Little Jacob ran into his parent's chamber. Asleep! His Father is still asleep! He wondered for a second where his mother was then saw a small form move beneath his dad's arm. They had promised Jacob how to swim today and he'd already been patient for a whole week!

"Mommy, Daddy, wake up. It's time to go!"

Vincent slept contently on his back with Catherine tucked in close.

Jacob crawled on top of the bed and straddled onto his father's stomach. He began banging on Vincent's chest like a set of bongo drums. It wasn't any use; Vincent could barely feel the tiny hands.

"C'mon you guys, wake up!"

Vincent turned his head towards Catherine's hair. "Your son wishes for us to rise," he said with his eyes still closed.

"On Saturday's he's YOUR son," she replied and kept her eyes closed too.

"Daddy you promised to teach me swimming today…" Jacob began to whimper. With that came the hundred and one reasons about how he'd been looking forward to the picnic day planned ahead and how hurt he'd be if they didn't get up soon. Both parents had been so busy lately and wanted to devote this whole day to just the three of them.

Vincent rose then and settled the complaining boy on his thighs to get a better look at the miracle that was his son. Catherine opened her eyes too, and just leaned on Vincent's shoulder. They loved to listen to Jacob talk, even if he was accusing them of waking late.

"Okay, Okay. I'll go get our lunch ready and you help Daddy get our things, okay?" Catherine had to surrender from the bed or else Jacob would have gone on forever.

Jacob yelled happily, jumping off the bed and rummaging through his parents clothes.

Before she left the bed, Catherine kissed her husband, "It's going to be a long day."

"No, Jacob, we don't need Mommy's sweater for swimming." Jacob was throwing anything into the bag and wondered why his dad was taking his sweet time. Vincent changed into his swimming trunks, put on his clothes and did the same for Jacob.

"Why don't you go help Mommy with lunch?"

"Okay!" At five-years-old his energy was enormous!

Vincent dug in a drawer and brought out a sexy, solid, black bikini and laid it on the bed. This usually wasn't the customary swimwear for women tunnel dwellers, but Vincent thanked the heavens that Catherine owned such an item.

She fit in very well to his society since she married him, but no one could argue she was different. Vincent liked the fact that some things from Catherine's world could be brought down into his, even if it was something as simple as a bikini. This was who she was, a former topsider, fashionable, sexy (even in tunnel clothes), and she was all his. Catherine never tried to change anything about Vincent and he felt the same about her.

Catherine came into the chamber with a huge orange stain on her nightgown.

"What happened?" Vincent chuckled.

"Jacob, orange juice…need I say more? William took pity on me and offered to take over." She began pulling out her clothes when Vincent's voice stopped her.

"Oh, I already got your things ready," hesitantly he continued stuffing towels in a backpack, avoiding eye contact. He could feel her eyes on him, glancing from the 2-piece, back to him. Even after 6 years of marriage Vincent sometimes hinted his shyness with Catherine. They never really talked about matters of the deep heart, they just knew. Their bond had grown so deep when they united, there were no words needed for them.

Catherine grabbed her suit and clothes and headed off to change. Glancing over her shoulder she spoke flirtatiously, "Excellent choice."

When she was out of sight he fell onto the bed, head first, arms out, into the softness of towels. After all these years, she still made him weak in the knees.

Jacob rode on his father's shoulder on their short trek to the lower chambers. Catherine carried the picnic basket with one hand and held Vincent's hand with the other. Jacob insisted on being let down and scurried along in front of his parents. Every few minutes he'd run yards ahead of them and then run back to tell them they were walking too slow. One time he ran really far ahead and Catherine warned him to stay close.

Finally, they reached the beautiful chamber, where most tunnel families taught their kids how to swim. The pool there extended into another chamber which was off limits as Vincent clearly stated. The area was safe for kids, big and deep enough for the better swimmers. There were soft patches of sand and dirt covering the tunnel floor, and it was here that the young family laid out a large cloth and began to settle. Jacob was ready to go into the water but Catherine insisted he should eat a little something before going in. All 3 of them had missed breakfast and she didn't want him feeling tired in the water.

