Catherine said softly, “Your people are truly remarkable, Vincent. They are certainly more generous, forgiving, and compassionate than the world above has ever learned to be.”
Catherine suddenly noticed her beautifully manicured
and perfectly shaped fingernails. “Whom do I thank for this fine manicure, Vincent? Someone took a lot of time and care working on my nails!”
Vincent chuckled with pleasure that she had noticed. “That would be yours truly, my sweet Catherine.”
Catherine looked at him in amazement and giggled. “Who taught you how to do a professional manicure, Vincent?”
Vincent smiled at her. “Youll have to thank Diana for those lessons. She was very patient with me, and I had a lot of fun learning all about the fine points of feminine grooming. I’m really happy that you are pleased with the results, Catherine.”
Catherine smiled softly at him. “I have been so much trouble while I have been asleep, haven’t I?”
There were pretty wooden chairs by a few of the tables displaying artwork throughout the corridors, and Vincent sat down on the nearest one with Catherine on his lap.
He put an hand under Catherine’s chin and tipped her face up, so he could look deeply into her eyes. He said firmly, “Catherine, you were never any trouble to care for!
It gave me tremendous pleasure to personally handle every aspect of your care! When I thought that I had lost you and would never see you again until I died too, I was in complete despair. I thought the grief would surely crush me. Finding you alive was the happiest day of my life until now! I wouldn’t even let anyone else take care of you after that, and they all wanted to. I just couldn’t help being selfish and wanting to experience the joy of taking care of you myself alone. I had been without you for so long. I love you with all of my heart and with all that I am, Catherine.”
Catherine had happy tears streaming down her cheeks, and Vincent started kissing them away. She put her hands on either side of Vincent’s face and kissed him passionately. Then Catherine snuggled against Vincent’s chest and said softly, “Vincent, I love you so deeply! I have never been happier in my life! This all seems like a dream.”
Vincent chuckled and said, “Catherine, my Love, this is far better than any dream! I just wish that I could take you to some exotic vacation spot in the world above for a real honeymoon after you have recovered.”
Catherine smiled softly at Vincent as she replied. “Vincent, this world that the Tandins have created is far more exotic than any place the world above has to offer. Being with you and our baby together in Tanimus’ and Letha’s beautiful chambers is a far better honeymoon than I could ever have imagined. We are always redefining terms to suit our special relationship, Vincent, and I am blissfully happy.” Vincent smiled and hugged her tightly.
When Vincent and Catherine finally arrived back in their guest chambers, Little Jacob had just fallen asleep in his crib, and Nina was rocking Donner in the rocking chair that had been moved down there too. Catherine’s eyes twinkled at the sight of Donner. She exclaimed, “Oh, Nina, your baby is adorable! I didn’t get a good look at him when you came to the healing chamber. What is his name?”
Nina brought Donner over to her, and Catherine stroked his cheek as he smiled at her. “This is Donner, Catherine.”
Catherine asked, “May I hold him?”
Nina smiled at her, “Of course!”
Vincent carried Catherine over to the big easy chair and carefully set her on it. Then Nina put Donner onto her lap, and she kneeled on the floor beside Catherine to help her hold him. Catherine was fascinated by the blond baby Tandin with his crystal-blue eyes, and he giggled happily at her. Catherine said softly, “He looks just like you, Nina!”
While Catherine and Nina were talking to Donner and to each other, Vincent went into the kitchen to see what was available to feed Catherine. He found the dishes all washed and put away, the refrigerator completely stuffed with food, and the cabinets plentifully stocked. A trip into the bathroom revealed piles of fresh towels and washcloths, and their clothes had all been washed and were folded on the bed for him to put away. There were also fresh new roses in the vase in the bedroom.
Vincent approached the easy chair and spoke to Nina. “Someone has been busy taking care of us!”
Nina giggled at him. “We had more volunteers from the community than we had jobs for them to do! They are all thrilled to see this story have an happy ending. We weren’t sure when you would come up for air, so everyone went a little overboard stocking everything for you. All you need to do is ask if you need for me to come and take Little Jacob for awhile. Oh, and before I forget, Dr.
