WFOL 2022
BBTV Round Robin
THE NOTE IN THE BOOK IN FATHER'S LIBRARY:
NOTE TWO
By
KathyDe
Story takes place a few months after Vincent's breakdown.
Catherine stepped into the library and sat down in a chair in front of Father's desk. She waited patiently for him to look up, and smiled weakly when he finally looked up.
“I'm so sorry, Dear, I was so engrossed in this accounting that I...” He sighed as he looked at her. “Doesn't matter...forgive me.”
Catherine chuckled. “There is nothing to forgive.”
“Is everything all right?” he asked curiously.
“Yes...yes, it is...I'm fine, Vincent's fine...well...he's doing a lot better anyway.”
“Yet, you look as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
Catherine did, in fact, have a secret that only Peter knew about, and she decided that she would have to divulge it within the next few weeks. But for now she just shook her head, dismissing it. “I'll tell you some other time.”
Father cocked his head to the side. “Well, whenever you're ready...”
Catherine nodded then leaned forward. “I did come here to give you this,” she said as she slid a letter across his desk.
Father looked down at it. “What is it?” he asked, as he picked it up and looked at his name on the front.
Catherine took a deep breath as she continued, “It was in the box of Margaret's effects that you gave me. Inside her diary...”
Father frowned as he shook his head. “It’s been a little over a year since she's been gone! I can't believe someone is just finding this now?!”
Catherine shrugged. “A judge is ready to review her estate. I found it when I was looking through her legal papers.”
Father sat back heavily in his chair. “Did you read...?” He stopped as he saw the back of the envelope was still sealed. “Of course you didn't.”
“I can stay if you want,” she offered, as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“I think I'd like to be alone.”
Catherine stood then came around his desk and kissed his cheek. “We'll be near if you need anything.”
“Please send a message that I'd like to be alone for the afternoon.”
Catherine offered him a light hug then walked into the tunnelway and tapped the message.
Father squared his shoulders and took a deep breath then opened the envelope.
My Dearest Jacob,
If you're reading this then I have most assuredly left this world.
I can't tell you how much these last few days together have meant to me. I never loved anyone the way that I loved you. I am so deeply appreciative that you were able to forgive me and show me that love once again in my final days.
I know I spent such a short time in your world but this magical place based on safety and security and love and respect that you managed to create is a wondrous accomplishment and I find comfort in the knowledge that you are surrounded by loved ones.
Vincent is truly your son. I wish that he was physically ours but since that never happened, I am glad that you had the opportunity to love and nurture a special boy into a wonderful man. I am also thankful for his relationship with Catherine. You can see the love she has for him and it transcends everything. Please don't fight to keep them apart. If there were ever two people who were true soulmates, it is these two. Learn from the mistakes of MY father and encourage them to find a way to be together.
As I am tiring, I must conclude with one last thing. I don't want you to be alone, My Dearest Sweet Jacob. But if there was ever someone who deserves to be loved, it is you. You have so much to give and you are still a relatively young man with years ahead of you. Please know that you may move on and you have all of my approval. I think that there is a woman worthy of you and I feel that she is already in love with you. Open your heart to her, Jacob, and let her in.
Mary and you can share many years together and build wonderful memories of your own.
With all my Love,
Margaret
Father set the letter down and leaned back in his chair and stared at the paper on his desk. His mind re-read every word she said over and over and over.
A few hours later, Vincent and Catherine walked in.
“Father?” Vincent asked quietly.
Father looked up and blinked as he was pulled from his thoughts. “Yes?”
Catherine pulled on Vincent's hand as she stepped forward. “We thought you might want some company.”
“Will we be disturbing you?” Vincent asked automatically.
“No...not...not at all,” Father answered.
They sat across from him and Catherine looked at him curiously. “Are you doing okay?”
Father thought for a second then a slow smile came across his face. “I think I am.”
Catherine grinned. “Good! I didn't want to leave and not know if you were in a good place.”
“Leave?” Father asked with alarm.
“Um, yeah...it's getting late...” Catherine said as she glanced at Vincent then back to Father.
“But it’s Saturday! You don't have to work tomorrow,” he objected.
“That's right, I don't...” Catherine responded, wondering what he was getting at.
Mary walked into the room. “Father, I wondered if you had a minute...”
“For you, my Darling, anything!” Father grinned.
Mary blushed at the compliment then became flustered.
“What is it, Mary?” Vincent prodded gently.
“Well...Father...I was concerned that you hadn't eaten anything for dinner and I wanted to ask if you would like me to see that a tray is sent in?” she explained.
Father nodded. “You're always looking out for me,” he praised.
Mary blushed again and started to shuffle around. “Well, I should go...”
Catherine shot to her feet. “We didn't get a chance to eat either. Why don't Vincent and I go and bring trays for all of us to share?”
Vincent stood and nodded. “Of course, we can do that now!”
“I don't want to intrude...” Mary began.
