"No, not yet," he replied as she nestled in under his chin, leaning deeply against his strong body. "Catherine, to share moments like this with you . . . it's more than I ever allowed myself to hope for. I imagined and dreamed about them of course, but Catherine . . . this is more than I deserve."
Catherine had never felt safer or happier. "Vincent . . . you above all do deserve this . . . this beauty here around you. There is no one on this earth that would appreciate it more than you."
Vincent modestly bent his head. He loved when Catherine talked to him like that. It made him feel so worthy to be loved by her. Taking her face in his hands he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.
It was a kiss so powerful and filled with such passion, it took Catherine's breath away. "Oh Vincent, the effect your kisses have on me! You are such a great kisser!"
He smiled, "I am so happy that my kisses please you Catherine."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her once more. "I love having you near me like this Vincent, to feel the strength within you is so exciting! You make me feel so wonderful."
His silken hair cascaded over them, and within it's golden shelter he kissed her again. Then, pulling back he touched her cheek tenderly and whispered, "Catherine when you are even in the same room with me, I must constantly remind myself of our limits. Now being this close to you . . . it makes it very difficult for me to maintain a steady ground." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Catherine, you really don't realize what you do to me, do you? Holding you like this . . . it alters the rhythm of my heart!"
Smiling up at him, she replied, "Vincent, when you are in love that's how you are supposed to feel. That's just how you make me feel. Don't you know what forces I resist being this near to you? You're no different from anyone else Vincent."
His heavy sign revealed both his relief and his [passion. "Still Catherine, as much as I love holding you like this I think we should . . ."
"Yes, but just one more kiss?" And he was happily complied with her wishes.
The night chill began to set in, and although they were really quite happy keeping each other warm, the hour was late, so they decided to head back to the cabin.
Being the last ones in, they were stuck carrying all the blankets, and things the others had left behind. "Are you all right Catherine? Are those blankets too awkward for you?"
"No, I am fine Vincent."
But Vincent took her load, while balancing the other items. "I guess being the last ones in has its disadvantages Catherine!"
"I don't know about that Vincent, the good still out weighs the bad. I wouldn't trade our time alone for anything."
He leaned over as they are walking, and kissed her on the top of the head. "Neither would I, Catherine, neither would I!"
They entered the cabin as quietly as they could but somehow Catherine had a hunch that there was at least one person lying awake, waiting for their return. To her and Vincent's surprise, both Father and Mary were still up and deep in conversation by the warm fire.
"Father, Mary . . ." Vincent exclaimed, almost accusingly. "Are you still awake?"
"Vincent, and Catherine! Back so soon?" Father stood up very quickly, and acted a little bit frazzled.
"So soon Father? It is nearly 2:15!"
"Oh my . . . I hadn't realized . . ." said Father, looking a bit astonished. "Where has the time gone?"
Catherine looked at poor Father and then at Vincent, who seemed to be enjoying making the older man uncomfortable! She felt a bit sorry for Father and to take the focus off him she said, "Mary, are you enjoying the fire?" She then gave Vincent a sideways glance as if to say chill out.
"Oh yes, Catherine! I was just telling Father that in our busy bustling days in the tunnels, I don't think that I have ever had such a relaxed conversation with him. This has been so eye opening. Why Vincent and Catherine, did you know that Father, besides being his school chess champion, and President of the Thespian club, was also on the football team!"
"You don't say!" exclaimed Vincent, giving Father a sly smile. Everyone but Mary realized that Father has been bragging.
"Oh yes, indeed," announced Mary with such pride. She continued, "And it was due to Father calling a very unorthodox play in the fourth quarter, that led to his school winning that years championship!"
Father is really blushing now, knowing that Vincent and Catherine could detect a show-off when they saw one.
"And what year would that have been FATHER?" asked Vincent tilting his head to the side.
"Uh, year? Why it's was.... the year, oh never mind the year! Now Mary that will be enough, I don't think that Vincent and Catherine want to hear about the glory days of an old geezer!"
"Old geezer, why Father, you are not old! You have more stamina than any man does half your age. The way you orchestrate, and organize all the chores and activities below, and manage still to illustrate the importance of the humanities to us all. Why Father, I am amazed!" Mary looked at Jacob as if they were the only two in the room. Jacob returned her gaze, and clearing his throat realized that he was seeing Mary in a different light this night, and feeling a little uncomfortable in front of Vincent and Catherine.
Catherine broke the silence. "I, for one am exhausted! I'm going to bed. Will you walk me to my room, Vincent?"
