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Looking around the chamber she saw Michael approach Mary. Mary smiled at him and took his arm following him him out on the dance floor to the tune of What a Wonderful World.
"Mary has become like a second mother to Michael - all of us, but especially Michael." Vincent leaned near and whispered to her.
“Vincent, look at Jamie and Laura. They both look so pretty tonight!” Dressed up for the occasion, they were standing on the edge of the dance floor, like two wallflowers, giggling and pointing at a couple of the tunnel boys. They looked as if they wanted to be asked to dance! “Vincent why don’t you go ask one of the girls to dance?”
“Oh Catherine, how could I possibly choose? Unless…” With that last comment Vincent left Catherine’s side.
Catherine watched with great curiosity as Vincent approached the girls. All of a sudden, Catherine started to laugh. Vincent was waltzing about the hall to the tune Shall we Dance? with both of them! As Catherine stood there watching, she noticed that Father heading her way. She smiled at him. “Hello Father, are you enjoying the party?”
“Oh yes Catherine, and yourself?”
She nodded in the direction of the dance floor. “How could I not? I hadn't realized Vincent had such a whimsical side to him. I've never seen it before!”
Father chuckled. “Yes, yes indeed, that side of him does not erupt very often Catherine. I have seen it very few times myself. It's only when he is truly happy and content, that he is able to let his guard down.” He cleared his throat and continued. “Catherine, you have made Vincent very happy, very happy indeed. If anything should happen between the two of you…I shudder to think what …” Father stopped himself from saying any more. He was too close to crossing the line, and he didn't want to appear to be meddling.
Catherine looked downward searching her heart. How was she to respond to that? She had always felt that Father was not very comfortable with her and Vincent’s relationship. She wanted him to know how much Vincent meant to her, and how much she loved him. Nervously, Catherine said, “Father, I want you to know and understand that Vincent is everything to me. Before he entered my life, I lived an existence that seems so shallow to me now. I know now that a part of me was missing. When I met Vincent, my whole world turned up side down! He changed me, changed my life, and he changed my heart. I can't remember a time when I ever felt as good or as complete as I do when I am with Vincent. Father, I love him from the depths of my soul!”
Tears had filled her eyes, and this endeared her to Father, and he at that very moment felt his heart change. An acceptance had finally occurred. Father shakily smiled back at Catherine, seeing her in a different light. For the first time, he understood her a little better and the bond she shared with his son. Father could see that Catherine loved Vincent purely, and completely, and seemed committed to their relationship. Jacob felt an admiration for her courage to love past and beyond the prejudices that other people may have. Himself included! “Catherine, I believe that I have underestimated your commitment to my son. Will you except my apologies?”
“Oh Father, an apology isn't necessary. I just wanted you to know. To understand…”
They stood together in solemn silence, hearing and accepting each other’s words. Finally Father turned toward Catherine and extended his arm. “My dear, would you do me the honor . . .?"
“Oh yes, Father. I'd be delighted.” They joined the others on the dance floor, swaying to the tune of The impossible Dream.
Vincent stopped them and his heart soared.
The music ended. Father returned Catherine to Vincent’s side.
“Oh Vincent, Father is such a good dancer. i had no idea. . .” Catherine said.
Jacob smiled. “One is only as good as ones partner. However, thank you just the same Catherine. Oh my, there's Mary. I must get to her before someone else asks her to dance! Would you please excuse me? Catherine, once again thank you for the conversation, and for the dance.” Jacob was off, hobbling to catch up with Mary.
“The conversation, Catherine?” Vincent said.
Catherine felt his curiosity. “Yes, Father and I crossed some bridges tonight Vincent. I hope you don’t mind, but I told Father…I told him how much you've changed my life, and I told him…how much I…I love you.”
for a moment he couldn't breathe. “Catherine, that had to be difficult for you. You did that for me?”
“I did it for us, Vincent. I wanted Father to understand my heart. And Vincent, Father really is a marvelous dancer!”
“Yes, he taught me all I know.”
“Well, you certainly impressed me with some of your fancy foot-work out there on the dance floor with Jamie and Laura! Not that I can attest to it for myself yet this evening!”
He took her not-too-subtle hint. “Catherine, may I have this dance?”
