Catherine safely rolled into Vincent's arms and they both laughed at their success. "Vincent it’s hard to see the stars here. Would you rather find another place?"
"Catherine. I am afraid to move. We may have to stay here forever."
"That wouldn't be so bad, Vincent."
Vincent hugged her in agreement and said, "Catherine, I don't know what to make of Father. There has been such a change in him. The way he talked to Mouse about us tonight. It touched me so."
Catherine agreed. "Yes, me too Vincent. I think he’s accepting my being in your life."
Vincent kissed the top of her head saying, "You know Catherine, I’ve made things difficult for you as well. I can now accept the fact that you do love and need me, and that...."
"What Vincent...what else?"
"That you want me as much as I want you."
"Oh yes, I do Vincent. I want you so badly."
He whispered, "Catherine, at times I desire you so much
that I can think of nothing else." He bent to kiss her with loving kindness,
and then continued. "I promise you Catherine . . . one day...
“ They could've remained there forever except for the sound of Mary
calling for Vincent.
Tumbling out of the hammock, (there’s no other way ...when you are in a hurry!) Vincent answered her. "What is it Mary?"
"It is Father. He’s stuck in the bathroom. The door won't open."
Catherine started laughing. "It's that old door. It always gets stuck. Let me help."
When they’d entered the cabin and Catherine started laughing again, Vincent shook his head, understandingly.
Mary looked at them both sternly, and with a finger to her lips stifled them with a "shush".
Catherine collected herself, stepped to the door and said, "Father, it's me Catherine, I am going to push on the door so step back." Lifting the doorknob and twisting it at the same time and with a little hip action the door flew open.
Father...standing there...very red in the face, said to all who’d witnessed this embarrassing episode, "If one person breathes a word of this tomorrow..." To that they all cracked up laughing - even Father tried to tame his smile.
All agreed that it was late and that they should go to bed, they said their goodnights to one another. Father and Mary headed upstairs to their perspective beds. Unless...
This time Catherine walked Vincent to his room.
He reached down for her hand to inspect the finger where the marshmallow had burnt her. "Catherine, there’s a small blister that raised up! Oh Catherine, the pain that you have endured just to feed me a roasted marshmallow!"
She looked up into his eyes, "Oh Vincent, I would do it again and again if it meant that I could feel your lips on my hand once more. You were so loving and gentle.” She hesitate and then continued. “Vincent just merely recalling that sweet sensation has left me wanting you...even more.” Then she sighed. “Well, good night sweet Vincent." She reached up to give him a kiss and turned to head up to bed.
Vincent, with a mere whisper of her name, stopped her in her tracks. She turned back to face him. "Yes, Vincent what is it?"
Vincent approached Catherine with a newly found confidence. Without saying a word, his blue eyes penetrated her questioning gaze.
She raised her hand once more to his lips whereupon he gently kissed her burnt finger, then moved his kiss to the palm of her hand. Catherine stood there speechless. The feel of Vincent's mouth on her hand was beyond words!
"Good night my dear Catherine. Sleep well."
She looked up at him, smiling. "Goodnight? Oh Vincent would you really turn me away feeling so ungratified?"
He tilted his head, wondering what Catherine meant. "How could I gratify you tonight, Catherine?"
Catherine smiled coyly. "By allowing me to reciprocate
you sweet gesture, with one of my own." With that she reached for
his hand and brought it to her lips. feeling its softness against her cheek.
She turned it over and placed the softest of
kisses in his palm.
Vincent watched this sweet act, stunned at the effect that it had on him.
Looking into his dreamy eyes, Catherine said, "Well, goodnight, Vincent." Then she turned and climbed the stairs to her room, stopping just before she closed the door, she looked down at him.
He was still standing there, as if in a trance! Vincent shook his tousled head, and as a smile crossed his lips, he turned and he entered his room.
"Vincent?" she called quietly from the doorway.
"Catherine, did I wake you?"
"No, not at all. Romeo and Juliet?"
"Yes! Oh, Catherine this movie! It has me spellbound. I think it’s so beautiful. The players are so perfect in their roles. To hear Shakespeare come to life like this. I couldn't sleep. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. I want you to feel at home here. I really have to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
While she was gone, Vincent quickly set about preparing a place at his side for her.
Upon returning she noticed his preparations and said teasingly, "Oh Vincent, that looks so inviting. I hope you weren't expecting someone else."
