(This story is written strictly for the free enjoyment of fans of the "Beauty and the Beast" television series. No copyright infringement is intended.)

Double Blessings

Angie

Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partition;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So, with two seeming bodies, but one heart

- William Shakespeare

Vincent and Catherine were enjoying an evening in their private suite in the brownstone. The wind was howling outside, shaking the house, raising creaks and groans that made them glad to snuggle.

Jacob was asleep in his room and Pirate the cat was presumably improving his mind downstairs in the den. He was now well-behaved, but still preferred Vincent to anyone else. The sight of him on Vincent’s shoulder had become so common that no one even commented anymore. Catherine still hoped that the little cat would grow out of this habit, but so far, that had not happened. The kitten had quickly discovered that licking Vincent’s nearby ear would allow him this indulgence.

This was their private time of night. Their personal bond was shooting sparks and they were embracing naked on a fake fur rug in front of the fireplace. The fireplace was a real one, not a gas - or heaven-forbid - electric fake. They burned eco-friendly, renewable stuff in it – reconstituted coffee grounds and old wood construction forms. The older teens Below had become expert in finding the latter in waste piles and hauling it into the tunnels, where it was cleaned and dried. The big fireplace in the Great Hall and the smaller one in the dining room, were now well-supplied at need with well-seasoned wood. . Kanin had created a system of vents which used the steam pipes conduits. Both fireplaces used large vents, as did William’s kitchen. The community always burned very dry wood, meant that there was no risk of smoke being seen Above.

Vincent took some of this wood to the brownstone, which also had a fireplace in the den downstairs

Catherine tried to ignore the freight train-like noise outside. She loved the feel of Vincent’s body against hers. He was so furry – and firm - in all the right places. They were caressing each other now and their heat was building.

Vincent put his hand on Catherine’s belly and began to stroke it gently. At first she thought it was because she had not quite lost all the roundness after having Jacob. She knew he loved it and she had no real desire to exercise it off. She was a matron now, so a little slackness was allowed. But Vincent suddenly got a strange expression on his face and their bond gave her no revelation. She sensed joy and peace – but something else. He seemed completely absorbed.

"What?" she asked him, running her hands up his furry chest and rubbing a nipple to get his attention.

Vincent shook himself mentally and looked down at her. He captured her mouth in his and gave her a deep, passionate kiss before replying.

"Catherine, you are pregnant."

Catherine quivered in shock. Vincent enclosed her in his arms.

"Vincent, are you sure?"

"Catherine, you know I’m never wrong about such things. But there’s more. You are growing twins."

"TWINS?" Catherine burrowed her face in his chest and he held her closer, nuzzling her hair. She was speechless. She had wanted more children, but had accepted that she would not conceive again, despite ample opportunities. Her brain buzzing, she tried to remember when she had had her last period. She had definitely missed one, but that was not uncommon. It seemed to happen at least once year and Peter had assured her she was healthy. Vincent spoke again, interrupting this train of thought.

"Catherine, there’s still more. They’re a boy and a girl."

Catherine’s shock and joy rippled along their bond. Vincent quailed a bit, knowing what would come next. She leaned back a little and looked up at his face, her eyes searching his.

"How long have you known this, Vincent? You couldn’t possibly know their sex unless they had been maturing for awhile. Why didn’t you tell me earlier."

"Catherine, how could I? It’s been eight years since you gave birth to Jacob. I thought no more children were possible for us. I didn’t mind and thought no more about it.

"Then I detected something about a month ago, but I could hardly believe it myself. Then I was afraid to say anything right away. You are older – and I am not as other men, so to speak. I did not want you to get your hopes up unnecessarily. I just monitored them until I was sure everything was fine.

"I knew you had twins, but not their sex - until tonight. Now there is every reason to be sure they are fine. They seem quite robust, Catherine."

Catherine sighed. Vincent’s guilt was plain to see – but also his deep love for her. How could she berate him for that? She stretched up to kiss him, fully and deeply.

"We’ll have to tell Father and Peter, of course. And Jacob will have to get used to the idea as well. He’s been the centre of our universe for a long time."

