Chapter 19

"Oh no Catherine! I would never!" Vincent protested.

"Then I just don't understand this! Maybe the test is wrong! I could get another one and see… I mean like getting a second opinion."

"I don't believe there is any need for that Catherine. I do know something that would most likely explain this. However, I am afraid it will not be pleasant to hear."

When he paused to take a breath, she jumped in with, "I don't care how unpleasant it is, Vincent, I need to know what is going on! This is driving me crazy!"

"I can sense that Catherine, just remember, when I tell you this, I am here for you, and willing to help in any way that I can."

"Okay! Yeah! I'll remember! Now tell me please!" she demanded impatiently.

Taking a deep breath he said quietly, "During your attack Catherine, they didn't just cut you. Father found evidence that you were sexually assaulted."

There was just the softest little gasp from Catherine that anyone without Vincent's extra sensitive hearing would have missed even sitting as close to her as he was.

Catherine hadn't wanted to admit even in her own mind that this had been a possibility. To be unexpectedly pregnant as a single woman was one thing. But to have it occur as the result of a violent attack…a rape…was quite another.

After the news Vincent had delivered sunk in she asked, "What am I going to do Vincent?"

He had been considering her situation while she had been thinking so was ready with an answer, "Catherine all children deserve love no matter how they come into the world. While it would be understandable if you had a hard time loving this baby, I can assure you that your child would be welcome in our world. If you decided that you couldn't raise the baby yourself."

"Vincent that is very kind, but if I decided not to raise it in this day and age I could just get an abortion."

"But Catherine…each life is so precious!" he protested.

"I know…" she sighed, "And with the way I was raised I know that I couldn't carry through with an abortion. But if I were to give the baby up I would need to go into hiding before I started to show. I would be hounded by the press if they found out."

"You would be welcome to come Below Catherine."

"Thank you Vincent that is good to know. I will need to give this a lot of thought," she told him.

They sat for quite a while in silence, Vincent lending her his support while allowing her to work things through in his mind.

When Catherine's thoughts began to repeat themselves for the fourth time, she knew she wouldn't get any further in sorting things out right then. She needed something to distract her mind. "Vincent will you read to me?" she asked.

"Gladly," he told her.

She got up, went into the apartment, and brought out her copy of 'Great Expectation'.

Dawn was just creeping across the sky as he finished the book and reluctantly told her he must go.

"Must you Vincent?" she pleaded. When he said 'yes' she wanted to know, "When will I see you again?"

"I could come Above as soon as it is dark later tonight Catherine, or maybe you would like to come Below for a visit?"

"I would like that Vincent! Your world seems very conductive to peaceful thought and that is certainly something I am in need of right now. Do you think William would mind if I arrived in time for dinner?"

"William's greatest joy in life is feeding people Catherine. I am sure he would be very happy to have you."

"What about your father?"

"I will inform him on your visit…Catherine if you would want his advice as a doctor I am sure that he would be willing…"

"Oh no Vincent!" she interrupted. "I think I would rather keep this just between us until I decide what to do."

"Alright Catherine, whatever you wish. Now I really must go."

They hugged good-bye and Catherine watched in awe as he gracefully climbed to the roof of her building and disappeared.

To be continued….