye and slowly said, "Catherine, I don't knowif you've thought about it, but you must realize that there aredifferences about me that you haven't seen…"

She put up a hand to stop him. "Vincent, unless you have adifferent number of something I don't know about, I can assure youthat I have thought about what you look like under all those layersof clothing. With your hands to go by, I'd guess that you have a lotmore body hair than average and I have to admit that I can't wait torun my fingers through it. Was there anything else I should knowabout?"

"No, that was what I was referring to."

"Then my previous question stands," she told him and patientlywaited for his decision.

It actually did take a minute for Vincent to decide. This firsttime was so special that he knew he would remember it forever. All hehad to do was to choose what memory he wanted.

Finally, he spoke. "Catherine, I'd like you to undress me, if youwill allow me to do the same for you."

"I would love that, Vincent!" she answered him as she reached outand began to undo the laces of his vest.

Even with the reassurance of her words, Vincent still couldn'tstop the feelings of trepidation from filling his mind. 'What if shetakes one look at my body and runs away screaming? Okay, Catherine ismuch more refined than that, she wouldn't run away screaming. But shemight be sickened…or laugh…or cry…'

"Oh, Vincent!" Her gasp broke into his thoughts and he realizedthat she had his vest off and his shirt open to his waist.

"You're even more beautiful than I dreamed you would be!" shewhispered.

He tested their Bond for the truth of her words. It wasn't that hethought Catherine was lying, but maybe she was being kinder than sheneeded to be. But what he found astonished him. She was telling thewhole truth! She really found his body beautiful! "Thank you,Catherine."

Somehow she knew he wasn't thanking her for the compliment. "Forwhat, Vincent?"

"For being the incredibly generous-spirited person that youare."

"I learned that from you, Vincent. You wouldn't have liked theperson I was before we met."

"I'm sure that's not true, Catherine."

"Yes, it is. I was all about me back then. You are the one thattaught me it was so much more rewarding to put others first!"

"It was something that was within you all along, Catherine, youjust needed something to bring it into the open."

"And I'm so glad that you did," she told him and started to slidehis shirt off of his shoulders and down his arms.

When it hit the floor, she reached for his belt, but he stoppedher hands and guided them to her sides. Gently touching the buttonson the blouse that she wore, he asked, "May I?"

With a breathless little sigh, she nodded and said, "Yes,please."

Slowly, carefully, and with a face full of wonder, Vincentunbuttoned her blouse. Catherine hadn't wanted to frighten him withsome of her most ultra sexy lingerie so instead had chosen somethingsimple yet beautiful. Her bra was the lightest shade of blush, almostexactly the color of her skin, and made of delicate lace and satin.She had thought a lot about front versus back closures, finallychoosing the front one because she wanted to watch him take it off ofher. Catherine figured he would have no experience in the workings ofeither style and as an added bonus, with the front closure, she couldhelp him.

Realizing her blouse was on the floor with his shirt and thatVincent was just standing there staring at her, she asked, "Is thereanything wrong, Vincent?"

"I'm afraid I'll rip it since I can't see a button or hookor…"

With a finger on his lips she told him, "The clasp is hiddenbehind the satin rose. You just twist it and lift."

Since she did nothing else to help him, Vincent took a step closerto see if he could find what she had described. Carefully followingher directions he soon had two parts in his hands rather than one.Slowly drawing them away from her skin, he stared in fascination atthe flesh he'd uncovered.

"Catherine, you're so beautiful!"

"Thank you, Vincent. I want to be as beautiful in your eyes as youare in mine," she told him lovingly, and stepped closer to dosomething she had dreamed of for a very long time. Her nipples hadhardened from a combination of the cool air in the chamber as well asthe desire generated between them. Pressing herself close to him in ahug, she was finally able to run her nipples through the fur thatcovered his chest.

"Oh, Catherine!" he moaned at the feeling this created.

"I know," she sighed. Reaching for his belt, this time he didn'tstop her hands. Instead he just watched the fierce concentration onher face as she worked to free the complicated mechanism.

As his belt hit the floor, he did stop her as she started to undothe snap on his jeans. "Boots, Catherine," he said and, sitting downon the edge of the bed, he removed them as well as the thick pair ofsocks he always wore.

Catherine saw that she'd been right. His feet were very much likehis hands, although it seemed that the fur was lighter there, maybebecause of the constant rubbing of his socks and boots. However, thatwasn't important right then. Getting him out of the rest of hisclothes was. Encouraging him to stand, she again reached for the snapon his jeans. This time nothing stopped her and she quickly moved tounzip them.

Vincent closed his eyes as she slid the jeans down his legs. Thiswas the final test. Would his beloved Catherine find his differencestoo much to take? Would this be the end of the dream? Her voiceinterrupted his doubts. "All right, Vincent, it's your turn now."

His eyes snapped open as he tried to figure out the meaning of herwords. Testing the Bond, he found her as aroused as she had been, butwith a light layer of amusement over the top of it. Was she laughingat him? Before his doubts could take hold any stronger than theyalready were, Catherine said, "I've undressed you, now it's your turnto do the same to me…" She paused before continuing, "unless youwant me to do it for you?"

Stepping out of the material gathered around his feet, Vincent atlast put his fears aside. Catherine accepted him for who he was andactually seemed pleased with his differences rather than worried bythem.

Gently pulling her into his arms, he told her, "No, Catherine, itwould be my pleasure and delight to finish undressing you." So,carefully and with great reverence, he did just that.

When she stood before him in just her lace panties, he took a deepbreath before continuing. Ever so slowly he hooked a finger in ateach hip and with great care not to scratch her with his nails, helowered them until she could step out of them. Once again standing,Vincent looked at her and said softly, "Catherine, you are morebeautiful than any of the females in any of the art books in Father'slibrary!"

"Vincent, you've never seen another nude woman?"

"Once, Devin managed to keep a Playboy magazine hidden from Fatherfor about a week. All the boys had a chance to look at it, but Ipreferred the art books."

"But never a live woman?" Catherine had heard the story of howLena had offered herself to Vincent, but none of the details. Sheonly knew that he had turned her away, but not how far Lena hadgotten before that.

"No, Catherine, only as children, when we all used to bathetogether, but then my hair started coming in and Father thought itwould be best if I bathed alone."

"Well, you may look…and touch to your heart's content,Vincent. I freely offer myself to you."

"As I do to you, Catherine," he said as he took her hand and ledher to the bed. Pulling back the covers, he allowed her to get infirst before lying down next to her.

Catherine noticed that he didn't put out any of the candles orpull the covers up over them. She was glad that he seemed to belosing some of his shyness. With a smile, she tenderly reached out tocaress his face and place a kiss on his lips. "What would you like todo first, Vincent? I want this to be very special for you."

"You need to tell me what pleases you, Catherine. Remember, thisis all new to me."

"Vincent, we'll learn together what pleases the other. Now, I'msure as well-read as you are, you have some things you want to try.When you're alone late at night and you're thinking of me…whatdo you think of doing?"

His eyes closed as he remembered all those nights that he'ddreamed of her, nights that no one was supposed to know about, butCatherine seemed to. Could it be that…"Catherine, did you havenights when you thought of me too?"

"Oh, so many, Vincent! Now tell me what you want, my love."

"May I touch you, Catherine?" he asked with a slight hesitation inhis voice.

"Yes my love, anywhere in any way. You may explore all youlike."

Vincent's hand came to rest on her shoulder. After receiving a nodfrom his beloved, his hand moved almost reverently to cup her breast.Catherine's indrawn breath almost had him withdrawing until he feltthe rush of desire through the Bond. As his wrist rested under herbreast he could feel her heart rate speed up.

Emboldened by her reaction, Vincent trailed his thumb over hernipple. Catherine gasped and arched up on the bed. Her moan of, "Oh,Vincent!" was all he needed to tell him he'd pleased her, but he alsohad the rush of passion he felt from her through their Bond.

Through glazed eyes she looked up at him and said, "Vincent, willyou suck on it?"

"Would you like me to, Catherine?"

"Oh, yes!"

With a tender smile at her, he lowered his head to take herhardened nub into his mouth. The feel of his lips around her fleshwas better then she had ever imagined in all her dreams, but when hetentatively ran his tongue over her nipple, Catherine lost allcontrol! She flew apart in his arms. Her orgasm not only rocked herworld, but Vincent's as well. Never having experienced anything likethat, Vincent was unprepared for the reaction of his own body.

Catherine felt the shudders convulse through Vincent's bodymoments before she felt him spill his seed on her thigh. The dazedlook on his face almost made her smile, but she restrained herselfbefore it could appear on her face. She just knew that if he saw hersmiling about him losing control like that he would think she wasmaking fun of him.

Capturing his sweet face in her hands, she was quick to reassurehim. "Vincent, it's okay! I would have been amazed if something likethat hadn't happened! For heaven's sake, you barely touched my breastand I came!"

"Catherine, I would hardly call takingyour…ummmm…putting your…"

"Vincent, its okay to say 'nipple.'"

"I know, Catherine, it's just difficult after all this time tovoice things like that! But having your…nipple in my mouth wasmuch more than 'barely touching' you!"

"For us, maybe, Vincent, however, I have to tell you that in thepast it has always taken a LOT more foreplay than that before I wasready for sex. But with you… well, all you have to do is look atme and I'm ready for you!"

"It has always been my fear that I couldn't please you like theother lovers you've had."

"Vincent, there have been only two other men. Steven when I was incollege, and I broke that off because I had outgrown him, and Tom,who I was engaged to at the time of the attack. I broke that offbecause he was too controlling and domineering. Even though I hadn'tadmitted it to myself at that point, I also think you were a part ofthat decision."

"How so, Catherine?"

"I had finally met a gentle, caring man who put others ahead ofhimself. Neither Steven nor Tom knew how to do that. Yourkindheartedness spoiled me for anyone else."

"There was Elliot Burch…"

"At first, I was attracted to that part of his personality thatwanted to please me. But I realized it was just a ploy to gaincontrol of me. When it came to a choice between his career and me, Icame in second - not once, but twice. Vincent, you are the only oneI've ever met that didn't have a hidden agenda for me."

"That's not true, Catherine. I secretly dreamed of one day havingyou as my wife."

"Yes, and it took you almost two years to admit that! Tell me,Vincent, why do you want me to be your wife?"

"So I can love and cherish you and take care of you!" he declaredwith sincerity.

"I rest my case!" she exclaimed.

Vincent couldn't help but grin at her comment. "Always the lawyer,my Catherine."

"And don't you forget it! If you try and get out of marrying me,I'll sue you for breach of contract!"

"I think we might have a bigger problem than breach of contract ifyou took ME to court, Catherine." Vincent actually chuckled at thethought.

"Well, if you keep your promise to marry me, we'll never find out,now, will we?"

"I will, Catherine, I will," he promised.

"Good. Now that's settled, why don't we retire to the bathingchamber and clean up a bit?"

Vincent agreed with a shy nod.

Careful not to spread the mess to the bed, the two of them got upand walked hand in hand to the bathing chamber. Catherine sighed asthe hot water enveloped her. "Oh, this is heavenly! How did you findthis spot, Vincent?"

"Devin and I used to explore the tunnels as children. We foundthis place one time when Rebecca was with us and she was the one thatsaid it would be perfect as a getaway for couples. She told Father,and after he finished yelling at Devin and me for taking her placesthat we shouldn't have, he settled down and had it checked out.Everyone agreed about Rebecca's idea and they all helped to furnishit. It has become a favorite place for married couples that want timealone and as a honeymoon spot."

"Or as a perfect place for lovers to sneak off to?"

Hanging his head, he replied, "I wouldn't know about that,Catherine."

She snorted and rolled her eyes at his blatant lie, but decided tochange the subject in any case. "Vincent, will you let me wash yourhair? It's always been something I've wanted to do."

His head popped up and with a startled look in his eyes, he asked,"You have?"

"Yes, your hair is so wild and beautiful, just like you! I'velonged to run my hands through it and when I've had shower fantasiesabout us, I've dreamed of washing it."

Vincent gulped, "Shower fantasies?!"

"Come on now, Vincent! Are you going to stand there and tell methat you haven't had a thought or two about us bathing together?"

She had done it again! Delved into his deepest desires and readhis secret thought about the two of them together! He couldn't countthe number of times he had thought of sharing his bathing chamberwith her. "Yes, Catherine, I have thought about it," he finallyadmitted, because he wanted there to be nothing but honesty betweenthem.

Catherine smiled at him and moved close with the bottle of shampooin her hand. "Well then…may I wash your hair?"

"Yes, Catherine, anything you want," he replied, stepping deeperinto the pool so she could more easily reach him.

Pushing down slightly on his shoulders, she urged him to duck hishead under the water to get his hair wet. When he emerged and sluicedthe water and hair out of his eyes, she was ready to begin. Pouring agenerous handful of shampoo, Catherine started working his hair intoa lather.

The sensual feel of her hands in his hair this way made him moan.No one had performed this task for him since he had been four or fiveyears old, when he'd been deemed "old enough" to do it for himself.How could he have ever guessed that the feel of his beloved Catherineperforming such a simple act could be so intimate?

She worked and played at her task for several minutes before sheindicated that she was ready for him to rinse. Again coming up out ofthe water and pushing his now very tangled hair out of his eyes, hediscovered Catherine ready with another bottle.

"More shampoo, Catherine? I think my hair is clean now."

"No, Vincent, this is conditioner. It helps to remove the tanglesand makes your hair easier to manage when you comb it."

"That sounds like something very useful." Then he laughed andadded, "I can never get a comb through my hair, and usually pull outa brush full every time I wash it."

Catherine applied the conditioner to Vincent's hair and once againthe sensual feeling of her touching him in this manner caused him toreact. If he had been able to think clearly, he might have realizedthat this application was taking even longer than the shampoo had,but that was not the case. It wasn't until Catherine moved around infront of him and started trailing her conditioner-slick fingersthrough the matt of hair on his chest that a coherent thoughtintruded in his mind. "Catherine, I usually don't have problems withthat hair tangling…"

Sighing, she replied, "I know, but I just love to touch you." Shebrought her body close and rubbed herself against the evidence of hisarousal. "And it seems that you don't mind it either…"

Stepping back in embarrassment, Vincent said, "Catherine,shouldn't I rinse now?"

"Yes, Vincent, why don't you do that."

"Then, maybe I could wash your hair for you?" he asked, thinkingthat at least that way he would be behind her and she wouldn't beable to see the reaction he had to being this close to her when theywere both undressed.

"Mmmmm, yes, afterwards…" she answered.

"After what, Catherine?"

"After we make love."

"You want to make love here? In the water?"

"Yes, unless you have your heart set on our first time being in abed?"

"Whereever you would like is fine with me, Catherine."

"This hot water is so sensuous…moving around us almost like acaress…"

"Then here it shall be, my love."

"Rinse your hair first, darling," she advised.

