Devin Drops In

Pat K

Friday night and, unbelievable as it seemed, Catherine didn't have any work to do for the entire weekend. Vincent was working in the lower tunnels and was not expected back until sometime on Saturday so Catherine and Jenny decided to get together for pizza and catching up. The pizza had already been delivered but Jenny was late as usual. As Catherine was putting the pizza in the oven to keep it warm, there was a knock on the door.

"You're late" she said as she opened the door, and then stopped in surprise.

"Devin, what are you doing here?" she asked as she gave him a tentative hug.

"Hi, Chandler. I'm passing through New York and stopped in to see Vincent and the old man. Vincent wasn't around so I thought that I'd come up and see how you were doing - am I interrupting something? Are you expecting company?"

"Come on in. Jenny should be here soon but you're welcome to stay."

As she drew Devin inside he handed her a note. "Rebecca asked me to give this to you when she found out where I was going."

Catherine quickly read the note and nodded. She set the note aside as she and Devin wandered into the kitchen. Catherine was pouring them each a glass of wine when Jenny arrived. Catherine welcomed her friend and then introduced her to Devin.

"Ahh -- the wandering brother!" Jenny said, smiling and appreciating the attractive man standing before her. She had heard what an irresponsible character he was from Cathy, but she had also told her how much he meant to Vincent. Jenny knew that anyone Vincent cared so much for couldn't be all bad.

"You know Vincent?" Devin asked incredulously.

Catherine smiled at Devin and explained that Vincent had decided that she needed someone Above to share her feelings with, someone who knew about him and could provide support on 'her side of the river'. Not only had Jenny met Vincent, but she was able to provide books to those Below through her work at the publishing firm and had become a valued Helper.

After pouring Jenny a drink, Catherine removed the pizza from the oven and the three of them sat around the table chatting. Jenny talked about a new cookbook that she was editing, and Devin regaled them with stories of being a chef in Paris. After digging through all of the classical selections, Devin finally found some 'oldies' in Catherine's music collection and put them on the stereo. The evening began to take on the appearance of a college party: laughing, talking, and dancing mixed with a little pizza and a lot of wine.

Devin was thoroughly enjoying himself. Being the only man with two such attractive ladies was a heady experience even though he knew one of the ladies was soundly spoken for. As he danced with Jenny, Devin glanced at Catherine sitting on the sofa. The melancholy expression on her face made him wonder just how well things were going with Vincent.

While Devin and Jenny were dancing to a Lionel Richie ballad, Catherine looked toward the balcony. Her eyes lit up as she felt Vincent's presence. She rose and quickly went through the French doors. There in the shadows stood Vincent and happiness at his unexpected visit flowed through her. She crossed to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I've missed you so much. I didn't expect you this evening."

"Devin left a note saying that he would be here - but you have other guests. I should leave," he said as he pulled back from her embrace.

"It's just Jenny and Devin. Please, come in and join us," Catherine encouraged as she clasp his hand and led him towards the doors. Vincent hesitated and then allowed himself to be drawn into the apartment.

"Look who's here" she said as she took his cloak. Devin came over and gave Vincent a hug, and Jenny called her hello from across the room. Devin and Jenny settled back on the couch while Vincent and Catherine went into the kitchen to get him something to drink.

Catherine could sense Vincent's nervousness at being inside her apartment, and she concentrated on sending soothing thoughts to him through the bond while telling him how happy she was to see him. They could hear the hushed voices of Devin and Jenny as they continued their conversation in the other room. As Catherine and Vincent left the kitchen, those voices suddenly stopped. Catherine looked at Jenny with a question in her eyes, but her friend's innocent face gave no reply.

Catherine and Vincent settled on the sofa across from Devin and Jenny. The three took turns filling Devin in on the happenings Below since he'd left.

Most of the information he'd received in letters from Vincent and Father, but he enjoyed the lively narration. Then, with a twinkle in his eye Vincent asked, "And in what profession have you been engaged recently, Devin?"

"Nothing the old man would disapprove of," laughed Devin. "I've been driving trucks." He then proceeded to entertain them with stories of his adventures on the road.

It was after one when Jenny remarked that she should be leaving. Devin offered to see her home and, after giving her friend a hug good-bye, Catherine closed the door. She turned to see Vincent sitting on the floor by the couch, looking at the fire. The sight of him always made her heart beat faster but seeing him there, in the glow of the fire, was almost too much for her to bear. She quickly suppressed the feelings of desire that came over her so that Vincent would not feel them through the bond. He was in her living room - she didn't want to scare him off now.

She put Vivaldi's The Four Seasons on the sound system and carefully settled herself beside him. Catherine rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the fire and listened to the music. Vincent told Catherine of the work he'd been doing in the new tunnels, and Catherine reviewed the high points of her week for him.

"What are your plans for today?" Vincent asked.

Catherine reached for the note on the end-table and said "I had an invitation from Rebecca to come Below. Some of the women are planning an outing to the hot springs in the afternoon and it sounded like fun." Catherine turned to watch his face. "I'd like to go" she remarked, "but only if it's all right with you."

Delight and worry alternated in his eyes as he pulled her close and rested his cheek on her head.

"You are always welcome Below. I just don't want you to forsake your friends Above to be with us."

Catherine sighed and hugged him tighter.

"Vincent, you know how I feel about that. I do have friends Above, but I have friends Below that I care about just as much -- perhaps more. Rebecca, Jamie, Olivia, Lena ... even Samantha are more like sisters now. And Mary mothers me as much as any of you Below. Even Father and I are closer. I feel as if I finally have the family I always dreamed of. And then there's you." Even though she felt him tense at those words, she continued softly, "You are more important to me than anyone. I love you, Vincent, and I love spending time with you. I need to spend time with you - it restores my spirit."

"What time would you like me to meet you at our threshold?" Vincent murmured after a pause.

"I thought I'd come down around noon. I would love for you to meet me but, if you have stuff to do, I can meet you in your chamber or Father's study when you're through. I haven't gotten lost going to your chamber in a long time" Catherine said with a satisfied grin.

Vincent chuckled and rose to his feet, drawing her with him.

"You're tired. I must leave now but I'll see you later."

Catherine handed Vincent his cloak and walked with him into the cool night air. He drew her into his arms, enclosing her in the folds of his cloak and said "Sleep well, Catherine."