"Catherine, there is still some concern. We don’t know what these children will look like. Jacob has taken after you, mostly, but …"

Catherine put her finger on his lips to silence him. "Vincent, you know it won’t matter to me what they look like. I will love them with all that I am. If they resemble you more than me, that would be wonderful. They will have a father who loves them and can help them in ways no one else can. And they will have the love of a fine community waiting for them. Don’t worry."

Vincent hugged her to him and began stroking her back. Before long, they were indulging in some careful lovemaking to cement this new phase of their lives. He did not tell her something he found even more amazing than the fact of her pregnancy – that he already had a thin bond with the twins. It was so much stronger than what he had sensed in Jacob at a much later phase of her pregnancy, that he knew these twins would be special indeed – and most likely resemble him rather than her.

In his bedroom, Jacob could feel his parents love for each other and him. He knew of their private bond. They had explained it to him and he knew they used it so as not to disturb him. He figured it was something adults liked to keep secret. He had seen their looks and knew it was some kind of private game they played. Adults always assumed kids were stupid.

However, sometimes he felt just a hint of that game. It warmed him, even though he did not completely understand it.

Tonight he had been restless with the noise of the storm. He was half-awake when he sensed an unusual emotion in his father, one he did not mask very effectively. He did not know what it meant, exactly, but the joy he felt coming from them both later, before they drifted into sleep gave him a clue. It was the kind of joy he had sensed all his life when they looked at him or hugged him. This time it was not directed at him, though. It seemed to be centred in his mother. Well, he knew where babies came from, so he guessed he was going to have a brother or sister.

He was not sure what he thought about that. He was sure they would not stop loving him, but he was not going to get all their attention. He had seen kids below when new babies arrived. Some became kind of angry. He knew he would be able to tell if his parents love for him ever changed. That was something he had which no other kid could boast.

He never mentioned it, but Father sometimes asked him where his mother or father was. He always knew. He wondered if he would be able to feel the new baby too. It would be nice to have someone closer to his own age to talk to. Of course, he was going to be nine years old when the baby arrived, but he was sure that it would be special. He would help look after it. He had been taught baby care during Practical Studies, Below. That would be fun.

He went to sleep with a smile on his face.

The next morning, when Jacob went downstairs after washing and dressing, he found his mother sitting in his father’s lap in the kitchen. They smiled at him and he went to them to get the hug he loved from them both together. He could tell they were eager to tell him something.

"You don’t have to tell me," he said. "I know Mom is pregnant."

Catherine laughed and looked at Vincent with triumph in her eyes.

"I told you we would not be able to keep a secret from our son," she told him.

"Here Jacob, feel my stomach. Can you tell anything?"

Jacob put his hand hesitantly on her stomach and concentrated, frowning slightly and closing his eyes as he did so. Suddenly his eyes popped open and he looked at them both in surprise.

"I can feel them. Two of them. I think they’re a boy and a girl."

Vincent looked at his son with amazement.

"Jacob, how long have you been able to do this?"

Jacob looked a little abashed. "I … um … well Samantha asked me one day. She knew you could tell when a woman was pregnant and she wondered if I could. I think she was embarrassed to ask you. Anyway, I could feel something. When I closed my eyes and concentrated, I just knew she was pregnant. A couple of months later, she asked me again and I could tell her it was a boy. I don’t know how I knew that, though."

Catherine looked at Vincent.

"That was at least two years ago, Vincent. Well, our wonderful son has already proven he’s like you in so many ways. I wonder what our twins will bring into our lives to amaze us."

"Just their existence will be amazing to me," Vincent whispered into her ear.

"Well Jacob, today being Saturday, we thought we would all go down and join everyone for breakfast. Would you like that?"

"Oh yes," Jacob cried, "but I’d better feed Pirate."

"We did that," Vincent interrupted. "For today, we thought he should stay here. William doesn’t like animals in the dining hall and we have some visiting to do. Our news will come as a bit of a shock."

"So everyone ready?" Catherine asked, getting off Vincent’s lap. "Let’s go."

The trip to the dining hall was a happy one and their entrance a glad one. They greeted everyone, but made no official announcement. After breakfast, Jacob was left on his own to play with his friends and Catherine and Vincent followed Father to his chamber. Their news, when they gave it, was obviously a shock to the old man and he gripped his chair so hard his knuckles whitened.

"Vincent, are you sure? Silly question. Of course you are. You’re better than an ultrasound. Is everything well?"

