Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Fifteen
________________________________________________
Stepping from the shadows, Paracelsus replied, “Want? What
do I want?” With a raised brow, he mordantly answered, “World
Peace and harmony…”
He then approached a rigid Vincent, and expounded, “I don’t
want anything boy…this may surprise you, but I wish to give YOU
something. Shall we call it a gift?”
As Paracelsus looked down at the parcel he held, he humbly
said, “This is an heirloom from my Father, handed down to him
from his Father before him…”
Helplessly, Vincent softly replied, “I cannot accept this
Paracelsus…”
“Take it…” Pleaded Paracelsus, “…you are my only…”
Paracelsus stopped himself from saying Vincent was his only son,
a standing or entitlement he still believed…deep in his heart that
Vincent, in spite of everything, owned. But he instead said, “I
have no one else to give this to.”
And with that said, Paracelsus stepped closer, and before he
handed Vincent the linen wrapped gift, he irately said, “You were
to be my son…supposed to be MY son…I was suppose to raise
and nurture you… then when Anna died, the honorable righteous
Jacob stole you from me!”
As a calm came over him, he then continued, “I, however
now…looking back, understand why he did…”
Hesitantly, Paracelsus admitted, “It took me along time to
understand he…he did so not to hurt me, but rather to protect you,
because he loved you too.”
With a nod, Paracelsus added, “It was a courageous thing he
did…”
He then looked back down at the gift he held, and coaxed, “Just
consider it a good deed for you to accept this gift from
me…please.”
As Vincent meekly and unsurely took the gift from him,
Paracelsus heaved a relieving sigh, as he solemnly said, “I knew
that reason alone would appeal to you. You do like to do good
deeds for others…don’t you…you are a good man at heart
Vincent, just like Jacob.”
Sadly, Paracelsus added, “Perhaps you ended up with the right
parent after all…”
As Vincent stood tall before the small evil man of the tunnels,
he had to ask, “Why now…why do you wish to give this to me
now?”
“Let’s just say…” began Paracelsus, “I have come to terms with
my mortality…and after hearing Jacob’s recitation the other
night…I…”
With a note of shock and surprise at the notion Paracelsus was
near by the night Jacob told the story of the First Tunnel
Christmas, Vincent interrupted, asking, “You heard Father’s
story?”
“Yes…” answered Paracelsus in a quizzical manner, “…and I
dare say, Jacob’s gracious words toward myself, were stunning to
me. Hearing him speak of those early days, begged me to recall
the way we were back then, comrades indeed.”
Clearing his throat, Paracelsus went on to say, “In addition to
the harmonious memories his story invoked, I also thought of the
areas of contention which grew like a gulf between us. And so I
began to consider…perhaps it was time I repay him in some
way…so when you open your gift in his presence…there is
something inside of significance to him. Make sure he sees it, will
you?”
In reply Vincent said, “Of course…”
Paracelsus looked up at Vincent, and with a sense of reprieve in
his eyes, he said, "Merry Christmas…”
And before Vincent could find words to say to this evil man who
seemed sincere…he was gone! Paracelsus was gone!
Looking down at the gift, Vincent contemplated this
metamorphosis which overcame Paracelsus! Clearly he had
changed…his heart seemed changed! Then he thought to himself,
even Paracelsus is not immune to the magic of the Christmas
Season.
As Vincent walked onto the hot springs chamber, he thought of
how eager he was to speak with Father about this encounter with
Paracelsus, but since the time was nearing for him to meet
Catherine…it would have to wait until he returned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Catherine gathered up her coat collar, she walked to the
curb to hail a cab, and as she waited, she took in the Festive
Holiday ambiance. The snow began falling again, and the winter
winds were twirling the tiny crystallized dancers around,
seemingly to the tune of “I'll be home for Christmas” which was
emitting from the huge city speakers, out into Manhattan.
