| Having It All Chapter 2a
They sat quietly for a moment as Vincent stared into the flames in the fireplace. �Vincent, please tell me what�s got you so upset tonight.� He shook his head and looked down for a moment. �I was just thinking about Father.� Catherine sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. �You and he had another argument?� Vincent put his wine glass down on the coffee table. �Not really I just got the impression tonight that he was trying to keep me from coming to see you.� Catherine lifted her head. �Did he say something?� Vincent sighed and rose. �Not in words.� Catherine could tell by the way he started to pace that he was agitated. �Tell me.� Vincent stopped pacing and turned to look at her again. �It sounds strange for you to use the same words on me that I�ve used on you so many times.� Catherine smiled. �Well, I think that just shows how much alike we truly are.� Vincent moved back to the sofa and sat down again. �When I arrived at my chamber I bathed and changed so that I could come to you.� He began. �As I was putting on my boots Father came to the entrance of my chamber and asked me if I would like to play chess with him before retiring for the evening.� Catherine shrugged her shoulders. �That sounds like him.� Vincent shook his head. �It�s not that question that made me think he was trying to keep me occupied.� Catherine looked at him confused. �What was it?� Vincent turned slightly so that he was facing her more. �When I mentioned that I was on my way here he asked me if I could stay below and not see you tonight.� Catherine looked down a moment. �Maybe you should�ve stayed to make him happy.� Vincent put his hand under her chin lifting her face until their eyes met. �But that wouldn�t have made either of us happy.� Catherine suddenly rose and moved to the fireplace. Vincent watched as she looked into the flames with her back to him. �Why does he think that our love is such a mistake?� Hearing the pain in her voice Vincent rose and moved up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against his chest. �Catherine, our love is not a mistake it makes us happy and most of the people who care for us are also happy that we�ve finally found a way to live our dream.� Catherine turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist. �I just wish Father could see how much you mean to me.� Vincent tightened his arms around her pulling her even closer. �He will in time we just have to live our lives and give him the time he needs.� They stayed that way for a few minutes then Catherine moved back and looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. �I think I�m going to go upstairs and change into something a bit more comfortable.� Vincent chuckled. �Do you need any help?� Catherine caught the devilish gleam in his eyes and tried to wiggle out of his embrace. �No way you aren�t going to distract me we have dinner cooking.� Vincent suddenly swung her up in his arms. �I�m not hungry for food right now.� Catherine squealed. �Vincent, put me down!� He chuckled as he moved to the foyer. �I thought you wanted to go upstairs to change.� Catherine smirked and slapped his chest. �I do but you�re not going up with me to help.� Vincent ignored her protests and started to climb the steps leading to the bedrooms. �I think I�ve overruled your objection counselor.� Catherine sighed dramatically and tightened her arms around his neck. �Oh all right but if our dinner is ruined it�s all your fault.� Vincent kissed her on the forehead. �While you�re changing I�ll come back to the kitchen and put it on warm so that it won�t be ruined.� When they reached the bedroom Vincent carried her inside and put her back on her feet. �Now you go ahead and change while I go back down and see to our food.� Catherine smiled. �Bring our wine up with you.� Vincent dipped his head then turned and closed the door behind him. Once he was gone Catherine ran into the bathroom. Closing the door she leaned against it for a moment. Ever since the night before when they first made love Vincent seemed to come out of the shell that he had been living in over the last 30 years. Her mind wandered back to their conversation about Father. Shaking her head she could not help but think to herself. Sorry Father but Vincent�s with me now and you can�t keep us apart. Coming out of her revelry she looked in linen closet and pulled out the box that she had hidden there. Laying it on the counter top she quickly pulled the lid off. Lying in the tissue paper was the most beautiful burgundy nightgown that she had ever seen. She had purchased it a few weeks before hoping that it would give Vincent the little push that he needed to finally bring them completely together. She was still looking at the gown when she heard the door open in the bedroom and Vincent�s voice. �My love, I�m back.� Laying the gown back in the box she moved to the door. Opening it just a bit she peeked out. �I�ll be right out.� Vincent turned from where he was standing and smiled. �Need any help.� Catherine chuckled. �No, you just wait there I have a special surprise for you.� With that she closed the door before he could respond. Moving back to the counter she took off her dress and quickly pulled the silk gown over her head. Smoothing it down over her body she closed her eyes and imagined that it was Vincent�s hands. Opening her eyes once again she surveyed her image. Pretty good Chandler. Taking the robe out of the box she slipped it on. When she was done she picked up her brush and ran it through her long blond hair. Putting the brush back she smiled at her reflection. Let the fun begin. Then she turned and headed for the door. NEXT |