THE BIRTH OF A MIRACLE

This story is a combined effort by wonderwoman9878@y... (Edith L. Acker) and Walkingmiracle@a... miracle2002 (Steffennie) Walkingmiracle did the lines for Mary, and Vincent. wonderwoman9878 did the lines for Catherine, and Father. Disclaimer: We do not own Beauty and The Beast. We are just fans, and love to read, and write fanfiction. They are soul owners of whoever. We don't make any money off of this. We are just doing this for fun.

It is night time, and you see Vincent, and Catherine in bed. Catherine wakes up, having contractions. "Vincent, Oh, Vincent." Vincent waking to her cries. "What is it my love?" "I am having contractions. I think it is time." Vincent is fully awake. "Are you sure?" Catherine waking fully in pain. "Yes, I think it is time." Vincent getting up. "What should I do?" "Well, I need to go see Father." Vincent getting up. "Should I go get him, and bring him to you?" "No, I think we can make it to his place." They go see Father. Vincent is helping Catherine. He holds her enormous stomach as if the baby is going to fall out. He tries to hury, yet stay calm. Catherine reaches up to touch his cheek. "I still have a while to go sweetheart." They get to Fathers Chambers. Vincent. "Of course. I am just trying to be helpful." Catherine looking up at him with love in her eye's. "I know. I love you." Vincent begins to pace in a worried, and nervous frenzy. "I love you too." "You coming in with me aren't you?" Vincent coming towards her. "If that is what you want." "I want you in there with me." Vincent is obviously very nervous. Yet, he tries to stay calm so as not to scare Catherine. "Then I will be there, my love." Father comes out. "Wow, is it time already? Let's see how she is doing. Have you gotten Mary up yet?" "No, Father. Should I do that?" "Yeah...."Father started to say, but Catherine interupts. "Please Father, have Mouse do it. I want Vincent in here with me." Vincent putting a conforting hand on her. "Catherine I will be right back. I will not miss anything."
Catherine looking up at him. "OK. I love you." Vincent runs to get Mary. Vincent arrives at Mary's chamber. He bangs on the wall, frightening Mary. She comes to the door, and draws back the curtain. She see's Vincent there out of breath, and obviously with something on his mind. "Vincent what is it? Why are you in such a hurry, and why have you disturbed me so late?" Vincent replied. "Mary, I am sorry to wake you, it is Catherine. She has started to have contractions. Father needs you." Mary hurries to get another robe and a few other things. They both head for Fathers chambers, with Vincent hurrying her along. They finally arrive back in Father's chambers. "I am back my love." Mary looking at Jacob. "What should I do?" Catherine reaches up to Vincent. "Vincent, I am glad."Vincent takes her hand. Father looking over at Mary. "Just assist me. You will be my nurse as usual." "How far is she?" Mary replied. "She is about eight cintemeters wide. Two more, and we will have a beautiful baby in our midst." Father answers. Mary has moved quickly. "Do you think that it will take much longer?" Catherine looks up at Vincent. "You hear that, darling? Not too much longer now." She feels a contraction. "Oh, another contraction." Father looking at Catherine. "I don't think it will take very much longer." Vincent allows Catherine to squeeze his hand. Catherine takes the oportunity and squeezes his hand. Father looking at Catherine. "Not too much longer Catherine. Just hold on." Vincent feels her pain through their bond, but does not want her to go through this alone. Catherine screaming out. "You don't have a baby coming out of you, darn it." "I am sorry, my love. I do not know what to do." Vincent replied with a concerned face. Father looking at Vincents worried face. "Don't worry on anything she said. All woman go through this." "I am here, my love." Vincent reasures her. "Just be there for her, Vincent." Father replied. "Catherine I love you." The contraction ends, and Catherine takes a deep breath. "OH, boy." Vincent looks at Father. "Thank you Father. I know that I have caused her this pain, and I hate it." Looking at Catherine. "I'm sorry, that I did this. Will you ever forgive me?" "It will be worth it, when you are holding your baby in your arms." Comforts Father. Catherine looking up at Vincent. "I forgive you Vincent. It is alright." Vincent sits on the edge of the bed, holding Catherine and feeding her ice, as he tries to assure her that everything will be fine. Vincent tries to get her to focus on the child that will be coming from this. "Oh, it's going to be a long night. Are you up to this sweetheart?" Catherine asks Vincent. "Of course, I am. Your doing all the work. All that I can do is watch, and wait, and help you in anyway that I can." Vincent reassures her. "Oh, Vincent. I am glad that you are here." Catherine say's. "So am I, my love. So am I." Vincent say's as another contraction comes along. "Oh, here comes another one. Ohhhhh." "Breathe, I am here, my love. Breathe." Vincent coaches her. Father looks at the birthing cannal. "OK Catherine. On the next contraction is when I want you to push." Catherine starts to breathing. "Hehe who. Hehe who." Catherine yells out. "Why can't it be NOW." Father assures her. "You are almost ready now. Next contraction." Mary coming up to Catherine. "You must relax, dear. Let the baby come. Just breathe." Catherine looks at Mary. "That is easy for you to say." Mary, and Vincent continue to try to encourage her. Vincent. "You can do this Catherine. I know that you can. Your strong. I love you." The contraction ends. Catherine looks up at him. "I hate these things. But I know it will be worth it. I just keep thinking of the baby. I love you, too, Vincent." Vincent assures her. "Just listen to Father, and it will be all over soon. Yes, keep thinking about the baby." "Oh, boy. I dont know if I want another one after this." Catherine replies about worn out already. Father looks up at Catherine. "We will see Catherine." Mary to Father. "Is everything ready?" Father looking up at Catherine. "Yes, on the next contraction, I want a push." A contraction comes along. "Oh, here it comes." Father replied. "OK Catherine. Push for me. Get that baby out of you." Vincent helping her to sit up further. "Push my love. Push, and the baby will come out. Push hard." Catherine pushes as hard as she can. "I am pushing." Mary looks at her. "Good job dear. Good job." Vincent coaches. "Come on, push." Contraction ends. Father. "OK relax. The head is crowning. One more push, should do it." Catherine say's all worn out. "I don't know if I can do it." Mary looking at her. "That was great dear. Rest dear. It's almost over." Father looking up at Vincent. "Vincent, she needs you more now than ever. You need to give her strength to push." Vincent looking at Catherine. "Of course you can. I have faith in you. You can do this. Your strong, and determined, our baby is almost here." Vincent tries to give her strength through the bond. "Oh, but I am worn out." Feeling the strength that Vincent is giving through their bond. "OK, I am ready. Thanks Vincent." Another Contraction comes on. "OK Catherine give it all you got. Let's get this baby out of you." Replies Father. Catherine starts to push. "Ohhhhh." Vincent and Mary hold her as Vincent coaches. "Come on, you can do it. Almost there. Almost time to meet our baby." Father reaching for the baby. "It is coming Catherine." Vincent coaching. "Come on Push!" "Ohhhhh, I 'm pushing." She yells out. Mary rushes over with a blanket. We hear the Baby cry, and Father replying. "It is a boy." Vincent begins to cry. And Catherine relaxes. Vincent looking at Catherine. "Did you hear that, my love?" Catherine looking up at Vincent. "Oh, Vincent. I heard. A boy." Vincent all Giddy. "We have a beautiful son." "Oh, I am so happy." Catherine replies. Mary is cleaning him off, and hands him to Catherine. As Vincent looks down on the Baby. "Thank you, my love. Thank you." Catherine takes him. "Oh, Vincent. He is beautiful." Looking at the baby. Vincent replies. "He is so beautiful." Catherine looks up at Vincent with love in her eye's. "Oh, thank you for this wonderful gift, you gave me." "He has your eye's and I am sure that he will have your strength, and courage." Replies Vincent. "It is I who owe you the thanks for this precious gift." "Oh, he has your mouth." Replies Catherine, still looking at the baby. "Oh, Vincent. I love you so much." "We are looking at a fulfilled dream. I love you too." Replied Vincent. He bends down to kiss her. "Yes, we are." Catherine kisses him back. Father comes over to Mary. "Mary, let's leave the new parents alone." Mary reaches for Father's hand, as she watchs the happy couple. Father admiring the baby while leaving the room. "He is beautiful. I never thought this day would come." Vincent afraid to touch him. "He is so small." Catherine looking up at Vincent. "Yes, he is." Father leads Mary out of the room. "Nor did I. Who would have thougth that Vincent would be a Father?" Replied Mary. Vincent to Catherine. "What should we name him?" Father replied. "Really. But he is one lucky man, right now." Catherine looking down at the bundle of joy. "I like the name Jacob." Mary looking up at Father. "I think that we are all blessed and very lucky." Vincent looking at the baby. "I agree. Father will love this. He will be so surprised." Father replies. "Yes, now for the naming ceremony." Catherine looking up at Vincent. "Yes, he will. This is such a blessing." Vincent looks longingly at his son. He is afraid to do anything, but stroke his face. What would he do if he hurt this precious gift? Catherine looking up at his longing. Feeling that he wants to hold him, but is afraid. "Would you like to hold him?" Vincent scared. "Catherine I don't know if that's a good idea." Catherine replies. "I know are gentle with me, you will be gentle with your son." "He is so small. What if I hurt him?" Vincent still nervous. "If it will make you feel any better. I am here with you. You won't hurt him." "Do you really trust me?" "I trust you fully. You are my life, and I know you won't hurt Jacob." Very nervously he reaches for the squirming bundle in her arms. He picks him up, and the baby begins to coo. Vincent is so happy and so in love with this new being. "Oh, you are a natural." Catherine is looking at the couple of people that means a lot to her at this moment. Vincent talking to Baby Jacob. "I'm your Daddy, little guy. I am so glad that you are finally here. You are a dream come true. I love you, my son." To Catherine. "Thank you again.""Thank you, Vincent. You have gotten through a lot to get here, just since we met.""I am amazed at the amount of love that I have already for this baby. For someone that I just met. Isn't it amazing? You have been through just as much." "Yes, it is amazing. I love you both so much." "I love you, too. He bends down to kiss her, and as they kiss, the baby squeals. "Oh, I think he wants a kiss, too. Or a feeding." Vincent gives the baby back to Catherine to feed. She starts feeding him. "Wow, a wonderful gift we were just given." Vincent looking at Catherine feeding their son, Vincent knows that everything will be allright. He knows that their dreams have finally come true. How could he ask for more? He knows that he now has everything that he will ever need in life, his son, and his wife. "This is a beautiful sight." She looks at the both of them. Thinking, that this is the most precious gift. He has given her. Vincent feels her happiness through their bond, and agrees completely. Catherine leaning up against him.

THE END

NAMING CEREMONY

This is a combined effort by wonderwoman9878@y... (Edith L. Acker) and Walkingmiracle@a... miracle2002 (Steffennie) Walkingmiracle did the lines of Vincent. wonderwoman9878 did the lines for Father, and Catherine. Disclaimer: We do not own Beauty and The Beast, we are just fans, and love to write, and read fanfiction. They are soul owners of whoever owns them. We do not make any money off of this. We are just doing this for fun.