As he disappeared from her balcony, Catherine whispered, "And you also, my love."

##

Saturday morning after breakfast Devin caught up with Vincent in his chamber. They made themselves comfortable, Vincent in his large chair and Devin sprawled on the bed.

"Vincent, I want to apologize for not leaving earlier last night. After your time apart, I should have realized that you'd want to spend some 'quality' time with Chandler," Devin said with a wicked gleam in his eye and a smile on his face. "In fact, I was surprised to find you here when I returned from Jenny's. I thought you would be at Chandler's till at least dawn."

"It had been a long day for Catherine. I didn't want to keep her from her bed." Vincent remarked.

"Who said anything about keeping her from her bed?" Devin replied devilishly.

Vincent stared at the table and a slight flush rose to his face as he understood Devin's meaning. Without raising his eyes he stammered "We don't .... we haven't .... Catherine and I do not have that type of relationship."

"Why the hell not?" Devin asked incredulously.

"How can you ask that?" Vincent protested. "Can't you see how dangerous it would be?"

Vincent, still staring at the table, didn't see the twinkle in Devin's eyes as he said, "Yeah, I guess you have a point. It could get out of control, especially after, what, three years?"

Vincent sighed, glad that Devin understood.

Devin continued, offhandedly, "However, if it does happen, just make sure you're Below so that Father will be there to tend to you."

Vincent's head snapped up as he tried to understand Devin's comment. "What are you talking about? I'm afraid of what might happen to Catherine -- these feelings in me are so powerful. I am afraid that I won't be able to control myself and I'll hurt her. Like Lisa." This last was whispered so low Devin almost didn't hear it.

Devin snorted, "I'm not worried about Chandler - I don't think that you could ever hurt her. You're the one I'm worried about."

"Me?" Vincent exclaimed, the bewilderment he felt apparent on his face as he stared at Devin.

"Yeah, little brother. That woman loves you - a lot. You just have to look at her to see it. There's a look there that I've seen before and now I understand the cause. This is a healthy young woman in love. You think your feelings are powerful. There is so much desire and sexual tension building in her -- well, I just hope you're alone when she explodes." Devin laughed and added facetiously, "It won't be pretty."

A flush rose up his powerful throat as he dropped his eyes to the table and Vincent shook his head. "She has a life, a destiny Above."

Devin rose and clasped Vincent's shoulder warmly. "Chandler will never have a life with someone Above. Why are you the only one who can't see that?" Devin left the chamber, chuckling.

Vincent remained at the table, deep in thought. He pondered Devin's words, knowing that he was serious despite the teasing tones. Could it be?

He thought back over the previous months, at Catherine's face lighting up when she'd see him, hugging him with abandon (when he wasn't pulling away), kissing him after being Below when her father died, and above all else, following him into the darkness after Paracelsus' death. He remembered her feelings through the bond - joy at seeing him, fear when he was in danger, flashes of desire that she tried to suppress. And, finally, he remembered her words. She said she loved him - even after having seen him kill and maim. Even after learning of Lisa. He loved Catherine, more than life itself. Could he really accept that she loved him in the same way?

"Vincent?"

Could he?

"Vincent?" a little louder.

Startled, Vincent turned toward the entrance and responded, "Come in, Rebecca."

Rebecca entered Vincent's chamber and stood by the table. "Some of us are going to the hot springs this afternoon. I sent a note to Catherine to invite her. Do you know if she is planning to join us?"

"Yes, she mentioned that she would come Below at noon."

"Oh good. We'll be leaving about two so we'll be back in plenty of time for dinner. We don't want to monopolize her time. We know she'd rather be with you." Rebecca smiled knowingly and started to leave.

"Rebecca ..."

She turned to look at him, the smile still on her face. "Yes, Vincent?"

"Nothing .... never mind." Vincent shook his head and stared at the table again.

Rebecca looked fondly at her friend and left him to his thoughts.

A short while later another voice called softly, "Vincent?"

Surprised to have another interruption so soon, Vincent turned to see Mary at the entrance to his chamber.

"Come in, Mary" Vincent replied.

"I made some tea and wondered if you'd care to share it with me?"

"That would be pleasant," Vincent said. He cleared the books from his table and pulled the smaller chair closer for Mary. They were silent as Mary poured the two cups of tea and handed one to Vincent. As she peered at Vincent over the rim of her cup, Mary's heart ached for him. Rebecca was right: something was troubling him. As she set the cup down she said the words Vincent associated more often with Father: "Tell me, Vincent."

As he gazed at her, Vincent remembered all of the times Mary had been there for him while growing up. She was the closest thing to a mother that he had ever had. He knew that she cared and could be trusted - but could he talk to her about this? Could he talk to anyone about this?

Mary waited patiently. Vincent was such a private person and she knew his turmoil must involve Catherine, what else could it be? As she waited for him to speak, Mary saw the little boy that he had been and smiled softly as that image blended into the man before her.

Vincent's eyes remained fixed on his own cup as he softly spoke. "Rebecca was here earlier. She had invited Catherine on an outing this afternoon."

Mary sipped her tea, waiting for him to continue. "Catherine seems to enjoy her time Below and everyone accepts her presence here."

Mary heard the wonder that had crept into Vincent's voice and she patted his hand. "She is a very special person to all of us."

"I know, but I feel guilty. Her life should be Above. I should let her go to find the full, happy life she deserves," he said, the tone of his voice turning to one of pain.

Mary gathered her thoughts and said gently, "I believe that Catherine has found the life which will make her happy. She has followed her heart with her eyes open. Only one man will ever fulfill her dreams but he has to accept that fact and trust in their love. That is the only obstacle to her happy life."

Vincent slowly shook his head as tears filled his eyes.

"It's your decision, Vincent. Now you must follow your heart." Mary rose and kissed the top of his head. "Know that we all love you both." She picked up the tea tray and quietly left his chamber.

As Vincent sat in his chamber staring at the table, a message on the pipes finally penetrated his thoughts. It took a moment for the meaning to register in his distracted mind -- Cullen was wondering where Vincent was. Vincent quickly left his chamber, responding to the message before hurrying through the tunnels to join Cullen in the work detail he was scheduled for.

##

"No really Jen, it'll be all right," Catherine's tone was encouraging as she talked to her friend. Jenny had called to see if Cathy was free and wanted to do something. Catherine was trying to talk her friend into joining her Below for the afternoon. "You've met almost everyone and I know they'd enjoy getting to know you better. Afterwards we can have dinner with Vincent and Devin." Her voice took a teasing tone on that last sentence.

