candle

Candle toCandle

Edith Crowe

Contrary to his usual habit, Vincent woke very slowly. He couldfeel awareness of his surroundings welling up from what seemed to bea very deep place. He saw no need to hurry it, since his presenthalf-awake state was so thoroughly pleasant; he felt more relaxedthan he could ever remember. There was also a curious andunaccustomed sensation of ... lightness? ... as if a tether bindinghim to earth had been cut, or a burden long carried had beenrelinquished at last. Everything around him was quiet, and he driftedslowly toward consciousness. Then Catherine moved beside him, and hiseyes snapped open.

For a moment, the sight that greeted those eyes convincedhim he was still asleep and dreaming. Reluctantly he closed andopened them again. The vision was still there ... a very tangiblevision, he realized, as she snuggled closer to him, still asleep. Thewarmth of her body against him, the heady feel of her skin touchinghis, triggered the memory of the night before in a great flood. Therevels of Winterfest, late into the night. Bringing her to thisremote chamber afterward, that he had filled with candles and roses... telling her that he was finally ready to take the risk of lovingher. Her joy ... her passion ...

Their bond told him she was awake seconds before thesensuous rubbing of her cheek against his chest, and the cluster ofkisses that followed. Sighing in utter contentment, she lifted herhead far enough to focus on his face. Her smile was the mostbeautiful sight he had ever seen--at least since the previous night.

"Good morning." Catherine's voice held a langorousquality he had never heard before. "If it is still morning. If we'vebeen sleeping all day we certainly earned it."

Remembering how they had earned it left Vincenttemporarily bereft of speech, and almost of sense. "It's not quitenoon," he finally managed to get out, in a voice he barely recognizedas his own.

"How can you know that?" Catherine asked, intrigued."It's quite obvious you're not wearing a watch ..." She smiledwickedly. "Is this yet another hidden talent you've kept from me?"

"The candles. I can tell by how much they've burneddown."

Catherine spared a glance for the huge candles on theirtall holders at the corners of the bed. "I must have been preoccupiedlast night. I never thought ... those would have to burn a long time,or we'd be waking up in the dark. Electricity doesn't seem to stretchto this chamber." Catherine propped herself up on one elbow to regardVincent curiously. "What is this chamber, anyway? Besides a placeI'll remember vividly until my dying day."

Her reminiscent smile made it somewhat difficult to framea reply, but Vincent made a manful effort. "We have a few like this,remote, assigned to no one in particular. They are sometimes used bypeople who just need to spend time alone to think or meditate. Theyare quite popular with couples who are ... uh ... courting. Or thosenewly married, or parents of small children who need to get away oncein a while."

"You mean, this is sort of the Tunnel equivalent of aresort?" Catherine laughed delightedly.

"One might describe it in those terms. This chamber inparticular." Vincent gave Catherine a secretive smile.

"What do you mean, 'in particular'? Don't tell me youhave even more surprises up your sleeve. So to speak." Catherine ranher hand slowly down his arm, as if if to emphasize his current lackof sleeves.

"Did it surprise you that I finally gained the courage tolove you? You should have more faith in your powers of persuasion."

"I guess I was afraid to hope too much--it felt like I'dbe tempting the gods. Look what happened to all those poor Greeks wholet their hubris get out of hand." Catherine's voice was halfteasing, half serious.

"Fortunately," Vincent told her gently, "whatever godswatch over us seem to be of a more benevolent turn of mind.""At leastlately," Catherine admitted grudgingly. "I hope they'll stay thatway."

"They should," Vincent replied in a mock-serious tone."After all, you just sacrificed a virgin to them ... in a manner ofspeaking."

"You were a very willing sacrifice, my love." Catherinewas unable to take either her hands or eyes away from Vincent, as ifshe too were afraid he would dissolve into morning light, like herdreams of this moment always had before.

"A willing sacrifice is the kind most pleasing to thegods," Vincent spoke softly as his fingers gently traced the curve ofher jaw.

"Then they should be remarkably pleased after last night.Once you realized there was nothing to fear, you were positivelyeager to be sacrificed. Except ... "

"Except what?" Vincent tried to keep his voice frombetraying his sudden worry. Had he failed Catherine somehow? Orworse, hurt her in a way his passion of last night had prevented himfrom realizing?

Catherine leaned close to him and whisperedconspiratorily into his ear. "I'm afraid they won't believe you werea virgin. You were wonderful. Worth waiting years for ... worthwaiting a lifetime for."

Both embarassed and pleased, Vincent took refuge inwords. "I was not without theoretical knowledge, Catherine, but afterLisa, how could I know that anything I read or heard would be truefor me? Until you convinced me otherwise, I never believed I had theright to risk putting that knowledge into practice."

"Well," Catherine announced emphatically, "for someonewho's never done this before, you have a remarkable talent. AlthoughI don't know why I should be surprised at that; you've done well atanything else you put your hand to." A stricken look came overCatherine's face as soon as the words were out.

Vincent grinned in delight. "Catherine! I've never seenyou blush before." Taking pity on her, he continued. "I haven'tsucceeded at everything I've tried."

"Such as?"

"William tried to teach me once to bake bread, at myinsistence. It was a disaster.""Why? I know you can cook otherthings, and very well, too."

Vincent raised the hand that curled around her shoulder."You showed me, Catherine, that these hands are made for loving,after all. But they are not made for kneading dough."

"Dear heart--bread I can get anywhere. Loving I only wantfrom you."

Vincent pulled Catherine close for a slow, gentle kiss.After a while, she lay back against his arm, and he stroked herthroat and shoulders with a feather touch as she spoke again.

"Dear love," she said softly. "So many times you told meto follow my heart--and so reluctant you were to follow your own.""Noless a sage than Emerson," he replied, "said 'a foolish consistencyis the hobgoblin of small minds.' "

"Mmm. Well, we know there's nothing small about you,Vincent," Catherine told him silkily.

It took a few seconds for her words to sink in, thenVincent gave Catherine the satisfaction of seeing him blush for thefirst time. This was an aspect of Catherine he had never before seen.He discovered that his surprise quickly gave way to pleasure. Hislips found hers again. As they began to work their way downward, hefelt her hands tangle in his hair, and his breath began to quicken ashers did. Clearly they were done with conversation for some time.

The candles had burned considerably lower by the timeVincent even thought of resuming their conversation. Catherine wasidly stroking the hair that fanned out over his back as he lay withhis head on her breast. He briefly considered lying there forever,but reluctantly concluded that they would both have to eateventually, not to mention ...

"Catherine ... "

"Mmm?"

Reluctantly, Vincent rolled over and attempted a sittingposition. "There's something else I would like to show you."

Catherine stretched luxuriously and moved to sit besidehim. "Vincent, if you show me anything more I'll have to take a restcure. That will make Joe very unhappy; practically everyone at workis taking off after Christmas."

"This surprise," he assured her, "is of a differentcategory."

"Well, my love," she replied, "I don't know whether to bedisappointed or relieved. But, since I've undeniably enjoyed all yoursurprises so far, lead on."

Rising from the bed, Vincent held out a hand to her.Curious, she took it and followed him to a door at right angles tothe one through which they had entered last night. Moving thetapestry aside, he drew her through and stepped aside to see herreaction.

"Oh, Vincent, this is wonderful! No wonder you said thischamber was special." She turned to him excitedly. "Who built this?How long has it been here?"

Pleased at her reaction, Vincent explained as heretrieved bathing paraphenalia from a small cabinet near the door."These are natural hot springs, but everything was quite primitiveuntil about fifteen years ago. This was built by a man called Tohiro,who died before we met. He had been born in Japan, and was badlydisfigured when Hiroshima was bombed. He lived with us for the lasttwenty years of his life."

"It just occured to me," Catherine said as she slippedinto the warm water, "that I should spend all my extra time Belowhelping with the laundry. One thing I never considered in all myhopes of us becoming lovers was what an extra burden it would be forwhoever washes sheets around around here."

Entering the water himself, Vincent watched as Catherineducked her head under. Shaking the water out of her eyes as sheemerged, she sat next to him on the stone seat carved along the sideof the pool. She slipped into the curve of his arm and leaned herhead against his shoulder. Vincent marveled at how quickly he hadbecome used to having her there.

"Dearest, we are not the only ones down here who engagein activities that increase demands on the laundry. We have lovers,and married couples, and young children, after all." He kissed thetop of her head. The last time he had seen her hair wet like this,she had almost drowned. There were so many memories that needed to bereplaced with happier ones ...

Catherine insisted on washing every inch of him, from hismane of hair to the furry feet which had so delighted her last night.Returning the favor, he discovered a whole new category ofcontentment. Supporting her with one arm as she lay back in thewater, he watched her hair spread out in the current, rinsing thesoap away, and thought of goddesses rising from the sea.

Moving from the washing pool to the soaking one, theysettled into the warmth. For a long time they sat without speaking,enjoying the feel of the water. It seemed to Vincent that only theheaviness of his utterly relaxed body kept him from floating away, hefelt so light with happiness and relief.

Catherine sat on his lap, one arm curled around his neckand her other hand idly stroking his chest underneath the water."Vincent?"

"Mm?" Realizing the response fell far short of his usualarticulate level, he decided he couldn't care less.

"How did you know this room would be free tonight--didyou have to, well, make reservations?" She began to toy with thestrands of his hair that floated on the water.

"This room is never used at Winterfest--that's the onetime when all our people come together; this place is where people goto be apart."

"Well, what about the roses?" Catherine wondered. "Howdid you ever manage to get so many? Did you get Mouse to liberate ashipment from the flower market, no questions asked?"

"Actually, one of our Helpers is a flower wholesaler.I've helped her over the years with projects which needed strength,or construction skills. She has been troubled by arthritis for a longtime, and such things are difficult for her." Vincent laughed. "Ibelieve I now owe her my services for the next two decades."

"Didn't she wonder why you wanted about ten dozen roses?"

Vincent could feel Catherine smile as her head rested inthe hollow of his shoulder.

"Perhaps she wondered at first, but after seeing ustogether at Winterfest she may have developed a theory or two."Vincent kissed the top of Catherine's head again, just to keep inpractice. "Do remember meeting Mrs. Tran?"

"She's the one?" Catherine raised her head. "No wondershe kept looking at me all night and smiling."

Vincent stretched lazily. "I told Father last night thatI was going to suggest that you stay Below, since Winterfest was solate. Of course, I didn't mention that I planned to suggest stayingwith you." Reluctantly, he stood and took Catherine's hand to leadher from the pool. "We should give some thought to making anappearance soon. It's getting late and I do not dry quickly."

"I'll help," Catherine volunteered eagerly.

"If you help too much," Vincent cautioned, "we may notget out of here until dinnertime--and you must be hungry."

Catherine admitted this was so. After the towel dryingwas completed in as businesslike a manner as circumstances allowed,Vincent led Catherine to a small room off the bathing pool. Itsparticular configuration channeled and concentrated the air, makingit almost a miniature version of the Chamber of the Winds.

"This is wonderful!" Catherine shouted happily to beheard over the whistling winds. "This place even comes with anindustrial strength blow dryer." Vincent smiled at her pleasure,watching the flush on her cheeks and the gleaming hair whirlingaround her face.

When they returned to the bedchamber, Catherine shook herhead as she retrieved the velvet dress from where it had fallen thenight before. "Lying in heap all night has not improved this onebit," she commented, "even if it weren't unsuitable for day wear.Might that wardrobe have something that wouldn't get me stared at allday?"

Pulling open the wardrobe doors, Vincent retrieved adress and held it out to Catherine. "The last time you wore this waswhen you came Below after your father died. There are other thingshere if it pains you to wear it again. But you did look beautiful init," he said wistfully.

Catherine took the dress from him and slipped it over herhead. "Not all the memories from that time are painful, Vincent." Shestroked his face. "And now that we know that there are no limits tothe love between us, there is a core of joy at the center of ourlives that no sorrow can touch."

Suddenly, the wonder of it was so great she felt unableto hold it; the sudden tears that overflowed her eyes seemed all thatkept her from bursting with a happiness of such magnitude she knew nowords adequate to express it.

Vincent drew her into his arms, holding her as fiercelyas she did him. It was a long time before they were able to part soVincent could dress. Catherine helped him pull the shirt over hishead and slip into a vest. Tying all the ties and buttoning all thebuttons on the elaborately piecemeal garments brought her morepleasure than she thought possible. The intimate ordinariness ofthese acts, even more than than their lovemaking, stunned her with anawareness of the infinite possibilities that had suddenly openedbefore them. Not a life without limits, but a life together--and whoknew what the limits might be?

They walked back to the central chambers with a sense ofamazement at how much had changed between them since they had takenthe same path in the early hours of the morning. So few hours, tocontain such happiness. Such a short time to change the course of twolives. But then, there was a day less than three years ago they hadbegun in ignorance of each other's existence, and ended with theirlives inexplicably intertwined. They walked in silent wonder, handsclasped, unable to let go of each other even when the passagenarrowed too much for them to walk comfortably side by side.

Catherine wondered what Father and the others wouldthink. Surely their new intimacy, the exponential increase in theirhappiness, would be so obvious that everyone would stop and stare assoon as they entered a room. Catherine was perfectly willing to shoutit from the rooftops, but was afraid Vincent would be uncomfortableor embarassed. Looking at him as he walked beside her, it occurred toCatherine that the only beast-like thing about Vincent was not hislooks, nor his strength, but his innocence. Whether his passion dealtlove or death, it was with the innocence of a beast. Only men couldpervert the act of love in rape. Only men could take sick pleasure intorture or kill for such convoluted motives as greed or revenge orpolitics. Vincent's passion for her was as pure as the crystal thathung around her neck, untainted by the tangle of power games, of userand used, that so often passed for love in her world.

As it turned out, Catherine need not have worried abouttheir reception. Everyone Below was either still groggy fromWinterfest or so excited about the holidays still to come they hardlynoticed Vincent and Catherine. After all, Catherine had spent so muchtime Below since Vincent's recovery from near-death last summer theywere used to her presence. If the more sensitive of the Tunneldwellers noticed an extra glow about their favorite couple, it wasattributed to the holiday spirit-- or to the lingering effects of toomuch of another kind of spirit the night before.

Regular mealtimes were fortunately another casualty ofthe holiday preparations, so Catherine and Vincent were able toscrounge a late lunch without a lecture from William, who seemed tospend all his waking hours baking these days. Tucked into a corner ofthe kitchen, surrounded by warmth and the smells of yeast andcinnamon, the two lovers shared a meal of odds and ends, wondering ifany heaven could possibly be better than this. Emerging from theirhaven, they were immediately shanghaied by Kipper and Samantha, whotook their duties as heads of the decoration detail very seriously.

Catherine was put to work stringing popcorn as Samanthaconfided in a very loud whisper that Vincent was useless for such atask, since his large hands were not well suited to delicatethreading, and besides he ate too much of the popcorn. Catherine madea mental note to load up on popcorn the next time she boughtgroceries, as memories of just what those hands were good for keptdamaging her concentration.

Vincent was dragooned into hanging decorations at aheight his diminutive overseers couldn't reach. Happily stringing herpopcorn, Catherine decided that the Tunnel dwellers had the rightidea. Not only did they celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwaanza,they even created another holiday of their own for good measure.Depending on when Hanukkah fell, some years they ended up celebratingfor almost a month. Suddenly she stopped with her needle poised inmid-air as her face fell. In a moment, Vincent was beside her chair.

"Catherine, is something wrong?"

"Vincent, I just remembered--Hanukkah begins tonight, andI promised Jenny I'd come. They're having a big family celebration ather parents', an open house after dinner. I think they wanted tocheer me up, since it'll be my first holiday season without Dad.Jenny could hardly tell them how I was really spending the holiday."

"That sounds like something you would enjoy, Catherine,"Vincent observed with puzzlement. "Why don't you--"

"Vincent, I just can't bear the thought of being awayfrom you, even for a minute, not now, not after ..." She ducked herhead in consternation. "Oh, God, I'm being silly, aren't I?"

"No," Vincent said softly, "you're not. I can't bear tobe apart from you either, even though I know we must go back to oureveryday lives in a little while. But you mustn't disappoint Jenny'sfamily."

"I wish you could come with me," Catherine smiled. "Maybenobody around here has noticed anything's different with us, but onelook at my face and Jenny will know the other shoe has dropped.She'll have a fit not being able to see you right away and give agreat big congratulatory hug."

"Then I shall come with you," Vincent stated.

"What?" Catherine was so startled she dropped her stringof popcorn. "Vincent, it's in Brooklyn! Even if we had time to walkthat far, none of the deep Tunnels go under the river. The ones thatdo are too public."

"We'll walk part of the way," Vincent explained calmly,"and take the subway for the rest. With the holiday crowds, it shouldbe safe enough for you after dark ... or perhaps you should take acab."

Catherine began to feel like she had wandered into theTwilight Zone by mistake. Had her beloved taken leave of his senses?Here he was talking about taking the subway together like it was themost normal thing in the world. Maybe her attempts to convince himthey could have more of a life together than he was willing to admithad been too successful. As she tried frantically to think of anappropriate response, she suddenly remembered just how Vincent wasused to taking the subway.

"Vincent!" she cried, horrified. "You're worried about meriding inside the subway and you plan to ride on it?You can't! It's too dangerous! We're not talking about saving my lifehere, just going to a party. It's not worth it. I'll call Jenny andtell her I can't come; she'll figure out something to tell herparents--"

"Catherine--" Vincent captured her hands in his andsmiled. "I've been riding on the tops of subways for twenty years,and haven't fallen off once. You're in more danger crossing aManhattan street."

