Aftermath--A 3rd Season Adult Beauty & The Beast Novel

By Vickey Brickle-Macky

Conversations in Passing

"So little brother, you're a father now. I'm impressed," Devin said to Vincent as the walked along.

"Yes, it's been a wonderful experience for me. I never thought I'd be so blessed. I just wish Catherine could be here to share it with me. She wanted children so much. Our son would be a great joy to her, " Vincent replied, with a heavy sigh.

"Too bad about Catherine dying. Father told me the whole story. I hope life has been more peaceful since then?" he asked.

"Yes, since I found Jacob and brought him home, my life has been much quieter, simpler. And Diana has helped," Vincent smiled.

Devin looked at that smile and saw there was caring there. "She's really good with Jacob. Not too many topsiders would be willing to give up everything to come down here and help you with a kid that wasn't even theirs."

"Yes, she's remarkable," Vincent commented thinking back over all she had done for him and his son. "She has made this last year bearable and worth living."

"Does she know that?" Devin asked pointedly.

"Not in so many words. We do not speak of such things," Vincent admitted.

"You should. I thought Catherine had gotten you over keeping your mouth shut. You ought to tell the woman how you feel. It's plain to everyone who sees you and her together."

"It is?" Vincent asked in surprise. He looked wide eyed at his brother. Up to that moment he had been unaware that his feelings were showing that openly for Diana.

"It is," Devin said honesty. 'You might as well be wearing neon. Vincent, if it wasn't so clear that she wants you and you want her, I'd be interested. That's one special lady."

"Indeed? I had planned to talk with her tonight. . . ."

"Then do it. I'll be around here for awhile. I really did come home to rest and get my head on straight and see if I could give the old neighborhood a second chance. Living with Charles gave me a purpose, a goal. Now that he's gone I have to find a new goal. I got used to being in a place for awhile, and after a while I got to like it. Maybe I can find a place here in this world. It's no good being alone," Devin told him sincerely.

Vincent patted affectionly him on the shoulder. "No, its not. That's one of the hardest lessons to learn. One, I admit, I have not been a very good student at. We've arrived at your rooms. Is there anything I can get for you?" Vincent asked.

"Oh, maybe a nice blonde about five five with big blues eyes and built. There wouldn't be anything like that wandering around down here?" Devon teased.

Vincent smiled broadly, immediately picturing Lena. "You never know, Dev. You might be surprised," he replied enigmatically. "Goodnight, Devin, I see you in the morning," Vincent bade him as his brother looked at him puzzling at his comment and then Vincent started to walk away.

"You're not going to explain that one, are you?" Devin asked calling after him.

"No, you'll see," he said equally mysteriously and kept on walking, chuckling all the way.

Devin shook his head and went inside to unpack. About twenty minutes later, a very feminine voice asked if anyone was home. He yelled for them to enter, and when they did Devin's mouth about dropped off. Five-five, white blonde hair, blue eyes, and stacked was on his doorstep.

"Hi, I'm Lena, Vincent asked me to check in on you. To see if you needed anything. Do ya?" she asked with a radiant smile.

He was somewhat speechless for a few moments. Gathering his wits, he finally managed to give her a reply. "Maybe. . . hi, I'm Devin, Vincent's brother," he managed to say, and mentally promised to thank his brother in a big way.

* * * * *

Discussions

Diana was just finishing putting Jacob's sleepers on him after giving him a bath when Vincent arrived. He leaned against the wall of the doorway watching her and thinking over what Devin had just said. She seemed so natural with his son, so at ease. Vincent's biggest fault was that he took her for granted and gave her back nothing except his acceptance in return. She deserved more, much more.

He knew she knew he was there, but she went on putting Jacob to bed and tucking him in. Giving the small towheaded boy a kiss on his head as she did so. Vincent came up behind her and stood looking proudly down at his now asleep son. and then he looked at her, her back still towards him, admiring the golden highlights in her copper hair, and the curving of her slim figure in her russet colored tunnel dress.

On impulse he moved closer and put his arms carefully around her waist. She stiffened for a moment in surprise but he did not remove his arms. He knew it was surprise not rejection that had made her jump. He felt her relax but there was still the tenseness of waiting, of anticipation, in her body language to see what he was going to do next.

His mouth was inches from her ear. "Diana, thank you for all that you have done," he said simply, his voice whisper soft, velvet and gravel making her shiver.

She was flustered, a little wide eyed, but she dared not move least she break the spell. "You don't have to thank me. I wanted to do it for him, . . . and for you," she said boldly.

She felt him nod and smile, digesting her words. "For me?" he questioned. "Why?"

"Just because. . . I just wanted to," she replied finding it difficult to talk.

"Is that the only reason?" he questioned further, moving his body even closer. His breath warm against her hair, his nearness making it hard to concentrate, to think, to breathe, his voice almost a purr, a caress.

"No, " she admitted.

"Could it be you care in some small way for his father?" he questioned, but there was uncertainty in the tone.

There was only one way to answer him--truthfully. There could be no lies between them. "Yes," she admitted. "And what does his father feel?"she asked equally direct.

"He cares, he cares a great deal for you, Diana," he replied the sound of her name like a caress, his words thrilling her beyond hope.

