A HAPPY NIGHT

by Paula

Author’s Note: This story is an expansion of one of my
Altered Episodes for the April 2025 CABB Challenge: A Happy Night

Without Father’s knowledge, in conspiracy with Mary, Rebecca, Olivia, and William,
Vincent is preparing a birthday surprise for Catherine. For Friday evening, after a hard week
at work, she is invited to the hot springs Below. Surrounded by scented candles,
Vincent delves into the art of massage.

* * * * *

In silence I have watched you.

     ~ T. Williams

He stood leaning against the wall near the library entrance with his arms crossed over his chest, following her every move: a kiss on Father’s cheek, a few words exchanged with Rebecca, a grateful hug for Mary.

She was already heading toward him; a warm, sensual thrill spread through his heart. We will finally be alone. But his joy was disturbed by William whispering a few words in her ear. Vincent furrowed his brow; a senseless feeling of jealousy began to gnaw at him mercilessly. I’m the one who should lean over her and convey feelings with my mouth.

His lips were tightly clenched; this birthday party Below was getting prolonged, or maybe it was his patience that was dwindling. He had been preparing to give her something special for days, and now a spasm of desire and longing began to shake his body. From the onslaught of emotions he fled into memories as the idea of surprise was born in his mind…

* * *

This had been going on for a long time, her fatigue growing with each passing day, her exhaustion deepening. Those were evenings when he waited longingly in her apartment while she masked her indisposition with a smile. And again another hard day, another difficult case. He knew her heart; his love needed a respite from the darkness and brutality of the world Above. I was there to support, to watch. He gently guided her by the hand to the bed and snuggled into her body, needing but not demanding, just the touch of tightly intertwined hands, a few whispered words.

Do you remember when we created our own heaven? It seems that it happened light years ago. This precious time…moments of oblivion, unique, glorified. I stood exposed in front of you then, feeling the chills and the flame, begging to be touched in this abyss of uncertainty. He hugged her tighter; she sighed quietly. I crave this gift you offered me. Perhaps if I mark a path along your body with kisses…? With his finger he brushed a strand of hair away from her serene face.  No, not in your state of exhaustion.

Before dawn began to peek into her bedroom, he listened to her calm breathing. As he left the apartment, he felt he was denying himself a miracle; disappointed and unfulfilled, embittered by the day separating them.

In the privacy of his chamber, his thoughts continued to revolve around one person. As he lay on his bed, staring at Kristopher’s painting, he found a way to restore her strength. His clouded face lit up with a smile. The wonders in my world will make the hardships of her work disappear.

* * *

His gaze was distant, thoughtful, the boundlessness of the ocean, the immersive depths. The touch of her hand turned him back from faraway lands, the sight of her beautiful eyes focused only on him aroused physical pleasure on the surface of his skin.

“You were somewhere else.” Her smile was flirtatious, captivating; anticipation, excitement touched him deeply. He pulled her closer and whispered the words in her ear. “I drifted away longingly.”

Her heart shook in her chest, waves of heat flew back and forth. “So…let’s not waste any more time.”

They touched foreheads with relief, devotion, and for a few breaths the world stopped. After a while, she felt a warm hand gently entwining her fingers to guide her to a secret place. In her memory, she recalled when she received a note from him; she read it once, a second time, a fifteenth….she could go with him into the unknown, always.

Among the rocky corridors, softly lit by torches, they walked in pleasant silence. The air was crisp, and in an excited, warm tremor, they discreetly shuffled between posts, moving away from the areas she knew. However, female curiosity began to take precedence over calmness. “Where are you taking me?” She tilted her head.

The corners of his mouth curved into a smile. “We’re going to the hot springs.” His gaze was focused on the path ahead of them, but she could see a glint of elation in his eyes and only apparent calmness written on his face.

“Does Father know about your plans?” She smiled in anticipation.

His facial expression was puzzled. “There are things he doesn’t need to know. Why disturb his peaceful sleep?”

Her laugh was short. Father – a brake that turns life into anguish. “Someday he has to find out that something has changed between us.”

For moments his face took on the look of a helpless boy. His lips twitched slightly. How had things changed? Will we reconcile the two worlds?  “Yes, important decisions lie ahead.”

