Catherine and Vincent’s Christmas in Connecticut!
Part Four

    The decorating was fun and was executed with much spirit from one and all. Christmas Carols played, and Catherine popped in "How the Grinch stole Christmas into the Television's VCR, which Mouse, Jamie and Laura seemed to enjoy immensely. Catherine noticed that even Jacob enjoyed Boris Karloff's narration.
      They warmed the apple cider on the stove, and prepared some hot chocolate too. Catherine set out the Christmas cookies that she had made the day before they left. She had made cutouts of Reindeers with red noses, Santa faces with fluffy white beards and Snowmen with top hats. Catherine had to smile to herself, as she spotted Vincent pick out a Reindeer shaped cookie from the platter after seriously inspecting them and finally choosing the one that he wanted!
       Peter, Pascal, and Mouse were in charge of stringing the lights about the cabin, while Jamie and Laura had fun placing the festive figurines about the cabin. Catherine, Vincent and Rebecca decorated the tree, and Mary and Jacob later joined them after they finished putting on the chili. Rebecca lifted a homemade ornament from the box and asked, "Catherine did you make this little Drummer boy?" As Rebecca inspected it further she reiterated, "Oh yes I see now...your name is on the back of it. How cute!" Catherine smiled as she explained it's origin, "Yes Rebecca, I made that in Girl Scouts! We took an 8-week class in ceramics, and I made a ton of ornaments. I put them all in a box and presented it to my Mom as a surprise that year. I remember we were getting ready to decorate the tree, when I gave them to her. Oh she loved them so." Catherine mentioned, "Oh Jacob I believe that Angel you are holding is one of my creations too." Jacob looked upon it and said, "Lovely Catherine truly lovely." They all stood back as they finished, and looked at the tree, and everyone thought that it was indeed one of the most beautiful trees that they had seen! Mary said, "Ah but we are forgetting the finishing touch." Mary went over and  lifted the popcorn garland from its box to place it upon the tree. As she did, Vincent looked hesitentantly at Catherine as if to ask if it was all right that Mary did so. Catherine secretly nodded as she smiled at him, signaling that it would be fine. After Mary carefully draped the garland, Catherine said to her, "Oh Mary, that looks perfect."
     By the time that they had all finished their perspective decorating assignments, the cabin looked like a winter wonderland! All that remained was the Nativity scene, which Catherine wanted to save for her and Vincent to put up tonight after the bon fire.
      Mary said, "Come on everyone, sandwiches are ready! Come gather around and eat. You all must be very hungry!" They all sat at the table and talked that right after they ate, they must get the Bon fire started. Catherine thought that would be a perfect time to be alone with Vincent. While everyone was outside, she and Vincent could sit about the tree, and exchange their gifts!
      Peter took charge of the operation outside turning the outside speakers so that they could hear the Christmas Carols. Everyone helped get ready for their eagerly awaited skating party. Peter gave snow shovels to Pascal, Mouse, Jamie, Rebecca and Laura, so that they could scrape the ice as they skated! Jacob helped Peter with the bon fire, and even Mary went out to gather twigs for the fire.
     Catherine turned on some Carols inside too and lit some candles on the mantle and by the light of the fire, along with the colorful lighted strings of lights, it was a lovely intimate atmosphere for them to be alone.
     As they settled in around the tree, Catherine handed Vincent her extra gift that she had for him, wanting to save the best for last. Vincent took the gift in his hands, and said, "Catherine, this is to beautifully crafted to open, but I suppose that I must!" As Vincent tried to conceal his excitement, he lifted the box lid to reveal a beautifully knitted velvety deep brown scarf. Vincent brought it up out of the box, and marveled, "Ah Catherine, I have never owned a scarf before. Thank you." Catherine smiled as she said, "You are most welcome Vincent, I thought that the shade of the scarf would look beautiful with the color of your hair."   
       Vincent handed Catherine her gift and said, "Catherine, this is for you. Catherine slowly opened the gift that Vincent had wrapped for her. It was wrapped in a piece of remnant material that Catherine suspected Mary must have supplied for him! "Oh Vincent did you wrap this for me?" Vincent shyly said, "Yes Catherine, it is not nearly as lovely as the gift that you had wrapped for me I am afraid." Catherine took Vincent's hands in hers as she said, "Oh Vincent I love that you took the time to wrap this with your own hands. That is so sweet to me." Vincent softly said, "Please open your gift Catherine." Clearing her throat, Catherine emotionally said, "Yes Vincent, I can't wait." As Catherine tenderly folded the cloth that concealed her gift, she opened the wooden box. Inside was the most beautiful pair of earrings she had ever seen. They were made of crystals that matched the necklace Vincent had previously given her. Catherine expounded, "Oh Vincent I love them! They will match my necklace perfectly!" Vincent nodded as he said, "Yes that is what I planned Catherine. Mouse helped mount them for me. I hope that you like them." Vincent looking down at his beauty asked, "Catherine may I see them on you?" Catherine softly said, "Of course Vincent." Catherine gingerly took them out of the box, and held them up to see how magically they sparkled by the light of the tree. Vincent watched intently as Catherine slipped them on one at a time, and as she sat with them, gleaming and glistening Vincent passionately said, "They look even more beautiful on you then I ever imagined." Catherine returned Vincent's amorous gaze as they found themselves lost for just a moment within their bond. Catherine then said, " I love them Vincent. Thank you so much." Catherine shyly looked downward, hoping that Vincent could not read her mind just now, but knowing that her heart was speaking to his, relaying just how much she wanted him, and loved him.