Catherine playfully changed her annoyed look to one of pure delight. “Yes Vincent, dancing with you is what I've dreamed of all evening!”
"I have as well Catherine. Then, shall we Catherine?” Vincent said as he took her hand and led her on to the floor.
Catherine followed behind him holding tightly to his hand. “Oh yes, Vincent!”
Their hearts took wing as they held each other close and dance around the room. There was no denying the love between this special couple, all eyes were on them. Vincent, dressed in his finest attire, looking so strong and handsome alongside Catherine’s delicate beauty - they were a striking couple indeed. Even Father watched in awe at this beautiful couple. He felt blessed within his own heart that they had found each other. They seemed as if they were really meant to be together.
Although, everyone was aware of them, they were not aware of a single soul except each other. Their first dance to was The Way You Look Tonight, followed by You’ll Be In My Heart and finally, Don’t Know Much by Aaron Neville, and Linda Rondstadt.
The night flew by and soon it time for one last dance. “One more song Vincent, just one more?”
“Very well, Catherine.” He took her into his strong
arms, and held her closely to him. Gazing into each other’s eyes,
they danced to The First Time I Loved Forever.
|
Was when you whispered my name And I knew at once you loved me For the me of who I am The first time I loved forever
And if wishes and dreams are merely for children
For all my life and forever
|
As the song ended, Vincent asked Catherine if she was ready to go.
“Yes Vincent, I'm ready. We still must exchange our gifts to each other.”
“Yes, we must Catherine. I'll get your coat.”
They said their goodnights to everyone except for Father
and Mary, who were still dancing and Vincent couldn't get their attention.
The walk through the park was just as beautiful as they had hoped it would be. The full moon, shining through the white clouded night sky, seemed to give off an illuminating glow. The snow fell softly to the earth, and muffled the sounds of the world around them.
Later, meeting on the balcony, Catherine welcomed Vincent inside. “Come in Vincent, please make yourself at home. I want you to be as comfortable here in my world, as I was tonight in yours.”
"As do I.” Vincent truly did. The wall he mentally tore down enabled him to enter Catherine’s apartment, and be at ease.
Catherine asked, “Vincent, would you start a fire for us, and I'll go get the wine that I have chilling.”
Vincent took off his cloak and placed it on the chair, as Catherine entered her kitchen. He secretly took out her gift that he had hidden within his cloak and placed it on the coffee table by the fireplace. He then went to the fireplace, and while lighting the fire his thoughts were of Catherine. How he hoped that his gift would please her.
“Oh Vincent that looks so inviting, that will warm us
so nicely.” Catherine said, reentering the room. She placed the wine
down on the coffee table, noticing her gift Vincent had placed there.
She was anxious to see what Vincent had chosen for her, and she hoped he
would like his gift she had chosen for him as well.
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While Vincent was putting the finishing touches on the fire, Catherine put on some romantic music and lit the candles on the mantle. The music, and the flickering flames gave them a very romantic atmosphere in which they would exchange their Valentine gifts.
Catherine settled in on the couch and waited for Vincent to join her. “Vincent this night seems like a dream. You've made it so special for me.”
Vincent situated himself at her side. “Catherine, that's what I hope for . . . to fill you life with special moments.” He uncorked the wine, and poured with an assured elegance, which thrilled Catherine. “Would you like to open your gift, Catherine?”
“Please Vincent, you go first.”
Catherine watched excitedly as Vincent removed the wrapping from his gift. He gently brought out the beautiful candle, noticing it was scented with Catherine’s special fragrance. “Catherine, this is you.” Closing his eyes, he inhaled the sweet scent. “Oh Catherine, how I cherish the fragrance of you.”
“Vincent, when you light this candle, and you see the burning flame, I want you to think of it as the love I have burning inside my heart for you.”
Her words filled him with secret longings. Then he notices a small journal at the bottom of the package. “Catherine, is this for me as well?”
“Yes Vincent. I've written something inside for you . . . something from my heart.”