"Father, Catherine is well and the twins seem to be hearty. It’s an unexpected blessing after so long. You will be a grandfather again."

"Yes, that’s true. And we’ve never had twins here before. Vincent you are a constant source of surprises. Catherine, I imagine you are happy too.

"Oh yes, Father. I had given up. We couldn’t complain, even if Jacob was our only child. He is such a treasure. We learned today that he has Vincent’s talent for detecting pregnancies. Did you know this?"

Father looked surprised. "Why, yes, Catherine. I didn’t realize you didn’t know. Jacob has been much in demand in that regard. I wonder why he kept it a secret? I never thought to mention it. It did mean that Vincent could get on with more important things, of course. And some of the women did like his hand on them a little too much." Father smiled mischievously.

Catherine laughed.

"I should be jealous of that, I suppose. But it’s the only part of Vincent they get to touch, as a rule, so I suppose I must be magnanimous."

Vincent looked embarrassed and Catherine laughed again and took one of his hands in hers.

"And his hands are so beautiful and warm. He still won’t believe me." She kissed his palm and gave him a look that made him sit up straight. But he spoke softly.

"Catherine, love is blind. That has never been so true as with your love for me."

Catherine showed a rare flash of anger. "Vincent, how dare you …"

Father broke in. "Nonsense, Vincent. Catherine is exactly right. It isn’t blindness, it’s seeing you for who you are – someone very special to all of us. We have learned to look beyond appearances. You taught us that. Catherine needed no such instruction."

Vincent dipped his head. When he spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion.

"I’m sorry, both of you. I’ve been so happy for so many years and now I have another reason to feel blessed – two of them, actually. I’m not sure how much more joy I can stand."

Catherine moved to stand in front of him. "Well Vincent, you just sit there and get your brain wrapped around this, because I will not have you disparaging yourself any more. You deserve all the joy there is. I thought you had … um … risen above that." She looked at him suggestively.

"Catherine," Vincent said hoarsely, "you know I don’t reason well with that part of my anatomy."

Father, who had been watching this exchange with not a little amusement, burst out laughing and took some time to get himself under control.

His guests both had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. Catherine apologized.

"My fault, Father. I’m sure Vincent finds me very trying. I’m still all over him at every opportunity."

Vincent protested. "Catherine, you certainly are trying – to take the blame. Father, it takes two to tango, as someone said. The only surprising thing is that we have not had so many children we ‘didn’t know what to do’. For that we must thank the fates."

"Yes, well, the fates have relented it seems. I’m very happy for you both," Father chuckled. "I imagine you have other people to tell."

"Oh, I’m sure Jacob has already told everyone," Vincent remarked. "But we will have to tell Peter. He’ll want to officiate, I’m sure. As will you."

"You can depend on that, Vincent. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Twins! My word!"

…

The next few months went quickly. Catherine was well, but found herself tired much earlier in her pregnancy. Both Jacob and Vincent never lost an opportunity to feel her stomach and monitor the growth of the twins. They invariably reported that all was well.

Jacob revealed he could feel them along his bond without thinking, one night while the three of them were in the den.

Pirate the cat had abandoned Vincent’s shoulder and now rested in Catherine’s lap, his new favourite place. He could not sit on Catherine’s smaller shoulder, but he followed her around the house like a lost sheep.

"I think that cat can feel something different about you," Vincent commented. "It’s almost as if he can sense the twins."

"Well, they are pretty strong," Jacob remarked. When both Vincent and Catherine looked at him in amazement, he looked a little guilty.

"Well, it’s true," he said defiantly. "I can feel them along my bond."

Vincent sighed. "That’s so, Catherine. They are very strong. Much more so than Jacob was. Furthermore, their bond with each other is even stronger. I can sense that too. You might as well know the rest. There is a strong possibility these children will resemble me more closely than you."

Catherine looked at Vincent, speechless for a few moments.

"I’ve told you before, Vincent, I will love them no matter whom they resemble. But, why can’t I feel them too?" she asked.

"Catherine, you didn’t establish a bond with Jacob until he was born. I suspect the same will be true of the twins. Perhaps there’s a self-protection mechanism that prevents you from doing so. They might keep you awake at night or distract you at inopportune moments."