"He's never showed it," she told him honestly, feeling that she could speak her mind and she felt him flinch at her words, admitting to himself that it was so.

"He wishes to make up for his mistake, if the lady is interested," he murmured, nuzzling her ear with his unique mouth and hearing her quick in take of breath at his touch.

"She is very interested. Very interested indeed," she said, feeling him move her hair aside and kiss her exposed neck.

His touch was fire upon her skin, and she felt her legs collapsing. If it had not been for his strong arms holding her up she would have. He scooped her up and carried her to his bed and lay her down upon it gently and reverently. He sat down beside her, gazing down at her with a look of love, passion and smoldering sensuality she had never quite seen before in his sapphire depths.

They had both wanted this moment, yet there were hesitations, barriers that yet had to be crossed and understandings to be made before either could allow themselves to go further.

He sensed her drawing back and he knew why, and his passion cooled for the moment. "Diana, we have been too long without speaking," he said, staying on the edge of his bed where he was for the moment.

She looked up at him wide eyed, but calmer now. "Yes, we have. We need to. But I find it difficult to talk to you," she confessed, settling herself against his patchwork suede pillows.

"As do I--but we must. We have to talk, Diana, about us, for our future, for him. We have put it off enough," he said seriously but his look was gentle and concerned.

"I know," she agreed, watching him expectantly, waiting to see what he would or would not say .

He bent his head slightly in acknowledgement and began, hesitating at first so great were the fears.

"Diana, I have grown very fond of you. . . over the months, . . . more than I could have believed possible since Catherine's death. I did not believe it was possible to care for anyone, . . . to love again, so soon after she was gone--but I do. But Diana, you must know too, that I will always love Catherine until my dying day. She will always be in my thoughts, even though I care very deeply for you. Her memory will always be there, with me, in my heart, mind, and soul. Can you live with that?" he asked her honestly, his deepset eyes lost in the shadows of the planes of his face while they searched hers.

She nodded in acceptance, in understand, compassion for him being the most easy to read upon her serious features. "Vincent, I do live with that every day and have accepted it. You will always love Catherine, I know this. I also know that you will never love me wholly and completely as you did her. That too I accept and have since the beginning. That you care and might want me in your life is more than I dared dreamed," she replied honestly.

Her honestly was touching, brutal almost as his had had to be. He wanted no mistakes or misunderstandings between them. "Diana, I do not want to hurt you. I only wish to be honest with you."

"I know Vincent, and I appreciate it. Catherine will always be between us. I feel no jealousy, just sadness and acceptance of what must be."

"That is the struggle I have gone through when ever I look at you. Her memory versus your reality. I feel guilty that her memory and what she and I shared stands between you and I and what I would like to share," he confessed, hanging his head, his red-gold mane falling forward obstructing his features.

"You shouldn't. You have the right to your feelings. They are real. I am not Catherine, nor can I be. I am me, Diana, with all my own faults and foibles. Catherine is gone, but her memory will always remain in your heart and your mind, I know this and I really do accept it. But Vincent, we, too, have forged memories which I will never be able to forget. Vincent, I love you. I have always loved you regardless of whether you cared or not. Even if you did not wish to change things between us I would still continue to love you," Diana said sincerely, reaching out and touching his furred hand where it rested on the covers reassuringly.

"Even knowing I will never be able to give you all of my heart?" he asked, incrediously, his head coming up to look at her.

"Yes, because my love for you is that strong as is my love for Jacob is too. Even If you never loved me I will still stay by your side and be there if either of you needed me. You are my life," she told him, her love was unquestionable.

"I mean that much to you?

"You do. You always have even when I could not find words to tell myself what I was feeling. You and Jacob are everything to me," she said truthfully letting her words seep into his soul and fill him with new understanding and hope.

"Diana, I do not know what to say. I do care for you, and I love you. Not the same way that I loved Catherine, or anyone else. But it is love and I have struggled against it because I didn't believe it was possible for me to feel again,. . . but I do. Feelings that I never knew I had have risen with your being part of my life, even on the fringes. Sometimes they frighten me because they are so new or echo what I lost," he confessed.

She nodded, understanding him. "I know, I have seen you struggle, felt those feelings within you and within myself," she said and saw his head jerk up and felt his penetrating eyes upon her soul. She did not flinch from his gaze.

"You felt my struggle?" he questioned warily.

"Always. Though how to help you has been a different matter because you refuse all help, even Father's. You feel like you must do everything alone and you are not alone and never have been. Sometimes you are so suborn , hardheaded and arrogant, I want to throw something at you," he said watching his shocking expression.

"I have been that bad?"

"Yes, and worse. When you're like that I try to ignore you, until your mood improves. However, that's not what I really wanted to do, it was all I could do because you would let me get close or give you any comfort for your pain. You wouldn't accept it, and I knew it."

"No, I guess, I wouldn't have accepted it. Though there were times when I wished you had. We were both afraid of reaching out to one another for different and similar reasons," he admitted, and she nodded slowly in agreement.