When he was standing in front of her again, Catherine moved closeruntil she was pressing her body against him. His erection wascaptured between them, and as she placed her arms around his neck,she felt him grow even harder.

He quickly started to apologize. "Catherine, I am sorry! I don'tseem to be able to control myself any longer when I am aroundyou!"

"Shhhh," she whispered, pressing a finger over his unique lips."You have no need to apologize, or for that matter, any need tocontrol yourself when you're around me. At least, not when we're inprivate. This might not be an acceptable sight in the middle of thefamily tunnels."

"Not to mention giving a certain tunnel patriarch a heartattack."

"Yes…well…let's not mention Father right now. What I wastrying to tell you was that I like the fact that you have thisreaction to me!" Catherine told him, as she let one hand slide fromaround his neck to slowly stroke down his chest and then firmly takehold of his manhood.

He couldn't control the jump this caused and saw Catherine smileat that response. As his legs began to tremble in reaction to thedesire in her eyes, he said, "Catherine, I think I need to sitdown."

"I think that's a wonderful idea, Vincent," she said, as he movedtowards the ledge carved into the side of the bathing pool. Shefollowed along with him and stunned him when she sat down on his lapstraddling his legs. His shaft was still trapped between them and hercore was open and vulnerable in that position. Catherine took hishand and placed it on her breast. She encouraged him, "Touch me,Vincent, please, touch me!"

Drawing air into his lungs, something he seemed to have forgottento do since she'd sat down on his lap, Vincent did as she asked. Heeven brought up his other hand so he could caress both her breasts atonce.

Catherine arched her back at the sensations this caused, givinghim full access to her body. After a pleasurable time of caressing,he lowered his head to take one of her nipples into his mouth. Thistime, there was no hesitation in using his tongue. Vincent rememberedher reaction to the first time and wanted to see if it would happenagain.

This time, however, she was a bit more in control of herself andonly moaned out his name. When he switched breasts to see if thatmade a difference, he felt Catherine squirm a bit on his lap. It wasas if she was trying to get even closer to him, but he didn't see howthat was possible unless she wanted to be inside of him. Then itdawned on him…she didn't want inside of him, she wanted himinside of her!

This realization caused Vincent's manhood to swell even more.Looking deeply into her eyes, he asked, "Guide me, Catherine."

She smiled gently at his lack of confidence; it was so hard tobelieve that a man as innately sensuous as Vincent was had so littleself-assurance. Taking his hand, she guided it down her body untiltheir joined hands brushed his erection. Before he could react withthe embarrassment she knew that would cause, she quickly moved hishand even lower. He resisted a bit when he realized what sheintended, but Catherine kept a firm hold on his hand.

"I want you to touch me," she told him, placing his hand betweenher thighs.

"There, Catherine?" he sounded so unsure.

"Yes, I want you to feel how wet I am for you. That isn't justfrom the water around us, it's from the feelings you create in me.Men may have a harder time hiding the evidence of their arousal, butwomen are just as affected."

Slowly and oh, so carefully, Vincent took her at her word andbegan to stroke this most intimate area on his beloved. He allowedCatherine's sighs and gasps to guide him as he tenderly explored.When his thumb found her clit for the first time, Catherine gaspedand shifted on his lap. The shift caused his middle finger to slideinside of her.

Vincent instantly started to apologize and withdraw his fingerwhen he felt Catherine's hand on his wrist.

"Please don't, Vincent! That feels wonderful. Feel how wet I amfor you…imagine how it will feel when your…" Catherine knewVincent wouldn't be comfortable with her world's terms for hismanhood, so she chose the one he would be most familiar with fromFather's medical textbooks, "penis is inside of me."

His groan told her that he was taking her at her word andimagining just that. Because he was distracted with his thoughts shewas able to move up and down a few times on his finger before herealized what she was doing.

"Catherine, my nail could hurt you!" he protested.

"Vincent, don't your nails soften in water when you're taking abath or washing your hands?"

It was as if a light went on in his mind! What Catherine had justsaid was the "truth beyond knowledge" that Father had spoken of thattime he'd gone to deal with Paracelus! The lies Paracelus had toldhim about his birth were just that, LIES! As Catherine had soeloquently demonstrated, the intimate area of a woman was very wetand the womb would be even more so. His nails would be very soft,especially after months inside there. It would have been impossiblefor even a baby with claws to tear his way out!

However, even as world-shaking as that realization was for him,this was neither the time nor the place to dwell on it. He would behappy to tell Catherine about it…later. For now he had moreimportant things to do.

Vincent suddenly beamed at her, but before she had a chance to askwhy, he was kissing her deeply and passionately. It was a quantumleap from the last kiss he had initiated, but Catherine certainlywasn't complaining! His tongue invaded her mouth and began exploringas if he had every right to. Catherine was thrilled beyond belief. Ifhe became an expert kisser with as little practice as he'd had, shecould only dream of what their sex life would be like in thefuture!

His finger inside of her had taken up the same rhythm as histhrusting tongue. Catherine was quickly gasping for breath, findingit hard to draw air into her lungs. She finally had to pull back fromthe kiss so she didn't pass out.

Crying out his name, Catherine came as Vincent held onto her soshe didn't fall off of his lap. This time he had been a little moreprepared for the overwhelming emotions flooding through their Bondand he had managed to control his own reaction.

As Catherine recovered from her second orgasm an odd look cameacross her face. She'd been feeling things she never had before, butuntil a feeling of nervousness assailed her, she hadn't realized theyhad been from Vincent. She was feeling what he was feeling throughthe Bond! With an astonished gasp, she asked, "Why are you nervous,Vincent?"

When Vincent opened his mouth to deny it, Catherine shushed himwith a finger on his lips. "Vincent, I can feel what youfeel…almost as if we're one…" she repeated the words he'dspoken to her long ago.

"I'm sorry, Catherine, I guess I let my guard down."

"You mean that I could have been feeling your emotions all along,but you've been blocking them from me?"

"I didn't want to burden you, Catherine!" he protested.

"Vincent, don't you know by now that I want to share everythingwith you?! We will have a long talk about this later! But right now Iwant you to relax and make love to me."

"Catherine, I don't think I can do both of those things at thesame time!"

"All I meant was that there's nothing to feel nervous about. Thisis the most natural thing in the world between a man and a woman."She smiled tenderly at him and lightly kissed his furred nose.

Slowly trailing her hands down his body, she stroked his erectionback to full power. Then, standing, she carefully began to lowerherself onto his shaft.

The first contact of the head of his penis with her intimate foldswas more than Vincent had ever imagined it to be. With a groan, heflung back his head and closed his eyes, letting the sensations washover him.

Catherine slowly lowered herself on him watching his face theentire time. She was experiencing everything twice! As she enjoyedthe feeling of her lover inside of her for the first time, she wasalso feeling all the emotions of Vincent's first time with him. Hiseyes popped open and he stared at her as he felt the overriding joycoming at him through the Bond.

There were so many things bombarding both of them that for amoment they just wrapped their arms around each other and held ontight.

"Oh, Catherine, I never knew!" he exclaimed, when they partedenough to look at each other.

"Vincent, I don't think anyone could be ready for something likethis!"

"I'm so sorry that I didn't believe this was possible for us!"

"I'm just glad you found the courage to learn the truth!"

"Wasn't it the cowardly lion in 'The Wizard of Oz' that couldn'tdo what he had to do until he found his heart?" At her bemused nod,he went on, "Catherine, you are my heart! Loving you is what gives methe courage to do everything!"

"Oh, Vincent!" she sighed and hugged him close once again. The "L"word had never been spoken between them before. She felt that at longlast all the barriers that had ever been between them were finallycoming down. Cupping his beautiful face between her palms, she smiledand said, "Make love with me, Vincent."

And he did! Catherine had been right about Vincent being a quicklearner. As they made love both of them took turns leading the otherwhere they wanted to go. Vincent helped her to move up and down onhis lap as he pressed his face between her breasts and nuzzled.

Catherine had a hard time concentrating on the wonderful feelingof making love with him the first time once he started that, becausethe fur on his cheeks and nose was tickling her. She tried to squirmaway from the object of this torture, but Vincent held her firmly tohim. He had never felt as free to be this playful with Catherinebefore and the experience was almost as exhilarating as making loveto her.

She had never laughed through an orgasm before, but like she hadtold Vincent earlier, this was uncharted territory for both of them.Her only regret was that this time she had wanted them to cometogether.

Vincent sensed this regret in her as he felt his release begin.Pulling her close in his arms, he whispered in her ear, "We are,Catherine, we are!"

Catherine realized he was telling the truth when she felt his bodybegin to tremble, but the truest evidence was the kaleidoscope ofcolors that burst upon her senses as the two of them held onto eachother for dear life.

It could have been minutes, hours, or even days later when she wasat last coherent to speak. All she really knew was that she wassafely and securely held in Vincent's arms. Barely able to lift herhead from his shoulder to look into his face, Catherine nonethelesshad to see his reaction to her question. "So, Vincent, what did youthink of your first time?"

The rumble that started deep in Vincent's chest surprised her alittle until he threw back his head and let loose a full-throatedlaugh. Catherine had never heard this magical sound before. Oh, sure,she'd seen him grin and an occasional smile, there had even been rareoccasions when he let loose a bit of a chuckle, but never thisfull-body laugh! There was nothing she could do but join in.

When he could draw a breath without starting another round oflaughter, Vincent finally said, "My beloved Catherine, if I had butknown how glorious loving you would be, I never would have denied usso long."

"Oh, my love, I swear it will only get better as we learn fromeach other!" she promised.

"I don't know that I could survive that!" he chuckled.

"You will my love, you will," Catherine told him, then added, "Idon't know about you, but I sure could use a nap. Will you join me?"Rising from his lap, she stepped out of the water and held out a handto him.

Vincent was still a bit hesitant to stand before her naked, but ashe rose from the water he told her, "Catherine, if I don't dry offfirst, our bed will be very wet."

She handed him a towel with a smile and said, "Why don't we dryeach other off?"

"Because if we did that, my dear Catherine, we would not get thatnap you desire."

"Hmmm, well, napping has always been overrated!" she replied,approaching him with a second towel she had picked up.

Vincent had been right, drying each other off had led to otherthings, but at least this time they were actually in bed after makinglove again. Their nap had only been delayed an hour or so.

Catherine's tummy woke her with a rumble that told her it had tobe past dinnertime. But when she woke to find herself in Vincent'sarms and realized it had not been another dream, she knew that foodcould wait a while longer.

During the next twenty-four hours they explored their newfoundphysical relationship, learning ways to please the other and a fewother secrets along the way. Vincent discovered that the backs ofCatherine's knees were extremely ticklish and delighted in tormentingher with that knowledge. To Catherine's delight they both found outthat the bottoms of Vincent's large hairy feet were as ticklish asthe backs of her knees were.

No one had ever really attempted to tickle him before, except forthe occasional child who quickly realized that it was no use. Theirlittle fingers couldn't penetrate the numerous layers of clothing healways wore. The fact that his feet were ticklish had come as asurprise to Vincent, and Catherine didn't know whether she liked thestartled look on his face when he discovered it, or the pleading lookhe gave her as he begged her to stop tickling him more.

After dinner on Sunday, Vincent reluctantly told her they shouldhead back. Catherine had work in the morning and he had promised tohave breakfast with Father.

"Vincent, do you want to tell him privately about our engagementor should I be there to protect you?"

With a teasing grin he asked, "What do you think he'll do to me,Catherine? Beat me with his cane until I change my mind?"

"He might…" she teased back as they walked towards the hometunnels hand in hand.

"I'm pretty sure he won't attempt that, my love. If he didn't doit to Devin and me for some of the pranks we pulled while growing up,then I think I'll be safe."

"All right, but remember if worse comes to worst, you can out-runhim!" she laughed.

Vincent joined in and agreed.

They also discussed wedding dates on their long trip and eventhough both felt that Winterfest would be a wonderful choice, neitherwanted to wait four months to be husband and wife. "Two months,Vincent! That's all the longer I'm willing to wait. Anything thatcan't be planned in that time isn't important enough to waitfor!"

"Two months…that would be some time in October. Is there anyparticular date you had in mind?"

Catherine stopped dead at the mention of October. A strange gleamcame into her eyes and she asked, "Vincent, do you trust me?"

"With my life! Catherine, you know that!"

"Then yes, Vincent, there is a special day in October that I wantto be married on!"

He could tell from the feelings coming to him through the Bondthat she was very excited about her plan. The thing that puzzled himwas the feeling of apprehension he was also sensing. Was she afraidto marry him? But how could that be after the wonderful weekend theyhad just spent together? He knew that doubts and worry could eat awayat what they had fought so hard to gain so he felt he had to findout. "Catherine, are you afraid to marry me?"

"Oh, Vincent, no!" After a pause Catherine continued, "You sensedmy worry?" When he nodded sadly, she sighed and explained, "Vincent,sometimes our Bond is misleading because you only get my feelings andnot the thoughts that go with them. There is nothing more in all theworld that I want than to be your wife and someday the mother of yourchildren. What you sensed was a bit of worry about how you wouldreact to my idea for the wedding, and I wanted to think it through abit more before I presented it to you, but I don't want you worryingeither. I know how much you long for sunlight and that is what I wantto give you as a wedding gift!"

Vincent could see the excitement in her face, but he didn'tunderstand what she meant. Then he realized she was probably talkingabout the gifts couples usually gave each other on their wedding day."Catherine, are you talking about a trip to your parents' cabin forour honeymoon? The trip that Father vetoed the last time you plannedit?"

"No I hadn't actually been thinking as far ahead as our honeymoonyet, but that is a good idea!"

"Then how were you going to give me sunlight?" he questioned withhis head endearingly tilted to one side.

"I want us to be married on October 31st…" She paused.

He nodded his agreement to the date, still not understanding therest.

"On Halloween…"

"Yes, Catherine, I know, but I still don't see…"

She interrupted him to add, "At noon…"

"That still doesn't…"

Once again she stopped him, this time by saying, "In the middle ofCentral Park!"

Vincent shook his head; surely he hadn't heard her correctly!"Catherine!"

Placing a finger on his lips she said, "Before you protest,Vincent, hear me out. What could be more perfect? Everyone could comein costume; passers-by would think it was a play or something. We canboth have all our friends there, and best of all…I will get tosee you in the sunlight!"

"Catherine, you know what Father will say! The danger! Therisk!"

"Whose wedding is it, Vincent? I know how important Father is toyou and I love him as well, but this will be our day! I want to givethis to you! With everyone in costume you'll be safe! Heck, we caneven have photos taken for an album!"

"Photographs!? Of ME, Catherine?!"

"Yes, Vincent, wouldn't they be wonderful to show ourgrandchildren some day?"

"Grandchildren? I still haven't gotten used to the idea of ushaving children yet!"

Contritely she looked up at him through her bangs and asked, "Arewe moving to quickly for you, Vincent? Should we put the wedding offuntil Winterfest after all?"

