Chapter 6

An Evening Below

Catherine lay back in the mound of pillows on the wide bed, closed her eyes and listened to the tapping on the pipes. Translating the various communications as she lay there, she was proud to find that she could understand almost all of the messages being sent. For many months she had spent time with Pascal in the pipe chamber learning the various codes. Now that she was unable to maneuver the steep ladders in the pipe chamber, he had been kind enough to continue the lessons with her in the chamber she shared with Vincent. Knowing how little time Pascal spent away from the pipes, she was touched, and happy to know that the time was not being wasted.

As she listened, she realized how calming the sounds were. She hugged Vincent's pillow to her, inhaling his scent as she relaxed. The sounds, the smells; it was all so peaceful and comforting. Letting the atmosphere surround her like cotton batting, she was soon lulled to sleep.

Vincent stood in the doorway to the bedchamber and gazed lovingly at his beautiful wife. During his meeting with Father and Mouse he’d felt her tranquility. Not all days had been so calm as this. Chuckling softly, he remembered his confusion at Catherine's mood swings. She would get upset or start crying for no apparent reason, causing him great consternation. Wanting to insure her happiness, he was at a loss when he could discern no reason for her distress.

He had finally gone to Father for advice, whereupon he was informed by his parent that Catherine was pregnant.

"I know she's pregnant, Father. That’s very obvious. She just seems so unhappy at times and I don't know why. She's excited about the babies, so that isn't the cause of her distress."

Father laughed and gripped his son's shoulder warmly. "No, Vincent, mood swings are normal in pregnant women. Catherine's hormones are out of balance. She can become upset over the smallest of things, or nothing at all for that matter. If she's like most women, she's also feeling fat and unappealing which doesn't improve her disposition."

"But she isn't fat, she's not even that large considering that she's carrying twins! Though it seems impossible, I believe that she's more beautiful than ever. There's such a glow about her." Vincent shook his head in disbelief.

"I agree with you, Vincent. However, sometimes it's harder to accept the beauty that others see when you're looking from the inside out. I seem to know someone else who can't accept his own beauty as those around him do."

Vincent dropped his head and shook it slowly, hiding behind a veil of hair. Sighing, he raised his eyes to look at his father. "But what should I do about Catherine?"

Smiling sympathetically, the older man suggested, "Just love her. Be patient, tell her how beautiful she is and talk about how wonderful it will be when the babies arrive."

Vincent smiled as he thought back on that discussion. Having been reassured that Catherine's behavior was normal, he realized that he had been doing the correct thing all along. Walking to the large bed, he sat on the edge gently and leaned down to kiss Catherine. Her eyes opened slowly, and she smiled. He rubbed her nose lightly with his before sitting back.

"Would you like me to escort you to supper, Catherine, or would you prefer to eat here?"

"Oh, I think I could manage to waddle to the dining chamber," Catherine said wryly.

"Catherine. You know that you don't waddle; in fact you were jogging until not too long ago. I wish that you wouldn't feel so badly about yourself." Vincent pulled her into his arms. "You know that I would never lie to you, don't you?" He could feel her nod against his chest. "Then you must believe me when I tell you that you are beautiful . . . and extremely sexy."

Catherine leaned back to look at him. "Sexy. Right." Her voice dripped with skepticism as she looked down at her greatly enlarged waistline.

"Extremely sexy." Vincent whispered as he nuzzled her ear. "Would you like me to show you how sexy you are? Hmm?"

Catherine giggled, looking into his brilliant blue eyes. "Aren't you hungry?"

"Not especially. Are you?"

"Not any more."

Vincent closed the door that had been installed to their bedchamber, draped his cloak across an available chair, and rejoined Catherine on the bed. Pillows scattered as he pulled her into an embrace. Tenderly his lips found hers; soft, gentle . . . lightly sucking her lower lip. The warmth of the kiss rapidly turned to heat as it deepened, passion replacing tenderness. Vincent's tongue explored the soft recesses of her sweet mouth, running along her teeth, searching for her tongue. Catherine moaned as her tongue joined in the dance.

Clothes were removed with the speed that comes with familiarity; fastenings which had taken minutes at the beginning of the relationship were now undone in seconds. Laying there in each other's arms, silky skin pressed against velvety fur, hands and tongues explored; low growls mingled with mewling cries. Carefully, ever conscious of Catherine's condition, Vincent entered her, his thrusts slow and gentle. His desire merged with hers through the bond, their passion building, fulfilled in that glorious of all releases.

Lying beside her, holding her close, he murmured in her ear, "Extremely sexy."

Catherine sighed as she snuggled closer. "So are you, my love, so are you."