Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Thirty-One
Final Chapter
________________________________________________
As Vincent led Catherine out into the tunnels, she, with her
voice filled with laughter and excitement, asked “Vincent…where
are we going?”
Stopping in his tracks, he turned to look down upon her, and he
replied, “I wanted you to open your gift from me tonight as well.
Tis only fair after all, as I have opened my gift from you. It awaits
you in my chamber.”
As she glanced back into the Hall wondering if they will be
missed, Vincent questioned, “Would you rather return to the
party…” And then with a deepened gaze, he asked, “…or shall we
continue on…”
With a yes so soft, it could barely be heard; Vincent continued
leading them onward, toward his chamber.
Feeling as if they were the only two alive in the universe,
Catherine was reminded of how she felt early on in their
relationship. Spellbound with wonder she was living this fairy tale,
with this most distinctive man in all of existence, and knew that
though it was unconventional and unexpected, she had never felt
so complete ever in her life.
As they neared his chamber, Vincent sighed, “It has been quite a
Christmas Eve thus far...”
Thinking on all the occurrences of the night, the happy, the
festive, and the stunning, Catherine agreed, and then shared, “I
couldn’t imagine spending Christmas Eve without you.”
As they walked along, through the vacant tunnels, arm in arm,
silent them selves for now, treasuring this rare moment of being
just them…and in the background the sounds were still audible
from the Great Hall, the music and the laughter.
She then thought to ask, “You won’t forget to give Rolly his
piano string tomorrow will you Vincent?” She then excitedly
added, “Or Mouse’s electronic gadget?”
With a slight smile he replied, “They are still under the tree
Catherine, just as I had mentioned they were when you asked
earlier…”
Realizing she was repeating herself, she apologized, explaining,
“Since I won’t be here…I just want to be sure no one is forgotten.
That’s all.”
Understanding the feelings of being pulled in different directions,
and being unable to carry out her Christmas gift giving for her self,
he reminded her, “You will be here in spirit Catherine…and I will
make sure…”
Suddenly Vincent stopped in his tracks, and in mid sentence as
well, causing Catherine to ask what was wrong.
Vincent pushed her protectively behind himself, and asked her,
“Step inside my chamber Catherine…I will be there in a moment.”
Defiantly she replied, “I am not leaving you Vincent…is it
Paracelsus?”
With an affirmative nod, he then turned and asked, “John?”
As John Pater stepped into the light, he laughed as he noted,
“You could always sense my nearness…hmmm I wonder why that
is?”
Referring to Catherine, he then noted, “You have a faithful
comrade I see, willing to stand by you till the end uh?”
John Pater then thoughtfully added, “There is nothing to
fear…not from me…not anymore.”
Vincent stood silent, as he let John Pater do the talking, and as
John tipped his head to better hear the gaiety of the party which
was echoing through the tunnels, he said, “Tis quite the
celebration is it not?”
To which Vincent answered, “It is…much of the mood is due to
the gift of the new tapestries…they have brought a lot of joy to
the community, especially to Father.”
With a puzzled look, John Pater asked, “Is that right…even after
he discovered they were from me?”
To which Vincent replied, “Especially for that very reason…and
also because of your gift of the key…Father feels hopeful his
friend has surfaced once more.”
As John let his guard down, he decided to open up what was in
his heart, and so he revealed, “There are some areas in my life that
are too late to change or rectify, however if I can gain an old
friend’s forgiveness…then perhaps it shall be a Merry Christmas
for this old fool after all.”
Stepping forward a pace, Vincent asked, “You always come to
speak with me…when I sense it is really Father you wish to
converse with once more.”
With a nod, John replied, “You are wise Vincent, but only to a
point, you see, you own a place of value in this hardened heart as
well as does Jacob…and as far as speaking with him
again…well…perhaps one day I will…”
Stepping back into the shadows, he added, “…for now it is
enough to know he remembers me as John Pater.”
And then he was gone…standing stunned, both Catherine and
Vincent remained for a moment, until Vincent was sure they were
alone once more, he then turned to Catherine and said, “I believe,
without any lingering doubt, John Pater is a changed man.”
