Just as Catherine was about to enter her office building, Sam came running back up to her and suggested, “Hey, I got to thinkin’, if you gave me a note for
Vincent, well that would give me a legit reason to be in the tunnels.”
Catherine looked heavenward, thinking yes, what was she thinking? She actually did need to let Vincent know she would be at Pai’s tonight.
And so she agreeably said, “Great idea! I should have thought of that myself.”
To which Sam kindly said, "Hey you're new at this! I am the one who shoulda
been thinkin'!"
And so Catherine quickly wrote Vincent a note saying she would be meeting
him at Pai's, and then handing the folded note to the helper, she said, “Thank
you Sam.”
And then Sam thinking he would have a bit of fun with Catherine, he teasingly said, "Hope I don't mix the notes up and give the wrong one to Vincent!"
With wide-eyed angst, Catherine looked up at Sam, and was about to ask if he
really might make that mistake, when suddenly she saw the gleam in his eye,
and with relief she said, "Ah I get it...fun with the new kid. Thank you Sam!"
To which Sam laughed, and was then out of sight once more!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent had just finished stoking the stoves in the Hospital
Chamber, when he heard a clamoring in the tunnels. Upon realizing it was the
arrival of the children, he thought, "Right on time."
As the tunnel nannies approached with the children, Brooke told Vincent, "Hi
Vincent! Busy day for the children, first they have their physicals, and late this
afternoon, we are all gonna deliver the Christmas Cards up top! They are all
labeled, sealed and ready to go! We even have one for Catherine and her Dad
this year!"
With a nod, Vincent pleasantly said, "Fine...very fine..."
But then Laura with concern signed, "Vincent...you should know the children
are quite nervous about the physicals this morning..."
Armed with this information, Vincent in an attempt to put the children at ease,
asked, "What are your concerns children?"
To which they all spoke at once, asking Vincent, "Do we have to get a shot
today?" Another child asked, "Do we need to take that yucky medicine, from a
fishes' liver?" And then another asked, "Is Peter going to hit us with that tiny
hammer again?" And lastly, another asked, "Will Father listen to their hearts
today with that cold stepiscope?"
Then ultimately, Joseph summarized by asking, "Just what is going to happen to us today Vincent?"
Calmly Vincent answered, "There is nothing new Joseph. Peter and or Father
will examine you, checking to make sure you are all healthy and strong. I assure you there is no need for concern."
Just then Mary stepped into the outer room and when she saw Laura, Jamie and Brooke, she mentioned, "Girls, as promised, I will meet you in the sewing
chamber later on...any time after the annuals."
To which the girls thanked Mary for her help, and then Jamie said, "That should work out perfect! We are so excited to begin our projects!"
And then because the children overheard, Samantha frowned as she said, "But
today we are delivering the Helper's Cards...remember Jamie?"
As Jamie addressed the little gal, with hands on her hips, she explained, "We're not doing that till later...don't worry, we are still going up top."
Upon realizing there is much to do today, Mary heaved a sigh as she said, "Oh
Deary me, well if we are going to fit everything in, we better get this show on
the road!"
And then turning to the children, Mary clapped her hands as she cheerfully said, "So children, Doctor Peter is ready for one of you. Who is going in first?"
The children all looked around waiting for someone to step up, but when no one readily did, Vincent coaxed a bit by saying, "Now children, if the examinations speed along, perhaps we will have time to go on an excursion before you deliver the Christmas Cards to our Helpers this afternoon."
To which Kipper expounded, "An excursion? Where to Vincent? To the Crystal Caverns?"
To which Zach irritatingly said, "Are you kiddin'? That would be way too far!"
But then thinking twice, Zach hopefully asked, "Wouldn't it Vincent?"
To which Vincent answered, "Yes, too far for a mid day excursion. However,
we can reserve that destination for next time."
Vincent then quieted the children's inquiries by saying, "I do have an idea, but it shall remain a secret."
And then Vincent put his hand to his chin, indicating he was thinking of something grand. Well this caused the children to inquire, "What ya thinkin'
Vincent?"
To which Vincent thoughtfully shared, "Hmm, just wondering if I can talk
William into preparing us a picnic lunch for our adventure..."
In response, Kipper excitedly said, "Bet ya can!"
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent replied, "Bet I can as well...now meantime, do as Mary says, and when everyone is through, we shall depart."
They all said they would cooperate, and couldn't wait to go where ever it was
Vincent had planned!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Catherine worked, all she could do was pray Sam came through for her!