Bentley wanted me to tell you that the final body scans that she recorded just before you left the healing chamber showed both of you to be in excellent health, except for Catherine’s compromised muscle tone, and that will improve with exercise now that she is awake.”
Vincent smiled with relief. “Please tell her ‘thank you’ for us, Nina.”
Nina got up, and Vincent lifted Donner off Catherine’s lap after she kissed him good-bye. Nina said, “111 tell her, Vincent. Now, I’m going home and leave you two lovebirds alone!”
Vincent and Catherine said “good-bye” to Nina, and Vincent accompanied her out to the elevator and put Donner in her arms. When Nina left, Vincent locked the elevator doors, turned off the overhead light, and then went back into the bedroom. Catherine was no longer on the easy chair, and the bathroom door was shut. He went to it and tapped on it. “Catherine, do you need any help in there?”
Catherine giggled but declined. “No, Vincent, but thank you for asking. I believe it is about time I tried doing a few things on my own, don’t you think?”
Vincent chuckled and replied, “As you wish! Just know that I will come running if you get into trouble in there.”
Catherine laughed at him. “If I fall into the toilet, I promise I won’t flush!”
Vincent laughed too. “What a smart little wife I have!” Then, he went into the kitchen and prepared a meal for them.
While Vincent and Catherine were eating the meal he had prepared in the kitchen, they heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata being piped over the intercom.
Catherine smiled happily. “Oh, Vincent, that sounds heavenly! That must be Rolley and Chrystal playing the beautiful grand piano I saw in Uncle Tanimus’ and Aunt Letha’s living room. The music is spectacular with four hands, isn’t it?”
Vincent nodded and replied. “Yes, it is inspiring. You should have seen how overjoyed Chrystal was when we arrived with Rolley. Uncle Tanimus told us that she had been playing by ear from the time she could pull herself up to the keyboard, and she was reading and playing pieces even their best musicians couldn’t master by the time she was six. When the Tandins told her about Rolley’s gift and that he was coming, she could hardly wait to meet him and have him play duets with her.”
Catherine smiled and said, “Chrystal is such a pretty sweetheart! I’m so happy for both her and Rolley. They were each alone with their gifts before now. I could see that they have really bonded with a very special friendship for one another.”
Vincent nodded and smiled as he took their dishes to the sink, filled the dishwasher, and started it. When he turned back around, Catherine was watching him with an adoring smile. Vincent walked over and kneeled down beside her chair, and she stroked his mane. Vincent asked softly, “What would you like to do now, Catherine?” Catherine’s eyes widened and her breath caught. Vincent felt her intense desire for him, and it nearly overwhelmed him as his own heated desire for her washed over him. He tried to stay calm as she answered his question. “Vincent, all I want is you! I want to make love with you now, please!”
Vincent spoke in a whisper. “Catherine, your body is very fragile right now. It would destroy me if I hurt you!” Catherine could see how concerned Vincent was, but she could also see that he wanted her as desperately as she wanted him, and she was determined to figure out a way to make love that wouldn’t worry him. Then she smiled at him and said, “Vincent, take me to the pool. We can make love in the pool, and I promise it won’t hurt me!” Vincent looked dubious. “Are you sure, Catherine?” Catherine’s voice was full of emotion as she answered. “Oh, I’m very sure, Vincent. I want you, and I need you desperately!”
When Vincent stood up and picked Catherine up, his body was tingling in response to her arousal. It had been warm and thrilling to hold and carry his sleeping Catherine after he found her alive. Now, carrying his fully restored and wide awake Catherine, trembling with desire to make love with him, was wildly exciting. Something between a growl and a purr began rumbling deep in his throat, and Catherine giggled softly with joy that Vincent was equally aroused by her. She began passionately kissing his neck as he carried her to the pool, and when she paused and looked up into his eyes, he bent his head down and captured her lovely lips with a burning kiss that left her completely breathless.