Now that Catherine has witnessed his demeanor as well, she
had to agree, and replied, “Yes…I could see it in his eyes…all his
sorrow and regret.”
Vincent then added, “And hope…”
“Yes hope…” Said Catherine with a diminutive smile, “…once
you told him about your Father’s feelings about him.”
With a sigh, Vincent looked toward his chamber, and asked,
“Shall we?”
As they stepped over the threshold, Vincent lit his candle on his
desk, and as Catherine stood beside him, he presented her with her
gift. With his blue eyes sparking in the candle light, he asked,
“Please open Catherine.”
Pleasingly, she looked down at her gift, which was wrapped in
soft linen, and tied with a colorful twine. Knowing Vincent had
done the wrapping she smiled to herself, thinking how sweetly
done it was. As she unveiled her gift, she was taken aback! The
craftsmanship and detail was stunning. As Catherine looked up at
Vincent, she told him, “They are beautiful…just beautiful.”
Genuinely he sanctioned, “They are a symbol of our bond…and
as we have Cupid and Psyche standing guard over our private
chamber here below in the tunnels, I wanted you to have them
above in your world as well.”
Understanding the replicas, which are in their far off chamber,
standing alone…awaiting their return, Catherine asked, “Will we
ever go back there Vincent?”
In the words of his beloved Shakespeare’s’ Romeo, Vincent
replied, “I doubt it not…”
Deeply they looked through each others eyes and into their
hearts, knowing this Christmas Eve had brought them
everything…everything. It was impossible to ask for more this
night, and so their embrace conveyed how much they loved each
other, with a renewed promise, they will never be alone.
Because of the time, Catherine heaved a regretful sigh, and said,
“I hate to say it…”
Needing to say no more, Vincent offered, “I know it is time…I
will walk with you.”
With a final embrace, Catherine entered her world,
and as she hung up her last stained glass replica of the two perfect
symbols of love on her apartment wall, she stepped back to better
see them. They were beautiful! And though she needed nothing to
help remind her of Vincent and their love for one another, these
pieces of art from his own hands, were just that and more. They
were over whelmingly symbolic of the very thing that was pure
and good about them, which was the vision of the heart…it was a
destiny which Catherine had longed for, but until she met
Vincent…did not realize it. But through her love for him, she
arrived there any way, gaining a vision beyond the flesh, and a
vision beyond the here and now.
Suddenly a feeling of melancholy came over her, because her
perfect Christmas Eve with Vincent had ended, and she was
unsure when she would be seeing him again.
As the falling snow drew her out onto her balcony, she stood as
one amongst the snow flakes…looking out over the city she so
dearly loved, when she suddenly turned, and asked, “Vincent?”
Stepping up from the shadows, he replied, “I promised your
father I would see you returned home safely…”
Running into his arms Catherine said, “I am so happy you are
here…"
She then leaned her head on his chest, and said, “...I didn’t
want our Christmas Eve to end…”
Tenderly he lifted her chin, and said, “Do not be sad our
Christmas Eve has ended Catherine…for now it is the dawn of
Christmas morn…and we shall have many more ahead of us to
share…”
Feeling happier than either one could have ever dreamed to be;
Vincent looked down at her and said, “Merry Christmas
Catherine.”
And she to him in return said, “Merry Christmas Vincent.”
And as they stood together looking over the snow covered city,
they spoke of the miracle of finding one another, and of all they
overcame to finally be together, vowing their love was forever,
and they would never ever be apart.
To be continued Happily Ever After
: }
I hope you have enjoyed my version of Catherine and
Vincent’s story. The liberties I had taken envisioning
certain aspects of their lives, which were never touched
on in the series, were taken with the only knowledge I
have, my own view point. In doing so, I hope those
who have differing views of life from mine, were still
able to enjoy reading them.
I am sad to have reached the end of the Heart Series,
and though I will not be writing more Beauty and the
Beast fanfic, I still love Catherine and Vincent’s story,
they have inspired me, and they shall remain in my
heart for always.
