Chapter 5

A few weeks later, Catherine was once again taking a day off from work. She was sitting in the library of the brownstone reading. Vincent had gone below to teach one of his classes but he had suddenly been called away on a work detail. He had asked Jamie to come to the house and let Catherine know that they would not return until around dinner. Jamie had taken the opportunity to stay for a much overdue visit.

Catherine sighed and shook her head. She could not help but feel a bit guilty for all the discord that was going on in the tunnels. Everyone was unhappy. Some of the older children had informed her that Father was now almost completely in the silence. There were very few tunnel residents who were speaking to him. Shaking her head she sighed. That's just another reason for him to hate me.

Her thoughts were broken when the doorbell rang. Rising from the sofa she walked into the foyer. She smiled brightly when she opened the door and found Peter standing on the other side.

"Hey kiddo, I just earlier this morning got home from London and Joe told me that you had bought this place."

Catherine moved aside so that he could enter. "Yes, I bought it almost two and a half months ago."

Peter could hear the sadness in her voice. "Isn't Vincent happy about it?"

Catherine smiled. "Yes, in fact he's living here with me."

Peter embraced her. "You and he finally have the life together that you always dreamed of."

Catherine sighed as she moved back. "Yes, we do but I'm afraid that it may have come at a great price to Vincent."

The older man shook his head. "Joe also told me about the problems the two of you are having with Jacob."

Catherine sighed. "I thought by now he would have accepted that we're together."

Peter pulled her into another fatherly embrace. "He will. I've known him all these years and he's always been too stubborn for his own good."

After a moment she moved back from his arms. "I'll go into the kitchen and get us some tea. There was an emergency in the lower tunnels and Vincent had to go on a work detail so he won't be home until dinner but you can stay and keep me company."

Peter nodded as he pulled off his coat and hung it up. "You need any help?"

Catherine shook her head as she started to move toward the kitchen. "No it's no problem I'll be right..." She swayed as a wave of dizziness swept over her.

Peter looked up just as she started to fall. He was just able to catch her in his arms before she hit the floor. "Cathy!" Catching her in his arms he gently lowered her to the floor and checked her vital signs. When he was sure that they were fine he lifted her and carried her to the sofa in the library.

At that moment, Vincent rushed through the secret entrance. "Catherine!"

Peter looked up. "In here."

He ran into the library and found her lying on the sofa still unconscious.

Kneeling down beside the sofa he took her hand in his, kissing it tenderly. "What happened?"

Peter shrugged. "She was just going to the kitchen to get us some tea when she lost consciousness." He placed his bag on the coffee table and opened it. "It's a good thing I didn't take this home before coming over."

Vincent looked up at him. Peter moved over and put his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I need to examine her." Vincent looked down at her again then rose. He watched as Peter knelt down and started his exam.

After a few moments she moaned. Vincent moved to the back of the sofa and took her hand again. "Catherine can you hear me?"

She opened her eyes and blinked for a few seconds. "Vincent?"

He cupped her cheek. "Yes my love, I'm here."

She turned her head and kissed his hand. "I thought you were in the lower tunnels."

He smiled in relief that she remembered where he had been that afternoon. "We got done early and I was on my way home when I felt you lose consciousness through the bond."

Catherine turned her head and looked at Peter. "Why did I pass out?"

He finished taking the blood sample then put it in his bag. "I'm not sure. I'm going to have this analyzed I'll know something tonight." Then he rose. "Vincent, make sure she stays still."

The younger man nodded. "Of course,"

Catherine started to sit up. "That's not necessary I feel fine now."

Peter put his hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down on the sofa. "Young lady, I'm the doctor and you're going to stay put for at least thirty minutes."

He turned and picked up his bag. "I'll be back as soon as I know anything."

Vincent shook his hand. "Thank you, Peter."

The older doctor patted his shoulder. "No problem, I'll see myself out." With that he left.

The rest of the afternoon was very tense for both Vincent and Catherine. They were truly frightened but neither would admit it. Catherine was lying on the sofa again when Peter came to the door.

Vincent looked out the window then turned. "It's Peter."

She rose and moved toward the library door. "We'll be right back."

Vincent reached out and pulled her into his arms and held her for a moment. "I love you, Catherine, no matter what he tells us."

She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you too."

After a moment, she moved out of his arms and walked into the foyer.

Vincent turned toward the door when she reentered the library with Peter.

He noticed that the older man had a strange smile on his face. "You have the results?"

Peter put down his briefcase and opened it. "I think you both need to sit down this is going to be a great shock."

Vincent looked at Catherine then they sat down on the sofa together.

Peter pulled out a folder and handed it to Catherine.

She took it, looked at Vincent, then opened it and started to read. Vincent nervously watched as tears came from her eyes. Closing the folder again she looked at Peter. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I ran the test myself three times."

Vincent tightened his hand around hers. "What's wrong?"

Catherine turned slightly and pulled her hand from his. She put her hands on either side of his face and looked deeply into his eyes. "Nothing's wrong love, in fact everything is very right."

Vincent continued to stare at her. "What do you mean?"

She released him then picked up the folder and handed it to him. "Look for yourself."

Vincent opened the flap and started to read.

