**I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS, I AM JUST BORROWING THEM**

**Just so everyone knows, I may not have the grammar perfect from the 1800s so please be patient with me lol.**

Chapter 10 – Kiss From A Rose

The warmth between Vincent's and my bodies was enough to put me to sleep. I woke up once we had made it back to the docks and sunlight was just appearing slowly, taking over the night sky.

I couldn't help but smile when I realized that this was in fact not a dream. Well it was a dream, but it wasn't at the same time. It was my dream to be with him and not have a care in the world about what could happen to us. We were stronger together and would overcome this situation.

He loosened his grip around my body and I felt the cold air whisper all the way up my back. He quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it around me, then docked the boat. Once he hopped up onto the dock, he grabbed my hand, pulling me up as well.

He rubbed my shoulders as we gazed into each others eyes as he said, "This is the beginning of a beautiful life between us. If you have second thoughts, I can arrange to have you on the next ship to New York City. Again I ask you, are you sure that this is what you want?"

I smiled as I kissed him softly as I said, "I couldn't be more happier than I am now that I am with you. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere unless it's with you." He kissed me softly then took my hand in his as I continued, "But first, we must shower and change."

I stopped suddenly when I had remembered that I had left my belongings on the ship.

"What's wrong, my love?" he asked as my hand slipped out of his.

"I have nothing to wear but this." I said as I looked down at my night wear. "I can't marry you looking like this Vincent."

He laughed slightly, "No worries. I know just the right person who can take care of that. Head over to the hotel and ask Alex to help you dress to be a bride. I will head back to the castle and prepare myself as well. We will meet on the holy grounds of the chapel near noon."

I smiled and nodded as he placed a kiss on the top of my hand and we parted ways.

I felt a little sad that my family couldn't be here to witness this. My father has probably discovered my leave by now and is mystified by my actions. Oh well, I refuse to allow him to take away what happiness I have built with Vincent in these past couple of weeks. Betraying him was all I knew to do. I felt horrible about it, but I was not going to apologize for the choices I made. I wanted to be with Vincent and if this was the only way how, then so be it!

Meanwhile

"Thomas! THOMAS! Our beloved Catherine is missing! Wake up!" Vanessa shouted to her husband while shaking him out of his slumber.

"Wha? WHAT?! She boarded the ship like the rest of us had. . .how is this even possible?" Thomas asked as he jumped up from the bed.

They walked to Catherine's room and saw no evidence of anything being missing, "If she had ran away, wouldn't she have took at least her clothing Thomas? Her journal? Her books?" Vanessa cried.

Thomas was terrified for the worst. Maybe he was so harsh with his daughter that she jumped overboard? Would she have been so ignorant to have taken her own life because of a forbidden love? Was she really that in love that it would have been worth it?

The very thought made him cringe inside and out. He sat down on the bed and picked up her journal. One half of the book was about her love for her family, how she adored her father for everything he did for them with his work and then he became physically ill when he read the other half about how she had hated him for treating her like a child. She was completely in love and he took away what happiness she had.

A knock at the door grabbed their attention, "Mr Lowan, our beloved daughter is gone. I fear she may have took her life because of my blinded actions." Thomas stated as tears swelled up his eyes.

"Actually Mr. Chandler. . .I think that maybe we have a different situation on our hands. I do not think that she took her life, but I believe she was kidnapped instead."

"On what grounds do have to know this type of accusation Gabriel?" Thomas demanded.

"I believe she was captured by this beast creature of Ashgard. There is a life boat missing. . . come now, sit. I will explain my theory to you." Gabriel said. As his back faced them, he smiled devilishly, then continued his confession of the beast.

"It may not be white, but I believe burgundy is an amazing color on you. I haven't worn it since I bought it. I had hoped that I would wear it on my wedding day if I had ever been asked, but anyways, I think it will fit you perfectly." Alex said as she laid the dress on the bed.

I couldn't stop thinking about my family. They were probably worried to death about me by now.

"Catherine? I can't help but sense that you are regretting your decisions." Alex stated.

I looked up at her from the gaze I had out the window, "No regrets, just hurt really. I always dreamed of this day being somewhat special. A dream come true with family and friends. . . .now I have to face this alone. The only witnesses being the servants at the castle and then you. I am more than ready to do this but I'm not sure if I can without my family."

