Catherine and Vincent's Christmas in Connecticut!
Part Three

       Catherine snuggled in closer as she said, "Oh Vincent, this is such a wonderful time of year, and being here with you at Christmas, is a dream come true for me. I know that I have never been happier!" Vincent kissed the top of Catherine's head and said, "Yes Catherine, I can feel it with in you, and that pleases me." Catherine looked up at Vincent as she said, "Vincent, I have a special Christmas gift for you. I am hoping to give it to you while we are still here. But I am at the mercy of the order catalog service. I don't know what I will do if it doesn't arrive here by Monday before we have to leave." Vincent squeezed Catherine closer to him as he said, "Catherine there is no gift greater then what you have already given me. Right now, right here. There is no greater beauty or joy found anywhere else." Catherine laid her head on his shoulder as she said, "Still Vincent, I think that you will be very pleased with what I plan to give you." Vincent with a smile in his voice said, "If you have chosen it for me, then I am sure to love it Catherine. I will be presenting your gift to you as well Catherine." Catherine excitedly said, "Oh Vincent I can't wait. I love presents, especially when you give them to me." Vincent with a smile in his eyes, and with joy in his heart hugged Catherine even tighter as he whispered, "Ah Catherine."
      The next morning much excitement filled the cabin. Dishes were set out, pans were a clanging as Mary prepared to make Breakfast. As Jacob poured himself a cup of coffee, he offered, "Mary, may I assist you? I dare say that I had been right fine cook in my day." Mary shyly said, well of course Jacob, as you wish." The two worked together as they mixed the batter for the Flapjacks. Jacob stirred as Mary poured in the required ingredients. "Oh Jacob, that looks like the perfect consistency, never over stir!" Jacob nodded as he agreed, "Exactly what I was thinking Mary. If the skillet is hot enough I shall pour the maiden cake!" Mary dripped a droplet of water on to the hot surface and as it sizzled and danced, she declared, "Oh my, the skillet is plenty hot Jacob! It is ready." Jacob poured eight beautifully round proportioned flapjacks and when it was time to flip them, he did so with amazing flare! Mary marveled, "Oh Jacob, I think that if William could see you now, he perhaps would be a little envious of your skills!" Jacob laughed as he said, "William has nothing to fear from me Mary. Although, if truth be known, I do love to cook. Many a time I have wanted to poke my nose into his kitchen, but I know better!"
        In the meantime, Catherine tended to other domestic matters. She wanted to make sure that everyone was comfortable, and that everyone had all that they needed. In addition, she needed to find something for Rocky to eat, as Mouse was quite concerned about his breakfast too!
     Mary and Jacob set the flapjacks, sausage, and the freshly squeezed orange juice onto the table and called everyone to come and eat. As they all sat around the huge round table, enjoying their delicious breakfast, they made plans for the day that lay before them.
     It was decided that the men would go out and find a Christmas Tree to cut down for the cabin, while the ladies would run into town with Catherine, to check at the Post Office to see if her gift for Vincent had arrived yet.
       As Catherine drove the ladies into the town of New Haven, they were all so full of spirit as they listened and sang along with Christmas Carols! One of Catherine's favorite carols came on "The Holly and the Ivy" and she declared, "Oh this is my most favorite Christmas Carol!" They all agreed that it was beautiful and sang along to the lovely melody. They all "Oohed and Ahhhed" as they passed the many beautifully decorated shops that were readied for the Christmas Holiday!
     Suddenly Catherine said, "There it is...The United States Post Office. Keep your fingers crossed for me everyone, I Pray that Vincent's gift is there waiting for me." As Mary, Rebecca, Laura, and Jamie waited, they speculated what the gift may be. Catherine was being very secretive about it, and they each commented that they had been subtly trying to find out what it was that she had ordered! They were a bit frustrated that Catherine never gave the least bit of a hint to any of them. Finally Jamie promised, "I will get it out of her, just you wait and see!"