Catherine looked at his sparkling eyes in consternation.One thing she never wanted to do was have Vincent be less than he wasout of deference to her. She had a sudden vision of a young boy withwild golden hair, clinging to the train's roof in exhilaration, ableto forget for a little while how constricted his life really was.Able to pretend for just a moment that it wouldn't be that wayforever.

For so long, all she had been able to think about werethe fears and self-doubts that kept Vincent from consummating theirlove, and how she could convince him that completion was not onlypossible, but inevitable and right. That was so monumental a task,she had barely given a thought to what came after. Now, feeling thetouch of those gentle hands that had at last given her the love sheknew they could, Catherine realized that an even greater challengelay ahead. Building a life with this unique, precious creature beforeher would be full of such unexpected questions. There was no modelfor it; they would have to move carefully, making their own path. Butmake it they would, and the journey began now.

"All right, Vincent," she said, sounding braver than shefelt. "But you'd better not make a habit of it if you have anyconcern for my blood pressure."

A moment after Catherine knocked on the Aaronsons' door, it wasopened and a wave of light, sound and delicious smells poured intothe corridor and surrounded the smiling figure of Jenny's mother."Cathy, dear, I'm so glad you were able to come. We don't see enoughof you these days."

Catherine gave Leah Aaronson a hug. "I know. I promiseone of my New Year's resolutions is to say 'no' a lot more often atwork. I know it's important, but so are family and friends."

David Aaronson came to add his greetings to those of hiswife, and led Catherine through the throng to say hello to Jenny'soldest brother. His visit from California was the reason for thisexceptionally large gathering of the clan. After saying hello to thewhole family and admiring the baby, Catherine was handed from oneAaronson to the other, talking to people she hadn't seen in years,and several she was sure she'd never met before. The only Aaronsonthat didn't seem to be in evidence was Jenny.

Catherine hoped Vincent wasn't too bored, waiting for herin the tunnel that ran below the apartment house across the street.She tried to open herself to all the sights and smells and soundsaround her, letting her feelings of warmth and friendship for thesepeople flow through their bond. If he couldn't be here with her,Catherine wanted to share this with him as much as she could.

Suddenly the crowd parted and gave her a glimpse ofJenny, trapped in a corner by a group of young cousins engaged insome cutthroat dreidl-spinning. She was scowling suspiciously at agangly youth as if she suspected him of rigging the game. Looking upsuddenly, her eyes met Catherine's. Doing her best to looknonchalant, Catherine smiled and waved. Jenny stared at Catherine amoment as if puzzled by something, then her eyes widened. Climbingover the Aaronson cousins, oblivious to their protests, sheapproached with the inevitability of a tsunami.

"Hi, Jenny," Catherine greeted her.

"Hi, nothing, Chandler," Jenny countered. "Come on."

Catherine found herself dragged down the hallway into abedroom populated solely by a mountain of coats. "All right, pal,"Jenny ordered, "give."

"Give what?"

"Cathy, if the electricity went out right now, a roomwith you in it would still look like a hundred menorahs on the lastnight of Hannukah."

"Jenny, nobody else seems to have noticed anything. Ican't imagine what you mean." Catherine knew this was a game she'dalready lost, but it was fun anyway.

"Bull, Chandler. You forget who you're talking to."

"Whom," Catherine corrected primly.

"Whom, schmoom," Jenny dismissed her. "Don't change thesubject. Something's happened, and it must be pretty big to get youto look like that. What ... ohmigod." Jenny grabbed Catherine's armsand grinned from ear to ear. "You did it, didn't you."

"Did what?" Catherine couldn't keep this up much longer;an equally flamboyant grin kept struggling to take over her own face.

"You know damn well what! You and Vincent! Tell me thisminute or I'll go push your face in the chopped liver."

"Well, if you put it that way ..." Catherine couldn'thold it in any longer. "Yes. YES. YEEESSS!!"

Jenny shrieked and hugged Catherine with such abandonthey both fell over on top of the coats. "Good grief, Jenny,"Catherine giggled. "If anyone comes in now they'll have a whole newtheory about why a nice girl like me doesn't have a boyfriend." Thatset them both off again, and it was several minutes before either ofthem could manage to sit up. After wiping her eyes and straighteningher hair, Jenny took a deep breath.

"Cath, I am so happy for you. I can tell by the look onyour face it was wonderful."

"Yes, it was," Catherine whispered, hugging herself. "Ican still hardly believe I'm not dreaming."

"Damn!" Jenny exploded, practically jumping up and downin her excitement. "I wish we weren't stuck at this party. Not onlywould I like to tell that gorgeous guy of yours how smart he is, I'dlike to get you back to him. I can't believe you bothered to come tothis shindig--I know you'd rather be with Vincent, especially now. Ican't believe you could tear yourself away."

"Jenny, you know your parents really counted on mecoming," Catherine reminded her. "They've always been so nice to me,and I've hardly seen them lately. Besides, they're so concerned aboutme being alone since Dad died." Catherine sighed. "I could hardlytell them I'd be spending the holiday with the city's biggestextended family."

"Turned out to be quite a holiday, didn't it?" Jennygrinned. "You sure got some present, and it's not even Christmas yet.Of course, I guess this qualifies as 'the gift that keeps on giving.'We've gotta get you back to Santa Claus as soon as possible."

"Actually, that won't take as long as you think,"Catherine revealed. "You're right about not being able to tear myselfaway. He's just across the street."

"Across the--" Jenny stared. "You mean there are Tunnelsin Brooklyn too?"

"In every borough," Catherine told her, "but only theones in Manhattan are really lived in."

"But how did Vincent get across--no, don't tell me, I cantake only so much at once. Just when I think I've gotten used to theidea of the Magic Kingdom ... "

"Jenny, you learned about it less than two months ago. Itdoes take some getting used to ... although you got used to Vincentamazingly fast."

"Yeah," Jenny agreed, "in some ways that was the easiestpart. I already knew you loved the guy, and when I met him, all Icould think of was at last you'd found the right one, and he wasn'tsome egotistical Yuppie clone."

"Understatement of the century," Catherine smiled.

"No, seriously," Jenny insisted. "Remember, I've knownyou since we were freshies at dear old Radcliffe. Your track recordwas not too impressive then."

Catherine winced. "I was young ... "

"That's what Nancy and I kept telling ourselves. Then youactually decided to marry Stephen Bass--I can't tell you how relievedI was when that fell apart. And Tom Gunther ... look up 'prick' inthe dictionary and there's his picture."

"You really worried about me, didn't you?" Despite thebantering tone, Catherine could hear the seriousness under Jenny'swords.

"You bet I did," her friend agreed. "you never believedyou were worth much for anything but decoration--everybody assumedyou were just a shallow rich kid, until you believed it yourself. Youkept picking guys that thought so too." Jenny looked at Catherinethoughtfully for a moment. "I guess that's why when I met Vincent,none of the strangeness mattered. All I could see was that you'dfinally met a man who not only thought you were worthwile, but hadeven gotten you to believe it."

Catherine was so moved by Jenny's revelation she didn'tknow what to say; she sat with her eyes on her lap, strokingsomeone's fur muff.

Jenny stood up decisively. "Come on, if we don't get outof here soon people are going to talk. You can mingle for a littlewhile longer, then we'll sneak out of here so I can get you back toMr. Right and tell him how good he is at picking women. Besides, I'mdying to see if he looks as pie-eyed as you do."

Less than an hour later, Jenny and Catherine wereclimbing a ladder down into the tunnel where Vincent waited. Jennyclutched a large bag of Hanukkah cookies in her teeth, sinceCatherine had mentioned how much he liked them. Jenny was a littleworried about her reception--this was not exactly an occasion coveredby Miss Manners. What was the appropriate way for congratulating afurry hunk on having the good sense to start sleeping with your bestfriend? She'd only met the guy six weeks ago, after all, even thoughshe'd been dreaming about him and Cathy since the beginning. When shefinally met him, his appearance neither frightened nor repelled her.She was too delighted to discover that for once her dreams hadn'tbeen full of the ambiguous symbolism that so often frustrated her,but perfectly literal.

After that first night when they had talked for hours,Cathy had told her that Vincent felt the way Jenny did, like they hadknown each other for years. Maybe it wasn't so surprising, after all.They had one very important thing in common. They both lovedCatherine and wanted her to have the happiness she deserved. Jennywas almost as ecstatic as Catherine that Vincent had finally decidedonly a life with him would give her that happiness. She grinned aswell as she could with a bag of cookies in her mouth. Boy, the nextfifty years or so were going to be real interesting. She wasdetermined she'd be around to watch.

Reaching the tunnel floor, Jenny turned around, bag ofcookies still in her teeth, to find Vincent's smiling eyes lookingdirectly into hers over Catherine's shoulder. They were hugging as ifthey'd been apart for about a year. With a final squeeze theyseparated enough so both could face Jenny, who saw that Vincent'ssmile wasn't limited to his eyes. Realizing Miss Manners was sure toadvise against speaking with a bag in one's mouth, Jenny hurriedlyremoved it and extended it toward Vincent. "Happy Hanukkah," shemanaged to croak out. "L'chaim."

"L'chaim," Vincent repeated. "A very appropriatesentiment, since I have never felt more alive." He looked atCatherine, who gazed up at him like he was a combination of God andlunch.

Jenny couldn't stand it anymore. Miss Manners be damned.She threw her arms around the two of them, almost in tears. "God, Iam so happy for both of you!"

Entangled in a three-way hug, Catherine and Jenny weren'tsure whether to laugh, cry or both. Vincent was dazed by the feelingscoursing through him, both Catherine's and his own. Having spent hiswhole life preparing to face pain, he found himself inundated by morejoy than it seemed he could possibly hold. He realized in someamazement that he would have to learn at last to deal with happiness.What a welcome task that would be ...

Jenny extricated herself and attempted to regain hercomposure. "Those are Hanukkah cookies," she explained, gesturingtoward the rather damp and now very wrinkled bag."Cathy said youreally liked them. I know you likelatkes even better, but theydon't exactly travel well."

Vincent acknowledged her gift with a smile. So far, he'ddone more smiling in the last ten minutes than in the six weeks he'dknown Jenny. "Perhaps soon you can come and make some for us." Us.What a lovely word.

"Oh, you bet!" Jenny agreed. "Any time!" She tookVincent's hand, and Catherine's. "Look, I have to get back to theparty, or my parents will call the cops. I'll come and see you soon,OK?" She shook her head in wonder. "You know, Hanukkah presents aresupposed to be just for kids. But you two have given me the best oneI've ever had."

The trip back to Manhattan was uneventful, but Catherinedidn't breathe easy until she descended the ladder in her basementand found Vincent waiting as calmly as if he'd taken a moreconventional means of transportation. She insisted she didn't needVincent's help to retrieve things from her apartment. Riding on thesubway was enough excitement for one night. She made him promise tostay rooted to the spot until she returned.

Catherine had always intended to spend Christmas Below,but she had counted on going home the night of Winterfest and comingback later. Now she was planning to stay right through untilChristmas night. Too bad Cinderella was going to turn back into anoverworked ADA on December 26. Catherine smiled happily as she packeda small suitcase. True, she and Vincent would have to take up theduties of their daily lives all too soon ... but they would never bethe same again. Discovering the shape and direction of thoselives--that life--was going to be a glorious adventure.

They stopped by Vincent's chamber so he could pick upmore clothes also, then took themselves to the room full of roseswhere they had spent the previous night. They had intended only todrop off the clothes and return to help with the holidaypreparations. They did manage to get the extra clothes put away, butthe presence of the huge bed, and the roses, and the fact that it hadbeen hours since ... It was a long time later before Catherinerealized neither of them had really had any dinner. She sighedhappily as Vincent began nuzzling her neck again. They had water,they had each other, and they had a whole bag of Hanukkah cookies.Who could possibly need more?

They made up for it at breakfast the next morning. Goingto bed as early as they had meant they were actually able to squeezein some sleep. Catherine was discovering to her great pleasure thatVincent's reknowned stamina was good for much more than runningthrough tunnels, but it wasn't infinite. Now that she and Vincentwere one in every way possible, Catherine felt even more a part ofhis world. Although both duty and friends kept her tied to the worldAbove, her father's death had severed the last family tie. Neitherhis family nor her mother's had been large, and now there was no oneleft.

Sometimes, wrapped in the love of Vincent's world, ittruly felt like Father and Mary were her parents, Jamie and Rebeccaher sisters, Mouse the somewhat disreputable younger brother. Nowthat the last barrier between her and Vincent had crumbled, now thattheir dream of a life together was beginning to take on the textureof reality, Catherine realized how relieved she felt, knowing thisworld, like Vincent, could be part of her life forever.

William was pleased to see Catherine devouring twice asmuch breakfast as usual. He took it as a compliment to his cooking,since clearly she didn't eat enough Topside. Maybe Vincent thoughtshe was perfect, but William believed she needed fattening up. As areward for her appetite, he allowed her one of the coveted spots onthe cookie-decorating crew, while Mouse dragged Vincent off,reminding him of his duties as director of the children's productionof A Christmas Carol.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Father found himselfawake very early. He had been much in demand during the furiousholiday preparations to give advice, mediate disputes, and patch upchildren whose urge to decorate inaccessible corners was greater thantheir balance. Years as the Tunnels' only resident physician had longago cured him of the need for much sleep, so he made himself a pot oftea and brought it to the study. The peace and quiet was like a balm;there had been precious little of it this holiday season.

He sat back in his favorite chair, letting the tea warmboth his hands and his insides. The midwinter festivities seemed morelavish than usual this year, and Father began to examine why this wasso. He thought back to Winterfest, where Vincent had seemed to be thecenter of attention. The children had surrounded him all evening.Every girl-child old enough to walk wanted to dance with Vincent;time and again Catherine had to drag him away from partners whobarely came up to his waist. It didn't take a great deal of insightto recognize that the community knew only too well how close they hadcome to losing Vincent this year.Paracelsus' death, and Vincent'sclose escape from it, were cause for rejoicing. This year was thedarkest they had known for a long time; it made sense that theiryearly celebration of light would be greater.

Father suddenly realized how little he had seen ofVincent since Winterfest. He smiled, thinking that Catherine'spresence Below had something to do with that. Unlike the days afterher father died, when her constant closeness had been so troubling tohis son, Vincent now seemed content, even happy to have her here.Father admitted to himself how much he had come to rely on herpresence as well.

Suddenly Father had an overwhelming desire to talk to hisson. Vincent usually woke quite early, but often stayed in his roomreading, so as not to disturb others. Reaching his son's chamber,Father was surprised to find it empty. Where could he be at such anhour? As he continued to stand there, it slowly occurred to him thatthis chamber felt like it had been uninhabited for some time. Come tothink of it, he hadn't seen Vincent near this room since beforeWinterfest. No emergency could have called him away; the pipes wouldbe full of such an event. Surely he had not gone to find Catherine soearly in the morning ... He stared at the empty room for a long time,then went back to sit in his study with his pot of tea and think.

The morning of Christmas Day found him there again afterbreakfast, but this time his peripatetic son made an appearance.Father motioned Vincent to sit in the chair beside him. "I'm glad tosee you," he smiled. "We seem to have been ships that pass in thenight of late."

"Indeed, Father," Vincent agreed. "The children seem tothink of me as a freighter, since I spent most of yesterday movingfurniture and carrying heavy objects from place to place."

"After the year we've had," Father said with feeling, "itgives me great happiness to see you enjoying this time ofcelebration. Catherine, too. She seems to be in the spirit of theholidays as well. I'm glad that being among us has helped ease herpain over the family she has lost."

"She loves us all very much," Vincent answered softly. "Ibelieve she truly regards us as her family now."

Father spoke again in an even tone, looking at the tablerather than at his son. "Her closeness was so troubling to you whenshe stayed Below with us after her father died. I'm glad to see thatnow you seem content to have her here."

Vincent said nothing. "You know," Father continued, "Ihave finally admitted to myself how much I have come to be gratefulfor her presence as well. When you were having those terriblenightmares this past summer, and took so long to recover, I came torely on her greatly."

"She has been reluctant to talk of it to me," Vincentconfided. "I remember being convinced the Beast would win this time,and being weary of the battle ... I remember deciding there was onlyone way to protect those I loved. I remember Catherine suddenly therebefore me, screaming my name as she saw my claws aimed at my ownthroat. I remember thinking, just before I lost consciousness, that Icould not bear to give her the pain my death would cause."

Father closed his eyes at the memory of how close Vincenthad come to the brink, and how only Catherine's love had kept himfrom taking that last leap into the dark. Half a year later, therecollection could still cause him to shudder. "When you were in thecoma, she was down here every night, watching you, talking to you.Even after you came out of it and the nightmares began, she stayed,hoping her presence would somehow soothe you."

Vincent shook his head in wonder at being loved so much."All she would say to me about that time was that it gave her theopportunity to become closer to you."

"It did," Father agreed. "During your convalesence shecame Below night after night, even though you were asleep most of thetime. We would sit here, alert for any sounds of distress from you,and talk for hours on end."

"About what?"

"Mostly about you, of course." Father seemed a millionmiles--or six months--away. "She was hungry for every scrap ofinformation about your past, especially the time you almost diedbefore, after Lisa left. Anything that could help her understand yourpain and help you deal with it."

"It surprises me," Vincent admitted, "that you told her.You were never so forthcoming before."

"I was well aware," Father replied emphatically, "that Iowed your life to her. She more than earned the right, by her lovefor you and her courage. I told her everything I knew." He was silentfor a moment, then continued. "At the time, I was too preoccupiedwith your health to notice ... it was only afterward that I realizedher questions had a pattern to them."

"A pattern?" Vincent asked, suddenly alert.

At first, Father seemed to have changed the subject."Once I was so certain I knew the answers where you were concerned,and if I didn't I thought it prudent to err on the side of caution.If it were necessary to curtail your life to preserve it, what choicedid I have?"