After all there was no way to know for sure! So as Catherine glanced at the
clock once more, finally, her phone rang.
Thank goodness it was Peter, and he happily said, “Mission accomplished!”
Giggling with delight, Catherine verified, “You've got the globe?”
To which Peter informatively said, “Yes, and better than that! I delivered it to
the repair shop too."
Feeling badly Peter had put himself out so, going above and beyond of what she asked of him, Catherine said, "Oh Peter! I didn't expect you to drop it off too!"
To which Peter said, "No problem Cathy, the shop is right near my office."
And then Catherine thankfully admitted, "Well, truthfully, since it is getting late, I am so grateful you did! Now maybe it has a chance to be fixed in time for Christmas."
To which Peter said, "Yup, should be ready tomorrow afternoon, Christmas
Eve!"
Thankfully, Catherine expressed, "Perfect!"
Curiously, Catherine then asked, “Was it difficult to pull this off with out
Vincent knowing?”
Hesitantly, Peter began, “Well it was a bit tricky! So while Jacob and I took a
break between examining the kiddo's and then the rest of the community, I
figured I would go track it down! So thinking it would be back in Vincent’s
chamber, I go rooting around in there, and when I couldn't find it, I realized it
must still be over in Jacob’s chamber! So as I am about to enter Jacob's
chamber…I run right into Vincent, who was also going in to see Jacob.”
Wondering how Peter could have gotten the globe with Vincent there, Catherine on pins and needles asked, “Yes…go on.”
“Well…” continued Peter, “We no sooner walk in, when Jacob said to Vincent,
“Here’s your globe. You left it here last evening.”
And so Peter continued, “Well luckily before he had a chance to pick it up, a
message came over the pipes, saying the children were ready for their hike.”
Peter went on to explain, “You see, Vincent had promised to take the kids on an excursion upon completion of their physicals today. If they were good listeners and what not...”
Proudly Peter added, “...which they were! What a great bunch of kids! So
anyway about the globe…”
Peter cleared his throat and continued, “Well since Vincent left the globe
behind, sitting there in plain sight, I had to let Jacob in on your surprise so I
could take it. Oh, and Cathy, he thought it was a great idea, and in his thick
Shakespearean droll, he said, “Splendid! Splendid indeed!”
Peter laughed as he finished imitating his dear friend, which caused Catherine to giggle too, because Jacob’s accent was one of the reasons he endeared himself to her so.
Just then, Paul peaked around the wall and asked, “Hey Cathy, do you have the file on Beckman?" And then said, "Oh sorry, I didn’t know you were on the phone.”
Catherine stood up to hand Paul the file, and signaled she would be right with
him. And then back to Peter, she concluded, "Oh Peter, thanks to you,
Vincent's snow globe will be restored for Christmas!"
Feeling happy to be a part of it Peter said, "I was glad to do it Cathy, you know how I love espionage!"
In conclusion, Catherine then said, "You know...you really are good at it! Well
what can I say, thanks again Peter, and...I will see you tomorrow."
In reply, Peter said, "Ah don't mention it, have a good rest of the day Kiddo."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Mary returned to her chamber, after a long, but rewarding day in
the medical chamber AND after helping Laura, Jamie and Brooke with a sewing project.
Yes ready to kick back, Mary was humming The First Noel, as she lit her
candles, and poured herself some sasafras tea.
Readily she slipped off her shoes, and put on her slippers before she sat down
and nestled in with the last of the afghans she needed to finish upon her lap.
Sighing aloud she said to herself, “Ahh, let's see...yes, definitely the last one!”
Just then Jacob, who was standing at her door, overheard her, and assumed she had company, said, “Oh Mary, I don’t wish to interrupt...”
Looking up to welcome him, Mary responded, “Interrupt? Not at all, come in
Father.”
And so Jacob gingerly stepped in, and looked around, and as he did so, he said, “Oh, I thought I heard you talking to someone just now...”
Embarrassed by the fact Jacob seems to be around during the few times she had expressed her thoughts aloud, Mary quickly explained, “I hope you don’t think I am going crazy or anything, I guess I am starting the bad habit of thinking aloud. It just seems to help me mentally organize my tasks.”
Looking downward, Mary humbly said, “I'm sure I must be blushing from embarrassment.”
With a flirtatious akimbo grin, Jacob admittedly said, “You are…”
Clearing his throat, he then added, “…but you should not be self conscious with me Mary; after all, we are Dear friends, are we not?”
