Chapter 7

Everyone fell silent looking at the tiny figure in tunnel garb. They were certainly more used to seeing her in Above clothing, but now that she was marrying Vincent maybe that would change too.

As Catherine placed one hand on Vincent's shoulder; it might have appeared to everyone else that it was to keep herself steady, but now that the Bond was restored Vincent knew it was to give herself courage. He was startled to sense that this wasn't about what the community would think of her having a child with someone not quite completely human, but that her concern was how this highly moral group would view her. She was worried they would think less of her for being pregnant before she and Vincent were married.

With reassurance radiating to her through the Bond, Vincent put his arm around her waist and silently urged her on.

Giving him a megawatt smile for his understanding, she turned back to the community and boldly told them, "Vincent and I are also expecting a child about the middle of June."

Needless to say, this once again caused a near riot in the room. Even though people had jobs to do, everything seemed to be put on hold that day. Lunch lasted over three hours and still Vincent and Catherine were able to eat very little because everyone wanted to talk to them. It wasn't until during a short lull in the visitors to their table that Vincent felt how tired Catherine was through the Bond. Calling himself all kinds of a fool for not noticing earlier, he got to his feet and simply announced, "Catherine needs to rest."

Helping his unresisting fiancée to her feet and guiding her from the room, they were followed out by many indulgent smiles. Vincent was caring for the woman he loved, and everyone was happy that it was once again possible. Talk about the wedding plans and about the baby went on long after Vincent and Catherine had left the room so William just kept the tea coming as he was busy getting dinner ready.

"Thank you for finding a graceful way out of there, Vincent. I could have stayed, but there are a lot of things that need to be dealt with regarding my kidnapping."

They were almost to his chamber by this time and Vincent couldn't help but protest, "Catherine, the reason I got us out of there was because I sensed how tired you were! You should rest."

She watched as he lowered the tapestry over the doorway as if he'd been doing it for years instead of just the second time in all the while she'd known him. "Maybe I am a little tired, but there is so much to be done. I have to let people know I am safe and alive. Peter, Jenny, and Joe for starters. But we will have to be careful, so knowing about me doesn't put them in danger. I mean I can't just go to my apartment to call them."

"We could have a message delivered to them through one of our Helpers, like the way I would send notes to you at work," Vincent suggested.

"That would be perfect for both Joe and Jenny. Joe's always ordering out for food, and I could send Jenny a book, that wouldn't look suspicious for a publisher to get, both of them could easily have notes in them. The problem is what to say so they don't react in such a way that if anyone watching them would become suspicious. In Joe's case especially because his boss Moreno, was involved in what happened."

"I am sure you will find the right words, Catherine. While you write your notes, why don't I contact Mr. Lee. He can send a telegram to Devin for me and also contact Peter to come Below at his first opportunity."

"Please make sure to tell him to take extra precautions," Catherine insisted.

"I will," he assured her and left her alone to compose her notes to Joe and Jenny.

To be continued….