Chapter 25
"Peter!" Mary and Father both exclaimed in surprise.
Father went on to add, "Well of course you and your medical skills would be welcome here, but are you sure you would be happy living Below?"
"Yes, I think I would. I have always admired this world you've created and I would like to become a permanent part of this amazing community of people."
"I'm sure I can say that a meeting of the Council is just a formality! You would be very welcome, Peter!" Father assured him.
"There are two chambers that might be suitable now and in another few weeks two more should be ready, if those don't agree with you," Vincent informed him.
"It will take me at least a month to take care of my practice and sell the house. Please don't hold up a chamber for me yet. I'll choose one from the next set available," Peter responded.
"Just let us know when you will be ready, Peter, and we can help you bring down whatever you would like to keep with you," Father offered.
"Thank you, Jacob. I think a lot of the furniture I have might be useful here for everyone. Personally, I don't think I would need much more than a bed and desk."
"Peter, I don't mean to presume, but if you don't need the money from the sale of the house, but maybe it could be used by our young people attending university. It is so hard these days to find somewhere safe that is still reasonably priced," Mary shyly suggested.
"That is a capital idea, Mary! Peter what do you think?" Father chimed in.
"I have a tidy nest egg and selling the practice would add to that, so selling the house wouldn't be necessary," Peter nodded his agreement.
"You wouldn't need money here Below anyway, Peter," Vincent added.
"No, but there are a few things that I know are needed for the hospital chamber and I would like to bring them with me."
"But you have already done so much for us with the money from Catherine's estate!" Father protested, and then looked guiltily at Vincent for speaking the name that no one seemed to want to bring up when he was around.
Vincent sighed, as Peter assured Father, "I would have done much more if you all had let me! As it is, the memorial scholarship fund I set up for any of the tunnel children to go Above to college barely scratched the surface of her estate. Vincent nearly fainted when I showed him the amount I put into a trust fund for Jacob. Even opening free health and legal clinics hardly put a dent in the funds available. I only wish you would let me do more! You know Catherine would have wanted it used for anything needed here Below. She considered all of you her family."
"Peter, I know I am still very new here, but I am always hearing about how much aid is received from the Helpers…well, I was wondering…if maybe there was a way some of this money could be used to help them?" Clara asked hesitantly.
"That is an exceptional idea!" Vincent exclaimed. "Thank you, Clara! I'm sure we can find ways to help our Helpers."
"Most of them wouldn't want to accept charity, but what about offering them loans to expand or improve businesses. The repayment cost could be structured to their ability to pay back, with low interest rates," Mary offered.
"Wonderful idea!" Father added, and then turned a stern eye on Clara, "And you, my dear, never be afraid to offer ideas just because you are new here! Sometimes, like this one, it takes fresh eyes to see something we should have done from the first!"
"Yes, thank you, Clara! Our Helpers certainly deserve this!" Vincent praised her.
Blushing, Clara just nodded her head.
"Well, it is getting late, and I have early office hours in the morning. I should be going," Peter said getting to his feet.
"I should go and check on Jacob, so will also say my good nights. Clara, may I walk you back to your chamber?" Vincent asked, offering her a hand.
"Yes, thank you. Good night, all," she replied, taking his hand and preparing to leave with him.
Good nights were said all around and Mary gathered up the tea things to return them to the kitchen before she retired for the evening.
Father's plan was to wait for Vincent to be back in his own chamber and then go to talk to him. He had several concerns regarding his son's relationship with Clara!
To be continued….