Chapter 16

Vincent quickly scolded himself for such a selfish thought! Of course Catherine would be happy to be going home! After all, this place was alien to her and everyone here a stranger. Vincent squared his shoulders and entered his chamber, he was prepared to face a happy Catherine and escort her safely Above.

At least he had thought he was prepared to face her happiness. However, once he saw her face alight with joy he couldn't help but feel a twinge of hurt. Did she really have to be so very glad about leaving?

Catherine started to speak as he was wrestling with his feelings. "Vincent, I know I will need to deal with things Above, but I am hoping it won't take too long and then I can come back for a visit!"

Her words had stunned him. As he stood there absorbing their meaning, he allowed himself to 'tune in' to her feelings and was overjoyed when he realized she was looking forward to her return Below! Maybe he really would see her again! She might not be going out of his life forever!

"I will live in anticipation of that day Catherine," he told her.

With a sigh she said, "Well good-byes are never easy, but the sooner I go the sooner I will be able to return. You won't forget me will you Vincent?"

"I could never do that Catherine! So if you are ready I will escort you home."

"Thank you Vincent I think I am ready now."

The walked by people working and children playing, but this time Vincent didn't stop to talk or introduce her to anyone they simply kept walking.

Finally they came to a halt at a hole in the hallway wall. It looked like it had been freshly opened. "Where are we Vincent?" she asked looking around confused.

"This is where you go out. The ladder there leads to the basement of your apartment building."

"It does?" Catherine inquired in wonder, poking her head through the wall to look at the door at the top of the ladder.

A burst of voices from the basement made Vincent pull back and flatten himself against the wall so he would be out of sight.

Catherine's instinct hadn't been to pull back and hide so she was a bit surprised when she turned to say something to Vincent not to find him there. Finding him hiding against the wall, she said, "Its okay Vincent I think they're gone now. I want to thank you for taking such good care of me," she added giving him a tight hug.

Vincent was surprised by her actions, but still only allowed only one hand to come up to touch her back. He was afraid that if he actually put his arms around her he would end up begging her to stay.

When another burst of voices drew her attention away from him and she took a step towards the ladder he took the opportunity to get away. His feet moved quickly and silently on the dirt. He heard Catherine call out his name and he had to restrain himself from returning to her, so he quickened his pace to a run and kept moving away from her.

After three surgeries on her face, the doctors had told Catherine that they had done all they could do at that time. When she was healed the only remaining scar would be on in front of her left ear that could easily be covered with her hair.

Although she had repeatedly been asked by her father, friends, and the police about the ten days she had been missing after her attack she held firm to the story that she couldn't remember anything that had happened during that time.

One day, about seven weeks after her return Above Catherine was having lunch with her good friend from college, Nancy Tucker. She had been feeling slightly 'off' for two or three days, but when the waiter brought the sandwiches they had ordered Catherine's stomach rolled and she made a dash for the bathroom.

When she returned to the table Nancy looked at her oddly and said, "I had the waiter take away the pickles Cathy. I remember when all my pregnant friends were craving pickles, they made me want to hurl. So how long are you and Tom going to wait to set the date if you are already expecting?"

To be continued….