Catherine stood on her balcony, daydreaming for a bit before she realized, how very cold it was outside! Holding the cherished book Vincent had left her close to her heart, she dashed inside and hopped into her bed to warm up.

As she snuggled under her thick, quilted comforter, she paged through Vincent's copy of Wordsworth, until she came to "Surprised By Joy".  

And as Catherine opened the book to read it, she was so touched Vincent had placed a pressed a red rose to mark this poem for her.

Looking over at her own copy of Wordsworth, she decided she would give it to Vincent, the first chance she had. Catherine only hoped he wouldn't wait too long to contact her, for she missed him so much already!

The way Vincent carried himself, his style and manner was so special and different. And though she has an adventurous tom-boy side to her nature, she was a hopeless romantic, and she loved how he made her feel when she was with him.

It had always taken her a long time to feel close to people, especially a boyfriend. She was never promiscuous or took intimate matters lightly.

Tom for instance, had never endeared himself to her that way, and aside from a random kiss, things never went very far. For Catherine, there would have to be a captivating moment, a loving act of kindness, or a selflessness to win her heart, and needless to say, Tom never achieved any of those.

However, there was someone whom Catherine thought she was in love with once, and his name was Steven.

Catherine and Steven attended law school at the same time, and they loved being together, and had even talked of building a life together.

However, as his domineering aggressive ways became more evident, and her independent spirit grew stronger, things between them changed. Catherine had fallen out of love, and she lost her desire for him. And though breaking up was difficult on them both, it ended up being quite liberating for her, and it was then her view of life in this complex world, began to change.

It had been nearly five years since Catherine broke up with Steven, and no one since had managed to hold Catherine's interest for very long, or touch her heart. That is until last night, when she met Vincent.

Yes, it was definitely a fairy tale beginning for Catherine and Vincent, and at the dawn of a new day, all the magic remained with her still, as her spirit had soared at the very first sight of him, it soared now at the mere thought of him, and she couldn't wait to see him again.

Just then, the ringing of her phone forced her into reality, and as she answered the phone, she smiled at the sound of her good friend's voice. Cheerfully she replied, "Hello Jen."

Not surprisingly, Jennifer began in her true Jen-Style, by asking her prying questions immediately. And so she asked, "Well, tell me everything! Did you have a good time? And what about Tom? Did he show up?"

Catherine sighed, saying, "Yes, I had a wonderful time. And you will not believe what I have to tell you about Tom! But it will all have to wait until I see you later, first I have to go to Dad's and pick up all my things I left there yesterday."

To which Jennifer screeched, "You are not going to leave me hanging?"

Catherine giggled as she cruelly said, "Afraid I have to Jen."

But Catherine knew if she began telling Jennifer everything now, she would be on the phone for an hour, and she really DID have to get moving!

And so she promised, "I will tell you everything over lunch/supper."

To which Jennifer asked, "Hey, you didn't forget about going to Ron's film fest after eats did you?"

In reply, Catherine incredulously said, "Of course not! Are you kidding? Anyway, if I get going now, I can meet you by three."

Thinking that was perfect, Jennifer replied, "Three it is!"

As Catherine dashed out of her building, she couldn't believe her luck hailing a cab. So as she settled into the back-seat of the Taxi, she looked around at really nothing at all, and thought of how last night now seemed so surreal! It felt as if her world's axis had shifted, and the last twenty-four hours had been a beautiful dream.

There was her encounter with Mr. Smythe, and all of the coincidences surrounding Wordsworth! Then getting to meet the famed Author Brigit O'Donnell, not to mention discovering Peter's double-life he had been leading, and fore mostly, the enchantment surrounding her chance meeting...with Vincent. She couldn't help but wonder, where this quixotic relationship with Vincent would take her.

Then a pall settled over her, as she wondered, what could she tell her Dad and Jennifer about Vincent? How much will she be able to share with them in the future? So many questions, with no answers. All she knew, she would somehow have to find a middle ground to make it work, because now that she found him, she didn't want to let him go.

As Catherine arrived at her Dad's home, in her usual fashion, she called out, "Anybody home?"

To which Charles answered, "We're in here Cathy!"

