Chapter 24

The concert was lovely, Catherine was actually amazed by just how good the children were! They were as good as any concert that she had attended Above. While that fact had surprised her, there were other things about the event that also elicited that response.

Samantha had saved front row seats for Vincent and Catherine, but the size of the audience crowded into Father's study was much larger than she had expected. The two times she had been in the chamber it seem like every surface was over flowing with books and papers. She never would have thought it possible that enough room could have been made for this many people. On top of that, the acoustics in the study rivaled that of some of the best concert halls she had ever been in.

Vincent could tell that Catherine was enjoying the children's performance, not just because of the smile on her face, but by what he was sensing from her through the Bond. However, there was an underlying disquiet that he also picked up on and he was pretty sure that had to do with their interrupted conversation. There was no doubt in his mind that Catherine wasn't prepared to leave it where it had been.

Catherine applauded as loudly as anyone else as the children took their bows. As Vincent introduced each child, she stopped a moment to tell them how much she enjoyed their work. Vincent also praised the children, but for once his mind was not completely focused on them. He could not help but dwell on the conversation to come when he and Catherine were once again alone.

It took longer for that to happen than Catherine would have liked, and although Vincent valued every minute he and she could be alone together, this night he was happy to put it off. It seemed as if Father were reading Vincent's mind, or it was just that he had reasons of his own. But every time Vincent and Catherine thought they were finally free to leave, Father came up with someone else for them to talk to or with some question that he just had to ask Vincent before he left.

After several such tactics, Catherine deliberately and openly gave a huge yawn, announcing how tired she was. At that maneuver they were finally allowed to leave so Vincent could escort her home.

As they walked to the threshold to her building, Catherine told Vincent that she would like to finish their conversation from earlier in the evening. She knew that it would be an uphill battle to get Vincent to see himself as she saw him, but she was determined to do so. Because he didn't have a mirror in his chamber, Catherine thought that their talk would go better at her apartment.

They parted at her threshold with a hug and Vincent's promise that he would meet her on her balcony in just a few minutes.

On her solitary trip to the apartment, Catherine vowed that she was going to get him to come inside and get him in front of a mirror.

Vincent felt her determination about something through the Bond, but since he could only get feelings and not thoughts he had no idea what she was planning. He landed on her balcony just seconds before she unlocked her front door.

Catherine had no idea who would be able to travel faster. All she did know was that tonight she wanted him to come inside. Remembering his world was full of candle light and thinking he might be more comfortable that way, she was just about to start looking for matches when there was a soft knock at the balcony door.

Going to the doors, she opened them but instead of stepping out, she took his hand and started to pull him inside. "I was just about to light some candles and put on some coffee…or would you prefer tea?" she asked.

Slowly he took a step into her apartment and replied, "Tea if you have it please Catherine. The only time I tried coffee I found it too bitter for my taste."

"Okay, tea it is. I don't have any of the herbal blends you get from Mr. Lee. I hope you won't mind store bought?"

He told her whatever she had would be fine. Catherine smiled and handed him a box of matches, "Would you mind lighting the candles while I get it started?"

"Not at all Catherine," he told her.

To be continued….