Chapter 74

"I am sorry Mr. Chandler. There are times when I do regret the way that I am. However your daughter has shown me that I have nothing to be ashamed of. My differences do not bother her and therefore there is no reason to change."

"But Cathy, as a Chandler, is in the public eye. If the two of you marry, how will she explain a husband that can never be at her side?"

"Daddy I don't care about public appearances! I never have. All I care about is Vincent and the life we are going to build together. Also I am going to be a mother soon. Don't you think that will keep me busy enough?"

"But where will you live?" he asked truly concerned.

"I spoke briefly about Vincent's world at lunch. It is a safe and wondrous place. We will be able to live there and raise our children there, and Daddy, there is even an amazing cook already living there!"

Ignoring the rest of her statement completely, Charles focused on the part that clutched his heart with dread. "Children? You are actually considering more children after this one?" he demanded incredulously, staring straight at Vincent.

Catherine, however, was the one that answered him, "Yes Daddy! We both want more children and although we haven't discussed a number yet, I have always wanted four. Being an only child was very lonely."

"Your mother and I never wanted you to be an only Cathy. But it wasn't long after you were born that she became ill and we knew it wasn't to be. You have to understand my concern about this matter! Do you know why Vincent is the way he is? Could he pass this birth defect along to his children?"

"Catherine and I have discussed this subject at length Mr. Chandler. We have no way of knowing if my differences can be passed on, but we are prepared to accept and love what children come our way despite their appearance," Vincent told him.

"That isn't quite true Daddy. Vincent is still a bit astonished that I love him just the way he is. I not only want a child that looks like him, but I pray we do have one!"

"Cathy!"

"Catherine!"

Both men gasped in unison, but Catherine had eyes only for Vincent in that moment, "It's true Vincent! I simply can't believe that you could look into our child's face and not see beauty there. Maybe then at last you will believe that I find you beautiful too! Now…if all that is out of the way, could we please sit down to dinner? I am eating for two now you know and I am starved!"

Ever mindful of Catherine's needs, Vincent quickly offered to be of any help that she needed.

As the two of them moved around getting things ready for dinner, Charles stood there observing them. He saw how Vincent wouldn't allow Cathy to do anything too strenuous, but he was subtle about it, always finding light or easy tasks for her to do while he took on the heavy or hard ones. Charles had to admire that, even as he inwardly shuddered at the mere thought of those clawed hands touching his daughter. Still, Cathy seemed perfectly at ease with him and the love they shared was plainly there in to see in their eyes.

The wine was chilled, the food warmed up, and everything was on the table. Vincent held out Catherine's chair and tenderly helped her up to the table. Charles had to admit that despite his looks Vincent certainly knew how to act like a gentleman. He mentally shook his head as he took a seat across from his future son-in-law, that everything Cathy had said about this one being unique and unusual was certainly true.

"Mr. Chandler, Catherine tells me that your firm deals mostly in corporate law. Was that what you wanted to do right out of law school, or did that choice come about later?" Vincent asked trying to get a conversation going. He felt Catherine's approval and thanks through their Bond.

Charles looked startled at the depth of the question, and actually took a moment to consider his answer before speaking, "No, when I first started out I wanted to set the world on fire with high profile, news worthy cases like murder, kidnapping, things like that. But young lawyers don't get cases like that at first and I discovered, while waiting for my chance, that I had an affinity for corporate law. By the time I was offered my first 'dream' case, I had already built up a steady client base and had a young family to care for. I passed on that case and honestly never looked back. Cathy is also a great corporate lawyer," he declared proudly.

To be continued….