    Catherine exited the Post Office, holding the coveted package in her arms. As Catherine opened the van door and climbed back into the driver's seat, she happily said, "It came everyone. Today after we finish decorating I will ask Vincent to open his gift." Jamie cleared her throat as she fished for information, "Ahem, Catherine, here let me hold that package for you." Catherine said, "No it is fine right here, it fits right in. Thanks anyway Jamie." Jamie added, "Gee Catherine I am so stumped for a gift for Vincent, how did you decide?" Catherine said, "I just listened to him, things that he had said, and luckily I was able to find just what I thought would suit him." Mary thinking that Jamie is getting nowhere finding out what the gift for Vincent was, butted in and said, "Yes Dear, Vincent is very hard to surprise. He has many of the great works of literature, so that leaves that option out!" Rebecca reiterated, "Yes, I know what you two mean Mary!" Laura signs her frustration as well about finding the right gift for Vincent! They all talked between themselves when Catherine started laughing! "Okay everyone...are you trying to find out what it is that I am giving Vincent?" Mary shrieks, "Oh my yes Dear!" Jamie excitedly asked, "What is it Catherine?" Rebecca and Laura sat on the edge of their seats until Catherine answered, "I would love to tell you...but I can't. In a few hours you will find out." They all settled back and Jamie huffed, "Oh all right, we shouldn't know before Vincent does I guess, but not knowing is driving us crazy!" Catherine apologized and tried to divert the girl's attention and turned up the Christmas tunes. The rest of the way home was filled with talk, laughter, and music, as they all sang along having the time of their lives.
      As they returned to the cabin, the men had just finished putting up the most beautiful Christmas tree, and they stood it in the corner where her Dad had always positioned it. Catherine with tears in her eyes said, "Oh it is beautiful!" The women all agreed with Catherine, as they all stood around the Douglas fir and listened to the men's adventure in finding it! Pascal began, "When I first saw it..." Mouse butted in and said, "I found it! I was trying to catch Rocky before he climbed into it!" Jacob interrupted the two as he said, "I thought it was Peter who first commented on what a Glorious tree this would be..." Peter corrected Jacob as he said, "Well I don't think that I used the word Glorious Jacob. I never say Glorious!" Jacob argued, "Well, I thought that you said Glorious, Vincent didn't you hear Peter say Glorious?" Vincent chimed in sticking up for Jacob as he agreed, "Yes Father, I did hear Peter say Glorious as well." Peter shook his head as he said, "Boy oh boy, you Well's men sure stick together! At any rate, Vincent and I are lucky that we weren't killed as this tree fell! Pascal you are supposed to chop the trunk of the tree on the side that you want it to fall!" Pascal nodded and said, "I did Peter. It wasn't my fault that you happened to be standing where I planned for the tree to go!" Peter asked, "Well haven't you ever heard of the word "Timber"? Everyone shouts that when they chop down a tree!" Pascal assured Peter, "Well next time I will shout it loud and clear!"
     Catherine noticed all the needles on Vincent's cloak and said, "Vincent, these needles may prick you, let me brush them off of you. Why do you have so many needles on you and no one else does?" Vincent embarrassingly looked downward as he softly said, "Because I am the only one who happened to be IN the tree as it fell!" Pascal then said, "Oh yes I forgot about that part! Vincent was trying to get Rocky out of the tree for Mouse, when I chopped it down. I didn't think that it would fall so quickly I only did a few chops!" Catherine aghast asked, "Oh my are you all right?" Vincent assured Catherine that he was fine, "Yes Catherine I didn't incur any injuries in the incident." Mouse beamed with Rocky on his shoulder, and said, "Rocky fine too, thanks to Vincent." Mouse looked up to his monumental friend, and smiled a smile of admiration as he looked at his hero!" Catherine too looked up at Vincent, and lovingly said, "Vincent you climbed this tree to get Rocky for Mouse? That is so sweet of you." Vincent charmingly said, "The climb was nothing Dear Catherine, it was the coming down that hurt!" Everyone laughed at Vincent accept for a very embarrassed Pascal!
