THE REST OF THEIR LIVES

By Ginny Shearin

Chapter 9

 

 His chamber was dark when they reached it. Remembering the night before, Catherine thought he couldn’t have planned anything better than that. Vincent had her wait at the door while he went in to light the candles, and she watched in growing fascination as he continued to light candles - all over the chamber. Each candle illuminated another vase of flowers and a beautifully scripted note defining another reason for loving her. The arrangements were relatively small, but varied - tall slender ones, wide fluffy ones, mixed bouquets, some including candles, some sitting next to candles . . . .  He ended with the candle next to the roses on his writing desk. She picked up the note next to the roses and read that she brought light to all the dark places in his life. She walked around gathering the notes and admiring the flowers.

“Vincent. I’ve never seen anything so romantic,” she declared lovingly as he pulled the screen across the door. “How did you manage all this? None of this was here this morning when we left.” Then she realized.  “Kanin?” 

“He and Olivia returned our favor,” Vincent smiled. “They did all this while we were away this afternoon.”

“And I didn’t think today could have been any better,” Catherine answered, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He held her close and brushed a kiss on her hair.

“I owed you something special for all you’ve done the last few months. You’ve become so much a part of my life that I can no longer imagine myself without you. Losing you would be like losing my soul. Your love, your acceptance of all of my faults and differences, your patience, your warmth, your understanding, your determination to make our dreams work . . . .  I have no words to tell you.”

“You need no words, Vincent,” she said placing her hands gently on his chest - still holding her cherished notes. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “I see it when you look at me. I feel it through our bond. The only gift I’ve ever needed is your love and to know that you accept mine.”

“No, you need one more gift. We need one more gift. Come and sit here.”

After leading her to the chair at his desk, he knelt before her and put the notes on his desk to be read later. He took both of her hands in his and looked up at her.

“I love you, Catherine. You don’t have to be here in the tunnels to be with me. Wherever you are, our hearts are together. Know that if you need to live and work Above, I will never ask you to abandon that and confine yourself to my world . . . but we share a love we have struggled to preserve. I know that most of the struggle was my responsibility, and yet you never gave up on us. You promised to spend your life as a part of mine. Would you do me the honor of spending it as my wife?”

“Yes!” was her immediate response. “Oh, Vincent, yes.”

Tears of happiness welled in her eyes as she threw her arms around him. He held her for a moment, then pulled away to kiss her and reach for a small box hidden behind the roses on his desk. He opened the small velvet box to reveal a ring, radiantly reflecting the light from the flickering candles - an oval aquamarine, faceted at the edges and delicately set in gold.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered when she regained her voice.

He slipped it on her finger, and it fit perfectly. He had obviously done his homework.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful . . . except you,” she told him, pulling her eyes away from her ring to look up at him. “Vincent, it’s the color of your eyes. I’ll have that with me wherever I am,” she smiled.

“Then when we are married you may take my arms as well,” he answered, showing her the wedding bands, fashioned in two parts to encircle the ring on both sides.

“They surround the ring the way my love surrounds you.”

The setting for the stone was cantilevered to sit just over the edge of the bands, looking very much like one ring. He showed her the tiny, beautifully crafted clips that would connect the three  - exactly the kind of setting she could wear in her world without causing too much speculation.

Catherine stood. “Sit down,” she ordered. He took her place in the chair and she happily placed herself in his lap, leaning against him and holding her hand out where both of them could see the ring.

“How . . . .” she began, and stopped. “I love it, Vincent, but I feel a little guilty. How can your family . . . our family . . . understand such an extravagance?

“I think they will understand,” he answered. “The only extravagance was my time. Mouse and I visited the crystal caverns, and I took this stone and several others to Mr. Shelby. This one was for the ring, and the profit from the others will return to the community. “They needed some remodeling and I needed a ring. I saw the estimates from the carpenters, and I think they regarded your ring as a bargain. Their only other demand was an invitation to the wedding. They are both sworn to secrecy for now,” he chuckled. “I sketched the setting I wanted, and Mr. Shelby created it after we turned the stone over to his son. Matthew is a fine stone cutter. They work well together.”            

“You designed this?” Catherine interrupted, still looking at the ring from varying angles and again feeling amazed by his talents. Her answer was his appreciative smile.

“I hoped it would make you this happy,” he said, tenderly stroking the backs of his furred fingers on her cheek and pressing a kiss on her forehead.

“Vincent, I would have been happy with only the proposal. You do believe that, don’t you? I don’t need ‘things’ anymore. Not as long as I have you.”

“I know that,” he assured her “It was something that I needed to do. I needed to give you something to show my commitment - something you could wear in your world where you could see it and be reminded of my love. I would like you to wear a wedding band that looks like my world; but it needed to be a setting and a stone that people in your world wouldn’t question, something of a quality they would expect to see you wear.”