Vincent set Catherine down on the chaise lounge by the pool and quickly stripped his clothes off, enjoying her caressing gaze as she watched him, while she was unbuttoning her nightgown. Then, he kneeled in front of her, removed her crystal necklace and put it on the table, and then lifted her nightgown off over her head. He stood up and picked her up again, and she clung tightly to him as he walked down the stone steps into the pool.
When Catherine felt the warm water swirling over both of them, her look of delight warmed Vincent’s heart. She giggled and said, “Oh, Vincent, this feels so good! The water is the perfect temperature.”
Vincent said softly, “I knew that you would enjoy this. Uncle Tanimus and Aunt Letha were really thoughtful to provide us with these chambers while you heal. This pool should help us to strengthen your muscles.”
Catherine’s small soft hands were all over Vincent’s
body as he gently set her on her feet in the pool. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes as Vincent stood perfectly still and let Catherine stroke him as he caressed her. He bent down, and his mouth covered her pretty lips as he lifted her in his arms, and she wrapped herself around his body. Enveloping Catherine with his supporting arms and caressing hands in blissful union with her, Vincent made a telepathic connection with Catherine while he was kissing her.
Vincent spoke with a loving tone nonverbally to Catherine. “My sweet Catherine, are you sure I’m not hurting you?”
When their lips parted, as they continued to caress one another while making slow tender love, Catherine answered fervently, “Oh, Vincent, my Love, this is pure pleasure! I love you! Your mind is so wonderfully powerful now!”
Vincent responded passionately. “Love for you has made it so, Catherine.”
Catherine spoke with a tone of wonder. “We truly are one with each other, both body and mind! Speak to me that way again, Vincent! I feel like you are part of me when you do.”
As he captured her lips again with another breathtaking kiss, Vincent spoke telepathically to Catherine. “I was not complete until I found you. Thank you for loving me, Catherine, and for giving me such a beautiful son! You are my world, and I love you more than
words alone can express!”
Over the next week, Vincent and Catherine spent a lot of time in the pool in between taking care of their beloved Little Jacob. Once again, their lives became like a joyful dream. With her physical therapy sessions in the pool with Vincent, Catherine’s muscles gradually became stronger. This long-awaited “honeymoon” was more wonderful than either of them had ever imagined would be possible. It made the many months of separation, anguish, violence, and grief slip away until they were all but forgotten.
Meanwhile, the other members of Father’s world were having a marvelous time. Father and Peter were learning new medical procedures in the Tandin hospital. Mary, Susan, and Sarah were helping in the clinic and learning new nursing techniques. Brooke was camped out in the baby nursery of the Tandin hospital, and the nurses there loved her attentive care of the newborns.
Everyone was keeping a discreet eye on Narcissa. The Tandins were aware of Narcissa’s solitary nature, so they didn’t interfere with or pester her as she happily wandered around their world exploring. Elisia was aware of Narcissa’s whereabouts as she kept tabs on her empathically, and she reminded Narcissa that she was available telepathically if she ran into trouble and needed help. Narcissa was accustomed to wandering around strange places alone, and she had an excellent sense of direction, so she always ended up safely back at Tanimus’ and Letha’s home in the evenings without mishap.
Elisia was having a wonderful time with Laura. Since Laura had been deaf all of her life, she thought in sign language and pictures. Laura was a very apt pupil, though, as she began learning to use words in her telepathic communication with Elisia.
The communications engineers in the Tandin world were fascinated by Pascal’s pipe system of communication in Father’s world, so Pascal was joyfully occupied teaching them the code. Tony had suddenly found himself in great demand among both the human and the Tandin youths here. They were all curious about the life of a Gypsy, and they loved the stories he told them about his family and all of the places he had lived. Isaac found himself consulting in a self-defense class for human members of the Tandin community who worked in the world above. Charles was thoroughly enjoying an art class taught by a very tall and pretty Tandin woman who showed an obvious interest in him. Rebecca was learning how to make and use bee’s wax ear candles, which she was told was a painless natural method for removing ear wax. Joe, Diana, Devin, and Jerry were learning how to use the Tandins’ non-lethal ion-tet stunner. Mouse was in his glory wandering around everywhere studying all of the technological wonders of the Tandin world.
Then, there was the sweet romance developing