A CELEBRATION OF LOVE

by Lisa van der Wilt

No one noticed the two.

Vincent and Catherine were sharing one of their most important moments. For Catherine, this was a time that she was brought back to the bad that happened to her, but somehow by the powers of the universe, it brought along the good. The good that was Vincent.

When two souls collided, not knowing how the simple deed of compassion that Vincent had for a stranger brought upon them.

A love that formed a bond of great joy to them both.

Today was a special day, regardless of the circumstances for both of them.

Catherine stood at the entry of the Central Park Tunnel’s entrance. She was wearing something of the unusual for her. Unlike her usual business attire, she wore a dress; it was of a pale pink color, her hair was down, and flowed against her back.

She was waiting for Vincent to come today, April 12th; the day where the two officially met had become their anniversary. She was excited to surprise him with a fully planned trip. Something a little different than their usual excursions.

The world saw him differently, but alas she never had before… but somehow the world was crooked and at a loss for compassion, and in the end, they had each other.

There was no darkness when they were together, they leaned on one another through thick and thin. Many wrongs had happened to them both, but they needed each other.

When he came to the forefront and showed himself, the rise of the morning sun creeping over the trees, she took a look at her man.

He was tall, the sunlight hitting the amber of his mane giving her belly a stir, the love she had for him was overwhelming. Even just by the glance of their eyes, she knew that today would be great

Quickly she ran to him, leaped into his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck in a large hug.

“Vincent.” She breathed out a sigh of delight.

“Catherine,” he said in his soft voice. Holding him gave her great comfort, and even though she could stay in his arms for hours, she knew they had today, and today he was going to get to experience a day filled with her love and adventure.

“Are you ready?” she asked, backing up slowly.

“Wherever you go, I will follow.”

She took his hand, gave him a wink before leading him away from the tunnels, his home. She was always grateful that he felt safe enough for an adventure.

Catherine led him out of the park and towards the car she had waiting.

“Take a seat,” she said with a fake bow, opening the car door for him.

“I’ve read books, Catherine, it should be I doing this for you.”

She laughed slightly at the comment, then nodded her head. “Next time.”

Catherine was most excited for this trip. She had planned a lot for it, making sure they would experience everything they could within the next twenty-four hours.

“So where are we going? You haven’t given me any idea what we’re doing today.”

“It’s a surprise,” she said in a sing-song kind of way, then quickly she sped out of the parking space and onto the road.

The silence shared between the two was noticeable, but she didn’t know what to say. Though this was the first time for such an adventure, she wanted to make it enjoyable, but she was nervous also.

“Want something to eat?” she asked, as she pulled into the nearest gas station to top them off.

“Thank you, that sounds most delightful.”

“Would you mind getting it?” she asked, handing him some cash, the green bills going into the palm of his hand as he nodded.

If it seemed crazy to her that he would actually go inside, it surely would be crazy to him. Vincent had gone inside. Rarely did he ever do things in broad daylight where people could see him.

The man that sat at the front counter didn’t look up from the paper he was holding, even as Vincent went and picked out small items from the shelves.

When he returned, Catharine could see him release a huge breath of relief, as if he held it the entire time, and finally released it.

“Are you all right?” she asked, in fear that she had upset him. An idea of such nature seemed crazy to them, but today was their day, no one seemed to care.

Which was how it should be.

Catherine and Vincent hopped into the car. No further words exchanged. But they ate the warm bagels smeared with cream cheese from the small gas station in peace. Catherine turned on some music much later and sang along to the greatest hits of the late eighties.

Finally, they neared their location in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. She was excited about the little place she had rented, the hassle to get it for one day was a bit difficult. But she was freaking Catherine Chandler, nothing could stop her in her path. Especially when it came to terms for Vincent.

When she parked the car, he allowed a sigh of relief to pass to see the little cabin. The wood was a tanned birch color. She could tell that he had never seen anything as beautiful as this. Leaving New York had never happened in his lifetime, and such an adventure was new to him.

Catherine’s heart was racing with excitement. The entire situation was stimulating.

A day meant just for them.

Catherine watched as Vincent overlooked the small space. The silence of anticipation hung high between them.

Catherine clapped her hands together and smiled. “Ready to hit the road again?”

“Again?” he asked.

Catherine’s only response was a giggle.

She reached for his hand and gave him a light tug, leading him towards the car. When they were back inside, she held onto the fur-covered hand.

Looking at him as they stopped at the red sign, she muttered in appreciation, “I’m glad we are taking this day for us.”

As they finally drove into the parking lot of the huge greenhouse, she smiled at him.

“What are we doing here?” he asked, only wanting further information as she gave a teasing grin.

“Well…. I could tell you…” She paused, stepped out of the car, and went to open his door for him. Leaning over the edge of it, finally taller than him, she smiled.

“We are going berry picking if you must know.” She watched him step out of the car, matching her smile.