"OK, I'll come .... but not because of Devin. Though, he is kind of cute."

It was 11:30 when the two friends headed down to the threshold in Catherine's building. Luckily they didn't see anyone in the basement and were soon walking cheerfully toward the hub. As Vincent had not met them along the route, Catherine assumed he was working, but they checked his chamber just to be sure. Finding it empty they made their way to Father's study, still laughing and talking.

Having heard the cheerful sounds from the passageway, Father was looking up from his desk with a smile as Catherine called his name.

"Come in, Catherine."

"Are we disturbing you, Father?" Catherine asked as she and Jenny descended the steps.

"Not in the least." Father rose to give Catherine a hug. As he turned toward Jenny, she smiled and handed him the box that she'd been carrying. "It's good to see you again Jenny, and not just because you've brought more books for our library."

"And you, Father. Though I do enjoy providing books to people who will appreciate them. I was able to get some new children's books that are quite good. Some may become classics in time."

Jenny smiled at the patriarch of the tunnels as she and Catherine sat by his desk. "Speaking of children, I met your errant son last night."

"Indeed?" was the surprised reply.

Catherine filled him in on the impromptu party that had developed during the evening. She related how Vincent had even joined them for several hours.

The joy that radiated from Catherine's face as she spoke of Vincent seemed to light up the room, and Father and Jenny both smiled.

"I haven't seen either of my sons this morning but Rebecca said that Vincent seemed very pensive when she spoke to him earlier. Did something unusual happen last night?"

Catherine reviewed the evening in her head before replying.

"Only the fact that he came into my apartment. But he seemed quite at ease with that before the evening ended. We discussed my coming Below today but he seemed fine when he left."

She looked from Father to Jenny as she spoke and noticed a strange expression on her friend's face. It was a combination of worry and glee with a question mark thrown in for good measure.

"What?" demanded Catherine.

Jenny tried to calm her friend as she said, "I'm not sure. Father, do you know if Vincent and Devin spent any time together this morning?

"I don't know. They may have. Why?"

Jenny hesitated, uncertain as to whether she should say anything.

"Well, I may be wrong but Devin was talking to me last night about Vincent and Cathy. He was asking if I knew how their relationship was going, if they were happy, things like that."

Catherine interrupted, "And just what did you tell him?"

"I told him that you loved each other .... each probably more than the other realizes. That you’re happy, but not content. And that my heart breaks for both of you," Jenny said quietly.

"What do you mean, not content?" Catherine questioned as Father asked, "Why does your heart break for them?"

Jenny looked at the two of them as she decided which question to answer first. "You're not content because the relationship isn't moving forward. I know you, Cathy. I can almost touch the longing that radiates from you when you speak of him, look at him, think of him. How he can help but recognize it is beyond me - even without your bond. And," turning toward Father, "my heart breaks because these two people belong together. I have never been so certain of anything in my entire life." She sighed as she said, "I believe Devin feels the same way. I don't know if he said anything to Vincent about it this morning, but he may have."

"Where is Vincent?" Catherine asked Father, panic creeping into her voice. "Is he working, or has he left again?"

Father quickly assured her that Vincent was indeed working with Cullen on a project and should be done shortly. Noticing the time, he rose from his desk and asked the two young women if they would care to join him for luncheon. As they walked toward the dining chamber, Father and Jenny chatted easily while Catherine was lost in her thoughts. By the time they'd found an empty table and settled themselves, Catherine had decided that if Devin had said anything to upset Vincent, he was going to die. A small smile crept onto her face as she thought of the slow, painful things she was going to do to Devin.

It was true that she and Vincent were not progressing as she'd like, but she wanted nothing to happen to cause them to lose ground.

Rebecca and Lena joined them at the table as Catherine's mind returned to the present.

"Rebecca, Lena, you remember my friend Jenny?" Catherine asked. "I invited her to join us this afternoon."

"That's great," Lena remarked. "It's good to see you again, Jenny. The reading class has been enjoying the books you brought us. You're so generous."

"It's nothing," Jenny replied with a blush. "I'm happy to be able to help."

Father was about to remark that Jenny had brought more books when he was stopped by the look on Catherine's face. Without turning around, he knew that Vincent must have entered the dining chamber. Jenny was right -- Catherine might be suppressing the feelings through the bond, but the look of longing on her face was unmistakable. At least unmistakable to everyone but Vincent.

Jenny was right about something else, it did break his heart. For so long he had tried to keep Vincent and Catherine apart .... never believing that her love for his son would be true enough to overcome the obstacles. And now that he realized how truly unique and wonderful their love was, he found himself wanting to bring them together. He shook his head in amazement.

"Hello, Vincent," Catherine said as he sat beside her. "We would have waited for you but we weren't sure when you'd be finished."

"That's perfectly all right, Catherine. I knew that you would be well taken care of by Father ... not that you couldn't take care of yourself," he quickly added to forestall any contradiction on her part.

Catherine smiled and squeezed his hand under the table. "You know me so well."

Rebecca and Lena rose to leave and Catherine asked where they should meet for their afternoon outing. Rebecca said that she would come by Vincent's chamber around 2 and they could leave from there.

As Rebecca left the table, her chair was commandeered by Devin. He was smiling as he looked around the table at its occupants. Father and Jenny were looking at him quizzically, Vincent seemed okay, but Chandler had a smile on her face that sent shivers down his spine. Why did that look remind him of a barracuda?

Vincent also noticed the smile on Catherine's face. He opened the bond a little more to try to sense her feelings and found a feeling of smug anticipation that was almost evil in tone. He didn't know what Devin had done, but deep down he was glad that the smile was not directed at him.

Jenny and Father wandered back to the study to go through the box of books that she'd brought while Catherine and Vincent went to his chamber. As he lounged across his bed, Catherine settled herself in his large chair and acknowledged that Rebecca's observation to Father had been correct. Vincent was more introspective than normal. She sat quietly for a while watching his face and finally said, "Tell me."

Blue eyes met grey as that statement hung in the air. Catherine allowed all her love to flow through the bond as she waited patiently for Vincent's response. Just as she thought he would not respond he said, "Will you be staying for dinner after your outing?"