Vincent, not quite getting the hint that maybe these two would like to be alone, snapped out of it and said, "Oh yes . . . of course. Goodnight, Father, Mary."
Catherine grabbed Vincent's hand and headed for the staircase, anxious to get out of earshot of the two obvious lovebirds. "Vincent, I do believe that there was something besides tea brewing here tonight!"
Vincent couldn't help but smile. "Catherine . . . Mary and Father . . . I don't know . . . it always seemed like a practical union, being in the tunnels together. Yet, they never seemed to find their way to one another. Now here, tonight, it's as if they're a couple of kids on a date."
"And they're so cute together, aren't they, Vincent?"
They reached her room and Catherine leaned against the door frame, looking sadly up at him, knowing that she must say goodnight. She fiddled with the ties of his shirt and finally said, "Well, goodnight Vincent."
He looked down at her, taking in all of her beauty, his blue eyes penetrating her green. "I hate to say goodnight to you, my sweet Catherine..." he said, pulling her close to him.
She burrowed her fingers in his long golden hair, and thought to herself how much she loved getting lost in its tangles.
Vincent bent his head to seek out her left ear and whispered, "I love you, Catherine."
Catherine sighed. It was the husky, yet velvety sound of his voice that always drove Catherine over the edge. Feeling his soft, warm breath against her skin made her feel as if she was just about to melt away.
Vincent kissed his way from her ear, trailing down her neck, and back up to take her lips with his own. It was filled with a passion, like nothing Catherine had ever known. When their lips parted, Vincent slowly released Catherine from his embrace. Taking a step back, Vincent expelled a trembling breath. Then taking Catherine's hands in his, he looked down on her small beautiful hands, and he gently caressed them.
It seemed to Catherine as if Vincent wanted to say something but was holding back.
Breaking the silence, Vincent finally said, "Until tomorrow, Catherine."
At first all she could do was nod, then finally finding her voice, "Tomorrow."
Vincent turned to leave, when Catherine said "Vincent?"
He was at her side at once. "Yes Catherine?"
She searched for something to say. "I don't know, Vincent, I guess I forgot what I wanted to say! Well, Goodnight."
"Shall I wait, Catherine? Perhaps you will remember."
"Oh Vincent, if it meant that you would stay, waiting for me to remember, then I would be most happy to be so forgetful!"
"And I would be pleased that you were forgetful, if it meant that I could stay." He gave her one last kiss. "Goodnight Catherine." Then he left, but as he descended the stairs Vincent turned once more and looked at his Catherine.
She knew that all she would have had to do was to make the slightest overture, and Vincent could have been hers. But she also knew in her heart, that any advancement in their physical affection would have to be Vincent's full committed decision. After all, hadn't she just sworn to him tonight in the van, that what they had was enough for her?
Tiptoeing into the room so as not to wake up Jamie, Catherine settled into bed, and cuddled under the comforter, letting out a sigh that she wasn't even aware she was holding in.
"Goodnight, Catherine" Jamie chuckled in a mocking sing-songing way!
Catherine picked up a pillow and threw it at Jamie. The two girls started laughing. "Jamie, thank you for coming this weekend. If it wasn't for you and the others, Father would never have agreed to it."
"Hey, it is all of us who should thank you for all you have done for us and for Vincent. I wish you could've known him before. Then you would know."
"Know what?"
"Well, Catherine, Vincent has always been . . .Vincent! Someone we all looked up to relied on, but I don't think that any of us thought about what his dreams were as a person, or as a man - someone with hopes and dreams just like all of us. He always seemed so above all that - so strong. Now I realize that maybe, he just didn't let himself think in those terms, until he met you. Now he seems . . . I don't know . . . he seems happy! What more can I say?" replied Jamie.
Catherine turned toward her young friend. "I want you to know that he has done the same for me. He has made me so happy! 'night Jamie. Rest up, swimming tomorrow!"
"Goodnight Catherine . . . Cathy."
Hearing their voice, and realizing how anxious he was to see Mary, Father hurried into the kitchen. They had gotten close last night. He sensed that Mary had wanted him to kiss her, but he wasn't sure. He certainly didn't want to assume such a thing. No, he had to be sure. But when he walked out into the kitchen area . . . he saw Mary pouring Peter a cup of coffee. Mary was looking at Peter with such fascination. Peter was relaying a story of a life-saving operation that he had to perform on a patient in an emergency case he handled.
