DAWNING

For the first time in his life, Vincent woke to the sound ofbirds. He took a moment to orient himself and realize that the lightthat filled the room was sunlight and the warm weight against hisback was Catherine pressed against him. A few candle flames stillguttered in pools of melted wax and Mouse's stars, faded now in thedaylight, still shone on the ceiling.

Vincent lay quietly on his side, blinking a little in theunaccustomed brightness and wishing he could stretch. Catherine wasstill deeply asleep, however, and he was afraid if he moved, he wouldwake her.

The matter was taken out of his hands by the softly muffled soundof a ringing bell. Catherine stirred as Vincent sat up and reachedfor trousers and a shirt from the neat stack of clean clothes waitingon a chair. Pulling them on, he returned Catherine's sleepy smilebefore opening the hidden door and descending the dark staircase.When he opened the door at the bottom, he was greeted with bellows ofrage from his son. Jamie deposited the baby unceremoniously inVincent's arms.

"Sorry," she said with a wry look. "Mary says he can't wait anylonger." She offered him a cloth-covered basket. "This is for you.William thought you might be hungry."

"Thank you, Jamie." Vincent accepted the basket before closing thedoor again and carrying Charles, still screaming, up the stairs.

Catherine had found his discarded shirt from yesterday and wasslipping it on as he entered the room. He smiled as he handed her thebaby, who stopped in mid-scream and began to nurse hungrily.

Vincent watched the tender scene for a few moments before hewas once again attracted by the sounds outside. As he moved to theopen french doors, he could see a pair of sparrows scolding eachother as they built a nest in a nearby tree. From another tree, animpudent squirrel leaped to the low terrace wall, scampering along itsurefootedly. Vincent smiled as the squirrel stopped, sat up, andgave him a long, cool look of assessment before disappearing over theside of the terrace.

The floor under his bare feet was warm where the sun had beenshining on it and a mild spring breeze blew gently. Squirrels andbirds were a new experience for Vincent. The only days he had everspent Above had been in Catherine's apartment, which was too high forsquirrels and where the only bird was an occasional pigeon.

Catherine came to stand beside him, still wearing his shirt.Vincent liked the way she looked in it, with the sleeves rolled upseveral times but still too long for her, and the hem falling justabove her knees. She'd left the top button open and the ruffled stockwas untied and hanging loosely. Charles drowsed against her shoulderand Vincent put his arms around both of them protectively.

"My wife," he whispered softly, savoring the way the words tastedon his tongue. "My wife."

Finally turning away from the doors, they spied Jamie's basket onthe floor beside the bed. The enticing aroma of cinnamon made themrealize they were hungry. Inside the basket they found fresh fruitand some of William's sweet rolls, which were still warm. Underneaththese were a loaf of fresh, crusty bread, a wedge of hard cheese andcold sliced roast beef and ham, which they set aside for later. Therewas also a small package of tea leaves, and Catherine and Vincentlaughed together, realizing they had no way to heat any water. Thehouse, with the exception of the bedroom, was still unfurnished andthe new kitchen appliances wouldn't be delivered for several moredays.

In the light of day, Catherine could see the miracles Jenny hadworked in the bedroom. Four days ago, when Catherine had last seenit, the walls were still bare drywall and the hardwood floor had beensanded but not yet stained or varnished. Now the floor gleamed gentlyin the sun and the wallpaper Catherine had picked out adorned thewalls. Even a few pictures had been hung and thick, hand-woven drapesshielded the windows.

After eating their picnic breakfast on the floor near the frenchdoors, Catherine took Vincent to explore the newly restored house.She saved the large room at the front of the second floor for last.This would be their study and Catherine hung back, letting Vincententer first. As he stopped in surprise, Catherine slipped her armthrough his, watching his face.

Arched fanlights reached for the ceiling like rays of sunlightabove each of the three large windows in the room, and, as a weddingpresent for Vincent, Catherine had replaced them with richly coloredstained glass. The center window was an exact replica of the one inVincent's chamber. Although the side windows were different, theywere of complementary designs and colors.

"Catherine, they're beautiful." Vincent turned away from thewindows to look at her. "Thank you."

"I want you to feel at home here," she explained, leaning againsthim.

"I am always at home," Vincent said softly, "when I'm withyou."

* * * * *

Sharing dreams, making plans and playing with Charles occupied therest of the morning. When the baby went down for an afternoon nap,they realized they were hungry again and reached for the basket oncemore. This time, the picnic took place in the middle of the bed.Catherine frowned as she brushed at a few stray particles of food.

"I hope you know," she said in mock severity, "that this does notset an official precedent. I don't like crumbs in my bed."

Vincent had stretched out comfortably, his head and shoulderssupported by pillows. He smiled. "Our bed," he reminded her softly,and Catherine's expression changed.

"Yes," she agreed, moving the basket to nestle beside him, herhead on his shoulder.

Vincent had never put on his boots, or even socks. Instead, likeCatherine, he was barefoot. Catherine had never seen his feet beforeand she found herself studying them. They were large, strong, andwell-shaped with carefully trimmed and blunted nails. Dense fursimilar to that on his hands covered the tops and she stretched oneof her own feet down to stroke it gently. It felt silky, almostticklish on the tips of her toes. Vincent drew the foot up to restfirmly beneath hers. She curled her toes into the fur and looked upto find him watching her with a trace of a smile.

"I've never seen them before," she explained lamely, embarrassedby his amused scrutiny. She looked down again. "Your feet are likethe rest of you," she whispered. "Beautiful."

Vincent made a noise deep in his throat. "Catherine," he began,demurring.

"They are," she argued, a trifle indignantly. "You are," moresoftly as she elbowed herself up. "Always to me." She touched hischeek tenderly, first with her fingers, then with her lips. "Kiss me,Vincent," she murmured, her voice suddenly husky.

He did, softly, but drew back when her lips parted, invitingpassion. "Catherine," he said again, glancing uncertainly toward thesunlight streaming through the french doors.

She followed his look and smiled. "We're married now, Vincent.It's all right." She took his face between her hands. "I want to loveyou in the sunlight, too."

"Starlight, moonlight and candlelight weren't enough?" heinquired, the faintest touch of humor coloring his tone.

"No," she said, forsaking subtlety for outright assault.

* * * * *

The sun had gone down and twilight was fading fast when theyfinally gathered up their things and prepared to return to thetunnels. Catherine reluctantly relinquished Vincent's shirt in favorof her own fresh clothing, while Vincent pulled on his boots for thefirst time that day.

Catherine lingered at the entrance to the secret stairs. "This wasa wonderful day," she said, looking back. "I hate to leave."

"It's only for a few weeks," Vincent reminded her. "We'll soon beback to stay."

With a smile and a nod, she stepped back to let him close thedoor. Settling Charles more firmly in one arm, Vincent tookCatherine's hand as they started down the stairs on their way totheir new life together.

THE END