He sighed thinking over all the mistakes he had been making and he hoped that their talking would repair some of the damage that had been done. "Diana, your words have effected me deeply as your presence here affects me greatly. I have to confess that there has been a pull to you from the start when you found me and took me to your home. Recently, I have found that the feelings I have for you have grown stronger, and I have found sleep impossible many a night," he finished with a slight smile, and saw her smile too.

Then he continued, still meeting her eyes. "I am very aware of the bond we share. I can feel and hear your thoughts, I know what you are thinking, what you are feeling, where you are, and who you're with. Our dreams have allowed us to explore possibilities that we dared not realize, because we were not ready. Now, I feel we are ready. I made many mistakes with Catherine, one was waiting. I do not wish to repeat that and lose you as well," he confessed.

He sighed heavily with the feelings that were rising up so strongly inside him but he had to continue. He met her eyes again and found total acceptance there.

"Diana, I have come a long way from when I met Catherine and knew our love. Things that I believed that were impossible were shown to me not to be time and time again," he tried to explain.

"I think I understand, Vincent," she told him encouraging him to go on.

He nodded and did. "When I went mad and recovered, I did not recall what happened in that cave. I only know that now I have a son. She never told me, thinking maybe that I knew. I never suspected. I never knew we loved until she told me as she lay dying in my arms," he said sadly.

And she could feel the pain that that confession had wrought. "That must have been hard to deal with," she asked gently.

"Yes, . . . it was," he admitted. "I sometimes wonder what she thought. I was so caught up with the loss of our bond. . . I remember her having something she wanted to tell me just before she disappeared, but my pain. . . kept her from telling me what was troubling her. Then she sent a note telling me that she wanted to meet me--that she had something important to tell me. I went. . . she never came. With the bond gone . . . I could not sense her danger and help her," he said almost to tears at that memory still so vivid in his mind.

"Vincent, it wasn't your fault. None of it. Cathy was in over her head before she even knew it. As far as her not telling you--she was probably waiting for the right time, especially since your health was so fragile then. She didn't want to burden you. She may have been afraid of how you would react to her being pregnant."

"I know that now. . . . I've gone over our last times together a thousand times in my mind . . . wondering how it could have been different. . . . I ask myself how I would have reacted to her news. I was so afraid of having a child in my image. Afraid that there might be truth in Paracelsus's story of how I was born--that I tore myself out of my mother's womb. But Catherine so much wanted children, my children, I would not have been able to deny her happiness," he admitted.

"Now after seeing Jacob?"

He sighed again, his confessions costing him dearly. Though not as much as if he did not make them. It took him a moment to answer her. "My fears have been eased, but the possibility still exists if there is a next time," he said seriously, wanting her to fully know the risks she took in a relationship with him.

Her eyes never wavered as she answered him. "I know that. I have thought about it. I am not afraid. Vincent, make no mistake---I want you and I want a physical relationship with you which means I also want your children, regardless of the risks. And there will be next times., several of them," she told him in no uncertain terms and he looked back at her in surprise at her determination.

"Diana?"

"I am sorry if I shocked you, but that is the way I feel. We will have children. I know what Catherine felt because I feel it too, everytime I look at Jacob. He's not mine, but I love him just the same as if he was because I also love his father. Even if nothing comes of this talk, I will still love you and stand by your side," she told him.

"You care that much?"

"I do," she told him firmly. Her eyes were very serious as she told him. "I've never felt like this before about anyone."

Vincent was overwhelmed. He had not dared hope she cared for him. Still there were nagging fears. "I had not dared hope, but are you sure you want me,

. . . want to make love to such a one as me? You have seen my almost naked body.

Your eyes have to tell you I am not human. It echoes what the doctors have said about my blood."

"Vincent, I, most of all are aware of your differences. I saw the doctor's reports before I destroyed them as well as Gabriel's videotapes of you before the police arrived. I couldn't let your existence be discovered."

"You never told me," he said surprised at this news.

"You never asked. You and Jacob were more important than the job. I couldn't chance there being another Gabriel out there who would come looking for you."

"What can I say?" he asked humbly, grateful for her protection.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter what you are, Vincent. To me--you are human enough. You are beyond human. Vincent, I nursed you, I saw you then and I have seen you since. There are no surprises and I have wanted what I have seen as a woman wants a man," she said boldly letting him feel her words, know that they were true.

"You desire me?" he asked incredulous.

"Yes, do you find that so unbelievable that a woman would look upon you and not want you? You would be surprised at how many other females down here have dreams of you and wish," she smiled.

"They do?

"They do," she told him letting him digest that for a moment. "Vincent, you have never shocked or appalled me, if anything it's been the opposite. I have found myself needing more than a few cold showers since I've known you," she said almost blushing.

He nodded and smiled. Yes, I understand. There have been similar experiences. . . for me," he confessed, his hair falling forward to hide his face.

"Vincent, I know you are afraid. Afraid still of getting too close because of your experiences with Catherine. You treated her like spun glass and she broke. I'm not Catherine, I won't break. She tried to love you but you retreated so she did. I won't. I won't retreat or leave. You didn't think I'd keep hanging around, did you?" she asked seriously daring him to deny it.

"I thought you would give up because I made no real overtures to you."

