"How are you getting along, Scarlett?" Catherine put her arm around the younger woman as they walked.

Scarlett shook her head. "Catherine, I am really struggling."

Catherine stopped and turned to face Scarlett. "Why, what's wrong?"

Scarlett shook her head again. "It has nothing to do with Mouse. He is so understanding, and gentle. Its just sometimes I have flashbacks and it just incapacitates me."

Catherine sighed in understanding. "Have you told him everything that happened while you were in captivity?"

Scarlett nodded. "He became so angry about Paracelsus that it scared me."

Catherine smiled as she remembered some of Vincent's righteous indignation at those that harmed her. "Let him protect you, Scarlett, always just trust him. Time will heal everything."

Scarlett brushed a few quick tears away. "Promise?"

Catherine smiled and nodded. "Promise."

·●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●·

It was nearing Christmas. Voices could be heard along the halls and the sound of tinkling bells mixed with the chimes of Christmas music that rang on the pipes. The holidays were in full swing Below.

"Mouse! I need your help!" Perched atop a rickety stepladder, Jaime looked like a human octopus. She stood on one foot, the other stretched out before her holding a coil of lights. One hand was reaching high above her trying to connect the lights with the power socket Pascal had put in place, and the other held a coil of garland. Mouse dropped his armload of candles and ran to her aid. In the background, Mary was icing cookies at one of the long tables and humming a Christmas tune, which was being tapped across the pipes by Pascal. A sort of pipe organ.

The children of the tunnels hurried here and there, laughing and chattering with glee. On the stone balcony at the top of the cathedral room, Father stood with his arms crossed, watching the festivities. His face was pensive, and a joyful sparkle was in his eyes. He loved his little community. They were all his family and he enjoyed seeing them so happy.

"I don't know why I can't help them." Scarlett spoke mournfully. "Christmas is my favorite time of year!"

Father turned to where the young girl sat at a long table, stringing popcorn, her young face petulant.

Father chuckled and walked over to where she sat, a blanket draped across her shoulders. "Because, we don't want you to get sick do we?" He asked, leaning onto the table, eyebrows raised in question. His kind eyes laughed at the grimace on her face as she replied, "No, Father, I suppose not."

He patted the top of her head. "There, there, my dear. Trust me, you are not missing much. They are quite chaotic down there. I do wish Vincent was here. He could definitely help. I am afraid someone will get hurt. Your flu isn't quite gone yet and we don't want you having a relapse."

Scarlett laughed and shook her head. "I will keep resting, Father, do not worry. Where is Vincent?"

Father smiled. "Vincent is gone to get Dr. Peter and Catherine. They have both been gathering additional supplies. Mouse wanted to go above to get Christmas lights, but Catherine thought some real ones might be beneficial. Dr. Peter is bringing something for your cough as well as gifts for the children. I really do hope we have a calm, quiet Christmas. It has been rather hectic lately." Father added the last part quietly, as he leaned his elbows on the railing. It had been rather crazy lately.

"I am sorry, Father." Scarlett spoke quietly, her head lowered, so that her hair covered her face and he could not see her eyes.

Father whirled to face her. "Dear child! I was not referring to you!" He quickly strode over to her and sat down beside her. "Hey." He tilted her chin to face him. "Hey. Please do not blame yourself. It has been wonderful having you here. Its just hard for an old fellow like me to keep up with all the new developments." His eyes crinkled for a moment in merriment. Then he took her hand in both of his. "Does that make sense, child?"

Scarlett nodded, a bashful smile crossing her face. "Yes, Father. I understand."

Father nodded. "Good. Now I must see to the decorations over there before Jamie falls off of that ladder and breaks her arm or worse. Please stay right here and rest. I shall send Mary up for the popcorn garland shortly."

Scarlett nodded again as he patted her knee. She watched as he slowly descended the stone stairs to where the chaos reigned. Kipper was running thither and yon with various ornaments and Mouse was trying to reach the garland that Jamie was hanging on the wall.

Tiredly, Scarlett sighed and shook her head. It had been such a long journey to get to this point. Her marriage to Mouse had not been quite as smooth in the beginning as she had hoped, but they had sorted things out as best as they could. They loved each other dearly. But shadows of the past had haunted both of them and it had taken a lot of concern and care of the whole community to get them past it. Scarlett smiled as she listened to Mouse and Father discussing the garland. Jaime seemed miffed at their obvious lack of faith in her garland-hanging abilities.

"Mouse try - get garland to - stay." Mouse offered.

Father chuckled. "Mouse, there is no way I want either of you to try. Someone is going to get hurt balancing on that ladder in such a crazy fashion. Lets wait until Vincent arrives then we will get it finished. Jaime, why don't you arrange the candles. We won't light them until the night of the dinner."

Jaime sighed. "Yes, Father. We already counted them and Mary thinks there should be enough. I will place them in their designated locations. Shall I arrange the colored ones anywhere specific?"

Father thought for a moment. "Perhaps, just mix them up. Make it festive. I have faith in you, girl. Just do as you wish."

Jaime smiled. "Thank you, Father. Right on it."
She hurried away, and began arranging candles. Father turned to Mouse and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You, my boy, had better tend to your bride. I am sure she is a bit lonely up there stringing popcorn by herself."

Mouse's face lit up and he nodded. "Yes, Father."

Father smiled and watched Mouse bound up the stairs, and then pull himself together enough to walk up the last few steps like a normal man.

Father gazed around him at the warm glow of the room, the happy singing faces. And in his heart, there was such intense pride for his little family. It was going to be a great Christmas.

·●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●·

If only everyone that lived in the tunnels at that moment agreed with him.