| Having It All Chapter 5A
The older doctor patted his shoulder. �No problem, I�ll see myself out.� With that he left. The rest of the afternoon was very tense for both Vincent and Catherine. They were truly frightened but neither would admit it. Catherine was lying on the sofa again when Peter came to the door. Vincent looked out the window then turned. �It�s Peter.� She rose and moved toward the library door. �We�ll be right back.� Vincent reached out and pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment. �I love you, Catherine, no matter what he tells us.� She looked up at him and smiled. �I love you too.� After a moment, she moved out of his arms and walked into the foyer. Vincent turned toward the door when she reentered the library with Peter. He noticed that the older man had a strange smile on his face. �You have the results?� Peter put down his briefcase and opened it. �I think you both need to sit down this is going to be a great shock.� Vincent looked at Catherine then they sat down on the sofa together. Peter pulled out a folder and handed it to Catherine. She took it, looked at Vincent, then opened it and started to read. Vincent nervously watched as tears came from her eyes. Closing the folder again she looked at Peter. �Are you sure?� He nodded. �I ran the test myself three times.� Vincent tightened his hand around hers. �What�s wrong?� Catherine turned slightly and pulled her hand from his. She put her hands on either side of his face and looked deeply into his eyes. �Nothing�s wrong love, in fact everything is very right.� Vincent continued to stare at her. �What do you mean?� She released him then picked up the folder and handed it to him. �Look for yourself.� Vincent opened the flap and started to read. When he was done he let the folder fall to the floor. Catherine looked at Peter concerned. �Are you all right, Vincent?� He turned his head and looked at her and she saw the tears on his face. Catherine moved closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. �Love, aren�t you happy?� With those words Vincent�s arms came around Catherine pulling her as close as he could. �Oh Catherine, how could I not be happy?� They held one another as they cried tears of joy. After a few minutes Catherine moved back in his arms and smiled radiantly. �We�re having a baby.� Vincent chuckled at the simpleness of the remark. �Yes my love we are.� Tenderly cupping her cheek with his large hand he brought his head down and kissed her. Peter watched the celebration with tears in his eyes. �Congratulations to you both.� Catherine moved back from the kiss and looked at the man she had known all her life. �Thank you very much Grandpa Peter.� With that she rose and embraced him. �You have made us both so happy.� Peter shook his head as they parted. �Honey, you and Vincent deserve this happiness.� Vincent stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind. �Yes we do.� Peter stayed for a while longer as the three of them discussed the issues of the pregnancy. �You know that the baby will have to be born in the tunnels.� Catherine looked at Vincent worriedly. He squeezed her hand then looked at Peter. �Could we have the baby here at the house?� Peter thought a moment. �Yes I think that would work.� Catherine let out the breath she had been holding. Peter noticed and put his hand on her shoulder. �Honey, you have to stay away from any confrontations with Father during the pregnancy because neither you or the baby can take that type of stress.� Vincent tightened his arm around Catherine protectively and pulled her close. �Don�t worry, I�ll make sure that nothing upsets her.� Peter looked at his watch then rose from the sofa. �Well before it gets any later I should go below and see everyone.� Catherine and Vincent also rose. She turned and pointed toward the foyer. �You can use our tunnel entrance.� Peter kissed her cheek. �I�ll be checking on you in a few days.� He then shook Vincent�s hand. �I�m very happy for both of you.� With that he picked up his bag and moved to the foyer where he retrieved his coat. As he approached the secret entrance to the tunnels he heard a quiet giggle come from the library. Looking inside again a warm feeling came over him. Vincent and Catherine were standing in front of the fireplace with their arms wrapped tightly around one another. Peter sighed sadly and shook his head. Jacob, you are an old fool for pushing them away. After a moment he opened the door to the basement and entered the tunnels. He arrived a few minutes later at Father�s chamber and found him having a cup of tea with Mary. They both noticed the movement in the tunnel entrance and looked up. Father put down his cup and rose on his cane. �Well, Peter it�s good too see that you have returned.� Peter moved down the steps into the chamber. �It feels good to be home, London was great but I missed New York.� Father chuckled as they both sat down. Mary reached over for the tea setting on the tray next to her. �Would you like a nice cup of tea?� Peter put his hand up and shook his head. �No thank you Mary, I had enough while I was in England.� Father chuckled again. �Did you have a good time?� Peter smiled at his friend. This was the Jacob Wells that he knew and respected. �Yes I did.� After a moment of silence Peter spoke again. �I thought I should come tell you that something has happened with Vincent and Catherine.� NEXT |