"The date of the wedding is not what has my head reeling,Catherine. It's the time and location!"

"Vincent, if I can find a way to convince Father that the time andplace are all right, do you really have any objections to them?"

"Catherine, to marry you outside in the sunshine would be morewonderful than any dream I have ever dreamed!"

"Hooray!" she exclaimed and pulled him close into an enthusiastickiss to seal the bargain.

When they parted both were breathing heavily. Vincent took a deepbreath and said, "We really should be on our way, Catherine, it willbe quite late when we get back as it is."

"All right, Vincent. Will you come up to the apartment for a whilewhen we return?" she asked as they started walking once again.

"Catherine, it will be nearly midnight!"

"I know, but I want to say a proper good night to you…"

"You can say a 'proper' good night to me at your threshold," headmonished with a grin.

"Okay, sue me! I'd like to say an improper good night!"

"I would like that too, Catherine, as long as you aren't going tobe too tired for work in the morning."

"Let me worry about work, Vincent. Being with you is worth anyloss of sleep."

They walked in silence for a time, both lost in their memories ofhow their relationship had so recently changed. As they drew close tothe home tunnels Vincent spoke. "I will tell Father of our engagementat breakfast and deal with his reactions throughout the day. Will youcome Below so we can make an announcement at dinner?"

"Yes, and maybe by then I'll have a plan ready for talking himinto approving our time and place for the wedding."

"I will help with that in any way I can, Catherine, just let meknow what you need."

"I will, my love."

A short time later they reached the threshold beneath herapartment and parted for the time it would take them to reach theirdestination separately.

On her trip up to the apartment Catherine had time to think. Itwas the first moment she'd been apart from Vincent since learninghe'd kept his side of the Bond closed to her all this time. 'Howcould he have done that?' she wondered. 'Didn't he know that I wantedto share everything with him?' A quiet despair began to creep intoher heart. The only conclusion that she could come up with was hesimply didn't feel he could trust her with his emotions.

Vincent, on his solitary climb to the balcony of Catherine'sapartment, felt this feeling of despair from her. As she had pointedout earlier, he didn't know what thoughts accompanied the feeling,but he did know it had something to do with him. 'What could havecaused this in the short time since we parted? At this time of nightshe shouldn't have encountered anyone on her way to the apartment. Sowhat then had changed since we kissed on her threshold?'

He landed on the balcony lightly for such a large man and peekedinto her bedroom. She wasn't there. Entering through the other set ofFrench doors, he found her slumped on the couch crying. Her jacketwas still on, but she hadn't even turned on the light. Luckily hisvision was such that he could cross the room to her side withoutit.

Falling to his knees beside the couch, he placed a tender hand onher back. "Catherine, what is it? Tell me," he urged.

Lifting her tear-streaked face, she looked at him forlornly."Vincent, why did you hide yourself from me in the Bond? Didn't youtrust me?"

"Catherine, no! I always knew I could trust you, right from thefirst! When Father kept telling me to tell you nothing about ourworld, I knew even then that I could trust you with our secrets. I'vealways trusted you!"

"Then why?"

With a heavy sigh, he allowed himself to sit on the floor next toher before he answered, "It was myself I didn't trust, Catherine. Ifelt our Bond from the first and knew that I would come to love youas I do now, but Father's teachings ran deep. I knew that a life oflove with a woman, any woman, was not for me. I didn't want to burdenyou with my feelings of love for you when you didn't feel thesame."

"But what about when I did realize that I loved you? Why didn'tyou tell me then?"

Their eyes met, hers full of pain and questions, his full of worryand shame. His gaze dropped as he hung his head. "Catherine, thefeelings you had for me were so new. I had never felt anything likethat before. I wasn't sure what to do. It was just so new. Also, Iwas unaware that the passion and desire I felt for you was 'normal.'I had thought those feelings were…'animalistic.'"

She was quiet for a time thinking over what he had said; when shefinally spoke he could still hear the hurt in her voice. "Vincent,all that aside, I guess I still don't understand why you didn't feelyou could let me sense when you were worried, or happy, orlonely…" she trailed off.

"Because if I had let you feel those things from me, but not theothers…you would have wondered if I didn't have those feelingsfor you."

"I see…" she said slowly.

"Do you, Catherine? My love for you was never a question in mymind, but the other, more intense feelings were something no one evertalked about to me and so I believed that they were 'unnatural.'"

"And because I tried so very hard to keep you from knowing that Ihad 'those' kinds of feelings for you, I was contributing to thatbelief. I'm sorry, Vincent, I didn't know. If I had, I would havemade you aware of how much I desired you!"

"I know now, Catherine, and that's all that matters!"

Sitting up on the couch, she wiped her tears away and smiled athim. "Let's make a vow to each other never to keep our feelings fromthe other ever again!"

"Yes, Catherine, I promise you that!"

She happily threw herself into his arms that opened automaticallyto her.

As their kisses became heated, Vincent reluctantly backed away abit to say, "Catherine, I should go. It's late…or rather, early,and you have work in the morning."

"I'm much more worried about you facing Father alone than about myworkload, Vincent."

"In either case, we should both get some sleep."

"I can't wait for the day when we no longer have to part to dothat."

"We wouldn't have to wait until we are married for you to moveBelow, Catherine, if you don't want to."

"Why don't we wait and see what the reaction is to ourannouncement tomorrow night? We can talk more about it then."

"All right, my love," he told her, and with one last kiss he wasgone.

After Vincent left, Catherine made her way slowly into thebedroom. As she began to undress for bed, she noticed the lightflashing on her answering machine. One of the messages was from JoeMaxwell, telling her that the Coolie deposition had been changed to8am. She groaned knowing she would have to be up an hour earlier thanusual to be ready for it.

The other six messages were from Jenny Aronson asking…no,demanding to know what 'monumental event' had occurred to Catherinethat weekend and why, she, as Catherine's best friend, hadn't beenlet in on it?! Cathy laughed as each message got more frantic anddemanding. She couldn't wait to see Jenny's face when she told herthat she was engaged! And wait until Jenny met Vincent!

Making a mental note to call Jenny the minute she could in themorning, Catherine planned to invite her friend to lunch to tell herthe news.

The next morning Vincent went to Father's study wanting to tellhim about the engagement in private rather than in front of everyoneat breakfast.

Father took one look at his son when he entered the room and knewit was too late for his abstention lecture. Sometime in the last twodays his son had become a man. All he could do now was prayeverything had gone well. Since he hadn't seen Catherine, he had noway of knowing if she was all right, but surely Vincent wouldn't beso calm and at peace if something bad had happened. Needing to know,he got right to the point. "Good morning, Vincent. I trust Catherineis well today?"

Vincent paused a moment, probing the Bond for Catherine's feelingsbefore answering Father. He could tell she was tired from their latenight, her feet were bothering her a bit from the long hike, butunder all that she was blissfully happy. However, all he said toFather was, "Yes, Father, she is well."

"I gather that your relationship has moved forward?" the elder manprobed.

"Yes, Father, it has. Catherine and I became lovers on our trip,but not before I had asked her to be my wife."

"Your WIFE?! Vincent! You know you can't…"

"Father! I know our marriage cannot be legally recognized inCatherine's world, but we want our family and friends to know that wewish to share a life together. So whatever we are, be it partners,mates, or husband and wife, we will be joined!"

"I see. You seem to have thought this through. I can assume thenthat Catherine said yes to your proposal?"

"She did. Even now, she's wearing Margaret's ring."

A soft and far away look came into Father's eyes and after a timeJacob Wells looked up at his tall son and said, "I hope that you andyour Catherine are as happy as Margaret and I were during that lastweek, Vincent."

"Thank you, Father, I will do my utmost to see that Catherine isalways happy and well."

"I'm sure you will, my boy! Now have the two of you set a dateyet?"

"Catherine is coming to dinner tonight and we would like toannounce our engagement then. After that she and I would like to talkover plans with you here in your study."

"That sounds like a fine idea!" Father approved and the two ofthem made their way to the dining hall to have breakfast.

Everyone felt the need to stop for at least a moment at theirtable to speak to Vincent after his time away with Catherine. Theyall knew something had happened and hoped for some details. They weredisappointed. Neither Father nor Vincent were forthcoming aboutanything other than the work details for the day. The two of themshared a secret smile, knowing that everyone would find out what theyso desperately wanted to know at dinnertime that evening.

Cathy and Jenny had been playing 'phone tag' all morning. Cathyhad called her friend to invite her to lunch. Jenny had been on herway to work so Cathy had to leave a message. When Jenny got themessage, she called Cathy to accept the invitation only to find herin a meeting. Cathy laughed out loud when she read the note Jenny hadleft with Edie to 'meet me at the usual place, usual time, but don'tbe your usually late self!'

Whether it was because everything just seemed to be going her waythat day, or that sooner or later it just had to happen, Cathy wasright on time for her lunch with Jenny. This was the same person thathad every intention of grilling Cathy until she gave up all the juicydetails of what had happened over the weekend. However, the momentJenny spotted Cathy coming towards her down the sidewalk with aspring in her step, she knew!

"Oh, my God, Cath! You 'got some' this weekend, didn't you!?"Jenny questioned loudly while Cathy was still several feet away.

Blushing furiously as she narrowed the space between them, Cathysuggested. "Why don't you say that just a bit louder, Jen…Idon't think they heard you in the lower East Side!?"

"Sorry, Cath, but I'm just so happy for you! I mean, it's been along time…hasn't it?" Jenny demanded, not embarrassed in theleast.

"Yes, but all of New York doesn't need to know about it!"

"Okay! Okay! Geesh! If it was some kind of national secret youshouldn't be going around with that goofy grin on your face!"

By the time they were seated in their favorite café Jennywas insisting on 'knowing everything!' They placed their order andCathy could no longer hold her friend at bay. "I know that I've nevermentioned Vincent to you, Jenny, but I had made promises to keep himand his world a secret."

"His world? You make him sound like an alien or part of some kindof secret society hiding from the rest of humanity!"

"You're more right than you know!" Cathy admitted.

"He's an ALIEN!?" Jenny squealed.

"No, you nut! The other part of your guess." Taking a deep breath,Cathy went on. "Because of the way Vincent looks, he has to stayhidden from the rest of the world. The people he lives with are hisfamily and friends. Each of them has his or her own reason for beingthere, but they are all fiercely loyal and protective of eachother."

"So why are you telling me all this now?"

"Well, if you're going to be my maid of honor, you're going tohave to know."

"Your WHAT?!" Jenny shouted.

"Well, if you don't want to…I guess I could askNancy…"

"Don't you dare! I was just shocked! Here it is the first timeI've ever heard about this guy and you're already talking aboutmarrying him! When did you meet him? Where, if it comes to that? Imean, if this place is so secret, then how did you find it?"

"When I was attacked two years ago, Vincent was the one who foundme in the park. He took me to his world, to his Father who is adoctor. They took care of me and nursed me back to health."

"Those ten days you were missing?"

"Yes. Vincent was the one who showed me how worthless my life hadbecome and how I was wasting it away. That was why when I got back Istarted changing things."

"This guy must be pretty special!"

"He is, Jen!"

"So, he's deformed in some way? You did say it was his looks thatmade him hide away from the world…"

"Yes, it is his looks, but he's not deformed! He's beautiful! AndI would give anything if I could convince him of that!" she statedearnestly.

Jenny looked deeply into her friend's eyes and understood what adelicate situation this was for Cathy. She simply asked, "When do Iget to meet this fiancé of yours, Cath?"

"I'll need to check with Vincent, but soon. Hopefully, someevening this week if you have a night free?"

"Sweetie, for this, I would cancel a meeting with the Presidenthimself!"

"Sure!" Cathy laughed along with her friend.

"Okay, so when is the wedding going to be?"

"Late October. We are going to announce the engagement to hispeople tonight and afterwards we'll have a meeting with Father totalk over our plans."

"Why do you sound nervous about that? Is his father an ogre? Andwhat about his mother? You've never mentioned her."

"Vincent was raised by the man he calls Father. He was abandonedas a baby, so no one knows who his real parents are."

"Well, if Vincent is as great as you say, does it do me any goodto hope that he has a brother?"

"He does have a brother, but Vincent and Devin are nothing alike.Devin is Father's natural son, there's no blood relation between himand Vincent at all."

"Darn!" Jenny sighed.

The girls finished lunch chatting about Vincent and the wedding.Cathy was still careful to tell Jenny very little about Vincent'sworld. She knew she would have to get Council approval for Jenny tobecome a Helper and that needed to wait until after she metVincent.

Vincent could feel Catherine's frustration mounting throughout theday. The only break seemed to be around lunchtime when he felt herhappy and content, and at times very amused. He could tell that thefrustration had something to do with both work and him. As the daywore on, the feeling became more and more pronounced. All he couldthink was that she had so much work to do that she might be lategetting home for their date. Then around 6:30pm there was anexplosion along the Bond. He knew she wasn't in danger, but she wascertainly very upset about something!

"Radcliffe, this case is right up your…"

Catherine looked up to see Joe Maxwell approaching her desk with afile in his hand. Slamming down her pen, she barked, "No! No! No!I've been here nearly twelve hours already today and I have a datetonight! Nothing is going to keep me from that! Not even a case rightup my alley!"

"Listen, Radcliffe, there's no need to get so upset! Take the filehome, study it when you have a minute. You can start the interviewstomorrow," he offered magnanimously.

"Joe, you weren't listening! I have a date tonight and I'm goingto be late as it is! So you just take that file back into your officeand bring it to me in the morning just like this conversation neverhappened!" she insisted as she grabbed her briefcase and coat andbrushed passed him on the way towards the door.

"Really, Radcliffe, you know that a romantic life will cut intoyour work!" he called after her.

"Yeah," she said pausing with her hand on the door, "And if youdon't like me cutting back to a sixty-hour work week, then I canalways quit!"

Holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, he begged, "Okay!Calm down Radcliffe! Geesh, you'd think I was a slave driver orsomething!"

As Joe watched her retreating back his heart was heavy. Thissounded like it might be a serious relationship for her and thatwould mean the end of any hope that he ever had that she might oneday look his way. Who was he kidding? Even though she worked like aplow horse when she was there at work, Catherine Chandler was still athoroughbred through and through and too good for the likes of aback-alley kid like Joe Maxwell.

All he could do was hope that this guy made her happy and be thereto pick up the pieces if he didn't. Joe would have to find out who hewas, so if he did let her down, he could put the hurt on him!

Catherine and Vincent arrived at her apartment at the same time,although by different doors - she used the front door and he theFrench doors from her balcony. They met in the living room and aftera quick kiss Catherine looked at her watch and said, "I know I'mrunning late, but I thought we were going to meet in thebasement?"

"I felt your agitation through the Bond and was worried,Catherine."

"Oh, that was just Joe trying to give me a new case as I wasleaving. I told him where to stick it!" she laughed as she headed forthe bedroom to change clothes.