Catherine dumped Pirate off her lap and went to sit on Vincent’s. She put her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear.

"Vincent, these children are going to be special. Jacob, come here."

Jacob joined them and the three of them embraced, their bonds singing their love for each other. Pirate, suddenly feeling left out, jumped onto the chair arm and then onto Vincent’s shoulder. He immediately began licking Vincent’s ear.

Vincent could not prevent himself from transmitting his delight at the sensation, but suddenly all three looked at each other. The unborn twins seemed suddenly aware of it as well. Catherine, although she could not feel them directly, felt the residual happiness through her bond with Vincent and Jacob. It was so unique, so wonderful, that she closed her eyes and let herself drift with it.

"Well," she said at last. "Now, we are five."

"And a half," reminded Jacob, stroking Pirate.

Vincent laughed and looked at Catherine and his son in turn.

"I think we are in for an interesting time," he commented.

…

A month before her due date, Catherine had to move downstairs to the hospital room because she found it too tiring to climb the stairs. Both Peter and Vincent felt that the birth could occur at any time. Her stomach was so large that Catherine felt like the Queen Mary as she navigated the brownstone’s corridors. Vincent refused to go Below now. He sensed her time was near and wanted to be present to lend his support, as he had with the birth of Jacob.

A week later, Catherine started to get labour pains. They progressed so quickly that Vincent helped her get into a hospital gown and quickly dressed himself in the hated hospital pants and short gown as well. He helped her down the hall to the clinic and into the bed, then called Peter, waiting impatiently until he arrived, Father in tow. They had been in Father’s chamber playing chess.

Vincent sat behind Catherine on the clinic’s bed, her head on a pillow in the "V" of his legs, as before. She quickly grabbed his hands in hers and held them tightly. He leaned over her and moved their hands until they were over her belly and he could feel the twins. He did not really need the contact, but he felt better for it. He tried to project calm and love to them along the bond. He sensed impatience and discomfort, not unlike what he had felt with Jacob, but very much stronger.

Vincent felt them move violently and sent a desperate look to both Father and Peter, who placed themselves at the ready. Suddenly, Catherine let go of his hands to grip his legs and in almost unseemly ease, the twins were born, within seconds of each other. Both were put on her stomach for a few minutes, but had good lungs, as they quickly demonstrated.

Vincent could see little of his new children, except a mass of bloody hair. Soon enough, their umbilical cords were tied off and Peter carried them over to the table to be weighed and cleaned. Meanwhile, Samantha had come in scrubbed. Vincent lifted his legs out the way so she could give Catherine a warm sponge bath and a clean gown. She and Vincent helped Catherine to sit up, close to him. Then Father and Peter carried a baby each back to the parents.

Vincent kept his hands on Catherine’s shoulders as the two babies were given to her. They were softly-furred all over and with Catherine’s green eyes and brown hair in kitten faces. Their tiny nails were slightly pointed.

Catherine held the twins on her chest and stroked them, her bond rippling with a double insistence. She was relieved that she could feel them so well, and felt Vincent’s emotions as well, proud and happy. Jacob was still Below, but she could sense that he was aware and not paying much attention to his lessons. She was not sure she could handle four bonds at once, so was grateful he was somewhat distracted.

She felt Vincent’s hair touch her face and turned to look at him. His kiss was awkward because of their position, but his eyes promised a much better one soon. She sighed. She felt incredibly tired and fell asleep at the thought.

Vincent felt Catherine drift off and was grateful the birth had gone so smoothly. He pulled a blanket over his wife and their newborns, leaning back himself for a nap. The headboard was no more comfortable than before, but Samantha brought him a pillow which he gratefully put behind him. He felt the sleepiness of the twins as well and with so much slumber around him, he gave in and joined it.

Peter and Father, smiling at this picture of family bliss, quietly left. Samantha stayed so that someone was on hand in case of need. She had a three-year old child of her own, but Vincent and Catherine’s were special. She regarded them with real affection. So much had changed with Catherine’s introduction to their world. She had loved Vincent since she was old enough to walk, had never really lost it despite the disparity in their ages. However, she could not begrudge him the happiness he had with Catherine. It warmed her just being close to them. She sighed.

But there was something she could do for them.