"You weren't ready, nor was I. The wounds in your soul were too raw, too deep. You had to get used to my just being here with no demands. And I had to find my own place in your world independent of yours. I couldn't handle just being referred to as just Vincent's friend from Above. I wanted to be part of this, to belong, and to be accepted here for myself and how I could help your world from within not from without," she said determinedly. "I could not be just an ornament."

He had to think about what she was saying for a moment. And she was right. She had had to be find her own place and for him to get used to her constant presence without demands. Anything else would not have worked.

"It's a basic difference in backgrounds. I had to do everything for myself. My folks weren't rich and both worked. There was never much money, and I put myself through school. I know what hard work is, what it takes to run a household, raise a family, live life day to day. Cathy never had to," Diana said honestly.

Vincent looked pained but he knew Diana was right. "I have seen the work you do with Mary and the other women. Even William said he was impressed with your kitchen skills."

She smiled knowing that was a great compliment from the large man. "Vincent, I had to prove to myself that I could fit in--on my own. My job ceased being important after we found Jacob. I haven't taken on a new case in months. And the more dangerous ones I turned over to co-workers long ago because of the risks to you."

"To me? he asked surprised. "Why?"

"Because you might try to rescue me if I was in danger and I didn't want to put you at risk of getting hurt again or expose your existence. There are still too many questions being asked about the slasher murders. And I've seen what that killing rage does to you--how it hurts your soul. You fight too hard to keep it under control."

He lowered his head in acknowledgement. "It's always there waiting to escape. I do not want to hurt, to kill. I never want to be that way again--ever!" he said wrapped in pain and guilt for all those who had died by his hand.

"I know that. You and this world are too vulnerable. And I will not risk you. Jacob has already lost one parent --he will not lose another, nor will his world be exposed and taken way. Then there are the others that need this place to survive and become whole again. My job was too dangerous so I've let it go,"

"You worked so hard," he protested.

"No job is worth you or Jacob. Can't I get you to understand that? "

"I do. Still I find your sacrifices amazing."

"They are not sacrifices. It has to mean something for it to be a sacrifice. I cared about my work, tried to convince myself I was doing good work, making a difference. Maybe I did, but you will always be more important. Are you now still afraid of losing me and not loving you?" she asked.

"There will always be a part of me that doubts, but that is only my fear talking."

She nodded. This was Vincent with all his fears and insecurities riding close to the surface at all times. She had to reassure him, let him know for absolute certainty what he felt and knew in his heart, in his very being. She sat up from where she had been lying in his pile of covered pillows, sitting so she faced him and placed her hands on his shoulders before she spoke. His eyes met hers with some fear because of her intensity and her boldness in confronting him.

"Vincent, search inside and you will find me, feel me with you, feel what I'm feeling as I feel what you are feeling too. You changed everything when you came into my life. How I saw things, the colors, the music,-- nothing was ever the same," she said sincerely, he found it hard to breathe. "Since that night I found you on Cathy's grave there has been no turning back and no regrets. You are my life--nothing else matters-- nothing else exists except the love I feel for you and only you and Jacob," she told him, her lavender eyes reflecting the truth of her love.

Her words a echo of Catherine's hit him hard. And he felt the truth of it. That she did love him with all the fiber of her being as had Catherine--there was no way he could mistake it. He felt happy. he felt joy, he felt a thousand other things as he beheld her eyes that were only for him and him alone and he felt his own love welling up from within

"Diana," he murmured her name, overcome with the feelings rising up. "You are remarkable--to love so much and to keep it silent waiting for my readiness to accept you. To love you," he said moving forward towards her to seal his words with a kiss.

He moved until he was posed before her his face a scant breath away from hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation as he moved nearer still It was a light brushing at first with his unique lips. A whisper of a touch, warm, expectant, inviting, then it became more solid contact--ice and fir, electric tingling, a warm hot moistness that sent jolts through them both and sent their senses soaring upwards as he deepened it slowly, with soft increasing pressure becoming absorbed in it--lost in the wonder tingled awe of it.

It was like no other kiss had been or ever would be, so intense were the damned up feelings behind that first tentative contact looking for the outlets long denied that he had to break away least he lose what control he still barely maintained.

"Diana," he breathed heavily as he sat back sharply. Looking at her with new eyes, new wonder.

She too looked at him in wonder for what had transpired. "That was some kiss. . . Vincent. Do you always have this effect?" she asked when she could speak again.

He looked at her shyly and smiled,. "I do not know. This is the first time I have done the kissing. Catherine kissed me and it was quick before I could react," he confessed.

"That was your first real kiss?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, . . .," he admitted embarrassed, his eyes cast downward. "Do you begin to understand?"he added questioningly.

"Yes," she replied all too aware of how in many ways he was still an innocent of the flesh and of love with all that enormous passion locked up inside. He was a dam waiting to burst.

"Yes, I am," he said looking at her knowingly.

"You heard me? she asked startled.

"I do most of the time if you are near and I care to listen," he acknowledged.

That explained a lot of mysterious things he had said, or done within recent months. Sentences finished, things done without asking, small gifts, and knowing looks. She nodded, and smiled. "Have you something to do with the dreams too?"

He looked embarrassed. "Some, not all. They have been most instructive."

"I bet," she said daring to tease him. Will this last or is this just the newness of it all that makes us so in tune?"