"Catherine! You didn't?!" he protested.

"I sure did!" she called out as she stripped off her business suitand reached for an outfit more suited to Below. "I told him to putit…back on his desk 'til tomorrow morning!"

She heard Vincent's deep sigh of relief from the next room as sheslid her feet into a comfortable pair of loafers. "Okay, I'm ready togo. I'll meet you downstairs!" Catherine told him as she hurried pasthim, pausing only to place a quick kiss on his cheek.

Still stunned at these casual gestures of intimacy from Catherine,Vincent was standing in the living room unmoving as she turned offthe lights and locked the door behind her. Shaking himself out of histrance, he hurried out to the balcony and over the side.

Vincent was slightly out of breath when they met up a few momentslater. This told Catherine that he had rushed more than usual toarrive at the same time as she had. They shared another quick kissand then hurried towards the dining hall.

When they arrived it was clear the meal was well underway. Quicklyselecting their food from the serving table, Vincent saw that therewere two seats for Catherine and him between Father and Mary.

They had hardly sat down when Father rose and held up his handsfor attention. The room full of people quickly quieted down and soonthe only sounds that could be heard were those of parents feeding theyoungest children. Everything else had stopped as they waited to findout what Father had to say.

Jacob looked at Vincent and Catherine to see if they wanted tomake the announcement themselves, but both nodded for him to goahead. Clearing his throat, he began, "As you all know, whenCatherine first came into our lives I wasn't very approving, butsince then I've had many dealings with her and I have come to respectand admire her. In fact, I have actually come to look on her as adaughter."

When Father paused for dramatic effect, Jamie couldn't resistthrowing out a sarcastic question. "So are you about to tell us thatyou're going to adopt her?"

The laughter that filled the room wasn't in answer to Jamie'scomment, but instead it was in reaction to the look of consternationon Vincent's face. As he looked at his son, even Father had to joinin the merriment.

Just as the crowd was quieting down and Father thought that hewould be able to finish his announcement, Samantha's young voicecould be heard above the silence. Ever the romantic, she had seen theflaw in the proposed event. "But if Father adopted Catherine, thenshe and Vincent would be sister and brother and they couldn't getmarried!"

This protest set off the laughter once again but there was aspeculative gleam in several pairs of eyes as they noted Catherineand Vincent's shared smile at the comment.

When the room started to buzz with conversation he knew that if hedidn't step in it could be a very long while until everyone settleddown enough to listen. Raising both hands in the air had no effectuntil Vincent stood up next to him and quietly said, "Excuse me."

It might as well have been a shout for attention; the result onthe room was instantaneous. Everything stopped and not a sound couldbe heard. Vincent quietly went on to ask, "Father, will you finishyour announcement now?"

Standing up straighter and clearing his throat, Father said,"Thank you, Vincent. I should like to, if everyone is ready tolisten."

There were a few nods around the room, but most everyone hadrecognized it for the rhetorical question it had been.

"Even though I wouldn't mind at all having Catherine as a truedaughter, the reality is just as wonderful. Soon she will be mydaughter-in-law!"

It took just a moment for the information to be processed andanother for it to be explained to the younger children, and Mouse;then the cheering started. No one seemed willing to leave the dininghall until all of them had a chance to congratulate the happy couple.Everyone had questions for them, from 'How had Vincent proposed?' to'When would the wedding be?'

Vincent and Catherine answered what they could and explained thatthe date was still to be decided. When most seemed satisfied with theanswers that had been given, Vincent asked if they could adjourn toFather's study. Father, of course, agreed, and Catherine asked ifMary, Jamie, and Mouse would join them.

Mary made a pot of tea and after the six were settled Catherinebegan to speak. "Vincent and I do have a date in mind for thewedding, but we wanted to talk with all of you before we made itknown to everyone. The one and only thing that Vincent lacks in thiswonderful world you've created here, Father, is sunlight, and I'vethought of a way to give him that gift on our wedding day."

"Oh, that would be marvelous!" Mary exclaimed. "How would you doit?"

"Yes, how, Catherine? This sounds very dangerous already!" Fatherinterjected before Catherine could answer Mary.

"Everyone at the ceremony, with the exception of a few guests ofmine, will be aware that other than attending our wedding, their onlyfocus is to keep Vincent safe."

"You still haven't told us…"

Vincent would never normally interrupt anyone who was speaking andthis was especially true when the person in question was his father,however, he also needed Father to be aware that this wasn't justCatherine's idea. "Father, Catherine was only explaining the safetyfeatures first because she knows how protective you are where I'mconcerned. But you need to know that even though the original ideawas Catherine's, I am in total agreement with her choice for ourwedding."

"All right, Vincent, that is noted, however we have still not beeninformed of what this choice is."

"We want to be married in Central Park at noon…on October31st," Catherine told him.

"Oh, that's perfect!" Jamie exclaimed. "With everyone in costume,Vincent will be perfectly safe!"

"Better than good. Better than best idea!" Mouse added.

Silent tears were sliding down Mary's cheeks and Vincent beingVincent, he was the first to notice. "Mary, what is it? What'swrong?" he asked, squatting near her chair and taking her hand inhis.

Her free hand reached out to caress his cheek and a tender smilepeeked through the tears. "Nothing at all, my dear boy! I was simplyoverwhelmed at how Catherine's love for you has given her the courageto find a way to give you something I always wished I could!"

"Mary!" Father gasped. "Surely you can't mean that you approve ofthis ludicrous plan!?"

"I not only do, but I also hope that there is a way I can helpwith any arrangements that need to be made! I'm sure we haven't heardall their thoughts on things, what with all the interruptions. Youcan be sure that you two will have no end of volunteers to help. Iknow for a fact that William has been planning your wedding feast forover a year, and Rebecca designed a special candle just for the eventalmost as long ago!"

"WHAT!?" Father shouted as Vincent and Catherine shared bemusedglances. They had been thrilled at the response to their engagement,but to discover that their friends had been secretly planning forthis event for months left them both in awe at the show ofsupport.

"I can't believe this!" Father sputtered.

"I thought you approved of their marriage!" Jamie protested.

"I do! However I do NOT approve of this location!"

"I am sorry, Father, but the choice is really not yours. Catherineand I will take every precaution that we can, but ultimately this iswhat we both want," Vincent quietly but firmly told his father.

Catherine looked Father directly in the eye and said, "Father, Ilove Vincent with all my heart and want to give him this gift. Wewill do everything in our power to keep him safe!"

"We'll help Catherine, Father! Vincent my friend!" Mouse added inthe silence that followed Catherine's statement.

Looking from one hopeful, expectant face to another, Father's gazecame to rest on Vincent's last. He could see how very much this meantto his son, so even though he still had reservations, Father noddedhis head and said, "All right, as long as everyone is aware to bevery watchful! I guess it would be okay."

Standing and grabbing the elder man into a bear hug, Vincent toldhim, "Thank you, Father. Your approval means a lot to us."

Once that had been settled, Mary began to wring her hands. "Oh, mydears! Only two months to plan! We must get started right away! Firstwe'll need to notify all of the Helpers, and everyone Catherine wantsto invite, then we'll need costumes for everyone. Have you chosenyour attendants yet?"

Catherine was the first to answer her. "Yes. I want my friendsNancy Tucker and Jenny Aronson. Jamie, I was hoping that you wouldconsider being my third bridesmaid?"

Jamie immediately got misty-eyed, although she tried to hide it bywiping her eyes on her sleeve. She replied, "I'd love to, Catherine!Thank you!"

"Wonderful!" Mary exclaimed, then turning to Vincent she informedhim, "That means you will need three as well, Vincent."

"I am going to try and contact Devin, and for my other two I amhoping that Pascal and Mouse will agree to stand up with me."

Mouse's eyes widened at this honor and he could only nod eagerlysince he was too choked up to talk.

"Well, I'm sure Pascal will agree as well, Vincent. I just hopeDevin can be found, if he's out globe-trotting, your letter might notcatch up with him," Father stated.

Vincent admitted that was a possibility and said that he wouldcome up with an alternate just in case.

"I'd like Eric to be our ring bearer. It's too bad that littleCathy is too young to be our flower girl."

"Do we really need a flower girl with the wedding being outside?"Vincent asked.

"Good point!" Catherine told him. "Now the only position thatneeds filling is Father of the Bride."

"I assumed that you would ask Peter to stand in for your father,"Vincent replied.

"Actually, I was thinking it was much too big of a job to befilled by one person." Standing, Catherine walked over to Jacob Wellsand said, "I thought maybe you and Peter could both walk me down theaisle. Would you, Father?"

"My dear child, I would be honored to, but are you sure you wantthat? With this cane, I would just slow you down."

"It's taken us this long to come to this point in ourrelationship, the extra few minutes your speed would add to theceremony won't matter at all."

"Then I would be pleased to do this for you, Catherine," heanswered.

Father was a bit surprised when she bestowed a fierce hug on him,but he was happy to return the gesture. He was a bit flustered tofind himself almost ready to shed tears, so to cover this up heblustered, "Yes, well, we should get back to the plans!"

They talked for another hour until no one could think of any moreto add without consulting others not there. As the group was breakingup, Vincent said he would like to stop by the Pipe Chamber before heand Catherine went Above. Catherine smiled and agreed as sheanticipated the look on Pascal's face when Vincent asked him to be intheir wedding.

The two of them discussed the best way to try and contact Devin sohe could be there for the wedding as they walked along. Knowing thatthe cabin he and Charles were living in was very remote, Catherinesuggested that they try a telegram first. Vincent smiled and agreed,although he admitted he had no idea how to go about doing that.Catherine promised to show him as soon as they got to herapartment

Pascal was alone and hard at work when Catherine and Vincentarrived. He grinned and told them that the news of their engagementwas the reason for the heightened amount of chatter on the pipes thatnight.

"That is the reason we came to see you tonight, Pascal. Well,actually there were two reasons. We thought you might like to be theone to spread the word that we have settled on a date for thewedding." At Pascal's eager nod, Vincent went on to inform thePipemaster of their plans. Pascal's eyes got wider and wider withevery passing piece of information. By the time Vincent stoppedspeaking, he was almost hopping up and down in his excitement tospread the news.

"And everyone will wear costumes?"

"Yes," Catherine assured him with a grin.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, pulling out his pipes in preparation to sendthis all-important message, but Vincent reached out a hand to stophim.

"Before you do that, Pascal, there was one other reason we stoppedby. I wanted to ask you if you would stand up with me in thewedding?"

Pascal stood there utterly speechless. His eyes becamesuspiciously bright and Catherine wondered if he might actually startcrying.

After several minutes of silence Vincent gently prompted him,"Pascal?"

"Oh! Sorry! I would love to, Vincent! I've always looked on youlike a brother! Are you going to ask Devin too?"

"Yes, if we can reach him in time. Catherine is going to help mesend him a telegram."

"That should do the trick then! It'll be good to see him again,it's been too long."

"Yes, it will, and we should be going to do that now."

"And I need to send out the wedding announcement!" Pascal saideagerly. He was already tapping out the news as Vincent and Catherinewalked away.

When they reached Catherine's apartment she gave Vincent a pad ofpaper to write out his message to Devin. Telling him she would put ona pot of tea while he worked, she left him alone in the living room.Vincent smiled and thanked her.

By the time she came back he'd composed a short message. Takingthe pad from him, Catherine read it over to see if she had anyquestions before calling it in. She grinned when she saw he hadn'ttold Devin they were getting married, only that he needed to talk tohim about a matter of great importance.

She called Western Union and paid for the telegram with her creditcard, then joined Vincent on the couch for tea. Catherine cuddledclose to his side as they put their empty cups down. She hadsomething important to ask him and she was just a bit worried overhow he would feel about it. "Vincent, I was hoping that one nightthis week I could invite Jenny and Nancy over here to meetyou…"

"That would be fine, Catherine. I look forward to meeting yourfriends," he answered calmly.

"You do?" she asked, raising her head to look into his face.

"Yes, Catherine. I know how much they mean to you and would beglad to meet them."

"That's great! I'd like to ask the Council about Jenny becoming aHelper too! I know she would love it, and with her being in thepublishing business, I'm sure she and Father will get along. Nancy,on the other hand, I'm not sure about. Since she has a husband andchildren that won't know about you and Below, I don't know how muchshe could do."

"Catherine, they don't have to be Helpers for me to want to knowthem."

"I know that, Vincent, but I do think that Jenny would love to beone."

"When do you think we would meet?"

"I'll call them both tomorrow morning and see when their free."She got up from the couch and returned the tea things to the kitchen.When she returned to the living room she reached out her hand andinvited, "Are you ready for bed, Vincent?"

With a shy smile he nodded, rising to take her hand and follow herto the bedroom.

Vincent still felt a bit out of place in Catherine's apartmentbecause he had only been inside a few times. He was uncomfortablearound her things because of his size and their delicacy. He was muchmore used to massive and over-sized furniture. Here he was afraidthat he might break something.

Catherine, sensing his unease, smiled gently and turned down thebed. "You know, Vincent, there's nothing in this apartment asimportant as you. Everything else can be replaced or repaired, pleasedon't worry." She held out her hand for him to join her and with arueful grin he did. He was going to have to get used to their Bondworking both ways now!

Putting aside all the worries of being in her apartment, Vincenttook Catherine into his arms.

***********

Plans were progressing quickly for the use of Elizabeth Faber'smoney. The real estate agent that Catherine had hired had alreadyshown her three properties and with each she could tell that Mrs.Alexander was getting closer to what Catherine was looking for.

Two days had passed since their engagement was announced and stillthere had been no word from Devin. Tonight however, was the nightVincent was going to meet Jenny and Nancy. Catherine had actuallymanaged to leave work early and started making dinner as soon as shegot home. The casserole was in the oven and she was in the showerwhen Vincent arrived.

To say she was startled when he joined her in the shower wouldhave vastly underrated her shriek of surprise.

Vincent laughed and pulled her into his arms. If he'd meant tosoothe her, he was certainly going about it in the wrong way! Thekiss heated up quickly and soon they were making love.

When their passion was spent, Catherine offered him a tired smileand said, "It's a good thing I made a casserole, because anythingelse would have been burnt by now! What possessed you to surprise melike this?"

Throwing aside the fourth towel he'd needed to dry off, Vincentstepped into his pants before answering, "I didn't stop to think. Icame into the apartment and followed the sound of running water. WhenI got here I could see you running your hands over your body andcould feel you thinking of me as your desire rose. I undressedwithout thinking and then just opened the door and stepped inside.Did I do something wrong?"

"No, Vincent! It was wonderful, but we do need to hurry now andget dressed. We don't want our guests to find us like this!" Shegiggled at their mutual state of half dress.

Catherine had asked Vincent if he would prefer to meet both of herfriends at the same time or if separately would be less stressful tohim. Always thinking of her first, he knew it would be easier on herif she only had to go through the 'explanation' about him once, sohad told her he would meet Nancy and Jenny at the same time. Inreality, it didn't matter to him. Their reactions would be the sameif they met him either way. He hoped for Catherine's sake the meetingwould go well.

