MINE INMOST HEART

"I'm...sorry, Catherine." The mortification in his tear-streakedface tore at Catherine's heart. She had pleaded with Vincent toremain with her in their chamber, but his humiliation andembarrassment could not be assuaged. He turned and strode quicklyfrom the room in his haste to put distance between himself and thescene of his shame.

Catherine sighed gustily, knowing she could never catch up withhim if he was determined to evade her. And, truthfully, she couldn'tthink of any other argument to make which would soothe him, if hecould not be soothed by all she had already said. She had tried toexplain that it didn't matter, that there was no pressure, that shejust needed him to hold her, that the physical aspect of their lovehad never been paramount...she'd cajoled and comforted and reassured,but to no avail.

Throwing the covers back, she slipped from the bed. It was toocold and lonely to sleep there without him. She padded into theircommon room and made herself comfortable on the loveseat, wrappingher legs in an afghan her Grandmother had made -- one of the manypersonal items from Above which she'd moved into their home chambersBelow. Lighting a few candles to chase away the gloom, she picked upthe novel she hadn't had a chance to even look at in days and beganto read. But she wasn't able to concentrate, finding herself goingback again and again to the situation she and Vincent faced...and tothe first time it had happened....

"Vincent?" She rose on one elbow and gazed up at him in concern.They had begun loving each other softly, gently, but he had pulledaway suddenly, turning from her and sitting up in bed. "What isit?"

Vincent was shaken. He loved Catherine with a passion so pure anddeep that it scalded his soul. His desire for her overwhelmed him attimes. But tonight...tonight...he couldn't.... His body would notrespond. His mind and his heart were oh, so willing, but.... He wasembarrassed to reveal this fact to Catherine.

Sensitive to his mood within their Bond, Catherine understood thedeep unease he felt was rooted in some physical aspect of theirloving. Gently she placed her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it inreassurance. But instead of responding as he usually did -- byleaning into her touch -- he abruptly rose, evading her placatinghand. Reaching for his robe, he shrugged it over his shoulders beforesitting in the old carved chair near their bed. He rested his headagainst the back of the chair, closing his eyes, and tried to quietthe racing of his heart.

"Vincent?" She rose and left the bed to kneel at his side. TheBond now swirled with some inner turmoil which she couldn'tcomprehend. They had been loving each other so sweetly...andthen...suddenly...this.

"I...cannot explain it, Catherine. I'm sorry...I should not haveretreated from you just now."

"Why did you?"

He leaned forward suddenly, his face now very close to hers, andhis eyes searched hers as if hoping to find an answer there. Whateverhe sought, he didn't find, and in defeat he leaned his foreheadagainst hers and whispered, "It is...not your fault, my love.I...don't know what's happening. I...."

Belatedly, Catherine realized what the matter was. Normally, fromthe moment he entered their bed, Vincent's arousal was complete...andvery evident. Tonight, she recalled, his erection had been...lessinsistent that usual. But Vincent had concentrated their foreplay onher pleasure, and she hadn't really...gotten around to noticing thathe was unable to sustain an erection. This had never been a problembefore, and the way he always responded so eagerly to her, she hadhonestly never thought it could be. Obviously, she hadn't been payingenough attention to him. She scolded herself over that. The lastthing she ever wanted was to take this wonderful man for granted.

Rubbing her forehead against his, she purred, "Come back to bed,my love? Let us bring all of our powers of...concentration...to bearon this situation?" She kissed the tip of his nose, then, with herown, stroked the downy fur which covered him there.

Vincent lifted his head and gave her a small smile. He noddedonce, then allowed her to lead him back to their bed.

Catherine pushed him gently until he fell back onto the bed. Shefollowed, draping herself over him, rubbing herself sensuouslyagainst his hard-muscled length. He moaned softly at the contact, andhis left hand came up to caress her shoulder, his claw tips lightlygrazing her skin. Whispering huskily, "Just lie back, relax, and letme do all the work," Catherine began the kind of erotic assault whichhad never failed to inflame her beloved. With her hot, wet tongue andher dextrous fingers, she became a wanton siren, summoning hisresponses from the depths of his being. She felt a low growl developin his chest as she bewitched him with the physical sensations shewas creating.