As Catherine entered the kitchen, she found her Dad enjoying a delicious lunch Willie prepared for him, and so she smiled, and said, "Hi Dad!"

Charles beamed at the sight of his beautiful daughter, and replied, "How are you honey?"

As Catherine hugged him hello, she said, "I am great."

Upon hearing Catherine's voice, Willie stepped back into the kitchen to say, "Hi Dear, there's coffee on."

As Willie spoke, her alter ego, "Mother Hen" took over, and she started to prepare Catherine a turkey sandwich too. And with a nurturing tone she said, "This will be ready lickety split."

Although Catherine hated to disappoint Willie, she had to say no, explaining, "Oh thanks anyway Willie, I am meeting Jen at three for a late lunch/early dinner. She figures if she consolidates her meals she'll loose twenty pounds by Christmas."

Hearing about Jennifer dieting, caused Willie to frown, and  protest, "Just because Jennifer is dieting, doesn't mean you have to!"

With a raised brow, Catherine smiled, and said, "Believe me when I say I don't. But I will help myself to that coffee, it smells so good."

It was then Catherine took note of the bowl still half full of Halloween candy, and said, "And maybe one of these Snickers to go with it."

To which Willie shook her head, and said, "All that candy is left over. I think there were less kids trick or treating this year, than there were last year. Maybe its old fashioned to dress up and go out these days. I don't know."

In reply to what Willie mentioned, Catherine smiled and said, "Well at least Dad and I did our part paying homage to Halloween."

As Catherine poured her coffee, she then turned to her Dad, and concernedly asked, "Any word on Rita today?"

Since Catherine was pouring, Charles held out his cup for a refill, thanked his daughter, and informatively replied, "Just spoke to her, and she is in a bit of pain, but other than that, she just has to rest that sprained ankle for a week or two. So Rita told me she called Marilyn and asked her to hire a temp to fill in for her..."

And then with a tad bit of humor, Charles added, "...needless to say, that will be the last time Rita asks me to dance with her."

To which Catherine argued, "It wasn't your fault Dad! It was just one of those things."

Catherine then sat down at the kitchen table, and smiled as she told Willie, "You really should have seen Dad last night. He can really dance..."

And then looking over at her Dad, she disappointedly continued, "...just too bad your fun was cut short."

Wanting to take the focus off his self, Charles then proudly said, "And what about you, Dear Daughter? You and Vincent, made a most enchanting couple out on the dance floor. You two could give even Fred and Ginger a run for their money! So tell me, will you be seeing him again?"

Here was the moment Catherine dreaded. What could she tell her Dad, that would not be deceitful? As she chose her words carefully, she softly said, "I hope so Dad, but it's a bit complicated. He's not always here in the city."

To which Catherine justified her answer by thinking, well technically he's NOT in the city...just under it!

She then thoughtfully added, "But...I'll keep you posted."

Charles knew his daughter was choosy about who she dated, but he couldn't ever recall seeing her as enamored as she was last night with Vincent.

So in a stern fatherly manner, he teased, "You better keep me up-to-date, because as you know, I didn't get to properly grill him yet..."

Charles then softened his tone, as he added, "...but I must tell you my first impression of him, was, well, I liked him."

Happy to hear this, in reply, Catherine told her Dad, "I like him too, He's so thoughtful, and quite brilliant..."

She then looked at Willie, and excitedly added, "Not to mention he likes the same music I do, admires the same authors, and seems to be an art aficionado too!"

Willie then playfully butted in as she said, "It doesn't hurt he has those beautiful blue eyes to gaze into either I bet!"

Willie's comment caused Catherine to suspiciously ask, "How could you know he has blue eyes Willie?"

To which Charles raised his hand, and admitted, "Guilty!"

Charles then in astonishment added, "I must say in all my travels, I have never seen such a strikingly blue color of eyes before, and I told that to Willie."

Shaking her finger at Charles, Willie then added, "That's not all you said! You also said, you hoped those blue eyes of his, won't cause Catherine to act impetuously!"

Upon hearing Willie reveal details of their earlier conversation, Charles embarrassingly said, "Now you don't have to repeat everything I told you."