They worked together to set the table and light the many candlesCatherine had in the apartment. She knew he was more comfortable withthem than with electric lights. The few lamps she did have on wereset on dim to avoid the harshness to his sensitive eyes.

Right on time came the knock on her door. But they had already hadtime to share a quick kiss and for Vincent to make his exit to thebalcony because the doorman had called up to let Ms. Chandler knowher guests had arrived. Vincent would wait outside until she had'explained' about him.

Her friends arrived together. Since Nancy lived outside of thecity, she'd driven in and picked up Jenny on her way. The two of themgreeted Catherine with enthusiastic hugs and as they stepped insideNancy looked around and demanded, "Okay where are you hiding him? Youdid say we would get to meet him tonight!"

"Yes, and you will." Catherine laughed a bit nervously at Nancy'seagerness. "He's waiting on the balcony. I wanted to have a chance toprepare you…"

"Prepare us for what?" Jenny demanded. "You said he's beautiful!Now haul him on in here so the drooling can begin!"

Vincent couldn't hold back his chuckle at Jenny's comment andthis, of course, was heard by the three women in the apartment.

"There, you see! Even Vincent thinks all this melodrama is silly!Come on in here, Vincent, or we'll have to come hunting for you!"

A cloaked figure came inside and a gently melodious voice toldthem, "We didn't want the two of you to be frightened by myappearance."

Catherine moved to his side and linked her arm with his. Shelooked at her friends and said, "Nancy, Jenny, this is Vincent Wells,my fiancé."

Vincent lifted his head and his hood moved slightly to reveal someof his face. As Catherine continued the introductions, he pushed backthe hood the rest of the way with his free hand. "Vincent, this is myfriend Nancy Tucker from Westbridge."

"How do you do, Mrs. Tucker?" Vincent inquired politely, notholding out his hand in case she was afraid to touch him.

Nancy gulped in amazement and could only reply, "Fine!"

Then Catherine introduced Vincent to Jenny. She would alwaysremember the look on both their faces, but it was Vincent'sexpression she wished she had a camera for. Jenny stepped right up tohim and exclaimed, "Good God, she said you were beautiful, not dropdead gorgeous! No wonder she's kept you hidden all this time! Comehere and give me a hug," she instructed, pulling him into her armsand then, when the hug broke, she shook a finger in his face withthis warning, "Just you remember that Cathy is my best friend and ifyou hurt her you'll have me to answer to!"

Vincent bowed his head and said with all the seriousness he couldmuster as he looked down at the small woman in front of him, "I'llremember that, Ms. Aronson."

"See that you do! Oh, and call me Jenny! I have a feeling we'regoing to be good friends. Now, what's for dinner? It sure smellsgood! Nancy, don't stand there with your mouth hanging open! Cath didsay he was different!"

Nancy seemed to finally shake herself out of the daze she'd beenin. With a smile she told Jenny, "Yeah, but she didn't say that hewould remind us of that Lucky Charm's commercial!"

"Huh?" both Jenny and Catherine asked.

"You know…'magically delicious'!"

Vincent gasped and blushed.

Jenny nodded and laughed.

Catherine glared playfully and scolded, "Listen, you two, just youremember he's taken! And Nancy, you're married!"

"I might be married, but I'm not dead! And I was onlylooking!"

"Just remember, Cath, until the 'I do's' are said, he's fairgame!" Jenny declared.

"Okay, that does it! You're not going to be in my wedding!"

Vincent looked on with worry that these three friends were goingto have a serious falling out over him, when all of a sudden each ofthem started laughing and hugging each other.

"Oh, look! I think Vinnie was really worried that we were going tofight over him!" Jenny laughed.

"Vincent," Catherine corrected her friend.

"Okay, Vincent."

"Now can we eat so you can tell us all about the wedding plans?With Vincent as the groom, I'm sure they're going to have to bepretty special plans!" Nancy asked.

"Oh, yeah, that's true. Come on, Cath, give us all the lowdown!"

The four of them sat down at the table after Vincent and Catherinebrought in the food and poured the wine. They chatted and got to knoweach other a bit as the main part of the meal was eaten. As thingsstarted to settle down a bit, Nancy and Jenny again began askingquestions about the wedding plans.

"Oh, my gosh, that's great!" Jenny cried when Catherine told themabout where and when the wedding was going to be.

"It is actually perfect!" Nancy added a bit more quietly thanJenny. "I bet I know just what costume you'll be wearing, Cath!"

"Costume? I hadn't really thought about one for me. What did youhave in mind, Nancy?"

"Really?" she asked in amazement. "I just remember how much we allloved that movie 'The Labyrinth' and thought Sarah's gown from thedream sequence would be wonderful on you."

Vincent watched a slow smile spread across Catherine's face as shepictured the scene in her mind. He could tell at once that she lovedthe idea. Even before she spoke, he knew she would agree.

"You're right, Nance, that would be perfect! What do you think thechances are we could get Vincent into the same outfit David Bowiewore?"

"Oh, god, he would look awesome in skin-tight tights!" Jennydrooled, looking Vincent over like he was a seven-course meal.

"Tights, Catherine?!" Vincent protested plaintively.

"All the women were swooning over them, Vincent…but on theother hand, I'm not sure that I want all the women falling at yourfeet!"

"Like they won't anyway!" Jenny assured her.

With a pleading look in his eyes that all three ladies foundendearing, Vincent begged, "Please, don't ask me to wear tights,Catherine."

"I won't, Vincent. Mary has asked me to take her shopping formaterial this weekend; I think she has something special in mind foryou."

"Thank you, Catherine."

The phone rang and Catherine, with a reluctant sigh, got up toanswer it. She thought it was probably Joe calling about work.However, she was pleasantly surprised when she heard the voice on theother end. The three at the table could only hear her side of theconversation.

"So you got it! I'm so glad."

"Yes, it is important."

"Yes, I know what it is, but he will want to tell youhimself."

"No, you don't have to wait. He's here, we just finisheddinner."

No one was more surprised than Vincent when Catherine called himto the phone. "It's Devin," she told him, holding out the receiver tohim.

A smile fought the wary look on his face as he took the phone fromher hand. Even though he was thirty-five years old, he had never useda telephone before.

As Vincent tentatively placed the receiver to his ear, a farawaylook came over Catherine's face as she remembered 'discovering' hisears that first night they'd made love. It was funny that in all thetime she had known him she'd never seen them before. They were alwayswell hidden under his golden mane. Catherine had found that they werelightly furred like his nose was, but the reason that he kept them sowell protected was a secret that she now shared with only one other,that person being the very one Vincent was now talking to. He hadtold her that when he and Devin were young they'd shared the bed hestill used to this day and one night while tussling around, as boyswill do, Devin learned his secret. As Catherine watched Vincenttalking to his brother on the phone, a mischievous grin came acrossher face.

Alerted by her change in mood through their Bond, Vincent lookedover at her with a question in his eyes. She said nothing, justallowing her smile to widen. Lifting her hand she swept her hair awayfrom her face tucking it behind her ear. As Vincent watched her, hisexpression changed to one of trepidation. He could no longerconcentrate on the story Devin was telling him about a trip he andCharles had gone on. All he could do was send a pleading look at hisbeloved.

Catherine, however, was not to be deterred from the secret tormentshe had in mind for her love. Her fingertip slowly traced over theback edge of her ear and she could feel Vincent shudder all the wayacross the room. He was actually squirming as Catherine continued toplay with her own ear. She had found out something Devin would neverknow: Vincent could even be tickled from across the room when youshared a Bond like he and Catherine did!

Not realizing that he should cover the mouthpiece if he didn'twant the person on the other end to hear, Vincent finally begged,"Catherine, please!"

With a devilish grin that promised she would continue later,Catherine nodded her agreement that she would stop just as Vincentheard Devin ask, "Okay, so what did you need to talk to me about,Fuzz? I assume it has something to do with the wonderful Ms.Chandler. Do you need romantic advice?"

Vincent took a deep breath, wishing he could see the look thatwhat he had to say would cause on Devin's face. He savored the imagein his mind for just a moment and then said, "Actually, Devin, what Ifind myself in need of, is my brother to act as my bestman…"

He waited as the dead silence told of the shock Devin was feelingat that announcement and then finally from the other end of the phonecame, "WOW! Did the Old Man live through that shock?"

"Father is very much alive and has given us his blessing."

There was a disbelieving laugh from Devin and then he asked, "Whatdid you have to do for that? Promise to name your firstborn afterhim?"

"You can ask him all those questions and more if you'll return tobe my best man."

"I'd love to, Fuzz, but what about Charles? I can't leave him herealone."

"Bring him along, Devin! With the wedding we are planning, hewon't stand out at all."

"Vincent, you know he will even Below! I'll think ofsomething."

"We aren't getting married Below."

"Huh? How can that be?"

"What did you call her? The amazing Ms. Chandler?" Vincentlaughed.

"I'm pretty sure I said 'wonderful,' but do tell - what has shecooked up?"

"Catherine wanted to give me sunshine on our special day, so we'regetting married at noon in Central Park."

"Are you insane? The Old Man will have you under lock and key whenhe hears that!" Devin's voice protested so loudly that the threewomen heard it.

"Devin, our wedding is on Halloween and everyone will be incostume. That was why I said Charles would be fine. He can come 'asis' like I will be doing, or he can wear a mask if he prefers."

"Halloween?! Oh, my lord, that is perfect! You tell Chandler thatI'll be there and will give her a 'proper' welcome to the family fordoing this for you! Did I tell you that I'm very happy for you? Who'dhave thought my little brother would beat me to the altar? Too badyour Catherine doesn't have a sister!"

"Catherine might not have a sister, but her friend Jenny wanted toknow if I had a brother when we were introduced."

"You're meeting her friends?"

"Yes, we just finished dinner with Catherine's bridesmaids whenyou called."

"Good heavens! I need to get back more often! Things are changingvery quickly these days. So tell me, Fuzz, are these friendsattractive?"

"Nancy is a happily married lady with two children, however Jennyis single. As for the rest, you'll have to come and see foryourself."

"We will both be there and I'm keeping good thoughts that Chandlerhas only gorgeous friends!"

The call ended a few minuets later and Vincent rejoined theladies, where he found that Catherine had already explained aboutCharles' condition.

Jenny and Nancy both were reluctant for the evening to end eventhough Nancy had her family to get home to. Catherine madearrangements with Jenny to visit Vincent's world later in the weekand promised that Nancy would get a chance to as well before thewedding.

It was during her lunch break on Thursday that the realtor showedCatherine the property that she immediately knew was perfect. Shemade arrangements to get her group together that evening for anothershowing, but Catherine could already tell this was the place! Thesix-story building that used to be a warehouse had been empty foralmost a year, the agent told Catherine, and she was sure that theprice would be reasonable.

The committee didn't take long at all to decide that Catherine wasright and Mouse's eyes kept getting wider and wider as each floorrevealed more 'stuff' that had been left behind. He also confirmedthat it would be easy to create a basement entrance to thetunnels.

Vincent could feel Catherine's excitement as the group spent timein the building with the realtor. He knew the moment the committeegave their approval by the leap of joy that flowed through the Bondto him. Catherine had carefully left the door to the roof unlockedwhen they were all leaving, so that after the realtor had gone shecould give Vincent a private tour.

They met at the nearby tunnel access point and walked along theback alley together. The metal fire escape attached to the back ofthe building allowed them easy access to the roof.

When the private tour was nearing completion and they were onceagain heading towards the roof, Vincent asked, "Catherine, do wereally need six floors? Wouldn't a smaller building do just aswell?"

"It would, Vincent, but with the extra floors we can have morestorage or extra apartments, and I also have a special plan for thesixth floor if you agree to it."

"What would that be, Catherine?"

"Well, none of the other buildings on this block are over threefloors, so even though there are a lot of windows no one would beable to look in, and I thought the roof could be divided in half -one side for a vegetable and herb garden, and the other for a privateretreat where you could enjoy the sun any time you liked."

"Me? Catherine, what do you mean?"

"I thought that once we were married we might make the sixth floorand half the roof our home. We could still keep your chamber Below,but you know how little privacy you have there…I just thoughtthat this might be a good…am I babbling too much?"

"But what about your apartment? Catherine, you love it and youwould miss your balcony!"

"Not as much as I love you, and the roof would replace thebalcony. Since this building will have its own tunnel entrance, itwould also be safer for you to come and go."

"You've really thought this out, haven't you?" he questionedtenderly.

"Yes, but you haven't said what you think of the idea."

"Catherine, I would be happy with you anywhere, but you're right.With the height of this building and the roof as our balcony, it doesseem to be made to order. I would love to live here with you."

They hugged tightly, staring out over what would soon be their newview of the city.

As the weeks flew by to the wedding, Catherine and Vincentdespaired at how little time they were able to spend together.Everyone wanted to help with the plans and they all wanted theirfavorite couple's approval every step of the way.

Jenny had her first visit Below on Friday and once Catherine hadactually pinched her, at her own request, she had become an instanthit with all the tunnel folks. She quickly started spending everyfree minute she could Below. Some days she spent more time there thanCatherine did! Her friend laughed and told her it was because she hada more understanding boss. Catherine sighed and agreed. Jenny was herown boss.

William needed several hours that weekend with the LadiesCommittee to go over the complex and varied menu for the weddingfeast. Vincent had become the 'go-to guy' for costume approval, andnot just on the finished products either, but on each new accessoryas well. Mary had measured him and made notes that she wouldn't letVincent see. She asked simply to be trusted and through her gigglespromised tights would in no way be involved. The tunnel seamstresseshad also been consulted on Catherine's gown. They had promised itwould be no trouble at all to re-create the dress from the movie.Armed with pictures from the internet, Catherine and Mary headed tothe fabric store.

Pulling a clerk aside as soon as the arrived, Catherine instructedher to cut ten yards of any fabric that Mary admired. Mary, having noidea what was going on, was happily ooohing and aaahing her way downthe aisles. She almost fainted when she went around a corner and sawan entire row of every color thread imaginable. Catherine told theclerk to add a spool for every fabric Mary had selected. The twofinally reached the "bridal" section where the fancier fabrics wereand spent some time choosing the material for Catherine's dress.Vincent's outfit would match hers, so they added more material forthat.

Catherine cheerfully paid for the very large purchase with hercredit card and asked that it all be delivered to Mr. Lee's Tea Shop.He had a large tunnel entrance in his basement that made it theperfect spot for big deliveries.

Later in the day when the material arrived and was brought to thesewing chamber, none of the ladies could believe what Catherine haddone. The news spread quickly and word of it reached Father andVincent, who were going over the plans for the tunnel entrance to thenewly purchased Faber Building, as they were calling it.

