Chapter 28

"Catherine I can understand your reasons for not wanting your friend to know how badly you were hurt in the attack. She would suffer regret for not being able to help you. You want to spare her that pain."

"Vincent you are amazing! That is exactly what was going through my mind! But no matter…I can't put this at your door! I can't have you taking the blame for something you didn't do."

"My shoulders are broad Catherine. If you truly would rather everyone think that the baby is mine rather than what really happened I would not reveal your secret."

"But people in your world already know the truth!" she protested.

"Other than Olivia, who you told, and Mary, who might have guessed, and I am sure that both of them would keep your secret as well. After all look at how Olivia was already talking. Now other than those two, who else do you think might know?"

"Your father knows that I was unconscious most of the time I was Below, and when I was awake he had to know I was too weak to be having a sexual romp with his son. Plus, if he ends up being my doctor, he's going to know how far along I am, and put two and two together."

"Catherine I can have a talk with Father and even though he values honesty he would not contradict me if I were to tell our community that the child you are carrying is mine."

"Still Vincent, that would be a lie! While I am thankful that you are willing to do this for me, I hate the idea of you lying to your family and friends."

"It would not be a lie if you were to move Below and allow me to help you raise the baby. If we were seen as a couple then everyone would just accept my place in your life and the baby's."

"That is all well and good Vincent, but what if you were to meet your soul mate like we talked about earlier?"

"Catherine I am thirty four years old. Do you not think that if my soul mate lived Below I would have known about it by now?"

"She might not be Below. She could be living here Above, and before you say you can't meet women in my world, remember that you did meet me!"

An unusual look came over Vincent's face as Catherine said that and she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. If she had known the truth it would have most likely shocked her greatly.

At her words a chord had struck in Vincent and he suddenly knew why there was this Bond between Catherine and himself. Somewhere deep inside he must have known she was the one for him even before they met. How else would he have felt her fear and pain during her attack and have been able to find exactly where she had been dropped in the park? Catherine must be his soul mate! But how could HE get a woman like her to even consider him as a mate?

No matter what she had said when they had been talking hypothetically, in the real world women as beautiful as Catherine did not fall in love and marry the beast of the story. That only happened in fairy tales.

"That is something to think about…" however the rest of whatever she had been going to say was cut off by the yawn that caught her unaware. With a blush, she tried to apologize even as Vincent was getting up to leave.

"Catherine you have your lunch with Ms. Aaronson and I have a class to teach this morning. I should be going. What time would you like me here for my meeting with your friend?"

"Right after sunset Vincent. With the days as long as they are now, we don't want to make it any later."

"Alright Catherine, I will be here then."

She got to her feet and followed him to the door. Before she would let him leave Catherine reached out and gave him a big hug, saying, "Thank you so much Vincent."

"For what Catherine?"

"Mainly for just being the person you are. You have given me a lot to think about tonight and with your support I am sure that I will be able to make the choices I need to make."

"I am happy to help you in whatever way I can Catherine," he told her, returning her hug and then taking his leave.

To be continued….