"But Catherine saw things differently." It was not aquestion.

"She never said so in so many words," Father recalled,"but the questions she asked made it clear she believed my fears foryou, my certainties about what was and was not possible for you, werebased less on evidence than on long-unexamined habits of thinking."

"And that disturbed you."

"More than I ever admitted to her. Good grief, Vincent!"Father's eyes met his son's at last."My whole life Above crumbledinto ruin because my scientific training wouldn't allow me to denythe truth of the evidence before me. Now I had to face theprobability that for years I had been allowing my affection for you,my fears for you, to cloud my judgment."

Vincent smiled fondly at his his Father. "That explainsthe change I found in you when I recovered enough to talk. Youranswers to my questions had always been full of 'definitely nots.' Iwas amazed at the sudden plethora of 'maybes' and 'I don't knows.'"

"Catherine," Father said emphatically, "made me examineall my cherished certainties. It became painfully clear how much Ihad represented my interpretations as facts. Even though she nevertold me directly, I came to realize she had her own theory. Did sheever tell you what it was?"

"Yes," Vincent replied, looking over his Father'sshoulder into the distance. "Simply put, she believed that what I sawas the problem was the solution. That my killing for her was the

only outlet I allowed to express my passion. That ourbond would never let me hurt her. That giving our love the physicalexpression it demanded would not be dangerous, but would only heal usboth. Eros over Thanatos."

"Do you think," Father asked very carefully, "that shemight be right?"

For a long moment, the silence hung between them likesomething that could be touched. Then Vincent met his Father's eyesagain, calmly, proudly. "I know she is."

Father let out the breath he didn't remember holding,closing his eyes against the sudden threat of tears. Thank God, itwas true. Love was stronger than Death after all. He opened his eyesto find Vincent leaving his own chair to kneel on the floor besidehim. He hugged Vincent as fiercely as he could, weak as he was withrelief, and giddy with joy.

This was the sight that met Catherine's eyes when sheentered the study. Slowly she walked toward them, sinking to herknees beside Vincent. She looked up at Father and smiled at him, halfshy, half triumphant. "I guess you know."

"Oh, Catherine," he cried, "I have no words ... "

"Then we have your blessing?" Vincent asked with a smilein his voice.

"My blessing, my congratulations, and my everlastinggratitude to Catherine!" He touched her hair. "To think, I once toldmy son to forget you, that you could bring him nothing but pain."

"I think we're both grateful," Catherine laughedtearfully, "that Vincent can be very stubborn at times."

That Christmas morning, Catherine thought how different this wasfrom any Christmas she had spent before. Not only being without herfather, or being secure in the knowledge that she and Vincent weretogether at last. Christmas Below was so different. Instead of thedisorderly mounds of ripped paper and ribbons scattered amongexpensive presents, there were small piles of brightly colored paperor fabric, carefully removed and folded to be used again. There werefew presents, since most of the gifts were exchanged at Winterfest.Those that were in evidence were simple, homemade or recycled, butimbued with more love than anything F. A. O. Schwartz ever sold.

Watching the children and not a few of the adultsenjoying their presents, Catherine laid her head happily on Vincent'sshoulder and thought about last night. She and Vincent had exchangedtheir tangible presents after Winterfest and before Catherine knewabout the greater gift that was in store for her.

Last night and this morning they had given that gift toeach other many times. Afterwards, they had packed their things totake back to Vincent's chamber. Just before cleaning up the room inreadiness for its next occupant, they had carefully picked all thepetals from ten dozen roses. Although they couldn't resist theromantic gesture of tossing a few into the bathing pool with them,the rest would be dried for potpourri and sachets. Catherine madeVincent promise to save some for her. She planned to buy the mostbeautiful fabric and lace she could find and make one for herself,something to treasure for the rest of her life, as she would treasurethe memories of the past three nights.

Lost in those memories and the delicious feel ofVincent's nearness, Catherine gradually began to pay attention tofaces around her. Although many were absorbed in thoughts andconversations of their own, she began to intercept more than a fewsurprised and speculative glances. Mary looked oblivious, and Mousebubbled along in happy innocence. But Jamie--Catherine nuzzledVincent's neck and grinned at Jamie, whose eyes got so big theythreatened to eclipse her face. Lena was looking awfully knowing, andCatherine knew she couldn't face Cullen's wicked grin for more thanthree seconds without blushing. Even if the increased intimacybetween her and Vincent weren't becoming more obvious every day, thelooks that Father kept giving them would give the least observant oftheir friends a pretty big hint. Poor Vincent was going to be theobject of considerable speculation by tomorrow.

Catherine lifted her head to speak softly into Vincent'sear. "Since I have to go back to work tomorrow ... could I interestyou in coming to my place tonight to see my Christmas tree?"

"Most people," Vincent asked innocently, "use etchings,do they not?"

"I," Catherine replied loftily, "am not most people."

"No. You are not."

Catherine remembered what she had planned to say withsome difficulty. "You've only been in my bed once before, when youhardly realized where you were. Even under those circumstances,worried as I was, I remembered thinking how well you fit there."

"Yet another memory that needs to be replaced with ahappier one," Vincent said. "When would you like me to come? So tospeak."

"Vincent!" Catherine whispered in astonishment. "I had noidea you were such a bawd. It's wonderful."

"You forget," he smiled, "how well acquainted I am withElizabethan literature. If more people understood Elizabethan Englishbetter they would be quite shocked at Shakespeare."

"That sounds promising," Catherine mused. "You can readme all the naughty bits and explain what they mean if I don't know."

"I shall begin a careful review of the CompleteWorks tomorrow."

"To return to the subject," Catherine went on, "I shouldlike you to arrive as soon as possible after dark. Since AChristmas Carol is a matinee, that should give you time to accepteveryone's kudos on your brilliant direction. Just give me an hour'shead start so I get the apartment ready."

"I accept your gracious invitation with pleasure,"Vincent purred, kissing the top of Catherine's head.

"I wish I didn't have to go back to work tomorrow," shesighed. "I hate to think of you alone down here, with everybodyindulging in heavy speculation."

"I think speculation is fast changing into certainty,"Vincent countered. "After I leave tonight and don't come back untildawn, it will only accelerate the process."

"You've stayed out that late lots of times before,"Catherine reminded him, "walking the city streets, or looking at thelights."

"True," Vincent agreed. "But I didn't come back with thelook I expect to have on my face tomorrow morning."

"Jenny!" Catherine exclaimed as she opened the door to herfriend. "You're early."

"I know, I wanted to ask you a favor before we go out tolunch." She leered comically. "Since it's the middle of the day Iknew I wouldn't be interrupting anything."

"You've been enjoying yourself altogether too much thispast month," Catherine laughed. "Ever since Vincent and I gottogether you haven't stopped smirking."

"You should see the look that's been on your face sinceWinterfest," Jenny countered. "I can't believe everybody at the DA'soffice isn't wondering what's going on."

"I'm sure they are," Catherine said, "but they knowbetter than to ask by now. Joe's curious as can be--I keep catchingmyself grinning like an idiot at the oddest moments, and being sodistracted at others people have to ask me things three times.

So, what favor do you want? You can have anything butVincent."

"Rats!" Jenny exclaimed. "Well, as my second choice, canI borrow a dress?"

"Any one in particular?"

"My idiot employers have decided to have a posh receptionfor one of our most obnoxious but profitable authors. Attendance forlowly editors is not optional, but we're supposed to wear eveningdress. Do they really think I can afford to buy an evening gown onwhat they pay me? I suppose I could rent something, but--"

"But that would be silly when I have a whole closetful Ihardly ever wear anymore. My lifestyle doesn't require them muchthese days. Come on, let's raid my closet."

Jenny rummaged among Catherine's clothes, picking outdresses she thought would flatter her and handing them to Catherine,who spread them out on the bed. Suddenly Jenny began to chuckle."Well, well, Cath, what have we here? This looks a bit large foryou." Jenny held up the dark green hooded robe. It looked about afoot too long and miles too big.

"That," Catherine informed her, "is Vincent's birthdaypresent. He needed something comfortable to keep up here, for thetimes he stays in my apartment."

"Nice color for him," Jenny mused. "Bet it looks greatwith his hair. Does he stay here often?"

"Too often for my peace of mind," Catherine confided,sitting on the bed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jenny asked in concern as she satnext to her friend.

"Oh, Jenny--ever since we became lovers everything seemsso much more intense. I'm happier than I've ever been, but moreworried too. Even though my hours are more regular at work now sinceI stopped that dangerous investigative stuff, the domestic violenceand child abuse workload is tremendous. I can't spare the time to goBelow every night, but Vincent finds it harder than ever to stay awaynow."

"So what's the problem?"

Catherine clutched Jenny's arm. "It's so dangerous! Iworry constantly about him falling--the weather's so awful. Or hemight be seen, it's happened before. I can't believe I've beenletting him do it for over two years."

"Let hardly seems the right word," Jenny pointedout. "I doubt you could have stopped him. So what are you going todo?"

"What makes you think I'm going to do anything?"Catherine asked innocently.

"Because I know you," Jenny replied. "From what you toldme, ever since last summer you've been making things happen. Yousaved Vincent's life and helped him recover. You changed your work soit wouldn't put you--and him--in danger anymore. You convinced himnot to be afraid of making love to you. I can't believe you're notplanning to do something about this."

"Well," Catherine admitted with a smile, "I am. Butyou'll have to wait until after lunch to find out. So--why don't youtry on this one?"

Jenny looked around as the neighborhood began to seem familiar."Haven't I been here before? There aren't many places like this leftin your part of New York. Most of them are apartments now."

Catherine unlocked the front door of the handsome oldtownhouse as the late-January wind whipped around them. "You've gotquite a memory," Catherine said in admiration as they entered thefoyer. "I don't think we've been here together since college."

"Right!" exclaimed Jenny. "You brought me here duringvacations a couple of times. I remember I was scared to death thefirst time--humble Jewish scholarship student meets scion of Old NewYork family, wife of famous actor."

"Who turned out to be an absolute sweetheart, to yoursurprise," Catherine reminded her.

"True, true. I couldn't believe those stories she toldabout herself and your grandmother when they were young."

Suddenly Jenny turned to Catherine in alarm. "The houselooks empty--and you've got a key. She's not--"

"Oh, no," Catherine reassured her. "Edna's fine. She justdidn't want to stay in New York anymore after her husband died. Shewent to live with her son's family in Florida."

Jenny gave a sigh of relief. "Thank God. I know she mustbe almost eighty by now, but I hope she lives forever. Are you doingsome legal things for her?" They moved into the main part of thehouse after depositing their coats in the closet.

"Sort of," said Catherine casually. "I bought her house."

It took a moment for that to sink in. Then Jenny grabbedCatherine and shrieked. "You what? Of course! What a dolt I am! Thisis the solution, isn't it?"

"I hope so," Catherine said fervently, hugging Jenny."But I need your help."

"Anything!" Jenny vowed. "Move furniture--stripwallpaper-I'll even clean basements."

"Nothing like that," Catherine laughed. "Come on, let meshow you the place first and then I'll explain."

After the tour, Catherine led Jenny to the kitchen. Onlyafter they were seated at the large table with coffee in front ofthem did she begin to talk. "The thing that bothers me a little,Jenny," she explained, "is that I haven't told Vincent about thisbecause I want to surprise him. But it's a pretty big step to takewithout consulting him."

"Good grief, Cath, how can he not love it? It gives youboth what you need most--a safe place to be together. It's got thebest security system I've ever seen, access to the Tunnels-- not onlycan he get here without going outside, he can come any time of day.There isn't a window in this place that isn't frosted or curtained.It's perfect."

"That's what I thought," Catherine agreed. "I even askedFather, and he thought it was wonderful too. But just in case, I wantyou to be my insurance policy."

"Your what?" Jenny was at a loss. "What can I do?"

"Take my old apartment."

"Take your--as a favor? My God--twice the rent I couldafford to pay wouldn't half cover the mortgage on that place." Jennyscowled. "And if you were about to suggest I take it rent free--"

"I would if I thought you'd do it," Catherine retorted,"but I know you too well for that. You can pay the same rent you'repaying where you are now--and don't worry about covering themortgage, there isn't any."

Jenny's face fell. "Oh, Cath, I forgot ... it was in yourfather's name, wasn't it?

Catherine nodded. "And he had mortgage insurance on it.Don't forget," Catherine said almost bitterly, "I'm an heiress now.I've got more money and real estate than I know what to do with."

"Cath--"

Catherine took Jenny's hand. "I'm sorry. I just get upsetsometimes, thinking how hard my father worked to give me everythingthat money could buy. Maybe he thought it would help make up forlosing Mother."

"Maybe he thought it would help him forget," Jennysuggested gently.

"Maybe. I can't help but think it helped kill him yearsbefore his time ... and regret that I didn't tell him I'd rather havehad more of him and less of the money. Now it's too late."

Jenny still held Catherine's hand. "Don't you think itpleases him to see what it's doing for you now?"

Catherine squeezed Jenny's hand. "Oh, I hope so. I hopehe sees how happy we're going to be here."

"So--what about the house in Connecticut? Do you have tosell that?"

"No, I'm selling Dad's duplex. Edna probably would havebeen happy to give me this place--it meant a lot to her, andshe hated the thought of a stranger living in it. But she knew Iwouldn't allow it." Catherine looked far away for a moment. "Icouldn't bear to sell the Connecticut place, even though I hardly getto go there any more."

"Only when Vincent's busy and your impoverished friendsneed time in the country," Jenny smiled.

"You know you can go there anytime you want, with orwithout me," Catherine smiled back. "Besides, it's a great place forgroups of Tunnel kids to go. And ... "

"And what?"

"It's silly, I know. I just can't help but hope I cantake Vincent there some day. I know Father's right, it's much toodangerous--but I still keep hoping."

"It's important for you to give you and Vincent a placeof your own, isn't it?" Jenny asked. "Away from the Tunnels."

"God, you scare me," Catherine said in awe.

"Hey, this is Ms. Intuition you're talking to. I agreewith you." Jenny stared into her coffee cup. "I realize I've onlyknown those people for a few months, but it didn't take long for meto see that place is as much a prison for Vincent as a refuge. Ofcourse, everybody loves him, but they also take him for granted alot. It wouldn't take much for them to become overdependent onhim--if they aren't already."

"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that,"Catherine said fervently. "I thought maybe I was seeing things thatweren't there."

"No, I think this is just what both of you need. Youknow, I've wondered ..."

"What?" Catherine asked, curious.

"Were you ever tempted to just chuck it all and moveBelow?"

"Twice," Catherine admitted. "Both times at emotionallyvulnerable moments. One of the things I admire most about Vincent isthat he didn't take advantage of that. He's always believed more inme than I did in myself."

"Do you think you could do it?"

"If something happened Above that gave me no choice, yes.But you must remember, I'm not just the woman Vincent loves, I'm aHelper. It took me a long time to earn that trust, and it's aresponsibility I take very seriously. Down there, I'm just anotherbrain and pair of hands. Right now, I can do more for all ofthem--including Vincent--where I am.'

"I think this house is the ideal solution," Jenny said."Vincent can spend the day Below while you're at work. You can gothere as often as you have time, and he can stay here with you whenyou can't. Rub your shoulders when you're hunched over those briefs.Bring you tea and sympathy. Curl up in a chair by the fire with abook and watch you all night instead--hey, Cath!" Jenny reached overto put an arm around her friend's shoulders. "That's not supposed tomake you cry!"

Catherine wiped her eyes with a napkin. "I'm sorry,Jenny," Catherine sniffled. "It's just--what you were describing--itsounds like Paradise. I can't believe it could really come true atlast."

"Well, we're gonna see that it does, pal. I guess I cantrade my little dump for a grossly expensive co-op if you insist,just to do you a favor," Jenny grinned. "And you can come visit thebalcony any time you get nostalgic. But I think you're worrying fornothing, Cath. Vincent's gonna love this place."

A month later, Catherine paused in the door of the library, teatray in hand, to drink in the sight before her. Vincent sat on thesofa, wearing the green robe, absorbed in the book he held. Thefirelight brought out the highlights in his hair and the rich patinaof Edna's old furniture. He loves it, Catherine thought. Hereally loves it. The wave of happiness that suddenly overwhelmedher caused Vincent to look up. He came toward her and took the tray,setting it down to gather her in his arms. Paradise indeed, Catherinethought. Or almost ...

There was one great thing left unspoken between them, andCatherine feared it would remain so unless she set things in motion.The past two months of loving had not been enough to dissolve thatiron core of doubt that still hid in the center of Vincent's heart;the belief, unvoiced and perhaps unrecognized, that there were stillthings he dared not wish for, dared not believe he could deserve.Catherine wasn't about to delay any longer; it was time to show himjust how much he did deserve.

She kissed Vincent lightly as she pulled away. "Our teawill get cold."

"We musn't allow that," Vincent laughed. "Father wouldnever forgive me if I showed disrespect for a good pot of tea."Vincent released her and they settled comfortably on the sofa, facingthe fire. Catherine tucked her feet under her and sipped the teaquietly for a moment. She sensed Vincent's contentment as it settledover him like a blanket. Holding the cup in both hands, she began tospeak very casually.

"I had a chance to talk to Lena for a long time lastnight while you were helping Mouse," Catherine began.

"Do I dare ask the subject of your conversation?" Vincentasked.

"Actually, we hardly talked about you at all. In fact, Imostly listened while Lena went on about how wonderful Julio was.Those two are really serious, aren't they?"

"That is quite obvious to everyone Below," Vincentagreed.

"It gives me great pleasure to see Lena happy." "It givesme even greater pleasure," Catherine chuckled, "to see her get overyou.""She did that some time ago--shortly after she met Julio."

