Chapter 4
"Catherine they did all of this because they already think of you as a part of our family here Below. They wanted to welcome you and show you how much they love you. If you were to say a simple thank you to everyone with the joy shining out of your eyes as it is right now, that would be more than enough."
She happily nodded her acceptance of his words and then took a step closer to him to lay her head on his shoulder as the dance continued. Soon others started to move onto the dance floor, but Catherine and Vincent were so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice.
As the dance ended Samantha hurried onto the floor and took Vincent and Catherine by their hands. "Come with me!" she insisted, pulling them along with her.
The newlyweds shared smiles over her head as they moved through the crowd. Vincent finally asked, "Where are we going Samantha?"
"It's time to open your presents!" she explained as she stopped in front of a table piled high with gaily wrapped gifts.
Vincent and Catherine smiled at each other over Samantha's enthusiasm for presents even if they were not for her. Jenny had came over to the gift table with them and Vincent was surprised when she sat down opened a pretty white book. He looked at Catherine asking silently for an explanation.
"She is going to record the gifts that we received and who gave them to us," Catherine told him.
"But it says on the cards who they are from," Vincent was still confused.
"I know Vincent, but the book keeps a record of them so I can send each person a 'thank you' note."
"Why not just tell them? Everyone who has given us a gift is here."
Catherine looked a bit surprised at his words and then grinned from ear to ear. "Our two worlds collide again," she sighed. "Your way is so simple! I don't know how the writing of 'thank you' notes even got started, but I like your way better!"
Jenny looked up at the two of them and asked, "Do you still want me to record things then?"
Vincent was just about to tell her there was no need when Catherine said, "Yes please. Years from now I would like to look back and remember it all."
"Okay," Jenny replied and they began. Vincent and Catherine took turns opening the gifts. They would announce who it was from and then hold it up high for everyone to see.
The items they received ranged from handmade clay gifts from the children, to expensive store bought things from people Above. They received pen and pencil holders and what looked like something meant to be a cup. Geoffrey explained it was for their toothbrushes and that if they looked under the paper they would find a new one for each of them. Catherine's was a standard brush in pink, but the one for Vincent set everyone but Charles Chandler to laughing. The handle was 18" long and the bristles were 3" long by an inch wide. A gag gift that Vincent took in stride, and promised to use it every day.
Father's gift was a leather bound first edition book of love poems. Mary had given them a beautiful handmade quilt for their bed. From Mouse they were stumped. Both looked it over and neither could figure out what it was, they had to ask the young man for an explanation.
He eagerly told them that it was a candle powered kaleidoscope for their children's room. A candle placed in the middle of the base would give off heat that would cause the multi-colored glass ring to turn casting a rainbow of colors on the walls and ceiling.
"Mouse, that is amazing!" Catherine exclaimed and came around the table to give him a thank you kiss on the cheek.
When she returned to Vincent's side he leaned over and whispered a question in her ear, "Wasn't his reaction to your kiss much better than a thank you card would have been?"
To be continued…..