Vincent just smiled and shook his head resignedly when they weretold. He knew the joy that doing this for the people that had becomeher family as well as his had given her. Father, on the other hand,blustered about her extravagance and muttered that they shouldn'taccept such a large gift. His son looked at him and said, "Father,you have never turned away any of the help that any of our Helpershave managed to give in the past, no matter how large or small thesize of the gift. Why then would you deny Catherine the pleasure ofdoing this for the people she loves?"

With a sigh, Jacob said, "You're right, Vincent. I only worry thatshe will be taken advantage of."

"You know better than that, Father. Everyone has known almost fromthe beginning that Catherine has money and it has never been an issuebefore."

"That's true," Father conceded and the two of them went back tothe plans for the new building.

The legal clinic would be named for Mrs. Faber. It would be theElizabeth Faber Memorial Clinic, and the medical one for her husband,Vincent. The plan was to use the second floor of the building forstorage and beds for the clinic's overnight patients. Floors threethrough five would be converted into thirty apartments, ten perfloor. The Council had approved Catherine and Vincent's plan to ownthe sixth floor. So one-sixth of the building's purchase price wouldcome from Catherine's personal account rather than the Fabermoney.

Vincent had protested at her using her money to buy "their" homeand she countered with the fact that she was going to rely on him todo most of the work converting it from a warehouse space intosomething resembling a home for them.

He still protested that it wasn't the same until she told him whatcontractors were paid by the hour, and after estimating how long therehab would take, was staggered at what they would save. Catherinelaughed at the look on his face and suggested that the tunnel workcrews could start hiring themselves out.

Her fiancé replied, "Oh, I could just imagine the reactionsif I showed up on the site in a hard hat and work boots!"

"My darling, believe me, if you showed up, the last thing theywould be looking at would be your hat and boots!" Catherinegiggled.

"My point exactly!" Vincent retorted with a grin.

The weeks flew by as the wedding drew closer and finally they hadfound an opportunity for Nancy to visit the tunnels. She was just asamazed as Jenny had been, but because of her family commitments shewould be limited to just a few visits per year. Catherine insistedthat Winterfest had to be one of them and Vincent agreed.

With only a week left to the wedding, they received word thatDevin and Charles would be arriving two days before the big day andwould have their costumes with them. Catherine was only slightlyworried when Devin asked her if he could rent a horse for theceremony. Surely he wouldn't deliberately ruin their special day,would he?

It was also during that week that Catherine started feeling alittle "off." When she was queasy for the third morning in a row, shefigured she'd better see Peter just to be on the safe side. Shedidn't want some bug ruining their honeymoon!

Peter asked a lot of questions and then ran one test. He came backinto the exam room with a huge smile on his face.

"I take it by your expression that I'm not dying?" Catherinequestioned.

"Nope, not at all!" he replied happily.

"Are you going to stand there and try and tell me that it'spre-wedding nerves? Because I have to tell you that there is not onething I have to be nervous about! I love that man like crazy and weare going to have a wonderful life together!" She stopped speakingand sat there glaring at him.

"How long have you and Vincent been sexually active?" Peter askedblandly.

Stunned at the question that seemed to come out of left field, shefinally took note of the gleam in his eye and the goofy smile he waswearing. "Are you trying to tell me…I'm…" she trailed off,unable to put it into words.

"Have you and Vincent talked about having children?" he asked,neither confirming nor denying her guess.

"Yes, but Vincent said that Father always told him it wasimpossible!"

"Well, unless you've been with someone else…"

"PETER!!!"

"I thought not. Well then, Jacob will just have to revise hisdefinition of impossible!"

"I'm really pregnant?" Catherine asked almost breathlessly.

"Really. Sweetie. I hope that's good news?"

"No, it's great news! Fantastic news! Better than best, even!" shefinished and both of them laughed at her quoting Mouse.

"Now I'm sure you'll want to tell Vincent in private, but I wouldpay good money to be there when the two of you tell Jacob!" Peterhinted.

"Vincent! Oh, dear!"

"What is it, Cathy? Do you think he'll be upset?"

"Ummmm, no, it's just that I had no idea about this, so I didn'ttell him I was coming to see you and it's so hard to keep anythingfrom him with our Bond..." Having said that, she immediately clampeddown on the Bond, hoping that it wasn't already too late.

"Okay, your secret is safe with me, but remember I'd like to bethere when you tell Father."

"All right," she said, hugging him and returning to work.

Vincent, of course, had felt the giant leap of joy through theBond and was wondering at it. Catherine hadn't mentioned any casesgoing to trial, so it couldn't have been the happiness she felt whena guilty verdict came in. Plus this had been much stronger than anyof those had been in the past, added to the fact that Vincent knewJoe had her on desk work since this was her last week at work.

So what could have caused that feeling? Devin and Charles weren'tdue in town until tomorrow and he couldn't imagine even their earlyarrival would have caused that reaction. Nancy had said she was donehaving children, and Jenny wasn't seeing anyone, so he ruled out newsof a coming baby.

Well, he would just have to wait until she got home that evening,Vincent told himself, and went back to work on their new home. He wasdetermined to have it finished before the wedding so they could spendtheir honeymoon there.

The grand opening for both clinics would be right beforeThanksgiving and even though one floor of apartments was finished, noone was going to be moving in until Catherine and he had a week alonein the building.

Catherine knew that the only place that they would truly have theprivacy she wanted to deliver this news would be at her apartment.She infused the Bond with her need to see him as she mentally urgedthe cab to go faster.

Vincent felt her desire to see him and a grin split his face atthe joy warming his heart. Catherine had brought more into his lifethan he had ever thought possible. Here he was preparing to getmarried in just three days' time, which was a miracle in itself, andall the accompanying feelings that went with it. Added to that, hewas putting the finishing touches on a home ABOVE for himself andCatherine! His own personal world had undergone so many changes sincethat night a year and a half ago. He simply couldn't imagine his lifewithout her in it now.

After packing up his tools, Vincent took a quick shower in theunit that he had just installed that day and then, via the tunnels,hurried across town to Catherine's apartment. He landed lightly onthe balcony just moments after she had let herself in.

The last two months had changed many things, not the least ofwhich was how comfortable he now felt in her apartment. Even thoughmost of her things were boxed up and ready to move to their new home,he no longer hesitated at the French doors. He just pushed them openand seconds later the two lovers were in each other's arms.

After their kiss, Vincent looked down into her excited face andsaid, "Something wonderful happened today to make you veryhappy…tell me."

"Oh! I knew you would know! Well, Joe finally said that he wouldcome to the wedding even if he did have to wear a costume…" Theyhad decided to invite Joe and the rest of the staff from the DA'soffice, but they wouldn't get any pre-introductions to the groom.

"Somehow I can't see that making you as happy as youfelt…"

"Well…ummmm…Devin hasn't called to say he isn't backingout at the last minute…"

"Catherine…"

"Oh, all right…but you'd better come into the living room andsit down."

Once they were settled on the couch, Catherine faced Vincent'sworried glance and tried to draw out the moment just a bit longer, "Ihaven't felt quite right the last few days and so I went to see Petertoday on my lunch hour."

When she didn't continue on her own, Vincent encouraged her, hisever deepening frown creasing his forehead. "What did he say,Catherine?"

"He told me what was wrong and then asked that he be allowed to bethere when we told Father."

"Catherine! What is it?!"

"Oh, he didn't think he would have to explain anything to Father,he just wanted to be there…"

Vincent's growl of frustration told her that she had reached theend of his seemingly unending patience, and she couldn't help butgrin when she said, "Peter wanted to see the look on Father's facewhen he found out he was going to be a grandfather…"

There was a blank look for just a moment and then there was astunned look, which made sense, if he'd always believed Fathertelling him it wasn't possible, and then finally a look of wondercame over his beautiful face. Catherine almost cried when she saw thesingle tear slide down his cheek right before he pulled her into hisarms. "We're going to have a baby?!" he gasped.

"Yes, my love, we are."

He looked down into her lovely face and asked in a hushed whisper,"Are you happy about this?"

"Vincent!" she scolded him for doubting. "You felt my happinesswhen Peter told me! You have to know that I'm overjoyed about havingyour child!"

"Our child!" he countered, placing a tender hand over hertummy.

"Yes," she agreed softly, putting her hand over his. "You do knowit's too soon to feel anything…"

"Yes. Did Peter give you a due date?"

"He's guessing I'm about two months along, so we should be parentsaround the end of May."

He shook his head. "This is all so hard to believe! You make theimpossible possible! If I were to ask you to relieve the world of allsickness and injustice, could you do that too?"

She gave him an indulgent smile and asked, "Well, we are opening amedical and legal clinic…will that do for a start?"

"Yes, my love," he told her, and then as a thought struck, helaughed.

"What?" she asked.

"So Peter wants to be with us when we tell Father the news?"

Catherine laughed too. "Yes, he said he'd pay good money to bethere. How much do you think we should hit him up for?"

"Well. if we didn't already have more money than I think we couldeven spend, we could have asked him for a donation to the clinic. Howabout, instead, we make him do the recruiting for the medical staffto work there?"

"That's a great idea!"

Vincent then hesitantly asked, "When do you want to break thenews? I'm afraid if we do it before the wedding everyone will changefocus."

"You're right there. How about if we find a moment with Father,and Peter of course, after the ceremony to tell them, and then whileeveryone is together at the reception we could make theannouncement?"

"Catherine, are you sure? I know our friends have been verysupportive of us getting married, but we don't know how they'll reactto us having a child."

"Vincent, they'll be as overjoyed as I am! Why would you thinkotherwise?"

"They might worry that the baby could look like me…"

Understanding dawned! He wasn't worried others would think that,he was worried about it himself. "Vincent, I do hope that our childlooks like you!" Catherine declared fiercely.

"Catherine! Why?!"

"Because I defy you to look into the face of our son or daughterand tell me that he or she isn't beautiful! Maybe then you'll finallyunderstand what I feel when I look at you!"

There was a long moment of silence as he considered her words andtested the truth through the Bond. Taking her into his arms, Vincentsaid, "Catherine, you never cease to amaze me with the depth of yourlove for me and your understanding of my fears."

"So we'll announce the baby at the reception? Or are you worriedabout their reaction to me being pregnant before we've had ourwedding night?"

"I'm sure even as sheltered as some of the tunnel residents are,they can count and will know when the baby is born seven months afterthe wedding that we were 'active' before the ceremony," he told herwith a grin.

"We could try and attribute it to your unique DNA," she offeredwith a matching grin.

A thoughtful look came over his face and Catherine wondered if hewas considering that possibility or if he was coming up with newworries about his uniqueness and the pregnancy. Hugging him tightlyshe reassured him, "Vincent, everything will be just fine! RememberI'll have not one, but two, worrywart doctors overseeing every secondof the pregnancy. You know between Peter and Father I'll be drivennearly crazy with 'care'!"

He came around enough to give her a faint grin and nod, thenasked, "Is there any more that needs to be done here before themovers come?"

"No, I have everything tagged to where it should go. Mouse andcompany will be here later tonight to get everything that goes Below.Most of the furniture will stay here for Jenny when she moves in. Allmy personal things that go to the new apartment will be picked uptomorrow. I think everything is ready. All we have to do now is relaxand have our last few fittings for our wedding outfits."

His grin turned to a frown at that and he said, "You might be ableto relax during a fitting, but in my last one Mary stuck me seventimes with pins!"

Catherine tried to keep from laughing, she really did, but theurge was irresistible as she remembered her conversation about thatvery topic. "I know, dear, but you have to stand still for a fitting.Mary said you wiggled more than the children do!"

"I didn't know Mary had a mean streak either! Somehow I believeJenny relayed the conversation about tights and Mary threatened mewith them!"

"Although I still think you would be incredibly sexy in them, I'llmake sure that doesn't happen, my love."

"Thank you, Catherine!"

The two of them decided to spend the night there at the apartmentsince Mouse would arrive soon to help them move things. Because thekitchen things had already been packed up Catherine said she wouldorder pizza for dinner, then she remembered Vincent's first pizzaexperience and she ordered for everyone. Vincent smiled indulgentlyat how willing she was to spoil him and his family and friends atevery opportunity. When the delivery boy arrived, Vincent stayedhidden in the bedroom until he was gone. He emerged just as thedoorbell rang again. About to retreat, Catherine assured him hedidn't have to as she looked through the peephole.

Moments later Mouse, Caleb, Kanin, and Michael came into theapartment, sniffing at the aroma of pizza. Mouse was ready to dig inuntil Caleb swatted his hand and said, "Ask first, Mouse!"

"More here than Vincent can eat! Has to be for us!" heprotested.

"It is, Mouse, but it's still good manners to ask first," Vincentadmonished gently.

"Okay good, okay fine. Catherine, can Mouse have some?"

With a laugh, she informed him that he could as Michael protested,"You could have asked for all of us!"

Catherine and Vincent both laughed as Mouse just grinned at theothers, his mouth already full of pizza. "Please everyone, dig rightin. I did get it for all us," Catherine invited them, as they quicklydid as they were told.

After the pizza was consumed, their crew got down to work andbefore long everything Catherine wanted Below was installed inVincent's chamber. Many of his things had already been moved to thehome they would share together.

Catherine remembered the night before with a fond smile. The twoof them had been unpacking Vincent's things and choosing the bestplaces to put them around their new home. Their new furniture hadbeen selected from catalogs since Vincent couldn't go out shoppingwith her and the last of the things they'd ordered had arrived onTuesday.

Vincent had asked the work crew to finish up the bathroom thatmorning without him. Since Catherine's wondrous announcement lastnight, he had something very special he had to do that morning. Heconsidered himself lucky to find what he was looking for in the thirdstorage room he had searched through. Wrapping his find in a largeblanket so no one could see what it was, he transported it on hisshoulder to their new home.

When he arrived he was questioned as to what he had hidden, butall he would tell them was that it was a surprise for Catherine. Thatseemed to satisfy them. They returned to work sharing knowing grinswith each other.

Late in the afternoon a white panel van pulled up in front of theFaber Building. Since they weren't expecting any deliveries, Calebwent down to see what they wanted. Vincent remained out of sight, butclose by in case there was trouble.

It turned out to be trouble all right, but of the brotherly kind!Devin and Charles had arrived. As soon as they were inside thebuilding, Vincent came out to greet them. Hugging Devin first, hethen turned to open his arms to Charles, not knowing if he would bereceptive to a hug or not.

With a tear sliding down his cheek at the easy acceptance hereceived from Vincent, Charles stepped into the hug and returned it.Once the welcomes were out of the way, Devin couldn't wait to ask,"So, where is the blushing bride, little brother?"

Vincent quickly checked the Bond to see where Catherine was andhappily told his brother, "She should be here any minute."

Even though the work crew and Charles were still in the room,Devin felt the need to tease, "So has the Old Man given you the'birds and bees' talk or do you need my expert advice in thatrespect?"