She raised her eyebrows and opened her eyes wider….and understood now his earlier impatience, relief, excitement, underlying concern.  Are you afraid of Father’s reaction? Or how we connect our worlds? This evening was both an invitation and a confirmation. “All our lives we traverse paths, enter foreign, unknown territories.” Her hand clenched tighter in his.

His gaze was tender, full of hope. “We are getting closer to our goal.” He pointed in the direction. She turned her gaze in the indicated area and saw a glow emanating from the rocky entrance.

She carefully stepped onto the sandy ground, feeling the pleasant warm air, drenched in minerals. “What is that smell?”

A shy smile appeared on his face. “The water contains some silica, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Bathing here improves blood circulation and can help with muscle pain.” He furrowed his brow. “Could you like it?”

All around her were rock walls taking on a variety of shapes; shimmering colors, shades of pink, green, blue, sparkling in places, gave the impression of an enchanted land. Huge jars with candles waiting to be lit stood next to a spread blanket. Not far away, water flashed from the pool. “It’s remarkable.”

His hands rested on her waist and his nose plunged into her hair. Right next to her ear, she felt his breath. “Happy birthday.”

“Vincent…” For a moment she stood in bewilderment with her mouth slightly open. It’s a place where a person succumbs to a certain charm, seeing that his world is made up of beauty. She turned and snuggled into him, fitting perfectly against his body.  “Thank you.” Her lips were already wandering around his neck, “Thank you…”

On his back he felt the touch of her hand. His pulse quickened, awakening the submissive delight humbly lurking beneath his skin; at that moment he felt that he could not stop the opening of the heavens. He took a deep breath. “Catherine,” he barely touched her lips, “this is just the beginning of the surprise.”

She moved away from him gently and watched his face with an enticing smile. “We are here together now. This is the best gift, but…” she winked flirtatiously, “if you have something else, I’d like to see it.”

My sorceress. After a short pause filled with the beating of his heart, he took her hand and led her deeper into the cave. They reached a place surrounded on one side by a metal railing. “Here, there is a pool of water with a temperature of almost 100 degrees. As I mentioned, a bath will allow your body to rest.” He advertised the place, but she was already willing to accept whatever he offered her.

“I packed bathrobes, and we have towels and sheets. In this bag are the snacks that William has prepared. I think strawberries and chocolate chip cookies will be a nice addition.”

Catherie leaned over the pool and gently touched the surface of the water, feeling its warmth. “Shall we stay here until morning?”

“Yes, if you want.” He folded his arms, finding it hard to hide his nervousness.

She rose from the edge and walked closer. “You’ve prepared yourself.” Her hand  touched his back.

“In conspiracy with friends.” He pulled her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. “Mary gave us a double guilt to use as a mattress. Rebecca made lavender and vanilla candles to soothe and relax. Olivia offered us warming oils.”

“It’s beautiful to be able to count on friends.” Her hands touched the patchwork quilt. “Truly wonderful.”

He suppressed a shrug.  “They helped without surprised glances.”

“I thought you had passed the threshold of shame and fear.”

All that remained was for him to sigh heavily over his reluctance. “I’m learning.”

“I can see that and it makes me happy.” With her fingertips, she stroked his hand. “William wished us a tasty night.”

“Ah, these are the words he whispered in your ear.”

She nodded with a smile. “There was no mockery, just sincerity.”

In his eyes there was that distance again, that rough sea. “They accept us together.” His voice was quiet, disbelieving.

“You can abandon the panic of the heart.” When she uttered the words, his face was like a sunrise: warm, radiant, hopeful.

It was her suggestion, a gentle pressure. A few crumbs fell off the wall of doubt. He pointed to a canvas bag leaning against a rock. “If you feel like it, I have wine and tea. I’ll stick with tea.”

His beloved looked at him curiously, and he fled with his eyes to the soft quilt with several pillows. A small furrow formed between his eyebrows. “I prefer to be awake during certain activities.”

They stared at each other, accompanied by the sound of bubbling water and the crackle of candles. She saw the promising gleam; he felt her longing.

With a gentle smile, he put his arm around her waist. “There’s a rock shelf at the edge of the pool where you can sit.  Kanin and Cullen carved it, plus some steps. Mouse installed a metal handrail.”

“It looks amazing.  I haven’t seen so much of your world yet.”

“Everything is ahead of you.” The last of his hesitancy vanished from his gaze.

