Chapter 6

As the months went on Catherine grew larger. Vincent spoiled her even more than he had before she was pregnant. He stopped going below on work details unless it was absolutely necessary. Mary assured him that they could manage. She knew that he wanted to be at home more with Catherine so that he could take care of her.

Mary became their birthing coach. She explained everything that Catherine would experience as her labor progressed. Catherine told Vincent that if he felt more comfortable that she could have Jamie be with her during the delivery. He shook his head and kissed her cheek telling her that his place was by her side when she delivered their child. Neither could have been happier.

On the other hand, Father had become increasingly sorry for the way that he had treated Catherine and Vincent. He heard from Mary and others that they were truly happy, especially now that they were expecting what they both hoped would be the first of many children for them.

Father was lost in his thoughts when Mary entered his chamber. "Are you all right?"

The tunnel elder looked up at her. "Just thinking."

She sat down beside him and put her hand on his. "They miss you too."

Father sighed. "Do you truly believe that after the way I have treated them about their relationship?"

Mary squeezed his hand tenderly. "You made a mistake."

Father removed his glasses and put them on his desk. "Where are you off to today?"

Mary smiled. "I told Vincent that I would stay with Catherine while he is working in the lower tunnels."

Father nodded. "Peter told me that it should only be a couple more weeks until the baby comes."

Mary rose. "Yes, and I've never seen either Catherine or Vincent so excited."

Father chuckled. "I'm sure that when the time arrives Vincent will turn into a nervous father like most men."

Mary looked at him again. "Do you want to come to the house with me?"

Father shook his head. "I don't think Catherine would welcome my presence and I don't want to upset her."

Mary put her hand on his shoulder. "You might be surprised at how she reacts to you."

Father looked up at her again. "What do you mean?"

She patted his shoulder. "She loves you a great deal."

Removing her hand she picked up her bag. "I'll return when Vincent gets home." Moving over to the steps she quickly left the chamber.

At the house Catherine carefully climbed down the steps from the second floor. She rarely went upstairs when Vincent was not home. He was very protective of her and their baby. At that moment she heard the secret door open. She smiled brightly when Mary stepped into the foyer.

The older woman saw her standing near the steps and became concerned. "Catherine, dear are you all right?"

Catherine nodded and held up her book. "Yes Mary I went upstairs to get this."

Mary shook her head and chuckled. "You know that Vincent doesn't like it when you go up stairs alone when he's not home."

Catherine smiled slyly. "Well, do we have to tell him?"

Mary chuckled as she took off her shawl. "Oh all right young lady, I won't say anything, but you are going to sit down in the library and take it easy."

Catherine moved into the other room as Mary followed to help her sit down again. "How's everything in the tunnels?"

Mary smiled as she adjusted the pillows for Catherine to lean against. "Everything's fine I would have been here sooner but I was talking to Father."

Catherine looked down at her hands for a moment. "How is he?"

Mary shook her head sadly. "He's lonely and I think he's finally realizing the error of his ways."

Catherine looked up at her again. "Oh Mary, I hope so Vincent's been so unhappy with the situation between them."

The older woman patted her shoulder. "I know but maybe it's all coming to an end now."

After making sure that Catherine was comfortable Mary stood up straight again. "Now I'm going into the kitchen and make you some tea."

Catherine sighed happily. "That would be nice." Mary bent over and kissed her on the forehead before leaving the library.

When she was alone Catherine settled back into the sofa to read. She had just opened the front cover when a sharp pain shot through her back. Dropping the book on the floor she sat up and placed her hand on her lower back.

She cried out as another pain hit. "Mary!"

The older woman came hurrying in the library. "Catherine, are you all right?"

She looked up at Mary in shock. "I think it's time."

Mary moved toward her. "Don't worry, you're ready for this."

Catherine shook her head. "The baby's not due for two more weeks."

Mary patted her shoulder. "Some babies are just in such a hurry to meet their wonderful parents that they decide to arrive a bit early." She cupped Catherine's cheek. "Peter told you and Vincent a couple of days ago that the baby could come a bit early."

Catherine sat back against the cushions. "I guess I'm just scared because Vincent isn't here." Catherine looked up at her again. "Oh Mary I can't have the baby without him!"

Mary rose from her kneeling position. "I know that your bond has been disturbed since your pregnancy progressed."

Catherine winced as another pain hit. "Yes, most of the time Vincent can't feel me the way he did before."

Mary moved toward the library door. "I'll go below and put a message on the pipes for Jamie to go down to the work site and get him."

Catherine looked at her over her shoulder. "Thank you for everything."

The older woman moved quickly to the secret entrance into the tunnels and placed an urgent message on the pipes. She reentered the house and walked back into the library. "I'm going to call Peter, he is at home today."