Alex stroked the side of my face as she cupped it with both hands, "Darling girl, I have seen worse things happen at weddings. It's about who is there, or how many. . .hell it's not really about how well you look or how beautiful the setting is. . . Dove, it is about the love you share with Vincent and the risks your willing to take to be with him. None of the rest matters because when your ready, and I do mean fully ready to link your life with a man for eternity, you both won't even pay attention to anything else but each other. It will be almost like it is only you and him in the room alone, expressing your feelings to one another. You take an oath to be there for each other for the rest of time and leave behind all of the rest. Do not fret darling. . .everything will be fine. YOU will be fine. And Vincent is going to be falling to his knees when he sees you after I'm finished with you."

I smiled as a tear fell down my face. I wiped it away as I stood up to begin getting ready.

Vincent took a final look at himself in the mirror. He was wearing black pants with a crème colored long sleeved buttoned up shirt. He left two of the buttons open, exposing his rock hard chest slightly and pushed his sleeves up to his elbows. He sighed as he looked back at the podium table that used to hold the cursed rose. He smiled as he pondered about how beautiful Catherine would be as she approached him. This was it. . .this was the day to start their eternity.

"Sir, the carriage is ready for travel." claimed James.

Vincent nodded as he said, "I'll be there in a minute. I still have one more thing to do." and James left.

Vincent walked over to a music box that had belonged to his mother. He opened it and removed two silver bands. One was his mother's, the other belonging to his father. They had been gone for 7 years now and Vincent knew that they would have been proud of him.

He sighed one last time as he grabbed his coat an exited the room, heading towards the carriage.

Alex had made me look extraordinary! Hair pins held my hair in a messy bun, with two strands on each side of my face dangling down. She cut a rose and tucked it inside of my bun. The dress was a dark red with black lace fading up the skirt and on the front and back of the torso area. The black corset pushed my breasts up and I felt nervous at how Vincent would look at me.

I decided not to wear any make up during this formal occasion; I didn't even like it that much anyways. If Vincent was going to marry me, then he would marry me naturally.

Alex handed me 12 bright red roses and said, "Alright darling. Your ready for the aisle."

I sighed as I stood and thanked her for the dress.

As Alex and I arrive at the front gates of the chapel, my heart raced uncontrollably. "Alex?"

"Yes dear?"

"Would I be a horrible person if I said that I am having doubts?" I couldn't lie about it. I was terrified.

She smiled as she squeezed my hand, "Love, you are only acting as normal as any bride. Perhaps your just nervous."

I nodded and swallowed hard, "What if he doesn't like the dress?" I asked.

She giggled, "Darling, that dress won't matter once the wedding is over. He will have it ripped off of you in a heart beat."

Oh Lord. . . I hadn't thought about what happens after the wedding.

A carriage arrived behind me and I stood froze looking down at the ground. It seemed quiet at first then a pair of hands cupped my face making me look up at them.

"You are so beautiful." Vincent said as he hooked his arm around mine. He made me feel like we were the only two that existed when he continued gazing at me as we walked together inside.

James and Tessa walked in behind us, followed by Alex. Even though my family refused to share a day like this with me, I realized how happy I had become without them as we made it to the podium.

All of my doubts vanished as I stood before the love of my life. I just wanted this moment to last forever. . .

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness these two souls being brought together. . ."

I couldn't take my eyes off of him, and his not off of me. . .

"If there is any reason that these two shall not wed here today, please step forth and state ye statement."

If my father had been here, he would probably had been one of those who objected.

"Who gives forth this woman to this man?"

Alex stood and stated, "I do." then she sat back down, winking at me.

We had said our vows, placed on our rings and finally it was time to seal our marriage with a kiss. . .a passionate kiss that neither of us could pull away from. This kiss was more needing than any other we shared and my insides tingled a little when our tongues touched. This was truly the best day of my life. . . Vincent was now my husband and I couldn't be any happier than I was right at this moment.

We rode away into the forest until we came upon a tiny cottage. It was beautiful and welcoming, blended in the very trees that surrounded it.

Vincent hopped off of the horse and I slid down in front of him. His eyes had become darker than I had remembered as well as his gaze had shifted to my lips, then back up into my eyes. I reached up slowly, hooking my hands around his neck. I pulled his head down to mine and raised up on my tip toes as our lips brushed softly together.

