| Sweet Dreams By Sharon Holtz Chapter Forty-Four |
After Jennifer took her place, everyone stood up out of respect for the bride,
who would be next to come down the aisle.
Catherine waited with Peter, and looked around the chapel thinking, this must
be the most enchanting place in all the world to be married!
The numerous candles along with the dozens and dozens of flowers...it was just
like a beautiful fairy tale! She thought it was as if she had dreamt it into
being...just like her Vincent.
Excitedly, she gazed up at Peter, and looked so beguiling, with her shining
misted eyes.
Catherine's Arrival
Sweetly, Peter patted Catherine's hand in a supportive fatherly fashion, as he
proudly escorted her down the aisle.
Jokingly he whispered to her, "Why did I bother getting this new suit? Who's
noticing? All eyes are on you kiddo!"
Catherine softly laughed at his joke, but Peter was right! One by one, everyone
had turned to look at her, this beautiful heiress they all loved and admired so
much, each one for their own reasons.
For some it was the way she was able to abandon her rich, comfortable lifestyle,
to live in the tunnels with Vincent. And the perplexing thing about it all was, it
seemed as if, Catherine considered it a privilege to do so.
For others, it was because of the well known fact, she had turned down
numerous handsome, wealthy suitors, and chose to marry their honorable,
humbly majestic Vincent instead!
Most importantly, and universally shared, was how they admired her insight into
Vincent's heart. He was a man they all loved and knew to be uniquely special,
and they all were so happy, Catherine also knew this to be true.
They were a select few, who were privy to know him, to know he even existed,
and now Catherine was one of them added to this phantasmagoria, exclusive
few, who are able to see pass the obvious, and recognize Vincent as the coveted
treasure he was to behold.
Yes, to many of them, Catherine was an enigma, who owned wisdom, kindness
and beauty, and when they saw her today...they were not disappointed. The
sounds of approval reverberated through the crowd like a wave, as they began
whispering that Catherine...had never looked more beautiful than she did on this
day. And even though she was aware of the attention, her only thoughts were of
Vincent. She could not wait to see him, and join him forever at his side.
Meantime, Vincent stood beyond the crowd at the Chapel's alter, waiting to see
her as well. Finally after the crowd stepped back...their eyes met, locked into
the beauty they saw in each other, bound by the bond that connected their
hearts from that first moment Vincent found her, united for throughout all
eternity.
Vincent waiting for Catherine at the Chapel
The time came for Peter to give Catherine to Vincent, so tenderly he placed her
hand into his, and graciously stepped back and took a seat next to Jacob.
The two surrogate Father's shared a heartfelt embrace knowing the lonely
children they stood for, completely belonged to another at last.
With a quiet elegance Catherine stepped up to Vincent, and the whole world
seemed to finally stop spinning as they looked deeply into each others
eyes...happy their moment to be married had finally come.
Reverend Edward waited a moment more, before he began his homily.
He said, "Welcome all of you...friends and family of Catherine and Vincent.
Allow me to admit that although I am a servant of God...I am not a poet or a
writer of fine works, so for today, I chose to inspire this beautiful couple and all
of you too, with words that were written long ago. They are words from the
proud and distinguished Apache people:
It is called the Apache Blessing:
"Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead
and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion
and your days together be good and long upon the earth."
Treat yourselves and each other with respect,
and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness,
gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulties and fear assail your relationship,
as they threaten all relationships at one time or another,
remember to focus on what is right between you,
not only the part which seems wrong.
In this way,
you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives --
remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment,
the sun is still there.
And if each of you takes responsibility
for the quality of your life together,
it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Reverend, then said, "And now listen as Vincent and Catherine recite their vows
to one another."
Vincent turned to look at Catherine and said:
"You came from a place of power and wealth
a world apart from mine.
From the moment I saw you,
You captured my heart
with your beauty, your warmth,
and your courage.
Catherine... you are the mistress of my fate
Lighting the darkness of my aloneness
With your sweet presence
You have given my life a reason,
provided my heart a home,
and my soul a refuge
you have changed my life forever
I shall love you
even when the sun grows cold
and the stars grow old.
For you have gifted me with an affection
that shall exist through any and all dominions
I pledge to be your husband from this day forward.
Making our two lives as one."
Catherine held Vincent's gaze all through the vows he had spoken to her, and
the tears that gathered and welled within her eyes, slowly spilled over down her
cheeks. As she took a moment to gain her composure, she then spoke her vows
to Vincent.
