APRIL 12th CHALLENGE

AN UNFORGETTABLE ANNIVERSARY

by Nelly

Halloween night, 1988.

After one year that night finally came! Samhain night, when the walls between the two worlds are thinner and spirits are free. It was the best recurrence ever.

Catherine was excited and happy. She already said to Joe she would have gone home early to start the party. Of course, she answered evasively to all Joe’s questions.

The agenda was exciting: Vincent and she would meet at the tunnels entrance at Central Park, would attend the concert playing Haydn and Schubert and then, would revisit the places seen the year before. Luna Park, an amusement park, was established in Central Park and Catherine’s girl side didn’t resist. In fact, she wanted Vincent to enjoy that emotion. They could go there at the end of their tour while returning to the World Below.

There were a lot of things to do, and it seemed impossible in only one night. But, no worries, they would make it!

Meanwhile, Vincent felt Catherine’s excitement and he felt the same.

He couldn’t wait for the night to reach her and show himself to the world without any fear. These thoughts kept him awake all night. He was also thinking about what they had experienced in the last year and a half since they met; and the morning of October 31, he woke up with a decision in his mind and decided to talk with Father.

“Father, I have to talk to you. I’ve made a decision with no turning back. I want to stay with Catherine forever no matter what. We have endured through hard times, and I don’t want to lose her. Destiny made us meet and neither I nor other people can stop this sweet fate.”

“Vincent, I understand, but you know that it’s dangerous for yourself and for all of us. You have a huge responsibility towards our world. What if something wrong happens to you? If they catch you? Catherine can’t be so selfish.”

“It’s not her decision, but mine!” replied Vincent exiting the room, resolute.

He went to Narcissa’s magic chamber, and she gave him a small stone, saying “Vincent, here’s what you have asked me for. An emerald green stone that conveys to its holder light and energy. Use it well.”

“Thank you, Narcissa, I will, I promise,” replied Vincent.

He went to Mouse’s chamber asking, “Mouse, I’ve an important favor to ask you. I have a magical stone and I’d like it to be assembled on a ring for Catherine.”

“OK good, OK fine,” replied Mouse. “You will have the best ring ever within an hour. I’ll ask Jamie to try it; her hands are the same size as Catherine’s.”

“Thank you, Mouse,” said Vincent.

Catherine took a shower, dressed up, and combed her hair. She wore a yellow long flowing, court lady style, put some brown extensions in her hair, making them fall on one shoulder and decorating them with little yellow flowers. She wore practical but elegant coordinated shoes.

Vincent wore black trousers, boots, a white shirt with a romantic collar, and a blue-and-gold jacket embroidered on the front, collar, and wristbands.

They looked amazing!

They met at the Central Park’s tunnels entrance and hugged. They were both enchanted from the respective beauties and chorused, “You are beautiful.”

The concert was spectacular, and they held hands all the time. The city tour was made in a horse-drawn carriage Catherine rented. They embraced all the time. At the end of the tour, the horse coach left them at Central Park, and they went to the Luna Park. Vincent was surprised and not worried, even if he saw the carousel which caused many problems years ago…

People looked at them, enchanted… WOW! What a great thing if it could always be like this – they thought…

After having tried all the attractions of the Luna Park, they went to the panoramic wheel from which they could admire the city from the top. They started flying high in the dark and starry sky. They were excited and laughed all the time. Once they arrived on the top point, the panoramic wheel stopped and they admired their city, a city of two different, mysterious, and special worlds.

Vincent took Catherine’s hand and said, “Catherine, on this special night without barriers I want you to know that you are and always will be the love of my life. We will never, ever be apart. I wanted to capture the color of your eyes forever, making it eternal.” After saying these words, he took a little red box out of his jacket.

Catherine opened it and was shocked by the beauty of its contents. “Vincent, it’s beautiful!”

“Catherine, would you marry me?” asked Vincent, putting the ring on Catherine’s finger.

“I want it with all my being,” replied Catherine.

The following hug and kiss didn’t need any further words.

The panoramic wheel started going down and our heroes went on their way back to the tunnels to continue enjoying that special night. One of several nights they would be sharing together, FOREVER…

AN UNFORGETTABLE ANNIVERSARY

by Nelly

Halloween night, 1988.