Caleb came to his friend's defense. "Since he's been spending manynights Above since the engagement announcement and the tapestry onhis door has been getting more use than in all the years it's beenthere, I'm pretty sure Vincent doesn't need any 'help' in thatarea!"

Having only been sexually active for two months, and being a veryprivate person on top of that, this was a subject that Vincent stilldidn't feel comfortable discussing. So he retreated in his usualmanner. He lowered his head so his hair would fall forward and hidehis expression.

Catherine breezed through the door just as that happened and gavea fake sigh. "If Vincent is embarrassed, that must mean Devin'sarrived!"

Everyone but Devin laughed at that comment; even Charles gave afaint chuckle. Devin, on the other hand, tried to look offended butfailed miserably when he couldn't control his pleased grin.

Devin watched the change come over his younger brother when Cathyentered the room. It was astounding! Vincent straightened up to hisfull and impressive height, his chest seemed to swell with pride, andhis eyes sparkled as if a light had been lit behind them. You onlyhad to look at him to see that he was a man in love!

Completely unwilling to quell his mischievous nature, Devin wantedto test Vincent's reaction. "Hey, Cathy! I bet you've missed me!" heexclaimed and swept her into his arms for a more-than-brotherlykiss.

Everyone was too stunned to react at first, even Catherine, butfinally the silence was broken by Mouse saying, "Not good, worse thanbad!" The others on the work crew laughed at that.

Vincent, however, had taken a step forward, prepared to pull Devinaway from Catherine, when she took matters into her own hands.Pushing him away from her, she debated for a second about slappingthe smug look off of his face before remembering that he WASVincent's brother. "If you EVER do that again, you'll be permanentlysinging for the girls' choir!" she snapped and then stepped over toVincent to give him a reassuring hug.

Devin grinned at Catherine as if he didn't believe her, until hesaw the look in her eye telling him that she did mean every word.Trying to laugh it off, he turned to his brother for support andfound the same look of determination that was on Cathy's face.Deciding that a change of subject was in order, he cheerfully asked,"So, what is everyone going as to the wedding?"

Mouse brightened and replied, "Mouse going as Arthur! Arthur saidit okay!"

The laughter at Mouse's comment relieved the tension and theconversation moved on to what culinary delight William might beserving for dinner that evening. All of them moved towards the tunnelentrance in the basement, because talk of dinner had reminded themthat they were hungry.

Over dinner everyone seemed to be talking at once. People wantedto catch up with Devin and Charles. The children were focused ontheir costumes and trick or treating after the reception. But withouta doubt, the main topic of conversation was the wedding.

The next bit of excitement was when Jenny hurried into the dininghall just as they finished eating. Charles tried to hide his facefrom this stranger as she approached the table he was sharing withDevin, Vincent, Catherine, Father, and Mary.

With a gentle grin she held out her hand to him and said, "Hi, youmust be Charles. Vincent and Catherine have told me so much aboutyou! I'm Jenny Aronson."

Charles shyly reached out to take her hand and quietly said,"Hello."

Devin gave her a dashing grin as he stood and offered her hishand. "Hi, I'm Devin, the Fuzz's older brother."

Taking in the brashly confident man, she just couldn't resisttrying to take the wind out of his sails. "Ah, yes," she sighedsadly, "Cathy did say she'd gotten the better-looking brother!"

There was a moment of stunned silence and then everyone beganlaughing. Vincent looked over at Catherine to confirm that she hadtold her friend this and she nodded at him with a chuckle. His blushwas the cause for even more laughter.

The rest of the evening passed with everyone catching up with eachother. Before long it was time for the children to be sent to bed,but they wouldn't go before getting a story from Devin. He alwaystold the best stories, because they were always about all the peopleand places he had visited.

It seemed like the last day before the wedding everyone wasconspiring to keep the happy couple apart. They had spent the nightin Vincent's chamber together, but as soon as breakfast was over theywere pulled in different directions. Catherine had her last fittingand then was needed desperately in the kitchen to answer William'slast-minute questions about the feast he was preparing for thereception. Vincent's presence was demanded by the children for thefinal dress rehearsal of the play that they were going to put on atthe reception. They had hoped to meet for lunch and then sneak awayfor a few hours of time alone. That, however, was not the way thingsturned out.

Catherine only had time to grab a quick sandwich as Jenny informedher they had forgotten a majorly important piece of wedding attire!So, the two of them spent over an hour that afternoon gartershopping.

Vincent could sense her amusement and frustration at such a sillyerrand when all the two of them wanted was to spend some timetogether. They knew that plans were made to keep them apart thatevening as well. Not intentionally, you understand, but each was tobe going to a party in their honor that neither of them really wantedto attend.

Jenny and Nancy were going to take Cathy out for a night on thetown. It was to be her bachelorette party. No matter how much sheprotested that she had no desire to celebrate her "last night offreedom," her two friends wouldn't hear of her getting out of thistraditional wedding ritual.

Devin had announced his intention to give Vincent a "traditional"bachelor party as well, but had made sure to do it within Father'shearing. He, of course, got just the reaction he'd intended. Fatherhad exploded! After letting the "Old Man" rant on for a time, Devinadmitted that he'd only been kidding. Those hearing that, with theexception of Vincent and possibly Charles who knew him so well,didn't know whether to believe that, or if he was just claiming itafter the fact to mollify Father.

Instead, Devin said, of the "traditional" party, any of the tunnelmales of legal age were invited to the Mirror Pool to share in somegood quality alcohol and storytelling around a campfire. Father wasmuch more approving of this plan, but promised himself to keep an eyeon both Devin and Vincent's alcohol intake so they weren't stilldrunk for the wedding!

That night Cathy, Jenny, and Nancy had a pajama party after theirnight on the town at Cathy's old apartment. They talked of theircollege days and how different their lives had turned out from theiryounger plans. And of course as the night wore on and they all becamea little tipsy, talk turned to questions of Cathy and Vincent's lovelife…okay, her friends were really more interested in their sexlife! Cathy, after much protesting that this was a "private" issue,finally broke down and told them most of what they wanted to know.

She didn't reveal that Vincent had been a virgin, or how shy hehad been at first. Instead, she told them what a kind and consideratelover he was, always making sure her pleasure came before his own.Both of her friends sighed dreamily at that, recalling lovers they'dhad that weren't that way at all, although Nancy assured them herhusband was a very considerate lover too. Jenny mourned ever findingsomeone she'd want to spend the rest of her life with.

Cathy grinned and suggested Devin. Jenny groaned and said she'drather have someone a bit more mature. An idea came to Cathy thatalmost had her smacking her hand into her forehead for not havingcome up with it earlier. She would introduce Jenny to Joe! He was avery mature and responsible guy, in fact, too much so at times! Maybea free spirit like Jenny would be just what he needed to loosen himup a bit and introduce some fun into his life!

Finally, the three of them wound down enough to go to sleep.However, Below, the male members of the tunnel community were stillgoing strong. They had gathered at the Mirror Pool around a campfireand the bottles of alcohol were being passed around freely. The morethey circled the looser tongues became. Kanin told a few "marriage"stories and then Devin started to tell stories about the many andvaried women in his life. So in the tunnels it was nearly dawn beforesleep came to those gathered around the Mirror Pool.

The day of the wedding was as bright and sunny as Catherine couldhave hoped for Vincent. There was just a hint of a nip in the airtelling that fall had well and truly arrived, but the day would notbe ruined by needing to wear coats over their costumes. Catherinestood on her balcony for the last time looking down at the Park whereshe would finally fulfill her dream in just a few hours.

Jenny joined her, bringing with her a cup of freshly brewedcoffee. Nancy was in the shower, Catherine had already had hers andJenny would be next. This was probably the only time the two wouldhave alone together for the rest of the day.

"So today is your big day," Jenny said.

"Yours will come, Jenny, I'm sure of it."

"Oh, sweetie, thank you, but today is, and should be, all aboutyou! I just want to say how very happy I am for you!"

"Thanks, Jenny," Cathy said in a sort of choked-up voice.

"You and Vincent are like a dream come true. He's so magnificentand the two of you are so perfect together! I wish that I could haveknown about him from the beginning, but now I understand why you madeall those changes in your life."

Hugging her dear friend, Catherine could only say thank you onceagain. Nancy then came out to announce that the shower was free. Assoon as Jenny finished, the three of them would head down to thetunnels to dress.

The three's arrival in the tunnels became a concerto of skill inkeeping the happy couple apart while the dressing for the weddingoccurred. Finally Catherine was dressed and escorted out of thetunnels with a large female entourage. They arrived at the Park wherethe ceremony was to take place to find that it had been transformedinto a magical wonderland.

Taking in the immense amount of work the tunnel dwellers had doneto make this day even more special for her and Vincent almost broughtCatherine to tears. She was overwhelmed at the visual expression oftheir love for her and Vincent. These people had taken her into theirhearts as one of their own, and the fact that their most beloved sonloved her didn't hurt either. It was like gaining a whole new familyafter she and her father had been alone for so many years. That wasone of the reasons her father's passing had been easier on her thanher mother's.

Vincent had spotted Catherine the moment she had entered the Parkand now he stood there watching her as her emotions swirled about.Joy had been the predominant theme through the Bond since she'dawakened that morning. Throughout the morning she'd felt silly,concerned, anticipation, frazzled, and a bit lonely. However all ofthose emotions had taken a back seat to the happiness in herheart.

When she arrived in the Park he could tell how pleased andgrateful she was about the work that had gone into decorating thearea. Then he sensed her thoughts go to her parents and felt theregret at not having them with her on this special day.

He didn't have to see her face to know the moment she saw himbecause he felt the leap of her heart. The love flowing through theBond washed over him like never before. If he'd had any doubts at allthat this was truly what Catherine wanted, they were forever laid torest in that moment.

Their eyes met and they shared a special smile before she wasdistracted by Father and Peter's approach. Nancy, Jamie, and Jennytook their places in front of the other three, and when the musicstarted slowly walked across the bridge to the archway of red andwhite roses where the men were waiting. They took their places andeveryone stood as the Bridal March began to play.

Catherine linked her arms through both Peter and Father's arms andthe three of them slowly started forward. Having timed out theminutes it would take them because of Father's limp, she had madesure the musicians would continue to play even if they reached theend of the song and had to start over again.

She had thought that when this day arrived she would only haveeyes for Vincent once she started down the aisle, but insteadCatherine found herself looking at all the faces in the crowd. Evenwith costumes on most of them were recognizable to her. She wasamazed at how many of her old friends were there, as well as herco-workers from the office. Joe and Edie were standing next to eachother, she saw Nancy's family, and even District Attorney Moreno wasthere. After spotting Isaac Stubbs, a strong feeling of unease cameover her.

Catherine's eyes scanned the crowd to see if she could figure outwhy she was having this feeling. Vincent had also become aware thatsomething wasn't quite right. The Bond telegraphed her disquiet tohim.

Then she spotted the reason for her feelings. There was someone inthe crowd that had definitely NOT been invited!

Her eyes met his and even as she wondered how he'd learned aboutthe wedding, she could see the intense pain in his eyes - eyes thatpleaded with her not to go through with this, begged her not to marryanyone that wasn't him. Even as she slowly came level with the row hewas in, Catherine could almost touch the agony he wasexperiencing.

This was why you didn't invite a man that you knew loved you toyour wedding to another!

Catherine dropped her eyes to the flowers that she carried, unableto look at him any longer. Her heart wept for his pain, but there wasno one she would ever consider marrying but Vincent. Knowing shecould draw strength from him, Catherine looked up to search for hisgaze, only to find that her beloved was staring at the cause of herunrest.

Glancing back at Elliot Burch, Catherine found that since she hadpassed him, he was now staring at Vincent. She could easily readVincent's feelings over what was happening, and knew that he waswondering if she still had any lingering feelings for the otherman.

Elliot was just as easy to read simply because of what she knew ofhim and the expression on his face. He was wondering why he'd neverheard of Vincent before this. Why were they having such an unusualwedding? Why had she chosen Vincent over him? And finally he wantedto know who the man under the mask was!?

Catherine and her escorts had reached the flowered archway by thistime and it wasn't until the reverend asked, "Who gives this woman tobe wed to this man?" that Vincent's eyes were pulled away from Elliotand back to what was happening.

Both Peter and Father answered, "We do," and turned to take theirseats. Catherine reached out to take Vincent's hand and give it areassuring squeeze. Their eyes met and she saw the questions thatcould tear his heart in two. Knowing that he loved her enough to stepaside even at the last minute like this told her once again that hewas the only choice for her. Beaming him a smile, she mouthed, "Ilove YOU!"

Vincent lowered his eyes for a moment, humbled once again thatknowing she could have a man like Elliot Burch, she still chose him!His eyes came up again as the ceremony started.

Catherine and Vincent both froze, and waited in tense anticipationwhen the reverend asked, "If anyone has any objections to this union,let him speak now or forever hold his peace." Both feared that thiswould be the opening that Elliot needed to voice his objections tothe wedding. They were worried that this might be the very reason hewas there.

But after the traditional few seconds' pause, no one had spoken upand the reverend continued on with the service. He asked them to faceeach other and told the congregation that they would recite their ownvows. Vincent was first, and chose Shakespeare's twenty-ninth sonnet.After all, as he had once told her, Shakespeare knew everything!

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

I all alone beweep my outcast state

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,

Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

Like to the lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Vincent added his own words to those of the famous bard."Catherine, you are the lark in my day and as long as you promise tolove me until my dying day, then I wouldn't change my state with aking!"

Catherine took a moment to control her tears before she couldreply, "I will!" Then she began her own vows. Even though she hadused the same passage in her father's eulogy, there simply wasn'tanything else that expressed her feelings for Vincent so clearly.

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become.It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to peoplewho break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefullykept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has beenloved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your jointsand very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because onceyou are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don'tunderstand."

She added her own words, "Vincent, you are the most real thing inmy life and I hope that you will love me long after my hair has gonegray and I have become loose in the joints."

"I will," he answered with a tender grin.

When they were pronounced husband and wife, a cheer went up fromthe crowd that only grew louder when Vincent was told he could kisshis bride. Knowing Vincent's reticence about public displays ofaffection, Catherine expected a brief chaste kiss; what she receivedwas anything but!

Whether it was the cheers from the crowd that urged him on, or astill-lingering shred of doubt, or perhaps it was simply to lay claimto "his" woman because Elliot Burch was in the crowd, the kiss wasone of the most passionate he'd ever given her! So much so, in fact,that there were several interesting reactions among the witnesses:couples began thinking how quickly they could sneak away; parentswondered whom they could get to watch their children that night;single men and women alike, that had no partner at that time, lookedon with envy; young girls dreamed of "someday" while the young boyslooked away thinking 'ick'! Devin wondered how soon he might becomean uncle, and Elliot Burch started out of the Park.

Catherine, after her first second of surprise, threw her armsaround Vincent's neck and responded with all she was worth. It wasn'tuntil an amused Devin cleared his throat that they separated. Thereverend introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Wells, and amidfresh cheers they made their way down the aisle.

