Catherine totally forgot about her weakened legs when Nina brought Little Jacob to her and placed him on her lap in her arms. Tears of joy streamed down Catherine’s cheeks, and that started everyone crying with joy over the poignant scene. This was the first time Catherine had ever held her baby, and she just gazed in silent wonder into his smiling alert little face. She finally whispered,
“Oh, Vincent, he is so beautiful, isn’t he?”
Vincent had climbed back on the bed with Catherine, and he had his arms wrapped around both of them as he enjoyed Catherine’s peaceful look of motherly love for her infant. “Yes, Catherine, he is truly a beautiful baby boy!” Catherine looked up at Nina with an expression of profound gratitude, and Nina bent over and kissed Catherine’s cheek. Vincent introduced her. “Catherine, this is my cousin, Tanimus’ daughter, Nina. She took care of Little Jacob for us while we were all here waking you up.”
Catherine said softly, “Thank you so much, Nina!”
Nina replied, “It was my pleasure, Catherine. Little Jacob is a joy to care for!” Catherine looked back into Little Jacob’s eyes with the adoring gaze every child wants to see on a mother’s face.
At that point, everyone quietly slipped out of the chamber to give the happy little family some privacy.
Little Jacob started to fuss, and then he nuzzled Catherine’s breast through her nightgown. Catherine looked at Vincent with worry and asked, “Does he need a bottle?”
Vincent chuckled softly. “No, Catherine, he just needs you!”
Catherine looked confused. “He does?”
Vincent explained to her, “Even though you have been asleep, you have been nursing Little Jacob. He still gets all of his nourishment from you.”
Catherine was overjoyed. “Oh, Vincent, how wonderful, but I don’t know how to nurse him.”
Vincent smiled at her. “Ill teach you.”
Catherine giggled at him. “You will?”
Vincent chuckled. “Yes, I had read about breastfeeding when Father was teaching our health courses while I was growing up. Then, when I found you at Peter’s home, Mary taught me the correct technique, so I could help you to nurse Little Jacob until you awakened.”
Catherine smiled happily. “Teach me, Vincent!” Vincent unbuttoned Catherine’s nightgown and gently supported one of her breasts with his hand. Then, he showed Catherine the right technique for helping Little Jacob to latch on and begin suckling. When Little Jacob was properly attached to her breast and hungrily nursing, Catherine was elated by the experience, and she giggled softly. Vincent kept his strong arm under her weakened arm to help her support Little Jacob as he nursed. She settled comfortably in Vincent’s arms and watched Little Jacob nurse with such a look of joyous satisfaction that it brought tears to Vincent’s eyes.
When Little Jacob decided that the first breast was empty, he popped off and looked up at his mother with a
smile. Catherine giggled, and Vincent said, “Now, he needs to be burped before he nurses from your other breast.”
She kept looking into Little Jacob’s eyes as she said, “Show me how to burp him, Vincent.” Vincent lifted the baby up onto Catherine’s shoulder and showed her where to pat him on his back. She patted him a few times, but she couldn’t keep her arm up long enough to get a burp out of him.
Catherine gave Vincent a distressed look when she had to lay her arm down. He said softly, “Don’t worry Catherine.” Then he took over patting Little Jacob’s back on her shoulder until the baby bubbled up an huge burp that made Catherine giggle again. Vincent then helped Catherine switch Little Jacob to her other breast, and while he was happily emptying that one, Nina came back into the chamber.
Catherine was so focused on Little Jacob that she didn’t even notice Nina. Nina smiled at the pretty scene, and then she looked at Vincent. “I thought I would come back and take Little Jacob in his stroller for you when he is done nursing. That way, you can help Catherine to get back to Mom’s and Dad’s guest house chambers. We have moved a crib and a playpen with toys down there for Little Jacob.”
Vincent smiled at his cousin. “Thank you, Nina. That was very thoughtful of you. Those chambers will be lovely and comfortable for Catherine while she is recovering.”
Nina smiled, “Everyone is thrilled that the two of you are now reunited and safe.” Little Jacob popped off Catherine’s breast, looked at Nina, and smiled. Nina asked Catherine, “Can you bear to part with him for a little while, so Vincent can help you get back to my parents’ home, Catherine?”
