"How do you feel?" he asked in resonant tones. He cocked his head in anticipation.
"I feel strange." Catherine didn't recognize her own voice, it sounded so melodious.
"That is understandable." He helped her to sit up, his shimmery cloak sliding down his arm as he did so.
"Where am I?" She studied his furry nose and upper lip. He looked full back in her eyes, no hint of shyness present. Somehow, this seemed incongruent.
"You need to be here, for now."
"You mean, I won't stay?"
Fleeting sadness crossed his statement. "I'm afraid not."
Her chin trembled. "But what if I want to?"
He chuckled, smiling a little. "You have been spoiled most of your life, even when life was hardest."
Catherine stilled. "What do you mean, 'was'?"
He took her hand gently. "You are not a part of it right now."
"But," she frowned puzzled. Trying to remember, a movie screen loomed in her mind. She was in a white hospital gown, crying out for her child, and finding her lover. That alone brought back a flood of others, her whole lifetime flashing through in minutes. "I died, didn't I?"
Rubbing the back of her hand soothingly, he replied, "That depends."
"Are you my Vincent? Are we both- gone?"
"No, I am not. Though, in a way, we are both in limbo. You have a choice. To return to your life, whatever it may become now. Or to continue on, being with your parents."
Her eyes grew huge, and large tears fell. He groaned and pulled her tenderly into his embrace, holding and rocking her as she had always longed for Vincent to do. "I know," he whispered in that velvety voice. She sobbed and clutched his tunic for a very long time before she settled down. Still sniffling, she wondered, "How do I return to Vincent, and my baby? Is it still possible?"
Continuing to rock her, he answered, "Of course! You did not die in the car underwater, did you? He did not die in the cavern, did he? There was California, the cave-in, and all those assignments gone awry. How could it not be this time also? You have a special gift that makes your love possible, and it really wasn't your time yet."
"Our gift? You mean the bond?" He nodded. "It has done wondrous things for us. The dance in the Great Hall. That was magic."
"Then you have decided?"
"There is no choice. I will always go back to his side whenever I can. And the baby!"
"Do not worry, he has found the child. They are connected, you know."
"He found him already?"
He smiled gently. "It took him several months. But little Jacob is safe Below now. Though the small one misses you."
"Jacob?" she grinned in pleasure. "A good name. Father should be pleased." A thought occured to her. "Several months are gone? How can that be?"
"Time here is different."
"How will I return, after all this time? Won't my body..."
"It is taken care of. Do not worry about that. Just rest."
"How long must I stay here?"
"Until you have regained your strength. Very soon now."
She scrambled out of his protective embrace. Standing unsteadily, she said triumphantly, "See! I am ready now!"
"What you are is impatient." He stood also, and caught her before she fell. She studied him. Tiny sparkles glittered in his hair. His clothing was pure white, all except his flowing cloak, which was a brilliant gold. He was like- he was her golden angel.
She leaned into his embrace, feeling all the things she should with her real Beloved. He sighed and held her tightly. "I don't want you to go."
"What are you?" she whispered, snuggling into his muscular chest.
"I am a part of you, always there. I go everywhere with you. And as I am a part of you, I am also a part of him."
They stood silent for a long time, each letting their mind wander, enjoying their brief respite together. Too soon he sighed. "It is time for you to return."
"Will it hurt?"
"After you awake, their will be much pain for you. And him too. But do not give up, and it will all work out for you. You have gone this far. Do not let anyone or anything stand in your way. Even yourself or him. You can make the seemingly impossible happen."
"Will you help me?" He nodded, suddenly too choked up to speak. She pressed against him one last time. Then, unexpectedly, she took his face between her two small hands, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him full on the mouth. He hesitated in surprise, then responded, full of passion and innocence. It was almost as tantalizing as the real thing, like a realistic dream.
Catherine stepped
back. "What should I do?" A door appeared out of nowhere. He gestured her
towards it. Putting his hand to the small of her back, he led her over
to the doorknob. She turned it, feeling warmth suffuse her hand and arm.
"Thank you," she whispered. They stepped out through the doorway, he right
behind her. She seemed to float downward, the air refreshing. She looked
up at him, only to see him fading quickly. He smiled a full, fang baring
grin at her. She smiled beatifically back at him. The moment when she could
no longer see him, as earth sped up around her, she remembered something
that had happened to Vincent once. He had had a vision of her, in his dreams,
showing him what life would have been like without him. It had been there
when needed most. Her suspicions grew. Their bond had indeed manifested
in many forms; always to bring them together...
<