Chapter Seventeen

Catherine was sleeping when Vincent came quietly in the night, carrying the small bundle in the warmth of his embrace. "How is she?" Vincent asked as he entered the safe house.

"She's doing much better. Is this...?" Joe asked as he looked down at the baby wrapped in a soft white blanket.

"Yes, this is my son," Vincent said proudly. "I need to take him to his mother."

A few minutes later, Catherine, Vincent, and their baby boy had been reunited. Catherine cried happy tears as she held her precious son. "He's a miracle," she said joyously as Joe looked on.

"What's the little guy's name?" Joe asked as he too marveled over the adorable child.

Vincent and Catherine looked at each other. "Jacob," they both said at the exact same moment.

"After my father," Vincent added.

"I have wanted to name him Jacob all along," Catherine said as she took Vincent's hand. "You must have heard me in your mind."

"Do you know what I am thinking now?" he asked as he stared at her with tenderness.

"You want to take me home... Below. So those who love us can see the baby," she said, smiling through her ecstatic tears.

Vincent's heart skipped a beat when he realized in that moment that their bond had been fully restored. "Is that what you want?"

"Yes! Vincent, our dream can finally come true. We can finally be together. Completely!"

"Yes, as it should be."

"Hey, what about the book?" Joe questioned. "The one Moreno wanted..."

"I can get you the book. I took it apart and glued it into the cover of Vincent's journal," Catherine revealed. "All of those that helped Gabriel and Moreno will pay for their evil deeds."

"I guess this means you are dead to those in the world Above now," Vincent said to Catherine. "You'll have a new life. A new beginning."

"A life with you is all I have ever wanted," she stated as she gazed into his eyes with longing.

Although Catherine remained paralyzed below the waist, she was certain she would be able to walk again one day. She would find the strength to stand because Vincent and Father would tenderly care for her, along with Joe and Peter. She would have everything she could possibly need, because she and Vincent were back together.

"Let's have a naming ceremony for our son as soon as we get home," Vincent suggested. "Is there anyone special you'd like to invite?"

Catherine nodded. "My best friend Jenny. She always said she'd love to meet you."

"Ohhh by the way, Jenny and I are dating," Joe revealed. "After your 'death,' I was comforting her... and well, one thing lead to another and then we..." Joe's words trailed off.

Catherine laughed and Vincent's eyes twinkled. "Love is in the air," Vincent spoke. "I know now just who the godparents should be for little Jacob."

"Really?" Joe said with excitement. "Me and Jenny?"

"You two would be perfect," Catherine stated. "Without all of your help, Joe... who knows what would have happened to me and little Jacob. And you brought Vincent back to me... and that is the best gift of all."

"I just hope Jenny will forgive me. I haven't been exactly honest with her."

"She will, Joe, just give her a chance," Catherine said.

Catherine tenderly squeezed Vincent's large hand while she placed a kiss atop Jacob's tiny head. The child seemed so contented now that he had been returned to his parents. "Vincent, it's time we went home. Shall we go now?" Catherine asked.

Vincent nodded in agreement as he gathered Catherine and their child into embrace.

"Home," he said as he hugged her against his chest.

The End