Catherine looked up again. "I'll just lay here until you are done."

Mary moved into the foyer and had just picked up the receiver when Father and Olivia came through the secret entrance. Father looked down a moment contritely. "I heard the message and thought I would come see if I could help."

Catherine heard his voice and sat up. "Father?"

He moved into the library. "Are you all right?"

Catherine nodded as she lay back again. "I'm having the contractions faster than I thought I would."

She looked at Olivia. "Is Jamie going to the lower tunnels to get Vincent?"

Olivia took her hand and squeezed it. "Yes, she ran out of Father's chamber just before we came up here."

Father came over to her again. "May I examine you?"

Catherine looked at him and smiled. "Yes of course." Olivia helped her loosen her maternity dress so that they could raise it. Father placed the stethoscope on her stomach and listened for a few moments.

He smiled at Catherine as he took the stethoscope off her stomach. "The baby's heartbeat is very strong."

Catherine relaxed. "Just like Vincent's."

Father patted her hand. "Yes my dear, just like Vincent's."

Mary came into the library and spoke to Catherine and Father. "Peter had an emergency and is tied up at the hospital his housekeeper told me that she would get hold of him as soon as she could."

Catherine looked at Father worriedly. "Do we have time for that?"

He took her hand. "I'm not sure, Catherine. Your contractions are very close together."

Catherine gripped his hand as another pain hit. "Father, will you deliver your grandchild?"

The older man felt a lump build in his throat. "Will that be acceptable to Vincent?"

Catherine was just about to answer when Vincent stepped into the foyer. "I would be honored to have you deliver our child."

Father looked up at him and smiled. "No, Vincent, I'm the one who would be honored."

Vincent removed his cloak laying it across the bench beside the secret door then he moved into the library.

Father rose from the sofa as he approached. "Can either of you ever forgive an old fool?"

Vincent shook his head as tears came to his eyes. "You are not a fool." Catherine let her own tears fall as she watched the Father/Son reunion. Mary and Olivia were also crying despite their smiles.

Vincent released Father after a moment and knelt down beside the sofa. "Are you all right, my angel?"

She reached up and wiped his tears away. "I'm fine now."

Father hated to interrupt but placed his hand on Vincent's shoulder. "We need to get her somewhere more comfortable."

Vincent looked at Catherine again and gently picked her up. "We want our child born in our bed."

Father smiled. "That's very appropriate." Vincent moved by him and carried her upstairs as Mary, Olivia, and Father followed behind.

A couple of hours later Catherine was lying in their bed bathed in sweat. Her contractions were coming even closer now. Vincent sat beside her and tenderly washed her face with a cool cloth. He was keeping busy because he knew that if he just sat there he would just be frightened for Catherine and their child. Father and Mary were working at the end of the bed preparing Catherine for the birth. Olivia was seated on Catherine's left side holding her hand.

Catherine opened her eyes and looked at Vincent. "Can I push soon?" He looked up at Father questioningly.

The older man moved toward them and patted her knee lovingly. "In just a few moments you can push."

Catherine looked up at him lovingly. "Thank you."

She closed her eyes again as another contraction started.

Mary spoke softly to her. "Breathe like I taught you."

Father finished the preparations and looked at Catherine again. "You can push if you need to." She opened her eyes and looked at Vincent. She sat up as Vincent and Olivia supported her. Mary counted to ten and told her to rest for a moment.

Vincent and Olivia slowly lowered her back to the mattress. Olivia touched her shoulder. "You're doing great."

Catherine looked over at her. "Did it hurt this much when Luke was born?"

Olivia could not help but chuckle. "It was worse."

Catherine shook her head just as another contraction started. "I have to push again!"

Father looked up at her. "Yes, push as hard as you can we are almost done."

Once again Vincent and Olivia helped her to rise while supporting her.

Father looked down a moment then looked at Catherine and Vincent. "I can see the top of the head." Catherine looked over at Vincent. He smiled encouragingly. "Now Catherine, I want you to push very hard this time so that the head crowns."

She moaned as she started to push again. "Oh God, this hurts!"

Vincent looked at Mary with a horrified look on his face. She shook her head. "It hurts all women this way."

He relaxed a bit and looked at Catherine once again. "You are doing fine my love our child will be here soon."

She looked up at him tiredly and cupped his cheek. "I love you."

Vincent took her hand from his cheek and tenderly kissed it. "And I love you."

Father cleared his throat hating to break the tender moment. "You're almost done."

She lifted her head. "I feel another contraction."

Father put his hand on her knee to get her attention. "On this contraction I want you to push as hard as you can."

