Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty
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Its Christmas Eve morning, and below the city, the tunnel
community awakens. And as they emerge from their chambers to
migrate to the Dining Hall, the wondrous news of Devin’s
homecoming had spread, and it was all everyone could talk about!
Meanwhile, the two brothers were on the move as well, and as
per Vincent's usual routine, they were making a stop at Jacob's
chamber to escort him to breakfast.
Recalling this old ritual, Devin fondly noted, "So you still walk
with Father every morning...geeze, I remember we would as kids."
Vincent tipped his head as he replied, "I never stopped."
Devin looked at Vincent and with a smile, remininced, "We
had some of our best times during those morning walks. I suppose
it was because I hadn't had the chance to get into any mischief
yet."
With aplomb, agreeably Vincent said, "Yes, and Father would
be in good spirits because nor had any of the rest of us…”
As they stepped through their father's threshold, he was just
slipping on his last boot to ready himself for the day, when upon
hearing their greeting, Jacob looked up and gratefully said, “Ahh,
it wasn’t a dream…I awoke feeling in such high spirits, I feared it
was!”
With a soft laughter he added, “At my age one can not be too
sure of anything you know.”
Devin kindly laughed at his Father’s “age comment,” and
though it was said light-heartedly, Devin couldn’t help but think in
his absence his father had grown old. And he could not shake the
guilt knowing all the worry their estrangement must have caused
him.
And so thoughtfully, Devin approached his Father and said,
“When I think of the years that have past…lost years…I am sorry
I waited so long to come home.”
Jacob hoping to give his son a reprieve of the past as Devin had
done for him, cleared his voice of emotion as he said, “Your
pardon over my past mistakes as your father….has given me a
great peace, and now with that end…it is there, if you agree…I
wish to begin. No more looking back. We are all three together
once more, and I will make sure…that is all that matters.”
Vincent was so very proud of his Father as he listened to him
break the final chains of regret from Devin’s heart. And
reflectively he thought, what long personal journeys they each
have traveled, and finally, now that their paths have crossed,
perhaps given time, they can be one again.
Devin and Jacob then embraced, and with their emotions still
raw from their reunion, they smiled at one another and with a pat
on his back, Jacob finished up as he included Vincent by saying,
“It’s Christmas Eve, and my two sons are here to take me to
breakky. I dare say, it doesn’t get any better than that. Shall we?”
The three were all in accord, and with that, they ventured forth
continuing their trek to the Dining Hall.
As a comfort zone settled in upon them, they chit chatted about
people and different things, when Jacob inquired, “OH Vincent, I
was amiss in asking you last evening…are Lin, Henry and
Grandfather coming tonight?”
With a gracious nod, Vincent answered, “They are, and very
excited to do so, since they missed the festivities the other night.”
“Good…good. Lin is over her illness then?”
Wondering how to answer this question without lying, and yet
not to give their news away, Vincent simply said, “She looked
wonderful last evening…”
Vincent then turned to Devin, and said, “You will be seeing Dr.
Wong, and his granddaughter Lin tonight.”
To which Jacob anxiously added, “And Lin’s husband Henry.”
With a surprised tone, Devin asked, “Little Tiger Lilly is
married?”
With a nod, Vincent said, “Little Tiger Lilly has grown up
Devin.”
“And into a lovely woman…” Added Jacob.
As Jacob filled Devin in on the romantic drama of Lin and her
husband’s romance, Vincent thought to himself, "OH my…not
only is Little Tiger Lilly grown and married, but is expecting a
child as well!"
As the three approached the Dining Hall, they passed several
dwellers who happily greeted them, some who knew Devin from
before, and others who had only heard of this legendary character.
But it was Rebecca who was totally beside herself with happiness
as she met up with them and with a hug, expounded, “It is true!
You have come home for Christmas!”
Thrilled to be greeted by Rebecca so sweetly, he hugged her
back, and laughed as he answered, “Hi ya Becca…and yes, I am
home.”
He then stepped back, tipped his head, and said, “Let me look
at you! Gorgeous is all I can say…Gorgeous!”
Feeling grateful because of the fact she took extra care
grooming this morning, and knew she was looking her very best,
she modestly looked up at Devin and teasingly accused,
“Gorgeous!!! Right! Oh my, you always loved embarrassing me!”