Catherine is getting ready for the naming ceremony. "This is nice. I can't get over we are parents." "Neither can I." Vincent say's looking for his robe. "Catherine what should we dress the baby in? Wait, have you seen my robe, babe?" Catherine finishing up on getting ready goes over to where Vincent, and Jacob is. "I like that outfit that Jenn gave us." Walking over to the closet. "Yeah, I believe that it is in the closet, over here, sweetheart." Vincent getting nervous, and frustrated. "I already looked there. How can I go to my son's naming ceremony, if I can't even find my robe? Which outfit is that? Show me the outfit, and maybe I can do at least one thing right. I think that I can dress a baby." Catherine goes over to the closet. "I don't know about you. If it was a snake it would have bit you. Here you go." She throws it at him. Vincent catching it. "How do you do that? What would I do without you, my love?" Catherine looking at Vincent. "Yeah, here is the outfit too." She hands him the outfit. "Womans thing, my dear. A womans thing." She giggles. "I don't know what you would do with out me." Vincent tries to start dressing the baby, but gets nervous. "Catherine maybe you better do this. He is just so tiny." She comes up to him, putting her arms around him, and give him a kiss. "But you know I love you, very much, just the way you are." "I love you, too. Now hurry and dress the baby or we will be late." Vincent says in a hurried tone. "Oh, OK." She takes the outfit, and dresses, the baby. "Here." "Do you want me to take him, so you can finish or are you ready?" "I am ready sweetheart. You are so nervous. Loosen up." "I'm sorry, I just want everything to be as perfect as he is." Vincent stoops to pick the baby up, out of the bassinet. "Let's go, my love. Wait do you think that this one blanket is enough? We don't want him sick." "Yes, I think it is enough. Unless you think it will be cold? What do you think?" Looking at herself. "OK you are rubbing off on me now." "I'm sorry. Shall we just go?" "Yeah, I will bring an extra blanket just in case though. And extra diapers, boy, I am glad I breast feed." They head for the door, of their chamber, when Vincent suddenly turns and nearly knocks Catherine over, just so that he could quickly grab a
blanket. "I am glad too." "Let's go." Eyeing everything that Catherine is holding. "Do you really think that we need all of this? Were only going to the library." "Well, maybe just one diaper, I don't know. OK" She puts the stuff
down, and takes a diaper with her. "OK, let's go. We can allway's come back if we need something. Or I'm sure that one of the children will come, and get it." Replied Vincent. Then added. "We better go before Father starts to worry." "Yeah, the kids have really been helpful. Yeah, let's go." They head towards the library, with Vincent holding Catherine's hand, and the baby in his arm. Father looking at the library door. "Oh, here comes the new parents now. "Hello."Catherine replied. "Hi, Father." "Hello Father." Vincent said as the baby squeels, and wiggles in his fathers arms. Father looking at the bundle of joy. "Oh, may I hold him? Or is he hungry?" Vincent looks at Catherine. "I don't think that he's hungry. You can hold him. Right my love?" "Yes, my love. I just fed him a few minutes ago." Catherine replies. Father smiled. "Great." He takes Jacob from him. "Oh, are you adorable." Vincent looking at the pair. "Should we begin now, Father?" Catherine smiling. "Yes, I would say if we don't get started now, we are going to have a riot." Catherine giggles. "I don't think we need that." Vincent looking at his wife. "I agree." They go out to the meeting area. "Hello, we are ready to start now." Father say's handing Vincent the Baby.
Catherine holding Vincents arm. Vincent holds the baby close to his chest as Father begins. Father begins. "We are here to dedicate this new member of our community. Of Catherine, and Vincent Well's new born Baby boy. We give him gifts, so he will learn the joy of giving. We give him love, so he can learn the gift of love." Vincent smiles at the baby, and at his beautiful wife. Catherine smiles up at Vincent, and the Baby. Father continues. "And finally we give him a name, which I am sure Catherine, and Vincent has came up with." Vincent to Catherine. "Do you want to tell them, or should I?" Catherine looking up at him with love in her eye's. "It doesn't matter to me." Vincent say's with a smile. "Let's tell them together." Catherine replies. "Sounds good to me." Both say together. "His name is Jacob." Father looks at them with a smile. "I am honored. Thank you." Vincent looks at his Father with a smile. "It is us who have been honored by your presence. Thank you. We love you, all." Father replies. "We love you, too." Catherine is smiling from ear to ear. The baby squeels in agreement. Vincent is to, as he feels the love from both the baby, and her through the bond.

THE END.

Beauty & The Beast Reunion

Written by Edith L. Acker

Scene: It is dark. You see Catherine running from people. Then you go to the Catacombs & see Vincent feeling her fear, & to father next to him, in fathers study, & little Jacob which is now 2 years old crying in Vincents arms.

Vincent: No way, she is dead. (Looking at Jacob.) You feel her too, don't you? (Holding Jacob to father.) Father, take Jacob. I will explain later.

(Father takes Jacob, & Vincent goes running through the catacombs. Next we see Catherine still running; tripping over a branch.)

Catherine: Stupid Branch. (She starts to get up, but falls in pain, as she has hurt her ankle.) Oh, wonderful. That is all I need.(The guy's with knives in hand, start to come, & stab Catherine.)

Gerald: We got you now Chandler, no escaping us...

(You hear Vincent's roar, & he comes out into the clearing.)

Vincent: ROAR. Leave her be, NOW.

Gerald: Take him men. 3 against 1.

(3 men attack Vincent. He starts throwing them against trees, & knocking them out.)

Gerald: You may have gotten my men, but you will never get me.

Vincent: (Grabs him, & starts to shred his clothes, but Catherine gathers enough energy to get up, Putting her arms around him.)

Catherine: Vincent, Please, let the police handle him, please.

Vincent: (Feeling the gentleness in her, he longed for, for 2 years. Lets him go.) Catherine, is it really you?

Catherine: Yes, Vincent. It is really me (Cringing in pain, she plopped down on the ground next to Vincent. Vincent takes her in his arms, & kisses her passionately. When they let go.) I waited a long time for this moment. (Reaching up to carress his cheek.)

Vincent: Me, too. Your hurt. Let me take you to the lair, & take care of you.

Catherine: First we have to get Gerald, & his men...(She looks in Gerald's direction, seeing he is gone.) Oh, boy. We let him get away.

Vincent: Who is he, Catherine?

Catherine: A murderer.

Vincent: Where have you been, these last 2 years?

Catherine: I know you deserve an explanation. I was in the Witness Protection Program. Gerald is the one that caused me to be in there. I thought you were dead.

Vincent: (Putting a finger up to her lips.) Shh, We can get all the facts once we get to the lair. Father is probably going crazy wondering what happened. I just left him there.

Catherine: Oh, my. Let's go.

(Scene: It is later, & you see Father tending to Catherine's ankle, scrapes from the knives, trees, & twigs.)

Father: There you go Catherine.

Catherine: Thank you father.

Father: You are most welcome. I am glad to see you. We were told you were dead.

Catherine: Yeah, I know. I didn't wan't to put you through that. I am sorry. (Looking down, sobbing.) What about Vincent, & my baby.

Father: (Looking at the door seeing Vincent with Jacob in his arms.) I think you are going to get your answer now Catherine. I will leave you alone. (He leaves.)

Catherine: (Looks at the sight before her.) Oh, my gosh. He is adorable. Can I hold him, please?

Vincent: (Handing Jacob to her. Jacob recognizing the bond, goes to her.) My pleasure. He looks like you, Catherine.

Catherine: (Looking at Jacob, then back at Vincent.) He has your eye's. (Hugging Vincent, & Jacob.) What is his name?

Vincent: We named him after Father. His name is Jacob.

Jacob: Mama.

Catherine: He recognises me? (With tears in her eye's. Giving him a hug.)Vincent How?

Vincent: I think he has the bond with you as well. He felt the fear in you from the park as well.

Catherine:Oh, wow. That is wonderful. I wasn't expecting that.

Vincent: Neither were we. (Getting down on one knee. Holding her free hand.) Catherine, would you marry me?

Catherine: Yes, Vincent I will marry you. Just one problem. I am still in the Witness Protection Program.

Vincent: Well, is there anything we can do about that?

Catherine: Get Gerald, & put him to trial, & have him put away.

Vincent: (Getting up.) I will do anything to get you back. I missed you so much. & I don't think I could take losing you again. I don't think Jacob could either.

Jacob: Mommy not go. MOMMY NOT GO.

Catherine: (Laughing at Jacob.) Well, it's unanamus. Mommy not go. I guess we better get Gerald, & fast. Before they move me again.

Vincent: Yes. That's the Catherine I love.

Catherine: (Giving Vincent a kiss.) I love you, too, Vincent. I missed you so much.

Jacob: (Giving kissing sounds.) Me turn. ME TURN.

Catherine: Yes sweetheart. Your turn. (She gives him a kiss.) Come on. I want to take a stroll in these tunnels.

Vincent: How about seeing the painted hall. Elizabeth has added some paintings.

Catherine: Sounds good to me.

(Scene: You see Jacob, Vincent, & Catherine looking at paintings. They stop at one of Vincent holding a baby.)

Catherine: (Touching the Painting.) Jacob?

Vincent: Yes. Elizabeth did it shortly after we got Jacob back. It took a month to find him. But we finally did. I was very proud. As well as shocked, that I had a son.

Catherine: As were I, to find out I was pregnant.

Vincent: Catherine, I am sorry I didn't get to you sooner. I couldn't...

Catherine: (Holding one finger up to his lips.) Shh. Vincent. I know. Our bond was lost for some reason. I noticed it right away. It's O.K.

Vincent. I watched you die in my arms. How are you standing in front of me?

Catherine: They gave me some kind of pill that made me look like I was dead. I woke up in the hospital, & was told I had to go to the Witness Protection Program. I didn't want to go, but I had to. I missed you so much. I knew you would get our baby. I had faith that you would.

Vincent: Well you can think Karen for that.

Catherine: Karen? You met?

Vincent: Also Joe. He said he alway's wondered what I looked like. They are helpers now.

Catherine: Well, I am glad to hear that. I would like to see them again.

Vincent: I can send someone to get them.

Catherine: Please do.

(Scene: Later that evening. You see Joe, Karen, Vincent, & Catherine in the living quarters.)

Joe: Cath it is great to see you. A surprise, but a great surprise as well.

Catherine: You think you two can help me get out of the Witness Protection Program?

Joe: You bet we will. Are you coming back to the firm?

Catherine: We'll see. I want to spend some time with my family. (Holding Vincent's hand.)

Karen: I have gotten to know Vincent real well. You are a lucky woman Cath.

Catherine: I am glad you think so Karen. Would you be my Maid of Honor?

Karen: You bet, I would be honored.

Joe: You two are getting married?

Catherine: Yes. As soon as I am free, & able to stay with my family.

Jacob: (Playing on the floor, comes up to Catherine holding his hands up to her.) Mommy.

(Catherine picks him up, & puts him on her lap.)

Karen: Catherine, I must say, you have a most adorable son there.

Catherine: I must agree with you. Thank you.

Karen: I helped to take care of him, & it was my pleasure.

Catherine: Thank you Karen, Joe for being there for Vincent, & Jacob. I knew he would have some help, but I didn't realize it would be you two.

Karen: After what he had done with the bad guy's in the past, it surprised me as well.

Catherine: Well, how are we going to get these guy's? I want to stay with my family.

Karen: Well do we have a location of where he might be?

Catherine: Well, I escaped from there once. They found me in New Jersey, & kidnapped me. Just the other day.

Joe: The relocation officer must be going nuts, trying to find you. We better go call them.

Catherine: I don't know. Last time someone recognized me, they moved me right away. I don't want that to happen again. I want to stay here with Vincent, & Jacob.