Eyes closed in concentration, Vincent began an unconscious pantingas the erotic delight of her pliant flesh molding to his own hardbody caused thrills and shivers to run down his spine. Her bodytantalized him, tormented him in the most delicious ways. From thefirst, he had found this teasing, lustily playful side of Catherine adelightful surprise -- a side of her he had never imagined existed.He realized with chagrin how much of her own sensual nature she hadrepressed for his comfort during those long years in which he haddenied them both this pleasure. Now, he voluntarily gave himself upto her ardent seduction, willing his body to respond as hedesperately wished it to.

She lovingly tormented him, stroked him, worshiped him -- with hermouth, her hands, her body. She poured a living flame of desirethrough their Bond, immolating his soul with a sensual fire. He wasdrunk with her, with an intoxication that was pure bliss. In hismind, in the core of his being, he cried out with the ecstasy ofher...but his body...would not respond.

Frustration, bewilderment, confusion....but most of all,humiliation...swept through him. What was wrong with him?! Unnerved,he finally grasped Catherine's shoulders and gently but insistentlyshifted her. Struggling against his intentions, she nevertheless wasfirmly deposited by his side on the bed. He sat up again and reachedfor his cloak. Murmuring a husky "Forgive me," he left the chamber.

Catherine followed him out. She made tea and he accepted a cup,but he could not articulate his feelings other than to thank her forher company. Long into the night they sat together, in silence,taking what comfort they could in the other's presence, as their Bondroiled and whirled with the unrest in Vincent's heart.

Three weeks ago. It had been three weeks ago. And since thatnight...much as he wanted her, much as she tempted him, each timethey tried to make love...his flesh failed him.

The image of her Bondmate's anguished face haunted her asslowly...finally...her eyes drifted shut. The book slipped from herfingers and thudded almost noiselessly to the carpet. Wrapped in thewarm cocoon of her afghan, Catherine slept, her heart calling throughtheir Bond for her lover to come home to her.

Vincent didn't return that night.

_ _ _

Catherine awoke with a start when Geoffrey shook her gently,reminding her that she'd be late for her work detail if she didn'tleave soon.

"Thank you, Geoffrey." She yawned widely, then reached out to hughim quickly before rising and stretching. "I lost track of time whileI was reading."

He didn't ask what she was doing in the common room, curled upunder the soft knitted covering, rather than in her own bed, but hiseyes reflected his puzzlement. "Should I...should I wake Dad, too?"Wide brown eyes stared questioningly at her.

She didn't want to worry him about Vincent, but how could sheexplain something like this to a child, even one as perceptive as herson? He wasn't easy to deceive, and she had little heart to do it.Still, it was easier right now than having a heart-to-heart -- andshe was already running late. "No, sweetheart. He's...he's alreadyup." That was true enough...as far as it went. She hoped he wouldn'task the obvious question -- then why didn't he awaken us? Seeking todistract him from that logical line of inquiry, she blurted, "Do Ihave enough time for a quick shower first?"

Thick brown curls flew as the boy shook his head. "I woke up kindalate myself. We've both already missed breakfast. It's close to 8,and William gets pretty mad if you're late for kitchen clean-up -- Iknow." He smiled ruefully at her.

"I'd better get more into the rhythm of things around here...andquick!" Catherine grimaced, then rushed into the bedchamber. "Can youget organized by yourself this morning, honey?" she shouted over hershoulder as she began rummaging through the armoire containing herclothing.

Geoffrey smiled to himself. As if he hadn't been doing that foryears already! All the children Below were remarkablyself-sufficient. They were given more freedom -- and moreresponsibility -- than their counterparts Above, and most, likeGeoffrey, rose to the challenge well. True, since the formal adoptionceremony, when he'd left the boys' dormitory chamber and come to livewith his new Mom and Dad, Catherine had taken charge of his"organization," and he'd readily and happily indulged her. He did itmore because it gave her such pleasure than because he needed it --and because it made him feel really good that his Mom was soconcerned about his well-being. He truly enjoyed the fuss she madeover him. But this morning, he knew he could easily do without herministrations. Realizing she was waiting for his answer, he quicklyshouted back, "No problem, Mom! See you at lunch!" He scampered outof the room, still a bit uneasy over the odd circumstance of findinghis Mom asleep on the couch, but somewhat reassured by her words thatnothing was seriously the matter.