"I am honored to join you in this secret place,
far below the city streets to live our lives together,
It was here we recognized our bond
a bond with no end
It can never be severed, because we are apart of each other
Since the day we met
you have been with me always in spirit
And your spirit has helped enable mine
To endure, and accomplish things
that would have been impossible before.
I have bowed down to the fates...
and for you, I have listened, and followed my heart
so from this day forward,
I give myself to you as your wife,
and I promise to treasure you for all of my days
Vowing to never, ever be apart."
Catherine. He had never felt so loved, or honored as he did at this moment.
The Reverend continued the ceremony by saying to Catherine:
"Catherine, will you take Vincent as your husband, in happiness and with
patience and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?"
Catherine answered, "I will."
Vincent's Wedding Ring
Catherine took the ring from Jennifer, and slipped it on Vincent's finger, then
next, Reverend Edward asked:
"Vincent, will you take Catherine as your wife, in happiness and with patience
and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?"
Vincent replied, "I will."
Catherine's Wedding Ring
Vincent turned to Pascal for Catherine's wedding ring, and taking her delicate
hand in his, he placed it on her finger.
Reverend Edward continued, "In the years which shall bring Catherine and
Vincent into greater age and wisdom, we hope that their love shall be ever
young; that they shall be able to always recover from moments of despair. In
this hope, may they keep the vows made on this day, in freedom, teaching each
other who they are, what they yet shall be, enabling them to know that, in the
fullness of being, they are more than themselves and more than each other, that
they are all of us, and that together we share joyously the fruits of life on this
earth, our home. Inasmuch as Catherine and Vincent have declared their love to
each other before family and friends, I now greet them with you as husband and
wife."
Catherine and Vincent at the Chapel
Everyone was thrilled, and clapped as they welcomed the newly married couple
into the community. Catherine looked once more up at Vincent, and smiled at
her sweet love before stepping out among the waiting crowd.
One by one, everyone in attendance congratulated them as they stood,
graciously greeting them in return, and thanked them for sharing their day with
them.
Out of the corner of Catherine's eye, she could see Lena approaching them,
with baby Catherine in her arms. Excitedly she whispered to Vincent that they
were there!
As Lena first embraced Catherine and then Vincent to congratulate them,
Catherine cried heart felt tears, saying she was so pleased she came and brought
little Catherine with her. Lena replied she wouldn't have missed coming for
anything.
Just then, quite unexpectedly, Little Catherine smiled directly at Vincent!
Everyone was stunned, because the baby had not seen Vincent since she was a
newborn at the naming ceremony! Could it be that she somehow remembered
him?
Lena laughed and said, "What a little flirt you are Catherine."
She then looked at Vincent, and softly offered, "Would you like to hold her?"
In awe by this baby's outward expression of acceptance, he tenderly took the
beautiful little girl in his arms and said, "Well hello little Catherine..."
Catherine watched on, as Vincent held the baby, and she thought how very
natural his demeanor was with her. She smiled up at him, as she noticed the
baby's little fist had gotten tangled up in his hair. She quickly, but gently
untangled one from the other for him.
Vincent turned to Lena and said, "I can see she is a happy child Lena, you are
taking such good care of her...anyone can see that. And you...you look happy..."
To which Lena answered, "Oh I am, thanks to all of you, especially you
Catherine for not giving up on me. You helped me reach for what really matters
in life, and face all of my mistakes. Well, I'm not making any more
mistakes...Little Catherine needs me too much, and I want her to be proud of
her mommy. After all, I am all she has...other than all of you here of course."
Catherine squeezed Lena's hand and said, "That's right Lena, you and little
Catherine are never really alone. We are all here for you."
Lena took the baby back from Vincent, and said, "Well we better move on, I
see we are holding up the line. I will catch up with you later at the reception."
Vincent held little Catherine's gaze as Lena walked on, seeming as though the
baby didn't want to look away, and neither did Vincent...Finally, in an
astonished tone, he told Catherine, "What an alert baby...she seems so aware of
the world around her. Don't you think so as well Catherine?"
Amused by the fact Vincent was just like any other man, he must not have been
listening when she told him the same thing. Catherine giggled as she replied,
"That's what I said after I saw her at my Bridal Shower! Don't you remember, I
told you she was so alert."
Excitedly, Vincent said, "Look at her from way over there Catherine! I believe
she is still looking at me!"
In agreement, Catherine replied, "Yes, I think she is!"
The guests in line continued to file through when...until there were none! The
next order of business according to Mary the Wedding Planner, was to
P-A-R-T-Y!!!