"Why, good morning all. Peter, I see that you beat me to the uh... uh...coffee."
Peter turned to look at Father. "Jacob, good morning. Sleep well?"
That's a rather smug look he has on his face, thought Father! "Why yes, thank you Peter. Mary what about you? Did you sleep well?"
"Yes Father, better than I thought I would, being here, in a different place. But it's so cozy here. Don't you think?"
"Yes, enchanting really. Enchanting!" Father cleared his throat, and breaking his gaze, realizing that he had held it perhaps a little too long!
Meanwhile, Catherine and Jamie raced to be the first one in the shower. Jamie ran down the stairs, but it was who Catherine had the advantage! Knowing the tricks of the cabin, she slid down the banister. As timing would have it, Vincent was coming out of his room and rounding the corner at just that moment . Jamie nearly trampled him, and then Catherine came down, knocking him right off of his feet.
"Oh my God, Vincent are you all right?" cried Catherine, from her perch atop him.
"Catherine my dear, I have never been better!"
Everyone roared with laughter. Yes, even Father let out a stifled chuckle! Jamie might have been the first one in the shower, but Catherine felt she was the real winner!
"Vincent I hope that you're hungry, because I am getting ready to make you my speciality. Strawberry pancakes!" Catherine said, once they'd picked themselves up off the floor.
"Catherine, sampling your cuisine would alone make this whole weekend a memorable experience!"
Catherine couldn't help smiling
to herself, and hoped that nobody had noticed her blushing at the images
she was conjuring up!
"Move over Mary, I am ready to
cook!" she said, entering the kitchen.
Vincent joined Father, Peter and Mary, enjoying their coffee, and talking about their plans for the day. They all, one by one, looked Catherine's way to see how she was doing in the kitchen. Catherine, for her part was doing her best to look experienced in the kitchen.
By the time Catherine handed Vincent a plate full of pancakes, Pascal, Jamie and Mouse were all up and ready to put in their breakfast orders too. With flour in her hair, and a light dusting all over her face, Catherine poised herself, adjusted her apron, and brushed the stubborn tress of hair, that was forever getting in her eyes out of her face, and prepared to greet this challenge head on.
Mary, who was wondering if Catherine had bit off more than she could chew, hesitatingly offered, "Need some help, dear?"
Catherine answered quickly. "No, no, no, no. Thank you though, Mary." Then, "Wait, Vincent! Before you dig in I need to get the strawberries!"
She returned from the kitchen to pile strawberries over his pancakes and followed by a huge dollop of whipped cream. Vincent stared at the plate, then at Catherine, and then at the plate again. "Catherine? I'm diabetic."
Catherine's face fell and couldn't stop apologizing. "Vincent, I . . . Oh no!."
Suddenly Vincent, Father and everyone else started laughing and she realized that Vincent was pulling her leg. She took a finger full of whipped cream and smeared it on Vincent's nose.
Vincent very rarely laughed big enough where he wasn't self-conscience of his teeth. But this day he did!
"Sit down and dig in. Coffee, Vincent? It's decaf."
"Please, Catherine"
After pouring Vincent a steaming cup of coffee, Catherine pulled up a chair next to him, waiting for a reaction to his first bite.
Vincent gathered up a fork full of pancake, strawberries, and whipped cream. He looked at Catherine, then glanced around the table, realizing all eyes were on him.
"This certainly looks delicious Catherine!" he said, and proceeded to eat it. "Mmmm, delicious!"
"I'm so glad that you like it Vincent."
"Mouse hungry too!" Mouse pouted.
"Of course Mouse, your order will be right up!" As she headed for the stove Catherine glanced back at Vincent who was devouring his breakfast. She was happy to cook for the others, but all she really wanted to do was to sit and watch Vincent!
Manned with a picnic lunch, blanket and sunscreen, they started out. Catherine was wearing only her swimsuit under her cut-offs, and she had high hopes Vincent would put the lotion on for her. Vincent wore a pair of light weight black pants, and a loose fitting, pale blue muslin shirt. The color complimented his dreamy blue eyes! When Catherine looked down, she was surprised to see that he had on a pair of brown leather sandals!
Vincent could see Catherine looking at his feet, and smiled. "Well Catherine, now you have it. You've now seen my toes. Please tell me, should I go back and put on my track shoes?"