As the taxi weaved through traffic on the way to Pai’s,
Catherine contentedly thought what a perfect day it had been! Not
only did all of her last minute Christmas shopping culminate to a
successful crescendo…but now she was on her way to see her
Vincent.
As she looked down at the gift she and Vincent would be giving
to Lin and Henry, she thought what wonderful friends they were,
to provide her and Vincent a place to be, just like any other couple.
As the Taxi stopped in front of Pai’s, Catherine offered the
driver a generous tip, and said, “Merry Christmas.”
Looking at the extra ten she gave him, he said, “Hey…but I am
a Hindu!”
Smiling warmly, she giggled a bit as she said, “Merry Christmas
anyway!” She then hopped out of the Taxi and entered a buzzing
Pai’s.
Henry who was in the main dining room, was alerted to
Catherine’s arrival, by the sound of the tinkling bell above the
door. “Welcome Catherine!”
Looking around, Catherine said, “Wow…you are busy tonight.
Business been good?”
With a wide grin, Henry responded, “Yes very good. We are
blessed. We have loyal patrons who return often to us.”
Thinking of how modest Henry was, the fact he was
acknowledging the loyalty of his customers, over his superior
culinary skills. And so she said, “Being blessed with friends may
be true, but Henry…your food is soo good! I am sure the thought
of your good cooking is what brings them back.”
Smiling, Henry humbly looked downward, as he replied, “That is
so good of you to say."
With a blush to his cheeks, he changed the subject and said,
"Allow me to show you to the private dining room we have ready
for you and Vincent.”
Catherine smiled and as she looked back at Henry, she noticed
how happy he looked, almost beside himself happy!
Realizing she was staring, Catherine finally said, “Of
course…thank you.” She then asked, “Err…Henry?”
“Yes?”
“You look so, so happy tonight…”
“I do? Well you are very intuitive Catherine…”
But before he could answer, he saw Lin motioning for them to
head to the Private Dining room. And so he said, “…it looks as if
it is time for us to meet Vincent. We better go.”
Vincent had just arrived as well through the back entrance
where he was warmly welcomed by Lin, who said, “I am so happy
you are here. Catherine and Henry will meet us in the Dining
Room.”
With brotherly concern, Vincent tipped his head as he asked,
“Firstly Lin, tell me…how are you? We were all concerned to
hear you were ill, and unable to attend the festivities last night.”
Lin’s face grew flush as she looked downward like a guilty child
who had been caught fibbing.
And so, as she sheepishly looked up at Vincent, she said, “Well
ill may not have been the appropriate word I needed to use to
describe why I was not feeling well, but…I better not say anything
more until we join Catherine and Henry, or Henry will be very
disappointed!”
Lin then grabbed him by the hand and said, “Come with me.”
Not quite understanding the cryptic answer he had just received
from Lin, he happily followed, as he was most anxious to see his
Catherine.
As Vincent majestically walked through the threshold into the
private dining room, Catherine smiled and very pleasingly said,
“Hello Vincent.” As he approached her, he took her hands in his,
and said, “I was so pleased you could come.”
In reply Catherine said, “Thank you for the invitation.”
She then turned to their hosts, and said, “Everything looks…”
And now, as Catherine was in Lin’s presence, she noticed Lin
looked different too! Yes...she seemed to have that very same
exuberance Henry hosted as well!
And so Catherine continued, “I was just going to say, everything
looks so beautiful…but I gotta say, so do you Lin!”
With a suspicious grin, Catherine asked, “What is with you two?
You both look…I don’t know glowing!”
Vincent becoming a bit suspicious himself said, “You did
promise to expound on your health issues when we were united
with Henry and Catherine…so Lin, please do.”
Henry and Lin smiled at one another, and as they linked arms,
Lin nodded to Henry, giving him the honors, and so he said,
“There is a reason we are so happy, and why Lin was not feeling
well…you see, we are going to have a baby!”
With tears in her eyes, Catherine looked up at Vincent, who was
moved as well, and she listened as he warmly said, “This is
wondrous news.”