"We'd planned on it," she replied, confused at the question. "Is that all right? Please, Vincent, tell me what you're thinking."

"Yes, I would enjoy having you here for dinner. Perhaps we could go for a walk and talk afterwards."

Not knowing what, if anything, Devin had said to Vincent, Catherine was dying to know the gist of the impending discussion, but she knew better than to press. Vincent would talk when he was ready and not before. He wasn't planning to run away, however, which was a encouraging sign. As they sat there each contemplating the discussion, laughing in the tunnels announced the approach of their friends.

"Catherine?" came a call from the entrance.

"Coming," Catherine called out as she and Vincent both rose. As she prepared to leave the chamber she walked slowly towards him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "I love you, Vincent" she whispered. "I'll be back soon."

After Catherine had departed, Vincent paced his chamber trying to determine how to fill the hours until her return. Reading wasn't a good idea - or chess.

There was no way he would be able to concentrate without thoughts of the approaching discussion consuming his mind. He needed to do something requiring very little thought but enough activity to keep him from brooding. Pacing his chamber was not helping.

Seizing his cloak from its hook by the door, he left his chamber to stride through the tunnels. Part of him wished it was night so that he could explore Above, while the saner part realized that there was no way he should be Above, as distracted as he was. As these thoughts roiled within him, Vincent was oblivious to everyone and everything around him.

People scattered from his path, hugging the walls to let him pass. Seeing the agitation on his face, no one even tried to say hello. As he rounded a corner he collided with another figure and they caromed off of opposite walls of the tunnel. His attention returned so rudely to the present, Vincent turned to see Devin picking himself up from the ground. Vincent hurried to Devin's side to see if he were hurt.

"And exactly where is the fire?" Devin grumbled. "What the hell is going on around here? First Chandler looks like she's planning to kill me, and then you reduce me to road kill. I think it's time for me to leave. The tunnels are getting too dangerous. A guy can't even walk along minding his own business anymore."

The tirade convinced Vincent that Devin was unhurt, but he did have the good grace to look contrite.

"I do apologize, Devin. I should have been paying attention."

"Either that or get a siren! What's the matter with everyone today?"

Vincent shook his head. "Catherine and I are going to spend some time together this evening and talk..."

"And you're terrified, so you're taking it out on everyone else in the tunnels?"

"I am not terrified, I'm ....." Vincent paused looking for the right word.

"Anxious, afraid, worried, frightened, scared, fearful, apprehensive, uneasy, disturbed, spitless -- jump in any time Vincent."

Vincent stared at his older brother as he ran though his litany of feelings not wanting to admit to himself or to Devin that that was exactly how he felt.

"This is not going to be easy for me, Devin. I am uneasy .... I'm worried how this will affect Catherine's and my relationship. I once told Catherine that one either moves toward love or away from it and now I realize that I haven't been moving at all. I just don't want to risk what we do have." Vincent's voice broke a little on that last statement.

"As I told you this morning, I don't think you're going to have any problem from Chandler on that score. However, you really ought to get away so that you'll have some privacy to talk this out. Your chamber is like a revolving door - how come people think that they can impose on you at any time?"

"These are my friends, my family. Besides, it never was an issue before."

"Well, maybe it wasn't an issue for Vincent 'the single guy', but it will be an issue for Vincent, 'part of a couple'."

"Catherine and I planned to take a walk after dinner to have our discussion. In fact, I was going to ask if you would keep Jenny company while we had our talk."

"I've got a better idea. Why don't you pack a supper and take Catherine on a picnic? I'll take Jenny out to dinner - Above. No offense to William but I could use a good steak! I'll see that Jenny gets home, and then you and Catherine can talk as long as you like without any outside distractions. And we have some time - if you'd like me to go up top and get something special, just let me know."

Vincent deliberated his brother's suggestion. The more he thought about it, the better he liked it.

"I know Catherine likes wine," he began.

"I'll get something special and bring it to your chamber while you're getting everything else ready." Devin set off at a run as Vincent turned toward the hub.

An hour later he was assembling the elements of the picnic when Devin returned.

"I hope that's not all wine," Vincent remarked as Devin set a large bag on the table.

"No, but I thought you might want some special things to take with you," Devin replied. "Wine for dinner and champagne to celebrate. I even found some inexpensive glasses that look nice. You don't want to be drinking champagne out of water glasses or teacups. They also had some imported cheeses, crackers and fruit. And I thought the evening might require roses," he said pulling a small bouquet out of his bag of tricks.

Vincent looked at the items spread out on his table and marveled. The love he felt for his eccentric brother welled within him. This was the same person who, as a child, loved him and treated him as if he were no different than any of the other tunnel children. The one who had shown him the moon and the sky. The only one who had included Vincent in his dreams of adventure.

"Thank you, Devin," Vincent whispered as he hugged his brother tightly.

"Hey, what are big brothers for?" Devin joked. "Let's get this stuff packed into your basket before the women get back." His thoughts, too, had drifted back those twenty-odd years and he was really glad that Vincent was finally going to get a shot at happiness. Lord knows, no one deserved it more.

They had just packed the last of the delicacies into the basket when Vincent's face and the sound of laughter told Devin that Catherine and Jenny were near.

As Catherine and Jenny stood in the entrance to the chamber Vincent could tell that beneath the happy and relaxed exterior, Catherine was still anxious about the pending discussion. As her eyes focused on the pile of stuff on Vincent's bed, her anxiety level rose to the point that she was virtually trembling.

Vincent immediately tried to calm her. "No, Catherine, I'm not leaving. Devin said that he would like to take Jenny to supper and so I thought that we might have a private picnic."

Relief flooded through Catherine as she walked forward into his outstretched arms. Tears filled her eyes as he held her tightly.

"I'd take that as a yes," Devin commented as he grabbed Jenny's hand and they ran from Vincent's chamber before he could see their wide grins.

Vincent held Catherine until the trembling subsided and then leaned back to look at her face.

"I thought we might have our picnic by the falls. However, if you are too tired to walk that distance, we can find somewhere closer."

"I'm not tired at all," Catherine replied. She would gladly follow him to the ends of the Earth if he asked.

Vincent handed her a blanket and picked up the basket that he had packed earlier. Reaching for her free hand, he led her from his chamber. As they were leaving the more populated area of the hub they heard footsteps running after them. They turned to see Kipper skidding to a halt.