Joe: I will inform them that you are under protection now. (Looking at Vincent.) & from what I have seen, she couldn't be in better hands.

Vincent: Thank you Joe. I am going with you. I can have Mary, or Father babysit, & I want to go with you.

Catherine: Honey, you have never been up above before. Except to come to my apartment, & save me, & who ever needed it.

Vincent: Catherine, if it means getting you back, I would do anything..

Catherine: (Kissing him on the cheek.) I love you so much. Thank you Vincent.

Vincent: (Kissing her.) My pleasure, & I love you.

(Scene: At the office, you see Vincent, Catherine, Joe, & Karen in Joe's office. Joe is on the phone.)

Joe: Yes we have very good protection over her...We will keep you updated...Yes, we will keep you updated...Yes, we will let you know...Good bye, & you have a good day also. (Hanging up the phone.) I guess they don't think we have very good protection. Of course I can see their point, we didn't do such a...(Looking at Vincent.) Sorry Vincent. (Back at Catherine.) O.K. Cath. Where were you held? Can you take us there?

Catherine: Yes, kind of. It was where I was held when I was pregnant with Jacob.

Vincent: We got him. How can he be involved?

David: He had a brother that wasn't to happy with Catherine putting his brother away, & while Cath was in the hospital we found out that he was after her. So that is why she was put in the Witness Protection Program.

Vincent: And you kept it from me. Her lover, the father of her baby? How dare you. (Growl came from his mouth.)

Catherine: Honey, they had no choice. They didn't know you.

(Vincent Gave them a Don't do it again look.)

Catherine: Well, let's get him, & get me home, where I belong. (Looking at Vincent.) Do you think I could stay in the....

Vincent: (Interupting.) You need not ask. You are a part of me, & I know that you will be welcomed with opened arms.

(Scene: Later that day. You see Catherine, Vincent, Karen, & Joe about to enter the building.)

Joe: O.K. We have to be very careful, to catch him. Otherwise he will run away, & Catherine will have to be relocated again.

Vincent: I will go with her, & Jacob. Let us be a family like we deserve to be.

Joe: Hopefully neither of you will have to relocate. But if she does, we will see what we can do Vincent. (Looking at Catherine.) Cath, do you remember now where the office is?

Catherine: Well, I was held on the third floor, & the office I saw was down the hall from that.

Karen: O.K. let me see if everyone is in position before we enter. (Talking into the walkie talkie.) Everyone in position?

Voice: Everyone ready.

Karen: Good, let's move in now.

(They go up to the third floor, & bang in Gerald's door.)

Gerald: (Sitting behind his desk.) What is the meaning...

Vincent: (Picking Gerald up by the collar of his shirt.) You know what this is about. You kept the love of my life away from me, & now you are going to pay. ROAR. (Catherine, & Karen take hold of Vincent as Vincent lifts his hand to strike Gerald.)

Catherine: Honey, please calm down. It's over. We have back up. Let them take care of him. Please Vincent.

Karen: Vincent, my men have his men. I can take Gerald right now. Please if you kill him, all you will do is have yourself taken away from Catherine, & Jacob. Do you want that?

Vincent: (Lets out a growl, starts to strike him again, but feels Catherine's love, & decideds not to. He puts Gerald down by Karen.) Get him out of my sight. I don't want to see him around me, or my family again.

Karen: I promise Vincent. He will pay for his crime. I promise.

Vincent: Thank you Karen. Now if you don't mind, I am going to take my future bride home now.

Joe: Go right ahead, Vincent. You two need some time together. (Looking at Catherine.) Welcome back Cath.& If you want to come back to the firm, your more than welcome to come back.

Catherine: Thank you Joe. Give me some time, to get to be with Vincent, & to know my son.

Joe: Take all the time you need Cath. There will always be an opening for you.

Catherine: Thank you Joe. (Looking at Vincent.) You ready to go?

Vincent: You bet I am. Let's go home.

Catherine: Oh, that sounds good. I am going home for good.

(Scene: The next day, at breakfast, the underworld people, & Catherine, Vincent, Joe, & Karen are eating.)

Elizabeth: Vincent, Catherine I have a surprise for you. I want you all to come to the painted walls.

Catherine: Surprise huh? Can't wait.

(They go to the painted wall, & Elizabeth points to a new painting.)

Catherine: Thank you Elezabeth. It is beautiful.

Elezabeth: I just finished it this morning. I call it family reunion.

Vincent: Thank you, Elizabeth. (Camera goes to painting, & you see a painting of Vincent, & Catherine holding Jacob.) It is beautiful.

Catherine: Vincent, would you read poetry to me?

Vincent: Of course.

Catherine: I miss you reading to me.

Vincent: (Holding out his arm.) It would be my pleasure. I miss reading to you.

(Scene: Later You see Vincent, Catherine, & Jacob on the bed. Vincent with a book in his hands, & Catherine cuddling up next to him, & Jacob in between them.)

Vincent reads this poem.

BEAUTY & THE BEAST REUNION

THEIR LOVE KEPT THEM TOGETHER, THOUGH THEY WERE APART,

HE IN HIS WORLD, HER IN HER WORLD.

THEIR LOVE WAS LIKE NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN,

THOUGH THEY HAD A BOND THAT NO ONE ELSE WOULD.

HER HAIR WAS LIKE AUBORN WOOL,

HER EYE'S WERE A BEAUTIFUL BABY BLUE.

HER VOICE WAS GENTLE,

SO GENTLE TO CALM THE BEAST IN ALL OF YOU.

HE WAS THE BEAST,

HIS HAIR LIKE A MANE.

HIS VOICE ROARED IN THE NIGHT,

HIS HEART FULL OF PAIN.

ONE DAY GOD BROUGHT THESE TWO BACK TOGETHER,

AS HE KNEW THAT THEY WERE MEANT TO BE.

A FAMILY FULL OF LOVE, BUT NOT HATE,

IS WHERE IT SHOULD ALWAY'S BE.

THE END

The characters are not mine. I do not get any money off of this story. I am only doing this for fun. The story, & poem was written by me. If you like this, please let me know. Even if you don't, would like your opinion. Thank you & God Bless you.

Please email me either at loislane532@aol.com, or wonderwoman9878@yahoo.com

copyright 11/9/01

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Fanfic

By: Edith L. Acker

WWJD2371@juno.com

Scene: Police Department. We see Catherine waiting for someone. A police officer is in the office with her.

Catherine: When do you think he will be coming out?

Officer: How do you know this guy Cath?

Catherine: My fiance knows him, & I trust him.

Officer: Well, I hope you are right. Murder is a serious offense.

Catherine: I know Vincent knows he is innocent. That is all I need to know. (A man comes out from the back.) Samuel Davidson?

Samuel: Catherine Chandler.

Catherine: Vincent sent me.

Samuel: I am glad that he sent you. I did not do it.

Catherine: I know. I believe what Vincent tells me. I believe that you didn't do it.

Samuel: I am glad that he sent you.

Catherine: Darien, is he ready to go?

Darien: Yes, he is ready to go. He is to stay in the city.

Catherine: I know. He will be under the city, in the catacombs. Joe knows where he will be.

Darien: As long as Joe knows. It is alright.

Scene: Catacombs, you see Catherine holding Jacob, Vincent sitting next to her, Samuel sitting across the room, & Father sitting behind his desk.

Father: What happened?

Samuel: I don't know. All I know is that I was walking down the street, heard a gunshot, went to see what it was, & I saw a gun next to a body. Like an idiot, I picked up the gun, next to the body. Next thing I know I am being surrounded by police, & arrested. I didn't do it.

Father: We are going to try to prove that, Samuel.

Catherine: There has been a series of murders going on, in the city. It has only been woman. We have been keeping an eye out for this guy. I hope we can catch him soon.

Vnicent: I want to help. This guy is after woman. I want to make sure you are O.K.

Catherine: I knew you want to help. I would be more than happy to accept your help. Thank you. (They kiss.)

Vincent: Where do we go, from here?

Catherine: Well, I thought we would start with the alley that he'd seen the body first. (Looking at Samuel.) Do you remember where the alley is?

Samuel: Yeah, it was behind the Hard Rock Cafe on Main St.

Catherine: I know where that is. Let's go.

Scene: Catherine, & Vincent looking around in an alley.

Catherine: I am not finding anything. Are you finding anything Vincent?

Vincent: I found this. (He holds up a wallet with a Dragon, & a T on top of the Dragon.)

Catherine: Isn't that the sign for the T-Dragons?

Vincent: Yes, Samuel used to be part of them.

Catherine: And you had something to do with him reforming, didn't you?

Vincent: Yes. I'd seen the truth in his eye's.

Catherine: I love you. You see the truth in the most horrible of people.

Vincent: Not everyone has evil in them. Samuel just knew he wanted out of the T-Dragons.

Catherine: Well, I am glad that he isn't one anymore.

Vincent: I am sorry, Catherine, but I have some things that has to be done, down below, will you be allright?

Catherine: Go ahead honey. If I get into trouble you will know.

Vincent: Please be careful. (He kissed her.)

Catherine: I will, Vincent. Don't wory. Just get what you need done, done. (He leaves.)

Scene: You see a bunch of thugs in a bar, & Catherine just walks in.

Bartender: You shouldn't be here, lady. This is a bad place for a pretty young lady, like yourself.

Catherine: I can take care of myself.

Bartender: I hope you are right. These guy's are tough. I hate to see that pretty face of yours ruined.

Catherine: Thanks for your concern, but I will be allright. (She sits at a table, next to a bunch of guy's playing pool. You see the T-Dragon symbol on their jackets.)

Jerry: Hey, look at the new babe. (Going over to Catherine.) Hey, babe. What you doing in a place like this. This is T-Dragon teritory.

Catherine: Oh, nothing much. I was just sitting here, wondering if I could beat you at a game of pool.

Jerry: (Laughing) OH, I don't think so. They call me the Champ of Pool. My name is Jerry. What is your name?

Catherine: Kara. I play a mean game of pool.You want to try me out?

Jerry: (Looking at the others and then back at Catherine.) I guess so. Don't say that I didn't warn you, though. I hate to see your feelings hurt.

Catherine: Don't wory about me. My feelings won't get hurt.

Jerry: O.K. Don't say I didn't warn you.

(About an hour later you see Catherine blowing on the tip of her pool stick.)

Catherine: I guess I just beat the Champ of Pool. What do you think of that? Beat for the first time.

Jerry: I would watch it if I were you. I can't believe that you beat me, though. No one has ever beat me.

Catherine: First time for everything. (She put her stick up.) What do you think of the murders going on? They are really freaky.

Jerry: I knew it, you are a cop.

Catherine: No I am not a cop. Just a concerned citizen, since I am a woman, & they seem to be going towards the woman.

Jerry: Yeah, you are definately a woman. I hear that they have arrested a guy, that used to be part of our gang.

Catherine: I hear he is innocent. I guess we will find out.

Bartender: Maam, may I speak to you?

Catherine: Sure.

Bartender: (She followed her into the alley behind the bar.) I don't think you are safe here. You are asking too many questions. I am looking after your well being.

Catherine: Have you heard anything about the killings?

Bartender: Who is asking?

Catherine: I am Catherine Chandler. I am with the DA's office.

Bartender: (Eye's got big.) You are Vincent's fiance aren't you?

Catherine: Yes, I am. You know him?

Bartender: Yeah, I am a helper. I am the one that brought Samuel to him. I knew Vincent could help him.