Warmed by Jacob’s personal tone, she lowered her knitting needles into her lap, smiled back at him, and agreeably said, “Dear friends… yes…that we are. A standing which makes me most proud.”
She then motioned to the tea pot on her table, and said, “Please serve yourself
some tea, and sit with me while I finish the last of the children’s afghans.”
Thoughtfully Jacob poured his tea, and said, “So did you say this is the last one you need to make? I thought you had finished the other day.”
As Mary nodded to the others folded, and stacked neatly on the chest, she said, “I had miscounted! Oh I was fearful I may not make it, but I am happy to say I will. Each of the children shall now receive one.”
Looking at the array of afghans, Jacob declared, “Land sakes Mary! I marvel at your talent. Needless to say, the children will be beside themselves when they receive your thoughtful and most colorfully useful gift."
In reply, Mary thoughtfully said, “I do like imagining the afghans keeping each and every child toasty warm as they sleep in their beds on these cold winter nights.”
Nodding, Jacob found himself feeling quite moved by Mary's imagery, and said, "Tis a nice thought...nice thought indeed...you seem to have a real natural ability Mary...to give others what they need, and for the kindest of reasons."
Humbly, Mary pensively replied, "I try...I like giving a gift such as this, because the sentiment attached says I care. And I believe the children here need to know someone cares...and that they are loved."
Appreciating Mary sharing her insight into the tunnel children's needs, Jacob responded, "Yes...the children here especially need loving care..."
And then Jacob lightening the conversation a bit, added, "...AND we can all attest to the fact, coverlets are needed too...a necessity here in the tunnels."
After hearing Jacob's assessment of the usefulness of an afghan, Mary kept her smile to herself, knowing she would be gifting him with one as well.
Mary then thoughtfully added, "If it were not for Rosa's generosity, well it
wouldn't have been possible."
Jacob agreed, saying, "Yes indeed. Oh by the way, a helper delivered your note of thanks to her as you requested."
Warmly Mary said, "Good, I meant to send one earlier on to that dear lady, but
time has gotten away from me with all the festivities of late. I only hope Rosa believes in old adage, better late than never "
With a nod, Jacob replied, "I am sure she does..."
Mary then cleared her throat, and in a motherly fashion, mentioned, "Since we are, err were speaking of the children, I didn't say anything to Vincent, but I do hope the excursion he took the children on, won't be too extensive and overtaxing, the children are also going to deliver our Helper's Christmas Cards today."
With a slight grin, Jacob replied, "The children have boundless energy Mary...and it is all right to push the young's boundaries a bit...when I think back on my boyhood chores, why, I sometimes marvel at what was expected of us back then."
With a nod, Mary responded, "You are right Father, I had my share of chores too as a young girl..."
And then Mary thoughtfully said, "I wonder where Vincent decided to take
them.”
To which Jacob replied, “They have gone to see Narcissa.”
“Oh my!” Spouted Mary, “That is quite a hike!”
With a soft chuckle, Jacob said, “Well, they are not going all the way to
Narcissa’s chamber, but rather, Vincent knew she would be in the north crag
shelf this afternoon, where she is cultivating her mushrooms. So he is taking the children there to say Merry Christmas and share a picnic with her. Oh they were so pleased when they learned of their destination."
To which Mary noted, "I am sure they would be. They worry when they don’t
see or hear anything from her for a span of time.”
Jacob looked downward as he shared, “I dare say, Vincent does as well. He said he felt it was time to check on her.
With a sense of wonder, Jacob added, “They certainly have a special bond of
sorts.”
Matter-of-factly, Mary replied. “Always have.”
In agreement, Jacob said, “Yes, always have.”
Thoughtfully, Mary noted, “I should think Narcissa will be very pleased for the visit...”
Thoughtfully, Mary then added, “But you know Father; I was just thinking, Vincent is a very good influence on the children, teaching them the importance of visiting the elderly.”
“True, true.” Said Jacob, “However, I don't really think of Narcissa as elderly. She is in good health and seems ageless.”
Defiantly Mary said, “I know, but she is getting older! One never knows how long she will be with us. And she is so all alone.”
Firmly, Jacob replied, “Alone yes, but know this, she is content with her solitary life. And in regard to how long she has left on her lifeline, well none of us know, now do we?”
Looking back resignedly, Mary softly said, “No, which is why we must treasure every moment we are given.”