"It will last because you are here with me--have been near--bonding like Jacob and I bonded. Ours is somehow different than what I had with Catherine--maybe because of your own empathic abilities. You and I have always had a closeness of mind--a togetherness--where we can achieve a true bond," he said with certainty sensing the differences that existed.

Do you want this? What do you want?" she asked seriously wanting to make sure he knew what it was he was seeking.

His eyes were deep pools of blue fire and ice as he looked into hers making her catch her breath with the intensity there as he spoke softy in his gravely whisper, "You with me. . . by my side---always. As man as woman--together. Diana, I love you. Will you marry me, and to be my wife and to be Jacob's mother in fact as well as name," he said solemnly, seriously, anxiously waiting for her reply.

Time was suspended as she looked into those liquid pools of sapphire, all the world, life, and love was reflected there. There was only one possible answer and she gave it, willingly, gladly. "Yes, Vincent, I will marry you because I love you and want to be with you and Jacob --always, too," she said with tears of happiness in her eyes threatening to cloud her eyes.

He smiled, and it lit up his face. Then he bent forward to kiss her, and he felt her arms wrap around his neck drawing him closer, and he surrendered to their pull. With infinite tenderness he lightly touched her lips with his own unique ones.

It was still fire and sparkling coolness in that first tentative touch. Kisses he had never shared with Catherine he bestowed on this copper haired beauty in his arms. He trailed kisses across her face and eyelids while she sought his neck and hidden ears beneath his red-gold mane. He was lost and he knew it, and he lost all will to care as the fires that had burned low, burned bright and hot within him.

With what measure of control he still possessed he stopped her, "Diana, stop! We must, or else we'll never make it to our joining day,' he gasped, releasing her, and trying to sit up, but she held him tight.

"Vincent, this could be our joining day," she told him seriously, while her eyes told him in no uncertain terms that she was not going to wait, nor did he have to.

He looked shocked at first, but made no move to get away or leave her side as he had intended. He knew the truth of her words, felt it in her heart, in her soul, and in the fires that coursed through her body through their bond. "Are you sure about this? We should wait." he protested before they crossed over that final line.

"Don't you think we've waited long enough?" she asked him bluntly.

"Yes, but we can wait a few days longer. I want you as my wife. I find it hard to step out of those bounds no matter what I feel or desire. I am old-fashioned," he told her pointedly.

It took a moment for his words to register, so used to the looser standards of the modern morality was she. Then she smiled. "Vincent, I understand. I sometimes forget that difference between us. Yes, I can wait, too."

"It does not upset you?"

"No," she smiled then laughed. "I find it quite charming, and wonderful that you do want to wait for the proper moment," she answered her voice full of new respect and love for him.

"I want to try. Diana, since last week when we slept here in this bed, and I awoke with you in my arms. I have known we couldn't go on like we have been. That I wanted you here beside me, not lying alone in separate beds. You complete me, . . . you have helped make me whole again, and for that I will be forever grateful," he said, and she felt the sincerity of his words.

"You and Jacob complete me. Your world is my world. I want to be here, with you by your side. I never want to leave. I've loved you, Vincent, ever since I found you. But I knew I had to wait until you were ready to accept me, to accept me in your heart. I am not Catherine, I am me, Diana. Be sure that it is me and not a echo of the past that you want," she asked him.

He nodded, understanding. "It is you, I want. I had to be sure of that myself. It would not be fair to you for me to look for Catherine in you because you are not anything like her. You are you, unique to yourself, " Vincent said lightly kissing her to show that he meant it. "Even though I want us to wait until our joining day I want you to stay with me tonight, Diana. Just lay her with me and sleep. I ask for nothing more because I do want to wait and make it formal before we join, " he asked, his voice sincere and full of love.

"I will, but under one condition," she asked, and saw his eyebrow raise in alarm. "It's nothing dire, Vincent," she reassured him and he relaxed. "May I change and get my nightgown and bathrobe in case Father decides to pop in again?" she smiled.

He smiled as well, remembering Father's face. "Yes, it's a good idea. I'll wait for you," he promised, sitting up so she could get up.

Within ten minutes time she was back in robe and gown, while he had changed to his nightshirt and now lay reading in his bed. He looked up at her approach and put the book back on the shelf. "You look like a vision," he said as she came forward and took off her scruffy terry cloth robe.

She raised an eyebrow and bit back what she had thought to say about love being blind, and just smiled instead. She wore a plain flannel night gown that came to her ankles in some faded flower pattern. In her mind she was anything but sexy. It was too cool for anything revealing or fancy and revealing and fancy wasn't her style anyway.

She had unbraided her long red hair and it flowed over her shoulders and down her back. He wore his long nightshirt and its deep neck opening was untied. He leaned over his side of the bed to throw the covers open for her and when he did his shirt gapped open revealing a mass of thick reddish gold chest hair starting several inches below his neck. That set her heart pounding.

Diana blew out the candles that were still burning low, leaving only the golden light coming in from the stained glass window. The room was bathed in darkness and in shadows. The lateness of the hour had hushed the pipes and only an occasional rumble could be heard from the trains. Time and reality seem suspended in this underground lair.