_ _ _

"Where's Dad?" Geoffrey looked up at his Mom as she crossed to himafter half-filling a plate with small portions of salad and fruit. Hesat with his own more substantially filled plate before him -- he'dbeen patiently awaiting his parents' arrival to start eating.Well...he'd snuck one bite of cheese roll, but that didn't count.

Catherine sank onto the bench and placed her plate on the tablebefore her. "I...don't know, honey. He's probably just been delayed.I'm sure he'll be here soon." She said this last without muchconviction. She had been so sure he'd show up for the midday mealwith his family. Since she'd quit her job three weeks ago, they hadmade it a point to eat lunch and dinner together whenever their workdetails allowed. This was the first such meal that had been missed byone of them since two weeks ago, when an emergency had called most ofthe able-bodied men to shore up a collapsed tunnel damaged by one ofMouse's too-enthusiastic experiments. But she had heard nothing fromhim since he had fled their bedchamber in the early hours of themorning. Sighing, she finally said, "Why don't we start...withouthim."

Geoffrey needed no coaxing, tucking into his lunch eagerly. Hemade quick work of it, then grabbed another of William's deliciouscheese rolls, hoping no one would catch him taking more than hisshare, just this once. He did love these rolls...and if Dad wasn'there yet...well, maybe he wouldn't mind someone else having his.

Noting his Mom's worried expression, Geoffrey dropped the roll onhis plate and patted her hand. She glanced quickly at him, amazedanew at his perception and empathy. Snaking her arm around his waist,she gave him a hard, quick hug, pressing a kiss to the top of hishead before releasing him and beginning to eat. Not really hungry,Catherine picked at her food, then absently offered her cheese rollto her son. Grateful for this unexpected largesse, he pocketed thetreat to savor at a later time. He'd already had two, and havingeaten his lunch with great gusto, found his appetite wassignificantly diminished. Much as he adored the rolls, he couldn'teat so many in one sitting.

Geoffrey jumped up to clear their plates and returned swiftly tohis Mother's side. Catherine still sat as he'd left her, lost inthought. Gently he approached her and placed his cheek against hershoulder. "Mom? He'll be OK. Dad can take care of himself."

She pressed her own cheek down on the top of her son's head, andhe could feel her nodding. "I know, sweetheart."

He moved to sit on the bench, his back to the table, so that hecould look his Mother in the face as he continued the conversation.With all the clamor of lunchtime activity around them, they were asisolated in their communion as if they were alone in the room. "Whathappened between you guys, Mom? Can't you tell me?"

Catherine stared at him in consternation. She couldn't explainthis.

Geoffrey urged her. "Did you have a fight? Was it...about me?Did...did I do something wrong?"

Understanding dawned, and Catherine quickly assured him that hewas blameless. How like a child to assume that trouble between hisparents was his fault. And Geoffrey, more than most sons, was moreconscious of his actions, more eager to please, cognizant as he wasof the fact that he was chosen by, not born to, the couple who werehis parents. As much as she tried to instill in him the confidencethat they would never, could never be parted, she worried that a partof him would always fear the possibility that through some action ofhis, he would sever the bond between them. "No, sweetheart, Ipromise, this has nothing to do with you. I hope you know that I havenever, not even for one second, regretted that you are my son. AndVincent feels the same way. We both love you dearly."

Relief was visible in the young boy's eyes, but his concern forhis Mother's sadness was still apparent. One answer had been given,but he still did not know the cause of her distress. "Is thereanything I can do?"

Shaking her head, Catherine mustered a small smile. "Just keeploving us both, OK?" At her son's nod, she reminded him, "Don't youhave a class with Father about now?"

Prompted, he jumped up and said, "Oh...yeah! Better run! I don'twant Father mad at me! See ya later, 'K?" He pressed a quick kiss onher cheek and dashed from the dining chamber. Catherine looked afterhim fondly, then shook herself and stood to finish the clearing andbegin her wash-up chores.

_ _ _

Walking down the corridors toward their living chambers, Catherinewas silent and withdrawn. Via the pipes, Vincent had requested thatFather take over the classes he was to teach, but had left no wordregarding where he was or what he was doing. Dinner had passed and hehad still not made an appearance in the Hub.