Vincent ,with an outstretched arm, took Catherine's hand, and ever so suavely said, "Sweet Catherine, let the destinies cut my thread of life, if ever I were to deceive you with another."
She gave him a quizzical look. "I take it that's a no then?"
"Right," he said, smiling back at her, and pulling her down next to him.
Catherine happily snuggled into hiss arms.
They enjoyed watching and critiquing Zeffirelli's interpretation, disagreeing on a few points on why this or why that. Finally, they conceded in the end that Shakespeare really did know everything. He was brilliant!
They sat by the fire in a loving embrace long after the movie ended. Catherine ran her hand over the surface of the thick soft comforter and reminisced to Vincent about its origin. "Vincent...this comforter was a gift to Mom from Dad for Christmas. She was always so cold, and Dad hoped that it would help keep her warm. Mom had wanted to spend the Christmas holiday up here that year."
Catherine stared off into the mesmerizing flames. "It was to be her last Christmas."
"Was she well enough to enjoy herself, Catherine?"
Catherine snapped out of her all consuming memory and
looked at him. She smiled. "Oh yes, I believe so, Vincent.
Dad brought in a beautiful tree to decorate, and then we got out some of
Mom's favorite decorations from the attic, and we set them about. Oh yes,
and Mom watched on as Dad and I made the cookies. Oh what a mess we had.
Dad put on quite a show to make Mom smile! He spoke in a mock French Chef
accent, and oh did he let the flour fly. She did help me string the
popcorn though. She was able to do that. We sat for hours threading this
5-foot string. We listened to Christmas carols, and we had hot chocolate.
And when we were done Dad placed it on the tree. We still have the popcorn
string packed away
up in the attic."
Vincent softly said to Catherine, "What a lovely memory to have."
Nodding, Catherine added, "Yes Vincent, it was lovely.
We had a family tradition where we would all help set up the Nativity.
We did this together ever since I can remember. We set it up there on the
coffee table next to the couch so that Mom could reach. I usually would
be the one to lay baby Jesus in his little manger, but that year I handed
Jesus back to Mom and I asked her to do it. Her hand shook as she laid
him in his place, and then we lit the little star that shone above the
stable.
We all sat and looked at that beautiful Nativity and
never said a word."
"Peter and his late wife, Marie, stopped in and she made us the Christmas dinner. They were so wonderful. We all came to the table to eat and Dad and Peter assisted Mom to her seat, and when we were all in place, Mom said grace. Dad usually did, but as Dad opened his mouth to speak, Mom started the prayer. I can remember that Mom thanked God for all that we had, and prayed how thankful we were for our good friends, and how blessed she felt that we could all be gathered together on this blessed day. That was the first time I saw my dad cry."
In between a few tears, Catherine smiled thinking about
Peter. "I remember Peter clunking around on the porch trying to sneak my
gift in. Marie had shopped for Mom and Dad. With all the treatments, and
doctors visits, they didn't have time. It
was a Barbie Dream House. I wanted it so much. I would
see commercials for it, and Mom kept saying that I had to wait for Christmas.
Then when I got it, I don't know...it didn't matter anymore. I realized
how sick Mom was and that she wouldn't
be able to play with it along with me. I tried to be
excited when I opened it though, I could see Mom anxiously waiting for
my reaction. After all she had been hearing about this Dream House since
October! But she did try to play with me a couple of
times."
Catherine realized that she had been going on and on, she looked up at Vincent and smiled apologetically. She was surprised to see Vincent's eyes brimming with tears, sharing in her bittersweet Christmas memory.
"Catherine, you have had so much sorrow. I wish that I could bear it for you."
"Oh Vincent, you sharing in my sorrow does help."
Running his bristled chin over her hair, Vincent gave Catherine a loving squeeze.
"Vincent, what’s Christmas like for you? Do you have a tree, and decorations?"
Vincent looked at Catherine in a Are you Kidding Manner!
"Do we decorate? My Dear Catherine, we have intense competitions
on who has the most festively decorated Chamber! Oh I must admit
it doesn't always bring out the best in a few of us. Father and William
are fierce competitors. There is a trophy
that is passed year to year and the winner of the competition
proudly displays it all year long until the next Christmas. And food...we
have food of all kinds. Our helpers are always extra generous during the
holiday's. We also give gifts in honor
of the Christ Child, like you do above. But we have one
stipulation, that it is handmade. William will give perhaps a food gift,
and Elizabeth will give a piece of her artwork, and Father might find an
uplifting poem or story that he will rewrite in
his beautiful handwriting. We all utilize our talents."