To be continued
Chapter Forty-Five
who would be next to come down the aisle.
Catherine waited with Peter, and looked around the chapel thinking, this must
be the most enchanting place in all the world to be married!
The numerous candles along with the dozens and dozens of flowers...it was just
like a beautiful fairy tale! She thought it was as if she had dreamt it into
being...just like her Vincent.
Excitedly, she gazed up at Peter, and looked so beguiling, with her shining
misted eyes.
Catherine's Arrival
Sweetly, Peter patted Catherine's hand in a supportive fatherly fashion, as he
proudly escorted her down the aisle.
Jokingly he whispered to her, "Why did I bother getting this new suit? Who's
noticing? All eyes are on you kiddo!"
Catherine softly laughed at his joke, but Peter was right! One by one, everyone
had turned to look at her, this beautiful heiress they all loved and admired so
much, each one for their own reasons.
For some it was the way she was able to abandon her rich, comfortable lifestyle,
to live in the tunnels with Vincent. And the perplexing thing about it all was, it
seemed as if, Catherine considered it a privilege to do so.
For others, it was because of the well known fact, she had turned down
numerous handsome, wealthy suitors, and chose to marry their honorable,
humbly majestic Vincent instead!
Most importantly, and universally shared, was how they admired her insight into
Vincent's heart. He was a man they all loved and knew to be uniquely special,
and they all were so happy, Catherine also knew this to be true.
They were a select few, who were privy to know him, to know he even existed,
and now Catherine was one of them added to this phantasmagoria, exclusive
few, who are able to see pass the obvious, and recognize Vincent as the coveted
treasure he was to behold.
Yes, to many of them, Catherine was an enigma, who owned wisdom, kindness
and beauty, and when they saw her today...they were not disappointed. The
sounds of approval reverberated through the crowd like a wave, as they began
whispering that Catherine...had never looked more beautiful than she did on this
day. And even though she was aware of the attention, her only thoughts were of
Vincent. She could not wait to see him, and join him forever at his side.
Meantime, Vincent stood beyond the crowd at the Chapel's alter, waiting to see
her as well. Finally after the crowd stepped back...their eyes met, locked into
the beauty they saw in each other, bound by the bond that connected their
hearts from that first moment Vincent found her, united for throughout all
eternity.
Vincent waiting for Catherine at the Chapel
The time came for Peter to give Catherine to Vincent, so tenderly he placed her
hand into his, and graciously stepped back and took a seat next to Jacob.
The two surrogate Father's shared a heartfelt embrace knowing the lonely
children they stood for, completely belonged to another at last.
With a quiet elegance Catherine stepped up to Vincent, and the whole world
seemed to finally stop spinning as they looked deeply into each others
eyes...happy their moment to be married had finally come.
Reverend Edward waited a moment more, before he began his homily.
He said, "Welcome all of you...friends and family of Catherine and Vincent.
Allow me to admit that although I am a servant of God...I am not a poet or a
writer of fine works, so for today, I chose to inspire this beautiful couple and all
of you too, with words that were written long ago. They are words from the
proud and distinguished Apache people:
It is called the Apache Blessing:
"Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead
and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion
and your days together be good and long upon the earth."
Treat yourselves and each other with respect,
and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness,
gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulties and fear assail your relationship,
as they threaten all relationships at one time or another,
remember to focus on what is right between you,
not only the part which seems wrong.
In this way,
you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives --
remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment,
the sun is still there.
And if each of you takes responsibility
for the quality of your life together,
it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Reverend, then said, "And now listen as Vincent and Catherine recite their vows
to one another."
Vincent turned to look at Catherine and said:
"You came from a place of power and wealth
a world apart from mine.
From the moment I saw you,
You captured my heart
with your beauty, your warmth,
and your courage.
Catherine... you are the mistress of my fate
Lighting the darkness of my aloneness
With your sweet presence
You have given my life a reason,
provided my heart a home,
and my soul a refuge
you have changed my life forever
I shall love you
even when the sun grows cold
and the stars grow old.
For you have gifted me with an affection
that shall exist through any and all dominions
I pledge to be your husband from this day forward.
Making our two lives as one."
Catherine held Vincent's gaze all through the vows he had spoken to her, and
the tears that gathered and welled within her eyes, slowly spilled over down her
cheeks. As she took a moment to gain her composure, she then spoke her vows
to Vincent.