"From Rebecca," he said as he thrust a box at Catherine and then turned to scamper away.

Catherine read the note stuck to the top of the box and peeked inside. A small smile appeared on her face as she closed the box.

Vincent could see the note, which said 'You may need these' and looked questioningly at her. Placing the box in the crook of her arm with the blanket, she took his hand again to continue their walk.

"Catherine?"

"Yes, Vincent?" she replied innocently.

"Are you going to tell me what is in the box?"

Catherine gave him a secret smile and shook her head. Vincent sighed and spent the next few minutes trying to determine what Rebecca thought Catherine might need. How could she even have known where they were going? Devin was correct, everyone was acting very strangely today.

"Where are we going?" Catherine asked. "This isn't the way to our promontory."

"No. There is a quiet cove farther along the shore. I thought that we could go there for our picnic."

At a small supply station along the way, Vincent procured a lantern. As they came to the junction of a smaller side tunnel, Vincent stopped to light the lantern before continuing. He led Catherine through the tunnel holding the lantern so that she could see where she was going. They branched off into other tunnels and at one point, it looked as if the way were blocked. Vincent helped Catherine around the large stone that hid another tunnel. Several times he had to stoop to get his massive frame through the opening. Catherine had the impression that Vincent was the only one who had ever used this tunnel and asked him about it.

"When I was a child, Devin and I would come to this cove to swim. I was never comfortable swimming around the others but Father forbade swimming alone. Devin and I found this spot during one of our adventures and kept it as our secret place. I could swim without the embarrassment of the others staring at me."

"Wasn't the water too cold for swimming?"

"No, water from a hot spring mixes with the cooler water from the falls. Though I'm not uncomfortable in the cooler water, Devin said that the water in the cove was the best place Below to swim. We never told the others of the location." Vincent seemed embarrassed at that last remark.

Vincent stopped at her touch on his arm and turned to look at her through his ragged bangs. She gave him an affectionate smile.

"I can understand that," Catherine commented. "If you were going there for privacy, the last thing you'd want to do is start telling people how great it is. Everyone and their brother would want to go and poof, Grand Central Station! It's okay to think of yourself first once in a while, Vincent. You're entitled to be happy too."

Just then they rounded a corner and left the tunnel to stand in one of the most beautiful spots Catherine had ever seen. A large fern- and moss-lined grotto opened onto the beautiful sandy beach of the cove. They set their bundles down and walked to the water's edge. Catherine stood in front of Vincent and pulled his arms around her as they stood there admiring the scenery. Rocky outcroppings hid the cove from the other areas of the chamber but they still had a breathtaking view of the falls.

"Oh, Vincent, this is wonderful! I wouldn't have told anyone about this place either. Thank you for sharing it with me."

Vincent rested his cheek on the top of Catherine's head and shared her joy across the bond. As he stood there holding her, he realized that all of his earlier doubts were gone. He felt no sense of panic or unease -- only a sense of rightness. This was how it was meant to be.

"I want to share everything with you, Catherine."

Catherine held her breath at his words as he continued.

"You are my life, my joy. Your love has opened a world that I thought could never be for me. As a child, Devin included me in his dreams of great adventures and as we got older, we realized that those dreams could never be. As a teen, I dared to dream again, with Lisa. And once again I was forced to realize that dreams were not for one such as I. Then you came into my life and I dared to dream once more. A sweet dream that I knew could never come true. A dream of being a part of you. My head said that I should let you go, to seek a life Above. But my heart .... my heart would not comply. I’ve decided to take my own advice and follow my heart." Vincent turned her in his arms to look into her face as he asked, "Catherine, will you marry me?"

She stared at him in astonishment as the meaning of his question registered in her brain. During the afternoon she had prepared herself for various scenarios but none had included this question. Finally, she released the breath that she had been holding and threw herself against his chest, hugging him with all of her might. He stood there embracing her and smiled.

"As Devin would say, I'll take that for a yes," he joked.

Catherine loosened her hold on him and gazed up into his deep blue eyes. Her hands slid up to cradle his face as she said, "Yes, you can definitely take that as a yes." And, with those words, she leaned forward to softly kiss his lips.

Vincent hesitated as her lips gently touched his .... those tempting, full lips that he had dreamed of kissing for so long. As he tasted the sweetness of her lips, once again he realized the rightness of what was happening and wanted more.

As Catherine felt Vincent relax into the kiss and increase the pressure, she slid her hands around his neck to hold him closer. The feel of his lips against hers was an experience unlike anything she had ever known. His lower lip was firm and strong and his upper lip with its catlike cleft so warm and tender. This juxtaposition was a reflection of Vincent himself, virility and gentleness incarnate. Catherine stroked his lower lip with her tongue and then traced his upper lip to dart her tongue into that oh, so appealing, cleft. Vincent gasped at the erotic sensations that produced, allowing Catherine to delve deeper with her tongue. Soon Vincent was reciprocating the exploration. The sweetness of Catherine's lips and mouth was beyond imagination - nectar to quench the thirst in his body and soul. As they were losing themselves in the maelstrom of emotions surging through the bond, his hoarse growl shocked Vincent into breaking from their embrace.

"No!" Catherine whimpered as they stood there gasping for breath and hugged her body to him. She could feel the panic emanating from him for a moment and then calm. She leaned back in his arms and saw a look of wonder on his face. "Tell, me," she whispered.

His brilliant blue eyes gazed down at her in disbelief.

"I love you so much, Catherine. The feelings that I have for you are so powerful, so possessive. You know my fears for your safety, and I know that you have never shared those fears. But just now ... as these emotions overtook me ... when I heard myself ... I was afraid for you."

"And?" Catherine smiled. At his puzzled look she continued, "I felt your panic dissolve. Something else happened."

"When I stopped, I realized that I did have control. Although my feelings for you were powerful, there was no sense of danger or rage threatening to consume me. I realized that you may be correct ... that I won't hurt you. At least not intentionally. But Catherine, you must be honest with me and if anything I do scares you or hurts you, you must let me know immediately."

"I promise, Vincent, on one condition."

"And your condition?" he asked hesitantly.

"That you promise me the same thing," Catherine said with a wicked grin.

Vincent chuckled and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I promise."

Catherine realized that Vincent needed time to accept all that had happened and decided to lighten the air.

"As much as I love you, and as much as I love being held by you ... did you say something earlier about food?" she joked.