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Thirty-One
Final Chapter
________________________________________________
As Vincent led Catherine out into the tunnels, she, with her
voice filled with laughter and excitement, asked “Vincent…where
are we going?”
Stopping in his tracks, he turned to look down upon her, and he
replied, “I wanted you to open your gift from me tonight as well.
Tis only fair after all, as I have opened my gift from you. It awaits
you in my chamber.”
As she glanced back into the Hall wondering if they will be
missed, Vincent questioned, “Would you rather return to the
party…” And then with a deepened gaze, he asked, “…or shall we
continue on…”
With a yes so soft, it could barely be heard; Vincent continued
leading them onward, toward his chamber.
Feeling as if they were the only two alive in the universe,
Catherine was reminded of how she felt early on in their
relationship. Spellbound with wonder she was living this fairy tale,
with this most distinctive man in all of existence, and knew that
though it was unconventional and unexpected, she had never felt
so complete ever in her life.
As they neared his chamber, Vincent sighed, “It has been quite a
Christmas Eve thus far...”
Thinking on all the occurrences of the night, the happy, the
festive, and the stunning, Catherine agreed, and then shared, “I
couldn’t imagine spending Christmas Eve without you.”
As they walked along, through the vacant tunnels, arm in arm,
silent them selves for now, treasuring this rare moment of being
just them…and in the background the sounds were still audible
from the Great Hall, the music and the laughter.
She then thought to ask, “You won’t forget to give Rolly his
piano string tomorrow will you Vincent?” She then excitedly
added, “Or Mouse’s electronic gadget?”
With a slight smile he replied, “They are still under the tree
Catherine, just as I had mentioned they were when you asked
earlier…”
Realizing she was repeating herself, she apologized, explaining,
“Since I won’t be here…I just want to be sure no one is forgotten.
That’s all.”
Understanding the feelings of being pulled in different directions,
and being unable to carry out her Christmas gift giving for her self,
he reminded her, “You will be here in spirit Catherine…and I will
make sure…”
Suddenly Vincent stopped in his tracks, and in mid sentence as
well, causing Catherine to ask what was wrong.
Vincent pushed her protectively behind himself, and asked her,
“Step inside my chamber Catherine…I will be there in a moment.”
Defiantly she replied, “I am not leaving you Vincent…is it
Paracelsus?”
With an affirmative nod, he then turned and asked, “John?”
As John Pater stepped into the light, he laughed as he noted,
“You could always sense my nearness…hmmm I wonder why that
is?”
Referring to Catherine, he then noted, “You have a faithful
comrade I see, willing to stand by you till the end uh?”
John Pater then thoughtfully added, “There is nothing to
fear…not from me…not anymore.”
Vincent stood silent, as he let John Pater do the talking, and as
John tipped his head to better hear the gaiety of the party which
was echoing through the tunnels, he said, “Tis quite the
celebration is it not?”
To which Vincent answered, “It is…much of the mood is due to
the gift of the new tapestries…they have brought a lot of joy to
the community, especially to Father.”
With a puzzled look, John Pater asked, “Is that right…even after
he discovered they were from me?”
To which Vincent replied, “Especially for that very reason…and
also because of your gift of the key…Father feels hopeful his
friend has surfaced once more.”
As John let his guard down, he decided to open up what was in
his heart, and so he revealed, “There are some areas in my life that
are too late to change or rectify, however if I can gain an old
friend’s forgiveness…then perhaps it shall be a Merry Christmas
for this old fool after all.”
Stepping forward a pace, Vincent asked, “You always come to
speak with me…when I sense it is really Father you wish to
converse with once more.”
With a nod, John replied, “You are wise Vincent, but only to a
point, you see, you own a place of value in this hardened heart as
well as does Jacob…and as far as speaking with him
again…well…perhaps one day I will…”
Stepping back into the shadows, he added, “…for now it is
enough to know he remembers me as John Pater.”
And then he was gone…standing stunned, both Catherine and
Vincent remained for a moment, until Vincent was sure they were
alone once more, he then turned to Catherine and said, “I believe,
without any lingering doubt, John Pater is a changed man.”
