Chapter 10

A New Year

Catherine hummed quietly as she puttered around the outer chamber of the living space. Candles throughout the room provided a soft glow; spiced cider warming on the brazier filled the air with the delightful fragrance of apple, orange and cinnamon; sprigs of evergreen scattered about completed the holiday bouquet. Confirming that all was in readiness for the New Year's Eve gathering, she lowered herself into the rocking chair and waited for Vincent's return; closing her eyes and reaching through the bond, she could tell that he was near.

Gently rocking, eyes closed, she continued to hum as the memories of the holiday season warmed her. They had moved Below in November, and so the entire period from Thanksgiving until tonight had been spent in the company of her adopted family.

Thanksgiving, though not as lavish as Winterfest, was a homey, congenial time; a time to gather together in thanks with friends and family, without the gluttony, football and capitalism so prevalent Above. Jenny, who had come Below to spend the weekend, remarked that a couple of days Below was more relaxing than a week at a spa, and a heck of a lot cheaper.

Early in the month, she’d made a trip Above for a day of personal errands and shopping. During the sojourn she’d made arrangements with several of the Helpers to provide supplies Below, without acknowledging her participation in the venture. A small smile crossed her face as she realized that all had gone according to plan -- the much-needed resources had been gratefully received, and no one was aware of her involvement.

Christmas had been a joyous celebration. She had ensured that Santa was good to each of the children, and the gifts she had gotten for the adults had been a hit. As a special treat for the entire community, she had ordered boxes of apples, tangerines, oranges, and candy canes, explaining that her father had always put fresh fruit and peppermint in her stocking each year, and she wanted to continue the tradition.

She and Vincent had opened their gifts to each other privately before joining the others in Father's study. The vest that Catherine’d had made from the floral cape looked wonderful on him; the books were admired; the sweater she had purchased fit him perfectly; and the Swiss chocolate, she thought with a giggle, had been the most appreciated gift of the lot. Her big, strong husband was such a kid when it came to chocolate!

His gifts to her had been so beautiful, and so thoughtful. She unconsciously rubbed the silver bracelet on her wrist as she remembered carefully removing the much used wrapping paper to find an exquisite wooden box, hand-buffed to a beautiful shine, with two roses carved on the top. Knowing, instinctively, that Vincent had made the box himself, she was surprised as she raised the lid to find that it was actually a music box, and a tear slowly traced its way along her cheek as she listened to the strains of The Blue Danube carried on the air. Inside, on a bed of red velvet, had been the flat, silver bangle bracelet decorated with an entwined V and C flanked by roses.

His other gift had been a wonderful black wool cape edged in black suede, something she had mentioned wanting several months before. She had felt Vincent's apprehension as she had tried on the wonderful cloak, but the excitement that hit him through the bond had convinced him that she truly loved the gift. She had commented as to how they could now both walk invisibly in the park.

Her smile widened now as she felt him enter the chamber. Opening her eyes she was struck again by his incredible beauty and thanked God for bringing him into her life. As he leaned to kiss her, his hair fell forward, enclosing them in a curtain of fiery gold, shutting out the rest of the world so that there was only the two of them. As she pondered this exclusive world, a twinge reminded her that this private world would be expanding in the next few weeks.

Feeling the pain, Vincent asked if she were all right.

Rubbing her belly, she assured him that it was just Braxton Hicks contractions and that she’d been feeling them all day. He eyed her thoughtfully as she urged him to change for the party. He had been feeling the twinges through the bond and could also tell that her back was bothering her.

Father and Mary arrived just as Vincent finished dressing. Indicating that Catherine was to remain seated, he played host and was handing Mary a cup of cider as Devin returned from escorting Jenny and Peter from Above. Catherine had planned to invite the entire tunnel community to her New Year's Eve celebration, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings by being omitted, but Vincent had convinced her that everyone would understand their limiting the guest list to what was considered their immediate family. Besides, he informed her, their chamber was much too small for the entire community to attend.

While recounting a story of one of Devin and Vincent's early adventures, Father noticed his younger son observing Catherine intently, with a strange look upon his face. When the chance presented itself, he quietly asked Vincent if something were wrong.

Vincent watched Catherine and Jenny walk over to the sideboard and quietly said, "Catherine has been having pains, but she doesn't seem to be concerned. She said that they were Braxton Hicks contractions; but, if I remember correctly the information that I read, those shouldn't last all day. And, they seem to be getting closer together and stronger."

Father's reassurances were interrupted by a loud moan, and Vincent doubling over in pain. Realizing that the sound came from behind him, Father turned to see Jenny and Mary supporting Catherine. As the wave of pain receded, Vincent's vision cleared, and he saw her being helped into the bedchamber.

Father sent Devin to the hospital chamber to get the needed supplies as Peter went to examine Catherine. Father and Jenny tried to distract Vincent, but his attention was focused through the bond on his wife. Devin arrived with the paraphernalia as Peter returned from the bedchamber to report his findings.