With a sideway glance, Catherine incredulously asked them both,  "Come on now. Have either of you ever known me to fall for someone on such a shallow level?"

Without missing a beat, Willie chimed in to say, "Why yes I do. I never liked that Chad Kennedy you dated. Such a good looking boy, but he was so arrogant, oh, and then there was Bryce Soros..."

As Catherine tried to drown Willie out, she conceded, saying, "All right, all right, well maybe I did, but I was so young then, and I have learned a cutey face is interesting for just so long."

Charles, wanting to add a little Fatherly tidbit of knowledge, said, "I only meant, I don't want you to get too carried away by his good looks, that's all."

And so Catherine looked lovingly at her father, and said, "I won't  Dad."

Yes, it was true, Vincent was intriguing to Catherine, but there was something more, a connection. Still though, she couldn't help but wonder what Charles would say if he knew he had met the true Vincent last night. That he was not wearing a disguise as all of them were. Yes, she so hated keeping things from her beloved Dad, and this saddened her deeply, for she and her Dad have shared everything before.

As Charles adjusted his newspaper, he then proudly noted, "Well looky here! Nice photo of you standing with the Judge at the Gala last night honey."

Excitedly, Willie approached, to inspect the photograph, and exclaimed, "Oh yes, you look so pretty Cathy..."

And as Catherine looked too, she with concern mentioned, "You were standing with us too Dad...you should be in the picture as well..."

And then  as Willie looked closer, she looked over at Charles and asked, "I think that's your elbow...isn't it?"

To which Charles nodded in agreement, and incredulously answered, "Good call Willie...YEP...that's my elbow!"

After Catherine and Willie shared a chuckle at Charles delivery, Catherine changed her demeanor, and with umbrage responded, "Well, the photographer should be fired for cropping out the most handsome, AND prestigious man there!"

Charles thanked his dear daughter, continued to read on, and with concern mentioned, "Hey, it says here, Brigit never made it to the party."

To which Catherine confirmed, "No she didn't, right after you left, our host Harold made an announcement that Brigit was unable to attend. In the telegram he read from her, she explained her father was very ill, and had been admitted into St. Vincent's hospital."

To which Charles exclaimed, "So that's what all the hub bub at the hospital was about. We saw security all over, and a few photogs too."

With a nod, Catherine surmised, "With the political undertows surrounding Brigit and her Father, I can only imagine it was because of them."

With a sympathetic tone, Charles expressed, "Too bad about her Father, and too bad for you. I know how anxious you were to meet her. You must have been very disappointed."

Having a tale to tell, Catherine excitedly responded, "Oh yes, we all were disappointed. But...as it turned out, Brigit and Vincent are friends. And because she wanted to still meet up with him, she sent him a telegram, asking him to meet her at the hospital's cafeteria. So, since he asked me to accompany him, I did get to meet Brigit after all...even though it was under such sad circumstances, she was very warm, and quite lovely."

Taken aback by the turn of events, Charles looked toward Willie, and with a nod, impresively said, "Well how do you like that?"

So thoughtfully, Catherine then added, "Since it was a reunion of sorts for Vincent and Brigit, I left them alone to talk, and I went looking for you, but you had already left, so Peter filled me in on Rita's prognosis, and then with a little arm twisting, I managed to steal him away for a cup of coffee."

To which Catherine concernedly added, "I hate he still has to work those late shifts, I think he looked tired."

In disgust, Willie agreed, then noted, "Seniority doesn't seem to count for anything these days."

To which Charles corrected the two by informing them, "It is Peter's choice to pull those shifts, he feels if it's good enough for the young interns, it's good enough for him! And besides you know Peter...everyone is getting older but him!"

Upon hearing Charles, Catherine and Willie knew he was right...Peter would never put himself above doing the grave yard shift.

Just then the phone rang, and after Charles returned from taking the call, he sadly relayed what he learned, saying, "I hate to tell you both, but that was Peter, he wanted us to know his Mother is gravely ill in Florida, and they don't expect her make it. His partner is taking over his practice for him while he travels to be at his Mothers side."

