| It was February 14th, and the workday seemed never ending. Joe was particularly demanding, and the pile of files on her desk grew and grew. All Catherine wanted was to get home, so in case Vincent should come to see her tonight, she would not miss him on this Sweethearts Holiday. After a soothing bath, and lighting the last of the candles, an anxiousness settled over her as she began to consider, what if Vincent does not come to see her tonight. Catherine knew this was a possibility since they had not made plans to spend Valentine’s Day together the last time she had seen him. He had not made any overtures to celebrate, nor had he sent word via a helper to do so. But she hoped he would; she missed him, and wanted to be with the man she cared for so much. Earlier that day, she had a twinge of melancholy as she found herself listening to everyone in the office busily preparing for the celebration. Some were excitedly making restaurant reservations, others were ordering fresh cut flowers, and then there were the forgetful Romeos, who were planning last minute stops to the drug store to pick up cards and Heart- shaped boxes of chocolates for the loved ones in their lives. Catherine knew there would not be any of those stereotypical little gestures between her, and Vincent. Things other couples in love do. Not on this special day this year, or in the Valentines days to come. It is not that any of these traditional gestures even mattered that much to Catherine, not really. However, just realizing being in love with a man so different, was something she had to hide. This secret would forever set her apart from the rest of the world, and in all honesty, this realization tugged at her heart. As Catherine expectantly stepped out on her balcony, she looked into the darkened corners, and then embraced herself, heaving a lonely anguishing breath, because he was not there. It was an unusually warm February evening, and she closed her eyes for a moment, as she felt the warm breeze that oh so pleasingly blew past her, teasing her gown, and tousling her hair. It felt heavenly, and she wished Vincent were there to share this beautiful night with her. Just then, she felt, and knew Vincent was there. Turning around, passionately she said his name. He in turn spoke hers in a deep fond whisper. He standing entranced for a moment,taken aback by what she was wearing, as it was floating and shimmering in the breezy moonlight. As he then approached her in his overpowering manner, he was not shy this night to look at the woman he loved. He told her how beautiful she looked, and of how much he had missed her in the lengthy interim since they had been together. He then said he had a Valentine’s gift for her, and reached into his cloak to present it to her. As Catherine lifted the gift from its wrapping, she wept tears of surprise and joy. Vincent had presented her with “Great Expectations.” He read this book to her, as she lay injured below in the tunnels, bandaged, and so worriedly frightened, and his voice quieted and comforted her. She told him how special this story was to her because of this fact, and of how when she closed her eyes, she could still hear his soothing voice echoing in her heart. She then told him how thoughtful it was of him to give it to her. He told her he had written an inscription inside the cover of the book for her. And so Catherine opened the book’s cover, and read, “To Catherine, the woman who has captured my heart with her beauty, and who harbors my soul by her love. Vincent”. Catherine told Vincent she loved what he had written, and as she swept a tear aside, she said it meant so much to her. She then told him his gift was inside, and asked if he would come in so she may give it to him. Vincent looked downward for a moment, then back deeply into her eyes, and answered yes. As they entered her candlelit apartment, Catherine walked to her couch, looking back at Vincent, as he stood steadfast at the threshold. Catherine held out her hand to Vincent and asked him to come and sit beside her. As he approached reaching out for Catherine’s hand, she thought back to the time he once held out his hand for her to guide her through his world, now she felt as if she was guiding him in hers. As they sat together, Catherine gave Vincent his gift. As he firstly opened the card attached to it, he read, “To Vincent, for all of eternity. Love, Catherine”. Vincent whispered, thank you, and sat silently for a moment as her words touched him deeply, and warmed his heart. As he then opened his gift, the beauty of the portrait stunned him, for he knew of this painting. He told her the replica of Frederic Lord Leighton’s painting, Flaming June, sadly seemed to be of a woman waiting, wanting, and hopeful. Perhaps a perfect reflection of aloneness. He then privately thought of how this was an all too familiar feeling he lived with throughout his life, before he met Catherine. Catherine agreed, saying she imagined the woman who was wearing the flowing red gown, may have fallen asleep on her settee, wanting and awaiting her love to come to her. She then also privately thought, "Waiting and wanting" this was very much what she so often did too since she met Vincent. And then because of sensing her heartache, Vincent helplessly shook his head as he expressed how badly he felt he was not able to give her more. Feeling guilty for her selfish, pitying thoughts, tearfully Catherine told him he does give her more, and tonight she realized the traditional things do not matter to her. And she would gladly wait through a hundred lonely nights for the one when they could be together. She spoke in wonderment as she told him how he seemed to know what she desired, and he coming to her tonight, was another example of that. As he carefully held her closely to him, he told her the bond they shared, allowed him to hear the voice of her heart, and said this bond would connect their hearts and souls forever. Feeling safe, protected and loved, Catherine smiled up at him, and asked, "Read to me Vincent?" Opening up the book he had given to her, he began to read, and as he did, she closed her eyes, listening to her true love's voice, adoring the devotion it owned. Feeling whole and contented being with Vincent once more, She could not want for anything more on this Valentine's Day, because she knew she had everything, everything. |
| Veiled Longings! Echoes of her Heart! A Valentine Story by Sharon Holtz |
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