Chapter 72
He sat there for a while trying to take all that she had told him. His heart ached for what she had been through and yet here she was sitting before him literally glowing, and happier than he had ever remembered seeing her! "Cathy, I can't believe all that you have gone through and still you are sitting here full of joy! I hope that I get to meet this future son-in-law soon. But darling, have you been to the police about these men? I don't remember you saying anything about them when you first returned after you were missing."
"You're right. I was so consumed about keeping Vincent and his world secret that I just kept saying that I didn't remember anything. I promise that I will go in tomorrow and file a full report on them. As for meeting Vincent, I was hoping that you would come to my apartment for dinner tonight. He will be there and the two of you could meet then."
"Cathy we all know that your cooking isn't the best. Why don't you let me take the two of you out? We can go to La Sirene's, I know you love French food."
"Daddy, there are reasons that can't happen. You will understand after you meet him and I have already ordered dinners from La Sirene's. I just need to pick them up on my way home."
"Cathy, you say the two of you are getting married, so I'm guessing that he's not hiding from a jealous wife. But is he on the run from the law? Is that why he won't go out in public?"
"No daddy! Nothing like that! Vincent is very special, he is unique, and unusual, and the most wonderful man in the world!...Next to you of course Daddy."
Charles chuckled, "Cathy you have claimed that about every boyfriend you have ever had!"
"Just you wait Daddy! You will see! Vincent is all that and more than I told you! I mean, how many of the guys in my past do you think would gladly accept this child and be willing to raise it as his own? Vincent is the kindest, gentlest, sweetest soul I have ever encountered and I can't believe that there is anyone else in the world like him."
Her father smiled indulgently at her and said, "Cathy with a build up like that, this Vincent of yours would have to be a superman. Don't put him on too high a pedestal. Everyone has flaws and one day he will disappoint you, possibly without even meaning to, but if he falls off that pedestal, I don't want you hurt."
Catherine grinned at him, "I know that Vincent has flaws daddy, but I accept his just as he accepts mine."
Charles pretended to gasp, "My baby has flaws?"
She giggled, "You are very aware of two of them! My cooking and that I have a terrible time getting to work on time!"
"I guess the only hope of you not starving or living on take out food is if your Vincent cooks."
"We won't starve, I promise you daddy. Now will you come to dinner tonight?" she begged.
"Of course I will Cathy. Have the two of you set a date for the wedding yet?"
"Sometime in the next two weeks," she beamed her answer.
"Cathy you won't be able to find a location on that short of notice!"
"Vincent assures me that the Great Hall can be ready and I have mother's dress. The only other things I need are you and Jenny there."
"Are you sure about this darling? This is very sudden! You really haven't known him very long if you only met two months ago. You knew Tom longer than that and look how that turned out."
"Daddy trust me, Vincent is very different from anyone I have even known before and when you meet him you will understand."
"Alright Cathy. As I said before, I will just have to reserve judgment until tonight."
Since his daughter wouldn't tell him anymore about Vincent or his world that she had mentioned, they talked about general topics until lunch was over and then returned to the office together.
She left work early to pick up their dinners and to get things ready for that evening. Catherine wanted everything to be perfect.
Finally happy with how the apartment looked, she laid out her clothes and hurried into the shower.
Somehow she had a feeling that Vincent had already arrived as she finished drying herself off. Seeing that he wasn't in the bedroom when she opened the bathroom door, she guessed he had to be either in the living room or still on the balcony. Hoping to tease him just a little, she crossed the room to her clothes on the bed, completely naked.
To be continued….