Chapter 26
Vincent was not at all surprised to find Father waiting for him in his chamber when he returned from walking Clara to hers. He had known that this was coming from the way Father had been acting, and knowing Father's habit of confronting things head on, had suspected that this confrontation wouldn't wait for morning.
"Hello, Father. If you will give me just a minute to check on Jacob…"
"I already checked on him when I came in. He's just fine, Vincent."
"That may be, but I'd like to look in on him myself. I will return momentarily," Vincent stated firmly and stepped into the alcove where Jacob's crib was.
He truly hadn't meant this small act to be one of defiance; he simply loved checking in on his sleeping son. He wanted to savor every moment of Jacob's life and it just seemed like his babyhood was slipping by so fast. In two and half weeks he would already be a year old! It was so hard to grasp. Giving Jacob a gentle kiss on his head, Vincent straightened the blanket that his son always seemed to manage to kick off and then went back to face Father.
"Shall I put on some tea, Father?"
"No, thank you Vincent, I've had quite enough to drink tonight. The facilities seem farther away in the middle of the night than they used to," he answered with a sigh.
"Maybe a chamber pot in your room so you do not need to go out in the night?"
Father considered his son's words for a moment before replying, "That might be a wise solution, however it is not the reason I am here to talk to you."
"I didn't think it was, Father. You are concerned about Clara?"
"Not about just her, Vincent! But about what is going on between the two of you!"
"We are friends, Father," he answered mildly.
"There is something more between you! I know!"
"It does seem as if we are developing a Bond, yes Father."
"Vincent! You know what happened the last time you had a Bond…"
Vincent got to his feet quickly, startling Father into silence. As he paced the chamber, he said, "Yes, Father! I am fully aware of what happened to Catherine! But need I remind you that at the end, it was the lack of our Bond that kept me from saving her life!"
"I'm sorry, Vincent! I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. I was only concerned about you getting into another relationship so soon and with Clara pregnant…well, she has some very emotional issues to deal with."
"First of all, Father, I cherish every memory of Catherine, the good and the bad. Secondly, your concern for my relationships is all well and good, but I am thirty five years old and capable of handling my own relationships. Last, but not least, helping Clara through these emotional issues that she has to deal with is a part of what friends do for each other. You can be sure that if, or when, I need your council about any of these matters, I will be sure to ask for your advice."
"Vincent, I only have your best welfare at heart!" Father protested.
"I'm sure you do, Father, but just as I can't prevent my son from falling down and skinning his knees, I can only be there to offer comfort and dry his tears when he needs me too. There are times fathers must learn to let go of their children and allow them to show their parent how well they have learned from their teachings."
"You're trying to tell me that it is past time I let you grow up on your own?"
Looking down at Father from his nearly foot taller height, Vincent said, "I think I might have done that while your back was turned, Father."
"I guess so, Vincent. I'm sorry to have been overbearing, but I am sure there will be times when you will find it hard to let little Jacob do things he wishes to do that you know are dangerous."
"I'm sure I will, Father, but it will have to be done if he is to grow into a confident man able to make his own choices in life."
"You also seem to have grown wiser while I wasn't looking. I will say good night then, Vincent, and wish you only the best."
"Thank you, Father. Have a good night."
To be continued….