"I am honored to join you in this secret place,
far below the city streets to live our lives together,
It was here we recognized our bond
a bond with no end
It can never be severed, because we are apart of each other
Since the day we met
you have been with me always in spirit
And your spirit has helped enable mine
To endure, and accomplish things
that would have been impossible before.
I have bowed down to the fates...
and for you, I have listened, and followed my heart
so from this day forward,
I give myself to you as your wife,
and I promise to treasure you for all of my days
Vowing to never, ever be apart."
Catherine. He had never felt so loved, or honored as he did at this moment.
The Reverend continued the ceremony by saying to Catherine:
"Catherine, will you take Vincent as your husband, in happiness and with
patience and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?"
Catherine answered, "I will."
Vincent's Wedding Ring
Catherine took the ring from Jennifer, and slipped it on Vincent's finger, then
next, Reverend Edward asked:
"Vincent, will you take Catherine as your wife, in happiness and with patience
and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?"
Vincent replied, "I will."
Catherine's Wedding Ring
Vincent turned to Pascal for Catherine's wedding ring, and taking her delicate
hand in his, he placed it on her finger.
Reverend Edward continued, "In the years which shall bring Catherine and
Vincent into greater age and wisdom, we hope that their love shall be ever
young; that they shall be able to always recover from moments of despair. In
this hope, may they keep the vows made on this day, in freedom, teaching each
other who they are, what they yet shall be, enabling them to know that, in the
fullness of being, they are more than themselves and more than each other, that
they are all of us, and that together we share joyously the fruits of life on this
earth, our home. Inasmuch as Catherine and Vincent have declared their love to
each other before family and friends, I now greet them with you as husband and
wife."
Catherine and Vincent at the Chapel
Everyone was thrilled, and clapped as they welcomed the newly married couple
into the community. Catherine looked once more up at Vincent, and smiled at
her sweet love before stepping out among the waiting crowd.
One by one, everyone in attendance congratulated them as they stood,
graciously greeting them in return, and thanked them for sharing their day with
them.
Out of the corner of Catherine's eye, she could see Lena approaching them,
with baby Catherine in her arms. Excitedly she whispered to Vincent that they
were there!
As Lena first embraced Catherine and then Vincent to congratulate them,
Catherine cried heart felt tears, saying she was so pleased she came and brought
little Catherine with her. Lena replied she wouldn't have missed coming for
anything.
Just then, quite unexpectedly, Little Catherine smiled directly at Vincent!
Everyone was stunned, because the baby had not seen Vincent since she was a
newborn at the naming ceremony! Could it be that she somehow remembered
him?
Lena laughed and said, "What a little flirt you are Catherine."
She then looked at Vincent, and softly offered, "Would you like to hold her?"
In awe by this baby's outward expression of acceptance, he tenderly took the
beautiful little girl in his arms and said, "Well hello little Catherine..."
Catherine watched on, as Vincent held the baby, and she thought how very
natural his demeanor was with her. She smiled up at him, as she noticed the
baby's little fist had gotten tangled up in his hair. She quickly, but gently
untangled one from the other for him.
Vincent turned to Lena and said, "I can see she is a happy child Lena, you are
taking such good care of her...anyone can see that. And you...you look happy..."
To which Lena answered, "Oh I am, thanks to all of you, especially you
Catherine for not giving up on me. You helped me reach for what really matters
in life, and face all of my mistakes. Well, I'm not making any more
mistakes...Little Catherine needs me too much, and I want her to be proud of
her mommy. After all, I am all she has...other than all of you here of course."
Catherine squeezed Lena's hand and said, "That's right Lena, you and little
Catherine are never really alone. We are all here for you."
Lena took the baby back from Vincent, and said, "Well we better move on, I
see we are holding up the line. I will catch up with you later at the reception."
Vincent held little Catherine's gaze as Lena walked on, seeming as though the
baby didn't want to look away, and neither did Vincent...Finally, in an
astonished tone, he told Catherine, "What an alert baby...she seems so aware of
the world around her. Don't you think so as well Catherine?"
Amused by the fact Vincent was just like any other man, he must not have been
listening when she told him the same thing. Catherine giggled as she replied,
"That's what I said after I saw her at my Bridal Shower! Don't you remember, I
told you she was so alert."
Excitedly, Vincent said, "Look at her from way over there Catherine! I believe
she is still looking at me!"
In agreement, Catherine replied, "Yes, I think she is!"
The guests in line continued to file through when...until there were none! The
next order of business according to Mary the Wedding Planner, was to
P-A-R-T-Y!!!
To be continued
Chapter Forty-Five
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