Catherine became absorbed in smoothing the sofa pillow."So--what are they going to do now?"

"Continue what they have been doing for some time, Iimagine," Vincent suggested as he nuzzled her ear.

"My, haven't we gotten over our shyness quickly!"Catherine said in mock surprise. "That's not what I was talking aboutand you know it. Are they going to ... well, get married?"

"Married? You mean, Above?"

"I mean anywhere," Catherine replied. "I suppose theycould get married Above if they wanted to, since they both had livesthere at one time. But neither of them seems much inclined to goTopside ever again."

"No," Vincent mused. "Their lives there were quitepainful ... and Julio has been with us for over ten years. He hasshown no interest in going back."

"So, what do you think they'll do? Has this sort of thinghappened before?"

"Sometimes," Vincent explained. His concentration onrefilling their teacups seemed excessive for the task at hand.

"In the past, some members of our community have marriedlegally Above. They use a Helper's address to obtain the properdocuments. We also have a number of Helpers authorized to officiateat marriages."

"That seems a good idea, for those who thought they mightwant to return Topside someday," Catherine replied in her bestprofessional voice. "But about those who are sure they never want to?Or somebody like Pascal, or Rebecca, who've never lived anyplace butBelow? I can't believe the people who came up with Winterfest, andthat beautiful naming ceremony, haven't invented something suitablefor the occasion."

"You remember Lin and Henry--"

"But that wasn't a real Below wedding," Catherineinterrupted. "They only held the ceremony there for safety. You musthave something for those who've never had a life Above. And whatabout Kanin and Olivia? He'd been Above, but she never had. What didthey do?"

"We do have our own ceremony," Vincent admitted softly."The union is recognized Below, but of course has no validity in yourworld."

"Which world is that?" Catherine asked quietly. "I havetwo now."

"I only have one," Vincent said, not looking at her.

"A little more than that, surely. We share a small partof my world, even if most of it's within these walls."

Catherine stole a glance at Vincent's face. He satstaring at the fire, the flames washing his still profile with moltengold. After a moment's silence she continued. "I had a friend incollege who was Catholic. She told me that in the past, when peoplesometimes lived in remote places without a priest, it was perfectlylegitimate to marry without one. The true marriage was in the heartsof the couple, and the vows they made. A priest doesn't really marrypeople, they marry each other. Did you know that?"

"I believe I've read something to that effect," Vincentalmost whispered.

Catherine continued in the same even voice, "It soundslike the really important part is making that commitment to eachother, and acknowledging it in front of their community, people whomean something to them. It's as binding as any set of legal papers.More, actually--a contract can be broken. But a true union of mindsand hearts is forever." Catherine stopped suddenly, no longertrusting her voice.

Vincent took a deep breath and spoke again. "What you sayis true when both people have chosen a life Below. But for someonewho had to maintain a life Topside as well, it would be verydifficult."

"Would it?"

"Above, such a person would not be viewed as married atall."

"Well, what would that really matter?" Catherine asked,her voice back under control. "Lots of people stay single nowadays,especially if they have careers. Oh, I suppose people around themmight speculate. Maybe they'd assume the person was afraid of beingmarried just for her--or his--money. If the person were a woman, say,they might think she'd just missed the boat, since there are moresingle women than men. Maybe they'd think she was gay ... or carryingon a long-time affair with a married man."

"Surely it would be uncomfortable for someone to be theobject of such speculation."

"Vincent," Catherine replied, "I think you overestimatepeople's curiosity about others,especially those they only knowcasually. Most people are much too concerned about their ownproblems, or acid rain, or the stock market, to spend much timewondering about their colleagues' private lives ... especially ifthey seem to lead very dull ones."

"Surely it would be difficult for ... for a woman such asyou describe to keep such an important part of her life hidden."

"Perhaps," Catherine agreed huskily, "but only becauseshe would be so happy, and so proud of her husband she'd want toshout the news out to everyone. But silence would be an awfully smallprice to pay to protect something that meant so much to her."

Suddenly Vincent rose and stood with his back to her, hishands gripping the mantle. For a long moment, there was nothing to beheard but the crackling of the logs. Vincent's voice was so lowCatherine could barely hear it, but there was no mistaking theundertone of astonished wonder. "Her husband ..." In one fluidmovement, he turned and sank to his knees before her."Catherine--dearest Catherine--will you marry me?"

Unaware of the tears that ran unchecked down her face,Catherine sank into the depths of his eyes. "Yes. Oh, yes. Yes!" Shethrew her arms around his neck, burying her damp face in a cloud ofgold. Home at last.

"Catherine, perhaps we should move. You must be cold." Withoutexactly discussing it, they seemed to have decided to seal theirbargain immediately--too immediately to take the time to climb anentire flight of stairs. Vincent was still puzzling out Catherine'sremark that 'right here on the Oriental' was the perfect spot. Itsounded like a quote, but Vincent was quite sure it must be fromsomething he hadn't read ... not that he'd been in any mood torequest footnotes at the time. Vincent really didn't want to move,but he didn't feel the cold like Catherine did--besides, he wassupremely comfortable, with her draped over him like a blanket.Still, it would be ungentlemanly not to make another attempt.

"Catherine--dearest--wouldn't you like to move? The firehas gotten quite low, since we haven't been paying attention to it."

"We haven't?" Catherine mumbled into his chest. Raisingher head, she grinned at him. "Oh--you mean the one in the fireplaceover there. I guess it could stand another log. But don't you daremove from this spot until I get back. We have things to talk about."

"Surely," Vincent suggested as she stood reluctantly andmoved toward the fire, "there are more appropriate places to talk?"Watching Catherine stoke up the fire wearing nothing but earrings wasreally quite pleasant. He stretched luxuriously, unaware that theunconscious seductiveness of that action nearly caused Catherine todrop the poker as she turned toward him from the now-blazing fire.Grabbing an afghan from the sofa, she spread it over them both as shequickly settled into her former position.

"Vincent, dear," she informed him, "the most appropriateplace to do something is not necessarily the only place."

"Are you by any chance referring to our recentactivities?"

"Beds are fine places to make love," Catherine announced,"but floors in front of fireplaces make a nice change, don't youthink? You certainly seemed ... energized by the novelty." SinceVincent could not contradict that argument, he said nothing. "As amatter of fact," Catherine continued, "I was noticing how sturdy thekitchen table is."

"Catherine!"

Between Vincent's startled twitch and her own laughter,Catherine managed to fall off her beloved and land beside him on herback, still giggling helplessly. "Oh, Vincent," she managed to gasp,"the look on your face!" Getting herself under some semblance ofcontrol, she kissed the tip of his nose apologetically beforecontinuing. "I was only kidding. I have too much respect for thenation's artistic heritage to risk a Stickley table that way.Besides, how would we ever explain to Father how we got thesplinters?"

"I am sure he is a sufficiently skilled diagnostician todetermine that," Vincent replied drily. "It occurs to me," hecontinued, "that being married to you is going to be even moreinteresting than I dreamed."

"You don't know the half of it." Catherine promised."So-when do you want to do it?"

"Do it?" Vincent asked, astonished. The woman wasinsatiable.

"Get married," Catherine reminded him. "Remember?"

"Well--" Vincent stalled for time as he switched mentalgears. "We should allow enough time for everyone Below to prepare.This will be a very important occasion for them."

Catherine hugged Vincent. "I can hardly wait to telleverybody. Knowing how happy this will make them gives me almost asmuch pleasure as knowing how happy it will make us."

Vincent hugged Catherine back, rubbing his cheek againsther head. "We need to allow enough time for Devin and Charles to makethe necessary arrangements. I would like Devin to stand beside me."

"I thought you might. And I'd like Jenny. Do we get morethan one each?"

"If you wish," Vincent replied. "Do you have someone elsein mind?"

"Yes--and I think you do, too. Someone to whom it wouldmean a lot."

"Mouse."

"Yes," Catherine agreed. "He absolutely worships you;he'll be beside himself when you ask him. And I'd like to ask Jamie.She's a good friend to me Below--and besides, she's the only one whocan keep Mouse in line."

Vincent tilted Catherine's chin so he could look into herface. "Do you think six weeks would be long enough?"

Catherine smiled lovingly at her husband-to-be. "Greatminds with but a single thought. Our anniversary?"

"Are you sure," Vincent asked, "that it would not causeyou pain? You have other memories of that day that are not pleasant."

"All the more reason," Catherine announced emphatically,"to exorcise those demons once and for all."

They lay quietly for a long time after that, listening tothe crackling of the fire as it died to embers. Finally they rose,collected their robes, and turned out the lights. As they sleepilymounted the stairs toward their bedroom, they speculated on theeffect their announcement would have Below. Basking in the glow ofanticipation, they finally slept.

"Oh, Cath, tell me everything," Jenny begged. "What did Mousesay? Jamie? Father? Did they go as crazy as I did?"

"At least," Catherine laughed. "I don't think Father wassurprised, exactly, but he knows Vincent. I'm sure he wondered howlong it would take his stubborn son to allow himself to dream of thenext logical step. My guess is he thought it would take a lotlonger."

"He may know Vincent," Jenny admitted, "but he doesn'tknow you as well as I do. You lawyers are a devious bunch, puttingideas into people's heads in that sneaky way you have."

"Vincent would have dared to think of it himself,eventually," Catherine replied seriously. "But it would have taken along time. He still had some idiot notions about tying me to alimited life with him instead of all the dazzling possibilities Icould have Above. I knew after we agreed to get married he'd have areaction."

"So what did you do about it?"

Catherine looked astonished at herself, and a littlesheepish. "I got mad. Would you believe I actually yelled at him?"

"Yes, I would. What did you yell, exactly?"

"First I set him him straight about my dazzling lifeTopside. I've tried to tell him before, but I guess I was a bit more... emphatic this time. I let him know in no uncertain terms howshallow and unsatisfying it was ... how I've done more real livingsince I've known him than I did in the three decades before."

"Good start," Jenny said admiringly. "Then what?"

"Then I accused him of insulting me by assuming I wasstill so shallow that I'd come to regret my choice if I got a betteroffer. I pointed out that I'd had one from Elliot I thought Icouldn't refuse, and the prospect made me so miserable I could hardlybear it. I told him I'd never been happier in my life, goddammit,than I was with him, and then I threw a pillow at him and started tocry."

"Wow!" Jenny exclaimed, impressed. "What happened then?"

"I think he finally got the point," Catherine smiled."And then we made up. Exactly how is none of your business," she saidfirmly, forestalling her friend's next question.

"Oh, I can imagine." Jenny looked at Catherinespeculatively. "It must be pretty wonderful, given the way you'vebeen looking and acting ever since Winterfest."

Catherine looked at her hands. "It is. I find myselfthinking the most astonishingly trite things."

"Like, 'I never thought it could be like this?' I'd bewilling to bet you've even said it.'"

Catherine groaned and hid her face in her hands."Guilty," she mumbled through her fingers. She removed her hands toreveal a suspiciously pink face to her erstwhile Maid of Honor. "Butit's true! Making love with Vincent bears about as much resemblanceto making love with anyone else as--as Chartres does to aMcDonald's."

"Do you think it's just because you love him so muchmore?"

Catherine leaned back in her chair and pondered for amoment. "That's certainly part of it. But not all. For one thing,Vincent's more concerned with pleasing me than himself."

"And ditto for you, I'm sure.Catherine smiled. "I supposeso," she admitted. "There's also the bond. He can always tell throughthat what I like best. But I've also gotten pretty good at knowingwhat he likes. Not that it's difficult ... his responses are soinnocent, so completely honest."

"No trying to be cool? No looking like he's trying toremember what that diagram on page fifty-six looked like?"

"Hardly. I also wonder ..."

"What?" Jenny prompted when Catherine remained quiet.

"I wonder if the bond isn't beginning to work a little inthe other direction. Lots of times it seems like I can sense hisfeelings in a way I couldn't before--at least not often. Maybe it'sjust that being around Vincent has developed my intuition."

"Could be all of the above," Jenny suggested. "If I wereyou I wouldn't worry too much about analyzing it. Just be gratefulfor it."

"Oh, I am," Catherine assured her. "I am." Catherine'sreverie and Jenny's amused contemplation of her friend were suddenlyinterrupted by the doorbell. Jenny stayed alert as Catherine went toanswer, hoping it was something innocuous. She relaxed as Catherinere-entered the library, grinning and shaking her head.

"What is it?" Jenny was dying of curiosity.

"Would you believe a telegram?" Catherine replied. "FromDevin."

"A telegram? You're kidding! Who sends telegrams anymore?" Jenny was looking forward to meeting this strange brother ofVincent's. "Why didn't he just call you? The Adirondacks aren't thatfar away."

"Devin never got over all the Sherlock Holmes stories heread as a child." Catherine handed the piece of paper to Jenny."Besides, Vincent will enjoy this better than a phone call."

Jenny took the paper and read.

HOT DAMN STOP SMARTS RUN IN FAMILY STOP CHARLES AND SELFBE THERE BELLS ON STOP LOVE TO BE BEST MAN STOP CAN ALSO OFFICIATE IFNEEDED STOP SEE YOU APRIL FOOL

"Can also officiate?" Jenny looked confused. "What doeshe mean?"

"God," Catherine realized, "I'd better not show Fatherthat part. I presume he means he paid twenty-five dollars once tobecome a Minister in the Universal Life Church," Catherine laughed."Strange as it seems, that lets you perform legal marriages."

"Are you going to take him up on it?" Jenny askeddubiously.

"No--only one role to a customer in this wedding."

"So who is going to do the honors?Father?"

"That's what I thought at first," Catherine replied. "Butthen I came up with another idea, and talked to Father and Vincentabout it." Catherine curled up on the sofa next to Jenny. "Most ofthe time, for a strictly 'Below' wedding, Father or another Councilmember officiates. But the more I thought about it, the more Idecided to have it done by clergy. One of the Helpers is an Episcopalpriest. I've met him before, he's a really fine man."

"Is that so important to you?" Jenny asked. "You're agood person, Cathy, but you never struck me as being terriblyreligious, in the formal sense."

"I'm not, particularly," Catherine agreed. "But I wantthis to be as much of a marriage as possible without endangeringVincent. Maybe we can't have a marriage that's exactly legal-- but atleast it will be sacramental."

Jenny touched Catherine's hand. "I think that'swonderful. I'm sure it will mean a lot to Vincent."

Catherine squeezed Jenny's hand gratefully. "It will meana lot to both of us." She was quiet for a moment. "But there's moreto it than even that."

Jenny looked at her friend sharply. "Do I detect a shiftinto lawyer mode?"

"There you go, being intuitive again." Catherine's facesuddenly looked serious, and more that a little pained. "I've neverbeen able to forget that time Vincent was captured by Hughes, and howlucky we were that I got him back before word got out. I keepwondering what I could do if something like that happened again, andwe weren't so lucky."

"What do you mean?"

"Vincent's greatest protection is the fact that,legally--as far as Topside is concerned--he doesn't exist. But if heever did get captured, that could work against him."

Jenny's eyes widened in sudden understanding. "You mean,if he has no legal existence, he has no rights either."

Catherine nodded. "And with a dubiously legal marriage, Imight have no rights as his wife, no way to protect him. But there'schurch law, and civil law. If we were married in a religiousceremony, that could make for an interesting legal tangle. At leastit would give me some ammunition."

"Wow. What a thought." Jenny shuddered. "Let's hope itnever comes to that."

"Amen," Catherine agreed emphatically. "But if itdid--well, Vincent's protected me more times than I can count. I haveto protect him in any way I can." They sat in silence for a moment,then Catherine shook her head as if to clear it. She stood and turnedtoward Jenny. "Enough of this. It's getting late, and we have adinner reservation Chez Tunnel. Let's go."

After dinner, the members of the wedding party split upaccording to sex. Vincent and Mouse went off with Father, whileCatherine, Jenny and Jamie huddled in Jamie's chamber. Catherineremained standing while her two attendants flopped onto the bed."Well, your brideship," Jenny inquired brightly, "what's the plan?Are we going to wear pink chiffon and picture hats?"

"Bite your tongue, Aaronson," the bride replied, lookinglike she'd bitten into a lemon. "This is a Below wedding, and it'sgoing to look like one." Catherine began to pace. "Since the bride'sfamily traditionally pays for the wedding, I'm being indulged. But Idon't want things to get too fancy--it would make me uncomfortable infront of people who have so little."

"Catherine," Jamie reassured her, "I told you not toworry so much about that. Everybody Below is so happy you're marryingVincent you could wear a dress made of dollar bills and nobody wouldcare."

"Now that would be an interesting fashion statement,"Jenny offered.

Catherine couldn't help but smile. "Well, I didcompromise. I bought tons of old fabrics from some antique clothingdealers, and all sorts of remnants--but they're remnants from veryexpensive shops. Don't tell."

"Mary and Sarah," Jamie explained, "are looking it allover and they promised to give us some ideas of what they'd like todo by next week. Then we can all decide which we like best. I knowthey'll come up with something wonderful."

"OK with me," Jenny agreed. "I love the stuff people weararound here. But what about the bride?"

Catherine inclined her head toward the door and Jamiejumped up to pull the heavy tapestry over the opening. To any Tunnelresident, that was as inviolate as a closed door would be Above.Catherine opened Jamie's wardrobe, which never had much in it, andreached back in the corner. Jamie helped her pull out the largegarment bag and extract the dress it held. Shaking it out, Catherineheld it up against herself and looked at Jenny. "What do you think?"

"It's gorgeous!" Jenny exclaimed. "And unusual--I'venever seen a wedding dress made of raw silk before."

"My mother," Catherine said softly, "was an unusualwoman."

"Oh, Cath--" Jenny found that the lump in her throat kepther from saying more.