While they ate bits of fruit, Vincent went over the concepts of learning to swim and being careful. He also told Jacob why he could not go past the perimeter to the farther pool.

"That pool leads into another chamber. It's dark and very cold. The waters there are like ice and very dangerous." Jacob respected his father's wishes reassuring him over and over again with, "Okay, Daddy" and "I know, Daddy."

This chamber, however, was very warm and had a beach feeling. There were even streaks of sunlight shining in from somewhere unknown. Catherine loved this and leaned her head back to steal some of the warm rays.

When Vincent stripped down to his swimming trunks to check out the water, Jacob begged his mom to help him do the same. Catherine took her time in doing this. She looked at her son lovingly, shedding his clothes to his small trunks. Jacob's attention was elsewhere, his head turned to where his father was in the water at knees length looking intently on the ground.

Jacob was practically slipping out of Catherine's hands, ready to rocket to his father. She couldn't help but feel a bit sad. Her baby was growing up so fast. She knew Jacob was unique, and like Vincent, would learn things sooner that most kids. Vincent learned to swim at five also, to Father's dismay, only because Devin pushed him in. Catherine laughed at herself being so silly. 'It's not like the kid is going off to college, he's just learning how to swim, Chandler!' Still it was hard to let go.

Looking at his chubby face and hands, she remembered how Father always said what a healthy baby he is. He was so cute! Once a helper said he reminded him of a Gerber Baby. And those beautiful eyes! It was his most unique feature. Jacob had one green eye and one blue. It was crazy and no one could explain it, you really had to look into them to notice the difference.

"I love you, baby," she kissed and cuddled him.

Jacob quickly rebelled, "Ma-a!" as if to say 'I'm too old for this!' He liked being tough like his dad.

It was then that Vincent walked over and reached out for the tiny hand. "The water is warm. Come, its time."

She watched them turn for the water. Vincent suddenly feeling her sadness turned to her. He gently caressed her cheek and headed back to the water.

Catherine watched as Vincent taught Jacob the fundamentals of swimming. He held the little figure with both hands on his stomach as he splashed around, kicking his legs. Jacob was a fast learner and wanted to learn more. Later they tried the backstroke and dead-mans-float, and Vincent told him to be patient, he would have time to learn everything.

"Good Job, baby, you're doing it!" Catherine cheered when Vincent finally let go of his body. He had great stamina, and she knew he got this from Vincent. Catherine, however, didn't learn to swim till she was twelve! Jacob practiced swimming from one point to another, each time Vincent being at the beginning and end of each destination.

"Did you see that, Mommy?" he asked each time he accomplished another goal.

Catherine laughed, "Yes baby, you're ready for the Olympics!"

"Do you think I could try diving now?"

"NO!" both Catherine and Vincent said in unison. The last thing they needed was their 5-year-old jumping off of rock walls.

Jacob just laughed and began roughhousing with his dad. Jacob wanted to be big and macho like his Dad. Catherine noticed, even during their rough play, how gentle Vincent was with him. Jacob however was full-force! Catherine began stripping down, anxious to join in the fun.

The two began a splashing frenzy when Vincent suddenly stopped. He watched Catherine, as goddess-like graced herself into the pool. Vincent was off in dreamland until Jacob splashed him again and swam for dear life towards his mom. What was he looking at anyway? It was just Mommy!

"Did you see me swim, Mommy?"

"Yes, Jacob. I'm so proud of you." Catherine gathered him in her arms and Jacob circled his arms around her neck. She carried him in deeper so the water was up to her chest and the warmth could cover Jacob as well.

Now it was Vincent's turn to watch and he rested against the rock wall of the pool. He watched as Catherine and Jacob hummed as she swayed her son in her arms and the water made a gentle swooshing sound. Jacob had a very gentle mode when he was with his mother at times like this. He let his tough-boy guard down and became mommy's little boy. He rested his head on her shoulder as she told him about her first swimming lesson.

Vincent again drifted off, taking in the precious site before him of mother and son. Little did he know of the plot they were cooking up against him.

