| Having It All
Chapter 1- Catherine woke up and looked around the sun filled room a bit disoriented. �Are you all right my love?� Asked a familiar and wonderful voice beside her. She turned over and smiled when she saw Vincent propped up on his hand watching her. �I thought last night was a wonderful dream.� Vincent chuckled then kissed her brow. �If it was a dream then we both had the same dream.� Catherine giggled. She could not believe that she could be this happy. They had met the night before in the tunnels for a concert in their secret music chamber then after the concert was over she had told Vincent that she had a special surprise for him. He reluctantly agreed and followed her to the tunnel entrance of the brownstone. He then watched shocked as she unlocked the secret door and led him inside. When they had reached the foyer Vincent looked around. Catherine could not help but feel happy as she watched the look on his face. Vincent looked at her and asked whose house they were in. She moved toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck and happily told him that it was hers. Vincent had been stunned as he asked her why she had bought it and given up her apartment. His heart had filled with joy when she told him that she bought it so that she could be closer to the man that she loved. Vincent�s eyes filled with happy tears as he finally told Catherine that he loved her. Her happiness was complete when he lowered his he head and kissed for the first time. As they stood there kissing, the passion that they held at bay quickly burned out of control. Without hesitation Vincent swept her up into his arms and carried her up stairs to her bedroom, where they made love for the first time. After a moment Vincent released her and sat up. �I hate to break this happy moment but I really need to return below.� Catherine sat up also. �I know you do.� She threw back the covers got out of bed and walked across the room to get dressed. Vincent leaned back against the headboard as he watched her look through the dresser for some clothes. �You are not making this easy for me.� Catherine heard the teasing tone in his voice and looked at him over her shoulder. �I know.� Vincent chuckled and shook his head. �You are a very wicked woman Catherine Chandler.� With that he rose and started to dress. Once Catherine finished dressing she turned toward him. �That�s not what you were saying last night.� Vincent looked at her again once he had pulled on his tunic. �As I recall neither of us were saying much of anything.� Catherine could not hold back the giggle that rose in her throat. �Touch�.� After Vincent had pulled on his boots he rose from his seat on the bed. �I will come back tonight if I can.� Catherine shook her head. �No way, you are not going to go back to the tunnels and face Father alone.� Vincent�s expression clouded. �Catherine you know as well as I do that he is going to be upset because I was gone all night I don�t want you to see that.� She moved over and put her arms around his waist. �Vincent, after last night there is nothing that we can�t face together.� He put his arms around her and pulled her close. �You are a remarkable woman.� A short time later they were walking arm in arm through the tunnels when they met Jamie. She smiled at them for a moment. �Father has been looking for you since last night.� Vincent sighed. �I know we were just on our way to his chamber.� Jamie shook her head. �It�s not going to be fun he was very upset when he could not find you.� Vincent took Catherine�s hand tightly in his. �I know Jamie, don�t worry we will handle everything.� The younger woman looked at them sympathetically knowing what was coming when Father saw them together. �Well I just got off sentry duty and I am going to my chamber.� As she was about to walk away she turned to Catherine. �Come for a visit before you leave if you can.� Jamie, like most of the tunnel residents had come to care about Catherine a great deal since she had become involved with Vincent. Jamie considered her to be the older sister that she never had. Catherine smiled at the younger woman. �I will.� With that Jamie turned and walked down the left tunnel toward her chamber. Vincent looked at Catherine once Jamie was out of sight. �Maybe you should go to her chamber now and visit while I speak to Father.� Catherine turned to him and shook her head. �Vincent this is just as much my problem as it is yours.� He sighed and pulled her into his arms. �I just don�t want him to take his anger out on you.� Catherine lifted her head from his chest and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. �And as I told you before we left the house we are going to face this together.� Vincent knew that he would not change her mind. �If he gets out of hand I am going to ask you to leave and I don�t want any arguments.� Catherine could hear in his voice that he meant what he was saying. �All right, Vincent if things get out of hand with him I will abide by your wishes and leave.� He tenderly kissed her before releasing her and they started down the tunnel once again. A few minutes later, they arrived at Father�s chamber. The older man was standing at his desk looking through a stack of books. He heard them enter and turned glaring at the two of them. �Well, Vincent it�s about time you graced us with your presence.� Vincent sighed as he and Catherine walked down the steps. �I�m sorry Father.� The tunnel elder hobbled around his desk and sat down. �You�re sorry for worrying me?� Vincent led Catherine to his chair where she sat down. He sat down on the arm of the chair placing his arm around her in a loving embrace. Father noticed his son�s actions and thought to himself that they seemed much closer than the last time he had seen them together. After a moment he looked at Vincent again. �So do I get an explanation of where you were all night?� Vincent looked at Catherine for a moment then looked up at Father again. �I was with Catherine.� Father looked at her sharply. �You were at your apartment?� Catherine shook her head. �No I had something special to show Vincent.� Father looked up at Vincent again. �Where did the two of you go?� Vincent rose from his seat on the arm of the chair. �Catherine has bought a new brownstone with a tunnel entrance and she wanted me to see it.� Father looked at Catherine again. �You are not in your apartment anymore?� Catherine shook her head. �No, I sold it so that I could buy the house.� Vincent noticed the confused look on his parent�s face. �She bought the house so that she and I could be together more often.� Father sighed. �I don�t think that was a wise idea.� Vincent stopped in mid pace and turned toward him again. �Why do you say that?� Father knew that the next part of his argument would upset Vincent but he felt that he had to voice his concerns. �Catherine�s buying this home sends the wrong message to the other tunnel residents.� Catherine turned her head and looked at him again. �What type of message do you think it sends?� NEXT |