As they walked past where Elliot had been, Catherine looked overto see how he was doing, only to find him gone. Looking around to seeif she could spot him, it was Vincent who squeezed her arm and noddedin the direction of the road. There was Elliot, about to climb intothe back of a limo, his driver holding the door open for him. As ifsensing Catherine's eyes on him, he looked back towards them. SeeingCatherine staring at him, he paused, then simply nodded his head ather and got into the car. She had a feeling that he had justdisappeared from her life for good.

"Catherine, are you all right?" Vincent asked her.

"Yes, Vincent, I'm fine," she answered with a tender smile.

"He still loves you," he told her quietly.

"But I'm a married woman now," she sighed.

"Yes, you are." He smiled down at her and gave her a brief kiss asthe rest of the wedding party took their places beside them in thereception line. Vincent was embarrassed at just how many kisses thegroom got, much to Catherine's amusement.

The plan was that they would serve cake and punch to everyone atthe wedding, and as the tunnel residents finished eating they wouldstart to slip away back to the tunnels so there wasn't a large exodusat one time. After an hour had passed, Vincent and Catherine wouldthank everyone for coming and slip away themselves. That would be thesignal for the remaining tunnel dwellers to clear away the mess andrejoin everyone Below for the massive lunch William had planned.

Parents had warned the children that this was a special event andthat was why they were getting dessert first, but that they hadbetter not fill up on it since lunch would be served shortly. Devinand Jenny would load Devin's van and take the wedding gifts to thenew apartment where Vincent and Catherine could open them at theirleisure.

When the newlyweds arrived in the Great Hall, cheers went up fromthose gathered to partake of the luncheon prepared. Vincent andCatherine were shown to the front of the line where William himselfserved them. Taking their loaded plates to the head table, they satand waited for the others to go through the line before eating. Maryjoined them at the head table and encouraged them to start. Shescolded that they didn't want their food to grow cold and therebyinsult William. With sheepish grins they began to eat.

As people finished eating and the tables and chairs were beingmoved to the edges of the Hall so there would be room for dancing,Vincent and Catherine looked for an opportunity to get Father, Mary,and Peter off to the side. When they finally had all three rounded upand in a semi-private area, Vincent shuffled his feet just a bitnervously. Peter was grinning like a Cheshire cat because he waspretty sure what was going to be said.

Catherine looked at her new husband and gently asked, "Do you wantme to, Vincent?"

Taking a deep breath, he shook his head no and then announcedsoftly so as not to be overheard, "Father, Mary, Catherine and I areexpecting a child."

Mary was beside herself with joy for the young couple. Shecouldn't decide who to hug first so put an arm around each of themand pulled them close as she exclaimed, "Oh, my dears, I'm SO happyfor you!"

As this was going on, Dr. Peter Alcott watched with amusement asJacob Wells stood there in stunned silence.

For so long he had believed that his youngest son would live outhis life alone because of his unique appearance. But as Vincent cameinto his teenage years, Father saw that the girls were very attractedto him. There were many reasons he discouraged this interest in hisson, but through it all he even convinced himself that it was inVincent's best interests. After the incident with Lisa, it was madeclear that Vincent was only to be a brother to the females of thetunnels and nothing more. When Catherine came into Vincent's lifeyears later, Father once again began the lectures of a life thatcould never be with his son. For a while Vincent seemed to listen andrefrained from seeing the woman from Above. Then there came a daywhen Vincent could no longer stay away from her and the relationshipwith Catherine began.

He tried to keep Vincent away from her and whenever she cameBelow, he was as cold to her as he could be without causing problemsin the community. Then she went and saved his and Vincent's life!After that it became harder and harder to dislike her. No matter thetrials she and Vincent went through, she remained. He admitted thathe had based a lot of his feelings against Catherine on what hadhappened between himself and Margaret, but her actions in gettingthem back together had changed his view of wealthy socialitesforever.

By the time they had announced their engagement, he had come tolove and respect Catherine and consider her a fit mate for his son.Now Catherine had once again proven him wrong! Not only wouldn't hisson face a life alone, he was to become a father! Which would makehim a grandfather!

As this realization hit, he became aware of four pairs of eyesstaring at him. Peter and Mary as well as Catherine and Vincent wereall waiting for his response to the news. As a tear slid down hisweathered cheek, he said, "You children have blessed this old manmore that I could ever have hoped for! Today we officially welcomedyou to the family, dear Catherine, and here you are already making itlarger! When will you announce this happy news?"

"We thought we would do so here today, Father," Vincentreplied.

"I think that would be perfect," Father answered him.

Reaching out to hug him, Catherine simply said, "Thank you,Father."

Vincent walked over to where the musicians had just finishedtuning up and held up his hand to get everyone's attention. Theyquickly quieted down when they saw that it was Vincent that hadsomething to say to them. Holding out his hand to Catherine, hewaited until she reached his side before starting to speak. Placinghis arm around her shoulders, he said, "Catherine and I would like tothank all of you for the work you've done to make this day all themore special for us. Thank you also for being here to celebrate withus. You are more than friends to us, you are all family! And as ourfamily, Catherine and I hope that you will rejoice in some wonderfulnews with us. We are going to have a baby."

It took a single heartbeat before the applause and cheeringstarted. Everyone crowded forward, eager to be the first tocongratulate the expectant parents. Vincent actually became concernedfor Catherine, so he stepped in front of her slightly to keep herfrom getting pushed around.

Father and Peter had seen this starting and made their way asquickly as they could through the group to Vincent and Catherine. Thetunnel community had become used to Father and his bad hip andinstinctively parted for him to pass. Peter took advantage of thatand quickly followed in his wake. When the two got to the front,Father held up his hands and waited for quiet. "I'm sure you are allas happy as I am to share this news with Catherine and Vincent, butwe also need to remember that this is their wedding day! There willbe months to talk of and plan for the baby. Today let's celebratetheir marriage! If the band will strike up a waltz, I'm sure they'dlike to share their first dance as husband and wife."

With a tender smile Vincent offered his arm to his new bride andescorted her onto the floor. They were alone on the dance floor justas they had been the first time they danced in this room, but thistime the music wasn't just in their minds and they weren't completelyalone. The room was lined with their family and friends, well-wishersall.

The newlyweds floated across the floor, having eyes only for eachother. They were lost in each other's gaze. Soon, with Devin'sencouragement, others joined them on the floor and soon they weresurrounded by other couples.

Before long Devin cut in on Vincent, claiming that it was time forhis best man's dance. So Jenny wasn't left alone, Vincent politelyinquired if she would dance with him. In the next hour Catherine lostcount of the number of different partners she had. Every time shethought she saw Vincent heading her way, she would once again beswept away by another partner. She didn't have a moment's rest or aminute to even grab a glass of punch.

Vincent was happy that his tunnel family liked Catherine so muchthat they all wanted to dance with her, but he selfishly wanted to doso as well! The third time he saw Mouse dancing with Catherine hedecided to take action! He had only danced with her once! Headingdeliberately towards the pair, he firmly cut in. As Mouse pouted butallowed Vincent to take his place, Catherine gave him an exuberantwelcoming smile.

Saying nothing, he firmly danced her in the direction of the door.Devin saw what was happening and hurried over to help. He held thegreat door open for them and Vincent danced them right out of theroom.

With a happy wave back at Devin, they hurried off to begin theirhoneymoon.

As they neared their new home, Vincent stopped her in the tunneland kissed her thoroughly. Then, sweeping her up into his arms, hecarried her to the hidden door that gave them access to the basementof the Faber Building. Even though Catherine protested that it wastoo soon to pick her up, he didn't put her down. He stepped into theelevator and pushed the button for their door, and didn't even lether down when they reached the door that would guard their privacy.It wasn't until they reached their bedroom that Vincent finally puther on her feet again.

Catherine sighed and said, "Can you believe that we're reallymarried and here in our new home together? There were so many timesthat I was sure this day would never come."

"For so very long, I didn't believe this was possible. There havebeen days since our engagement when I woke to think that it was alljust a dream."

A mischievous grin appeared on her face and she offered, "I couldpinch you!"

"I don't think that will be necessary, Catherine," he told herwith all the dignity he could muster. "I will just live each day thatwe have left eternally grateful that you love me."

"Oh, Vincent! We are both truly blessed to have found each otherand now to have a baby on the way as well!" She tenderly placed ahand over her still flat tummy.

"That doesn't feel real either! Maybe once the baby starts movingor you start showing…"

"Don't remind me! There goes my figure!" she exclaimed with a fakesigh.

Vincent laughed and said, "Don't worry, my love, I'll still loveyou when you're fat."

"Just you remember that it's your fault that I'll be fat!"

He laughed again and took her into his arms for a kiss, thinkingthat she had something to do with it too, but being too much of agentleman to say so. Talking was quickly forgotten as they helpedeach other out of their wedding finery and made love for the firsttime as a married couple.

They slept for a time in each other's arms. When Catherine awokeshe laid staring at her husband for a while and then, with an eagersmile, she got out of bed and walked to the closet.

Vincent felt her absence beside him and woke in time to see herwalk across the room as naked as the day she was born. That thoughtmade him think of Peter and the story he always told about his andCatherine's first meeting.

What amazed him the most was how unselfconscious she was about hernudity around him. Ever since they'd become lovers, she neverhesitated to get out of bed and head to the bathroom or kitchenwithout putting anything on. He was still very aware of his nakednessaround her and, although Catherine's love had gone a long way towardserasing his fears about how his physical appearance would affect her,he was still a very modest person.

While he'd been contemplating such matters, Catherine had reachedinto the closet, pulled out a lovely green velour robe, and slippedit on. She reached in again and this time pulled out one in deepblue. She turned to come back to the bed and saw that Vincent wasawake.

"Hi," she said softly.

With a wide grin he said, "Hi, yourself. Why are you out of bedand getting dressed?"

"I'd hardly call a robe 'getting dressed'!" she laughed, handinghim the blue robe. "Will you come with me? I have a surprise to showyou."

"Is this the reason I wasn't allowed on the roof for the past twodays?" he asked, getting out of bed and quickly putting on therobe.

"Yes, I wanted to create something special for you. I hope thatyou'll love it."

"I'm sure I will."

"Will you bring that comforter?" she requested, pointing to theone on the foot of the bed. Vincent picked it up and followed her tothe stairs that led to the roof.

The two of them climbed the stairs and when they reached the roofdoor, Catherine asked him to close his eyes. Trusting her completely,he took the hand she offered and closed his eyes.

She led him to where she wanted and then asked him to wait amoment. He nodded and she let go of his hand and removed her robe.With a grin she reached out and untied the belt of his as he stoodthere unsuspectingly with his eyes closed. His start of surprise hadhim opening is eyes and demanding, "Catherine, what are you doing?We're outside!!! "

"Yes, I know!" she giggled. "This is your surprise," she toldhim.

"Being outside naked is my surprise?!" he gasped.

"No, silly, this is!" she said and gestured to the rooftop that hehadn't even looked at yet.

His eyes followed her gesture and saw for the first time all thework she'd done up here to surprise him. There was an odd-lookingwood-framed couch with a matching low table in front of it. There wasalso a small round glass-topped table with two wrought iron chairs atit. Large potted plants and some small trees were placed around,adding to the feeling of a park-like atmosphere. "Catherine, this isamazing!"

"I was hoping that you would like it. If you go to the other sideof the couch," she directed as she went to one side, "All you need todo is pull out the peg there in the side and when the back drops,then place it in the holes that align at the bottom. Now the couch isa bed!"

He did as she directed, watching in amazement as this happened."What is this? I've never seen anything like it before!"

"It's called a futon. I gave Kanin a picture of it and he made itfor us. Of course I had to stop Mouse from adding what he insistedwere essential gizmos!" she laughed.

Vincent laughed along with her at the thought of their youngfriend and his gizmos. Mouse was a wonder, but should never beallowed to do things unsupervised! Vincent wondered if Mouse wouldever outgrow the childlike innocence he had. But now was not the timeto be thinking of Mouse. He and his new bride were still standing onthe roof of a building in the middle of the city without clothes on!"Catherine, this is wonderful, but do we really have to be naked toenjoy it?"

"Actually, yes, we do!" she laughed as she reached out to take thecomforter from him. Spreading it over the futon, she climbed under itand motioned for him to join her. "The decorating is only part of mysurprise to you," she told him. "The rest of it is we can make lovehere, sleep here, and best of all wake to the sunrise…" Shewaited expectantly for his response to this, the best part of hersurprise.

"Wake to the sunrise? Here, outside?" The wonder in his eyes wasall she could have hoped for. She could tell how stunned he was bythe fact that he was still standing there naked when he could havebeen crawling under the comforter with her.

"Vincent, don't you want to join me under here?" she asked himwith so much love in her eyes.

He shook his head slightly and then with a sheepish grin joinedher. "Catherine, you never cease to amaze me!" he whisperedtenderly.

"I hope I never will, my love!" she answered.

Vincent was becoming more confident in his rights as a lover andnow a husband and boldly took her into his arms. Their kisses quicklyheated up and they began to caress each other as the cool nightbreeze caressed any area of their bodies that remained outside of thecomforter's warmth.

During their time as lovers, Vincent had discovered many thingsthat pleased Catherine. One of them was when he nuzzled his furrynose in the bend of her neck. He would lightly tickle her with theshort hairs on his nose and it would drive her wild. She would squirmand wiggled under his gently restraining hands. Catherine would begand then demand to be set free.

Usually when she reached the demanding stage he would relent andlet her go. He would then be rewarded by her rolling over on top ofhim and receiving her assurance that she would make him suffer forwhat he'd done!

Oh, and suffer he did! First, she would usually punish hisoffending nose by placing kisses down the fuzzy length of it. Shewas, however, mean when she ignored his eagerly waiting lips andproceeded on down his neck. Then the search began for his nipples,hidden among the mat of fur on his chest. Vincent truly suspectedthat she often prolonged the search much longer that necessary justto torment him. However, when she did find her goal, she began hertorture once again. Sucking and nibbling them until he was the onewrithing in desire. Then the cruelest punishment of all, she wouldslide down his body until she could take his shaft into her mouth andeagerly lick and suck him to completion.

Then, as he was recovering, she would lie herself down next to himopenly displayed, indicating that she was more than ready to have thepunishment returned.

They would lie and softly exchange words of love while they bothrecovered, and then would make love to each other in what Vincentcalled the "traditional way." After all, deep in his heart he was avery traditional man!

He did so truly love nuzzling her neck! Catherine giggled and thengroaned when he began to do so after their kiss.

In the afterglow of their lovemaking, Catherine propped herself upon his chest and playfully looked down into his eyes. She asked, "So,after this, do you think that you will miss my balcony?"

Smiling back at her lovingly, he replied, "Catherine, no matterthat we are on a roof rather than your balcony, you will always be mylady of the balcony to me."

THE END