| Having It All
Chapter 2 Chapter 2- Later that afternoon Vincent and the other men returned. Father heard the message on the pipes and decided to go to his chamber. Vincent was just finishing getting dressed when Father entered. �May I come in?� Vincent looked up from his seat on the bed. �Of course Father, was there something you needed?� The tunnel patriarch shook his head. �No, I just heard you had returned and I thought I would come see if you wanted to play a game of chess before retiring for the night.� Vincent stood and retrieved his cloak from the back of his chair. �I�m sorry Father but I was just about to leave.� The smile faded from the older man�s face. �You�re going to see Catherine Chandler?� Vincent sighed and looked at his parent once again. �Yes, I told her I would come after we returned.� Father shook his head and sat down in the other chair close to the desk. �Vincent, please can�t you stay below tonight surely you can see her some other time.� Vincent turned and looked at him again. �Father, I would have been with her most of the day and tonight if we hadn�t been called away.� Father looked down a moment. �You�re heading for a lot of pain.� Vincent put on his cloak. �Father, I don�t wish to discuss this any further I�ll see you tomorrow.� With that he ran out of the chamber before the older man could respond. Father sighed sadly and rose from the chair. Taking one last look at the chamber he turned and walked out of the entrance back toward his own chamber. When Vincent arrived at the tunnel entrance to the brownstone he looked up at the lightbulb by the door. Catherine had told him that if the light was on that he could not come in because someone was there that he didn�t know. His heart leapt in his chest when he saw that the light was off. Racing up the steps he opened the secret door and entered the basement of the brownstone. Once he closed the door again he walked to the basement door that led into the foyer. Opening the door he stepped into the warm hallway. His nose immediately caught the aroma of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen. He turned his head and looked into the library where he saw a roaring fire and heard the beautiful sounds of his favorite classical music playing. Removing his cloak put it over the back of the bench beside the door. �Catherine?� As soon as her name left his lips she appeared around the corner coming from the kitchen. �I was waiting for you.� Vincent opened his arms. �We just arrived a while ago.� Catherine could not take it any longer she ran the short distance until she was in his arms. �I�ve missed you so much today.� Vincent tightened his arms around her. �Not as much I�ve missed you.� Catherine lifted her head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. �Do I get a hello kiss?� Vincent tightened his arms around her and pulled her as close as he could. �I thought you�d never ask.� With that statement he covered her lips with his. A few minutes later they broke the kiss. Catherine sighed and snuggled against his chest. �Now that�s a welcome home.� Vincent chuckled. �Maybe I should go away more often if you greet me like that when I return.� Catherine lifted her head ready to protest but saw the mischief in his eyes. �Don�t even think about that.� After a moment she turned. �How about some wine in the library before we eat?� Vincent pulled her to his side again protectively this was not lost on Catherine. �Is there something wrong, Love?� He shook his head. �Nothing you should worry about.� Catherine turned once again to face him. �Vincent, you and I know more about each other than anyone else in the world.� He sighed and turned toward the library. �Why don�t we sit for a while?� They walked into the library and Vincent took a seat on the sofa. Catherine moved to the ice bucket a few inches away. �How about some wine?� Vincent acquiesced and Catherine poured them both a glass. Putting the wine bottle back in the ice she moved to the sofa. �Here you are.� Vincent took the glass as Catherine sat down and snuggled up next to him. NEXT |