Vincent reverently opened that pages, and read:
| My Dearest Vincent,
How do I convey my love to thee? I am not a poet or a writer, or someone who would be able to transcribe these thoughts and feelings down so eloquently in the fashion that you would so love to read. I would like to try though Vincent, so that you can understand how much I need you and love you! You entered my empty life firstly as my hero, then my friend, and now…my love! I know now that I was merely waiting, waiting for you Vincent. Being at your side is all that I want. It does not matter where this journey takes us, I would go to the ends of the earth, or miles below it, as long as it is with you. Vincent my heart is so full of love for you that I fear it may burst. I just want to love you, cherish you and in some ways protect you too. You seem to have such an innocent notion about some aspects of life, yet you possess such insight into other areas that would put scholars to shame. In my dreams Vincent, we are as one, possessing each other and living a happy life together. These dreams are so beautiful, that when I wake from them, I am consumed with a happiness like nothing I have ever known! And when I recall my fantasies, they seem so real, that Vincent, I do not think that I could have imagined them! These dreams are merely waiting to become a reality for us. I want that with all my heart, Vincent, I want you. I love you Sweetheart! Forever yours, Catherine |
Vincent sat without words for a moment, and as a tear formed and fell from his lashes, he looked at Catherine helplessly, “Catherine, what a sweet passage you have written for me. These words are so beautiful. I shall cherish this always.”
Her eyes filled with tears too. “Vincent, it's how I feel, how I will always feel about you.”
“ Catherine…your gift.”
Untying the string from the quilted cloth wrapped gift, Catherine excitedly looked at the binding of the book. “Oh Vincent, Romeo and Juliet! I love it. Thank you so much!” She gave him a loving hug, and went on to admire her gift once more. As she opened the treasure, she found a beautiful golden lock of hair inside.
“That is from my first hair cut Catherine!”
She stared in disbelief and held it to her heart. The tears that fell took them both by surprise. Catherine was so moved as she envisioned a little Vincent getting his first haircut. The tears she wept did not really have a name. Catherine knew only that this gift from Vincent moved her so. “Oh Vincent this has brought me so much joy, thank you.”
“Why do you cry Catherine?”
In between a snuffle she tried to explain. “I’m not sure ,Vincent. I just have so many emotions when I picture you as a little boy. It makes me feel homesick inside. Oh Vincent, I'm not sure that I can explain it! Perhaps it’s because…” Catherine wonders if she should continue.
“Because what, Catherine?”
She reconsidered, thinking perhaps this is something she had better keep to herself or risk sending Vincent running. Catherine was picturing a little Vincent of their own one day, featured like him, to nurture and to love, and getting his first haircut . . . “Vincent, I'll tell you some other time, I promise. Oh Vincent, what a wonderful Valentine’s Day! I feel like the happiest woman on this earth.”
Holding the book out to him, she asked, “Vincent, would you read to me?”
“Any special Act, Catherine?”
She nestled into his arms, saying, “You choose. I just love hearing your voice.”
Vincent knew just what he wanted to read. He flipped to Act 1 scene 5. “Catherine will you honor me by being the Juliet to my Romeo?”
“Oh yes Vincent, I'd love that!”
Vincent nervously began:
ROMEO: If I profane with my unworthiest
hand, This holy shrine, the
gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
JULIET: Good
pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly
devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
ROMEO: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
JULIET: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
(Vincent presented his strong large hand up for Catherine to place her small hand, palm to palm to his…
And as Catherine looked deep into his eyes, she wondered how much they are really going to act out? For she knew and loved this scene so well!)
ROMEO: O, then, dear saint,
let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest
faith turn to despair.
JULIET: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
ROMEO: Then move not, while
my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
As Vincent finished his line he blessed Catherine with the sweetest of kisses. They parted, looking lovingly looked into each other’s eyes.
Catherine loved the effect that Vincent’s kiss had on her. It was just as she knew it would be, sweet and intoxicating!
Vincent loved the feeling of his lips upon Catherine’s. Her soft lips excited him, yet he felt a peacefulness come over him - like none that he had ever known. He now knew what Catherine has always known - this passion he felt for Catherine, deep within his heart, would not betray him. He could never harm her, for he now understood - his heart ruled his passion. He felt as if he was at home at last.
Tears of happiness filled Catherine's eyes. She tenderly touched his face, and continued on her reading. She didn’t need to look down to read her next line, for she knew it so well.
JULIET: Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
ROMEO: Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
And Catherine did, over and over again….