'What have you done with those children Catherine?'

Jacob's clenched fists and angry face were no match for the calmness of his mother. He quickly melted under her unwavering stare.

'Jacob, my son, please sit down. Please?'

It wasn't really a question. It was a command and a reminder that she was indeed his mother. Jacob complied, feeling himself close to tears.

Catherine waited, controlling her breathing with an effort. More than anything she longed to wrap her arms around this boy/man who had lost so much of her influence and love, all his life. Patience had not always come easy to her but the long recovery took away her urgency for justice and replaced it with a calm acceptance of the here and now. She spoke softly, almost hypnotically as she explained herself.

'My son, I know I have been absent from your life for so long. This last episode of being away just reinforced all those years when I was lost to you, but somewhere in the depths of my mind I needed to rebirth you. I needed to come back knowing you through my body as well as my emotions.'

Jacob said nothing. He felt such sadness. In his mind, he saw again the images from the video and her brave fight with those horrible men. The sacrifice she made took shape within him and held his tongue. He felt sad at what she endured and how petty he had been in letting his anxiety override his common sense.

'You have every right to feel abandoned and even to be angry with me Jacob. I feel I let you down badly but it seems I don't have full control over my mind yet.'

'No Mama, you don't have to apologize. I am only angry with myself. I have paid lip service to being patient and waiting, knowing that you need time but it seems I don't have full control over my emotions yet either, especially when it comes to you,' he said echoing some of her words.

'You are still my child Jacob. Maybe you have a right to expect that I will be strong, even when you can't be.'

'I have seen your strength Mama. I would be a better person if I worked at being more like you. Too many things just got in my way today.'

She reached out a hand to touch him before continuing. 'When I was thirty and remembering my own mother's death, it led to a separation between your father and me. Truly, part of me was grieving, but my loss was mostly about not being able to give full voice to the love I felt for your father. We argued and went our separate ways for awhile.'

'What happened to bring you back together?' Jacob asked curious about this aspect of his parents.

'I had a long talk with a friend of mine. It just made me realize that love was all I needed. I could not be apart from your father. I would have to accept our love as it was. Remembering my mother's death was a catalyst for healing and accepting my relationship with your father.'

'Being caught in the middle of this hunt for these children and knowing their mother's sad life story just brought up how much I missed you, even if I tried to tell myself a hundred times that it wasn't about me, it was about you. The truth is, I am not ready to lose you again. I have only just found you.'

'There will always be a little child, inside each of us Jacob, who feels abandoned and fearful because of a loss. Grieving those losses allows us to open doors to other parts of ourselves so that we can heal. It was your father who taught me to face my fears, big or small. Even now, I face them every day and feel stronger every time I do. Come and give me a hug. In my most sad moments, I feel such an emptiness in my arms because you were taken from me without a touch between us. I have never stopped missing you.'

Jacob moved forward and held his mother sensing, with his new found insight, the exchange of energy denied to both of them. They shared this tender moment without words, savouring the special bond between mother and child. Jacob allowed his pent up anxiety to release itself in tears. His sobs were echoed from the depths of Catherine's heart.

'Tell me what worries you?' she whispered, releasing him reluctantly.

Jacob went on to explain about seeing the children for the first time with Celeste. He told her of interacting with Jerrie's spirit and of course the dilemma of Marcus.

'I can't explain to Kevin where they have been. I don't know what to tell the Social Services. How do I return them Mama, without betraying the tunnel community or the cubbyhole? The women who bring their children there do so for many reasons. It is a sanctuary for some.'

'Jacob I am not prepared to give up the girls. They have helped to heal that hole in my heart from losing you as a baby. Sisters belong together when they have no one else. Mea is a baby and would be fostered out quite quickly. Her sister would be left behind. I can't let that happen.'

'What did you call her?'

'Mea, why?'

Jacob shook his head. Mie, who gave birth to Seth and Saini, was his guiding spirit. His ancestors worked in strange ways he thought. Bringing his thoughts back to the woman facing him, he realized that he was so happy to have his mother back to her normal self, he did not care if she wanted to adopt the whole world.

'As it happens, Mea is a perfect name,' he affirmed. Later he would share what he knew with his parents.

Catherine continued. 'Jacob, call Kevin and let him know the children are in a safe house. Get Marcus to give us some unique identifiers to ensure these are his children. Spirit communication is not a valid defense in court. Call social services and let them know my address. They will send someone to interview me, if not tonight, tomorrow. If the worker knows the children are safe she might not move them right away. In the meantime, we will find a lawyer to draw up papers which Marcus can sign, giving me temporary custody.'

'How do you know all this Mama?'

'Remember, I was in the DA's office not so long ago, in my mind anyway,' she amended quickly with a genuine laugh.

Jacob shared her lighthearted moment and leaned forward to hug his mother again.

'It seems we are lost without you,' ventured a voice from the doorway. Neither mother nor son had heard Vincent return.

'Vincent!'

'Dad!'

'Is everything alright?'

'Dad, I am sorry,' Jacob said rising to hug his father.

'I am too Jacob. You have had to endure a lot these days. I left you alone to fend for yourself. I should have been available to support you too.' Vincent was genuinely contrite.

'Is Gramps alright?'

'Father is holding on but he remains weak.'

