Chapter 36

Vincent felt Catherine's instant surge of affronted anger and indignation along the Bond and before he could do anything to calm her, she declared loudly and clearly, "Of course, Vincent is the father! How could you think otherwise? And as for me picking the wrong brother…Devin, you'd never stand a chance when compared to how wonderful and gorgeous Vincent is!"

He couldn't keep his chest from swelling with pride, even if he didn't believe her comparison. He was at least grateful that Catherine felt that way about him.

Devin grinned knowingly, almost as if he'd expected that reaction from her and declared, "Well, now that Fuzz is going to be off the market, I'll find a girl to go for me!" He crossed the distance between them and gave his stunned sister-in-law-to-be a bear hug. Seeing his father while looking over Catherine's shoulder he said, "Hiya, Pops!"

Father sighed, how he wished that this son was as respectful as the other one was, but he was sure that it would never happen at this late juncture. "Leave it to you to cause such a stir with your arrival, Devin!"

"I think that's his version of 'Look what the cat dragged in!' don't you, Fuzz?" Devin asked his brother who had come to rescue Catherine from his brother's hug.

With a shove to his chest, that even she didn't know if it was meant playfully or not, Catherine assured him, "If Vincent didn't want you here; I'd have the cat drag you right back out again!"

There was a moment of stunned silence throughout the room at how the inadvertent play on words had sounded, taking into account Vincent's unique appearance, but when Vincent himself started laughing, no one could hold back.

Catherine had been mortified for an instant and had already moved towards her love to beg his forgiveness when the laughter had started. Seeing her beloved with tears of mirth rolling down his cheeks she just had to join in as well.

"Sorry to upset you, Chandler, I really am happy for you and Fuzz and thrilled I'm going to be an Uncle. Do you guys know if it's a boy or girl yet, and which of you it will look like?"

"We don't want to know ahead of time," Catherine replied as they all took seats at the table.

William brought Devin a plate of food, for which he was thanked, and for a time everyone concentrated on eating. The rest of the evening was spent catching up with Devin and talking about the wedding.

Winterfest and the wedding were as magical as any couple could have hoped for. In Catherine and Vincent's case it wasn't just a wedding it was their dream finally coming true.

They had danced the first dance together as tradition demands at a wedding. Then the newlyweds were torn apart by everyone that wanted a chance to share in their happiness. Vincent danced next with Jenny while Catherine glided across the floor in Devin's arms, and then there were countless others that wanted their time. Catherine knew she had danced with Mouse at least twice and had even taken a short spin with Father. Peter and Joe had also had their turns, but of her new husband she only had glimpses of him dancing with other women. She did enjoy the sight of him with tom-boy Jamie and had to restrain a chuckle as her very tall groom struggled to match his steps with the tiny Samantha.

Finally after what seemed like hours apart, Vincent strode boldly across the dance floor to pluck her out of the arms of one that had danced with his bride more than he had! Mouse grinned at Vincent and let him lead Catherine away.

"Do you want one more dance, my love, or are you ready to retire to our chamber?" Vincent asked when Mouse had faded away.

Looking up at her handsome husband, Catherine answered, "I think I'm ready for a dance of a different kind, Vincent."

Pleased at her reply he swept her up into his arms and carried her from the Great Hall. The walk up the windy stairs had her hiding her face in his shoulder, but she knew that she had never been safer in her life.

They reached their chamber to discover that Olivia and Kanin had been there. They had created the same romantic scene that Catherine and Vincent had done for them when they moved into their new living quarters.

The bed was covered in red and white rose petals, with bouquets of the same flowers scattered around the room. And candlelight! The room was lit by no less than a hundred candles!

"Oh, Vincent! It's beautiful!"

"As beautiful as you are, Catherine," he replied, as he stood her gently on her feet. Lowering the tapestry that would shut everyone else out of their private world, he returned to stand in front of her. "Catherine, there are simply no words to express the joy that you have brought into my life."

"I know, Vincent. I can feel what you are feeling through the Bond and believe me I feel the same joy!"

To be continued….