Catherine giggled, “I think so, Nina, thank you.” Nina picked up Little Jacob and burped him. Then she put him in the stroller and left the healing chamber with him.
Vincent got off the bed, went around to Catherine’s side, and asked her, “Are you ready to go to Uncle Tanimus’ and Aunt Letha’s home, Catherine?”
Catherine lit up as she was buttoning her nightgown. “That sounds wonderful, Vincent!”
Vincent gently picked Catherine up, and then he kept a supporting arm around her waist as he set her feet on the floor of the chamber. “You are going to love the chambers that Uncle Tanimus and Aunt Letha gave us! They are very beautiful and comfortable. It is the perfect place for you to recover in.”
Vincent kept most of Catherine’s weight on his right arm, and held her left hand in his left hand, as she tried to walk with him. She managed to walk with his support to the doorway, but then she was exhausted. Catherine was discouraged. “Oh, Vincent, I’m so sorry! I’m totally useless!”
Vincent swept her up into his arms and began
carrying her back to Tanimus’ and Letha’s home chambers. He shook his head. “Please don’t fret, Catherine. You will regain your strength. It will just take a little time. Besides, I love having you in my arms!” Catherine giggled happily. Vincent continued, “The chambers that Uncle Tanimus and Aunt Letha gave us have a spa-pool in them. You will be able to practice walking in it, where the water will help to support your weight.”
Catherine smiled at him. “That sounds delightful.” Then, she noticed all of the lovely artwork in the corridors Vincent was carrying her through. “Oh, Vincent, there are some magnificent pieces of art here! These corridors are absolutely beautiful.”
Vincent told her, “All of the artwork in these tunnels has been created here. It is the work of both human and Tandin community members, and some of the pieces have even been crafted by the children.”
Catherine was amazed. “How long have the Tandins occupied these tunnels? Accumulating all of these treasures took some time.”
Vincent answered her. “The Tandins were brought here by human friends from Romania two-hundred years ago. Adrian’s and Gabriel’s adoptive father was a Romanian geneticist who was working with and studying my people. His ancestors were among the human friends who smuggled them aboard ships and brought them here to these tunnels where they would be safer. His name was
Dr. Dominik Vlas, and he was completely devastated by what his sons did to my people. When Gabriel was fifteen, he killed Dr. Vlas while he slept by strangling him. Dr. Vlas had rescued the boys from their abusive father in Romania on one of his trips there to visit relatives. They just never did overcome their terrible upbringing, and it broke Dr. Vlas’ heart when they caused such tragedy among my people.”
Catherine looked at Vincent. “Didn’t Uncle Tanimus say that they now have Adrian in custody?” Vincent nodded, and she asked, “What are they going to do with him?”
Vincent looked at her and smiled. “Would you believe that they are actually going to try to help him? Even if they can’t help him, they will take care of him and his mercenary army for the rest of their lives. Uncle Tanimus says that the Tandins have had considerable success rehabilitating hardened criminals they have had to incarcerate here over the years. Many of them are now productive members of their community. With the Tandins’ mental abilities, it is impossible for the prisoners to deceive them, and he says that they have never lost a prisoner yet.”
Catherine said softly, “Your people are truly remarkable, Vincent. They are certainly more generous, forgiving, and compassionate than the world above has ever learned to be.”
Catherine suddenly noticed her beautifully manicured
and perfectly shaped fingernails. “Whom do I thank for this fine manicure, Vincent? Someone took a lot of time and care working on my nails!”
Vincent chuckled with pleasure that she had noticed. “That would be yours truly, my sweet Catherine.”
Catherine looked at him in amazement and giggled. “Who taught you how to do a professional manicure, Vincent?”
Vincent smiled at her. “Youll have to thank Diana for those lessons. She was very patient with me, and I had a lot of fun learning all about the fine points of feminine grooming. I’m really happy that you are pleased with the results, Catherine.”
Catherine smiled softly at him. “I have been so much trouble while I have been asleep, haven’t I?”