In reply, Jacob heartfully said, “Yes, yes indeed.”
Jacob then sipped his tea, and said, "Hmm sassafras...very good."
In reply Mary said, "Dr. Wong recommended it. I like it too."
It was then Jacob looked around assessing Mary's festive chamber, and noted, "Your knack for decorating Mary, is quite uplifting...and fancy these red colored doilies...hmmm, very Christmassy indeed!"
With a nod, Mary smiled as she revealed, "Yes they were white, and I asked Rebecca for a bit of red candle making dye! So needless to say, I was quite thrilled with the results!"
To which Jacob replied, "Clever to say the least..."
As Mary knitted her last stitch, she stood up and declared, “There! All done!”
“Splendid!” Applauded Jacob, and then offered, “Allow me to help you fold it.”
After the folding was done, Mary stacked the last afghan with the others, and said, “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and everything is coming together so nicely.”
A sadness came over Jacob’s face, and Mary could not ignore seeing the change. And so she asked, “Father what is it?”
At first Jacob was going to attempt to hide his sorrow, but after all, was he not with his dear friend?
Shouldn’t he open up, and share even the distressing moments, as well as the joyful?
And so Jacob confided, “I am giving up hope Devin will come home for Christmas this year. It would mean so much to Vincent if he did come home..."
In an searching tone, Mary asked, "Only to Vincent?"
With a tremble to his humble smile, Jacob admitted, "It would mean the world to me as well. I miss my son..."
With a resigning tone, Jacob said, "...however...I should think he would have arrived by now if he had it in his mind to come home.”
Mary put her comforting hand on his, and said, “There is still time Father..."
And then Mary optimistically added, "Perhaps it is too soon to give up hope...”
Weakly smiling, Jacob conceded, as he said, “Yes perhaps it is...”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, back up top now in the city, Peter impatiently looked at his watch for the millionth time, as he sat at his desk. Regretfully, he pondered the possibility his contact had failed him.
With concern, Peter then leaned down to buzz his secretary Ruth, again, and asked, “Are you certain there wasn’t a call, or a message that was left for me while I was out today?”
In reply, she said, “No Doctor, no message, but I was just about to let you know there is someone here to see you. Shall I send him in?”
Thinking it was a walk in patient, Peter said, "Of course, I will put my lab coat back on..."
To which Ruth quickly replied, “Well he isn’t a patient; he said he is an old friend.”
Upon hearing this, Peter contemplated the notion that his contact may have come through after all! And so he said, “Yes, yes send him in.”
Ruth then turned to Peter’s visitor, and said, “The Dr. said you may go right in Mr., Mr., I am sorry I didn’t catch your name.”
Meekly he replied, “Wells, Devin Wells.”
“Go right in Mr. Wells.”
And so as Devin approached the door, he stood motionless at the threshold for a moment before he turned the knob to Peter’s office, wondering what kind of greeting he would receive from Peter, his father’s oldest and dearest friend.
Yes its true, Peter was a man who was aware of all the dirt, and friction in the family, and Peter himself had scolded Devin a time or two through the years for all the turmoil he had drummed up for Jacob.
But then, Devin reasoned, Peter did request this meeting, and so hopefully it will be cordial, but more importantly, he prayed this wasn’t any bad news in regard to his father or his brother.
And so as he opened the door, with trepidation, Devin said, “Hello Peter…you wanted to see me?”
Turning toward the young man, Peter felt so pleased he had came. And so he smiled at him, and replied, “Yes, please come in, it has been a while since I’ve seen you Devin.”
Eager to hear if all was well, Devin asked, “Is the old man all right?”
Realizing his message may have alarmed him, Peter quickly assured him, “Yes, Jacob is fine.”
Thinking then it may be something concerning Vincent, Devin anxiously asked, “And Vincent?”
Again, Peter quickly answered, “Vincent is fine too, everyone is fine...
Peter then cleared his throat, before he said, "The reason I wanted to see you, was, well I guess to ask you for a favor."
Wondering what he could possibly do for Peter, The Doctor Man, Devin asked, "A favor from me?"
Hesitantly, yet hopefully, Peter responded, "There's nothing I need for myself, and so perhaps favor is the wrong term to use for what I want to ask of you, but what I wanted to ask is, if you would consider going home for Christmas...for your Father...and for your brother....going home for Christmas would really be a...err, a...A GIFT, a gift for them both.”
To be continued
Chapter Fourteen
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| Destiny of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Thirteen ______________________________________________ |
