After the letter had been read, he then reverently opened the parcel. Only Catherine and Elizabeth were close enough to hear him gasp as he admired his treasure. When he found his voice he whispered, “Elizabeth . . . I have no words to tell you what this means to me. Thank you.”
As Vincent embraced the tiny artist she whispered to him “I’m an old woman, child, I won’t live forever. Open your eyes to all that is waiting for you. I want to be the one to paint the beautiful children you and your Catherine have.”
Now he truly had no words.
Vincent and Catherine watched as Rebecca gathered all the letters into a bundle and carefully tied them with a white ribbon. Handing them to the couple, she said, "We want you to keep these always....as a remembrance."
"Thank you, Rebecca." Vincent took the letters and turned to include everyone in the chamber as he said, "Thank you, all. This means more to Catherine and me than you can know." He looked down at the woman he loved, "You have welcomed Catherine into your hearts and into our family. You could have given me no greater gift."
With a smile, Catherine nodded, "Thank you. You have made this anniversary very special....we will never forget it."
At that moment, Father rose from his chair at his desk. Taking his cane, he joined the couple in the center of the chamber. He paused just a moment and cleared his throat, then announced, "Well, I believe that concludes our little presentation. Vincent. Catherine. We promised you an evening of quiet privacy, and that is what you shall have. However, before you go, I have been told that William has something to tell you. William?"
The big man lumbered forth with a wide grin on his face. "Yes. Well. I know you asked me for a picnic basket, Vincent.....but I just couldn't arrange that."
Catherine glanced up at Vincent, wondering if she should show her disappointment.
William continued. "You see. Everybody wanted to help, so we all got together and worked on a surprise down at the waterfall. There's a table down there, set with our best table service...."
Mouse, having recovered from Catherine's kiss, broke in, "Mouse carried the chairs. Just two chairs. Not a party. Vincent said no party."
The big cook nodded, "That's right, Mouse. Just a dinner for two. But everybody did something. There's good food, and candles, and the children even made something for you...."
Samantha spoke proudly. "Chocolate covered strawberries. I know Vincent loves chocolate."
"I do." Vincent smiled.
"It sounds wonderful." Catherine took his arm, clutching the letters in her free hand.
"Then by all means, " Father added, "be off, before the food gets too cold to eat."
As Vincent escorted Catherine up the stairs at the chamber entrance, there was a brief moment of well-wishing and congratulations. As the room became quieter, Mouse's voice again rose above the rest.
"Catherine is Vincent's love. Vincent told me she is."
The young woman hesitated, smiling demurely in Mouse's direction. She felt Vincent's touch across the small of her back.
Mouse continued, "Love is okay, okay good.........isn't it, Vincent?"
At the top of the stairs, Vincent turned to face Catherine and put his hands upon her shoulders. Looking into her eyes, he said, "It's better than okay, Mouse." And then he asked softly, "Catherine?"
She slipped her arms around his waist, tilting her head until her face was inches below his. "There has never...ever....been anything better."
For an instant, he looked deeply into her eyes, and then with no further hesitation, Vincent gathered her into his embrace and kissed her. It was the kiss of lovers, tender and hinting at restrained passions. Ignoring the enthusiastic response from the people in the chamber, he whispered, "It's better than best. Happy anniversary, Catherine."
And they slipped into the darkness of the tunnel together.