Beaming, Lin said, “Yes it is. We are so thrilled, and so is
Grandfather.”
Henry laughed as he shared, “Grandfather is convinced this
miracle is due to the fertility herbs he was secretly putting into our
tea.”
They all laughed at the thought of Dr. Wong sneaking around
spiking the newlywed’s tea.
They expanded the joyful “Baby Talk” by touching on the due
date, and a few name choices before Lin and Henry prepared to
leave them to their dinner. But before they left, Catherine and
Vincent presented them with a gift, saying, “Please accept this as
a token of our appreciation.”
Surprised by this unexpected present, Henry asked Lin to do the
unwrapping for them, and when they saw it was “Love Poems
from China” they excitedly said thank you, and conveyed how
special, and renowned this book was in their community…and of
how much Lin had wanted it.
Humbly Vincent said, he had hoped they would like it, as Mr.
Smithe was the one who recommended it.
Lin leafed through as she said, “Mr. Smithe did? Oh yes well of
course! Henry do you remember I had my eye on this book in his
store. Yes...this book is truly wonderful! Let's see it has 150
poems selected from the earliest poetry to the present day, and it
has great poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, Lu You and Li
Qingzhao, and some historic figures, and the renowned writer Lu
Xun. Oh how can we thank you enough?”
Protectively, Henry said, “Calm down Lin…you shouldn’t
excite yourself so!”
He then looked to Vincent and Catherine to explain his caution,
saying, “She gets so wound up by such things. But I think you get
the idea, she really wanted this book!”
Catherine smiled as she said, she believed Mr. Smithe had
played Santa Clause! They all agreed that Good Ole’ Mr. Smithe
was a very astute book dealer, and definitely played a part in this
wonderful gift choice.
Lin and Henry then took their leave, and left Catherine and
Vincent alone to dine on the Chinese cuisine which was specially
prepared for them.
To be continued
Chapter Sixteen
: }
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Fifteen
________________________________________________
Stepping from the shadows, Paracelsus replied, “Want? What
do I want?” With a raised brow, he mordantly answered, “World
Peace and harmony…”
He then approached a rigid Vincent, and expounded, “I don’t
want anything boy…this may surprise you, but I wish to give YOU
something. Shall we call it a gift?”
As Paracelsus looked down at the parcel he held, he humbly
said, “This is an heirloom from my Father, handed down to him
from his Father before him…”
Helplessly, Vincent softly replied, “I cannot accept this
Paracelsus…”
“Take it…” Pleaded Paracelsus, “…you are my only…”
Paracelsus stopped himself from saying Vincent was his only son,
a standing or entitlement he still believed…deep in his heart that
Vincent, in spite of everything, owned. But he instead said, “I
have no one else to give this to.”
And with that said, Paracelsus stepped closer, and before he
handed Vincent the linen wrapped gift, he irately said, “You were
to be my son…supposed to be MY son…I was suppose to raise
and nurture you… then when Anna died, the honorable righteous
Jacob stole you from me!”
As a calm came over him, he then continued, “I, however
now…looking back, understand why he did…”
Hesitantly, Paracelsus admitted, “It took me along time to
understand he…he did so not to hurt me, but rather to protect you,
because he loved you too.”
With a nod, Paracelsus added, “It was a courageous thing he
did…”
He then looked back down at the gift he held, and coaxed, “Just
consider it a good deed for you to accept this gift from
me…please.”
As Vincent meekly and unsurely took the gift from him,
Paracelsus heaved a relieving sigh, as he solemnly said, “I knew
that reason alone would appeal to you. You do like to do good
deeds for others…don’t you…you are a good man at heart
Vincent, just like Jacob.”
Sadly, Paracelsus added, “Perhaps you ended up with the right
parent after all…”
As Vincent stood tall before the small evil man of the tunnels,
he had to ask, “Why now…why do you wish to give this to me
now?”