Catherine: So you know something about these murders?

Bartender: Yeah, I think the T-Dragons are doing them. That is why I was cautioning you of them. I don't want to see you the next victim.

Catherine: Thank you. What is your name?

Terrance: Terrance.

Catherine: Well it is nice to meet you Terrance.

Terrance: It is a pleasure to meet you. Be careful, please. I hate to see Vincent lose you again. When he lost you, he just wasn't the same. When he found your son, it was wonderful, but he still had an emptiness inside him for you.

Catherine: Thank you Terrance. I will be alright. (She walks down the alley, as Terrance goes back in the bar.)

All of a sudden you see a bunch of thugs coming out of their hiding. They start beating Catherine. Next you see Vincent feeling her pain, & he runs up to the top, & starts beating them off of Catherine.)

Scene: Catacombs. You see Vincent, & Catherine, laying on their bed, Jacob laying on Vincent, & Father taking care of Catherine.

Vincent: Father is she going to be allright?

Father: Yes, Vincent. She just got some cuts & bruises, & was knocked out, with a concussion. She will be fine.

Vincent: I should have been there for her. This may not have happened.

Father: Don't beat yourself up over it. You had.....

Vincent: Nothing that couldn't have waited. I should have been there for her.

Cahterine: (Starting to wake up.) Oh, what happened?

Vincent: The T-Dragons got you.

Catherine: Oh, I remember. We need to get ahold of the police, & have them take care of them. (Starting to get up, but plopped back down when her head pounded.) OH, my head.

Darien: (Coming in.) Oh, Cath. I am glad to see you are awake. How are you feeling?

Catherine: Besides having a headache. I am fine. Did you catch the T-Dragons?

Darien: Yeah, thanks to Vincent.

Catherine: I am glad. I am glad that all the murders will stop also.

Father: Catherine you need to rest. Why don't you go to sleep. We will talk when you are feeling better.

Catherine: Thank you Father. (She drifts off to sleep, with Jacob laying beside her, & Vincent holding her.)

Scene: The next morning. You see the three in their bed. Catherine wakes up, & see's that Vincent is awake.

Catherine: Hi, sweetheart.

Vincent: Hi. How are you feeling this morning?

Catherine: I am feeling better. My head stopped hurting at least.

Vincent: Good.

Catherine: Honey, would you read me a poem?

Vincent: Of course. (He got out the poem book that was laying on a bed side table next to him. This was the poem that he read to her.)

God is alway's there.

By Edith L. Acker

God is there, in sickness, & sorrow.

God is there when you are hurt.

God is there, when you even sin,

God is there, for when you get burnt.

God, will alway's be there for you,

Even if you don't think he is there.

God is there, for everyone,

Just ask & he will be there.

God alway's answers your prayers,

Whether it be yes, no, or maybe.

God knows your needs before you ask,

So take it to the Lord, cause you are his baby.

So when you are in need of a helping hand,

Take it to the Lord instead.

So when you are in need of a helping hand,

Let him be there, instead.

I don't own the Characters, I do not get paid for writing this story. I am just doing this for fun. If you like this. I have changed one of my email address. My new one, is WWJD2371@juno.com, & here is the other one. wonderwoman9878@yahoo.com. Let me know. May God Bless you, & keep you this holiday season.

Edith L. Acker.

THE WEDDING Part 1.

This is a combination effort by wonderwoman9878@yahoo.com (Edith L. Acker)  and Walkingmiracle@aol.com  miracle2002  (Steffennie). Disclaimer:  We don't own Beauty and the Beast, we just like reading, and writing fanfiction.  They are owned by whoever owns them.  We don't make any money off of our stories.  We just have fun writing them. Walkingmiracle did the lines of Joe, and Vincent. wonderwoman9878 did the lines of Father, and Catherine.

Catherine is in her apartment waiting for Vincent, & Joe. Vincent arrives and nervously taps on the balcony door. He is anxious about meeting Catherine's long time friend.  He also wondering what Joe will think when he realizes that this is the baby's father. Catherine goes to the door, about six months pregnant at this time.  "Hi, sweetheart.  Come on in." "Hello my love."  Vincent reaches to rub her belly.  "Hello, my little one." Catherine looks down at his touch.  "Hello. I felt him kick this afternoon."  He kicks again.  "Oh, he knows your here." "Was that a kick?" "Yes, that was."   Catherine says with a smile. "Do you really think he recognizes my voice?" "That and I think we share the same bond."  Replies Catherine leading him to the living room. Vincent is amazed as he feels the activity in her belly. "Joe should be here any minute.  How are you, at meeting him?" "I am very nervous."  Vincent replies. "It will be great.  He is anxious to meet the mystery man in my life." "What will he think when he figures out that the baby is mine?  Will he see me as a freak?" "He might at first, but then I think once he gets to talking to you, some more, plus I am in love with you, I dont think there will be a problem." "I hope that you are right, Catherine, for your sake, and the baby's." "Hey, if he don't like it, he is just going to have to get over it.  I won't let anything step in the middle of our happiness." "I don't want you to suffer anymore than you already have for loving me.  I don't want our child to know any of the suffering that I have brought to your life.  I just hope he that he likes me." "Oh, I am sure he will.  Vincent, I love you, and nothing is going to change that."  She said reaching up to touch his cheek.
Vincent is starting to relax a little bit.  "Hey, why don't you go sit down on the couch. I have some tea brewing on the stove." "I can get the tea.  You need to sit down, my love." Joe knocks on the door at that time.  "OK you get the tea.  My guess is thats Joe.  I will get that."  Catherine say's giving him a kiss. "I will be fine." "OK."  Vincent goes to get the tea, becoming more nervous by the second. Catherine gets the door.  "Hi, Joe." "Hi, Radcliff.  Well, where is the love of your life?"  He say's looking around. Catherine pointing towards the couch.  "Come sit down.  He is getting us some tea." Joe sitting down.  "Well, I am anxious to meet him." Vincent can hear the two talking as he pours the tea. Catherine looking around.  "Well, I want to tell you, he isn't like any other man.  He is different." "In What way Radcliff?"  Joe asks. Catherine sitting in the chair.  "Well,...You will see when he gets out.  He is a man I love dearly." Vincent slowly enters the room with the tea. "If you love him, that is all that matters."  Joe replies. "I love her dearly, as well."  Vincent say's quietly as he enters the room. Joe looking at him with shock on his face.  "Hi, you must be Vincent?"  Extending his hand.  "I am glad.  You take care of our Radcliff." Vincent accepts the handshake, somewhat nervously.  "It's nice to meet you too."  He eye's Catherine nervously.  Hoping that he is doing the right thing. "Don't be nervous.  I trust Catherine's judgement.  If she loves you, then that is all that matters."  Joe replies assuredly. Catherine winks at Vincent.  "You are doing fine sweetheart." Catherine looking at Joe.  "There is one favor I want to ask you." Joe looks at Catherine.  "What is it?" Vincent feels the strength and comfort that Catherine is giving him, through the bond. Catherine replies.  "You know I lost my Father a while back." Joe remembering.  "Yes, I remember.   That was about six months ago.  I would say." Vincent walks to stand behind the chair Catherine is in, and give her strength, to ask this difficult question.  Catherine looking at her stomach.  "Yeah, I would say about that." Vincent puts his hand on her shoulder.  "Oh, What is the favor?"  Joe replies. "Would you do me the honors of giving me away?"  Asked Catherine. Joe replies with a smile. "I would be honored." Catherine replies with a smile.  "Great. I was hoping you would agree. Vincent "Thank you. This means so much to both of us. Vincent "Well, I guess I should say all three of us." He says as he looks at her belly. "Catherine means a lot to me.  I will do what I can to make this wedding wonderful for the both of you."  Replies Joe.Vincent looks at him, and replies.  "Thank you again." "Your are most welcome."  Answered Joe with a smile. Vincent bends low to whisper in Catherines ear.  "What have you told him about where I live?" "I haven't yet."  She replies, then outloud.  "Oh, and I haven't told you where we are going to live." "Oh, I figured up here in your apartment."  Replied Joe in a curious tone. Vincent reminds her to tell him how important it is that this place remains a secret. "Well, we need to have your complete secrecy.  You can not tell anyone of this place.  Can we trust you?"  Catherine questions. Joe looking at the both of them.  "Of course.  I won't tell anyone." Vincent looks up.  "This is very important.  Lives depend on your secrecy." "You can count on me not to tell anyone."  Replies Joe. Catherine looks up at Vincent. Vincent believes that Joe can be trusted, and nods his approval. Catherine looking back at Joe.  "OK there is this community down below the city, that a lot of people including Vincent lives."
Joe look of concern on his face.  "Is it safe down there?" Catherine replies.  "Yes, it is safe.  They have lived down there for years." "OK then."  Replies Joe. "It is the only place where someone, like me, can be safe."  Vincent said.
"I will keep your secret safe." Said Joe. "Those that live below are outcasts from the world above.  They have no place, but below."  Said Vincent. "I understand that."  Joe said. "That is why I said their lives depend on your secrecy."  Replied Vincent, then he said.  "Thank you for keeping this place a secret." "You bet."  Replied Joe.  Then he said.  "You are a wonderful man, I can tell that now.  I have no worries.  You take good care of her." Vincent bends to whisper in Catherine again.  "Would you like to take him below and let him see what we are talking about?" Catherine replies with a smile.  "Yes, that would be wonderful." Vincent looking at Joe.  "I will.  You can count on that.  You can come as often as you like to, see us, and the baby."  Then to Catherine.  "You tell him." "Oh, I will take you up on that. I am looking forward to seeing the baby."  Joe replies with a smile. "Would you like to come down below, to see our place?"  Asked Catherine. "I would love to.  Thank you."  Replied Joe. Catherine replies.  "We can take the entrance in my basement."  Looking up at Vincent.  "You ready to go?""Are you up to it, my love?  I can show him."  Vincent replies with concern. Catherine getting up replies.  "Trust me, I can do this." Vincent helps her up, and agrees to allow to go. Catherine gets up, and kisses him.  Then looks at Joe again.  "You ready to go?" "Yes, I am ready."  Joe replies. Vincent leads the way. They reach the entrance in the basement. Catherine looking back at Joe.  "Here is the entrance." Joe looking around.  "Wow, this here, and I never knew about it." Vincent climbs down, the ladder first, so he can help Catherine. Catherine starts down the ladder. Joe helps from above, while Vincent helps her down below. "I guess when the baby is born we will be taking the park entrance."  Catherine said. "Why?"  Asked Vincent. "Can you imagine us carrying a baby up this ladder?"  Asked Catherine getting off the ladder.   "Or down." "Why not?  We'll put the baby on our backs and do this."  Replied Vincent. "Good point."  Replied Catherine. Joe finishes climbing down. He looks around.  "Wow, this is amazing. Catherine replies. "Yes, it is.  It gets more amazing as we go.  The people that you will meet are the most amazing and best part of this place.  And I am marrying one of the best."  Looking at the love of her life. Vincent looking at the love of his life.  "That's not true my love.  For you, and our baby are the best."  He places his hand on her belly. "After all where would I be without you?" "Oh, Vincent I think I would be lost without you.  Come on lets get to Fathers chambers. He takes her hand, and the group heads to Fathers chambers.  They reach the library where Father is very involved in his book. Catherine looking at her future Father in law.  "Hi Father." Vincent clears his throat, and startled Father.  "Vincent, Catherine how are you?  That baby seems to be growing all the time.  How are you feeling?" "Hi Father.  Oh, still going through morning sickness.  Other than that, I am doing fine."  Replied Father."That's good.  Who is this that you have brought with you?"  Asked father. "Oh, Father.  I would like you to meet a good friend of mine, Joe Maxwell." "Hello, I remember you.  You were the one that was accused of murder a while back weren't you?  Jacob isn't it?"  He said remembering that time."Well, hello, Joe.  It is alway's nice to meet another of Catherine's friends.  Yes, that's right."  Father replies nervously. "Well, it is nice to see you again."  Replied Joe, then seeing the concern on his face.   While taking his hand for a shake.  "Dont worry. That is behind us now, and you were proven innocent." Catherine breaking the ice.  "He is giving me away, at the wedding." Father with a smile.  "That is wonderful.  Catherine is a part of our family and I want you to know that you are alway's welcome here.  Any friend of Catherines is a friend of ours." "Thank you."  Replies Joe."Your welcome.  And thank you.  I know it is important to keep this place secret, so you have no problems with me giving it away." "Thank you Joe."  Replied Father.  "As I am sure that Vincent and Catherine have both told you, people's lives depend on this place, staying secret." "Yes, they have.  And you can count on me."  Joe replied then added.  "Catherine means a lot to me too.   I don't want to see anything happen to her, or her family, and friends." "Neither do we.  Especially with the baby on the way."  Father replies.  Looking at Catherine he adds.  "Catherine you look a bit tired.   Why don't you come sit down, while we finalize wedding plans." "Thank you Father."  Catherine replies as she sits down.  Vincent helps her.  "Thank you, darling."  Vincent pulls up a chair next to her, and has a seat.  He points at the other chair, and motions for Joe to join them. Joe sits, and replies. "So I guess the wedding will be down here." Catherine takes Vincents hand. Father replies.  "Yes, it will be.  Catherine why don't you fill me in on exactly what you would like." Vincent begins to slowly stroke her hand. "Well, If it is alright with Vincent, I would like for us to write our own vows."  Replies Catherine looking at Vincent.Vincent looking at her.  "That's fine with me.  You can do whatever you want, my love." "OK, and of course I would like for the cook down here to do the catering."  Replies Catherine. Father replies.  "That sounds nice.  I love it when people write their own vows.  It becomes less formal, and you know that what they are saying comes f rom their heart." "Yes, that is true.  It is romantic, and loving way for the couple to start their marriage off."  Replies Catherine. "I am sure the cook wouldn't mind doing the catering.  Do you have any ideas what you would like served?  Shall we have a meal or a light snack?" "I would like to have a meal, and I can help with the cost on that.  I would like to have the wedding ceremony on the whispering tunnels." Father replies.  "I don't think that would be necessary for you to help with the cost.  We will take care of that." "OK but if you need help let me know."  Answered Catherine. Father replies with a wink to Vincent.  "Of course we will Catherine. The whispering tunnels are the perfect place to hold the ceremony." "Yeah, I have alway's liked it when Vincent and I go there."  Kissing Vincents hand. Vincent smiles. "Of course the ladies are helping me with my dress, and are making the last seams in case I get bigger before the wedding."  Replies Catherine. Father, and Vincent laughs. "OK you two."  Replies Catherine with a snicker of her own.  "Anything we forgotten?  I will have my bouquet done at the florist down the street. Vincent and Father both look at each other, and then shake their heads. "OK the wedding plans are made.  This is going to be a special night, for the both of us." Vincent replies.  'Well, since it looks like were done here, why don't I take you and Joe back above.  You need your rest." Catherine looking up at Vincent.  "OK You going to join me to rest aren't you?" "Not yet, my love."  Vincent replies helping her up as Father say's his goodbyes. "Good bye Father."  Said Father. Joe replies.  "And to make sure, I have lessen her work load." Father replies with a smile.  "Good for you." They go up to her apartment.  "Well, here we are.  Bye Joe. Thanks again." Vincent kisses Catherine and shakes Joe's hand as he turns to leave.  Then he reaches out pats her belly, and replies.  "Goodnight my little one." Joe looking at Catherine.  "Hey, my pleasure Radcliff.  You just take care of that baby."  Looking at Vincent.  "Bye, Vincent.  Nice to finally meet you." Catherine giving Vincent a kiss.   "Goodnight darling." Vicent looking at Joe.  "Nice to have met you, too."  Giving Catherine a kiss. "Goodnight my love."  Vincent turns to go. Joe turns to go, and Catherine goes into her apartment. To Be continued. Next is the wedding.  So be prepared.