When Father took her aside during the dinner hour to ask her, shewas forced to admit that she didn't know where Vincent was. His grayeyes intense and curious, Father held further questions back with avisible effort. Grateful that he was showing some tact and restraintin a matter concerning his son, Catherine patted his arm but turnedaway. She was anxious to put distance between them, for she did notwant to be maneuvered into a discussion with anyone concerningVincent's absence, least of all with him. The man had a positiveknack for making her self-conscious and unnerved when discussing herBondmate. Even though their personal resentments toward each otherhad long ago been laid aside, the subtle power play over the man theyboth loved continued. It would not do -- not at all! -- for him to beprivy to this current...situation...between them. Now, she andGeoffrey walked hand in hand down the less-used tunnels which led totheir chambers.

The young man chewed worriedly on his lower lip, thinking hard.His Mom seemed so upset and sad, and he couldn't figure out why.She'd said that she and Dad hadn't fought, and that he personallyhadn't done anything wrong, and he believed her -- she never lied tohim. So it was something else. But...what?

"Mom?"

Distractedly, Catherine responded with a "Hmmm?"

"Is...is Dad...sick?"

This got his Mom's attention, but good. She stopped in her tracksand demanded, "Why ever would you ask that?"

A little uncomfortable with her intense scrutiny, he hurried toexplain. "Well...I overheard him talking with Kanin the other daywhen you were teaching your Civics class. They walked into our commonchamber together -- I was lying on the couch, reading -- and theystopped when I sat up and said hello. Dad was surprised to see me --he asked why I wasn't in class, but you remember, Pascal had tocancel class at the last minute because Zak wasn't available to takeover in the pipe chamber?" At her nod, he continued. "Well, I didn'thear everything they were saying, but just as they were walking in,Dad said something like, 'If anything were to happen to me, I wouldtrust you to care for my family, Kanin.' Why would he be worried,Mom? Unless he was sick?"

Catherine knelt and grasped her son by the shoulders. She lookeddeeply into his eyes as she said, "Listen to me, Geoffrey. Whateveris happening with your Dad right now, it has nothing to do with youor his health...or anything else you can imagine. He is just...goingthrough some things in his head, things that concern him more thanthey should. But that's your Dad -- he always worries more than heneeds to. Don't you worry, please. He'll be fine. He just needs tothink for a while, and he sometimes does that best when he's awayfrom everyone else, you know that."

"But...it must be pretty bad if he had to go away for so long.He's never done that before!" Tears were starting to gather in thecorners of his eyes. Despite her assurances, his Mother's words hadcaused him to worry more than he had before.

Catherine's shoulders drooped. "I know. Since we became a family,he hasn't felt the need to...go away for a while, like he used to do.But, sweetheart, we must trust him. He'll come back when he's ready."Her own eyes filled with tears, as her frustration and pain rose tothe surface, set free by the tender concern of her son.

Geoffrey was startled by his Mother's tears. Clumsily, he reachedout to her, pulling her stiffly into an embrace. She had beencomforting him all day, when she obviously needed comfort of her own.His distress over causing her to cry burning in his throat, hewhispered hoarsely to her over and over, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

As Vincent turned the last corner into the tunnel which led to hishome chambers, he caught sight of the pitiful tableau his familymade. He was bereft. How could he approach them, how could he makeamends for this anguish in their hearts...because of him? Leaningwith one arm against the tunnel wall, he held his other hand to hisheart, breathing harshly. Oh, Catherine! his heart cried outsilently, you have given up so much...and gotten so little in return!He shook his head to clear it. He thought he was ready to face her,but he knew now he was not...might not ever be again. With adespairing sob, he turned and strode down the tunnel the way he hadcome.

Catherine looked up over Geoffrey's shoulder as she heard theshuffle of feet on the tunnel floor. They were far enough from thenoise of the Hub that the sound of someone's footsteps carried a longway. Seeing the cloaked back of her Bondmate recede down the tunnel,she rose and shouted, "Vincent!" When she saw he would not be stayed,she urgently instructed Geoffrey to wait for her in his bedchamber,then left him to race toward Vincent.

Catching up to him, she flung herself against his retreating form,nearly knocking him off balance by the force of her tackle. Hegrabbed her to stop her from tumbling as his shoulder hit the wall,breaking his fall. "Please...stop!" she panted, upset that he hadcompelled her to run him down. She was surprised when he shook offher restraining arm and continued to walk away, ignoring her calls. Aburst of anger suffusing their Bond, she again caught up to him, butthis time she blocked his path, stretching her arm out to place ahand on his chest. Breathless and indignant, she challenged him."You'll have to...run over me if you...want to continue to...run fromme, Vincent!"