With her arm around his waist, they walked onward and
Rebecca giggled as she leaned out to say to both Father and
Vincent, “He hasn’t changed has he?”
With a gentle squeeze, Devin guiltily replied, “Ahh, its cuz
your blushing makes you such a fun target to tease!”
Vincent and Father were both smiling as they listened to the
two, enjoying the fact they were able to pick up where they had
left off, so many years ago. Devin could always bring quiet shy
Rebecca out of her shell as children, and now as adults…he still
could!
Changing the topic from herself, Rebecca warmly inquired, “So
tell me…how was your first night back home?”
Sincerely Devin replied, “It was like old times sharing space
with my little brother here. I don’t think I have slept this soundly
in years, despite his hogging the bed!”
Vincent raised a brow and looked back at Devin as he listened to
the good natured chiding, where in fact Vincent knew it was
actually the other way around!
Meanwhile Mary joined the entourage as well, and as she took
Jacob’s arm, she softly said, “Well what do you know…it looks
like I was wrong. It wasn’t too late for Devin to return home in
time for Christmas.”
As Jacob warmly looked at her, she added, “And I am so
pleased. I can see how happy his homecoming has made you.”
With a nod, Jacob said, “Indeed…indeed.”
As they entered the Dining Hall, welcomes were issued from
everyone there, making Devin feel truly welcome by one and all.
And after everyone was settled, and word of thanks had been
spoken by Father, William served his delicious breakfast, of which
upon Father’s request…he pulled out all the stops in planning his
menu.
William contemplatively watched on as Devin took his first
bite, who contentedly said, “Now I know I am home, delicious,
just as I remembered William.”
With that William laughed his heartiest, and with a slap on
Devin’s Back, he said, “Welcome home lad, welcome home.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Still aglow from all the camaraderie Catherine shared at her
Dad’s Christmas Party, she entered the D.A. office building.
As she walked past the receptionist, she exchanged a friendly
nod, and then onto the elevator, where she rode up to her floor
with a few familiar looking faces, who were also juggling gifts,
cards, and goodies.
And as she stood amongst these like minded souls, she thought
how nice it felt to finally blend in, no longer feeling like the
proverbial new guy in town who stood out like a sore thumb. Or,
on the other hand, standing out and treated differently because she
was the boss’s daughter!
Yes although the contrast from her Dad’s office and here was
great…Catherine thought perhaps that was part of its appeal,
because there are times when anonymity, had its charm, and some
days…it was definitely a welcoming state of being.
Once she reached her floor, she glanced up at the clock, and
was happy to see she was back on her estimated time!
As she set everything down on her desk, she said good morning
to Paul, and glanced over at Joe, who was walking up to them.
Cheerfully he greeted her by saying, “Hiya Radclif…err Cathy.
Catherine laughed as she chided, “Old habits die hard uh?”
Laughing at himself, Joe replied, “The bad ones anyway. So
how was the shindig at your Dad’s?”
To which Catherine said, “It was very nice. It was great to see
everyone, and oh yes…Dad asked me to express his
disappointment that you and Paul couldn’t make it.”
Appreciatively, Joe replied, “Hey that was swell of him to invite
me and all, but Moreno planned that darn last minute hearing.”
Paul knowing what a great party he missed, complained,
“Yeah dog gone it! How was the food? Did Gretel’s do the
catering again this year?”
Catherine nodded and with a cunning look, said, “Yes, Gretel’
s Griddle Creations did the catering, and yes, the food was
delicious as it always is, and…”
She then pulled out a couple of to-go containers that were filled
to the brim and said, “…and I fixed you both plates that have a
sample of everything from the buffet.”
She then laughed as both the bachelors eagerly took the boxes
she offered them, and as Paul lifted the lid, he took in the aroma,
and said, “I think I have died and gone to Heaven.”
Joe checked out his mini buffet too, and with a crooked grin
said, “I owe ya one Cathy!”
With a genuine show of gratitude, Catherine answered, “Giving
me the time off is payback enough. Believe me Joe; it made my
Dad so happy to have me show up there today. . . I really
appreciate it.”
She then teasingly instructed, “Now eat! Enjoy while its still
hot!”
Discreetly Joe said to Paul, “Move over bud, I’m gonna eat this
over here, cuz if I pass by Shultz, he is gonna want to dig in, and I
aint sharing this with anybody!”
