Chapter 15
Vincent brought breakfast to his chamber the next morning. William had made oatmeal raisin muffins. They were so large that usually the only people that could eat more than one was Vincent, Winslow, and Mouse, however, Vincent was pretty sure Mouse was secretly sharing his second muffin.
Catherine had sat down at the table while Vincent was making tea and after unwrapping the food from its protective napkin she saw three muffins. Looking at Vincent she questioned, "Is someone joining us for breakfast?"
"No," he said with a slight blush. "Two of them are for me, unless you would like to have some of the second one."
"Heavens! As big as these are, I doubt I will be able to finish one!" she exclaimed.
"Really?" his eyes brightened. "There are many times I would like more than two, but Father frowns on me being selfish."
"I will gladly let you have any of the extra if I don't finish mine Vincent."
"Thank you Catherine," he said, handing her a cup of tea before sitting down across from her at the table.
They ate in silence for a while and before long Catherine pushed half of her muffin towards him as she told him, "As much as I wish I could stay here longer Vincent, I really should be going home today."
"I anticipated that would be your wish Catherine, and Mary should be by soon with your clothes. She repaired the tears and cleaned them."
"I will be sure to thank her. Mary seems to be a very important member of your community here."
"Each person here is important in their own way, but I don't see how we would get along without Mary. She not only quilts and sews, she knits and crochets things to keep us warm. Mary decorates each new chamber when we finish it, and on top of all that, she organizes and oversees the nursery. She is in essence a mother figure to every here Below especially the children."
"They are very lucky to have her! My mother died when I was ten and there is not a day that goes by that I don't miss her."
"I was found abandoned behind St. Vincent's hospital and brought here to the man who became my father, and Mary is the only mother I have even known," Vincent stated just as the woman they had been talking about came into the chamber.
Mary handed the bundle of clothing to Catherine as she said, "And after the first three days he was a perfect little baby."
"Why wasn't he during the first three days?" Catherine asked.
"He was very sickly. In fact he almost died. He wouldn't eat or sleep, all he did was cry. Then suddenly it was as if he flipped a switch in his mind and decided that he was safe, warm, and loved here. The change was like night and day, suddenly he started to eat, and did he ever! It was like he was making up for lost time. He began to sleep at night and we started to get coos and smiles from him."
"Well, I for one, am glad he chose to live!" Catherine stated firmly.
"We all are, child," Mary told her and then took her leave.
Catherine looked down at the clothes she was holding and reluctantly said, "I guess I should be getting dressed."
Vincent nodded and explained, "I will take our breakfast dishes back to the kitchen while you do that and then guide you Above when I get back."
When he left the room with the dishes, Catherine didn't immediately begin to dress, instead she sat on his bed and wondered why she felt so sad about leaving. She had been brought here without her knowledge after a very violent attack. This place should represent fear and pain in her mind, but instead she felt peace and contentment. This place was magical! Not only did a highly handsome and unusual prince live here, but she had felt nothing but warmth and love from every person she had met. All in all it was very difficult to contemplate leaving. But Vincent had said she could come back for a visit! She would have to remember the way they went to get Above so she would be able to find her way back!
With that happy thought firmly in her mind, Catherine began to dress to go home.
Vincent had been so focused on his own feelings about Catherine leaving that he didn't open himself to the Bond until he was on his way back from the kitchen. When he felt Catherine's happiness, his heart sank to think she was happy about leaving his world.
To be continued….