A Mosaic Story - Classic

All the way down in the elevator her heart sang with joy and excitement. Maybe this Winterfest, she thought. Maybe. Catherine caught her breath with pleasure at the sight of Vincent, dressed exquisitely, waiting for her in the tunnel. The warmth of his hug - held just a little longer than usual - caused her heart to race a bit. Did he feel the same? As he pulled back slowly, she gazed into his bright blue eyes for any sign of his feelings. It was at times like these that she cursed the ineffectiveness of her side of the Bond. A gentle smile played around the corners of his mouth. "Catherine." "Yes, Vincent.." as if waiting for an answer to a guestion she had asked herself in a thousand deams." He looked at her as if it were the first time. How lovely she looked. How vulnerable he felt. "We must hurry or we will be late" he said, shifting his t ender embrace to hold her hand gently in his. Catherine took a moment to marvel at how perfectly her small hand fit inside Vincent's. She matched her stride to his as he lead the way down the tunnel. "Vincent", she said, "tonight is a special night and I'd like to give you something special." He made a sideways glance in her direction and said, "Catherine, each time I am with you is special." "I know", she said, as she drew a small package from her evening bag. She passed it to Vincent who took it gently in his free hand. He carefully opened the small parcel,and then gasped when he viewed the gift. "Catherine, I am speechless. I don't deserve this." Catherine said, "Of course you do." "But a diamond ring? What can I say?" "How about thanks," she suggested,smiling. ********** "Of course! Thank you!" Vincent dropped the ring into his hand. He held it up and gazed at it as it glimmered in the light from the torches on the walls. "Um...Catherine...Am I mistaken or is this a woman's ring?" Catherine smiled up at him She wondered if he knew what she was thinking. Lately, he had been able to pick up on her thoughts more clearly. The Bond was getting stronger with each passing day. Catherine said, "I'll tell you later. Shouldn't we be going?" Vincent tilted his head to one side and stared deeply into Catherine's eyes. There was something there...something he couldn't quite understand.
Vincent, Winterfest is waiting," she said with a smile. Vincent smiled sheepishly and took Catherine's arm again and headed down to the great hall.

Once they reached the hall Vincent led her in. they walked over to the table and sat next to Mouse and Jamie. Vincent ever the gentleman held out the chair for Catherine. They spoke with the younger couple for a few minutes when the music began to play. "May i have this dance Catherine," Vincent asked. She nodded and placed her hand in his. As Catherine and Vincent began to dance the others stepped back and watched these two wonderful people.

He held her with a delicate passion, closely, gently. She moved her palm slowly across his shoulder to just barely touch the warm skin of his neck with her fingertip. His hand on her back urged her more fully into this public embrace. Catherine gently placed her head on Vincent's chest letting the warmth of his body seep into the her skin. In those armes she felt safe, warm, Loved. She could not remember a time in her life that she ever felt this content. This man was the one she had always dreamed of; or rather, now that she thought about it, she realised she had never had this dream, because she had never imagined someone like her Vincent could exist.
Vincent stopped, all of a sudden, one hand still warming Catherine's back, He looked down at her and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. Catherine lifted her head and their eyes met. they stood there stareing at one another. They moved closer and Vincent brought his lips to Catherine's for another passionate kiss. when the lights came back up she realized what was about to happen, and she allowed herself to reminisce in the reality? or was it fantasy, that she and her beloved Vincent could finally share within their precious but sacred Winterfest. She allowed herself time to compose herself and then said in a voice just above speaking range, "Vincent, I love you." Of course several people couldn't help overhearing this overdue public declaration and immediatley cheers of jubilation filled the room. Vincent, feeling a bit embarrassed to be nearly "caught in the act," quickly led Catherine to the side of the Hall, where scrumptious slices of William's famous NY cream cheese cake awaited them. "Yum," thought Catherine wryly, "but not EXACTLY the treat I was longing for!" She picked up the plate with the treat and took a fork full and ate it, it was heavenly. As Catherine was eating she looked over at Vincent to see him wiht his own cake. Their eyes met for a moment then Vincent looked down in embarrassment. Vincent did indeed sense those green eyes piersing into his very soul. "What could I do", he thought, "to get a little closer to her tonight?"
Smiling to herself thinking about some comments she had overheard from some of the tunnel women, she thought "Does he want our dream as much as i want our dream. She felt giddy just thanking about that idea of getting to know him better and loveing him for the rest of their lives. Right now however that was not possable becasue Vincent needed to make the frist move. Still, she didn't want him to feel pressured in any way. "Would he believe, just because I want to reasure him and dispel his fears, that all I want now is to get him into bed? That is not so! My love for him is..."
Just then, he removed her plate from her hands and thek them in his. He brought them up to his chest and kissed them each in turn. Catherine was shocked. Such displays from him were nonexistant when others were around. They had only been allowed in private. His lips were so soft they made Her spine tingle with pleasure. she felt a faint blush creep up on her cheeks but pushed it a way for she was going to enjoy the pleasure.

When Vincent pulled her hand away from his lips their eyes met again for what felt like the 50th time that day.

Then Mouse burst in on the moment with his usual yet charming lack of finesse. "Vincent!"

Startled but finding his voice quicker than Catherine who was still trying to catch her breath, Vincent very quietly and with great effort responded to Mouse. "what can i do for you?" Vincent asked in a chiped tone. Mouse looked a little stunned he had never heard Vincent talk to him like that. Then he responded, "Mouse just wanted to give gift to Vincint now if not busy." Vincint smiled kindly as Mouse held up a small package wrapped in brown paper and string. "Do you want me to open it now, Mouse", he asked. "No later, alone," Mouse said and then turned to Catherine, "one for you too." "Thank you Mouse." Mouse turned with a smile and left the two staring

they stood stareing for a long time. Vincent and Catherine then looked at one anoter to try and recapture what was lost when Mouse interuped them. yet they could not so insted Vincint opted to take her hand and lead Catherine back to the table so she might have a chance to rest before dancing again. He wanted her in his arms for the whole evening but he knew others would want to dance or talk with her as well. Inside he swelled with pride that this woman he loved should be so loved by his family too.