"What about you, Vincent?"
"Well, I will usually make my annual trip to the crystal
caverns and find something exquisite from there, or I might tan a belt,
or a pouch, it all depends on the supplies that are available to me. Then
on Christmas morning, we all have our holiday
breakfast that William prepares for us. Oh the smells
that fill the tunnels, Catherine. William really does go all baking sweet
breads, rolls, and perhaps a ham, and some sausages that he had cured.
Then we all go to the Great Hall. We gather around the tree and have a
joining of our hands, symbolizing that no man is an island, and that we
all need one another. Then we all take turns, telling what it is that we
are thankful for. After everyone takes their turn, then Father passes out
the gifts."
Catherine watched Vincent as he told her of this magical sounding existence, wanting more than anything to be a real part of it all. "It all sounds so lovely Vincent."
"Yes, it is full of so much good cheer. Catherine, I am hopeful that you will be sharing in the festivities this year along with all of us."
"Oh yes Vincent, I would love to."
Vincent, entertaining a memory, tells Catherine, "I remember
one year Cullen carved me the most beautiful chess set. He had carved it
from two different shades of wood. I still have it to this day! I believe
that I was 11 or 12, and it was at that
age when I first beat Father at a game of chess. Oh what
a time!"
"How did Father take that?"
"Oh he pretended to be perturbed, but he was proud."
"Was that your most favorite gift as a child Vincent?"
Vincent thought for a moment. "Favorite gift? Perhaps...but
a red cowboy hat comes to mind as bearing that title! You see Catherine,
as a young boy, I had read the Zane Gray novels. Oh how I wanted to be
a cowboy! Well Devin managed to,
uh... uh acquire a cowboy hat from somewhere, and had
marked the package to Vincent from Santa. When I opened the gift I was
certain that tales of Kris Kringle were validated. Of course I didn't realize
until years later that Devin was Santa, and
he had stolen it from a Good Will bin."
Catherine smiled, thinking about the kindness that was within Devin, and how he made Vincent's young life so exciting. Then she caught Vincent stifling a yawn. "Come Vincent, we really should go to bed."
"Yes Catherine. I believe I’m tired enough where I will be able to sleep."
"Do you usually have trouble sleeping, Vincent?"
Vincent looked at Catherine accusingly, "Only when the woman I love, engages in the most enchanting gesture of kissing my hand, and then leaves me standing...alone."
"Sorry about that Vincent, I just couldn't help myself. You were too gorgeous to resist and I just love your hands!"
"You flatter me so Catherine."
"Only because it’s true. Vincent, do you have trouble sleeping?"
"At times, Catherine. Many things turn in my head."
"Like what, Vincent?"
"Sometimes...I may lay there, and I imagine...what my
life could have been...if I would've been born different from what
I am...If I could've known my mother...had a mother. Catherine there
were many who cared for me, and Father did
everything...everything. But somewhere deep inside I
would wonder...I still wonder... ah Catherine...many things."
Catherine nodded, trying to understand the pain that Vincent
must have had to endure his whole lifetime because of the abandonment by
the mother that he never knew. She would get so angry when she thought
about this women who had left
Vincent all alone shivering to die. How could she have
done that? Catherine wished with all of her heart that she could erase
all that pain, and sorrow.
Leading Vincent to his bed, Catherine pulled back the covers for him.
"Catherine, I have never been doted on so, but really, I can..."
"Climb in, Vincent. I want to make sure that you are snuggled in. Please let me spoil you."
Vincent wanted to please her so he obediently slipped in under the blanket.
Catherine sat on the side of the bed and pulled the blanket up over his shoulders. "There now, aren't you comfy? Oh Vincent, I love tucking you in like this."
Vincent looked up at his Catherine as she smoothed the hair from his eyes
She leaned down and whispered, "I love you with all my heart."
He closed his eyes listening to Catherine's sweet and gentle voice. She was stroking his tousled hair. He felt so loved and wanted. He savored the words that he had for so long yearned to hear. In a sleepy, husky voice Vincent said, "Catherine lying in bed alone as a boy, I wondered what it would be like to have my hair stroked, and smoothed. I longed for it all of my life... just as you have done now..." He looked up at Catherine in wonderment... "How could you have known?"