"I'm not sure how long she's been having contractions but, folks, this is the real thing. She's already at seven centimeters, so it looks like we're having some babies." Clapping Vincent warmly on the shoulder, he said, "Go on."

Vincent hurried to Catherine as another contraction hit. Remembering to breathe as she had been taught, she felt the pain ebb. At the look on his face, she smiled and squeezed his hand.

"My poor Vincent . . . don't look so worried, it'll be all right. I just wish you could block my pain so you didn't have to go through this too."

He kissed her small hand, tears filling his eyes, and just shook his head.

"Yeah," came Devin's teasing voice from the doorway, "most guys just get the enjoyable part of making a baby, but you, little brother, have to help pay the piper."

Catherine looked at her roguish brother-in-law in amusement. You could always count on Devin to lighten a heavy moment. She tightened her hold on Vincent's hand and began panting as another strong contraction racked her body. Relaxing as the pain receded, she continued as if uninterrupted, "And how many dances have you skipped out of paying for, Devin?"

"Chandler, I'm hurt." Devin's hand went to his chest as if wounded.

Vincent looked at the two of them as if they were insane. He was terrified, and they were sparring as if nothing was happening. Didn't they realize that Catherine was having a baby? As he started to voice that very question, the absurdity of it struck him -- of course they knew she was having a baby, who more than Catherine would realize that? Gazing into her smoky grey eyes he saw the twinkle there, and his anxiety eased.

Father and Peter made Devin leave as they came to check on their patient. Soon the contractions were coming more frequently, and the pain appeared to increase with each one. To Vincent it seemed as if there was no respite. Catherine found it more comfortable to recline instead of laying flat on the bed so Vincent moved behind her to support her against his body. Being cradled in his arms seemed to renew her strength; his body assisting her when Peter finally instructed her to push.

A lusty cry announced the arrival of the first baby, and Peter informed everyone that it was a boy. Mary took the newborn to clean him up while the labor for the second baby continued. Within a few minutes, Peter was once again instructing Cathy to push. The new parents collapsed against the head of the bed as a second cry filled the chamber, and Father informed them that they also had a daughter.

Peter took care of Catherine as Father and Mary finished with the twins, wrapping them in the soft receiving blankets. Vincent moved to sit next to Catherine on the bed. Tears of joy were coursing down Mary and Father's cheeks as they brought the new parents their infants.

"They're beautiful, " Mary commented as she handed Vincent his son. "He has your eyes."

"And perfect," was Father's comment as he handed Catherine her daughter, giving her a knowing look.

Vincent stared with joy into the bright blue eyes of this tiny being. Opening the blanket, he examined the little body with wonder, counting fingers and toes. Other than his eyes, the only resemblance to Vincent was in the high cheekbones evident in the small face.

While Vincent was so engaged, Catherine was also counting fingers and toes. There was no doubt that this precious one was Vincent's child, from her kitten nose and cleft lip to the tiny, still soft claws on her fingers and toes. Her hair was a light blond; and her eyes -- eyes that at only a few minutes old seemed to see into your soul -- were the palest shade of blue-grey that Catherine had ever seen, edged in dark blue.

The spell that held him enthralled with his baby son was broken as a warm wave of rapture and adoration hit Vincent through the bond.

"Father’s right, she is perfect," Catherine whispered.

Looking over at Catherine Vincent saw her nuzzle the tiny baby and then raise her tear-stained face to look at him.

"So is he," Vincent concurred, rewrapping his son in the blanket.

Vincent moved closer to Catherine to show her their son as he bent to look at his daughter. She heard a gasp and felt his tension through the bond as he saw his little girl for the first time. Knowing his fear of producing a child like himself, Catherine projected all the love she could muster.

"Isn't she beautiful, Vincent?" Catherine examined her son and continued, "and so is her brother."

Undoing the front of her gown, she moved the baby in her arms to her breast. As Vincent watched her nurse the infant, any lingering doubts vanished and he admitted to himself, and to Catherine, that the baby was indeed beautiful. After both babies had nursed, Vincent placed them in their cradle.

Knowing that everyone was still waiting in the living chamber, Vincent helped Catherine into a fresh gown and got her re-settled in the bed. Opening the door, he found Devin and Jenny anxiously waiting to enter, followed closely by Mary and Father. Peter had said his congratulations and goodbyes earlier as he had had to leave.

"Well, Chandler, you put on one hell of a New Year's Eve party." Devin kissed her cheek before going to look at his nephew and niece. As he contemplated the two new lives before him, tears welled in his eyes. "They truly are beautiful."

While the others were visiting with Catherine, Vincent moved to stand, unseen, behind Devin and heard him whisper to the little boy, "You take good care of your little sister, you hear? She's going to need your help. I want you to be a better big brother than I was."

Putting his arm around Devin's shoulder, Vincent hugged him before saying, "That's asking an awful lot -- you were the best big brother I could have had."

"Okay everyone," Jenny said from across the room, "I'd like to propose a toast." Passing around cups of cider to everyone, she continued, "To Vincent, Catherine and their two darling children, every happiness in the world. Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year," echoed the others.