Catherine grinned. "Don't you dare!" She wanted to encourage him to continue on this course of revealing him self to her. She knew how self-conscience he was and this made her feel so wonderful that he was relaxed enough with her to wear sandals. Catherine's arms encircled Vincent's waist and with a loving squeeze she told him how much she loved his toes! In fact, no other man can compare to you, she thought to herself.
Arriving at their secluded spot, they spread out their blanket and made a cozy little nest for two. Vincent lay down on the blanket and looked up at the blue sunlit sky. "Catherine," he said with a sigh, "I do feel like I have been here before. Your descriptions were so vivid, so clear."
"Vincent, I think that you are the one to get the credit - you have a rare talent. You have managed to perfect your imaging skills."
"Yes, the life I have led, I have had to rely solely on my imagination to take me places that I thought I would never go - to experience things I would never do."
"Like what, Vincent? What things didn't you think you would ever do?"
"Oh, so many things." Vincent played with a tall blade of grass pondering Catherine's question. Turning to lean on his elbow and he looked into Catherine's eyes. "Travelling to places I have read about . . . to experience everyday joys. To look at a woman and tell her that I love her. To kiss her and to imagine . . . other things as well."
"Vincent, I've been fantasizing too, and letting my imagination take me places!"
Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Yes Catherine, I know."
She looked down in embarrassment, realizing she must be more careful in the future where her thoughts take her! But she had to ask, "Vincent do you plan on only imagining those things, or to experience them as well?" She took hold of his chin, forcing him to look at her.
"Catherine, one day . . ."
With hope in her voice Catherine replied, "Vincent, you have the power to go forward and to make your dreams a reality. The power to make my dreams a reality too. Don't be afraid Vincent, I'm not!"
Even though the innuendoes of making love were there, Catherine meant more - a real life together in every way, and he knew it. "Catherine, I promise I will not let your dreams go unfulfilled. One day sweet Catherine . . ." Vincent ran the blade of grass tenderly across Catherine's cheek and down to her lips. The feather light sensation tickled and stirred her. He bent to kiss her softly, then they gave way to the passion that they both felt the night before. Just then, they heard a cracking sound, like twigs breaking under foot. They rolled over onto their stomachs to see a doe step into the clearing. Catherine looked at Vincent, she saw how excitedly his eyes danced with the joy of it all. They had a front row seat to this splendor.
They watched in silence for about five minutes, when out of the woods came Father and Mary.
"Mary, slow down, we are in unfamiliar territory, and you don't know the dangers that may lay ahead."
"Father look . . . a deer. Oh, he is running a way. Beautiful, isn't he?"
Catherine and Vincent had to make a decision, either make themselves known immediately, or remain still until Mary and Father departed from the meadow. Their moment of indecision was taken away from them. For all at once Father, taking Mary by the arm and turned her to face him. "I will tell you what true beauty is Mary. You! You are so beautiful!"
Mary didn't speak, she couldn't because before she knew it, Father was laying a lip-lock right on her gasping mouth.
Catherine and Vincent couldn't believe their eyes. " My God! " whispered Vincent and Catherine in unison.
"Father sure has some moves, uh Vincent?"
"Catherine we shouldn't be watching . . . but my, yes, he sure does!"
They were both in shock, and Catherine tried to suppress a giggle as they spied on the two.
Jacob took Mary into his arms, and with such tenderness led her back into the woods. "Come Mary, we mustn't wonder too far from the cabin. Now watch your step." "Oh yes Father. . .what ever you say. Just lead the way."
"What now, Catherine? How are we going to look those two in the eyes after witnessing this interlude?"
"We'll have to manage Vincent. I've heard you recite Shakespeare before. Just rely on your acting skills."
"Ah yes, Catherine, but alas I am not that great an actor. I shall have to face them with a speechless tongue and with my semblance pale!"
"Oh Vincent, whenever you talk like that you have complete power over me!"
"Then, my Catherine, I must be careful not to take advantage of such a position." Vincent felt through their bond that Catherine was wishing that was exactly what she wanted him to do.
Catherine stood up to stretch and to go pick a couple of wild flowers. Vincent thought she was adorable in this casual attire she had on. He had never seen so much of her figure before. Ever the gentlemen, he never allowed himself to looked at Catherine improperly or in a check her out type of fashion. Once in a while he would drop his eyes, but it was always under the guise of maybe searching for a word, or maybe tipping his head in an agreeable manner. But today he couldn't resist, and he allowed his eyes to travel, soaking up every inch of her. He let his fantasy carry him to a place where the limits were lifted, and he could make love to his Catherine, without fears. Watching her excited him, and he couldn't believe that this beautiful woman loved him back. Had Catherine caught him looking at her like that, it would have dissolved this illusion she had of Vincent. He always seemed so in control and oh so proper. Vincent really was like any other man in the respect that . . . yes, he enjoyed looking at a beautiful woman and he loved looking at his Catherine!
