With the book retrieved from Elliot Burch and Catherine Chandler's statement that John Moreno had been there when she was kidnapped, the snail's pace of the case sped to a turtle's pace.
The FBI code crackers slowly worked on cracking the book, helped by Moreno, who turned state's evidence in exchange for reduced charges.
Vincent walked the night streets, hooded and cloaked. The crisp fall air had his fellow city dwellers similarly bundled, so no one looked askance.
He'd enjoyed the past week with Catherine, as she stayed with him in his chamber. Peter Alcott and his father both seemed to think her nearness would jog his memory and aid in his healing. Catherine went to sleep each night in his arms, her pregnancy serving as a chaperone. He hadn't quite been able to bring himself to give her more than a chaste kiss or hug since she'd returned to him, even though Catherine had hinted that she'd welcome more when he was ready and Peter had said it was perfectly safe medically speaking.
He looked up to see his feet had led him to Hunter and McCall's apartment building. He hesitated, then climbed the fire escape. The lights in their apartment emitted a warm glow, and looking into the kitchen, he saw the small family just finishing dinner. The baby gurgled and laughed as her Hunter made faces and clowned at her.
He felt like a voyeur as McCall stood up, paused to kiss Hunter on the top of the head, and started to clear the table.
"Careful, McCall, that's one of my sensitive spots. I might get ideas," Hunter joked.
"Why, Hunter, you keep unfolding like a flower. How come you've never told me this before?" McCall asked.
Vincent moved to leave, but most have made a noise.
Hunter looked out the window, squinting and moving towards it to see through the window better. "Vincent," he greeted, as he opened the window. "Come in from the cold."
Vincent stepped into the apartment and closed the window after him so as not to let in the fall chill. He lowered his hood, and took an offered seat.
"How is Catherine doing? Is everything ok?" McCall asked.
Vincent answered that Catherine was fine, then hesitated. "I was just taking a walk, and pondering...what it would be like to be a father…" Vincent trailed off.
McCall looked between the two men, and raised an eyebrow at Hunter. Hunter nodded, almost imperceptibly. "Well, I think it's time for someone to have a bath," she declared, and picked up the baby. "I'll let you two talk," she said, leaving with Chloe to the bathroom.
"I didn't mean to make her feel unwelcome," Vincent said.
"Trust me, if she had objection or felt unwelcome, she would have said. A new baby is a lot to wrap your head around, isn't it?" Hunter asked.
Vincent nodded. "Especially when you don't remember the act that conceived the child. I've never wanted to tie Catherine to me. I've always been relegated to the shadows; she deserves the light."
"And what does Catherine say to this?"
"She wants to stay with me, but…"
Hunter interrupted Vincent. "Why do you doubt her? Has she ever given you reason to think she'll change her mind, or is being insincere?"
"No. I just want the best for her," Vincent replied.
"And who's the best judge of that but her? Catherine struck me as someone more than willing to let someone know if she doesn't want to be with them. Heck, Elliot Burch probably sitting in a penthouse somewhere right now wondering why she's not with him, when he can offer her anything money can buy. He still has feelings for her if I read him right. So why is she with you instead of him? What can you offer her that Elliot Burch's resources in the light can't?"
Vincent looked thunderstruck. He'd never thought his insistence that Catherine belonged completely in the world Above was discounting her wishes, or dismissing her feelings. He'd once defended a young couple in love against the girl's grandfather, who had thought a more well to do young man was better for her to marry. Had he been doing the same to Catherine? Keeping her in a holding pattern, while she waited for him be ready for more?
"You've given me a lot to think about."
"Trust me, Vincent. My little family almost never was. I felt a growing love for Dee Dee long before we ever did anything remotely romantic, but I didn't act on it because I didn't want to lose my friendship with her. But, one night, we let the walls down, and it might have just been a one-off if she hadn't gotten pregnant. But do you know what the last year and a half have taught me? The risk is so worth it. I never thought I'd have a family of my own, but Dee Dee, and now Chloe, have returned back to me so much more than I could have ever thought. Chloe turned out to be the best surprise either of us could have received. She tied Dee Dee and I together forever, and forced us to confront our feelings for each other."
Vincent nodded. He'd once told Catherine that you either move toward love or away from it. Perhaps it was time he moved toward love. He made his goodbyes and headed Below.