Chapter 98
Ruefully Vincent shook his head, "No, it was Catherine. She discovered how much I like chocolate and how rarely we got the treat Below, and she sent down a very large supply."
"Way to go Cathy!" Devin cheered.
"Yeah, no one should be denied chocolate!" Jenny declared after swallowing the large bit of cake she had just taken.
Everyone agreed with a laugh and the rest of the evening proceeded on that lighter note. Jenny and Devin took their leave at about ten, figuring that the engaged couple would like some time alone.
They did share two hours of lovemaking and cuddling before at midnight Vincent announced that he needed to go. Catherine gave a sigh and honestly griped, "I will be SO glad when you get those new chambers finished!"
He grinned at her and promised that they would be finished on Friday. He also added he would then be able to spend that whole night with her. He was most certainly surprised when she told him, "No, you can't! In fact, you aren't supposed to see me at all on Friday!"
"Why is that Catherine?"
"It's a wedding tradition started I don't know how long ago. But for some silly reason the groom is not supposed to see the bride on the day before the wedding. It's supposed to bring bad luck."
"I see. Well then we must abide by tradition and refrain from seeing each other," he stated a bit sadly.
"Wait a minute Vincent! We are certainly not a traditional couple! We should be able to pick and choose the customs we want to observe and that is one I certainly don't like, and you seem equally disenchanted of it. Let's just forget that one! I would really like to spend Friday night in your arms!"
"As I would also, Catherine. If you do not think we would give our marriage bad luck, then I too would be happy to forgo that tradition."
"Wonderful! It's a date! We will spend Friday night together!"
"It is indeed a date Catherine. Oh! I was to extend an invitation to you from Mary and the other ladies Below. They would like you to come down for dinner and a shower…I actually had to ask about that twice, because Below we mainly take baths, but Mary assured me that it is a tradition that the bride's friends give her a shower before the wedding."
Catherine burst into giggles at the perplexed look on Vincent's face. She started to talk a few times before she could get herself enough under control to explain. "Vincent, a bridal shower does not involve soap and water! It is when the bride's friends gather to 'shower' her with gifts."
Light dawned and Vincent grinned sheepishly at his misassumption, "I see," he said.
"I bet Devin will arrange a bachelor party for you as well. That is typical for the groom and his friends."
"That at least sounds much drier," he commented.
They parted with kisses and laughter, promising to see each other the next night.
Thursday was as taxing at work as Wednesday had been, but on the up side, Catherine saw that Joe was conducting several interviews for 'Jeff's' position. By the end of the day he announced that he had hired not one, but two new lawyers who would start on Monday. Joe explained that they had been short handed anyway and when there had been two good candidates, he saw no reason to choose between them, instead hired them both. Catherine, looking at the piles of work on her desk, agreed, her only regret was that they weren't starting that day.
Catherine stopped at her apartment to change into clothes more appropriate to a bridal shower Below and to pack a small overnight case since Vincent had suggested she spend the night with him rather than go back Above after their parties.
He met her at her threshold, being sure to say her name before helping her down the ladder. He remembered that the last time she had been frightened when he had come up behind her like that without warning. She smiled at him and told him that she was no longer fearful since the men who had attacked her were gone from her life for good. Vincent hung his head as he remembered killing the men.
To be continued….