Her fingers touched the buttons of his knitted sweater. “Why don’t you join me?”

A warm tremor of freedom, remembrance spread through his body. What a subtle dance we are conducting in this grotto. “In a moment, when I get everything ready here.” He got rid of his coat and sweater and rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbows.

For a moment her face was obscured by a shadow of surprise, but she understood. You must have a plan of your own.

In the ledge by the rock stood a small wooden table. He spread a linen napkin from Mary on it. As he slowly pulled out the supplies, his ears picked up the sounds of her movements. She was pulling off her clothes. His eyes were closed, and his imagination suggested to him pictures of her soft skin and the last time they were…

He shook his head, stunned, and surreptitiously glanced in her direction. She was just dipping into the water, and with this sight he lit his own fire. Several buttons of his shirt were undone. With slightly trembling hands, he busied himself with unpacking. The thermos of tea, the cookies, and the bottles from Olivia were a promise of something special for both of them. What a night ahead!

The water had a relaxing effect; swimming was pleasant and blissful. She sat on a bench. With her eyes closed, she absorbed the calming atmosphere… From behind her came the sound of a belt being pulled down,  the unzipping of his pants; he was probably already shirtless. She involuntarily trembled when she heard him enter the pool.

With pleasure, she watched the movements of his body; the waves shimmered in the candlelight. At that moment, she forgot about the difficult process at work, the constant fatigue. For the past weeks you have been a support to me, cradling me in your arms in the evenings, allowing me to fall asleep, giving me solace before the challenges of the next day.… Without warning she was touched by an incredible longing for heaven on earth, when together they experienced all the colors of the world and heard their own music.

Completely sensitive to her emotions, he was already swimming toward her. He emerged slowly and approached her. He stood before her triumphantly masculine, beautiful, vulnerable. Drops of water ran down his golden skin, she traced the route of one of them to the plane of his belly.

His gaze stopped on her tempting curves. She raised her eyes to him. “It’s been a while since…” Her smile was fresh, like a bouquet of roses.

“Yes…”He gently touched her fingers. “Do you want something to eat, or should I turn into a masseur?” His restraint was admirable; with his hands he caressed her shoulders.

Food was not a priority now; the desire to snuggle into his body, the touch of his hot lips; the experience of nakedness, strength, tenderness and unwavering fulfilment. “Thank you, but I’m not hungry now.”

All the emotions unbalanced him, but he was able to grab a towel and cover the strategic parts of his body, determined to carry out his plan to the end, to give everything he had intended. He reached for another towel  and began to dry her. His breathing was labored, heavy.

“Mmmm…isn’t this too much pleasure?” Her voice hushed, trembling

“Too much?” he repeated quietly. ”This is never enough.” His fingers wandered along her shoulders carefully. “Now come, lie down, do not think about anything.”

“I will try.” Only about us together at last…

They approached the unfolded quilt. “First, lie on your back.” His voice sounded confident. Meanwhile, he lit candles; the aroma of lavender and vanilla filled the air.

He knelt beside her, placed a pillow under her head, and gently untied the towel so that it flowed freely down her sides. She trembled and he sighed. I must be strong, he persisted. “I’d like to take you through a relaxing massage to the end, it’s important, every action.” His gaze was serious and his tone of voice balanced.

She nodded, noting the deeper meaning of his efforts. “I did not know you had such skills.”

He laughed lightly as he walked over and sat behind her head. “I really don’t know if I have. I talked to Ike about a surprise for you, and he sent me a book on the art of massage.” He squinted, recalling the reading process as he held his breath, looking at the illustrations, the descriptions. Like a diligent student, he had memorized every detail.

Even after bathing, she felt the lightness of her body.  “I think I can safely put myself in your hands.”

The corners of his mouth twitched in emotion. “You can feel calm. Now for a moment, breathe deeply, so that I can begin to release you from accumulated stress. We will start by relaxing your head. Close your eyes, please.”

He took her head carefully in both hands, lifted it slowly, and turned it to one side and the other. He repeated this action several times to get rid of the tension in her neck. He lightly rubbed the folds behind her ears and massaged her cheeks and forehead with his thumbs, feeling that he was bringing her relief.

Now he knelt beside his beloved and reached for the oil. He spread it over his hands and began to rub it first into her one hand and then into the other. He stroked and caressed each finger, finally massaging the inside of the hand in circular motions.