Vincent bent down and lifted Catherine in a cradle as their kiss became more heated. He kicked open the door and walked straight into the living room, placing her down onto a chair. He started a fire and took off his jacket as he continued to stare at the beautiful woman in front of him.

He grabbed the sheets off of the bed, laying one on the rug below their feet; the other to use as a blanket.

The fireplace set off a fiery, seductive glow into the room causing Catherine and Vincent to crave each other more.

They both stood, ready to walk into a state of euphoria together; not really knowing where to begin. Neither one of them had ever experienced this before. Catherine was too afraid that she wouldn't be good enough, and Vincent feared that he would hurt her.

Finally, Catherine reached up behind her head and pulled out the rose and pins holding it up. It fell elegantly down onto her bare shoulders and she waited for Vincent to make a move.

He raised his hand up to her neck, placing hot kisses along her jaw bone. Her fingers raked up in his hair as she pulled him closer to her.

His hands guided up her back in response as their lips crashed onto one anothers.

He pulled away, untying her dress then reached up pulling it down off of her arms. It slipped off her body, and pooled around her feet and she slightly kicked it to the side.

As their tongues touched she slowly unfastened his shirt then placed kisses upon his shoulders as she slid his shirt completely off of him.

She gazed at his naked torso, reaching up and brushing her fingers down his chest. Their lips met again, more seductively than before.

She turned around so that he could assist her in removing her corset and as he tossed it she turned to face him and wrapped her arms in front of herself. She was shy to say the least to show her naked body off to him. He smiled as he gazed into her eyes and she slowly removed her arms, exposing herself finally to him.

He was at a loss for words and his breath hitched at the sight of her. She was truly beautiful, and even more with the fiery glow beaming off her body.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him as he began kissing her again. She kissed back in response and her left hand laid on the side of his face as the other wrapped around his neck.

She moaned when she could feel his erection pressing up against her thigh.

He pulled back removing the rest of his clothing and he stood and waited for her response.

She bit her bottom lip as she looked back up into his eyes. They met in the middle of the sheet and both went down onto their knees, still gazing into each other's soul.

Vincent slowly, yet gently laid Catherine down onto the sheet. He trailed kisses from her neck down to her breasts as he captured one into his hand. She raised up into his mouth as a soft moan escaped her lips. He continued down her body to her hip and nipped and kissed it as his hand cupped her sex rubbing it.

Their bodies began to heat with desire as he crawled his way back up, nose to nose with her.

"I love you Catherine." he said to her as he rubbed his hand up her leg.

"I love you too." she said in response and she widened her legs apart letting him know that she surrendered fully to him.

He trembled a moan as she arched her back in full satisfaction as he slipped slowly inside of her. She clung to his body as gently pumped inside of her.

He raised them up sitting on the sheet as she used his neck as leverage to raise herself up and down on him. Beads of sweat developed onto their bodies as pure ecstasy took them completely over.

Movements increased. . .

Kisses were more passionate. . .

And they melted into each other as they continued to make love. Nothing mattered to them anymore other than each other.

He laid her back down claiming one of her legs as he thrust deeper inside of her. She raked her nails down his back leaving behind beastly marks and he dug at her hips with his fingertips.

Grunts and moans echoed through the house as they had reached their climax.

Vincent fell over beside of her trying to catch his breath.

"That was. . . " she said.

"Amazing, I know." he said finishing her sentence. And Catherine rolled over on top of him, grinding against him, "Vincent take me to bed."

And that was all it took before he lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist and carried her to the bedroom.

DING DING DING. . .

Alex walked out to the front desk of the hotel and her heart completely stopped when she saw Thomas Chandler and Gabriel Lowan standing there.

"Hello, how can I help you gentleman?"

"Where is my daughter?! I know she came back here with that animal and I will not leave until I receive answers at once!" Thomas demanded.

Alex acted as if she knew nothing of the sort. Gabriel looked at Thomas and mumbled a few words and the men took off into the forest.

Catherine would have some explaining to do and that monster was as good as dead to them!

**Yup, the chapter ended here. Love ya guys lol. Anyways, I hope that you liked this chapter as much as I did writing it lol. I kinda got stuck here and there but were good. Let me know what you think about it by posting reviews. XOXO**