So after making room for his boss, Paul and Joe hunkered
down to enjoy their meals. And while they ate, the three of them
made some easy going conversation while Catherine got her day
organized.
As Paul took a bite of his savory omelet, mixed with a scoop
of his maple sweet pancake, inquisitively he asked Catherine,
“Did you get your shopping done yet?”
As she leafed through her stack of files, Catherine heaved a
relieving sigh and said, “Believe it or not, I am, all accept one gift,
which I will pick up this afternoon…”
She then noted, “I still cannot believe how you’ve been done
for months.”
Proudly, Paul answered, “Guilty as charged! I was done by
Halloween!”
To which Joe looked at him in astonishment and said, “Hey, I
am impressed!”
Turning the question onto Joe she then asked him, “And what
about you?”
“I still have my three aunts to buy gifts for! I’ll be running
around like a chicken with my head cut off on my lunch hour.
Trying to find their gifts.”
Then as the thought struck him, he asked, “Hey, you’re a
female, any suggestions?”
Thoughtfully she said, “Well, not off hand, but the repair shop
I am going to is right next door to a little gift shop…and they have
the nicest things there. I guess if you trust me…I could pick out
something.”
Joe scratched his chin, and said, “I actually had something in
mind. Ahh but never mind…I doubt you could find what I am
wantin’.”
Catherine thinking she was up for the challenge, said,
“Well…maybe I can.”
With a knitted brow, Joe asked, “Ever hear of a snow globe? Its
one of those glass things ya shake and flakes float all over inside?
Like uh…like in that movie Citizen Cane? Where the guy
says…Rose bud….Rose bud…and then this round glass ball falls
and breaks?”
Catherine giggled at Joe’s horrible imitation of Orson Wells,
and also at the irony of his idea, since she was picking up
Vincent’s snow globe on her errand!
And so assuredly she answered, “Yes…I have heard of a snow
globe.”
Joe feeling pleased Catherine knew what he was talking about,
asked, “That’s Christmassy right? Well if you could find some of
those, pick me up 3, wait, make it 4, I better get one for Ma too.
What ever her sisters get, she has to have too!”
To which Catherine happily told him, “In fact I know they
have snow globes…at least they did the other day. They had
several of them, and they had a snowman inside, and it was very
cute.”
With a nod, he appreciatively said, “Well if you don’t mind…”
Matter-of-factly Catherine answered, “Not at all. Its like I said
the gift shop is right next door to where I need to go anyway.”
Appreciatively, Joe said, “Hey you just took a load off my
mind…here’s the dough…thanks a lot kid.”
While Catherine tucked his money in her purse, she eagerly
told Paul, “I forgot to tell you, I ran into your Mom the other day
at Morty’s. She was getting this huge rib roast for Christmas Eve
dinner. Are you going over?”
To which Paul gleefully answered, “You bet! Christmas eve
and the old player piano…singing carols, eating Mom’s great
cooking, and maybe a little drinkin’, yeah I wouldn’t miss it for
the world. Christmas Eve is always the best.”
Looking to Joe, Catherine asked, “What about you Joe, what
will you be doing?”
As he shared his Holiday repertoire with Catherine, she noticed
there was nary a sarcastic comment in sight! And she thought how
nice it was to have an actual conversation with Joe! Not the usual
sparring match they seemed to eventually engage in. She found
herself smiling as he talked about his “Ma” and siblings who were
to gather together both tonight and tomorrow to celebrate this
Holy Day along with his numerous relatives.
As he relayed his repertoire, he was stirring his coffee, when
he noticed her plate of cookies. And so interrupting his own story,
he asked, “Hey…did you bake those?”
To which Catherine said, “Well …to rip off Paul’s line,
“Guilty as charged.” She then offered, “Wanna try one?”
“I’m stuffed, but sure I’m game.” He then took a bite and said,
“Not bad…not bad! You ought to market these things.”
“Well Thanks Joe.”
Sipping from his cup, he said, “Well, everything was
delicious. Thanks again, I better get busy, duty calls.”
He then turned to answer one of the many people who were
vying for his attention, and as he walked away, Catherine smiled,
thinking, “Who would ever think…this Joe and I might actually
become friends.”
But the fact was as his fine character slowly revealed itself to
her; she thought there was something about him, and...he was
beginning to grow on her.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-one
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