Authors note: Sorry for the delay in posting a new chapter. Life and the holiday season got hectic.
Twilight fell early on the Solstice, and it was full dark by the time Hunter picked up Chloe from the daycare and headed over to the FBI Field Office to pick up Dee Dee. He found her at her desk, changing her shoes.
"Going on a hike?" he asked as she tied the laces on her sneakers.
"No, but Catherine Chandler said to wear comfortable shoes. Trust me, after the day I've had, those pumps can stay under the desk," McCall answered, gesturing to the pink pumps on the floor. "Unless you'd like to wear them to this shindig," she teased, "I always thought you'd look cute in high heels."
"As much as I'd love you to replace the shoes you once ralphed on, those quite aren't my style," Hunter retorted as they made their way to the elevator.
"As long as the suspect hits you in the gut next time, I'm ok with that," she smiled, poking him playfully in the ribs.
They caught a cab to Catherine Chandler's brownstone and rung the bell.
Peter Alcott opened the door and let them in. A group of Helpers was already present in the living room, cooing over the new baby. The Hunter family moved to join the group to dote on the newest bundle of joy.
Vincent poked his head out from the kitchen.
"I believe our group is complete. Shall we head down?" he asked.
The group followed Vincent down to the basement, through the hidden door, and through the tunnels. The group merged and mixed with several others as they made their way to the Great Hall.
Rick and Dee Dee marveled as they descended the final steps to the Great Hall with the rest of the group. A big double wooden door stood closed at the bottom of the stairs, a wooden bar keeping it shut.
"Friends, from both Above and Below, we would like to welcome you to Winterfest," Vincent said, pulling the bar from the door and setting it to the side. Two community members near him opened the doors, and the group filed into the hall.
The hall was dark, lit only enough so that the group could see where they were walking.
"Does everyone have their candles out?" someone called.
Dee Dee pulled 2 candles from her jacket and handed one to Rick, who was holding Chloe on his hip.
The group gathered around a long table, and Father started to speak, his candle already lit.
"The world above us is dark and gray, summer a distant memory. So we begin this feast in darkness, as out world began in darkness…"
A few community members lit their candles from his, and others from theirs.
Other community members took up the story, one by one, as it detailed how they shared their strength and help with each other and how they came together to remember the community spirit. The light grew and brightened as more candles were lit.
"...and so we come together to give thanks to those that helped us and to remember even the greatest darkness is nothing so long as we share the light," Father finished.
There was a pause, the Vincent stood from where he'd been sitting near Catherine.
"We have a special treat this year. As you know, Catherine has been returned to us, due to the efforts of our newest Helpers, Dee Dee and Rick Hunter," Vincent gestured to the couple.
The community clapped and cheered.
"And now, we have one more addition to the community that I believe needs introduction," Father said. "It has been said that the child is the meaning of this life. Today we celebrate the child, this new life that has been brought into this world. We welcome the child with love, that he may be able to love. We welcome the child with gifts, that he may learn generosity. And we welcome the child with a name, upon which I believe Catherine and Vincent have decided."
"Charles Jacob," Catherine introduced the newborn in her arms.
The cheers from the community were louder than the ones for Hunter and McCall.
The party got underway, and went well into the night. Most of the community had brought small gifts for the new baby, which were set to the side of the Great Hall for safe keeping. Hunter and McCall shook the hands of more people than they could remember the names of as they were thanked for bringing Catherine back to them. It was near dawn by the time most of the Helpers made their way home.
Vincent found Catherine cuddled with Charles, both soundly asleep, on one of the big armchairs that had been placed in the Great Hall for the party as it wrapped up. Vincent gently shook her awake.
"What do you say we adjourn to my old chamber for what remains of the night? The bed is still set up there"
Catherine nodded sleepily and they made their way to his old chamber.
"It seems less...lively here now that you've moved most of you stuff to the brownstone," Catherine noted as she changed into one of Vincent's old, soft shirts to use a sleepwear.
"Well, my life is where you and Charles are," Vincent replied, smiling down at his son as he placed him in a portable bassinet by the bed. "It's nice to have it here as a way-station, though, for nights like this. You're half falling asleep already," he laughed as Catherine's head dipped in sleep as she sat on the bed. He gently moved her legs onto the bed, pulled off his boots and outer garments, and joined her.
"Putting your family to bed?" Catherine asked.
Vincent spooned her and nodded. "Yes, now let's grab some sleep while Charles does. He'll be waking us all to soon."
Catherine nodded sleepily and relaxed into Vincent's embrace.