THE WEDDING Part 2

This is a combination effort by wonderwoman9878@yahoo.com (Edith L. Acker) and Walkingmiracle@aol.com, miracle2002 (Steffennie) Disclaimer:  We don't own Beauty and the Beast, we just like reading, and writing fanfiction.  They are owned by whoever owns them.  We don't make any money off of our stories.  We just have fun writing them. Walkingmiracle did the lines for Joe, and Vincent. wonderwoman9878 did the lines of Father, and Catherine.

It is the day of the wedding, and Vincent, and the groom party is at the alter. Catherine is walking down the aisle, hand in Joe's arm, on the day of their wedding.  Vincent smiles as his beautiful bride approaches him. He can't believe that not only is he getting married but in a few short weeks he will be a father. As they get down the aisle, Father starts the ceremony.  "We are gathered here today, to wed these two wonderful souls in holy matrimony.  I have known Vincent all his life, and I have only known Catherine a couple of years, and grown very fond of her.  Who gives this woman to this man?" Joe replies  "I do." Father replies.  "OK take eachothers hands." Vincent takes her hand and, they slowly step towards Father. Vincent is so nervous as he takes this step with Catherine on his arm. It is so hard to believe that their dream is finally coming true. Joe sits down with a tear already glistening in his eye. Father begins.  "Vincent, do you take Catherine as your lawfully wedded wife, to have, and to hold, through sickness, and through health, through good times, and through bad, through richer or poorer, till death do you part?" "I do."  Vincent smiles lovingly into Catherine's eyes. Father then asks.  "Catherine do you take Vincent as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, through good times, and through bad times, through sickness, and through health, through richer or poorer till death do you part?" Catherine replies with a smile.  "I do."
"May I have the rings please?"  Father asks. Little Catherine gives Catherine the her rings. Father then replied.  "Catherine, and Vincent has wrote their own vows, and would like to share them with you.  Catherine you go first."
Catherine puts the ring on Vincents finger.  Looking loving into Vincents eye's.  "Vincent you are my love, my life, my world. Without you, I don't know what I would have done.  You mean the world to me.  From the first day we met, I knew it was destany, that brought us together.   I love you, and will love you forever, and a day.  I thank God everyday for our love, our bond.  Thank you for the gift of love that you have given me. I love you Vincent." Father looks at Vincent.  "Now Vincent it is your turn to give your vows " Vincent looks lovingly into Catherines eyes and places the ring on her finger.  "Catherine from the moment that I saw you I knew that my life would change forever. Many times I felt that we would have to give up and remember this only as you would a dream. Through the hard times and the good times I have always known you through the bond. I don't know how I was lucky enough to find you but I thank God everyday that he sent me not only the most beautiful woman alive, but also the most determined, loving, and outgoing. I love you Catherine and now I give you my heart, my soul and my life forever." A tear of joy, falls down, Catherine's cheek. Father then replies.  "With the power invested in me, through the state of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife.  You may now kiss the bride." Vincent takes Catherine in his arms and he passionately kisses her. Father announces.  "I now proudly introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Wells." They turn and face the rest of the people. The whole group is crying, and clapping.  Vincent has Catherine's hand in his arm and he is beaming.  At last his dream has come true. Father made the announcement.  "Now we go to the Dining area.  William has a wonderful feast for us all." Catherine, is beaming, as she has her life this day, with the man she loves. We go to the dining area where there are some wonderful decorations, a wedding cake, and a feast.  Vincent is thinking that now that the wedding is over they can look forward to and prepare for the birth of their baby.  This brings a yet bigger smile to his face. Catherine is smiling from ear to ear.  Looking at Vincent.  "I am the happiest woman in the world at this moment.  I love you Vincent." Vincent looking down at his one true love.  "I love you too, my love. Now all we need is our baby."  He places his hand on her belly. Joe replies walking up to the main table with the rest of the wedding party.  "Congratulations you guys. Now it's time for the baby."  And the meal is served.  She places her hand on his hand, and replies.  Yes, this is wonderful."  Looking at Joe.  "Thank you Joe.  For everything."  Then looking at Father.  "And thank you Father." Father replies with a smile.  "You are most welcome.  Congratulations to you both." Vincent is so thrilled as he looks around the room and can't believe that he is married now and almost a father.  He never really expected the dream to be anymore than a dream, yet he is so thankful that it is.

THE END

From: ms_wemmick
Aquainted With (Things That go Bump in) the Night

The Mandate

"You aren't suggesting that Isobel stay away from this year's
reading?" Father looked up from his ledger, before replying, "Of
course, not. I would never think to exclude her. I just thought you
might have a word with her about... well, the ... content of her
stories."

Vincent sighed. It was true that Isobel's stories contained scenes
meant to scare her listeners, but they were no worse than any story
Father read at their annual Halloween gathering. He feared Father's
concern was of a different nature.

"By "content" do you mean the reference to possible violence or that
Isobel tends to present them as something more than mere stories?"
Putting down his pen, Father leaned back in his chair then glanced
over his spectacles at his son. "You know Vincent that I enjoy, as
much as anyone, a good ghost story, but I make it clear to any of the
children who ask that such things are only that - stories." He paused
for a moment before continuing. "Children are, as you know, highly
imaginative and easily frightened. For days after our last Halloween
event all I heard from Mary were references to which child was
refusing to sleep alone in his or her room or which child had to have
a candle burning all night. For the children's sake, as well as
Mary's, I think it should be made clear that whatever is read or told
at tomorrow night's event is not real and only a story."

Vincent, having heard Isobel's tales many times before, thought to
point out that all her ghosts together never seemed to frighten the
children as much as the mere mention of Washington Irving's Headless
Horseman, but he held his tongue. Instead he replied, "Even if that
may be a lie?" Vincent leaned forward slightly before stating, "You
know of my own experiences on the matter."

Father's next words soundly slightly exasperated, "Vincent, I know
about your encounter with that, uhm, artist - what was his name?"
"Kristopher," said Vincent.

"Yes, Kristopher," Father echoed, "but as far as you know Catherine
could be right. Mr. Gentien could very well still be alive and his
"ghostly appearances" nothing more than a clever ploy to promote his
paintings."

Vincent gave the older man a skeptical look.

"Yes, well, anyhow," Father continued, "it's neither here nor there.
Isobel's case is quite different. We both know, as kind as she is,
that she isn't quite..." he looked beseechingly at the younger man.
Vincent just raised a brow. Seeing no help from that quarter, Father
forged on, "She is rather... flighty, Vincent. And her stories!
You've never witnessed any proof that any of them are true, have
you?"

Vincent sat back then and gave his head a little shake.
"Mmm," was Father's reply, "yet the children believe them and that is
the problem."

"Children believe in many things; Santa Clause and the tooth fairy,
for instance. Should we strip them of those beliefs too?"

"Vincent, those are hardly the same things. They are figures that
bring the children joy, not nightmares. Besides, when a child gets
older and starts to ask questions, Mary and I have always been honest
with them. Isobel, on the other hand..." Father shot his son a
serious look.

