Chapter 7

Vee Horning

"Catherine? Beloved? It’s time to wake up."

"What time is it? Is Jacob awake?"

"It must be nearly 6am. I’ve already taken him to the nursery, and I’ve brought hot coffee for you."

Catherine rolled over and pulled the soft cotton sheet higher under her chin. "Another hour."

Vincent chuckled as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Beloved, Winterfest begins tomorrow. There is still much work to be done."

"Half an hour," Catherine groaned, tugging his pillow over her head.

Knowing his hands would feel chilly on her skin after a night wrapped snugly under the covers, Vincent reached under the edge of the quilt to lay a hand on the back of her neck and got the reaction he intended. Catherine squealed and flipped over to glare up at him through angry, sleepy emerald eyes.

"I’m sorry, beloved, but your presence is requested." Vincent leaned lower to place a soft kiss on her lips. "Laura came home late last night. She’s already in the nursery with Olivia and Lena. She is eager to see you before the day becomes too hectic. Several helpers are expected to arrive for breakfast and you did promise Sara you would help prepare the guest chambers, didn’t you?"

"Not at six o’clock in the morning!"

"Catherine."

Vincent’s playfully stern tone left her no other option. She sat up, stretched and rubbed her eyes. "Okay, okay. I’m up. Satisfied, now?"

He kissed her again then reached for her coffee mug on the bedside table. "Always. Now, drink your coffee and get up."

***

Winterfest. The only time of the year when the entire community, Above and Below, gathered together in love, fellowship. A celebration when every individual thankfully acknowledges all they have received and, more importantly, everything they were able to give to each other during the preceding year. It is a time to reflect upon and reaffirm the connected nature of their existence, each person knowing they survive only with the help and support of all those around them.

New York City had just begun to recover from the frenzied holiday season and the New Years celebrations which had ended almost two weeks before. Below, on the day before the opening of Winterfest ceremonies, the very walls of the tunnels seemed to vibrate with bustling and hurried activities that rivaled those celebrations of the great city above them.

There were countless chores and projects to complete as well as old friends to welcome. Teenagers escorted Helpers who arrived early for the festivities. Younger pre-teens joyously scurried through the tunnels, delivering gift wrapped packages to the Great Hall, covered dishes to the kitchen and running endless errands for those less energetic than themselves.

Rebecca and Jamie were in charge of a squadron of twenty-something’s who worked feverishly at the final decorative touches to the Great Hall. Vincent and Cullen supervised Mouse and his construction crew making last second repairs and final placement of tables and chairs throughout the Hall.

In the kitchen, Catherine was one of the four novice chefs who either volunteered or were drafted into service. William stood master over his staff, organized the baking of cakes, pies and all manner of delicacies. Roasts, hams, two turkeys and three chickens were, once again, provided by the generosity of Helpers who supplied all the culinary necessities for a no-holds-barred full out feast.

In the center of it all, Father held court in his library with Mary at his side, as usual. Jacob, Katy, Luke and half a dozen other toddlers played gleefully at his feet. Since just after breakfast, several Helpers gathered there to keep the infants out of harms way, and to share tea and coffee, old stories and new news.

No one was surprised by Mary’s doting attention to the babies and to Father. In fact, many older friends exchanged knowing winks and half-hidden smiles to see Father answering her girlish glances with a new attentiveness of his own. As is normal in such a close-knit community, whispered rumors flew around them, finally reaching Vincent, in the Great Hall and Catherine, covered in flour and elbow-deep in biscuit dough in the kitchen.

***

Late in the afternoon, Devin arrived to find Vincent and Catherine sharing the first quiet moment together in their chamber. Striding straight past them, Devin peeked into the small anteroom recently cut at the far end of the chamber.

"So, where’s my nephew? I thought he’d be asleep, by now."

Catherine smiled and continued to massage her swollen ankles. "He’s napping with Luke in Olivia’s chamber. Father and Mary kept him awake most of the day showing him off to everyone. Did you bring it?"

Devin answered Catherine with a wink and a pat on a curious bulge in his jacket pocket. Devin pulled out a chair and sat down across the table from Vincent. "Did you guys get everything ready in the Great Hall?"

Vincent stretched his long legs out in front of him as he sat in his large throne-like chair. "Of course, Devin. You know Father insists on a personal inspection the night before Winterfest. You’ve timed your arrival perfectly."

"Hey, Vinnie, you’ve got me all wrong. I just couldn’t get away from the diner any earlier than this. I swear."

"Yes, Devin. If you say so."

Catherine couldn’t contain herself one moment longer. "Vincent, stop picking on him. He’s here now, and I’m too happy and too tired to listen to you two bickering. Devin, isn’t there something you wanted to tell your brother?"

"Yeah, you heard the lady. Stop picking on me." Devin’s childish grin faded as he fumbled with something in his pocket. "Listen, Vincent, I am planning something really important for tomorrow and I do want to talk to you about it. But before I get to that, you won’t believe what I just heard on my way down, about the old man and Mary."

Vincent and Catherine exchanged a knowing look and answered in unison. "Oh, yes we would."

~