She was still nervous as she crawled in bed with him and he covered them both with layers of covers. Next him she felt tiny even though she knew she was only six inches shorter. She lay her head back on the pillows feeling his arms encircling her to rest at her waist while she lay close to his chest, one arm across it shyly. She breathed in his scent, and felt his solid warm reality next to her. It was strange and wonderful being this close to him, a dream except better. His red-gold mane mingling with her copper tresses upon the pillows that lay between them somehow signifying their union. Gradually she relaxed and he did too.

They lay there for long minutes just being, not touching, just holding and being held. Savoring the contact, and yet finding that it was impossible to just be this close without more--wanting more, but she knew he would not give in nor should try to she make him. She wondered if sleep was going to be possible this close to him and maybe she should leave.

"Vincent, this may not be such a good idea. It is hard to be this close to you and just close my eyes and sleep," she admitted honestly. "Maybe I should go back to my own room."

He sighed. "I understand. I am finding that keeping my word is more difficult than I had anticipated. This is a new experience--for me. With Catherine

I could not willingly cross the barriers. There was desire but I could not --would not act upon what I felt."

"And now?"

"I am finding that being this close to you is stirring feelings within me. Maybe you should go," he said relucantly.

Diana looked up at him and nodded feeling the tension between them, real and tangible. She moved to get out from underneath the covers, resolved that it must be so. She was just starting to throw back the covers when she felt his hand on hers and she looked up surprised to met his eyes. She could see the war he waged within himself because a similar war waged in her.

"Diana. . . wait, please," he whispered into her hair. She shivered at his voice his touch, his nearness. She did wait, wondering what he would do now. "May I kiss you. . . good night. . . before you leave?" he asked, his voice hopeful, longing.

"Yes. . . ," she replied finding it difficult to resist that soft voice that stirred her soul.

She felt him move, shift slightly to lean over her to kiss her face. He kissed her forehead, and then her brow, and she turned her head upwards to meet his coming lips. It was gentle, and light at first, a promise, an offering and she matched him. The newness of him not vanished, nor would it ever be, she thought.

She explored his lips, his face, surprised by the softness of his down dusted muzzle and cheeks. She got him to open his mouth and found new delights there.

For all his outward differences there were none she could find. He was gentle loving, going easy, carefully forward, his fires in check. He had waited long for this, to experience this, he wanted the memories and their time together to last. There was no need to rush this new beginning.

Passion rose within both as they began their explorations beyond their tender kissing. Instinct guided him, for for him it was his first conscious time of loving, and being loved as man loves woman. His hands guided over her soft curves, enjoying the feel and shape of them. Her body mysterious and new. She shivered and moved to his touch.

She touched him and he was overwhelmed by what he felt. Her hands through the nightshirt touching his bare chest were like flames and she stoked the furriness there. Then she ran her hands down his nightshirt feeling the corded muscles hidden underneath. Even without his layers of clothes his massive frame was apparent as she felt his ribs, his stomach, and dipped lower running her hands across his narrow hips and down his massive thighs. Then she returned, finding places yet untouched, unexplored. He felt on fires, feeling sensations he had never known or dreamed of.

Her bold explorations moved beneath his nightshirt, and naked hand touched naked flesh, stroking the hair upon his legs, running fingernails up along his flanks. He moaned, to feel such bliss, such exclusive pain. Nightclothes inched higher, tangling in the way, a last barrier where there needed none to be. Coming to mutual agreement, embarrassment and shyness gone, their nightclothes were quickly shed to land in a heap upon the floor.

She saw him finally in all his glory, the light from the window making him appear more golden, dipped in sunlight and shadows, a god. In his eyes she was a goddess come to earth to take away his pain and to give life to his soul.

Loving came naturally for him, with her acceptance and her desire, he no longer feared those feeling that he had interpreted as being of the dark side that for so long had held him from his Catherine. Their emphatic powers put them in harmony with one another. He knew what she needed as he did. Their final merging that he had feared would sever their bond did not. It only reinforced it, made it stronger as their senses, body, minds, and souls merged in one incandescent sheet of flame and bright light within their beings. This was what what had been meant to be, what was. This was love in its purest form found expression in the flesh.

They floated on gentle wings back to earth, unbelieving of such a powerful

joining between them. They lay wrapped together, bathed in the afterglow of their love, unable to move or speak.

Vincent raised his head to finally look at her in awe. 'So that is what happens between man and woman?" he questioned, understanding now the mystery and the miracle.

She smiled at him and stroked his mane now lying spread across her chest. "Yes, but nothing before you was like this. Whatever we have together is unique, stronger, more intense, more beautiful than anything I have ever known," she told him seriously.

There was joy, and surprise upon his noble features as he looked down at her.

"I felt that too--the beauty of it and rightness. You are not displeased?"

She laughed. "No. . . . Are you?"

"No," she smiled back. "And the bond, can you feel it. It is still there --it did not break. It feels. . . stronger, more intense, between us now. How can this be?"

"I'm not sure what caused yours and Catherine's to break except your illness. Maybe it's our senses, or psychic abilities. I can feel you with me, closer, nearer than before."

They made love all through the night, each time was a new adventure and discovery in the ways of loving and in each other. In his mind he felt the rightness of this joining and of Catherine's approval that he should find happiness and love.