Vincent remained silent. He could not argue that Isobel was not at
times rather... peculiar.

"Very well, Father. I will speak to her, but understand that I will
not ask her to avoid the reading or to decline the children's
requests for a story. I will, however, mention how easily influenced
children can be and about the restless nights her stories may
invoke."

Near the Chamber of the Winds

A short while later Vincent found himself walking down the corridor
leading to Isobel's chamber. She had chosen to live slightly apart
from the others in the last habitable space before the Chamber of the
Winds.

The infamous howling of the cavern, which was very faint at first,
became louder as he neared her door. Vincent paused for a moment to
listen to the sounds of Chamber. Above this sound, though, could be
heard another song, this one of human origin. Isobel was singing, and
a fairly old standard at that. Before he could dwell on where she had
learned the Duke Ellington song, (she was after all at least half a
dozen years younger than him) he heard her say, "There, I've sung it.
Happy now?" There was silence for a moment before he heard her begin
whistling softly to herself.

Vincent, smiling slightly, knocked on the frame of the chamber's
door.

There was a startled sound from within the chamber and then noise of
something clattering to the ground.

"Uh, who is it?" the chamber's occupant called out in cheery, rather
musical tones.

"It's Vincent, Isobel. May I come in?"

"Oh, Vincent! Hurry! I need your help." proclaimed the voice.

Vincent quickly drew back the curtain which served as a door to
reveal Isobel, hands outstretched, struggling to keep a large stack
of picture frames and canvases from joining the two already on the
floor. Three long strides had Vincent beside her and within moments
the pile was upright again.

"Thank goodness!" she said while picking up the fallen items and
straightening the pile, "Those are for Elizabeth and they were so
hard to get."

Isobel, Vincent knew, had worked Above for one of the city's many art
galleries. He had suspected that, even while living Below, she still
had ties to the City's art world. He was, though, always respectful
of his others' privacy and had resisted asking questions regarding
her activities Above. Now his curiosity was peaked, so he found
himself saying, "There is so much, Isobel. Whoever donated these
supplies must have a very generous nature."

The woman made a sound almost like a snort, "Generous my foot. I
earned all these things." Looking over to the corner of her chamber
she continued, "It was worth it, though, to finally have Eliza put
some of her work on canvas rather than all that wall painting."
Remembering herself, she added, "Not that her fresco style pieces
aren't well executed and an asset to the community.... it's just
that...all those earth tones... they lack some of the ...permanence
and... formality that I was sure her work could have."

Vincent had followed Isobel's gaze and was now studying the two
paintings in the corner of the room. They were outstanding.
"Elizabeth's," he said. The woman nodded, still staring at the
paintings.

"Oh, well," she said cheerfully, "I'm sure you didn't come all the
way here to discuss art. What can I do for you?" No sooner had she
said this was she off to another part of her cluttered room rummaging
through some wooden boxes. Before he could reply he heard, "Oh here
we go, ginseng ...must try some of this. I got it from a friend
Above."

As she reached for the kettle she usually kept full above her
brazier, Vincent pushed his questions about the canvases and
Elizabeth's paintings aside and turned to the topic which had brought
him to her door, "I've come to discuss Halloween, Isobel."

"Oh, yes. My favorite time of year," she said, turning to give him an
impish smile.

"A favorite time for many, especially the children," he said. "They
will, of course, ask you to tell one of your stories."

There was no reply from the woman, who was still preparing the tea
things.

Vincent thought for a moment on how to go on. Direct, he felt, would
be best, "I have been told by Father that some of the children were
upset after the Reading last year, Isobel. He thought part of the
problem may be the... nature of your tales. In fact, he requested
that I speak to you."

This caused Isobel to turn around, tea bags still in hand. Her face
wore a look of concern, "It's because the children believe they are
true, isn't it?"

Vincent paused for a second then nodded, "It seems some of the
children had nightmares for several days after last year's reading."

Isobel, who had finished setting up the tray, turned to him once
again and said, "Oh, but Vincent, my stories are never really scary!
If anything, I would think the children find them ...placid or even
comforting, after hearing Thomas Moore."

Vincent lower his head. A small shiver went down his spine. Shaking
off the strange sensation he looked up to find Isobel paused, with
tea tray in hand, halfway between the brazier and table where Vincent
sat. She was staring over his shoulder towards the door. As if aware
of his gaze she looked at him and smiled. Placing the tea tray down
she said, "Well, it seems I have no choice but to add a disclaimer to
my stories! That is, if I don't want to have Father boot me out of
the celebration."

Vincent reached for the cup of ginseng that Isobel was thrusting at
him. He took a small sip. It was good.

"Isobel, you know Father has no intention of doing that," he chided.

The woman laughed a high tinkling laugh and took a sip of her tea.
"Perhaps not, but he might give me one of those talks afterwards and
anything is better, as you know growing up here, than one of those
talks." Vincent could not help but smile at the twinkle in her eye.

"Never fear, Vincent. I will try to assure the children my silly
little stories are just that."


Home Again

Sometime later Vincent sat down at his writing desk. All this talk of
Halloween had reminded him he had yet to invite Catherine to the
reading. As he wrote out the note, his mind drifted back to his visit
with Isobel. While he never felt totally comfortable in her cluttered
chambers, today, in particular, he had found himself glancing at dark
corners as if he expected to see something unusual there. Even though
the conversation had gone well, he still felt a little uncomfortable
with the task he had been given. It went against his nature to censor
anyone unless he felt the censor was truly warranted. Ah, well, he
thought, the event will soon be past.

Finishing the note he went to give it to Kipper for delivery


The Night When "The Walls Grow Thin..."

"The old country wives, however, who are the best judges of these
matters, maintain to this day that Ichabod was spirited away by
supernatural means; and it is a favorite story often told about the
neighborhood round the winter evening fire. The bridge became more
than ever an object of superstitious awe; and that may be the reason
why the road has been altered of late years, so as to approach the
church by the border of the mill-pond. The schoolhouse being deserted
soon fell to decay, and was reported to be haunted by the ghost of
the unfortunate pedagogue and the plough-boy, loitering homeward of a
still summer evening, has often fancied his voice at a distance,
chanting a melancholy psalm tune among the tranquil solitudes of
Sleepy Hollow."

It was if the children were in a trance, a trance that could only be
broken by the sound of Father snapping Washington Irving shut.

Amanda was the first to awaken, "Please Father, one more story?" The
others soon chimed in with a chorus of similar pleas.

"Now children, I said I would read three requests and that was the
third." To their disappointed exclamations Mary replied, "Now
everyone, you can hear that Father's voice is getting tired...."

"What about Isobel?" Kipper said, "She can tell one of her stories."

"Yeah, one of the *real* ones," said Eric.

Father adjusted himself in his chair then shot Vincent a look that
said I-told-you-so. "Isobel can, of course, tell one of her stories,
but I want to make it clear that these are just stories. I don't want
to hear from Mary for the next two weeks about ghosts in the nursery
or other such nonsense."

Several of the adults in the group smiled.

"But they are real, aren't they Isobel?" asked Eric

Isobel who had been sitting on the corner of Father's desk next to
Mouse throughout the reading looked at all the faces suddenly turned
towards her.

Eyes resting on Eric, she replied, "Well, I don't think that whether
my stories are real or not is all that important," She paused a
moment then continued, "I think the point is that there are many
things in this world that are unknown and not all those things have
to be scary." She then glanced at Vincent who was leaning against a
wall with Catherine. Vincent nodded slightly in encouragement.

"Does that mean they aren't real?" Eric asked.

"It means exactly what it suppose to mean," Isobel said with a smile.
"When I lived Above, I would never have dreamt of a world such as
this one, under the streets of New York, where one could be safe and
pursue the things one loved, like art or music, but this place exists
doesn't it?" Several of the children's heads nodded.

"But this place is real," Eric said relentlessly.

"Yes, Eric, this place is real, but it's a reality that only a chosen
few can understand and appreciate. If you tried to explain this place
to many of the people up top, they wouldn't understand. They would
think it was a dark, damp refuge for ... vagrants or other outcasts
in need of help. They would want it cleansed. That's why we have to
keep it a secret, because there are those who would want to know
everything, see everything down here. But by exposing and examining
our life they would destroy it." She paused for a second then tilting
her head slightly said, "In a sense my stories are the same. They
hint of a world we can barely conceive, but may one day need, so by
all means, if you find them upsetting, don't believe in them, because
there is nothing in them that can hurt anyone! Now having said that,
which story did you want to hear?" she leaned forward expectantly.

"Tell about the ghost in you're home in Brooklyn, Isobel. The one
that saved you." It was Lana this time.

"Very well," said Isobel, "Brooklyn..."

Isobel's Story

I had been living in an apartment on the top floor of an old
brownstone in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. Well, it was
actually on the fringe of that area, money being a little tight then.
I knew the place was special the first time I set foot inside. It had
a very peaceful demeanor about it.

I hadn't been there a few weeks before the incidents started.

Now, nothing strange had happened to me in many years; not since I
was a little girl living at my grandmother's house for the summer,
but that's another story.

Anyway, one day I was standing at my kitchen sink washing something
when I heard a large bang come from the bedroom.

Now, you have to know the set up of the house. Three of the rooms
were "railroad" style, that is, you had to walk through the dining
room and living room to get to the bedroom area, which was in the
front of the house. You could actually see the tops of the trees in
the park from my bedroom window.

The apartment was entered from the four floor landing through the
kitchen. The bathroom was behind the kitchen and the dining room was
then off to the side. I immediately ran through the dining room and
living room area to the bedroom, thinking my cat had knocked
something heavy off the shelf or the dresser. When I got there,
however, everything was fine. Nothing had fallen, so I went back into
the kitchen. No sooner had I picked up a glass to wash it then there
was another large bang. I went into the bedroom once again, but
again, nothing had fallen.

Now let me explain. I had had neighbors before, so I knew what it
sounded like when one of them was moving things around. This noise
was definitely in the apartment.

Nothing strange happened for several days and I pretty much forgot
about the noises; then I began to notice when I put things down they
never seemed to be were I had left them. The first couple of times I
chalked it up to my own mindlessness. But I knew it was more than
that when I stopped in one day to put away some groceries before
running another errand and lost my keys! I distinctly remembered
placing them on the hook by the door, but when I went to grab them
several minutes later they were gone.

I searched everywhere, the floor, the table, my purse, but they were
gone. I even looked in the refrigerator! I remember being so angry
because I had to get to the florists to pick up something before they
closed and just when I was at my wits end I looked over on the
kitchen table and there were the keys! Mind you I had looked there at
least twice.

Picking up the keys I noticed how cold they felt. It was then that I
remembered the noises in the bedroom and all that had happened to me
when I was a young girl, but, still, I did not want to believe that I
was "sharing" my place with anyone else.

Two days later though, there would be no doubt about it.

I had gone to bed early, about 9:30 PM, and must have fallen right
asleep. At around, 12:30 AM (according to the clock on my nightstand)
I woke up. I don't know exactly what had woken me but I remember
feeling that something had. I lay there for several minutes listening
to the room. Finally I got the courage to reach over to the
nightstand and turn on the light. It was then I noticed my dresser.
One of the drawers had been left half open. Now I had put away
clothes early in the evening and was sure I hadn't left that draw
open, so I got up to close the drawer. As I was closing it something
caught my eye. There, sitting on one of my nightgowns was a bracelet
I had "lost" two weeks ago.