Anguished sapphire eyes lifted to her flashing green ones. Thetracks of tears clearly showed on his face, even in the relativelydim light cast by the torches. He couldn't bear to speak toher...couldn't she see that? He couldn't bear to feel thecompassionate tenderness which swiftly replaced the anger in theirBond. No...it was all too much. Brokenly, he begged, "Let mepass...please, Catherine! I cannot...." He couldn't even finish histhought. She must know, must sense from him the desperation, thehopelessness with which he stood before her.

Seeing that Vincent would not struggle against her at the moment,Catherine wrapped her arms around him. Obviously, she could not holdhim back, not if he truly wished to go. But he had spent too muchtime alone, brooding. Reverting to that old habit of his frightenedher. She had to find a way to break through to him -- he was causinghimself...and her...such unnecessary torment.

"I love you, Vincent." She said this with a passionate intensity,willing him to feel it in the depths of his being, willing it tobridge the chasm which existed between their hearts at this moment.

"Why?" He wrenched her arms from around him and held her away fromhim, almost shaking her as he asked that soul-searing question.

Catherine was dumbfounded. "Why? What kind of a question is that?We endured trials and tests most couples never face until we Joinedour hearts and our lives before our entire community. And now youquestion the single fact upon which every decision I have made in thepast four years has been based?"

Vincent released her and turned away, slumping against the tunnelwall. His voice barely a whisper, he replied, "You have made a fool'sbargain, Catherine. You have given up...everything. Everything! AndI...am not...cannot...."

Cutting him off, afraid of what he was about to say, she snapped,"Don't you dare second-guess my judgment! Only I can weigh my lifeand determine what matters most and what trade-offs are worth theprice!" Softening, she went to him and gently stroked his cheek withthe backs of her fingers. "You are everything to me, Vincent! How canyou say I have given up 'everything' when you are standing before me-- mine, forever mine? I would fight the Devil if I had to, to keepyou. Don't tell me I have to fight you, too?"

Vincent shook his head, dislodging her caressing fingers, denyinghimself even that tiny comfort. Eyes closed, body tensed, clutchingthe wall for support, he said what he felt must be said. "When wewere first Joined, I knew...I could never give you the kind of lifeyou deserve, but...I was content to know you treasured the time youspent Below...with me...enough to...let me share a part of your life.It was...enough." Despair cracked his voice, shattering it into theharshest of whispers. "But...when you gave up your life Above --everything, Catherine -- to come Below.... How could I ever hope toreplace all you lost in that act? And now...I cannot fulfill...evenyour most...basic...needs...."

He couldn't continue. His shame was complete. He sank to his kneesbefore her, arms hanging at his sides, head bowed, in abjectsurrender. He mustered the strength for one final plea:"You..must...leave me. Leave me, Catherine. Take Geoffrey...and goback to your world."

Catherine was stunned. She knew that their difficulties in bedthese past weeks were torturing him, but try as she might, she couldnever fathom the cause of their troubles. Now it struck her throughthe heart like a thunderbolt. How could anyone expect to be someoneelse's entire world, completely responsible for that person'shappiness? And yet, that's the burden Vincent had assumed. No wonderhe was cracking under the weight.

In a voice quavering with emotion, she murmured, "Oh, my love...."She knelt before him and grasped his hands, kissing the backs of hisfingers before holding them to her heart. "My dearest love! What madeyou think that you had to 'replace' anything? If I caused you to feelthat way, I apologize."

She squeezed his fingers, urging him silently to look into hereyes, willing him to see the truth, the certainty which shone inthem. But he would not face her. Resigned, she went on, "I turned myback on what I left Above with no regrets, no lingering looks. Surelyyou felt that in me?" She let go of one of his hands and grasped hischin, gently but insistently lifting it. "Look at me, my heart?Please?' she whispered, urging him within the Bond as well as withher words.

Unwillingly, his eyes fluttered open and caught hers once,briefly, but the agony of facing her was too much, and he closed themagain.

She persisted, desperate now, trying to break through to hisrational mind, hoping by an appeal to reason to shatter this phantasmof his own making. "Vincent...I am the only one who is responsiblefor my happiness, the only one! And the only way I can behappy...completely happy...is to live the rest of my life with you,here Below. Would you rather I live an unhappy life Above than ahappy one Below?"