“Let’s just say…” began Paracelsus, “I have come to terms with
my mortality…and after hearing Jacob’s recitation the other
night…I…”
With a note of shock and surprise at the notion Paracelsus was
near by the night Jacob told the story of the First Tunnel
Christmas, Vincent interrupted, asking, “You heard Father’s
story?”
“Yes…” answered Paracelsus in a quizzical manner, “…and I
dare say, Jacob’s gracious words toward myself, were stunning to
me. Hearing him speak of those early days, begged me to recall
the way we were back then, comrades indeed.”
Clearing his throat, Paracelsus went on to say, “In addition to
the harmonious memories his story invoked, I also thought of the
areas of contention which grew like a gulf between us. And so I
began to consider…perhaps it was time I repay him in some
way…so when you open your gift in his presence…there is
something inside of significance to him. Make sure he sees it, will
you?”
In reply Vincent said, “Of course…”
Paracelsus looked up at Vincent, and with a sense of reprieve in
his eyes, he said, "Merry Christmas…”
And before Vincent could find words to say to this evil man who
seemed sincere…he was gone! Paracelsus was gone!
Looking down at the gift, Vincent contemplated this
metamorphosis which overcame Paracelsus! Clearly he had
changed…his heart seemed changed! Then he thought to himself,
even Paracelsus is not immune to the magic of the Christmas
Season.
As Vincent walked onto the hot springs chamber, he thought of
how eager he was to speak with Father about this encounter with
Paracelsus, but since the time was nearing for him to meet
Catherine…it would have to wait until he returned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Catherine gathered up her coat collar, she walked to the
curb to hail a cab, and as she waited, she took in the Festive
Holiday ambiance. The snow began falling again, and the winter
winds were twirling the tiny crystallized dancers around,
seemingly to the tune of “I'll be home for Christmas” which was
emitting from the huge city speakers, out into Manhattan.
As the taxi weaved through traffic on the way to Pai’s,
Catherine contentedly thought what a perfect day it had been! Not
only did all of her last minute Christmas shopping culminate to a
successful crescendo…but now she was on her way to see her
Vincent.
As she looked down at the gift she and Vincent would be giving
to Lin and Henry, she thought what wonderful friends they were,
to provide her and Vincent a place to be, just like any other couple.
As the Taxi stopped in front of Pai’s, Catherine offered the
driver a generous tip, and said, “Merry Christmas.”
Looking at the extra ten she gave him, he said, “Hey…but I am
a Hindu!”
Smiling warmly, she giggled a bit as she said, “Merry Christmas
anyway!” She then hopped out of the Taxi and entered a buzzing
Pai’s.
Henry who was in the main dining room, was alerted to
Catherine’s arrival, by the sound of the tinkling bell above the
door. “Welcome Catherine!”
Looking around, Catherine said, “Wow…you are busy tonight.
Business been good?”
With a wide grin, Henry responded, “Yes very good. We are
blessed. We have loyal patrons who return often to us.”
Thinking of how modest Henry was, the fact he was
acknowledging the loyalty of his customers, over his superior
culinary skills. And so she said, “Being blessed with friends may
be true, but Henry…your food is soo good! I am sure the thought
of your good cooking is what brings them back.”
Smiling, Henry humbly looked downward, as he replied, “That is
so good of you to say."
With a blush to his cheeks, he changed the subject and said,
"Allow me to show you to the private dining room we have ready
for you and Vincent.”
Catherine smiled and as she looked back at Henry, she noticed
how happy he looked, almost beside himself happy!
Realizing she was staring, Catherine finally said, “Of
course…thank you.” She then asked, “Err…Henry?”
“Yes?”
“You look so, so happy tonight…”
“I do? Well you are very intuitive Catherine…”
But before he could answer, he saw Lin motioning for them to
head to the Private Dining room. And so he said, “…it looks as if
it is time for us to meet Vincent. We better go.”