I was a little miffed at this point. You see, I kept my jewelry on or
in my vanity, not on the dresser, so there was no logical reason for
my bracelet to be in my nightgown drawer. I remember announcing to
the room, "If you are going to borrow my things please return them to
where they belong!" then stomping back to bed.

Well, this must have upset whoever it was because I hadn't been
asleep for more than an hour when I was awakened again. This time
someone was walking around my dining area! Before I could decide what
to do, I heard the "person" walk through my living room and into
bedroom. The footsteps then proceeded to walk up to the bed where
they suddenly stopped. I remember just staring at the spot at the
foot of my bed where I should be seeing someone. It was terrifying.
Nothing else happened and eventually I fell asleep due to exhaustion.

I didn't actually see the ghost until several weeks later.

I had just got home from work and was about to climb the last set of
stairs when I happened to look up. There on the third step down from
the top stood a woman. She was medium height and dressed in a manner
that suggested the late 1940's, but that was by far not the oddest
thing about her. The oddest thing was that she was transparent! She
was rather gray in color and you could see right through her to the
landing beyond.

Well, at first I could only stare, then when it dawned on me what I
was looking at, I didn't go up the stairs but instead started
knocking on the door of the people below me, all the time looking
over my shoulder to make sure the "gray lady" hadn't followed me.

My neighbors at the time were a couple in their 30's who seemed very
nice. The woman, whose named I remembered was Ann, answered the door.
It was obvious she had just returned from work herself as she was
still dressed for the office. I humbly and rather shakily asked if I
could come in. She must have seen how distressed I was, because she
let me in, looked over my shoulder, then upon closing the door asked
if I was alright. I replied that I was just a bit upset and didn't
want to be alone at the moment. She lead me to her kitchen, as their
front door was in the living room, rather than the kitchen, area.

After she had gotten me something to drink she asked if there was
anything she could do. I remember taking a few sips of the drink,
which I was too addled to even recognize, before replying. I mean I
had just moved in and I didn't want the neighbors thinking I wasn't
"quite right" by asking strange questions. Hesitantly, I asked if she
had noticed "anything unusual" since living here. Ann looked down for
a minute then up again before saying, "Like strange noises late at
night?" Looking directly at her I shook my head yes.

Ann sighed then said, "Yes."

"Do you mind if I ask specifically what you have noticed," I said.

It was her turn to hesitate, then she shrugged her shoulders and
said, "Sure. Why not. We're kind of used to it."

She then told me that the last two tenants had each lasted about two
months in my apartment before moving out and she and her husband
thought they knew why. They had been there several years and would
often hear someone walking back and forth up there late at night.
They didn't think much of it because the place was occupied by an
older man. They just assumed the old guy didn't sleep, so they
ignored it. It was when they put him in a nursing home about six
months ago that they started to wonder. Even though the apartment was
empty, Ann and her husband still heard the footsteps a couple times a
week. That along with rather cryptic statements from the past tenants
lead them to believe something was quite right up above them.

Ann also told me of one or two incidents that happened elsewhere in
the building that might have been attributable to what ever it was.
She then apologized if what she said upset me, but thought I had a
right to know.

Well, needless to say I did not want to go up to my apartment, but I
had no choice. I did not have the time, or the money, to move. So
when Ann's husband, Rich, came home I had him take me upstairs. Once
alone in the place I had a little talk with my "roommate". I asked
her please not to scare me, as my life was hard enough right now and
I didn't have anyplace else to go. I told her she could have the
place to herself while I worked and late at night after I was asleep,
but to please leave me alone.

This seemed to work and for several days there were no incidences
other than an occasional "bump in the night".

The History

It was at about this time I decided to find out the history of the
house and just who my "roommate" could have been. I asked Ann and
some of the other tenants if they knew of any deaths in the building
or if the older gentleman who once occupied my apartment had been
married. Their answers were "no", but Ann did remember the man's
name as being Micelli. Well, a conversation with landlord confirmed
his name was indeed Micelli; Anthony Micelli to be exact. In fact,
Mr. Micelli sold the building to my landlord, after reserving a life
tenancy for himself. My landlord knew nothing about a wife though.
Still curious I decided to check the borough records to see whose
name had been on the deeds.

My search revealed that in 1941, when Anthony Micelli purchased my
building, he had been married to a woman named Susan. Still, I
couldn't be sure she was my ghost. I needed more information. The
thought of searching death certificates and newspaper articles for
any mention of the name Susan or of my house, without a better sense
of the time frame than post 1940, was too tedious to consider, but
after a particularly noisy night of footsteps going from the dining
area to the kitchen and back, I decided to set out in search of Mr.
Micelli.

I found him in a nursing home not far from where I was living.

Anthony Micelli was 89, mostly deaf and rather frail when I first met
him, but still quite lucid. After explaining that I lived in his old
home and was curious about its past he confirmed that, yes, he did
have a wife named Susan and, yes, she had passed away in the house,
but not in the 40's, rather in the mid 50's. Other than that he was
unable or unwilling to tell me much.

When I mentioned I felt there was something strange about the house,
then asked if he had ever noticed anything unusual while living
there, he replied, no. He then began to reminisce about the
neighborhood, the house and the good times he and his wife had there.
His tone was so whimsical that I did not want to upset him by
pressing the matter of a possible ghost. I visited Mr. Micelli
several times after that (he was very personable for 89) but received
no new information on the identity of my "roommate".

The haunting continued however, except now it had turned from
mischievous or troublesome to, well, helpful. For instance, I was
running late for work one day and must have left the coffee pot on. I
know this because it the evening when I returned home there was
nothing in the pot but burnt remains. The plug, it seemed, had been
pulled out of the socket before any real damage could occur -
something I never do.

Other times I would come home to find papers I know I left scattered
about neatly stacked on the living room table. During this period I
got into the habit of talking to the ghost. I never got a direct
reply, which I was thankful for, but I think it helped to change her
attitude towards me. I learned later that this shift in my roommate's
temperament probably saved my life.

The Incident

I had been working long hours for several weeks only to come home to
collapse into bed. I was no longer having trouble sleeping as Susan
(as I had come to call the ghost) and I had come to terms.

On night in late May I had gone to bed shortly after getting home and
fell instantly to sleep. In what seemed like no time at all I was
having the strangest dream. I dreamt that Susan was standing over me
and she was very angry. She was telling me I had to get up NOW. Well,
I woke up and, like the time before, I woke up listening to the room.
Susan wasn't there but I felt something was wrong just the same.
That's when I heard it. It sounded like someone was trying to get in
my front door. They weren't kicking it in, but it sounded like they
where trying the locks.

I was frozen, not wanting to believe it was really happening, but,
remembering the dream, I knew I had to get up. I threw off the covers
and, hands shaking, grabbed something off the corner of my dresser
before cowering by the entrance to my bedroom. Whoever it was had
gotten the door open and you could hear the chain catch. Then there
was a loud bang as they forced the chain. I squatted there by the
door trembling, too scared to try for the phone. The intruders, for
there were two, made their way towards my bedroom as if they knew
right were it was.

I acted without thinking. Right as they were about to enter my room,
I jumped up and sprayed them with the mace I kept on my dresser.

Now, I don't know if you have ever been exposed to real mace, but
this stuff was the genuine article! I had gotten it down south a few
years back and tried to take it with me everywhere. This is New York
City after all!

I had once tested the canister by holding it at arms length then
aiming the nozzle at the drain in the kitchen sink before letting out
a short burst. The effect was enough to send me running to the
bathroom gagging!

Needless to say it stopped both of the intruders in their tracks.
While holding my breathe and closing my eyes, I attempted to jump
and push my way through where they were now sprawled on the living
room carpet. The second one, who must have been less affected by the
mace, grabbed at my ankle as I stumbled passed. This caused me to
fall to my knees. Choking now from the spray, I kicked blindly at his
hand. This worked and regaining my footing I struggled towards the
front door. I remembered croaking "Fire!" as loud as I could.

I didn't have to go far for help though, because as soon as I got to
the front door, my neighbor, Rich was there with gun in hand. Ah,
yes, I forgot to mention he was a cop. I don't remember much after
that. The police came and they took the men away. I gave a them a
statement (leaving Susan's warning out, of course) as I was being
treated by paramedics for the lingering effects of the spray. Rich
and Ann, once I assured them I didn't want to go to the hospital, let
me stay with them for the night.

I found out later that "Susan" had also paid these two a visit,
banging on their living room door, so that Rich opened it just in
time to hear my door being forced open one flight up. I thanked Susan
often after the incident for her timely help.

Thus ends my tale of a ghostly rescue.

Questions, Questions

"Did you ever see Susan again after that?" asked Eric. "Well, I
didn't actually see her again, Eric, but I often heard her and there
were occasions when she would do little things for me, like a
mentioned before. Mr. Micelli had told me that his wife liked button
carnations, so I always tried to keep some around," Isobel replied.

"Do you think she is still there, Isobel?" asked another child.

"I don't think so, Jeffery. About seven months after the break-in,
all the occurrences stopped. I learned later that Mr. Micelli had
passed away at about that time."

"What did the men want?" asked Kipper.

"That's a good question, Kipper, but as you know from previous years,
one I don't like to answer. Let's just say there was someone in my
life at that time who didn't like me very much."

"So, it wasn't just robbery?" the boy persisted.

"No, not just robbery, Kipper," Isobel replied.

Vincent felt, as well as sensed, Catherine shift next to him. Her
curiosity was peaked.

Partly to save Isobel any further discomfort and partly because the
conversation was drifting away from the "spirit" of the occasion
Father said, "Well, everyone I think that concludes our stories for
this year." He was careful to look at Isobel when emphasizing the
word. Continuing he stated, "Thank you so much Isobel and thank
everyone for coming to the Reading this year. As for you, Kipper, and
the rest of the children, I think it may be well past many of your
bedtimes." To quell the many protests this decree initiated, Mary
joined in Father's affirmations that the Reading was over and it was
time to head to bed.

While Catherine volunteered to help Mary tuck everyone in, Vincent
assisted father in straightening the library. After putting several
book away Father turned to Vincent and said, "So much for assuring
the children her stories were just stories!"

"Now Father," Vincent said, "Isobel did tell the children at the
onset that they could believe as they wished."

"That's not the same as telling them that they aren't true, Vincent,
and you know it."

"I sense no dishonesty in Isobel," Vincent replied.

"Yes, well, I know you don't, which is probably why you were not as
firm with her as you should have been." He then gave his son a
reassuring pat on the back before making his way out of the chamber.
Vincent looked after his sire for a moment before continuing to put
away chairs. It looks like you are going to get one of "those" talks,
Isobel. He then smiled to himself. Don't be too hard on him, my
friend.

After Vincent had finished he went to find Catherine to take her
home. They hadn't made it very far when she asked, "Vincent do you
know Isobel's last name?" Again, he found himself smiling just a
little. He knew that when Isobel had stated it wasn't just an
ordinary robbery that Catherine would want all the details.

"Isobel was a friend of a key Helper for many years before coming
Below," he replied. "I don't know much about her history prior to
coming here, but I do know she was married to a man named Robert
Lawrence, though she prefers to go by the name Chapman."