Catherine stroked the fabric lovingly as she continuedspeaking. "Mom had very simple tastes. She didn't like things thatwere too fancy or glittery. It's funny--she couldn't have picked abetter dress for me to get married in if she were with me now. Italmost makes me believe she had a glimpse of the future, and knewthat I'd wear it someday--and for whom." Catherine gave an embarassedlaugh. "Silly, isn't it?"

Jenny found her voice again. "I don't think it's silly atall. I didn't know you had your mother's dress."

"I didn't. I found it at Dad's place when I went to cleanout the last of his stuff."

"And I gave you a hard time because you wouldn't let mecome with you," Jenny remembered.

"You came all the other times, and I couldn't have doneit without you. But that last time--I had to do that alone."

Catherine continued to stroke the fabric tenderly. "Ifound this tucked away in an out-of-the-way closet. I guess I alwaysassumed it was in storage somewhere; I never dreamed Dad kept it athome all these years."

"Maybe he liked keeping it close by," Jamie suggested,"because it made your Mother feel closer."

"I'm sure that's right," Catherine nodded. "There wasn'tas much dust on this as you'd expect for something tucked away for aquarter-century or so. It makes me wonder how often he took it out tolook at it."

"Hey," Jenny admonished, "save the tears for your ownwedding, huh?"

Catherine squared her shoulders in determination as Jamiehelped her put the dress back in its protective covering. "Right.I've got enough to worry about without that."

"Such as what?" Jenny asked. "Wondering if the groom'sgoing to pass out from excess of ecstacy before the ceremony?"

Catherine tried to pretend she wasn't blushing even asJamie's chuckle told her otherwise. "Such as what the bride's presentto the groom is going to be--don't even think it,Aaronson--and therings."

"What about the rings?" Jamie was concerned atCatherine's sudden unhappy look.

Catherine dropped heavily into the chair and sighed. "Icould afford to buy them, but I'm afraid that would make Vincentuncomfortable. I know it disturbs him that he has 'so little to giveme,' as he puts it. Even though I've told him a million times thatall I need is him ... there's nothing more precious to me than that."

Jenny looked thoughtful. "Cath--your intended has aselfesteem problem that's been decades in the making. You're notgoing to get rid of it overnight."

Jamie nodded sagely. "Men can get funny ideas sometimes."

That remark brought a smile back to Catherine's face, butonly fleetingly. "Even if I could buy them without hurting hisfeelings, can you see me waltzing into a jewelry store to buy weddingrings? Catherine Chandler, darling of the tabloids?"

"Ouch," Jenny winced. "I never thought of that. You'vebeen doing your best to keep a low profile so they'll forget aboutyou, but that would sure set them off again."

"And I couldn't wear a ring that was too obvious, anyway.Think of what fuel that would be for the DA's office gossip mill."

Jamie had been sitting silently in deep concentration.Suddenly, her face brightened. "Catherine?"

"What is it, Jamie?"

"I think I have an idea. Will you trust me to take careof it? It can be my wedding present to you."

Catherine looked at Jamie in surprise. Jamie was aresourceful young woman, but to depend on her for something soimportant ... but then, what was family for? "If you're sure, Jamie... yes, I'll leave it to you."

"Well, Vincent," Father observed, "your plans seem to be movingforward apace. William, of course, has been complaining that sixweeks' notice was barely enough to prepare for an occasion of thismagnitude, but he's exaggerating."

"He usually does," Vincent observed drily. "I was moreconcerned about Father Atwood being available."

"Nigel wouldn't miss the chance to officiate at yourwedding if the Archbishop of Canterbury were in town," Father beamed."I'm very pleased that you and Catherine wanted him."

"Can't get license," Mouse pointed out. "God's better."

Vincent stared at Mouse. Sometimes that young man'sinsights amazed him. Vincent himself had suspected Catherine hadseveral layers of motivation in her choice of Nigel Atwood; he hadnot expected to have his suspicions confirmed by Mouse, of allpeople.

"I find it all too appropriate," Father went on, "thatyour prodigal brother has decided to arrive on April first."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Father, you're extremelypleased he plans to spend so much time with us, you needn't try tohide it. And he has hardly been prodigal of late."

Father's face softened. "No--his care of Charles has beenexemplary. I admit I was worried about his choice to live in a ratherremote area, given Charles' medical needs. But Peter's report of hisvisit was very reassuring. The local doctor seems a good man, andCharles has come to trust him."

"Besides," Vincent reminded him, "didn't Peter say theman's daughter planned to join him in the practice when she finishedher residency? It appears Charles will have the best of care."

Mouse spoke from his Buddha-like pose on Vincent's bed."Glad Charles is coming too. Sorry everybody messed up last time."

"Yes," Father agreed. "There are many Below that feel wecould have been more patient, more understanding."

"Charles is calmer now," Vincent added, "more secure.Both Devin and I were guilty of underestimating the burden of fearand confusion he still carried."

"What about clothes?" Mouse interrupted, ready to move onto topics of more immediate interest. "Have to wear fancy stuff?"

Vincent smiled. "Not too fancy, Mouse. Not for you andDevin. I only hope Sarah and Mary practice restraint where the groomis concerned."

"Well," Father beamed, "it sounds like everything isgoing splendidly."

Vincent nodded, but Mouse's eyes were on his hero's face,and what he saw there gave him concern. "Something else, Vincent.Something wrong."

Father looked sharply at his son. "Mouse is right, isn'the, Vincent? There is something."

Vincent sighed. "A minor thing," he admitted. "I don'tknow what to do about a ring. The crystal cavern holds many wonders,but gold ore is not among them. Catherine knows we have little ofvalue to her world here Below, and would be uncomfortable knowing weused part of our scarce resources for her."

"Mouse won't get caught. Not again."

"Bailing you out of jail is not the only situation thatwould require us to use such resources," Father informed Mouse.

"Catherine could certainly afford to provide what wasneeded," Vincent continued, "but she fears hurting my pride.Rationally, I know her wealth means little to her, except as a way tomake life easier for those she loves, or who need help."

"But it still bothers you." Father reaches out to touchhis son's bowed shoulders. "Vincent, it's only human nature." AsVincent raised his head, Father met his son's implacable gaze.

"Yes, Vincent," he insisted. "Human nature."

Suddenly their mutual concentration was broken when Mouseleaped up and began hugging himself gleefully. "OK good, OK fine!Mouse can fix! No problem."

"Mouse, whatever are you talking about?" Father exclaimedin exasperation.

"Rings. For Catherine. For Vincent too. All figured out.Let Mouse do it--OK, Vincent? My present."

"Mouse, what makes you think--" Father stopped abruptlyat Vincent's touch.

"Mouse, do you mean you will provide the wedding rings?"

Mouse beamed at Vincent, nodding his head so vigorouslyhis hair fell into his eyes. Vincent thought hard for a moment. Totrust something this important to the unpredictable Mouse ... Vincentmade his decision. Better for him and Catherine to wear cigar bandsfor all the years of their marriage than extinguish the light thatsuffused that young face. "All right, Mouse. And thank you."

Father sank back into the chair, appalled. He hopedagainst hope that Vincent didn't regret this.

On the streets of Manhattan, March was trying to decide whetherit was a lion or a lamb, and changing its mind frequently. Belowthose streets, Catherine and Vincent were curled up on his bed,surrounded by piles of books. Catherine rummaged enthusiastically,increasing the disarray. Finally Vincent could stand it no longer."Catherine, what are you searching for?"

"That book that talked about Quaker weddings. I wanted tocheck the wording again." She turned her attention to the bookcasenext to Vincent's bed, hoping the elusive volume might have migratedover there. Suddenly she reached out and drew something from theshelf, turning to her fiancé with an indulgent smile."Vincent, I didn't know you brought this down here."

Vincent shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted more time tolook at them. When we looked at them together, I found myself tooeasily distracted from the past by the present."

Catherine opened the photo album with a fond smile. "Mayit always be so, love," she announced firmly. "I want us toconcentrate on present and future ... but it's nice to remember,especially the good parts."

Vincent slipped an arm around Catherine's shoulders. "Itgives me great pleasure to see what you looked like as a child. Itseems amazing that we shared the same city for so many years, with noidea of what we would be to each other some day."

Catherine turned to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thefact that we managed to find each other at all is the really amazingthing. I think it happened at just the right moment in our lives. Idon't think I could have appreciated you properly when I was youngerand even shallower, and I can't imagine you would have seen anythingworthwile in me."

Catherine," Vincent admonished, "you have often expressedyour concern about my self-image, but you are hardly immune to--"

"Let's change the subject," Catherine interruptedhastily. "What about that book?"

Vincent sighed but began helping her look. In a suddenburst of inspiration, he leaned over the edge of the bed and spiedthe volume in question resting on the floor in company with severalof its fellows. Retrieving it, he handed it to Catherine with a shakeof his head. "My love, you are one of the most energetic researchersI have ever known. You must have left your law books in ruins."

"Guilty. I have to restrain myself when the books belongto somebody else, like the library or the DA's office. This feelsmore like my carefree college days." She flipped through the pageslooking for the passage she remembered. "Here it is! All you'd haveto do is stand up during the regular Sunday meeting and say,'Friends, I take this my friend Catherine Chandler to be my wife,promising through divine assistance, to be unto her a loving andfaithful husband, until it should please the Lord by death toseparate us,' in about fifty or sixty years." Catherine looked atVincent lovingly. "I added the last part."

Vincent kissed her forehead. "It has a sweet simplicityto it," he agreed. "Would you say the same to me?"

"Suitably adjusted for 'husband' and 'wife,' yes."Catherine sighed. "I'm afraid it's a little too simple. I just likedthe part about friends. You were my friend first, after all. Or atleast I thought that's all you were at the time." She took Vincent'shand, twining her fingers around his, but didn't look at his face."When did you fall in love with me? At the very beginning?"

Vincent looked at their entwined hands, speaking sosoftly Catherine could just hear him. "Yes. I didn't recognize it atthe time--after all, I had spent years convincing myself that kind oflove was something I would never know. All I knew then was that Icouldn't get you out of my mind--literally or figuratively."

"When did you recognize it?"

"When you were falling in love with Elliot Burch."

Catherine blinked back tears as she put her arms aroundVincent. "Oh, my love--I can't bear the knowledge that I caused youpain, however inadvertently."

Vincent held her close. "Catherine--dearest--how couldyou have known, when I tried so hard to convince you, and myself,that kind of love was impossible between us? Part of me wantednothing but your happiness--but another part screamed in pain at thethought of you finding that happiness with anyone else."

"If it's any consolation, I think it was already toolate. I think I fell in love with you as early as you did with me; itjust took me even longer to figure it out."

"Catherine, for all those months I kept away fromyou--you had no reason to believe you'd ever see me again. You musthave wondered sometimes if it all hadn't been a dream."

"No. I knew it was real. I doubted I'd ever see youagain, and hadn't the faintest idea of how to find you, although Ithought of looking more than once. I told myself it was just becauseI wanted to be your friend, to thank you more for all you'd done ...but I was lying to myself. I never told you before, Vincent, butafter I met you I never slept with anyone else. I gave myself otherexplanations at the time, but now I know it was because some part ofme knew from the first there was no one for me but you."

Vincent looked at Catherine in wonder. "I never realized... when I discovered the bond I had with you, at first I tried hardto ignore it; it felt like I was invading your privacy. Ijust assumed... but now that I think about it, I should have known. If you hadbeen with anyone else, I don't think I could have escaped knowing."He shuddered helplessly at the prospect.

"I should have known when everything fell apart withElliot." Catherine continued. "I turned against him so fast, withoutlistening to his explanations, and he did nothing worse than TomGunther or countless others like him did every day. But by then Iknew you, and without realizing it, measured every man I met againstyou. None ever came close."

"When did you realize you loved me as more than afriend?"

"I came pretty close when Hughes captured you, but you'ddone such a good job of convincing me that going to Providence was agood idea, I didn't trust my perceptions of what was between us. Butwhen you were in that cave-in, and I thought you might be dead--afterthat, there was no doubt. It took me awhile to figure out what to doabout it, but after that I never again doubted that I loved you."

Vincent drew Catherine close again. "Sometimes I think wemade the path to true love even rougher than it's supposed to be."

Catherine snuggled happily against him. "Maybe," sheagreed. "But who knows? Maybe that's the only path that would havegotten us here--and since I like where we are, I'm not about toquibble over the route. I'm counting my blessings."

They held each other quietly for awhile, each relivingthe torturous road that had led them to their present joy. After atime they reluctantly separated to continue their research. There wasafter all, a wedding to plan. Some time later, Vincent began tochuckle.

"What?" Catherine demanded.

"If you wish simplicity," Vincent grinned, "the customsof the Trobriand Islands should be perfect. It says here that evencouples who have been sleeping together for some time are notconsidered married until they perform a certain act in public."

"What act?" Catherine attempted to look her mostseductive.

"Eating yams," Vincent answered, straight-faced.

He had only seconds to enjoy Catherine's reaction beforethe pillow impacted his head. Her attempts to pulverize her intendedended when she was weakened by an unvoidable fit of the giggles.

Vincent struggled for composure. "Catherine, we reallyshould keep our minds on the job at hand."

Catherine regarded him indignantly. "You're the one whobrought up yams," she reminded him.

Eventually they settled down to some serious research,identifying poetry and other readings for their wedding, taking bitsand pieces from various sources to construct as ecumenical a ceremonyas possible. When Catherine suddenly frowned, Vincent asked her whatwas wrong.

"Don't we have the older version of The Book of CommonPrayer somewhere?"

Nodding, Vincent dug into the pile and handed her awell-worn volume. "The 1928 edition," he announced. "Father refusesto acknowledge the 1977 revision."

"Really?" Catherine smiled. "Why doesn't that surpriseme? Actually my father liked the older version better, too. I can'tdecide which to use for the exchange of rings. There's a beautiful,straightforward simplicity about the new version ... "

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with allthat I am, and all that I have, I honor you ..." Vincent quoted frommemory, in a voice that caused Catherine to lose her train of thoughtcompletely.

"And the old version?" Vincent prompted.

"The what? Oh ..." Catherine tried to collect herself. "Inever liked that obey business much," she admitted. "And that bitabout endowing with wordly goods seems terribly materialistic. Butthere's a part they left out of the revision that I always loved ...do you think we could combine the two?"

"I don't see why not--it's our wedding, after all."Vincent gently trailed the back of a finger down her cheek. "Whatpart would you like to keep?"

Catherine leaned into his touch, her eyes fixed on hisface.

" 'With my body I thee worship'--I never understood whatit meant--until you."

Like spontaneous combustion, the sudden wave of passionthat engulfed them seemed to erupt from nowhere--but in seconds, theywere both on fire. Books went flying as they sank into the bed, armsand legs entwined, lips seeking hungrily. As Catherine's mouth openedunder Vincent's, his hand slipped under her sweater. As she tangledone hand in his hair, the other began a frantic tugging on his shirt...

"Vincent, have you--oh!"

Father stopped dead in his tracks, transfixed by thescene before him. Disentanglingthemselves in record time, Catherineand Vincent stared at him in turn. For a moment, all held still likea Victorian tableau, then all began to talk at once.

"Forgive me, the tapestry was up so I thought--"

"I'm sorry, Father, we didn't expect--"

"We didn't expect to ... I mean, we were just--"

They stopped talking all at once, as if on cue. Choosingthe better part of valor, Catherine buried her face in a pillow,trying unsuccessfully to hide the fact she was having hysterics.Vincent ran his fingers through his hair, attempting with no moresuccess to make himself look less disheveled.

Recovering first, Father began to appreciate the humor inthe situation. He began to chuckle. "Vincent--dear Grace had afavorite expression: 'if you hadn't seen it before, you wouldn't knowwhat it was.' "

"Thank, you, Father," Vincent replied fervently. "We didnot expect to need privacy; we only intended to work on theceremony."

"That should be quite a ceremony," Father observed,undeterred by his son's pained expression. "What account of exoticmarrriage customs led to such ... enthusiasm?"

Catherine emerged from the pillow. "Actually--" shelooked Father right in the eye--"it was The Book of CommonPrayer."

Father looked startled, but quickly decided not to pursuethis conversation. He began moving toward the door. "Well, I'll takemy leave and allow you to continue your theological discussion. ShallI put the tapestry down?"

"Perhaps that would be wise," Vincent agreed."Father--what were you about to ask when you came in?"

The older man looked puzzled for a moment, then began tolaugh. "You know, I haven't the faintest idea! Something seems tohave driven it quite out of my head." He was still laughing as hepulled the heavy tapestry down over the open door.

"Oh, my God," Catherine groaned. "I've never been somortified."

"Look at it this way, Catherine," Vincent attempted toreassure his beloved. "For all those years, Father thought this kindof love would be denied to me, and that caused him great sorrow. He'sreally very pleased that you and I became lovers."

"I know that, Vincent," Catherine sighed, "and I'm glad.But he seemed willing to accept hearsay evidence. I hadn't intendedto give him a demonstration."

"Perhaps," Vincent decided, "this would be a good time totell you about Rebecca's wedding present."

"Another one? I thought the special wedding candles wereher present--that's more than enough."

"Well," Vincent admitted, "the second present is only abyproduct of something else."

Catherine tugged on Vincent's hair. "Well, come on, tellme! I'm dying of curiosity."

Vincent capitulated. "Rebecca has decided to move in withGregory."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Catherine threw her arms aroundVincent's neck and squeezed. "I'm so happy for them--they're crazyabout each other. Maybe we'll have another wedding Below prettysoon."

"It wouldn't surprise me at all," Vincent agreed.

"But what does that have to do with a wedding present forus?" Vincent was silent, but Catherine's face suddenly lit up as sheput two and two together. "Vincent! Rebecca's moving out!"