Totally unaware, Vincent was splashed double time! Looking a little embarrassed, he slicked his hair back and prepared to take revenge. He cornered his family in a 1 on 2 battle. Catherine couldn't help laughing at the poor defense her and Jacob put up against the massive tidal waves Vincent had on them. They didn't stand a chance against him

Jacob and Catherine finally gave up and she settled into a comfortable float on her back. Catherine couldn't help thinking how little they ate earlier and thought about getting out for lunch.

Vincent moved towards Catherine and looked down at her floating body. She looked beautiful, like a mermaid, her eyes gently closed. "What are you thinking?" he asked in that voice that almost made her go under.

Her eyes still shut, she answered him, "I'm thinking you should go pick up your baby so we can finally get something to eat."

"As you wish" Vincent whispered, and with that he lifted Catherine with both arms crushing her to his chest while nibbling on her neck.

Catherine squealed, "Vincent! That's not what I meant, put me down." She was giggling and Jacob laughed at his slick dad's actions. Vincent put her down, with a mischievous look in his eyes.

"Just for that, you're going to have to convince Jacob to get out of the water," and she headed off to dry.

"Not yet Daddy!"

"You've barely eaten, Jacob. It's time."

"You have to catch me first!"

Vincent let him get a head start when finally cupped the boy by his tummy and raised him over his head like a trophy. He pretended to lift weights as a laughing Jacob balanced on his hand yelling, "Again Daddy, again!"

Catherine had already laid out the lunch when they returned. "Look Catherine, I've caught a fish for you" and dropped Jacob into her lap, who smothered him with a towel.

"Wow, he looks so yummy!" she said kissing and drying him.

They ate lunch as any family, talking and laughing. Jacob, being the chatterbox as usual, was oblivious to the little glances his parents gave each other.

After lunch, Jacob got out two toy boats from the backpack and went to play in the corner of the chamber. The small area was like a little pier for Jacob; small enough for him to sit on and launch his boats. This was his usual spot when they came here, his favorite place.

The area was a few feet away from the picnic area, but safe enough that Catherine and Vincent had clear vision of him. Vincent helped Catherine clean up, every few minutes looking back to check on Jacob, who was engrossed in his play. Even when he wasn't looking in on him, Vincent could feel nothing but contentment through the bond.

With that done and over with, Vincent's mind wandered to more….interesting matters. His mission was done for the day and now he could relax, without his energized son disturbing him and his wife.

Since Catherine had moved below to marry Vincent he thought he would spend a lot more time with her. He definitely had her close now but the tunnel community had kept them both so busy. Vincent found he had a lot more time on his hands and began studying medicine with Father. Catherine was involved in everything and anything making herself an asset to the community. He loved that Catherine loved her life in the tunnels, but it was the intimate times alone he cherished the most. Between the work of the community, Jacob and the other children, Vincent and Catherine made it a standard to spend more time together, alone, starting with this weekend.

Catherine spread out her towel under a patch of sunlight and lied down with her eyes closed. Vincent got out his enormous towel, which looked more like a blanket and dried off. Both Catherine and Jacob had pretty much dried off after lunch but Vincent gave his fur one more run down. He lied down next to Catherine covering the blanket over them like a comforter.

For a while all you could hear from the huge towel was Catherine's giggles of "Vincent!" and "Stop that," or "That tickles!" And suddenly there was silence from both the figures under the towel. Both were always very conservative about being intimate in public, even in front of Jacob, they forced themselves to stay in check, so she did her best to keep her giggles at an all time low. Jacob was off in his own world and looked over at his parents under the towel. He could see his father's head over his mom's and for all he knew, they were asleep.

Jacob looked out across the water to the forbidden territory his father warned him about. Something stirred inside Jacob. He had to swim to the edge of the chamber; he just had to! It had been such a great day of accomplishment for him, and he wanted just one more challenge. Jacob was certainly an overachiever, which came from his Mom, and had a history of getting into sticky situations. He certainly wasn't a bad kid; actually he never disobeyed his parents, but couldn't help but wonder if he could swim to the end of the chamber.