Father stepped over by her. “Please, Mary, I would love your company.”
“Um...of course, Father...”
“Mary?”
“Yes?”
“We have known each other for years and worked closely side by side. Do you think you could call me Jacob?”
Mary blushed before she blinked and looked over at him. “Of course I can, Jacob.”
Vincent and Catherine's faces both showed their disbelief. Catherine grabbed Vincent's arm and they quickly left and went to make up trays for their dinner.
“What do you think that was about?” Vincent wondered.
Catherine giggled. “I think Father is finally ready to admit he is in love with Mary!”
“What?!” Vincent gasped.
Catherine rolled her eyes. “You never noticed?!”
“I guess I didn't...”
“Oh, God, Vincent! For all the endless poems and stories you and Father read, neither one of you would know love if it bit you on the butt!” Catherine grumbled. “Come on, we have enough here to feed an army.”
She turned with her full tray and Vincent followed behind her, wondering if he and Father really were oblivious to real love.
When they walked in, Father put his arm around Mary and led her to the table then held her seat for her and pushed it in after she sat.
“Thank you, Fath...Jacob.” Mary smiled with a blush.
Father sat next to her and Catherine and Vincent sat across from them. Conversation revolved around the people in the tunnels as they enjoyed their meal.
After they finished, Mary poured them all tea and Father took a deep breath.
“Catherine found a letter for me today. It was from Margaret.” Mary's face fell and she looked down and seemed to shrink in her seat. In a surprise move, Father reached over and took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly then continued to hold it. “She made me realize that it was all right to move on and that she was giving me her blessing to do so. She even guessed that I had deep feelings for someone and that I should act on them...”
Catherine grinned as she looked around at everyone. “I think that's wonderful advice! Don't you, Vincent?!”
Vincent nodded. “Yes, yes it is! Margaret only wanted you to be happy, Father!”
Father smiled, knowing that if he and Mary wanted to try to make it work, others would approve. “I'm glad everyone feels that way because I think, starting tonight, I would like to start courting you, Mary, my love!”
Mary's eyes grew round and tears came to them as she blushed and nodded her head. “I'd like that, Jacob, very much.”
Father kissed the back of her hand then turned and looked at Catherine and Vincent. “She also told me that I was a fool to try and keep a certain couple apart when everyone could see how in the love they were and how perfectly they were made for one another.”
Vincent's mouth opened in shock. “Father?!”
Father held up his hand to stop him. “Margaret reminded me that her father had ruined our lives, and I will be damned if I do that to your life, Vincent. Catherine is an amazing woman, and I couldn't have asked for a better person to marry my son.”
“Marry?!” Vincent choked out.
Mary leaned into Jacob. “I couldn't agree more, especially now!” she said as she looked pointedly at Catherine.
Catherine stared at Mary and realized that somehow the woman had guessed her condition. “I...”
Vincent looked at her and shook his head. “Catherine, all of this happened so quickly and I don't expect you to...”
Catherine held up her hand to stop him. “No, it’s the perfect time. Um...Vincent, right before you became sick we um...loved.”
“What do you mean?” Vincent asked warily.
Catherine made a face and Father leaned forward. “Do you mean to say that you and Vincent...um...were together? Physically together?!”
Catherine started to speak then stopped then finally nodded as tears came to her eyes and fell down her cheeks. “When you got sick, you...forgot...and I didn't know how to get you to remember...” she choked out. “And there's more...”
“Catherine? You can't mean you're....” Father gasped.
She realized he knew and nodded. “Yes, I am!”
“What?” Vincent asked.
“Oh, for Pete's sake, Vincent, she's pregnant!” Mary spat out. “I would guess about six months along!”
Catherine looked at Vincent and nodded. “Yes!”
Vincent sat in shock until Mary scolded him. “Well, the news certainly isn't unwelcome, is it?!”
Vincent looked at her and his face paled. “Are you all right?!”
“I'm fine, Vincent!” Catherine said as she opened up the front of her cardigan and let him see her growing belly.
Vincent gasped as she placed his hand on it.
Father sputtered. “We must do a physical immediately! You should have been on vitamins for months and been put on a better diet, you have horrible eating habits and...”
“Father!” Catherine laughed. “Peter has been monitoring me all along. I have been on vitamins for a few months now and have been eating three square meals a day as well as making sure I get a ton of fruits and vegetables.”
Mary stood and started to clean the table. “I think you two should go back to Vincent's chamber and talk.”
Jacob smiled at her. “Yes, and I'd like some time to speak with you as well, Mary.”
Vincent stood and helped Catherine. “I can still get out of the chair by myself, Vincent.”
“I know,” he whispered. “Do you think I should carry you? Should you be walking?”
Catherine laughed aloud. “It’s going to be a long three months! Isn't it?!”
Mary chuckled. “I can't believe this all happened so quickly!”
Father nodded “Yes, and all because of a note in a book in my library!”
THE END
BBTV Classic Round Robin Story Index