Vincent had just arrived as well through the back entrance
where he was warmly welcomed by Lin, who said, “I am so happy
you are here. Catherine and Henry will meet us in the Dining
Room.”
With brotherly concern, Vincent tipped his head as he asked,
“Firstly Lin, tell me…how are you? We were all concerned to
hear you were ill, and unable to attend the festivities last night.”
Lin’s face grew flush as she looked downward like a guilty child
who had been caught fibbing.
And so, as she sheepishly looked up at Vincent, she said, “Well
ill may not have been the appropriate word I needed to use to
describe why I was not feeling well, but…I better not say anything
more until we join Catherine and Henry, or Henry will be very
disappointed!”
Lin then grabbed him by the hand and said, “Come with me.”
Not quite understanding the cryptic answer he had just received
from Lin, he happily followed, as he was most anxious to see his
Catherine.
As Vincent majestically walked through the threshold into the
private dining room, Catherine smiled and very pleasingly said,
“Hello Vincent.” As he approached her, he took her hands in his,
and said, “I was so pleased you could come.”
In reply Catherine said, “Thank you for the invitation.”
She then turned to their hosts, and said, “Everything looks…”
And now, as Catherine was in Lin’s presence, she noticed Lin
looked different too! Yes...she seemed to have that very same
exuberance Henry hosted as well!
And so Catherine continued, “I was just going to say, everything
looks so beautiful…but I gotta say, so do you Lin!”
With a suspicious grin, Catherine asked, “What is with you two?
You both look…I don’t know glowing!”
Vincent becoming a bit suspicious himself said, “You did
promise to expound on your health issues when we were united
with Henry and Catherine…so Lin, please do.”
Henry and Lin smiled at one another, and as they linked arms,
Lin nodded to Henry, giving him the honors, and so he said,
“There is a reason we are so happy, and why Lin was not feeling
well…you see, we are going to have a baby!”
With tears in her eyes, Catherine looked up at Vincent, who was
moved as well, and she listened as he warmly said, “This is
wondrous news.”
Beaming, Lin said, “Yes it is. We are so thrilled, and so is
Grandfather.”
Henry laughed as he shared, “Grandfather is convinced this
miracle is due to the fertility herbs he was secretly putting into our
tea.”
They all laughed at the thought of Dr. Wong sneaking around
spiking the newlywed’s tea.
They expanded the joyful “Baby Talk” by touching on the due
date, and a few name choices before Lin and Henry prepared to
leave them to their dinner. But before they left, Catherine and
Vincent presented them with a gift, saying, “Please accept this as
a token of our appreciation.”
Surprised by this unexpected present, Henry asked Lin to do the
unwrapping for them, and when they saw it was “Love Poems
from China” they excitedly said thank you, and conveyed how
special, and renowned this book was in their community…and of
how much Lin had wanted it.
Humbly Vincent said, he had hoped they would like it, as Mr.
Smithe was the one who recommended it.
Lin leafed through as she said, “Mr. Smithe did? Oh yes well of
course! Henry do you remember I had my eye on this book in his
store. Yes...this book is truly wonderful! Let's see it has 150
poems selected from the earliest poetry to the present day, and it
has great poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Su Shi, Lu You and Li
Qingzhao, and some historic figures, and the renowned writer Lu
Xun. Oh how can we thank you enough?”
Protectively, Henry said, “Calm down Lin…you shouldn’t
excite yourself so!”
He then looked to Vincent and Catherine to explain his caution,
saying, “She gets so wound up by such things. But I think you get
the idea, she really wanted this book!”
Catherine smiled as she said, she believed Mr. Smithe had
played Santa Clause! They all agreed that Good Ole’ Mr. Smithe
was a very astute book dealer, and definitely played a part in this
wonderful gift choice.
Lin and Henry then took their leave, and left Catherine and
Vincent alone to dine on the Chinese cuisine which was specially
prepared for them.
To be continued
Chapter Sixteen
: }
| qaas |
| qaas |
| qaas |