His parents told him that there would be no more going in the water today. Hmmm…that didn't mean he couldn't dangle his feet in for a while. Did it?

Taking one look back at his parents who were engrossed in a deep kiss, Jacob slowly lowered his feet into the water, then legs, the waist followed, and…well, it just snowballed from there! He swam, without a sound, past the perimeter and the water got colder and colder. He kept a tight hold on the bond between him and his dad, keeping his mind focused and concentrated on reaching the end.

While smothering Catherine's face with kisses, Vincent couldn't help to check on the bond with Jacob. He felt nothing. Mid-kiss he looked up and found two abandoned toy boats. Vincent rose slightly to get a better look. When Catherine felt Vincent pull away she looked at his face and quickly snapped her head back. Their son was gone.

They both shot up and looked around the chamber when suddenly Catherine saw a small figure headed towards the outer chamber.

"JACOB!" Catherine screamed, and without thinking Vincent crashed into the water with grace, like a professional diver. Vincent never swam faster in his life.

The water grew very cold and Jacob could feel himself zoning out. He wasn't sure if it was from the cold or fatigue, but suddenly his legs gave away and he slipped under the water. He just wasn't a good enough swimmer yet, and then finally fatigue won him over. The last thing Jacob could remember was his mother's voice screaming his name.

Vincent felt his son's heart suddenly stop. Vincent too stopped his rapid swim to gather exactly what he was feeling. He cried out a painful roar as if he had been struck and increased his pace. Finally he took a deep breath and went under, feeling the last bits of life from his son. In the clear blue cascade he found his son slowly drifting like a ragged doll with his eyes closed. He grabbed him with one arm and swam to the surface.

Back at shore Catherine was having a panic attack. She waited anxiously with Vincent's huge blanket as she saw her husband carry the lifeless form toward her.

"Oh my god!" Catherine cried and ran into the water to help them out. The parents quickly wrapped Jacob up and began warming him. Vincent had done intensive studying on CPR with Father, but never thought he would have to use the practice on his son. As the breath of life filled Jacob's empty lungs he coughed out spurts of water, slowly regaining consciousness.

Catherine began sobbing louder now bringing Jacob close, crushing him to her breast wrapped in the warm towel.

"Breath deeply", Vincent encouraged his son and Catherine just sobbed, "Oh, thank God, my baby, my baby!" as she rocked him back and forth.

Vincent let out a sigh of relief when he saw him open his eyes and look up at his mother, not exactly sure of what had just happened.

Jacob looked up at the beautiful face as a ray of sunlight shined in her hair.

"Are you an angel?" he asked softly and then drifted back into sleep.

Catherine just stared at his sleepy face and then let out a soft laugh in the midst of all her cries.

Vincent carried the picnic basket on the way home and Catherine had insisted on carrying Jacob home. They had changed his clothes and wrapped him in several dry towels, but he still shivered slightly in his sleep. This made Vincent's heartbreak at the sight of his son in even the slightest discomfort. He wished he could make the pain his own. He was so little and helpless. He couldn't help but wonder that the two most important people, his entire life, were right now under his arm. He tightened his arm around Catherine's shoulder and protectively embraced his family as they walked.

Upon their arrival, Father gave Jacob one quick check up. He concluded that he was mostly just shaken up about the whole thing and just needed rest and warm soup. That night Jacob slept in between his parents.

When Catherine woke the next morning she saw Vincent in the big chair with Jacob in his lap with a children's book. She lied in bed quietly not wanting to disturb their conversation, which was, obviously, not about the book. She knew that Vincent had lectured him about yesterday's events, and was just grateful to see the vision in front of her.

"But it was an angel, daddy, she saved me. She was so pretty and looked like Mommy." It seemed like they had been contemplating about this for some time and Vincent never failed to tell his son the truth or disappoint him at the same time.

"I really thought I was gone but then I saw the angel!" Jacob was certainly exaggerating, as some kids do, about the experience.

"I believe you", Vincent stated simply.

"You do?" Jacob sounded surprised. "Why?"

"Because sometimes when I feel like I'm gone, I see that angel too."