      Catherine then said, "It looks like the tree is ready to decorate, I will get the decorations and we can get started!" Mary excitedly said, "You young gals can do the decorating, I will start preparing the chili for the Bon fire tonight. I thought that I may as well put it on early so that it will have a nice long time to simmer." Jacob stepped up and said, "Mary perhaps I may assist you." Mary blushed and said, "By all means Jacob. You certainly proved your cooking expertise this morning at breakfast! I would love to have your company...I mean to say...your help."
      As Catherine started up the stairs, she stopped and turned to look at Vincent who had been admiring her from across the room. It took her breath away as she realized that he had been watching her. She smiled shyly at him as she held out her hand to him, and said, "Vincent would you help me?" Vincent elegantly nodded and said, "Of course Catherine." As he approached her, her heart skipped a beat as his eyes never lost contact with hers and as he climbed the steps to her, he looked so handsome, and powerful. Catherine took his hand, and she led the way to the attic storage space where the decorations were stored. As she pulled the string to the single bulb that hung loosely in the middle of the attic, she looked up at Vincent who was standing beside her. She reached her arms up around his neck to give him a passionate hug, and as she gazed into his beautiful blue eyes she said, "Vincent, I cannot explain what you do to me. Just looking at you affects me so. My heart, my breathing, my mind, my skin...when you are near me I feel drunk with thoughts of loving you." Vincent's own breath trembled as he pulled her closely to him and said, "Catherine your words describe my own thoughts and feelings. You intoxicate me as well."
Catherine affectionately said, "Vincent Christmas is going to be so special for us this year. I hope that all your Christmas wishes come true." Vincent softly whispered, "They already have my sweet Catherine."
         Catherine took a deep breath and said, "Well I suppose we should start looking for those decorations Vincent. Oh my it has been years since I have been up here! Where in the world could everything be?" As Catherine spotted some boxes marked "Christmas Décor", she excitedly said, "Over here Vincent, I found them!"
Catherine opened one of the storage boxes, and up on top was the popcorn string that she and her Mom had made. They had made it during her Mother's last Christmas, the last Christmas that they would share before she died. Vincent recognized it at once as Catherine had told him about her and her Mother making this popcorn garland together. Gently Catherine lifted it from the box, and brought it out of the plastic bag where it had been stored. Catherine told Vincent, "Oh Vincent Dad and I haven't placed this on a tree since that year that we had made it." As she examined it, she closed her eyes and bent her head. She hadn't expected to feel so sad as she found these treasures from her childhood. Vincent knelt down beside her, and gently took her into his arms, and softly he whispered, "Catherine..." Catherine held him tightly as she cried her sad tears of missing her Mother so. Vincent scooped her onto his lap as he brushed the hair away from her face. Vincent then said, "Come we must decorate the cabin Catherine. Our past will always be with us, and is always a treasure to think back on, but we mustn't waste today over yesterday's sorrow, or we will only be reliving those same days over again. Let us make new memories Catherine, our memories." Catherine looked at her Vincent, and said, "Of course you are right Vincent, I am sorry to let myself be so self indulgent. Our time is so limited here, and I do want to make the most of it." Vincent sighed, "Catherine, you could never be self indulgent, you are just so very caring and so lovingly sensitive. I would never change that about you." Catherine gave Vincent one last hug, and with a deep breath she gathered herself up, and cheerfully said, "Vincent, after we finish decorating, I am anxious to give you your presents." Vincent tipped his head as he mentioned, "Catherine, the Bon fire is scheduled for tonight, and the others are planning on skating as well. I am not certain that there will be time..." Catherine insisted, "Well then we must make time Vincent! I don't think that I can wait much longer to give you your gift!" Vincent conceded with a smile as he said, "As you wish Catherine. Then we shall take the time. I am anxious to give you your gift as well."