There were pretty wooden chairs by a few of the tables displaying artwork throughout the corridors, and Vincent sat down on the nearest one with Catherine on his lap.
He put an hand under Catherine’s chin and tipped her face up, so he could look deeply into her eyes. He said firmly, “Catherine, you were never any trouble to care for!
It gave me tremendous pleasure to personally handle every aspect of your care! When I thought that I had lost you and would never see you again until I died too, I was in complete despair. I thought the grief would surely crush me. Finding you alive was the happiest day of my life until now! I wouldn’t even let anyone else take care of you after that, and they all wanted to. I just couldn’t help being selfish and wanting to experience the joy of taking care of you myself alone. I had been without you for so long. I love you with all of my heart and with all that I am, Catherine.”
Catherine had happy tears streaming down her cheeks, and Vincent started kissing them away. She put her hands on either side of Vincent’s face and kissed him passionately. Then Catherine snuggled against Vincent’s chest and said softly, “Vincent, I love you so deeply! I have never been happier in my life! This all seems like a dream.”
Vincent chuckled and said, “Catherine, my Love, this is far better than any dream! I just wish that I could take you to some exotic vacation spot in the world above for a real honeymoon after you have recovered.”
Catherine smiled softly at Vincent as she replied. “Vincent, this world that the Tandins have created is far more exotic than any place the world above has to offer. Being with you and our baby together in Tanimus’ and Letha’s beautiful chambers is a far better honeymoon than I could ever have imagined. We are always redefining terms to suit our special relationship, Vincent, and I am blissfully happy.” Vincent smiled and hugged her tightly.
When Vincent and Catherine finally arrived back in their guest chambers, Little Jacob had just fallen asleep in his crib, and Nina was rocking Donner in the rocking chair that had been moved down there too. Catherine’s eyes twinkled at the sight of Donner. She exclaimed, “Oh, Nina, your baby is adorable! I didn’t get a good look at him when you came to the healing chamber. What is his name?”
Nina brought Donner over to her, and Catherine stroked his cheek as he smiled at her. “This is Donner, Catherine.”
Catherine asked, “May I hold him?”
Nina smiled at her, “Of course!”
Vincent carried Catherine over to the big easy chair and carefully set her on it. Then Nina put Donner onto her lap, and she kneeled on the floor beside Catherine to help her hold him. Catherine was fascinated by the blond baby Tandin with his crystal-blue eyes, and he giggled happily at her. Catherine said softly, “He looks just like you, Nina!”
While Catherine and Nina were talking to Donner and to each other, Vincent went into the kitchen to see what was available to feed Catherine. He found the dishes all washed and put away, the refrigerator completely stuffed with food, and the cabinets plentifully stocked. A trip into the bathroom revealed piles of fresh towels and washcloths, and their clothes had all been washed and were folded on the bed for him to put away. There were also fresh new roses in the vase in the bedroom.
Vincent approached the easy chair and spoke to Nina. “Someone has been busy taking care of us!”
Nina giggled at him. “We had more volunteers from the community than we had jobs for them to do! They are all thrilled to see this story have an happy ending. We weren’t sure when you would come up for air, so everyone went a little overboard stocking everything for you. All you need to do is ask if you need for me to come and take Little Jacob for awhile. Oh, and before I forget, Dr.
Bentley wanted me to tell you that the final body scans that she recorded just before you left the healing chamber showed both of you to be in excellent health, except for Catherine’s compromised muscle tone, and that will improve with exercise now that she is awake.”
Vincent smiled with relief. “Please tell her ‘thank you’ for us, Nina.”
Nina got up, and Vincent lifted Donner off Catherine’s lap after she kissed him good-bye. Nina said, “111 tell her, Vincent. Now, I’m going home and leave you two lovebirds alone!”
Vincent and Catherine said “good-bye” to Nina, and Vincent accompanied her out to the elevator and put Donner in her arms. When Nina left, Vincent locked the elevator doors, turned off the overhead light, and then went back into the bedroom. Catherine was no longer on the easy chair, and the bathroom door was shut. He went to it and tapped on it. “Catherine, do you need any help in there?”
Catherine giggled but declined. “No, Vincent, but thank you for asking. I believe it is about time I tried doing a few things on my own, don’t you think?”
