Chapter 47

That stopped Devin cold. He had been going to protest again, had even opened his mouth to do so, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the look in her eyes. He had seen that look before. In Catherine's eyes when she looked at Vincent and in his when he looked back at her. In Mary's eyes anytime she looked at a child, and lately, when she knew he wasn't looking, it was there when she looked at Father as well. But never before could he remembered it looking at him before. The love staring at him from Becky's eyes told him she was telling the truth and for the first time he could remember, he felt his heart give a lurch in response.

Could the 'one' for him have been here in this hole in the ground all along?! While he was out searching the world for some meaning in his life, had it been here waiting for him all these years? Could this beautiful, talented, quiet, and shy woman be his future?!

He was quiet so long that Rebecca knew he was trying to think of a way to let her down easy. She pulled her hand from his and began to tidy things in the room that had no need of it. "It's alright Devin," she used his full name since it didn't feel right to use the beloved nickname any longer, "You don't need to say anything. I know that I'm not your type. I'm not a successful business woman with fashionable clothes. It's really too bad that you didn't meet Catherine before Vincent did!"

After a 'hello hug' for her husband, Catherine asked, "How is Devin dealing with the news Vincent?"

"He wasn't willing to talk about it at first, but I left him alone with Rebecca a while ago thinking if he would open up to anyone about his feelings it would be with her."

"Rebecca? Really? I would've have thought that person would be you!"

"The two of them have been spending a lot of time together the last few days and I think Devin might be starting to appreciate how special Rebecca is."

"Oh really?!" she asked with an arched brow.

"I just hope that he knows what he is doing. Rebecca is not a woman of the world like Jenny is and she was hurt when Devin turned her away. Rebecca would be devastated!"

"I have a feeling that this experience has changed some of Devin's views on things."

Peter approached them and with a grin questioned, "So how long do you think Devin's surgery will be delayed with the 'talk' going on between Jacob and Mary?!"

"Talk?" Catherine inquired.

Before Peter could fill her in, Vincent replied, "I am afraid there was a bit of a snag that I hope Father is able to straighten out."

"What?" Peter and Catherine asked with almost the same level of confusion.

"They had asked me into the study to find out when I thought it would be appropriate for them to let people know they were a couple…"

"Finally!" Peter exclaimed, at the same time that Catherine stated, "It's about time!"

Vincent smiled at them and nodded his agreement, then went on to tell them, "Well, I couldn't help just a bit of teasing and asked if they would be getting married or living in sin…"

Again he was interrupted, but this time both of his listeners gasped in unison, "Vincent!" Then a heartbeat later they were almost in unison when they demanded, "What did they say?"

"Father reported that of course they would be getting married. However, Mary insisted that would not be happening until she had a proper proposal. I believe Father was on his way to deliver that when I headed this way."

Catherine giggled while Peter quipped, "That should be interesting!"

"While they are settling that, maybe we should check on how Devin is doing," Vincent suggested.

The other two agreed and the trio moved down the passageway towards the hospital chamber.

To be continued…..