She could see that he had put a great deal more thought into this than just the design of the ring. He wanted to allow her all the freedom that she wanted in her world, but with a mark of himself to claim her as his own.

“And these gorgeous flowers?” she asked, looking around the chamber.

“A helper who was returning a favor,” he answered. 

“I’ll have to visit all of them next week to thank them.” She sighed contentedly, and snuggled closer, softly telling him, “I love you.”

He held her as she read all the notes, a tear of joy trickling down her cheek now and then.

“I’ll treasure these as long as I live,” she whispered.

They sat for a while, sharing the contentment of the most important step so far in their future together, softly kissing and touching, gradually kindling the passion that would follow before Vincent took her back to her chamber. She found her chamber dark as well. There weren’t as many candles to light, but flowers and notes accompanied those as they had in his chamber.

“You spoil me,” Catherine said in obvious appreciation, reading the first note.

“It was your turn,” he answered. 

“When would you like to marry me?” Catherine suddenly asked firmly, but with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“As soon as possible. Is that the correct answer?” he teased.

“You know, when it takes a girl this long to catch the guy, she doesn’t want to wait too long to pin down the details,” she grinned. “Shall we tell everyone tomorrow? And how do we make the announcement? Post marriage bans in the passageways?  Send messages on the pipes?”

Vincent was openly enjoying her excitement at being tied to him for life.

“I think an announcement in the dining hall at breakfast would probably work well. Within seconds I’m sure the pipes will tell anyone who may have missed the news.”       

“Then please don’t let me sleep through breakfast again,” she pleaded. “It’s all I can do right now not to run through the tunnels like the town crier, shouting ‘Ten o’clock and Vincent asked me to marry him.’ Vincent, I’ve never been so happy.”

He pulled her into his arms, still smiling at her excitement.

“I want to keep you this happy forever,” he answered.

“How does the day after Thanksgiving sound for a wedding?” she asked, her voice coming from somewhere against his chest. “I can’t think of anything I’d be more thankful for - and before Winterfest we could be together any time we want - for the rest of our lives.” Her arms tightened around his waist.

“Tomorrow would be fine with me, but next week is September,” he reminded her. “Will that be enough time to plan what you want for a ceremony? The women here would never forgive me if I don’t allow you enough time for a proper celebration.”

“The women here also suspect that I would accept an impromptu ceremony in the passage outside your chamber if necessary. I’ve worked under deadlines before,” she grinned. “I’ll start tomorrow. Do you think I could find some help down here?”

Vincent laughed, knowing she had no doubts on that score.

“Probably more than you want,” he answered. “Mentioning help in public tomorrow would probably be foolhardy.”

Catherine leaned back, took his face in her hands, said, “I love you!” and kissed him so joyfully he had to respond.

“I’ve never been happier either,” he laughed, lifting her off the floor and swinging her in a circle. His spontaneous responses were happening more often, and she loved it.

***

Vincent met Catherine early, before breakfast, because they had decided that Father and Mary should know before they told the others. They agreed that Vincent would tell Father, Catherine would tell Mary, he would meet her at Mary’s chamber, and they would go to breakfast together. He left Catherine with an enthusiastic kiss tingling on her lips and they went on their separate missions.

Father was awake, reading a newspaper a helper had sent the evening before.

“Father. I have some news that might be more uplifting than what you’re reading,” Vincent said casually, glancing at the headlines from over Father’s shoulder.

“Anything would be more uplifting than what I’m reading,” Father answered, with resignation, closing the newspaper.  “Murders, floods, old people cheated out of their retirement income.” He took off his spectacles as he looked up at Vincent.  “What is it, Son? Brighten your old Father’s morning.”

Vincent smiled, looking as if his world was at peace.

“Catherine has agreed to be my wife. If the council approves the date, we would like to be married the day after Thanksgiving.”

Jacob rose from his chair and threw his arms around his son, feeling an overwhelming rush of emotion. His son had found the joy he deserved in spite of Father’s best intentions. All the impossible dreams he’d had for Vincent, his initial anger and distrust of Catherine, the restrictions he had taught Vincent to put on himself, the insecurities he had unwittingly helped Vincent create, the contentment he could finally see in him . . . .  All of it came crashing into his heart at once. Tears filled his eyes as he held Vincent tight and gave his blessings without reservation. Vincent hugged Jacob just as closely; feeling the joy in his father’s heart and feeling elated at that response.

“We wanted to tell you before we announced it to everyone else at breakfast.”

“Mary?” Father started.

“Catherine is with her now.”

“I couldn’t be happier for you, Vincent. We’ll have to contact Devin. He would never forgive himself if he missed this.” Father was already making plans.

***

Catherine reached Mary’s door and called before she entered the chamber.