After one year that night finally came! Samhain night, when the walls between the two worlds are thinner and spirits are free. It was the best recurrence ever.

Catherine was excited and happy. She already said to Joe she would have gone home early to start the party. Of course, she answered evasively to all Joe’s questions.

The agenda was exciting: Vincent and she would meet at the tunnels entrance at Central Park, would attend the concert playing Haydn and Schubert and then, would revisit the places seen the year before. Luna Park, an amusement park, was established in Central Park and Catherine’s girl side didn’t resist. In fact, she wanted Vincent to enjoy that emotion. They could go there at the end of their tour while returning to the World Below.

There were a lot of things to do, and it seemed impossible in only one night. But, no worries, they would make it!

Meanwhile, Vincent felt Catherine’s excitement and he felt the same.

He couldn’t wait for the night to reach her and show himself to the world without any fear. These thoughts kept him awake all night. He was also thinking about what they had experienced in the last year and a half since they met; and the morning of October 31, he woke up with a decision in his mind and decided to talk with Father.

“Father, I have to talk to you. I’ve made a decision with no turning back. I want to stay with Catherine forever no matter what. We have endured through hard times, and I don’t want to lose her. Destiny made us meet and neither I nor other people can stop this sweet fate.”

“Vincent, I understand, but you know that it’s dangerous for yourself and for all of us. You have a huge responsibility towards our world. What if something wrong happens to you? If they catch you? Catherine can’t be so selfish.”

“It’s not her decision, but mine!” replied Vincent exiting the room, resolute.

He went to Narcissa’s magic chamber, and she gave him a small stone, saying “Vincent, here’s what you have asked me for. An emerald green stone that conveys to its holder light and energy. Use it well.”

“Thank you, Narcissa, I will, I promise,” replied Vincent.

He went to Mouse’s chamber asking, “Mouse, I’ve an important favor to ask you. I have a magical stone and I’d like it to be assembled on a ring for Catherine.”

“OK good, OK fine,” replied Mouse. “You will have the best ring ever within an hour. I’ll ask Jamie to try it; her hands are the same size as Catherine’s.”

“Thank you, Mouse,” said Vincent.

Catherine took a shower, dressed up, and combed her hair. She wore a yellow long flowing, court lady style, put some brown extensions in her hair, making them fall on one shoulder and decorating them with little yellow flowers. She wore practical but elegant coordinated shoes.

Vincent wore black trousers, boots, a white shirt with a romantic collar, and a blue-and-gold jacket embroidered on the front, collar, and wristbands.

They looked amazing!

They met at the Central Park’s tunnels entrance and hugged. They were both enchanted from the respective beauties and chorused, “You are beautiful.”

The concert was spectacular, and they held hands all the time. The city tour was made in a horse-drawn carriage Catherine rented. They embraced all the time. At the end of the tour, the horse coach left them at Central Park, and they went to the Luna Park. Vincent was surprised and not worried, even if he saw the carousel which caused many problems years ago…

People looked at them, enchanted… WOW! What a great thing if it could always be like this – they thought…

After having tried all the attractions of the Luna Park, they went to the panoramic wheel from which they could admire the city from the top. They started flying high in the dark and starry sky. They were excited and laughed all the time. Once they arrived on the top point, the panoramic wheel stopped and they admired their city, a city of two different, mysterious, and special worlds.

Vincent took Catherine’s hand and said, “Catherine, on this special night without barriers I want you to know that you are and always will be the love of my life. We will never, ever be apart. I wanted to capture the color of your eyes forever, making it eternal.” After saying these words, he took a little red box out of his jacket.

Catherine opened it and was shocked by the beauty of its contents. “Vincent, it’s beautiful!”

“Catherine, would you marry me?” asked Vincent, putting the ring on Catherine’s finger.

“I want it with all my being,” replied Catherine.

The following hug and kiss didn’t need any further words.

The panoramic wheel started going down and our heroes went on their way back to the tunnels to continue enjoying that special night. One of several nights they would be sharing together, FOREVER…