"I believe I did promise you a picnic supper" he replied. They turned and walked back to the cave with his arm around her shoulders. Once there, they spread the blanket and Vincent began to unpack the basket. While he was doing that, Catherine picked up the box from Rebecca and began to move around the cave. When the food had been unpacked, he looked up to see candles flickering throughout the grotto and Catherine kneeling on the edge of the blanket, smiling.

"I had mentioned to Rebecca how much I love candles, especially since becoming a part of your world. Candles remind me of the warmth of your love and the light you've brought into my life."

Vincent marveled at the beautiful woman before him who gave him so much happiness and love. She could have anyone in the world, yet chose him. He was overcome at the wonder of it.

Catherine looked at the picnic spread out before them. She saw that Vincent had brought sandwiches and fresh fruit. She also recognized William's pasta salad and wonderful oatmeal cookies. But there were also items that she had never seen Below before - imported cheeses, crackers and wine. He had even brought a bouquet of roses! The fact that he had put so much love into this picnic brought tears to her eyes.

They served themselves and settled next to one another to enjoy their meal as they watched the light fade from the Chamber of the Falls, leaving them in the soft glow of the candles and the lantern. Catherine realized how comfortable the silence was. It was rare to find someone with whom that was true.

After they had eaten their fill, Catherine repacked the containers in the basket and poured them each a glass of champagne while Vincent made a small fire.

"I think I could stay here forever," Catherine murmured as she leaned against Vincent in blissful contentment and sipped her champagne. "Can we come back here for our honeymoon?"

"If you wish. But now we need to make some decisions. There are things we need to discuss, problems to solve before we tell the others of our plans."

"What problems, Vincent?" All Catherine could see before her was the happy life that she desired for so long.

"Living arrangements. Your work. Your obligations Above."

"All right. First ... I plan to live with you. That's what most married couples do, and it's a perk I don't intend to give up. We will need a little more room, however. Is there any way to add on to your chamber?"

"That shouldn’t be a problem."

"Good. Or, another idea that I've had for a while would be to get a house -- one with a basement entrance to the tunnels. We could split our time Above and Below and it would be safer for me to come and go without being seen. Now second ... My job is something that we can decide upon later. I can live Below and still work Above -- it will just involve some planning. I have enjoyed working in the trial division since getting out of investigations, but there is a lot of stress involved and I don't think that I'd miss it. Domestic and child abuse cases are rewarding but eat at your heart. I can do other things like doing legal work for our Helpers and helping to teach the children." Catherine didn't mention it but she was looking forward to the day when taking care of children would fill her days. And not other people's children. However, she didn't think that Vincent was ready to discuss that possibility just yet.

"Third ... Other than work, I don't have that many obligations Above and I can't foresee any problems. I would like you to meet Nancy but it doesn't have to be done before the wedding. Speaking of which, I think that is the most important decision to make."

"Which?" Vincent replied.

"The date for the wedding. I know there are preparations to make, but I'd like it to be soon. How about you?"

Vincent smiled in amazement and agreed that the wedding could be whenever she wished. That she could be so excited and so certain astounded him.

As he gazed down into her glowing face he realized that these were issues that she had thought about long before this evening.

Vincent stroked the back of his hand across her cheek and Catherine snuggled into the touch. He slid his hand down to cup her chin and tilt her face as he leaned to kiss those smiling lips. As the heat and intensity of that kiss increased a low growl echoed in the grotto. Vincent broke away and stared at Catherine in surprise. That growl had definitely not come from him. She laughed and threw herself into his arms, knocking him flat on his back. As they lay there, arms wrapped tightly around one another, Vincent commented, "Devin warned me to watch out for you. Speaking of which, why have you been so hostile towards him today? You seemed to get along well last night."

"It's not important ... what do you mean, Devin warned you to watch out for me?"

"It is important, and you are changing the subject."

Catherine sighed. "Well, Rebecca mentioned to Father that you were very pensive this morning and he asked if I might know why. I couldn't think of anything and then Jenny mentioned that Devin had been quizzing her about our relationship. I was afraid that he had said something to ... worry ... you."

"You mean that you were afraid he'd scared me into withdrawing from you again."

"Yes. We've come so far, I didn't want to go back. Anyway, if he had scared you off I was going to kill him, nice and slowly. Evidently I owe him an apology. Now, back to my question -- what do you mean, Devin warned you to watch out for me?"

"Let's see, how did he put it?" Vincent chuckled. "Oh yes. He said that there was a lot of desire and sexual tension building in you and he just hoped that we were alone when you exploded. He also said that if it did happen to make sure we're Below so that Father will be there to tend to me. He didn't think I could hurt you but he wasn't sure about you hurting me."

Catherine laughed and said, "You have a very smart older brother. And Vincent, we are Below, and we are alone."

"Catherine?"

"I'll be honest with you. I love you and I want you with all that I am but I want you to be comfortable. If you want to wait until we're married, then I will respect that but be assured that the wedding date will be very soon."

"I don't deserve you, Catherine."

"You're wrong. I've told you before and I'll keep telling you until you believe it, you deserve everything."

"It may take a long time."

"We have a lifetime Vincent."

Vincent reflected on a lifetime with Catherine. Her face being the first thing he would see every morning and the last thing every night. To have her beside him sharing the good and the bad. To be able to hold her, kiss her, love her ... this beautiful woman of intellect, humor and caring. Catherine had dispelled the aloneness that he had come to expect of life.

Catherine's thoughts were wandering down a similar path. To be able to share her life with him, to be able to share her love with him openly was a dream come true. She'd had relationships before but no one had ever loved her as completely as Vincent. He provided strength while allowing her to be her own person. He provided caring, understanding and guidance without ego. He was gentle, loving and romantic yet extremely masculine ... extremely masculine. And she loved to watch him with the children. They adored him, and he had infinite patience with them. She knew that he would be a wonderful father.

As these thoughts were running through their minds, a feeling of joy flowed through the bond, surrounding them in a cocoon of warmth. Catherine's hand explored the broad expanse of chest beneath her and she imagined the sensation without the various layers of clothing that he habitually wore, a feeling that she had imagined so many times before. A new heat suffused through her body and surged through the bond. Vincent felt the unsuppressed desire flow through and heat him too.