“Wonderful feeling…” This praise made him pleased.

“I’m glad my treatments are working.” He wrinkled his forehead, contemplating his next steps. With slow movements, he moved over both her arms, gently kneading them. Now it was time for the lower limbs.

He approached that temptation. He carefully grasped her heel with one hand and held it below her knee with the other, raising and lowering it. He repeated the same actions on the other foot. As he stroked with subtle movements and kneaded them in the middle. She felt a slight tickle, causing her to laugh charmingly.

You are gorgeous. “I’m sorry. My fur doesn’t help.”

She opened her eyes and noticed that his cheeks had turned pink. “I think it makes everything even more amazing.”

Just the truth in her eyes. Will I continue to doubt that we will find a way?

In silence, he resumed the interrupted activity. His hands covered the area below her knees, then moved higher and higher up to her thighs, eventually staggering in circles on either side of them.

Her eyes were closed again. Relax, calm down, let him finish.

He pressed his lips together, watching her struggle. Now he had to shift his attention to her chest. “Catherine, please, now keep your eyes closed all the time.”

The immense request was sensed in the words.

Now the towel was moved to her legs to keep in the heat of the parts of her body that are not massaged. More drops of oil were rubbed into his hands.

A breathtaking landscape appeared before his eyes. He began the journey with his hands from her neck, the paths spread to her shoulders, stroked her breasts with both hands. He placed one hand above her heart, the other near her sternum.

He was close to exploding. Drops of sweat appeared on his forehead; his breathing became heavier and heavier. These really are hot springs! He wiped his forehead with a towel. Another sigh and he was already circling her pelvis with his hands, then drawing circles on her perfect belly.

He resumed his rituals around the gorgeous curves. How to make such a touch not erotic? He massaged mildly, with his whole palms, then his thumbs. You are more resilient than I am. I have always felt that. His hair tickled her neck as he leaned close to her ear.“Roll over onto your stomach.” He could only whisper; the whole procedure made the flame of desire tickle and grate him at the same time. Oh, snuggle up to her, settle into her body.

With clenched fists, he touched her back from the nape of the neck to the sacrum, then massaged the skin on either side of her spine with his whole palms, and finished the whole thing with a light touch of his hands, spread over her shoulder blades. The movements were repeated many times with sensitivity.

The final stage was the lower part of her body. With light movements, but with pressure, he took up the muscles of her thighs and buttocks, going lower down to her calves. He repeated the actions several times. When his hands stopped on either side of her hips, he breathed deeply. I feel like an earthquake has passed through me.

“It’s over. How do you feel?” He took a  towel, pulled the damp material off her back and covered her with tenderness.

“I feel wonderful. All the stress is gone from me.” She yawned briefly.“Thank you is not enough.”

There was so much warmth and tenderness in his smile. “Rest. It was a pleasure to help you.”

She shook her head and tried to fight the weariness. “This is not how I wanted to end this massage.”

“Shh…” He stroked her cheek and hugged her. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” he whispered near her ear. “After such a session, you should rest for a while.”

“But only for a moment.” She was still trying to rebel against her body, which was dragging her persistently into dreamland.

When he kissed her cheek, she was already asleep. Pride and contentment triumphed in him. I succeeded in the session. You got my gift. Sleep, dream;  He reached for a blanket lying nearby and covered them both…I will guard you as you sleep .

The aroma of candles still floated around. He felt the touch of her fingertips along the line of his spine, moving once higher and then lower… His breathing became intense, his heart quickened. She knew how to create a fire and draw him into it. He turned his head, then he felt her stroking his proud lower lip, biting, breathing on it caressingly. When he was close to madness, she took care of the upper one, tempting with gentle touches, making it tremble. My love, truly mine.

They played with their mouths, exploring new territories. It was a confession in trembling sighs, a time when the boundaries between their bodies blurred, creating a boundless sweetness, shaken by a spasm of longing, love, desire, an abundance of caresses, a painful need; their shared rhythm…

Her face above mine, her mouth…that moment when I already know what’s about to happen. In awe, trembling irrevocably…her scent, her body.

An avalanche of doubt and fear flowed from him and vanished. He knew that this night was a confirmation of what they were together.  It is a happy night…