When he was done he let the folder fall to the floor. Catherine looked at Peter concerned. "Are you all right, Vincent?" He turned his head and looked at her and she saw the tears on his face. Catherine moved closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Love, aren't you happy?"

With those words Vincent's embraced her, pulling her as close as he could. "Oh Catherine, how could I not be happy?" They held one another as they cried.

After a few minutes Catherine moved back in his arms and smiled radiantly. "We're having a baby."

Vincent chuckled at the simpleness of the remark. "Yes my love we are." Tenderly cupping her cheek with his large hand he brought his head down and kissed her.

Peter watched the celebration with tears in his eyes. "Congratulations to you both."

Catherine moved back from the kiss and looked at the man she had known all her life. "Thank you very much Grandpa Peter." With that she rose and embraced him. "You have made us both so happy."

Peter shook his head as they parted. "Honey, you and Vincent deserve this happiness."

Vincent stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Yes we do."

Peter stayed for a while longer as the three of them discussed the issues of the pregnancy. "You know that the baby will have to be born in the tunnels."

Catherine looked at Vincent worriedly. He squeezed her hand then looked at Peter. "Could we have the baby here at the house?"

Peter thought a moment. "Yes I think that would work." Catherine let out the breath she had been holding.

Peter noticed and put his hand on her shoulder. "Honey, you have to stay away from any confrontations with Father during the pregnancy because neither you nor the baby can take that type of stress."

Vincent tightened his arm around Catherine protectively and pulled her close. "Don't worry; I'll make sure that nothing upsets her."

Peter looked at his watch then rose from the sofa. "Well before it gets any later I should go below and see everyone."

Catherine and Vincent also rose. She turned and pointed toward the foyer. "You can use our tunnel entrance."

Peter kissed her cheek. "I'll be checking on you in a few days." He then shook Vincent's hand. "I'm very happy for both of you."

With that he picked up his bag and moved to the foyer where he retrieved his coat. As he approached the secret entrance to the tunnels he heard a quiet giggle come from the library. Looking inside again a warm feeling came over him. Vincent and Catherine were standing in front of the fireplace with their arms wrapped tightly around one another. Peter sighed sadly and shook his head. Jacob, you are an old fool for pushing them away. After a moment he opened the door to the basement and entered the tunnels.

He arrived a few minutes later at Father's chamber and found him having a cup of tea with Mary. They both noticed the movement in the tunnel entrance and looked up. Father put down his cup and rose on his cane. "Well, Peter it's good too see that you have returned."

Peter moved down the steps into the chamber. "It feels good to be home, London was great but I missed New York."

Father chuckled as they both sat down. Mary reached over for the tea setting on the tray next to her. "Would you like a nice cup of tea?"

Peter put his hand up and shook his head. "No thank you Mary, I had enough while I was in England."

Father chuckled again. "Did you have a good time?"

Peter smiled at his friend. This was the Jacob Wells that he knew and respected. "Yes I did."

After a moment of silence Peter spoke again. "I thought I should come tell you that something has happened with Vincent and Catherine."

Father put his cup down and shook his head. "She left him for someone else, didn't she?"

Peter looked at Mary who shook her head in disgust. "Of course not, Jacob this is good news."

Father looked up again. "What's happened?"

Peter could not hold back his smile. "You're going to be a grandfather."

Mary smiled as tears gathered in her eyes. "Oh that's wonderful!"

Father looked at her and shook his head. "Wonderful?"

She sighed and looked at him. "Yes of course Father, you have to be happy for them."

Father looked away from her intense gaze. "How can I be happy when the two of them don't know what they are getting themselves into?" He looked at Mary again. "No one knows if their child will look like Vincent and if one day Catherine decides she wants another life she will be trapped by the child if it does."

Mary rose from the chair and stared at him for a moment. She moved over to the steps and stopped. Turning once again she looked at Peter. "Thank you for telling us this joyous news. Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to have Pascal put it on the pipes, and then I'm going to change and go to the house to congratulate Vincent and Catherine." Without looking at Father again she turned and left the chamber.

When she had gone Peter looked at Father again and shook his head. "Jacob, you can't continue to be so stubborn about this."

Father sighed. "Catherine Chandler has taken my son away from me how am I supposed to act?"

Peter put his cup down again. "She didn't take Vincent from you, from what Joe told me you drove him to choose."

Father glared at him. "I thought he'd come to his senses if I forced his hand."

Peter sighed. "Jacob, they love one another and now they're being blessed with a child and you're the one that's going to miss out on that." With that said he rose. "I also thought you might want to know that I told them the baby should be born in the tunnels but they aren't comfortable with that so they are going to have it at the house."

Father nodded. "Thank you for telling me."

Peter stood there for a moment looking at his old friend. "Jacob, please don't do anything that will upset Catherine, you and I both know that her pregnancy is going to be very delicate."

Father looked up at him. "I won't, they aren't even speaking to me."

Peter suddenly felt a bit sorry for his friend's pain. He put his hand on his shoulder. "You could do something about that." He offered. "Now I've got to run. I have rounds tomorrow morning."

Father watched him leave. Once he was gone Father rose. He decided to go to the falls for a while because he had a lot of thinking to do.