After a long moment, a softly whispered "No" emanated fromVincent's lips.

Sighing, she admitted, "I never realized the kind of pressure youwould put on yourself when I began living Below full time, my love. Iwish you had shared this with me so I could have put your mind atease." She leaned toward him and placed a tender, reverent kiss uponhis lips.

Vincent trembled at that intimate touch. So much was expressed inthat sweet caress of her lips against his. It gave him the courage tolook upon Catherine's face. Her luminous green eyes spoke of herconcern and unwavering love, emphasizing all her words, compellinghim to understand. He was captivated anew by all he saw reflected inthose beautiful eyes...and he became lost in their depths as healways did. Those eyes would never lie to him. And what he read therebegan to melt the icy dread which had clutched at his soul for weeks.Yet the fear remained -- she had given up her world for him, and hewas poor recompense for a whole world.

Catherine smiled warmly at him before continuing, fervently andemphatically. "My life is filled now with a series of satisfactions-- small and large -- just as my days are filled with the manyactivities which keep me busy. Having you close, knowing I can bewith you anytime I wish...or you wish...it's more wonderful than Iever imagined. Just knowing you're nearby gives me such pleasure,even if I'm not with you. How can I explain it?"

Catherine cradled Vincent's face in her hands as she tried to findthe words. "This is where I want to be, my love...where I need to be.I'm more fulfilled, more content than I've ever been. Yes, I've givensome things up, but look at all I've gotten in return. It was thesecond easiest decision I've ever made, right after the one to fallin love with you."

This last elicited a tiny smile, heralding the breeching of thedam of Vincent's pain.

Sensing that she was finally getting through to him, Catherinepressed her advantage and threw her arms about him, burying her facein the wild mass of mane flowing over his shoulders. She murmuredinto his ear, "You don't have to do one single thing, just beyourself. That's all I'll ever need."

Vincent groaned as he threw back his head, freed by Catherine'swords from the terrible anxieties which had stolen his sleep, marredhis peace, and almost ruined his union with this remarkable woman.His arms reached up and clasped Catherine to his chest. He heard hersoftly whisper, "Yes! Hold me! Tighter!" and complied so willingly,with such a full heart, that he nearly crushed her. His mouth soughthers, descended and captured it, banishing the despair and longingthey both had felt for too long.

Suddenly, a small voice from far down the passageway cut throughthe passionate intensity of their reunion. "Mom?"

Catherine drew back, breathless, a small smile of apology on herlips. "I forgot all about Geoffrey! When I saw you leaving, I askedhim to wait for me in his chamber. By now he must be frantic withworry." Her fingers clutched spasmodically against her Bondmate'sshoulders, anxious to stay with him, knowing she should comfort herson.

Vincent nodded, taking her hands and kissing their palms. "Go tohim. I will wait for you."

As she rose, she urged him to come with her. "He's been concernedabout you, my love. Perhaps we should both go to him?"

Rising in one graceful, fluid motion, he reached out and huggedher -- one fierce, brief hug. "We shall go...together."

_ _ _

Tucking him in and brushing a kiss against his freckled nose,Catherine assured her son, "We'll wake you in the morning."

Vincent knelt beside the bed where Catherine sat. "I am sorry tohave worried you, Geoffrey."

"So...you're not sick or anything? And you're not mad at me foranything? Everything's OK?" His eyes still held a trace of suspicion,despite his Mother's reassurances. He knew she was right, but...buthe just had to be sure.

Vincent nodded gravely, then bent to place a tender kiss on hisbrow. He allowed his fingers to cradle the youngster's face for amoment. "Everything is fine. Sometimes I lose my way, Geoffrey, butyour Mother is always here to set me back on the right path."

The young boy smiled and replied, "Yeah. She does that for me,too! We're pretty lucky to have her, huh?"

Smiling at his son's fervent words, Vincent agreed. "Yes, we are."He looked up into the glowing face of his beloved and murmured, "Weare both...fortunate...and blessed."

_ _ _

Despite her assurances, it was Geoffrey who woke her again thenext morning. Groggy from a sleepless night...a night filled withloving affirmation...Catherine nudged Vincent awake and they hastenedto begin their morning routine.