"I don't know ,Vincent. I only know that I have longed to do these things for you." Securing the blankets once more, she kissed his head, and told him that she would see him in the morning.
Vincent fell asleep almost immediately.
Catherine tiptoed to leave, turning to look at Vincent
one last time, she could hear his breathing change to a soothing
sleep rhythm. How sweet, she thought to herself. This big strong
man is really like a little boy who’s needs were never
filled. Vincent has me now, Catherine thought, smiling
to herself, knowing that his feelings of aloneness will no longer be so.
Peter started pointing to the old shed. Vincent
walked over, following Peter's instructions and started dragging out her
Catherine’s father's old fishing boat. He stopped for a moment
to get a better grip, and combed his hair out of his eyes with
his fingers, pushing it behind his ears.
Oh my, thought Catherine, from her window view above, I’ve never seen Vincent’s ears before. How adorable...
Suddenly she sees something shining. Is that an earring? "Oh my God, Vincent has an earring!" She spoke aloud, waking Jamie.
"What did you say?"
"I am sorry Jamie, go back to sleep."
Jamie rolled over and saw Catherine looking out of the window. "What's goin' on?"
"Well, it seems Peter is taking the guys fishing or something. They are getting out the old row boat."
Jamie moved over to the window, rubbing her eyes, and looked out.
Catherine couldn't help herself - she had to ask Jamie what she knew about Vincent's earring. "Jamie, did you know that Vincent has an earring? I saw it, just now! It looks like a gold hoop!"
"Oh yeah, he’s had that. You never noticed it before?"
Catherine giggled, "Jamie, I have never seen Vincent's ears before!"
Then Jamie told Catherine that he and Devin as boys pierced each other's ears. They were going to be Vikings. I heard stories that Father was not thrilled.
"Yes, I can imagine."
At that moment Vincent looked up and noticed them watching.
Catherine waved and opened the window to yell out. “Hey where are you going?"
"Peter has offered to take us fishing for a bit, we won't be long Catherine."
"Vincent, just be careful, I don't want to perform any Viking funerals on such a lovely day!"
Vincent ,for just a moment looked puzzled that Catherine
would be using a word that conjured up a past boyhood fantasy. Then
he realized that in letting his guard down, and feeling so relaxed that
he had exposed his ears. She must have seen his
earring, and Jamie was more than happy to fill in the
blanks. He swooshed his hair out from behind his ears with an embarrassed
look on his face.
"Talk to you later Vincent!" Catherine pushed the window shut, and she and Jamie started laughing. "Poor Vincent embarrasses so easily doesn't he?"
"Always has," said Jamie. Then the two headed
down to see if they can track down a cup of coffee.
"Good morning." Catherine called out, bouncing down the stairs, with Jamie trailing behind.
Both Mary and Father looked up smiling at the two girls. "Good morning, are you two ready for breakfast, or some hot coffee?"
"Oh yes, coffee." said Catherine.
Jamie decided that if the boat was moving she was going to be in it. Grabbing some already prepared toast, she headed out the door.
Catherine poured herself a cup of coffee. "What time will we be leaving today Father?"
"If it is up to everyone else, as late as possible. But Catherine what about you. Do you work tomorrow?"
"No Father, I am off tomorrow, so if we leave late that is fine with me."
Mary turned to Father, "What about you Jacob? Are you feeling anxious about going home?"
"Mary, I would be lying if I said no. Truth is I’m trying to remain as relaxed as possible so that I don't dampen the remainder of he holiday for Vincent. I can't help but wonder about everyone back at the tunnels."
Mary placed her hand on his and smiled. "I understand, I too miss home."
Father gives her a grateful smile for understanding and places his spare hand over hers.
Vincent entered the cabin at just that moment into to say good morning to Catherine. "So good to see you this morning Catherine."
"Good morning to you, Vincent!"
"Catherine, may I ask you something... uh personal?"
"Anything, Vincent."
"Do you have 20/20 vision?"
Father and Mary watched in curiosity, and trying to figure out why Vincent would ask such a thing!
Catherine started laughing, "Unfortunately for you, yes I do!"
Vincent nodded his head in a resignedly, "Ah yes, that figures!"
