Chapter Fifteen

"Vincent, please... Tell me what is wrong," Catherine begged as Vincent stood there, staring off in the distance as though trying to hear something far, FAR away.

"I can hear it... our child's heartbeat. He's calling out to me," Vincent said as he set his gaze onto Catherine. "Just as he did on the night he was born."

"Do you know how to find him?" Catherine asked.

"I know where he is, Catherine. I must rescue him."

Catherine reached out for Vincent's hand, clasping it tightly in hers. "Be careful, Vincent. I love you. Come back to me," she pleaded.

Bending down, Vincent took her lips in the sweetest kiss. For just a moment, he clutched her close against the broad wall of his chest. "I will be back for you..." he promised. "And I will be bring back our son, so I can place him in your arms."

As he straightened himself back out to his full height, he saw tears glistening in Catherine's gaze. "Vincent, he has your eyes," Catherine stated.

She watched with great hope in her heart as Vincent left swiftly, intent on finding their baby son. In a matter of minutes, Joe entered the room, worry in his expression.

"Where did Vincent go?" he asked. "He hurried out of here as if he were on a mission. To tell you the truth, Cathy, he almost tore the door right off its hinges."

Catherine knew that Vincent would be walking into great danger, but she had faith that he would save their son. "He left to save the baby," Catherine told Joe.

"What?! How does he know...?"

"He just knows. Vincent can sense things beyond what can be imagined. Don't ask me how. He just can."

"You said he was exceptional, Radcliffe. I think I have a lot to learn about this unique man you love."

"As soon as he's back with the baby, I'd love it if you got to know Vincent. I'm sure you'd be great friends."

"Until he's back, I am taking care of you. You're going to follow doctor's orders. You need a lot of rest. You've been through a terrible ordeal."

"You're telling me," Catherine said with a long sigh. "It was awful. Gabriel is a terrible, terrible man. I hope that Vincent will be safe. I hope he can rescue the baby and that he isn't walking into some sort of deadly trap."

"You can't worry, Cathy. Vincent can take care of himself. He's strong and capable," Joe said as he kissed her on the cheek. "Once he gets his hands on Gabriel, I am sure Gabriel will wish he'd never taken you or stolen your son."

Catherine reached out for Joe's hand. "Pray with me," she pleaded. "Pray that the baby will be safe. And Vincent. I love him so."

"Anything for you, Radcliffe," said Joe as he held her hand. He bowed his head in silent prayer. Together they prayed with all their hearts for the safety of a newborn child and his fierce, protective father.

~*o*~

The worried nurse carried the sleeping babe from the nursery and handed him to Gabriel. "What are you doing?" Gabriel asked in anger as he looked down at the infant. "You're supposed to be taking care of him!"

"I am trying, Sir... but the child is NOT thriving. Without intervention, he's going to die," the nurse said urgently.

"This child needs his father," Gabriel spoke in agreeance. "Without him, he's going to perish."

*Vincent, where ARE you?!" Gabriel called out inwardly to the man who had fathered the child. *Your son NEEDS you! You must come to him at once!*