Vincent nodded sagely. "Moving in with Gregory wouldentail moving out of her present quarters, yes."

"Which happen to be right next door to yours!" Catherinealmost jumped up and down in her excitement. "That means--"

Vincent wrapped his arms around her, partly to keep herfrom bouncing off the bed, partly because he found it undeniablypleasurable. "That means that within the week I can start blockingthe current door to that chamber and carving out a new one that willlink it to this. We can make Rebecca's old room our bedroom, and thisinto an anteroom."

"Hallelujah!" Catherine exclaimed. "Much as I love you,and like staying Below--there are times when this place feels lesslike the honeymoon suite and more like the lobby." She resumed herinterrupted task of removing Vincent's shirt. "Now, where were we...?"

Vincent slipped his hands under her sweater again. "Withmy body I thee worship ... "

"Let us worship together," Catherine intoned, just beforeher mouth found better things to do.

Catherine sat at her kitchen table, nursing a cup of tea as shegazed dreamily at the tiny garden. It was definitely starting to feellike Spring. Even though this winter had been a remarkably mild one,and an even more remarkably happy one, she was still glad to see thechange of seasons. Only Spring could due justice to the feelings ofrebirth and renewal that made her feel too full to hold any more. Fortwo years she had been planting seeds of hope in Vincent'sdisbelieving heart--at last, it was time for their love to bloom.

She stretched luxuriously. It really was time to begetting upstairs and back to work, but it felt too good to sit here.Weekends were usually spent Below. Only the need to get ahead at workso she could take a week off this month kept her nose more or less tothe grindstone. Joe probably thought she was going to the Bahamas orsome such tropical paradise. She had implied she was going outof town, after all, but had otherwise ignored her boss's unsubtleattempts to learn more. Catherine rested her chin in one hand andsmiled. She certainly wouldn't be getting any tan where she wasgoing; not many people spent their honeymoon underground.

The ring of the telephone startled Catherine out of herreverie. Normally she would have let the answering machine pick it upto see who was calling, but she jumped at the chance to avoid facingthe pile of work in her study. Vincent was busy preparing their newchamber, so she couldn't count on him to rescue her for some time.

"Cathy!" Jenny began eagerly as soon as Catherine saidhello. "You've got to get down here right away."

"What? Jenny, where is 'here?' What's going on?"

"I'm at that antique shop in the Village, the one youtold me about. Where you bought Vincent's Winterfest present,remember?"

"Of course I remember," Catherine replied. "But why areyou there? Why do I have to come all the way down there now? Jenny,are you in trouble? Is something wrong?"

"Heck, no! I just saved your buns, that's all. You knowhow you've having fits because you haven't found the perfect weddingpresent for Vincent? Well, I'm looking at it."

Catherine didn't hesitate. "I'll be down there as soon asI can get a cab."

Jenny laughed. "If you can't get one to stop, pull outyour gun and commandeer one. But hurry--if I have to stay here muchlonger, my VISA bill is on your head."

Catherine had lived in Manhattan long enough to know howto get a cab without resorting to firearms. Before Jenny's will powercould break under the strain, Catherine entered the shop she hadstumbled across last December. Spotting Jenny in a corner, she rushedto her eagerly, wondering if her friend's intuition was correctagain.

Jenny grabbed Catherine's arm as soon as she was withinrange, pointing to the wall. "Well, is that it?" she asked.

Catherine was silent as she read the words, then gingerlytook the frame off its hook and moved to where the light was better.After looking at it carefully for several minutes, she sighed. "Oh,Jenny, this is most definitely it. Bless you--you've done it again."

Jenny grinned happily. "Hey, when I'm a Maid of Honor Idon't fool around; all part of the service. Have you ever seen suchbeautiful calligraphy?"

"It's exquisite," Catherine breathed. "And Vincent lovesJohn Donne. I'm glad whoever did this used the Elizabethan spelling;he'll like that too."

"Look at the design of that border," Jenny pointed out."It looks like Arts & Crafts period. It might have been madeabout the same time as the furniture in your house."

"Or earlier, if it's English." Catherine turned the frameover, but the back yielded no clues. Turning it over again, Catherineshook her head in wonder. "This was obviously done with a great dealof love, as well as talent. I wonder how it got here? How couldanyone bear to part with it?"

"Would you like to know?"

Catherine and Jenny both turned to face the tall,soft-spoken man who appeared behind them.

"This is your shop, isn't it?" Catherine asked. "Iremember you from when I was here before Christmas."

The man nodded in agreement. "Jonathan Sykes of Sykes andMoore, Inc., at your service. Ah, I remember you now--thenineteenth-century bronze of Sekhmet."

"I'm impressed," Catherine admitted as she shook hishand. "You have a remarkable memory. Especially since it wasn't evenyou who waited on me."

"I imagine it was your unusual reaction to the statuewhich caused me to remember," Mr. Sykes mused. "The lion-headedgoddess is a powerful deity. Most people react with derision or awe,depending on their attitude toward other people's religions. I canrecall no one else who grinned in obvious delight."

Catherine looked uncomfortable and Jenny suddenly becamefascinated by a Victorian chamber pot. "You know the story behindthis piece? I'm surprised anyone would let it out of the family."

"It belonged to my late partner," Sykes explained. "Hehad no close relatives to will it to."

"He didn't leave it to you?" Jenny asked.

Catherine winced. "Jenny, that's none of your business."

"Sorry," Jenny apologized. "I'm a hopeless romantic."

Jonathan Sykes only smiled. "Mr. Moore was my businesspartner only, and my good friend. He did have a companion of manyyears, but that gentleman prececeased him."

"Still ... " Catherine looked at the beautiful poemagain.

"I would have thought he would rather have left it to afriend than have it sold."

"Patrick Moore was convinced it would find its properowner," Sykes explained. "It was made by his grandmother for hisgrandfather. There was considerable family opposition to themarriage. His grandmother was a descendant of English aristocracy--nodoubt disreputable younger sons who fled to the New World--butaristocracy nonetheless. They wouldn't hear of her marrying a poorIrish immigrant. But she did."

Catherine and Jenny both stared at him in fascination ashe continued the narrative. "Then Patrick's father carried on thetradition by falling in love with a Black woman. His grandparentsdidn't object, but most of the world certainly did back then.Patrick's mother and father passed this on to him, and he carried onthe tradition in his own way. He had an almost mystical belief thatwhoever bought this would be led to it-- would be someone whoappreciated its history."

When he finished, Catherine was too stunned to sayanything for a moment. Sykes wondered if she realized that she wasclutching the poem so close to her chest she looked like she wouldkill anyone who tried to take it away. Finally, she found her voice."Believe me, Mr. Sykes--there isn't anyone in New York who couldappreciate this as much as I do."

"I had a feeling that was the case," he admitted. "I'msure Patrick would have been very pleased. And please call meJonathan."

Catherine was still dazed as they left the shop, theprecious parcel well wrapped and held tightly in her arms, but nottoo dazed to thank her friend. "Jenny, I owe you one--I owe you ten!First, I'm taking you home in a cab, then I'm taking you out todinner. Name the place, I'll get reservations if I have to bribesomeone."

"Whoa," Jenny laughed. "I'll take you up on the cab ride,but just drop me at my place--which used to be your place not toolong ago. I'll take a rain check on dinner. There's somebody I haveto see tonight."

"Oh?" Catherine pressed. "Business someone or pleasuresomeone?"

"Business, and none of yours. You concentrate on whereyou're going to hide that present until the wedding."

Jenny was so eager to get back to her apartment she letCatherine refuse her contribution to the cab fare without an argumentthat would take time she couldn't spare. Jenny hadn't been raised bya Jewish mother for nothing. Invite a man for dinner, even strictly abusiness one, and certain standards had to be upheld. She grabbed anapron and faced the kitchen like a general preparing for battle.

By the time the doorman announced her visitor, the smellsthat filled the apartment were enough to make strong men weep withanticipation. Checking the peephole, Jenny determined that hervisitor was the one she expected. Even though Catherine claimedsecurity in this building was much improved, Jenny was dubious.Despite the "Aaronson" prominently displayed on the directorydownstairs, Jenny kept expecting anyone from wandering gypsies tovoodoo cultists to crooked cops dropping by unannounced. Undoingvarious locks and deadbolts, Jenny opened the door.

The man's grin didn't quite disguise his curiosity. "Hi,Jenny. You know, I've never actually been in this apartment before?Although I did end up butt-first in the elevator once."

Jenny smiled as she motioned him in. "I know, Cathy toldme that story. Come on in, Devin."

As they worked their way through appetizers, dinner, anda bottle of wine, Jenny and Devin traded stories about Vincent andCatherine as well as each other. As the level in the wine bottle gotlower, the stories got funnier. There hadn't been much time to talkduring Devin's grand homecoming the previous weekend, but what littleJenny was able to observe told her Devin had a definite way withwords. By the time they had polished off dessert, both were weak withlaughter.

After a short, comfortable, silence, Devin set his coffeecup down firmly and faced Jenny. "So, what's this all about?

You told me you were going to make me an offer I couldn'trefuse. While women have often found my body irresistible, somethingtells me that wasn't the kind of offer you meant."

Jenny's grin matched his. "You're right about that.Besides, wouldn't it be incest or something?" She leaned forward onthe sofa, fixing Devin with a semi-serious look. "Have you gottenCathy and Vincent a wedding present yet?"

Devin looked suddenly unhappy. "No--I was hoping I'd getan inspiration once I got to New York." He sighed. "I'm not exactlyflush right now. Taking care of Charles is more expensive than Ianticipated ... and there aren't many opportunities for getting richin the depths of the Adirondacks-unless you already happen to own anice lodge or ski resort."

Jenny looked pleased with herself. "What I've got in mindwon't take much money--but it will take time, ingenuity, and somepersuasive talking. I can tell you've got all it takes of the lasttwo."

"If this idea is as good as you think it is, I'llmake time. Everybody's concentrating so hard on entertainingCharles or preparing for the big day, they'll never miss me."

Jenny nodded. "OK. Here's my plan ... "

While Jenny was unrolling her lengthy plot to Devin, one of theobjects of that conspiracy was wandering around her dressing room,poking and prodding in drawers, making mental lists. What to pack fora honeymoon spent crawling around in an underground kingdom thatstill seemed half-mythical to Catherine at times?

She knew poor Vincent was still fretting about theirlimited possibilities for such an important occasion. No matter howmany times she told him she'd be happy to spend her honeymoon in adumpster as long as it was with him; no matter how many stories shetold him about outdoorsy friends who went camping on theirhoneymoons, he was still unhappy, reminded once again of thelimitations his differences placed on their life.

Catherine sighed. As if such unimportant things matteredto her, measured against the glorious prospect of a life spent withhim. Clearly this was one battle that would have to be fought againand again. Maybe in a decade or so she'd get him to really believe itdidn't matter. At least the wedding night would be spent in thishouse; the nightgown she'd bought for the occasion should dazzle hergroom enough to last through a week of jeans and sleeping bags. Andthe crystal cavern--if that really was as beautiful as Vincentdescribed, it should be pretty romantic even if it was a bit rustic.

Wandering into the bedroom, Catherine pulled out thecrystal that hung from its gold chain around her neck. It would benice to see the place this came from. She sat on the bed, lost inmemories. The dress she had worn the night Vincent put this aroundher neck almost two years ago had looked almost as much like awedding dress as the one she would wear in five days. There was apromise made that night, though never stated. Through all thetwo-steps-forward, one-step-back progress of their relationship,through all the doubt and despair both of them had suffered, thisindestructible crystal lay over her heart. Its silent message ofendurance, of hope, had kept her own determination alive through thedarkest times. And now ...

Catherine looked up as the wall panel opened and Vincentstepped into the room. The look in his eyes as he saw her sittingthere dangling the crystal in her hand was worth enduring anything.Wordlessly, he knelt before her, taking the crystal from her andkissing it before letting it slide back under her shirt to find itshome between her breasts. Catherine wrapped her arms around Vincent'sneck and rested her cheek against his hair. They held each other insilence for a moment. As they separated, Vincent rose and held outhis hands to Catherine.

"Are you ready to go Below, my love?"

Catherine took his hands and stood. "I'm ready to go tothe ends of the earth with you, any time." Such a remark clearlydeserved a kiss, and Vincent was eager to oblige. Eventually, theymade their way Below, not quite missing dinner. William had torestrain himself from complaining, knowing he would immediately bejumped on by a small army of romantics who were indulging the weddingcouple shamelessly these days.

Catherine felt almost guilty for stopping to eat at all.Mouse had obviously wolfed his meal down early, and was almostbursting with eagerness to show Catherine and Vincent his surprise.Even Jamie had only limited success in curbing his obviousimpatience. Wilting under Mouse's implacable scrutiny, the two loversdecided they could always sneak back later for more to eat, and madedo with an abbreviated meal. When Catherine and Vincent rose, Mouseburst out of his chair like a rock from a catapult, leading themtoward Cullen's workshop at a pace more suitable for a track andfield competition than for navigating the Tunnels. Jamie pretended tobe disgusted, but Catherine could tell she was really as excited asMouse.

When the rest of the party arrived in Cullen's workroom,they found Mouse looking like the cat that had swallowed theproverbial canary--several canaries. Cullen was grinning his usualsardonic grin, and even Jamie looked unusually smug. The threeconspirators--it was now obvious they were all involved-- faced thefuture bride and groom as Jamie began to speak.

"Cathy," she began, "you remember I told you not to worryabout the wedding rings, that I'd take care of it?" Catherine nodded,noticing Vincent's head turn to her in surprise as Jamie continued."Well, when I went to ask Mouse for his help, I found that Mouse hadalready promised Vincent the same thing."

Now it was Catherine's turn to look at Vincent insurprise. "Great minds think alike," Mouse offered. "Heard Father saythat once."

Cullen handed a small carved wooden box to Jamie, whohanded it to Mouse. Suddenly shy, Mouse offered it to Vincent andCatherine. As Vincent accepted it, he and Catherine looked at theintricate carving. What had seemed at first a complicated abstractpattern resolved into their entwined initials.

Catherine reluctantly lifted her head. "It's beautiful!Is it your work, Cullen?"

Cullen nodded. "Mouse and Jamie are idea men--and women,"he added hastily at a glare from Jamie. "They came up with the notionand provided the material, then roped me in for my special talents.So it's a present from all three of us."

"Open," Mouse commanded. "Hurry up!"

As Catherine lifted the lid, she and Vincent looked intothe box. Nestled on dark velvet, two heavy silver rings glowed in thesoft light of Below like captured moonlight. After a moment ofabsolute stillness, Vincent reached inside and gently removed thesmaller of the two. The delicate band revealed itself as a circle ofcarefully carved Celtic knotwork, a pattern weaving in and out ofitself seemingly without beginning or end. What looked like separatestrands at first proved to be so inticately interwoven they formed asingle entity. Catherine held the second ring, as beautifully carvedas the first but sized to fit Vincent's larger hand.

Unnerved by the lengthy silence of his friends, Mousebegan to explain. "Sorry they're not gold--gold's not easy to find ortake--not a good idea, either." Mouse pointedly avoided looking atCullen, who bowed his head at a suddenly painful memory.

"Silver's easy to get," Jenny broke in. "People arealways losing earrings and rings in grates, and Mouse finds lots ofbits of forks and spoons all the time. I knew he'd have plenty forrings."

Catherine finally found her voice past the lump in herthroat. "They're wonderful--they're perfect!"

Vincent agreed. "This is great gift to us. We will bothbe proud to wear them."

"Don't mind they're not gold?" Mouse beamed but was stillnot quite convinced.

"You know," Catherine replied, "gold stays shiny even ifyou neglect it, that's one of the reasons people value it ... but Idon't think that's a very good metaphor for a marriage."

Catching Catherine's train of thought, Vincent nodded.

"Silver requires care, and attention, to remain at itsbest. Its beauty cannot be taken for granted."

Catherine moved to hug Cullen, Jamie, and a flustered butdelighted Mouse. "I think you've made a perfect choice. These are thebest presents you could possibly give us." Relectantly putting therings back in their box, Catherine handed it to Jamie. "Technically,it's the Best Man and Maid of Honor who are responsible for therings," she explained. "But under the circumstances, I don't thinkDevin or Jenny will mind if we give that honor to you and Mouse."

Mouse looked like someone had just presented him with alifetime supply of the finest tools and gizmos, and Jamie lookedequally as happy. Cullen smiled on the whole gathering like abenevolent if slightly disreputable uncle on his best behavior.Vincent suggested they all repair to the kitchen to celebrate theoccasion. Catherine grinned to herself as her unsatisfied stomachrumbled in happy anticipation. How clever of her to marry a man whowas smart as well as handsome.

On the eve of the wedding day, Father entered Vincent'sroom--Vincent and Catherine's now, really. The outer room seemedlittle changed from the day long ago when Vincent finally acceptedthat Devin would never be back to share it, and began to make it hisown. A new door, however, now led to the chamber beyond. As yet itheld little but the magnificent old bed that mysteriously appearedthere one day when Vincent was away in the house he and Catherineshared. No one knew yet, except the perpetrators, whose gift that hadbeen. There hadn't been time to add much else, but Father was surethe newlyweds would deal with that task in short order when theyreturned from their honeymoon.

Sensing his father's presence, Vincent lifted his eyesfrom the task before him and smiled. "I'm glad you came, Father. Ithought you might like to see this finished. I have to wrap it soon,Catherine will be here within the hour."

Father stood next to Vincent, contemplating the gift hisremarkable child was about to present to his bride. "It's beautiful,Vincent; it turned out exactly as you had hoped."

Vincent shook his head ruefully. "It never turns out aswell as I hope, Father, but I pray Catherine will be pleased."

"I guarantee she will be." Father laid a hand on hisson's shoulder. "And very touched, as well."