They smiled at each other, knowing that the humor surrounding this little discovery of Catherine's would probably escape all others. Who could know that in spite of their closeness, that she had never seen Vincent's ears!
Looking away and sipping her coffee, Catherine thought to herself, I can’t wait to inspect Vincent’s earring more closely.
Father broke the silence, "Vincent are the others waiting for you to go fishing?"
"Well Father, Jamie wanted to go along, and that made too many in the boat. So I gave up my spot, I am hoping to go later with Catherine. If you would do me the honors Catherine?"
"Oh yes, Vincent that would be lovely. Then will you be joining me for breakfast?"
"Only if you let me do the cooking this time."
"You can cook, Vincent?"
"There are times that William will allow others into the kitchen, and I have picked up a few cooking skills from him."
"You are full of surprises!" said Catherine.
Mary added, "Yes Vincent, the boysenberry muffins that you made were light and tender...very delicious."
"Indeed." Father added as he looked at Mary to see if she was ready for their expedition. "Ready, Mary?"
"Why yes, I believe so Fath...Jacob."
Father and Mary politely excused themselves. Peter had
told them that down the road they could find a field of wild flowers that
rivaled any formal garden that he had ever seen. Father, leading Mary by
the arm and headed for the door, then stopped and turned to Vincent.
Hesitatingly, he said, "Vincent, you will be cautious out there on the
open lake won't you? If anyone were to see you..." Feeling
bad the minute he said it, Father looked down... knowing that his words
of caution, also put
emphasis on Vincent's differences.
Vincent walked over to his father and put a hand on his shoulder. "Father, yes I promise I will. Peter and I discussed that he would keep an eye open on this first outing on the lake to make sure that it is indeed secluded and that no one else is around."
Father looked at his son and shakily smiled. "Very well then, good Vincent, you seem to have thought of everything. Thanks for easing an old man's mind."
"Have a good time Father, and Mary."
"Yes, we will see you when we return.”
"Hamburgers around 1:00, " shouted Catherine as they waved good-bye.
Vincent watched his father limping down the driveway, and became suddenly melancholy. Catherine noticed and hugged him from behind. "Is anything wrong Vincent?"
"Oh Catherine, sometimes I see Father in a different light. Most times he seems so strong and spirited, but at other times like this, when he is humbled as he was, he seems so human and so vulnerable."
"Yes, I know..." said Catherine thoughtfully, trying to bring Vincent out of his funk. "Vincent, are you still doing the cooking around here? I am starving?"
"Yes Catherine," he said, turning in her embrace. He kissed the top of her head, and inhaled the intoxicatingly sweet smell of her hair. He then pulled himself reluctantly away saying, "Let's see what we have to make an omelet. Catherine is there any of the delicious ham left that you made my sandwich with last night?"
Catherine dug around in the fridge and found the ham, and cheeses and onion. "Anything else Chef Vinny?"
“Perhaps eggs would be nice, Catherine," he said with a teasing smile.
"Oh yeah, here are the eggs! Just one more
touch to make this image complete, Vincent - my father's apron."
It was a gift that Charles had gotten from a long ago Father's Day, and
on the front it said, "KISS THE COOK". Catherine tied the
apron around Vincent's waist, and spun.
"Kiss the Cook! May I Vincent?"
"Oh yes Catherine." When he bent down to meet her lips, he pulled her close and with all his love in his heart for this wonderful woman, he kissed her with such tenderness.
Clearing his throat, and trying to get his attention back
on the task at hand, Vincent started cracking the eggs. Then he melted
the butter and browned the ham and onion. Finally he
poured in the beaten eggs and some shredded Colby cheese.
After a minute he skillfully flipped over the omelet.
"What a beautiful looking omelet." Catherine was very impressed.
Vincent served Catherine her breakfast complete with some toasted cracked wheat bread.
"Vincent, is there anything that you do not do to perfection?"
"Catherine, perfection? Well, I will say that I always believed that anything worth doing is worth doing well!"
"Oh , I am so glad to hear that," she said with a flirtatious smile.
Vincent blushed. "Catherine ,I only meant to say that any job or task that I do well it is because of repetition and practice..."
Catherine was really smiling now. "Oh yes, Vincent, practice does make perfect!"
"Catherine...let's eat. I should learn that there are some battles that I will never win. I am dealing with a professional attorney!"
