Chapter 12

Favors

Catherine had just finished feeding the babies when she heard Devin call her name from the passageway. After inviting him in, each held a baby while they settled in to chat; Devin in the rocking chair with Angel, and Catherine reclining on the sofa with Jacob.

The sated babies drifted off to sleep while the two adults quietly visited. As he was commenting on the cold, crisp day up top, Devin suddenly got a strange look on his face and his words tapered off. Catherine studied him as he looked at the infant in amazement, and then she asked softly, "Is she purring?"

"Yes," replied Devin. "Though I don't know why I'm surprised, Vincent used to do it too, especially when he was contented."

"He still does," she laughed.

"I'll bet he does, and I bet he does it a lot," Devin commented impishly. "When he was around seven, it began to bother him -- I guess because it was 'different' and he hated being different."

"It did embarrass him at first, but when he realized how much I loved it, he didn't try to hide it from me. It took him a while to realize that I love him because of his differences, not in spite of them." Catherine nodded toward Jacob. "What's remarkable is that this little one does it too. There's a lot more of Vincent in him than meets the eye."

Putting the sleeping infants in their crib, they went back into the living area to continue their visit.

Catherine looked at Devin intently before saying, "You're ready to leave again, aren't you?"

"No . . . yeah . . . I don't know." Devin rose and began to pace around the room. "I've never felt like this before, and I don't understand it."

"What don't you understand? How are you feeling? I thought that by staying Above at the house you’d be more comfortable."

"I am . . . thanks. Even though I'm back in the family, so to speak, I still prefer to stay Above."

"You're not back in the family, so to speak; you’re back in the family, period. Though you never really were out of the family, except by your absence; the love was always here."

He halted his pacing and looked at her. "Maybe. Anyway, yeah, staying Above has made the visit easier, especially since I've been here for so long. I just feel like it's time to move on . . . to get out of the city."

"That's not unusual for you, Devin. We all expect it, eventually. So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is, I don't know if I really want to move on. I feel this need to be away and yet, I want to be here. I want to get to know my niece and nephew; I enjoy getting to know Vincent, the man; I'm doing better with Father; and . . . " He hesitated, and Catherine wasn't sure if it was to determine what to say, or how to say it. He looked at her sideways as he stopped his pacing and sat in Vincent's large chair.

"And?" she prompted.

"And, I think I'm in love with Jenny!" He almost sighed with relief as he said it, as if vocalizing the thought resolved a dilemma that had been weighing on his mind.

"You think you're in love with Jenny?"

"No, I think I'm in love with Jenny. Chandler, I've been around a long time, and I've known a lot of women, but Jenny . . . Jenny's different. It started out just fun and games, for both of us. Then I discovered what a special lady she is. I know that she wants more -- a lot more -- from a real relationship, and I want to give it to her, but I'm not sure if I can." Devin looked defeated.

Catherine nodded. "She is a special lady -- and my best friend, so I don't want to see her get hurt." Devin's head popped up at that, and he started to protest. "No, Devin, I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt her, and I know that sometimes hurt is unavoidable -- even Vincent and I went through our share of bad times, and we had a bond to help us. Jenny told me once that she wants the kind of relationship that Vincent and I have. All I can tell you is that it took us years to get to where we are, a lot of patience and a lot of work. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

"I think the first thing you have to do is come to terms with yourself. You have to decide if your wandering days are over, and if you're happy with that decision. And most of all, you have to decide what you want to be when you grow up."

Devin looked resigned. "You're right. I guess I need to get to know myself and figure out what I want to do. It's probably going to take some time, and I think I need to be alone to do it."

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know. I'll find someplace in the mountains or something -- somewhere without a lot of people and with plenty of space."

Catherine looked thoughtful for a moment and then her face lit up. "I have an idea that would solve your problem, and one of mine."

At his questioning look, she explained that she had been buying the property around her parents' lake house. She’d managed to obtain the real estate on either side of her land and was about to close on the lots beyond those. She needed someone onsite to keep an eye on things.

One of the neighboring homes was being watched over by John and Sylvia Simmons. They had lived in the tunnels for a while and then had moved Above and become Helpers. Sylvia loved growing things and John had always wanted to paint. They’d both been working two jobs and saving their money to buy a place outside of the city where he could have a small studio and she could grow vegetables and flowers. Then, one night while he was working at the corner store, two teenagers came in to rob the place, and John was shot in the process.

His recovery had taken several months and multiple surgeries. As they had no medical insurance, the hospital costs had depleted their savings. Even after he got out of the hospital, John was not able to work the long hours that he had before. Catherine had approached them with her offer; they could live in the house next to hers in return for keeping it maintained, watching over her property and just being there to ward off any unauthorized use of her land.

Though having them there was a great help, Catherine said that she'd feel more secure if someone was on the other side. Also, people in the surrounding area would be less curious if the property was occupied. The nearest town was five miles away, so Devin could have all of the solitude that he needed, but he was only two hours from the city.

She left him thinking about it while she went to the kitchen to get some tea. By the time she returned with the tea, and a few oatmeal cookies that she’d found in the cookie jar, Devin was looking excited.

"You're going to do it, aren't you?" Catherine asked.

"If you're sure it's ok, yeah I think that would be perfect. I can help you, and get my head together."

Catherine gave him directions and the keys. She also provided him with the Simmons' phone number. Since she was feeling generous, and since she wasn't in immediate need of it, she also agreed to let him borrow her car. Colleen could outfit him with bed linens, towels and kitchen stuff -- Catherine knew that the house was furnished but wasn't sure exactly what was still in it. He could also borrow anything he needed from her house until his could be outfitted.

Vincent, having finished his classes for the day, returned to their chamber just as Devin was getting ready to leave. Devin explained his plans and bid them goodbye, each content in knowing that he would be close by and able to be reached. He then went to tell Father.

"That was a very generous offer, Catherine." Vincent commented as he gave her a hug.

"Not really. Actually it was a very selfish offer." She leaned into his embrace and let his strength surround her. "I really did need someone that I could trust to help keep an eye on things. Even though he tests my patience sometimes, I do enjoy having him around -- and I know what he means to you and Father. Plus, one of the issues he wants to work out is whether or not he's in love with Jenny. This way he can have the time he needs, but be close enough to see her occasionally . . . and us too."

They went to sit on the sofa, and Catherine poured him a cup of tea. She felt the warmth of his love surround her and looked up to see a look of gratitude upon his face.

"What?" she asked.

"I have often marveled at your love for me . . . and those of us here Below. Sometimes, the extent of your caring amazes me. You do so much for all of us."

"You're my family, and family helps one another. I'm glad I'm able to do it. Besides, it's no more than you all do for me, especially you." Her smile glowed. "I love being a part of a large family -- it's something I always missed growing up. I'm happy that Angel and Jacob will have each other -- it's lonely being an only child."

Vincent's eyes misted. "I know," he quietly replied.

Catherine's heart wrenched at his sadness. She laid the furry softness of his hand against her cheek. "But now that we've found each other, we'll never be alone again."

He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "Never."