Mary nodded at Father as she stepped back from the guests of honor.

   Father gave her a sheepish smile as he approached the waiting couple. In his heart Father knew the best gift he could give his son was Catherine’s happiness.  He handed Vincent his letter saying, “This is for you both, Vincent, but would you hold it for just a moment. Oh, and this too, please.”

   Vincent then took both the letter and his father’s cane, releasing his hold on Catherine for the first time this evening.

   “Catherine?” Father cleared his throat and reached for her hands.

   Catherine immediately put her hands in his.  If she had any hesitation about what he was about to say she didn’t show it and her gesture was rewarded by a warm smile from Father.

   “My dear, long ago when the way was still new for both of you, I had once tried to make my son see reason by comparing his relationship with you to a perilous journey.  I know now that I was wrong, but I remember well what Vincent told me that night. And  I would like to share some of that with you now.”

   Catherine’s eyes never left him as he continued on.  “ I  told Vincent that I’d be a fool not to worry about him.  I felt as if I was watching him making his way across a raging river, and told him so.  Vincent was quick to tell me that you swam that river as well.  He said you faced the same dangers, showed the same courage,  and then he told me something I’ve only recently come to appreciate.  He told me that in many ways the toll on you was far greater.  I, of course, doubted his perception.  But then he said that on your side of the river there was no one watching, on your side of the river were no prayers for your safe passage, that on your side of the river there was no one but you, Catherine.”

   “Know this and believe it now, Catherine, those words are no longer true.   I  …  we are your family now.  From this day forward there will always be someone praying for your safe passage.”  Seeing the tears gathering in Catherine’s eyes Father added with a grin.  “And if this hard headed son of mine gives you any trouble, you just come and see the old man.  Now you may read my letter.”

   With those words the chamber was immediately filled with equal shares of tears and laughter.