Catherine knew that she had left the decision to him, but she was not above a little undue influence - after all, she was a lawyer and would take any advantage given. Her hand slid down his powerful arm to grasp his hand. She brought it to her lips and kissed his palm, then moved along each finger to the claw that tipped it.

Vincent shivered at the feelings going through him. To see those deadly points against her lips was both scary and seductive. When she slipped one into her mouth and sucked gently, Vincent realized that this was the point of no return. He must either stop her now or see this to its logical conclusion. As she felt his excitement growing she decided to play her trump card and slowly raised her leg between his thighs.

Before she could realize what was happening, Vincent's finger was no longer in her mouth and she was being rolled over to have the full weight of his body upon her. His mouth found hers with an intensity beyond anything they had experienced thus far and she found herself drowning in the passion that engulfed her. Vincent admitted to himself that neither of them wanted this to stop and that it was time to reach the fulfillment of their love.

##

Several hours later Catherine awoke to find herself wrapped in the warm comfort of Vincent's arms, his heart gently beating against her ear. It took her a moment to comprehend that this was real and not a dream. She thought back lovingly on the events of the entire evening, which had culminated in the most amazing loving that she had ever experienced. Her senses reeled with the feel of him and the taste of him. Heat began to build in her again as she relived every touch, every kiss, every emotion that they had shared. As she was being carried away in her hedonistic thoughts, she sensed Vincent waking beneath her. She tilted her head back and smiled at him as he slowly opened his eyes. She could tell that it was taking a moment for him to realize the truth of the situation too.

Vincent gazed into those smoky grey eyes and realized that he wasn't dreaming, she was really here and she was all right. The raw passion that had consumed him had been tempered with the overwhelming love that he felt for her. None of his fears had been realized ... Catherine had been right about everything. He searched within himself for any sense of panic or concern and found only a sense of rightness. Not even a glimmer of embarrassment at having their naked bodies entwined could be found.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"I'm more than all right," he replied, leaning to kiss her gently.

She snuggled against his shoulder and sighed blissfully. "You know what I'd love to do now?"

"Eat?" he asked wryly.

"That does sound appealing but what I had in mind was a swim. Come on ... let's go. You said the water's warm."

She pushed aside the cloak that he had used to cover them and began tugging on his hand. He rose with catlike grace and followed her into the water.

They swam side by side for a while. He had forgotten how luxurious the water here felt.

As he closed his eyes and relaxed into the sensation he felt her hands on his back, stroking up to his shoulders. He turned to face her and wrapped his arms around her waist. With her arms around his neck, she molded herself to his body, stretching up to nuzzle his ear. She then worked her way down his jaw line to kiss and nip at his throat. His head was thrown back in ecstasy, long golden hair floating on the water. Her hands moved down to stroke the downy fur on this chest, finding the hidden nubs of his nipples.

As she stroked them a purr resonated from him. He gasped as she slid down to lick those sensitive nubs. He grasped her shoulders and held her at arms' length to stop this arousing exploration of his body, a body he could not imagine her even wanting to look at much less explore. The water, her touch, this was beyond imagination - this was heaven. They were definitely coming back here for their honeymoon.

He looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes and smiled. "I believe we should get out of the water now ... before we drown. Although at the moment it seems a delicious way to die, I would prefer to have more than one night with you. Would you like to eat?"

"Uh-huh. I wouldn't mind some food either."

"Devin is right, you are a dangerous woman."

"Vincent, I've waited almost three years for this. Three long years. I'm not going to lose a minute of it."

They made their way back to the blanket. Vincent managed to squeeze most of the water from his hair and they shared the towel that he'd used to cushion the food in the basket. Vincent put on his jeans as Catherine slipped into his shirt. He gave her a puzzled look.

"It's comfortable, it's warm, it smells of you and, if I'm wearing it, you can't," she teased.

He shook his head in amusement as he relit the fire. Catherine came up behind him as he knelt in the glow and put her arms around his neck. As she snuggled against his bare back she told him, "You are beautiful, you know."

"Only you would think so, Catherine."

"I don't believe that's true. I think there are several women who would agree with me."

"Like whom?"

"I'm not telling. You're mine now and that's all that matters."

"No. The fact that you are mine matters too," he said as he sat back and pulled her around into his lap. "I love you, Catherine. I have from the moment I found you and I will until I die. I just can't believe you feel the same way." Tears filled his eyes at the import of that statement.

"I do love you Vincent and I'll spend the rest of my days showing you how much." She kissed the tears from his cheeks and smiled. "You'll never be alone again my love. That's a promise."

As he watched the fire he felt Catherine fall asleep in his arms. He eased her onto the blanket and pulled his cloak over them as he lay beside her. He was watching the glow of the fire on Catherine's face as sleep claimed him too.

##

Devin leaned against the wall in the enclosed area of the Great Hall and watched Vincent pace. He wasn't sure if Vincent was nervous or impatient, but the incessant movement was beginning to get on his nerves.

"Would you please calm down? You're driving me crazy! Wearing yourself out is not going to make the time go any faster. "

Vincent stopped long enough to make sure that Devin had the ring and then began pacing the small area again.

Devin sighed in resignation and thought back over the past few weeks.

He had returned from his dinner with Jenny to find Vincent's chamber empty. That was a good sign. He made himself comfortable on the bed with a book and decided to wait. A short time later he heard someone approaching. He looked up as Father called Vincent's name and looked into the chamber.

"No Father, Vincent isn't here right now."

"Devin. I thought that Vincent and Catherine were with you and Jenny."

"Nope. Vincent and Catherine wanted to talk so I took Jenny to dinner, and they went to find some privacy, they sure don't get any around here. I'm hoping that you won't see them until sometime tomorrow."

Devin was surprised when Father just nodded and asked him about his evening. He had been ready for a scene.

After Father had wished him goodnight, he went back to his book but was soon sound asleep.

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed," a husky voice murmured in his ear.

Devin cracked his eyes to see Vincent and Catherine looking down at him. "Well, it certainly wasn't you," he replied with a grin and sat up. "I'd ask if you had a good time, but I can tell the answer to that by looking at you."

Catherine threw her arms around Devin and replied with a laugh, "Yes, we had a wonderful time. Thank you Devin, for everything."

Devin started to leave them alone when they asked him to join them in Father's study. Father was sitting at his desk going over the work schedules for the week when the three of them entered. A change had taken clearly taken place in Vincent and Catherine's relationship. Vincent was holding her hand, and there was a more relaxed atmosphere about them. As they seated themselves around the work table, Mary appeared with a tray.