Vincent's smile of gratitude was fleeting. "It pains methat since her father's death, Catherine has no real family left atall ... only some distant cousins she's never even met."

Father sat on the bed beside Vincent, resting both handson his cane. "Vincent, tomorrow Catherine will become part of ourfamily--if truth be told, she is already. Those Below could not loveher more if she'd been born to us--for herself, and for the happinessshe brings to you."

Vincent put an arm around Father's shoulders and kissedthe top of his head. "Thank you. That means a great deal to me. Toboth of us."

Father rose and moved toward the door. "Now, I shallleave you to await your bride-to-be. If you two have any last-minutediscussions ..." he smiled mischieviously, "don't forget to curtainthe door." Vincent suddenly began wrapping Catherine's present withgreat concentration.

He finished with only minutes to spare. Catherine musthave left work early or found a cab driver whose speed had endangeredevery pedestrian along the route home. Vincent just stood therelooking at her. She couldn't stop smiling; her eyes shone with happyanticipation. He held out his arms, and she flew into them--aftercarefully depositing the package she carried on the daybed. Swingingher around, Vincent kissed her firmly, or as firmly as he couldmanage despite her giggles.

Setting her down, Vincent smiled in return. "Well, you'reearly. Does this mean you still want to marry me?"

Catherine slipped her arms around his waist and huggedhim so hard for a moment he couldn't breathe. "You bet! You have tomake an honest woman of me now, or I'll sue you for breach ofpromise. I'm a lawyer, you know, and I've got witnesses." Suddenlyserious, Catherine laid her cheek against Vincent's chest. "Oh, mydear love--it's only twenty-four hours, and I can hardly bear towait."

Their second kiss was deeper, more passionate; Vincentwas almost ready to suggest putting down the curtain when Catherinebroke away with a reluctant little sigh. "Damn. I guess we'd betterrestrain ourselves until bedtime, we've got a lot to do yet tonight."Catherine picked up the package she had brought and handed it toVincent. "Starting with this. The bride's gift to the bridegroom ...thank you for loving me. Every time you look at this, I want you toremember just how much I love you, and always will. Body and soul."

With trembling hands and a full heart, Vincent carefullyunwrapped Catherine's present. When the beautifully written poem andits painted border were first revealed, Vincent drew in his breathsharply; when he finished reading the words, he turned to Catherinewith a look that made her weak.

"Catherine--this is magnificent, perfect. You foundsomething you knew I would truly love."

Catherine sat down next to him, kissing his cheek."Actually, I think it found me." As they both looked down at thewords and colors, she told Vincent the story of its provenance.

When she finished, nothing would do but another kiss, andanother. Then Vincent pulled away, took a deep breath, and handedCatherine her present.

Unwrapping the back first, Catherine realized it was apainting. Elizabeth had told her that Vincent was an artist of nomean talent, but he didn't seem to agree. Catherine had seen littleof his work, except some humorous sketches that he often made toamuse the children. She turned it over with anticipation. WhenCatherine saw what he had done she gasped, and then began to cry."Oh, Vincent, I can't believe you did this--I can't believe you eventhought of it. You are the most wonderful, amazing man ..." Sheburied her face in his shirt, turning it damp almost instantly.Vincent put his arms around her as best he could, which was a bitdifficult since she still held the painting.

After a moment, Catherine regained control of herself andraised her head, looking at the painting again and wiping her eyeswith her free hand. "So this is why you had my old photo album downhere." Looking out at her from the frame were four people, painted inblacks and whites and grays to resemble a photograph. It looked likea typical wedding picture, with the bride and groom in the center.Vincent must have had to guess at their clothes, since he wouldn'tsee his completed for the first time until tonight. The bride's dresswasn't exactly accurate, but close enough that Catherine wondered ifJamie had squealed, just a little. Both her portrait and Vincent'swere good likenesses, although he had made her much more beautifulthan she actually was and himself less so. Flanking the weddingcouple, all smiles, were the bride's parents.

Vincent had made Caroline Chandler look a little older,although nowhere near the twenty years she'd never had the chance tolive. Her father looked so alive Catherine couldn't believe it was awhole year ago she'd lost him. Looking at this picture, it seemed fora moment she hadn't really lost either of them at all. No matter howtruly she believed they would be there in spirit, Catherine knewVincent had sensed her sorrow that her parents couldn't be at theirwedding in a more tangible way. This was his way of giving her that,creating a little world within the boundaries of this frame; a littleworld where the impossible was real.

Catherine laid the picture gently against the wall andsat there looking at it a long while as Vincent held her. Finallythey rose and took both presents into their bedchamber, having agreedwithout the need for words that was where they belonged. Steelingthemselves to ignore the bed for now, they went out to meet theevening's fate hand in hand.

For once, William didn't seem to mind that everyone wastoo excited to give his dinner the attention it deserved. His headwas too full of plans for the wedding feast to even notice. Afterdinner, Mouse, Devin and Vincent were dragged off by Mary and Sarahfor the final fitting of their wedding clothes.

Catherine and Jamie took advantage of their absence to gomeet Jenny at the entrance under Catherine's old building. Jenny haddecided to come Below the night before so she could be on the spot inthe morning, doing her duty to get the bride properly decked out forthe occasion.

When the female contingent of the wedding party returned,they were dragged off in turn to try on their dresses and pronouncethem satisfactory. Following that, Father had insisted on a briefwedding rehearsal, even though the ceremony was going to be neitherlong nor complicated. Nigel Atwood muttered something which soundedlike "O ye of little faith," and Peter prescribed a good stiff doseof brandy for purely medicinal purposes. Catherine and Vincent weretoo amused at this byplay and too wrapped up in each other to noticehow much time Devin and Jenny spent off by themselves in earnestconversation.

Finally there was nothing left to do until the dayarrived. After escorting Jenny to her guest chamber not far fromJamie's, Catherine and Vincent were able to return to their ownchambers at last. Vincent pointedly pulled down the tapestry over theouter door and the inner for good measure. As he began the alwayspleasurable task of undressing Catherine, he said softly next to herear, "I'm glad you don't believe the superstition about the groom notseeing the bride before the wedding."

Catherine smiled as she methodically unlaced Vincent'scomplicated garments. She was getting much faster at this withpractice. "Who says I don't believe it? I don't think it says howlong before the wedding the groom's not supposed to see thebride, does it?" Vincent nuzzled her neck as he slid the blouse offher shoulders; her slacks soon joined it over the back of astrategically placed chair. Having quickly disposed of Vincent'sshirt, Catherine pushed him onto the bed so boots and jeans couldfollow. All impediments removed, she joined him on the bed, slowlyrunning her hand through the soft fur of his torso. As the back ofone furry hand slid sensuously down her backbone, Catherine purred inVincent's ear. "If we don't want to take chances, you don't have tosee me. We can always turn out all the lights."

They day of the wedding dawned clear and beautiful, butthe only ones who saw it were the Helpers who would be coming Belowlater for the evening ceremony. The groom didn't see a thing, sincethe bride had decided to take no chances after all and extinguishedevery light and candle. After making love one last time that morningbefore it became sanctified and semi-legal, Catherine made Vincentpromise to keep his eyes closed while she stumbled toward the door inthe dark, muttering a very unbridelike remark when her knee bangedinto the chair. Dressing quickly in the outer chamber, she made herway to Jenny's room. She wouldn't see Vincent now until the wedding.

Catherine found Jamie already in Jenny's room. Lookingguilty as sin, the two broke off their excited conversation theminute Catherine popped her head in the door. A light breakfast waslaid out, with a pot of tea kept warm by something that looked likeone of the fifty percent of Mouse's inventions that worked.

"All right--what are you two up to?" Catherine eyed themboth suspiciously as they offered her tea and muffins.

Jenny looked mysterious as she slathered a bagel withcream cheese. "I was just telling Jamie about your wedding present,"she informed Catherine. "You and Vincent will just have to wait tofind out what it is." In between bites of bagel, Jenny laid out theday's schedule. After breakfast, Vincent would be spirited away byhis groomsmen to supervise final preparations in the Great Hall.During their absence, the bridesmaids and the bride would help putthe finishing touches on the decoration of Father's study, where theactual ceremony would be held. It would be a bit of a squeeze, butthe spiral staircase was perfect for grand entrances.

"After lunch, presuming any of us feel like eating bythen, men and women go to their respective pools for the ritual bath.I like that," Jenny asserted, "it sounds very Jewish."

"You must like the ceremony, too," Catherine replied. "Weborrowed bits from everybody."

"Except the yams," Jenny corrected.

Catherine groaned. "God, does everybody know about theyams?"

Jamie nodded. "Pretty much. Vincent must have toldFather. Brooke overheard Father tell Peter, and she told Stephen, andhe told ..."

"Never mind," Catherine interrupted. "I don't think Iwant to know. Back to the schedule ..."

"Right." Jenny licked her fingers. "Well, after theritual bath comes the ritual robing. First we do our hair with theflowers and all, then we start to get dressed. With all the buttonsand ties and laces and whatever, that should kill the afternoon."

"Then Rebecca lights all the candles--Kipper and Samanthaare going to help." Jamie's face was alight with excitement. "Afterthat, we just wait for the signal."

"And then," Jenny said softly, "you and Vincent getmarried."

Catherine reached out to Jenny, clutching her hand. "Oh,Jenny--it's really happening, isn't it? It's really coming true."

Jenny squeezed Catherine's hand. "That it is, Cath. Itreally is. Are you getting nervous?"

"No, not really. Excited yes, but not nervous." Catherinepondered a moment. "I guess it's because I've been married to Vincentin my heart ever since that night I left Nancy's. But I'm still gladwe're making it official," she smiled.

Jenny stood up and put an arm around her friend. "Well,c'mon--let's go get you married."

Later that afternoon, Devin enjoyed the temporary respite as herelaxed in the baths with his brother and a remarkable aquatic mammalnamed Mouse. Right about now, Devin thought Otter might be moreappropriate. Watching Mouse's antics, Devin turned to his brother inamazement. "Are you sure you only taught him to swim last year?"

"Yes." Vincent shook his head as one of Mouse's moreenergetic maneuvers splashed them both. "Unfortunately, he stillseems unclear on the difference between a swimming pool and a bathingpool."

Watching Vincent watch Mouse, Devin was quite happy tosit still himself. It had been a hectic week, between the weddingpreparations Below and the even more elaborate preparations he andJenny had made. At one point, he was convinced they'd never pull itall together in time, but Jenny was adamant. He thought the hardestpart would be keeping Vincent and Catherine in ignorance of theirplans, considering they'd had to bring Father in on it and a fewothers. That had turned out to be surprisingly easy--or maybe not sosurprising. After all those two had been through, they were entitledto be wrapped up in each other for awhile.

Vincent turned his head to meet Devin's eyes on him."What are you thinking?"

In all his travels, Devin had never encountered eyes likethat. "About the fact that my little brother is actually gettingmarried. Although you're not so little any more, are you?"

"No," Vincent agreed. "Nor so innocent."

"In more ways than one, from what I've heard." Devinturned his eyes to Mouse again. "There's another way I let you down.If I'd stuck around, things wouldn't have been so hard for you. Youwouldn't have had only Father's opinion about what was possible foryou."

Devin turned again as his brother's hand came to rest onhis shoulder. "Devin," Vincent said earnestly, "don't do this. Howcan I wish anything had been different, if my life led me to the joyI know now? Perhaps no other path would have brought me here--and Icould not be happier than I am at this moment."

Devin put his hand on Vincent's gratefully and thengrinned. "Oh, I don't know--I'll bet you'll be even happier in aboutten hours or so." He gave Vincent a long, speculative look. "Cathyreally likes that furry carcass of yours, does she?"

"She does indeed," Vincent emphatically, squirming alittle. "And if we pursue that line of conversation I won't be ableto stand up for some time. We can't afford to linger; you rememberhow long I take to dry."

Devin laughed in delight. "My, my, little brother, youhave grown up! OK, I'll be good. I'd be drummed out of the Best Men'sUnion if I made you late to your own wedding."

Maybe Catherine wasn't nervous, but Jamie was becomingincreasingly anxious at the idea of being the first of the bride'sparty to go down the stairs. Even knowing that Mouse had theunenviable position of leading off the whole show didn't make it anyeasier. She kept telling herself that even if she fell all the waydown, no one in the audience would remember it after they sawCatherine. Jamie had always thought Catherine was beautiful, buttonight she looked like a princess out of a fairy tale--which, Jamiedecided, was pretty appropriate after all.

Jenny seemed to agree. "Cathy, I've never seen you lookmore gorgeous--and I've seen you look plenty gorgeous before.Vincent's going to just melt."

Catherine adjusted one of the flowers in her friend'shair. "Jenny, it wouldn't matter to Vincent if I were dressed in asack. One of the many reasons I love that man so much."

"He's a paragon, no argument." Jenny looked at Catherinewith a critical eye. "OK, final checklist. Something old?"

Catherine touched the crystal lovingly. "Probably a fewmillion years."

"Something new?"

"My present from Peter." Catherine held up her wrist todisplay the delicate crystal-and-silver bracelet.

"Something borrowed--must be those attractive pearlearrings belonging to your Maid of Honor." Jenny shook her head inmock amazement. "Even though the idea of Cathy Chandler borrowingearrings is like Imelda Marcos borrowing shoes. And something blue..."

"You've already seen that, several layers ago," Catherinesaid firmly, "and I'm not showing you again. Besides, Peter will behere any minute."

"Alas," Jenny mourned, "the most beautiful lingerie inVictoria's Secret, and only Vincent gets to see it from nowon.""Yes," Catherine agreed. "Isn't that wonderful?"

Jenny hugged the bride and agreed. "You bet."

"Well, Mouse," Devin asked, "ready for your grand entrance?"Mouse was pale but determined. He would face death and torture forhis beloved hero and friend, but right now either seemed preferableto the prospect of walking down that staircase first.

"I have every confidence in Mouse." Vincent clasped theyoung man's shoulder. "He'll do fine."

As Mouse gazed at Vincent in grateful adoration, Devinturned his attention to the groom. "And how are you doing? I expectedyou to be a basket case by now."

Vincent was quiet for a moment, then began to speak in awondering tone. "For most of my life, getting married was something Inever conceived of in relation to myself. Even when I fell in lovewith Catherine, and knew she loved me, it seemed no less impossible.Now that we've decided to marry, it seems as inevitable as moonrise.How could I ever have thought otherwise?"

Devin clasped his brother's arm, the smile temporarilyabsent from his face. "For twenty years, I carried your pain with meas an undertone to everything I did. Seeing you happy at last is thebest thing that's ever happened to me."

"Amen to that." Father entered quietly and looked on histwo sons with fondness. "Vincent, you look elegant. Catherine will bequite overcome."

Devin moved to put an arm around his father, the smilereturning. "You know, Mary wanted to dress him in gray, but had tosettle for all those tawny colors because Vincent insisted on wearingthat Puss-in-Boots footwear of his--and I can't get him to tell mewhy."

Father smiled in response, reveling in the cameraderie ofhis two unique children. "Vincent? Surely you'll tell your poor oldfather?"

Vincent raised his eyes to heaven and prayed forstrength. Perhaps grooms were made to suffer this way as a finaltrial before winning the fair maiden. A nice fire-breathing dragonwould have been better. "Catherine," he sighed in resignation, "isextremely fond of these boots."

Devin gave the thigh-high boots a long look. "Is thatwhat she said? 'Extremely fond?' Somehow that doesn't sound likeher."

Vincent ducked his head so the golden mane obscured hisface. "Actually, if you must know, he admitted grudgingly, "she saidthey were 'unbelievably sexy.'"

As Kipper lighted the last of the candles, Rebecca turned toMary. Lit only by countless flickering candles, the chamber lookedmagical. The air of excited, joyful anticipation was almost tangible.Members of the community she hadn't seen in months had come for this,even Narcissa. There were at least as many Helpers as there usuallywere at Winterfest--but then, this was the event of a lifetime formany in their community. Rebecca nodded to Mary, and as the olderwoman stepped forward, the pure notes of a flute cascaded off thewalls like elvish music. Into a silence that thrummed like anunvoiced note, Mary spoke.

"Our world began in darkness and in fear. Through love and generosity, through mutual caring, we made a light that drove back the darkness, one candle at a time. Today, we gather to witness two members of our community pledge their love to each other. As one candle is lit from another that the light may never die, so love must be renewed generation after generation. Love created our world, hope sustains it, and the vows that these two make today carry both into the future--may their love sustain them through all their lives, and the lives that follow them."

Michael stepped up to face those assembled as Maryretreated. Taking a deep breath as he opened the book he carried, hebegan to read.

Attenders to this day: Look, the wedding is a reason
To inspect your thoughts; say
Smily wishes to the young wedded,
But see to your own new season--
No trite impediments, no bored white
Winter of cold thoughts imbedded
In mountain crevices of self-pity.
Be gathered into the light,
Into no mere festivity--
But more, a snowballing of hope.
Then you still live; we all
Live on tomorrow when two breaths elope,
Tonight when pulse on pulse sustains
Two lives, these and their sweet flesh ...
Inhale brisk flowers, then let befall
Whatever dark rains
Come; you see lives mesh
Today; today you bystand bliss.
Attend all this.

Michael retreated in turn as Lena and Julio took his place,reading in chorus.

Splendor is upon everything Blessing is upon everything
Who is full of this abundance
Bless this groom and bride.

Nigel Atwood took the place of Lena and Julio as thesound of cello and violin, harp and flute, filled the chamber. Alleyes turned toward the top of the stairs. After a few seconds ofunbearable waiting, Mouse appeared. Looking more serious than ever inhis life, he moved downward with concentration worthy of a brainsurgeon. He clutched a wooden box in his hands so tightly thoseassembled might have guessed it contained the One Ring on its way toMount Doom. Fortunately for Mouse's peace of mind, he was the centerof attention for only a moment, then the Best Man appeared. Even theirrepressible Devin seemed awed by the specialness of the occasion.

