Anniversary
"Catherine?"
She blinked, realizing it was the second time he had said her name. She stood at the top of the ladder looking down at him as he waited for her below. The shaft of light which fell upon his golden hair framed him in an unearthly brilliance. His beauty had taken her breath away again. Would she ever become accustomed to the first sight of him as he emerged from the shadows and slipped into view?
"Catherine, let me help you."
It had been three years since she had first heard that wondrous voice as he had whispered, "You are safe now." Now, on their third anniversary, she knew they were both finally, truly safe.
She smiled as she gathered the folds of her gown about her and stepped down. The heavy blue brocade coat over the strapless black velvet gown had seemed very appropriate for this night below. Vincent had promised a quiet evening together, and she'd chosen this dress for him alone.
Leaning from the ladder, she rested her hands upon his shoulders. His long fingers encircled her waist. As he lowered her gently to the floor, she saw the blue of her dress reflected in his eyes.
"Catherine, you are so beautiful tonight."
With a smile she embraced him, pressing longingly against his chest. Then she pulled back looking up into his face. "Happy anniversary, Vincent."
He responded with a smile which gave a charming hint of a lisp to his words. "Happy anniversary, Catherine. I want this evening to be very special for you. Are you sure you want such a quiet celebration?"
She had asked him for a private picnic at the base of the falls. This past year had been difficult, and now she wanted nothing more than to be alone with him. Taking his arm, she fell into step beside him as they walked back into the darkness of the tunnel. "I'm certain." Vincent's free hand came up to cover hers as she asked lightly, "Does William have our picnic basket ready?"
She felt him squeeze lightly. He hesitated a moment, then replied quietly, "He will. But I'm afraid there's something we must do first."
"I don't understand."
His answer came a bit too quickly. "As I was leaving to come to you, Father stopped me."
She frowned. "Father?"
Vincent nodded.
"Did he say what he wanted?"
With a sigh, Vincent continued, "He said he needs us to come to his study."
"Now?" She frowned more severely. "Why"
"I have no idea."
"Did you tell him we have plans?"
"I told him. He was strangely persistent."
Catherine stopped in her steps as a thought came to her. "Not a surprise party." She shook her head. "Oh, Vincent. Not a party. He knows we don't want a party right now."
"I told him that, Catherine. He knows. He assured me we would be there only a few minutes."
"Are you sure?"
"I made certain he understands. He gave me his word."
"Then... what?"
He smiled again, reassuring her. "I believe we will learn that when we arrive at his study."
With a sigh, Catherine nodded. "I hope you're right."
***
As they neared Father's study, Catherine listened carefully. Her confidence in Father's word was shaken when she heard Mouse's voice come from the doorway in a whisper, "Everybody quiet. Vincent's coming!" Total silence followed.
Catherine emerged into the room as Vincent followed immediately behind. A quick glance revealed Father in the center of the chamber, looking pleased and somewhat smug. With a second glance, Catherine saw that almost everyone who lived below was there also, smiling and nodding gleefully.
She looked up at Vincent. The expression on his face convinced her that he had had no previous knowledge of this gathering.
His voice rumbled quietly. "Father......"
"Now, now, Vincent." The old man waved a hand. "Don't jump to conclusions. We know you want to be alone. But there are people here who love you.....both. And they have asked for only a few minutes of your time."
Catherine looked around. Everyone here looked very happy and strangely expectant. As if they were all in on some great secret.
Exchanging a look with Vincent, she sighed again, and nodded. "Okay, Father. What do you want us to do?"
Father indicated a spot in the middle of the room. "We would like for both of you to stand right here." He moved to his desk as he continued, "Rebecca, I believe you have something you would like to say."
As Vincent and Catherine moved into the center of the chamber, the blond young woman who was like a sister to Vincent stepped forward. She cleared her voice, and announced, "Vincent and Catherine, the community has gathered here in honor of your third anniversary. This a very special time..........."
"No party." It was Mouse who interrupted. At this moment he was the only unhappy person in the room. "Father said no party." He looked longingly at Vincent, apparently appealing for one last chance. "Vincent.....party?"
"No party." Never had Catherine heard Vincent speak with such finality.
Mouse withdrew, pursing his lips and slumping his shoulders in exaggerated defeat.
Rebecca began again restoring the light mood. "This is a very special time when each of us felt the need to tell you how important you both are to us. And to welcome Catherine into our community for always." She stepped back and motioned to the assembly, "So..." Almost every person in the room reached into his or her pocket and pulled an envelope from within. "So we are here to share our thoughts and hopes for the love you have together." She turned to Kanin and Olivia, and said, "Kanin, would you go first?"
Kanin glanced at his wife, giving her a nod, and she stepped forward. In her hand was a letter, which she offered to Vincent. "It's for you and Catherine . . . from me and Kanin, and Luke too," she said with a shy smile.
Catherine stood beside Vincent, her arm draped through his. She smiled gently and spoke for them both. "Thank you, Olivia. Would you like to read it to us?"
"No, you read it - silently, please?"
And they did, standing there surrounded by their family, Vincent's right arm holding Catherine close to his side. . .