In the wee hours they finally slept wrapped in each others arms. Father came in several hours later, noted the clothes on the floor and their heads peeking out of the covers and beat a hasty retreat. He smiled all the way back to his chambers, and sent word that he needed to see Master Po about a wedding.

* * * * *

Plans</P>

The next morning they awoke and made love again, slowly enjoying the newness of it and each other. By design or accident Jacob waited until they were through before announcing he was awake and ready to be fed. They went through their usual morning activities in a dreamy daze which was soon noted by all. Vincent did not wander far from Diana and vice versa, and even in public there was a closeness, and a shy touching that had been absent before.

Diana had left to go change Jacob when Father cornered Vincent and broached the subject of his son's new attitudes and behavior. "Vincent, is there something you want to tell me?" Father asked gently.

"No, why?" he asked.

Father decided to tackle this head on. "I see that you and Diana have worked out your differences," Vincent looked mildly surprised that it was that that apparent.

He couldn't see lying to him. "Yes, we have," his voice warm and pleasant with memories.

"I have taken the liberty of contacting Master Po who conducted Linn and Henry's wedding. I thought you might have need of his services," Father informed him and Vincent was taken aback.

Unsure of what Father knew or did not know, Vincent could only nod politely and mumble thanks.

"He'll be here this afternoon so you and Diana can talk to him. I'm happy for you, Vincent, I really am. You're doing the right thing. Diana is a wonderful woman," Father told him his flabbergasted son.

"You know?" he asked.

It was Father's turn to look embarrassed. "Ah . . . yes. I came in early to ask you something. You two were asleep and I noted the clothes on the floor. It wasn't hard to put two and two together. I let you sleep, and left. I contacted Master Po on the assumption you might want to formalize your union with Diana," Father replied, and saw the smile creep across his son's features.

"It really wasn't planned. It just happened. We do not regret it, nor do I regret you contacting the Master. The sooner we are married, the better," Vincent replied.

"Good. And Diana's agreeable?"

"Very much. She accepted my proposal last night and my love. I want this marriage too in case there is a child. Given Jacob's conception, I wish for this one to be prepared for," Vincent replied, worrying about that possibility already.

"I still find it hard to believe that Cathy had Jacob within six months time. But you swear you and her never were together before the cave?" Father questioned.

"No, never. And even that I don't remember. Whatever makes me different makes my children different. So that a six month gestation is normal for whatever it is I am. I can only pray that any children Diana and I might have will be as normal looking as Jacob and not look like me. I do not wish to condemn a child to the life I have led," Vincent said with great feeling and anguish.

Father patted his hand reassuringly. "We will just have to wait and see what develops. For now just enjoy your new life and your new love. Who incidentally has returned with your son," Father said brightly and rose to greet her.

* * * * *

Phone Home

In three days they would be married in Father's Chambers, and their reception would be held in the Great Hall. Devin was to be his best man, seconded by Mouse. Lena, Jamie and Oliva would be her maids and matrons of honor, while Father gave her away. So far the only ones that would be all her tunnel family, while she kept her own far apart from this life she now led.

She had not told her family yet about her move, her new world, or her husband-to-be and step-son. Even after she had become a permanent resident she had still maintained a P.O. Box for mail and a friendly helper took her messages so that the larger world did not think her completely vanished from the world. If there was something urgent a message would be relayed from the Helper and down through the pipes to her. Usually it necessitated a trip uptop but it was never for long. She found it easier and easier to separate herself from Above and she found reasons why she couldn't come for visits or her family couldn't visit her. Her work made a great excuse that covered all reasons why she couldn't be seen.

Both of her parents were still living living in upstate New York as did her sister with her husband and daughter. Over the months she had known Vincent and had been exposed to his world she had wondered what she was going to tell her family. Here she was getting married in three days time and she didn't know what she was going to do--still.

She had discussed this with Father and Vincent with Vincent saying that he should meet her parents and sister, remembering that he didn't meet Catherine's father until he lay dying. Vincent didn't want to meet her parents under similar circumstances. Father was naturally worried about their reaction to Vincent, and the how they would handle her living down here. They both had valid fears and hopes. In the end they decided to invite them and see what happened.

* * *

"Mom, its Diana. How are you?" She asked sitting in the apartment of a helper to use her phone with Vincent sitting uncomfortably next to her on the couch.

"Diana, we've been try to get a hold of you. Did you move or something? Your phone's been disconnected and no one's got an address on you. What's going on?" her mother asked worriedly, ignoring the lateness of the hour for this call.

"Yeah, something. Mom, I'm getting married in three days. We want you to come, bring Connie and her Richard too. I want you all to be here," Diana said nervously looking to Vincent for reassurance.

"Married? Three days isn't that a little sudden? How long have you known this guy and what's his name?"

"I know it's short notice, but we've known each other for close to a year and a half. His name is Vincent, Vincent Wells. He's a teacher, and his father is a doctor," Diana said and saw Vincent mouth the word, 'teacher?', and look at her skeptically and she shrugged as to say, 'what else could I tell her?'.

"Alright. So where have you been--where does he live?" asked her mother.