"Vincent, are you hungry yet?"
"Why yes Catherine, I am."
Catherine looked into the picnic basket, and brought out the Peter Pan peanut butter, and some bread.
"Catherine, is that extra crunchy?"
"Yes it is Vincent."
"Good, that's my favorite!"
"I know, Vincent!" she said with an enigmatic smile.
"Of course we are only privy to the kind that William makes, but I must admit I cannot resist a good scoop of peanut butter."
Catherine dug a spoon into the jar and presented it to Vincent. "Here Vincent, enjoy!"
"Thank you, Catherine, that looks most tempting."
Catherine continued to prepare their sandwiches, but she couldn't help but sneak a peak at Vincent. He looked like a little kid looking around at the scenery licking off of the spoon. Catherine got such a kick out of Vincent when he is able to be spontaneous and let his hair down (or so to speak). She tried to hide her smile, but she thought that he looked so cute!
She handed Vincent his plate with a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich, pork rinds, and to drink an iced cold Red Pop.
"Catherine, I do wonder though who your informant is. You seem to know all of my favorites! Things I know we haven't discussed."
She didn't tell Vincent that Mary had been quite helpful in that area. Instead, Catherine thought she would have some fun letting Vincent think that she was in tune via their connection just as deeply as he was. "An informant Vincent? What makes you think I can't read your mind as clearly as you can mine?"
"Because Catherine, if that were true, I do believe that I would've had my face slapped once or twice today!"
This remark both shock and pleased her but mostly caused her to really blush thinking that Vincent envisioned her in a sexy way. Once again Vincent had one up on the little attorney, and called her bluff!
Mistaking her blush for sunburn, he said, "Catherine, your tender skin is turning pink. Here, let me put that sunscreen on you."
Catherine turned her back to Vincent, and pulled her hair to one side to get maximum coverage.
Vincent gently applied the lotion to Catherine's back and when he slipped his hand under the clasp of her swimsuit to make sure he put it on evenly, the clasp accidentally unhooked. Vincent was mortified and hurriedly tried to rehook it. "Catherine . . . I didn't mean to . . .this is so delicate, and I can't seem to manipulate the clasp!"
"It's all right, Vincent." Catherine tried to ease his embarrassment, "Here, I can do it." And Catherine quickly rehooked her top.
"Catherine what you must think! Can you believe that that was truly an accident?"
Catherine looked at Vincent with a teasing smile, "This suit is old and I know the clasp is worn . . . dear Vincent, just why do you suppose that I wore it?"
"Catherine, I have been set up? And alas, I was too naive to know it!"
Catherine recalled the bold suggestive comment Vincent just made about needing his face slapped. Now, here he was so unnerved by her unhooked top! She had to tease him back. "Face slapped indeed! Oh Vincent, in my dreams!"
Vincent tilted his head smiling, "Catherine, if you knew what thoughts do plague me, you wouldn't tease me so."
"Vincent, that is where you have me at a disadvantage. You know many of my thoughts."
"Yes , and knowing them, and your sweet desires, is what gives me hope."
"Then Vincent, would you at least tell me this?"
"What is it you wish to know, Catherine?"
She looked down and then asked haltingly, "If I were to know those thoughts that you say plague you, would they give me hope as well?"
Vincent lifted her chin to look into her questioning eyes. "Most certainly sweet Catherine, most certainly." Enforcing his answer with the gentlest of kisses.
After lunch they relaxed a bit, before heading back to the cabin. "Are you getting warm Vincent, we can go for a swim if like."
"Yes, I am Catherine and a swim sounds delightful."
When Catherine stood up to start gathering the dishes and things Vincent once more indulged himself by secretly admiring her womanly curves, deep in the safe confines of his mind. He closes his eyes and thought that it might be interesting to test Catherine's abilities to see if she can pick up any of his thoughts.
"Oh Vincent, won't you please grab it?"
Catherine's voice broke into his thoughts . . . "I beg your pardon Catherine?"
"I said grab it . . .please Vincent, the other end . . . let's fold the blanket."
Vincent grabbed the other end of the blanket so that they could do a flag fold. He smiled. "Ahhh yes, Catherine, of course . . . the blanket!"