“Come in, dear,” Mary answered. She was dressed but still putting her hair up. “What can I do for you?” She continued working on her hair and watching Catherine in the mirror.

“Just listen and be happy with me,” Catherine answered with a smile. “I have something to tell you.”

“From the look on your face, I’d say it must be something good,” Mary smiled back.

“Vincent and I are going to be married . . . .”

Before Catherine could say anything else Mary had her in a bear hug that hardly allowed her to breathe, the hair arranging forgotten.

“Catherine, I’m so happy for both of you. I thought the boy would never come to his senses and ask you. When will you be married?”

“The day after Thanksgiving, if that date is acceptable to everyone. We wanted to announce it at breakfast this morning, but we wanted you and Father to know first. Vincent is talking to him now. He said he would meet me here.”

“That isn’t a lot of time, Catherine. There are so many people who have loved Vincent for so long . . . and have come to love and respect you. So many people who will be happy for both of you. This will be a big event. Please let me help with anything you need.”

“Would you make my dress, Mary . . . and something new for Vincent? And I need to find out who makes his boots and get some measurements for other things and . . . .  Don’t volunteer too fast,” she grinned. “I could work you to death.”

“Please do your best,” she told Catherine with a good-natured smile. “I’m an old woman, and seeing you and Vincent so happy would make it a pleasant passing. Goodness. I’d better get back to my hair. I have no intention of missing the response to this announcement at breakfast.”

Vincent and Father called from the passageway.

“Come in. Come in,” Mary answered, grabbing Vincent in a breathtaking hug similar to the one she had bestowed on Catherine, the hair tumbling again. “It’s wonderful to see you both so happy, Vincent. Catherine has already begun to feel like one of our children.” Vincent returned her hug, actually lifting her off the floor in his enthusiasm.

“Careful of these elderly bones, young man.” She laughed as he eased her back to the floor. “Look at that smile, Jacob,” she said, patting Vincent’s cheek. “I don’t think I’ve seen that one since he was a boy.”

“Smile is apparently all the two of them are able to do today,” Father answered.  He gave Catherine a hug very much like the one from Mary. “I look forward to having a daughter,” he told her. “My son could give me nothing that would please me more.”

Vincent thought Catherine’s heart might explode with the joy she felt at those words from Father.

“Perhaps we should go and get this announcement made so everyone else can smile with us,” Father added as he turned toward Mary

Mary quickly finished pinning her hair in place, and they all left together.

Paying very little attention to what was on their plates, the four of them gathered what they needed and sat down, waiting impatiently for the best opportunity to speak to their friends in the dining hall. Finally, when the majority of the group was seated and the influx of breakfast gatherers had slowed to a trickle, Father tapped a spoon on his teacup, and Vincent stood.

“May I have your attention,” Vincent more stated than requested.

Seeing Vincent, rather than Father, stand to make the announcement immediately created enough curiosity to command everyone’s attention. He reached for Catherine’s hand and took it to help her stand beside him, giving a few of those in their audience an inkling of what they would hear.

“If the time is suitable to the council, Catherine and I would like to invite you to a gathering in the Great Hall the day after Thanksgiving.” At this point in his announcement he placed his arm around Catherine’s shoulder and looked down at her briefly, a gesture of affection and possession no one had seen before. “We plan to be joined and would like all of you to help us celebrate.”

There was an instant outpouring of cheers and applause, and a rush of well-wishers leaving their breakfasts behind to greet the couple with hugs and handshakes and warm congratulations.

The quartet leaving Mary’s chamber had stopped to tell Pascal and asked him to hold the message until Father sent him an okay. As soon as he heard from Father he had the pipes virtually singing, spreading the news to anyone who hadn’t heard.

By the time they left the dining hall, Vincent and Catherine were nearly exhausted from the congratulatory responses of their friends. Vincent had been right. Any request for help with the wedding would certainly have been foolhardy. They had so many spontaneous offers and suggestions for their wedding that they couldn’t begin to remember them all, much less consider using them.

Eventually everyone had to turn to their respective duties, and the crowd dispersed enough to allow them an escape back to Vincent’s chamber. He quickly pulled the screen across the door, and they both laughed at the relief they felt at escaping their friends and family for a few minutes.

“Well, I don’t think we need to worry that they might disapprove,” Catherine grinned, flopping down on the bed to recover.

“No, I don’t think we do,” Vincent laughed, stretching out beside her.

“That was the easy part,” Catherine told him with a knowing smile.

“And what do you consider the hard part?” he chuckled.

“Now we have to plan a wedding,” she said, snuggling close to him. “You have noooooo idea.” 

He smiled. Pulling her closer, lying beside her, holding her, feeling the joy he knew he had given her, he was sure that anything he had to endure to reach this marriage would be worth it.

 

The End