"I can't explain that right now--you'll have to see it to believe it," Diana said cryptically. "Mom, it's okay. I'm safe. I'm in the safest place I've ever been with no crime, no muggings on the street, just good and generous people who care about one another and me."

"Sound like a commune or a fairy tale," commented her mother still confused.

"It's . . . a little of both. One thing, Vincent is a. . . little different from most of the guys I've gone out with," Diana said with a straight face and saw the helper and Vincent try not to laugh.

"Different? How?" asked her mother very curious now.

"He's about six-three, about 200 lbs., long reddish blond hair, blue eyes, kind, gentle, intelligent, honest, . . . brave, and a voice . . . . He's just a big pussycat," she said quickly with a grin and he shook his head, and looked heavenward while the helper had to leave before she started laughing in earnest.

"Sounds like some sort of Greek God. And he's for real?"

"Very real," Diana said emphatically. "One other thing, he has a sixteen month old son. His wife died in childbirth, and I've been helping him raise him these last months," she said truthfully, seeing Vincent nod approvingly at her statement.

"Diana, are you sure about this? Really sure about this?"

"I'm sure, Mom. I've never been more sure in my life. Vincent is the man I love, and I love his son Jacob. I have a wonderful life. The kind of life you and Dad always wished I could have. Better than Sis's in a lot of ways. Anyway, can you meet me in Central Park by the west side drive through on the steps of the Belvedere Castle on Tuesday at about one P.M. and don't wear heels."

"Don't wear heels? What on earth are you up to Diana?"

"More like down than up," Diana said with a laugh. "You'll see when you get here. But you got the instructions, Belvedere Castle, one P.M., Tuesday? No heels, and bring a jacket too," she added.

"Alright, I've got it. This all sounds pretty strange and mysterious. I was hoping we would get a chance to visit? Will there be time before your wedding?"

She asked hopefully.

"That's why I'm having you come Tuesday. The wedding is Wednesday. You can stay over night with us. If that's okay?"

"If it's not too much trouble?"

"No, no trouble at all. WE have plenty of room. And don't worry about food, we know an excellent chef. You'll be treated like royalty," Diana said and Vincent just shook his head, trying not to laugh.

"Okay, I'll tell Connie and your father and we'll be there. Diana, I love you. I just hope you'll be happy," her mother wished her.

"I am happy, Mom. I really am, and I love you too. I'll see you Tuesday, goodbye Mom.," Diana said happily and heard her mother say good-by and hang up on her end, then she did.

Then she turned to Vincent she was more relaxed than she had been after getting the phone call out of the way. "The deed is done. They'll be here Tuesday. Nervous?" Diana asked him.

"A little. Big Pussycat, huh?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Close. You are rather hard to describe. You have to be experienced. I just hope they accept us, Father, the tunnels, everything," she said worriedly.

"We'll just have to see, won't we?"Vincent said honestly, and clasped her hand in his to comfort her fears. "Come, it is time we returned Below. Father will worry if we're gone too long," he added, rising up off the couch and helping her up.

"Thank you Debbie, for the use of the phone. Let me know what the charges are and I'll get you caught up. I think I got all my messages and Joe should get my letter of resignation on his desk Monday. Hate to do it to him, but home comes before job in my book. I think that's it," Diana said looking around and making sure she had all her mail and messages.

"Good luck, you two. I really mean it. Don't worry about the long distances charges--it's on the house," the older woman said, going to the door to let them out and seeing if the way was clear. "Looks safe. Tell Father, I'll be there for the wedding, so save me a piece of cake."

"We will Debbie, and I'll give your regards. Thanks and good night," Vincent said going out first and checking to see if they way was clear down the steps to the basement below. It was and he and Diana left, traveling down the steps and into the basement and then through a hidden entrance to the tunnels below.

They walked along the passage ways lost in thought for quiet a while. Everything was happening so fast. They were glad of this quiet time together.

They held hands as they walked. Diana felt happy, almost floating on air.

"What is making you smile?" he asked, as they neared the inhabited sections.

"A lot of things. I was just thinking. . . ."

"What were you thinking?" he inquired.

"I was thinking of Alice in Wonderland. I still feel like Alice, everytime we go from Above to here. It's all so strange and wonderful still. Almost. . . .,"

"Magical?" Vincent completed for her, with a smile and low chuckle and saw her nod. "Yes. Even to me, it seems that way after all these years. There's always something new to see, to experience. It's ever changing, and yet it is there constant and steady as the rocks that surround us. You are like our world with the same wondrous changes and the same steadiness. I look at you and I wonder how I could ever be as lucky as to be loved by you," he said his words sending wonderful shivers through her, filling her with joy and love.

She looked up at him, getting lost in those deep blue pools. "Because you do make everything possible. That you love me is the miracle of my life. My mom asked me if I was marrying a god from my description of you," Diana said.

"And what was your answer?" he asked greatly amused.

"I told her, pretty close," she said standing upon tiptoe to kiss the tip of his unique nose.

He laughed, his chuckling deep and throaty and warm. "So I will have to pretend to be a god to live up to your mother's expectations?"

"No, just be yourself," she said enjoying his amusement.

"I'll try," he said and bent his head down and kissed her, topping off this perfect night.