NOT BY ONE MEASURE

"Mom?" A timid voice intruded on her consciousness, and she openedone eye to encounter the anxious face of the boy who would soon beher son. "Did I wake you up?"

Smiling indulgently, she shook her head. "Climb up on my lap,Geoffrey, and let's just sit for a minute, shall we?" She set her mugaside and opened her arms to him.

Happy for the invitation, he accepted with alacrity. He'd beenfeeling somewhat left out these past few days. Lately, every timehe'd wanted his Mom's attention, she'd been busy with some aspect ofthe Joining, the adoption, or their move into their new chambers. Somuch was being done, and he didn't have much of an active part in anyof it. He really just needed a little assurance that his Mom hadn'tforgotten him in all the frantic activity. This offer of some quiettime with her was the best thing he could have wished for.

Catherine whispered into his ear, "I'm hiding out for a littlebit. If we're both real quiet, maybe no one will notice we're here.What do you think?"

He hugged her close and whispered back, "Sounds good to me."

The welcome weight and warmth of her unexpected visitor soothedher as not even the tea had. She snuggled against him and closed hereyes. Soon, both of them were dozing contentedly. A half an hourlater, Vincent entered his chamber to retrieve some schematics Kaninrequired, but when he saw his beloved and their young one restingcompanionably, he smiled tenderly and backed out of the chamber.Setting an unlit lantern in the chamber entrance, he returned toKanin. They'd have to get by without the schematics for a whilelonger.

_ _ _

The day had been a whirlwind of emotion. The adoption ceremony hadbeen made more special by the exchange of gifts among the new familymembers. Vincent and Catherine had presented their son with aleatherbound journal, its pages all crisply white and blank, and asilver fountain pen to record his thoughts as he started this newphase of his life. The journal had been handcrafted by his Dad, andthe pen was one Catherine's own Father had given her when she'dgraduated from law school. He had been overcome by the largesse, andbegan immediately to compose the thoughts he would set down in hisjournal later than night.

Geoffrey had shyly offered his new parents matching mugs which hehad made with the help of Rebecca and Mary -- each mug borerepresentations of twined roses, one red and one white. As she heldthe gift in her hands, Catherine had cried shamelessly, then huggedher son so tightly he thought he would never breathe again.

As poignant as the ceremony was, it was matched and exceeded bythe power of the Joining which so many had come to attend. Thegathering was larger than any Winterfest in Tunnel history, asvirtually everyone who knew Vincent had decided they had to come. TheGreat Hall was overflowing, both with people and good wishes. No eyeremained dry for long as Father began to intone the words of theceremony. When Vincent and Catherine exchanged their personal vows,several members of the attending crowd could be heard sobbing, movedbeyond mere tears by the fervent words spoken by the two people whohad overcome such odds to Join together this day.

William had to leave the Hall briefly to gather himself, and Kaninhad his hands full with Mary on one side and Olivia on the other,both clinging to his arms so tightly that his hands became numb. Hedidn't really notice, though, as his own tears fell freely while hewatched Vincent and Catherine exchange a long, exquisitely tenderkiss. The whole roomful of people held their breath while they lookedon, and expelled it in a collective cheer as the couple finally brokethe kiss.

The room was so filled with revelers that dancing was impractical.Still, the assemblage willingly squirmed and jostled until a smallspace was cleared for Vincent to twirl his beloved in a waltz. A sighrose as the couple, with eyes only for each other, danced as if theywere all alone in the Hall.

And with the press of people, almost no one noticed when theyfinally slipped away.

_ _ _

"I can't tell you how beautiful this is, Vincent!"

He smiled proudly, slightly embarrassed by her effusiveappreciation, as Catherine ran her hand lovingly over the old oakroll-top desk which had been salvaged and painstakingly repaired andrestored by Vincent as his Joining gift to her. He watched herfingers caress the old wood and suppressed an unreasonable pang ofjealousy. Soon enough...she would run her hands over him in that waysoon enough.

As she turned to him, his breath caught. Her beauty stunned himanew. In her Joining dress, with the soft mantle of lace adorning herhead, she looked like a shimmering goddess come down from on high tobestow her munificent blessings upon him. He knew himself unworthy,but also knew that to tell her this would cause a frown to creasethat smooth, bright brow. If he felt undeserving of her love, he alsofelt sanctified by it, made whole and even beautiful by the fact ofit.

"I have something for you, too." She reached into a pocket sewninto her shawl and withdrew a small wrapped parcel. Shyly, sheoffered it to him.

Reaching for it, his hands shook. She had given him so muchalready -- her own sweet self most of all. Was he not already thewealthiest man in the world? He unwrapped the gift slowly, peelingaway the paper to reveal a small, exquisitely crafted wooden box. Thecatch on the box was intricate, indicative of old-world artisanship.As he flicked the catch and lifted the lid, the candlelight glintedon what lay within. The rich filigreed gold of an antique fountainpen caught the light, sending sparks of mellow fire into the chamber.His eyes picked out the delicate etching -- roses, cascades of roseson a vine. He looked up at his Bondmate with tears in his eyes. "Itis...too much, Catherine!"

She took the box and pen from his trembling hands, setting thembeside her on the desk. Then she grasped his hands and kissed themtenderly. "Nothing is too much for you, my beloved. Nothing." Herfervent avowal pierced him anew with a love so fierce andall-encompassing, he closed his eyes to savor it. When he opened themagain, it was to find himself in her arms. "Take me to bed, my love,"she begged.

Lifting her gently in his arms, he waited while she unpinned themantle covering her soft brown hair and dropped it onto the desk.Slowly, carefully, he carried her into their bedchamber and set herdown. There, they both stood amazed, gazing at the dozens of candleswhich flickered and glowed everywhere, and at the profusion of roseswhich covered their bed and overflowed onto the rug below. Theylooked at each other then, smiled, and said as one, "Kanin andOlivia."

Still smiling, overwhelmed by the beauty of the lights and theflowers, they began to undress each other, taking their time,savoring the moment. This night, more than any other before or tocome, was the true culmination of their cherished Dream. For longyears, Destiny had held them in the palm of its hand...only tofinally deposit them safely on this shore. Now it was up tothem...their fate, their future, was entirely within their own handsnow. And with those hands, they began to love one another.