Now that Catherine has witnessed his demeanor as well, she
had to agree, and replied, “Yes…I could see it in his eyes…all his
sorrow and regret.”
Vincent then added, “And hope…”
“Yes hope…” Said Catherine with a diminutive smile, “…once
you told him about your Father’s feelings about him.”
With a sigh, Vincent looked toward his chamber, and asked,
“Shall we?”
As they stepped over the threshold, Vincent lit his candle on his
desk, and as Catherine stood beside him, he presented her with her
gift. With his blue eyes sparking in the candle light, he asked,
“Please open Catherine.”
Pleasingly, she looked down at her gift, which was wrapped in
soft linen, and tied with a colorful twine. Knowing Vincent had
done the wrapping she smiled to herself, thinking how sweetly
done it was. As she unveiled her gift, she was taken aback! The
craftsmanship and detail was stunning. As Catherine looked up at
Vincent, she told him, “They are beautiful…just beautiful.”
Genuinely he sanctioned, “They are a symbol of our bond…and
as we have Cupid and Psyche standing guard over our private
chamber here below in the tunnels, I wanted you to have them
above in your world as well.”
Understanding the replicas, which are in their far off chamber,
standing alone…awaiting their return, Catherine asked, “Will we
ever go back there Vincent?”
In the words of his beloved Shakespeare’s’ Romeo, Vincent
replied, “I doubt it not…”
Deeply they looked through each others eyes and into their
hearts, knowing this Christmas Eve had brought them
everything…everything. It was impossible to ask for more this
night, and so their embrace conveyed how much they loved each
other, with a renewed promise, they will never be alone.
Because of the time, Catherine heaved a regretful sigh, and said,
“I hate to say it…”
Needing to say no more, Vincent offered, “I know it is time…I
will walk with you.”
With a final embrace, Catherine entered her world,
and as she hung up her last stained glass replica of the two perfect
symbols of love on her apartment wall, she stepped back to better
see them. They were beautiful! And though she needed nothing to
help remind her of Vincent and their love for one another, these
pieces of art from his own hands, were just that and more. They
were over whelmingly symbolic of the very thing that was pure
and good about them, which was the vision of the heart…it was a
destiny which Catherine had longed for, but until she met
Vincent…did not realize it. But through her love for him, she
arrived there any way, gaining a vision beyond the flesh, and a
vision beyond the here and now.
Suddenly a feeling of melancholy came over her, because her
perfect Christmas Eve with Vincent had ended, and she was
unsure when she would be seeing him again.
As the falling snow drew her out onto her balcony, she stood as
one amongst the snow flakes…looking out over the city she so
dearly loved, when she suddenly turned, and asked, “Vincent?”
Stepping up from the shadows, he replied, “I promised your
father I would see you returned home safely…”
Running into his arms Catherine said, “I am so happy you are
here…"
She then leaned her head on his chest, and said, “...I didn’t
want our Christmas Eve to end…”
Tenderly he lifted her chin, and said, “Do not be sad our
Christmas Eve has ended Catherine…for now it is the dawn of
Christmas morn…and we shall have many more ahead of us to
share…”
Feeling happier than either one could have ever dreamed to be;
Vincent looked down at her and said, “Merry Christmas
Catherine.”
And she to him in return said, “Merry Christmas Vincent.”
And as they stood together looking over the snow covered city,
they spoke of the miracle of finding one another, and of all they
overcame to finally be together, vowing their love was forever,
and they would never ever be apart.
To be continued Happily Ever After
: }
I hope you have enjoyed my version of Catherine and
Vincent’s story. The liberties I had taken envisioning
certain aspects of their lives, which were never touched
on in the series, were taken with the only knowledge I
have, my own view point. In doing so, I hope those
who have differing views of life from mine, were still
able to enjoy reading them.
I am sad to have reached the end of the Heart Series,
and though I will not be writing more Beauty and the
Beast fanfic, I still love Catherine and Vincent’s story,
they have inspired me, and they shall remain in my
heart for always.
