Chapter 101

Vincent grinned indulgently and after giving both Father and Catherine hugs, he followed Mouse from the study.

Catherine smiled at Father, "That Mouse is an odd boy you know."

"Yes he is," Father agreed. "Now you had better hurry on to see Mary. She has been acting oddly since Thursday night."

"Alright Father, I am on my way," she told him and gave him a quick hug before leaving.

Father looked startled at the contact and then muttered as Catherine left, "What is it about weddings that make women all touchy feely?"

When Catherine arrived at Mary's chamber she was surprised to see several of the tunnel ladies there, including Jenny, that was to be expected, but not the fact that they looked packed and ready for a trip. Mary explained that with the strong winds on the staircase to the Great Hall they were going to set up a bridal changing area inside the room so Catherine and the rest of the ladies wouldn't arrive looking all wind-blown. Catherine said she thought it was a wonderful idea and held out her hands so she could carry her share. When that was done, they were on their way.

The ladies quickly and efficiently set up a private corner in the Great Hall under Mary's expert guidance. Even though the rest of the room was buzzing with people getting things ready for both the wedding and reception to follow, the bridal prep party was left along to get the bride and her attendant ready.

In Vincent's temporary chamber, Pascal, Winslow, and Devin were all there to help the groom get dressed. Mouse kept running in, and each time he did, he was sent out again on an errand to keep him busy and out of their hair.

Peter and Charles stopped by for a moment. They wanted to show Vincent the rings as well as to leave Cathy's with Devin. They were lovely! They were single bands of white gold with an engraved Celtic love knot pattern all around them. Vincent thanked them both in a rather choked up voice. The purchase of the rings told him that Catherine's father was willing to accept him as a son-in-law.

Charles said they were going to check on Cathy next and wanted to know if Vincent had any message for her. "Just tell her I love her and will see her soon." Charles agreed to do so and after Peter warned Devin not to loose the ring they left.

The trek to the Great Hall surprised Charles somewhat, he had no idea this underground world was so big. The wind on the staircase was actually a shock to him. When he could be heard, he asked Peter where it came from.

"No one knows Charles, it's just another of the mysteries of this place."

Shaking his head, he went off to find his daughter. The ladies had hung bed sheets to conceal the dressing area. Charles had to wait a few minutes before being told he could enter.

Catherine stood several feet in front of him and he gasped at the sight! She looked so much like her mother standing there in her wedding gown and Charles was transported back to the day he had married Caroline. "Oh Cathy, you look stunning!" he told her.

"Thank you Daddy!" she said and came forward to hug him.

He showed everyone Vincent's ring before handing it over to Jenny for safe keeping.

For the last hour, the hall had slowly been filling up with people and now it was just minutes before she was to walk down the aisle on her father's arm to marry the man she loved.

Charles asked if he could have a few minutes alone with his daughter and Mary told him it would have to be very quick. The musicians were already warming up and it was time for the two of them go get into place.

As they walked to the end of the aisle Charles told her, "Cathy, I am so sorry about your attack and all the pain it has brought you. I know you must be grateful to these people, but you have to know that you don't have to go through with this because of gratitude! You can still call it off and we can leave!"

Catherine wanted to make sure she had her father's complete attention as she answered him, "Daddy the attack was horrible, but everything that has come after it, have been some of the most wonderful things in my life! I met Vincent and the people of this world, and while I do feel gratitude to them for saving my life, I have come to love them even more so. I have found a branch of the law where I truly feel I am making a difference. In some small way, I feel partially responsible for bringing Vincent's brother home after twenty years, and even the baby I am carrying…while not my choice for how it happened, I still feel blessed that I am going to be a mother. Then there is the fact that Vincent has truly accepted the baby and is willing to raise it as his own. I can only pray we are as good of parents as you and Mother were. All in all, I would have to say that the attack turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Just then the music began to play…

To be continued….In the sequel!