Catherine and Vincent’s Christmas in Connecticut!
Part Five

       Slowly, Catherine reached under the tree for Vincent's last gift, and said, "Vincent this gift...I very much want to give you. I hope that you will like it." Vincent lifted the gift from Catherine's hands, and could feel it's weighty contents within. Vincent shook it a bit and said, "Catherine, I cannot imagine what this could be. May I?" Catherine whispered, "Yes Vincent please." Vincent opened this gift with the same care that he had opened the scarf. As he lifted the lid, Catherine watched his face. As if in a state of disbelief, he lifted the pair of specially sized skates from their box. As he inspected them, he slipped his boots off, and without looking at Catherine, he slid his feet in side. Slowly he looked at Catherine and with a look of astonishment he said, "They fit!"
      Catherine beamed and with tears brimming over her lashes she said, "I am so glad Vincent! What do you say we go skating." Vincent tearfully said, "Catherine, how...when did you get my size?" Catherine teasingly said, "It took a little sleuthing, but once I managed to trace one of your boots, and sent that on to a specialty shoe manufacturer, they assured me that they could make them for you. Vincent are you sure they are comfortable?" Vincent stood up after lacing them, and declared, "Yes Catherine, very comfortable. How can I thank you for such a gift?" Catherine said, "By holding me up once we are out there on the ice. It has been years since I have skated!" Vincent said, "Catherine, you have much confidence in a man who has never skated before." Catherine flirted at bit as she slipped his scarf around his neck and said, "Oh Vincent, you have such style and grace, you do everything so well. I know you will catch on to this in no time at all. Well shall we join the others and see?" Vincent pulled Catherine to him as he said, "Not yet Catherine, I am finding it hard to resist you a moment longer, you are so beautiful. I want to kiss you Catherine, may I?" Catherine closed her eyes and without a word, her answer was loud and clear as she lifted her face awaiting Vincent's kiss.
      As the two approached the lake where everyone was already skating or stoking the fire, one by one they looked their way! Pascal in particular was aghast as he saw Vincent wearing a pair of skates! For it was he better than anyone else who knew the pain of Vincent's childhood. Pascal remembered how year after year, Vincent had to stay behind, unable to join them skating.
      It was Pascal, who had approached Vincent, and with a brotherly hug Pascal said, "Vincent it looks as if you can finally join us skating as you always wished that you could do!" Vincent looked at Catherine and said, "Thanks to Catherine Pascal, many of my life long wishes are coming true." Just then, Jamie pelted Vincent with a snowball, and it was not long until everyone was skating around in an all out snowball fight! Of course, Jacob and Mary could be heard from the glow of the bon fire, shouting words of caution to be careful!
       As the Christmas Carol "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" sounded from the speakers, Vincent broke away from the snowball fight, and took Catherine's hand in his. Gallantly he asked, "Catherine will you join me? Will you be my skating partner?" Catherine blushed as she looked upward and lovingly said, "Oh yes Vincent, there is nothing that would please me more!" Together they skated with arms intertwined and just as Catherine suspected Vincent was a marvelous skater. It was as if He had been skating for all of his life. They made a beautiful striking couple out on the ice this night. Vincent so powerful and sure, and Catherine beautiful and happy. They touched everyone's heart as they all one by one stopped in their tracks and watched them.
     As Mary looked over at Jacob, she spotted a tear streaming down his cheek as he watched his beautiful son. Sweetly she took her hanky, and without a word, she discreetly wiped it away. Jacob looked back at her, bestowing upon her, a shaky smile of thanks.
       As the moon illuminated the sky, they sat around the fire, and dug into the chili that Mary and Jacob had made together. Everyone marveled how delicious it was, and how it really managed to warm them up. Excitedly they made plans for the rest of the time that they had. Tomorrow they wished to go sledding down the big hill that Laura, Jamie, and Mouse spotted hiking that morning before breakfast on the other side of the meadow. Catherine teasingly reminded Vincent about his promise of making a snowman with her! He assured her softly, "Tomorrow Catherine...we shall build a spectacular snowman, I promise!" Peter passed around the "Ol' Grandad", and Catherine poured steaming Hot Cocoa from a thermos, as they roasted the coconut coated marshmallows!
      Vincent without a word rose and took to the vacant ice and skated with the style and ease of a professional. As Catherine watched she stepped to the shore, and stooped down to sit on a little log that was there so that she could better watch him. As Vincent skated, he looked so powerfully graceful and carefree with his scarf mixing with his long tangled tresses waving in the wind. Discreetly he looked at his Catherine, wanting to make sure that he had the audience that he hoped that he had. Once he was sure that he did, he tried a few fancy moves, and even skated backwards! With stars in her eyes, Catherine was so full of love and admiration for Vincent as she looked on watching him, not wanting to miss a thing that he did!
      Catherine never saw Vincent so lighthearted and confident as he was here at the cabin. A place, where he had no fears of being detected. He seemed to be as happy as she had ever seen him. And she was so happy that she was the one that helped make this come to pass for him.
     Silently through their bond, she wished her Vincent...her one true love, a wish of hope, love and renewed faith during this Blessed Holiday Season. The season of Christ's birth. As Vincent came to a stop before her, he held out his hands for her to join him. Catherine stood, and as she reached for his hands in kind, she whispered softly, "Merry Christmas to you my sweet Vincent, Merry Christmas!"

The End