"I heard that Vincent and Catherine were back and, since none of you were at breakfast, I thought you might like something to eat." As she set the tray on the table and began to leave, Vincent and Catherine grinned at each other.

"Mary, please join us," Vincent said, and drew up a chair for her.

As Mary poured the tea and Devin passed around the muffins, Father watched Vincent and Catherine. They reminded him of two six-year-olds with a secret. Surreptitious glances, sly smiles - they did everything but fidget in their chairs and giggle.

"Tell us, Vincent."

"Father, Mary, Devin ... Catherine has agreed to be my wife."

Vincent had addressed them all but it was Father's reaction that he was observing. He knew that Father had come to accept Catherine in their lives, but would he accept this? It wouldn't change their plans but he didn't want him to spoil their joy with any hard feelings.

Father looked from Vincent's anxious face to Catherine's glowing one and smiled. Soon Vincent and Catherine were being warmly congratulated by the other three.

"Boy, when you decide to get off the fence, you jump with both feet!" Devin kidded. "When's the big day?"

"Soon," Catherine stated firmly, "very soon."

Devin laughed. "I told you to watch out for her. You can't say you weren't warned. I guess I'll just have to stay around awhile if there's going to be a wedding. "

##

So here they were, Devin thought, just a few minutes away from the big event.

Catherine had said 'soon' and everyone Below had jumped into high gear. Kanin and his crew had helped Vincent add another room to his chamber.

They moved the bed and dressers into it and Catherine furnished the older chamber with another desk, some comfortable chairs and a sofa. She had also begun looking for a house. They had all agreed that that would be the safest way for her to come and go while living Below. It would be a threshold between her two worlds, a place where she could interact with friends and colleagues Above while protecting the security of her life Below.

As the strains of Pachelbel's Canon echoed through the Great Hall, Devin realized that it was finally time. He and Vincent moved from behind the screened area to join Father and Jenny at the head of the room. They had planned to have the wedding in Father's study, but once word spread they realized that only the Great Hall would hold everyone. Helpers and former Tunnel dwellers all came to add their support - even Narcissa had left her nether-regions to join the celebration.

Vincent looked resplendent in a maroon velvet vest over his ruffled linen shirt. Soft beige corduroy pants and boots laced up to his thighs completed the picture. He stood with Father and Devin and gazed around the candlelit room. Peter and Jenny must have emptied every florist in Manhattan he thought as he noticed all of the floral arrangements throughout the hall.

A movement at the top of the stairs caught his eye. As Catherine descended the steps, Vincent caught his breath. She wore a flowing dress of champagne velvet made in the style of the dress in Kristopher's painting. In her hair she wore a wreath of red and white roses with baby's breath. It looked like a halo in the candlelight. She came to stand beside him and they were lost in each other as Father began the joining ceremony.

"We are assembled here today because love gathers us. Because love has found Vincent and Catherine and woven them together into the great web of life. We are gathered to remember and rejoice, to recount with one another that it is love, always love, that leads us to our true destination and to celebrate that Vincent and Catherine have finally arrived. We have come together also to honor the paradox that the choosing of one is the leaving of all others, the destination is the beginning, that the joy shall bring tears to our eyes. We are here to celebrate the joining of Vincent and Catherine, to honor the beginning of their new life."

Father continued with Rilke's words about love.

"For one human being to love another human being:  that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation. Loving does not at first mean merging, surrendering, and uniting with another person -- it is a high inducement for the individual to ripen, to become something in himself, to become world, to become world in himself for the sake of another person; it is a great, demanding claim on him, something that chooses him and calls him to vast distance ...Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky."

"Catherine"

Tears were forming in Catherine's eyes as she smiled at Vincent and recited from memory Elizabeth Browning's sonnet:

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."

Then she made the vow she had written.

"I, Catherine, take you, Vincent, to be my beloved husband: to stand with you in the grand love that binds us, to honor you, to change with you, to behold the highest meanings of our being, to learn compassion with you, to suffer with you, to rejoice, to be kind. I promise you this from my heartwith my soul till death do us part."

Tears were gliding down their cheeks as Vincent answered with Shakespeare's sonnet:

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

He then recited his marriage vows.

"My love, I waited so long for you that I had begun to believe that there was no such thing as true love, that my life would be lived out alone, that nothing precious would come in the form of someone to love. Finally, after so many sorrows and missteps and losses, after I had given up all hope, you were given to me like a miracle, like a single elegant star in the darkest of nights. Now I feel joy. Now I feel whole. Now I feel that anything is possible. Thank you for coming into my life, thank you for loving me well. I have waited so long for my heart to be glad, for my soul to be full. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for coming into my love. Because I have never known such a love, I take you now, for forever, to be my dear wife."

Father took the rings from Devin and Jenny.

"In the past, rings were a symbol of bondage, of who was enslaved to whom. These rings are a redemption of that symbol, a sign of bonding in freedom, of your having chosen to cast your lot with one another in this life, and of the seamless circle of joy that surrounds you both."

Vincent took the smaller ring and slid it onto Catherine's finger.

"This ring is a token of my endless and abiding love because it is you, Catherine, whom I love, and it is you whom I am choosing always to encircle with my love. Wear it in health, wear it in joy, wear it in peace, wear it in bliss: in health because you have healed me, in joy because you have made my heart glad,  in peace because you have brought me serenity, and in bliss because you have brought me true grace."

Catherine slid Vincent's ring onto his finger.

"May this ring be the sign, always, that we love one another. May it be the symbol, always, that we have chosen to serve one  another in perfect freedom. May it be the public demonstration  that our love is complete and never ending. May it be the object that tells, when we as ourselves are no more and our bones have crumbled into dust, that our love in this life was real and eternal and deep."

Father took their hands in his as he concluded the ceremony with the words of an old Apache song:

"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no loneliness for you, for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into your days together.
And may your days be good and long on the earth."

This was the point of the ceremony where they should kiss. Although Vincent had become more comfortable showing Catherine affection, she was not sure if he was ready to take this step in front of so many people. Understanding flowed from her smoky grey eyes to the intense blue of his and love filled the bond.

There wasn't a dry eye in the Great Hall as Vincent leaned down to kiss his bride.