"Isobel Chapman!" Catherine exclaimed stopping in her tracks. "I knew
the circumstances sounded familiar. William Chapman, Isobel's father,
was one of my father's clients. If I remember the story correctly, it
was her husband who tried to kill her... something to do with her
leaving him and wanting her rather extensive fortune back. But if she
is Isobel Chapman what is she doing here? I mean, my family has
wealth, but nothing like the Chapman's! Unless she was unable to get
the money back? But why wouldn't the rest of the family help her?"

Vincent thought for a moment. He did not like discussing the pasts of
his fellow tunnel dwellers as many were painful and private, but
Catherine already had many of the pieces, so he said, "When Isobel
first came to us she was very withdrawn and... fragile. Her friend,
the Helper, thought this would be the best place for her. She needed
somewhere where she could feel safe... but also somewhere where her
... unique sense of reality would not be questioned. The Helper knew
that Isobel would refuse the type of counseling offered Above, but
she was in devastating pain. We accepted her and, slowly, have
watched her psyche heal itself. Her current cheerfulness is
remarkable compared to when she first came here. It is our hope she
will return Above again, but only when she is ready."

Catherine walked silently beside him for a minute before saying,
"Vincent, do you believe Isobel's stories?"

"I don't really know... I don't really know."

A Revelation

Father made his way slowly to Isobel's chamber, the howl of the
Chamber of the Winds was growing stronger with each shuffling step.
He had thought carefully about what he was to say to the woman. He
knew he had to be careful so as not to ruin the progress she had made
in the last year and a half, but he felt it was time for Isobel to
start being more responsible for what she said and did.

The sentries had told him about all her trips Above and he felt it
was time to remind her how dangerous this could be to their community.

Approaching the door he noticed the heavy curtain usually covering it
was swept aside. Music, rather loud music, was coming from the room
beyond. Foregoing rapping on the door frame for fear of not being
heard, Father stepped into Isobel's chamber. Seeing her, on the far
side of the room, half turned towards him, he opened his mouth to
shout out his arrival.

It was then he noticed the book. It was in the center of the room
about four and a half feet off the floor, which in itself would not
be unusual, but for the fact that it was floating in mid-air. Mouth
still open Father looked from the book to Isobel and back.

Isobel having caught Father's entrance from the corner of her eye,
turned slightly towards him then followed his gaze. As soon as she
looked at the book it fell to the floor. Nonplussed she scrambled to
the tape player to turn it down.

"Yes, Father?" she said questioningly, as if nothing unusual had
happened.

Father who was now staring at the book where it lay realized his
mouth was still open. Snapping it shut he quickly looked up at
Isobel.

"Can I help you?" she said sheepishly.

Father seemed to give himself a little shake before replying in an
uncertain voice, "No. No, my child. I... had wanted to talk to you
about something," he glanced at the book, " but it doesn't seem
important right now."

Slowly he turned and made to leave the chamber, but before stepping
through the door, he turned back to look at the book where it lay on
in the middle of the floor. Raising one hand to scratch his beard he
said to Isobel, in a slightly befuddled voice, "You know, Narcissa
isn't far from here. I think I may stop by her chamber. I believe I
may owe her an apology for ...past...uhm...slights."

"That may be nice, Father" Isobel said looking slightly apologetic
herself.

And with that he left.


The End.

Happy *Almost* Samhain Everyone! ~ Wemmick

MIDNIGHT MASS

Vincent adjusted his cloak to better insulate himself against the
December chill. Soon now, very soon, he would know if he had been
right, and this terrible waiting would over.

This night, considered the most holy and anticipated of nights by
many of the City's inhabitants, had come much too swiftly for Vincent.

He tried to focus on the street below, but the image of the woman
lying motionless in the building across the street would not leave
him. How could it, when he had watched again and again as she fell
backwards, as if in slow motion, to lie in the aisle at her child's
feet? Even more painful had been the look on the boy wore as he
stared his Mother's face.

Shock? Disbelief? What went through a child's mind at a time like
that? Vincent would give anything, even his soul, for the question to
remain unanswered. 

This child's tragedy was two-fold, for it was he who had said to one
of the gunman, with all the surety of a five-year old, that they
could not bring guns into, "God's house. It was bad."

The gunman had then shown the boy what "bad" truly was, by singling
out his mother.

Vincent, who had been watching the Christmas service from an alcove
of the old church, had started when the newcomers pulled their
weapons and began issuing orders. Although in shadows, he found
himself amazed that no one had heard his loud gasp, that was, until
he realized this was a dream. Once realized, he had left the shadows,
drawn by what was happening in the front of the church.

He could still hear the woman trying to shush her child, then plead
with the gunman.

When the man had called her out into the aisle, she must of sensed
what was about to happen for she had told her son to close his eyes.
He had not.

Night after night the dream repeated itself, the service with it's
incense and choir music, the shock when the weapons were drawn, the
boy speaking up, the mother's last words, the gunman's icy rage, and
finally, the boy's look of confusion and disbelief. Each time,
Vincent found himself powerless to stop the tragedy as he could be
neither seen nor heard.

Sometimes in the dream, he found himself Below, staring at a
newspaper headline after the killings. It would scream of the
`Midnight Massacre'. But as hard as he tried he could not read the
name of the church.

As Christmas drew nearer, in desperation he had turned to Narcissa,
and then Catherine, after Narcissa confirmed his fears.

Catherine had given him a computer generated list of all the churches
in the City. Many, not fitting his description, had been quickly
eliminated, but many remained. For four nights, against Father's
protestations, Vincent and a number of others, including Catherine,
had roamed Manhattan and the outlying boroughs looking for the
building in his dreams. More than once he put himself in danger by
insisting to see the interior of one church or another. 

Finally, two days before Christmas, on a tip from a Helper, Vincent
had found it.

He now crouched on the roof of the walk-up across from St. Pancreas.
Catherine had done her best to alert the authorities as to what was
to come. It had been difficult convincing Joe and then the police
that her tip was good. After all, it was rather absurd that the
parishioners of a church in Queens would be attacked on Christmas
Eve. She had succeeded, however, and assured Vincent that there would
be a police presence at Midnight Mass.

Vincent looked down once again to where Catherine's car was parked on
St. Pancreas' short, dead end street. She would, of course, insist on
being present. Pride filled his heart as he remembered her speaking
earlier to one of the undercover officers as the parishioners filed
past into the church. She had glanced up at him then, knowing his
location through the Bond.

He had questioned why undercover officers were to be used. Wouldn't
it be just as effective to have one or two uniforms stand in front of
the church to scare off  anyone contemplating a crime? Catherine had
replied that she had thought that too, but it seemed the description
he had given of the gunmen matched that of a group suspected in
several hate crimes and the police wanted to catch the perpetrators,
not chase them away. In fact, his detailed description of the woman's
killer was the only thing that had made the police take her
seriously. It seems the man was wanted in connection with another
biased related murder. This information had left Vincent feeling very
uneasy.

Vincent was brought back to the present by the slow approach of a
car. The hair on the back of his neck began to rise. This was it. A
few moments later the door to the car opened.  Disappointment, soon
replaced by relief, filled him. The elderly women who exited the
vehicle was now making her way towards the stairs. 

Doubt suddenly seized Vincent. What if he had been mistaken? What if
Narcissa was wrong and his dream was only a dream, or worse, what if
he had foreseen something, but this was the wrong church or the wrong
year? He thought of the hours that had gone into this search. No,
this was the right church and the right time, but how foolish he
would feel if he were wrong!

Vincent watched as the husband of the elderly woman joined her on the
steps. A fragment of the dream flashed before Vincent. Shortly before
the gunmen entered, he had been in his alcove watching the service,
when a bright red handkerchief, tucked neatly into someone's coat
pocket, had caught his eye. That handkerchief had just entered the
church.

Heart racing, Vincent concentrated on sending a message though the
Bond, "Be ready. Soon."

This time the car approached quickly. The three gunman exited and
rapidly made their way up the step, leaving only their driver in the
car, with it's engine running. Vincent watched as one of the men
checked his gun before entering the church door. Vincent eyed the car
where Catherine and an officer sat. Had they seen that? He was sure
they had. He had been very explicit with Catherine as to what the men
would do once inside. He only hoped she had found some way to
communicate this to the undercover officers.

Every muscle tensed as he watched one of the undercovers exit the
unmarked car and make her way, gun drawn, towards the getaway
vehicle. Vincent was duly impressed by how quickly the policewomen
had the driver out of the car and on the ground. There had been no
time for the man to signal his comrades inside. 

Catherine had mentioned what the plan would be. The officers would
position themselves inside, at the back of the church and act as soon
as the suspects were recognized.

It was as the policewomen was handcuffing the driver that one of his
accomplices burst though the church doors. Luckily for the officer,
for she was in plain view, the man was unarmed, though handcuffs
dangled from one wrist. Seeing their driver sprawled on the ground,
and hearing sirens approaching,  the man ran towards the cemetery at
the end of the street.

Vincent saw Catherine leave the unmarked car as the man ran past. She
yelled for the policewomen to stay with her suspect and took off
after the man. By this time, Vincent had jumped from one roof to the
next, following Catherine's movement on the ground. A quick glance at
the officer on the street and the church doors confirmed no one else
would be assisting Catherine for awhile. Catherine, meanwhile, had
jumped at the man's legs as he scrambled up the tall brick wall
surrounding the cemetery. Her reward was a swift kick to her face.
Enraged, Vincent leap unto the roof of the last house before the
wall.

The man had just made it over the iron work that topped the bricks
when Vincent leapt from the roof directly into the burial grounds.
The force of the landing sent him rolling head over feet among the
stones. Catherine's pain permeated the bond bringing out the animal
hunter in him. Shaking the tumble off, Vincent used his keen senses
to locate the retreating gunman. Quickly, he took off after his prey,
the distance between the two closing rapidly.

Sensing someone behind him the man ran faster, zigging and zagging
between the headstones. Vincent, while unusually graceful for someone
his size, found it difficult to change direction as swiftly as the
smaller, leaner man, so the race continued, with the gunman slowly
pulling away.

Finally, they came to an open area.  Here, Vincent's superior stride
became evident as he  lessening the distance between the two. But the
open area ended up ahead.

Seconds before the robber would be among the stones again, Vincent
lunged. He did not miss. In fact, the force of this attack knocked
his prey unconscious.

Panting Vincent rolled the man over. The face of the killer in his
dreams greeted him. Vincent snarled, still charged with the hunt. He
raised one clawed hand to strike when, suddenly, a small voice
stopped him.

"Vincent?" it said questioningly.

Vincent looked up in surprise.

There before him stood Ellie.

"Ellie?" came his breathless reply,  hand still raised in the air,
headed cocked slightly to the side, the beast still firmly in control.

Ellie smiled a sad little smile.

"You were sent to save lives. Remember, Vincent?" she said, eyebrows
raising slightly.

Vincent looked around confusedly, his hand slowly dropping back to
the ground. He focused on calming his breathing; on controlling the
beast.

Just then bells started ringing faintly in the distance. Mass had
ended. The service must have continued despite the interruption.

He looked back up at Ellie. She too had heard the bells.

"Merry Christmas, Vincent," she said smiling brightly now.

Vincent nodded dumbly as the girl faded away.  

Snow began to fall. Vincent, breath still ragged, raised his face to
the sky. The woman and her son would be leaving the church now, the
boy most likely chattering on about Santa Claus and the police cars
with their flashing lights. And Catherine was sure to find him soon.
She would urge him to leave quickly before the place was crawling
with officers. 

"Merry Christmas, Ellie," Vincent said, face still raised to the
falling snow.

fini
Ms__Wemmick