Hearing this news was devastating to Catherine, and so tearfully she said, "Mother Alcott is dying? But we just saw her a month ago for her surprise Birthday Party at Aunt Pauline's, and she seemed fine then!"

To which Charles nodded, saying, "I know...I know but Peter says after her return home, she didn't feel well, and I guess it all came on quite suddenly..."

Thoughtfully, with emotion, Catherine replied, "Awe...this is so sad..."

And then Willie with emotion, stated, "Yes, what a shame, Mrs. Alcott, now that is one great lady."

With care, Catherine thoughtfully asked, "How is Peter? He and his Mom are so close, he must be beside himself."

Feeling emotional as well, Charles agreed, saying, "Yes, he was quite upset over the phone, this all caught him by surprise, since she hadn't been sick or anything. But Peter did want me to tell you, he knew this news would be tough on you Sweetie, and he wanted me to relay, that though he is away, he is with you in spirit."

As Catherine wiped a few tears away, she realized he was sending her a cryptic message of sorts, regarding Vincent. Appreciating Peter thinking of her, even now during this time, prompted Catherine to ask, "Do you think we should go too?"

Sadly Charles replied, "I did tell Peter we would fly right out, but he realistically yet tragically suggested we wait, because he would need our support later."

Both Willie and Catherine stayed sadly silent as this terrible news resonated with them.

Thinking about the time, Catherine then checked her watch, and regretfully said, "I guess I better call Jen to cancel..."

To which Charles, upon thinking Jennifer would be good for Catherine right now, urged her to keep her plans by saying, "You should go and meet Jennifer."

In reply Catherine argued, "But what if there is news, and Peter needs us and I'm not here? No, I want to stay here with you Dad."

Calmly, and lovingly, Charles replied, "It could be days, maybe weeks...Peter wouldn't want you to put your life on hold sitting around waiting, and besides you wouldn't want to disappoint Jennifer, now would you?"

To which Catherine solemnly conceded, "I suppose not..."

As Catherine stood up, she gave her Dad a hug, and gave Willie one too, and said, "Well...I'll go up and gather my things."

As she left Willie and Charles, Willie quietly expressed, "I'm worried about Cathy...do you think she's all right?"

To which Charles shared, "I know your concerned about her Willie....but she'll be fine...she's a strong girl...but just the same, we'll be there for her should she need us."

Meanwhile upstairs, Catherine stretched out for a moment, reflecting on Mother Alcott, and she cried thinking of how much she loved her, and on the tough times Peter would be facing, and vowed to be there for him.

As her thoughts drifted from Dear Peter, to Sweet Vincent, pondering the fact these two men have shared a friendship all through her lifetime. This fact did bring her comfort, knowing she wasn't really all alone with a secret she couldn't share, for she had Peter...and knew he was there for her, as she was there for him.

Meanwhile, with the help of the chiming Grandfather Clock echoing through the house, Catherine was brought up from her thoughts, and as she rallied herself, her Mother's little red velvet box caught her eye, reminding her she still had her earrings on.

And so sitting at her vanity, she took them off, and carefully nestled them deeply into the plush, red velvet, where they belonged.

And after she admired them one last time, she solemnly closed the lid on the little box...feeling so blessed her Dad wanted her to wear them.

Realizing she better ready herself, Catherine took her hairbrush from the drawer, and as she looked into the mirror, which had returned her image all through her life, she brushed her hair.

She sat there thinking of all the opposing feelings she was having. The feelings of missing her Mom, the sadness surrounding Mother Alcott, and then...the unexpected joy Vincent had brought her, and she couldn't help but wonder and hope, if she would hear from him tonight.

To be continued
Chapter Two
When Catherine and Vincent found each other on All Hallows' Eve
in Captor Of My Heart, their journey together was only just beginning...
but because of some mutual missed communications, each believed,
that the other had second thoughts
about pursuing their unconventional relationship.
They couldn't know until much sorting out of the facts...
That nothing could have been further from the truth.

Hero of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter One

Juliet: O! Think'st thou we shall ever meet again?
Romeo: I doubt it not, and all these woes shall serve
for sweet discourses in our time to come.
Romeo and Juliet : William Shakespeare
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