When Vincent appeared at last, arm in arm with Father, asigh went through the audience like wind through wheat. Not one ofthose assembled would have thought such a creature in need of a spellto turn him back to a handsome prince. He was one already, a visionin cream and brown and tawny gold. Never had his natural grace beenso evident; never had he seemed so sure; never had anything seemed soright. He carried an unlit candle, Father a matching candle alreadytopped by a steady flame. When they approached Nigel, Father moved tostand at right angles to Vincent as Devin and Mouse fanned out behindhim. Vincent turned to face the staircase, a look on his face like asaint might fix upon the altar of his god.

Had anyone been looking at Mouse when Jamie appeared,they would have seen the face of a young man whose world has beenturned upside down. In place of the scruffy companion of his Tunnelwanderings, a young goddess glided down the stairs. Herpeaches-and-cream dress looked like something Juliet might have worn,or at least a Juliet who had to depend on leftovers from the loomsthat supplied the palaces of Verona, instead of the wealth of theCapulets. Suddenly Mouse's world shifted into a new and disturbingorbit, never to be quite the same again.

Jenny came next, looking like she had followed the fairylights under the hill, and didn't care if she discovered a hundredyears had passed when she emerged. She was a woman who had seenCatherine down many a dead-end path, and was delighted to know hermost beloved friend had found the right road at last. Jenny's smilewas so infectious, by the time she was halfway down the stairseveryone below her was smiling too--except Vincent, whose eyesremained fixed on the top of the stairs.

His eyes widened and his lips parted a split-secondbefore the soft sound of a hundred people beginning to breathe againfilled the room. Catherine stopped for a second, finding Vincent likea lodestone finds True North, before moving down the spiral path in arustle of silk. Like Father and Vincent, she and Peter carried thesame combination of lit and unlit candles, only hers was surroundedby a cascade of flowers. In the years to come, Catherine was neverable to describe the room in which she was married to save her life.If Elizabeth hadn't preserved the scene in the Painted Tunnels, itwould have remained a mystery to the bride. From the moment her eyesfirst found Vincent's face, nothing else existed for her.

Reaching Vincent, she handed the flowers to Jenny andstood beside him holding the candle. Father lit Vincent's candle asPeter did the same for Catherine's. When the new flames steadied,Catherine and Vincent touched them at the same instant to the hugecandle that stood before them on its tall holder. As that flame tookhold in turn, Father and Peter spoke together.

"As light passes from candle to candle, so life passes from soul to soul. In the name of those who gave you life, we pray that together you may bring light to those who come after. Carry the flame into the future, as we have carried it to you."

After all four smaller candles were placed in holders oneither side of the great one, Nigel Atwood began. "Dearly beloved..."

The Archbishop of Canterbury might not have recognizedthe ceremony that followed, combining as it did words from a wholetapestry of faiths and times and places. Disparate as they were, allwere chosen from the heart. Words of poets and priests were woventogether with those of the ceremony that had united those Below fordecades. Her wedding reminded Catherine of a Tunnel garment, bits andpieces from all over put together in way that was unique andbeautiful.

"Catherine, will you have this man to be your husband; tolive together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comforthim, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking allothers, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Her voice rang strong and true. Never had apromise been easier to make. It only put into words what her hearthad vowed a long time ago.

"Vincent, will you have this woman to be your wife ..."Vincent was awed by the look of loving determination on Catherine'sface. Through what miracle had such a woman come to love him, andhave the courage to put her heart and her life into his keeping?

"... as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." He felt the sudden pressure of Catherine's handon his as her eyes shone with unshed tears.

Catherine had determined that any promise, any pledge,that Vincent made to her she would give to him in turn. Her voicenever faltered as she gave him the special promise they had agreed tomake. "Vincent, please know this: I will protect you, watch over you,and love you until my last breath." As Vincent repeated the words toher, it was as if two unseen presences were now beside her, rejoicingin the knowledge their beloved child had found her happiness at last.

When Vincent completed his promise, Devin and Jennystepped forward. Each picked up a cup of water and poured thecontents into a silver goblet. Handing it to Catherine and Vincent,they spoke as one.

"As many rivers flow into the great ocean, the separatestreams of your lives now join. May your love be as clear as a river,as patient as a forest pool, as enduring as the sea." Catherine drankfrom the cup, then passed it Vincent to do the same. Under thesea-green gaze of Catherine's eyes, Vincent felt his future open upbefore him, as vast and uncharted and full of wonders as the ocean hehad never seen.

Mouse had to continually keep himself from sinking intothe beauty of the ceremony like a stone into that sea. At last, itwas time for his final duty. He handed the wooden box to Devin, andrelaxed. He hadn't disgraced himself, and now he could enjoy theceremony without worrying if he would. Devin opened the box andhanded Vincent the ring. Catherine was determined not to cry at herown wedding, but Vincent's voice as he slipped the ring on her fingeralmost made her break her vow to herself. "...with all that I am, andall that I have, I honor you ..."

Those beautiful hands, that she loved so, but causedVincent such pain. The hands that had killed so often to protect her,those same hands that he had almost turned on himself, now cradledher own as he slipped the silver circle onto her finger. A circle,symbol of infinity, world without end ...

Devin passed the box to Jenny, who removed the largerring and handed it to Catherine. Vincent was sure he already lovedCatherine as much as any living being could love another, but whenshe put the ring on his finger, he found his heart swell even more.Such a small thing, done without thinking ... as Catherine slipped onthe ring, she twisted it so it would slide smoothly over his fur.Vincent blinked back tears of his own as her voice and feelingsfilled him like a song.

"With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship..."

As the ceremony moved toward its conclusion, the roombecame quieter and quieter, waiting for the words that would seal itall, not daring to believe the miracle was about to happen. AsCatherine and Vincent stood before him with clasped hands, NigelAtwood gradually raised his voice so the final words rang out intriumph:

"As fire and air make light, and earth and water givelife, these two have pledged to join their lives. I pronounce thatthey are husband and wife, in the name of God. What God has joinedtogether let no one put asunder."

For a few seconds, silence reigned as if no one couldquite believe it had really happened. Then the musicians burst intosound, seeming like ten times their number. Vincent and Catherinestood facing each other for a moment as if they couldn't believe itwas true either. Then they moved into each other's arms for a kissthat brought happy grins and a sudden burst of talk and laughter fromtheir assembled friends.

After they parted, Vincent suppressed an almostirresistable urge to roar as he took Catherine's hand and led the wayto the Great Hall. Jenny and Devin followed arm in arm, sharing widegrins that somehow contrived to be smug and happy all at once.Deciding it was the proper thing to do, Mouse offered Jamie his arm.She accepted it like the daughter of royalty and moved serenelyforward. Mouse, on the other hand, had some trouble navigating as hekept staring at Jamie and not at the path before them. Father triedto maintain a dignified pace, but he felt alternately like tossingaway his cane and dancing a jig, or fainting with relief.Fortunately, a brother physician was in attendance ... although Peterseemed miles, or more likely years, away.

The excited crowd flowed behind them, acting like thiswas every holiday they'd ever known rolled into one, and several morethey hadn't thought of yet. This time, Vincent wasn't allowed to riskmussing up his wedding finery by moving the huge bar from the door.It took Cullen, Michael and Julio to take his place, but eventuallythe doors were thrown open and everyone poured into the Great Hallfor the Wedding Feast.

Vincent and Catherine were led to two elaborately carvedchairs that had been set up at one end of the room. No mere receptionline for these two--they looked more like a King and Queen of somemagical land presiding over their court. It seemed that every memberof the Tunnel community and at least two-thirds of the Helpers weredetermined to offer congratulations. For a while, Catherine wasafraid she and Vincent would still be sitting in these chairs nextmorning, but eventually the multitudes found their way to the foodtables or congregated into talkative groups.

Suddenly a high note rang out from the flute, calling forsilence. Vincent stood and offered Catherine his hand to lead her tothe center of the floor. The musicians began to play a waltz. As theyglided around the room, the crowd ceased to exist for them, caught upas they were in the music and each other.

"What are you thinking?" Vincent asked softly.

"About my first Winterfest." Catherine looked at her newhusband as if she still couldn't quite believe tonight had reallyhappened. "Less than fourteen months ago I didn't even know that youcould dance."

Vincent held her tighter. "We have both learned muchsince then."

"So we have ... and we've only begun."

Soon the bride and groom were claimed by others.Catherine danced with so many people she lost count. Father was aselated as she'd ever known him; Peter could talk of nothing but howmuch Catherine looked like her mother on her wedding day. Sheexpected Devin to joke, but all he could do was thank her again andagain for making his brother so happy. Even Mouse risked a dance,concentrating so hard on his footwork Catherine had all she could donot to laugh.

Eventually, she found her way back to Vincent and theyescaped to the stairs, a traditional refuge for weary dancers.Laughing, she hugged him. "If any more people want to dance with me,I'll have to crawl to the crystal cavern with you tomorrow."

Vincent hugged her in turn and smiled. "Normally, I wouldsimply carry you the whole way--but I'm not sure I'll be able tostand up tomorrow either. This is worse than Winterfest."

"I never thought I'd see people happier than they werethen, but look." Catherine gestured toward the crowd below them. "Ithink it's because at Winterfest we were really celebrating escapefrom death. Tonight we celebrate nothing but life."

Vincent took Catherine in his arms and kissed herthoroughly, not caring they were visible to all. If a man couldn'tkiss his wife in public ... his wife ... his wife! He kissedher again, even more thoroughly, and she wrapped her arms around hisneck as if she had no intention of ever letting go.

Across the room, Jenny saw this display and nudged Devin."They don't look like they're going to last much longer. We'd bettertell them before they get away from us."

Devin stared at Vincent like he'd never seen him before."Wow ... what were you saying?"

Jenny explained again as she dragged Devin across theroom, picking up Father along the way. Not until they were halfway upthe stairs did Vincent become aware of their approach. Catherine wasonly alerted when he extricated himself from their kiss.

"You can't ask either one of us to dance," she announcedin no uncertain terms. "We claim sanctuary."

Jenny laughed and handed Catherine her bouquet. "As Maidof Honor, it's my job to see that you do your duty. I got theimpression you and the groom here were contemplating an earlyescape."

As Devin called for attention, Vincent removed one of thelarger flowers from the bouquet. He had absolutely refused to haveanything to do with garters in public, to Catherine's relief. When acrowd of laughing young men gathered below, Vincent turned his backto them and tossed the bloom over his shoulder. Making the leap ofhis life, Julio caught it in midair. As he was carried off bywell-wishing friends, Catherine squeezed Vincent's hand. "Mycompliments on your aim, husband. I hope I can do as well."

Vincent didn't even notice the single women congregate.That was the first time Catherine had called him "husband." Not untilshe swung her arm over her head to toss the bouquet in a graceful arcdid awareness of his surroundings return. To no one's surprise, adelighted Lena caught the bouquet. Clearly there had been aconspiracy--many a taller woman seemed unaccountably unsuccessful.Lena was borne toward a laughing Julio, and the musicians, renewed bythe promise of another wedding soon, broke into dance music with newvigor.

"Well," Devin grinned, "it looks like this party can goon fine without you, if you can think of other things you have todo."

"I'm sure we'll think of something," Catherine repliedloftily. "We have to get our rest if we're going all the way to thecrystal cave tomorrow."

Jenny took a deep breath. "You're not."

Catherine and Vincent both stared. Catherine found hervoice first. "What do you mean, we're not?"

Devin put his arm around Jenny's shoulders. "We decidedthe occasion called for something more special than that. It's ourwedding present to you."

"But Devin--" Vincent shook his head sadly. "Where elsecould we go?"

Devin looked at Jenny. Jenny looked at Devin. They turnedback to the new-wedded pair and spoke together. "Connecticut."

Vincent clutched Catherine's hand as he felt a suddenhope leap in her, only to be forcibly quenched. "Oh,Jenny--Devin--it's very sweet of you, but it's impossible." Catherinebowed her head and blinked quickly several times. "Father's right,it's too dangerous."

"Why?" Devin demanded.

Catherine raised her head in surprise. "Why--supposesomething happened so I couldn't drive, even a sprain ... we'd bestranded. Even if Vincent knew how to drive, he couldn't risk beingseen."

"That's why you're getting an escort," Jenny announcedfirmly. "We've got two vans; Devin and I will be right behind you. Ifyour van breaks down--and it better not at these prices-we'll get youthere. If anything happened that you couldn't drive, there's two ofus to take over."

"We'll be traveling at night." Devin added. "There'spractically no chance Vincent could be seen. But if he is, I've gotenough stories cooked up to explain our way out of anything. Not tomention lots of fake ID for all occasions."

Vincent felt that flicker of hope in Catherine's heartstrengthen ever so slightly, but she continued. "Suppose there wassome kind of medical emergency ... "

"You'll just have to be easy on Vincent," Devin saidsolemnly. "But if something happens, remember how good a fraud I am... and remember that someone who's led safaris in Kenya had to be apretty good bush doctor. I've handled emergencies in places a lotmore primitive than Connecticut."

Jenny didn't give Catherine time to object further."We're staying in the next town the whole time you're there, andPeter lent us a beeper and a cellular phone. If you need us for anyreason, we'll be close by."

The flicker became a flame. "The house isn't ready ...we're not packed ..."

"It is," Devin corrected, "and you are. What do you thinkJenny and I have been doing all week?"

Catherine was almost ready to believe. "But Father ..."she objected weakly.

Jenny and Devin stood apart so Father could step upbehind them. "Not even I could fault their plan. Nothing is totallywithout risk, but these two have eliminated most. What remains isworth it for this."

Catherine turned to Vincent, a question in her shiningeyes. He touched his palm to her cheek, finally daring to hopehimself. "Catherine--we have faced greater risks together. I'mwilling if you are."

Catherine threw her arms around his neck and hugged himas hard as she could. Turning to embrace Devin and Jenny, she burstinto tears at last. Vincent faced his brother for a moment, thenembraced him with a gratitude too great for words. After a whirl ofhugs, kisses and tears, Devin lent Catherine a handkerchief."Everything's in the van, you just need to change into your travelingclothes."

"Take as long as you want," Jenny encouraged, "as long asyou remember we've got two hours of driving ahead of us. Think of itas being in yichud."

"What?" Devin asked.

Vincent's wedding reading stood him in good stead. "Aftera Jewish wedding, the couple spend a short time in seclusion. It issymbolic of earlier times, when the marriage was consummated rightafter the ceremony."

Devin grinned wickedly. "Well, the old ways are often thebest. Pound the pipes when you're ready, and we'll come get you."

Vincent and Catherine walked slowly toward their chamberhand in hand. The Tunnels had never been so quiet, even afterWinterfest. With the exception of the sentries, and Pascal in hispipe chamber, everyone was still celebrating with an enthusiasmusually reserved for Royal nuptials. Husband and wife moved throughthe dim corridors without speaking until they reached the door of thechamber where Vincent had brought Catherine, broken and bleeding,three years ago this very night.

As if reading his mind, Catherine turned to him and spokein a voice husky with feeling. "At first, I was sure that night wasthe end of my life. And it turned out to be the beginning."

Unable to speak, Vincent could only take Catherine's facein his hands, looking at it a long time before bending to kiss her.Then, his eyes never leaving her face, he swept her into his arms andcarried her through the door. Setting her down, he pulled thetapestry over the opening and began pulling pins and flowers out ofher hair until it cascaded down around her shoulders.

Catherine turned around and Vincent carefully beganundoing the many buttons one by one. Finally she stepped out of thedress and hung it carefully in the wardrobe. Someday ...

Piece by piece, their wedding finery was removed andcarefully laid away. At the very last, Vincent lifted the crystalfrom Catherine's neck and laid it gently down beside the white rosein its pouch. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed the silver bandthat circled her finger. Still holding her hand, he turned to leadher to the inner chamber.

"Vincent..." He stopped and turned back to face his wife.Catherine gestured toward the bed in the outer room, the one hebrought her to the first night they met. "Here, Vincent," she saidsimply. "We need to close the circle."

Nodding, he laid her on the bed where he had dreamed hisboyhood dreams, and lay down beside her. No dream of his youth hadeven come close to this. Golden as he in the light from the stainedglass, Catherine held out her arms, and he sank into them like ariver into the sea. As their love carried them in an ever-heighteningspiral, they crossed the threshold which left the past, with all itsdoubts and fears, behind. Together, they entered the future.

Now, as in Tullias tombe, one lampe burnt cleare, Unchanged for fifteene hundred yeare,
May these love-lamps we here enshrine,
In warmth, light, lasting, equall the divine;
Fire ever doth aspire,
And makes all like it selfe, turnes all to fire,
But ends in ashes, which these cannot doe,
For none of these is fuell, but fire too.
This is joyes bonfire, then, where loves strong Arts
Make of so noble individuall parts
One fire of foure inflaming eyes, and of two loving hearts.

--John Donne

First published in Definitions of Love 3 (1990), editedby Kay Simon
Reprinted (with its prequel, "The Fire and the Rose"), inBondstories 11 (1996), edited by Joyce Fuller Kleikamp

About the Author: Edith Crowe is an academiclibrarian who has been involved in various fandoms (starting withStar Trek) since 1972. Beauty and the Beast, however,is the one she's most emotional about and the first (and so far only)one to inspire her to write fiction. She had seven "continuingclassic" stories published in the late 80s and early 90s, in zinesnow out of print. New stories include the rather racy "My FurryValentine" in the A Kingdom by the Sea conzine and several inissues of Sanctuary.