They cleaned up the kitchen together, then Vincent then
excused himself. He headed for the bathroom, but to Catherine’s surprise
he left the door opened. She could hear him gargling, and she
couldn't help herself but to look in. There was
Vincent brushing his teeth. She knew that
he did of course, because his teeth were so white and shiny,
but to see him... Catherine found everything about Vincent so captivating.
When he came out, he found Catherine smiling to herself. "Something amusing Catherine?"
"No, no Vincent, I am just so happy, and having so much fun discovering little things about you. I thought I knew a lot about you, but I don't know. There is still so much to learn."
Just then the first group of fishermen walked in.
"Hello everyone. Catch anything?"
Peter walked in dripping wet and looking like a dejected little kid. Peter was notorious for not having much luck fishing. "Well Cathy let me just say that my reputation is still in tact."
Mouse added, "Mouse didn't know that Peter knew such words!"
Pascal and Jamie were trying not to laugh, but they couldn’t help themselves.
Pascal said, "Now Peter, you almost had that one..."
"You mean the one that yanked him into the lake?" replied Jamie.
Peter was quick to defend himself. "Now I wasn't yanked in! I merely loss my balance! Anyway, that is enough talk about our fishing trip!"
“Need a towel Peter?"
"Thank you Catherine, but I believe a complete change of clothes is warranted at this point."
"Well, if all is well Peter, I guess we’ll take a turn in the old row boat," Catherine smiled, eager to get going.
"Yes not another soul around, so you two go out and have fun."
Jamie and Pascal grabbed their towels and headed for the lake.
Mouse shouted at Pascal and Jamie, "Wait for Mouse to go swimming! Need to check on Rocky!"
"We will, but hurry,” said Pascal.
Vincent and Catherine climbed into the rowboat and headed
out toward the middle of the lake, passing the raft that from this day
forward would always be their place! Vincent looked at Catherine
and privately remembered his promise not to fight fate
any longer. He wondered how long Catherine would
wait for him to come to terms with his dark side of his character.
How long...
"Vincent, what are you so deep in thought about?"
"I know that I made promises last night, Catherine, not to deny my destiny, but I must tell you that I still have some misgivings. We still have so many barriers to test and to cross."
"We will work past them Vincent. I know now that we will, that we can... I don't ever want you to question how deep your passions can run. You have never shown me anything but loving tenderness."
"But Catherine, we cannot ignore our differences..."
"Vincent everyone is different. Everyone! I am as different to you as you are to me. I don't ever want you to feel self-conscience with me... like your earring for instance. You never told me you had it!"
"Catherine, I knew that you would want to see it. Oh Catherine,
it was a whim of a young boy. But I could not bear to lose it. It
symbolizes so many things for me. Devin's acceptance of me despite how
different we were. He always included me in
his wild adventurous plans! Ah yes, we were to be Vikings!
It never occurred to him that I could not be at his side through out the
travels that he dreamed up." He stopped for a moment and a sad smile
crossed his face. "Yes Catherine, you are
much like him in that respect. You make me feel as if
anything is possible for us."
"That is because I believe it so strongly. I know that we are different, but Vincent, that doesn't mean that I still don't enjoy looking at you. You are so handsome to me. Yesterday I loved it so that you wore your sandals. Yes, something as simple as that made me so happy. I finally got to see your toes. And Vincent I love your toes! You didn't seem self conscience at all with me, and I loved that."
Vincent put down the oars, and looked over the edge of the boat and watching the changing surface of the water. He spoke. "Catherine, would you like to see my earring?"
Her heart soared at this gesture. "Oh Vincent, only if you want me to see it. Vincent, I would never force you into anything that makes you uncomfortable."
"Yes, I know that Catherine. It’s just that there are parts of me that I fear might not... appeal to you."
"Oh Vincent, don't you know, that I love all of you, there is nothing about you that does not appeal to me, you are so attractive to me."
Vincent pulled his hair back behind his ear. Catherine noticed that besides the top of his ear being ever so slightly pointed, it was just like any one else's. "Vincent, I love your ears. Thank you for showing me. And the gold hoop is really sexy."
"You think so, Catherine?"
"Oh yes, Vincent, I do!"
Picking up the oars once again, Catherine noticed that Vincent seemed to be rowing a little bit faster than he had before. She smiled at him, loving him even more for trusting in her love.