'I will let him know that I am sorry for my behaviour.' Jacob continued head held high, looking at his father, 'Dad, I love that you have always wanted to protect me and be available for me, but I have to stand on my own two feet. I see that more than ever today.'

Vincent nodded, 'we all have to let go a little, even while we are still helping each other.'

Vincent walked over to give his wife a peck on the cheek. She answered the question in his eyes with a smile.

'Jacob and I were just working out a plan for the girls. He's got something to do. When you return Jacob, we will celebrate a little.'

Jacob felt relieved at having a workable outcome. He thought a little about his next steps. First and formost, he had to apologize to Cathy. He sent a detailed text message to Cathy letting her know he would have to return to the office. He knew she would understand work issues. He asked her to come and wait for him at home. He also paged Kevin and told him the news. Once he reassured everyone else, Jacob headed towards the jail, hopeful that Marcus would be compliant rather than defiant.

He confronted the petty criminal at the jail and was surprised by the reaction.

'I have been worried about Pricilla. She reminds me of my mother. She is the only kid I have ever felt close to. She's got my funny shaped toes. Where did you find them?'

'Down close to the park.'

'I told Jerrie not to leave them there! It's a sorta secret place. I was sure one of the women from there had the kids. I could have told you she'd give them up as soon as they were hungry. I couldn't tell you before. The women kinda have an understanding about the Pit and no one talks. You know what I mean?'

Jacob knew only too well. New York was full of secret places. He observed his client closely. Marcus was very subdued. The drugs he had been taking to stay on a high were wearing off slowly. His usual aggressive animation had been toned down significantly. Jacob was surprised to see tears in his eyes when he was told the girls were safe. He seemed a different man.

'What is the Baby's name?' Jacob asked gently, sensing some possibility of redemption.

'I don't think Jerrie knew what she wanted to call her. We only ever had girls. She musta run outta names.'

'Is there anything about the baby that you remember Marcus?'

'She had golden curly hair like her mother and a funny birthmark on her chest somewhere.'

'Marcus, if I find a good foster home for them, would you be willing to sign over custody until you are out of here? You would have to trust me,' he cautioned.

'I trust ya. Find somethin' better than where we lived, and with good people? Sure!'

Jacob called home to check and make sure of the girl's identities. He was not surprised to hear this from his mother.

'Mea is one of us. She has the mark.'

'I expected that she would Mama.'

'Cathy's here Jacob. She is waiting for you.'

'Tell her I am on my way.'

It felt like hours before things were finally settled. It was arranged that people from the social services would come in the morning to interview Catherine. Jacob had his doubts about her being able to hold on to the girls. Money wasn't the only criteria for being designated as foster parents. Stability was just as important. He fully intended to back her plans and enlist support from everyone if it would help.

Later that evening, when Jacob finally returned home and stood before his parents, holding the hand of his fiancée, he felt a weight shift from his shoulders.

'I am sure you both know this already but Mea and Cilla won't be the only additions to the family. I asked Cathy to come live with me and be my beloved and my wife. I was honoured that she agreed. We would like to be married on All Hallows Eve with your blessing.'

His parents shining faces said everything.

Epilogue

'Mrs. Wells, you know that we just can't give children to people because they feel like they would be good parents. You have taken these children and kept them without reporting it to the social services. Unauthorized detention is a serious offence.'

'No, I was asked to watch over two cold and hungry children until their mother returned. She never did. I had no way of knowing she was dead.'

The worker was taken aback by the direct but polite rejoinder.

'You say that you are retired. How will you support these children?'

'I have an investment which provides an adequate monthly income to support two children. Here are my tax returns.'

'You say you are married. Where is your husband and what role will he play in fathering these children?'

'My husband Vincent, works underground in the day. His identity must be protected. If you wish to interview him, it can be arranged behind a screen. Here are references about his character from well known people and a copy of our renewal of vows due to the loss of our original papers.'

'You will be stepping over others who wish to adopt children.'

'I do not wish to adopt them formally. Their natural father lives and may want to resume care of his children when he leaves jail, if he is rehabilitated. Here is his consent for temporary custody.'

'You are somewhat of an enigma Mrs. Wells. We don't have a lot of information about you.'

'I am an officer of the court and former Assistant District Attorney. I was assaulted by a crime syndicate, which has since been terminated. I spent a few years in a protection program and lived in California. Here is a report from the then District Attorney attesting to my character.'

'You have another child Mrs. Wells?'

Catherine looked up then at her son. He had stood nearby waiting to prop up his mother if needed. But as she answered the questions, he realized that she needed no prop. She was as capable and efficient as she would ever be.

'This is my son Jacob. He is also a Lawyer and Public Defender. He is to be married later this year. He and his bride will live in a separate apartment upstairs.'

'Mrs. Wells, you are remarkably well organized. I will have a quick look around your accommodation. I certainly fail to see any reason why this agreement to foster should not be approved.

The End.

Thanks again to the original authors/writers who developed the characters of Vincent and Catherine and the actors, whose artistic portrayal left such a profound impact on the fans of Beauty and the Beast TV (1987), Republic Pictures. Thank you to those who read this story and Thy Sweet Love Remembered. Your visits to this ongoing narrative continue to inspire me to write. Thanks to HB whose role as my muse is unending.

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