When Vincent awoke, it was dark outside and the room was lit only by candlelight. There was a mild scent of herbs. Samantha had decided that the ugly fluorescents were not appropriate for such an occasion and had brought up some of Rebecca’s special candles. They were safely ensconced in glass bowls and the window was slightly open, letting in a soft evening breeze.

Vincent breathed deeply. He loved the smell of candles, which were part of his earliest memories, but Rebecca’s were unique. He looked down at his new children and felt their awareness of him. They were awake and soon their mother was too. She moved a little, trying to get comfortable.

"Vincent, we can’t stay like this much longer. My legs are cramping. You must be even more uncomfortable. I’d like to move to the hospital room."

Samantha immediately took the babies, one by one, to a small carrier and placed them in it. Then she helped Catherine sit up so that Vincent could extract himself from the bed.

Catherine felt grubby, and said so. Samantha immediately helped her wash her face and comb her hair.

Vincent, meanwhile, sat on a chair with the carrier in his lap, rocking it lightly. His bond with the twins was so strong that he felt he almost knew their names. What would they call these two special children, he wondered? He ran his hand over their tiny furry torsos and gazed enthralled at their faces. They did indeed resemble him, but were, as Catherine had predicted, beautiful. Had he looked like this as a baby, he wondered. Then again, babies of any species always seemed adorable.

He put his head into the carrier to nuzzle each child in turn. He felt their delight at the contact. He could feel their strong bond with each other too. They almost moved together, as if they were Siamese twins. He wondered what this would mean in the months and years to come.

Samantha approached him and told him that Catherine was ready to be moved. She took the carrier from him, leaving him free to carry his wife to the next room. He lifted her carefully, planting a deep kiss on her lips as he did so. She snuggled against him, her love for him clear and the thread joining all of them now as strong and smooth as silk.

Vincent had just made Catherine comfortable and seen the twins placed in a crib by her side when Jacob ran in, skidding to a halt. He almost tiptoed over to the crib. Although obviously bubbling with questions, he held himself in check and regarded his new brother and sister with intense concentration.

"Wow," he whispered. "They’re awesome. Just like you, Dad. I can feel them too."

Vincent gathered his son into a hug and pulled him over to Catherine. Jacob bent over and gave his mother a kiss. She looked at him and smiled affectionately.

"Well Jacob, I think we’re going to need your help with this handful. I’m so glad you are old enough to do so. I …"

There was a double screech from the crib and Vincent quickly lifted first one twin, then the other to Catherine. She placed them each to a breast and Vincent watched as they greedily began to feed. He realized something then.

"Catherine, I don’t think you will have too much milk this time. My services will not be needed," he said sadly.

She looked up at her big hairy husband, still in the hospital pants and short gown, which had fallen open in the front. He was revealing more than he probably realized, but she said nothing. Modesty had gone out the window in this household long ago. She gave him her best lascivious look, although she knew she would not be able to follow through on it for a while.

"Vincent, your services are essential. Without you, my life would be nothing, empty. You have filled me with wonder, love and happiness – to say nothing of three children. What more is there?"

Vincent lifted his eyes from the twins and looked Catherine in the eyes. He sniffed suggestively.

"Diapers," he said.

Jacob laughed and soon all three of them were laughing. The twins suckled happily for a while longer, then immediately went to sleep. Vincent took them to the table to clean them and put them in their first diapers, then laid them back in their crib. They didn’t wake. He moved to the bed and gathered both Catherine and Jacob in his arms for a hug. A five-way hug would have to wait a little longer.

"Pirate," yelled Jacob, extracting himself. He ran out of the room and returned with the cat in his arms, but did not put it down when he caught the warning in his father’s eyes.

"Jacob, Pirate will have to stay out of here. We don’t want cat hair in this hospital room. It’ll just be for a few days, then we’ll all be together again."

"Yes, all of us," Catherine added. "Although we’re never really apart any more, are we? Who would have thought we’d come to this? I am so blessed. Three men and a daughter to love."

"Who all love you too," Vincent whispered. He bent down to kiss her and she hugged him to her, returning the kiss with interest. Jacob rolled his eyes and left, closing the door behind him. He had felt them retreat to their personal bond. But he could feel the twins’ contentment quite well. That was such a unique sensation that he sat in the den absorbed.

The cat, ignored, curled up in his lap and went to sleep.

END