| Having It All
Chapter 5 Chapter 5- A few weeks later, Catherine was once again taking a day off from work. She was sitting in the library of the brownstone reading. Vincent had gone below to teach one of his classes but he had suddenly been called away on a work detail. He had asked Jamie to come to the house and let Catherine know that they would not return until around dinner. Jamie had taken the opportunity to stay for a much overdue visit. Catherine sighed and shook her head. She could not help but feel a bit guilty for all the discord that was going on in the tunnels. Everyone was unhappy. Some of the older children had informed her that Father was now almost completely in the silence. There were very few tunnel residents who were speaking to him. Shaking her head she sighed. That�s just another reason for him to hate me. Her thoughts were broken when the doorbell rang. Rising from the sofa she walked into the foyer. She smiled brightly when she opened the door and found Peter standing on the other side. �Hey kiddo, I just earlier this morning got home from London and Joe told me that you had bought this place.� Catherine moved aside so that he could enter. �Yes, I bought it almost two and a half months ago.� Peter could hear the sadness in her voice. �Isn�t Vincent happy about it?� Catherine smiled. �Yes, in fact he�s living here with me now.� Peter embraced her. �You and he finally have the life together that you always dreamed of.� Catherine sighed as she moved back. �Yes, we do but Peter I�m afraid that it may have come at a great price to Vincent.� The older man shook his head. �Joe also told me about the problems the two of you are having with Jacob.� Catherine sighed. �I thought by now he would have accepted that we�re together.� Peter pulled her into another fatherly embrace. �He will I�ve known him all these years and he�s always been too stubborn for his own good.� After a moment she moved back from his arms. �I�ll go into the kitchen and get us some tea. There was an emergency in the lower tunnels and Vincent had to go on a work detail so he won�t be home until dinner but you can stay and keep me company.� Peter nodded as he pulled off his coat and hung it up. �You need any help?� Catherine shook her head as she started to move toward the kitchen. �No it�s no problem I�ll be right�� She swayed as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Peter looked up just as she started to fall. He was just able to catch her in his arms before she hit the floor. �Cathy!� Catching her in his arms he gently lowered her to the floor and checked her vital signs. When he was sure that they were fine he lifted her and carried her to the sofa in the library. At that moment, Vincent rushed through the secret entrance. �Catherine!� Peter looked up. �In here.� He ran into the library and found her lying on the sofa still unconscious. Kneeling down beside the sofa he took her hand in his kissing it tenderly. �What happened?� Peter shrugged. �She was just going to the kitchen to get us some tea when she lost consciousness.� He placed his bag on the coffee table and opened it. �It�s a good thing I didn�t take this home before coming over.� Vincent looked up at him. Peter moved over and put his hand on the younger man�s shoulder. �I need to examine her.� Vincent looked down at her again then rose. He watched as Peter knelt down and started his exam. After a few moments she moaned. Vincent moved to the back of the sofa and took her hand again. �Catherine can you hear me?� She opened her eyes and blinked for a few seconds. �Vincent?� He cupped her cheek. �Yes my love, I�m here.� She turned her head and kissed his hand. �I thought you were in the lower tunnels.� He smiled in relief that she remembered where he had been that afternoon. �We got done early and I was on my way home when I felt you lose consciousness through the bond.� Catherine turned her head and looked at Peter. �Why did I pass out?� He finished taking the blood sample then put it in his bag. �I�m not sure I�m going to have this analyzed I�ll know something tonight.� Then he rose. �Vincent, make sure she stays still.� The younger man nodded. �Of course.� Catherine started to sit up. � That�s not necessary because I feel fine now.� Peter put his hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down on the sofa. �Young lady, I�m the doctor and you�re going to stay put for at least thirty minutes.� He turned and picked up his bag. �I�ll be back as soon as I know anything.� Vincent shook his hand. �Thank you, Peter.� NEXT |