Catherine nodded as she started breathing heavier. Vincent and Olivia once again helped her up.

"Now Catherine push!" She closed her eyes tightly as the pain overtook her and pushed with all her strength.

Mary smiled. "That's it Catherine, the baby is almost out." Catherine opened her eyes again and looked at Father. He looked up at her for a moment and smiled reassuringly. She closed her eyes tightly once again and continued to push until a loud angry cry was heard from the end of the bed.

Vincent and Olivia laid her back down. She opened her eyes and let her tears fall. "Our baby is here."

Vincent leaned forward and kissed her damp forehead. "Yes, you did wonderfully I'm very proud of you."

As he backed away she reached up and wiped away his tears. They both looked at Father. "Is the baby all right?"

The older man turned toward them smiling. "Yes, your son is healthy and beautiful." Coming around the side of the bed he gently laid the baby in his mother's arms for the first time. Catherine tenderly ran her fingers over her son's soft cheek. She looked up at Vincent and smiled. "He has your eyes."

Vincent touched his other cheek. "But he looks just as beautiful as you."

Catherine looked up when she heard the relief in his voice. She had secretly wanted the baby to look like him, but she knew that Vincent would have blamed himself. "He would have been just as beautiful if he looked like his daddy."

She looked at Vincent again. "Would you like to hold our son?"

He tenderly took the baby in his arms. The baby squirmed for a moment and opened his eyes once again. He looked directly into the matching blue eyes of his father then calmed once again.

At that moment a winded Peter rushed into the room. "Is everything all right?"

Catherine looked up at him. "Yes, come meet our son."

He looked at Father. "I'm glad you were here."

The tunnel elder wiped away his tears. "So am I."

Putting down his bag Peter moved slowly to the side of the bed. Olivia moved over so that he could see the baby better as he lay in his father's arms. "He's beautiful."

Catherine looked up at the man who had delivered her. "Yes he is."

The baby opened his mouth and let out a very loud cry.

Mary chuckled. "I think your son is telling everyone to leave so that he can eat." Vincent gave the baby back to Catherine.

Peter leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm going to go call Joe and Jenny."

She chuckled. "Yes and please ask them to call Nancy she'll wring my neck if they don't." He patted her hand then left the room.

Olivia touched Catherine's shoulder. "Congratulations, you have a beautiful son." Both Vincent and Catherine smiled in appreciation as she also left.

Mary and Father moved toward the door shortly after. Father turned and looked at them once again. "We're going to go below and tell everyone."

Catherine chuckled. "If I know Pascal the message is probably on the pipes right now." The four of them laughed.

The baby broke away from his mother's breast and let out a whimper of protest at the sudden noise.

She giggled then stroked his head. "We're very sorry, Sweetheart." Father and Mary watched from the doorway as Vincent and Catherine turned their full attention to their son.

Father looked at Mary. "Let's give them some privacy."

Once the baby was done Catherine moved him to her shoulder and started to burp him. She smiled. "I'm glad that Mary and Olivia taught me how to do this before today."

Vincent grinned. "So am I." He stood up from where he was kneeling beside the bed and sat down on the bed.

Catherine looked at him lovingly. "Lie down with us?" Vincent wordlessly removed his boots then laid down on his side facing his family.

He lifted his hand and stroked the baby's back. "You've made all my dreams come true."

Catherine looked over at him. "This was our dream."

Vincent rubbed the baby's back again. "Yes and now we have our beautiful son to add to it."

Catherine thought a moment. "I'm glad that you and Father made up."

Vincent looked up at her again. "So am I." He looked down a moment. "I was beginning to think we would never come to an understanding."

Catherine shook her head. "You and he love one another too much to have let that happen."

Vincent looked at her again. "I'm glad that he delivered our son."

Catherine looked at the baby against her shoulder. "I think he believed that I would throw him out when he arrived."

Vincent sighed. "We both said things that we will never be able to take back."

Catherine looked at him again. "Yes, but you can go on from here and we can all be a family again."

The rest of the afternoon they received a steady stream of friends and family from above and below. But that night Father informed everyone that they were to go home and let Vincent and Catherine have their time alone with their son. The couple smiled appreciatively at him as he left the bedroom. Then they lay together on their bed with the baby sleeping between them talking about what the future would hold for the three of them.

Shortly after they had placed the baby in the cradle that Vincent had slept in as a child Catherine fell into a peaceful sleep in his arms. But Vincent could not sleep; he laid awake thinking of the road that his life had taken. He had grown up lonely and isolated. But that all changed the night he found Catherine in the park. He tenderly kissed her forehead as she moaned in her sleep. "Our life is just beginning." He whispered just as he himself fell into a peaceful sleep.