They walked, hand-in-hand into the large building, a greenhouse made entirely out of glass. Outside, April still held a small April wind, whilst inside the warm heat hit her immediately. She knew she would get warm quickly and she wondered if such a choice was too much for Vincent.

He had more fur, making it even warmer for him.

As she pictured him sweating, she watched as the lady at the front counter handed them a basket.

“Pick away! Each basket is $20, but you can fit a lot of berries in there. Have fun, you two!” As all the fear of the woman commenting on her man slid past her, she walked ahead, her hand linked with his.

As they went through the rows, she was gentle as she picked the different berries off their little bushes. They had blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and more. She was amazed by the Berry Picking Barn and their options at this season.

Vincent crouched down and began to pick as well. But with his talons for nails at times he had difficulties. He would squish the delicate piece of fruit. Catherine tried to hold a bout of giggles as he continuously squished the berries.

He gave her a look, more out of the tension he had at the situation. He wanted to fit in like all the rest, but alas this was proving to be a bit more difficult.

As she giggled once more, Vincent grabbed a few squished berries and wiped it on her cheek.

“I’m sorry,” she said, before repeating the process and smearing a few on his cheek as well.

She leaned over, pressed her shoes in the dirt and gave him a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him. The berries were all that she could taste, and it felt safe in his arms. No worries about who saw them.

Catherine was enjoying every little moment she was having with Vincent. Normally when down in the tunnels they were helping other people, or reading. Never did they spend much time enjoying nature and things that it could provide.

Once finished picking they paid – berries smeared on their face and all – and they went back to the cabin.

Catherine and Vincent, once inside the small house, went and began to make a berry pie. Whatever was extra they would bring home with them to the tunnels; their friends – especially William – would surely enjoy the fresh fruit.

She watched eagerly as he grabbed the apron that the house had. He wore the white apron with ease, covering his body as she followed suit.

Catherine was excited to work with him on a simple project, albeit she wasn’t knowledgeable in baking, all that much.

“Do you know anything about baking?”

“Ummm…” She made a sheepish grin and shrugged her shoulders. “Not really… but how hard can it be?”

With a shared laugh they began to make a triple berry pie.

Catherine and Vincent really didn’t know the undertaking a pie was. Possibly one of the trickier recipes as well. Vincent was busy at first with destemming and removing the leaves off all of the berries to boil on the stove, while Catherine prepared the sugar and other ingredients one might need to make the berry filling.

From there while it cooked, they both shared the task of making the crust, a personal enemy to both. Whilst earlier they had a few berries on their cheeks, now they shared flour in their hair, their bodies covered with it.

Once finished they both shared a look, a look of knowing.

“Do you want me to order something for dinner?”

“Thank you, I think that would be best. When I get home, I must surely thank William for all his hard work.”

“I will give him thanks as well. I don’t know how people do this all the time. From scratch. Well… I hope you had fun at least.”

“Catherine, any time I spend with you, I have a delightful time.”

Catherine looked at the phonebook and debated on some local Italian place. She ordered them some pasta and breadsticks.

As the sun was going to start setting, she went and grabbed a blanket. She placed it outside on the back deck with some blankets and pillows she decorated. She grabbed the bottle of wine that came with her, and she was ready to go.

Everything about this day had given them greatness. As the delivery person came, Vincent paid. She watched with amazement as her usual shy man wanted to take charge, lead the way. She would give anything in the world just to have this every day.

To her, nothing was different. But to them his life was below, and hers was above – for now.

Seeing how today felt, she craved being with him, all the time, just like this.

Catherine sat, and watched as he brought the food over. The pie they had made was on display for them both to revel in how it looked.

Vincent joined her on the blanket and they began to eat their meal. She leaned against him, embracing in his warm arms.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked, as some time had passed, an open book on the side of poetry they were reading in between their delicious meal.

Now the dessert was in front of them and it was a mark on the time they had left. The sun had set, and the moon slowly rose in the night sky, giving them a chance to enjoy each other’s company for a little while longer before they went home.

“Of course, I love being with you, Catherine. I love you dearly, I can’t imagine my life without you.”

She nuzzled closer to him, leaned up and kissed him. Her lips traveled softly, enjoying the feel of it against his lips. Her hands wandered over through his mane. Everything about the passion they shared was intensified.

This day meant so much to them, and as he kissed with new fervor, both receptive of the others feelings, she rolled him onto his back.

Catherine pressed against him; a soft moan passed her lips as they went further than they normally did. Something was running through her as her body got warmer with each passing kiss.

Their hands searched the other as they kissed, slowly making love under the moonlight.

Their passion burned hotter than a flame, an immutable flame.

When the night passed them by, and their love had been shared, they both knew their anniversary day was over, and although it was, something new was shared between them. A new fondness, and they learned more about each other than they had ever known before.