Vincent chuckled and replied, “As you wish! Just know that I will come running if you get into trouble in there.”
Catherine laughed at him. “If I fall into the toilet, I promise I won’t flush!”
Vincent laughed too. “What a smart little wife I have!” Then, he went into the kitchen and prepared a meal for them.
While Vincent and Catherine were eating the meal he had prepared in the kitchen, they heard Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata being piped over the intercom.
Catherine smiled happily. “Oh, Vincent, that sounds heavenly! That must be Rolley and Chrystal playing the beautiful grand piano I saw in Uncle Tanimus’ and Aunt Letha’s living room. The music is spectacular with four hands, isn’t it?”
Vincent nodded and replied. “Yes, it is inspiring. You should have seen how overjoyed Chrystal was when we arrived with Rolley. Uncle Tanimus told us that she had been playing by ear from the time she could pull herself up to the keyboard, and she was reading and playing pieces even their best musicians couldn’t master by the time she was six. When the Tandins told her about Rolley’s gift and that he was coming, she could hardly wait to meet him and have him play duets with her.”
Catherine smiled and said, “Chrystal is such a pretty sweetheart! I’m so happy for both her and Rolley. They were each alone with their gifts before now. I could see that they have really bonded with a very special friendship for one another.”
Vincent nodded and smiled as he took their dishes to the sink, filled the dishwasher, and started it. When he turned back around, Catherine was watching him with an adoring smile. Vincent walked over and kneeled down beside her chair, and she stroked his mane. Vincent asked softly, “What would you like to do now, Catherine?” Catherine’s eyes widened and her breath caught. Vincent felt her intense desire for him, and it nearly overwhelmed him as his own heated desire for her washed over him. He tried to stay calm as she answered his question. “Vincent, all I want is you! I want to make love with you now, please!”
Vincent spoke in a whisper. “Catherine, your body is very fragile right now. It would destroy me if I hurt you!” Catherine could see how concerned Vincent was, but she could also see that he wanted her as desperately as she wanted him, and she was determined to figure out a way to make love
that wouldn’t worry him. Then she smiled at him and said, “Vincent, take me to the pool. We can make love in the pool, and I promise it won’t hurt me!” Vincent looked dubious. “Are you sure, Catherine?” Catherine’s voice was full of emotion as she answered. “Oh, I’m very sure, Vincent. I want you, and I need you desperately!”
When Vincent stood up and picked Catherine up, his body was tingling in response to her arousal. It had been warm and thrilling to hold and carry his sleeping Catherine after he found her alive. Now, carrying his fully restored and wide awake Catherine, trembling with desire to make love with him, was wildly exciting. Something between a growl and a purr began rumbling deep in his throat, and Catherine giggled softly with joy that Vincent was equally aroused by her. She began passionately kissing his neck as he carried her to the pool, and when she paused and looked up into his eyes, he bent his head down and captured her lovely lips with a burning kiss that left her completely breathless.
Vincent set Catherine down on the chaise lounge by the pool and quickly stripped his clothes off, enjoying her caressing gaze as she watched him, while she was unbuttoning her nightgown. Then, he kneeled in front of her, removed her crystal necklace and put it on the table, and then lifted her nightgown off over her head. He stood up and picked her up again, and she clung tightly to him as he walked down the stone steps into the pool.
When Catherine felt the warm water swirling over both of them, her look of delight warmed Vincent’s heart. She giggled and said, “Oh, Vincent, this feels so good! The water is the perfect temperature.”
Vincent said softly, “I knew that you would enjoy this. Uncle Tanimus and Aunt Letha were really thoughtful to provide us with these chambers while you heal. This pool should help us to strengthen your muscles.”
Catherine’s small soft hands were all over Vincent’s
body as he gently set her on her feet in the pool. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes as Vincent stood perfectly still and let Catherine stroke him as he caressed her. He bent down, and his mouth covered her pretty lips as he lifted her in his arms, and she wrapped herself around his body. Enveloping Catherine with his supporting arms and caressing hands in blissful union with her, Vincent made a telepathic connection with Catherine while he was kissing her.
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